Planet Pollux: Castle Darkwinter... The young woman walked along the paraphets of her castle, humming a happy tune. The sun was shining down on her straight golden hair. All was right with her world. Surely he was there by now, and surely her virgin cousin was a virgin no longer! She laughed with glee! The only thing that could make her any happier would be if the chit were pregnant-which would be probably be very soon-Zarkon was a resilient and persistent lover. This she knew well from personal experience. The only thing that bothered her was Lotor's fate. Not that she really cared about him, but it would be a waste of manhood if he were dead. Oh well, at least her dear sweet cousin was where she belonged - in the loving arms of her husband, Zarkon.
She laughed prettily, twirling around as she had done when she was small. Soon, she would be head of the Alliance! They thought her like her cousin! - ha!! Little they knew! She was stronger, smarter and could be ruthless if needed. Now, if her cousin's husband would accomodate with her coronation as Pollux's rightful queen-all would be well.
Bandor-the silly fool...out of his mind with worry-talking with that fool Coran as if they were father and son. He wasn't even of Avian's line - Avok had told her once.
Thinking of Avok made her think briefly of her father, Avian.
...Leda....yield to me and I will not kill him... .....Father, no! It's me! It's Rommelle - not mother! stop--!!! Avok, help me!!!......let her go!!!.... Her mind closed it out quickly...I will not think of that now.....that night, no.
She frowned, then smiled. ....perhaps I should pay Bandor a visit some night....he is comely......oh Avok.....
Her eyes had the mad gleam of her father's then....dark and wild with malice. A dark angel was she. A viper....."
...but once you were a shining light in the Darkness, you and Sven....snap out of it, child!!...
For a moment, Princess Romelle stood stock still, her eyes wide with confusion.
"What - was that? Who?" Romelle said as turned to see who was there.
No one.
The princess shrugged. Yes, all was right with the world.
Kate and Keith had been in the tunnels for who knows how long. Kate's chron had stopped.
She had said, "Garrison issue-Keith, only the best!" she laughed.
Keith did too. He said, laughing with her, "Well,at least quality control is consistent."
Kate laughed and said, "Hey, Keith, are we there yet?"
Keith said, "Almost, Kate." Kate grimaced and said, "You said that an hour ago, Keith."
He turned to her and said, "I know, I know, Kate, it just takes a while, here...."
Suddenly, they both heard a sound. Kate whispered, "Hear that, Keith? You don't think....." she shivered, thinking about Jarius.
Keith shook his head and whispered, "On Doom, it could be anything! Get ready!"
They tensed. The sound grew closer and closer. Footsteps! But how many? And from what direction? It was hard to tell down here.
"Freeze!! Drop your weapons!" A voice said. Kate heard the click of a rifle on her back. Kate and Kieth dropped the weapons. They heard the weapons being picked up.
The voice said, "Both of you, turn around!" They did so. They both saw a tall, gaunt man, wearing the ragged clothes of a Doom slave, looking them over suspiously.
He eyed Keith's Doom uniform and said, "You! Who are you -- tell me, or your lady will get it!"
Keith replied, "I am Captain Keith Akira of Arus and this is Lt. Commander Kate Ale'der.
The slave's eyes still held distrust. "What are you doing here?"
Kate replied before Keith could answer. "Look, we were sent here because we have heard anything from our spies here. We found out that they were all liquidated by Commander S'aaul."
The slave's eyes narrowed as he heard the name. He had been tortured by S'aaul before his enslavement. Kate continued,"We just escaped from Castle Doom.He nearly tortured Keith here and he tried to ah - rape me, basically.I hit him and took his uniform, gave to Keith here.....couldn't find his. We're trying to get a ship to take back to Arus..."
The slave nodded and said, "S'aaul is known for his skill in torture and with the women who are unfortunate to grace his chambers...still, I will take you to our leader - he can determine if you are telling the truth. Come, hurry."
Gesturing the weapon at them, Kate and Keith walked ahead of the escaped slave as he led them off the main tunnel into a smaller one, which entrance had been hidden in the shadow. It was darker here, but the slave knew the way, and herded them on until he instructed them to stop at another enterance.
Keith heard the slave say, "I've got them, sir...bring them in?"
Keith did not hear what the other voice said, but the slave prodded them ahead into the duggout room which was lighted by portgens. Only one person was in the room and Keith recognized him. To Kate's and the slave's suprise, Keith and the lone person in the room rushed towards each other, giving each other a slap on the back as if they were good buddies. Kate then recognized the face, it was similar to another face she had seen on Arus....it was Chip, Pidge's older brother!!!
Rise To The Abyss: Chapter One