The Legend of Grand Mechapolis Chapter 13

THE LEGEND OF GRAND MECHAPOLIS

STAR BLAZERS/GALAXY EXPRESS 999

Founding of the Dual Monarchy and Galaxy Express System

By: Frederick P. Kopetz

Chapter THIRTEEN: The End of an Emperor’s Loneliness.

Thanks to Gail Kopetz, Bells of Nevermore, Margaret Diviney, Michelle Nutter-Lynd, Steven Diviney, Andrea Lyon, and DTill359 for Advice and inspiration.

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I. A QUIET TETE’ A TETE’ ON ISCANDAR

Planet Iscandar

Mother Town

Saturday, December 14, 2233

0905 Hours Local Time

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One day before their wedding, Desslok was sitting quietly on a bench next to Starsha in Mother Town. Birds were singing, a fountain played in the background, and the scene was utterly lovely.

It was very early in the morning; Sanzar had just risen.

“What caused you, dear Starsha, to move the wedding date up?” Desslok said. “Not that I mind, of course, but it appears to be rather precipitate. What about your studies?”

“I learned faster than I expected,” Starsha said. “And faster than my teachers expected. I am now a Doctor of Sciences.” Starsha then came close to Desslok. “Abelt, my love, I have also been remembering more. About my past lives. About our prior doings. I have lived twice before, as you know. Once, when we were lovers before you took your actions regarding Terra. Again, in the distant past, when we still had regular congress with the Pellians…our more aggressive and less civilized cousins. I know very much now, Abelt. You are I were meant to be. We were always meant to be, it appears.”

“You inspire me, dear Starsha,” Desslok said gently, kneeling before her and kissing her hand.

She then looked at him with a remarkably coquettish look on her face. “It would be lovely if you would stand up and kiss me, dearest.”

“Are you flirting with me, Starsha?” Desslok said.

“You could say that,” she replied, smiling at him in a dignified fashion.

Desslok took Starsha in his arms, and he began to kiss her.

The tender moment was broken a moment later when a young, bearded man in black howled like a banshee. Starsha nearly jumped out of her short boots at the sound. She looked at the man and saw she was looking into the wild eyes of her own brother Theodore!

She raised a hand to her mouth and whispered into a mithril ring she wore on one finger, “We need assistance. Now!”

“Aha, Desslok!” yelled Theodore, as he brandished…a greasy monkey wrench. “Here you are and your intentions toward my sister are far less than honorable! What were you about to do?” he said as he raised the monkey wrench and tried to hit Desslok with it.

The wrench whistled in the air. But it never hit its intended target. There was a blinding flash of light, and when it cleared, Nova, still in rumpled nightwear of a white tank top and black shorts, appeared out of nowhere and smartly grabbed Theodore’s wrist. “Drop it,” she said in a flat, humorless voice. “You are being totally ridiculous to Abelt and I smell bourbon on your breath. At nine in the morning? He and your sister are engaged!”

“But…but…they were kissing!” Theodore said.

“Engaged people kiss all the time,” Nova said. “If only you knew what your father and I did while we were engaged?”

“What?” Theodore said as he whispered something in his mother’s ear while Desslok looked on with definite annoyance and Starsha looked on with amusement and a share of disgust.

Nova’s reaction was quick and very tart. She hauled off and slapped Theodore in the face! “That was the most disgusting thing I ever heard from you, Theodore, given what I know of your dishonorable lifestyle, you diseased cad! The answer is NO! At least not until the wedding night!”

Nova then turned to Starsha and Desslok. “I’m so sorry I had to interrupt. Theodore was acting like he did a few years ago when he hogged the sandbox and wouldn’t let Starsha play in it! I’ll get him out of here, Abelt. So sorry!”

Desslok smiled coolly at Nova. “No harm, Nova, my dear soon-to-be…mother in law.”

Starsha then gasped when she noticed that Desslok had his weapon out.

“Abelt!” she gasped.

“Just ready to defend you, my sweet, until your dear mother arrived. I take no offense from you, Nova. It is neither your fault nor Derek’s that your youngest son has turned out to be an idiot.” He then bowed and kissed Nova’s hand. “Thank you, Majesty. As always, you have defused what could have been a vicious situation with your kindness and honor. Just like when you and I met over thirty years ago.”

“Thank you, Abelt,” Nova said. At that, Desslok nodded and holstered his weapon. “Starsha…we’re going! Please leave us. You and Theodore,” Desslok said. “Theodore Wildstar. Understand this, boy. I have shot men dead for far less than what you attempted; an assault upon my person. The late Astra, your sister, Starsha, tried the same thing years ago, but I acted with forebearance because she was your younger sister and a friend to myself and General Lysis. Bear in mind, Theodore, you arrogant conjurer, I will not act thus toward you. It is a good thing I am not uninviting you from the wedding, although perhaps your sister may have other ideas,” Desslok said as he walked off arm in arm with Starsha.

Nova was left alone with Theodore. “You fool,” she said softly. “You could have started a major intergalactic incident with that thing,” she said as she grabbed the monkey wrench out of his hands. “Go to your guest quarters. I do not want to see your face again until the wedding rehearsal tonight. Do not go whining to your father for he will not be any more forgiving than I. And, for Heaven’s sake, shave and get sober!”

Nova stalked off, muttering things in Pellian that Theodore did not think were complimentary to him.

Theodore literally slinked away.

Starsha and Desslok were left alone again. “I noticed you raising a ring to your face, Starsha,” he said as he raised her hand and looked at it. “What is that ring called?”

“One of the Shandla’jhiena; the Two Sisters,” Starsha said. “They are a matched set. This has been an heirloom of our Royal House ever since Pellian High Queen Lara the First forged it sometime around the Terron year 810 AD. It was a gift of the Pellian High Queens to us before Lara the Second secreted her ring somewhere in Terra’s star system, afraid that Ekogaru would take it from her and pervert it into a weapon to attack Iscandar. These rings were meant to be a secret link between our Royal Houses. Mine remained dark and quiet for centuries until the Terrans found the mate of my ring in 2199; almost thirteen hundred years after it was entombed. As you have most likely guessed, Nova found the mate to my ring. We communicated in secret, she and I, on and off, for years, while I suspected how it was that a Terran could bring such an artifact to life. Of course, when the Matrix was given to Nova and she began her rise, what I suspected for years proved to be true; Nova was and is of our Blood, and is of the High Queenly Line, of purer blood than even Lady Aliscea was. I nearly asked Nova twice to lend her ring to Aliscea before that would-be High Queen turned morally and mentally corrupt, but something always held me back. My mother’s heritage. What a gift to her. And what a burden,” Starsha said with a sigh.

“Can I have that ring, Starsha? It would be wonderful if I could magically communicate with your mother as you do.”

