by C. M. Kane
‘It is time, Captain.’
Tae opened her eyes and stood, she stepped forward and embraced him smiling warmly, ‘Good luck and safe passage, Adam, and thank you for all your help, if all this goes as planned, perhaps one day soon we’ll see each other again.’
Adam smiled down at her, ‘You have good people around you, Captain, don’t ever lose them. You’re a strong woman with a good heart; the Gods would be fools to even think of messing with you and Brightmoon. Now don’t forget to show them the vid I took, it might open their eyes to some of the inherent dangers of trying to take her from you.’
Tae smiled and leant up, kissing his cheek fondly. ‘Thank you Adam, for everything.’
Adam saluted her then left the bridge, twelve minutes later Dishon reported that he had departed the ship and proceeded through the portal to enact his part in her plan.
Tae took a deep breath. ‘Set a course for Velonchos, it’s time to meet our makers.’ She watched the largest com screen as the portal opened up to Vulcan’s planet and Brightmoon slowly went through.
Chapter 9
Loki watched carefully as Radnor escorted Tae’s twin brother into the garden where he had decided to interview him informally about her.
He needed some kind of an opening with her, to at least get her to talk to him again. A part of him knew he was being ridiculous; since when had he been so interested in a woman that he actually wanted to find out her likes and dislikes? His mind went back to the Wolven male Vesh again, and he felt his anger return immediately; just the thought of Tae with the wolf had him wanting to kill something. No, whether he was being foolish or not he was now determined that Vesh would not be going anywhere near Tae. She was his! All he needed was some clues as to what made her tick, and then he could formulate a plan to win her over. He was hoping that her brother might provide the information he needed.
Loki continued to evaluate Jason as he approached him; he was uncommonly handsome for a Terran, but he could still see the resemblance between the two siblings. Both had inherited their Vampire fathers’ vivid green eyes and their mothers’ jet black hair. Both had a ‘set’ to their jaw, already Loki knew this Jason was on edge about meeting him; obviously the rumor mill had been both swift and efficient as usual, the whole ship would know by now about the fight with Hera and exactly what had happened, right down to Tae’s assertions to being Zeus’s lover in order to draw her into the battle.
Then of course her easy escape from the Olympus. Hell, they probably all knew far more about Tae than what he did for all he knew, he thought sulkily.
Jason was tense; he looked as though he was ready to fight for her safety already; obviously he wasn’t the weak effeminate boy Loki had been expecting. A young warrior now stood before him, which he found very interesting, especially considering his new profession.
‘My Lord, may I present Jason Rames, as per your request, and I have just been informed Commander Brohan has arrived, he is at this moment billeting your new men, once you have finished here I will send him to you directly.’
‘Thank you, Radnor, that will be all,’ said Loki trying to look casual and relaxed.
‘Please take a seat, Jason isn’t it?’ Jason nodded warily and sat across the table from Loki on the slightly lower level. ‘As you have no doubt realized, I have bought you here to question you about your sister.’ Jason’s jaw set firmer, as if stealing himself for an ordeal that was about to happen.
‘So tell me,’ said Loki leaning forward slightly, ‘what does she like?’
Jason’s eyes snapped wide in complete surprise; this obviously wasn’t what he had thought he was going to be asked.
‘What?’ he said, his mouth slightly ajar.
‘I’m interested to know her likes and dislikes, all of them. I wish to know your sister better so as we have no more misunderstandings between us.’
He watched closely as Jason thought through what he had just said, seeming to make a decision that he wasn’t going to be betraying Tae in any way he answered him.
‘She likes music,’ he said carefully.
‘And?’ urged Loki quietly.
‘Dipping sauces with her vegetables.’
Loki raised an eyebrow, ‘I have incurred your sisters wrath due to an unfortunate misunderstanding; are you really telling me that some music and dipping sauces are going to soothe her ire towards me? If so, than you and I seem to know two entirely different versions of your sister.’
Jason stared at him frowning, ‘permission to speak frankly, My Lord?’ Loki nodded.
