THE LEGEND OF GRAND MECHAPOLIS

STAR BLAZERS/GALAXY EXPRESS 999

Founding of the Dual Monarchy and Galaxy Express System

By: Frederick P. Kopetz

Chapter FOURTEEN: Though He Slay Me, Yet I will trust in Him…

Thanks to Gail Kopetz, Bells of Nevermore, Margaret Diviney, Michelle Nutter-Lynd, Steven Diviney, Andrea Lyon, Kaiju Director 007, and DTill359 for Advice and inspiration.

Bells of Nevermore’s Characters are used by permission. However, by mutual agreement, they may be written differently in the Galaxy Visions Saga than in Bells’ own works…

The same goes for Kaiju Director’s character Erich Nishizawa, used by permission…

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I. A FAMILY MEETING

Planet Iscandar

Mother Town

Thursday, January 2, 2234

1330 Hours Local Time

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The Yamato was due to leave the next day, at dawn.

Desslok and Starsha had been in seclusion for several days, and had only reappered together on Christmas, for the solemnity and joy of that day and a huge Christmas dinner.

The next day, all of the Wildstar kids surprised their parents with a party for the observance of Derek and Nova’s thirty-third wedding anniversary. Derek and Nova were both overjoyed and a bit abashed by the attention since they had expected to have a quiet anniversary celebration on their own, but the party was hosted by their children, Desslok, and Nova’s mother Teri and grandmother Presha.

Presha loved hearing embarrassing stories about the anniversary couple that made them blush and want to run out of there. Everyone had an amusing story, even His Majesty Desslok himself.

Then, time passed. The Terran New Years’ day came and went.

That afternoon, on the second, before leaving, General Talan, of all people, captured a portrait of the Wildstars and all of their brood: Derek and High Queen Nova III, Alexander Wildstar III, Ariel Wildstar-Venture, Steven Wildstar, Queen Starsha Wildstar III, Teresa Wildstar, and Theodore Wildstar, from left to right. Derek had on a dark burgundy blazer with matching striped suit pants and a matching burgundy sweater-vest over a blue and maroon shirt and maroon tie. Nova had gotten him those clothes in London on Savile Row; only the best for her beloved.

Nova had on a cream colored dress with dark pink trim and pumps with a necklace at her neckline. Simple but elegant. As a Head of State, she was remarkably unpretentious in her dress.

Next to them, Alex stood there in a white turtleneck sweater with blue jeans and a dark belt with engineer boots. His long hair, slightly darker than his father’s chestnut brown shade, was, as usual, a mess.

His sister Ariel stood beside him with her shoulder-length golden hair, lighter than her mother’s, in a light green blouse with a black necktie, dark green sweater, pleated white miniskirt, and dark green sandals. Her eyes were filled with laughter, and with age, she had developed a cute, if odd-looking nose a little like Barbara Streisand.

Beside her, Steven stood wearing a white tux shirt with bowtie, khaki chinos, and white bucks. Always a bit eccentric in his dress, but lovable, with sweet eyes behind his glasses, and his fine hair, close to his mother’s shade of honey-blonde, blowing in the sea breeze.

Queen Starsha III stood beside him; wearing her usual blue gown and white short boots, she looked very dignified. The heavy resemblance between her mother and herself could be seen in the picture, even though her hair had darkened to the stawberry blonde of her previous incarnation.

Behind her, almost shy, stood Teresa Wildstar, wearing a light yellow romper than had been made for her by her mother to the same cut Nova herself had favored when she was younger. Her light, almost platinum-blond hair almost matched her yellow outfit. Her glasses were wire-rimmed and looked cute on her, and she only had on black flip-flops.

She was rather uncomfortable because she was being hugged, almost too closely, by her brother Theodore, who was all in black and looked sinister compared to the rest of the family. He wore black shades, a black turtleneck sweater, black leather slacks, and black boots. His hair and beard were longer and messier, and he smelled of liquor, aftershave, and with not having bathed for three days.

“Theodore!” whispered Teresa as he hugged her. “Please get your hand off my butt. I’m your sister, you know!”

“You have a lovely arse, Teri,” he whispered as the pictures were taken.

When they were done, Derek walked over, as angry as a stormcloud. “Theodore! Stop picking on your big sister! Your mother and I think that is disgusting!”

“She is cute, Dad.”

“But she’s your sister!” Nova said, coming over and glaring at Theodore. “What’s gotten into you? You…smell drunk again,” she said in a low, savage whisper.

“Guess I am,” he said.

His father gave him a shove. “Theodore, beat it! Now!”

“Sure will, father dear,” he said. “But remember this. There will come a day when you will be begging at my feet for things…both of you,” he said as he glared at his parents before he stamped off.

Nova then suggested, “Let’s go in the Palace for some drinks before we part ways.”

Derek was as silent and as angry as a stormcloud as Nova sat down and rubbed his shoulders.

A moment later, he banged the table and snapped, “That miserable, ungrateful son of ours, Nova! We gave him half his inheiritance when he decided not to enter the Academy and become…a stage magician, and this is how he repays us?”

Nova shook her head as she sipped at a glass of juice. “Right now, I don’t have any idea what to say. I knew he was not…a good person, but this?”

“We should have made him make his own way in the world,” Derek said. “Start from the bottom…like we did.”

“A diet of Instant Ramen for a few years like mine before I joined the Star Force and was poor in that little place with Natalie waiting for my parents’ Trust Fund might have done him some good,” Nova sighed. “We were too generous.”

“Speaking of Natalie, where is she?” Derek said.

“Not sure,” Nova replied. “She off and went. I felt her aura the other day. She ended up on some Medieval world somewhere; I had a dream about it and I sent her Bazooka bubble gum and a note.”

“Bubble gum?” Derek said. “So where is she?”

“Dunno,” Nova said. “It’s been three weeks now and Minister of the Exchequer Ramis has been substituting for her in Parliament on Earth. If we don’t hear from her in a week, I’ll send a message to Terra announcing Natalie has vanished. I tried meditating for her the other night while you were asleep. Couldn’t find her. I hope she’s not…dead…”

“Yeah, I know,” Derek sighed. “She was your best female friend, right?”

Nova nodded. “I knew her since we were eight or nine. We went to school together in Osaka. I called myself ‘Yuki Mori” for that year in Japan.”

Derek tapped her nose. “Hai, Yuki-chan….”

She kissed Derek back, and whispered, “Kodai-kun,” referring to Derek’s Japanese name of Susumu Kodai.

Ariel ran over with her husband Jordy and daughter Samantha. Little Samantha piped up, “You have to do that again, grandpa and gramma! In front of the Christmas Tree!”

“Do we have to?” Derek sighed.

“C’mon, dear, it would be fun,” Nova said as she pulled Derek along. She unbuttoned his blazer and threw it aside. “You look too formal in that. You need to look young!”

“Yeah…we are starting to look younger than our kids, thanks to the Matrix,” Derek said.

“Is that really so bad?” Nova replied, mussing his hair. She whispered something to him that made him blush.

“Mom, Dad, you two look like you’re fifty-six going on twenty-two,” Alex teased.

“Were you hanging around with a girl before, Alexander?” Derek said.

“Yes, she’s nobility, too. From Pellias. And…here she is. Dad…Mom…meet Duchess Maya Harlock!”

