HOME | DD

Description
Prologue
In the very distant future, time travel is as commonplace as taking a train ride. A profitable trade is 'Time Pirating', the act of traveling time in order to recover lost objects, which could change history or carry a high price. 'White Hat ' Time Pirates often work for free in order to keep the time line in check, while others cheat & steal disturbing the Time line - for any amount of money. But even the hardest of Time Pirates avoid the second dimension, also named Criybon territory. The only place not affected by a time line, inhabited by a very unique, race of people, who give the place its well-known reputation. A very new race - that has only existed in the few hundreds of years that time travel has been possible. For, you see, all Criybons were once humans, but only for a short while. Any child born in a time rift warps jumps into the 2nd dimension - and becomes a Criybon - the most feared people of all 'time'. These people can 'jump' every year into our world. With troubles like these laws had to be made and enforced, so the Bureau of Time - space agents, later renamed the office, was created. The three forces often collide and duke it out in bloody battles. This only makes Time Pirating more profitable to the point that teenagers fresh out of school make it their first job - few last very long.

The professor stood up. "Welcome freshmen class, as you should know this is a history class. As freshmen its high time you learned about the history of time travel, and the new race of people…"
"Yes! This what I've been waiting for!" Raydon whispered to Xenon.
Xenon frowned. "Why? Why do you want to know about Criybons so badly?"
Raydon smiled. "Any Time Pirate worth his T.M. has to know how to handle Criybons."
Xenon sighed, "Why do I even bother? I'm just glad Neon isn't time pirate crazy like you."
Raydon looked around. "Speaking of Neon - where is he?"
Xenon half grinned  "You forget: Neon skipped a grade and he's in all the advanced classes, remember?"
"Oh. Yeah.”

Neon took notes readily as the professor spoke: “As the legend goes, the human race can be taken down by one extraordinary Criybon, recognizable by...”
The young man’s pen raced across the paper-he wasn't going to miss a word, he would have to know all this when Raydon would inevitably drag him into time pirating.
The freshman professor continued his lesson. "There are two kinds of Criybons: the Neandolites, the greatest in number, the stronger of the two and heavily mutated. Second, the Kralio, are the smaller far less mutated form of Criybon. But what the Kralio lack in strength they make up for with intelligence. The Kralio look very similar to humans. Sometimes the only differences are hair or eye color. This makes them even more dangerous. Furthermore…" Raydon yawned-paying attention was harder than he thought!

Three years later ...

Knights of Time

"Sixty digots for a T.M (Time Machine)!" Raydon yelled.
"Sorry, but this is my best deal for a ship like this." Mrs. Def smiled. Neon walked in
"Def, you looking for something? I saw some Time Pirates leaving the store an hour ago."
Mrs. Def scowled. "The cowards! Years ago I lost something very dear to me and I asked them to find it for me. The cowards refused because it's in Criybon territory. Now I know no one in their right mind will go to find it."
Tank looked confused "What is Criybon territory?"
Raydon smiled "You’re kidding, right?" Tank shook his head.
Xenon, Raydon's sister spoke up. "Didn't you learn that in school?"
Neon laughed as Tank shook his head again.
She started again. "Criybons are, well, it happens when a baby is born outside it's own time, like on a time trip. When that happens the baby can't return, and jump time space so often, it’s hard to find them until they grow up. The Criybons, having experienced so many times and dimensions are now warped, primitive, savage, and aggressive. Not only that, but from all those warp jumps, they are often skilled in all types of combat & weapons-karate, knives, guns, laser blasters-most anything. That’s what makes them so dangerous. No sane person would knowingly go into Criybon territory."
Raydon smiled "Def, give us that ship and we'll find this thing you lost!" “WHAT!" Xenon and Neon yelled in unison.
Mrs. Def smiled "Deal!"
Tank fell backwards from shock.

Chapter 1: Race the clock

Xenon frowned in disgust. "We are going to risk our lives to find a stupid ring!"
Raydon smiled. "If we live we get to keep the ship."
Neon frowned. "Whoopee, an ugly broke down time ship-If we live!"
Tank was shaking. "How can I tell if I see a Criybon?"
Xenon answered. "It's not hard, all the warp jumps change a Criybon's DNA, so look for unusual hair or skin colors-extra eyes, arms, legs-stuff like that. Raydon and I have seen one; he was pink with green hair-the guy had four eyes and three legs, lucky for us he was slow or we would be dead."
"Oh." Tank whispered.
Raydon entered the data. "Pack some Laser blasters and let’s go."
Neon clipped his favorite pistol to his belt. Tank loaded the back with at least 40 L-Bs. Xenon packed a first aid kit and added extra heal caps.
Raydon helped pack the supplies onto the ship. "Everybody ready?" They nodded as they hooked their seat belts. "OK." He pressed the button and off they went.
The ship landed hard.
Raydon smiled "The ring is less than a mile from here." Neon grabbed a handheld radar that detected anything that didn't belong in Criybon territory.
"Let's go and get this over with," Neon groaned. Tank and Xenon packed their    L-Bs and followed. They had landed in what looked like a rainforest. Neon looked down at the radar and gasped.
"What?" Raydon stopped
"I..I..It moved! Really fast!"
Tank furrowed his brow. "How does a ring move?"
Xenon looked up. "When someone is wearing it," she answered flatly.
Neon shook his head. "Not that fast-not anything human anyway."
"Criybons?" Raydon asked and Neon nodded.
Xenon pursed her lips. "How far away are they?"
Neon looked down and swallowed hard. "15 yards-behind us."
Tank shuddered. "I'm guessing that’s not a good thing."
Raydon frowned. "No-it happens to be a very, very bad thing."

Chapter 2: Pythers.

       "10 yards- now would be a good time to pull out the L-Bs." They yanked out their L-Bs and swung around as several Criybons emerged.
Neon looked back at the radar. "One of the two in the back has it." The first Criybon drew a sword out as Tank fired and it fell dead. Now the others attacked, but Xenon managed to hit another. The remaining fought hard when all of a sudden; they heard a loud boom that that stopped the Criybons. Then there was yet another and a huge lizard-like beast burst through the trees with another following close behind.
Tank swallowed "What are those?"
Raydon shivered "Pythers."
"And what are Pythers?"
Xenon took a deep breath "The only things worse than Criybons."
One of the Pythers charged at one of the Criybons and she drew her sword. The beast screamed as the razor-sharp blade sliced off one of its arms. She withdrew it and stepped back as the Pyther's arm regenerated. The Criybon was still in shock as it attacked once more. In the blink of an eye the Pyther had swallowed her whole and the last Criybon ran in the other direction. The Pythers looked toward the humans now for a meal.
One charged toward Xenon. Raydon, Neon, and Tank shot at it, but it did no good. Suddenly the other Pyther screamed and the one chasing Xenon halted, looking back. The Criybon that had run away was on the other Pyther's back and his sword was buried deep in its neck. Its companion rushed to its aid, biting onto the Criybon’s leg and slinging him into a tree with a massive force. The injured Pyther's head fell to the ground-when the Criybon was thrown he had held on to his sword. The one still living screamed with rage. It swung around, slapping Tank to the ground with its tail. Swinging again, it hit Neon and Raydon, and snapping at Xenon, the jagged teeth just missing her. A second later it screamed and looked down at its foot-a dagger? The Pyther growled menacingly and glared at the tree. The Criybon was gone! The beast looked around…  And that’s when the Criybon jumped on its back. The Pyther tried to knock him off with its tail. He drew out his sword and swung it hard just as the Pyther’s tail struck him. The Criybon slammed into a tree as the Pyther's head hit the ground.


Chapter 3: Evil?
Xenon helped Tank up for Raydon and Neon were already standing. Raydon frowned. "Neon, go get more L-Bs just in case.” Minutes later Neon came back with a few L-Bs
"That’s all that’s left. The ship’s trashed. We're not going back anytime soon." "How?!" Tank yelled. "How did that happen?!"
Neon frowned. "Think it was the Criybons?"
Raydon shrugged. "I don't know. All this for nothing-no ring...."
"And NO SHIP! How are we gonna get home!?!" Xenon yelled.
"So what, even if the ship was fixable-with our luck, the ring was on that Criybon got swallowed-were in crap city here!" Tank complained.
Neon took a deep breath. "Before we kill each other-does anyone know how to fix a time ship?" They all shook their heads
"I-I do…" They all turned…it was the Criybon.
"What?" Xenon gasped
"I-I c-can f-fix your s-ship," he managed weakly. "If I l-live that long, b-but you c-can h-help me with that problem, c-can't you?"
Xenon popped open the first aid kit. "How do you know English?"
The Criybon laughed. "I know more than English-you didn't think I went through 19 warp jumps without learning a few languages, did you?" She felt stupid helping a Criybon.

Chapter 4: A trick?

