Realms Of The Gods

by C. M. Kane

  Tae took a deep steadying breath and got out of the star chair. ‘Nearly time for me to meet our makers.’ She quipped. The bridge crew turned as one and saluted her. Tears filled Tae’s eyes, she was grateful for such a sign of respect, but still felt unworthy. ‘Adam will be in charge until I get back.’ she said before saluting all of them. She turned and walked swiftly to the lift, letting the doors close on her before they saw her tears.

  She met Adam and Xirra in her room and outlined her plan to them. She hoped it could be done, she knew it would be risky but she could see no other way if Zeus and Loki tried to take Brightmoon away from her.

  She was not prepared to risk these people, or her ship, if her suspicions turned out to be fact. Adam and Xirra agreed with the plan, Adam even had a wonderful suggestion of his own, something that solved several problems. When they were all finally happy they left her to shower and change while they prepared everything.

  Risking my arse - yet again. She thought bitterly. But perhaps she wouldn’t be, perhaps Zeus, Loki and the others would simply be pleased to see her again. They might even acknowledge that her plan had helped save them all and actually thank her. Maybe she would even get to keep the captaincy of Brightmoon. Surely after saving Loki’s life three times now he would defend her before the other gods, at least enough to make them listen to all she had to explain to them. Her mind went back to the seemingly delighted look he had given her when she had been talking to Zeus.

  Yes, he would, she decided. All she needed was to be positive for a change. Once again she imagined those black eyes staring at her and a shiver of delight ran down her spine. She stared in the mirror. Maybe we might even be able to meet later privately, and …, she thought, letting her imagination come up with several highly desirable scenarios.

  She went to her mirror and looked at herself closely; she wasn’t too bad to look at surely? Today wasn’t the first time she’d caught Loki looking at her, she hoped that it meant he was attracted to her. Her mother’s lessons might have indicated yes, but this was real life, and real life was a lot different from a text book or a lesson. Tae wished she had a little more experience with these matters, men, and how they reacted to things, confused the hell out of her.

  She grinned to herself. Hell, the way she was feeling right now she’d even jump Ares or Zeus if they glanced at her sideways.

  She took out her smallest, prettiest underwear … Just in case, she thought as she looked at her reflection. On an impulse she added a light pink colored moisturizing wax to her mouth that Xirra had given to her as a type of lipstick. After all, it wouldn’t hurt to go prepared. For once she was going to be optimistic about things, while being fully prepared for the worst, of course. After all, if she thought about it, the risk to her and Brightmoons safety was small. Especially considering all she had done for the gods.

  What is life without a little risk anyway? She thought as she put on the skimpy underwear.

  What the hell, risk’s my middle name … or it bloody well should be by now.

  Chapter 30

  As she was about to depart the hangar Adam contacted the Olympus and informed them that Brightmoon would be taking up position behind the enemy fleet. The ship would keep an eye on them while their captains were at the meeting. The Olympus agreed without hesitation, Tae began to move out of the Dreadnaught just as it was passing the debris field left from the battle.

  Brightmoon started to move off to her new coordinates, while Tae moved slowly towards the Olympus. She found that flying past the wreckage of Hera’s ship was one of the hardest things she had ever done, her ships senses picked up the bots that were still busy scouring the wreckage. She stared at her com-screen, she thought she could see the faint blue lights from their scanners as they worked

  Quite the little mass murderer, aren’t you? Her mind whispered.

  She took a deep breath and tried to ignore the nasty little inner demon that was her conscience, but she had a fair idea what her dreams would be about tonight. Theoretically she knew what she had done had been necessary, and that by destroying Hera and her crew she had saved countless more lives in the long run. But that was just a theory, and it certainly didn’t assuage her feelings of guilt, or stop her from feeling the pain of it. All of those lives, gone. Thousands of people were now dead, because of her. Was there some other girl’s brother onboard the Juno? Had she just killed some other girl’s Jason?

  She crushed her feelings of remorse down, they had stayed with Hera, and they had made that choice of their own volition. Life onboard a battleship was not all roses, you had to expect that you could be killed at any time, especially when going into battle.