A beautiful young woman with long, almost floor-length light blonde hair and a small locket appeared. She wore a long white dress and red boots. She saluted General Talan in the Gamilon manner, smiled at Alex…and then she gasped when she saw who Alex’s parents were.

“Alexander!” Maya said with awe in her voice and a note of fear. “You never told me that your last name was…Wildstar…of the Ruling Dynasty!” she said. She saluted Derek and said, “I greet you, Lord Admiral…and my Prince,” and she curtsied to him.

Then, she knelt before Nova and said in a voice now totally shaking with fear as she lowered her face so her forehead touched the ground. “Your…Your High Majesty…you do me great honor by allowing me to kneel in your presence.”

“Duchess, please…please…stand up,” Nova stammered. “You have such a pretty gown, my dear. You don’t want to get it dirty…”

“Milady,” Maya said as she stood with tears in her eyes.

“Just call me Nova from now on,” Nova said gently. She actually had to help Maya stand up. The poor woman was shaking.

“Nova…you do me tremendous honor!” Maya said. “And…you’re smaller than I expected.”

“You’re rather tall, which is nice,” Nova said.

Artwork: “New Years’ Kiss” by AkiraDevilman666. Used by permission.

As they talked, Derek and Nova found themselves next to a Christmas Tree, which happened to be under a sprig of mistletoe.

Ariel retrieved her camera from Talan, and she sang, “Mom! Dad! You’re under the mistletoe! KISS!”

And at that, Derek and Nova embraced, cuddled, and gave a very passionate, sweet kiss, on request.

After they were done, they heard the jingling of a familiar brooch.

“Starsha, has anyone ever advised your parents that they suffer from a terminal case of cuteness?” said a familiar, mellifluous voice as Talan, all of the Wildstar kids (except Starsha) and Maya snapped to with proper Gamilon salutes.

Derek gave a proper salute, and said, “Greetings, Emperor Desslok.”

“Greetings, Derek, and Happy New Year,” he said.

Nova gave a nod-bow to him and said, “Good day, Your Majesty.”

Desslok genuflected and said, “I greet you, Your Majesty, dear. Radiant as usual, Nova. I hope I don’t make you blush by observing it is obvious from whence Starsha gains her radiance and charisma this time around on the Wheel of Life for Iscandarians. When do you intend to leave Iscandar?”

“At dawn tomorrow,” Derek said.

“I would like to meet with you later, while Nova takes Her Majesty, her daughter… on a shopping trip, and…what do you call it….a “girls’ day out” later in the afternoon? I would like to have some drinks with the Lord Prince Wildstar, and discuss…some dreams that have troubled us both.”

Nova nodded. “Starsha?”

“It sounds like a lovely idea, visiting some of the new shops here in MotherTown, Mother,” Starsha said.

Nova looked hard at Desslok and said, calmly, “I do hope it is a friendly discussion, dear.”

“Ah…you read some of my aspirations, Nova?”

“I can read you like a German novel, Desslok, dearest,” Nova said softly. “I do pray you have not been reading Mein Kampf lately, Desslok. The author of that treatise was rather deranged. Please be sure you keep Adonai’s Favor over your Empire, dearest. After all, I serve as a Plenipotentiary of His with respect to Promecium’s designs. Kindly keep that in mind. Happy New Year, Desslok. And, remember Adonai, dearest Abelt. Always. Even in your darkest moments. ‘Though He Slay me, yet I will trust in Him,’” Nova said softly as she took Abelt’s hands. “Always remember that.”

“Happy New Year, Nova,” Desslok said with a gallant bow.

Nova and Starsha talked and gently left.

“May I ask what that was about, Derek?” Desslok said in a low, calm, purring voice.

“As Nova said, she can read you like a book, now, Leader Desslok,” Derek said with a calm smile. “Have you ever read Lord of the Rings?”

“Nova has been after me to read that book for years, Wildstar,” Desslok said. “She even gave me a copy for Christmas ten years ago.”

“Keep this in mind, Desslok…a quotation from the book, which can be said to apply to my lovely wife, even though she is more a Prophetess and Mystic than Wizard,” Derek said. “Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.”

“And how subtle is she in her Imperial designs?” Desslok asked.

“She wants to defeat a terrible foe which threatens us both and to save a number of worlds once under the guidance of the Pellian Commonwealth,” Derek said. “Did you not tell me that Gamilon continues to slowly expand for essentially the same reason?”

“Yes, it does. I intend to make that clear to you, to Starsha, especially, and to Nova. It is rather hard to hide anything from my mother-in-law,” Desslok chuckled, almost ironically.

“I learned that from Nova over thirty years ago,” Derek said. “Even before her powers were awakened, it was always hard to hide anything from her. Her intuition is just too good.”

“Come into the Palace with me, Derek. I do have a sanctuary where Starsha seldom goes. So far, anyway. Talan, you are dismissed for the nonce.”

“Yessir,” he said.

“Has Invidia left?” Desslok mused.

“She left yesterday, Sire,” Talan said.

“Very good. Derek, Invidia has a habit of spying on people. I would not like it much if she decided to spy on us. I do not think her designs are entirely benign.”

“I wonder about her myself,” Derek said. “Especially since she made it clear she is again faithfully serving the mysterious Grand Emperor of the Gatlantean Race in our joint…cause.”

“And who is this August Potentate?” Desslok said with a note of sarcasm. Of course, he did not reveal his prior intelligence to Derek on the matter. There was no need. Desslok also guessed Nova would eventually learn about Zordar by way of her own designs and methods, which, as he was learning, were indeed…subtle.

Almost as subtle as his own. He had to grant Nova that. She was getting rather good at this game of thrones herself.

“She let it slip while having a drink with Nova yesterday,” Derek said, lying subtle and not letting on that he knew that Zordar was alive months ago. “We know him well, and he did not die after all. Zordar, Desslok. Emperor Zordar.”

Desslok gritted his teeth a little. “Her father, yes? So, I understand Trelaina only gave him a spanking rather than annihilating him. A pity Nova was not so favored by Adonai in those days, Derek. She would have made an end of him, I’m sure.”

“Yes. We were about to, Desslok. As mere mortals. We were going to ram his ship with the Argo, and…perhaps, escape. Or die in the attempt.”

Desslok looked quietly at Derek not having known this before. “The two of you are even braver than I thought. My compliments, Derek.”

“Thank you,” Derek said. “I pray he does not bring war on another front.”

“Yes,” Desslok said. “One reason for my…expansion. I have seen Gatlantean vessels at the borders again. Too many, my friend, for my…taste…”

Derek nodded.

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II. THEODORE’S PLOT…

The Vicinity of Dracas Minor

Thursday, January 2, 2234

1530 Hours Local Time

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Theodore Wildstar and his strange…troupe…had left Iscandar that very day in his own, unarmed, frigate-sized vessel purchased from the shipwrights of Haigarda, a planet in a wild region between the Terran-Pellian Commonwealth, Rikashan Federation, and Bolar Federation. The Haigardans would sell to anyone, given the right price. However, by treaty with the Rikashans, they did not produce armed vessels for private clients.

Theodore was fine with that…for now. What he needed in his ship was speed.

His vessel was named the Vampyr, and he had a thousand ways of gaining resources; most of them very illegal. Theodore was a sneak; he enjoyed working in the shadows; in the dark underbelly of the Local Group. He had to be cautious…for now. He owed debts to about three different criminal lords, none of whom were known for their compassion.

