Who likes Cragmites? Very few, I'll bet. I personally like them, so this fic will involve rather a lot of them. Those with good memories will know that Zoe was mentioned in my previous fiction, as a friend of Shona's.
Reepor. 3:15 pm. Grand throne room.
Emperor Markus drummed his claws on the arm of his throne. They may have been thoroughly despicable, but he had to admit one thing: the lives of previous Cragmite Emperors had been a lot simpler. His family had not been born to the ruling classes. He had no idea of how to rule a planet, each year serving only to highlight his ignorance. The throne was his simply because, as Tachyons advisor he had quietly taken it amidst the chaos of his departure. Still newly returned from their exile, the Cragmites had been thrown into confusion when Tachyon had been defeated, lost and alone. Cragmites needed a ruler, it was part of what they were. Markus filled that role when no one else did. But not for Markus the galactic conquering of his predecessors! He had always been a gentle soul for a Cragmite, hoping to bring his race into the Galactic union. It wasn't proving easy. Distrust from the other races ran high, even as the peace treaty between the Lombaxes and the Cragmites neared completion.
He looked down at the shivering Lombax held between two burly Cragmites.
"Another spy, hmmm?" His slow, deep voice echoed around the cavernous hall.
The guards nodded.
"Where was she found?"
"In your private quarters, lord. She was going through your papers."
"I see..." Markus gave the Lombax a scrutinizing look. She was terrified, face pale under her fur. Now what would the other Cragmite emperors have done? Sentenced the poor creature to death, most likely. Killing her would be simpler, but then he would be no better than those who had ordered innocent planets wiped out.
"Imprison her and inform the Lombax government. I'd say six months should be long enough. Somewhere nice and warm, I know Lombaxes suffer from the cold."
The spy slumped, relief flooding through her. She had expected nothing less than death.
"Take her away."
The guards trooped out. The Cragmite at the foot of the throne raised his head.
"If I may say something, my liege, you were too merciful. Spying is a serious offence." he said smoothly.
Markus shook his head.
"Killing her is not an option, Khan. Times have changed. These days, the whole galaxy watches. And you are no longer allowed to say, "What're you looking at?" and blacken their eye. We must be merciful, it is our only chance to be accepted."
The royal advisor inclined his head.
"I bow to your wishes, lord."
"Thank you. You advice is noted and appreciated, however. You've been a great help over the years- What's going on out there?"
There was a commotion out in the corridor.
"Let go of me!"
"You disobeyed your father!"
"It's not like I was breaking the law!"
"You know the rules!"
The double doors slammed open, and two female Cragmites burst in, one in the armour of the palace guard, the other a young teenager, being dragged by one arm towards the throne. She was putting up a fight, six legs digging into the ground as she fought every step of the way. Markus sighed.
"Oh, Zoe...sneaking out again?"
She looked up, eyes flashing.
"It's not fair, dad! You won't let me go anywhere! I just went for a walk outside the palace!"
"You know there are dangers there. You would make someone a valuable hostage. Thank you for returning her, Techneztha."
The emperors private bodyguard nodded and took her usual place in the shadows behind the throne, eyes darting from corner to corner as she keep vigilant watch. Markus gave his daughter a stern glare.
"You're too precious to me. I can't risk losing you!"
"That doesn't mean you can keep me a prisoner!"
Khan stepped forward, looking at her over the tops of his half moon spectacles. He was a neat, tidy-looking Cragmite, in a starched black shirt.
"As the next in line to the Cragmite throne, my lady, you have duties that you must adhere to. You need to learn the proper deportment and bearing of a princess."
"F#$ that!"
Markus gasped.
"Zoe!"
"You never let me do anything! You never let me go anywhere! I can't be alone! I'm sick of bodyguards! I don't care about all that princess bullcrap! I just want to do teenage things!"
Khan frowned.
"My lady, your role is inescapable-"
"Don't give me that, you slimy little twerp!"
Markus rose from his throne.
"Apologize, young lady!" he thundered.
"Screw you!"
