"Soon he who claims to be my brother, this will be over and you? You will be dead at my paws." Kattra hissed.
Kandra only grunted as a plan formed then he nodded, the thing was though would his brother fall for it?
Kandra rushed a surprised Kattra who deflected a downward diagonal strike, then twisted back with his sword. He went for a killing decapitating blow, only to stop short with a gasp as Kandra's sword pushed through his chest.
Blood started to flow from his mouth as he growled at Kandra then spit at him. "Enjoy while you can, my followers will have your head in little time."
Kandra sneered as he yanked his sword free with a sad look. "Not in this life time brother," he said as he watched Kattra's body fall.
Kandra bent to drawing his long knife, thrusting it into Kattra's chest removing the heart.
He then stood holding the bloody organ up, "the challenge is finished. I am, as I was, the true Emperor," with that he took a bite from the heart.
"Now, we will stop this rebellion, we will return to life and not death." Turning to his command he said, "I want all involved captured. Have them brought to the throne room where they will be truth scanned."
Kandra then turned to the image of Thomas, "I am honored that you allowed me to witness this." Thomas said as he bowed.
Kandra nodded as he placed his brother's heart on a platter beside him. "You and your Emperor brought great honor to us. It seemed only right to return the favor."
"I have been in contact with my Emperor. He might have an idea that could suppress the fear that many have from the Princess not being here," Thomas started. "He also warned me from getting too much involved."
Kandra nodded as Thomas went on to outline just what Derrick had told him.
_______________________________________________________
Jimison and Difina were both panting hard, the exercises today were definitely different. Jimison had also noticed that Difina and the master were moving far faster than they had the day before.
Jimison barely avoided a blow from Kimon, reacting without thinking. "So worthless, you have learned something after all. Death isn't going to take you as easily. It is about time the both of you woke up!"
Kimon suddenly accelerated his attacks upon Jimison, surprised when the man avoided almost all of them. The commander had been correct after all. It appeared that, the both of them were starting to take this more serious than they had before.
With a slight smile Kimon again accelerated even more, so his Gakusei, both of them were reaching the higher levels.
Kimon kept going up in speed 'til her got through Jimison's defenses. Ah! Good Kimon thought, the man was almost twice as fast as the day before. Another slight smile came to his face as Jimison was thrown back by a hit.
Jimison sprang off the wall as he directed all his energy towards his master. He stopped, falling to the floor as Kimon held up a hand to stop him. "Rest, meditate, now the real training can begin, if your mate to be is as ready."
Jimison looked at Kimon with a shocked look then towards Difina. With a thud Jimison sat to begin meditating.
A smile came to Difina's face, as she took her defensive position against Kimon.
"Soon he who claims to be my brother, this will be over and you? You will be dead at my paws." Kattra hissed.
Kandra only grunted as a plan formed then he nodded, the thing was though would his brother fall for it?
Kandra rushed a surprised Kattra who deflected a downward diagonal strike, then twisted back with his sword. He went for a killing decapitating blow, only to stop short with a gasp as Kandra's sword pushed through his chest.
Blood started to flow from his mouth as he growled at Kandra then spit at him. "Enjoy while you can, my followers will have your head in little time."
Kandra sneered as he yanked his sword free with a sad look. "Not in this lifetime brother," he said as he watched Kattra's body fall.
Kandra bent to drawing his long knife, thrusting it into Kattra's chest removing the heart.
He then stood holding the bloody organ up, "the challenge is finished. I am, as I was, the true Emperor," with that he took a bite from the heart.
"Now, we will stop this rebellion, we will return to life and not death." Turning to his command he said, "I want all involved captured. Have them brought to the throne room where they will be truth scanned."
Kandra then turned to the image of Thomas, "I am honored that you allowed me to witness this." Thomas said as he bowed.
Kandra nodded as he placed his brother's heart on a platter beside him. "You and your Emperor brought great honor to us. It seemed only right to return the favor."
"I have been in contact with my Emperor. He might have an idea that could suppress the fear that many have from the Princess not being here," Thomas started. "He also warned me from getting too much involved."
Kandra nodded as Thomas went on to outline just what Derrick had told him.
_______________________________________________________
Jimison and Difina were both panting hard, the exercises today were definitely different. Jimison had also noticed that Difina and the master were moving far faster than they had the day before.