Starsha smiled and shook her head. “Abelt, I can give it to you, but it would do nothing on your finger. Only an Iscandarian Queen and a Pellian High Queen can be in accord through these rings because of how close our blood is to each other. Sasha never used my ring, out of reverence for me, and at any rate, the link between Nova and I was established over thirty years ago when I still wore the Crown, and the link was never broken. A sign from the Most High, I think, that I was fated to rule again. But, Mother is very skilled at the smith’s fire and anvil. Incredibly skilled; far better than I, and I am over one thousand, two hundred years old between my three incarnations. Mother is almost just out of adolescence at fifty or so years of age as Pellians and Iscandarians reckon a lifespan. Her skill and power scares me, honestly. The Most High has gifted her with many gifts. You know she is a cunning warrior and a great peacemaker and gentle person; with a steel spine. If you ask her nicely, she may forge a pair of rings so you and she could be in accord.”

“I will ask her that…but you and I have much to do, Starsha. Now what does your wedding and coronation gown look like, Starsha the Third?”

Starsha smiled. “Can’t tell you. Bad luck.”

They kissed again, clearly hoping the day would pass soon.

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II. OF HEAVEN AND HELL…

Planet Iscandar

Mother Town

Saturday, December 14, 2233

1200 Hours Local Time

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The Wildstars were up in their quarters on the Yamato, thinking back upon all of their past dealings with Gamilon.

“It was almost a generation ago,” Derek said. “But I remember it as if it was yesterday, Nova.”

She gently touched his mind and said, “The war with Gamilon, right?”

He nodded.

“We got together then, on that first great voyage to Iscandar…”

“Thirty-four years ago,” Nova said as she laid her hand on the back of his chair. She had been reading some of Captain Avatar’s old logs, still lovingly preserved in this room, and had her reading glasses on to read them; some of the old Captain’s logs had been handwritten. “Captain Avatar had command of this ship. You had command of this ship and you still do. Mark commanded this ship. Our adoptive son Jonathan commanded this ship before he died. And…”

“Yeah…you even had command of this ship in ‘24, Nova,” Derek said.

“Don’t remind me,” she said softly. “That was a cruise from Hell. I don’t like thinking about that time. I had that seat…and I missed you so much. And we met the K’Rhenda…”

“Those monsters,” Derek said.

Nova nodded, pulling up her uniform sleeve a bit. “I still have scars from that one. They didn’t go away after I was killed and resurrected, either.”

“Considering you encountered something that tried to drink all your blood,” Derek said with a shiver.

“Something with a silicon system,” she said. “Those creatures gave me the creeps. Worse than bugs!”

Derek shut his eyes. “I remember the first time I met Desslok…face to face…”

“That was the day I almost died,” Nova said. “It was to save you, the ship…the mission…”

“What you did stopped them,” Derek said. “And…”

“It was my first step on a journey that continues to this day,” Nova said. “I’m sure you remember this,” she said as she raised her hand and a memory image appeared, running almost like a hologram.

There was sound, too.

Derek realized that the speakers in the holographic image Nova had called forth from the Matrix with her power were…Desslok…and himself.

“…why are you allied with the Comet Empire?” Derek had said on that day years ago. “They’re only fighting for conquest…power…why go on fighting?”

“…Oh, no…it’s too late…” Desslok had said. “Talan, get ready…”

Desslok slowly drew his sidearm…

Derek gritted his teeth and held his position, ignoring the warm blood flowing from his arm…making his sleeve sticky….

“Shoot, Wildstar,” Desslok had said.

Then, the Gamilon ruler saw Derek swaying on his feet, on the verge of passing out.

Then, Derek collapsed, and fell to the deck.

Nova broke cover, and cried, “DEREK! DEREK!”

She ran up to her fallen beloved, found his weapon…

…and pointed it at a stunned Desslok.

Desslok faltered, broke his aim in utter shock, and then Nova held Derek, weeping.

“It’s all right, Derek,” she had said. “I’m here, I’ll take care of you…it’s all right…it’s all right now…”

She laid herself over her beloved, very deliberately making herself a human shield between Desslok and Derek.

“..Our Earth…our dear Earth…what is to become of her?” Derek moaned, only semi-conscious.

Nova wept, long and loudly as she held Derek.

Then, Desslok, looking at them, “…Wildstar…I see now….something I could never let myself see…I always believed that my love for Gamilon was stronger and purer than your love for Earth….yes…”

And so, Desslok’s vengeful heart had melted. Just as, much later on, Ekogaru’s twisted heart also melted. Those men, in both cases, conqurered not by brute force, but by love…

And in both of those cases, Nova had been the Most High’s living exemplar of that love.

Love…

…a force that could move mountains.

…a force that could accomplish all things.

…There were miracles, faith and hope.

But, greather than all of these things…

…was Love.

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The wedding rehearsal and dinner were that evening. Things were slightly strained, owing to the events of the past few days, but at the dinner, Desslok finally broke the strained atmosphere by tapping a glass for attention at the head table.

Derek and all of the others stood and saluted formally.

Nova, now wearing a pink gown and heels, was to Derek’s immediate left, with Mark Venture, in his dress uniform, to Nova’s left, with Trelaina standing to his left.

“There are many that I would like to thank today,” Desslok said. “Talan, for agreeing to be my best man. Trelaina, for doing so much to make this happy day possible. Derek, for being a good father to the dear woman I am about to marry. And, last, but certainly not least, to Nova…for preserving domestic tranquility this morning. Monkey wrenches, Theodore Wildstar? How laughable.”

The group laughed at that.

Quite a distance away from his parents, standing near his brother Alex and his sister Ariel, was Theodore, who looked totally ashamed as he stood next to his brother Steven.

Near them stood Derek and Nova’s second-youngest daughter, Teresa.

She was alone.

She and her Rikashan boyfriend had been through a bad argument the previous day, and she and he had amicably agreed to part ways.

Derek looked around, his head on a swivel as Desslok continued to speak.

His daughter Starsha…at the head table, about to be wed to Desslok, once their bete’ noire, now a close and dear friend.

Derek looked back, noticing Alex, Theodore, Steven, Ariel, and Teresa all in a row.

“They’re all here, Nova,” Derek whispered. “All of our surviving children.”

“We knew they’d be here,” she whispered back.

“We have to get a picture of all of them later,” Derek said. “Do you get the strange feeling this may be the last time all of our kids will be in the same place for a long time?”

Nova nodded.