‘If you’ve pissed Tae off she won’t forget or forgive you in a hurry, especially not if you did something she regards as serious, like hurting someone or something she loves, or betraying her in some way. She’s not that complicated in her thinking about people. When she decides to trust she gives her heart totally, that means she can be hurt easily. I know some of you Gods want Tae for your own ends, but I’m pleading with you not to hurt her. You’re all really, really, old! I mean, you’ve pretty much been around for-ever. I just want you to remember Tae is only seventeen, even if she seems far more sexually and intellectually mature than a normal Terran, remember, that’s only because of her Vampire traits and the fact she’s smart.’
He hesitated as if searching for words. ‘I guess what I’m saying is that, while she has the mind, body, and needs of a sexually mature Vampire, she still has the heart of an innocent seventeen year old Terran girl. She doesn’t have your vast experience. Hell; she doesn’t even have mine for that matter. I don’t want to see her broken, not by you, not by anyone!’ He finished defiantly.
Loki nodded thoughtfully. ‘You see me as to old for her then? Perhaps your right Jason, but that being said, she does have needs now, whether you like it or not. So who would you prefer take care of those needs? A God, who has at least taken the time to try to know her a little better so he can try to please her, or some being who may not take what you have said into consideration?’
‘I’d prefer someone who actually cared about Tae and what she needs, not to mention someone who was with-in at least a few decades of her age,’ replied Jason fearlessly.
Loki grinned and leaned back, ‘You really are a lot like her you know, not so much in looks, although I see the resemblance, you’re obviously fraternal twins, not identical.’
Jason’s started to say something but Loki held up his hand stopping him. ‘Believe it or not I much prefer Tae’s looks over your own; she has fierceness about her, there’s nothing weak or dainty in her ways, what you see is what you get with that woman. She’s also clever and resourceful, she uses her mind to get what she wants, and doesn‘t whine when things don’t turn out exactly as she intended. She simply sucks it up, learns from her mistakes, and gets on with things,’ he paused in his narrative. ‘I think you are too young to realize exactly how unique that is, especially in one of her age.’
Jason looked at Loki in astonishment, ‘You really like her… don’t you?’ When Loki looked back at him as if equally surprised at his statement Jason made a snap judgment and continued.
‘She really likes summer rains, every summer if it rained we’d run outside and dance around like idiots, and she really, really, loves music; she listens to it all the time, even while she’s studying. She also likes old movies from before the Gods war, especially anything Sci-Fi, she says they’re fun, and they are. We’d spend nights huddled under a quilt with our friend Soola and sometimes my friend Trevor, just eating and watching them. She also loves animals and is deathly afraid of heights, so how she climbed that cliff on the Island is anyone’s guess. She doesn’t suffer shallow or mean people, and she says what’s on her mind… even if you don’t want to hear it. She’s loyal to those she loves and will kick the living crap out of anyone who tries to hurt them, and as you’ve seen, she’s insightful and brave to a fault. She has a quick temper as you have also probably found out, but she’s honest and decent, and all I’m asking is that you remember that, and the fa
ct she is only seventeen and is very naïve when it comes to men. In fact she’s a virgin, so I’m begging you to be gentle with her, don’t hurt her; please,’ he finished.
Loki nodded. ‘I have no intentions of hurting Tae, Jason, and thank you for your words,’ Radnors voice interrupted over his ear com.
‘Excuse me for the interruption, My Lord, but Commander Brohan is requesting an audience with both yourself and Lord Zeus immediately, he has brought word from the Brightmoon.
Loki raised his eyebrows in surprise, what are you up to now Tae? He thought silently, before telling Radnor he’d be there immediately, he turned back to Jason standing as he did so. ‘Thank you for your words, Jason, you can return to the Aphrodite centre with my gratitude.’