She turned and flounced out of the throne room, hissing like a tea kettle as her self control temporarily slipped from her grasp. It wasn't fair! Other teenagers got to go out, but here she was, trapped inside the palace, imprisoned in a golden cage...
She slammed her bedroom door open and slumped face down on her bed, burying her head in her pillow and seething.
There was a soft noise, the sound of someone moving. Making no other sign that she had heard it, she moved her hand slowly under her pillow to the pistol she knew was there. There were those out there who disagreed with her fathers way of ruling, and assassination attempts were fairly common. Gripping the weapon tightly, she tensed, triangulating the source of the noise and preparing herself to spring...
"It's me."
Zoe relaxed, looking up into the shadow behind her wardrobe.
"Shona? I nearly shot you! What are you doing there?"
Her best friend detached herself from the shadows.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, but I really need your help..."
Zoe gave the Lombax a concerned look. Her friend was pale, voice tense.
"What's wrong?"
"They have my family..." At those words, Shona broke. Slumping to her knees, she buried her face in her hands and wept. In a flash, Zoe was by her side, arm around her shoulder.
"Who?"
Shona managed to get herself under control.
"Remember the place where we met? The cages?"
Zoe nodded. Kaos had held her there as a hostage in return for her fathers obedience. Shona had been in the cage next to her. "Hard to forget."
"Remember the Blarg doctor? The one who made me...like I am?"
"Oh yes. She stuck in the mind, didn't she? Doctor Kayla. Nasty woman. Even as a kid I could see that. It was the way she treated you as a thing that got to me. Like you were an experiment, not a person!"
"And now she has my family." Shona said grimly. "I know dad and mama can defend themselves if necessary, but Kaden and Alister...They're only ten! And the younger you are, the easier it is to be genetically modified..."
"You think she'll do something to them?"
Shona sat down on the edge of Zoes bed.
"I don't think. I know. When I was rescued, mama deleted all of the doctors notes. All her research down the tubes. She'll have a hell of a grudge. And it'll be the twins she takes it out on. For someone like her, they're a huge find! They must be the first set of Lombax twins in a century. We usually only have one cub at a time. She always was interested in scientific curio's..." she said bitterly.
"And you want me to help you rescue them?"
"You're the only other person I trust."
Zoe nodded, and quickly shoved the pistol in her belt.
"I'm with you. The only problem is gonna be getting past all the guards. How the heck did you manage that anyway?"
"I was built for stealth as well, not just strength. The guards never saw me. I parked my ship out the back."
"Lead the way."
Emperor Markus sighed as he watched the blue ship streak away.
"Oh, Zoe..."
Khan came up behind him.
"I apologize, sire. The patrol didn't notice the Lombaxes ship until it had left. Do you want the guards punished?"
The emperor shook his head.
"Shall I send out soldiers, sire? They can drag her back fairly quickly."
Markus was silent, gazing up at the first stars appearing in the sky. Already, his daughter was a rapidly dwindling dot. As he watched, it disappeared. After some length, he responded.
"No..."
"No?"
"I have been rather hard on her lately. She's always had a taste for exploration, even as a child. I was wrong to keep her cooped up. Perhaps she just needs to get this out of her system."
"What about her safety, sire?"
"Don't fret, Khan. Techneztha!"
His body guard appeared quickly at his side.
"Sire?"
"I want you to follow my daughter. Stay out of her sight if possible, but make sure she's safe."
Techneztha's eyes flicked momentarily at the patch of sky Zoe had disappeared into.
"Yes, sire."
She scuttled off.
"Zoe will be safer with Techneztha after her than if she had an entire army on her back."
Khan bowed.
"Well thought out, sire. Do you know where Zoe is headed?"
"No, but I'm sure she'll have a story to tell when she gets back!"
"You know best, sire." With another bow, Khan left. Markus turned back to the stars, worry stamped on his features.
"Be careful, Zoe..."
I probably should mention, Techneztha does not belong to me. She's an OC of a friend of mine, who gave me permission to use her.
My head canon for Cragmites is that they were badly led, not bad, and Emperor Markus hopes to lead them away from what they once were.