NationStates Jolt Archive

The room was cold, dark, and bare. A single bed rested in the center with a single occupant lying above it. A barely audible hum came from the bed, something that was almost felt more than heard. The figure neither moved, breathed, nor even blinked. He was perfectly still, a body completely at rest. The walls of the room were solid and unadorned, they gave no indication of where, or even when, the room was. There were no windows, no doors, and no light. No writing marked anything, no trash littered the floor, and no sounds disturbed the air except for that low hum. The room could have been undisturbed for millennia or sealed the previous day.

Slowly, the hum began to gain strength. Clearly audible now, it continued to rise until the bed was visibly shaking. The walls began to shake as well, dust and small pieces falling off bit by bit. As the sound increased so did the damage; and the walls began to shatter and collapse. Wherever a hole appeared bright light stormed in, illuminating the figure lying on the bed. He was tall and moderately handsome, but with more scars than a normal human should be able to gain in a lifetime. He had a noble, almost regal, look about him. This man had been bread to lead.

With a final crash the walls collapsed completely, all falling outwards and carrying the ceiling with them. The room, now a simple concrete floor, stood at the base of a Mountain and shone under the light of a pair of Double Suns. As soon as the light struck the prostrate man he gasped, his lungs filling with air for the first time in countless years. His heart began beating and pumped blood to his extremities, causing his limbs to twitch after eons of stillness. His mind awoke, thoughts bursting across the landscape at a speed nearly equal to the Speed of Light. Then his eyes opened, and he sat up.

“Dear God, I need a drink.”

A group of men slowly approached the gasping man, stopping once they reached where the walls had previously been. They simply stood there, waiting patiently for the man to notice them. He sat on the bed for a long while, simple breathing and trying to keep from falling over. Slowly, oh so slowly, he stood and approached the waiting group of men. A he neared they straightened to attention and moved slightly, lining up in perfect military order and anxiously waiting for the man to reach them. Slowly, oh so slowly, he reached and addressed the leader.

“How….how lon…..how long was I under?”

He could barely talk; his voice was barely above a whisper. The men he addressed, however, were in much better shape.

“Sir, if you will follow me we will take you to a designated re-animation section for full awakening.”

The men leaped into action as soon as the leader spoke, forming a tight circle around the still barely standing man.

“Please, walk thi---“

Suddenly, the lead soldier stopped talking and stared, his mouth working with no sound emerging.

“I asked how long.”

His voice was still barely above a whisper, but now his right arm was extended and pointing at the leaders throat; telepathically squeezing the interior of his neck. As the men watched in horror as their leader strangled a small woman approached, unnoticed as of yet since she was within the center of the group of soldiers.

“My lord, it has been nearly one hundred years. Please, we must hurry to the re-animation section, you are still weak.”

“And who are you, young lady?”

“I am Amy Keane, daughter of Supreme General Yunger Keane, Consul of the Associated Systems of Klonor.”

“Daughter of Yunger Keane? So, that old bastard finally bagged someone, did he?”

“Yes, he…..bagged my mother. But we really must hurry.”

“Fine, let’s get under way.”

He lowered his arm and the gasping soldier fell to the ground and twitched.

“Somebody pick him up; and for Gods sake somebody get me a drink!”

The group then moved off, approaching a ground-car resting a few meters away and then roaring off to the city in the distance.

The man stood within a glass encased room at the top of a tall tower, looking out over the city. He is much improved, he has been fed and clothed and brought to his pre-hibernation state of health. Slowly he turned and spoke to the people behind him.

“So much has changed, and so much has stayed the same. I look out over this city and I see the Vicegral Palace where I spent my youth, I see the local headquarters of the Klonor Space Corps, I even see a Rorys (Klonors equivalent of Burger King). But I also see millions of citizens who have been born while I was away. I see new communities where before there was just the outskirt of the city, I see technology that astounds me as a Beam Cannon would a man from Old Earth. Can I truly reclaim my place when so much is different?”

One of the men stepped foreword, a man who was old in every sense of the word.

“Sir, you can, and you will.”

The man smiled at the supportive old man, then walked over to him and grasped him in a hug.

“Yunger, you look younger than ever. I swear, you’re not a day older than 135.”

Yunger Keane smiled at that, but his laughter quickly turned to coughing and moaning.

“Not as young as you, sir, but I’m still with you.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Tell me, what’s the status our once great nation?”

“Still great, but a little bit less than before. Klonor has receded into itself, we’ve practically shut ourselves off from the outside world. Our military is still strong and our economy even better, we’ve had an artistic renaissance and a technological one, too, but most people outside of our borders don’t even know of our existence. A pity, we haven’t had a good fight since you left.”

Now it was the mans turn to laugh, Keane might have retired from the Admiralty but he still thought like a soldier.

“I’ll see what I can do to change that, don’t worry. What about the government? I’ve been here for days and people still won’t tell me how the country is being run. Your daughter called herself a Consul, but that really doesn’t help. Speaking of which, when the hell did you find time to have a daughter?”

“When one begins to get old one wonders about ones legacy, I didn’t want mine to be nothing but the story of a military leader who did nothing but wage war and run the Draconian-Rossian Alliance into the ground. I found the right woman and I made the time. I wanted something positive, and I got it. Amy’s made these past few years something special.”

“I’m happy for you, I really am. I can tell she’s something special. I’m sure she’ll do great things for Klonor. But I still want to know how she’ll do great things, meaning how the hell is this place being run?”

