Star Crossed Update: Epilogue

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“Thank you, Emperor,” said Governor Ru’bio, the son of Governor Ru’bia, from the city of Fl’aag. “We appreciate the additional desalinization units for the hydroponic gardens.”

“The gardens have produced so many fresh fruit and vegetables for the desert regions surrounding Fl’aag. Plus, your researchers have helped the Federation fine-tune their hydroponic techniques, as well,” I smiled, shaking Governor Ru’bio’s hand. “How is your father?”

“He’s the same,” Ru’bio frowned. “His illness is not improving, but not getting any worse, either.”

“Let him know that Empress Nirabelle and I are thinking about him,” I said, putting a hand on Ru’bio’s shoulder. “Your father was a wonderful man. Ygrin’ne syndrome is a cruel and horrific disease.” Ygrin’ne syndrome was a crippling, debilitating syndrome that attacked a Cygnarian’s mind. It was similar to Alzheimer’s from years ago on Earth, but it was faster moving and also impacted the victim’s motor functions as well. Within a year of his diagnosis, Ru’bia was confined to a wheelchair and barely able to say a few words. Even with the most advanced medicine of the Federation, there was absolutely nothing we could do to help him or any other sufferers of Ygrin’ne syndrome. Rose was working with Kunnan and the doctors on Forx to figure out a cure, or at least a viable treatment.

However, it didn’t seem promising. The genetic coding for the syndrome was very complex and wouldn’t respond to any standard treatments. They were exploring some not-so-standard options.

“Thank you again, Emperor,” Governor Ru’bio smiled, getting up from the seat across from me. I nodded and watched as he left. I got up from my desk, walking to the window. I ran my hand through my thick hair, still bronze-colored hair. I was almost fifty-six but didn’t look a day over thirty. The medication that Kunnan gave me once a month worked wonders. I was stronger than before, in the best shape of my life. I rarely got sick and when I did, I recuperated quickly thanks to the injection and my carbon-infused bones.

It was bittersweet, though. I was seemingly ageless while my parents were growing older, as were my friends and fellow colleagues. The three comforts were knowing that my sister was also receiving the same injections as me, my beautiful and wonderful children whom I loved and that I was able to spend my life with my mate, my one and only love, Nirabelle.

My Bella.

My sweet Fíorghrá.

Ch'ichean Sea

William

Cigno

New Throne Room

New Palace Dining Room

Edward and Bella's Imperial Suite

Imperial Bedroom

Imperial Cottage

Imperial Bathroom

Star Crossed Teaser: Epilogue

I sat down, turning on my computer. “J’ran! How are you doing?” I asked, seeing his smiling face.

“I’m good. Very good,” he answered. “I have news for you. Some bad. Some good.”

“Well, let me hear the bad news first,” I said, almost afraid to hear what he had to say.

“The Saratoga was traveling past the Gamella’an system. They checked Gamel III for any sort of humanoid life signs. There weren’t any. They assembled an away team to check. The team found the remains of Caius about ten kilometers from his camp. He had been dead for some time, being crushed by a fallen tree during a storm.”

“Have you informed Counselor Marcusi?” I asked, saddened for the death of the brother of one of my closest friends and most-trusted advisors.

“I’ll contact him after I finish my discussion with you,” J’ran said, his face grim.

“No. No, I’ll do it. Marcusi deserves to hear this from me and from Nirabelle,” I muttered. I blew out a breath, looking back at him. “Now, the good news?”

“I’ve met a mate,” he blushed, his spots glowing. “A Turulian/Human woman. Her name is T’Paal.”

“When did this happen?” I asked, grinning happily for my friend.

“We met at an embassy function. She is a part of the science directorate on the Turulian home world. She came to Earth to work with the Galaxy Fleet science division on a recent discovery in the outskirts of the Beta Quadrant. We met and it was almost subtle. We were talking over our meals and this warmth filled my belly, traveling outward until my spots began to glow brightly. T’Paal asked what it was and I explained to her about the phenomenon of imprinting. She was intrigued. We continued to talk and then it hit her. It took all of my strength to stop her from kissing me.” He chuckled, his spots burning just underneath his skin’s surface. “We took a shuttle to a city in the desert. Las Wages?”

“Las Vegas,” I laughed. “You got married in Las Vegas?”

“We found a temple …”

“Chapel,” I snickered. “They’re called chapels.”

