|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Chapter 39 |
 |
||
|
|
|||
|
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE: “Aris, you called?” The rabbit flashed a quick, charming smile at the red-furred vixen. “What’s the deal?” Aris scowled at her sister, Lais, who was giving the rabbit a very charming smile of her own. “Baka . . . this way, Germani.” Aris grabbed the smuggler’s arm in a vice-like grip and hauled him off the bridge. “Now shut up and listen. We need you to retrieve some . . . cargo.” “Sure, no need to leave bruises.” Germani shrugged out of Aris’ grasp. “This is serious, usagi-kun. This time you name your price. We can put firepower at your disposal.” Germani’s brows rose. “Name my own price? Really now, anything?” Aris balled her hand into a fist and raised it to smack him. “Okay, okay. I get it. It’s serious.” He shrugged. “What’s the cargo?” The Amazon turned away to stare out at the Imperial fleet. “Jotei has been kidnapped. You have to bring her back.” The smuggler took a few steps back, his eyes wide. “You lost your empress?!” “It’s not my fault!” Aris pounded a dent into the wall. “She ran off with only two guards . . . wanted to talk to someone on Daktia . . . commandos dragged her off! If we leave to get her, the Rebels will know she’s been kidnapped and then . . .” Aris’ voice was starting to crack. “You don’t have to do this, Germani, it wasn’t fair to ask you—” “Now who’s being stupid,” Germani muttered. “Who else were you going to call who’d keep quiet about it? Let’s worry about the price when she’s here and safe.” Aris gave a slight nod. “Here’s what you’re going to need to do . . .” ———————————— “Yeah, I saw her.” The Bajoran mouse nodded and rubbed his ridged nose. “Pretty thing, red hair, brown fur. Young though, and skinny too.” Aeretha nodded, recording the conversation. “And what happened?” Edam asked. “Well . . . she got into a bit of a brawl with a Starfleet officer. Grey fox guy. She plastered him pretty good.” He paused, smiling. “And then?” The man paused and a perplexed expression crossed his face. “I don’t know.” The feeling was strange, as if his memory were a video record and part of it had been written over. “The next thing I remember was buying some fruit at one of the local stands.” “That’s it?” Aeretha asked incredulously. “You don’t remember anything else?” “Not a thing.” “Mysticism,” Eridu whispered. Edam narrowed his eyes. “I doubt it.” He nodded to the mouse. “Thank you for your time, sir.” Aeretha sank onto a bench. “That’s the third one who can’t remember what happened.” “This is a dead end,” Edam agreed. “If nobody remembers, then we may as well go home.” Jar Elsa swallowed nervously. He was anxious to correct the offense he had committed by chasing ‘the Bird’ away from his village. “Knowing Starfleet, they’ll be pursuing her if she assaulted an officer. Maybe they’ve already caught her.” Edam perked up. “We could contact the Ministry of Public Safety.” “We could,” Aeretha agreed slowly. “But Edam, how far are we going to chase her? We can’t change fate, whatever it is. And if she assaulted a Starfleet officer we probably don’t want anything to do with her.” “We have to try, Aeretha. A prophecy is coming true in front of us. Don’t you want to be a part of it?” The male ferret scooped up his bag and bounded off toward the Ministry of Public Safety. Aeretha sighed heavily and got to her feet. “No, Edam, not really,” she muttered. Jar Elsa shrugged and gathered their remaining things before following the two students down the streets of B’heli. ———————————— A uniformed Imperial commander thumbed the door chime of the empress’ personal quarters. In most situations, consideration for an Imperial “guest” was nonexistent, even unthinkable, but the situation with the Amazons was delicate. “Enter.” Empress Vortex sat at the table where she had shared a meal with the admiral. The young woman’s face was unreadable, her posture composed and regal despite the trying circumstances of her imprisonment aboard the SENTINEL. “Your Majesty.” The commander gave a crisp bow that was ruined by his lapine ears, which flopped over his face disobediently. “Admiral Khal’Saad has requested your presence on the observation deck.” Violet frowned at the rabbit who had intruded on her privacy. “I do not wish to join the admiral.” The commander frowned back. “No, Empress, I think you do want to join the admiral.” “Baka,” the empress growled, kicking a delicate sandal off of one foot. She was sorely tempted to throw it at the officer. “Hey, now,” the rabbit protested, raising his hands. “Don’t you recognize me? I’m hurt.” The empress shot to her feet and stalked to the officer, plucking the hat off of his head. “What—usagi-kun?” Germani Walker grinned up at the purple echidna. “Give me that. I’m here to rescue you, can’t do that without the hat.” Violet frowned and slipped her shoe back onto her foot. “How did you get here? When do we leave? Did you have any trouble?” “Ey, this isn’t twenty questions,” Germani laughed. “I didn’t have any trouble other than with Aris.” “When do we leave?” Empress Vortex repeated. “Um . . . I’m not sure, it depends on the admiral—” “How right you are,” the tiger purred, stepping into the room from the shadows of the doorway. His eyes were blazing and a feral snarl had transformed his face. “You didn’t really think you could simply waltz in and out of here like that, did you? Our sensors have been monitoring Her Majesty’s transponder beacon since she was brought on board . . . it was only a matter of time before they sent an errand-boy to fetch you. In truth, I’d