Star Crossed Teaser

Sliding on my ring, the same ring that was worn by Emperor Charel, I walked out of my bathroom and to the crumbling remains of the Imperial Palace. My mate was standing in the throne room, looking ethereal in her flowy white gown. Her hair was pulled back into a low bun. Centered on her head was a circlet with an amur stone, denoting the loss of a close family member. I walked over to her, enfolding her into my arms. “My love,” I whispered.

“Ti’ane,” she purred, sliding her hands up my chest. I pressed my forehead to hers and we began the H’aaruune. The memorial for N’essie was big, with crowds lining the streets. The H’aaruune for D’Metri and the other casualties of war was massive, being broadcast on every comm channel on the planet and with hordes of people lining along the streets and in the Imperial City. Everyone wanted to remember and honor the people who died on that day.

Fathers.

Mothers.

Sisters and brothers.

Sons and daughters.

All loved ones.

Honoring every one who died for the freedom of the Cygnarian people and putting an end to Alliance threat.

We walked slowly through the streets of the Imperial City, hand in hand. It was dead silent, save for a few sniffles. Arriving at the cliff face, Bella walked over to D’Metri’s parents and siblings, offering them words of comfort and kindness. I did the same. D’Metri’s mother, Heid’i, hugged me and said that her son was proud to be my envoy. She pressed something into my hand. It was the Imperial Crest that he always wore. “Please take this, Emperor. This was given to D’Metri by Emperor Charel and I knew he wanted you to have it returned.”

I went to open my mouth, but my mate came over to me. “It is an honor to receive such a gift. Thank you,” Bella said. She took the crest and pinned it to my shoulder, just below my communicator. I know you wanted to say ‘no thank you’ but to Heid’i, but it’s a sign of respect to take a token from the family of the deceased. The fact that she is giving us the Imperial Crest that D’Metri wore for all of his adult life says a lot.

I understand, Bella. Thank you, I murmured mentally. “Thank you, Heid’i, for such a cherished gift. I will wear it. Always.”

She gave me a watery smile, stepping back into the crowd. Marcusi stepped forward and he performed the H’aaruune Ne’irite. It seemed like the entire planet was speaking in concert with Marcusi. My heart was pumping deep within my chest and I was overwhelmed by sadness for the loss of my friend. Bella’s hand found mine as we stood on the edge of the cliff. Tears fell freely from my eyes, an emptiness spreading through my body.

Marcusi handed us the lantern, his own eyes shimmering with tears. I lit it and we whispered the final part of the funeral prayer. Raising our hands, the lantern floated off the edge and bounced innocently over the water. We stayed on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the Renien Ocean for several hours, watching the lanterns. With the last light flickering out, nearly five hours later, we went back to the smaller guest house next to the Imperial Palace. 

Bella's H'aaruune dress

Edward's H'aaruune suit

The cliffs overlooking the Renien Ocean

Star Crossed Update

Star Crossed Update Chapter Twenty-One on FicPad

Star Crossed Update Chapter Twenty-One on TWCS

Star Crossed Update Chapter Twenty-One on AO3

Star Crossed Update Chapter Twenty-One on FFn

I glared at the door that was being pounded against with some sort of battering ram. The door was easily four meters high made out of solid pirna wood. They were heavy and durable, but obviously were struggling against the forces of the impacts that the Reman and Alphan soldiers were causing. The Imperial Guard was blocking the doorway and a great deal of Federation soldiers were transporting to our location. I could also hear distant phaser fire from the MACOs outside of the palace, but it seemed to not make any difference. The repetitive banging filled the throne room. The throne room was filled with over two hundred people, all ready to end this.

However, it did not feel like it was enough.

I was deeply concerned for our well-being and the likelihood of winning this ground assault. The Reman and Alphans had nothing to lose while we had so much to fight for.

The door nearly shattered with the final blow, crumbling to the ground. A swarm of Reman and Alphan soldiers ran into the throne room and the fight began in earnest. Phaser fire filled the throne room. I had mine set to the maximum setting, shooting as many Alphans and Remans as I could. Bella was using her own phaser, but she was not as successful since she was not comfortable with the particle weapon. Maralice moved closer to my mate, acting as her protector since she was better skilled with the phaser.

I also began moving toward my mate. I trusted Maralice, but she was so small. I had to protect my Bella from the melee. I used my phaser to shoot anything that wasn’t wearing an Imperial uniform or a Galaxy Fleet insignia. Alphans and Remans were dropping like flies from the weapons fire that was aimed at them.