On top of all that, he had his own criminal enterprise going. Drugs. Prostitution. He had been forced to work with less savory space pirates, since neither Harlock (who was looking for an heir to pass the Deathshadow on to) nor the mysterious Free Space Trader Emeraldas would work with him. In fact, Emeraldas and he had once had a “discussion” that had left him with a very nasty scar due to her sword work. Emeraldas was at large for several reasons; among which was her desire to kill Theodore.

Emeraldas also hoped to encounter her sister Maetel in her travels, and she also had a desire to both meet the fabled Terran-Pellian High Queen Nova to discuss her vile mother and test her sword-work against Her Majesty’s rumored proficiency with the very crystal gravity saber that had destroyed Ekogaru and reduced Promethium to, supposedly, being a wraith.

Theodore wanted so much, though. Now at the equivalent of 25 years of age due to the Iscandarian factor inherited from his mother, he was already weathy due to his enterprises.

As he cruised through space on the Vampyr, he cuddled with his latest boy-toy, a wealthy up-and-coming platinum blonde girl known as Danielle Harrison.

Danielle was an heiress herself, but something of a guitar player as well. Danielle was a descendant of the deceased Beatle George Harrison, removed by many generations from her noted grandfather.

Lying in bed next to Theodore, she said, “You have the greatest supply of drugs I’ve ever heard of, man. Was that Rikashan Sixer we had?”

“Yes, that was Rikashan spice we were smoking,” he said with a twisted smile on his face.

“You get the best drugs, babe,” she said. “When I was smokin’ that, it made me feel real retarded, man.” She laughed and let out a string of casual, sleazy curses in her Scouse Liverpool accent.

“You want me to do what to ya, bitch?” he said.

“Tie me up. Hit me. Beat me. I want bruises from ya, babe!”

Theodore got a set of handcuffs and began to comply with Danielle’s demand…he thought he was so rough…so cool….

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On Iscandar, in the meantime, Desslok and Derek Wildstar were drinking together as they discussed their mutual nightmares.

“I’ve been dreaming about the planet bombings for several months now, Desslok,” Derek said as he held a bottle of beer.

“What have you been dreaming?” Desslok said softly.

“A recurring dream. It concerns the death of my parents. I remember losing my parents in one day. I was coming home from a journey to see my brother Alex at an Earth Defense Base in Japan not far from where I lived as a child; the Miura Peninsula. My parents were killed…killed by a planet bomb.”

Desslok sat in silence for a while. “The war was painful, hard for you, I see. I do…offer my apologies, and I regret what happened…seeing the effect this has had upon you. Did you spend your whole life there around the Miura Peninsula?”

“No. I was born in the United States in Oregon. My earliest memories are of Oregon. My parents moved us back to Japan when I was three or four. Hard to remember, really. Nova has far clearer memories about her toddlerhood than I do, including a memory of when she was briefly kidnapped.”

“Kidnapped?” Desslok said.

“Held for ransom for money. Luckily, she was reunited with her parents. We think General Jackson Stone did it. He had had affairs with Nova’s mother on and off, and Nova thinks maybe Stone had a twisted idea she was his child.”

“Whatever happened to this General?”

“He was busted; defected to Ekogaru’s side; we eventually defeated him in battle on Pellias, captured him, and killed him.”

“I remember that battle. I have been having nightmares about battles, as well,” Desslok said.

“Which one?” Derek replied, having an uncomfortable idea about what Desslok was alluding to.

The Leader took a good sip of brandy and he said, “The Battle of Gamilon, what else? The one where I lost everything. Tell me honestly, Derek; was it your idea to hit the volcanoes with your wave motion gun?”

“No. When we were stuck between the sulphuric acid sea and your missiles, Desslok, I was at a loss at what to do, honestly, even though I was acting Captain of the ship by then due to Captain Avatar’s illness. Nova suggested I talk to Captain Avatar; he was up in his cabin, then, slowly dying. I spoke to Captain Avatar. He suggested I attack the volcanoes…so I did. Desslok, I pray you don’t hold what was almost an act of genocide against me…I have felt guilt about it ever since…”

“No, Derek. It was war. As I said to you and Nova when I realized how wrong I was, war does not allow us to be our better selves. And do not think I haven’t castigated myself a thousand times over for what I did to your Earth. Starsha was right; and she is right. I am wrong. I pray you do not hold what I was forced to do for Gamilon’s survival against me, my friend…”

Derek drank a long swallow of beer. He stood with his head bowed before he answered. “No, Desslok. I do not. Not now…now that I know what you were facing. The greater question is; has Starsha forgiven you?”

“I believe she has. Has Nova forgiven you, Derek?”

“She took the blame on her shoulders, like I did,” Derek mused. “After the battle, she asked me how she could ever face God on Judgment Day after what she participated in. We share the guilt, Desslok.”

Desslok laughed a low, bitter laugh. “You are more fortunate than I. Your lifemate understands what you went through then. Starsha? I think she understands. But, whenever I bring this up to her, she changes the subject. She says she has her own opinion of me, and she loves me, and she is aware through your tutelage and Nova’s that we were once mortal enemies but are now friends, but…she told me she remembers everything.”

“I think the four of us need to have a discussion,” Derek said. “Nova and myself, and you and Starsha.”

“Why would you want to be there, Derek?” he said.

“As mediators, perhaps,” Derek said. He drank more beer and he said, “Nova told me she understands you better now. You and she now share a common experience. The crown weighs heavily upon your head, doesn’t it, Abelt?” he said, calling Desslok by his middle name for the first time, and wondering if the unpredictable Leader would strike him for this familiarity.

“It does,” Desslok said after a long silence. “It weighs heavily upon Nova, too…doesn’t it?”

“It does. Unlike you, she was not to nobility born. She didn’t even realize what her connection to the Iscandarian and Pellian Royal Houses was until she was thirty-one years old. Maybe that is why she has so much compassion. Like many of us on Earth; she faced adversity during the War in the underground cities, and afterwards. She looks like a great military commander, Desslok, but she found the service difficult, and still does.”

“A woman of peace who fights like a lionness,” mused Desslok. “Why does that sound familiar?”

“Starsha and Nova trained together…with the sword…and the tea ceremony and flower arranging,” Derek said. “Starsha told me she has a deep sense of peace when she arranges flowers, but she knows she has to weild the sword, too. Also, about Nova, did you ever know she has a very mixed ancestry…and she is one-sixteenth Gamilon herself?”

Desslok smiled and laughed ironically. “Yes. She told me that once. I found it interesting, although it’s not uncommon for those with Pellian and Iscandarian ancestry. There was once much traffic between our peoples, and much intermarriage. Indeed, I am sure you have seen that some Pellians are themselves a lovely shade of blue.”

“I noticed,” Derek said.

“I have something to tell you that might surprise you, Derek,” Desslok said with a dark, amused look in his eyes.

“Yes?”

“I too have some mixed ancestry. Mostly Gamilon…but there are traces of Iscandarian…and Pellian ancestry in my genome as well…and, Nova and my doctors did a blind blood test on me once. They came up with the same result. Mixed in my genome…is about one eightieth part of Terron ancestry. We might even be distant relatives in truth, Wildstar.”

Derek’s eyes went wide. Then, he grabbed Desslok’s hand in a manly, rough fashion, and he said, “Why, you son of a bitch!” he said, laughing.