Desslok then spoke. “Our peoples, Iscandar, Gamilon, Pellias, and Terra, embark upon a new journey today. In this, a long hoped-for union between myself and Starsha, we meld many civilzations; many families. Myself, Gamilon with an ancient trace of Iscandarian and Pellian blood, from long-ago unions that Time has forgotten. Starsha; largely of Iscandarian blood, with shares of Terran and Pellian blood from both of her honored parents, and a trace of Gamilon blood from her honored mother, a woman grown to be a great Head of State on her own account. Many bloodlines; many dynasties, all joined at long last tomorrow when Starsha is crowned as Queen Starsha the Third, and then becomes my Empress soon after that.”

Desslok took Starsha’s hand. She looked at him with adoration and joy, happy despite their differences of that morning.

Desslok picked up a glass and raised it. “It is a good thing that there is peace between all of us; yes, even peace with House Gatlantis, represented by Princess Invidia, who is here today,” he said as he nodded at the Princess. “Now, even Invidia and have decided to put aside our long grievances, because all of our races; Gamilon, Iscandarian, Terran, Pellian, Rikashan, and Gatlantean must join hands to fight a greater evil; the Mechanized Axis, comprised of the Mechanoids under the accursed Queen Promethium, and her accursed allies…the people of Larmetal, and the benighted masses again under the slavery of a new Bolar Premier; a man who does not hesitate to force his people to become machines. Today, I declare, we shall stop them!” Desslok said as he raised his goblet.

Starsha squeezed his hand as the others raised toasts to Desslok. “Today, we stop them!”

“TODAY, WE STOP THEM!” roared back the others as they raised their goblets; even Starsha.

They drank, and there was applause.

They finished dinner, and went their separate ways until the following morning.

As Theodore left, he glanced at a tall, rangy man clad in black; Donlan Dexter Cross…one of the members of Septigram who had come to Gamilon with his friend Cody Tiriganiaq.

Thedore shivered as his eyes met Cross’.

Cross looked at him with something approaching disgust.

“May I ask why you gentlemen are here?” he said.

“We will be part of a backup band for a singer due to arrive tomorrow,” Cody said.

“The excellent Var,” Invidia purred as she came up. “I was not expecting that music would be his business, but life takes one into all sorts of odd places. I did not expect I would be living on Terra for years under an assumed name, married to a Terron, but such I was..”

Nova saw Invidia and ran up to her, bowing slightly. “Hello, Princess, it has been a while since I’ve seen you face to face.”

“Likewise, Majesty,” Invidia said, giving Nova a deeper bow. “Hello, Desslok,” Invidia said as Desslok and Derek came up together. “You look unchanged.”

“Likewise, Princess,” said Desslok, who secretly thought that Invidia, whom he had conferred with that afternoon, looked slightly more careworn. “If only life had been kinder to you. I extend my sympathies to you on the death of your beloved Foxy.”

“As I extend mine on the assassination of Astrena,” Invidia said. She looked at Starsha, then at Nova, and then back again. “You two do look almost alike. Most uncanny.”

“We share blood, many generations removed in the past,” Starsha said. “And Destiny gave me the honor of reincarnating as this woman’s daughter,” she said as she smiled at Nova.

“Nova, how did it feel raising her in your home?” Invidia said.

“Well, memories of her past life came back quickly,” Nova said. “And she is a fast learner, even though our minds tend in different directions.”

“I think of cosmic peace,” Starsha said. “Mother’s mind is inclined towards peace, but her mind is also one of science, alliances, gears, and weapons, like unto my father’s.”

Nova gave her daughter an annoyed look, but Derek stepped up. “As it must be, unfortunately,” Derek said.

“If I had my wishes, I would retire and practice as a country doctor,” Nova sighed. “But, unfortunately, Promethium does not give us that luxury.”

“That bitch,” Invidia said with acid in her voice. “Desslok, Nova, Derek, Starsha, did I tell you that she attempted an attack upon Grand Mechapolis herself?”

Desslok’s teeth gritted, and so did Derek’s. Nova’s eyes went wide in horror.

“Would someone tell me what Grand Mechapolis is?” Starsha said.

“The world which is the nerve center of the Gatlantean race,” Nova said. “They build their Comet ships there, and the Grand Temple of Arishna is there, along with the High Imperial Palace.”

“Yes. And after a long struggle, Father now occupies the Grand Throne as Emperor,” Invidia said.

“You mean to tell me…Zordar still lives?” Desslok said.

“He does,” Trelaina said as she came up with Venture.

Derek and Nova were silent, but Desslok demanded, as Invidia gave him a black look, “Why did you allow him to live on?”

“ALL beings have within them the capability to change their ways,” Trelaina said. “I placed Zordar in a different dimension…a purgatory of sorts, for a long while. He needed to learn a new and different way. He has. Now, he intends not to attack this Local Group again. For him, dominion over the Andromeda Galaxy is enough.”

“And he can be worked with,” Nova said. “He recently signed a treaty with us allowing construction of a Galaxy Railways line to Andromeda. Within ten…maybe twenty years, trains will run from Terra straight to Grand Mechapolis itself. “Desslok, you told us yourself…”

“..someday, war must end,” Derek said. “I remember it as if it was yesterday. “Let the war and hatred against Gatlantis end…today…”

“Invidia, come here,” Desslok said.

“Yes?” she said carefully.

“Today, that rivalry ends…in a greater cause,” Desslok said as he embraced Invidia.

“Thank you, Desslok. You and I have much to catch up on,” Invidia said.

“Indeed we do,” he said. “Just as Starsha and I have much to catch up on, as well,” he said as he kissed Starsha on the cheek.

At that, the dinner continued…

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Later that evening, aboard the Yamato on Iscandar, Nova, who would actually perform the ceremonies the next day as the Pellian Defender of the Faith, or titular Head of the Pellian Church, practiced singing Mass in the Captain’s Quarters for a congregation of one; namely, Derek.

Nova thus sang, behind the table with the implements of the Mass:

On the day before He was to suffer,
He took bread in his holy and venerable hands,
and with eyes raised to heaven
to you, O God, His Almighty Father,
giving you thanks, He said the blessing,
broke the bread
and gave it to His disciples, saying:

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

Nova raised the Host, which had just been consecrated, and she then lowered it and continued singing Mass as Derek knelt and watched her, head bowed in reverence.

You’re doing great, dear, he sent to her.

Thank you, love, but I still have much to do. You know that, Nova sent back with a slight smile as she raised the chalice of wine.

In the meantime, in the depths of his Palace, Desslok was in prayer himself, burning incense to the Lord and also honoring the ancient gods of his people; many of them were Gamilon heroes of past ages who had become deified in memory.

His prayers were quietly recited, in reverence as his requested Blessings upon his marriage to Starsha and upon his people and the entire Empire.

He was in an intense mood.

His prayers continued deep into the night, even after Nova finished singing Mass and partook of the Body and Blood of the Lord with Derek.

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However, deep in a grotto on Gamilon, in a place that still stank with sulphur and the dry scent of decomposition, there was a section of the old Lower Crust of Gamilon, left behind locked gates as a memorial to the dead.