expected you sooner than this.” He gave Germani a dismissive look. “Now, Your Majesty, I believe we were discussing a treaty. The sooner we can come to an agreement about that, the sooner we may all go home.” Germani reached for the blaster in his side holster and leveled it on Khal’Saad. “Didn’t they teach you in the Imperial whipping schools to knock before you enter a lady’s chamber?” The admiral quirked a brow, the blaster flying harmlessly from Germani’s hand to smash against the far wall. While the empress stared, Germani began tapping frantically on a communication device attached to his belt. “Aris! Now would be a good time, we’re not going to be coming out quietly—” “Enough,” Khal’Saad snarled. “No one will be going anywhere until our discussions are finished. Shall we?” The admiral gestured at the low chairs, which moved away from the table as if under their own power. Empress Vortex shivered and pushed the rabbit toward the first chair. Germani swallowed hard and sank into one of the chairs, his gaze fixed on the blaster that had shattered against the wall. “Piece of . . . paid so much for that thing . . .” he mumbled, letting the empress shove him into one of the chairs. Captain Ferris strode into the room flanked by several stormtroopers. “Admiral, three large Amazon cruisers have just arrived from the far side of one of the planets. They’re demanding the return of their empress and a ‘baka usagi’.” The captain blinked. “I’m afraid I don’t know what their ‘baka usagi’ is, sir,” he added. Violet rolled her eyes and pointed at Germani. Khal’Saad sighed and regarded the pair flatly. “Of course. As I said, I expected a rescue effort of some sort.” The tiger sat in the chair across from the young empress and her would-be rescuer. “Captain, please inform the Amazons that I will release their empress and their ‘stupid rabbit’ when we have concluded these negotiations.” The tiger quirked a brow. “What is it to be, Your Majesty? You know my position and my offer; you know what is at stake. Your fleet is likely prepared to blow us all to space dust in its zeal to rescue you: the time to decide is now.” The empress closed her eyes and massaged the bridge of her nose. “Very well, then,” she said in an icy tone. “Upon my return to my homeworld, I shall summon the senate to a special session to propose your treaty.” She looked up and stared at the admiral. “Now you must take my word, admiral.” Khal’Saad reached out with his senses, searching for the telltale signs of deceit that resonated so well with the dark side of the Force. He nodded, satisfied, and rose to his feet. “You and your . . . rabbit are free to go. We will be sending a diplomatic envoy with you to handle any concerns that your senate may have with the treaty itself, and to handle the actual signing and implementation if it is ratified.” He gestured toward the door. “My men will escort you to the hangar bay; a shuttle has been made ready for your use. Go to your people quickly, Your Majesty. Time is a luxury that neither of us can afford.” The empress rose and took one step toward the door. “Aa . . . the collar, admiral?” Khal’Saad nodded and Violet felt the collar loosen slightly. “There was never any explosive, Your Majesty. As I said, we genuinely wished you no harm.” He hid a slight smile as the empress’ eyes darkened. “The inhibitor effects will wear off soon.” Violet seized the muttering rabbit by the arm and dragged him out the door. “Do not lie to me again, admiral,” she warned as she left. Admiral Khal’Saad allowed a slight smile to warm his face. “My dear empress, there will be no need,” he murmured. ———————————— Admiral Menta arrived outside Sam Stone’s holding cell in the middle of the night shift, the winged skunk’s eyes burning with malice. The cloaked SENTINEL and FEARSOME had been moving with the slow Federation convoy for a little over a standard day; Admiral Menta had disappeared at the beginning of the journey to read reports. “You,” he snapped at the officer standing guard, waving a datapad clutched tightly in his hand. “Unlock the door immediately.” The officer looked shocked. “Sir, do you think that’s prudent?” Menta waved his hand dismissively. “Do as I say.” “Yes, milord.” The door to Sam’s containment chamber opened and Simon stepped into the dark recesses of the room. A pair of blue eyes stared coldly up at him and Stone growled from the restraint table. “That’s enough,” the admiral warned him, moving to the head of the slab to roughly examine the lion’s left ear. The codec tattooed behind the imprisoned Rebel’s ear was clearly visible, even in the dim light. “So it’s true . . .” Stone snarled, straining against the stasis field. “Are you aware of the codec tattoo behind your ear, Rebel?” Sam stared at the admiral in silence. “Very well, I see we shall have to do this the hard way.” The admiral pulled a blaster from a side holster and leveled it directly at Stone’s forehead. “I would suggest you answer. Does the name Dr. Ballard mean anything to you?” The lion’s struggles ceased for a moment, his eyes somewhat hazy. “. . . I’ve heard it before.” The admiral’s smile was grim as he lowered the same torturous machinery that Admiral Khal’Saad had used on the prisoner. “Indeed you have. I believe I have a job for you, Rebel . . .” ———————————— Empress Vortex stepped through the archway into the council hall, flanked by the four loyal Amazons who served as the royal guard. All five young women were clad in traditional Amazon robes, and Violet carried the full royal regalia. Germani Walker followed in their wake, also in Amazon attire, the rabbit