Disclaimer: I do not own Balem or the Jupiter Ascending universe (though I wouldn't mind owning Balem =D) but I do own Amoya whatever other characters that are in existence for this story.

A.N: The dress that Amoya wears is similar to Rihanna's cover of Harper's Bazaar Arabia outfit.

Chapter 1: Calm before the Storm

- About two weeks ago: -

"Perhaps you want to explain to me, exactly why you have been unsuccessful in finding them?"

Balem's soft voice floated through his throne room. As usual he sat, dressed in his black robes, his head leaning in his hand as he stared lazily at his current winged lizard general.

Despite his size, the winged lizard shifted on his feet, trying not to appear agitated. "Your majesty, we have been searching the galaxy and we have been unable to find them. We aren't even sure they even are in this galaxy. And perhaps, this army might not even exist."

Queen Amoya, seated in a gold chair, at the bottom of Balem's platform, cringed when she heard the words.

Balem lifted his head, his eyes glaring down at his general, "If you are unfit for the job, simply say so."

"That is not what I'm saying, your majesty." the winged lizard said quickly, "Your majesty, we have searched high and low and we cannot find any proof that this army even exist."

Over the past year, rumors have been cropping up about an army that was being made. This army had one objective:

To take down Balem Abrasax.

It is rumored that they have been in development for years and was recently coming to light. There was many speculations on exactly who ordered this army. There was never any real proof and even speculations were shady at best.

In fact, no one could figure out exactly what this army was. The rumors range from cyborgs to splices to everything in between. They were operating on limited intelligence at best.

Queen Amoya, ex-Earthling, thought that it was entirely too easy that they even knew about this rumor. If they had been in hiding and in secret this long, then why would the lid pop off now, accidently or no. She also knew that Balem was worried about this and did not want to hear any excuses on why no progress was being made.

Balem shot out of his seat, "And when this so-called army comes barging down my door, what will you say then?" his voice was tightly controlled.

"Your majesty..."

"SILENCE!" Balem screamed.

Queen Amoya winced once again and then gave a small sigh. She wasn't even going to try to calm Balem down this time. She noticed that the general's eyes darted to her as if expecting her to jump in. There have been many times that she has managed to calm Balem down but this was not going to be one of them.

Balem Abrasax has been in a foul mood for the past couple of months. The longer it took to find any substantial information to work with regarding this army, the more his temper flared. Amoya had given up try to stop a blowup at this point.

She now focused on cleanup as it were.

Balem pointed at his now ex-general, "You will not be here to say anything. It's obvious you lack the strength to deal with this. Take him away." he waved his hands.

"Wait, wait!" the ex-general screamed as he was dragged away.

Balem pointed to another lizard, "Do. Not. Fail. Me." he enunciated, before waving his hand again in dismissal.

The new general bowed to Balem and then to Amoya before leaving taking his little entourage with him.

Balem breathed before slowly sitting back down. "Fools", he murmured.

Amoya waited a few moment before standing. Picking up the hem of her black dress, she walked up the steps, "You calm now, dear husband?" she asked tugging at the hood that she wore that was connected the dress as she gazed out the window she was facing.

"No." came the soft growl.

Amoya laughed once and glanced at Balem, "This has got to stop, Balem. They are trying their best."

Hazel eyes gazed at her. "Their best is not cutting it!" he growled.

Amoya looked amused as she walked until she was behind the floating settee before leaning on it, "You have gone through...how many generals in the past month alone? Balem, they can't find anything because maybe there isn't anything that whoever is behind this army wants found."

After Balem would throw a temper tantrum and demand his current general be taken away, Amoya always made sure said general wasn't tossed somewhere. Usually, she told them to stay out of sight for a bit and then make their way back to their ranks. By the time Balem saw them again, he would have forgotten about them.

Balem fumed silently unwilling to acknowledge that whoever was doing this was playing games and this was all a part of the game.

Amoya placed her hands on his shoulders from behind him. "You must have a little more patience, darling." she murmured.

Balem reached up and grasped her fingers. "Patience is not my strong suit."

"Obviously", Amoya chirped making Balem roll his eyes.

Silence drifted for a bit, "Perhaps, we should approach this from a different angle." Amoya mused.

Balem gave a wave of his hand, a sign to continue.

"Maybe we should send a spy of our own. Someone who can get close to them."

Balem sighed, "I have sent two in the past year. Neither of which has been heard from again."

Here Balem stood, making Amoya draw her hands back. Balem turned and held out his hand. Amoya placed her own in his before walking around the settee. Then the couple proceeded to walk down the steps.

"Obviously, they are seen coming a mile away." Balem added to his previous thought.

"How is that possible?" asked Amoya as they began walking out the throne room and down the vast halls towards their private quarters.

"My guess? We have a spy." Balem spoke lightly.

Amoya glanced at him, "Is there a way to find out who?"

They entered their quarters where the two of them took a seat. Balem sighed and was quiet a long while. Amoya just looked at him curiously.

At length he replied slowly, "If I could have, I would have by now. "

Amoya knew that Balem was worried. Usually spies are weeded out quickly but for some reason this spy was tricky. There had been no discrepancies of any kind, no holes, no matter how small had been left.

"Soooo, what are we going to do?" Amoya asked.

Hazels eyes turned to her. "Well, you're going to distract me."

Amoya forked an eyebrow, "Pardon?"

"Distract. Me." came the slow reply.

Amoya's eyes glittered as her mouth twitched. "How so?"

Balem just looked at her, "You have a brain, use it."

Amoya hummed a long note, indicting she was thinking. Balem just watched her. "Maybe I can..." she leaned up and whispered in Balem's ear.

Pulling back she watched Balem blink hard as his mouth kept working. "That is acceptable."

Amoya laughed.

TBC...