I became conscious of the blackness all around me. I felt a strong throbbing on the side of my head, so I wasn't dead. Damn! The least he could have done was killed me!

"Don't worry Commander, we're gonna get you out of here." A soft and unusually friendly voice whispered. I tried to open my eyes to see who was speaking.

A face, light skinned, around 60 years old, blonde hair, brown eyes, straight nose, few acne spots. The parts registered, but the face didn't add up. I knew I had seen this person before, but where?

"Take it easy Commander, he hit you pretty hard. While you're getting you wits about you I'll reintroduce myself. I am Dr. Rizens. You know Melissa, one of my best students. We briefly met when at her graduation. She recruited me here a few months ago to help you escape."

"H...how?"

"It's simple, but it won't be easy. Basically I'm gonna give you a shot of this Atlantean magic substance. Mel said you should be able to smooth out the differences from there." He explained as he dug through tools and pulled out a syringe. "Surely you didn't expect her to let you waste away in here, or any of your other comrades for that matter?"

I forced myself to sit up despite my throbbing head. The plan sounded simple enough. I get my magic back. I blow them all to hell. . . minus Dr. Rizens. Which reminded me . . .

"How do you intend to get out of here?"I asked him. He was filling the syringe with the familar light blue of magic .

"I'll fly out with you." he smiled, " that is . . . if that's ok with you?"

"I don't mind, just don't be late. When I get to the hanger, things will be hot. If I have to leave without you, I will."

"Of course. I would hate to see everyone's work wasted just because of me. Don't worry, I will be on time."

"Good." I was feeling exponentially better and had managed to get on my feet.

"Are you ready Commander?" he asked as he approached me with the loaded syringe

"Yes." was my blunt answer. I took a slow breath to calm myself. "Lets do this."He tactically plunged the syringe into the vein in my arm.

"Okay it should kick in in a few minutes. Remember: this is not 'your' magic. It's from a donor. So its not as strong as yours, or as effective. I would suggest a conservative approach. We will meet in the third ship from the hangar entrance. I'll be waiting."

I nodded.

"Guards! She's all patched up." He called. Three guards marched in and roughly escorted me back to my cell without a word. I slowly felt the thick extra pulse of the magic spread through my body as we walked. I smiled . . . it was time to get out of here.