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.”