Lost Empire

Chapter 89

0001 - Tempro
0003 - Conner- Thomas
0097 - Ace - Zimmel
0098 - Lucy
0101 - Shelby (mother ship)
0125 - Lars
0130 - Gillese
0200 - Ellen
0201 - Jake
0250 - Tendra
0301 - Rodrick
0403 - Johnathon
0505 - Craig
0660 - Realla
0778 - Jan
0798 - Celeste - Shelby (human)
0805 - Toran
0808 - Radella
0881 - Handrax
0882 - Teal
0908 - Tara - Mara
1000 - Sherry
--------------------------
Ungrown - unnumbered
------------------------

0102 - Derry (father ship)

Rescued from Tendraxians
so far
-----------------------
2 on Shelby both in re-gen
8 on Lucy
--------------------------------
Known and OR numbered
-------------------------------
0501 - Thaddeus
???? - Lena
---------------------------
missing
0667 - Marco
0999 - Zan - still lost

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Two calls came in from two of the rebel leaders which Risen traced, then blew the hell out a block area around where they were.

"Well, Queen, that's two of the leaders, now I just need the others," Risen said, waiting. Shaking his head, he ordered the complete destruction of the next two cities. "Hmmmm," Risen said, "only another three billion to go. I mean what's just a million nothing really, and look at all the empty land there is now."

A few moments later, the Queen called, "we have all twelve left, see they are being executed now. Now do we have a deal? We need the materials."

Risen smiled as he said, "no, there's still one left. You have an hour before I destroy everything around him,
for hundreds of miles," Risen said as he finally relaxed, maybe the sheep would listen to him.

Risen watched as a huge contingent of troops converged upon one building. A wicked evil smile lit up his face as a lone figure was dragged from the building.

The radio activated at that moment. It is hoped that the death of this one helps to appease you," came the Queen's voice.

"It will, though any more treachery, will be an unending wave of death," Risen said.

Risen's smile grew larger as the lone figure was executed, then the troops continued to empty their weapons more.

"I will be landing in a few of your time units. I will be ready, much more than before. If there are any more attempts on me, then I will make sure that nothing remains. I will indeed destroy more than mates," Risen said.

"We will make sure our partner. We are more than eager to ascend back to where we belong," Said the Queen.

Another evil smile crossed Risen's features, yeah he thought. you and the others are just fodder for me taking over the Empire.

_________________________________________________________________


Admiral Hartwell looked over to Bee again for the thousandth time. The feeling he had for her was growing stronger. He wasn't sure if it was because the bond was new or what. He just knew that he had to touch her soon or go crazy.

Not ten feet away Bee was feeling almost the same, though she was somehow handling it better than Hartwell. Well, she was barely handling it better.

Things seemed to be going well, 'til once again both of their lifesigns started to plunge again. "What the hell is going on!" Lucie shouted, seeing both Bee and Hartwell starting to convulse again.

"Unsure Prime Lucie," Johnathon said. "None of these readings are making any sense."

Mary appeared scanning them both, herself confused.

Something was nagging at the back of Lucie's mind, though she couldn't quite capture it. What in the hell was it her brother had mentioned? Closeness, bodies closely synced, chemicals alike. It was starting to frustrate her to no end.

"MARY!" Lucie yelled,"They need to physically touch to complete the bond! Quick moved them closer," Lucie said as she tried to shift the bio-beds. She'd actually moved one of them a foot closer when their lifesigns stabilized.

Mary's eyes went wide as she and Johnathon rapidly moved the bio-beds together. Less than a moment later, both of their eyes flickered open.

Hartwell grabbed Bee's hand, clutching it as if his life depended on it. He then looked at Lucie, "glad you remembered and listen as well as you do. Not that I'm complaining," Hartwell said, a large smile on his face. "I wonder how long it will be before we won't have to touch to be alright."

"From all the readings we are getting, it shouldn't be more than a few hours. Might I suggest that you just lay there and hold each other 'til the beds release you," Mary said.