   The Criybon looked at the ship "Shouldn't take more than an hour to fix."
Neon whispered to Raydon "Then we fix him." He pivoted, putting the bloodstained blade of his sword to Neon's cheek
"I heard that. I haven't the time or the patience to play with you now. And remember I don't plan on getting double crossed." He slid the sword back into its sheath.
Neon frowned "Who said anything about double crossing you?"
The Criybon smiled. "You did. I'm not deaf or stupid-got that?"
Raydon yanked Neon back. "So what is your price for fixing our ship and getting us home?"
He shrugged looked back at the ship. "Not much for the damage on this thing."
Neon cut him off "Get to the point!"
The Criybon smirked "Patience is a virtue you know. As I was saying, I think my price is reasonable for the amount of damage, all I ask is when you leave, take me with you."
"No way!" Neon yelled "There’s no way in hell you’re coming with us!"
"Uh...yeah!" Tank mumbled. "And anyway, why do you need our ship? Can't you jump on your own?"
The Criybon frowned. "I wish it were that easy, but we only jump once a year." Xenon considered this. "I wish we could, but there are laws and if anyone caught smuggling Criybons, we could be imprisoned for life-or executed. That’s too much of a risk..."
"Uh-huh…so you would prefer to die out here?"
"No, that’s not what I said…" she started.
"That’s what it sounded like," he cut in.
"I don't think you understand…"
"No, you’re the one who doesn't understand: if you take me with you, there’s a chance we'll all die, but if you don't I won't fix your ship, leaving you all stranded in the middle of nowhere-with only the thoughts of either being eaten or starving to comfort you."
Xenon swallowed. "There must be a reason you’re so eager to get away from here."
He laughed. "You got me-I'm in a wee bit of trouble and if I'm caught, I will be executed."
"What did you do?"
"Only the worst possible crime in our society: I killed my own kind. You see they call that deserting our race, because we become more like the only other creatures that kill their own for no reason."
Neon frowned "I suppose you mean humans."
The Criybon smiled darkly. "How'd you guess?"
Xenon swallowed again. "Why? Why did you do it?"
It looked back at her. "It was an accident. I didn't mean to kill him, I was only a child and he was a royal guard doing his job and I tried to prevent him from doing so…it's a long story. "
Xenon looked at Raydon. "Please…"

                               …The trip back *

The Criybon scooted out from under the ship. "Done," it announced.
Xenon smiled. "Your good at that. Who taught you how to fix a T.M.?"
He smiled "My brother, Saffron."
Xenon pushed her hair back. "I don't think you've told me your name."
The Criybon smiled "Cyan. And you?"
"Xenon."
Cyan stood up. "What’s it like?"
Xenon answered cautiously. "What’s what like?"
"Your home time."
"I guess it's just like any other-it’s nothing special."
Cyan rubbed his head. "I doubt I'll be able to stay long."
Xenon half smiled "I guess, the sore thumb factor, huh?" He nodded.
She smiled. "I think I have an idea! Come with me!" Xenon grabbed her backpack and Raydon's suitcase. She opened the fold-up chair for Cyan.
"If you’re going to fit in you have to listen to me, K?" He nodded once more.
She thought. "First things first, the blue hair has got to go-and guys haven't worn their hair this long in a few decades."

About an hour and a half later, Xenon smiled proudly. "I think you make a good brunette and the shorter hair really goes with your face-I'm sure Ray won't mind that I borrowed his outfit." She giggled. "I hated to dye your eyebrows, though-but they were blue too. Is that why they called you Cyan?" He shrugged. Xenon started to turn away, but stopped abruptly. "Cyan, you mentioned a brother earlier-but when I was in school, they said Criybons very rarely had siblings."
Cyan smiled "Oh, I just called him my brother; we weren't related by blood or any thing. He was more like a best friend though."
"Was?"
Cyan looked down. "He's dead-he took the punishment that was meant for me."
"I'm sorry," Xenon said sympathetically.
He half smiled at the memory. "It's kinda funny, we started out with the biggest family in the village and ended up with the smallest. Veridian and I are the only ones left."
Xenon looked confused "Veridian?"
"My sister-we kinda split up for safety reasons. I just hope she's ok."
   He looked up at Xenon, kind of unnerving her.
"What?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Nothing, you just look really familiar. Have you ever been here before?"
Xenon shook her head. "I've only been in Criybon territory once, but Ray and I were just kids-we almost got killed too."
Cyan gasped. "By a Criybon?"
"How'd you know?!"
"Uh…just a guess... That happens a lot."
Xenon smiled reassuringly. "Well, I'm sure you and Veridian will run into each other again!"
Cyan nodded; Xenon could tell he was still worried. "Don't worry! You will totally blend in-I'll bet the guys won't even recognize you."  She looked curiously at him. "Hey, you know, when I was in school they told us that Criybons had legends and stuff just like us-is that true?"
"Yeah, only we see them more like prophecies. A few have come true."
Xenon's eyes widened "Really?"
"Really."
"Are there any that include humans? Or something like that one about the really strong Criybon!?!"
"My you're nosy. Anyhow, I wouldn't know. Saffron didn't like those 'stories' and never told me any."

                           Lost then found!*

Raydon kicked the ground. "All the way here and still no ring!"
Neon frowned. "All we managed to pick up was an inner-time/space hitch-hiker." Tank yawned. "At least we got to experience time travel-as they say 'it's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all'."
"Moron," Neon muttered.
Xenon sighed angrily. "I'm just upset because we won't be able to keep the ship."
"Why not?"
"This lady said she'd give us this ship if we found her lost ring-I think it was a wedding ring or something."
Cyan pulled a ring off his pinky. "Like this one?"
Xenon's eyes widened considerably. "Oh my…that's it!!!! That's the ring she showed us in the picture!"
Cyan pulled it back "Well, it can’t be this one. Saffron had it all his life!"
"Well, I'll believe you if Saffron is older than 22-‘cause that’s how long ago she lost it. Well?"
He stared at her.
"C’mon? How old would he be if he were alive?"
"…?"
Xenon frowned. "Like I'm 18 years old-how old would Saffron be?"
"I dunno."
"Well, then how old are you?"
He shrugged.
"Are you trying to tell me that you have no clue whatsoever as to how old you are!?!"
"I guess."
"Well, how old do you think you are?"
"I dunno…uh..." He counted on his fingers. "Um ...19?"
"Oh, so warp jumps are like your year; I knew you jumped on your birthday, but I never put two and two together."

Neon scratched his head "What’s taking so long?!"  Raydon ran his hand across the hood of the time ship; he was so hoping to keep it. Tank could tell he was upset-he was too, all this trouble and to end up with less than when they started.
Xenon stepped out. "I think I've solved our little problem - Ta Da!" She pulled Cyan out by his arm.
"See, ya can't tell that he's any different from us."
Neon snorted. "Don't get too attached, Xenon, he can come but he's gone once we get home. Got it? Is that clear, Criybon?"
He smiled sweetly. "Crystal."
Raydon yawned wearily. "Well, we can't leave tonight, so we'll have to camp here till morning."
Cyan lay down and closed his eyes.
"Aren't you worried?" Tank asked
He reopened one eye. "About what?"
The boy shrugged. "I dunno, I just thought you'd be a little worried about us deserting you in your sleep."
Cyan chuckled. "No, I'm not worried about that. You guys aren't going anywhere without me," he answered confidently. Tank was a bit confused as to how he could be so sure but left it alone.

