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“You’ll get your opportunity, Jakob,” snarled a male voice. I recognized it, but couldn’t place it. My head was foggy and every centimeter of my body was in pain. “I want to interrogate the empress. See if she’s willing to bargain her life and the life of her worthless human mate.”

“How can you interrogate her when you’re on Forx?” Jakob spat. I moaned, rolling to see if I could recognize the man that Jakob was talking to. Jakob’s form was blocking the computer screen. 

“Interrogations are much more fun when you can inflict harm to the prisoner. Or other things.” Jakob laughed evilly, cracking his knuckles.

“You will not touch her that way, Jakob. You do and you will die a slow, painful death. Oh, wait. You are,” snickered the voice.

“I’m not, you funoch!” Jakob yelled, standing up abruptly. “Vruk has given me medications that have stopped all of my weaknesses. I am infallible. And I will q’tacki that b’tak. I will feel her bleeding funoch around me. Norex promised me and even in death, that promise is not void.” He pressed a button and I heard the screen switch off. Jakob stalked over to me, tightening my restraints around my wrists. I stayed ‘asleep.’ “You will be mine, b’tak. Your uncle promised me this.” He dragged his sharp nail above my sex. He stood up, kicking my back and leaving me in the too-cold room. I heard the door hiss shut.

Blinking my eyes open, I sat up with great difficulty. The restraints around my wrists were too tight, cutting into the skin. I was still in the Galaxy Fleet uniform but the communicator, tricorder and phaser had been removed. Around my ankle, I still wore the knife. I could also feel the transmitter under my skin near my jaw. I was grateful that I had something to protect myself with and a means for the Volvo to find me. Edward, please … find me …

I curled up, trying to keep warm. The room was frigidly cold. I looked around the room. It was dark with green computer screens lighting up the room eerily. I could see a small living area, a bed and computer console. Outside, the stars streaked past. We were at jump speed, traveling far away from my ti’ane. That probably explained the ache in my chest. I had other aches and pains, but I assumed it was due from whatever they injected me with and the physical assault on my body.

I sat against the wall, shivering uncontrollably until the door opened. Gliding into the room, my aunt Liannette carried a tray and a grumpy look on her face. “You’re awake,” she said sourly. “Which is more than I can say for my mate.”

“What Norex did was punishable by death, Liannette,” I replied simply. “And if you ever return to Forx, you will meet with the same fate. Your younger children will be considered outcasts, orphans and considered to be wards of the state. No one will adopt them because of what their parents did and they will not have a future. Was it worth it?”

“When you are dead and we have a new empress, then it will be,” Liannette smirked. “There are a lot of people who are not happy with your appointment as empress, Nirabelle.”

“I’m well aware of who is not happy with my appointment as empress. It’s all of the nobles who left the planet,” I said, arching a brow. “And the man that Jakob was speaking to on his computer. I know his voice, but who is he?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” she sneered. “It’s someone close to you, me and to your father. He was not happy when your father contacted the Federation and even more so when the Cygnarians were admitted into the Federation. We don’t need the Federation. We have the Alliance.”

“Who is in this Alliance?” I asked.

“Cygnarians, Alphans and Remans,” she answered. “We’re close to admitting the Talaxians and the Ferengi. Both of those species are not happy with the Federation presence in this quadrant. Their idealistic morals and Prime Directive are trite and stupid.”

“As far as I’m concerned, the Cygnarians are not a part of your Alliance,” I snorted humorlessly. 

Reman War Cruiser

Crown Prince Jakob

Cloud Nebula

Liannette

Vruk

Norelle

Ferengi

Talaxian

U.S.S. Enterprise

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Julian Bashir

Star Crossed Teaser

The next time I woke up, there was someone washing my face. I opened my eyes, seeing my eldest cousin, Norelle, wiping down my skin with a clean, warm towel. Norelle was the oldest daughter of Liannette and Norex. She was a few years older than me and at one time, considered to be my closest friend.

