Jupiter Ascending /Caine Wise

Chapter 7 - Kalique

Just a quick author's note: If you noticed this one get updated again and you've already read it, don't worry I didn't change anything. I just corrected a couple very glaring typos. (That's what happens when you are typing one your phone at 1 am.)

Across the universe, a wormhole opens near a planet, Cerise. Entering the atmosphere towards the Alcazar of Kalique, the ship flies over beautiful waterfalls, surrounded by lush, crimson coloured vegetation. Caine, who has been tucked safely within the ships landing gear, descends as the ship prepares to land. Surfing the gravity slips created by his boots, Caine descends and lands out of sight.

From a distance he is able to observe the bounty hunters receiving a large amount of RegeneX as payment for their work. Slipping further out of site, he kneels to set up his radio and inform the Aegis of Her Majesty, Jupiter's, location.

'Her Majesty', he frowns and stares down at the ground by his boot, thinking of Jupiter and how different she is from other royals, that will change. Once she discovers what that means, she will change and become like one of them. How could she resist really? No doubt she will have access to wealth and power beyond her wildest dreams. What could she possibly want from a defect like me? Shaking his head, he tries to clear his thoughts and focus on the task at hand. The Aegis are on their way, maybe a few hours. I need to locate Jupiter and make sure she is safe, and kill anyone who has hurt her. A low and dangerous growl begins to build within him at the thought that she could be harmed. I should have gotten to her faster. I should have never even left her side. I've failed her.

***

Once again Jupiter finds herself waking in a strange place, this time in elegant clothes she did not put on herself. Suspended in anti-grav beam, she struggles to sit up and slowly floats to the floor. An A.I. interface greets Jupiter and informs her that she is in the Alcazar of Kalique, third primary of The House of Abrasax. Just then a beautiful, if somewhat older, woman enters the room, followed closely by her attendants.

After introducing themselves, Kalique blurts out with a kind smile, "I'm sorry for staring, but it is really quite astonishing."

"What is?" Jupiter asks, puzzled over the way a total stranger looks at her like a long, lost friend.

"It would be better if I show you," Kalique says cryptically, as a smiles plays across her features.

Kalique leads Jupiter to a great hall, filled the thousands of candles, while explaining recurrences and the possibility of living almost forever.

Meanwhile, Caine is trying to avoid the guards that are continually patrolling the palace and grounds.

Keeping his senses alert, he skates through corridor after corridor. Freezing, Caine picks ups Jupiter's scent. Relief floods through him to know she's alive. I swear, I'm never going to leave her side again if it means she'll be safe, Caine thinks, while at the same time knowing just how impossible that is.

Ever since what happened at Stinger's place back on Earth, Caine has felt this growing anxiety building inside him. It was almost to the point of panic, and he knew it wouldn't go away until he saw her again. Not until he knew she was safe. It was strange how she made him feel, even though they had been fighting for their lives; he felt calmer around her. It didn't even matter if she didn't feel the same way, he would be whatever it was she needed.

Caine is getting close to her, he can feel it, but it's at that moment a security orb senses Caine's presence and sets off an Un-Authorized Lycatant alarm. Caine takes off as guards run to his location. Fighting some of them off, he is able out manouver several more. From one of the balconies, he sees Jupiter a young, attractive woman, both are dressed in elegant long gowns, but his focus is on Jupiter alone. She is beautiful, like a warm summer's day.

Leaping over the balcony, he surfs down to them, pulling up just two feet from Kalique, gun pointed directly at her, but his eyes haven't left Jupiter's. "Caine?" says Jupiter, shocked to see him again.

Kalique, who is not so easily surprised says, "This must be the hunter Titus hired." Then taking a moment to appraise the still shirtless Caine, "Well made by the look of him." Caine tenses under her appraisal, he has little interest in her, save for the fact that she and her guards are the only things standing between him and getting Jupiter off this planet.

Quickly, sensing Caine's tension, Jupiter steps forward with her hands up towards him, "Whoa, no, no, no, no. Hey, hey! It's okay, she's on our side."

"Abrasax don't know any side but their own," Caine says narrowing his eyes at Kalique, distrustful of the woman who still smells of RegeneX.

"Precisely," Kalique says with her overly happy smile. "And since Jupiter is an Abrasax, you can understand why I helped her get off that planet."

Kalique's advisor approaches her and informs her, "He has contacted the Aegis." Clearly unhappy with this news he continues, " They are entering orbit now."

Kalique, who is much better at masking her true feelings, beams that large smile again. "Excellent. I had planned to take you myself, but..." she said not missing a beat, "the Aegis will no doubt insist they handle things from here."

Caine glares at her before his gaze flickers back to Jupiter. "Is your majesty unharmed?" he asks while assessing her with his eyes.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you," she smiles, God, I love her smile, Caine thinks then moves his eyes to the ground before he forgets where he is. Jupiter looks at Kalique who has been watching their exchange, "Could you give us a moment?" she asks Kalique.

Kalique smiles like she knows a secret, "Ah, yes of course. I'll return shortly to see you off." Turning briefly to Caine, she smirks then leaves, along with her advisor. A few guards remain some distance off, out of earshot.

"Caine," Jupiter says, relief spread over her face. "I didn't know if you were okay or not." Jupiter steps forward with one hand raised almost touching his side but stops just short of touching him. Caine stiffens at the nearness of her. Inclining his head ever so slightly, he inhales her scent and stands still while she looks him over for any trace of injury.

Bowing his head slightly, he says quietly, "I'm fine, your majesty." Shaking his head as it dips lower, "I'm sorry." I can't even look in her in the eye, he thinks remembering that it was his fault she was taken.

Mouth open slightly, Jupiter shakes her head. "It wasn't your fault. There was nothing else you could've done," she says trying to reassure him. Her hand touches his side, imperceptibly Caine flinches under her touch, but she notices. Thinking she has done something wrong she pulls her hand back and looks down.

Caine instantly regrets her pulling away. It was nice, he thinks, still feeling the warmth from her hand. "Your majesty," he says as he takes a small step back and slowly looks into her dark brown eyes. I could lose myself in those eyes, he thinks but instead tries to explain. "I should have stayed with you. I failed you," pausing to steady his voice while thinking, I could have lost you.

Jupiter Jones looks up into Caine's serious blue eyes and thinks she detects a hint of sadness. Not wanting to cross a line, her feet stay planted but she leans in as she speaks, "Caine, you are the reason I am still alive right now." She waits until he nods to make sure it gets through to him before she looks away.

Although this is a warm planet, a gentle cool breeze send a little shiver through Jupiter. Caine steps closer, not sure if he should put his arm on her shoulder or not. If he still had his wings, he could easily gather her into them, keeping her warm with his soft feathers, but since he has neither wings nor jacket to offer her, he offers his own body warmth. Jupiter leans into his arms as she looks out onto the evening sky. "It's hard to believe," she says quietly, not wanting to ruin the moment, "that only three days ago, my life was boring. I used to watch the night sky and dream of other worlds."

Caine looks down at the petite woman beside him as she stares wistfully out into the darkness. Before he can open his mouth to speak his communicator chirps and the ship informs him they are close enough to receive them. Damn them and their bad timing. "Is your majesty ready to leave?" he asks.

Jupiter turns to see Kalique returning to them to offer her farewells. "Yes, almost," she says.

Kalique offers her hands and wishes Jupiter a pleasant trip. "I wish you the life you've always dreamed of," she says.