THE LEGEND OF GRAND MECHAPOLIS

STAR BLAZERS/GALAXY EXPRESS 999

Founding of the Dual Monarchy and Galaxy Express System

By: Frederick P. Kopetz

Chapter SEVENTEEN: The Battle of Three Captains…

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

MAJOR THANKS to Dtill359 for help writing a scene where Queen Starsha makes a major decision-FREDDO

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PRELUDE: …Let him that thinks he stands…

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Queen Starsha was watching the battle through her links with Desslok, Sasha, and the Ring that Nova bore with what was almost an Olympian, clinical detachment, and a sense of pain at the same time.

Abelt, she thought, both grieved and angry. Then she sent to him, I understand you have been attacked. Can you not withdraw?

Desslok sent back to Starsha from the bridge of his flagship Gamilstadt IV, a larger version of his old Command Cruiser, Starsha, WHY? I thought you supported me! He was shocked and angered, It is not easy to withdraw when my own ship has taken a missile hit. Like it or not, Promethium’s forces attacked us. Here we stand and fight for our lives and for peace!

Why do you not heed my counsel? None of you should have been there to sign a pact with Gatlantis in the first place!

Desslok was disappointed and a bit enraged. I told you before I left that we may have to take this course. This is a desperate war. And why are you not here at my side supporting me, Starsha? Supporting your parents?

Then, at that moment, as her hand trembled, a sense of cold came over Starsha.

A female voice whispered in her mind, Starsha, dearest. They have always been aggressive, and none of them have lived true to Iscandar’s ethic of universal peace, and even the guidance of your God. The whole lot of them. Desslok. Zordar, especially. Even your own parents of this incarnation play you like a fool. This is a game of chess. And you are an expendable pawn in their plans. Listen to me. I can help you. I will help you.

Who are you? Starsha thought.

A friend, whispered the seductive voice. Your best friend.

Something feels off about this, Starsha sent back. “Adonai, help me,” she prayed.

The room suddenly felt too small, so she walked out onto the palace balcony. The breeze sifted through her strawberry-blonde hair, and the sun shone off her white dress. Her boots whispered over the floor—a crystalline surface of ancient origin.

Below, Mother Town’s crowds traded, haggled over goods, laughed, played music. This wasn’t the ghost city it had been thirty-four years ago.

Footsteps behind her accompanied a too-familiar voice. “I know that slouch.”

Starsha whirled in shock.

Standing not ten feet behind her was… herself.

Now, she knew encounters with alternate selves from other times and spaces wasn’t unheard of. Her own mother had recounted speaking with at least two future selves. But living the experience was both jarring and awe-inspiring. “Are you from my future?”

The soft laugh, the faint wrinkles hiding at the corners of this other Starsha’s eyes… “No, dear friend. I’m from elsewhere.” A blue battle dress shimmered with her every step, as if woven of pure Iscandarium. A golden vambrace rose to meet the pauldron sitting atop her left shoulder, and she wore matching ear cuffs, also gold.

“You look like an experienced… warrior,” Starsha said, “like tales I’ve read about our past when we still had an empire.”

The other Starsha’s smile held knowing. “Experienced?” She went to the balcony rail and propped both elbows atop it. “Less than you might think.” The woman’s kind eyes appraised her. “Though uncertainty clouds your spirit, you stand with the air of a queen. Far more so than I. Shaddai led me through fire, through flood, through agony. He carried me to the door of a woman who slew many. Her name was… Aurelia.” She flexed her bare right hand. “That day was the first time I raised a sword to another with the intent to kill. That was twenty-two years ago, and still I remember the moment she died.”

“So, it is not easy. All those around me tell me it is difficult to kill, that it marks you forever. Yet, they tell me, there are times when it must be done… to defend what we love and cherish. Is that true? My heart tells me it is, but my mind wars with my heart. Just now, I was contemplating all this—and praying. I am with… Abelt—married to him, pregnant with our first child. He is away, at war.”

“You chose not to accompany him.”

Starsha nodded. “A voice whispered to me, and the teachings of my advisor Duke Freda keep telling me I’m compromising Iscandar’s Way—our oath to withdraw from empiricism. That disturbs me, even though on the day I married Desslok I raised swords with him and swore to be at his side in war. Was that vow a mistake? Was I wrong to marry Desslok? Wrong to listen to the advice of my parents, both seasoned warriors? Forgive me. I am so confused. I died, but for reasons I don’t understand, El Shaddai decreed my rebirth.” A tear tumbled down her cheek. This new face of hers was unmarked by battle, and she was, in so many ways, untried.

“I cannot speak to Shaddai’s reasons. His ways are too deep for my feeble understanding, but there is something I can attest to. The day you no longer struggle to take life is the day you lose yourself. And evil has its price too. Those who embrace it choose their own demise. Shaddai is not willing that any should perish, my friend, but when Darkness rises up against Light and assails her gates, we must defend.” The other Starsha took two slow steps toward her, gently took her hand, and laid it atop her middle. “We have more than one thing in common.”

A slight raise, previously camouflaged by loose fabric warmed Starsha’s heart. “You are with child too! Twins. Twin girls. I feel their essences, and I congratulate you. Have you borne children before? What is it like? In this incarnation… this is my first. I have dim memories of what it was like to be a mother.”

Joy and pain filled the visitor’s eyes. “Thank you, my friend. I’m glad we can share this piece of happiness. I and my daughters would greet your child with just as much love as you have greeted us.” She released Starsha’s hand. “Before this, I carried four times. Of our eight children, five still walk the stars. The other three have only ever known Yeshua’s embrace.” She did not hide the threatening tears. “My firstborn was gone before I held him for the first time. I couldn’t even speak his name for over two months afterward. To bear children is one pain, to watch them slip away from Truth is another, but to never know them this side of eternity… It is a unique breed of suffering.”

The other Starsha wiped her eyes dry. “But I would not have you believe it is all heartache.” Her smile returned. “It is also the most wonderful thing you will ever experience. To have a child who delights in what is good, who loves you, who chooses to follow the Light for themselves… It is the closest to Heaven I have ever come.”

“I had several children before. In fact, one of them—Sasha—is aboard Yamato right now, with my new parents. My father is a brilliant tactician, Lord Admiral Wildstar, and my mother is Nova Wildstar, MD. She is an amazing strategist and the High Queen of our cousins, the Pellians. My parents are the kindest people you could meet, but they know all too well how to defend against the Darkness.”

The other Starsha smoothed her right hand down the opposite arm’s vambrace and held it up so both their faces reflected on its shining surface for a moment. “Where I am from, I know your parents well. They have been fast friends with my husband and I for a very long time. Even now, they stand with us on the eve of a battle that could reshape our universe. Seek your parents’ counsel often. They have your best interest at heart, and though they will make mistakes—as all of us parents do—they will never harbor ill-will toward you, or toward… Abelt.” Her smile lost its sadness.

“Many alliances are forming against the evil we fight now. I doubted Abelt’s desire to ally with theses… particular allies. I even doubted my mother’s judgment. And my father’s.”

The other Starsha nodded. “Though he is known to me only as Desslok, my husband too has occasionally allied with those I considered… questionable. He spent many years embroiled in bitterness and the lust for revenge. But by Shaddai’s mercy, that bitterness is gone, and vengeance is no longer his meditation, but for many years, the tainted past occasionally planted doubts about my husband’s choices. If your Abelt is at all like my Desslok, he has his reasons, and they are just, but he would not begrudge you genuine questions. He is fallible, as are we all.”

“Yes, my Abelt is much like your Desslok. I use his middle name as a familiar form of address. His full name is Desslok Abelt Desslar. Only I and my parents are privileged to call him Abelt.”

“If he has afforded you such an honor, then he loves you most deeply.”

“Yes—yes, I suppose he does. I believe Adonai sent you to me in answer to my prayers,” Starsha said with a smile. “Your advice is sound, and I must trust that my dear Abelt means well… for all of us. That other voice I heard before. It was not from you. I think it was tempting me toward discord, rash actions even.”