Until I became the empress.

“Try not to move, Nirabelle,” she whispered.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, wincing when the towel passed over the wound on my neck.

“I’m trying to help you. My mother and father have lost all sense of reality,” she spat, her spots flashing in anger. Her brown eyes sought mine, sadness lingering beneath them. “My father deserved his punishment and so does my mother. What they are doing is awful, Nirabelle.”

“How do I know that you are not spying on me? Trying to lure me into trusting you,” I questioned, sitting up abruptly. Vertigo caused my stomach to roll, but there was nothing inside to throw up.

“Because my mother is convinced that I am mated to Vruk,” Norelle answered. “I’ve been sequestered in his quarters so he could have his way with me. Little does my mother know that Vruk is not attracted to women, but to men. He is more into Jakob than me. It doesn’t stop him from making me stay inside his quarters without any clothes.”

“How did you get away?”

“Vruk is with Jakob now. I was thrown out. They are …” she blushed, her spots deepening in color.

“Mating,” I shuddered.

“Yes. If you can call it that,” Norelle cringed. “I stayed once. Jakob wanted me to watch him take Vruk so I can tell you what he will do to you when we arrive back at Forx. I never saw so much blood, Nirabelle. And they both loved it.”

“Are you the only one on this ship?” I asked. “What about the rest of the nobles?”

“We’re all here. My father was to give you a message to come to that planet, M’ay’aki. It was a trap. They put some sort of device inside an abandoned building, giving off false life signs. We waited and then, they attacked. You were the target, Nirabelle. Jakob, Vruk and my mother, they want to embarrass you. They want you to crumble as you relinquish your claim to the Imperial Throne. The rest of the nobles are behind them in their decision. My siblings, for the most part, are against it. We are all willing to help you.”

“How can I believe you?” I snapped. “How do I know that you are not tricking me?”

“Because, you are the empress,” Norelle answered. “My loyalty is to you. Jakob, Vruk and my mother, they want to wreak havoc in the quadrant. They want to rule by conquering, not by peace. This Alliance is dangerous, but unorganized. My brother, Lianel, is working on sending your mate a message with the Alliance’s weaknesses. Believe there are many. One is the sickness of the Alphans.”

“We know about that,” I said. “They are dying of radiation poisoning.”

“They are. Vruk is manipulating them. He is giving them medication that is masking their pain, but accelerating their deterioration. All of the Alphans are hooked on this medication. Vruk said that the medication stemmed from a plant growing on Forx,” Norelle explained. “Vruk promised the Alphans Forx and Cygnaria Prime is for the Remans. They want an ore on the planet.”

“This is a mess, Norelle,” I whimpered. “All of this started because of the Alphans and their initial arrival on our planet.”

“It wasn’t the Alphans, Nirabelle. The Remans harnessed jump drive first and they were the first people to conquer our planet, but through history, it was described as the Alphans. The Alphans did join the fight, the Remans started it.” She sighed, scrubbing her face. “And there is no end in sight.”

“Do you know who is leading this rebellion on Forx?” I asked.

“I don’t know who exactly, but I do know that it is one of the Council of Elders,” Norelle whispered, her eyes wide.

Norelle

Update ~ Chapter Thirteen

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I blinked as I watched my mate get transported off the surface. One of the Alphans growled angrily, swiping at Lieutenant Riley. His insides fell from the wound and he collapsed onto the ground. A Reman engaged me and I fought, every ounce of my body wanted to go in search of my mate. With a harsh blow to my head, I fell heavily onto a trunk. “Cullen to Volvo! Nine to beam up!” I barked, spitting out blood. “Beam the alien signatures into the brig. Lock on to our comm signals.”

“Energizing,” came the voice of Ensign Kaplan. Just as one of Alphans was about to decapitate me, the tingle of the transporter worked its way through our bodies. We arrived in the transporter room. 

“Sir, what should I do for Lieutenant Riley?”