A Good Laugh*

Xenon quietly crept towards Cyan. After carefully making sure he was a sleep, she slipped the ring off his pinky finger. Got it, she thought as she retreated.
Raydon yawned and opened the door of the time ship "All aboard."
Xenon frowned "But Cyan is still sleeping."
He looked at Neon. "We told him to be up by 5 o'clock or we'd leave 'em, and it’s 5:03 now. He's not up so..."
She glared at them. "I don't remember you saying any of that."
"Funny, neither do I," Cyan said, walking up.
Raydon had one of those 'oh crap' looks on his face "Well…I…since you’re up now…heh."
Neon sighed inwardly; why did he have to wake up? They could have just taken off with no strings attached... How could they get out of it now?  "If you’re coming you can't bring your sword."
"And why not?"
Neon smiled. "There isn't room for it, plus Raydon doesn't allow weapons like that on his ship.”
"Oh yeah? Then what’s that?" Cyan said pointing to the pistol hooked to Neon's belt.
He quickly thought up a lie. "This old thing’s just for show-it don't even work anymore."
Cyan gave him a look over. "Fine..." He took off the sword and sheath and pushed in a gem on the handle, causing the sword to fold up into a small cube-like object. “Happy now? It fits in my pocket, but I have to pilot the ship or I'm not going."
Neon nodded. "I guess your staying here then-we're not going to let a Criybon fly our ship!"
Cyan shrugged. "Fine, leave without me-if you can."
Neon smiled "Fine, you heard him-get in the T.M."
Xenon and Tank reluctantly complied as Neon pressed the start button…with no results. Cyan laughed.
"What…?" Neon yelled. "What the hell! You didn't fix anything!"
Cyan smiled "Yes I did-I just fixed it to where the ship won't start unless I'm safely on board."
Xenon tried to hide her smiled-he did it. Neon clenched his teeth; this was really getting on his nerves. Cyan climbed into the driver's seat.
"Here we go!" he yelled as he pressed the button. Within moments they arrived in front of Mrs. Def's store. Raydon, Neon, and Xenon stepped out.
"Tank, you and Cyan stay here, okay? Out of sight or people will wonder why we came back with an extra," Xenon said
Cyan leaned back his chair; his stomach was growling. "Man," he said, "With all that's going on I guess I forgot to eat."
Tank leaned forward and handed him a candy bar. "It's not much, but it should hold you over."
Cyan looked at the food suspiciously. "What is it?"
He smiled. "It's chocolate. Don't you have candy in Criybon territory?"
Cyan shook his head "No, our king said it was forbidden."
The boy grinned. "Candy hog-well, he's not here now is he. Who's gonna know?"
"Why not?" he unwrapped it and took a bite, nodding happily, "This stuff is good!" He finished the rest in one bite. "Mmmmm! Got anymore?"
Tank dug in his bag. "Yeah, here."
Cyan snatched it up and shoved the whole bar in his mouth.
"Careful not to choke eating like that." Tank warned him.

"Is this all you found?" Mrs. Def asked.
"Well yes, it is your ring isn't it?" Raydon asked in a worried tone.
"Oh yes, it's my ring alright…"

"Come on, Tank! Give me another one!" Cyan begged pitifully.
He showed him the inside of his bag. "I'm out-you ate the last one!"
His eyes filled up. "Please get me another one!!!!"
Tank sighed. "Alright I'll go in and buy you some more."
"Thank you, Tank!" he declared, practically falling over in gratitude.
He rubbed his head. "I've created a monster!" He snuck into the store and counted his money. Man, he thought, I've only got enough for two! He grabbed them and went up to the counter.
"Tank!" Xenon said in surprise. "Why are you in here-buying candy bars?"
He frowned and answered in a whisper, "You’re the one who left me with the chocoholic!"
Just then Cyan rushed through the door, looking truly hungry. "Tank, what’s taking so long?"
Neon's eye started to twitch.
Mrs. Def smiled. "Tank, who's your friend?"
"Uh, this is Cy…"
"Simon. Boy oh boy, did these guys get me out of a pickle! My T.M. broke down in the middle of Criybon territory. Then these guys showed up and gave me a lift."
Tank smiled weakly. "Yeah…what he said."
Cyan smiled sweetly and snatched the candy bars from Tank. "Aren't they the greatest?"
Mrs. Def laughed. "That's quite an appetite you've got there, Simon, was it…if you eat too much of that stuff you'll get a stomach ache."
Cyan looked down at the empty wrapper. "For real?" She nodded.
"Oh well." he shrugged.
Mrs. Def raised a brow. "Might I ask what you were doing in Criybon territory in the first place?"
He half smiled. "I'm a rookie Time Pirate and I kinda got lost."
"Is that so?"
Cyan nodded.
"Well then," Raydon started quickly, "you two can go wait outside for us."
"K" Tank agreed as he walked out of the store with Cyan following.
Tank shook his head. "Man, you’re the fastest liar in the west! How'd you come up with that phony story so fast?"
Cyan smiled confidently. "I thought it up on the way in."
Tank sat down in the backseat of the ship. "Earlier, you told Xenon 'bout your brother and sister. It must be nice to have siblings-me, I don't have anybody."
Cyan frowned. "Why not?"
Tank smiled wistfully. "I was an only child in the first place, and then a few months ago my parents died when a fire started in the ammo-depot. My dad made weapons for the government, and my mom had gone up there to carry him lunch.... That’s how I ended up with Ray and Xenon; they are my only living relatives. If they hadn’t turned eighteen just before it happened, I'd be in an orphanage."
Cyan nodded. "Well, I guess that's something we have in common, all my brothers except Saffron were killed in a war and Saffron died a month ago, so all I have left is my sister. That’s if she is alive, like I told Xenon, we split up after we ran away."
He smiled. "You're the first person I've told that to who understood how I feel. Neon didn't even listen to me, he thinks I'm just some dumb kid."
"That guy has some serious problems," Cyan agreed.
Tank looked up. "Cyan, do you ever wonder about your parents? Your human parents I mean."
Cyan shook his head "No, what I do wonder about is why my family is cursed."
"Cursed?"
"Genesis hated me. Why, I'll never know. "
"Genesis?"
"The king of my village. I was allowed in the palace only because Saffron refused to leave me. Genesis liked Saffron, made him a General when I was just a kid. Saffron hated Genesis, though, and he did everything just to try and make him mad, but he always forgave him."
Tank smiled "You’re not half bad Cyan. Just ignore Neon, he's bound to cause trouble."
He nodded.
Xenon, Raydon, and Neon walked out to the ship.
Xenon smiled. "It's ours."

THE STAR DOG

"How'd you manage that?" Cyan asked.
Xenon paused. "Uh, you know, the lady was touched by your lovely story."
Cyan gave her a cocky grin. "I lie with the best of them."
Raydon rolled up the registration papers and tapped them against the hood of the ship "I dub thee: THE STAR DOG!"
Tank raised an eyebrow. "What the hell kinda stupid name is that?"
Raydon frowned. "No one said you had to like it. It is my ship."
Xenon and Neon stared. "Don't you mean our ship?" they said in unison.
Raydon thought for a moment "Uh ... No."
Xenon and Neon shrugged in disgust.
"Why bother?" Neon asked dryly.

They stopped at Ray and Xenon's house. She smiled. "I'll go cook some dinner, though I doubt Cyan will be hungry after packing away all those candy bars."
He looked sheepishly down at the floor "Actually.... I'm starving!" Everyone’s jaw in the room dropped.
Xenon's eyes widened. "You ate five king size candy bars and you’re still hungry!?!"
Cyan nodded eagerly. "Well, yeah ... "
Raydon tilted his head to the side "You sound like that’s normal."
He nodded again.
Tank rolled his eyes. "Can we just eat?"

Xenon handed Cyan a plate as he sat down. He seized a spoon and shoveled the contents of the plate into his mouth. He paused only to wash it down with a glass of water and continued to gobble the food up. "Whoo! More please!" He looked up to see everyone staring at him, making him uneasy. "What?"
Xenon spoke up "You’re still hungry!?!"
Cyan nodded "That wasn't enough for nothing...” When Ray heard that, his fork fell from his hand and clanked against his plate.
Xenon sighed, "I'm sorry, that’s all we have. It's not like we have good jobs to buy food with."
His eyes filled up with tears. "But… I'm still hungry... I'll starve!"
Tank stuck one last forkful of rice and beans in his mouth and pushed the plate toward him. "You can have the rest of mine. I can't eat too much being such a little guy."
He looked at him  "You sure?" Tank smiled and nodded. Cyan brightened and took the plate. He scooped the food into his mouth as the others looked on in wonder.

"Here, I'm afraid the cellar is the only unoccupied room in the house." Xenon explained later after dinner.
Cyan smiled. "That's okay, thanks." Xenon told him goodnight and went back up stairs. He lay back on the makeshift bed and stared up at the dark ceiling, shutting his eyes as he drifted off to sleep.