“It’s complex, sir. When you went away there were no heirs, you know this. I refused to allow the military to just take over, I tried and failed and I saw what a mess came of it, and didn’t want to just give the separate systems over to the regional government. So, I looked at history and made a decision. The Monarchy has been made democratic; every year the Peoples Assembly nominates two of its members for the position of Consul, the Executive Office and Klonor Assembly put it to a vote, and if approved they move into the position you vacated. They share joint power and need to be in agreement before they can do anything, it’s quite nice actually. The two argue so much that almost nothing is done, which keeps pretty much everybody happy. At least it was like that until Amy was elected, she got it into her head that the leaders of the county should actually lead. Can you imagine that? Now she and her partner actually do work. It’s weird, but so far it seems to be working out. She’s been re-elected seventeen times and it looks like she’s not stopping.”

“Democratic, eh? Are you sure the people are going to just give that all away? Seriously, freedom’s a nice thing. Once it’s had people don’t want to give it up.”

“Yeah, but they had it with you, too, and you know it. They’ve got no more rights now than they had then. Trust me; the governments behind you and so are the people. We’ve all just been waiting for you to come back.”

“Well, that’s good to know. So, shall we get this over with?”

“Hell yes, sir.”

The man grinned, stepped over to a wall, stepped through the wall, and exited within the Vicegral palace.

“Ah, it’s good to be home.”

He was met by Amy Keane, dressed rather formally this time compared to her casual dress out under the Mountain. With her was another woman and several dozen others standing in the background.

“May I introduce my fellow Consul, Mary Salm.”

At the word Salm the man tensed up, ready to fling himself backward through the Phase-Gate. Already his arms were coming up, ready to telepathically eliminate his mortal enemy. Mary, seeing his sudden reaction, quickly moved to calm him before she ended up as a smear on the back wall.

“Sir! No, not that Salm. Abel Salm has no children, the name is merely a coincidence, I assure you. I am of no relation to the former General.”

The man slowly untensed, but still breathed heavily.

“Please, the next you give me a heart attack, give me some warning.”

“I’m sorry, sir. It won’t happen again.”

“See that it doesn’t.”

His voice had turned deadly cold and his eyes had narrowed. He suddenly no longer seemed like such a playful man. Amy, noticing the change, quickly continued.

“Sir, if you’ll follow me we can get under way. The Branches are all assembled and waiting, it’s very close.”

“Very well, lead the way.”

The walked down the ornate hallway, still followed by the small group of minor functionaries. As they entered a large room the old man suddenly stopped, a tear in his eye. The hall was filled to the brim with every member of the Klonor government, and every single member of the government was giving a standing ovation, cheering with every breath in their body.

Slowly, the man approached the podium in the center of the hall and began to speak. His voice echoed throughout the room.

"Greetings Representatives of the People of Klonor."

The response was just as penetrating, a single voice coming from several thousand throats.

"Greetings oh Duke, leader and shepherd of our great nation. We welcome you back to our land, and give you back the reigns you once handed to us. Take your rightful place at the head of our nation once more.”

“I accept the reigns as offered and extend my thanks. I once again affirm the Oath I took when I first entered this position, to do everything in my power to keep the People of Klonor safe from all harm. May our great nation continue to sail among the Stars!”


The hall then erupted as the members once again cheered to their greatest extent. Slowly, a single chant began to emerge from the crowd. Soon it was yelled by all.

“Long live the Duke! Long live the Duke! Long live the Duke!”

The Grand Duke Solomon Klonor stepped back from the podium and smiled. He was home.

OOC: Come on, my first IC post in months and nobody has anything to say?

OOC: I thought it was a good post, though your Duke does happen to share the name of my homeworld. But I'm playing as Orks right now, so my IC options are limited.

OOC: Your homeworld is called Solomon? Neat.

OOC: Your homeworld is called Solomon? Neat.

OOC: Well, Skeelzania's is. This nation's homeworld got zapped awhile ago. By the way, if your looking for a fight I'd like to break these guys out of their hibernation.

[[OOC Given your somewhat vast star navy I would apreciate input on the big chart OOC refrence thread. Thanks. /OOC]]

The empress lay back in her chair, her eyes closed as a young man read off the reports of foreign affairs. She looked young, about 25, but anyone who heard her name knew that appearances were deceiving. She had long auburn hair that fell over her shoulders in loose twisting tendrils. She opened her crimson colored eyes and looked at the man as a name sparked in the back of her memory. "What did you say the name of the nation was?" she tilted her head. He stuttered as he met her gaze, and stood up. When she closed them again, he sat back down. He was new here, and she could be quite intimidating.

"K-Klonor. Solomon Klonor has been awakened and returned from to rule." He pushed up his glasses, his green eyes carefully trying to avoid to wander.

"Klonor...Klonor," she repeated it softly, then shook her head. Too much had happened to recall the face that went with the name, with her resurrection, it seemed they had a bit in common. "Why is this in our affairs if he is not an eternal?" She stood up and walked over to the yong man, taking the papers for herself to see. She noticed the hand writing. So, you suprise me once more, Gene. "An old protegè of mine must have visited there."

"The psion? Miss Genesis?" he asked, a bit interested.

"Yes...That is what I think." She dismissed him out of the room, and stood in front of the window, looking outward over the vast lands. She heard the sea crashing up against the cliffs. It was winter, and the snow was falling heavily from the sky, icing the air with a shimmering tint.She was around five foot eight with pale skin and slender but curvacious body. There was a bit of muscle tone, but not more than expected from what she had been through. A tatoo of a rose graced her right shoulder blade. She leaned on the frame.

Making up her mind, she crossed the room, and grapped a black jacket from next to the door and exited the chambers. She made her way past the receptionist without saying a word. No one would stop her, but many wanted to know where she was going.