Desslok looked hard at Derek, and they both laughed.

They were still laughing when Nova and Starsha came into the room together a few minutes later with a robot carrying their purchases.

“What are you two laughing like hyenas about?” Nova said.

“We’ll tell you later, dear,” Desslok said. Derek just looked at Nova and laughed harder.

“Well, if it’s some locker-room joke, count me out of it,” Nova sniffed.

“Not that at all,” said Derek.

Nova shook her head, but she was relieved (along with Starsha) that the two men were having a laugh and not at each other’s throats.

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Time passed.

A month later, the Yamato’s crew was back home on Earth on February 2, 2234.

The mighty ship went into drydock at the EDF Base at Wilimington, North Carolina, to have her weapons upgraded.

As Derek, Nova, Teri Forrester, Teresa Wildstar, Deke Wakefield, and Presha left the Yamato together, on their way to Nova’s Terran palace in Vienna where they would all spend some time together, they could not help but notice an Andromeda-class space battleship undergoing refit in the next dock.

“You guys have more Andromedas around?” Deke said in surprise.

“Yes, plenty of them,” Lord Admiral Derek Wildstar said. “This is just one of them.”

Nova’s eyes lit up when she saw the freshly painted name on the hull of the freshly painted grey and red battleship. “Well, well, well,” she said. “The North Carolina. My old command!” she said.

“You commanded a ship, ma’am?” Deke said in shock.

“Yes, about twenty years ago,” Nova said.

“We were having a lot of issues with the Bolar Federation then, so they gave her a command,” Derek explained. “Mark Venture, who is now semi-retired, was in command of another space battleship; the Arizona. The Yamato, North Carolina, and the Arizona were all part of a task force that combined to fight the Bolars.”

“How did that go?” Deke asked.

“We won it, even though it was a big mess,” Nova said. “The end of the mission involved our traveling through a rift into this rather strange world in an alternate universe where we had some more adventures before getting back home.”

“I was pretty much a toddler then,” Teresa said.

“Yes, and I was stuck helping out with you,” chuckled Teri.

“Was I good?” Teresa said.

“Mostly,” Teri responded. She then looked at Nova. “I have to do some shopping later on when we get to Vienna, dear.”

“Why?”

“Your mother, dear, has a date planned with a very valiant man who has suffered a recent loss. I had been exchanging e-mails with him, and we connected on video at last when we stopped at Planet Bannockburn on the way back here.”

“I hope he’s a good man, Mom. You’ve been…well…badly burned in the past,” Nova said.

“I saw him,” Presha said. “He’s an old associate of yours. You both know him.”

“Not that wacko reporter, I hope?” said young Teresa.

“No; he’s a Brigadier General in the Defense Forces now,” Teri said. “My God, he is so handsome.”

“Are you gonna tell us who he is?” Derek said.

“No. I’m a grown woman. Why do I need to tell you two?” Teri said with a laugh.

“Well, if it gets serious, I’d like to at least have some idea who my stepfather is,” Nova huffed.

“If it gets that far, Nova, you’ll meet him…along with your sister Aurora.”

“On Bannockburn they said that Queen Aileen the Third was ill,” Presha said seriously as she carried her seabag on a shoulder of her blue peacoat.

“I’d love to know what happened,” Nova said. “I wanted to meet her in the Palace in Bannockar to discuss trade and mutual defense measures, but her Royal Steward Halar sort of…discouraged me.”

“I didn’t like the sound of that,” Derek snapped. “Didn’t it sound…suspicious?”

Nova nodded, shouldering her own seabag on a gold epaulet of her black peacoat; the leggings of her new uniform of white trimmed with black, for the full-time Doctor she now was, showed with each step of her white boots. She had resigned as XO of the Yamato upon landing.  “I can’t wait to see what my Sickbay will look like after this refit,” she commented.

Then, a moment later, Commodore Dayton Floyd, the current skipper of the North Carolina, showed up, saluting Derek, Nova, and the rest of the party. He wore a white peacoat trimmed in gold with a violet lining; his perogative as commander of Task Force Twelve of First Fleet. “Sir, Ma’am,” he said to the two elder Wildstars, who wore the epaulets of five-star Admirals. “Good to see you both. As you see, my ship’s getting a makeover, as well.”

“I had a look at the stats on our way in,” Derek said. “Very impressive, Commodore. Aren’t you serving under Vice Admiral Erich Nishizawa?”

“Yes, I am,” he said. “He’s been incredibly happy since he got his new command.”

“Would you believe…I haven’t been following the latest Fleet Assignment rosters?” Nova said. “That’s Derek’s job. What did the old Ace of Aces get, Derek?”

“The new Enterprise, the CV-6,” Derek said.

“You’ve got full Fleet Carriers here?” said Wakefield, amazed.

“Yes,” Derek replied. “The Enterprise is an Essex-class carrier, built on an extended Arizona-class hull, with full flight deck, a lot of hangar space, et cetera.”

“Oh, that’s what they’re doing with those big hulls,” Nova said. “Haven’t see you for years, Dayton.”

“Yeah, remember that flight class we were in together under Jeff Hardy in 2201 familiarizing with Cosmo Tiger II’s right before you got married, ma’am? I thought Hardy would never let up on our butts…and then, we go out on that exercise and those stray Gatlanteans showed up…hard to believe you’re the High Queen now…you still look sort of like the same old Nova.”

“Where’s Nishizawa?” Derek said.

“Space trials with the Enterprise,” said Commodore Floyd.

An electric Jeep driven by a Marine Lance Corporal showed up, beeping its horn. “Ma’am, sir,” he said, saluting Nova, Derek, and the other officers. “Pile in. Your shuttle to Vienna is waiting down on Level Two.”

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TWO DAYS LATER…(FEBRUARY 4, 2234)

In Vienna, Derek Wildstar was having a Staff meeting with the Prime Minister, Natalie Fisher, whom, it was said, had just returned lately from a strange journey in what she called “an alternate universe”-which appeared to be a strange quasi-medieval world that occupied the same orbit in space in that universe as Pellias did in this universe, but it was a place of chaos, and as Natalie had reported to Nova and Derek yesterday-and it was filled with strangeness and magic.

Rumor of such a world and the possibility that Promecium would exploit a link between our universe and the other universe had led Nova to her Library in the Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna, were many arcane and rare books had been gathered by the Pellians and even by Terrans, Gamilons, and some Gatlanteans throughout the Local Group.

At the moment, Nova sat comfortably dressed in white yoga pants with stirrups and a violet cable-knit sweater, and had on her glasses as she carefully studied the text in her locked private study, secured with physical locks and a psychic glamour, meant to keep out unfriendly prying eyes as she studied three books, each marked on the inside cover with her own hand-made bookplate, which she had duplicated by printers.

The text was an old Pellian copy of the Bible known as the Codex Perlanas, with many odd additions, including a copy of Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews, a history of the Commonwealth up to the equivalent of the twentieth century, and many pages of prayers, invocations, and instructions for creating psychic defenses and creating certain alchemical brews and potions. The closest Terran equivalent would be an old Bible that sat nearby known as the Codex Gigas, an old tenth century text with similar arcane additions in it.

Nova knew parts of the text were dangerous in the wrong hands, so she burned incense in a lamp on a table nearby and had spent much time in deep prayer and meditation before opening that part of the tome. She also had Gregorian chants playing in the background on a stereo, and she was pouring tea and eating small donuts as she pored over the book, with part of her hair braided over her right shoulder.