  Tae breathed deeply. This was real life, Hera had made her choice. Tae had been left with no other option but to destroy her if she were to save everyone from her rule. She mourned the losses, but she refused to feel guilty for their choices. Cassandra was right. Sometimes it simply came down to numbers, thousands for millions, possibly billions; in the end there was no choice, she understood that now.

  Despite her inner turmoil she made sure she stayed as close to the debris field as possible, to help disguise the little friend she had brought with her. Before she had left the ship she had told Brightmoon where she was going and what she was going to do. She’d had a bit of a time convincing her to allow Adam to take charge of her while she was gone, but eventually she had cajoled the ship into allowing it. She had then dressed in the black leather pants and black shirt she had arrived in. She thought it might be best to give the impression of just being herself instead of the swirling, blackeyed mass killer that she knew everyone had seen. On impulse she let her hair hang loose down her back, but only after she remembered Loki looking at it when she was in the med bay.

  She looked at herself critically in the mirror. She was never going to be a doe eyed beauty like Jason, but she thought she looked pretty.

  ‘Well, it’s as good as I’m gonna get anyway,’ she told her reflection with a frown, she then turned and left without a backward glance.

  Tae entered the massive hangar of the Olympus behind another jumper, and landed near where she saw Tannan standing. Waiting for me are you? She grinned to herself as he walked directly over to her jumper. She was in the same ship she’d stolen from Ares.

  ‘Tae, it is good to see you again.’ He smiled at her with what seemed like genuine warmth. ‘Your timing, as usual, is impeccable. You are expected in the Garden. There can be no weapons I’m afraid.’ He motioned for a wolven warrior to come over with a scanner.

  Tae raised her eyebrows in feigned surprise as the warrior scanned her.

  ‘Zap gun tucked into her boot and a com-watch on the left wrist. There is also wood located around the neck, a chemical compound on her lips and resin on her claws. Tannan held out his hand. ‘I am sorry,’ he said, seeming genuinely contrite. ‘I have my orders.’

  ‘They’ve decided to take Brightmoon away from me, haven’t they?’ she asked, frowning in disappointment. ‘Despite everything I’ve done for them, they’d still do that to me.’

  Tannan looked at her with concern. ‘I honestly don’t know, Tae. Lord Zeus hasn’t told me of his plans as yet. He has been talking closely with Lord Loki and the others about all that has happened, and with all of these traitorous captains onboard they are taking no chances with anyone.’

  Tae handed over her wooden necklace and zap gun. ‘And the com-watch, too,’ Tannan said, looking embarrassed. Tae undid the com-watch and handed it to him scowling.

  ‘Do you want me to do an internal scan as well, Commander?’ The wolven interrupted holding the scanner at the ready.

  Tae fired up immediately. ‘Try it and I’ll rip your gods’ damned arm off and beat you to death with it, sunshine.’ The wolven reached for his zap gun as Tannan held up his hand.

  ‘I give you my word of honor as a warrior I have no weapons of any description inside my body.’ She looked at Tannan with anger. Technically she hadn’t lied, what she had brought
with her wasn’t inside her body.

  Tannan sighed. ‘It’s not what you may be thinking, Tae. Just open your mouth, it takes about ten seconds.’ Tae stared at Tannan in disgust then opened her mouth as she made her face lose all expression.

  The warrior placed a smaller device on her tongue. After he removed it he looked to Tannan. ‘She’s clean, Commander.’

  She looked down at her small painted claws, “do you want me to take off my lipstick and nail polish, or am I allowed to keep them? What about my clothes? Who knows, I might be able to attack someone with my undies if you’re not careful.’

  Tannan shook his head trying to placate her. ‘That won’t be necessary.’

  Tae raised her head. ‘Can I go now?’ she asked belligerently. ‘Or is there some other public humiliation you’d like to subject me to, seeing as neither my word nor my honor means anything to you.’

  Tannan flushed a guilty red as he called another warrior over, this one a vampire. ‘Please escort Captain Rames directly to the Garden,’ he said, trying not to look at her.