unusually subdued. The senate chambers of the Yuufusion Imperium were cavernous, the raised ceilings seeming to swallow the young women and their smuggler escort as they proceeded to the raised pit where the Imperial agents were already seated with Imperial sympathizers from Violet’s own senate. Ever since the young sovereign’s announcement that she would entertain the issue of a non-aggression pact with the Imperials, the Amazon political scene had been aflame. The issue had split the Imperium in the scant week since the announcement; the entire society was suddenly engulfed in the political debate that could determine every future aspect of Amazon life. The unusual silence on the issue from her personal council had Violet deeply concerned, their silence weighing on her as heavily as the deaths of Sovereign Kain and his people. The senators bowed as one when Violet stepped into the small arena. An older woman with pursed lips and a sharp glint in her eye stepped forward as soon as the empress was seated; she was an Amazon who had been chosen to represent the Imperials as a collective speaker. The senator, Trenna of the House Maloni, had gained considerable popularity with the Amazon public during Violet’s short reign. Her loudly toted views and fierce nature had appealed to many Amazons, as had her humble roots: Trenna had been born a commoner. “Honored guests of the Galactic Empire and Yuufusion senators,” Violet intoned, “We come here today to discuss the prospect of a peaceful coexistence between our two governments. The matter of the hour is a proposed non-aggression pact between the Yuufusion Imperium and the Galactic Empire. Open forum for discussion commences.” Senator Trenna stood immediately. “It is a violation of our honored morals to risk our lives for a war we have nothing to do with,” she announced, her verdict greeted by nods from many of the other senators. “It is unlike our people to fight and die for the cause of a foreign rebellion.” Violet stood, the murmurs subsiding. “We are not so cowardly to stand by as others are slaughtered,” she countered quietly, though images of the murdered Daktians filled her mind. She had done nothing to prevent that slaughter—had even brought it down upon their heads . . . “One of the statutes of Otrera is to aid those in peril. You do not dispute the wisdom of our Great Mother?” The radical senator paused, slightly taken aback by the religious attack. “It is our role to be a guiding light to other civilizations, to act as a protector.” Violet looked around at the senators who had served throughout her reign, worried by the indifference she saw written on so many faces. “Otrera calls for the Amazon people to act as a mother to lesser societies.” “No mother sends her children to be killed,” Trenna snapped. “Freedom is a hard-won trophy.” “Look around you.” Trenna gestured at the massive senatorial chambers, the painted images of the great mother Otrera. “We have our freedom.” “Senator, to entertain the notion of non-aggression insults all those affected. It insults those who have died for their cause, and it insults the Imperial soldiers who have died at our hands.” “What I’m proposing reflects the will of the people, Your Majesty!” Violet took a deep breath. “I beg to differ, senator. We’ve had a high number of volunteers. The Amazon people wish to fight for what they believe in.” “They fight because inaction would be dishonorable when the Jotei calls for action.” “The people would protest this cause if they did not believe in it, Senator Trenna. That is their right; a right we wish to grant the rest of the galaxy.” “The people or you?” Trenna glanced at Violet and then lowered her gaze as the other senators shifted in their seats and commented amongst themselves. “My apologies, Jotei-sama. I retract my comment. I am finished.” Violet disguised her anger with a regal nod. “We adjourn for the Senatorial Debate and vote.” Aris put a hand on the empress’ shoulder and whispered to her, “Don’t take her seriously, she’s just being an ama.” “Don’t you see them, Aris?” Empress Vortex countered softly. “I didn’t reach them. Not a single one.” She took another deep breath and moved down the aisle to the adjacent Waiting Chambers with the exotix and Germani. The young sovereign truly believed that she had done the right thing by aiding the Rebellion . . . but she could not forget what had happened at Daktia. “When the senate returns its verdict, Aris?” “Hai?” “I will follow its edicts.” Violet swallowed. “It is what Kain would have wanted.” ———————————— Rikes nodded at the security officer stationed outside the brig. The officer returned the greeting and wordlessly unlocked the door, knowing full well why Rikes was there. The setter strode forward into the cellblock, the sound of his boots on the deck alerting the only occupant in the cells. “Allen,” Rumsfield greeted from the other side of the forcefield. “Admiral,” Rikes replied coolly. The other admiral huffed indignantly. “Admiral is it then? I don—” “What I don’t understand, admiral,” Rikes’ even voice silenced the other canine, “is how you could have done what you did.” “What I did, was for the benefit of Starfleet and the Federation.” Rumsfield lifted his nose in a proud sniff. “What you did,” Rikes calmly countered, “was sabotage the ship you had taken command of.” “I—” “What you did, sir,” Rikes interrupted, “was give people who had been granted asylum back to the persons they were fleeing.” “They—” “They had been granted asylum. They had sought our help. Starfleet is here to protect and serve. Sir, I think the only thing you’ve