<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Capricia<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Nostromo<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->




*The remaining Vong survivors of <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Nostromo's<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> aftermath, found their attempts to overrun the ship thwarted rather abruptly, as the mass of Droidekas ripped into them in a hail of heavy-laser fire. They fell where they stood, mainly from the sheer number of the Robots, shredding the enraged aliens into pieces.

Vinda stood on the bridge, observing their progress, via the Closed circuit cameras installed on the ship.

Relieved , he switched it off , as his attention turned to Omar...*

"..options?..."

*Omar turned from his console to face Vinda..*

"..not many, the ships engines are beyond repair , we aren't going anywhere, we're going to have to ride this one out.."

*Vinda nodded grimly..*

"..what <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> do<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> we have?.."

*Omar's eyes quickly scanned down the data-pad he was holding...*

"..45% of weapon systems still operational, full complement of troops, fighters are intact, though we have no way of launching them, scanners and sensors still operational, All fires below deck 6 have been extinguished ...our supplies should last us for some time too..."

*Vinda interjected...*

"..what about communications?..can we call for reinforcements?"

*..Omar shifted slightly ..*

"..actually , Sir, we have already tried, several times...(he paused for a while as if reluctant to explain further...)...they..haven't responded..."

*Vinda's eyes narrowed at this comment, and his face took on a very concerned look..(Omar continued..)*

"..at first I thought it was the communications array, but after running some diagnostic checks on it, it all seems to be in full working order, which leads me to believe the problem does not lie with us..."

*..Vinda hung his head as he sighed heavily, this was not what he wanted to hear. Something was wrong , very wrong, whatever the situation was, it was clear they were all going to have to be very resourceful. He straightened up rubbed his face with his hands briefly , as he considered his next move*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..where in the hell is Achinta?!...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*His thoughts were interrupted by a the shout from the Comm's officer..*

"..Sir, you'd better come and take a look at this!..."

* Vinda cut Omar a concerned glance as the two made their way to the Comms console, he gestured for the officer to show his findings. The Officer , who was half-listening on a pair of headphones, flicked a small switch , and the familiar crackle and hiss of radio-static filled the bridge, the room seemed to fall silent as virtually the entire crew listened intently...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...me in, Al..ha T.... Repeat Come.... ..ph..two........in need of emergency assistance ................................................... Invade...
....heavy casualties infl....................so.. kind of Virus......re..st emergency...do...read......urgently.........<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*The young officer turned to face Vinda and Omar...*

"..we've tracked numerous distress calls , coming from several major cities ...at first there were literally hundreds, there are only a few...the numbers falling fast "

*Vinda nodded slowly, his eyes squinting as he tried to make-out the contents of the message ...*

"..good work, keep listening , if anything new arises alert me as soon as possible.."

*Turning from the console, he took Omar to one side, his voice deeply serious...*

"..Virus?.."

*Omar nodded, his voice lowered a little..*

"...could be some kind of Bacterial-warfare, if used to its full effect , could be devastating.."

*Vinda's face sullened and stiffened, as he considered the ramifications*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ... don't know for sure, but I can't afford to take the risk...and with all the Kriff we've all been through , I'll be damned if I'm going to let us all die from some Frankenstein-Flu...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*With what seemed like a renewed vigour to some, or to others simply a foul-mood, Vinda walked swiftly up to the bridge, and addressed the whole crew...*

"...Listen up Gentlemen!..Code-red!, issue everyone with enviro-suits, get the med-team to find out all they can , see if we can find some way of fighting this should the time come, is it airborne?, are there carriers?, Comms, try to contact any survivers, see if we can get first-hand knowledge of this thing...

We need to get into contact with VC-HQ, I don't care how you do it , just <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Do it<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->. Activate the emergency distress beacon! Seal all decks below 6 and 7, weld the doors closed if you have too, no personnel are to leave this ship under any cirmcustances . Do <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> not<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> let anyone onboard this ship unless I directly say otherwise, we are in effect under quarantine protocol...
...get in conact with the core fleet , see if there are any spare fighters to recon the area with.."