  Tae had the feeling he wanted to say more but couldn’t. Right then she didn’t really give a shit. She’d given him her word, and after all she had done for these ungrateful cretins that should have been enough. She fought back tears as she turned and followed the big vampire.

  Well, so far so good. She had passed the first hurdle but, damn, that had hurt. Part of her hadn’t wanted to believe they would do this, especially after she had just saved all of their ungrateful arses, yet again. She still felt on the verge of tears but quickly pushed them back, disgusted in herself for allowing their mistrust in her to hurt her. She’d cry later, if need be. For now she needed to concentrate on the here and now.

  She arrived at the Garden a few minutes later, closely followed by Tannan, and what she supposed were the last of the traitor captains. The warrior that escorted her hadn’t tried to engage her in any talk, but he had looked at her a few times as if curious. As she entered she noted the sheer amount of gods here, most of them under heavy guard by Commander Vesh - looking as scrumptious as ever - and what appeared to be a squadron of heavily armed guards.

  Tae’s eyes were drawn to Thanatos immediately. His unconcerned demeanor and striking red hair set him apart from the rest. She liked him, he was playing it cool, as if he were merely here for a friendly chat and a few drinks, even though he must know he was about to die.

  Now that is brave. She might not like his principles or ideals, but she admired that he stood by his word. He had the guts to face his impending demise headon, with an up yours attitude.

  Loki and Zeus were seated at the table facing the assembled gods, along with his brothers, Poseidon and Hades, at his left. Thor and Odin were to their right. Ares sat at the end to their far left, watching her with growing anger. Solath, his second, stood behind him. Ares was obviously remembering her insult to him, judging by the looks she was getting,

  Wow, short temper and long memory plus no sense of humor equals one very angry god, she thought. Despite the fact I just damn well saved his ungrateful carcass. What a giant arsehole. She couldn’t help herself, she waved and smirked at him. That, apparently, was all that was needed.

  ‘You,’ he bellowed.

  All conversation came to an abrupt halt as everyone turned to stare at her. Tae looked around in feigned surprise as if searching for the person he was yelling at. She touched her chest with her hand, wideeyed. ‘Me?’ she asked, pointing to herself.

  ‘You know Tae?’ asked Loki, in confusion.

  ‘She was onboard the Kydomois. She has insulted me, stolen from me, and injured one of my warriors.’

  Zeus turned his eyes to Tae. ‘Is this true?’ he asked.

  Tae decided on honesty, for the moment. ‘I went aboard his ship after the jumper I borrowed from you was damaged by one of these halfwits.’ She pointed to Hera’s supporters who were watching her with interest.

  ‘Once I landed onboard the Kydomois I asked to speak to Ares. Well, after he had his warriors ascertain that I had no weapons, and that it was safe for him to venture up to meet me in person.’ -Tae smiled in satisfaction at the strangled curses now coming from Ares’ direction.- ‘He came out of from wherever he was “working” to speak to me, along with Solath.’ She looked around at everyone. ‘Apparently I’m highly intimidating.’ She winked at Thanatos who grinned back at her.

  ‘Get on with it,’ Zeus warned her.

  ‘Well, I told him you were coming to rescue him and to hold off on doing anything and to wait for you. I also, rather generously I might add, gave his starving crew all of my food and water to keep them going until your arrival … something he never even had the good manners to thank me for. To repay my generosity he threw me in his brig and told one of the warriors guarding me to kill me if I was any trouble, despite knowing I was telling him the truth. Anyway, after I escaped his rather inept security,’ she smiled serenely as she watched Ares increasingly look as though he were about to explode, ‘I told him to give the jumper I had borrowed from the Olympus back to you. I then took one of his in return, one I have just this very moment retuned to you, unscathed I might add. So, if there’s any thief here it’s him, not me.’

  Ares leapt to his feet, ready to draw his sword at any moment, his eyes fired with unsuppressed rage. It really was a good look for him, Tae noted, her eyes drawn to his sublime body once again. She dragged herself away from her lusty musings and raised her chin, looking down her nose at him.

