Six months have passed since Caine and Jupiter settled down at the farmhouse as an unassuming married couple. Yet there are still some unhappy about their union and seek to destroy all they've built--together. Can this unlikely couple survive what's...
The transport ship landed onboard the Aegis in Main Hangar Bay. The medical staff stood prepped and ready to assist the wounded. Caine and Jupiter strode to a safe distance as all able-body personnel moved in the direction of the medical wing. Caine watched, his eyes filled with anger as the unconscious Famulus was lifted out on a gurney. Jupiter pulled his attention, saying, "My love, please don't give what she said, another thought. I was there too, and saw clearly what happened... YOU RESCUED US! The women who were trapped with me, were scared. But I knew you'd come for us and you did. What happened to Famulus was... horrible, and she has a long recovery in front of her. But it has nothing to do with us, or our future together." Caine's face softened. He looked longingly at the Goddess standing before him. Picking her up, under her bottom, he held her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Jupiter gasped at his sudden move. Taking in his scent, she succumbs to his passion, placing her arms about his neck and returning his kiss.
"Mr. Wise," a quiet voice spoke. "I need to speak with Her Majesty, if you please."
Caine pulled away from Jupiter's delicious lips, saying, "Commander."
Jupiter arched her brow at her lover, asking, "Wait... instead of SIR?" Caine chuckled at that, then motioned for her to turn around. She looked to see Commander Phylo. "Oh, um... Commander?"
"Lady Jupiter."
"Caine, put me down." He did so. "My apologies, Commander. How can I help you?"
"Your Majesty, I believe it's best for you to go to the medical bay and receive treatment," he said.
"I'm perfectly fine," Jupiter insisted. "They didn't do anything to me, or the women I was held with. We were very lucky. Caine rescued us before their PLANS could go into effect."
"Their plans?" Phylo asked, curious.
"Oh yes. One of their leaders, a man named Tono, figured out who I was, and then ordered our jailer to watch over us. And it was he, who kept babbling on about a prophecy, and how I was the Mother of the Future. Ridiculous as that sounds, the basic premise reads... our baby, one born of the Abrasax Queen and sired by the Legendary Lycantant, is considered by them, to be the ultimate symbol of defiance. Which has given their cause, the shot in the arm it needed. And, from the way he was talking, it sounded like they still believed I was pregnant!" Caine grimaced. He looked at the Commander, this new information not matching up with their current intel.
"Did the Jailer mention why they killed Titus Abrasax?"
"They definitely had a falling out. The man kept repeating, Titus almost ruined their plans."
"Famulus would know," Caine suggested.
"True," Phylo concurred, "but as a loyal vassal of Lord Titus, she may not be willing to speak to us. Your Majesty, let us move in the direction of the Medical Bay."
"Okay," Jupiter agreed, too tired to argue.
"I'm afraid the ship won't be able to get underway anytime soon," Phylo explained. "It will take days to repair this level of damage, and even longer for another ship to reach us this far out on the spiral arm. The only reason this ship is still in the sky, was because of the actions of Captain Tsing."
"Where is she, by the way?" Jupiter asked. "Is the captain on the bridge?" Commander Phylo looked towards Caine, his eyes displaying the deepest regret. Crestfallen, Caine dropped his head over the death of a comrade and a friend.
"Caine, what is it?" Jupiter asked.
"Your Majesty," Commander Phylo began.
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