It was a valley not far from old Gamilstadt, and not far from the place where the Yamato had landed on Gamilon to make repairs in 2200.

The locks for the gates for this cave had been picked open by Theodore Wildstar and five others who followed him…benighted followers of his who were in the midst of a diseased ceremony.

There was a crude hillock of old lava which had long gone cold. The Gamilons had long ago polished it into an altar.

This place was normally a memorial to the dead from the Battle of Gamilon; indeed, some of their bones still lay here and there in the grotto.

Usually, only Desslok, Talan and a few priests came there once a year on the anniversary of the battle to pray for the dead.

In 2232, Derek and Nova had been invited to attend the ceremony with Desslok and Talan in June of that year; it had been delayed due to the needs of the aftermath of the war and the alliance. This year, the ceremony had been delayed again, but Desslok had attended with Starsha.

No solemn memorial service was going on here tonight.

What was happening here was a Black Mass, dedicated to the Prince of Darkness, led by Theodore.

A starlet friend of Theodore’s, a redhead named Jolene Hammerstein, had thrown off her robes and shoes, and she lay naked on the altar, serving as the altar for the debased rite.

Theodore recited the following: the very words of the Mass his mother had sang earlier tonight, but, these were sung backwards, under an inverted cross…

HICHW LLIW EB NEVIG PU ROF UOY!! Theodore chanted in something that sounded weird and diseased.

The Congregation of diseased worshippers of the Dark; three Terrons, one Gamilon, and one Iscandarian, chanted back the reversed words of the Mass.

Thedore then drew a knife from his black robes.

Jolene screamed and struggled against her bonds as Theodore held up the knife and grinned insanely.

He chanted, YDOB YM SI SIHT ROF!

The others repeated as he plunged the blade into Jolene’s throat, and he slashed.

He then began to catch some of her blood in a chalice as she kicked against the bonds, made incoherent noises, and then died.

He drank of her blood from the cup and then began to slice her flesh into small pieces.

Then, he offered the twisted Communion to his followers as he chanted, TI FO TAE DNA UOY FO LLA SIHT EKAT!

The followers chanted back the debased words as they began to dine on the sick repast of Jolene’s body and blood…

And, Theodore grinned to himself, knowing that even more warped rites would follow, with the dead body of Jolene center-stage in the evil rite.

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The next day, on Iscandar, at Dawn, Nova was solemnly elevating the sacred Host at Mass and singing the following line, in Latin, which she translated into Standard:

“Hoc est Corpus meum dedi pro te! Behold, this is my Body, Given up for you!” Nova sang as the nearby altar girl rang a small bell. She was in pink; pink clerical blouse, skirt, cloak, sandals, with her own mithril crown on and her Imperishable Crown of light burning near her crown.

Nova then looked out at the group and sang, “Behold…when the Last Supper was ended, He took the Cup! Again He gave thanks and He said to His Disciples…take this, all of you, and drink of it!”

Nova then paused and sang again in Latin and then Terranglish, “Hic est sanguis novi et aeterni testamenti, qui effusus est ita quod peccata vestra ut remittetur! Hoc facite in meam commemorationem! This is the Blood of the New and Everlasting Covenant, Shed so that your sins may be forgiven! Do this in Memory of Me!”

The altar girl rang the bell as Nova raised the Chalice of Wine; the Blood of Christ.

Thus continued the Rite of Communion, a spiritual polar opposite of the evil that her son Theodore, unknown to, had wrought in the dark on Gamilon hours before at the darkness of low twelve, or Midnight; this Mass took place in a great crystal hall on Iscandar, in the Light of Morning. Even those Gamilons and Cometines present who did not share the Terran/Pellian Faith accepted the positive, Holy energy of this solemn Mass in appreciation of the solemnity of the moment.

Thus went the Mass.

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The morning wore on.

At the moment, Sasha was kneeling before Nova. Sasha was clad in a light blue gown, and silver sandals.

Nova took the simple mithril circlet of the Iscandarian Crown from her head and she placed it on Starsha’s head. Starsha was also clad in simple royal blue, and she was barefoot; she had decided to use a satin version of her usual dress for her coronation and wedding gown.

At that, Nova said, “Starsha, I hereby crown Thee as Starsha the Third, Queen of Iscandar, until such time as you pass on or the End of the Age, whichever comes first. People of Iscandar, behold thy Queen!”

There was great applause as Starsha stood, smiling slightly with her eyes closed, helped up by her mother, still clad in pink and white.

It was a significant moment in that it was the first time that an Iscandarian Queen and a fully invested Pellian High Queen had stood before each other in centuries.

Starsha then stood and said, “My people. I thank you for your presence today.”

She bowed her head and said, “We owe our thanks to the Highest for these blessings. My mother was dead. I was dead. Yet, by His Grace, we again live. Our Nation, our People, our Iscandar, lives again. A generation ago, when the Yamato first came here, this was a silent planet. But now, by your love, and your grace, that which was silent teems again with life! That which was dark is again filled with light and life!”

Starsha then paused and took an object passed to her by the altar girl. “I am about to be wed to my first love, Emperor Desslok of Gamilon. We have been through much together, our worlds, and the two of us. We have both come to the edge of death. Emperor Desslok was once in the Valley of the Shadow of Death himself. But, like my dear mother and I, like our dear sister Pellian Commonwealth, which was dead and now again lives, Desslok and his people live, and his Empire is devoted to defending the peace of this Galaxy.” Starsha then paused. “As I also am!” she shouted as she raised her sword.

“In this life, I am still devoted to the ways of peace, but we have reluctantly allowed Gamilon, Terran, and Pellian vessels to be based here. After much thought and prayer, I will continue that policy. I would have loved to be a pure pacifist, but as my mother is not a pure pacifist, and as my beloved is not a pacifist, I cannot be, either, to my sorrow…but in sad but realistic acknowledgment of the danger which looms over us…the danger of the Machine People and the loss of our shared humanity! My handsome young father and my beautiful, glorious mother taught me how to think clearly at last! I wish I did not have to wield the sword, and I am not bringing back the Iscandarian Empire. That heritage now has passed on to the hands of the Terran-Pellian Commonwealth, as they rebuild, in peace! My mother taught me to wield this sword! My beloved taught me as well and he teaches me still! And, let those who would harm us know that, in our last defense, I shall also wield this sword!”

The Iscandarians gasped, and some of them actually hissed at Starsha, but many applauded with the others.

Desslok came up near Starsha and whispered in her ear, “This, dearest, I did not expect from you! I love you!”

“I love you, too!” Starsha said.

Desslok then knelt before Starsha, remembering why Gamilon had always held its reverence towards Iscandar.

Iscandar was once a place of peace and promise, but it was also a mighty, bright flame.