*The crew scurried away in all directions as they all struggled to keep up with the tirade of orders Vinda Churned out. He raised his hand to attract the attention of an ensign , who quickly obeyed ...*

"...Try to contact whoever, whatever is the Caprician authorities, we need to know for sure what their status is?..."

*The Ensign shot off before Vinda could dismiss him, shaking his head slightly, he retrieved and lit another Cigarra , Omar joined him at his side...*

"..got another one of those?..."

*Vinda raising an eyebrow , reached into his pocket and handed Omar one...*

"..I didn't know you smoked..."

*Omar , speaking through gritted teeth replied...*

"..I don't , just thought it was as good a time as any to start..."

*A grin crept at the sides of Vinda's mouth as he took a long drag, exhaling a plume of smoke around him...*

"...how long can we hold out?..."

*Omar's eyes narrowed, as he considered this for a brief moment..*

"...as long as it takes, as long as we are sealed in , we can recycle all the air we need...(he glanced up to meet Vinda's eyes)...but its not the virus I'm worried about..."

*Vinda sighed again, and murmured in agreement...*

"..yes, I'm sure we didn't make ourselves popular after parking ourselves on one of their supply stations...it won't be long until they head in our direction.
Lets face it we are , to all intents and purposes a nine-hundred metre long sitting target...we need to get in contact with whatever's left of the Capricians forces, the sooner the better..."

*He glanced up to the flickering View-screen still baring witness to the trail of carnage and destruction the Vinda-Corp vessel had inflicted upon the ground. He turned back to face Omar and spoke, his voice drenched heavy with concern..."


"...if theres any left ..."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Sealine City... <!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


Tyscio Korban's head broke through the surface of the water as he gasped for air.

The explosions near his position had flung him off the cliffs he and his men were stationed and into the sea below. The mighty plasma shots were melting the sand and raising the temperature of the sea as fire rained down from the invaders above.

However, no one was actively trying to target him, so, allowing the waves to carry him, he drifted to shore. His battle armor covered most of his body except the face but he could feel the alien weapons effect on the ocean.

As he slowly dragged out of the water, he turned from the muffled sounds of death to a far off flash of light that lit up the sky.

He stared in awe as the cloud moved higher and higher into the sky wondering what unlucky blokes were caught in it.

His armor started bleepinga warning and, at first, he thought the seawater was getting to it. But a signal had been received on an ultrasonic wave and a message scrolled across his LED panel in his right arm.

The display disheartened him.

<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="red">** Danger: Pathogen Warning **</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->

"Damn" he whispered.

He'd have to find armor more suited for protection against Bio-warfare.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Perhaps a hazmat attachment?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Looking about, he found that he still had his lightsaber though his blaster rifle was nowhere to be seen. Neither could he located (or feel) those that had been with him up on the cliff.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Could this get any worse?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, his mind chided.


As he started to climb back toward the solid ground of rock and dirt, he saw the remains of Sealine City's towers scattered like broken bits across the skyline.

He heard distand sounds of intense weapons fire.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Ground fighting!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

The larger enemy ships were landing, perhaps in an effort to secure the position of the once major city.

Grabbing at his saber and with another hand wiping the salt water droplets from his brow (his skin feeling rather sticky) he let out a sigh of resignation and began to forge on ahead toward the city..toward the fighting.

He started to pick up the pace the closer he came.

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> The Road to Antioch..<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


Hespante witnessed the massive explosion as it climbed higher and higher releasing the Leveller of Empires with quiet dispassion.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> No matter how far civilization decays, we just can't seem to forget, along with our achievements, the ability to destroy. So constant such actions remain.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The relic from the Commonwealth continued his trek into what had been called, a few days before, Antioch.

He stood rather tall, his garments of a seeming royal nature and yet of simple design. His blonde and gray hair blew with the wind as it hit his face.