Cyan stared up at his brother. "Saffron, I'm scared," he mumbled. Saffron smiled reassuringly.  "Don't worry about it - the test isn't that hard, all the others passed it."
But Cyan shook his head. "But they’re all bigger than me and everyone’s going to be watching… What if I mess up?"
Saffron placed his hand on top of his little brother's head. "Just don't think about it. I'll be in the audience cheering you on."
A guard signaled for the next group to come in and Cyan followed. The kids were measured and weighed before going on stage. He and five others stepped out. A large guard said the oath and had the children repeat it. Then he said "To become a great warrior for the king, you must be able to use a sword." He had the children hold their hands out in front of them. He laid a sword in each of their hands doing so to Cyan as he came past. The boy’s arms started trembling the weapon felt so heavy. The guard went on about something-but he had to concentrate on just holding up the sword. Still, it was no use, Cyan's arms gave and the sword fell from his hands, the blade sliding across his palm, slashing it open. He clutched his injured hand and started to cry. Saffron began to rise, but another Criybon yanked him back into his seat.
"Pick it up." The guard commanded.
Cyan sniffled miserably.
"I said PICK IT UP!!!!"
Cyan couldn't stop crying long enough to obey and the guard lost his patience, yelling "Pick it up!" as he kicked him in the face. Cyan flew across the stage. "You’re not worthy of being a warrior!"
Saffron jumped up on the stage and grasped the guard by his shirt and shoved him into the wall. "You touch my brother again and I'll kill you!" he screamed. The guard was far bigger than him, but he had fear in his eyes-Saffron was much stronger than he had thought. Saffron released him and rushed over to Cyan. "Are you okay?" he asked tenderly, but the boy couldn't answer for the tears. Saffron picked him up in his arms and walked off stage, taking him to the palace. He set Cyan on a chair in the waiting room.          "Wait here for me, ‘kay?" Cyan nodded.
Saffron walked into the throne room where Genesis was waiting. "Genesis! One of your guards nearly killed my brother today!"
Genesis frowned in consternation. "Explain."
"I took Cyan to be tested and your guard kicked him in the face for dropping a 45 pound sword."
He shrugged. "Only 45?"
"For God's sake! He's only six years old!"
Genesis slammed his fist down "He isn't 6! He's…"
"I know he's ten... but I swear if your guards ever come near him again I'll kill you!"
Genesis smiled. "Are you threatening me? Me the King who built this village with his bare hands, the king who allows you to stay here, the king who allowed you to keep that brat?"
Saffron stopped. "You only let me keep him because you were hoping I'd accidentally kill him! Surprised, were you? Why don't you tell me why you lied and killed all those babies…what were you so afraid of…that stupid legend? Does that story mention the year or just the day? We have the same birthday remember? It could be me that's destined to kill you."
"Silence! Leave me!"
Saffron smiled darkly. "I hope you burn in hell, Genesis," he stated as he walked out.

Indigo laughed. "That was a wonderful performance Cyan! I laughed, I cried, and I laughed some more!"
"Shut up, Indigo." Saffron snapped as he gently washed the blood away from Cyan's face. "Here," he said, "put your hand in here.” Cyan's other four brothers looked on. They were all Neandolites while both Cyan and Saffron were Kralios. Saffron mixed some herbs in to keep the cut from getting infected.
"Well? " Tawny asked. "How is Cyan ever going to be a warrior if he fails?"
            "I'm going to train him myself," Saffron answered stiffly. Celadon and Pewter stared at each other. "You never offered to train us…"
Saffron shrugged. "I never had to."
Cyan sniffled. "You're not mad at me?"
He smiled and shook his head. "Why on earth would I be mad at you? I'm more mad at myself than anyone else."

Cyan opened his eyes; he had almost forgotten that day. He trudged up the stairs, hearing a knock at the door. Xenon rolled over in her bed sleepily and pressed a button on a panel beside it.
"Who is it?" The screen popped up and showed Mrs. Def standing at the front door. "It's me dear. I thought since your brother's going to start time pirating that you'd need advertisements, you know, so I brought over some flyers I made. But it seems I caught you at a bad time so…" She held up three posters. "Which one? I'll make copies of the one you like."
Xenon rubbed her eyes. "Uh ...the one in the middle," she replied.
"Okay, Xenon, see you at the shop sometime."
"Bye."

DR. XENON.

Cyan wolfed down his breakfast and Raydon laughed. "Don't forget to breathe-have you always eaten like that?"
He nodded. "Yeah…where I come from…this…is normal."
Raydon shrugged "Huh, wonder why."
Cyan laughed. "My thought exactly! I don't know how you can survive with so little food!"
Neon scowled. "You talk like we're the strange ones.”
Cyan looked at him coolly. "You are.”
Tank laughed, "He's got a point, Neon, to him we’re all freaks of nature."
Neon stalked away from the table as Xenon walked in. "Hey, Cyan, come here for a sec." He took one last bite and followed.
Xenon led him to her lab (as she called it). Cyan looked around. "I thought you guys were poor!"
She smiled slyly. "We are, but my uncle wasn't-this is his stuff-he just taught me to use it. Sit down on this table."
Cyan obeyed. "Why'd you bring me in here?"
"If you’re going to have to come on our missions then you're going to have to work so we can buy enough food for your huge appetite. So, there is a chance you might get hurt and our human medications might not work right with your system. That’s a problem. I'll have to make some especially for you."
Cyan shrugged "If you have to..."
She nodded sternly. "Hey it's for you own good. Take your shirt off so I can run a routine check. No one has ever studied a Criybon before, so I have to start from scratch."
Cyan pulled his shirt over his head, "Is this really necessary?" he asked
She turned around "How'd you get the scar?" she asked
He put his hand over his right shoulder "A bit obvious isn't it?"
She moved his hand "Not to me it isn't."
He turned his head "I was attacked by a Pyther when I was very young."
She looked at the teeth marks. "Must have been awful small."
"It was just a baby."
Xenon frowned. "The scar looks about eight years old, how'd you get away?"
"My brother, he saved me yet another time."
"Hum, oh well - I'd better get to work."
She took his wrist to take his pulse, but stopped short. "Well, that’s weird..."
"What?"
Xenon picked up his arm & looked it over "You - you don't have any arm hair."
Cyan shrugged "So?"
Xenon pulled up his pants leg and looked him over again "You don't have any anywhere!"
Cyan shrugged "Yeah, so?"
Xenon shook her head "Oh, well.” She reached for the stethoscope, but it was gone. "Neon! Did you move my stethoscope?"
"Oh yeah, it's in here." Neon walked in, but when he saw the scar on Cyan's shoulder he dropped it.
"Neon! What are you doing?!"
"S-sorry." He knelt to pick it up, but kept his eye on Cyan's scar.

Raydon looked up as Xenon walked in "What did you find out?"
Xenon half smiled "Other than a few things, his body structure and chemistry isn't that much different than ours.”
Raydon shrugged. "Who knew?" Brrring! Brrring! Brrrrring!
Raydon grabbed the videophone. "Hello?"
"Uh…Hi…is dis da home of the folks I saw on the flyers - the Star Dug or sumthin.."
"That’s Star Dog! "
"I'll take dat as a yup- I gots a job fer ya, I needs ya to go inta dat der Cribin territory fer me-I kinda lost me hat."
"Run that by me again."
"I said I losts me hat-I liked dat hat, I's a will'n to pay $750 fer it."
Raydon's eyes widened. "You’re joking."
"Naw, I's won da lottery ands won a time trip ands lost me gouldern hat!"
"Uh ok, what kind of hat was it?"
"One of dem dar straw hats-I gots a heck of a sunburn! Wills ya takes da job?"
"Sure! We'll get right on it tomorrow! No…thank you sir! Bye."
"Ray, who was that?" Xenon asked.
Raydon smiled
Xenon looked closer and frowned. "Oh no…I know that smile."

Cyan helped pack the L-B's in the back of the newly repainted STAR DOG. "Ray how much is this job paying?" Xenon asked.
Raydon smiled "It's a surprise. Anyway, what are you so worried about? We have an excellent guide. Cyan grew up in Criybon Territory; he's bound to know his way around." They drove down to the commercial rift.
"Why are we coming this way?" Neon asked
Tank shook his head. "Because, numb nuts, open rifts are way faster than opening your own. Plus they’re untraceable and that’s good for pirates."
Neon narrowed his eyes. "What did you call me?!"
"Cut it out you two! Goodness if I didn't know better I'd think both of you were eleven!" Xenon snapped. Neon shoved Tank into the side of the ship.
Cyan looked at Raydon as they blasted off. "What are we looking for?"
Raydon grinned. " Would believe it? A hat!"
He rolled his eyes. "Saffron was right, humans do have really stupid reasons for what they do."
When they landed, Neon looked at the radar. "Man, this place is loaded with crap! I'm picking up ten things with human origins in only a fifteen-yard radius! But none of it looks like a hat."
Raydon shrugged "It's bound to be around here somewhere. Come on Cyan."
They started walking but the Criybon stopped when he saw some marks on a tree.
"What?" Tank asked.
"Come on!" Neon ordered.
"I won't go any farther." Cyan said.
"Why not?" Raydon asked.
"That’s Kaycopi village."
"So?" Tank said
"So nothing. Grimace, the King of Kaycopi, he thinks he can create the perfect warriors through experiments by crossing their genes with those of animals and such. True, their warriors are stronger than usual, but they’re also harder to control. No one in their right mind would go into Kaycopi village."
Raydon shrugged nonchalantly. "You're just afraid."
He nodded. "You're right I am, and you should be to."
Raydon narrowed his eyes at Cyan. "You can wait here if you like, but I'm going."
Cyan pulled the small cube from his pocket. He pressed in the top and side and it transformed back into a sword. "You won't survive-unless I go along. Who knows, we might get lucky and nothing will happen,” he said hopefully.

They walked farther and deeper into Kaycopi. "There!" Neon whispered, pointing ahead of them.
"See," Raydon smirked, "No trouble at all." Just as the words left his mouth, a pack of Neandolite Criybons surrounded them. Cyan looked blandly at him. "You were saying?"