There was a third book nearby, one that Nova had only glanced at before closing it.

That book was, basically, a grimoire, created by a High Queen who had ruled in the twenty-first century and was known as “Berenice the Bloody” or “Berenice the Black.”

The entry from the Annals of the High Queens that Nova was now reading read as follows, in part:

19. Berenice "The Black". (Eras of Reign: 2050 to 2080 AD): Length of Reign: 30 years.

Berenice was the daughter of Kalina II. She Passed Through the Fire at the age of twenty-two three days after her mother's death when Ekogaru attacked a warship she was serving aboard, the Queen Cecilia. She died, came back to life, and spent much of her time aboard that ship, marrying its Science Officer.

She was a very angry woman and most of her life was spent destroying Ekogaru's fleets and planets where his forces were expected to be. She had two daughters, Astrena and Presha, both born aboard ship. She wisely sent Astrena to Pellias to serve as her Ruling Queen and High Queen in waiting, and Presha was sent to Planet Telezart to act as a diplomat…

Now, Nova had added annotations to the Annals of the High Queens herself, writing carefully in black and red ink, complete with an abbreviated account of her own accession and short reign thus far. However, she did NOT like what she had studied in Berenice’s Grimoire.

Nova sipped at her tea and spoke into a digital recorder;  “I have read enough of Berenice’s writings to conclude that she may well have used very dark magic. The lore I have read from the two Bibles is dangerous enough if misused, but Berenice’s book, I believe, should be kept under the deepest security possible. I intend to take it to Pellias in a fortnight to secure in the deepest vaults there under the Palace. This book, I warrant, is not safe to keep on Earth for long. It is dangerous. The invocations and spells therein are too close to Ekogaru’s arts in order to permit to fall into the wrong hands.”

Nova then paged very carefully through Berenice’s Grimoire and shivered as she read what was on Page Nine Hundred and Two. There were instructions for warding off demonic beings in personal combat, prayers for exorcism (which Nova found would be useful) and…directions for harnessing the power of demons…and a sample Contract to sell one’s soul to Satan.

“Berenice’s Book contains holy and unholy directions on the same page,” Nova intoned carefully. “The book should be preserved, but kept under lock and key here until I can take it to the Royal Vaults when Derek and I return to Pellias.”

Nova shut off the recorder, moved aside a picture on a wall, and opened a safe built into the wall.

She rested the three books in the safe, secured it, and murmured words in Old Pellian over the safe, invoking God’s help and a Guardian Angel’s watch over the safe, and adding a psychic lock of Nova’s own invention, guided by the Matrix.

Nova finished her tea and donuts, sat in prayer and meditation for a while, and then shut off the stereo, and put the recorder, incense burner, teapot, cup, and plate on a silver tray after she snuffed out the burning embers of incense in her small incense burner, which she had wrought of bronze on her own. Digging her bare toes into the luxuriant rug in the old study, Nova carried the tray out, locked the door, and also placed a second psychic lock over it.

The High Queen sighed and thought, The books are as safe as I and God can make them…for now, until I deposit them deep in the Royal Vaults on Pellias.

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

Nova kicked on her sandals, which she had left sitting near her Library, and, being a little fatigued, simply teleported herself to one of her briefing rooms.

She simply appeared out of nowhere, surprising Derek slightly, and also surprising Natalie, who was dressed in clothing that made her look like a refugee from an SCA camp meeting; a suede tunic in brown, wide belt, grey cloak, white leggings, high boots.

However, she made the…being…sitting next to Natalie gasp.

The being was a grey-green Orc, with long, slightly greasy brown hair, fangs, red eyes, and he was clad in a dirty green tunic, no leggings, boots with open toes, and a grey cloak lined in black. He had a handgun that looked like a bronze-steel Colt Dragoon sitting on the table in front of him.

The Orc shouted something unintelligble at Nova and Derek, and Nova just looked at him and sent calm into his mind.

“I don’t recognize the Orkish tongue he’s using, Natalie,” Nova said. “Could you interpret?”

“I searched our…visitor, Nova,” Derek said. “He just had his handgun and this sword.”

Nova put her hand on Derek’s shoulder and looked at it. “Nicely made, one has to admit. Their metallurgy must be pretty good.”

Natalie spoke to the Orc in his own language, and he gestured hard at Nova and Derek, and yelled something that sounded very vulgar and disgusting.

“Would you stop cursing, please?” Natalie said. “I got sucked into your world, and now, congratulations, baby, welcome to my world, and here, if you want to stay with me, we shall have to get married.”

The Orc shouted a few more things, and Natalie said, “Nova, he says his name is Malakhas, and he asks what the heck he’s doing in some weirdly dressed sorcerous Elf-Queen’s palace and asks why Derek was pointing that ugly handgun at him when we appeared,” Natalie said. “That’s the clean version. I edited out most of the curse words. Your tender ears, Your Majesty.”

Derek began to chortle.

“You be quiet, Derek Wildstar,” Nova said. “Tell him I’m not an Elf-Queen, I don’t have pointed ears, and I’m closer to…a Paladin or Cleric than a Magic-User, and that I’m part-alien.”

Natalie whispered those things to Malakhas, and then Nova heard him yelling, “Dagbasha’feh ellga alienda faga e’ Zworder d’faga, faga, FAGA, n’razadan na Nova’Malake!”

Nova shut her eyes, raised her hand, and Malakhas sat groaning for a second with his head in his hands. Then, he said, “What’ja just do ta me, Lady? You and your military hubby both dress weird. Do you paint your legs white? Yer language is all fubared up! It makes mine sound bloody damn nice!” And, being an Orc…he shouted a few more choice crude curse words at Nova about her ancestry, her mother, and her intimate life! Derek was about to get up and belt the ugly creature.

Why? The Orc said, right to Nova, “Ya fuck your Mom with that tongue, ya smart-ass blonde bitch Elf-Queen in weird clothes blinkin’ your fuckin’ long eyelashes at me like you’re flirting? I see ya got long legs! You and your husband must really like ta fuck!” Now, Nova’s outfit was normal casual wear for the 23^rd century-a purple cable-knit sweater which is kinda long, white yoga pants with stirrups, Dr Scholl’s sandals. Malakhas had never seen yoga pants before-he also thought that Derek’s uniform of cap, peacoat, and white slacks looked downright weird.

Derek’s opinion of Malakhas’ appearance and demeanor was mutual as he protectively held Nova’s hand and then dragged the rather frail-looking woman onto his lap for protection-the sort of contact only he could get away with, of course.

Natalie slapped Malakhas across the face for that. “Behave, damnit! You’re in a Queen’s Palace!”

“I knitted my sweater myself, buddy, and I got my yoga pants and shoes at Marks and Spencer’s in London a day ago!” Nova said. “You, my friend, smell really bad, and you need a bath! Natalie, why did you bring this fellow here?”

“He’s my common-law husband from where we come from and I’m carrying his child, Nova,” Natalie retorted.

“Well, this is gonna be a diplomatic mess,” Derek said.

“I have Orcs in my royal guard, but they look halfway decent and don’t swear like you,” Nova said. “And what were you saying about…Zordar?”

“I met him where we were. I don’t remember ‘im all that well, but he ain’t a nice guy, dear,” Malakhas said.