He was so engrossed in the planet's scars that he failed to notice a Chazrach warrior coming toward him until it was before him barring his path.

The creature snarled, raised his club and charged.

Hespante, overcoming his brief startle and hesitation, shot a hand out toward the oncoming Yuuzhan Vong slave.

Before the Chazrach could respond to Hespante's uncharacteristic lack of fear, he found the Commonwealth man's hand embedded into his throat.

The creature's hate was unmistakeable.

With a twist, Hespante's hand had snapped the Chazrach's neck. The body of the reptilian alien slid down, his hand finally being pulled free of the creature's neck by it's slump.

Hespante kneeled to inspect his assailant and his brows furrowed.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> I do not recognize this species.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


He stared at the way before him once more and shook his head.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Capricia.. Capricia.. just what have you done?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Highlands<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


Parliament Member Jorrum Gerrard watched the numbers grow as people poured into the Highlands in an effort to escape the alien onslaught.

"Sir, Clan amry fragments are starting to appear in the foothills."

Jorrum's eyes narrowed. "Do not allow them in without swearing loyalty to me. I'll not have their cowardice infecting my people as well."

"As you say, Sir."

"What of our reserves?"

"With the population growing, we are going to begin taxing them..."


"Cut off power and water to the foothill lowland cities."

"Sir?"

"They will eventually be hit .. in fact, they will need to be taken out by the enemy before they can assault our position." The Parliament Member turned to his aide. "And mark my words, Clarion, they will attack us."

"But to deny the resources.."

"Clarion. They will fall.. that's an inevitability. Do we wish the few rescources we have wasted on them or supporting us when the trials are upon us? Basic war tactics."

"Yes, Sir. But what of the Leveller?"

"Can the damned virus be detected?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Deny all who have it entrance into the Highlands. If they refuse to listen, you are authorized to use force."

"Sir... symptoms are not showing yet. It is possible that the pathogen will remain benign."

Gerrard turned to his aide. "Do you really believe that Clarion. That this pathogen will remain benign for long?"

"No, Sir."

"Let's talk no more of nonesense. Use force if you have to Clarion. I will not have the Highlands undermined by our own sick. These invaders are ruthless and to defeat them, we must equally ruthless.

It's the only language they understand.. the only one they respect."

"Yes, Sir."


"Now, let's talk of food supplies...."


The two men continued their inspection of the North Rampart.

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Bonadan System<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Hyperspace Reversion<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->




*As <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Transient<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> shuddered into real-space just outside of Bonadan, Richter's eyes widened at the sight of the considerable fleet they had suddenly emerged behind of...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..what the!?...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"..Tellum?, zoom in on those ships..."

(Tellum obliged)

*Gripping his chair-rest tightly he recognised the CSA insignia that had been plastered over the fast-moving ships instantly ...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...they've done it!, they've finally done it!...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*Suddenly Sitting straight up in his chair , Richter's voice was one step away from panic...*

"..Code-red everyone!, Code-red, raise shields!...what is their current trajectory?"

(Secretly he already knew, after all, why else would the CSA have any form of fleet here at all...)

*Tellum, who had also been observing the preceedings with alarm , relayed the orders, and replied to Richter , his voice also deep with concern ...*

"..Bonadan , as for shields we don't <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> have<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> any, well, not that can withstand another full-scale engagement"

*Richter scowled at this remark...*

"...Damnit! ready the fighters!..what about short-range Comms?, can we reach Bonadan yet?.."

*Tellum shook his head,*

"still out of range, though I'm sure Bonadan's already picked the fleet up...."

*Richter sunk back into his chair, his mind racing, trying to think of possiblities...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> got to do something damn it!...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"...have they picked us up?..."

*Tellum's otherwise placid looking face frowned as he gauged the scanners...*

"..hard to tell, they are jamming all scanners and communications.."