"OK," Hartwell said with a somewhat silly grin. "For once, I can comply with that."

Lucie's jaw almost hit the floor at this confession from her brother. Maybe Bee would make him more human after all. Let's hope she thought this new brother she'd had was too machine for her taste.

Now she thought they just needed to get the rest of the A.I.'s. She could still hear them though they were more background noise than anything else.

_______________________________________________________________


It was the next day on the Delcron planet, Greeson, Mara, his fiancé, the Captain of EIG 0908, Tara. Followed by Greeson's master, Kimon and Kimon's fiancé, Onai, were preparing to leave.

They had all made their way to the room that Jimison and Difina had shared the night before. A knock on the door produced several growls before Jimison answered the door.

It was apparent that there had been some type of fight as he had more than a few scratchs and bites all over him. Difina was barely conscious on a large bed also with scratches and bites.

Kimon nodded "so I see that your wedding night was successful. I wish you long health. We are here to inform you we are departing. The Commander has need of us as soon as possible."

Jimison bowed, then shook hands with all four of them. A very quick movement behind him had him grabbing Difina as she tried to attack through the door. Difina's eyes cleared, then she smiled, "Joining, mating night fever," Difina said. "Though, I am afraid that it might go on for another day, as we had to wait to join."

Kimon nodded, "understood, you have the com. if you have need of us. We will advise you every week to continue your training. Always practice, stay sharp and alert there still may be more out there trying to end the both of you."

"Be well all of you, especially you," Difina said to Mara. "You have captured the heart of a warrior, treasure it."

Mara nodded a little confused, then smiled, "I will Princess Difina."

With that, they all left, boarding Tara and the Jitaku envoy ship. "Now entering trans-warp conduit," Tara advised, then they were gone.

Jimison had monitored their progress 'til they were gone. He then turned back toward a grinning Difina. "I think it's time for more bindings, you shredded the last."

"I believe you are correct, my husband," they said that the room was completely destroyed when they left it.

On the edge of the galaxy, both ships appeared, waiting a few minutes. "Chamber purged, particle generator now spinning up, prepared to enter trans-warp, Prime," Mara said to Tara.

"Engage," Tara said. "Long range com." Tara requested.

"Open," Mara replied.

"We are returning, sire," Tara said as soon as Derrick's Holo-gram appeared.

"Very good, though I am afraid that we will be leaving not long after you return," Derrick said.

"Yes sire, there is still much that we need to do for the Empire," Mara said.

"More than that, we still have two very important marriage ceremonies to get through," Derrick said.

"Yes sire, though one isn't that important, not when compared to duty," Mara answered.

"Captain, do not argue with me on this, your ceremony is as important as Colonel Dempsy's is. It will also go greatly toward raising the moral of the troops and the fleet," Derrick said.

"Yes sire! No argument from me nor Captain Greeson," Tara said.

"That will be all, Captain Norman," Derrick said, then ended communication.

A mere ten minutes later, space not far from the Imperial Planet rolled and seemed to boil. A round portal opened as two ships emerged.

A few minutes later, a fleet wide message went out from Derrick, "all ships, prepare for a special commendation ceremony." Everyone was surprised, wondering what was going on.

Derrick had called Kimon, Greeson, Onai and Mara to the throne room. All of them were more than curious, though the closer they got, the more upset Kimon seemed to get.

When they entered the room, Daniel Norman, Mara's father, was there before the throne. "You know what this is about?" Norman asked Kimon.

"Yes, I've got a good idea. I can't believe he's going to do this to me," Kimon grumbled.

"Attention," Mary said as soon as they were all there.

Derrick nodded then started, "Captain Greeson, Colonel Dempsy, Onai Sakuta," Derrick started, then the image of Isamu Sakuta appeared next to Derrick. "For the service that the three of you did for both two empires," here the image of Emperor Kandra appeared. "You are awarded the highest award the empire has to give, the Imperial cross."