The visitor seemed troubled. “No. That was not me, nor could I guess who it was. It was wise of you to try this spirit before taking it at its word.”

Starsha stood to her full height. “Not only will I accept what you’ve said and stand with Abelt and my parents as I’ve sworn, but I will go to Abelt. As soon as possible. I think he needs my help, love, and support in this vital hour—as I need his. Do you think I act correctly? Iscandar is in danger. If we do not fight the Darkness out there, it will come here—as it has before. I still remember the agony of burning to death.” Flashes of destruction and terrible, searing heat made her shudder. “My husband at the time, Alex Wildstar, and my son-in-law, Deke Wakefield, defended me. They died doing so.”

“Once, my Desslok stood between me and death. Your Abelt does so for you now.” The other Starsha turned sharply toward the balcony, as if hearing a sudden sound. Her face turned grim. “The battle grows desperate. Your love calls to you. He needs your strength.” She reached for her left ear and took off the golden cuff. As it lay in the visitor’s hand, the intricate design of beautiful leaves was visible. “The leaves on it are an illustration of those from the Tree of Life. They are ‘for the healing of the nations.’ These were a gift from my husband some years ago, but he would not object to my… reassignment of one of them.” She pointed to Starsha’s bare ear. “If I may?”

“Yes, you may… and I thank you, Starsha.” The younger Starsha drew her hair aside to accept the ear cuff.

“I am honored that you would accept this humble gift. War is not battle alone, dear Starsha, and one must not needs always wield the sword to be effective.” She set the cuff securely on Starsha’s ear, stepped back, and offered an elegant bow. “May Yahweh Rophe—our Great Healer—guide you. Be well.”

“I will be.” Starsha returned the bow. “And thank you again. This clears my mind. I can be at Abelt’s side within the hour. I know where he is, and I have the power to go directly to him. He will be glad to see me. Will I ever see you aga—”

Her visitor was gone.

Time to take a step of faith. Starsha fingered the little gold ear cuff before she shut her eyes in prayer and activated her Gifts. Her body glowed as she called through the open doorway, “Miss Palanca, tell Duke Freda, that I dismiss him as a member of my Council. Effective immediately. I shall be gone for a time. Battle calls!”

Astral transit to Desslok’s flagship, Gamilstadt IV, swept her away from old doubts and toward her beloved.

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On the Yamato, Nova was busy scrubbing for surgery.

Then, she said, "Michelle, I'm scrubbing! Intubate that patient in Bed Number Two! I can see from here her respiration stinks!"

The Yamato shook under Nova's feet. With the familiarity of one with very good space legs, the High Queen braced herself and rode out the impact.

As she did, she wondered why she was picking up a dagger of grief from Abelt.

Did something happen to Starsha? Nova thought. And, Derek, O God, are you all right?

If she had only known…

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I. CHAOS OVER TELEZART

IN ORBIT OVER PLANET TELEZART

JULY 8, 2234

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“Third Bridge Hit!” reported Roberto Neuve from the Science-Technical Post on the Yamato. “All ready crew killed!”

The Yamato took another hit as, below the Second Bridge, the command tower was hit. “Spherical Navigation Room out. Calling for Medics!” said a voice at Roberto’s station as Admiral Derek Wildstar gritted his teeth.

Teri called out, “Captain! Gatlantean missile ship Schava badly hit to port! They say they’ll fire missiles to defend us when they have full power back up!”

“Tactical situation is a mess, sir,” said Captain Adam Avatar, sitting with his blue peacoat and cap on at Analysis next to Presha. “Surrounded from three corridors!”

“Presha, Yvona, keep those guns firing!” Derek snapped.

The two fore gun turrets blasted two salvos.

From her post, Sasha reported, “Sir, two enemy battleships destroyed! They’re tough to kill because they seem to have a high-powered shield system!”

Then, at Derek’s post, Medical came up. “Derek! This is Nova! We have fifteen casualties in and I have more coming, and I’m losing the guy I’m working on now! I thought I could save this one, but…”

“Who do you have operating?”

“Myself, Doctor Sakamoto, Nurse-Practitioner Yuki Neuve, and three other trained nurses!”

“A Gamilon doctor and a Gatlantean doctor will soon be there to assist you, Nova! Their ships were destroyed and we have a shuttle out rescuing survivors!”

“Roger; I need all the help I can get,” Nova said.

From Analysis, Captain Adam Avatar said, “Sir, I recommend we launch the Black Tigers to give us some maneuvering space. The enemy’s closing in fast!”

“Agreed,” Derek said from his post. “Presha. Scramble the Black Tigers!”

“Yessir,” she said.

“Who’s in command on the Kirishima now, sir?” said Presha.

“The XO, my wife Carol,” Avatar said. “She’s a very capable officer.”

Presha nodded. “First two squadrons of Black Tigers away, sir,” she said.

“Use their warp capability. Get Yamamoto and Keyman in position ASAP to attack those nearest vessels,” Derek snapped.

“Yessir,” said Presha.

“Keep those guns firing!” said Derek. “Load turret number three with wave motion cartridges,” he said as the ship took more damage and heeled hard to the starboard side. “I want those two ships at our stern destroyed! Venture, keep evading!”

“Roger,” said Presha and Jordy as one.

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Outside, Yamamoto and her squadron had taken off.

“On my mark,” she said. “Execute short warp to R-235 above that lead battleship.”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Wakefield in Flight Two, hoping that these newfangled warp engines in their fighters would work properly.

The Tigers warped out, and then reappeared over the lead battleship of the squadron, executing dive-bombing runs on the massive ship from the port side along with, believe it or not, Gatlantean Scorpions who came in from starboard.

Together, the two squadrons rendered the enemy ship paid as she blew apart.

Wakefield got impulsive and flipped frequencies. “Who sent you guys in here to help?” he snapped.

“Goran the Thunderbolt himself,” responded the Gatlantean squadron leader. “Your name, Earther?”

“Lieutenant Deke Wakefield,” snapped the flight leader.

“Impressive move you made. My name is Klonax,” said the Cometine commander. “We didn’t know you had a matter transport mechanism!”

“For us to know and you to find out,” snapped Deke.

Then, Yamamoto burst in with, “Wakefield, cut the chatter! All of you, clear the area; Desslok is about to fire his prime weapon in this direction.”

“Roger,” said Wakefield as he snapped a salute at the Gatlantean commander, who nodded curtly and then peeled off with his men and women in his trail.

As Deke peeled off, he thought, what a messed-up place this is! A few months ago, I was fighting those green guys. Now I’m working with them? Someone tell me this is a weird dream I’m havin’…

On the Gamilstadt IV, Talan said to Desslok, “Ten seconds to firing. Final safety lock open! We have the fires out from that missile hit!”

“Finally in an advantageous position to attack, no matter what Starsha tells me…we have to win this!” Desslok hissed with a demented grin. He completed the countdown and fired.

A pink waterfall of energy roared out of his flagship’s cannon into the midst of the Mechanoid Fleet’s port side wing.

Paydirt! Desslok took out about a hundred ships with that firing.

Then, he smiled when he noticed the Yamato firing wave motion cartridges from her aft turret towards the enemy fleet.

The damaged Kirishima, along with the Duke of York, Tirpitz, and the Pellian space battleships Victory and Viceroy followed suit with wave cartridges of their own.

Those cartridges slammed home.

“Sir! Estimate the Commonwealth vessels destroyed forty enemy units!” said an officer on the Gamilstadt IV’s bridge. “However, we are taking losses! Ten destroyers and fifteen cruisers destroyed!”

“Tell them to press the attack, no matter what the cost,” Desslok said. “It is us…or them!”

“Yessir,” said Talan. “Sir, the carrier Talgrad reports they will have dive bombers ready to transport into position for SMITE in thirty seconds!”

“Very good,” Desslok said with a dark grin.

