by Jeri Dion
“That was some feat out there you did, so she’s the evil woman who destroyed your home world?” asked Tom looking down at her in a warm and caring way.
“Yes, that’s her, and I’m glad she is where she belongs, heading to what she deserves, how are you feeling, you know Marc didn’t mean for you to get injured, he just thought he was trying to help,” said Tayce she’d heard about their fracas, from Lydia upon return.
“Oh I’ll heal, I’m more concerned for you though, you were extremely brave coming up against the Countess, even if you did have a bit of unexpected help,” he said referring to her powers from nowhere.
“Hate makes strange things happen and has some strange outcomes, I can’t explain what happened, but I did what I felt was right to honour my people and what she did,” replied Tayce, she didn’t want to think about the sudden powerfulness she’d found.
“I think you were really spectacular, I couldn’t have taken her on like you did,” said Treketa handing Donaldo a gadget to heal Tayces arm.
“When faced with the prospect of repaying her for what she did to my people deep inside me, I felt about nothing more than putting an end to her evil ways, my Father once told me, she was a woman no one crossed but if you did, then you had to have the courage and the guts to stop her,” replied Tayce.
Treketa nodded in agreement. Donaldo took great care and showed extreme gentleness in healing the small flesh burn, caused by one of the Countesses power strikes. Tayce glanced away as Donaldo concentrated near to the area with the hand held gadget. There was slight pain, but Tayce fought if off. She looked back up into Donaldo’s warm caring eyes. He smiled back, exclaiming when they were on the Intergalactic Medical Colony, he or she had no idea he’d be treating her injuries so soon after his arrival on board. Tayce agreed. She had to admit, that more than anyone she had no idea she was going to come up against the Countess and feel her wrath so soon. Everyone present nodded in total agreement. Donaldo soon finished allowing Tayce to sit up. Tom helped her up into the sitting position. Donaldo, as he began to put back the gadgets for treatment, ordered her to take it easy for a while, her arm would seem sore. Tom assured, he would make sure she did. Tayce gave him an “Oh yes! I don’t think so, look.” Treketa tried not to laugh, she could see that Tayce was somewhat like herself, no one was going to boss her around. Donaldo knew Tayce and he had summed her up as being somewhat stubborn, to say the least. He knew Tom was not going to have an easy time of it. Tayce slid to the floor and she and Tom began on out of the Life Ability Centre leaving Donaldo and Treketa to clear away the treatment equipment used. The doors drew apart before them on approach and they both passed through. Once outside and walking along the corridor, without warning Tom gently grabbed Tayce and guided her back against the corridor wall. She was taken totally by surprise of what followed, when Tom did what he had wanted to do for a long time, and that was to plant a long lingering kiss on her delicate lips. Tayce found herself responding to him and found a rush of pure ecstatic pleasure sear through her. This was different from the boys she’d kissed on Traun. But was this wrong, she’d considered Tom just a friend, but could tell by the way he was kissing her, he wanted more than friendship. Tayce found herself being drawn into the moment of pure wanting tenderness and draped her arms around his strong neck. Everything around them seemed to melt away. They were totally lost in each other. Tayce did think however at the back of her mind, whether this was all too soon, after the death of his wife Alenea. Was this just a rebound feeling.
Countess Vargon sat in the Confinement Cell doing what only could be considered the equivalent of the licking of her wounds. Lydia had sent Lance to check on the current status of their on board unwelcome guest, that she hadn’t tried to use her powers to escape despite the intense energy field. He paused outside the force field entrance studying her. She looked up feeling someone was looking at her. Lance looked back.
“Lance Largon isn’t it, Jonathan’s son, you’ve grown to be a fine young man, I’m still here, your Colonel has seen to that,” she announced plainly.
“Why, I remember when I was a child, you were on the good side of the law, what made you switch?” asked Lance curious, he couldn’t understand why she’d done what she had, to the people of Traun.
“Times change Largon, it’s more fun being on the bad side,” she replied giving him a dark eyed look.