“Cullen to Halé,” I barked, my heart shattering. “Lieutenant Riley was gravely injured down on the planet’s surface.”

“Transport him to the science lab,” Rose said. I nodded to Ensign Kaplan who beamed Riley off the transporter pad.

Smacking my communicator, I snarled, “Cullen to Bridge. Report!”

“Sir, for less than three seconds, a vessel appeared out of nowhere. Then, it was gone,” said the helmsman on duty, Lieutenant Meade. “There was no gamma radiation. We can’t track it.”

“What kind of vessel?” I sneered. “Alphan or Reman?”

“Reman, sir,” Meade answered.

“Fuck!” I spat, punching the pad for the turbolift. “What the hell is going on? Why are the Remans helping the Alphans? What do they hope to gain? And where the FUCK did they go?”

“Sir, you need to calm down,” Jasper said, wrapping his fingers around my arms.

“I will not fucking calm down. They took Bella,” I said, hyperventilating. “I can only imagine what that animal is doing to her! Norex sent us into a god damned trap! He knew that we’d investigate and he knew that Bella would want to go down to the surface! It was a set up. I want to execute him again, god damn it!”

“Are you done?” Jasper asked dryly.

“NO!” I panted, throwing my hat onto the ground. My heart was empty and I felt so lost. I needed her. “No …”

Jasper stopped the turbolift, asking that Lieutenant Commander Anderson check in with the bridge. He moved so he was in front of me and crossed his arms. “Captain, listen to me,” he said, his voice soft but commanding. “I know that losing Bella is gut-wrenching. You have every right to be fucking pissed off. I don’t blame you in the slightest, sir.” He took my face in his hands, glaring into my eyes. “Use that anger. Edward, I know I give you shit and I suck as a first officer, but you’re best god damned captain in this fleet. You’re even better when you’re focused. Use that anger to focus your attention on getting your mate back. She needs you to be strong.”

He was so close, his lips were centimeters away from me. “Are you going to kiss me, Jasper?” I asked, arching a brow.

“Fuck no! I’ll leave that for Bella,” he snickered.

M'ay'aki

Alphan prisoner (we'll get back to him)

Reman prisoner (again, we'll get back to him)

Reman battle cruiser

Jakob

Nebula

Teaser

“Are you okay?”

“I’ll live,” I said, sitting behind my desk. “What happened up here?”

“As soon as you transported down, there was a power drain on both vessels. It affected us more than the Enterprise. I think it was due to our proximity to the Reman war vessel,” Dad said. “It used a different power source. Not antimatter. From the preliminary scans, we think that they used thalaron radiation to power their jump drives. According to the Federation, it’s highly experimental and extremely deadly.”

“How did the Remans harness this radiation? Is it anything like omega radiation? Removing the ability to create a stable jump field?” I asked.

“No, it doesn’t affect the fabric of space. It’s deadly to any organic tissues,” Dad explained, handing me a tablet. “We need to proceed with caution, Edward. I know that you want nothing more than to get Nirabelle back into your arms, but this thalaron radiation could wipe out the entire Cygnarian species, along with every other species in the Federation.”

“And let me guess, this thalaron radiation can only be created by mining on Lapus?” I asked. “It is found on Lapus.”

“I think that’s what killed their planet, Edward,” Dad muttered. “It’s also found on Remus and on Cygnaria Prime.”

“But not Forx,” I said, looking down at the tablet. “This radiation and the ore used to create it is not on Forx.”

“No. But, it’s abundant on Cygnaria Prime. That’s why the Alphans picked up their attacks on Forx. The Remans need more of this thalaron ore to create the radiation for their jump cores. The Turulians use quantum singularities to create their jump drives. The Remans couldn’t figure out how to do it, despite their close relationship to the Turulians. Instead, they found a deadlier version of their jump drives with this thalaron ore.”

“Remus has run out and they’ve bled Lapus dry,” I said, “effectively killing the planet. What about Remus?”

