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Chapter6-Legacy By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne, JennaFl for Proofreading with Special Thanks to Sephrena Lynn Miller for Guidance and ChrisW. for the Illustration! Synopsis:John Carter learns more about the Rim Queen and her crew, finding a most pleasant surprise that validates his love for Jane, and hers for him. Meanwhile, other events are taking place that will lead to his ultimate confrontation with the Emperor. |
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John Carter looked at Captain Trent. "Sir, what exactly is on our itinerary? I need to know so that I can reschedule our meetings."
"John, you just gave us our next destination," replied Captain Trent. < i>'He still thinks that he's on a Naval Vessel, time to teach him different.'
Jane hugged John and smiled. "As a Merchant Cruiser, we have no set itinerary, we basically go where we please. Only those that serve a route are on a schedule." 'I wonder if we will now have a schedule?'
John blushed at her loving smile. "Jane..." 'Damn! She takes my breath away! Is this how Dad feels about Mom?"
"Easy there, you two. John, channel your love for Jane into your Medallion until you can manage your emotions. Then you will be the Knight we need." 'He has all the signs of being like his father.'
John's Medallion glowed with a soft, golden light that enveloped him and Jane, then retracted into his and Jane's Medallion causing both to glow. He looked Jane in the eyes. "Jane, I love you with all of my heart! My life is yours."
Jane returned John's gaze. "John, I love you with all of my heart! My life is yours."
The glow faded away, leaving both of them dazed and confused. "Good! It has happened!" exclaimed Captain Trent.
"What has happened?" they chorused.
"Your Medallions have now linked to each other, bonding your souls together. Now, you can track one another and speak telepathically to each other."
"But we just met. Why would our Medallions link like you say?" asked Johnny.
"Because, your hearts already know the truth, even if you deny it," affirmed the Captain.
"Are you saying that our Medallions have basically married us?"
Captain Trent smiled. "Yes, Princess Jane. The Medallions never lie. Now, when you meet others blessed to have a Medallion, they too will know who both of you are."
"But what about the Imperials? Can they discover the truth?"
"No, the Medallion gives the wearer immunity to all forms of interrogation. That is why Trillannii agents can easily infiltrate Imperial installations and stay hidden."
The Trillannii Naval Yard Complex was a fifty kilometer globe made from asteroid rock that had been fused together to form a fully functional base. Centered within an array of factories housed within other asteroid globes that manufactured the bulk of all technology away from a planet's delicate eco-system. The factory workers needs were provided by agri-farm globes for daily needs along with agri-dome for the exceedingly rare and dangerous flora/fauna for the manufacturing of medicine and specialized exotic foods unable to withstand the rigors of the traditional farms. The former factories had been converted into community centers filled with sports arenas, gymnasiums, theaters and shopping malls to answer he needs of the populace who demanded the factories goods.
In deep space, near the Trillannii Naval Yard, an ancient vessel from the past dropped out of hyperspace, on a collision course with the Trillannii Naval Yard Complex. In a temporary position on the bridge, Chancellor Merlin sat in the Command Chair.
"Commander, we have a situation."
"Details, Security Officer Lyon."'That platinum blond beauty disproved the dumb blond adage with her quick reflexes and perfect memory.'
"An ancient Imperial Troop Transport has arrived in system, on a collision course with the Complex."
"Any life signs?"
"Yes Sir, but very faint," replied the Nubian Adonis at the helm, reading the targeting scanners.
"What is the model and registry, Lieutenant Onuwachi?" 'He truly lives his African name of ‘God’s world’ with his mathematical genius needed for navigator/helm and talent for reading the subtleties of any planet we orbit.'
"Model class Royal Transport, registry number: 01," replied Caitlin Lyon in awe and wonder, her lion’s mane hair spreading out in response.
"Damn! The Freedom has returned from the grave!" exclaimed Merlin.
On the main screen, the registry number in mirror paint and the name Royal Servant was etched on the long, tapering body that flowed into a delta wing housing the engines. A smaller identical pod was melded atop the main body. Lights from the windows on both vessels were dimmed.
"Sir, are we going to salvage the ship and survivors?" asked the lioness.
Merlin smiled. "Oh, most definitely, Miss Lyon."
"My given name is Selina, Selina Caitlin, Sir."
"My apologies, my lady. But with you wearing that security bodysuit, you are quite fetching," he said as he knelt in proper Trillannii Knight fashion.
She blushed. "Sir, I am not a Lady. I am a commoner. Besides, we need to tend to the business at hand."