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On the Portent of Justice, an officer snapped to before Emperor Zordar and reported, “Sir, scanners indicate the Gamilons have taken out one hundred units, with the Commonwealth Forces having taken out fifty, although they are taking heavy losses, mostly in lighter units.”

“I think they’re showing off, Father,” laughed Invidia.

“Enough of their moment in the sun! Get us a clear firing angle. It is time we showed them what we can do. Prepare all main guns for a strike barrage!” snapped Zordar from his throne on his flagship.

“Firing main guns!” snapped an officer on Zordar’s massive ship.

The Portent of Justice fired barrage after barrage into the enemy fleet, taking out about a hundred ships.

Even Admiral Kamaris’ flagship was hit.

The Mechanoid commander did not take that well.

“Respond with transmittable strike cannon on that ship!” he roared.

And, a moment later, Kamaris’ ship, the Devastator, fired five of her main turrets at Zordar’s flagship.

The Mechanoids had a cruel angle of their own, though.

They had warp projectors built into the main turrets.

The net result: the Portent of Justice was hit without warning by the equivalent of fourteen Magna-Flame gun strikes as the energy surges came out of warp near Zordar’s flagship and began to batter it without mercy.

“FATHER!” yelled Invidia as even their massive ship was hit and shaken by the beams.

Zordar himself had been knocked to the deck. He cursed and ignored the bleeding cut in his forehead. “About ninety degrees! Prepare our siege cannon! I want that bastard destroyed!”

“Beginning turn, sire,” said the helmsman as Zordar’s ship dropped its main gun.

“FIRE!” Zordar roared.

The main siege cannon went off.

A blast of energy roared towards Kamaris’ ship and the surrounding ships.

The blast took out about ninety Mechanoid vessels, and Zordar smiled as he looked at the devastation. “Now, we tell Desslok and the boy Wildstar how easy that was!” he said as he laughed.

The flash faded.

Zordar’s smile faded when he saw that the Devastator was still there.

“What, Invidia?” rumbled Zordar. “I aimed point-blank at the battleship! What happened?”

“This happened,” said Kamaris as he came on the Portent of Justice’s screen, laughing with great amusement. “And this is what WILL happen! Observe!”

And then, from its bow, the Mechanoid ship fired Zordar’s beam right back at his own vessel!

Zordar cursed and screamed in utter disbelief as he saw his own weapon being directed back at him. “EMERGENCY WARP!” he yelled, running over and pulling the levers himself to save his own skin.

Still, as his ship warped out, it took a glancing blow from…the beam directed at his vessel.

The siege cannon was blown off and two hundred Gatlantean officers and men were killed at once.

The Portent of Justice came out of warp far towards the rear of the battle area, damaged and smoking.

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On the Yamato, a shocked Sasha said, “Admiral! Zordar’s flagship took major damage! He warped out to beyond WX-322!”

“It looks like the enemy flagship caught his energy and directed it back at him,” said Avatar.

“Just like Ekogaru’s Fortress years ago,” said Derek. “Damnit! Venture, get us behind one of those wrecked Gatlantean missile ships at RT-92. We’ll use that as cover!”

“What do you intend to do, sir?” said Presha.

“Stop all engines when we are in position! Prepare to fire the wave motion gun!” Derek said. “Target, enemy flagship!”

The firing sequence started, and soon, the Yamato was ready to fire. Her fires from before were out. She had taken losses, but could still fight.

“Open final safety lock!” Derek said.

“Final safety removed!” Presha replied.

“Don anti-flash gear,” ordered Derek.

The goggles came down.

“Beginning ten-second countdown!” said Presha as she squeezed her hands on the firing grip. “3….2…1…ZERO!”

“FIRE!” Derek ordered.

“FIRE!” repeated Presha.

The wave motion gun fired.

It blasted through the Gatlantean wreck they had used for cover, and it roared into the Devastator before Admiral Kamaris could react. “What a damned trick!” he roared just before his ship was destroyed…and he teleported to another vessel.

Derek smiled as he saw Kamaris’ squadron blowing apart, ship upon ship.

However, his elation was short-lived, since, out of nowhere, an enemy cruiser warped in and hit the Yamato’s starboard side with a point-blank barrage.

The ship heeled hard to port.

Derek was knocked off his feet and his cap went flying as his head slammed into his own console.

There was a large cut on his forehead. But the impact knocked him out, and he fell unconscious like a stone.

“Captain!” yelled Presha and Teri even as Yamato took more hits.

Perlman ran to his side. “He’s out cold!” he yelled. “We need medics! Fast!”

“Send Medics to Bridge Number One!” said Sasha from her post as Perlman tried to drag Wildstar away from the fire that had erupted from his console.

Avatar and Yvona got fire extinguishers, and they put out the blaze even as the medics came for Lord Admiral Wildstar.

“Evade the enemy!” said Presha as XO as she tried to fire the main guns at the enemy ship. Then, she looked at Captain Adam Avatar. “Captain! You out-rank us! Her Majesty is in Sickbay! Please assume command of the Yamato!”

“Respectfully, Miss, First Admiral Nova Wildstar should take command.”

“She’s below operating on people!” said Sasha. “Please take command!”

Avatar nodded.

Conscious of the weight of command on his shoulders as he looked up at this father’s plaque to the left of the elevator belt, he thought, Almighty Lord, guide my next steps. My father; Admiral Derek Wildstar, Commodore Mark Venture, and Commodore Nova Wildstar have all sat in this chair before me as Captains of this magnificent ship. May I follow well in their footsteps.

And, at that, the younger, black-bearded Captain Adam Avatar, at forty-nine, took command of the fabled Yamato, trying to ignore that he was sitting in Admiral Wildstar’s blood as the medics hauled the unconscious Lord Admiral away.

What the heck is the tactical situation? Adam thought. We took out the enemy flagship, but ninety more of them are converging on us…

Then, he snapped, “Mister Venture! Take us straight through that formation! Miss D’Shal! Open all forward guns and missiles! We’re blasting a path through them, and right now! Move it!”

“Yessir,” they both said.

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Aboard the Gamilstadt IV, which was again taking heavy damage, General Hydom Gimleh of Intelligence glanced at Leader Desslok and saluted as he and Talan were trying to hold on while the ship maneuvered very hard.

“Sire, we’ve taken damage in three different areas of the ship,” Gimleh said.

“Our speed is dropping off,” said Talan.

“Can we still fire my Hyper-Desslok cannon?” Desslok said.

“It can be done, but we would be taking a risk in doing so, sire,” said Talan.

“We were trying to call the Yamato but the message cut off,” said a comm officer. “They also said something about heavy damage.”

Do we all go to a warriors’ Valhalla together? Desslok thought in some despair as he watched two more nearby Gamilon vessels being blown apart. If so, Derek, Nova, Zordar, we may all soon be drinking together under Heaven’s Grace, since we will all be past all pain and mortal concerns. Starsha, he thought as he imagined her face in his mind. It would have been nice to hear your voice one last time, doing something other than nagging at me, condemning me in my hour of need. But, if we do not meet now, perhaps we shall soon meet when all free planets are destroyed in this Megiddo that we may be facing…

Then, the Gamilstadt IV trembled again.

“What is that?” said Gimleh, shocked at the impact.

“It was not a hit on the ship from outside…there was a momentary flash in the time-space continuum,” an officer said. “And…”

Then, a shaft of light filled the Gamilstadt IV’s bridge.

Desslok took a deep breath.

Then, the light faded.

Striding towards him, with a purposeful smile, was Queen Starsha.

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On the Yamato, down below in Sickbay, Nova had scrubbed again and put on fresh gloves. Six patients already, and I couldn’t save two of them! Who’s going to be next?

“Patient with head trauma. We suspect a brain bleed, Doctor,” said a nurse as two medics plopped a prone, shirtless form on Nova’s operating table.