Both Kimon and Greeson were shocked. Onai and her father were beaming with pride. "The three of you have saved the empire. Plus, you have purged a blight on our world, we convey upon you three the bloody claw. The greatest honor on our planet," Kandra said as Derrick put the medals around all three of their necks.

Derrick motioned Onai back and Norman forward. "Now, for the rest of the ceremony. Brigader General Norman, it is my intent to promote you to Major general," Derrick then pinned a second star to his shirt. "Congratulations."

Norman stepped back, with Kimon stepping forward with a slight growl on his lips. "Colonel Dempsy, for meritorious service aiding our ally, you are promoted to Brigader general." Derrick removed the silver oak leaves, pinning a star to his shirt.

Derrick glared at Dempsy as Kimon backed up. Derrick then motioned Greeson forward. "Captain Greeson, for meritorious service you are hereby promoted to Major. I commend the three of you with this honor and pray for your future service to the empire."

"Dismissed!" Mary said as all left the throne room.

"You know I could always put you in charge of almost all the ground troops," Derrick said into Kimon's ear a moment later.

"No sir, I think I have enough to do now," Kimon said, keeping his voice even.

"Good, cause I need you as high as I can get you. Your strategy was highly coveted in the war. Please don't make me regret not promoting you higher. Now we need to talk about you and Onai's joining, it is next on my agenda," Derrick said.

This, of course, had Kimon speechless, he hadn't even considered this to be that important to the Emperor. "I agree that it is important, plus I am afraid that I have made Onai wait far too long. Is it really a priority to you?" Kimon asked.

Derrick's face contorted to anger a moment, then softened as quickly. "Yes, it is very important, I made you and her a promise not long ago. You, yourself, know that I ALWAYS honor my promises. I don't make them often nor do I make them lightly. Now then, as soon as all is ready, we are all going to Jitaku."

OK, Kimon thought, not only was the commander serious, he seemed to be in a hurry. A slight smile came to Kimon's lips, knowing his recent luck? The joining would be delayed because of something stupid.

The simple fact that Onai was who she was, plus his new elevated status, this was going to be very big. So big, in fact, this was going to be on a global scale.

___________________________________________________


On Jitaku, two ships managed to slip through all the defences to land in a very remote region. Both craft had unknown markings, both filled with well over thirty people each.

Upon exiting the ships, they all set up camp, then immediately, started to train. Their style was one that hadn't been seen on Jitaku for a very long time.

The leader of the groups smiled evilly. Now was their time. Yes, the leader thought they would take revenge on the Dempsy clan, then the council and the council leader.

Perhaps the loss of his daughter would be a good start. This should be interesting, to say the least, she was a master, as was her soon-to-be mate. Yes, a high clan leader to boot, things were looking up for sure.

Three huge and one sleek ship exited the trans-warp conduit, not far from the Jitaku planet. More than just a few alarms were going off at the space control station.

They were quickly silenced as a holo-gram of an Oriental appeared on board all the ships. This is Jitaku space control, we have you on final approach. Adjust your orbital glide three degrees, then proceed straight on your projected vector. Welcome the exalted Emperor of the Realm," the holo-gram said.

A moment later, the holographic visage of Isamu Sakuta, the council leader of the planet appeared. "Exalted one," he said as he bowed to the floor. "It is indeed an honor to have you gracing our world."

"It is an honor to be here on your planet. Your people have always shown the greatest honor to the empire. I have been fortunate to have one of the Dempsy clan serve with me in the war. He has recently been promoted to Brigader General. I am confident that he will serve with great honor for you and the Empire," Derrick said.

"With him restoring the Dempsy clan's honor and that of Jitaku, I know that he will do such. Please attend a banquet with the clan leader and the council, that we can all share in the honor," Isamu Sakuta said.

"Leader," Kimon said, "it is indeed an honor to be returning home after such a long time. I am glad that I was finally able to restore such a long dishonor of Jitaku. I am afraid that the son of the ancestor of our shame escaped. Though with no more than a hundred poorly trained students. The exalted one has allowed me and your daughter to hunt these disgrace to the art."