served is your own interests and the only thing you’ve protected is your—” Rikes bit off the end of the remark and took a moment to cool down. Rumsfield had stood and approached the forcefield, his teeth bared in a silent snarl. “What evidence do—” The younger admiral held up his hand to cut off Rumsfield and began counting off points with his finger. “We have recovered logs showing you deliberately altered transporter records and tampered with the ships sensors. We also have logs showing that encrypted messages were sent and hidden by you. We have an eye witness account of an Imperial ship arriving during one of the sensor anomalies.” Rumsfield looked thunderstruck as Rikes told him of their proofs. The most damning evidence was yet to be presented. “Sir. We also know you were not on board the Felix while the Imperial ship was there.” Rumsfield sat down heavily. They knew. He closed his eyes and saw his career flash before them. He’d held the best interests of the Federation and the Fleet at heart, but he’d chosen unwisely. “I confess.” ———————————— Admiral Menta huffed angrily and forced his voice to calm as he paced across the deck. His hair was unkempt, his uniform collar undone and his glasses rested precariously on the tip of his nose. The fur on his face was moist with sweat and the admiral’s voice was strained from yelling. Below him his prisoner, Sam Stone, lay silent. His ice blue eyes were wide open but his pupils had receded to pinpricks. The mind probe the admiral had ordered had long since suspended his consciousness, leaving the pirate an open book. “Tell me your duty,” Menta growled. “Who do you owe your allegiance to?” “Admiral Menta,” Stone responded tonelessly. Menta smirked and ran a hand through his hair. The prisoner was nothing more than a clone, an unfeeling creature with no mind, no soul, and no life of its own. The time it had taken the admiral to remind him of that had been considerable, but in the end it might be worthwhile. The clones of Caridia had been nothing more than a mistake of the past, but perhaps he could at least make this one prevent an even greater mistake in the present . . . “This errand of mercy belongs to a weak fool, not the Galactic Empire. You will start this war, clone, and if anyone tries to stop you, you will kill them.” ———————————— Senator Trenna stood as soon as the empress and her party had made it back into the senate chambers. “It is the opinion of this senate that a war with the Galactic Empire is needless,” she proclaimed, her face flushed with victory. “It has been decided that our people shall withdraw from this purely external dispute.” The empress could hear the muttered comments of her guards as she stood and inclined her head to the senator. “The will of the senate has been made clear,” she said, choosing her words slowly and carefully. “Our law requires the compliance of the empress. The fleet will be contacted and will withdraw to our own territory, effective immediately.” Violet closed her eyes, the face of Sovereign Kain clear in her mind. “Let it be known that no innocents shall die by our hand ever again.” A small amount of applause greeted the empress’ speech, but Violet had no stomach for it. She gestured curtly to the Imperial representatives who were seated with Trenna’s aides. “If you will join me in the Waiting Chambers, sirs, we will have your treatise signed and ratified.” The moggy in charge of the diplomatic envoy stood and bowed, following Violet’s guards to the Waiting Chambers. “It is finished, then,” Trenna said softly, looking to the young empress. Violet paused with Aris and Germani flanking her, an unusually somber expression on her face. “Perhaps, senator,” she said quietly. “Perhaps it is only begun.” ———————————— Captain Ferris approached Admiral Khal’Saad quietly. The tiger appeared to be deep in thought, his hands clasped behind his back as he stared out at the Yuufusion worlds below. “Milord admiral.” “You have something to report, Captain Ferris?” “Yes, milord. The negotiations were successful; the envoy is on its way back to the IMPERIOUS as we speak.” Khal’Saad nodded, his gaze distant. “Captain.” “Yes, milord?” “Memorize this place.” The tiger allowed himself a slight smile. “When we have fully dealt with this Federation, we will show the Amazons our thanks for their involvement in the destruction of the TYRANT.” The ferret smiled and bowed to the admiral. “With pleasure, milord.” ———————————— The helm console on the bridge of the USS FELIX beeped an alert and Lt. Commander Cyber Hare looked up from the armrest on the command chair. “Commander Hare,” Sarah Felstrom spoke up, “We have reached visual range of Sol.” “On screen,” Cyber ordered and gazed at the viewer. The image changed from the usual streaking lines of white on an ebony palette to show a dense starscape with a bright yellow sun at the center. As the bridge crew watched, the FELIX and its accompanying battlegroup passed through the sparse asteroid cloud surrounding the system. Felstrom dropped the ship out of warp as they passed Pluto and Neptune. Minutes later, the ship was swooping past the orb of Uranus and the rings of Saturn. They eventually passed by Garden City Fleet Yards orbiting Jupiter and Utopia Planitia at Mars. “Slow to one-quarter impulse.” The FELIX, HAND OF FATE, and the USS TICONDEROGA made their final approach toward Earth, the planet slowly growing larger in the ships’ windows to blot out their view of the stars. Though the HAND OF FATE was the smallest of the Star Destroyers produced by the Empire, its sheer size dwarfed the Federation ships that served