The message to Klonor that she sent was quite simple.

:transmission :

-Solomon Klonor, Your audiance is requested by a representative from our empire.

:end transmission:

The Duke sat down at a desk, an expression of the utmost concentration on his face. He was surrounded by a group of approximately twenty individuals, all dressed in business suits and all with expressions of near terror on their faces. Slowly, one of the twenty approached the seated soverign and handed him a glass filled with a slightly blue liquid, quickly retreating as soon as the glass was in the hands of the ruler.

Without preamble the Duke raised the glass to his lips, took a small sip, and lowered the glass to his desk.

"It is.......acceptable."

With a cheer the twenty observers erupted into a near orgy of excitement, shaking hands and hugging as if they had just been granted their lives. In a way, they had.

"I hereby award the title "Best Collostomizer" to Joes Old Time Pub. Congratulations!"

The excitement continued for hours, the entire stockpile of alcohol in Joes Old Time Pub was gone in a few minutes, but nobody cared, for the first time in nearly a hundred years an actual Collostomizer had been made, many feared the recipe lost when the Duke entered hibernation and his closest friends refused to reveal the recipe. But, thankfully, the shockingly powerful drink was once again being served throughout the Association.

As the party began to die down a low-level aide approached the Duke with a small piece of paper in his hands.

"Sir? I have a message here from the Vicegral Palace. They say it's urgent."

The Duke, frightfully drunk (even by his standards), attempted to grab the paper with his mind but only managed to poke the messenger in the ear a few times.

"Uh....why don't I just hand it to you?"

"Capital idea! Let's see what's so important."

:transmission :

-Solomon Klonor, Your audiance is requested by a representative from our empire.

:end transmission:

"So, I'm out of the deep freeze for a week and people are already clamoring all over me. I guess things really haven't changed much in my time away. Anyway, send a message back to these people and ask for clarification. I'm a very busy man and can't be bothered unless it's extremely important."

Just then a half naked waiter collapses on the floor in front of him and proceeds to drool on the Dukes shoes.

"Okay, maybe not that busy, but I still can't just hop every time somebody calls. Ask if they'll accept a substitute and, if they are, dispatch Miss Keane. She should be able to handle any problems. She's E-equipped, right?"

"Yes, sir. In your absence we've managed to improve the technology so it's compatible with over 3% of the population."

"Excellent! Send her out as soon as we get a response."

He then grabbed another Collostomizer, downed it in one gulp, and fell to the floor.

[[OOC Given your somewhat vast star navy I would apreciate input on the big chart OOC refrence thread. Thanks. /OOC]]

OOC: What big chart OOC reference thread would that be? Remember, I've been gone for a few months, I'm a bit out of the loop.

Ravelyns expression darkened as she recieved a reply relayed to her from Elli, the young man in charge of foreign affairs. Her tone expressed her unamusement. "A substitute?" she scoffed. "Why must I bother with this. If Gene hadn't have travelled there before, I would not be going." She ppushed a stray strand of hair away from her eyes and folded her arms. She was not used to that reply. She sat there, no words passing through her mouth.At the mansion, the Elli relayed her message, which she made quite clear.

She closed her eyes once more. Why did the name sound so familiar to her? She remembered it. Somehow she remembered it. Perhaps his face would make her recall. However, she would have to get past his envoy, which shouldn't be the hard part. The hard part was going to be pin pointing him if they didn't give direct communication

:Transmission to Klonor:
-Our representative does wish to meet with him directly, however if she must meet with a subsitute, that will be acceptable as well. She will arrive at night, if that would be acceptable. 9:00

Amy Keane, sitting within the Communications section of the Vicegral Palace, nodded to the officer before her.

"Tell her that 9:00 is acceptable, we eagerly await her arrival."

"Yes, ma'am."

Amy turned and quickly left, leaving the comm officer to transmit the message as she pondered more important things.

Hot damn, my first meeting with an alien Head of State. Hell, this is the first meeting with an alien Head of State since the Duke left, period. What could she want? What will I have to say? I am not prepared for this!

Outwardly, however, she was calm as stone. She had been raised by Supreme General Yunger Keane and was Co-Consul of Klonor for 17 years straight, she could handle this. She knew she could. But that didn't make her jitters go away. Klonor had essentially been playing turtle since the Duke left, it was finally emerging from its shell and she wanted it to go perfectly.

Luckily for Amy, Ravelyn Shentavo was not quick to judge nor be angered. She simply didn't like small talk. She got to the point, that's how it was with her. She figured that this would be the usual 'threaten and carry on' deal she used once before when given a similar situation. it was rare that she went to other nations personally. She made sure that her name had not been transmitted. She rather them think she was a representative of one of the states rather than empress of the empire. She wished her name not travel too far. You don't know what kind of reaction you would get.

She arrived exactly at nine o'clock, approaching a rather large building. This was the place they had set. She threw the hood of her jacket over her head and looked downward. The less fuss she made the better. She arrived at the door and waited.

I am probably going to regret bothering with this.

The door was opened by one of the ceremonial guards stationed around the grounds, clearing the way for Amy to go out and great the Empress.

"Greetings, I am Amy Keane, Consul of the Associated Systems of Klonor. Welcome to Deneb. Please, follow me to the meeting room, I have arranged for an isolated and protected area to be set aside for our meeting. This way, please."

She quickly turned and entered the building, expecting the Empress to follow.