Now, that flame, that purpose, burned again.

And, after kissing Starsha’s hand, Desslok stood holding her hand as Nova, blinking tears from her eyes, began to perform the nuptial rite.

Derek was totally surprised, but he had never been as proud of his daughter Starsha before as he was now. He smiled at her, and even smiled at his powerful, enigmatic, and mysterious son-in-law…

His son-in-law.

Desslok, Derek thought. You were once our most dreaded enemy. I hated you. We all hated you…we feared you…we despised you…but, against all hope, you did not kill Nova and I. You aided us. You gave Nova back her weapon. Then, you and Nova actually acted together to save me from Mortar of Gatlantis, who was about to kill all of us, and you told us how to defeat Gatlantis. Since then, you and I, once rivals, have been allies and brothers in battle…with our ups and downs. Now, today, you are more than a battle-brother, Desslok…

Nova then put her hands on Desslok and Starsha’s hands and said, “With the Authority vested in me as the High Queen of the Terran-Pellian Commonwealth, I now pronounce you, Emperor Desslok Abelt Desslar, and you, Queen Starsha Nova Wildstar, man and wife. Emperor Desslok, you may now kiss your bride.”

Desslok took Starsha in his arms and kissed her as his second wife.

There was great applause, although some Iscandarians hissed and walked out.

Now, Desslok, you are even more than a battle-brother, Derek Wildstar thought. Now, you are Family. Oh, My God, what a Son-in-Law we have!

Nova caught her husband’s thought, shrugged, and giggled. It was meant to be, dearest Derek. And it is done. It is done!

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Then, there was the reception feast.

Let us stress…it was not just a dinner…but a feast.

People began to eat, party, and play throughout.

The entertainment; the great, handsome, charismatic Gatlantean Var, the famed “Black Warlock” and his backup band. Now, Var was a beautifully wicked-appearing heavy metal musician of great height and presence, with gorgeous long blue-black hair, a rock idol’s face, and a strong, magnificent voice and great style on his black custom-made electric guitar.

His backup band played a totally magnificent din behind the group as lights flashed, smoke grenades went off, and some of the younger women in the audience screamed at his presence.

He played a song that sang of setting down the guns, of peace after the war, of joy and hope after the pain.

Even though this was not Starsha’s preferred style of music, she clung to Desslok and danced with him and around him, filled with utter joy and rapture beyond anything she had known in any of her previous lives.

She and Desslok psychically bonded very quickly. She was shocked when she found that he initiated the bond by whispering in her mind, thought to thought, is this always what you hoped for, my love? I am very proud of you. I thought you would remain passive and pacifist. You are the first Iscandarian Queen in ages to dare to raise the sword!

The first, Starsha sent back, Since my original mother, Queen Staycia the First, She who was the only woman who ruled at once as Queen of Iscandar and High Queen of the Pellians. Staycia, I am sure you have read of her, was a magnificent warrior Queen in her day. In my first life, I could have followed her as High Queen of the Pellians and Queen of Iscandar. My heart was with Iscandar and my sister Tellana succeeded Mother as the High Queen. My second mother, Lara, you have read of in legend…

…Yes, Desslok sent. I never knew her. She was far before my time and you were already ancient when we met. Was it she who was your Mistress, leading you into pacifism?

She was, Desslok, Starsha sent back. I lived by that code for centuries.

To our sorrow, dearest, as you waited so meekly for your doom, Desslok sent to her. You know that you and your culture were ultimately saved by those barbarians, far more warlike than you? The Pellian barbarians, as you have called them, and our dear barbarians from Terra. Barbarians. Such as your third mother, dancing the tango with Wildstar. The tango. I need to teach you that dance. It is so energetic a dance.

Starsha turned her head, and blushed as she saw her mother and father dancing a very energetic tango.

Starsha noticed her father was still in his uniform, but her mother had changed into a short fire-engine red backless dress with a slight slit that showed her remarkably toned form and legs to great advantage, down to her feet in matching fire-engine red high-heeled sandals.

Desslok held Starsha again and told her, in a low, purring whisper, “You need to learn to dance that way to keep up with me and keep from boring me; in more ways than one.”

“When do the first lessons begin?” Starsha whispered in an intoxicated, almost husky voice; she was both frightened of her mate, and also very thrilled by him; his honor, his power, and yes, his deviousness and snake-like demeanor.

Then, a very bizarre analogy hit Starsha as she danced with Desslok and stared into his burning eyes, and then glanced at her parents.

Desslok was the cobra of Rikki-Tiki-Tavi, cold, cunning, dangerous.

Her mother, of all people, was Rikki-Tiki-Tavi, the fast, indomitable, brave mongoose in opposition to her very mate.

Starsha realized she was caught in a friendly but no less earnest competition between the two mighty heads of state.

And, she was both intoxicated, thrilled…and scared, all at once.

“I picked up what you are thinking,” Desslok purred. “If your mother is wise, she should realize that the serpent always defeats the mongoose.”

“But sometimes, the mongoose outmaneuvers and slays the serpent,” Starsha whispered.

“It would be interesting to see her try,” Desslok purred. “Very interesting.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A bit later on, after Var and his band finished their set by playing the ancient artist known as Ozzy Osbourne (playing Mr. Crowley, as a matter of fact), the charismatic “Black Warlock” came down from the stage, walked past Theodore Wildstar, gave him a look of utter contempt, and he whispered, “I know what you were up to at midnight, young man,” in his deep, rolling voice.

“You know my parents…” he stammered. “Are you going to tell them? Didn’t you date my sister Ariel once?”

“I most certainly did. I took her to her Senior Prom before you were even born, young man. I will not report your deeds, because your foul karma, I prophecy, will eventually become evident to all, and you shall be one of the most reviled beings in the Local Group of Galaxies. I am one of the most admired.”

“But why?”

“I have given more concerts for charity and the care of Terran and Gatlantean refugees and orphans than anyone,” Var said softly. “What have you done? Wasted your prodigious gifts, blessings and position as scion of one of the Local Group’s most beloved couples and heroes to…perform sickening rites in the Dark to the Fallen Ones. You are a Royal Prince, Fool. You certainly do not comport yourself as one! I do not worship nor serve the Fallen. Nor does anyone with any sense. Keep that in mind…young man,” Var said as he walked away, smiling.

Theodore was trembling from his encounter with Var.

He felt even more sickened as he saw Var talking with his sister Ariel and her husband Jordy; a reunion of old friends.

Then, Var and Ariel shared a friendly dance. They had once been romantically linked, and still remained close.

Then, Ariel took Var by the hand and said, “Let me introduce you to a nineteen-year-old fan of yours who will change your life. She adores you. She will shiver with joy when she meets you!

“Who is this?” Var said with some amusement.

