The Empress suddenly felt very vulnerable though she could not say why. Had she been outsmarted by this . . . this girl in a broken body?
Without admitting, she did not know, and without showing any uncertainty which she surely felt, Violetta said, “Return what is mine and I shall forgive your impudence.”
Ignoring the statement, Serenity continued, “My mother wasn’t completely wrong. But, of course, no one . . . even you . . . would expect such a towering intellect as Astral Sing to be completely off base.”
“Stop talking in riddles. I am losing patience.” What she was really losing was the confidence that she had the situation well in hand.
“Every transmission requires a receiver – in this case your collar.” Everyone turned to look. “But, that transmission must have a place of origin. Tee’ka – that is the hostess that once belonged to you – just tracked that source when you obligingly reanimated your soldiers. And . . .,” she tapped her screen. It emitted a pulse of light aimed at the Empress’s golden collar. “I have just sent out an encrypted signal back to it. I am delighted to tell you, it has been obliterated using the anti-matter micro-black hole my mother developed.”
The calm on the Empress’s face evaporated. “Guards, confiscate that chair. Bind her hands. Quickly.” Violetta’s normally soft and soothing voice was now shrill.
The artificial soldiers took one step and collapsed.
“HOW DARE YOU?” screamed the violet colored Violetta.
“For my mother, for Aerianna, for my sisters and for all the worlds that were forced to join the Starlight Alliance . . . I declare your reign as Empress now and forever over.”
******
So many loose ends
Tee’ka & Serenity
Pandemonium, confusion, elation . . . so many emotions surged through everyone present.
First, and foremost, the ex-empress required some attention. Rose’Alynnia turned to the tall alien and said in a loud voice so all could hear, “I believe that is my throne,” and the gathering roared with approval.
“Rose, dear. This situation will soon be remedied. I urge you not to do something that you will later regret.”
“I already did by signing the treaty. Ben’Edikk, escort the Em . . . escort Violetta to her rooms. Post a pair of guards at the door. She is not allowed any visitors without my approval. Otherwise, make her as comfortable as possible.”
“You will live to regret this.”
“I think not. Oh, please remove that collar . . . now.”
The room went silent as the former Empress was escorted away.
A moment later, Tee’ka materialized. Two Sentinels stepped forward but Rose waved them off. “You are Tee’ka.”
The girl felt a little self-conscious with everyone staring at her. “Yes, M’am.”
Egg walked up to Tee and took her hand. “Your Majesty, may I present Tee’ka, a Hameggattic Sister, a wonderful friend and a terrific person.”
“Indeed you may. Welcome to Aerianna. And, thank you.”
“I didn’t do very much . . . but you’re welcome.” Egg smiled at Rose then lead Tee back to the other sisters.
The Queen stood up and addressed the gathering. “There is much to be done. Please, all of you are invited back in two hours so that we may yet again thank the Hameggattic Sisterhood for saving Aerianna.” The applause was deafening.
“Egg, Serenity, my daughter . . . please join me and Lord Z’kkk in my study. In the meantime, Sentinel, reopen the space portal to Zynn-Zaz’zia. Tell Eloise and Ezra they are welcomed to stay for the celebration but if they must return home, I will understand. We will have them back another time. Ladies, please,” and she led the three sisters out of the Throne Room.
When they were in the study, Rose said to Serenity, “You are a most worthy sister. I cannot thank you enough for what you just did. If there is anything that the people of Aerianna can do to repay you, you need but ask.”
“Your Majesty, please forgive me if I sound a bit petty. What I just did was to avenge my mother’s death.”
“Serenity, revenge is an ugly emotion. I prefer to think of your actions as bringing a criminal to justice.”
The girl smiled ruefully. “I can live with that. As to a reward . . . not that I need one, but, I have no home. Would it be possible for me to become a citizen of Aerianna?”
“Mother, may I?”
“Of course, daughter.”
