Cole was in turmoil. He was so uncertain about what had actually happened when Nya came to his room, that he felt physically unable to talk to anyone through guilt. Though he wasn't even sure if there was anything to feel guilty about. Nya had been in his room, this much he knew. He remembered sitting on the bed and Nya coming over to him, but that was all, apart from a deep feeling of unease.

Nya had made no move to particularly talk to him since. In fact she was quite happily continuing with her day to day routine with Jay. So much so that he had been unable to find a moment with her alone to ask what was going on. They seemed so happy 'Why on earth did she come to my room? Why did I pass out? Please, please, please, don't let anything have happened... No, I'm sure nothing happened, it was just weird'

'Cole?' Cole looked up. Having not heard Zane enter, he was now standing before him 'Do you need help?'

'Um...'

'With the weapons inventory?'

'Oh, uh right. Y'know I don't know why I didn't give you this job, it's right up your street'

'Because, I have been in the Northern districts, setting up the surveillance. Which is now complete, so I can take over for you, should you require me to'

'Zane, I wouldn't normally shirk a task. You know that right?'

'Of course'

'Thanks buddy...' Cole quickly rose before Zane could talk to him further and rushed towards the door.

'Cole' Zane called after him 'I have set up a new surveillance on the temple also...'

'Nice one, tell me later ok...?' Cole had decided in that moment to take charge. He would ask Nya what was going on. He strode down the dark hallways towards the Mech hanger, his confused thoughts running through his head 'We are close, but this isn't like us. We talk, all the time. We don't hide things or act weird. Nya never acts weird. She's as straight talking as they come. I like her, a lot, yes. But not like I did once and I thought she felt the same. If she's misinterpreted me for some reason, that's her problem and she's got to answer for it!'

Cole strode into the hanger, pushing the doors open a little too forcefully so they swung back and hit the wall. It made him jump and Nya stuck her head out from the top of a scaffold that rose next to one of four Ninja Mech 'Careful stud, check your guns at the door!' and threw a balled up rag at him, which Cole snatched from the air before it hit him in the face.

'...funny' Cole muttered in annoyance. Nya was heading down, nimbly swinging from the structure to the ground.

She breezed up to him, smiling and then pulled up when she saw his face 'Uh, you ok Cole?'

'No, not great actually'

'What's wrong? Is it... your 'problem'?'

He narrowed his eyes 'Yeah, you could say that'

A silence settled between them until Nya asked '...did, you want to talk about it?'

Cole was looking at her incredulously.

'Is Jay here?'

'No'

'Good, because I do not want him getting hurt by this'

Nya gave him a confused look, his forceful statement putting her on edge 'What's going on?'

'Why did you come and talk to me? I didn't want to talk about it and yet you pushed the point... and'

'Hold on, yeah I asked a few times, to make sure you were ok... But I wasn't pushing you. You're free to talk to me anytime; I'm not going to beg to hear your grievances'

'I mean, I had just made it pretty clear that I didn't want to talk about it, but you just sneaked into my room and waited to hijack me. Why would you start all this up again? I mean, talk about personal space... I felt so... tired and odd and all you wanted was to get me on the bed! Seriously, If I hadn't passed out, I'm not entirely sure where you heading...'

Nya's eyes were wide, her face set in a look of silent shock. They stood staring at each other until Nya found her words again 'Ok... One, I wasn't in your room. Two, it was morning, why the hell were you tired, you'd drunk enough coffee to fuel Quake Mech and THREE, I would NEVER start THAT again. Why would you think that? Do you even know how much I love Jay? Can you even comprehend that?'

'Uh... Well, yes I can comprehend it actually' Cole rubbed his eyes and pulled his hand down his face 'That's the problem'

'What?'

'That's my problem'

'I'm sorry, I don't... understand'

'I look at you both... and I want that'

'You're jealous of us?'

Cole sighed 'Yes, of what you have together'

'Oh. Oh Cole. I didn't realise. We'll be more private. I promise'

'No, no, you don't need to be. You're fine. It's me. I'm just feeling it is all. I mean, when's someone gonna write my story huh?' Cole slumped down on a workbench, sulkily.