Description
Prologue
In the very distant future, time travel is as commonplace as taking a train ride. A profitable trade is 'Time Pirating', the act of traveling time in order to recover lost objects, which could change history or carry a high price. 'White Hat ' Time Pirates often work for free in order to keep the time line in check, while others cheat & steal disturbing the Time line - for any amount of money. But even the hardest of Time Pirates avoid the second dimension, also named Criybon territory. The only place not affected by a time line, inhabited by a very unique, race of people, who give the place its well-known reputation. A very new race - that has only existed in the few hundreds of years that time travel has been possible. For, you see, all Criybons were once humans, but only for a short while. Any child born in a time rift warps jumps into the 2nd dimension - and becomes a Criybon - the most feared people of all 'time'. These people can 'jump' every year into our world. With troubles like these laws had to be made and enforced, so the Bureau of Time - space agents, later renamed the office, was created. The three forces often collide and duke it out in bloody battles. This only makes Time Pirating more profitable to the point that teenagers fresh out of school make it their first job - few last very long.

The professor stood up. "Welcome freshmen class, as you should know this is a history class. As freshmen its high time you learned about the history of time travel, and the new race of people…"
"Yes! This what I've been waiting for!" Raydon whispered to Xenon.
Xenon frowned. "Why? Why do you want to know about Criybons so badly?"
Raydon smiled. "Any Time Pirate worth his T.M. has to know how to handle Criybons."
Xenon sighed, "Why do I even bother? I'm just glad Neon isn't time pirate crazy like you."
Raydon looked around. "Speaking of Neon - where is he?"
Xenon half grinned  "You forget: Neon skipped a grade and he's in all the advanced classes, remember?"
"Oh. Yeah.”

Neon took notes readily as the professor spoke: “As the legend goes, the human race can be taken down by one extraordinary Criybon, recognizable by...”
The young man’s pen raced across the paper-he wasn't going to miss a word, he would have to know all this when Raydon would inevitably drag him into time pirating.
The freshman professor continued his lesson. "There are two kinds of Criybons: the Neandolites, the greatest in number, the stronger of the two and heavily mutated. Second, the Kralio, are the smaller far less mutated form of Criybon. But what the Kralio lack in strength they make up for with intelligence. The Kralio look very similar to humans. Sometimes the only differences are hair or eye color. This makes them even more dangerous. Furthermore…" Raydon yawned-paying attention was harder than he thought!

Three years later ...

Knights of Time

"Sixty digots for a T.M (Time Machine)!" Raydon yelled.
"Sorry, but this is my best deal for a ship like this." Mrs. Def smiled. Neon walked in
"Def, you looking for something? I saw some Time Pirates leaving the store an hour ago."
Mrs. Def scowled. "The cowards! Years ago I lost something very dear to me and I asked them to find it for me. The cowards refused because it's in Criybon territory. Now I know no one in their right mind will go to find it."
Tank looked confused "What is Criybon territory?"
Raydon smiled "You’re kidding, right?" Tank shook his head.
Xenon, Raydon's sister spoke up. "Didn't you learn that in school?"
Neon laughed as Tank shook his head again.
She started again. "Criybons are, well, it happens when a baby is born outside it's own time, like on a time trip. When that happens the baby can't return, and jump time space so often, it’s hard to find them until they grow up. The Criybons, having experienced so many times and dimensions are now warped, primitive, savage, and aggressive. Not only that, but from all those warp jumps, they are often skilled in all types of combat & weapons-karate, knives, guns, laser blasters-most anything. That’s what makes them so dangerous. No sane person would knowingly go into Criybon territory."
Raydon smiled "Def, give us that ship and we'll find this thing you lost!" “WHAT!" Xenon and Neon yelled in unison.
Mrs. Def smiled "Deal!"
Tank fell backwards from shock.

Chapter 1: Race the clock

Xenon frowned in disgust. "We are going to risk our lives to find a stupid ring!"
Raydon smiled. "If we live we get to keep the ship."
Neon frowned. "Whoopee, an ugly broke down time ship-If we live!"
Tank was shaking. "How can I tell if I see a Criybon?"
Xenon answered. "It's not hard, all the warp jumps change a Criybon's DNA, so look for unusual hair or skin colors-extra eyes, arms, legs-stuff like that. Raydon and I have seen one; he was pink with green hair-the guy had four eyes and three legs, lucky for us he was slow or we would be dead."
"Oh." Tank whispered.
Raydon entered the data. "Pack some Laser blasters and let’s go."
Neon clipped his favorite pistol to his belt. Tank loaded the back with at least 40 L-Bs. Xenon packed a first aid kit and added extra heal caps.
Raydon helped pack the supplies onto the ship. "Everybody ready?" They nodded as they hooked their seat belts. "OK." He pressed the button and off they went.
The ship landed hard.
Raydon smiled "The ring is less than a mile from here." Neon grabbed a handheld radar that detected anything that didn't belong in Criybon territory.
"Let's go and get this over with," Neon groaned. Tank and Xenon packed their    L-Bs and followed. They had landed in what looked like a rainforest. Neon looked down at the radar and gasped.
"What?" Raydon stopped
"I..I..It moved! Really fast!"
Tank furrowed his brow. "How does a ring move?"
Xenon looked up. "When someone is wearing it," she answered flatly.
Neon shook his head. "Not that fast-not anything human anyway."
"Criybons?" Raydon asked and Neon nodded.
Xenon pursed her lips. "How far away are they?"
Neon looked down and swallowed hard. "15 yards-behind us."
Tank shuddered. "I'm guessing that’s not a good thing."
Raydon frowned. "No-it happens to be a very, very bad thing."

Chapter 2: Pythers.

       "10 yards- now would be a good time to pull out the L-Bs." They yanked out their L-Bs and swung around as several Criybons emerged.
Neon looked back at the radar. "One of the two in the back has it." The first Criybon drew a sword out as Tank fired and it fell dead. Now the others attacked, but Xenon managed to hit another. The remaining fought hard when all of a sudden; they heard a loud boom that that stopped the Criybons. Then there was yet another and a huge lizard-like beast burst through the trees with another following close behind.
Tank swallowed "What are those?"
Raydon shivered "Pythers."
"And what are Pythers?"
Xenon took a deep breath "The only things worse than Criybons."
One of the Pythers charged at one of the Criybons and she drew her sword. The beast screamed as the razor-sharp blade sliced off one of its arms. She withdrew it and stepped back as the Pyther's arm regenerated. The Criybon was still in shock as it attacked once more. In the blink of an eye the Pyther had swallowed her whole and the last Criybon ran in the other direction. The Pythers looked toward the humans now for a meal.
One charged toward Xenon. Raydon, Neon, and Tank shot at it, but it did no good. Suddenly the other Pyther screamed and the one chasing Xenon halted, looking back. The Criybon that had run away was on the other Pyther's back and his sword was buried deep in its neck. Its companion rushed to its aid, biting onto the Criybon’s leg and slinging him into a tree with a massive force. The injured Pyther's head fell to the ground-when the Criybon was thrown he had held on to his sword. The one still living screamed with rage. It swung around, slapping Tank to the ground with its tail. Swinging again, it hit Neon and Raydon, and snapping at Xenon, the jagged teeth just missing her. A second later it screamed and looked down at its foot-a dagger? The Pyther growled menacingly and glared at the tree. The Criybon was gone! The beast looked around…  And that’s when the Criybon jumped on its back. The Pyther tried to knock him off with its tail. He drew out his sword and swung it hard just as the Pyther’s tail struck him. The Criybon slammed into a tree as the Pyther's head hit the ground.


Chapter 3: Evil?
Xenon helped Tank up for Raydon and Neon were already standing. Raydon frowned. "Neon, go get more L-Bs just in case.” Minutes later Neon came back with a few L-Bs
"That’s all that’s left. The ship’s trashed. We're not going back anytime soon." "How?!" Tank yelled. "How did that happen?!"
Neon frowned. "Think it was the Criybons?"
Raydon shrugged. "I don't know. All this for nothing-no ring...."
"And NO SHIP! How are we gonna get home!?!" Xenon yelled.
"So what, even if the ship was fixable-with our luck, the ring was on that Criybon got swallowed-were in crap city here!" Tank complained.
Neon took a deep breath. "Before we kill each other-does anyone know how to fix a time ship?" They all shook their heads
"I-I do…" They all turned…it was the Criybon.
"What?" Xenon gasped
"I-I c-can f-fix your s-ship," he managed weakly. "If I l-live that long, b-but you c-can h-help me with that problem, c-can't you?"
Xenon popped open the first aid kit. "How do you know English?"
The Criybon laughed. "I know more than English-you didn't think I went through 19 warp jumps without learning a few languages, did you?" She felt stupid helping a Criybon.

Chapter 4: A trick?

