Star Ocean

Cast Down In Shadows

"They say that the sea is a deadmans playground...but what of the sea up above?...Sailing alongside the stars, one can only imagine the treasures out there."

The calmness of the ocean waves hitting the side of the boat and the shimmering light from the moon gave me a sense of dread.

You see...

I was in shackles heading towards my death sentence. I was sitting in a cell inside a boat which was more or less a small fortress.

"Many moons ago, in a faraway land, we met an old man with a hook for a hand. He showed us a map that lead to treasure untold, he said, "I'll give ye the map, if ye give me some gold" a man quietly sang to himself.

I raised my head slowly, pushing my hair out of my vision, "Who's singing." I asked quietly.

I looked to the other cell and saw a dark silhouette sitting in the corner with his head down.

"For some pieces of eight the deal was done, he gave us the map, our quest had begun. We gathered our crew and set sail on the waves, and we knew we'd be rich by the end of the day." He continued singing.

He suddenly stopped.

"It's about that time...isn't it?" He suddenly asked.

I raised an eyebrow, "Huh?"

An explosion went off causing the boat to shake uncontrollably.

I quickly grabbed onto something to keep from sliding about.

"What the hell?!"

The man before me chuckled and stood up.

"It is that time." He says in a low voice.

The cells opened by themselves setting us free.

The man leisurely walked out leaving me there.

I slowly stood up and made my way out of my cell. I heard shouts and fighting up top.

I climbed the nearby stairs and stepped outside only to see prison inmates fighting with guards.

The sounds of shouting, swords clashing against each and gunfire filled my ears until the sound of thunder muted them.

I looked up to see a flash of lightening and soon enough it stared down-pouring.

A soldier ran up to me with a sword in hand ready to attack only to be shot from behind by the man who was in the cell next to me.

He stood there with a rifle in hand and through the flashes of lightning I saw his face. He had long wavy blonde hair with a well groomed beard to go with it.

He was a dangerous man indeed. One of the most wanted men in the galaxy.

He was Henley 'The Honest' Tattersall. A high warlord not from these parts. A well composed man but said to be extremely ruthless.

"Ah, my cell mate for about a week. It seems we finally meet face to face." He gave a small smile, "I'm surprised they managed to capture Gideon Of The Void."

"So my name gets around, huh?"

"I'm sure anyone who's heard your name knows of you as well as your bounty, the crimes you've committed, the people you've killed. You don't seem to care that the imperials caught you."

"I have to keep a close eye on who I acquaint myself with, that is if I want to end up on a ship like this again."

"Hmmm, them seeing you with me will make that a bit harder isn't it?" He gave a small grin, "Until we meet again, Gideon. May we meet on different terms."