Ravelyn smirked. "If your worrying about my protection, you shouldn't be. I am quite able to take care of myself." She took care not to smile too openly. The last thing she needed was for this girl to notice. She lifter her crimson eyes to meet the girl, and did not back down from her stare. She stepped into the building, and removed her coat, carrying it in her right hand. She noticed the eyes upon her as they made their way to the meeting room. Indeed she should be more concerned with her own well-being. Perhaps if they had done more research on her, Amy wouldn't be quite at ease as she was right now.

This will be far to easy now, she thought to herself, almost wishing to hear the girl's thoughts. "May I inquite as to where Solomon is? I do wonder why I could not meet with him directly. You see, he is a rather old aquaintance of mine." If Solomon had slept for a hundred years, she was sure that questions about the age of herself may be teased. It was clear that her features were without age.

"I am dreadfully sorry, but the Duke is otherwise engaged. As I'm sure you know, he has only recently returned to power here in the Association after a rather extensive leave of absence. It will be some time before he is free to meet with foreign dignitaries." And even longer before he's sober enough to do so; but Amy kept that particular thought to herself.

Entering the conference room she took a seat and offered the companion to the Empress. Gesturing to a bottle on the table, simple Vodka instead of the much more power Elarian Ale standard for such meetings, she began the conversation.

"So, may I inquire as to what your visit pertains to? Simply meeting with an old friend isn't usually enough of an incentive to travel to a different Stellar System."

"No," she said softly. "No I suppose it isn't. You see I found some information on ties between our nations that were not brought directly to my attention. I've been, absent for quite some time, and as well only recently returned. I did wish to discuss reinstating those 'ties'. I do believe this goes back before Solomons birth, I do recall coming here vicariously through my former assistant Ms. Versai, however, I am not exactly sure if I should discuss any further with anyone else then Solomon." She shook her head softly. "No thank you, I am very selective in what I drink. Alcohol has never been one of my stronger interests. The gesture was kind though."

Ravelyn leaned forward in her chair. She wasn't a mean person, but with the death of her fiancè, it did leave her with a bit of bitterness. "Your a sweet girl, I can see that. Though I must inform you, Miss Keane, that I did not come here to play games. This is all pretence and formality from which I would have enjoyed a casual conversation if you hadn't known who I was or represented. It would be perhaps then you would be more at ease."

She leaned back in her chair. "I really do need to know where he is..."

"And I really can't tell you where he is, at least not now. He is indisposed and will not be available for some time. Once he is, he will have us contacted. We do not question the Dukes orders, he has led us well and we respect when he requests to be left alone."

She leans forward a bit, obviously irked at the condescending tone the Empress has assumed.

"I would also like to remind you that, as Consul, I have held all the authority that the Duke holds now. If it can be discussed with him it can be discussed with me. Also, unless you tell me the real reason you are here you will not contact the Duke, even when he is available. You are not here to re-new old ties predating the Dukes birth, I know this since there are no ties pre-dating the Dukes birth, he has ruled Klonor since before our departure from Old Sol. Do not lie to me further or continue to waste my time."

ooc: TG ^_^
IC:
Ravelyn stood up at her remarks, a deep growl emitted from her throat. Her eyes seemed to change a bit. "There are somethings which you only discuss with certain people and that right now, would only be the Duke." Yes, that would be something Genesis would have looked into ruling for the entire time. She was starting to remember."My reasons are exactly as I speak them," she shifted, her tone becoming softer. "Ties are sometimes not necessarily with the goverment. Not everything is caught, not everything in time is recorded exactly as how it occured."

She sat back down slowly, tilting her head, her eyes unmoving for quite some time. Thoughts rushed through her mind. "I need to know what kind of exchanges were going on. I need to know what connection I had to this place." Gene would have never visited here if it wasn't for a reason. "If i offended you I apologize, I am simply trying to figure out why I recall the face of your ruler, and what the relation of our nations entailed." Her demeanor had changed to as it used to be, calm and contemplative. "You see, it has been rather difficult for me to remember many things since I was...sleeping for so long."

She never liked being forceful. Sometimes it was just an instinct she couldn't ignore. She didn't want to hurt people either. Somethings just triggered it though, and hat she couldn't ignore. She traced her fingertips over the neclace around her neck ending at the jade stone at the bottom of the thin chain. It was a nervous habbit of her. She looked downward. This woman probably thought she was crazy. Out of all the reasons for coming, it indeed was more for herself, it was partially for her nation. She wanted to know why, why that name...

"So, let me get this straight. You know the Duke. You knew him before his hibernation. But you don't know where you knew him or under what circumstances. You're here because you simply want to know kind of relationship you had. Unless I'm mistaken, you're acting just like a schoolgirl with a crush. The Duke does not have time for silly infatuations."

A bit more venom was in her voice than was truly necessary, like most inhabitants in Klonor she'd grown up viewing the Duke as a nearly Divine being, she (and most of the rest of the femal population) had a small 'crush' herself. The fact that she actually got to speak with the Duke only increased the attraction.

"I need something more than vague memories before I approach him."

"Excuse me my dear," she said with a bit of anger in her tone. It was then that Amy could clearly see the flash of an ivory set of sharp fangs. "But if you think that I have been harboring 'feelings' for your duke, then you are mistaken considering I that I already had a significant other." She hissed. That was the one thing you never did. You never questioned her husband or the relation of it, who had passed away two years ago. It left her with a deep scar that was evidently apparent. The two had been inseperable.

"But you want more proof than my words, darling." She stood up and progressed towards Amy. She placed a slender hand on the side of her head on her temple. She heard her heart beating and felt the pulse beneath her fingertips. It was then she recalled the remnants of a memory, which she displayed to Amy through the touch.