The Chancellor sat back down in his command seat. "You are right. Protocol demands that we ascertain the danger factor of the intruder. Launch the medical/security/engineer teams and erect the deflectors, but we have a month until its momentum will bring it here."
"True, but there could be nasty surprises. It's my duty to protect us from harm," she agreed as she dispatched the launch ready teams to intercept the ship.
"Just as it is mine to guide us safely to our destination and on patrol." said the Nubian.
"Yes, Nabil, you have proven your worth as Helm Officer. Otherwise, you would be helming another vessel," admitted Merlin. 'Never have I met one whose spirit is as noble as his. He truly lives up to his name.'
Each team was trained in multiple disciplines to ensure their survival. Each team was rotated to keep the teams fresh, and were stationed in a ready room, with the shuttle pod's access hatch kept open. When an alert was sounded, the teams bolted for the pod, awaiting orders for departure. Each pod on board a Trillannii Ship has the transition coils fully equipped patrol cruiser minus escape pods. Their main weakness is their size limits their range. relying upon the teams action suits to provide life support in cases of emergency.
Each pod consisted of a cockpit, passenger area, cargo hold and engine compartment, making surplus pods a highly sought after vessel by corporations, entrepreneurs, and individuals and small families filled with wanderlust.
"The teams are on their way, Sir," affirmed the Helm Officer.
"Good, prepare to launch the medivac shuttles."
"What about Sickbay?" asked Lieutenant Gloria Van Hallen from Navigation.
"After we ascertain that the shuttles are needed," replied Arturo. < i>'Good thing we have a full crew this patrol. Otherwise, I might have to send her to pilot a shuttle. Damn shame that so few want to qualify for Throne Ship Patrol Duty. But I guess that the stigma and horror of serving on the Imperial Throne Ship has been placed on the Queen here.'
The Security Officer cleared his throat. "A communique from Team 1."
"On screen." 'He can pull a message out of the static of a scrambler field as well as being a top notch soldier and pilot. With his record, our Nubian Hercules will soon earn his own Captaincy. When he does, I will give him this ship and stop being the commander.'
On the main screen, a unisex soldier in white armor with the sword icon on its helmet appeared. "Sir, the entire crew is in hibernation."
"Status of ship’s navigation systems, Crewman Barnes?"
"All systems are functioning normally."
"Then why is the ship here?"
"The ship came through a chronal shift that sent it ahead in time."
"By how much?"
"According to Chief Engineer Redstone, one hundred and fifty years."
"That computes, the Freedom was launched one hundred and fifty five years ago."
Then a second soldier with a Red Cross icon on its forehead appeared. "Sir, all of the crew are alive, but many need medical intervention to deal with various maladies that the sleep pods could not repair."
"Is a quarantine needed, Doctor Malcolm?"
"It is strongly advised."
"Security, launch medivac shuttles, with quarantine systems, and alert sick bay."
Caitlin pressed a button on her Security Monitor. "Done, Sir."
Merlin saw the lioness gasp in surprise. "Anything wrong?"
"Commander, I have a recording from the Commander of the Freedom. It was downloaded just before launch."
"Play recording."
"It is hard to believe that we are finally leaving this prison that the Empire exiled us to, but we are about to leave and join the other Colonies that have withdrawn from the Empire. The Empire began a policy of genocide against all Trans-gendered people. The colonies opened up their borders to us and soon, we departed in a mass exodus. The Empire made us a gift of one of their mothballed Troop Transports to take the final 50,000 to our destination. Little did we know that the Empire had planned for our flight to end in tragedy.
"All was going well until we made the final jump, and then the ship deposited us at the Prison Planet and jettisoned us into orbit, stranding us here.
"For fifty years, we struggled to survive along with with the prisoners who were themselves exiled here as we were. Together, we were able to convert the complex into a serviceable colony.
"Recently, the Troop Transport that had stranded us was found in orbit of our moon. It had been left behind because it had run out of fuel.
"We have been able to refuel it and make it ready to take us to our new home. Our friends have been looking for us all this time and are awaiting our arrival. As for this place, since it has been abandoned by the Empire, it will become a new colony for us.
"Even though life here is harsh, there is an abundance of metals and rare earths here for the taking. Looks as if the Empire loses out in the end.
"Now we are about to leave, I can hear the engines start up and I can see the stars dance as we make the jump. What our new life will be I do not know, but it will be better than what we leave behind."
"Now we know what happened. Gloria, can the ship be safely docked?"