“Serenity, first - to make it official, I absolutely and unequivocally vote yes. You are truly worthy to be a Hameggattic Sister. As to becoming a citizen of our world, it is we who would be honored.”
“Thank you, Princess.”
“Meggy.”
“Really?”
“How I hated that nickname. Now, it is a badge of honor.”
“Then, thank you, Meggy.”
Returning to what just happened, Rose asked, “How did you come to formulate this plan?”
“A number of things fell into place. The hint from the Myst Tree, Ezra’s insight, my mother’s plan that wasn’t quite right and Egg’s observations.”
“Egg? Really?”
“Hey, Dazzle . . . I’m standing right here. You do know I can hear you, right?”
“Sorry, sister. But your powers of observation have never been your strong suit.”
“That was the old me. The newer me is much more clever and smarter and, you know, stuff like that.”
“Well said,” and they all laughed.
“Before we adjourn, I would entertain any suggestions about the Alliance.”
“My dear,” said Lord Z’kkk, “you signed under duress. It cannot be legally binding.”
“I agree with father.”
“Hey, Dazzle . . .”
“Egg?”
“You would make a great Empress.”
“Thank you sister, but that is not an ambition I harbor.”
“May I?” asked Serenity.
“Of course.”
“Violetta collected quite a few planets and for the most part dismantled their governments. If you don’t step in and take charge, someone will. That person may not be as noble minded as you.”
“Why would they accept my leadership?”
“Because you dethroned the Empress. She was not well loved.”
“I will think on it.”
*****
So many loose ends
Zephyr and Azure
“Thank you for seeing us on such short notice.”
“You are the parents of a Hameggattic Sister. For that reason alone, you are entitled to special privileges.”
“Actually, that’s one of the things we wanted to talk to you about.”
“Please, there is nothing that cannot be discussed between friends.”
“BreeZee was . . . or is . . . going to lead an expedition to Paradox to fight for Spirit’s home world. That is something she’s not ready to do. And second, Zynn-Zaz’zia is woefully behind in its development. We need your help to modernize our society.”
“And these two subjects are related?”
“Yes. Or, at least, they can be.”
*****
So many loose ends
Grammy and Ezra
“Thank you for seeing us, your Majesty.”
“I am glad we had this chance before you left, Eloise. I take it there is something on your mind?”
“Yes. Egg.”
“I see. Something specific?”
“I have been very, very stupid to allow her to lead the Sisterhood into such danger. She is too young.”
“Have we not had this discussion before?”
“My pride in my granddaughter blinded my judgment. But, no more.”
“What are you suggesting?”
*****
So many loose ends
The Sisters
“Why did you say oops?” asked her best friend.
“It wasn’t oops, we messed up. It was oops, Violetta, you messed up.”
; “She did, didn’t she? Gosh, Serenity, your mother would be so proud of you.”
“Thanks. How I wish she was here to see it.”
“Hey, Spirit?”
“Yes, Egg?”
“Does this mean that the vision you saw was kind of wrong? The big cheese disbanded the sisterhood for all of five minutes. But, there’s no more Violetta, so we’re no longer disbanded.”
“It does seem possible. As I keep telling you, I just see probabilities. There was always a chance . . . a really slim chance . . . that nothing permanent would happen. I guess we got lucky.”
“I wish you didn’t say that.”
“Say what?”
“Lucky. We always seem to get lucky. Sooner or later you just gotta figure that our luck will run out.”
“Stop being such a party-pooper,” said Sylvia.
“I’ve never pooped a party in my life.”
“You are such a goof.”
*****
So many loose ends
In Honor of the Sisterhood
The Queen walked into the Throne Room and everyone bowed their heads.
“Thank you all for coming. There is much to discuss, so let us begin. First, Spirit, please step forward.”
The girl was surprised but did as she was asked. She curtsied to the Queen. “Your Majesty.”
“I have been in contact with your parents on Paradox.”
The girl’s mouth dropped open at that unexpected statement.