“Chapel, temple, whatever!” J’ran grumbled, arching a brow at me. “Are you going to let me finish my story?”

“I’m sorry. I just find this to be hysterical,” I said, barely containing my laughter.

“Anyway, T’Paal and I found a Turulian chapel in one of the smaller hotels. The priest performed a beautiful combination of a Turulian and Cygnarian ceremony. Of course, we’ll have the full ceremonies on our own worlds, in front of our families and friends, but we are, for all intents and purposes, mated,” J’ran smirked.

“Wow! Congratulations, J’ran. This is better than good news. This is great!” I beamed. “When are you coming back to Forx so we can give you a mating ceremony?”

“In two Earth years. That’s why we flew to Las Vegas,” J’ran explained. “This project that T’Paal is working on is keeping her here for two years, with the possibility of flying out to the Beta Quadrant to collect more samples. We couldn’t wait that long to mate. We are both older and felt the effects slowly, but once they hit, it was overwhelming. We would not have lasted very long before we would have started to fail. One of the Cygnarian Federation delegates acted as one of my witnesses, while T’Paal’s sister, T’Mienne, acted as hers.”

Star Crossed Teaser

A few moments later, the hover car landed outside of the De’naalie Prison. Jasper was waiting outside of the prison along with Carlisle. Maralice was off to the side, tapping on her tablet and looking very agitated. What’s wrong with her? Edward asked.

I shrugged, confused as to why she was so upset. The door opened and we all clambered out of the hover car, greeting Jasper and Carlisle. Maralice walked over to us and slid her tablet into her satchel. “Is everything okay, Maralice?” I asked.

“Not really,” she sighed. “Rose contacted me and said that Liannette tried to cut her wrist this morning. It wasn’t successful since she used a very dull blade. However, she has been sedated and will stay that way until you interrogate her.”

“Why does it matter?” Jasper asked. “She’s to be executed for her crimes.”

“We need to know about Marcusi. We need to know who killed Aro,” Edward replied. “Caius and Liannette are seemingly the only people who can answer those questions.”

“Well, Caius is being held in a cell and is waiting for us,” Carlisle said. “Shall we go inside?”

Edward nodded, taking my hand and guiding me into the massive prison. It was circular, made out of massive stones. Surrounding the prison were huge fences that were electrified, causing significant damage to any prisoner who would possibly escape. Inside of the prison, we were all scanned and escorted into small circular room. It was dark and dank, giving me horrific reminders of my stay aboard the Reman vessel in Jakob’s quarters.

Are you okay? Edward asked, his arm snaking around my waist. You’re trembling.

Memories. Bad memories, I answered, moving closer to my mate. I needed his warmth.

Show me, he breathed. I opened my mind, showing him my memories of being aboard the Reman ship and how this reminded me of those horrific memories. Edward enfolded me in his embrace, his hand massaging my neck. “You’re safe, my Fíorghrá,” he soothed. “You’ll never see them again.”

“I know,” I whispered, snuggling deeper into his arms.

The door on the far side of the room hissed open and a bedraggled Caius was led into the room by four very large armed guards. He wore a gray jumpsuit and his hair was filthy. The stench coming from him was nauseating, causing my stomach to roll. Caius was pushed onto a bench and locked into place by the largest of the guards. “Empress Nirabelle and Emperor Edward, the prisoner is at your disposal to answer any and all questions. If he does not reply, use this and he will change his tune.” He handed a long, thin rod.

“Will it cause permanent damage?” Edward asked, pressing the button. The end glowed a deep blue and the sizzle of electricity filled the air. Caius whimpered from his spot, trying to get away from the rod in my mate’s hand.

“Not really. He may lose the ability to control the muscles to prevent him from urinating himself,” the guard quipped, shooting an angry glare at Caius.

“You keep this,” Edward said, handing the rod back to the guard. “I will question the prisoner in my own fashion. I do not need to torture him.” The guard shrugged, leaving the room.

“Thank you, Emperor,” Caius simpered.

“Shut up, you sniveling little weasel,” Edward snapped. “I asked them to take that away since I may have too much fun with it. Besides, I’m curious if my carbon-infused bones would mean that I have become stronger. Can I break every bone in your face with one punch to your ugly nose?”

“From what Rose told me, that’s affirmative,” Jasper snickered.

De'naalie Prison

De'naalie, capitol of Port'ange'les Province

De'naalie Prison Restraint