*Richter stood up , and wiped his brow...they were not prepared for this, least of all he. in fact he had just been looking forward to sleeping in his own bed, now that even seemed to be at risk...
The CSA Invading Bonadan was huge, it would change everything, Vinda would be sure to respond..

To be more accurate , he had already anticipated it..

Richters mind raced back to the rather clandestine meeting he had attended almost a two years ago, Vinda had outlined a Course of action if such a situation was to occurr, an Emergency protocol so to speak.
He closed his eyes trying to remember every word...

It looked like now was the time to use it, but first they needed to contact VC-HQ...

Richter turned to face Tellum once more, his voice sounding weary...*



"..I'm open for suggestions?..."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Capricia<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



The Chazrach warrior Arn was among the very few soldiers that entered

Caprician space from the Providence disaster. Battered as they were, the Yuuzhan Vong vessel that carried them to their masters was in no condition to raze the Caprician Fleet dead in space.

The warriors took heart that Yun-Yuuzhan did indeed smile on their most glorious conquest as they watched the dead hulls of the infidel ships float by.

At least, all warriors except Arn.


There was nothing for him to take heart in for he had failed.

Their defeat rankled the Chazrach for, in his simple mind, there was no excuse.

He wandered aimlessly through the Religious Command Ship upon their docking within it. There was much activity with the complete destruction of their landed soldiers and material, being crushed by the landing of the metal abomination of the infidel that had crashed.

The Master Shaper would not allow such insolence to his power to go unchecked.

His wanderings took him to a chamber and what he saw stopped him cold. His eyes refused to believe what was before him.


The infidel female who had played a part in his defeat at Providence.


She was lying on her side, her guards having left the chamber to attend to the more immediate emergency duties that the Vinda Corp's crash landed vessel had suddenly created.

Arn's hand slipped behind him and tightened around the club that was attached to his back.

The female did not stir and his lips curled in a snarl, his reptilian sharp teeth flashing.


This weakling human had bested his group.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> This... captured piece of meat!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


On some level, something snapped in Arn's mind. He went over and touched the leathery, yet transparent, wall that contained the Jedi.

And as he walked around and around, Arn's rage mounted until it was simply too much for him to handle.

His hard skin of sharp scales burst through the tough membrane and the Chazrach moved forward grasping Leia by the hair and dragged her to her feet and out of the cell.

When she finally stood, attempting to hide the pain and fatigue, he moved behind her and grasped the head of the creature that bound her wrists. The creature instantly tighted it's hold on Leia's wrists causing her to cry out but soon the pressure let up. Arn had crushed it's head and in doing so, it's hold that bound Leia's wrists was removed.

Her wrists started to bleed once more as the creature's thin body was pulled out but the relief from her sore muscles, strained shoulder and wrists was almost immediate.

Arn moved around her, his eyes never leaving hers.

He walked a few meters away from her and then stopped.

Facing her from the distance, Arn pulled his club from behind him and savored the moment.

Here, he would regain the place of honor she had taken from him.

Here, he would regain the favor of the gods.

The hard club slapped against his reptilian claws.

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Capricia... Antioch Front..<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



Tallien watched the 'downed' Vinda Corporation's vessel through the transparent membrane of his command ship. He was in such silent contemplation that he barely caught the entrance of an underling.

//Your Eminence. The warriors who have tainted themselves by attacking the abomination have been gathered//


//Fools// hissed Tallien under his breath.


But he would not move the Command Ship. It would not do well to have the

Glory of Yun-Yuuzhan change locations due to a foolish infidel attempt to attack it. It would be a loss of face in front of their enemies.

//Have the Chazrach being their work// he ordered, pleased with the idea that came to him.

Thousands of Chazrach slaves were unloaded from the ship's onboard hatchery to start digging the largest pit that Tallien had ever seen. Already, the makings of it's outline showed all the way around the Vinda Corp. vessel.

Soldiers were giving the ship a wide berth as unloading of materials began some few hunred meters away from where the infidel ship had crashed through before.