“Yeah but once you were a good Councillor, you and your husband, where’s he in all this?” asked Lance unbelieving what she had become and the fact her husband had left her to face the heat in going to trial.
“It is of no interest to you, where he is,” she replied to the point, like she was hiding something, and was not going to let on.
Tom walked towards Lance with fresh Coffeen, informing him that Lydia in Tayces absence had ordered him to watch Vargon until they reached Questa. Tayce was resting. Lance nodded in agreement, taking the fresh Coffeen starting to drink it. Tom threw a cold look at the Countess wondering why such an attractive looking woman, was such a venomous snake. Tom knew that he shouldn’t, but in a way he felt sorry for the way she looked at life and her attitude to the Traunians, it was hard to understand. Lance nudged him telling him not to be taken in by the looks, treacherous is, as treacherous does. Both went on to discuss what Tayce had done back on the Lair in her confrontation with their present guest, both could only put it down to a momentous fluke, maybe conjured up from some unknown force. Neither could think of how it could have happened. Tom left Lance with the confined Countess, with words of warning, not to trust anything she asked. Lance agreed sipping his Coffeen. Tom headed off back to Organisation Deck
Quite suddenly a while later there came an agonising horrific male cry. That was pin pointed coming from below decks on Level 3, rear of the cruiser. Midge announced, Lance was in trouble. Tayce who had just returned to duty, left Organisation with Marc in hot pursuit. They both ran at full pelt to get down to Level 3. Donaldo had been requested by Midge, declaring an emergency situation. Donaldo emerged from the Life Ability Centre, with Treketa carrying a Medic Emergency Kit. He was controlling the Hover Trolley with the hand held keypad and walked behind it as they sped along the corridor. Both switched equipment half way, Treketa took over the Hover Trolley, so he could run on ahead. Tayce wasn’t taking any chances, where the Countess was. On Level 2 she paused at the Slazer Emergency Cabinet on the corridor wall and retrieved two Slazers. She checked they were fully charged, then handed one to Marc, suggesting he keep alert. They continued on down to the rear of Amalthea, on alert. On the 3rd Level Tayce was met by the awesome sight of Lance trapped in the force field entrance door, to the Confinement Cell which was still activated. She took aim at the operation panel and open fired, to deactivate it. It shut down Lance dropping to the floor like a lead weight in a scorched and bleeding near unconscious mess.
“My God Lance it’s okay, take it easy, Donaldo’s on his way,” said Tayce crouching beside him.
“She’s escaped Tayce, sorry,” he mouthed in pain.
“You stay with him, I’ll check around,” suggested Marc clasping his Slazer in his hands setting off with it primed ready to fire at a cencrons notice, at the sight of the Countess.
“Marc be careful, she’s already had Lance, you know what she’s capable of,” warned Tayce.
“It’s all right I know how that woman thinks, I’ll be fine,” he assured her setting off in search of Vargon.
As if Countess Vargon being on the loose aboard wasn’t enough to worry about, overhead Midge announced they were going into boarding with Questa Headquarters Base. Tayce cursed, she knew now Vargon would escape to Questa and get lost in the crowds of people and aliens arriving and departing the base, she had to do something and fast. Donaldo rounded the corner, setting down his Medic Emergency Kit. Tayce Left Lance in his capable care and set off up the corridor. She had to stop Vargon escaping to Questa. Treketa could s
ee the look of urgency and panic as she passed Tayce with the Hover Trolley on the way to Donaldo, but she didn’t say anything. Tayce raised her Wristlink, contacting Midge. She ordered him to slow down the docking procedure, and no account, open Docking Bay doors until Vargon was at least not discovered on the cruiser. Midge agreed. Tayce ran, checking every doorway she came to and on every corridor junction. She Wristlinked to her Mother advising her to warn Jonathan Largon, the Countess was on the lose, she had broken confinement and she may exit to Questa. Lydia agreed cutting communication, she quickly contacted Questa and informed Adam the Generals aide of what was unfolding on board.
