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

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

Star Crossed Teaser

“Do you know where he is now?” I asked. “Is Edward on the Volvo? I can’t sense him on the surface.”

“I think he’s on the Intrepid, working at deciphering the cloaking technology with Captain Data and 

Commander Volturi,” Rose said. She tapped her communicator. “Halé to Cullen.”

“This is Captain Cullen,” came the rough voice of my exhausted mate.

“Sir, Kunnan has another injection for your pain management but it could make you drowsy. We need you to return to the surface,” Rose lied.

“I’m fine, Rose,” Edward said curtly.

“Edward, I do not want to have to relieve you of duty,” Rose chided. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard as it is. Technically, you should still be on medical leave, but your stubborn ass…”

“Fine! I’ll transport in ten minutes,” Edward huffed.

“No, now,” Rose argued. “If you’re not transported into the Imperial Palace in thirty seconds, I will relieve you of duty and confine you to your Imperial quarters…”

Edward’s haggard body shimmered down and he was on the surface, scowling at his chief medical officer. His green eyes didn’t hold their usual sparkle. He appeared more gaunt and hunched over. “I’m here. Are you happy?”

“No,” Rose snorted. “Edward, I’m saying this as a friend and as your medical officer. You look like shit. You are hear by relieved of duty until further notice. When you can eat a meal without throwing up and you don’t look like fucking walking skeleton, then I’ll allow you back to work.” She tapped her communicator. “Halé to Volvo. Computer, restrict all access to files on the computer from Captain Edward Cullen. Medical override, Halé, Delta-Omega Three-Seven.”

“Rosalie!” Edward snarled. “I can’t not work. I have to…”

“Get better. What good are you to your crew looking like this? Feeling the way that you are,” Rose murmured. “I will examine you in four days. You are to remain on the surface.” She arched a brow, challenging Edward to disobey her medical orders. “Halé to Riley, one to beam up.”

“Ready, doctor?” Riley asked over the communicator.

“Yes, sir. Energize,” Rose replied and she shimmered out of the school.