   The Criybon looked at the ship "Shouldn't take more than an hour to fix."
Neon whispered to Raydon "Then we fix him." He pivoted, putting the bloodstained blade of his sword to Neon's cheek
"I heard that. I haven't the time or the patience to play with you now. And remember I don't plan on getting double crossed." He slid the sword back into its sheath.
Neon frowned "Who said anything about double crossing you?"
The Criybon smiled. "You did. I'm not deaf or stupid-got that?"
Raydon yanked Neon back. "So what is your price for fixing our ship and getting us home?"
He shrugged looked back at the ship. "Not much for the damage on this thing."
Neon cut him off "Get to the point!"
The Criybon smirked "Patience is a virtue you know. As I was saying, I think my price is reasonable for the amount of damage, all I ask is when you leave, take me with you."
"No way!" Neon yelled "There’s no way in hell you’re coming with us!"
"Uh...yeah!" Tank mumbled. "And anyway, why do you need our ship? Can't you jump on your own?"
The Criybon frowned. "I wish it were that easy, but we only jump once a year." Xenon considered this. "I wish we could, but there are laws and if anyone caught smuggling Criybons, we could be imprisoned for life-or executed. That’s too much of a risk..."
"Uh-huh…so you would prefer to die out here?"
"No, that’s not what I said…" she started.
"That’s what it sounded like," he cut in.
"I don't think you understand…"
"No, you’re the one who doesn't understand: if you take me with you, there’s a chance we'll all die, but if you don't I won't fix your ship, leaving you all stranded in the middle of nowhere-with only the thoughts of either being eaten or starving to comfort you."
Xenon swallowed. "There must be a reason you’re so eager to get away from here."
He laughed. "You got me-I'm in a wee bit of trouble and if I'm caught, I will be executed."
"What did you do?"
"Only the worst possible crime in our society: I killed my own kind. You see they call that deserting our race, because we become more like the only other creatures that kill their own for no reason."
Neon frowned "I suppose you mean humans."
The Criybon smiled darkly. "How'd you guess?"
Xenon swallowed again. "Why? Why did you do it?"
It looked back at her. "It was an accident. I didn't mean to kill him, I was only a child and he was a royal guard doing his job and I tried to prevent him from doing so…it's a long story. "
Xenon looked at Raydon. "Please…"

                               …The trip back *

The Criybon scooted out from under the ship. "Done," it announced.
Xenon smiled. "Your good at that. Who taught you how to fix a T.M.?"
He smiled "My brother, Saffron."
Xenon pushed her hair back. "I don't think you've told me your name."
The Criybon smiled "Cyan. And you?"
"Xenon."
Cyan stood up. "What’s it like?"
Xenon answered cautiously. "What’s what like?"
"Your home time."
"I guess it's just like any other-it’s nothing special."
Cyan rubbed his head. "I doubt I'll be able to stay long."
Xenon half smiled "I guess, the sore thumb factor, huh?" He nodded.
She smiled. "I think I have an idea! Come with me!" Xenon grabbed her backpack and Raydon's suitcase. She opened the fold-up chair for Cyan.
"If you’re going to fit in you have to listen to me, K?" He nodded once more.
She thought. "First things first, the blue hair has got to go-and guys haven't worn their hair this long in a few decades."

About an hour and a half later, Xenon smiled proudly. "I think you make a good brunette and the shorter hair really goes with your face-I'm sure Ray won't mind that I borrowed his outfit." She giggled. "I hated to dye your eyebrows, though-but they were blue too. Is that why they called you Cyan?" He shrugged. Xenon started to turn away, but stopped abruptly. "Cyan, you mentioned a brother earlier-but when I was in school, they said Criybons very rarely had siblings."
Cyan smiled "Oh, I just called him my brother; we weren't related by blood or any thing. He was more like a best friend though."
"Was?"
Cyan looked down. "He's dead-he took the punishment that was meant for me."
"I'm sorry," Xenon said sympathetically.
He half smiled at the memory. "It's kinda funny, we started out with the biggest family in the village and ended up with the smallest. Veridian and I are the only ones left."
Xenon looked confused "Veridian?"
"My sister-we kinda split up for safety reasons. I just hope she's ok."
   He looked up at Xenon, kind of unnerving her.
"What?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Nothing, you just look really familiar. Have you ever been here before?"
Xenon shook her head. "I've only been in Criybon territory once, but Ray and I were just kids-we almost got killed too."
Cyan gasped. "By a Criybon?"
"How'd you know?!"
"Uh…just a guess... That happens a lot."
Xenon smiled reassuringly. "Well, I'm sure you and Veridian will run into each other again!"
Cyan nodded; Xenon could tell he was still worried. "Don't worry! You will totally blend in-I'll bet the guys won't even recognize you."  She looked curiously at him. "Hey, you know, when I was in school they told us that Criybons had legends and stuff just like us-is that true?"
"Yeah, only we see them more like prophecies. A few have come true."
Xenon's eyes widened "Really?"
"Really."
"Are there any that include humans? Or something like that one about the really strong Criybon!?!"
"My you're nosy. Anyhow, I wouldn't know. Saffron didn't like those 'stories' and never told me any."

                           Lost then found!*

Raydon kicked the ground. "All the way here and still no ring!"
Neon frowned. "All we managed to pick up was an inner-time/space hitch-hiker." Tank yawned. "At least we got to experience time travel-as they say 'it's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all'."
"Moron," Neon muttered.
Xenon sighed angrily. "I'm just upset because we won't be able to keep the ship."
"Why not?"
"This lady said she'd give us this ship if we found her lost ring-I think it was a wedding ring or something."
Cyan pulled a ring off his pinky. "Like this one?"
Xenon's eyes widened considerably. "Oh my…that's it!!!! That's the ring she showed us in the picture!"
Cyan pulled it back "Well, it can’t be this one. Saffron had it all his life!"
"Well, I'll believe you if Saffron is older than 22-‘cause that’s how long ago she lost it. Well?"
He stared at her.
"C’mon? How old would he be if he were alive?"
"…?"
Xenon frowned. "Like I'm 18 years old-how old would Saffron be?"
"I dunno."
"Well, then how old are you?"
He shrugged.
"Are you trying to tell me that you have no clue whatsoever as to how old you are!?!"
"I guess."
"Well, how old do you think you are?"
"I dunno…uh..." He counted on his fingers. "Um ...19?"
"Oh, so warp jumps are like your year; I knew you jumped on your birthday, but I never put two and two together."

Neon scratched his head "What’s taking so long?!"  Raydon ran his hand across the hood of the time ship; he was so hoping to keep it. Tank could tell he was upset-he was too, all this trouble and to end up with less than when they started.
Xenon stepped out. "I think I've solved our little problem - Ta Da!" She pulled Cyan out by his arm.
"See, ya can't tell that he's any different from us."
Neon snorted. "Don't get too attached, Xenon, he can come but he's gone once we get home. Got it? Is that clear, Criybon?"
He smiled sweetly. "Crystal."
Raydon yawned wearily. "Well, we can't leave tonight, so we'll have to camp here till morning."
Cyan lay down and closed his eyes.
"Aren't you worried?" Tank asked
He reopened one eye. "About what?"
The boy shrugged. "I dunno, I just thought you'd be a little worried about us deserting you in your sleep."
Cyan chuckled. "No, I'm not worried about that. You guys aren't going anywhere without me," he answered confidently. Tank was a bit confused as to how he could be so sure but left it alone.