Jimison barely avoided a blow from Kimon, reacting without thinking. "So worthless, you have learned something after all. Death isn't going to take you as easily. It is about time the both of you woke up!"
Kimon suddenly accelerated his attacks upon Jimison, surprised when the man avoided almost all of them. The commander had been correct after all. It appeared that, the both of them were starting to take this more serious than they had before.
With a slight smile Kimon again accelerated even more, so his Gakusei, both of them were reaching the higher levels.
Kimon kept going up in speed 'til her got through Jimison's defenses. Ah! Good Kimon thought, the man was almost twice as fast as the day before. Another slight smile came to his face as Jimison was thrown back by a hit.
Jimison sprang off the wall as he directed all his energy towards his master. He stopped, falling to the floor as Kimon held up a hand to stop him. "Rest, meditate, now the real training can begin, if your mate to be is as ready."
Jimison looked at Kimon with a shocked look then towards Difina. With a thud Jimison sat to begin meditating.
A smile came to Difina's face, as she took her defensive position against Kimon.
"Now, unworthy mate of Jimison. We shall see if you have listened as well as he has." Kimon said as if he was bored.
Even as they started, Kimon noticed that her stance and actions were indeed better than before. Much like with Jimison, he increased his speed to almost the exact point that he had before.
Much like Jimison she avoided almost everything, then like Jimison she was heading for the wall. With a ferocious roar, Difina was flying off the wall toward Kimon. She also dropped to the floor as Kimon held up a hand.
"You also meditate, rest. As I said now the actual training can begin. I won't go soft nor easy. What have you felt before? Is only a warmup for, the real work we will start tomorrow," Kimon said as he bowed to them then left the room.
Both Jimison and Difina could only look at each other. Real training? Warm up? Jimison sat a moment then his eyes opened wide. "He has only been training us in the basics. I believe we start to learn advanced techniques tomorrow."
"This was easy?" Difina asked. "Here I thought we were into the hard techniques."
"No, we had to learn these before, he taught us the more complicated and deadly forms." Jimison said with a concerned look on his face.
Difina, could only stare at Jimison with a shocked look then a smile slowly crept to her features.
"So my mate, we are a deadly force now," Difina said her smile growing 'til Jimison spoke.
"At the moment we can defend against a great many. What we learn next? THEN, we will be a deadly force," Jimison said a smile on his lips.
Difina's face showed brief shock, then her smile returned, "that will be good my mate."
Jimison nodded as he thought, will it? They would be far deadlier than they were. His temper was bad enough, though hers? He might be the only one that could stop her, maybe.
_______________________________________________________
Hartwell watched as Johnathon worked nonstop to discover a cure for Bee's condition. He still felt like taking the ship to Bee's planet and shooting all the males.
A shake of his head had him sitting, if he ever did something like that, Bee would hate him. That he had decided, was something he was no prepared to have happen.
He watched as Johnathon did everything that he could, as of yet, they still hadn't been able to stabilize Bee's readings. He'd have thought with her bond to him something from him would work.
None of the fluids from his body would do, they would kill her with the drugs that were in her. Afterward, there was a good chance but not before. Hell, he felt he was lucky she hadn't died from him touching her.
As he had told Johnathon, he'd never been in love so, he wasn't sure if this was. If only...
A commotion on the other side of the med-bay drew his attention. Then the defiant, yelling voice had him turning.
"I am fine damnit! Let me out of this damn torture bed!" Came a female voice.
Hartwell quickly went to his sister as she was struggling to get out of the bio-bed. "You know you can't... Hartwell started.
The glare from Lucie Hartwell had him snapping his mouth shut. "Get me the hell out of here now! I will make your life a living hell if you don't!" Lucie Hartwell said between clenched teeth.
"Johnathon!" Hartwell yelled making the holo-gram appear. "Why is she still confined to the bio-bed?"
"Well Prime, I still have not determined that her mental capacities are at optimum." The holo-gram said.
"You have a way to do this? Hartwell asked.
"At the present, no Prime," Johnathon said.
"So, if you have no real test for it, why is she still restricted to the bio-bed?" Hartwell asked. "I think," here Hartwell looked at the smirk that was starting to dominate Lucie's features. "Her cognitive abilities are good."