***
Jason sighed. ‘Thank you, my Lord’ he stood quickly and left, hoping against hope that he had done the right thing. He knew all he had told Loki were things he most likely would have known already, he had added small bits of personal truths about the summer rains and movies to add a little bulk to what little he had told him, it also had given him a chance to ask the dark eyed god not to hurt her. Strangely he had the distinct impression that maybe Loki might be more interested in Tae than what Loki himself realized. Jason might not have Tae’s tactical nous, but he had an affinity to know people, just like his mother did. It was this affinity that had lead Elite Commander Tannan to approach him with the offer of training at the house of Aphrodite, as not only a pleasure giver, but also as a warrior/spy under Tannans control. He had told him that since the last episode with Hera, both he and Zeus had decided to become much more serious about spying on the other Gods. Once his training was complete he could be moved to any area that they wished to find out information from, because everyone had a House of Aphrodite; the houses were pretty much anywhere. Better still, who would ever suspect a novice pleasure giver?
Jason had accepted the offer immediately; he had realized instantly that this was what he was born to do, even if he could never tell Tae or his mother. This job was something he was incredibly proud of; not to mention he now had the best of all worlds. He knew with-out a shadow of a doubt he had Tae to thank for this, it seemed to him his sister was somehow at the centre of everything that seemed to occur.
***
Loki watched Jason leave the room, the boy hadn’t really given him much information he didn’t already know, he’d also used the opportunity to tell him he was way too old for her. Apart from that he had basically just begged him not to hurt her.
So, as well as not gaining much information, he also felt like he’d just been called a sleazy old letch.
Well to bad, he thought dryly, this sleazy old letch isn’t about to give up on her, especially not when there seemed to be a large assortment of other sleazy old letches sniffing around. He hurried to the turbo lift with the hope that Brohan knew what his little obsession was up to now.
Chapter 10
Brohan entered the room to find both Zeus and Loki waiting for him; both had the same expectant looks on their faces.
‘Where is she?’ Zeus asked with no preamble.
‘Earth,’ replied Brohan.
As Zeus turned to the ever present Tannan to order the Olympus to Earth Brohan spoke up quickly. ‘But she’s coming to Velonchos, to negotiate for the surrender of the Brightmoon to you.’
Zeus stopped dead. ‘She told you this,’ he asked suspiciously.
‘Yes, My Lord,’ said Brohan. ‘She captured my jumper as I was heading back to Velonchos.’ Loki nodded at Zeus’s questioning look, and Brohan continued. ‘Once she had us onboard she took me aside and explained to me what had occurred. I told her there was no way that you would allow her to continue to Captain the Brightmoon, and that her only recourse was to surrender to you.’
Loki watched Brohan closely. ‘And how did she take that?’
‘She wasn’t what I’d call happy, My Lord, said Brohan trying with great difficulty not to lie. ‘But she is a good woman, and she has realized that she has no choice but to surrender control of the ship to Lord Zeus.’
‘Yet you said she wishes to negotiate the surrender of the ship,’ said Zeus angrily. ‘Does she think to demand concessions for herself from me, especially after the way she has behaved towards us?’
Brohan shook his head. ‘She told me she has a few small requests to ask of you, My Lord. She also assured me they will not be demands. I do know that she is very protective of the Tuvarnans in her crew. I think she may want to protect them from any harm or repercussions for their involvement in her escapades; especially considering what Hera did to their race.’
Zeus flushed guiltily at the reminder of the Tuvarnans, he knew he should have known what Hera was capable of, and he still felt partially responsible for the massacre of the race, but since seeing them aboard the Brightmoon, and realizing that at least some of their race had survived, some of those feelings of guilt had finally begun to lesson.
He turned to Brohan, now more thoughtful as he started to relax a little. ‘You have given us much to think about, leave us now, but thank you for your words, one way or another we will be ready when she arrives.’
Brohan saluted, a worried frown creasing his forehead; just before he left Loki gave him a slight smile and nod, it was only then he realized that he had been successful. Tae would get her meeting with the Gods, Loki would now see to it.
As soon as Brohan had left Loki turned to Zeus smiling. ‘Well, we may have just caught our first break. If Brohan has talked some sense into Tae then all this may work out to our advantage after all.’