Ariel then introduced Var to a young woman with blonde hair slightly shorter than herself, in a sea-green gown, who had kicked off her shoes to dance. Ariel smiled and said, “Teresa, dear, meet Lord Var. Lord Var, meet my dear sister Teresa Wildstar, your biggest fan.”

“Teresa, dear, you are so short,” Var said with a witty smile.

“You, Var…are so tall!” Teresa gasped.

“It looks like I have to bend down to speak to you, Little Soft…and to touch your nose!” Var said, laughing as he beeped noses with Teresa.

Teresa blushed and laughed. Then, Var swept her up in his arms and he, the Gatlantean Lord, and she, the Terran-Pellian Princess and archaeologist, danced as Var’s backup band played an instrumental, and, they were inseparable that night…

…and, it must be said, in the many decades that followed, where, due to shared heartbreak and a great miracle, Teresa would live as long as Var did.

But that shall be discussed later.

--------------------------------------------------

III. UNEASY ARE THE HEADS WHO WEAR THE CROWN…

Planet Iscandar

Mother Town

Monday, December 16, 2233

0106 Hours, Local Time.

---------------------------------------------------

Starsha lay skin-to-skin with Desslok in her royal bedchamber, renewing a bond they had shared in a previous life in the joy, fear, and ardor of their lovemaking as the Emperor challenged and romanced his new Empress and Queen.

“So, how did I do?” Desslok purred.

“Fine. How did I do?”

“Wonderful,” Desslok said as he mussed up her hair. He kissed her. “I was surprised that…in this incarnation…I was evidently your first.”

“I saved myself for you, my dearest Abelt,” she whispered, referring to the Leader by his middle name, as an act of affection.

“You have called me that for some time.”

“As I did in the past,” Starsha whispered. “Before…”

“You need not concern yourself with that now, dearest Starsha. What was done is done. Had it not happened that way, in His Plan, I would never have been close enough to Talan to allow him to call me ‘Abelt’. Nor would I have met your mother, the only other woman than you I permit to call me that…”

“You never let your Blue Shadows call you that?” said Starsha, referring to his corps of guardswomen and at one time, concubines.

“I never did,” Desslok said. He paused. “I never even allowed your kinswoman Iroze to call me that. But, isn’t that ironic? Her very killer in wartime, namely, your mother and I have the intimacy…Iroze and I never had. An intimacy that will always be one of a dear platonic friendship…because of her undying union with your father.” Desslok paused, smiling. “I am sure your parents have differences at times.”

“They sometimes do,” Starsha said. “Father and Mother are both people with incredibly strong wills, ideals, and convictions. There are times when they clash. Mother has always been the moderating influence on Father’s temper. She reaches him like no one else alive in the Sea of Stars does.”

“That I know,” Desslok said. “But now, of us?”

“When the time is right, I hope to give you another Princess.” Starsha smiled. “Tell me, how is Dellar, heir apparent?”

“He comes and he goes,” Desslok said. He smiled, almost darkly. “He and I have had differences lately. We do not see eye to eye, which is, I would guess, to be expected of a man and Fleet Captain of his age. His will…”

“Is as strong as yours, and he has different ideas, Abelt,” Starsha said. “His ideas…”

“…I know. Some of them disturb me. Especially his plans for expansion…not that expansion of the Empire in a proper fashion perturbs me, as you know, but…”

“He wants to rewrite the borders with the Commonwealth…doesn’t he?” Starsha said.

There was a long silence.

“He does,” Desslok said. “They have long been set by treaty; a treaty you signed to in your previous life, dearest Starsha. A treaty I intend to see honored.”

“That comforts me,” Starsha said as they kissed and drew closer to each other…the Emperor and the Empress.

Gradually, Starsha fell asleep.

But, Desslok Abelt Desslar’s mind still worked away, calm, cool, collected.

Desslok was a man who intended to honor the treaty…but who still intended to expand. He knew the open Act of Union he had briefly considered was out of the question. The pride of both Terra and Pellias would not countenance such a thing. But, drawing the Commonwealth closer in a new Alliance of Steel? An intergalactic Axis, perhaps?

And, he thought he knew how he would eventually approach Her High Majesty…his dear mother-in-law and friend on the issue.

But it would have to be raised to Her most, most carefully. Yet, there were indeed many advantages to having dynastic ties of marriage with House D’Tera, as Nova had renamed House D’Shal.

Especially because he knew the temper of her husband, his Rival, his Comrade, his Friend.

But they were family now, yes? Desslok held Starsha as she slept, smiling to himself, sure his plan would eventually succeed.

After all, were they not already Allies?

And were they not opposed to the same enemies?

He also remembered the Throne of an ancient, white-haired force of Nature whose seat was now in the Andromeda Galaxy.

Someday, Desslok thought. His Grand Throne shall still be mine.

And there shall come a day when I will force Queen Promecium to surrender and do homage to me. Of course, Starsha and Nova and Derek shall be there on Grand Mechapolis beside my Throne, under the united crests of Gamilon and Gatlantis, with the crests of my dear two Queens to each side. They would be so unhappy with me otherwise.

I shall work it as a Joint Victory.

Too bad Emperor Zordar will not live long enough to see it. He is such an old man. What a pity.

----------------------------------------

Far away, on the Master Homeworld of the Gatlantian Empire, recently renamed from the Cometine Empire, deep in the Andromeda Galaxy, a brooding presence sat on his dark throne on his city-world.

The Grand Emperor, he who had brought victory and honor to his world when he had been one of the many Princes. He who had brought dishonor to Gatlantis in allowing Trelaina of Telezart and Terra to be underestimated.

He who had suffered long in a private Hell wrought for him by the mysterious, terrible, awe-inspiring Trelaina of Telezart, She of many different shapes.

He who had returned and become Grand Emperor of his people and reunited the warring Houses and Princes of the Race with both brooding calm and an iron fist.

Recently, even Lord Radnar, High Priest of Arishna, had returned to the fold at last and done him homage.

But he was a survivor, yes, Emperor Zordar of Gatlantis was quite the survivor.

He sat calmly considering his daughter, Princess Invidia, on a screen in his Palace. She was on her Comet ship. He was in his Capital.

“Is this true, Princess?” he said. “And if so, who will rid us of this troublesome High Queen? Especially as our territories are under attack from the mad Queen Promecium. Promecium. She who recently slew our kinsman Prince Dagarth and his Comet in battle. Promecium…who is, it would appear, opposed by that other mad woman, the Pellian High Queen. Pellias…our ancient sometimes enemy, sometimes ally. Your mother was of that race, Invidia. Who has the temerity to resurrect Pellias from the ashes and shadows?”

“They never died, Father,” said Invidia.

“Really?” said Zordar. “I heard rumor that the demented Lord Ekogaru is dead. Who slew him?”