Marc was in suspicion, he’d pinned the Countess down, he crept around the corner on Level 2. His hunch had been right, the Countess was on her way to the Docking Bay doors. He wanted to pick her off right where she was, but figured if he did, she would not stand trial. He stepped out onto the Level, fully aiming his hand held Slazer directly at her with it set to Stun.
“Hold it, you’ve got no where to run, it’s all over, stop where you are, or nothing would give me the greatest pleasure to change the setting on this gun, take this as my first and only warning,” he said looking furiously at her.
“Go ahead Commander Dayatso, nothing would give me also the greatest pleasure of adding you to my list of dead Traunians, you’ll never stop me,” she retorted coldly.
Tayce stepped cautiously round the same corridor corner Marc had just ventured from, she saw Vargon was about to unleash another of her powerful fire balls, of pure red energy. She dived literally towards Marc pushing him out of the way of the on coming missile. Both she and Marc hit the deck floor. Marc’s Slazer flew from his grasp, and slid away against the corridor wall. The Countess went on laughing callously Marc was far from impressed so Tayce had saved his life, but now they probably had lost the last chance of stopping Vargon gaining access to Questa, or had they? Further Up, Tom stepped out of the Deck Travel and smoothly and silently aimed his Slazer at the Countesses head, daring her to make another move, because if she did, it would give him the greatest pleasure to carry out the necessary, to put a stop to her once and for all. Tayce was on her feet and walking to join Tom, who now had Vargon in tight restricting grip.
“You won’t be able to hold me forever, no one can stop me,” she protested to no avail.
“We’ll see about that Countess, there’s a team waiting to meet the likes of you on Questa and I wouldn’t advise struggling, considering our last encounter,” warned Tayce.
Marc placed the force field handcuffs on the Countesses wrists and did it in an uncaring manner. Tayce Wristlinked to Midge ordering him to go on with the docking procedures. Amalthea continued on with the completion for docking home with Questa. Tayce handed over the responsibility of holding Vargon to Tom she then headed away heading off to see how Lance was in the Life Ability Centre. As she went, so she thought how glad she would be when Vargon was safely in the hands of the Questa Security Team.
Down in the Life Ability Centre Lance was protesting that he was fine. Donaldo knew though it was down to his quick thinking and quick treatment he was. It was hard to imagine less than forty-six cencrons ago Lance was in a near death grip on the corridor floor, on Level 3. Lance winced a bit, realising all his pain was not entirely gone, as he placed his polo-neck top back on with help from Treketa. Donaldo smiled to himself, he knew that there was some discomfort still and that Lance was just being brave showing off to Treketa. But if Lance assured him he was fine, then he was not going to argue with him. It was on his head be it if something happened later during duty, like he collapsed. The doors to the Life Ability Centre opened Tayce walked in, her face suddenly took on an angered look at the sight of Lance being brash and pretending he was fine, when he looked clearly like death warmed up. She crossed to him in a no nonsense way.
“Lance, where do you think your going?” she asked coming to a halt putting her hands on her hips in a true manner of command.
“I want to collect my things from home, when we dock,” he began as he slid to the floor.
“Donaldo your the Medical Officer, do you think he’s up to this?” confided Tayce questioningly.
“I’ve warned him and advised him, but he has insisted he’s fine,” replied Donaldo looking to Lance giving up any responsibility of what Lances actions were, in the fact he felt like Tayce, that Lance should be resting.
“Well all right if you insist that your fine, I’m not taking responsibility for you lets go,” said Tayce plain and simple, heading towards the entrance doors.