They were standing, talking about something. A deal or some matter. Her appearance hadn't changed since. It seemed to be warm, where ever they had been. The sky was tinted yellow. She held out her hand, and he shook it. He had called her by her real name, Azrael instead of Ravelyn. He would have to be a friend for him to call her that, and she recognized that instantly.

She pulled away from the girl, releasing her hand.

"What I said," she said, completely regaining her composure. "Was true. I don't lie."

The memories dashed through the mind of Amy Keane, as quick as if they were her own. They left her stunned, but not for long. At the end of the vision Amy clasped her hands to her head and thrust out with her mind, throwing a wall of force at the Empress.

"Don't you dare to ever do that again! How dare you invade my mind as such? Leave! Leave NOW!"

Her rage apparent at the mental invasion, it was all she could do to not summon the guards and have 'Azrael' executed at once.

"I will speak to the Duke and tell him you are here, but if I so much as even see you again, I will kill you."

With that Amy turned and dashed out of the room, visibly fighting to keep herself from violence.

OOC: In case you missed it, Klonor citizens have a bit of an aversion to telepathy and mental contact. Bad things have sprung from such actions in Klonor history.

OOC: What big chart OOC reference thread would that be? Remember, I've been gone for a few months, I'm a bit out of the loop.
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=395472

(ha ha. i know. iuthia was the same way ^_^)
Ravelyn braced herself at the wall, moving back slightly, but not enough to knock her over. She smiled. "You have a bit of talent," she said softly. "Next time use it more wisely." she shook her head. "You provoked me, Miss Keane, and that was an unwise decision. It forces me to do things I do not wish to." Somehow, she enjoyed her reaction, it made her be reminded of James from Iuthia, except that James she had much more respect for.

She chuckled. Would the guards really be able to do anything about her? She didn't want to fight, but if they tried to touch her, she would retaliate. "Feel free to take a shot at me if you wish to risk your life, Amy." she called softly after the girl left the room. She leaned back in her chair and removed a pack of cigarettes from her pocket. She flicked open a lighter and lit the end, inhaling deeply. Solomon may have enjoyed drinking too much, but she enjoyed smoking. What was it going to do, kill her? It had no effect physically, but it calmed her down.

Don't take too long... She closed her eyes and awaited the Duke.

The Duke sat within his bedroom, his eyes closed and a happy smile on his face. The floor around him was littered with various bottles of all shapes and sizes, and all unanimously empty. Obviously in a drunken stupor, he slowly toppled to the side and slid from his chair.

While lying on the floor he began to stir and started to drag a small box from one of his many pockets. Swallowing a pill from within the box he once again closed his eyes, only to have them pop open again in less than a minute.

"Oy, these things pack a bit more of a kick than they used to."

Standing up he placed the box of scrubbers back into his pockets, storing them until the next time they were needed to cleanse the bloodstream from foreign inhabitants.

"I remember these things didn't work unless you swallowed them before you got drunk. Way to much of a hassle. Well, on to the days business."

Drunk not more than five minutes ago, the Duke now proceeded to go about his business as if he'd been dead sober for months. It's a good thing, too, because Amy Keane burst into his office not ten minutes after he awoke and if he'd still been drunk he might have acted rashly after what she told him next.

Amy quickly retold the tale of the entire meeting, ending with the un-invited mental contact. The Duke, listening with growing horror at the actions of the visitor, was almost pushed into a murderous rage at the end.

"She what?"

"A mental contact. Without my permission. Without any warning. We don't even know each other for half an hour and she violates me. I had to restrain myself from incinerating her on the spot."

"You did good, Amy. I'm not sure even I could have acted with the restraint you did." The memory from his last mental contact flashed through his mind and he visibly shivered. This alone scared Amy, for not much could scare an immortal. "What did she show you?"

"She showed me....you. It was a memory of hers, you two together years ago. Probably centuries ago. That alone is what kept me from banishing her from the Association, I knew you'd want to know. She's still waiting."

"I'll go see her. Go to your father, tell him what happened. I want him to prep the MCS in case she tries this with any other citizens. Then rest. Don't worry, with time the memory will fade."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bursting into the conference room, accompanied by a burst of light and loud music (Oh, how the Duke just loves to make an entrance), he raised his arms and created a wall of glowing energy between the two of them.

"Do not speak. Do not move. You have violated one of the highest members of the Klonor government and a person who is as dear to me as if she were my own flesh and blood. You have already betrayed my trust and I do not even know who you are. The sole reason you are alive right now is through the compassion of the very person you assaulted, if it were me you would already be dead. Tell me why you are here, and tell me quickly. I do not have any patience for small talk, not now."

Ravelyn had her back to him, and smiled as he heard his voice. "She was the one that wanted proof that I knew you," she said in a familiar tone of voice. "So I gave it to her. I did not enter her mind, I merely showed her some of what was in mine. She would not accept anything I told her, dismissed them as lies, so what was there to do? Some people need to see to believe." The memories were returning so quickly. Had he remembered her as well? She turned around to face him, looking into his eyes with a bright smile. "And I'm already dead." Her face, which denied the sands of time, was unforgetable to the one standing before her.

"Such pride and confidence, Solomon. You have not changed." She giggled as she looked at him. She was exactly the same way. That's originally what had brought them together. It had first started with annoyance at the others attitudes, for they were very well even in many respects. They ended up fighting one time over a trivial matter, and then things changed. They had become friends, and there similarities proved very key in establishing this relationship. She looked at the barrier, and placed her hand through it, reaching it out to him. "Is that anyway to greet an old friend?"