"Ah, this is good, this is indeed a great mission for the empire and the both of you. Now then, your mother arrived a few days ago, daughter?" Isamu said.

"Yes father, I received a communique from her, she is waiting, somewhat impatiently. Please advise her I will be with her as soon as possible," Onai said.

"This is good daughter, I shall see all of you soon then," Isamu said, then clicked off.

Derrick turned to Celeste's holo-gram, "Get me Mara," Derrick said. "I want you to maintain a defensive position here. Jan, I want you to do roving patrols, keep in contact with Prime Mara at all times. Both of you are damn near indestructible, though I know different."

Both ships and Mara all said yes, Sir, then clicked off, patrolling. Derrick then turned toward Kimon. I heard that you are requesting Greeson to go with you. Is there something that you want me to be wary of?"

"That I am going to make sure of. As we have both seen, there are still many enemies out there. I would be remiss in my duty if I didn't protect you, especially now," Kimon said.

"One would think that this would be a very bad idea. If I am not mistaken, the entire planet would go to war to aid you and me," Derrick said.

A small smile crossed Kimon's mouth. "The entire planet. Yes sir, I believe that it would. There is a story about three or four hundred years ago. The Emperor was here. A faction thought to cause a coup in the Empire. It was the first time the entire planet united. The faction was executed. I think the fact that you are here sir? It is a very good thing."

Derrick was nodding his head, he had read of this though it was actually five hundred years ago. "That is a good thing to know, especially as honorable as the Jitaku have always been."

An hour later, Onai, Kimon, Greeson, his student, Derrick and Shelby appeared in a pre-selected place. They were greeted by all the clan leaders, the entire council including Isamu Sakuta.

Derrick stepped up to a raised dais, "It is indeed as honor to be here, as it is an honor to meet all the clans and the council. I have no doubt that all will shine in their duties."

Derrick stepped down to great cheering, he nodded to Kimon and Greeson as they stepped and vanished. Derrick also noticed that Onai vanished as soon as he and Shelby were in their room.

Derrick established contact with Mary on the Imperial Planet. "Keep me abreast of everything that you are keeping an eye on. Have you had any other readings on the outer regions of the empire?"

"None yet, sire. I have started to run several different energy readings on all the planets within the realm. At present, I am getting no readings. I should get some. Sire? May I send a probe to investigate this?" Mary asked.

Derrick thought about it for a few minutes. The last time he ignored something Mary was unsure about, they had the leader of the sect slip through.

"Yes, if you suspect anything at all, notify me. I want you to be filming every moment. That way, nothing is missed. This time, if there is any doubt, I will be there with you," Derrick said.

"Thank you sire, I will be in contact no matter what," Mary said, then cut contact.

Immediately, Mary launched a small probe that spun up it's trans-warp and vanished. Mary followed it as it rapidly approached the edge of the new areas that were added.

It was an hour later when Mary got a notification that the probe was entering a type of dampening field. She rapidly made adjustments that revealed the probe approaching a planet. Mary was shocked to learn that it held one of their main enemies.

It was a few hours later when Derrick received a message from Mary. A message that he wasn't happy about in the least.

Kimon had visited the clan headquarters, hoping that no one had heard of anything strange happening in the last week. Unfortunately, as he thought, there had been several strange sightings and disappearances.

Kimon then contacted several of the other clans, getting almost the same reports. This went far beyond what he had been hoping not to see. Though he thought he and Greeson could handle it, he took several students with him.

They had been on the move for a few hours, Kimon letting the clan leader and Derrick know what he'd found. They finally slowed in a very remote section of the main continent.

Kimon stopped them as they approached a large cleared area. In that clearing Kimon saw three ships that had landed and set up camp. Kimon didn't recognize the ships, though he did the style of their art.

He immediately sent two of the students back to let the clan know. Then he thought about sending another four. This wasn't good, unlike those that they had faced on the Delcron planet, they were well-trained.

Kimon kept watch as suddenly as the first, then the second students were dragged into the camp. Almost an hour later, two more students were dragged back into the camp. The first two had been staked out to begin torture on.