  ‘As I was leaving I might have inadvertently engaged the ships sonic shockers in their brig area. I’d hardly call a small nap and a slight headache an injury, but then again, perhaps Ares warriors are a little less robust than the rest of your crews. Well, you know me,’ she smiled, ‘I very generously left him with a little song to enjoy, and politely asked his crew to thank him for all the wonderful hospitality and kindness he had shown me during my brief stay, but that I had to leave. I admit, I might have inadvertently called him a minor name at the time, I can’t quite recall now.’ She smiled innocently at them.

  ‘She called me King of the Buttroaches,’ Ares shouted, incensed. ‘Then she taunted me with some stupid song she sent to my crew so that they would secretly be laughing at me.’

  Tae held up her hands palms up, one hand gesturing toward the angry god. ‘Well …’ She lifted her eyebrows and half smiled as if Ares had just proven her point.

  Thanatos burst out laughing, as did several other gods. ‘All hail King Ares,’ he shouted.

  Poseidon and Hades ducked their grinning faces as Zeus bellowed, ‘Enough.’

  ‘So,’ Tae said, getting right to the point. ‘What’s up?’

  ‘Stand behind your lord, we’ll deal with this later. Ares please sit down and stop proving the woman’s point.’ Zeus dismissed her as he gestured toward Loki and Radnor.

  ‘I don’t work for Loki anymore,’ Tae said, unmoving. ‘Didn’t Radnor tell you, I quit?’

  Loki looked over at Tae. ‘Be quiet, Tae. We’ll discuss this later when you’re back in Radnor’s office getting your new duties. We have more important matters to talk about at the moment.’

  Tae stared hard at him as she took in his words. ‘So that’s the way of it is it? I save your miserable damn hide three times, and still you neither trust nor support me the one time I need you.’ Her voice was laced with all the bitterness and disappointment she felt. ‘Why the hell am I even surprised?’

  Loki was suddenly beset by feelings of remorse; it was a new and entirely unpleasant situation for him. He never felt remorse for any of his actions, ever, he simply did what he wanted to do when he wanted to do it, like all the gods. When Zeus had said they would have to trap Tae onboard he had agreed, even advising on a simple plan. He knew she would know they might try something. He didn’t want her or anyone else getting hurt or worse, her leaving him again. He’d never stopped to consider her feelings or wants, and now he was finally being forced to deal with them, he didn’t like it.
He could see why she might be a little angry with him, but the dye was cast. She was trapped, thanks to his advice. He fully intended to make it up to her after the meeting. He’d soothe her hurt feelings and ask for her forgiveness; he would act … contrite. She would forgive him, he was sure. Then, well, hopefully he would find other more personal ways to soothe her. Unfortunately she wasn’t reacting like he had expected her to, and he was starting to grow resentful that she was making him feel guilty; he was the god here.

  Tae ignored him and turned to Zeus. ‘I want to know what plans you have regarding me and my ship.’

  Zeus reached the end of his short tether. He’d had enough of this terran woman’s insubordination. Yes, she’d saved them a couple of times, and he was grateful. But he was the leader here. A leader who had just been the subject of an attack, by his own people. These same people were now sitting here looking expectantly at him as they awaited their fate. Well they had been, until Tae had entered the room and started talking. He had seen a noticeable shift in their attentions then, they were like moths to a flame. To make matters worse he was still suffering from an unquenched battle lust, and she was showing him no respect whatsoever. Surely she must have known there would be no way he would allow someone so young and inexperienced to captain a ship, let alone a Dreadnaught with the power he had just witnessed. Even if she had lucked out with her little lies and saved them again. Yes, the tactics she had been using ever since he had begun watching her were superlative, but that did not give her leave to question his decisions. Now, just to top it off, she was staring defiantly at him, as if she had the upper hand. Well she’d damn well show him some respect, right now. Far too much was riding on what he said and did in the next few minutes. He stood and walked over to her slowly, trying to intimidate her with his scarcely concealed anger.