“If he’s popping into other dimensions, that could be a major problem,” Derek said.

“Tell me about it,” Nova said. “Natalie, please report to my office later for a physical. Malakhas, go with this man,” she said as she sent out a mental request and Grimslade Halleck appeared, snarling at the Orc. “Grimslade, please get our Orkish friend into the armory and get him into a proper uniform, please. Give him a bath with a scrub brush.”

“I’d rather you do it, Your Majesty,” said Malakhas with a leer on his face.

“Only if I’m wearing a hazmat suit, Sergeant,” Nova said. “Yes. You’re inducted into my forces.”

“Why?”

“You think I’m going to let you run around Vienna looking like that?” Nova said. “Natalie. You and he can work things out later. You don’t smell like a daisy, either.”

“Nova, unlike him, at least I bathe!” Natalie said.

“I wonder what else is going to happen today,” Derek said.

“Next, the Mind Flayer will most likely appear,” Nova groaned. “With no saving throw.”

“I know all about him,” growled Malakhas.

“Grimslade. Please. Take. Him. To. The. Armory,” Nova pleaded.

“Yes, ma’am. C’mon, ugly,” said the huge Pellian.

“GRAAAA!” yelled Malakhas.

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

A month passed.

It was now March 10, 2234.

Malakhas had been trained and was now a member of, believe it or not, Nova’s Security Detail. (Nova and Natalie had decided to bid for Malakhas’ services by flipping a coin, and Nova had won the toss).

At the current time, he didn’t have that much to do. His rank in the Security Services (which came with a nifty black suit, white shirt, and sunglasses) was now Sergeant, and he worked the Security Detail at Catherine Palace on Pellias, since it was expected that Nova and Derek would return to Pellias in about sixty days; they were currently on Gamilon holding a summit with Desslok and Starsha, and they had taken the Yamato to Gamilon. Since they had traveled by way of the slightly upgraded vessel, no Security Detail was needed on board ship.

Malakhas was there under the command of two former classmates from Nova’s schooldays: Lieutenant Robert Walker (who was now a security operative) and Lieutenant Thomas “Diesel” Dalton. Walker was a poor but halfway bright young man who had been a bit of a nerd, while Dalton had appeared to be a dumb bully who had tormented several kids in Nova’s grammar and high school classes, among them, Robert, Jerre “Brewski” Marrable (now a Commodore in command of the spacecraft carrier Akagi II), Natalie Fisher, and, naturally, Nova herself.

“So, she gave ya your first real kiss?” said Dalton one day, as he lounged around a security room in Catherine Palace.

“I got it after I defended her and her cousin Britanny from you at that dance in 2193 in the underground city at high school graduation. Remember that mess?”

“I remember the fight,” said Dalton with a grin.

“Nova would have belted you herself if the teachers hadn’t stopped it,” said Robert. “Nova and I talked afterwards at the Tube station in the underground city. Sort of went like this…”

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

JUNE 2193: THE UNDERGROUND CITY OF NEW DENVER: BOULDER DISTRICT….

"Hi, Nova," he said. "Got into trouble again, didn't I? I'm nothing but an idiot."

"No...you're not, Robert!"

"I'm not?"

"Not at all," said Nova, now all of fifteen, but a graduated high school senior because…she had tested high on several subjects and did her own reading and had skipped two whole grades in school. In fact…she had solved the long-unsolvable math problem known as the Goldbach Conjecture…at fourteen, and her proof and methodology of arriving at her solution was one of the few graduate-level papers written and verified by a high school junior! Not bad for having hacked into an EDF computer undetected at a slumber party! "Matter of fact, I saw you in a new light tonight. You're very gallant, aren't you?"

"Gallant?"

Nova nodded. "As a matter of fact, something tells me that maybe, just maybe..."

"You're right," sighed Robert. "Nova...I've had a crush on you for the past five years. You're smart, cute, witty, and very different. "

"And Robert, you're very brave, smart, and honest," said Nova. "Too bad our lives are taking different paths."

"Yeah...you're going to the Space School, and I'm gonna be stuck here with Diesel and his friends for at least another year. Too bad things couldn't have been different..."

"Yeah...too bad," said Nova. "Maybe, someday, Robert, they can be...at least for you."

"What?"

"You can improve your grades, try the GASVAT again, and maybe get into the Space Fighters' Training School. I was offered a spot at the Space School, but my Mom pulled strings and got my admission offer cancelled, so I won’t be going to Great Island. Instead, I’ll be going to the University of Colorado and taking ROTC, but at least I will have an EDF Commission. Then, someday, maybe we can meet again...out there in the Sea of Stars, as fellow members of the Defense Forces."

"Yeah...right, like that'll happen," said Robert.

"It can, if you try hard enough," said Nova.. She glanced at her watch.

"Our train will be here soon...and I don't know if I'll get to see you again, Robert, but think about what I said. And, good luck."

At that, Nova took Robert into her arms and shared a quiet, soft kiss with him as a subterranean breeze blew her skirt around.

"Nova?," he said with shock as they finally broke the embrace.

"That's just to show you that I meant it. Good luck, and, maybe someday, I'll see you in space..."

And, at that, the train came and Nova stepped out of Robert Walker's life at that moment, leaving him with a set of burning lips, and a desire to make something out of himself...

By the time they met again, years later, Nova already had the rank of Captain and the MD degree she had wanted so badly in high school, and was very happily married to Admiral Derek Wildstar. Robert noticed in a bittersweet fashion that Derek and the Wildstar kids (except a dark-haired girl named Anya) liked him when they had him over at their place in the Tokyo Megalopolis for dinner…

“Neat story,” said Diesel. “Almost, whadda they call it?”

“Poetic,” said Robert.

“Poetic,” he said. “What duty do we have next week?”

“Checking over some things in Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna. Routine stuff, Tom,” said Robert.

“Doesn’t sound bad at all…”

Malakhas stomped back in, wearing a black suit, glasses, and proper dress shoes like the others. “Hey, people,” he said. “Natalie and I had our wedding last week. Nova performed the ceremony herself. I’m right proper and legal now.”

“You talk like a London Cockney,” grinned Diesel.

“Y’got a problem with the way I talk, little guy?” sneered Malakhas. The Orc was indeed a head taller than Diesel Dalton.

“No…uhh…I was…making an observation,” Diesel said.

“Good. ‘Cause if y’ were insultin’ me, would have to slam you through the damned wall, mate! GOT that?”

“Sure…sure…” said Diesel.

“I wouldn’t provoke him any more if I were you,” said Robert.

“Yeah…you’re the bloody sensible one,” growled Malakhas.

Malakhas offered to shake hands with Diesel. Dalton did so, wondering how the heck he ended up serving with a creature who was seven and a half feet tall with fangs and grey-green skin, or how the Prime Minster had fallen in love with and married this big lug.

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

III. YAMATO DEPARTS (AGAIN)

EARTH

EDF WILMINGTON SPACE NAVAL BASE

MARCH 20, 2234

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

The Yamato left on a set of space trials that morning.

As usual, Derek was in command in the Captain’s Chair.

The Executive Officer was Lieutenant Commander Presha D’Shal, who now sat at the Yamato’s Combat station at the front of the bridge.

Alex Wildstar III was no longer with the ship, or even in the CDF. He had agreed to replace Franklin Harlock, who was dying, as the commander of a heavily refitted Deathshadow.

