The Junkyard, Wednesday Morning

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

There was artificial light filtering through the dawn in the junk yard-- Sarah Kerrigan's newly-stolen dropship had an open airlock and blue LEDs flashing in gentle warning along the side.

Inside, she sat on the floor, her legs crossed as she worked a string of cables she'd just pulled out of the side of one of the panels. Frowning in concentration at the damage, she blocked out everything including the headache as she worked.

[ open for all your Kerrigan and/or junkly needs ]

Comments

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

Yesterday there had been a mention of spaceships. River approached the dropship, following the lights, and quietly slipped through the airlock.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

Kerrigan was focused. So focused that she barely even made notice of River, her own thoughts nothing more than one prolonged burst of solid concentration on metal, electricity and the quiet beat of the spaceship below her feet.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River moved closer, her mind quiet, reaching out a hand to tap Kerrigan's shoulder.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

In reflex, Kerrigan's hand shot up for River's arm, ready to disable the invader if she had to.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River let out a giggle and pulled her hand away.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

Kerrigan's gaze snapped over towards River, the readiness fading as she recognised the girl. "...Oh, hey, River."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Nice ship." River patted the wall. "Show me?"

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

She shoved the mass of wiring back into the panel. Really, it was only the coffee machine. It wasn't... well, okay, it was vital.

"It's just a dropship," Kerrigan said, getting up to her feet. "A tiny one, at that."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Better than nothing." River leaned over the controls, running her fingers over them.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"True," Kerrigan replied, strolling after River towards the controls. Haven't been able to go up to see the stars yet.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. What kept you?

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

Kerrigan glanced up at the window. ...Couldn't.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River nodded, not questioning that. Now?

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

She quirked a faint smile, slipping into the pilot's chair. "I don't see why not."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

Her words got a wide smile in reply and River sat down on the chair next to Kerrigan's.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

The dropship contained a lot more buttons, switches and dials than River's squirrel ship; Kerrigan flicked a few, closing the airlock behind them. "It might be shakier than you're used to." Or, she privately thought, smoother.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River's eyes followed Kerrigan's fingers, memorizing the movements and guessing their purpose. "Every ship is a personality. Every flight is a dance."

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Kind of is, I guess." She smiled again, and the ship started pulling loose from the ground, making some noise. "I do this type of dancing better."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"With more enthusiasm," River noted, then let out a giggle.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Well, I am damn good," she grinned as the ship lifted itself up into the atmosphere.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

The giggle turned into laughter, not because River questioned Kerrigan's words but because they were here, together, flying.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

Her mouth fashioned into a slighter smile, but none the less honest-- Kerrigan was focusing on the sky now. Soon, they'd break through the blue and hit--

Why hadn't she done this before?

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Stars." They belonged here, both of them, and better together than alone.

[Sorry for SP!]

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Yeah..."

Something young broke through the jaded Ghost mask when the skies did shift, revealing the little light spots. "I wish..."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River turned her head to look at Kerrigan, waiting for her to continue the sentence.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Sometimes I wish I could just go," Kerrigan admitted.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Sometimes you can. Temporarily." River kept her eyes on Kerrigan. I want to go with you.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Nah," she said, gaze shifting to River and then back to the stars. Pushing the throttle and the wheel so they'd head-- past the moon. Had to go further. Would be a while, but... "I have to go back."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Temporarily," River repeated. "Better than nothing." Yes, past the moon. This ship was faster than the Acorn.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

Something sad shifted on her face. "Yeah," Kerrigan said, picking a random heavenly body-- hadn't looked up this place's solar system, should've, "Better than nothing."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River caught that sadness, and it was mirrored in her own face for a brief moment. Then she turned her gaze towards the stars. "Destination?"

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

She read the current heading up off one of the screens. "Not sure what it is," Kerrigan replied, feeling a little foolish for indulging.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Not of major importance," River replied, head tilted.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Might as well check it out," Kerrigan countered, smirking faintly.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

Looking at Kerrigan again, River grinned. "Might as well."

[Have to go for tonight now :(]

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Heading out," she smirked back fully, and pushed the throttle.

[ night! ]