Zeus nodded watching Loki curiously, ‘And what of these concessions she wants from us?’
‘Come now, Zeus, were you really intent on killing some innocent Tuvarnans? I seem to remember a time when you were quite enamored of them.’
‘She humiliated me in front of the others.’ Zeus ground out angrily, she compromised my leadership.’
‘No!’ snapped Loki. ‘You had been doing that all by yourself for centuries, and quite successfully, too, I might add. It took Tae telling you the very things all who call you friend and brother should have told you long ago, to finally open your eyes to what you had become. Tae gave you your soul back, Zeus, and you damn well know it! You owe her this meeting for that one thing alone, not to mention saving our skins once again!’
Zeus smiled smugly ‘Yes I know, and I had every intention of granting her an honest audience. I did however, wish to see just how far you would be prepared to go to make sure she got it,’ he laughed and stood. ‘I’ll be on the bridge if I’m needed again.’
Damn him straight to hell, thought Loki in annoyance. He, Loki, the master manipulator, had just been rather neatly had, and by Zeus of all people. He narrowed his eyes looking towards the door, it seemed there was far more cunning and guile in Zeus than he thought possible. He’d remember that.
***
Zeus had only been on the bridge a short time when the sensors operator informed him the portal was opening; all too soon the familiar shape of the massive dreadnaught filled the screen. Even now, though he’d seen the ship before in all its breathtaking glory, he still stared at it in awe. He watched in puzzlement as strange red patterns seemed to writhe over it as it moved closer. There seemed many more than the last time he had seen the ship. He quickly pulled himself together and told the communications officer to open a channel, it was time he and Tae had a little talk
‘You requested to speak to me?’ He asked quietly.
Tae took a deep breath. ‘Yes, Lord Zeus, I’m here to negotiate both my surrender and the turning over of control of Brightmoon to you, if you are still interested?’
Zeus didn’t even bother to try to hide his curiosity. ‘So what brings this on then? Commander Brohan has told us that you’d had a change of heart, but I find that rather hard to believe after our last encounter. If I recall correctly, the last time we spoke you were basically calling me a whore and telling me to man up, while you went a
bout looking up some clue Cassandra had left you with.’
Tae grimaced and had the grace to look a little shame faced at his words, before squared her shoulders and met his eyes again. ‘As you know I spoke to Brohan. I captured his jumper as he was about to leave earth to join you. He gave me a few home truths, the same as I did to you,’ she took a deep breath and continued. ‘I have come to realize that apart from a bit of a sex fetish you’re doing a really good job,’ she said seriously.
Zeus frowned as he heard a quickly muffled snort come from Tannans direction. ‘I do not have a sex fetish. I simply happen to enjoy sex… a lot, but be that as it may, if you’re here to negotiate terms, what do you have in mind?’
‘Well I’d like to meet and put forwards some idea’s I’ve had. We can either meet here on Brightmoon, or onboard the Olympus, it’s your call.’
Zeus was staring at her, trying to figure out if this was a trick of some kind, just as Loki entered the bridge to join him. ‘We’ll meet here, come to the garden as soon as you arrive, we’ll be there.’
Tae nodded. ‘I’ll see you shortly.’
Zeus shut off the com screen and turned to Loki. ‘Well she seems genuine enough, she’s coming over.’
Loki nodded, ‘Good, we’ll soon see if she means what she says.’ Zeus nodded. ‘Signal Vulcan and Ares’ to come over immediately, I want them here when she arrives, we might as well let everyone here know what’s going on at the same time.’
He started laughing suddenly. ‘I imagine Vulcan is already standing in a puddle of drool whilst he has his officers turn every scanner they’ve got on that ship. Hell, if it’s got an exhaust port we’ll probably find him trying to mate the damn thing.’
Loki burst out laughing, ‘You know the really funny thing about that statement is; it absolutely true.’ He started talking into his com watch, quickly issuing orders as both Gods headed for the garden and their meeting with Tae.