Ties of Blood, Ties of Oil

A "My life as a teenage robot" Fanfic

Epilogue:

A Discussion in the dark

"I trust you find the wine adequate?" Taticans rust like voice said tentatively in the starlight

As the starlight from space filtered in through the translucent glass of Taticans personal observational deck, the Talon gently drifted through the void of space. Small rocks and asteroids could be seen through the clear glass giving, what Tatican thought was, the perfect dining ambiance. Tatican waited on his observation deck with well contained anxiety, his metal frame resting in a particularly Spartan chair. With nervous eyes he watched the ionicly charged lubricant, a concoction known to cause a mild inebriation in robotic life forms, swirl gently in its glass before it was brought to ruby lips.

Across from Tatican, Vexus lounged in a plush couch, allowing her hand to rest on a blood red cushion as she took a long sip of her wine. Tatican watched her, enthralled. His eyes drifted across her curvaceous body and drank in her supple hips. He followed the design of her new form fitting armor, letting himself get lost in the elegant stripes and lines. Inevitably, his eyes traveled to her face as she drank. He could see everything. Her perfect skin, the alluring, half lidded expression she wore as she tasted the wine, the slightest glimpse of her tongue. Inside his chest, Tatican felt a fire burning. Subconsciously, he shifted his arm closer to his chest. He thanked whoever his designer might have been for his expressionless face as he felt the burning in his chest begin to rise.

"Mmmmm" Vexus sighed as she set down her wine glass, a contented smile on her face "For a robot that doesn't drink Tatican, you have an uncommonly good selection in wines" He voice was a throaty purr which set relays in Tatican ablaze. She let her index finger run along the rim of her crystal glass, causing it to gently sing. "Did you know this was my favorite year?"

"Really?" Tatican said, surprised "I never would have thought it" A small voice spoke inside him, whispering I've known since I met you my queen. I've known. He tilted his head genially "I guess we were lucky to have it on the ship" Very lucky that I've had that wine on this ship just for this occasion for the last three hundred years. He cleared his throat "There are things we need to talk about my queen…" His voice was terse and businesslike even while his insides writhed within him.

Vexus gave him a long, uninterested look "About my daughter I suppose?"

Tatican twitched a micrometer at her unexpected response. He had expected her to ask about the XJ9. 'Yes. My queen, as of Galistandard date 06-"

Vexus raised her hand in dismissal "Feh. I know this Commander" She raised an thin, perfectly crafted eyebrow. "You mistake me for one of your fool subordinates. I took the queenly liberty of downloading all the relevant information" She studied her metallic nails "And I have to say, you've gotten into quite a quandary, have you not?"

"It is salvageable. A minor setback at the most" Tactican replied quickly, gesturing with his right hand as if to mitigate the failure.

Vexus gave a short laugh "Hmmmm? Is that so" She knit her fingers together "I've known soldiers that would have deserted in times like this. Of course-" She smiled a wicked grin "Not for very long of course, with the executions and all." She looked back at Tatican "But I'm not exactly sure weather it is loyalty or hubris that keeps you here"

The little voice inside Tatican whispered again Devotion. He shrugged "A combination of the two I would say my queen."

Vexus gave a smirk "Always the jester, aren't you Commander? You're lucky I am such an understanding person. Others might have seen that as insubordination"

"You are certainly not 'others' my Queen. It would be a travesty to even think you would be capable of such a short sighted judgment"

"Ah, I forgot about your silver tongue as well" Vexus took another sip of wine

"Really? I was under the impression I wasn't built with any tongue at all. Have you brought me one?" Tatican said with a dry voice, a chuckle building in his throat. It was hard to contain his levity with her around. It was hard to contain anything while she was around.

Vexus gave an amused giggle. Tatican liked to think it sounded like a purr. "And such a flippant attitude… Tell me, where did you get such bravery. I certainly don't remember you having it when you left"

"They say separation makes the heart grow fonder. Perhaps it is something similar"

"Really?" Vexus set down her wine lightly "Separation makes the mind grow impudent then? I would believe it to be true if it weren't for Smytus. I saw him every day and he was as disagreeable as ever." She looked thoughtful. "Speaking of which, where is he? I wouldn't expect him to miss out on an attempt to grovel."

Tatican coughed, allowing the lie to slide out easily, like oil "Unfortunately Commander Smytus received irreparable damage after he was found my Queen, and cannot be revived"

"Really? I suppose it's just as well, I think I would have had to kill him anyway. Really, it's just hard to find good help anymore"

"That would mostly have been my fault your grace. When I gave Smytus his command I had expected better of him"

"I think it was mostly Smytus' fault. Still, it is a pity, I could have found a use for him"

"Yes, Of course. He was a useful tool"

Vexus gave a raised eyebrow "Do you have something to say Tatican?" She said with a vaguely suspicious tone

"Oh, of course not my queen." Tatican responded calmly, pushing the first vestiges of panic deep down inside himself.