“Remus is already a dead planet, but they are supported by their dangerous and vicious war fleet. They keep to themselves, for the most part, only venturing out of the Neutral Zone when they need supplies,” Dad said. “It appears that they allied themselves with the Alphans to strengthen their fleet.”

“Do the Remans know that the Alphans are dying?” I asked.

“Yes and they are using it to their advantage. Rose sent down a nurse to the brig to collect samples from our prisoners. The Remans are drugging the Alphans, masking their radiation poisoning and making it appear that they are perfectly healthy. The Alphans are sicker than they realize. Two of the warriors are in end-stage renal cancer. The third has an enlarged heart and the last one, the one who attacked you, has a tumor in his belly that is the size of a small melon,” Dad frowned. “They will die within a few weeks, Edward.”

“And the Remans?”

“They are immune to the effects of the radiation, both from the mining of the thalaron ore and the thalaron radiation itself. Part of it has to do with their world. Its atmosphere is thinner and more solar radiation seeps through. Their genes have adapted to the increased radiation exposure and effectively made them immune.”

“So, the Remans and the Alphans want to conquer the Cygnarians all for a deadly, radioactive ore to power their ships?” I spat. “Over my rotting corpse. I know that we are supposed to find a diplomatic solution to all of this, but this is beyond diplomacy.”

“I agree. This thalaron radiation scares the shit out of me, Edward,” Dad growled. “I have an encoded message to President M’Tak. We need the Federation Council’s approval to go to war.”

“I do not want to resort to that. If it’s possible, I want to try to stop all of this before it turns into something bloody and ugly. With the addition of the Remans and this thalaron radiation, it’s creating something more.” I pinched my nose, feeling a headache bubble underneath my skin. “I want a briefing with both the Enterprise crew and mine. Ask Captain Picard to give me all of his findings on the Scimitar, that Reman war bird that attacked his vessel. We stay in orbit of M’ay’aki for less than twelve hours and then we are setting course for Lapus.”

“Why do you think the Reman ship went there?”

“Because they took Bella. Jakob wants her so badly. He would only want her on his own terms and that means on his own planet,” I said. “For now, assemble a science team to have them figure out a way to disable the Reman cloak and how to neutralize the thalaron radiation. I want to meet with everyone in the conference room in one hour.”

“Are you commanding me as emperor?” Dad smirked. “Because, I’m certain I outrank you, son.”

“Dad, don’t fuck with me,” I snarled, glaring at him. “Those … extapi … they took my te’atée. I need her back. I can’t do this without her. If I have to command you as the god damned emperor or the Queen of fucking Sheba, I will.” My dad stood up and he walked to me. He took my face in his hands before enfolding me into a tight embrace. The dam broke and I sobbed into his shoulder, my heart deadening with each light year my te’atée moved away from me. 

Reman War Vessel

Update ~ Chapter Twelve

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I had ordered the death of my uncle. He was no more because of my decree. Because of my power as empress, my uncle, my father’s brother, no longer had a head. He was being burned and his ashes 

were going to be thrown away like the trash that he was. I felt guilty.

Was I too harsh and too swift in my judgment?

Should I have given him leniency as I promised to get the decryption codes?

Should I have exiled him?

It was too late now, but I was questioning everything. “Empress, you need to pack your belongings,” Maralice said quietly, breaking my reverie. “You and the emperor are leaving for the coordinates near the Neutral Zone aboard the Volvo within the hour. Is there anything you need?”

“Can you prepare Charanel to come with us?” I asked. “I need him with me. I don’t trust anyone on the surface except Counselor Marcusi. He has to maintain the order of the government while I’m gone. Charanel would enjoy a trip on the Volvo. He hasn’t been on a spaceship since he was a boy. He definitely hasn’t been on a vessel as lavish as the Volvo. Pack his things and prepare him to depart as soon as he’s ready.”

“I’ll make the arrangements, Empress,” Maralice said, getting out of the hover car and darting to get Charanel ready to leave.