Nova ran scanners. “The bleed seems to be in the prefrontal cortex. There’s a wound in his forehead…we’ll…”

Then, Nova stopped in her tracks as soon as she recognized the unconscious man’s face. Derek! Oh, my God! she thought.  “Clippers, Miss Wenner. Take his bangs off. Intubate him and prepare to open the skull…at the existing wound…”

“Aye, ma’am,” said the nurses as they began to cut Derek’s hair and drape the operating field while intubating him.

“Heart rate’s not good,” Nova said, trying to keep from crying. “Get an IV started. 20 milligrams Denmax for that heart rate. I don’t want it too high, though. Too many bleeders…in his…brain,” Nova stammered slightly as she gritted her teeth and tried to keep objective. This is my husband, Nova thought. She reached out through their bond and got nothing. His brain function is messed up. We have to get that clot out fast or he’s dead. God, why? WHY?

“Laser knife! Follow that up with a bone saw,” Nova said. “Then get me a micro-suction. That has to be cleaned out of…Derek’s…head ASAP.”

“Of course.”

Trelaina...Starsha...Nova sent in desperation. Please help me save Derek!

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II. THE SOUNDS OF PATHOS…

GAMILSTADT IV

IN ORBIT OVER PLANET TELEZART

JULY 8, 2234

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“Desslok,” said Starsha.

“Why did you come?” he said in awe and shock.  

"Desslok," said Starsha. "Dear Abelt. I came to stand with you. At your side. What has been happening?”

"We were at the conference with Gatlantis," Desslok said. "Promethium’s forces attacked us right after we made an accord with Emperor Zordar. We did not start this. Your parents did not start this. Emperor Zordar did not start this. Promethium and her underlings did. All of us are under heavy attack, and even Emperor Zordar stands shoulder to shoulder with us, along with Yamato and her fleet and your dear parents.”

"I see. I pray...so hard, that you will come out of this all right." Starsha said. She smiled. “We need to fight together. All of us. Myself, you, and our little girl. I am with child.”

"Why did you not tell me?" Desslok said with a smile. "Why keep this secret?"

"I didn't know until recently,” Starsha said.

Then, there was a blast.

Gamilstadt IV was hit again.

Only this time, Desslok slammed into the deck.

He stood, in pain. He knew two ribs were broken and a wrist was broken.

But he ignored the physical pain.

"Desslok!" Starsha said in horror with tears in her eyes. "I'll help you!"

And she pulled Desslok up off the deck, even as flashes of memory went through his mind.

His dead wife Astrena had showed concern and helped him off the deck in one battle.

In another battle, Nova had done the same.

Dear Astrena with your kind and brave eyes and spine of steel, he thought in his depression and pain. Gentle, gallant Nova and your sweet smile and pure love for Derek and kindly friendship for me. Starsha...you are of the same mold, he thought as she held him up.

"A ship is appearing off our port bow," said Talan.

Desslok looked on as a huge black ship appeared near his.

The enemy.

"You'll defeat them...because I'll help you do it," Starsha said as she kissed Desslok.

And, at that, she walked him to the controls for his Hyper-Desslok Cannon.

He smiled at her.

With tears in her eyes, Starsha smiled back.

Then, she helped him with the firing sequence as his helmsman turned the Gamilstadt IV to face the black ship.

When Desslok fired his cannon, Starsha's hand actually helped him pull the lever back.

There was a blast. It faded.

"We did it, dearest Abelt," Starsha said.

"Together," replied Desslok as he kissed Starsha.

They stood for a moment, embracing, rocking each other.

There was fear for both of them.

But it didn’t matter as much; since they were together.

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III. KAMARIS’ REVENGE

IN ORBIT OVER PLANET TELEZART

JULY 9, 2234

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The battle over Telezart continued for several hours.

It was a bloodbath.

Gamilon and Commonwealth ships destroyed Mechanoid vessels through desperate attacks; air attacks;’ point-blank gunnery barrages…sometimes, even just desperate captains ramming enemy ships.

Commodore Ember Tyson, now the commander of the Commonwealth vessel Iron Duke, destroyed two enemy ships and ended her life and career with great honor by ramming them.

Gamilon Admiral Dargis Unruh, with his ships damaged, was also reduced to ramming the enemy as he charged one of the destroyers with his own flagship and died.

Gatlantis had its own Magna-Flame Gun vessel.

Sent into combat by Zordar’s orders, she soon blasted away more of the enemy space battleships, although she did so with the loss of her escorts.

On the Yamato, Captain Adam Avatar, on his third cup of coffee, was waiting for an opening.

Finally, Sasha pointed out, “Sir, an enemy squadron is gathering at TQ-45. It looks like they’re trying to make their own final barrage upon us.”

“And I intend to answer that,” Avatar said. “Miss Forrester, call Second Squadron. Advise them we are lining up for formation Gamma-Twelve. At once.”

“Yessir,” said Teri.

Down below, the operation on Derek was concluded.

Alone for a bit, Nova and Trelaina joined forces and used their energies to quickly bring Derek back to consciousness. They struggled to do so, until they felt that Starsha was at Desslok's side. They sent to her, Derek is injured.

“NO!” Starsha cried out as she stepped away from Desslok in shock.

“Starsha, what has happened? Is it something I…did?”

“No! Trelaina and Mother sent to me. Derek is hurt. And they can’t bring him around! I have to help them!” Starsha cried.

Desslok looked at her. “Must you leave my side again?”

“I can do it from here…if you will hold me up,” Starsha said.

Desslok, even though he was in pain, supported Starsha as she gleamed slightly and reached her energies out towards Yamato, and the power points she knew were the bright soul-flames of Trelaina and her mother, and the wavering soul-flame of her father.

Starsha gritted her teeth. It was a quick, vicious psychic battle with the Darkness. All three of them prayed.

A moment later, the darkness lifted as Starsha gently helped her mother and Trelaina nudge Derek back to consciousness.

Starsha kissed Desslok and smiled. “It is done. My father will survive this. His healing will be difficult. Mother, Trelaina, thank you for allowing me to assist.”

“You’re welcome,” came the astral voices of Nova and Trelaina together. Starsha then broke the bond and Trelaina slipped away to give the Wildstars some privacy as Yamato still banged and rocked from the combat that they were evidently still in.

The first thing Derek saw as he opened his eyes was Nova smiling at him, wearing a rumpled green blouse, necktie, and her lab coat. His vision was very blurry, however. He blinked three times. The blurring didn’t go away.

“Am I having a fever dream…or am I really seein’ you, Nova?” Derek mumbled.

Thank God, Nova thought. His voice is slurred, but he can still talk.

“It’s me, and you’re in Sickbay, Derek,” Nova said. He tried to lift one of his arms, but it shook like the arm of a very sick man in his seventies. He tried to move his legs; same result. “And you’re not getting out of bed. Not now, at least. You had a very close scrape with death, to put it bluntly.”

“Wha’ happen’d to me?” he said.

“You slammed your head against the console during the battle and burst some blood vessels in your dura mater. You had a major brain bleed which put you out like a light because it squeezed your brain stem. You were in a coma for a while, like I was myself years ago. You were and are in critical condition, and you’re getting some rest, Derek! You’re going to need physical therapy for a while, but with enough practice and effort, your brain should build some new pathways and you should eventually be back to normal again.”

“What happened? It felt like…it was not only a physical battle, but…”

“You are right. It was a physical and spiritual battle for you, but Trelaina and Starsha both helped me pull you back out of the Darkness. It was a most terrible thing. Promethium herself was here for a moment. She wanted to demoralize me by killing you and taking your soul with her unnaturally in an act of sorcery when it should have gone to Yeshua’s Presence if you…had died. But the worst is over. Now, you shall begin to heal,” Nova said as she kissed Derek.

“How long will this take?”

“Several weeks at the least; several months at the worst. And if you don’t recover your full functioning, you may have to retire from the Defense Forces.”

“Nova…I can’t just lie around like…”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, Derek,” Nova said, bending down to give him another tender kiss. “Now just get some rest.”

“Are we still in battle?”

Nova saw no need to lie. “Yes. The battle has been going on for ten hours now.”