However, because of the weapons fire, both the Alphans and Remans grew more frustrated and then began using their other weapons. The Remans used their scimitars while the Alphans wielded their bsh’tooks, attacking us with an animalistic ferocity that made me tremble with terror. They were becoming unhinged, knowing that they may not win this battle. We all fought for over two hours and the stream of attackers never seemed to stop. We were exhausted, sore and covered with bruises, singed uniforms and dripping with sweat. My mate was fighting a losing battle with the pains in her leg and she collapsed onto her knees, panting heavily. 

Damage in the Imperial City

Imperial Hideaway in Port'angel'es

Star Crossed Teaser

By nightfall, the most of the Remans and Alphans were either killed or captured, being transported to the prison on Cygnaria Prime using the Imperial Attack Fighters. There were only a few pockets of active fighting, and that was being handled by the Federation MACOs. Vruk, Jakob, Caius, Liannette and Aro were still missing. Even though the fighting seemed to be dwindling, I knew the war was far from over.

“Here, Edward,” said Jasper, handing me a water bottle. We were in the streets of the Imperial City, just outside of the palace, checking the damage caused by the fires, phasers and grenades. Bella, along with Maralice, D’Metri, Charanel and J’ran, were checking the damages to the palace. I told her to stay inside, not wanting her out in the open. I was afraid that she’d be killed by phaser fire or by a sneak attack. In addition to the Federation personnel, there were the Imperial Guards and the MACOs protecting the palace. Jasper walked over to me, putting his hand on my shoulder. “How are you doing? That’s a nasty gash on your arm.”

“I’m fine,” I said, taking the bottle and downing most of it in one gulp. “I don’t really feel it. I’m just numb everywhere. I’m so exhausted and sore that I’m numb.”

“It could also be shock. You’re bleeding pretty heavily, Edward,” Jasper snorted. “Is that your only injury?”

“I’ve got a pretty deep cut to my back, a few minor phaser burns and I think I have some sort of muscular issue in my foot. A sprained ankle or a pulled something or another,” I shrugged, hobbling down the steps and sitting down heavily. “How is it going in the palace?”

“The bodies are being removed after being thoroughly scanned,” Jasper said. “No sign of Vruk or Jakob. Though, all of the Alphans, if they hadn’t died in this battle, would have died within the next few months. The cellular degradation from the radiation poisoning is quite severe.”

“Could the blood that was found in Marcusi’s home belong to an Alphan?” I asked, taking another healthy swig of water.

“It would make sense. The cellular degradation was extensive, making the DNA virtually unrecognizable,” Jasper shrugged. “Sir, I’m surprised.”

“About what?” I asked, getting up and moving closer to a shop that was now a pile of smoking ash.

“Why you’re not hovering over Empress Nirabelle?” Jasper asked, his brow arched. “You two are usually attached at the hip. Especially with Jakob, Vruk, and the rest of the traitors unaccounted for, I figured you’d be her shadow.”

“I wanted to stay, but Bella said she needed some space. Not from me, but from everyone. However, with the looming threat of those …” I trailed off, curling my lip in anger. “I should be back there. I want to be back there. But, she needs to calm down. Her emotions are running the gambit right now. Not to mention, she’s in excruciating pain from her leg injury. I’m giving her space. I can still hear her, feel her, but I’m close enough to get to her in a heartbeat.”

“Did you acquire super speed as a part of your connection?” Jasper quipped.

“No,” I snorted, placing a black sticker onto the falling bricks of the smoking shop, indicating that there was a casualty inside. I saw the remains of a charred hand and burnt scalp when I passed my flashlight over the top of the ashes. My tricorder indicated that there were no life signs. “It’s a wonderful new invention called a transporter.”

“You should use the transporter to go up to the Cygnarus to get medical attention, Emperor Smart Ass,” Jasper chuckled. “I think all of the blood loss is affecting your brain.”

We worked through a half a kilometer of debris, marking the homes, shops and buildings with black stickers for casualties of war. The buildings that were more stable, we sent in Federation medical teams and Cygnarian physicians to assess the injured. Kunnan wanted me to come with him back to the palace so he could treat me, but I waved him off. I truly was numb from the undoubtedly agonizing pain I was enduring. Compared to the pain of the em’tuuk gas, this was nothing.

When I stumbled for the twentieth time, Jasper contacted the Volvo to transport me back to the palace. I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to slip into Bella’s bathtub, soaking for a few hours.

Oh, wait. I can’t. That part of the palace has been destroyed.

Just as I was getting ready to be transported, my mate’s mind screamed for me. Her sheer terror made my heart stammer. “Jasper, transport me back the palace! Now!”