"Affirmative, in fact, we can even dock it at the sickbay quarantine port," replied the navigator.
"Do so."
"Shall I alert sickbay?" asked Caitlin.
"No need, security, protocol demands that when quarantine shuttles are launched, the sickbay quarantine port must be readied."
John went forward. "Mutt, Jeff, you lads know our destination?" 'Let's see if they're as attentive to Bridge Chatter as their Naval Counterparts.'
"Course plotted, and ready to execute course correction," rumbled Mutt.
"Don'cha freyat noyan,” Jeff added. "We'yell geyat ya' theya."
"Mutt, Jeff, you have the con," said the Captain as he glided off the Bridge.
"Aye, aye, Sir," they chorused.
"John, it'll be awhile before we get there. Why not get some rest?" asked Jane. 'Will he accept my offer?'
John extended his hand. "Lead the way, My Lady."
On the Aztec bridge, Executive Officer Brick was in command as Captain.
"Sir, there is a communique from a Captain Abdul for the Captain. Should I page him?" asked the Junior Security Officer from his station behind Brick.
"Lenard, you know that the Captain hates speaking to that flotsam. I will take it." 'This guy is one bad apple. The only reason that he's yet to be brought in is that he's providing those treasures that the Emperor loves.'
The screen came to life to reveal Abdul's sweaty face, "By Aladdin's beard! Why are you speaking to me? I want your Captain."
"Captain Abdul, my Captain refuses to speak to you. And frankly, I do not want to either," stated Brick. 'Does this possibly have anything to do with John?'
Abdul bristled with rage, "And why does he refuse? I am the Emperor's friend!"
Brick stood up put his hand upon his star-sword handle, "Because all that you cause is trouble for any Naval Vessel that does business with you!" < i>'Will he deny his actions?'
"I have never caused trouble for the Navy!"
"Then what about the two Patrol Cruisers that were lost in the Vescar star system?" 'I was right. The Storm Riders of his fried the Kukulkan's and El Dorado's computer, allowing for their capture.'
"Fool! I warned about the Storm Riders!"
"Not until after the fact! You waited until we lost the Kukulkan and the El Dorado before you warned us!"
"Blame me not for naval incompetence! Blame yourselves!"
'This is getting us nowhere.' "Then tell me why you called, before I end your life."
'Would he actually do it?' "Bah! To attack the Emperor's Favorite is to end your career! You will become a slave!"
"Not after the computer has read your aura. Now, the truth is known. You are no longer a favorite!"
'Oh No! I must tell and hope to restore my status.' "Very well. I shall soon have the Treasure. I have found it, and will deliver it to you!"
"Oh? And where did you get this information?"
"From the Rim Queen." Abdul cut the transmission.
"Damn! Lynn, Lonnie, take command. I'm going to tell the Captain."
As Brick left, he heard a chorus of, "Aye, aye, Sir."
John looked her in the eye, after sating their passion. Her perfect, lithe body glistened with sweat and loving as he adoringly drank in her simple beauty. "Jane?" 'I am so lucky to have found her.'
"Yes, love?" she responded as she stretched like a cat, popping several joints and easing tension pent up from the pressure of the last few days. < i>'Yes, I do love him with all of my heart.'
Johnny caressed her breasts. "Just what is this 'curse' that I must defeat?" < i>'I have never heard of anything like it. Could she be afraid to love?'
Jane opened her eyes and saw that her lover was serious. "It all began when I was in school, I wanted to wear the girl's uniform, so I would not do my homework for punishment," she giggled. < i>'Oh what fun that was while it lasted.'
Then Johnny kissed her on the lips. "I don't understand." 'Well I do, but I want for Jane to tell me.'
"The punishment was to wear the other sex's uniform for a week," she purred. 'Wearing the hose during winter and summer was nice too.'
Johnny chuckled at her antics. "And you, of course, made sure to wear a girl's uniform all year long."
"Well, the Truant Officer simply enforced the rule, never filed a report with the Board as there was no rule to do so at the time," she moaned as she stretched. 'Unfortunately, that has changed recently.'
Johnny gently stroked her cheek. "And by the time you graduated, you had been in a girl's uniform all through school."
She moaned in extreme pleasure. "Yes, thanks to my being an orphan and under the Truant Officer's Authority. I learned about being a girl then, and most everybody thought that I was a girl, too."
'Truant Officer? That's strange.' "What about your parents?"
"That's where my curse begins, Johnny," she cried. "Can they forgive me? Or am I doomed to Hell?"