“Who’s commanding the ship; the fleet?”

“Captain Adam Avatar, and he’s doing a great job…so far. But, we’re almost at the endgame now, one way or another. You have doctors and nurses who can take care of you now that you’re out of the deepest of the woods. If we survive this, I’m getting you up and walking you tomorrow…even if it’s only a few steps…” Nova then stood and shrugged off her lab coat. “I have to go now, Derek, and get changed.”

“Get…changed?”

Nova nodded. “To confront the enemy commander and dictate terms, I’m going to be in the captain’s chair myself for a while, but in other guise than that in which you see me now. That enemy commander is either going to surrender and leave Telezart, or, so help me GOD, I’ll make him pay for everything he’s done and send Promethium a message. I also have to send Desslok and Zordar a message.”

“Which…is?”

“Not to treat us lightly…and that we’re all going to win together, Derek! You know? What you’ve always told me? Have faith. This will work out! The Lord is with us. Do not despair. If we live, He is with us. If we die today, we are with Him,” She kissed him again, even as her own faith wavered a little. “I love you. I intend to be back here soon.”

Nova turned away, and gave some orders for a Gamilon doctor to watch him carefully, along with Doctor Michelle Sakamoto and Yuki Nueve.

Then, Nova seemed to vanish.

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

“All vessels ready for attack!” Teri said from her post.

“Is the Kirishima holding on?” said Avatar.

“She’s on line and ready to fire with the other ships,” said Sasha.

“They’re preparing to fire that Entropy Wave at us,” said Roberto Neuve from Science. “Sir, we need to act quickly!”

“Mister Perlman, pull every override we have! Forrester, command our ships to do the same and inform Desslok he’d better get the hell out of the way,” said Avatar as he brought up the wave motion gun firing grip himself. “Open safety lock! All hands, don anti-flash and anti-shock defenses. Begin ten second countdown!”

“Ten…Nine…Eight…Seven…Six…Five…Four…Three…Two….ONE! ZERO!” Avatar barked. “All ships, FIRE!”

The sixty-one remaining space battleships, carriers, and cruisers of the Commonwealth Fleet fired their wave motion guns at the bulk of the Mechanoid Fleet.

On the Adjudicator, Admiral Kamaris looked at the destruction and he said, “All forces! What are we down to?”

“Thirty ships, M’Lord!” said an aide. “And forty behind the lines!”

Then, a view came up of Zordar’s Dreadnaught blasting apart five more enemy vessels. “Make that fifty-five, sir!” said an aide.

“Connect me through to Queen Promethium!” demanded Kamaris. “I am requesting permission to retreat and leave the other ships behind the lines to kill them all. The Coalition still has two hundred and eighty vessels left! We’re outnumbered! We didn’t expect the alliance with Gatlantis to hold together like this!”

Queen Promethium was promptly reached.

Promethium, appearing in her dark form, snapped, “What is it, Kamaris? Do you mean to say you haven’t slain them yet?”

“No, Your Majesty,” he said. “We…we’ve been beaten. Requesting permission to retreat to Defuel to make repairs and gain reinforcements! I am leaving Third Squadron behind in the rear to strike from behind and kill them.”

“You idiot,” hissed Promethium. “Permission denied. Stay there and fight. Destroy Planet Telezart again as a last resort, fool.”

“But we’d die with our enemies!”

“You are expected to die, you scum,” Promethium said. “I trusted you with an important task, and you failed!”

“Promethium! Kamaris!” said a lackey aboard the new Mechanoid flagship. “A communication is going out from the Yamato to every ship in their fleet and to all of our ships! They want to address you directly!”

“Who would be that arrogant as to speak directly to me? None of those organics are worth anything!” Promethium hissed.

“Your Majesty…the High Queen Nova Wildstar the Third wishes to address you directly!”

“Really?” said Promethium, who laughed. “Put the little idiot on. Let’s see what that…that…pipsqueak of a woman wants. Maybe she wants to negotiate a surrender?”

On Emperor Zordar’s flagship, an aide told him, “Your Majesty. The Yamato is addressing the enemy flagship directly!”

“I was about to contact them myself,” Zordar said. “Let’s watch this. That young man Adam Avatar must be very, very arrogant to speak for all of us…”

Then, the image came up.

On the Gamilstadt IV, Starsha shivered as she felt a great wave of psychic power roaring forth from the bridge of the Yamato.

It’s Mother…serving to represent the Almighty! Starsha thought with awe.

It was Nova, now clad in a white Iscandarian-style gown and burning with Light as the High Queen. “To our allies. Be informed that I have returned Captain Adam Avatar safely to the Kirishima. Since Lord Admiral Wildstar is, sadly, injured and in Sickbay, I am assuming command of the Yamato and the entire Coalition Fleet personally. Please do not dispute my decision,” Nova said in a commanding voice as the Imperishable Crown burned at her brow.  “Queen La Andromeda Promethium the Second? I understand you are in touch with us?”

“I am,” snapped Promethium. “What do you want? I almost had your husband, you little singing pipsqueak!”

“You lost, didn’t you? The light of Adonai burns in many of us. Queen Starsha of Iscandar and Trelaina of Telezart stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me and by Divine grace, we drove back your Darkness. And behold, the valor of my forces and our honored Gamilon and Gatlantean allies have reduced your forces to a mere flotilla, Promethium. If you do not desire further loss of life, yes, even of your Mechanoids’ lives, Queen Promethium, order your Admiral Kamaris to retreat. Now.”

“Or you will do what to me?” hissed Promethium.

Nova sat down at the captain’s chair and smiled. “I regret to advise you that then I’ll have to destroy your Admiral’s ship. And his whole flotilla,” she said as she raised her hand and Kamaris gasped as panels began to explode on his flagship.

“What…what is happening?” he demanded.

A dying Mechanoid said, “Sir, the Entropy Wave Projectors have just been blown apart! It was an enormous power surge!”

Zordar smiled slightly, but he also trembled. So reminiscent of Trelaina, you are, Nova, he thought. But you’re worse…because you seem to know exactly what you are doing!

Starsha, with her far sight, watched, and grinned. You go, Mom! Yeah! This is just like when we played basketball against those creepy kids that time in the old neighborhood! We beat their pants off!

“Order our other vessels to fire!” roared Kamaris.

“Their projectors are down, too. Major burnouts…all over the fleet!”

“Then, we’re fighting our way out!” he roared. “Aim all guns at the Yamato! Blow her apart!”

The Yamato was surrounded, as, with an almost supernatural calm, Nova sat at the captain’s station and brought up the firing grip and target scope again. Like Adam, she intended to fire the wave motion gun personally. Presha was a little miffed at that and it showed on her face.

“We’re surrounded, ma’am!” Yvona said. “How are we going to get all of them?”

“I have my little tricks,” Nova said as she placed her hand on the captain’s console and light came from her hand and roared into the ship’s systems.

“We’re taking major damage, ma’am!” said Roberto from his station. “Shouldn’t you have the other vessels fire?”

“Ma’am! Zordar is offering to help with a barrage!” Teri cried from her post.

“No worries; tell him this battle will be over shortly,” Nova said.

“Energy Level one hundred twenty-five percent!” said Perlman. “Ma’am, how did you do this so quickly?”

“We can figure out how later,” Nova said. “The Matrix is just advising me to act…now! Open final safety lock! Commence ten-second countdown!” Nova said. When she reached ZERO, she just whispered, “FIRE!”

The wave motion gun fired.

It blasted right into the Adjudicator.

His ship went up, but he teleported again to a third ship; the Darnada. He ran like a rat to the rear, in other words.

Then, the ship beside him went up. Followed by the vessel beside him. And then, the fire spread to the vessels surrounding the Yamato.

Every one of them perished in a chain reaction.

Promethium was still on the line, and she was aghast.

“How…how…did you do that?” she demanded.

“It’s for me to know…and you to find out,” Nova said with a smile. “Ta, ta!”

She cut off the transmission.

The battle was over. For now.