Donaldo and Lance followed on behind, as did Treketa. Tayce didn’t like the idea of Lance wanting to be on his feet so soon, after the serious injury he’d sustained, no more than Donaldo did. Fair enough, his wounds may have been healed on the surface, but they would still be sore underneath. After leaving the Life Ability Centre Lance was beginning to feel that maybe Tayce and Donaldo had been right, it was to soon to try anything strenuous, but he was not going to let on. He caught Tayce glancing back at him, truly displeased he was even attempting such a foolish act, he quickly smiled, brushing off the fact he was fine. As Treketa caught up with her, she ordered her to keep an eye on Lance on Questa the moment he showed strain he was to be escorted back to the cruiser in a no nonsense way, she gave her the authority to be tough with him. Treketa agreed wholeheartedly and confided that she too thought it would have been wise that Lance remain on board until he was strong enough, there would be other times to return home for his things.
Marc, Lydia and Tom stood at the Docking Bay doors with the Countess trying to break free of her force field restraints, but to no avail. She looked like thunder ready to erupt. As everyone grouped together Lance stayed at the back feeling both anger and pain towards the Countess, to think he had been taken in so foolishly by her treacherous ways, even though he had been warned by Tom. It was a good thing he still smarted and that he and she weren’t in some lonely destination, he’d forget being a nice person and show her his dark side and how nasty he could get, if angered. It was nice to feel the rush of the Questa warm air meet them as the Docking Bay doors opened. On Questa Jonathan Largon awaited, with him was the promised amount of high level security guards ready and armed. There was also a strong presence of other armed guards spaced out around the immediate area, in case the Countess tried to escape. Jonathan Largon stood watching stern faced towards the entrance and walkway of Amalthea, he shared the hatred for the most devilish woman in all the galaxy, with Tayce, who was about to walk forth with the team. At the sight of the Countess in all her evil glory walking forth in front of Tom in force field restraints, Jonathan turned and nodded to his nearest officer. All the security guards present and around the immediate area immediately went to primed alert mode, with their weapons ready to shoot, if the Countess tried to escape. The spectators gathered had heard that she was arriving at Questa. They watched and ridiculed her cruelly as they saw her being lead off the Amalthea. The odd person catching who it was, as they were walking by paused and gave a plain look of surprise and disgust. Tayce paused in front of Jonathan.
“General I believe our first assignment is a success, here is the first of hoped many criminals being brought to justice from us,” announced Tayce proudly.
“Good work Tayce, that goes for all off you, well done,” praised Jonathan.
“I’m glad this criminal is one we’ve been able to apprehend first, she deserves everything that’s coming to her don’t you agree?” asked Tayce confidingly and loud enough to let the spectators gathered hear.
“Oh I totally agree, Countess Vargon your going where you deserve to be for the rest of your natural life and I will make sure that you remain there, you may have escaped from confinement on Amalthea One, but we’ve a strong well protected spot especially for you here, until you come to the trial you so rightfully deserve, men take her away,” commanded Jonathan in a true tone of command.
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Two guards stepped forth and one placed a high density force field belt around the Countess, then lead her away through the square under primed weapon sight and to the sound of boos and hisses and cold sharp spiteful innuendos. Jonathan Largon turned his attention back to welcoming the team, then his eyes caught sight of someone he thought he would never see again, in the group. He walked forth as the team parted to let Lydia walk forward
“Lydia, it’s truly good to see you my God we thought we’d lost you, welcome to what I hope you will term as your new second home, Questa,” said Jonathan in a warm loving way, then gave her a warm comforting hug.
“It’s good to be here,” replied Lydia hugging him back, as they had been friends for many yearons.
Upon releasing Lydia Jonathan invited everyone to his Officette. They began on their way leaving behind the cruiser with Midge in charge. All soon arrived at the Vacuum Lift to take them up to Jonathan’s Officette. They boarded. Tayce stood next to Tom, noticing how quiet he was. She didn’t say anything, she just stood feeling the welcome warmth of his alluring presence. Those of the team that hadn’t been to Questa before stood watching as the Vacuum Lift rose above the city. Donaldo occasionally glanced at Lance checking he was holding up. The Vacuum Lift soon stopped. The doors parted and everyone walked out and along to Jonathan’s Officette. Half way along the corridor, Lance paused, and called Tayce to one side.