"How can that be?" he asked as he cuddled her to him. 'I will protect her from her curse with all of my power.'
"I was in my crib, some stupid parent saw that I was wearing the wrong outfit, and my parents were, executed on the spot," she wept at the memories.
Johnny put his hand to his mouth, "My god! How old were you?" he asked as he gathered up several tissues for her.
"I was five at the time. Why?" 'What could my age possibly matter?'
"Because, I have a feeling that your parents were outed for helping against the Imperials, not because of you. Even though you were in the wrong outfit. You have lived with this burden for years. Though, why you stayed in a crib seems strange."
'Oh no! He's got it all wrong! "Johnny, that crib was actually a child's bed that began as a crib. The sides fold down under the mattress, allowing the use of drawer space underneath," she explained.
"That's good to hear. For a moment, I thought that they were abusing you."
"No, they were not that way. They understood about my need. In fact, they actually got Truant Officer, Patricia Murphy, to ignore my cross-dressing. If she had told Dean Whitmire, I'd have been orphaned long ago."
"Then I'd say that your parents are innocent. It sounds as if they were murdered by vigilantes."
Jane looked at Johnny with renewed hope in her eyes. "Why do you say that, my love?" 'Can he possibly end my curse for me?'
"Because simply wearing a pink outfit is no reason to murder your parents! Not even the Imperials are that stupid."
Jane began to weep as the revelation hit her full force that vigilantes had murdered her parents and she was innocent. "Oh, Johnny, you're the first one that I told this too." 'Now I feel free of my guilt after all this time. Is it any wonder why I love him so much?
Johnny held her in his arms after he had covered them with the blanket. "You were afraid to look at your past before, Now I'm here to protect you," he promised. 'She is more important to me than my legacy.'
She lay under him and pulled him down upon her. "Then protect me by loving me back to sleep," she ordered as she lay back, ready to accept him in her body. 'Loving him is more wonderful than I could have ever imagined before now.'
With that, he gently wrapped her into the arms of sleep as he worshiped her from within.
Deep within the base, Mary led the King to a vast natural dome where an army of women wearing black unitards were practicing battle tactics with hand weapons. Each woman used a different weapon to either down her opponent or defend herself. What amazed the King was that they were equally matched.
"Well your Majesty, what do you think of our self defense skills?" Mary asked impishly. 'It will be interesting to see how we compare with the Trillannii.'
Taking careful stock, the King carefully assessed the sparring. "From what I can see, your army is much better than any other."
"Thanks, that is because we teach each Agent to be self-reliant and to be a team player." 'Let's see if he can tell the truth about out training.'
The King shook his head. "No, we do too, it's much more than that. We use special training to hone our soldiers into their peak levels and stay there."
Nodding in acceptance an admiration of his evaluation. "You're right, we are the recipients of genetic tailoring."
"Well, at least yours doesn't make your Agents into monsters," the King observed.
Mary activated a monitor screen and led him back to his seat where they both had a full glass of wine and a plate of assorted hard candies. "We have seen the monsters that the Imperium has created using their faulty gene therapy."
"Have you had any success at treating them other than ending their tormented lives?" asked the King.
"Unfortunately not. All that we can do is keep them in suspended animation. We will not kill an innocent."
"The same for us. We have been able to use our Medallion based genetic tailoring to undo the damage, now they are Trillannii Knights."
"Oh?" 'Will they share the cure?'
"They serve as Palace Guards now."
"Can you share the cure?"
King Reginald sighed in regret. "Unfortunately, the cure is by means of our Medallion technology that only a trained expert can use. Sorry."
She placed a hand upon his. "King Reginald, please help us. If we can adapt your cure to our chamber, it'll give us a new weapon to use as we cure the Emperor's Beast Men."
"So, that's what you call them."
"Yes, they do look like they were subjected to gene splicing with animals."
"And you want for us to teach you how to use the Medallion Gene Chambers."
"Yes, or let us send them to you."
"Either option is viable. I can have the Hospital Cruiser Pasteur here and the Evacuation Cruisers Lottie Moon, Anna Seward Pruitt and Cicero Washington Pruitt."
Mary smiled. I see that you honor people from Earth's past."
"Yes, it's our way of reminding everybody that the Imperium was not always evil and that the current madness will one day pass."
"As we honor our past Agents by continuing their code names."
"It amazes me that you have achieved the ability to give your Agents a body without defects."
"Well, all of us are conceived as female...
"You mean to tell me that...."
