The Rebel Faction

The black 3-Z Light freighter cleared the hangar doors and was decending down to the platform beneath it.

Cierra and Kyra both stood next to Rob and Colonel Stevenson stood nearby, but away from the group. Cierra briefly put her hand on Rob's back.

"Remember, trust me" Cierra said with a smile.

The ship landed and the cargo bay platform began to lower. On it stood Lexx with her arms crossed. She was dressed in very much the same clothing Kyra wore but a bit more revealing. Lexx wore black latex pants with laces going up both sides, knee high black boots, a black latex bustier, and black wristbands. She carried a blaster on her right leg and a large knife on her left.

Lexx walked toward the group. She then came right up to Rob's face with her lips nearly touching his. She began to speak in a low, sultry voice.

"So you're Stellar, the head of the self named Stellar Enterprises, hmm? How does it feel being at the top with all that power and money? Bet you would like to just lean in and fulfill your fantasies, wouldn't you? So, go ahead, just try to and see what happens."

There was a moment of silence. Rob was visibley uncomfortable but made no move at all. Lexx then backed away and looked towards Cierra.

"He's not typical for a rich guy. I really thought he'd try it."

"I told you he was different" Cierra replied.

Lexx looked back at Rob and gave a small smirk.

"I just had to see what your intentions were. I've dealt with men who think that dealing with woman means a free night in bed. Lets make it clear this is not the case here today."

Cierra spoke ot Lexx and filled her in on what was going on. Lexx returned her gaze to rob.

"Where is this guy..."

Lexx looked behind Rob and saw Colonel Stevenson. She pushed her way past Rob as he looked at Cierra who was smiling at him and rolled her eyes. Lexx was truly being Lexx.

Lexx walked up to Stevenson and had a sarcastic tone in her voice.

"So... Colonel, have you taken orders from a woman before?"

He stood motionless, at attention. Lexx then walked behind him and began to whisper in his ear.

"This woman could kill you if she'd liked to. How does that make you feel, hmm? What if I just stabbed you in the chest right now? I don't even think you're worth the effort..."

Lexx was provoking the man. She wanted to test his character and see if he had any buttons to push. He had no reaction until Lexx gave him a light slap on the cheek. He went to grab her arm.

In an instant, Lexx twisted his arm and kicked his legs out from under him. In what seemed to be a flash, Lexx was on top of him and already had her blade out and up to Stevenson's throat. Stevenson then shifted his weight and Lexx was thrown back and Stevenson held the blade.

Cierra looked to Rob, speaking in a low voice. "She's good, really good. She's also proving to you she's worth the investment."

Lexx was looking at Stevenson.

"You're good..."

Stevenson tossed the knife back to Lexx. Like she did to Stellar, Lexx got right up in Stevenson's face.

"...now lets make a team that's ALMOST as good as us!"

While this was going on, Cierra whispered to Rob.

"This is why I told you to trust me. Both you and your Colonel just passed her audition. Lexx sees someone who is disciplined as somone who respects her which is why I told you not to do anything. You let her rant, you'll gain her skills. Now, does she meet your expectations?"

Stevenson began to escort Lexx to the barracks. Lexx was taking in the surroundings, making several nots along the way. Her years of experience always taught her to do this. Stevenson then bagan to speak.

"Your very good yourself. Where did you train?"

"Very extensive training at the school of hard knocks."

The two were silent for a moment then laughed together. It appeared this Colonel Stevenson had a sense of humor afterall.

"I spent some time in the military. Once I left, I met Ishara who I learned additional skills from. The two of us have had a successful business together."

Stevenson then asked "I've already heard a great deal about Cierra, what about Kyra?"

"Kyra is now being trained by both Ishara and myself."

Stevenson smirked.

"Kyra??"

Lexx let out a small laugh.

"Kyra may look like the innocent type but looks are deceiving. She's become a very dangerous weapon in a matter of a few months."

Lexx didn't want to get off track and quickly got back on the subject at hand.

"Why don't you tell me about these men we have to train."

The barrack complex was opposite of the refitment one and as they walked, Ilmus listened to Lexxi. He was surprised when she told him that Kyra was being trained as well. The girl did not look at all like the kind of person that could kill people if need be. She had barely even spoken a word and kept mostly herself. Although, Ilmus had to admit, sometimes it was those quiet ones that you had to look out for. They were sometimes the most calculated and while not talking were busy working things out in their minds.

He also a little interested at Lexxi's quick transition back to the task she had been brought in for. While he had inquired about her past, she had not replied in kind. The woman seemed very indifferent and that was fine with Colonel Stevenson. As long as she did her duty they would both get by perfectly fine.

As she asked the question about who they would be training Ilmus had turned into one of the rooms along their path. The doors opened to reveal a rather long shooting range with many different booths for target practice. Along one of the front walls stretched a large, but enclosed, rack of various weapons.

"The people we are going to help train are actually a race of beings called the Nuknog. They live on the Sump and are mostly civilians who wish to gain back their freedom from an opressive tyrant. A few of them have served in their planet's defense force, but most have not. It will be tough work, but working together we should be able to sucessed." He turned to Lexxi with his arms across his wide chest and smiled gently.

"Their will and need for freedom will be a great asset. We just have to take that will and mix with combat training. They need discipline and I think you have a liking for teaching that." He grinned and looked her in the eyes.

Rob smiled and laughed as Cierra asked that. "Sweets, you know, some desserts. Pastries, ice cream, some cake, with some hot Chocolate perhaps?"

He winked and snugged Cierra gently before looking at Kyra with a smile. "What about you Kyra? Do you like dessert?"

As he waited for a response from the two, his mind quickly got an idea and he smiled at Cierra once more, more like a mischievous smirk. "What say we go see that factory you wanted?"

Ilmus watched Lexxi take up the blaster and wondered what she was going to do, but when he realized what it was, it was too late to stop. He heard the long weapon discharge and was going to react hostily until he looked at its elevation. His mind quickly calculated that any shots from the weapon would miss those men training inside the booths.

His face showed his unhappiness at Lexxi as he watched the frightened Nuknog dive away and towards cover. This was there first day here and already they were getting fired upon. One thing he did like, was that they reacted to the laser fire quickly. Not one stood frozen by it. In combat getting under cover would most likely save your life. What he could have to teach them later, however, was that to get under cover smarty and still keep your cool while under fire.

The Colonel watched Lexxi walk towards the men and listen to her berate them. He didn't want to admit it, but it was actually becoming somewhat amusing. These grown men were frightening of this beautiful woman and now stood before them. Some were actually shaking and that would not do at all in a combat situation.

What happened after her voice trailed off was Ilmus reacting on pure instinct after years of special forces training. When the knife flew at him, his mental thought process shut down almost completely and kicked back in when he held the knife pinned between his palms. With a stern face Ilmus raised his eyes at the smirking Lexxi.

As she walked out, he turned towards the men and instructed them to hit the showers and get somethign to eat. Tomorrow would be a long day for all of them.

He followed her out and finally smiled a little. "You scared the shit out of them. Perhaps even literally for some of them. I hope they make it through the night."

Before she could answer, however, Ilmus was gone from the hallway, without a single sound. While she had tested him, he could giver her a taste of her own meds. A secret door had silently opened along the long wall and he had slipped into a close quarters training facility. As he did a barrier slide down a few steps in front of Lexxi. Once it closed off the hallway, a field came up around the walls to prevent them from being damaged.

The door Colonel Steveson had slid through, closed up quickly and two others opened to the right of Lexxi, giving her a choice from which to enter.

"Welcome to the close quarters combat training grounds." Came the voice of Stevenson through a set of speakers.