The next two were also stripped naked and staked out on an x shape like the first two. A few moments later, the fifth student was dragged in also staked out.

An older man, Kimon thought he recognized, stepped out in front of them. "So the Dempsy clan has discovered us. It is of no matter, with as pitiful students as this," The older man said.

Kimon aimed puffing three times through a hollow tube. Both the men beside the older man dropped to the ground gagging, then lay still. The older man snatched the third poison dart out of the air close to his face.

"So I am indeed dealing with a master. Why not show yourself?" The man said, then watched as another five of his men dropped dead. Then another five dropped, he was suddenly snatching another five darts out of the air though one scratched him. "Show yourself coward! This is deceitful, unworthy of the art."

"So, this coming from one who snuck in, damming their entire clan," Kimon's voice said, seeming to come from everywhere. "You, who did not make sure before they came to Jitaku. Nor did you notice that the Emperor is here for a traditional Jitaku joining."

"You lie! He would not come here for a joining," the older man snarled.

"Oh," Kimon's voice spat back. Not even for one who served and fought with him in the republic wars?"

"YOU! you should have died that day from our combat, a combat that you cheated to win. Your rank, everything should have been stripped from you that day," the older man shouted.

"I did not nor have I ever cheated. It isn't my fault that you did not study all the advanced moves," Kimon said as he stepped out. "I think that you will find that I am much more than you ever thought I or you were."

"Bah it doesn't matter now," the man said, then turned. "Is it done?" To which two of the men nodded to him.

"So, we will once again have a battle for the top position. You will notice that the rules have changed," the man said, then raised a hand. From one of the ships, several men dragged out his mother Akira. "As you see, we have a prize for you. I'm sure you recognize your mother."

It took all that Kimon had to remain calm when he saw her. Her eyes were trained on him, showing that, no matter what, she had ultimate confidence in him.

"Ah! Though I have another prize for you," the man said. It took more than eight men to bring out his intended Onai.

"Ha!" Kimon said, "I feel for each of you when she slips from her bonds. She is a friend of death and right now he is anxious for her to work. So what are you wanting, a fight? You are no match for me."

"No, I think it's the other way around. For the last decade I have studied ALL the forbidden arts. I have mastered all of them, you are sadly mistaken if you think you can beat me," the man said.

"Hmmm, perhaps, though, as I have learned, pride like yours always comes before the mighty fall. I'm therefore not afraid nor will I be," Kimon said with a smile on his lips.

Onai was afraid as she had seen the art of these people, hardly recognizing any of their moves. A few she had though, that just delayed them capturing her. She knew that Kimon recognized far more than her, but did he know enough?

"So shall we begin? Oh, that is more of my clan arriving, no less than ninety more, so you see your efforts were for nothing," the white-haired man, with a scar across his face said, as three more ships arrived.

"I'm sorry no matter how hard I think about it, I can't seem to recall your name. Obviously, the fight was not that important. So forgive me if, after I destroy you, I still won't remember," Kimon said off-handly.

"Oh really," the man said. Then I shall have it put on your grave if I leave enough. Here lies the greatest failure of the Dempsy clan, slain by his brother!"

"I have no brother," Dempsy said as he looked at his mother, whose head was bowed low. "So I did, and you never revealed this to me. I can see that we need to talk after this, mother."

"Ha! Your over-confidence will be the death of you!" The older man said.

"Over-confidence? Oh no, I know my skill and how my art is. I know what I can and can not do, something that you are also about to find out," Kimon said.

The man started to laugh mightly as his men started to move toward Kimon.

Derrick watched tensely as he'd finally managed to get the remote comp up where Kimon was. The problem was, it only showed every ten seconds. He'd shown the council and Kimon's clan as soon as the almost dead student had shown up at the clan hall. Derrick had been visiting when it happened.

Immediately, most of the clan started arming themselves. The Sakuta clan also joined them when it was discovered that Onai was missing. Everyone was climbing into speeders capable of being there in minutes, so some three thousand departed.