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

LATER THAT DAY…

The battle was over. Starsha walked Desslok to the infirmary.

She held his hand as he was tended to.

She did not leave his side all night as the ninth faded into the tenth.

It was morning. Desslok was in bed with Starsha, kissing her. He was still in pain, but she was there. That was all that mattered.

Desslok's mind turned to the defeat of their enemies.

And he knew his honored mother-in-law had orchestrated that, like a maestro.

You have tremendous courage, Nova, he thought. Rud Pellias. He then kissed Starsha and said, "Rud Iscandar. I love you so much!"

Desslok sat up in bed and said, “Starsha, please connect me to the Yamato.”

“Of course,” she said as she raised her hand.

Desslok came on the line to Yamato a moment later clad in his black pajamas with Starsha at his side.

Nova was still at the Yamato’s Command Station, now clad in a dove-grey peacoat, Captain’s cap, and white uniform.

“Nova…that was a tremendous victory. How did you do that?”

Nova smiled. “Greetings, Abelt. Greetings, Starsha. I hate to bring up ancient history, but do you remember how we defeated Lysis’ fleet at the Rainbow Star Cluster?” Nova said.

Desslok nodded. “I heard the reports from when we recovered the flight recorders of the carriers that your valiant ship defeated.”

“Thank you. I have a very good memory of that battle. You don’t know how scared I was.”

“I do,” Starsha said. “I felt your fear from afar on Iscandar. Tell me, Mother. What did you do?”

“Well, I polarized the wave energy we fired at the fleet right to a shatter point in hyperspace right near the enemy flagship. That’s how I decimated them. I hope you don’t mind, but we were suffering too many casualties, all of us. I didn’t want you or Emperor Zordar to take any more losses, so, when I found an opportunity, I exploited it. That’s the nice thing about having been a Captain of this ship once, and for having served so long with Derek and Captain Avatar’s father. You remember things like that.”

“You have an impressive memory,” Zordar said as he burst into the transmission. “What a pity I never conquered Terra and gave you a command.”

“Well, we’re all on the same side now, so what does it matter?” Nova said.

“Where’s Derek?” Desslok asked.

Trelaina, Starsha and I pulled him out of the woods, but he'll have an uphill battle,” Nova said as she saw Starsha blushing. “Let's make ready to go home, shall we? We've won."

"Yes, Gamilon needs me," Desslok said as Starsha sat beside him.

"We won," Starsha said. "Emperor Zordar, I am Starsha of Iscandar. You fought honorably. You helped us win a hard victory."

"An honor to meet you at last. I have heard much of you, Starsha. Yes…we won the battle; at a tremendous cost," Zordar said. "You don't know how many men and women I lost. Nova, was Wildstar being timid at the beginning of the battle?"

“No. He was fighting the ship to the best of his ability,” Nova retorted. “He pressed his attack with our wave motion gun soon after your ship was hit, Your Majesty.”

Zordar nodded. “He probably could have done so sooner…but at least he did go down fighting. I will grant him that much.”

“Thank you,” Nova said as she cut off.

“A real charmer, that Zordar, isn’t he?” Starsha said almost impishly.

“He can be courteous, dear,” Desslok said. “But he can also be appallingly blunt and crude.”

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

ONE DAY LATER…JULY 11, 2234

Trelaina had been surprised to be granted the formal rank of Princess by Nova, and she had been asked if she wished to remain on Telezart. She chose to remain there as the planet’s ruler, with Mark Venture and their daughter remaining there with her.

Venture was asked by both Nova and Desslok to assume an active command again as head of the Telezarti Defense Forces, and the rank of Admiral.

Mark reluctantly accepted that rank, and twelve Commonwealth ships were left there as the foundation of a fleet; among them, the Pellian Spacecraft carrier Avenger, under the command of a newly appointed Commodore Christopher Eager.

“You know that this is going to be a very dangerous assignment, Chris,” Nova said from the captain’s station of the Yamato as even now, Yamato was speeding to the relief of Gamilon under her orders after that strange disaster.

“Ah’m not about to give up on you, Mark, and Derek, Nova, even though Lisa really misses me back home. Our daughter Kayla just gave birth to our first grandchild, and it’s a shame I can’t see her for a while.”

“I’m going to be sending you reinforcements in a few days, Chris after I deal with that mess on Gamilon,” Nova said. “Mind having Dash around with the battleship Agincourt task force?”

“Not at all, Nova. Dash and I need to catch up on a lot. I could catch up with Sandor, too.”

“It’ll be a little while until we all get together again,” Nova sighed. “I think we can get together at Heroes’ Hill this year…even though Derek may still be using crutches…”

“Yeah…it’s all over the Fleet what happened to him.” Eager paused and said, “Do you think he’ll ever be the same again, Nova?”

Nova sighed. “I hope so. After we make a space warp, I’ll be putting on my doctor’s hat and getting him through more physical therapy. He’s really depressed.”

“Tell ‘im we’re all pullin’ for him and praying for him, Nov.”

Nova smiled wanly. “I sure will.” She sighed. “Hard for me to keep my own spirits up. Seems every time I end up in this Captain’s chair, stuff happens.”

“We’re all pullin’ for you too, Nova.”

“Thanks, Chris,” Nova said. “Good luck, clear ether, and God Bless.” She cut off.

“Jordy?” Nova said.

“Ma’am?”

“Take the conn from your station. Warp us out to the rendezvous point. We have things to do.”

Jordy nodded at that.

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

LATER THAT DAY…

Nova, in her medical uniform with her shoes off, was watching and helping Derek as he staggered along with crutches, taking a few steps before he collapsed in a pile of sweat in his pajama bottoms.

Nova herself got down on the deck and pulled Derek up. “That’s a few more meters than you did yesterday. That’s an improvement. Lean on me. Back to your bed.”

“I feel like going right back to sleep,” he said, shaking as he walked back to his bed.

He plopped down like a man afflicted with cerebral palsy. “My head hurts under this bandage.”

“You could be a lot worse,” Nova said. “How many more pain pills do you need?”

“Two.”

“I’ll make it three,” Nova said as she kicked her sandals back on and walked to the medicine cabinet. “We have to make a stop on Gamilon for a while…then, we’re heading home, okay?”

“When we get home, where are you putting me?” Derek said. “The hospital?”

“No, a room next to our bedroom in the Palace on Pellias,” Nova said, trying to sound cheerful. “I gave orders for the staff to build a physical therapy gym for you right next to your room; which will have a door adjoining our bedroom. Once you get to walking a little better, you can plop back into bed with me again.”

“Who’s going to be watching me when you’re doing your official stuff?”

“Our daughter Ariel,” Nova said. “She’s a fully trained nurse skilled in physical therapy techniques. She’ll move in near us in the Palace with Jordy and Samantha. You’ll never be alone.”

“Why not?” Derek said.

“Because I’m not letting you be alone,” Nova said as she kissed Derek on the nose. “And I cleared my patient load for the next few months. You will be my only patient once we get home.”

“Are you letting me retire?” Derek said sadly. “I’m a damn cripple now. I probably should retire.”

“I talked to Steve about that. You’re on long-term medical leave until you get better again. Admiral Priceman will be minding the First Star Force while you’re down. Not that the Yamato is going anywhere in a hurry once we’re home.” Nova smiled and said, “The ship’s about as banged up as you are. Adam was going to order an abandon ship at one point until Roberto got the fires out.”

Then, they heard some heavy footsteps.

Derek’s face went an ugly color as he recognized Emperor Zordar standing near the bed.

Zordar grunted at Derek, and then he looked at Nova. “Well, at least he can move something. I heard you did very well for a weak Terron, Wildstar. Before your fragile head was smacked into your board. How could you have been so clumsy?”

“Zordar, the ship turned hard to evade fire. I lost my footing, that’s all.”

“I was wounded in battle, too,” Zordar said. “I’m not soaking in self-pity like you.”