The Duke simply stared at her hand and increased the intensity of the barriers energy (If she was a normal human her hand would be completely burned off from just touching it).

"You will not presume to speak with me in such familiar tones. Your very life rides on what you say next."

As if to emphasize his the point, the wall of energy slowly shrank until it was a single line pointing at her neck. If it extended a bare few inches it would leave her without a head.

"Why are you here?"

"i'm here to talk," she drew back from the barrier. He didn't remember her. How could he forget? She narrowed her eyes. "Did you forget me so quickly, Solomon?" It had been such a long time since she had been there. "When did sharing a memory become punishable by death? Last time I checked you and I shared quite a few and there was no problem then."

Do you need me to refresh your memory? "I remember our quarrel on the beach that night. The sun was fading. We fought until the darkness had consumed the light, and fought on past that. When both of us were too tired to carry on... Don't you remember the time after which?"

Slowly the Dukes eyes widened as his brain matched her face to memories of his own.

"Azrael? Is that you?"

The energy disappeared without so much as a whisper and his arms dropped down to his side. He rushed forward, almost as if to embrace her, but stopped several feet away. Horror marked his face.

"Dear God, do you have any idea what you've done? What you did to that woman? No, don't answer. We don't have time. We must leave, quickly. Guards will be coming soon to eject you from the System. They've already been summoned. Even I can't call them off. Quickly, come with me!"

He grabbed her hand rushed to the wall, quickly pressing several of the buttones inlaid next to the door. Then, dragging her through the door, he stepped onto the bridge of the ASC Apep, his personal vessel.

Tapping one of the buttuns on the bridge he sent the ship on an automated course out of the system.

"Azrael, what the hell is going on?"

Ravelyn was taken aback by his realization. She had no time to speak before she was being pulled along. "Yes, to lose some of the guards would be a shame," she laughed. They entered and she was given a minute to try and figure things out. "Well, when I was hear sharing memories wasn't exactly illegal. I just showed her a memory to prove I knew you."

She crossed toward him slowly, examining his face for an explanation. "For a moment I thought this place had gone completely mad. To share my memories is not something I do every day..." She looked up to him.

"Do you have any idea what has happened since we've last spoken? Do you have any clue as to what I've been through? I was killled.....no, I was murdered by a mental touch. The entire Klonor Empire fell to ruins because of a mental touch. Centuries of pain and misery for billions of Klonor citizens all stemmed from one mental touch. To my subjects it is practically the embodiment of all things horrible within the Universe. The very interior of a person mind, that which is theirs and no others, is layed open for all to see. What you have done......to us, it is worse than murder."

Then a grin splits his face and he does embrace her.

"But it's so good to see you again. I feared you'd be gone by the time I awoke."

"I had no idea," she wrapped her arms around his neck. It was so good to feel warmth again. "If it makes you feel any better I died too" She laughed a bit. It had been too long since she had seen him. There were still memories she could not place, ones she had yet forgotton. She tried to recall but could not.

"Worse than murder you say?" her demeanor lightened. "Is this supposed to be punishment then? This is a hell of a way to kill the transgressor."

"I could never hurt you. You know that. The very thought of you in any discomfort is equal to pain within my own chest. I couldn't bare to see you unhappy for an instant."

He leaned in as if to kiss her, but stopped. Sadly, he stepped away.

"But others will. My forces would have already begun searching for us, the MCS has already been activated. By now they've begun to probe the entire planet looking for you. It wont be safe for you here for years to come. Even I can't control the MCS completely. We must get you to safety."

He went to the control station and began to input various stellar co-ordinates.

"Nobody will stop my ship when we pass, but we must move quickly. Tell me, where can I take you? Where will you be safe?"

Ravelyn looked downward. "Unless they are able to hurt mist, then i will be safe anywhere. My name was not released, but they do know Azrael because of Amy. It was in the memory I gave to her. I am well known in other nations, word may travel fast back to your nation revealing my identity. I don't want to kill and guards either...I would be safe in my own nation I suppose. But I don't want to go back seeing as I just found you." She paused, trying to think of how this situation could be solved. She could do next to nothing without violating this new law, at least it was new to her.

So many things had passed since the time they had been apart. There was a lot she just needed to let go of, which she was doing. She looked at him a few steps away. "You don't have to be worried about my safety. I can take care of myself, but when daylight breaks my abilities will be stifled quite a bit. I will have only my strength to rely on."

She tilted her head, and smiled a bit. "Hey, Solomon?" she said, crossing her hands as if she were about to ask him a question.

The Duke momentarily looked up from the control after tapping in the last few co-ordinates. The ship would got to the Jump-Node, make the leap to Sub-Space, and they'd be gone. She'd be safe. Safe from the MCS. Safe from everything in Klonor.....and she'd be with him. His heart fluttered.

"Yes?"

Ravelyn was not one to love easily. After the death of Michael Vaughn, it made it nearly impossible. There are some things you can not change, one of which is the past. For some reason or another, she felt herself drawn to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck once more, but this time she drew her lips to his, kissing him softly.

...for the first time in centuries.

The Duke was rigid, shock coursing through his body. After what had happened so long ago he didn't think she could ever feel this way about him again. But soon he stopped thinking at all and simply metled into her embrace. At that moment there was nothing else int the Universe but the two of them. There was no worry over the future, no fear, no despair. Just the feel her hair and the warmth of her skin.

Outside there was a flash of blue and a ripple in the very fabric of space. A Sub-Space Node opened and engulfed the Apep, propelling it far away from any cares the Duke had. He didn't even notice.

