Knights of King *HIATUS*

Chapter 5

Aquarius sat on her bed in the dark. The hum of the ship around her was calming even as her feet were still pounding. Glancing down at the top of her feet she slowly leans back against her pillows. It had been years since she'd felt any pain from her training sessions. She could feel the warmth of her blood seep between her toes as she laid on her bed; the sheets and the blanket would have to be changed because of it. Too tired to care much for the soon to be blood stained sheets, Aquarius reaches for the mug she'd set on the dip into the wall and took a long sip.

For a brief moment, she let her mind wander. It happened to wander onto the subject of the leader of the Zodiac. Leo was a constant in the hectic style that they all lived, always carrying for them all and always keeping them motivated. Even though he was a total idiot and did things that constantly but their missions on board King in danger, she had to admit that he was something she needed on a daily.

Setting the mug back she pressed her hand on the wall panel to bring up the room controls. The temperature was much colder than anyone else in the Zodiac Lounge kept theirs, most of them refused to go into her room due to the cold. Finding the switch for the room lights she pulled them down. All the lights along the ceiling were dimmed before finally turning off. There were the constant hazard lights that glowed blue along the baseboards, but to her; the room was dark.

As she settle back into her pillows, the cold eased the tension in between her shoulders. As she closed her eyes to slip back into sleep her body tensed suddenly, Turning towards the door, her hand automatically reached for one of the knives that was displayed on her wall beside her bed. A soft thud hit her door and silence followed. Relaxing, as she knew who is there, she returned the knife to her wall she laid back down and closed her eyes.

"Goodnight, Lee." Aquarius spoke into the dark.

The weight on her door leaves after she speaks. "Goodnight, Aqua."

With eyes still closed she sighed but couldn't keep the small smile that formed on her lips. She knew how much Leo hated the nickname she had given him when they were both young. It had originated from Freya; not the holographic AI that lived on Battleship King's motherboard, but the warm and kind woman that cared for them and gave them their lessons. Freya had called Leo by the nickname once and the immediate disgust on his face told Aquarius that she had to use the nickname as much as possible. Freya, while she lived, had tried to stop the blue haired girl from tormenting Leo with the nickname; but it hardly helped.

Overtime it seemed that Leo grew used to Aquarius using the nickname and even remarked on quiet days when she'd spot him sitting in the observation deck that it reminded him of happy days when they were kids. He still bristled and grew annoyed when others used the nickname for him, but for Aquarius it had become acceptable.

Rolling onto her side she peeked open her eyes to check that the time on her wall clock matched the one on her wrist, 03:34; enough time for her to get at least an hour and a half before the Zodiac's daily workout and then jobs begin. She closes her eyes and lets the hum on King take her into sleep.

*************

Palace stood facing the window of his office as the nine officials stand looking at him. His desk separates them and on the desk; thirteen holographic files are pulled up as well. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end and the hairs on his arm were lifting as well. This conversation had been a long time coming and he knew it. He knew what they wanted and knew what was going to happen after this conversation.

He bowed his head; a single and silent prayer for his children was sent out to the stars around him.

"Director Palace," A man speaks from the line up. "We, the Counsel, have decided that you and your thirteen hybrids are a hazard to the GCA and we have decided to take measures against those hazards."