His parents had not approved of his departure at first. Finally, Nova had made a bargain with him; if he could beat her or fight her to a draw in a gravity saber duel, he would be free to go.

He had fought his mother to a draw; but there was a price to be paid. He had earned a scar on his left cheek in that duel. Of course, Nova had treated the cut at once…but he didn’t want her to heal it with a dermal regenerator.

“Why not?” Nova had said. Indeed, as she had worked, she had a bandage on her own left hand from the same duel.

“I just want you to suture it, Mother. As a reminder for me never again to underestimate an opponent.”

“And a reminder not to be hasty, dear,” Nova said. “Your father and I think this is a very hasty move!”

“Harlock died. You were there. It was his dying wish I take over his flag and his name. Have you not permitted it in the end? Have you not promised to grant me Letters of Marque?”

“I have, Alexander,” Nova said.

“Call me Harlock from now on, Mother,” he said.

Nova smiled a slightly sad smile as she sutured her son’s cheek. “Yes, Harlock. I will pray for you daily.”

“I don’t need it, Mother.”

“But you do,” Nova said. She embraced him. “To your father and I…you shall always and forever be our son. No matter where life takes you.”

The Deathshadow had been heavily reconstructed in a private shipyard on Pellias, so heavily refitted, as a matter of fact, that she was now in effect a new vessel. Funds from the legacies of Tochiro and Maya had been used to pay for the reconstruction of the ship.

Tochiro was now the first officer of the new ship, and Maya, clad now in a pink and white jumpsuit bearing the skull and crossbones of the new Harlock, was second officer of the new vessel, and Alex’s wife, now, at a very small courthouse ceremony witnessed only by his parents and Tochiro. Indeed, his mother had cooked for their wedding reception…which was held on the Yamato.

The vessel left Pellias for the Sea of Stars, flying the pirate flag as a Privateer under Nova’s Letters of Marque, and bearing a new name: Arcadia.

“So?” Derek said on the bridge of the Yamato in the night as he watched the Arcadia blasting off.

“The circle closes, Derek,” Nova said, clad in her Medical whites as the hustle and bustle of the Yamato’s takeoff preparations went on all about them. “When we met him, in our past, in 2202, on Heavy Melder…”

“Harlock was already our son and already in the Sea of Stars for years by then in his futire,” Derek said. “That’s why I convinced you to let him go. But why did you have to duel him?”

“To give him a warning, which he has heeded, Derek,” Nova said. Her throat hitched. “Harlock…will never underestimate an opponent now. He carries that evidence with him always. The scar…that he asked me to just suture up with old-style sutures. Now he really looks like a Pirate, Derek.”

“I will keep him in our prayers,” Derek said.

“As will I,” Nova added.

The wedding of Harlock and Maya had been two days ago.

Now, as Nova worked at preparing her Sickbay, up on the Yamato’s Bridge, the new helmsman, Lieutenant Commander Jordy Venture, reported to Derek and to Presha.

“Orders?” he said.

“Prepare the helm. We take off in an hour,” Derek said. “How is Ariel?”

“She’s enjoying her job, and Samantha is growing up fast. She’s in preschool now,” Jordy said. “She loved the Christmas presents from her grandpa and gramma,” he said with a smile.

Teri Forrester was now at Communications; and Yvona was beside her at Gunney. “We have clearance for liftoff now, Captain,” Teri said.

A new officer, Senior Lieutenant Raymond Perlman, was now at Engineering. “Wave engine coming up…port and starboard boosters balancing, Captain,” he said.

At the radar, again wearing a blue Midshipman’s uniform, since she knew ‘she had a lot to learn’ was Princess Sasha Hardy of Iscandar, back on the Yamato for the first time in many years, with the rank of Midshipman, Second Class.

Lieutenant Roberto Neuve was now manning the Science station, and a new Ralkhen Officer, Lieutenant Samarra Bart, was at the Combat Radar, with her uniform contrasting against her dark red fur. Christopher Eager had also left the crew; he was now a Captain, in command of a Pellian spacecraft carrier known as the Avenger.

Derek felt a small wave of melancholy, aware that he and Nova were now the last veterans of the original Star Force aboard Yamato.

“Mister Venture,” Derek said. “Take us out…slow speed.”

“Slow speed ahead,” said Jordy.

Time passed.

The usual procedures and takeoff protocols went smoothy. Perlman had the wave engine up and running.

Finally, Derek took a deep breath and sent to Nova, Are you ready?

Yuki Nueve and I are ready, Nova sent back. Admiral, the word is given…

Derek then snapped, “Yamato….ASCEND!”

“Ascending, sir,” said Jordy.

And, at that, the wave motion engine fired up and the majestic space battleship again lifted off.

On our way again, Derek thought.

“Course, sir?” said Jordy as the Yamato roared up through the atmosphere of Earth above the Carolinas.

“Clear the Moon, and then, we will make a test warp to the edge of the system.”

“Yessir,” he said.

With that done…the warp was made.

Yamato emerged at the 12^th planet of the Terra-Pellias system.

“Launch Black Tigers,” he said to Presha. “Those guys need some practice. Especially Wakefield.”

“Of course,” she said.

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

TWO HOURS LATER…

“We have an Iscandarian on the ship, Forrester?” Deke Wakefield said in an angry voice as he looked across the table to Teri Forrester.

Teri shut her eyes. “I’ve heard this from you over and over again at my daughter’s place in Philadelphia, Deke. What do you have against Iscandarians?”

“My problem is with Starsha, as I’ve said before. Okay. Things went weird here, and now Starsha is your granddaughter, but I don’t care. She should have done so much more for Earth! Why couldn’t she have sent the Cosmo-DNA here in Astra’s ship?”

Sasha overheard the conversation and sat down, giving Deke a very black look. “Astra’s ship was small,” Sasha said. “She couldn’t have brought it here! This ship had to be built and come here on her own! And it worked! Earth was saved here, and Earth was saved in your version of our universe!”

“At what cost?” Deke said bitterly.

“What? My mother didn’t want to give you the Cosmo-DNA in your universe? And, second, why are you jumping down my throat, Wakefield? It’s not like you at all. Correction. It’s like you, when you were a very angry Midshipman I felt sorry for. Now, I’m married to Jefferson Hardy. But, yes, I sure knew you.”

“So, you knew me?” Deke demanded.

“It’s much closer than that, Deke,” said Sasha. “For a long time, I was married to you and bonded with you!” she snapped. “You’ve noticed, I’m sure, my Uncle and Aunt just giving each other glances and finishing each other’s sentences a lot?”

“Yeah. That’s because since they had time to get married and have kids, the Admiral and…Her Majesty…are tighter than two peas in a pod, right?”

“Yes and no,” said Sasha. “They’re bonded, Deke.” She gritted her teeth and was close to tears. “Like your old self and I used to be. Now, you’re a vengeful stranger wearing his face. You know much it hurts me seeing you walking around the ship? I don’t know you. I’m not sure I want to know you!”

Then, Nova came running in as fast as she could.

“Auntie?” Sasha said.

“Don’t call me that on board ship; you know better!” Nova snapped. “We…just received some news. The Admiral wants to see you. Right now. On the poop deck. We have the shields up. You don’t need space gear.”

“Yes…Doctor,” Sasha said as she got up, saluted Nova, and ran off.

“How bad is it?” Teri said as she motioned her daughter to sit down.