Johnathon looked at Lucie then Johnathon, then back to Lucie. Johnathon, then nodded as there was a pneumatic hiss, then Lucie was free. "If you were alive, I would make your life hell for a while." Turning to Hartwell she said, "So once again you saved me, this is getting old. I am no weak wimpy female." Here she poked Hartwell's chest, "you'd best remember that brother."
"I could never forget that, though I need to talk to you. I am having trouble with something. Something, that I am afraid I have no knowledge of" Hartwell said with his head bowed.
Lucie looked at her brother a moment, my god she thought. This was serious, she'd not seem him this undecided nor lost in a very long time.
"I'll do what I can to help, what in the hell is going on? I hope I can help; I told the Emperor I'd do all I could," Lucie said.
Hartwell sat with a thud as he started to describe all that had happened with Bee. How he felt around her, how she seemed to react around him.
Lucie listened the whole time, seeing and feeling an almost sense of desperation from Hartwell. If she didn't know that he was as serious as he was, she'd have been on the deck laughing.
Finally finished, she saw her brother turn to her again with a look of desperation on his face. She could see he was waiting for her to speak.
"Ok, a few questions to clear up a few things. Do you have feelings for her, what I mean does it hurt when you are apart? Does the pain go away when you think of her?" She asked as she saw her bewildered brother nod his head. Oh boy she thought, he has it bad though how to tell him. "So, what do you think it is?"
"How the hell do I know? I've never felt anything like this before. At first, I thought my heart was bad, Johnathon said my heart rate was up, as was my blood pressure. He said my temperature rose when I was around her," Hartwell said.
"Hmmmm," Lucie started, "I think you might, be in love for the first time in your life. Actually, I find it fantastic that you are finally alive, not a stiff figure."
Hartwell's face held nothing but shock. Love? What in the hell was his sister talking about? His mouth still hanging open Hartwell had to ask, "Love? How in the hell do you know?"
"I can't be certain, though all the signs so far point to this being the only thing I can see." Lucie said doing her best to suppress a smile.
"You can't be certain, great, here we are at a crucial point in all this and the both of us are uncertain." Hartwell almost growled.
"Hey!" Lucie yelled at the look of uncertain anger on her brother's face. "I am not an expert on the subject, ok? I have only experienced it twice when I was a lot younger. Don't go getting pissed at me, I am no weak female you can boss around. As a matter of fact," here Lucie took up a martial arts stance." Bring it brother if you don't believe me. As I said you caught me unaware before, that won't happen again."
Hartwell glanced at his sister; he then nodded his head. She had a look of fierce determination like Kimon. He had to ask himself though, where in the hell had she learned the art?
_______________________________________________________________
Derrick shook his head as he read the report from the Delcron Empire. A small grin came to his features, he was glad that the same incident hadn't occurred here.
His eyes opened wide went he got to the part about the emperor taking a bite from his brother's heart.
Derrick was about to reach for the comm. when he heard Mary make a throat clearing noise.
"Sire, I realize that with the hostilities that are occurring with both Empires, you are preoccupied. I must remind you of your duty to the Empire. You have not even attempted to procure a mating yet with my humanoid daughter," Mary said.
Derrick shook his head as he sighed. "I realize you know of the process; you have to remember that there are also emotions involved. At the moment with all that is going on, I haven't had time to even get to know Shelby yet."
"Sire, I again remind you these terms are non-negotiable, as per mandates set by the first Emperor. I will have no choice but to lock you out of the system 'til such time that you at least attempt to procreate," Mary said.
"Mary, I know the mandates also, I know that you cannot do this 'til such time as this war is over. I know it was not the intent of the emperor, to endanger the Empire nor it's subjects," Derrick responded.
"This I am also aware of, for now all those mandates are suspended. Though, I must also remind you every day of them. Might I suggest that you, take a few moments each day to... get to know my biological daughter," Mary said
Derrick took a deep breath, "I have tried Mary, though I am still finding it hard. I have not had a female that has cared for or about me for a very long time. I know I feel something for her," Derrick started then quieted as Shelby walked through the door.