“The faction that has held your people enslaved has been overthrown. They had used technology supplied by Violetta. Once her power was severed, that technology ceased to function. It took less than an hour for the rest of population to realize something had changed. The villains were immediately captured and imprisoned. They await trial.”
“That is so . . . so wonderful. Thank you.”
“Your family would like you to return home . . . at least for an extended visit.”
“Absolutely. With your permission, I will leave in the morning.”
“We bid you safe journey, sister. We thank you for your service to the Sisterhood and to Aerianna. Furthermore, we invite you and your family to visit us on Q’umulus. We would be honored by their presence.”
“Thank you, your Majesty,” and the Thought Weaver, with a big smile, backed away.
“Serenity, please come forward.”
The girl did.
“By royal decree, you are hereby granted full citizenship of Aerianna. You will be provided with a home on Q’umulus. Our serpent scientists invite you to join them in their advanced physics laboratory to study . . .” The Queen smiled. “I could read the words but they mean absolutely nothing to me. Please, discuss it with Tink’rrr at your pleasure.”
“Thank you, your Majesty.”
“Soo’nami, please come forward.”
Soo did.
“Congratulations on your engagement. I would be pleased if you would accept my invitation to hold the ceremony on Q’umulus. I know that dear Bl’azzz would prefer to be maid-of-honor if it were held on solid ground.”
“True dat,” blurted the dragon without realizing her voice would carry throughout the hall. Everyone laughed. “Sorry, Dazzle.”
“None required. Soo, please discuss it with your husband-to-be.”
“Thanks, Dazzle.”
“To continue, I would like to announce that I have had short but substantive discussions with a number of the more influential planets in the Starlight Alliance. They were overwhelmingly grateful to Egg and her sisters for the overthrow of Violetta and the destruction of her artificial army. They all asked for the privilege of honoring the Sisterhood when time allows. Of course, I readily agreed.
On a more serious note, without the Empress, the Starlight Alliance is, for all intent and purpose, dissolved. However, this presents us with a wonderful opportunity. Though there is a great many details to work out, we have tentatively agreed on a framework for a new organization. My suggestion to transform the Alliance from a one-person dictatorship to a duly elected council of like-minded worlds was greeted enthusiastically. Over the coming months I will convene the first session of this newly formed organization here on Q’umulus. I foresee great benefits accruing to all its members.”
“Enough of politics. Let us talk of our very own Hameggattic Sisterhood. How many times have we on Aerianna turned to these incredibly brave and resourceful ladies to help us through perilous times? I, for one, seem to have lost count.” She stopped to let the folks applaud showing their gratitude and admiration.
“Yet again, they deserve to be honored both individually as well as a group. I will call their names and they will come forward . . .
“Eloise Grace Graystone, known to us all as Egg of Earth.” The applause was loud enough to cause damage to your ears. Egg stepped forwarded and waved.
“Sylvia Hampton, Egg’s worthy Feminion, and known to the Sisterhood as Egg’s brain (she teased) . . .”
“Soo’nami, or Soo to her Sisters, the funniest serpent ever spawned on our world.”
“K’ssss, the MVP from the Quest and now one of our most worthy scientists. Her ability to re-sync our world’s clock with the rest of the universe still defies understanding.”
“Sassi – my sister’s best friend. One of the original seven and soon to have a married daughter.”
“Bl’azzz, the only known dragon who is a vegetarian. She is one of the easiest going, loveable sisters despite her little gas problem.” The dragon rolled her eyes while everyone else laughed good-naturedly.
“Aeri’elle, who carries on the tradition first set by my father in helping unite the races by building a multi-species university.”
“M’egg-Alynnia, my daughter, and the next Queen of Aerianna. She, and Aeri’elle, risked their lives to save Wind’dancers from a fiery death.”
“Spirit, a Thought Weaver and Healer from Paradox who saved my daughter from the injuries she sustained that night.”