10,000 warriors were missing and an untold number of Chazrach.


Tallien would need a sacrifice to match that loss to even begin to have Yun-Yuuzhan to glance their way once more.


//The warriors who tried to board the abomination reported that the infidels are trying to seal themselves in//


Tallien's eyes narrowed.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> These were not Capricians. Why are they here?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


//Have we identified their origin// Tallien snapped in irritation.

//We have, your Eminence. Your creatures have identified the abomination as called <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Nostromo<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->.. of Vinda Corporation, a maker of many foul abominations. They incur the god's wrath with their very existence.//


//Mercenaries, then.// Tallien spat out the word. //They have no cause here. It should be fairly easy to break their will.//

He smiled ironically at saying the word, "will".


//Your Eminence?//


//Bring me Vuas..and have the warriors bring me prisoners. As many as you can.//


The underling bowed.


//As you command, Eminence.//

They've done it. They've finally done it.
Alarms were blaring across the bridge of Supreme Commander Isstal's mamoth command ship, the Eclipse-class Super Star Destroyer The Negotiator. The CSA, for all their boasting and threats, had finally put their money where their mouth was.
'Sir? Orders?' Isstal nodded.
'Charge the superlaser. Send Empress forward, slowly, and angle them away. Keep them off the shipyards. Alert me when we are prepared to fire.
I want a complete manifest of all friendly vessels within one hour of this location immediatly.' Aides and officers were running, trying to keep up with the tyrade of orders.
You won't get the better of us. We're ready for you.
'And ensign; destroy whatever ship is blocking our comminucations and get a message out to Vinda. CSA forces attacking.'

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Capricia... Antioch Front <!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



Mathias coughed up dirt and dust as his gasp for air was less than successful. As he wheezed he noticed other soldiers in his group hauling themselves up from their anchor along the cliff wall.

When they had realized they'd never get across, they began to anchor bolts into the ground and tie themselves to them as the earthquake hit.

Most of his men did not make it, and as Mathias gingerly touched his rib cage wincing in pain, he wondered if they did not get the better part of the bargain.

A quick glance across the fault showed the turbolaser battery-line in shambles. There was no movement, but the line was at a higher elevation making it difficult to tell if anyone was alive on the other side.

The earthquake had detonated the minefield so whatever it could not flatten, the mines did. Not an invader was to be seen in the massive craters the explosions caused.

And in the distance, the command ship of the aliens hovered over a fallen Victory Star Destroyer.

Now Mathias was not a fleet man but he could tell that whoever the crazy pilot was flying the damned ship, they may not last for long under the shadow of the bloody invader mothership.

He spat out as much to those that would listen to him grumble.

"Sound off." he tried to shout, the dust in his throat making it feel scratchy and dry.

As his men called out, he noted with some sadness the names that hit him by their silence.

"Major!" a call came and Mathias went running over to several troopers kneeling by a young soldier sputtering up blood.

"Frell. Medical pack?" he inquired hastily, but the sad looks on his comrades faces told the fate of the young soldier.


"M.. mmajor?" the young man rasped out, his mouth red.


"Yes, son?" he said, his voice being both firm and soft at the same time.


"I.. I ..want to go home.." he coughed again.


"I do too, Son. I do too." he whispered, placing something soft under the boy's head.

Glancing around, he noted how the greenery of Capricia was suddenly missing, the ground having been broken by artificial as well as natural destructive forces.

Dirt and rocks and dust.

"Tell.. tell my girlfriend... that I ... I..." and the boy's voice
caught in his throat.

Mathias looked on in horror as the soldier exhaled for the last time. A son of Providence had died. One of many that day.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> What are we doing here dying on foreign soil? We have no familial ties with Capricia anymore. So why?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


As if voicing his own thoughts, a soldier came out and asked, "Major. Just what are we doing here?"

But even as his own mind asked the question, the answer settled in his mind as quickly as the person asked the question.