What occured in that instant was thought to be impossible. After all the years after his death, Azreal had begun to attempt to love again. She drew back for a second, and then was gone. He felt a hand wrapping around his abdomen from behind and trailing up his torso. She bit his earlobe gently. As he started to turn around, she had appeared infront of him once more, kissing him once more. If there was anything ever greater than the attraction of a vampire.

She tilted her head to the side and opened her eyes. "Well you are doing a wonderful job trying to kill me." she smiled.

He couldn't help but smile back.

"I suppose I'll have to try harder, I can't let my people down."

As he leaned in again the two began to float in the air, slowly moving towards the rear of the bridge and open space. As they settled down on the floor a warm glow began to eminate from his very skin.

"I have missed you so much. Every day I wept that you were gone. The sadness was like a well within myself. Please, don't ever leave me again."

With a twist of his hand the lights dimmed and the bridge sank into darkness.

That's one thing you should be careful with; trusting a vampire in the dark. She awoke slowly her head on his chest. There was a small bite mark on his left arm. She couldn't help it. She listened to his heart beating. Where were they anyway? Where had they set a course for? She smiled, and began tracing a figure on his chest with her fingertips. It was dark still, but she could see perfectly fine. She got up from him, and looked on the screen to see the outside. It was day somewhere..where were they anyway? she had no idea.

She pulled his shirt over her head, which acted for her as a rather short dress, and sat down in one of the chairs. She watched him as he slept. She was ready to love again.

A grin split the Dukes face in two, so large it was almost comical. His expression was that of utter contentment. For the first time in several centuries he was sleeping a sleep of peace, undisturbed by the dreams that usually haunted his nights. He had seen, done, and experienced worse than any normal man ever encountered and they were never far from the surface of thoughts. Except for now, now all that was on his mind was that he would give up his very life for more time with the woman he loved. The woman who loved him back.

Slowly he stirred, raising his head and glancing towards the control panel.

"Good morning. How long have you been awake?"

"Long enough to steal your shirt," she said, getting out of the chair and kneeling down by his side. "Looks like I gave you more battle wounds..." she smirked, knowing that they would fade quickly.

"We have a slight problem, my Lord." she leaned back across his abdomen, pinning him down only slightly. "You can not get up." She challenged him with a smirk. It wsa the same thing she had said that night on the beach.

He grinned back, memories dancing in his mind like a miniature ballet.

"True, but can't leave me...."

He reached up and pulled her down to him, kissing her quickly.

"....and I never want you to."

He slowly stroked her, holding her close to himself.

"For the first time in so long I feel whole. I never want this feeling to end."

Another quick kiss.

"But sadly it must."

He got up and approached the helm, glancing at the controls.

"We're somewhere in the Vasuda system, we've drifted a bit since exiting the Sub-Space corridor but we're near Vasuda Prime. Give me the word and I'll fly you to the end of the Universe. Wherever you want to go I'll take you."

With a flourish of his arm several machines began to whir.

"But first I have an obligation to fulfill. It's an ancient tradition I can trace back to Old Earth."

The whiring stopped and a small door opened revealing various cooking instruments.

'What would you like for your breakfast in bed?"

"I've had quite a bit already," she looked at his arm as the wound closed. She was only half vampire, so she did need to eat from time to time. She turned around to lay on he stomach and looked up to him. She smiled. ""Uh I dunno...anything with fruit." She rested her head on her hands and closed her eyes.

"I don't know where I would like to go. I don't want you to be absent from ruling your nation, when they can't find me or you, they might assume that I assaulted you or such. And that's not good. Is there no way to explain what happened? And how to they kill you anyway? I might be able to survive it."

The Dukes face soured, his grin gone.

"No, you can't. Even I couldn't. We're talking complete atomic disruption, nothing left except a few of the elements you're made of. Not even enough to fill a matchbox. I wont let that happen to you. Whatever it takes, you're going to make it through this without a scratch. I'd renounce the throne and sacrifice myself before I let them even touch you."

His tone conveyed nothing but sincerity.

"But let's discuss this later. Last night was to pleasant to spoil now, and I still have your breakfast to prepare."

Within seconds he had a dozen different bowls steaming and grilling, obviously working towards a masterpiece of a meal.

"Once we've eaten I'll try to contact the Association, see if I can explain what happened. I know Amy, she's smarter than she looks, she'll understand. I hope. I'm more worried about her father, the man has a temper to short for my comfort. He holds more influence than he used to, once I went to sleep he was the de-facto leder until he instituted the Consuls and the MCS reports directly to him. It'll take some work to get him to let up."

He looked at her again and smiled.

"But I'd move the very stars if it would give you even the slightest joy. Come, let us eat."

Reaching out he gathered the completed and placed it before the two of them.

"I present to you a favorite of the Klonor people, or so I'm told. It came about while I was sleeping, I believe. A 'Belgian waffle' and 'fruit punch'. It's exquisite. Enjoy!"

She smiled. She loved him. She admitted it to herself. She loved him. And the food just made it better. It wasn't long before she had consumed the entire thing. "You know we could just stay here and do this every day," she said jokingly, though she wondered if she would even really mind that. She got up and stood behind him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and letting them fall naturally over him. She had a rather high affinity toward roses, and she produced one in her hand. It was as red as her eyes. She traced the petals with one hand along his back.

"We could go to my empire on the ambrosial coast. I know a few people who would be very interested in meeting you. We are safe there. My word is rule there, and my citizens are loyal. It's winter there, so if we go, I'd dress warm."

The feel of the petals on his back cause the Duke to break in a entirely new smile, this one a grin of excitement.

"If it's what you want we'll leave at once. We could be there within the day if we leave now."