“He’s recovering from brain surgery!” Nova said. “And a major brain injury. He’s been determined enough to remain mostly conscious, and he’s promised me that he’ll get off his prat and get moving more soon. I walked with him earlier, Your Majesty. He’s doing his best. He’s not as strong as your race, you understand.”

“Why are you working so hard on him, Nova?” Zordar challenged.

“Because he fought the ship hard and I believe in him,” Nova snapped. “He’s gotten up from worse before. Especially after our last battle with you thirty-three years ago. There are times it takes more strength to recover from a defeat than to bask in a victory. And he has the same will to live and stubbornness as Desslok. If you don’t believe me, go talk to him.”

Zordar said, “That’s why I decided to award these to both of you, although with some reluctance,” he said as he banged two small boxes onto Derek’s bedside table. “One for you, Wildstar, and one for your gallant spouse. I am grateful for your assistance in that battle. I will grant you that much.”

Derek nodded stiffly at Zordar. Then, Nova said, “If there’s nothing else, Your Majesty, could you leave us be?”

“May I ask why?” he rumbled at Nova.

Nova stared him hard in the eye. “Because you’d never make a doctor. Your bedside manner sucks.”

Zordar smiled and began to chuckle, and then to laugh maniacally. “Your Majesty, you are very good at amusing me. Now, amuse that thing in that bed,” Zordar said as he pointed at Derek. “Good day.”

“I’m a thing now, huh?” Derek said with tears running down his face.

“Oh, don’t pay him any mind, love,” Nova said. “He’s a faithful warrior, but maybe Trelaina should have kept him where he was for a few more decades to work on his personality. He’s just as grumpy as an old man who drinks dill pickle juice all the time.”

“Yeah. You were doing that when you were pregnant with Teresa,” Derek said with a small smile on his face.

Nova looked slightly amused. “Thanks. Like I needed a reminder.”

Then, Yuki and Roberto Neuve came in, hugging as the two androids walked along. “How’s he doing?” said Roberto.

“Pretty good, considering,” Nova sighed.

“I had some of that chili you made earlier,” said Roberto.

“Oh? Does it still qualify as a hazardous substance?” Nova said to the former IQ-9, remembering ruefully the days when he would tease her like an ill-mannered adolescent, share the most stupid jokes…even…that stupid skirt thing…

“Actually, it’s pretty good,” said Roberto. “Never knew what I was missing before.”

“Good,” said the android Yuki. “I’m so glad I managed to teach you some manners, even though…would you get your hand out of there?” she said as Roberto grabbed at her bottom. “Land sakes, Rob, we’re in public!”

“Roberto…stop doing that in my Sickbay,” Nova said. “Out, out, OUT!”

“Yes, Mother,” he said. “Ahem. Seriously. I’d do anything for you…and Yuki…”

“Okay, Mister Genius Android and former robot, learn how to behave in public,” said Yuki as she pushed him out of Sickbay. “You’re still impossible!”

Then, the female android turned to Derek and Nova. “I’ve got a silly question, Admiral Wildstar.”

“Yeah?” he said.

“Do you ever mistake me for her?” she said with a wink as she pointed at Nova.

“Well, you sort of look like her,” said Derek.

“AHEM,” said Nova.

“You wear that jumpsuit much of the time. You have that crazy long hair. Your voice sounds different, your mannerisms are more formal, and your face isn’t as expressive as Nova’s. Also, you don’t cross your eyes when you get mad at me like the good Doctor here does.”

“Ohhh…boy, thanks a lot!” Nova said…looking miffed and crossing her eyes.

“Also, Nova is wittier, more high-spirited, and a little more eccentric than you, Nurse Neuve, and I’ve been married to her thirty-three years, and she’s…uhhh…unique. Much sweeter. Cuter.”

Nova smiled a little and Yuki said, “Do I need to work on sweetness and cuteness, Doctor?”

“Give it time; you’re still adjusting to life around here,” Nova said. “Now, Nurse Neuve, please get the autoclave checked over, okay?”

“Of course.”

Now that Derek and Nova were alone, Nova said, “I still think about Doctor Sane every now and then. He was a clown, but really, he was a very sad clown. He hid a lot of heartbreak under that lunacy and all that drinking.”

“He would have been proud of you, Nova,” said Derek as he began to look drowsy. “He always told me you were the best nurse he ever had and his best student; smart as a whip, great bedside manner, really meticulous.”

“I miss him a lot,” Nova said wistfully. “When you’re better, we need to raise a glass or two of sake’ for him. His second wife cared about him. His first wife used him up and spit him out before she died in the bombings. He had two daughters. One daughter, Yuriko, who is still alive, and a second daughter named Aiko who worked with him…until she died of the radiation sickness. Doctor Sane always said I reminded him of Aiko in a lot of ways,” Nova said quietly. “He was estranged from Yuriko since shortly after the divorce from his first wife Fujiko, who later died. Both his daughters were in the Medical field.”

“Did you ever try to contact his older daughter?”

“I tried…once,” Nova said. “She was very…cold…distant. When I mentioned who I was and why I wanted to talk with her…well…she hung up on me as soon as I mentioned her father. She’s in the medical profession, too. Forensic pathologist in the Tokyo Megalopolis. Works for the police department homicide bureau. Very tough woman. Probably tougher than I am,” Nova said. “Doctor Yuriko Sane. Works with the dead because she can’t stand the living, or so she said in an article in The Lancet medical journal once.”

“Sad that Doc Sane had a daughter like that.”

“Yeah, Derek,” Nova said as she kissed her husband on the nose again. “Have some work to do. See you later.” She saw he was getting drowsy. “Sweet dreams.”

“They’ll all be about you,” Derek murmured sleepily as he squeezed Nova’s hand.

Nova smiled at that.

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

IV. A PALACE MEETING

PLANET PELLIAS

THE CITY OF BELTANE

THE HIGH QUEEN’S PALACE

SEPTEMBER 16, 2234

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

“So, vere is she?” demanded Princess Invidia of one of the officers who stood near Nova’s empty throne in her throne room on Pellias. She looked out through one of the windows.

She was annoyed, but grateful they had been able to aid the Gamilons. The Latir District of Gamilstadt was already being rebuilt.

But, there had been such a cost in lives.

Earth was visible in the background, up in the sky behind some clouds in the sunset haze of the star Meccan over the Commonwealth City.

So long Father wanted that world…so long I lived there, thought Invidia. Now, she is under the protection of her elder siblings here on Pellias, just as unobtainable to us as Iscandar is.

Grimslade Halleck, still the High Protector, snapped, “Whenever Her Majesty comes, she comes!”

“I have been sent here by Father to present my diplomatic credentials to Her Majesty. It is an insult to be kept waiting? And why is there a white seat beside her Crystal Throne?”

“That is Prince and Lord Admiral Wildstar’s seat,” said Halleck, who had an immediate dislike for Invidia. “In case you still have not heard, the good Prince is still recovering from the injuries he incurred at the Battle of Telezart. He is not yet an entirely healthy man.”

Invidia nodded as she heard a door opening.

In strode four large Ralkhen guards in the black and silver uniforms of the Border Legion Hussars. The huge felinoid humanoids stared at Invidia with disdain and one of them bared his fangs for a moment.

Nova herself came in a moment later, clad in a royal blue gown and white boots, gently helping Lord Admiral Derek Wildstar walk in, supported partly by her protective arm and partly by a black walking stick he used to match his black peacoat. His gait was visibly shaky but he stood proud, erect, and defiant, even though Invidia could see pain mirrored in Derek’s eyes with each step.

“Greetings, Princess,” he and Nova said together as they saluted in the Gatlantean manner after Grimslade took Derek’s walking stick. Then, Nova tenderly helped Derek sit down in his white seat before sitting beside him on her crystal throne.

“Her Majesty,” Derek said, “Has been an absolute angel. Only lately have I been able to escort her again at Court. For a time, our son Steven was her escort for official functions.”

Invidia nodded. She genuflected before Nova’s throne and presented a portfolio bound in green. “My Credentials, Majesty, as the Emperor’s Ambassador and Envoy.”