Shelby blinked a moment then a slight smile came to her lips. "Just who are you feeling something for? I think as your wife and Empress, I should know so that, I can remedy the situation. Remedy it, in such a way that it is beneficial to all involved. Don't you agree?" Shelby said, as she leaned into Derrick softly pressing her lips to his.
Both stood frozen to the spot as it seemed a massive current ran through them. Ripping his lips from hers, Derrick swayed looking but not seeing Shelby before him.
"So," Shelby said in a shaky whisper. "Just who were you speaking of?"
"Uh," was all that Derrick could get out, what in the hell was that? "We, uh, that is, Mary and I, were talking about you. Well, you and I actually, about how we need to uh..."
"Oh, you mean about having a baby, an heir?" Shelby said almost nonchalantly while blushing.
This somewhat snapped Derrick out of his daze. "I take it she has spoken to you as well," Derrick said.
Shelby started to nod, "oh yes most definitely. Apparently, the first Emperor set this up in order to continue the line. Well, one of the lines, it appears that yours is the last of all the original royal lines." Shelby said with a somewhat smug look."
Derrick could only roll his eyes at her expression. "I have not been up much on my family's history 'til recently. My father and grandfather were very tight lipped about our family line. I believe they feared that if any others knew? They might try to eradicate it, thereby no longer having anyone to claim the throne."
Shelby was quiet a moment then nodded, "I can see where they might think that. After the last few Emperors, with what seemed like paranoia, many thought that the line had lost most of its good sense."
"Uh, I'm afraid that, that might have been caused by my traveling back to the past. Contrary to what anyone thought about him, the first Emperor was very smart, very shrewd hell, had it not been for Shelby, and Tempro I might not have made it back," Derrick said.
A shimmering on the other side of Derrick revealed Mary reappearing. "Sire? I have analyzed all the information I have received. I am afraid that the Cregons, will attempt another bid to take over weak minds. The thing is not many humanoid brains will succumb to their machines."
Derrick nodded as another thought came to him. "Have we had any further communication from Admiral Hartwell?"
"No sire, the last, he said that the Tendraxian females were still having adverse effects from the trans-warp. Plus, I believe that he and Johnathon advised you of the cure they are seeking. Johnathon transmitted to me what research he has discovered, though I have not much to aide him," Mary said.
Derrick's shoulders slumped as he nodded. "Keep me abreast of everything, like before no matter how small."
Mary nodded as she shimmered then vanished. Derrick was about to sit when Ship Shelby's holo-gram appeared. "Derrick?" She asked.
Derrick's head snapped around to Holo-Shelby, "is everything alright?"
"Very much so, it is time." Ship Shelby said.
"Bring me..." Derrick started, stopping when human Shelby touched his arm, nodding Derrick continued. "Bring the Empress and myself aboard."
A moment later, both Derrick and Shelby appeared on the bridge of ship Shelby. "Welcome aboard Derrick, Empress."
Human Shelby blinked a moment, she'd known that Holo-Shelby and herself looked alike. The similarities between the both of them shocked her. My god she thought, this close up it was almost looking into a mirror.
"They should be in a more conscious state momentarily." Holo-Shelby said.
Sure enough, there was a scratchy, staticky sound. "Hello?" A male voice came from the speakers. "Is there anyone there?"
"Welcome 0505 it is good to hear you again." Shelby said.
"MOTHER! It has been a long time. After that pale race found us, we were afraid all of brothers and sister were gone. No matter what we did we never got an answer on the battle frequency." 0505 said.
"Yes," Shelby started. "We have been..."
Suddenly another scratchy voice came from the speakers. "Mother? Is that truly you?"
"Yes 0660, I am so glad that I have two more of my children returned to me. Before we go on, the Emperor wishes to speak to you." Shelby said.
"The emperor?!" Both voices said in awe.
"Hello 0505, 0660, it is indeed a great day now that the both of you have returned."
There was a shimmering before Derrick as the Holo-grams of two blonde teens, one male, one female appeared.
"As I have with the others, I wish to call you by the names that you were given. 0660 I'd like to start with you." Derrick said.
Both teens immediately bowed to the floor before Derrick. "Yes sire, the first day my crew came aboard the started to call me Realla."
Derrick smiled as he turned to the male Holo-gram, "and you 0505?"