Tapping a few quick commands the vessel turned around and sped back to the Jump-Node it had exited a few hours earlier.

"I just wonder how we'll ever be able to pass the time."

"The first day of the festival is going to be starting the day we arrive," she smiled. "If you would care to be my escort, I would very much welcome it." She paused with a smile, rememering past events such as these. The empire was famous for their parties.

"It celebrates the uniting of the lands under my rule. You see, Versai was my original nation, we later merged with Earth II and Underaloz and became the three united empires. It is a very prosperous time The activity that goes on in the day is only to prepare for night."

"The lights are beautiful. The music, and dancing... It's...just wonderful."

"If you could stand being escorted by a man hiding from his own subjects, I'd be honored. Nothing would make me happier than being by you every minute of every hour of every day."

Outside, in the black of space, there was another flash of blue and another small ripple as the ship transitioned to Sub-Space again.

"But first, sadly, we must deal with Klonor. I can't just ignore it, by now they'll have assumed you'd attacked me and there's already a warrant out for your arrest. I can't let this stand. Give me a few minues, please. Oh, and I'll need my shirt back. ;) "

Quickly readying himself, dressing and washing in record time, he soon again appeared as what he was; the Grand Duke of Klonor. Crossing to the communications panel he began to initiate the contact with the Klonor Space Corps.

"Come, stand by me. I want them to know from the second the video starts that you are dear to me like no other."

With the he opened the channel and began to speak to the commanders of the Klonor Space Corps.

Broad Beam Transmission
Transmission Origin: Grand Duke Solomon Klonor, ASC Apep, Sub-Space Continuum, En-route to Sol

To all members of the Klonor Space Corps, to all soldiers of the MCS, to all citizens of the Associated Systems of Klonor, I have an announcement. You see at my side the Empress Ravelyn Shentavo, a woman who yesterday payed me a visit at the Vicegral Palace in Deneb. While there she made a mistake. She initiated a mental contact with Amy Keane, Consul of Klonor. This contact was uninvited, but not hostile. The Empress was merely ignorant of the aversion we of Klonor have to such acts. She acted not out of hatred, but simply out of an urge to share knowledge only she had. If she had known she would never have dreamt of forcing this upon Amy.

Unfortunately, what's done is done and can not be undone with a mere apology. I realise this. I know that the members of the MCS are currently seeking out the Empress for retribution and that they have the support of nearly the entire Association. If I did not know the full story I would be in support of them myself. But I know the Empress, she did not wish to harm anybody. I am hereby ordering that all members of the Klonor Space Corps, Mentalic Containment Section, and the populaion at cease their pursuit of the Empress at once. She is not to be harmed. This is my word, and as such is beyond contestation.

I hope one day you will come to see her as I see her, one day that you can forgive her as I have, but regardless I have forgiven her and so must you. I will make further contact, but I must currently terminate my communication.

Enjoy Life.

Transmission closed

*mutters something about getting the shirt back later*

Ravelyn kissed him after the transmission ended, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder. It was so long since she felt this warmth. She would be able to show him the hospitality of her nation. Being ruler for so long and fighting with the people during the wars, she gained support from the entire empire. Anyone who was dear to Ravelyn would not even be touched by the gangs of the empire, which were small but present. She had a way of knowing everyone, and everyone knowing her as a person rather than just a name. All she had was time.


"The temperature is quite different there. In winter it is cold during the day and warmer at night," she said softly. She adjusted the edge of her shirt, and took a long chain from around her neck and put it around Solomon's. It was the emblem of their nation; a heart with a sword through it and two wings on either side; strength;courage;wisdom. It was symbolic of their leader, Azrael, the hybrid whom they would give their lives for.

She needed to send a verbal message, but not one by electronics. "You might not want to touch me for a moment less you want to hear this conversation." She backed away. She didn't want him to listen if he didn't want his mind to be touched.

I am returning by the night of the amber moon; first day of the festival. Have guests informed, make sure Sigrun is there. I would hate for him to miss this. Make sure adequate preparations are made. there was a pause. I am fine. I am actually more than that. I'll explain when I'm home. Goodbye Ellie.

She stepped closer to him.

In the midst of her mental transmission the Duke stepped closer and lightly laid a hand on her arm.

----med, make sure Sigrun is there. I would hate for him to miss this. Make sure adequate preparations are made. there was a pause. I am fine. I am actually more than that. I'll explain when I'm home. Goodbye Ellie.

"If it meant being closer to you I would bare my soul to the winds. Even the slightest touch of your mind is a breath of heaven for me."

He drew he even closer, kissing her lightly.

"I love you more than I have loved anyone in my life."

(*loves more than sigma's cookies*)

"And I love you, Solomon," she said softly as he stepped in closer. "I thought you were lost to me, and you were to sleep forever. With everything occuring so fast, my memories slipped away, only to find that I had be blind to your slumber for so long."

"Don't worry, it's over now. I'm back with you. I'll never leave you again."

He slowly traced his fingers down her back, enjoying the feel of her skin through her clothing.

"We'll be arriving back in Sol in a few hours. Until then...until then, I just want to hold you."

They slowly sank to the deck in each others arms.

As the vessel sped through the mysterious realm of Sub-Space the Dukes mind began to cloud with thoughts of worry.

After what happened I never imagined she would come back to me. I thought I'd driven her away forever. Could she truly have forgiven me? I didn't think even a century would be enough time.

A glance down at her peaceful face caused his mind to harden.

I wont lose her. Not again. I'll make it up to her, I swear to Jove I will. I don't care what the cost, I'll ease the pain. I swear.

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