“Very bad,” Nova said. “VERY bad.”

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

With her heart filled with apprehension, Sasha met Derek on the poop deck.

The generators were on. The air felt cold, canned, and very bleak.

Sasha walked out.

Derek was polishing the Cosmo Tiger III that had been assigned to him as his personal fighter when he heard Sasha coming.

“Nice seeing you again, Sasha…as I said this morning,” Derek said. “I remember you came here on the Hornet, right?”

“Yes, serving TDY with Jefferson, who’s in command now as Vice Admiral of Task Force Twelve,” Sasha said. “Sandor offered me any rank I wanted to rejoin the Commonwealth Defense Forces, but I took Midshipman Second Class. I have so much to learn again, so consider me a cadet. I’m out of practice,” Sasha said. “And…with…well…Starsha…my mother back on the throne, I got bored on Iscandar. That’s why I re-enlisted. Her Majesty the High Queen approved it. But, Nova looked very upset when she escorted me out of the messhall.”

“What were you up to?” Derek said.

“Having another argument with the New Model of Wakefield,” she snorted. “He’s impossible. I was about to write Jefferson an e-mail about him, but…why are you looking at me like that?”

“We’re heading towards Defuel, which seems to be…a movable planet. It’s in the system where Telezart used to be now. Task Force Twelve went out to intercept and investigate the planet last night.”

Sasha shut her eyes. “Are they okay?”

Derek said. “Jefferson sent out a final message. I didn’t want to tell you until now. There were heavy weapons on that world. Very nasty weapons. They attacked Task Force Twelve, Sasha. No survivors, according to Admniral Hardy’s last message. The Hornet…went down like the old Andromeda. The bridge exploded. Your husband is dead, Sasha. I’m…so…sorry…”

“JEFF’S DEAD?” Sasha screamed. “I had a bad dream last night…then, I couldn’t reach him through our Bond…he’s…”

“He’s gone, Sasha,” Derek said.

Sasha screamed her heart out and ran to her uncle for a hug.

“After the exercise, there will be a memorial service,” Derek said as he hugged his crying niece. “We will put in tomorrow at Razaria to meet the vessels of the Tenth Fleet; Nova, Sandor, Ruling Queen Rezine, Prime Minister Fisher and I decided we will be the new Task Force Twelve. Then, we will attack Defuel. That planet has to be neutralized.”

“I hate war!” screamed Sasha. “I HATE IT!”

“Do you think I like it?” Derek said as tears ran from his eyes. “Do you think I like it? But we fight on. That’s all we can do.”

“You don’t know how I feel!” Sasha sobbed.

“I do,” Derek said. “Remember when I lost your Aunt Nova three years ago? I know exactly how you feel….”

“But you got her back! You got a miracle!” screamed Sasha. “Why don’t I get miracles like that? God, bring Jeff back!”

“Trust in Him,” Derek said quietly.

Sasha had no answer.

She was too busy crying.

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

THE NEXT DAY…

The Yamato was in orbit of Razaria, a bleak, arid, dry desert-like planet.

On the First Bridge, Sasha said, “Approaching object…one ship.”

“One ship?” Derek said from the conn.

Teri spoke up. “Captain, the Task Force communicated with us. They say they were delayed due to engine trouble on the flagship, Pellian Spacecraft Carrier Avenger.”

“Visual on that ship,” said Derek.

A visual came up of a blue and red vessel that looked somewhat like a dirigible. Something that looked like an old galleon hung at its keel like a dirigible’s gondola.

“Hail them,” Derek said.

Teri did so, and a moment later, a single woman with strawberry blond hair, a pretty oval face, and a strange red and black uniform with a high collar stared down at them, looking bored. She sat in an ornate chair with a skull and crossbones carved in its back, and she also had a similar gold pin in her hair.

“I take it you are Lord Admiral Derek Wildstar?” the woman said in a cold, but charming voice.

“I am. Who are you?”

“I am a Free Space Trader known as Emeraldas,” she snapped. “I am the Master and Commander of my ship, the Queen Emeraldas. It is an honor to meet the famed Yamato at last. I have heard so much about your ship, Lord Admiral.”

“Do you have hostile intent toward us, and are you a pirate?” Derek demanded.

“I have no hostile intent towards you at the moment,” she said. “I am a pirate…when I have to be. Is Her Majesty the High Queen aboard your ship?”

“She is, but she is in Sickbay.”

“Is she ill or wounded?” asked Emeraldas.

“No. She is acting as my Chief Medical Officer, Captain Emeraldas,” Derek said.

“I would speak to her. Now. Please summon her.”

Derek shut his eyes.

A moment later, there was a flash of light.

Nova appeared on the Yamato’s bridge, in front of Derek’s station.

“Captain Emeraldas,” Nova said. “My husband advised me you desire to speak to me. Why? We have important business.”

“You see, Your Majesty,” Emeraldas said as she faced down Nova over the Queen Emeraldas’ screen, “I would very much love to meet you, O High Queen.”

“And how do you desire this meeting?” Nova said, calmly, cooly. Derek knew all too well that voice meant trouble.

“On the planet’s surface below, Nova. You and I. In single combat under classic dueling rules via sabers. You may bring one second. I will bring one.”

“So, you are calling me out?” said Nova. “Emeraldas, I remember you. We met years ago on Planet Heavy Melder and we were allies then.”

“Is that true?” Emeraldas said, just as coolly as she could while Tochiro was trying to dissaude her from this deadly duel. “I never forget a face, Nova. You and I have never met.”

“Then, we met already in what was a different point in the Wheel of Time for you, but which is already my own past,” Nova said. “The fact that we are both alive and speaking with each other now shall prove that this duel you propose shall be a draw, Emeraldas.”

“Maybe the Wheel of Time moves differently,” Emeraldas said. “You may have met another version of me, from an alternate universe. One who shows mercy to you. As I do not intend to do.”

“That may be so,” Nova said mildly as she rummaged through her memories. This Emeraldas is the same person I met already, Nova thought. Only, given how timelines intersect on Heavy Melder, she does not know me from Eve. She wants a fight? She’ll get it!

Derek saw the look in his beloved’s eyes and he read her thought. He was going to try to dissaude her.

A moment later…he knew it would not be possible. Nova’s mind was set like flint. He knew her too well by now.

“I accept your challenge, then, bitch,” Nova said calmly.

“Your dear Majesty. No woman has ever called me that and lived to survive. Your second had better be prepared to dig your damned grave.”

“I may have to perform surgery on you afterwards, Emeraldas,” Nova said. “Replacing your arm with bionics. Where do you want to meet?”

“At the edge of Pulervia City below on that planet. At planetary dawn, bitch,” Emeraldas said. “No psionics, now. Swordcraft only. Are we agreed on that?”

“I, Emeraldas, am a woman of honor,” Nova said. “I hope you are. Farewell.”

Nova cut off first.

Tochiro, who had come over a few hours ago from the Arcadia, which was on the other side of the planet,  looked at Emeraldas. “Just from the way she talks, she is very dangerous! You might as well have called your own mother Queen Promecium out!”

“Anyone who can best me or fight me to a draw can deal with my mother,” Emeraldas hissed. “That is what I want to find out.”

“She may put you in your grave!” Tochiro said. “I saw the fire in those eyes. That woman does not accept defeat.”

“Neither do I,” Emeraldas hissed.

TO BE CONTINUED….