“BreeZee, the beautiful Wind’dancer . . . so trusted by Egg that she was asked to lead the sisterhood in a mission that, thankfully, is no longer required.”
“Tee’ka, an artificial intelligence who only wanted to be human. And now, with the help of Serenity and Egg, she is. Her friendship to Egg has been unwavering and invaluable.”
“Lastly, Serenity. Her brilliance is literally unequal . . . and that is not an exaggeration. We have all witnessed what she did to Violetta. But, for all that, it was her personal growth that turned her into a true Hameggattic Sister.”
The girls turned to the audience and waved. Egg caught Grammy’s eye and smiled. Her grandmother, however, didn’t look very happy . . . which was just weird. To her shock, she got the dreaded goose bumps. “Oh my gosh,” she whispered to herself.
“And now the Sisterhood. There are simply no more accolades I can give than I have given so many times in the past. Extraordinary, brave, loyal, clever, resourceful . . . and a little lucky. Our history books will once again be updated to include their current exploits. I have also commissioned a park with life-size statues of all the sisters with their personal histories and heroic deeds so that Aeriannians for generations to come can understand the debt we owe these women. It is a debt that can never be repaid. Furthermore, their extraordinary story will be told throughout the former Starlight Alliance in the hope of inspiring others to reach beyond themselves to serve the less fortunate. Theirs is a truly noble story – one of legends.” She paused to allow those present to applaud. When it finally died down, she continued.
“However, I have now the truly unpleasant task of issuing a royal decree. After much thought and in consultation with others whose opinion I trust, I am hereby disbanding the Hameggattic Sisterhood.”
“NOOOOOO.”
“I am so sorry, Egg . . . sister. It is an unjust reward but . . .”
Flying Girl interrupted Rose. “After all we did for you? How can you do that? You can’t. I won’t let you.”
Rose�
��Alynnia stared at the girl – whatever emotions she was feeling were well hidden. “I will also have your flying suit.”
Egg’s face dropped in horror. She immediately went to tap her ring and transport herself back to the safety of earth . . . but the hand of a Sentinel reached out, grabbed her wrist and stopped her.
She struggled to free herself but was no match for the larger, stronger man. With tears streaming down her face, she looked back at the woman she once idolized and screamed . . .
“WHY?”
Tend to My Suit
Book 2, Sisterhood’s End
Another Novel of
Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood
Copyright 2014, by Robert Iannone
All rights reserved
(Book & Illustrations)
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1 – By Royal Decree
Chapter 2 – Farewell and Goodbye
Chapter 3 – Conversations with a Queen
Chapter 4 – A Sad Beginning
Chapter 5 – Tee’s Family
Chapter 6 – Year 1: Evolution
Chapter 7 – Year 2: Changes in Latitude
Chapter 8 – Year 3: Changes in Attitude
Chapter 9 – Year 4: Nothing Remains the Same
Chapter 10 – Year 5: The Graduate
Epilogue
Prologue
The girls turned to the audience and waved. Egg caught Grammy’s eye and smiled. Her grandmother, however, didn’t look very happy . . . which was just weird. To her shock, she got the dreaded goose bumps. “Oh my gosh,” she whispered to herself.
“And now the Sisterhood. There are simply no more accolades I can give than I have given so many times in the past. Extraordinary, brave, loyal, clever, resourceful . . . and a little lucky. Our history books will once again be updated to include their current exploits. I have also commissioned a park with life-size statues of all the sisters with their personal histories and heroic deeds so that Aeriannians for generations to come can understand the debt we owe these women. It is a debt that can never be repaid. Furthermore, their extraordinary story will be told throughout the former Starlight Alliance in the hope of inspiring others to reach beyond themselves to serve the less fortunate. Theirs is a truly noble story – one of legends.” She paused to allow those present to applaud. When it finally died down, she continued.
Box Set #4: Sisterhood's End: [The 3 book 4th adventure of Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood] Page 11