“Her High Majesty, Father. She who worked with Trelaina to resurrect the very Comet City I now sit in. Do you remember? The very Gatlantis that the Terrons reduced to a wreck over thirty years ago. Trelaina and this woman restored her. And, my crew are those that Trelaina and SHE recalled from death.”

“You must be joking, Invidia, and I wish that you would stop it. No one has the power to resurrect the dead.”

“Trelaina does. And so does this woman. I have seen her recall children from Death.”

“The Terrons must hate and fear this woman, who resurrected Gatlantis for her own purposes.”

“No. They revere her.”

“Really? What became of Terra? We had a recon unit scan the Sol System. It is no longer there. A pity Terra is destroyed. I would have wanted her reconquered.”

“Earth still exists. She and Trelaina moved it to within the very shadow of Pellias.”

“They…moved it? I heard rumors of such. I thought them to be only the rumors of officers of ours whose minds were dulled by Spice. And how was Promecium and her Fortress brought to heel?”

“I aided them in that, but…she defeated her. With a song, and with her blade.”

“Let me understand this matter. She brought a witch to heel with a song? And then she fought her blade to blade?”

“Yes, and this strange High Queen consigned her to a pit in the Blackeye Galaxy. I have no idea how she lives again. Neither does she.”

“The High Queen. If you believe the legends, the Pellian High Queens were once veritable demigoddesses. The sort who were to be respected and feared. I once did battle sword to sword with one of them myself face to face long before you were ever born. She was a Sorceress. The only woman who ever bested me. Arishna was not with me that day! And you speak with this…strange freak monster of a High Queen, Invidia? One of her misbegotten descendants?”

“I do. She and I are friends. In fact, she recently sent me a data tube. She is part Terron, as well as part Pellian and part Iscandarian. The data tube included her greetings to me, and also a quaint Terron custom. She sent me a holographic birthday card celebrating my natal day, Father.”

“She is a demi-goddess and she wished you a happy birthday, Invidia? How come you never told me of this woman? She must be a shield maiden of immense height and power!”

“Actually, she is very small and short, barely taller than I. When she veils her immense power, she looks like a woman barely out of her tweens.”

Zordar laughed. “You must bring her to me, Princess. I could claim a new mate.”

“I do not believe she would appreciate the offer, Father.”

“Why not?”

“She is already married to a handsome man whom you only glimpsed on a screen years ago. One of my bete’ noires when I tried to retake Terra years ago, Father. She loves to cuddle him and make love with him all the time. Most unseemly, Father! And they vere once my neighbors.”

“When you were married to that eccentric Terron Kazuo the strange billionaire? The Foxy one?”

“Yes, Father.”

“Explore the computers at your end on Gatlantis. Find me images of the ancient bitch Nova the Second, who bested me, and of her…eccentric successor.”

“Of course, Father,” said Invidia.

After some shouted commands in Gatlantean, a split-screen came up of two High Queens: a painting of the renowned and dreaded Nova the Second, who bested Zordar to his face sixteen hundred years ago, and of her successor, also in her official painting…Nova the Third, already being acclaimed as “The Great” by some Pellians, a title of honor only given to Queen Pellas herself.

“Those faces,” growled Zordar, as he looked at the blue-eyed Nova the Second in pink and white, her Imperishable Crown burning above her brow, and of the painting made of Nova the Third as her reign began, before her eye color had changed from brown to violet. “So similar, yet so different. Nova the Second, freak of nature, who looked unnaturally young for so long. And, is that teenager in the dress and naval cap their current Mighty High Queen? A Cosmic Joke! Yet I remember her face from somewhere. Remind me of where, Invidia?”

“The histories. You taunted her face to face once, Father. When she was much younger. Her and her so-handsome husband.”

“When?” Zordar growled.

“When we were on the Portent of Darkness, Father. Right before Dyre and I left. She vas on the bridge of the Yamato when they still called her the Argo. We copied the image from their Black Box and I preserved it here; their perspective…that silly woman, I thought then…holding up that fat man with the freckles. Then, we later found, she was named Nova Forrester; member of the Star Force.”

“Her eyes looking at me with such fear and hatred, along with the Argo’s ridiculous Mop-headed boy Captain,” Zordar growled. “That silly woman is the terror of the Galaxies and a Demigoddess who stands toe to toe against Promecium and Ekogaru? You’re joking, Invidia. That silly little woman looks like she cannot crack a hard-shelled nut without help! And she declares herself a Queen now! What a Cosmic Joke!”

Zordar began to chuckle, and then to laugh his cold, infamous, dangerous, demented laugh.

“We cannot underestimate her like I did that silly Trelaina, Father,” Invidia said. “You recall my attempt to avenge you?”

“Your stupid war with a new Gatlantis ship that was also destroyed?” Zordar growled. “Your New Comet, brought to ruin? What an ill-considered, moronic strike. You should have waited until now to exact our vengeance!”

“Yes. But in that war, she was a negotiator when we had a truce. She had married the Mophead by then, and her name changed to Nova Wildstar. I tried to assassinate Desslok. She got in my way and got a poisoned dagger I threw in her shoulder. Oh, she was wounded. But she pulled it out and threw it back at me, Father! I almost died. But I somehow lived, brought back to life by Ekogaru.”

“You were cooperating with HIM?” snarled Zordar.

“Yes. But he controlled me and used me. I begged to escape. Trelaina appeared and disguised my form. At the end of the war, I left my post and crashed on the Argo. Then, in disguise, I ended up in a Terron hospital, and that woman was my roommate. Let me send into your mind memories of what happened that day, twenty-six Terron years ago. Nova and I actually fought. She came awake and somehow guessed for a time who I was and we fought. She actually hit me. She is only a little taller than I, Father, but she is physically strong, somehow. Yet very compassionate…have a look…my mind…thanks to our common telepathy.”

Zordar sat and watched the following scene playing out…

“Nova…if I may be so bold,” lied Invidia. “Again, I am Katrina Savela of Pellias. I rescued Michelle from off the Eritz Gatlantis, where we were being held prisoner. Remember?”

“How’d you get to Earth from Iscandar? Were you with the Pellian Border Legion Fleet? We know you left Iscandar again, we think, but…”

“Yes. I was fighting Gorse of the Comet Empire in the battle when I was hit by debris and smashed into the Argo. We met on Iscandar? Remember?”

“Yes, I served on her…and now I remember you…,” said Nova. “Did you come from one of the Pellian ships from Iscandar?”

“Yes, but I had been captured…again,” said Invidia. “I was…” that is the truth…she thought. “I was escaping from General Gorse and that ship where they held me prisoner when I was hit. Instead, now, I am your guest…funny?”