as its escorts. Soon, the hail from McKinley Station rang through the speakers. “USS FELIX, this is McKinley Control. You are clear to enter geostationary orbit over Paris.” “Acknowledged, McKinley Control.” Lt. Commander Hare said, “Ensign Felstrom, take us in.” Rays of brilliant sunlight glanced over the ships’ hulls as they slowly came to rest in orbit above Paris as the ensign began maneuvering the ship into position. “FELIX, there is also a message waiting for you from the USS EUROPA.” Cyber paused and cocked her head, one ear flopping to the side. “What is it?” “Contact from Captain Richard S. Cooley of the EUROPA. ‘Captain Xavier found. Will rendezvous with you on Earth.’” The officer from McKinley paused. “The captain and his guest can be beamed aboard as soon as you’ve achieved stable geostationary orbit.” Cyber blinked rapidly and did what she could to keep her jaw from hitting the floor. “I’m—I’m sorry, control, did I get that right? Captain Xavier is waiting to beam aboard?” “Affirmative.” All the eyes on the bridge turned toward Cyber, who seemed to be at a loss for words. “Uh . . . how is he?” “In good health and one piece.” A slow smile formed on the rabbit’s face. “Oh—that’s wonderful. Tell them we look forward to his . . . um . . . imminent return and are prepared to receive him.” “Confirmed, FELIX. McKinley Station out.” Lt. Commander Hare rose from the captain’s chair with a slightly dazed expression. “Lt. Raymond, you have the bridge.” She made her way into the turbolift as the velociraptor assumed the command chair, Ensign Walick taking over the ops station. “Hare to Denver,” Cyber said as the turbolift doors slid closed. “Denver here. Am I needed on the bridge, Commander Hare?” “No—report to Transporter Room 2 as soon as you can, Counselor.” Cyber grinned. “I have a surprise for you.” ———————————— Three armed Lambda-class Imperial shuttlecraft snapped out of hyperspace just outside of Coruscant’s Restricted Zone and made their way insystem. En route, three Imperial Victory-class Star Destroyers took up formation around the group and close-system traffic was re-routed to make way for them; Admiral Khal’Saad had returned in triumph. Onboard the lead shuttle the tiger was silent, lost in his own thoughts; the crew knew better than to disturb him. He watched the ebony void of space fade to the blazing sapphire blue of Imperial City’s microclimate as the shuttles made their way through the layers of Coruscant’s energy shields and flew downward, angling toward the elevated landing ramps of the Imperial Palace. Several minutes later he stepped down from the shuttle’s landing ramp to be greeted by four red-robed members of the Imperial Guard who took up positions around him as sentinels. Without a word or gesture to them, he strode quickly into the massive structure that once served as the seat of the Republic’s might and now was the black heart of the Empire itself. The Imperial High Command had gathered with low murmurs in the Old Senate Chamber; the news of Grand Admiral Chessu’s unexpected death had spread quickly among them, although the senior officers gathered there knew better than to speculate openly as to causes. They all knew why they had been summoned from their various posts here; another Grand Admiral had been chosen from among them and they had been gathered to witness the ascension. Nine of the remaining twelve Grand Admirals were gathered here in person and the three who had been unable to physically attend were present via Holocast. They, too, murmured among themselves, noting those faces present in the audience, already sure or nearly so as to who would next be joining their ranks. With a blare of sound, the Imperial March filled the chamber and the assembled officers rose to attention. The doors of the circular room swung wide and a full battalion of storm troopers entered in marching ranks followed close behind by the red-robed Royal Guard. Standing in formation before the central dais, the troopers snapped to attention as the Guard filed up the steps taking positions on either side. All eyes turned to the diminutive figure of the Emperor himself as he entered with his entourage; the gathered officers knelt in homage as he made his way up the steps and seated himself on the throne. Darth Korriban and the Dark Jedi Amarenth Jadeite had followed the Emperor; the two Sith bowed low before the Emperor bade them rise to sit on either side of his throne. The Emperor waited a moment as the music died away and gestured for the attendants to rise. When they had done so, he spoke, his cracked and broken voice filling the chamber. “Among you today returns to us one with victory in his hands.” He paused and glanced about the chamber. When he spoke again, his voice took on an almost religious tone. “The Empire I am, and well has he served Me. Turn, my children . . . turn and honor your brother as do I.” He pointed to the door of the chamber and all heads followed the small fennec’s gesture. Striding between the columns of troops to either side, Sher Khal’Saad approached the dais, troopers snapping to perfect attention as he passed. Even the Guard itself stiffened as he mounted the steps and the assembled officers bowed their heads as he knelt before the throne. A slight smirk crossed Korriban’s face but Jadeite showed no expression. “Admiral Khal’Saad, long have you brought honor to the Empire through your victories. Today, honor you the Empire does in return.” The emperor placed a golden braid across the shoulder of the kneeling tiger’s grey dress uniform. “Rise and be recognized, Grand Admiral Khal’Saad.” The