"Saving ourselves, soldier. This is war!" he spat out harshly. "Do you think it's all fun and glory and excitement? People die in war and it's high time you start realizing it!"

He was getting warmed up now, feeling his old gruffness coming back.

"Do you think for a minute that if this planet falls, these invaders will just leave us alone? They already tried once for our homes and failed. Do you think they won't rectify that?"


The realization of what Mathias was saying began to sink into the others.

"Now, let's form up and see what we've got left. I swear to you this, boys: These alien buggers will pay dearly for this day!"


Their numbers depleted greatly, there was no way they'd make it across the fault and, really, they wouldn't know where to head if they did.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Time to fight with what we know..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Mathias took some binoculars and focused in on the Vinda craft. Already many Chazrach were milling around the perimeter but he could not see what they were doing.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> That ship is still operational!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, his mind shouted as he saw a turbolaser swivel ever so slightly.


"Rally point is that VSD." he said, into his comm. It was static at first and slowly, the groups that his men formed started acknowledging.


"Into the inferno, eh Major?" a young Lieutenant came up, sporting a found heavy blaster rifle.


"That's right soldier. Into the inferno."

He took one last glance at the young dead soldier that he had covered and noted already the wind already kicking up dirt and dust over the body.


"Into the inferno..." he whispered to himself.


He joined the small groups of men that descended into the craters to stealthily move back to the area they had attacked before.


Where Leia had been captured.

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Capricia<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Nostromo...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->




<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "...Seth..."<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->





*After leaving the proceedings under Omar's supervision, Vinda, slowly made his way towards his quarters, he rubbed his temple as if manually easing the stress from within it.

They couldn't go outside, they couldn't fly away, they couldn't get in contact with either VC-HQ nor the Capricians...
Everyone had their orders, and unless he checked everything with every single person on the ship there was nothing more he could do at this moment in time...

The inventory would take another hour, as well as the sealing of the ship...

He had learned the best thing to do at a time like this , was to rest. Even if for only an hour, although with all the things swirling around his head , there would be no chance of that, but he could at least try...*








<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "...Happy Birthday Seth..."<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->








*As the various crewman and personnel raced past him in the corridor attending to their orders, he sunk into his thoughts...
The sounds and voices of the crew seemed to muffle, then fade away by the time he had reached his quarters...

Sitting on the edge of his bed , Vinda slipped deeper into his thoughts, oblivious to the world around him...*






<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "...you mean everything to me...."<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->






*Closing his eyes, his mind seemed to tune into hearing a voice long since past...

Reaching into his pocket he retrieved his small Chrome lighter , and absently slid his fingers across its surface...Feeling the sharp coolness of the metal, strangely comforted him....

Out of all the things he had or owned, and despite its old age, and worthless metal value, this small chrome lighter was the most important thing he possessed , Vinda smiled faintly at this....


...more important to him than Vinda-Corp itself...



His thoughts flashed briefly to a happier time....*




"...Seeeeeth...."



<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...she reached out with an outstreched hand , a small giftwrapped box, lay upon it...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->




"...happy birthday Seth...."




<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..as he opened the box , the flash of metal glimmered across his face. Before he could thank her, he felt the warmth of her embrace, and her lips as she kissed him tenderly....Her voice close to a whisper ....<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->





*Vinda, opened his eyes, and ran a thumb across the the small , and heavily worn inscription along the side of the lighter....

Old age is a funny thing,( he reasoned), as time goes on you become wiser, you realise that every second lost , is something you can never regain. So you start to cherish the every moment that passes, for you know that once it is gone, it is gone forever....

Except in the hearts and minds of the people we love and care about ....unless, of course...

you don't have any...

Vinda sighed as he contemplated these thoughts, his eyes grew heavy as he started to drift asleep...

In the short time he remained in the state of drunken semi-conciousness , he could still hear the whisper of a name, he had not spoken of,

for a very long time....*





<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..Natalya...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->