Chapter 2: Walking on Cloud 9


Death Star smiled at Iceheart's amazement as she gazed at the huge crack in the Earth, better known as the Grand Canyon. The sunset hit the sides of the canyon and caused a hypnotizing allure to the viewer, the magnificent colors splashing about, as if painted there by a god's hand. He knew she had never seen anything like this before and it pleased him to see her enjoyment. "Oh, lover, it's beautiful...." she whispered and pulled him closer.

"Not as beautiful as you," Death Star told her and she laughed warmly, pushing him back some. "That is like so unoriginal...." she told him. "Really? And here I thought I made up the world's best pick-up line."

"Uh huh. You couldn't make one up if your life depended on it," she teased as she looked back at the canyon.

"Oh REALLY? *A-Hem* You must be a parking ticket," Death Star said, trying to keep a straight face at Iceheart's startlement. "Because you got 'fine' written all over you," he finished and she smiled and hugged him tightly. "See? I know my lines..."

"Really? Who gave them to you, Dominator?"


Death Star chewed on the marshmallow and frowned deeply. "Harow da hark do hurmans eat these thrings?" he tried to say as it stuck to his mouth. Iceheart laughed next to him, twisting the stick she was holding in the fireplace. Death Star swallowed hard and still could feel some of it still there. "Ack...I think ancient humans designed these things to keep their kids quiet as they tried to sleep..."

Iceheart rolled her eyes and brought the stick out, plucking the marshmallow from it and into her mouth, chewing it with ease. "Yub yub," she said, picking up the phrase of words from him, "eat your grub." Death Star shook his head and leaned back on the ground, resting his head on his hands as he gazed at the sky, watching the stars twinkle. "'Night." He quickly fell asleep and left Iceheart there, gazing at the sky.

Iceheart's Love Theme
Iceheart smiled at Death Star, sound asleep, beside her as she looked up at the stars. Standing up, she walked to the edge of their little camp area and looked up at the sky. It was the one thing she could always count on in the wastelands, the beauty of the stars. Something to guide her, remind her that not everything in the world was a barren wasteland, threatening to consume one.

She quickly spotted her favorite one, a big, bright red one to the west. It was worth more in the north, from her point of view in the wastelands. She always knew, where ever she was, whatever she was doing, she could count on looking upon that star for comfort. It seemed to be her personal guide throughout the ages, something nobody could take away from her. And standing there now, gazing upon it, she let her thoughts flow. For some reason, she was sensing danger. Was it Death Star? Something to do with their relation? Or something else? She didn't know....she doubt she ever could find out what the thought was that was bugging her. Yet it would not leave her alone.

Turning her head back to the sleeping Death Star, she smiled. Whatever there was ahead, she knew Death Star would be with her. No matter what....Turning back to her star, Iceheart sighed, content.


Death Star leaned back in the chair and sipped his coffee, surveying the diner with a smirk on his face. The people in there were looking at them, eyes wide open and shock on their faces at two Reploids sitting at one of the tables, eating and drinking coffee. "You know, people would think we were a couple of freaks. That old woman in the corner is really starting to get on my nerves," Death Star muttered to Iceheart and caught the old woman's eye, giving her a sexy look, eyeing her up and down. The old woman immediately went 'humph' and turned away in disgust. Snickering, Death Star turned back to Iceheart.

"Well, after what happened that past month*, I'm not surprised. I mean, Reploids almost went extinct and then afterwards they were hunted down and squashed until you managed to change the President's mind**. For awhile there, I didn't think we were going to get out of that situation alive," Iceheart admitted to Death Star, who was frowning, disturbed because he blamed himself for the matter really. If he hadn't been so stubborn on loosing the station*** then none of this would have happened, probably. But, in the end, he hoped that gamble would pay off...
* - The Hunted/Afterstrike Storyline
** - Mission 64, Legends Reborn Part 3
*** - Mission 50, Hunted Part 1

"You're right...at least things are halfway back to normal. Though the damage done can never really be reverted. Less than a hundred Reploids alive. Most are Mavericks, the rest have either run off planet in hopes of escaping the prejudice, and the rest are working on the MHHQ station. And I heard talk among the crew. Many of them want revenge. I mean, what the humans did was totally unjust, but they can't see past the point of they try anything, we're all back in deep, pardon my French, shit again...." Death Star informed her.

"It's a sh-" Iceheart started when suddenly a huge man came walking up to the table and slammed his fist on their table and glared. "Excuse me, but I think it's time you left," he said.

"And why's THAT?" asked Death Star, ticked off. Iceheart tried to make signs for him to shut up, but he ignored her. The man didn't seem to notice her. "Because we don't like your kind here. Now get out before you're thrown out." Death Star stood up to his full height, and while taller than the guy, he was no where near as bulky as the guy was. "Excuse me, but I don't have to leave if I don't want to. And quite frankly, you couldn't make me leave if you wanted to." The man glared at Death Star. "Is that so?" he snarled and drew his fist back, throwing a punch right for Death Star's stomach. The Reploid quickly grabbed the fist, twisted to the point the bone began to break, causing the man to stumble some. He then brought his leg back and drove it into the man's leg, listening satisfyingly to the bone crack some, causing the man to drop like a sack of potatoes. Smiling at the crowd of shocked faces, Death Star reached down and grabbed his coffee, swallowing the last bit. "My, my, that was some good coffee. Thankee, but I think we'll be going now," he told them, smiling warmly as he helped Iceheart over the moaning man on the floor.

As they walked towards the door, the owner called out, "Who's goin' pay for that?" Death Star smiled and waved his hand down to the man on the floor, who was whimpering softly. "He's got my tab. Tell him when he quits crying like a baby, 'thank you'. Now, I'll be off. And you, in the corner calling the cops, don't bother. I work for EarthGov. And I don't think you want them learning of this little situation. Your friend over there on the floor could get in trouble for starting stuff. I am a Commander after all...whoops, did I forget to mention that???" Death Star added and walked out the door, turning to the frowning Iceheart.

"Was all that really necessary?" she asked.

"No, no it wasn't, but I really don't give a you-know-what. Bunch of prejudice @#%#@! shouldn't be warned they're messing with an EarthGov Commander. They just need to be dealt with like that. Besides, the expression on that man's face, not to mention everyone else's, was quite nice..." Death Star told her. Iceheart shook her heard.

"Sometimes..."


Chapter 1 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Conclusion