A Good Laugh*

Xenon quietly crept towards Cyan. After carefully making sure he was a sleep, she slipped the ring off his pinky finger. Got it, she thought as she retreated.
Raydon yawned and opened the door of the time ship "All aboard."
Xenon frowned "But Cyan is still sleeping."
He looked at Neon. "We told him to be up by 5 o'clock or we'd leave 'em, and it’s 5:03 now. He's not up so..."
She glared at them. "I don't remember you saying any of that."
"Funny, neither do I," Cyan said, walking up.
Raydon had one of those 'oh crap' looks on his face "Well…I…since you’re up now…heh."
Neon sighed inwardly; why did he have to wake up? They could have just taken off with no strings attached... How could they get out of it now?  "If you’re coming you can't bring your sword."
"And why not?"
Neon smiled. "There isn't room for it, plus Raydon doesn't allow weapons like that on his ship.”
"Oh yeah? Then what’s that?" Cyan said pointing to the pistol hooked to Neon's belt.
He quickly thought up a lie. "This old thing’s just for show-it don't even work anymore."
Cyan gave him a look over. "Fine..." He took off the sword and sheath and pushed in a gem on the handle, causing the sword to fold up into a small cube-like object. “Happy now? It fits in my pocket, but I have to pilot the ship or I'm not going."
Neon nodded. "I guess your staying here then-we're not going to let a Criybon fly our ship!"
Cyan shrugged. "Fine, leave without me-if you can."
Neon smiled "Fine, you heard him-get in the T.M."
Xenon and Tank reluctantly complied as Neon pressed the start button…with no results. Cyan laughed.
"What…?" Neon yelled. "What the hell! You didn't fix anything!"
Cyan smiled "Yes I did-I just fixed it to where the ship won't start unless I'm safely on board."
Xenon tried to hide her smiled-he did it. Neon clenched his teeth; this was really getting on his nerves. Cyan climbed into the driver's seat.
"Here we go!" he yelled as he pressed the button. Within moments they arrived in front of Mrs. Def's store. Raydon, Neon, and Xenon stepped out.
"Tank, you and Cyan stay here, okay? Out of sight or people will wonder why we came back with an extra," Xenon said
Cyan leaned back his chair; his stomach was growling. "Man," he said, "With all that's going on I guess I forgot to eat."
Tank leaned forward and handed him a candy bar. "It's not much, but it should hold you over."
Cyan looked at the food suspiciously. "What is it?"
He smiled. "It's chocolate. Don't you have candy in Criybon territory?"
Cyan shook his head "No, our king said it was forbidden."
The boy grinned. "Candy hog-well, he's not here now is he. Who's gonna know?"
"Why not?" he unwrapped it and took a bite, nodding happily, "This stuff is good!" He finished the rest in one bite. "Mmmmm! Got anymore?"
Tank dug in his bag. "Yeah, here."
Cyan snatched it up and shoved the whole bar in his mouth.
"Careful not to choke eating like that." Tank warned him.

"Is this all you found?" Mrs. Def asked.
"Well yes, it is your ring isn't it?" Raydon asked in a worried tone.
"Oh yes, it's my ring alright…"

"Come on, Tank! Give me another one!" Cyan begged pitifully.
He showed him the inside of his bag. "I'm out-you ate the last one!"
His eyes filled up. "Please get me another one!!!!"
Tank sighed. "Alright I'll go in and buy you some more."
"Thank you, Tank!" he declared, practically falling over in gratitude.
He rubbed his head. "I've created a monster!" He snuck into the store and counted his money. Man, he thought, I've only got enough for two! He grabbed them and went up to the counter.
"Tank!" Xenon said in surprise. "Why are you in here-buying candy bars?"
He frowned and answered in a whisper, "You’re the one who left me with the chocoholic!"
Just then Cyan rushed through the door, looking truly hungry. "Tank, what’s taking so long?"
Neon's eye started to twitch.
Mrs. Def smiled. "Tank, who's your friend?"
"Uh, this is Cy…"
"Simon. Boy oh boy, did these guys get me out of a pickle! My T.M. broke down in the middle of Criybon territory. Then these guys showed up and gave me a lift."
Tank smiled weakly. "Yeah…what he said."
Cyan smiled sweetly and snatched the candy bars from Tank. "Aren't they the greatest?"
Mrs. Def laughed. "That's quite an appetite you've got there, Simon, was it…if you eat too much of that stuff you'll get a stomach ache."
Cyan looked down at the empty wrapper. "For real?" She nodded.
"Oh well." he shrugged.
Mrs. Def raised a brow. "Might I ask what you were doing in Criybon territory in the first place?"
He half smiled. "I'm a rookie Time Pirate and I kinda got lost."
"Is that so?"
Cyan nodded.
"Well then," Raydon started quickly, "you two can go wait outside for us."
"K" Tank agreed as he walked out of the store with Cyan following.
Tank shook his head. "Man, you’re the fastest liar in the west! How'd you come up with that phony story so fast?"
Cyan smiled confidently. "I thought it up on the way in."
Tank sat down in the backseat of the ship. "Earlier, you told Xenon 'bout your brother and sister. It must be nice to have siblings-me, I don't have anybody."
Cyan frowned. "Why not?"
Tank smiled wistfully. "I was an only child in the first place, and then a few months ago my parents died when a fire started in the ammo-depot. My dad made weapons for the government, and my mom had gone up there to carry him lunch.... That’s how I ended up with Ray and Xenon; they are my only living relatives. If they hadn’t turned eighteen just before it happened, I'd be in an orphanage."
Cyan nodded. "Well, I guess that's something we have in common, all my brothers except Saffron were killed in a war and Saffron died a month ago, so all I have left is my sister. That’s if she is alive, like I told Xenon, we split up after we ran away."
He smiled. "You're the first person I've told that to who understood how I feel. Neon didn't even listen to me, he thinks I'm just some dumb kid."
"That guy has some serious problems," Cyan agreed.
Tank looked up. "Cyan, do you ever wonder about your parents? Your human parents I mean."
Cyan shook his head "No, what I do wonder about is why my family is cursed."
"Cursed?"
"Genesis hated me. Why, I'll never know. "
"Genesis?"
"The king of my village. I was allowed in the palace only because Saffron refused to leave me. Genesis liked Saffron, made him a General when I was just a kid. Saffron hated Genesis, though, and he did everything just to try and make him mad, but he always forgave him."
Tank smiled "You’re not half bad Cyan. Just ignore Neon, he's bound to cause trouble."
He nodded.
Xenon, Raydon, and Neon walked out to the ship.
Xenon smiled. "It's ours."

THE STAR DOG

"How'd you manage that?" Cyan asked.
Xenon paused. "Uh, you know, the lady was touched by your lovely story."
Cyan gave her a cocky grin. "I lie with the best of them."
Raydon rolled up the registration papers and tapped them against the hood of the ship "I dub thee: THE STAR DOG!"
Tank raised an eyebrow. "What the hell kinda stupid name is that?"
Raydon frowned. "No one said you had to like it. It is my ship."
Xenon and Neon stared. "Don't you mean our ship?" they said in unison.
Raydon thought for a moment "Uh ... No."
Xenon and Neon shrugged in disgust.
"Why bother?" Neon asked dryly.

They stopped at Ray and Xenon's house. She smiled. "I'll go cook some dinner, though I doubt Cyan will be hungry after packing away all those candy bars."
He looked sheepishly down at the floor "Actually.... I'm starving!" Everyone’s jaw in the room dropped.
Xenon's eyes widened. "You ate five king size candy bars and you’re still hungry!?!"
Cyan nodded eagerly. "Well, yeah ... "
Raydon tilted his head to the side "You sound like that’s normal."
He nodded again.
Tank rolled his eyes. "Can we just eat?"

Xenon handed Cyan a plate as he sat down. He seized a spoon and shoveled the contents of the plate into his mouth. He paused only to wash it down with a glass of water and continued to gobble the food up. "Whoo! More please!" He looked up to see everyone staring at him, making him uneasy. "What?"
Xenon spoke up "You’re still hungry!?!"
Cyan nodded "That wasn't enough for nothing...” When Ray heard that, his fork fell from his hand and clanked against his plate.
Xenon sighed, "I'm sorry, that’s all we have. It's not like we have good jobs to buy food with."
His eyes filled up with tears. "But… I'm still hungry... I'll starve!"
Tank stuck one last forkful of rice and beans in his mouth and pushed the plate toward him. "You can have the rest of mine. I can't eat too much being such a little guy."
He looked at him  "You sure?" Tank smiled and nodded. Cyan brightened and took the plate. He scooped the food into his mouth as the others looked on in wonder.

"Here, I'm afraid the cellar is the only unoccupied room in the house." Xenon explained later after dinner.
Cyan smiled. "That's okay, thanks." Xenon told him goodnight and went back up stairs. He lay back on the makeshift bed and stared up at the dark ceiling, shutting his eyes as he drifted off to sleep.