Edward squeezed my fingers, looking at his own envoy. “D’Metri, I need you to contact me if anything happens here,” Edward said to his envoy. “I don’t know if anyone is going to try anything, but I’d rather err on the side of caution. Additionally, I need you to keep digging through Norex’s personal communication as well as the communication of the nobles who have fled Forx. We need to find out who is making these decisions about overthrowing the government.”

“Of course, Emperor,” D’Metri said quietly, his voice deep and solemn. He slid out of the hover car, walking to his own office in the Imperial Palace, his fingers flying over his tablet as he worked on the assignment that Edward gave him.

Looking at me, Edward brushed my hair from my neck. “Come, Fíorghrá,” Edward whispered. “I need to change and we have to transport up to the Volvo.” He cupped my cheek, encouraging me to look at him. He frowned slightly. “Are you okay? I mean, truly.” Your mind is replaying Norex’s execution over and over again.

“I never thought I’d have to end a life,” I murmured, leaning into his warm, calloused hand. “It’s one thing to read casualty reports from the frontlines, but clearly another when you see it happen first hand.”  I didn’t expect it to be so gruesome, either. Edward snorted humorlessly. I kissed his palm, getting out of the hover car.

Hover Car

Bella's Bedroom

Bella's Suite

USS Volvo

Edward's quarters

Holodeck

Edward's Chicago Holodeck Program

Chicago Picnic

Edward being all sexy (manip is NOT mine)

Charanel

Flotter

Treevis

M'ay'aki

Teaser

“Why was Norex so upset about not getting the H’aaruune rite?” Edward asked as he removed his clothing, changing into his usual black uniform. “I know it’s a funeral prayer, but he seemed hysterical at the prospect of not receiving it. My family was raised as Catholics and we believe in heaven if we live a sin-free life, confessing our sins if we do commit. Hell, according to my religion, I’m already going to hell since I’ve gotten divorced and engaged in pre-marital sex. The thought does not scare me. Norex, though, was panicked, terrified!”

“No one knows what happens when we die. The H’aaruune Ne’irite gives us solace that we will be with our loved ones again in the afterlife. Who knows if it’s true, but I knew that Norex’s greatest fear was to be damned for all eternity. He had been on the front one time and saw what it was like. He was convinced that our version of hell was that. Darkness, agony, pain and torment. I feel badly, playing on his fears, but what he did …” I trailed off, my anger washing over me. I shook my head, trying to not focus my thoughts on Norex’s death.

“You have every right to be angry. I’m fucking pissed,” he spat. “He got off too easy with the beheading, but it was the most humane way to end his life, short of giving him a lethal injection of medications.” He enfolded me in his arms. His chest was bare. Inhaling his clean, masculine scent, I ran my fingers through the soft, downy hair on his chest and listened to the steady thrum of his heartbeat. I sighed contentedly, allowing my ti’ane to soothe me. I needed it. It had been a long day and the sun had barely risen. He tightened his hold on me. I hummed in appreciation. Edward tilted my head back, kissing my lips sweetly. “I love you, Bella. I’m here for you, no matter what.”

“Ti-ane mahnu te-atée sa-ahari,” I whispered. “I am grateful that we are leaving the planet. Being here is just too tough. How long is the journey to this planetoid?”

“Less than the trip to Lapus,” Edward answered. “Four days at maximum jump speed. The Enterprise is coming with us and for that I’m grateful. They have more fire power than we do. I don’t know if these coordinates are in the middle of a hostile environment or if Norex is sending us directly into trap. I don’t trust him, even in death. I’d rather be armed to the teeth.”

“You will get us there safely, Captain,” I said, kissing his jaw, moving my lips up to his mouth. I was about to kiss him when his communicator chirped on the bed. 

Empress's bedroom

Empress's suite

Edward's sexiness, taunting his Te’atée

Volvo, en route to the Alphan Colony

Edward's quarters

Alphan Colony