tiger rose and turned as every officer saluted and the gathered Twelve bowed collectively in respect to their newest member. Khal’Saad himself returned their salute, his eyes shining darkly with pride and triumph and barely able to repress a savage smile. What has come before is but a prelude, he thought, my true destiny begins here, with this moment . . . and let those who stand in my path beware . . . ———————————— The doors to Transport Room 2 slid open to admit Dr. Elizabeth Denver. The peach-furred feline looked more than slightly stressed, but Lt. Commander Hare paid the counselor’s appearance no heed. “I have something to show you, Lizzy.” Two figures materialized in a distinctive show of energy above one of the pads in the FELIX’s second transporter room. Two foxes slowly appeared; one a man with brown fur, the other a vixen with a thick black mane and dirt smudges on her blue jumpsuit. “Who—wha—how?” Zannah demanded, staring at the todd on the pad next to her as Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open. “Teleportation is impossible—” “Now who’s having trouble believing?” Marc countered. “Are you going to be all right? I can call Dr. Pierce—” “No.” Zannah straightened slowly. “It’s okay.” “Marc?” Lizzy breathed, drawing the captain’s attention. Xavier hopped down from the pad with a grin, swinging the counselor into his arms before he dragged her into a highly unprofessional kiss. Zannah cleared her throat slightly. “Um . . .” Marc blushed and released Lizzy, rubbing the back of his neck. “Right. Lizzy, Cyber, this is Zannah Lyles. I met her on the other side of the anomaly. She helped me get home safely. Zannah, this is Dr. Elizabeth Denver and Lt. Commander Cyber Hare. Lizzy’s the counselor on board the FELIX, and Cyber is our chief science officer.” Cyber gave a slightly nervous smile. “Um, about that, captain. I think there’s some things I need to fill you in on.” Xavier blinked and turned to the rabbit. “Is everything okay? What’s happened? Did the rest of the team make it back safely?” “It’s a long story, captain. I’ll explain on our way to the bridge.” Marc nodded and looked toward Lizzy and Zannah. “Lizzy—I’ll talk with you later, I promise. Can you get Zannah settled?” Lizzy nodded and gave the shorter woman a warm smile. “That’s the least I can do, if she’s responsible for your getting back to us safely.” Zannah nodded. “I’d appreciate that, doctor.” Denver smiled and hooked her arm with Zannah’s as she led the foxes from the transporter room. “Please, call me Lizzy.” ———————————— “The Kai was here that day?” “Yes,” the security magistrate said. “She was on her way to speak with the Temple Scribes about the earthquake in the Province of Kenthra. One of her guards was attacked in a minor incident, but Starfleet has taken charge of the matter and the civilian who was responsible for the assault.” “Who was she?” “I would not be allowed to release the name of the perpetrator even if I knew the information myself.” The man looked apologetic. “I’m sorry.” Edam nodded. “Do you think it would be possible for us to speak with a representative in Starfleet who could tell us more?” The magistrate shook his head. “I could give you some names, but I can guarantee that you will receive the same response.” “We’ll take our chances—” “Edam,” Aeretha hissed. “This is ridiculous. We have—we have lives, we have papers due! We can’t go chasing someone halfway across the galaxy because we translated something that might refer to her in a bunch of musty scrolls!” Edam colored and backed away from the magistrate with a mumbled excuse. “Aeretha, I thought you were committed to this project!” “What I’m committed to is living until we graduate,” Aeretha snapped. “You two can go off on some foolish adventure if you want, but I’m staying right here.” She grabbed her bag and stalked out of the building. Edam blinked and looked at Jar Elsa helplessly, but the elder Bajoran merely shrugged. “What—what do I do now? She’s mad at me and . . .” “Women are more cryptic than the prophets, my friend,” Jar Elsa answered calmly. “And unlike a prophecy, you can’t ask a computer to explain a woman.” The ferret’s shoulders drooped as he turned to the door. “I guess so.” ———————————— Lt. Steve Raymond sat gingerly at the edge the captain’s chair, a nervous expression on his face. He wasn’t sure which was worse—facing down an angry Lt. Tigris down in engineering, or being left in charge of the bridge. He was still trying to decide when someone tapped him on the shoulder. Lt. Raymond shot out of the command chair like he’d been burned. “I—sir,” he said respectfully, blinking at Captain Xavier. “I believe you have my seat, lieutenant,” Marc answered with a slight grin. Raymond nodded and moved as far away from the command chair as he reasonably could. “Sir, welcome back—” Selune Pardek stiffened at her station. “Captain, I’m picking up two gravimetric ripples—I believe something is—sir, I’m detecting two ships of unknown configuration. Sir, they look Imperial and they’re huge!” “What the—put us on red alert!” The alarm began to sound as Cyber took Ensign Walick’s place at ops. “Shields up! Bring weapons systems to standby. Put them on the viewer, now!” As the bridge crew watched in awed silence, two eight-kilometer long daggers of pure black appeared in the empty void. Purple lightning arced over the silhouettes as the light twisted and writhed, revealing the hulking frames of what the Starfleet officers would soon come to know as Super Star Destroyers. The SENTINEL and her sister ship the FEARSOME hung in space over the small Starfleet vessels