Mary placed her hand upon his. Yes, your Majesty. The male gender develops as the male chromosome becomes dominant."
"Thank you for opening my eyes, Mary. How does your system turn Agents into women?"
"Our transition chambers scans the body and tweaks the DNA to eliminate any genetic defects and anomalies as well as repair any injury. When an Agent chooses to become a woman, the chamber alters the male chromosome into a female chromosome as well as reversing the age to that of a young adult."
"Then by combining both systems, we can extend the lives of practically anybody. But to do so might not be that wise. You may have the wisdom needed, but do all of your Agents have the wisdom to not go mad as the Emperor has?"
"He went mad with lust, not with any form of immortality."
"True, but does living so long ever become a burden?"
"When it does, I enter my regeneration pod and let my replacement take over."
"Who will be your replacement?"
"It all depends upon who is available at the time. Right now, my best friend Margo is overseeing operations while I am here. And each of our bases has their own Commandant with her Ministers in charge of the departments."
"Okay, do your leaders ever retire or leave their position?"
"Every Agent has the chance to lead. Some are more capable than others, but all have their unique skills."
"Much as the Trillannii Military/merchant Fleet."
Then a slender blond beauty wearing a gray bodysuit approached and saluted Mary who returned the salute. "Mary, we have a report on the Galactic Princess."
Mary turned to the King. "Do you know any of this, your Majesty?" 'I wonder just how good his network is?'
The King shrugged. "Nothing confirmed yet, my Agents only send me facts, not rumors. Too easy to make a bad call any other way."
"Well, same as mine and no doubt you will get the same information when you return. Too bad that security procedures prevent you from having any real time contact," Mary replied. 'The bane of our Agency.'
The King grinned at Mary. "Believe me, if I did not trust you, my People would raze this base to the ground in retaliation." 'Her Agency has proven itself too many times for me to doubt her.'
Turning to the blond Agent. "Report Agent Moondragon!" 'Now to show him how good we really are.'
Then she saluted Mary who returned the salute, "The Princess is heading out this way with the Emperor's Envoy."
"Damn it all to hell!! The last rumor was that she was coming alone!!" exclaimed the King as he jumped out of the lounge chair. 'Now I am worried about my son, he needs this information, ASAP!'
Mary placed a sympathetic hand upon his broad shoulder. "Same as us, my friend, same as us. No doubt you are worried about your son on board the Rim Queen."
The King looked sheepishly at them. "I apologize, ladies. You see, it's not the Imperial Envoy that's accompanying the Princess, it's Grand Admiral Jolleck. He's with her to capture my son, if he can," he confirmed.
Agent Moondragon smirked. "Sir, even if it is him, with your son on board the Rim Queen, he is safe. And if still on board the Aztec, he'd be with a crew loyal to him."
"King Reginald, the Agency will do its best to keep your son safe," affirmed Mary.
The King looked at Mary. "I guess this means that we are united at least in deed if not heart," he smiled as he uttered the idea of uniting with the Agency. 'If we combine our forces, can the Empire stand against us?'
"Come, your Majesty. We both know that your trip here is the start of our combining our resources, I hope that you have all the documents that you need." < i>'I wanted this too, but had to wait for him to come to me.'
Then he pulled out a mini-comp filled with documents. "Yes, hopefully by combining resources, we can cover more area and expand our range."
"My thoughts exactly, your Majesty," replied Mary.
As the lovers awoke from their slumber, they were brought back to reality by a rude announcement over the 'tannoy' in the computer's voice. " Transition to real space in ten minutes. Commander Carter to the Bridge."
"I guess that you need to be there to land us."
"Yeah, but the trouble twins can do it on their own, I'm there in case our cargo is suspect."
"John, we are on our way to get the Treasure, not delivering cargo."
"My bad. I was joking."
"Then I guess that I'll go tend to the Captain," Jane purred as she donned her robe so she could get to the shower.
John flicked a toggle at the head of his bed. "Acknowledged, I'll be there shortly."
Meanwhile, in the Captain's Ready Room, the Captain was reviewing the latest report on the Princess. "Damn! With that monster out here, things can get dicey real quick! Is there anything that you can do Steele?" 'He is supposed to be the best according to rumor.'
George Adrian Steele was the Rim Queen's Security Officer and father of Aaron Breck Steele, aka Brick. Steele had become the Security Chief after the Captain had lost his legs. He looked at the report that the Captain passed over. "Doubtful at this time other than enact some rather exotic countermeasures that might not work," he admitted. "That monster has a very bad habit of doing the unexpected."