Nya gave him a sorry smile and leant next to him 'It's normal I guess. I mean life's hard enough for us without trying to find space and time for any normal stuff like relationships. I'm lucky. I had my dream guy handed to me on a dragon before I even knew what a boyfriend was. Obviously, y'know I had to question it. It was all too good to be true and well, you kind of fitted the bill at that time... But I would never abuse our friendship in the way you've just described... Did you have a bug or something? Maybe you were hallucinating... Y'know...' Nya paused 'I can understand that your desire for me is deep rooted... but dreaming about me..?' Nya gave Cole a half scared look, knowing full well she could have pushed a joke to far.

Cole took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes at her 'You're right, it wasn't you, couldn't have been you... This Nya was seriously smokin' and well, very suggestive actually. Nothing like you'

Nya gasped and elbowed Cole 'You rat!'

The hanger doors opened and Zane entered to witness them laughing and giggling 'good morning children, I see you are both busy'

'Zane' Nya and Cole echoed together.

'Cole, I was trying to talk to you before you ran off'

'Oh, sorry Zane, I had an urgent question for Nya'

'Can you talk now?'

'Yep'

'I have installed new surveillance equipment in and around the Temple'

'Yes, you said'

'Yes, I know I said... Anyway, our old system was dated, but as we are floating above the city, we haven't thought too much about security recently... But...'

Cole and Nya were listening. Zane always explained everything as fully as he felt necessary so they patiently waited for him to get to the point.

'... and I felt a murmuration over breakfast and then some other fleeting moments. Nindroids need time off too, so now I'll feel better knowing the sensors are up to my standards'

'What's a murmuration?' Zane turned to see that Kai had entered.

'Isn't that a bird thing?' Cole asked

'A quiet mumbling?' Nya offered, looking unsure.

'Yes, Cole it is a bird thing and Nya also, even though you have obviously guessed. It seemed the best way to describe the sound, as it wasn't anything I recognised. Like the wind snatching words up and away or blood flowing. It was everything and nothing; low in the background, but once I'd heard it, I could not loose it.

Kai looked at Zane 'You can pick up the sound of our blood?'

'Of course' Zane laughed. If you ever wondered why there is always the correct drink for you at breakfast? I know just who's leaving their rooms and coming down the hall by their unique sound print. Your footfall, breathing and blood flow... giving me just enough time to pour a cup of coffee or make a cup of tea just how you like it.

Nya and Cole blinked at each other in surprise as Kai exclaimed 'who knew? You are one seriously pimped up barista!'

'I must output an aural recording for each of you... I think you'll find it most interest...

Their conversation was interrupted by a long pulsing tone.

'What is that?' Nya exclaimed as they all stood alert.

Zane zoned out momentarily, to come back animated 'It's the new system alert. The murmuration is back and something else. It has picked up intruders'

'Where are they?' Cole growled

'This is very irregular. I am unsure how many life forms there are. The system is sensing four locations but the readings are not exactly clear. Two are solid entities, the other are transient. No, now they are all unclear... They keep changing, swapping; the system can't define them and neither can I. I've not experienced this before.

'But you have the location?' Kai quickly asked.

'Yes there are multiple locations. Control Room...'

'I'm on it' Kai said as he rushed away from them. Bursting through the doors he almost collided with Jay as he was coming the other way.

'3rd level hallway, west...'

'I'm there' Cole said and left.

'Zane! What's going on?'

'Jay, the temple has been infiltrated. We have life form readings, one of which...' he looked around worried '...is now in this room'

'In this room?' Jay asked nervously, looking around the hanger. They backed into each other, trying to see into the shadows beyond the Mech's and vehicles.

Zane continued 'The last is in the Weapons Store, where I have just come from. I will go, you two remain here, I don't know what we are looking for or dealing with' he said and left.

'Holy crap' Nya whispered 'can you see anything Jay?'

'Nuh-uh... Can I charge up the room? Will I fritz everything if I do that?'

'Yes Jay, you will. So I'd rather you didn't!' A soft orange mist grew in the centre of the room 'Jay...' Nya whispered and grabbed his arm to turn him. They looked on in apprehension as a form grew. A robust muscular body formed from the clouds undulating vapour; a ghostly tail extended down, licking, flame like in the air. As if the being had been contained and suddenly freed, the body unfurled and stretched its arms. Raising its head, its form began to settle...

'My Delara...'