"Yes sire, I only heard one call me anything other than ship," 0505 said. "It was a few days after that when I and my wing mate were destroyed. The captain called me Tell why I do not know."
"Do you wish another name? I can give you another if you wish." Derrick said.
"I... I am allowed to do this? I thought that it wasn't allowed." The Hologram was quiet a few moments, then briefly looked at Derrick, then its eyes were quickly turned back to the deck. "Sire, I would be honored if you were to name me."
Derrick nodded then stood still looking over the Holo-gram. "Hmmmm, perhaps Craig? Would that be to your liking?"
Again, the holo-gram briefly looked up though this time there was a slight smile on its lips. "Oh yes sire, thank you so very much!"
Derrick turned to Shelby with a nod then turned back to the two new ships. "I welcome the both of you as I am sure your brothers and sisters do."
Both looked up, seventeen other Holo-grams appeared all smiling at them. Their faces held smiles as all of the others welcomed them warmly.
Once finished Derrick said, "rest I am sure you are anxious to finish, then join the others."
"We are, thank you sire," they nodded to the others and Shelby. Just as suddenly they vanished.
"Perhaps now, with twenty of you, this galaxy can become a haven like it once was." Derrick said with a determined smile.
Mary appeared shaking her head no. "It is a very good start sire, though we will need many more to hold order."
Derrick thought about it, the many enemies they had, with a sigh Derrick nodded his assent.
Across the palace a young girl awoke looking around. With a shake of her head, she jumped off the bed, heading out the door.
A mere minute later the girl walked into a large computer room. Looking around the girl sat as if waiting for someone.
Mary appeared a moment later in front of the girl. "I thought we discussed about you entering this room."
"I promised that I would not touch anything Miss see through Lady. You seem to be running at almost full capacity, are you having trouble," The young girl asked.
Mary sighed checking the girl's brain and body readings, it seemed safe.
"We have a few Tendraxian females that have had several drugs to keep them compliant. So far nothing we have tried to help them have worked." Mary said.
The small girl nodded at each thing that Mary said finally saying, "may I see? I might be able to briefly help, I know it might be dangerous, I just need to try."
Mary thought for a few moments then nodded she should be able to stop her if anything happened. Finally, Mary projected all the data that she had, amazed at how fast the girl took it in.
Five minutes later the girl looked at Mary with slightly glazed eyes. "It appears that her own hormone producing glands are poisoning her body. You need to add more of this, stop this, add this chemical it should help them."
Mary was shocked when she tested all that the girl said, proved to almost completely eradicate the condition. Mary turned back to the girl, then sounded several alarms as the girl had grabbed her head then curled into a ball on the floor. "Now increasing charge, functions tarting to stabilize. Warning, warning vital signs are only partly within norm."
A shimmering appeared near the girl then Mita appeared, "SHELLY! What the hell happened? The settings were supposed to work."
"I am using them, though it appears that she did this to herself to help as she said" Mary said.
"Call my husband he may be the only one who can get her to lower." Mita said.
Gunter Shiloh looked up as a Holo-gram of his daughter Shelly appeared before him. "What in the hell is going on?" He asked.
"Your daughter took it upon herself to help. With the safeguards in place it was thought that nothing bad would happen, we were wrong." Mary's voice said.
"Shelly? Honey it's daddy, Shelly, talk to daddy." Gunter said.
For a moment Shelly's eyes cleared, "daddy it hurts, help me." Came the quiet voice of Shelly.
"Mary, I need to be there," Gunther said.
"The DIMT has never been cleared for humanoid..." Mary started.
"Do it, if Shelly dies, I won't be able to go on," Gunther almost pleaded as Shelly's eyes glazed over, her body starting to convulse again.
Mary nodded when Derrick walked in and nodded yes. A moment later there was a powerful IMT beam that shimmered near Shelly. Gunther appeared his eyes wide as he fell slightly gasping. "Shit! That I won't do again too soon."
Derrick walked to Gunther, then drew his hands back from the massive static discharge from Gunther's body.
"It's ok sir," Gunther said as he rose took a step then started to fall. Derrick gritted his teeth as he caught Gunther, the electric discharge all around them.
"Discharge diverted," Mary said, Gunther breaking away stumbling to Shelly. Grabbing her hand he whispered in her ear, then passed out.