The Captain drank some of his steaming coffee. "Well, as soon as Johnny has taken care of landing us, he will be here and give us his input." 'That is unless he comes here first to be introduced to the rest of the crew.'
Steele chuckled. "He will be amazed to see me, my friend." 'It will be nice to see my son's best friend.'
"Oh? And why is that?" 'Has Johnny some secret that I need to know?'
"He is best friends with my son Brick who just happens to look just like me."
They heard a buzz from the door. "Looks like we get to see his reaction now," replied the Captain in good humor as he let Johnny in. 'I wonder if Johnny knows about his friend’s dad?'
Johnny stepped through the door and saluted the Captain who returned the salute. "Sir, I have yet to be introduced to the crew, do they know that I am in Command or was that request S.O.P.?" 'I should have taken care of this already, but I was too caught up in loving Jane.'
"Not S.O.P., John, they know," replied a deep, resonant voice from the stranger. 'Poor boy, he got caught up in loving that vixen, Jane, and I do not blame him either from what the Captain tells me.'
Turning to the stranger, Johnny saw who he believed to be his best friend. "Brick! What are you doing here!?" John shouted as he hugged the bronze giant as he stood.
Then a deep, reverberating rumble erupted from his chest as he laughed. "I am afraid that you are quite mistaken, Jonathan." 'He sees my son, not me as I knew he would.'
Johnny looked at his friend as the Captain pressed a toggle on his desk. "What do you mean, Brick?"
"I am Brick's father, George Adrian Steele," he announced as he chuckled. 'I can see why Brick likes this man.'
Looking at the older man, John saw the older man's telltale graying temples that was the only difference that he could see. "Brick never told me that he was your double. Only your graying temples give you away, and the fact that you have hair," accused a mirthful Johnny. 'That scamp got one over on me. I wonder what he'll say when he finds out that his dad is our Security Chief?'
The Captain cleared his throat. "Johnny, I have already introduced Steele to the Crew. Time for me to do the same for you. Follow me." The Captain floated out the door onto the bridge as Johnny and Steele followed.
Johnny stepped onto the bridge where things were not as well as need be. The main screen revealed a planet shrouded in a deadly storm, and the mist hindered sensor contact and started to disrupt the transition coils.
"Report Helm!" ordered the Captain.
"Target planet's weather is a mess, Sir!" came the cavernous drawl.
"Has the Queen ever landed in such weather before?" Johnny asked.
"Yes Sir! But only with damage," came the drawl from Navigation.
"Now, what is the problem that you call me to the bridge? Can the Queen not land safely?"
Jeff sat back down and warned, "Oh we cayun, but thuh Chief wiyill blow a gaskyet if we hurt the Queen."
Johnny needed a second opinion from his new crew." Engineering, this is the Bridge, please report to Commander Carter on the Bridge ASAP."
A brogue from the Highlands of the United Kingdom blared over the intercom, "Who in tha' bloody hell has tha' gall ta' call me to tha' Bridge when I'm needed down here!"
Then a mirthless chuckle emitted from the deep bellows up front," Sir, Chief Engineer Piper will not be pleased being summoned here for any reason."
"Well, it's time that I set the tone of my Command with our Engineer then," replied Johnny.
The Captain floated over to the unmanned Communications station and waited with Steele who had taken the seat there, "Now we’ll see just how Johnny handles our firebrand of an engineer," he said with a smirk.
"Well, it is not Captain Trent calling you. Come up here, or find yourself planet side, swabbing away dust on old relics," replied Johnny with a feral grin. 'I can tell that this one is full of fire. Just the type I need to care for the ship.'
"I'll be right there, smart ass!"
"Johnny, get ready for a storm, known as 'Piper.' Hope that your luck holds out," Captain Trent said, laughing.
"You'll need it," agreed a smiling Steele.
A petite redheaded green eyed pixie of a woman stormed onto the bridge and stalked over to where the Captain was. "Why in tha' hell are ya' doin' callin' me up here fa' Cap'n? Don'cha know that I gotta ship ta' run?" she asked as she tapped her foot.
"Piper, it was not I that called you up here," said the Captain. 'She is truly a hot headed Irish girl.'
"Then who be tha one Cap'n?"
"That would be me, Miss."
Turning to see Johnny, she was aghast to see him. "Glory Be! Is it truly tha' Prince?"
"Yes, I am Prince Jonathan Carter: Heir of the Trillannii Throne."
