MacLeod: The Dark Morning Sky: Cruising Altitude

"Hey!" A young woman's voice awoke Revan from his self-induced sleep. "Are you okay?"

Seventeen-year old Revan opened his black-iris eyes and wiped a tear from them.

"Wot?" He asked confusedly and groggily. "Sorry."

A young woman of Revan's age sat next to him. She was dressed in a long green coat and a pair of camouflaged trousers.

"Okay..." she repeated. "Are you alright or not?"

Revan took a moment to fully wake up to speak properly.

"Cryin' my eyes out in my sleep. Am I really okay?" He asked crankily.

"Fine. I'll drop it," the she sat in her seat in silence. Arms crossed.

Catching himself, Revan apologetically said: "Sorry, tired, rememberin'."

"Fine."

"Sorry, let me try that again," he offered his hand. "Revan."

"Riona," the young woman accepted his hand cautiously. They shook.

"So," Revan began. "What're ye goin' to Vale fer?"

"Beacon."

"Hunter training?"

"Entrance exam of a sort."

"What're ye packin'?"

"Just my bow and arrows. I'm thinking of using Dust with it."

"Sound idea. Pretty popular."

"How about you?"

With a grin, Revan unzipped his duffle bag. Reaching in, he found his katana. Looking around for any authority figures and finding none in his line of sight, he revealed the hilt; a steel dragon's head with an open maw was at the very end while, across the hilt, was the cross guard of four claws. The hilt and sheath were polished black, and the sheath was buckled to a one-strap harness that obviously went across the user's back.

Riona nodded in approval as Revan stowed his sword back into the bag. Revan leaned back in his seat and rolled up his hoodie's sleeves, looking pleased with himself.

"Took me a year to fold the blade enough times," Revan told him. "Took another month to build the cannon."

"Cannon?" She began with astonishment. "What's wrong with a good, old fashion claymore or axe? You are a Highlander, aren't you?"

"Not really. I travel light," was his answer. "Claymores are great 'n all and axes are cool, but I like speed."

She scoffed. "I hope you can use it, at least."

Revan laughed back in acknowledgment.

Their light-hearted banter was cut short by a gunshot echoing through the cabin and the shouts of surprise from passengers. Reflexes from both Riona and Revan forced them to stand up in alert to whatever was happening.

The pair of Northerners looked upon a gang of six armed and violent looking men standing over another man, who was bleeding on the ground, and holding a woman at gunpoint.

"Nobody move!" Demanded the ringleader. "Make a move and 'er brains go everywhere! You two blokes!" He pointed his pistol towards Revan and Riona. "Don't move!"

"Ideas?" Riona asked Revan.

"Three." Revan had his sword in a ready stance.

"I don't think so, mate," the man holding the frightened woman taunted. "Move, and she looses 'er 'ead!"

''Oh. No. You. DON'T!'' His face contorted with rage and frustration as Other Revan became manifest. ''I'm not goin' to be helpless this time! I owe my family that and more!''