like menacing ghosts. Lt. Raymond swallowed hard as the image of Admiral Allen Rikes appeared on the screen. “Commander—Captain,” the setter growled, his gaze fixing on Marc. “Their power systems are putting out at least 100,000 TeraWatts each,” Lt. Commander Hare called from the operations terminal. “Fire control systems appear to be in standby mode.” Captain Xavier nodded, his head reeling, and stepped toward the viewscreen. “Have we received any orders from Starfleet Command, admiral?” The admiral’s attention was fixed off-screen. “We’ve just received a communiqué from command. They’re putting a fleet at Utopia Planitia on standby.” Admiral Rikes looked at the young fox. “I want you to get your prisoners and those who need to testify onto the planet as soon as possible. The remainder of your crew should maintain an active state of alert.” Xavier’s eyebrows furrowed. This was not the welcome home he’d been expecting. “Yes, sir.” ———————————— Elizabeth Denver burst into her quarters, the flashing red lights over the door casting odd shadows over her fur. “Perdia!” The counselor beckoned for Zannah to join her in the quarters as she hurried through the living room, the door sliding shut behind the Lemorian. “Perdia, where are you?” “I—I’m right here.” Perdia stepped into the small living room, her fingers wrapped around the hilt of her lightsaber in a death grip. “I saw the ships . . . have the Sith come for me?” Zannah stood frozen by the door, transfixed by the sight of the girl. The words the kitten spoke and the object she clutched in her hands were the last things the Lemorian had expected to encounter in this alien environment. When she finally managed to speak, her tone was incredulous. “You’re a—But how the frag?” Her mind clicked as the other part of the girl’s phrase registered. “What ships?” The kitten shrank back from Zannah and the counselor, her eyes wide in her gaunt face. “Are you one of them?” she demanded in a hiss, tensing over her saber. “I won’t go to them. I won’t.” Lizzy put a calming hand on Perdia’s shoulder. “Perdia, calm down. Nothing’s happening—” “That’s a lie!” The kitten pointed with shaking fingers out the window. Two Imperial Super Star Destroyers hung in plain sight, silhouetted against the oceans and fields of Earth. “I’m not a—” Zannah broke off and frowning strode to the window for a better view. The stream of expletives she let loose at the sight of the two massive white daggers would have made Lizzy blush had she understood any of the languages the other woman was cursing in. “You have got to be fragging kidding me!” She pounded a fist on the glasslike material. “Daktia, all those jumps, for Lady’s sake I jumped blind to get us away and we still run into Huttpuss Imperials! Sithspawn! I can’t win. Arrgh!” “Just calm down, Perdia,” Lizzy said soothingly, looking toward Zannah and the Imperial ships in the background with a troubled expression. “I promise, I won’t let anyone take you from here. The captain is back and he won’t let anyone on the ship. There’s nothing for you to worry about.” Perdia shook her head and backed away from both of the adults, her gaze fixed on Zannah. “Who are you? Why are you here? Wh-what do you want from me?” Zannah snorted, stepping away from the window. “Lizzy, pardon me for saying so, but you don’t know much about Imperials if you think we’ve got nothing to worry about.” She turned her attention back to Perdia, scrutinizing the girl from head to foot. “I could ask the same thing of you, kid . . . but to answer your questions, my name’s Zannah, I rescued Captain Xavier and got him back in one piece, and all I’d really like to know from you right now is where you got that lightsaber you’re holding.” “It’s mine.” Perdia’s voice was strong despite her obvious fear. “It was my master’s before she died.” The little mountain cat took a tentative step toward Zannah, her gaze sweeping over the Lemorian. “You’re not a Sith?” “Do I feel like a Sith to you?” Zannah smirked. Though the girl was radiating fear and doubt, there was no taint of the Dark Side on her. The vixen reached into a concealed thigh pocket on her jumpsuit and withdrew a silvery cylinder very similar to the one Perdia carried. “No, kid, I’m not a Sith.” Lizzy drew in a sharp breath behind the two. “I thought it was just a story . . .” The kitten’s ears flicked back toward the counselor, but her attention remained fixed on the adult Jedi. “Then you’re—I thought I was the last—” Zannah shook her head. “No, you’re not, not yet anyway. There are others as well, but we don’t have much contact with each other. It’s safer that way. Can’t betray people if you don’t know where they are. Still, the more Hunters the Empire puts out, the more our numbers dwindle. It’s getting harder and harder to find safe places.” She grimaced and spoke quietly, her gaze returning to the Super Star Destroyers. “I lost my last haven and my Master to an Imperial fleet and a Sith Lord before Marc convinced me we should come here . . . Kain sacrificed himself to give us a chance to escape.” “I need a drink,” Elizabeth mumbled in the background. The girl furrowed her brow. “I don’t understand.” The vixen sighed. “Would it have been too much to ask that this galaxy not have anything resembling Sith or Imperials in it? For as much as it matters, I am a Jedi. And,” she winced, ducking her head, “I’m supposed to train Marc. A padawan who’s older than I am.” Her reluctance was palpable. Zannah muttered, more to herself than the room at large, “I’m a Knight, not a Master. If there were anyone else . . .” Dr. Denver stepped forward and placed