Cyan stared up at his brother. "Saffron, I'm scared," he mumbled. Saffron smiled reassuringly.  "Don't worry about it - the test isn't that hard, all the others passed it."
But Cyan shook his head. "But they’re all bigger than me and everyone’s going to be watching… What if I mess up?"
Saffron placed his hand on top of his little brother's head. "Just don't think about it. I'll be in the audience cheering you on."
A guard signaled for the next group to come in and Cyan followed. The kids were measured and weighed before going on stage. He and five others stepped out. A large guard said the oath and had the children repeat it. Then he said "To become a great warrior for the king, you must be able to use a sword." He had the children hold their hands out in front of them. He laid a sword in each of their hands doing so to Cyan as he came past. The boy’s arms started trembling the weapon felt so heavy. The guard went on about something-but he had to concentrate on just holding up the sword. Still, it was no use, Cyan's arms gave and the sword fell from his hands, the blade sliding across his palm, slashing it open. He clutched his injured hand and started to cry. Saffron began to rise, but another Criybon yanked him back into his seat.
"Pick it up." The guard commanded.
Cyan sniffled miserably.
"I said PICK IT UP!!!!"
Cyan couldn't stop crying long enough to obey and the guard lost his patience, yelling "Pick it up!" as he kicked him in the face. Cyan flew across the stage. "You’re not worthy of being a warrior!"
Saffron jumped up on the stage and grasped the guard by his shirt and shoved him into the wall. "You touch my brother again and I'll kill you!" he screamed. The guard was far bigger than him, but he had fear in his eyes-Saffron was much stronger than he had thought. Saffron released him and rushed over to Cyan. "Are you okay?" he asked tenderly, but the boy couldn't answer for the tears. Saffron picked him up in his arms and walked off stage, taking him to the palace. He set Cyan on a chair in the waiting room.          "Wait here for me, ‘kay?" Cyan nodded.
Saffron walked into the throne room where Genesis was waiting. "Genesis! One of your guards nearly killed my brother today!"
Genesis frowned in consternation. "Explain."
"I took Cyan to be tested and your guard kicked him in the face for dropping a 45 pound sword."
He shrugged. "Only 45?"
"For God's sake! He's only six years old!"
Genesis slammed his fist down "He isn't 6! He's…"
"I know he's ten... but I swear if your guards ever come near him again I'll kill you!"
Genesis smiled. "Are you threatening me? Me the King who built this village with his bare hands, the king who allows you to stay here, the king who allowed you to keep that brat?"
Saffron stopped. "You only let me keep him because you were hoping I'd accidentally kill him! Surprised, were you? Why don't you tell me why you lied and killed all those babies…what were you so afraid of…that stupid legend? Does that story mention the year or just the day? We have the same birthday remember? It could be me that's destined to kill you."
"Silence! Leave me!"
Saffron smiled darkly. "I hope you burn in hell, Genesis," he stated as he walked out.

Indigo laughed. "That was a wonderful performance Cyan! I laughed, I cried, and I laughed some more!"
"Shut up, Indigo." Saffron snapped as he gently washed the blood away from Cyan's face. "Here," he said, "put your hand in here.” Cyan's other four brothers looked on. They were all Neandolites while both Cyan and Saffron were Kralios. Saffron mixed some herbs in to keep the cut from getting infected.
"Well? " Tawny asked. "How is Cyan ever going to be a warrior if he fails?"
            "I'm going to train him myself," Saffron answered stiffly. Celadon and Pewter stared at each other. "You never offered to train us…"
Saffron shrugged. "I never had to."
Cyan sniffled. "You're not mad at me?"
He smiled and shook his head. "Why on earth would I be mad at you? I'm more mad at myself than anyone else."

Cyan opened his eyes; he had almost forgotten that day. He trudged up the stairs, hearing a knock at the door. Xenon rolled over in her bed sleepily and pressed a button on a panel beside it.
"Who is it?" The screen popped up and showed Mrs. Def standing at the front door. "It's me dear. I thought since your brother's going to start time pirating that you'd need advertisements, you know, so I brought over some flyers I made. But it seems I caught you at a bad time so…" She held up three posters. "Which one? I'll make copies of the one you like."
Xenon rubbed her eyes. "Uh ...the one in the middle," she replied.
"Okay, Xenon, see you at the shop sometime."
"Bye."

DR. XENON.

Cyan wolfed down his breakfast and Raydon laughed. "Don't forget to breathe-have you always eaten like that?"
He nodded. "Yeah…where I come from…this…is normal."
Raydon shrugged "Huh, wonder why."
Cyan laughed. "My thought exactly! I don't know how you can survive with so little food!"
Neon scowled. "You talk like we're the strange ones.”
Cyan looked at him coolly. "You are.”
Tank laughed, "He's got a point, Neon, to him we’re all freaks of nature."
Neon stalked away from the table as Xenon walked in. "Hey, Cyan, come here for a sec." He took one last bite and followed.
Xenon led him to her lab (as she called it). Cyan looked around. "I thought you guys were poor!"
She smiled slyly. "We are, but my uncle wasn't-this is his stuff-he just taught me to use it. Sit down on this table."
Cyan obeyed. "Why'd you bring me in here?"
"If you’re going to have to come on our missions then you're going to have to work so we can buy enough food for your huge appetite. So, there is a chance you might get hurt and our human medications might not work right with your system. That’s a problem. I'll have to make some especially for you."
Cyan shrugged "If you have to..."
She nodded sternly. "Hey it's for you own good. Take your shirt off so I can run a routine check. No one has ever studied a Criybon before, so I have to start from scratch."
Cyan pulled his shirt over his head, "Is this really necessary?" he asked
She turned around "How'd you get the scar?" she asked
He put his hand over his right shoulder "A bit obvious isn't it?"
She moved his hand "Not to me it isn't."
He turned his head "I was attacked by a Pyther when I was very young."
She looked at the teeth marks. "Must have been awful small."
"It was just a baby."
Xenon frowned. "The scar looks about eight years old, how'd you get away?"
"My brother, he saved me yet another time."
"Hum, oh well - I'd better get to work."
She took his wrist to take his pulse, but stopped short. "Well, that’s weird..."
"What?"
Xenon picked up his arm & looked it over "You - you don't have any arm hair."
Cyan shrugged "So?"
Xenon pulled up his pants leg and looked him over again "You don't have any anywhere!"
Cyan shrugged "Yeah, so?"
Xenon shook her head "Oh, well.” She reached for the stethoscope, but it was gone. "Neon! Did you move my stethoscope?"
"Oh yeah, it's in here." Neon walked in, but when he saw the scar on Cyan's shoulder he dropped it.
"Neon! What are you doing?!"
"S-sorry." He knelt to pick it up, but kept his eye on Cyan's scar.

Raydon looked up as Xenon walked in "What did you find out?"
Xenon half smiled "Other than a few things, his body structure and chemistry isn't that much different than ours.”
Raydon shrugged. "Who knew?" Brrring! Brrring! Brrrrring!
Raydon grabbed the videophone. "Hello?"
"Uh…Hi…is dis da home of the folks I saw on the flyers - the Star Dug or sumthin.."
"That’s Star Dog! "
"I'll take dat as a yup- I gots a job fer ya, I needs ya to go inta dat der Cribin territory fer me-I kinda lost me hat."
"Run that by me again."
"I said I losts me hat-I liked dat hat, I's a will'n to pay $750 fer it."
Raydon's eyes widened. "You’re joking."
"Naw, I's won da lottery ands won a time trip ands lost me gouldern hat!"
"Uh ok, what kind of hat was it?"
"One of dem dar straw hats-I gots a heck of a sunburn! Wills ya takes da job?"
"Sure! We'll get right on it tomorrow! No…thank you sir! Bye."
"Ray, who was that?" Xenon asked.
Raydon smiled
Xenon looked closer and frowned. "Oh no…I know that smile."

Cyan helped pack the L-B's in the back of the newly repainted STAR DOG. "Ray how much is this job paying?" Xenon asked.
Raydon smiled "It's a surprise. Anyway, what are you so worried about? We have an excellent guide. Cyan grew up in Criybon Territory; he's bound to know his way around." They drove down to the commercial rift.
"Why are we coming this way?" Neon asked
Tank shook his head. "Because, numb nuts, open rifts are way faster than opening your own. Plus they’re untraceable and that’s good for pirates."
Neon narrowed his eyes. "What did you call me?!"
"Cut it out you two! Goodness if I didn't know better I'd think both of you were eleven!" Xenon snapped. Neon shoved Tank into the side of the ship.
Cyan looked at Raydon as they blasted off. "What are we looking for?"
Raydon grinned. " Would believe it? A hat!"
He rolled his eyes. "Saffron was right, humans do have really stupid reasons for what they do."
When they landed, Neon looked at the radar. "Man, this place is loaded with crap! I'm picking up ten things with human origins in only a fifteen-yard radius! But none of it looks like a hat."
Raydon shrugged "It's bound to be around here somewhere. Come on Cyan."
They started walking but the Criybon stopped when he saw some marks on a tree.
"What?" Tank asked.
"Come on!" Neon ordered.
"I won't go any farther." Cyan said.
"Why not?" Raydon asked.
"That’s Kaycopi village."
"So?" Tank said
"So nothing. Grimace, the King of Kaycopi, he thinks he can create the perfect warriors through experiments by crossing their genes with those of animals and such. True, their warriors are stronger than usual, but they’re also harder to control. No one in their right mind would go into Kaycopi village."
Raydon shrugged nonchalantly. "You're just afraid."
He nodded. "You're right I am, and you should be to."
Raydon narrowed his eyes at Cyan. "You can wait here if you like, but I'm going."
Cyan pulled the small cube from his pocket. He pressed in the top and side and it transformed back into a sword. "You won't survive-unless I go along. Who knows, we might get lucky and nothing will happen,” he said hopefully.

They walked farther and deeper into Kaycopi. "There!" Neon whispered, pointing ahead of them.
"See," Raydon smirked, "No trouble at all." Just as the words left his mouth, a pack of Neandolite Criybons surrounded them. Cyan looked blandly at him. "You were saying?"