“Your accent’s funny, like I said on Iscandar…sorry…,” said Nova. “But I’m not bein’ very nice…I’m sorry. Heck, I probably sound just as weird to you, don’t I?”

Nova and Katrina laughed a little at that. Then, she said to Katrina. “What are you in here for? In case you can’t tell, I just had two babies.”

“Why do you need to know?” barked Katrina. Then, she said “…sorry, still confused. I just don’t like my private life…”

“I’m a nurse-practitioner,” said Nova as she heard Alex whimpering. She ran over, picked him up, and held him... “I’m going to start training to be a doctor in a few months or a year from now. Maybe I can help you.”

“They say I have broken ribs, a damaged spleen, and a lot of bruises,” said Katrina as she trembled and almost fell.

To Invidia’s shock and surprise, Nova bent down and gently helped her up and tenderly helped her into bed as best as she could while holding her son. “Poor dear! Let me get you something for that lip…I need to wipe up that blood. Please forgive me for being a little weak. I just had twins.”

“I see. What did having them feel like?”

“Passing two bowling balls,” said Nova with an impish smile. Nova patted and cuddled Alex, who began to go back to sleep. She put him into his bassinet and kissed him good night again. Then, Nova turned to Katrina with concern and she said, “I’ll be back. Hold on, please.” Nova left, walking slowly to the bathroom with careful, measured steps.

Invidia shut her eyes and let tears of frustration and helplessness run down her cheeks until Nova came back with a wet washcloth. Nova sat on the edge of the bed, looked at her roommate with deep concern in her eyes, and tenderly dabbed at her lip until the bleeding stopped. “It may swell up a little in the morning, but putting ice against it will help you,” said Nova. “How long do you think you’ll be here? They think I can leave with my babies in two or three days.”

“They didn’t say,” said Katrina.

“Where will you go afterwards?”

“I do not know.”

“Maybe I can arrange something for you,” said Nova. Invidia looked at her in a puzzled fashion until Nova said, “Things like clothes, an income, a place to live, furniture, maybe a job when you feel up to it…”

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The vision of the past faded.

“She actually helped you?”

“She was honorable and she actually meant every word of what she promised and she stuck to our bargain and carried it out. Never have I had such compassion and strength from a former enemy. It continued even when she learned who I truly was before she died…”

“She died?” Zordar said.

“Yes. And she came back to life, and she pardoned me and we worked together to defeat Ekogaru and then Promecium. Remember how you said Desslok was a very unusual man?”

“I do,” Zordar said.

“She is a very unusual woman,” said Invidia. “We had best keep her on our side. As an ally against our common enemy, Promecium. I will not make the mistake of dismissing her as we did Trelaina. Because…she is now stronger than she ever was. And because of her…I can do…this now.”

Invidia smiled, shut her eyes, and raised a brandy glass by just thinking of it.

“How did you do that?” Zordar growled as his eyes went wide with respect…and cold fear. “You used to be as psionic as a rock, Invidia, save for our common telepathy!”

“She is filled with the Energy of Creation, known as the Pellian Matrix. She knows how to wield the Power now, like your Nova the Second did. And, this woman knows how to use it, and she shares the Power with myself and her husband, the mop-headed Derek Wildstar, now a Lord Admiral and commander of the Argo, which they renamed Yamato. Her flame burns in me. I do not know why she shares this Power. So many things about her and her motives are a mystery to me. I know her…but I do not truly understand her even to this day.”

“I see now why you respect her so. Can I speak to her now, mind-to mind?”

Invidia shut her eyes. “No.”

“Why not?”

“She is sleeping. Please do not awaken her, Father. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. And she has many concerns you do not know of. Antagonizing her would be very foolish, and may result in our destruction. What if she came here…and moved Grand Mechapolis…straight into our primary star?”

“She could do that?”

“Yes, Father. She could do zat!”

“We must be cautious,” Zordar said. “But, careful. Perhaps we could manipulate her into serving us?”

“Possibly. But it would have to be done with great caution, Father. The Pellians, and the Terrons. They love their freedom. I am sure you remember.”

“I do,” Zordar growled. “I certainly do,” while making a fist. Star Force, he thought. Even after all of these years, you are still a stone in my boot…

________________________________________________________________________________

Back on Iscandar, in the watches of the night, at 0345 Hours local time…

Derek was holding Nova, who was innocent in sleep.

They had also enjoyed some love and affection before.

Now, Derek held her, and he thought, I would again die to protect you…and I know you would crawl through Hell itself, if need be, to protect me, Nova….

As he stroked her hair, he thought, why do I have this feeling that the war will get worse…and that we shall end up as players in a vaster play on a very dark stage? But, one thing is sure, Nova…

…my love for you is forever, no matter what befalls us, I cannot stop loving you, and I will never stop loving you. My strength is in my skill in combat, tactics, and being a leader. Nova, your greatest strength is your endurance. Your endurance. You have enough inner strength and kindness for the both of us…

Then, Nova slowly awoke, murmuring a little and drawing closer to Derek.

“Yes, darling?” Derek said.

“I picked up your thoughts about me, Derek. I love you so much…and I do not deserve your kindness…”

“Why do you say that?”

“I had a strange dream. There will come a time when I have to make some harsh choices…for us…for our people…for our defense. Someday…we will have to see former enemies again…and depart with them as allies…because of Promecium…”

“Which former enemies?”

“I dreamed of a world that is a city. Cold, forbidding…and the people there…vicious…dark…scheming. Yet, we shall clasp hands with even the worst of the worst of humanity because Promecium is worse than any of them. Even though…we will have to pay a great price…”

“What sort of price?”

Nova held him and whispered, “If under extreme duress…and to save your life…if I ever had to share another man’s bed…would you still love me? Because I love you and would crawl through Hell to save you. I would even do…that…” Nova said, with tears running from her eyes.

“What brings this on?”

“A dark nightmare I had. Derek, please answer my question…”

“Of course, I’d still love you, Nova. We are together for all time. I could never stop loving you, and would never stop loving you. Nova, if I had to do…the same?”

“We are bound before God, Derek. Of course,” she said softly.

“Good…Nova, you know your nightmares do not always come true…”

“But sometimes they do, Derek. And that scares me…”

Derek kissed Nova, and, together, gradually, they went back to sleep.

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For once, the wandering woman was home.

Atirangi Rapahango, composer, heavy metal star, music instructor, awoke in her large, albeit somewhat strange, palatial home on the outskirts of the Tokyo Megalopolis.

“Damn, what a weird-ass dream I just had,” murmured the huge Polynesian-Iscandarian woman as she shook her head.

She wasn’t sure who to call to discuss it? Cody? Dexter? Var? Derek? Nova?

Finally, shaking her head, Atirangi tried to get back to sleep.

It would not be easy.

_______________________________________________________

TO BE CONTINUED…