a calming hand on the young woman’s shoulder. “The Imperials weren’t brought here to harm anyone. They were supposed to bring a delegation to discuss peace, not battleships.” She looked at them both gravely. “I don’t know anything about these ‘Jedi’ or ‘Sith’ or the rest of it, but I do know this.” The Trill turned her attention to Zannah. “You saved Marc; he won’t let you be hurt. Neither of us will. Stay with us, you’ll be safe here—you both will.” Zannah slipped her lightsaber back into its pocket and shook her head. “I wish I could believe that, but I’ve survived too many close scrapes and seen too many of my kind gunned down or worse, carted off by Imperials and Jedi Hunters. You’re fooling yourselves if you think the Empire has peaceful intentions. Take it from someone who’s been on the wrong end of their guns more times than she’d care to remember.” The vixen’s eyes took on a faraway look. “They won’t just try and storm the ship if they find out that we’re here . . . They’ll use diplomacy, poisoned bureaucracy, call us ‘war criminals’ and ‘fugitives from justice’. They’ll go over Marc’s head to someone with the authority to command him, and demand our return as a condition for some favor to the Federation. Then they’ll smooth ruffled feathers and guilty consciences with promises and reassurances, and in the end, they’ll have your people believing handing us over was a downright heroic gesture.” Lizzy shook her head adamantly, though the faintest hint of doubt crept into her tone. “You’re wrong. It’s just been a matter of misunderstanding. I’m sure everything will be sorted out in the talks.” The Lemorian gave the Councilor a look that said plainly she thought the other woman was being naïve. “We’ll see, Lizzy, but I, for one, won’t be holding my breath.” ———————————— The flat image of Admiral Allen Rikes shook his head. The setter looked like he was ready to reach through the viewscreen of his ship and strangle the Federation’s guest. “This is completely unacceptable, Mr. Tarvik. You in no way had a right to bring vessels of mass destruction into our territory.” The grand moggy leaned back in his chair and twitched his ears, studying the image over the holoprojector. “I see no reason that my deception was any worse than that of your government. For all I know this escort fleet of yours could have been an extermination force. I could have been killed at any point along the journey.” “You were not,” Rikes pointed out, his accent heavier than it had been in previous transmissions. “That hardly comforts me.” Tarvik gestured vaguely toward command windows behind him. “The sheer number of vessels you have available in this system . . . admiral, we passed no less than three war fleets in orbit of that little red planet. You could not have honestly expected me to walk into this blind.” Admiral Rikes frowned, his face heavy with disapproval. “Ambassador Tarvik, it is imperative that you order your ships to withdraw back into Imperial territory.” “That’s quite impossible, admiral. Your Federation is less than trustworthy itself; may I remind you that one of your vessels interfered when our ships were defending themselves against Rebel terrorists?” “You were firing on unarmed escape pods—” Tarvik gestured toward his communications officer to end the transmission. “You will excuse me, admiral,” he said icily. “It is time to depart for this . . . diplomatic summit.” The line between the TICONDEROGA ’s bridge and the HAND OF FATE’s cut abruptly. ———————————— The Emperor stood at the edge of a private balcony, his gaze sweeping the familiar skyline of Coruscant. Once, the emperor had stood at this rail as grand master of the Jedi Order to gaze at the Senate chambers in disapproval of their political squabbles; now he was master over all. Everything that took place in his Empire, every planet destroyed or enslaved bore the subtle marks of the Emperor’s hand. The power that surged through him was immeasurable; in every way possible, the Emperor had become the physical manifestation of the Dark Side, and his children—the Sith—worshipped him both on Coruscant and throughout his dark Empire. “You summoned me, Master?” Darth Korriban asked as he stepped forward from the shadows. The leopard’s black pelt gleamed faintly in the fading light of day. “Summoned you, yes.” The small figure did not turn his gaze upon his apprentice. “Deduced the identity of my apprentice, have you?” Darth Korriban clasped his hands behind his back. “His presence is strong, my master. In person, it is impossible not to sense his power.” The Emperor nodded a few times. “Mm, yes, powerful the Dark Lord is. Envy him, you do.” Korriban did not deny the allegation, his amber eyes trained on the sky. “My apprentice you remain, Darth Korriban, but also Darth Khal’Saad. Strike against him you must not.” The dark lord blinked and knelt before the diminutive emperor. “But Master, you ordered us to watch him. His power only grows. If he is left unchecked, he will strike against you—” “Perhaps,” he interrupted. “But fail, he will. Fail as all others.” Darth Korriban bowed his head. “I wish only to serve you, Master. To carry out your will.” The Emperor smirked. “Want something more, do you. Power of your own, hmm? A line as powerful as mine to carry out my bidding?” Korriban swallowed and remained silent. “Already exists, this line does. Its head you are not.” “Master?” he asked softly. “Your brother, Khal’Saad is.” |
||
|
|
|||
|
Chapter 39 |
|
||
Star Trek vs Star Wars - The
Furry Conflict™
[ STORYLINE |
AUDIO DRAMA |
BACKSTAGE |
FAN FICTION |
COMMUNITY |
PRESS |
MERCHANDISE ]