Graviton and the Space Pirates

6- Secrets Within a Crew

Surprised by the weight of the canisters, Onyx struggled to carry them without his usual strength. The mystery of how he was going to get his powers back still rattled in the back of his mind.

"Hey, you good over there?" Lux asked as he looked at the holopad in his hands which had all the statistics they needed.

"Yea just... still really bummed about my powers. I used to be someone who was feared. Back when I invaded Earth with my sister, I was powerful! One of the most powerful beings on that planet. I had almost won!" He declared, placing the canister in his clutches into the Red Yantars storage. "Until I was betrayed. I still won't get over that! Fuckin' bitch...," he whispered as he closed the storage bay door and walked towards the captain.

"Okay, fifteen canisters loaded, that means we are all set to head to our informant and get this show rolling!" Lux exclaimed, closing the holopad and looking at Onyx. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Uhm... yeah, I guess if you need to," Onyx responded, walking a few feet away from the ship and standing with his arms folded at his chest. "What is it?"

"Your powers, Onyx. Where are they?" Lux questioned, pretty much demanding an answer. "Your species' power is the reason I recruited you onto this team. The reason I wanted and needed you," he said, raising his voice. "Where are they?"

"I, uhm...," Onyx stammered, not one hundred percent sure how to answer.

The tall alien walked closer, looking down at Onyx. "Are you even a Rockatrayen?"

"YES! I am, I promise I am. My powers must just be dormant, maybe because of some energy loss from crashing onto the planet I met you on!" Onyx insisted, keeping as straight and serious of a face as he could, while also trying not to let his voice shake too much.

Staring down at him, Lux sighed and looked around.

"Fine, but do me a favor and take another one of those adrenaline shots, try and get that energy up," the captain asked, walking away and onto the ship.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Onyx quickly followed, closing the boarding ramp as he got on. As he walked through the halls of the ship, he eventually reached the common area where the rest of the team was situated. Leaning against the wall, he looked at Lux who was quieting everyone down, ready to make a speech.

"Now that we have the Hydrokyncein, our next step is to drop off this resource," he announced, turning towards the hall and walking to the cockpit. "Onyx. You're with me."

Confused as to why he was joining Lux in the cockpit and not Veta, he still listened. Looking at the team, he nodded and walked into the cockpit with Lux. Entering, he immediately sat down at the co-pilot's chair and looked over at Lux.

"So... why do you need me here?" Onyx asked, a little worried he might be in trouble.

"Because you're the only one I can trust surprisingly. So when I tell you this, you don't let another person know. Got it?" Lux asked, looking him dead in the eyes.

"Yeah, I got it. What is it?"

"I tried contacting out informant, y'know the one we're bringing the Hydrokyncein to, and he told me he wanted them refined. I gotta find somewhere to refine them. Meanwhile, you need to make sure the crew doesn't know. They'll get suspicious. Just keep them in the dark. Got it?" Lux informed, telling him exactly what he needs to do.

Nodding, Onyx smiled and put his hand on his shoulder. "I won't let you down." And with that, he left the cockpit and made his way back to where the rest of the crew was. As he approached them, he heard them whispering and heard the mention of Lux's name. Getting closer and closer, he stayed hidden.

"Lux hasn't told any of us what the canisters are for," Neena whispered, looking at her peers.

"I know, it is strange. Something tells me this whole situation isn't right," Ser informed the group.

"Okay, glad I'm not the only one who is insanely suspicious of the guy. He's been keeping us too in the dark," Guardian Babe said, agreeing with her friends.

Veta, the only one who hadn't spoke, looked at her friends and sighed. "I don't know guys, I just feel like what he's doing is to benefit us. I've known him longer than you all have. He took me in when I was little. I may still be young, but that doesn't change the fact that he's like a father to me, and I still believe in him."

After hearing all of this, Onyx sighed. This truly was a pirate crew. And if Lux was keeping everyone in the dark, then there was bound to be a mutiny soon. However, shaking himself off, he walked back a few feet and made his way to the group, pretending he had been walking the whole time.

"Alright. We are now off. We should reach the planet in a couple of hours, so get some rest if you all need to," he smiled, placing his hands on his hips.

Nodding and thanking him, they all left the room except for Neena, who still sat with her knee to her chest. Looking up at Onyx, she gave him a half smile.

"You overheard didn't you?" she asked, trying not to sound pissed as she hates nosey people.

"Yea, I did. Lux hasn't been telling you guys anything?" he questioned, surprised as when he met the man, he seemed nice.

"There is a lot about Lux you wouldn't know. He is a liar and a cheater. There's a reason his old captain was locked away," she responded, standing up.

"Why, what did he-," but before he could finish, Lux walked into the room and cleared his throat to get their attention.

"Neena, inform the others that we'll be making a quick pitstop at Babylon-3. We need to restock on fuel and make sure we have enough energy to get us to Geter," the captain demanded, walking back to the cockpit as he finished.

"Well, I guess you better listen. Captains orders," he joked, chuckling at his own joke.

"Yea... yea I will. Why don't you go rest. You said it yourself, its gonna be a long trip. Besides, you got beat up pretty heavily today," she laughed, patting his good shoulder.

Nodding, Onyx walked past her and approached his room, where upon entering, locked his door and sat down on his bed. He was angry. He lost. He couldn't save his sister. And most importantly, he didn't have his powers. Putting his fists into balls, he squeezed and tried really hard but, nothing.

Sighing, he lied down and turned off the lights, trying to get the best rest he could before they most likely got into another fight.