Nova paged through the portfolio in silence. Then, she said, “Your credentials are accepted, Princess. I welcome you to the Terran-Pellian Commonwealth. You shall have an Embassy here in this city and a Consulate on Terra in the Tokyo Megalopolis. You will probably recognize it. Foxworth Manor, rebuilt as it was when you resided there. Is your father well?” Nova asked pleasantly.

“He sends you his regards and felicitations and I note that the Admiral is wearing the Vortex Star he gave to you and he after the battle,” Invidia said.

“I wear mine when I am in uniform and full decorations are called for,” Nova said. She paused and said, “Colonel Farga, bring the Princess a suitable chair. Colonel Tranje, ask the stewards to bring us suitable refreshment. It shall only be a nectar today. The Admiral’s pain medication would react badly with alcohol.”

Two of the Ralkhen officers bowed and left. Soon, a chair was brought for Invidia, and she sat at a right angle to Nova.

“You provide a wonderful welcome,” Invidia said.

“There shall be a banquet later,” Nova replies. “After the Lord Admiral has had a suitable time to rest and sleep. Derek requires more sleep than he used to.”

“Even though I fight pain,” Derek said. “It has been a welcome opportunity to rest with Nova and my daughter Ariel tending to me.”

Invidia nodded. “My father advised me to tell you that he prays for a quick recovery for you. However, you know him. It is still hard for him to acknowledge that you laid us low decades ago defending Terra.”

“And it is likewise hard for me to face him, Princess, even as an ally,” Derek said. He coughed while Nova looked at him with deep concern in her eyes. “But enough of that,” Derek said. “How is your front of the war going?”

“We had a major defeat,” Invidia said. “We lost the whole Black Fox Nebula to the Mechanoids. The fleet you sent to aid us fought well…”

“We know none of them survived,” Nova said with tears glimmering in her eyes. “Derek and I have signed three thousand letters of condolence recently, and personally.”

Derek added, “I signed even though my handwriting, well…it still stinks,” he said with a slight smile.

“Has Nova been able to aid you with…the Matrix?” Invidia said.

“Yes, but it has obviously had to be a slow and gentle process,” Nova said. “He is regaining strength, and our psychic bond again works, but doing manipulation of his wounded brain and mind has been a very careful process.”

“Aided by prayer,” Derek said. “I have had to cast more of my burdens upon God than ever before. Yet Nova has given me enough foresight to see I will recover and we will eventually have a son together again in the next few years. We have dedicated him to the Almighty already, and we foresee he will be named Solomon…a great Archbishop and Priest. My own skills have also been improving again. Observe,” he said as he raised a finger and gently levitated his walking stick to himself. “I am myself a R’jkharraz apprentice under Nova’s training.”

Finally, a table was brought, along with lunch and juice.

“So, what should we toast to?” Invidia said.

“Continued cooperation, and good health for Derek,” Nova said.

They raised their glasses of juice and drank.

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V. A SEASON OF REST

PLANET PELLIAS

THE CITY OF BELTANE

THE HIGH QUEEN’S PALACE

DECEMBER 12, 2234

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Except for a few short trips, Derek had not had to leave the Palace ever since his return to Pellias on July the 12^th, which was fortunate for him due to his condition during his five-month long convalescence, which still continued.

Starsha and Desslok had been in touch every few days, and they were pleased to see that Derek was gradually getting a little stronger every day. The youth and vitality that he shared with Nova through their Bond and link to the Matrix had aided his recovery a good deal. He was fifty-three years of age now, but save for the injuries that he still was recovering from, like Nova, he had the general resilience of a twenty-two-year-old.

He was enduring physical therapy right now with Nova at his side, but he enjoyed this more than other parts of his physical therapy, since he at least got to be relatively weightless in an indoor swimming pool in the Palace.

Lt. Ariel Venture, CRNP, took a cute picture of her mother hugging her father with some pride.

“How’s Dad, Mom?” Ariel said.

“He did eight laps in the pool today!” Nova said, smiling and winking as the picture was taken. She had on a red bikini, and under the water, Derek wore black swim trunks.

Derek laughed and winked back. “I’m not ready for water polo or water volleyball yet, but give me a month or so and I might be able to. I’ll spot you five points, Ariel! Ten!”
“So nice to see a grin on your face for once, Daddy!” Ariel said with a big smile. “Oh! I have some news for you,” she said as she balanced near the side of the pool on her bare toes in her shorts and tank top.
“What?” Derek said.

“Thanks to Jordy, I’m pregnant again!” laughed Ariel.

“Is it gonna be a boy or a girl?” Derek said.

“We don’t know yet, and Mom, if you nose around inside me and tell me, I’ll jump in the water and dunk you!” Ariel laughed.

“I promise I won’t be nosy,” Nova said. Derek chortled as her felt Nova crossing her fingers behind his back. Nova whispered in Derek’s ear “Can I tell her?”

“Sure,” Derek said.

“We have news, too,” Nova said.

“You’re pregnant too, Mom?” Ariel said.

“Not…yet,” Nova said with a smile. “The news is the neurologist I consulted thinks Derek might be better sometime next year!”

“That’s something to celebrate!” Ariel said as she bent down to kiss her father on the cheek. “What about the ship?”

“Still under repair,” Nova said. “There’s a political battle going in Defense Forces Command. Adam Avatar got promoted to Commodore for how he did at Telezart, and one faction wants him to get command of the Yamato, while another faction wants Commodore Raymond Priceman in the Captain’s seat,” Nova said as she helped Derek up a ladder and out of the pool. Ariel couldn’t help but notice that her father was still a bit shaky when he walked, although he didn’t seem to need the walking stick any more.

“We kind of want Adam to get it,” Derek said. “Our opinions have been made known. Strongly…and…uhhh…ano…what was that word, Nova?”

“Decisively,” she said gently.

“Decisively,” Derek snapped. “Commodore Avatar is the better commander…”

“And Priceman was, and still is, a stick in the mud,” Nova said.

Derek nodded, remembering all too well what had happened with Priceman when he and Hardy had been training pilots skilled in flying the Type 100 Recon plane to fly Cosmo Tigers in late 2201, after the first war with the Comet Empire, and right before their wedding, since the Type 100 was being replaced with the Cosmo Tiger II. Derek had been the instructor for one training squadron, and Hardy had been the instructor for the second training squadron; the one where Nova had been assigned to learn how to fly a Cosmo Tiger II. Priceman had been the base and Wing commander, and he had been a very nasty person then. There had been a fistfight between two women in Nova’s squadron after one hard training day in early December of 2201 literally a few weeks before Derek and Nova’s wedding. Nova, as the highest-ranking officer who jumped in on the scene, had stopped the fight (with some fisticuffs herself!) while two male Ensigns from the squadron just stood there watching. Priceman had all five of them on the carpet for Commander’s Mast, and they had all been sentenced to two hours’ worth of extra duty, in the gym, doing calisthenics and several laps around the gym-in their underwear (and Nova had to be the drillmaster for the group-in the sports bra and bike shorts she had on under her uniform for warmth). Also, Derek and Jefferson Hardy had been ranked up one side and down the other by Priceman for letting their trainees mess up like that!*

Obviously, Priceman had not been invited to Derek and Nova’s wedding after that period of humiliation in fighter training.

Nonetheless, neither Derek nor Nova had shared much love for Priceman after that rather nasty bit of hazing, and the very thought of that asinine martinet commanding the Yamato made them both sick as Derek continued to recover.

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TO BE CONTINUED…

*-Please refer to “Tomorrow Never Knows” Chapter Four, written by me, for a full account of Priceman’s punishment of Nova and the other pilot trainees in 2201.

End notes: “Rud Iscandar”=”Noble Iscandar” in Gamilon.

                    “Rud Pellias=”Noble Pellias” in Gamilon.

The subtitle of the Prelude comes from 1 Corinthians 10:12 “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall…”