"Really…" Vexus took another sip of wine before changing the subject "But enough about that fool. Tell me Commander, how will you retake my Empire?" There was a sort of smug tone at the very end of the question.

If he could have smiled, Tatican would have been grinning"Ah, that is something I have no need to be glib about. Take a look, if it would please you, at this star chart here." With a few adroit taps on the side of his chair, a comprehensive map of known space was projected between them. He raised his hand and began pointing to several bright lights on the map. "Notice the position of the red globes, and the green globes. The red globes indicate our massed forces, and installments that are exclusively loyal to you my queen. The red, as you might guess, are those who hold hostile stances toward us."

Vexus put her hand to her chin. She cocked an eyebrow "We look outnumbered, don't you think?"

Tatican raised a single finger "But not outgunned. And the numerical advantage begins to lessen when you take into account the recently succeeded Confederacy" He waved his hand across a portion of the map, transmuting several red globes into bright orange spheres"Which effectively divides our opposition"

Vexus tapped her fingers together "Good, good. Tell me; is the rest of the empire aware of our presence?"

"Only vaguely. They are certain that we exist, and that we are somewhere in space. They do not know however, that we have a true queen onboard." Tatican himself wasn't certain if this was a concrete tactical advantage, but rather a political one. He knew that is was a massive advantage for him though, though he might not really be an objective judge.

Vexus grinned "As glad as I am about that, how do you expect to go about your invasion? I wouldn't expect a hail of fire from you. From what I have been told you have become much more, subtle" She let the last word out in a silky sigh.

The fire inside Tatican heated, but he shoved it back down to a low burn. You say stupid things when you aren't thinking clearly "Well, I would like to think that I have mellowed with age. After all, Experience and trickery always triumphs over youth and energy."

Vexus gave a sardonic grin "…So they say"

"Ah, yes… Well, I propose quick and violent attacks under radio silence on these three bases in the horse head nebula.' Tatican continued "Strategically it can be used for the numerous stable hyperspace routes that honey comb that sector, some of which lead directly into Cluster space. At the moment they are rogue military factions and will neither be missed by the Confederacy or the Republic"

Vexus frowned "Republic? What idiocy is this?"

Tatican stumbled, unsure "My queen, I thought you had known. The Former Empire of the Cluster, not ten days ago, has become the first trans planetary republic in this sector." His voice had a bit of a quaver in it "This is disturbing to you?"

Vexus' face curled into a snarl "Idiot. Of course it's disturbing. It is the first time the Cluster Hegemony has been broken, the first time it has changed." Her hand tightened around the crystal glass, eliciting a spidery cracking noise "The Cluster has remained a Monarchy for ages, and now all that Tradition is gone. It's like Ve-" She stopped before she could say her Daughters name, and instead spat out "She just spat on the honor of every ruler before her. On me! Her own mother! How could she betray me like that!" The Wine glass shattered in her hand, splattering wine all across her body. Vexus let a scream of rage tear from her throat as she flung the broken shards of against a wall. The slivers of the glass bounced scattered about the room, soon to be forgotten.

Tatican sat a still as a statue as his queen raged. He knew of her passion and he knew of her rage, but even after all this time he could not gaze upon it and be humbled. It was like staring at a hurricane, awe inspiring. He was at a loss. What could he do in the face of this? As she spat and fumed, his mind raced. "It's going to be fine Vexus…" he said, as soothingly as he could manage, painfully aware of his grating voice. Then he did something he had never dared to do.

He reached out to touch her

As Taticans hand reached across toward her, Vexus snapped her own hand up and allowed her shapely fingers to wrap around Taticans middle and ring fingers. With an expert twist of her wrist, she propelled herself to her feet while driving Tatican to his knees in shock. A gasp escaped his lips as he landed heavily on his knees, the electric danger messages from his fingers were screaming. With a Snarl like a big cat Vexus half pushed, half threw Tatican into his chair and onto his back, denting the chair and floor as she did. Her voice was thick with rage "Don't you dare touch me. Don't you even fucking say my name! What do any of you army boys know about betrayal?" She grabbed Tatican by his chest plates, bringing him directly in front of her "Well, fucking speak up! It hasn't stopped you before!"

Tatican looked into her eyes, so full of hurt and rage. He was disgusted with himself. Disgusted that he wasn't thinking clearly, disgusted that he tried something so forward.

Disgusted that he had hurt her.

Calmly, slowly, deliberately, he moved her arms away from him. He regained his footing. With cold eyes, he looked back at Vexus, and spoke in a low, somber voice "I know enough Your Grace, I Know enough." He raised his head slightly "I apologize for my earlier statement. It was rude and far too familiar. I can only hope for your forgiveness." He studied his queen. She was so full of rage, so full of life. He couldn't ever imagine wanting to be her enemy, or ever be in her distain. He couldn't even imagine the child queen wishing such a fate. Tatican gambled with fate again "…Much like your daughter must hope for" he said, putting in as much sincerity as he could muster.

Vexus gave a bitter bark of a laugh "You think she wants forgiveness?"

Taticans eyes glowed in a softer light, aware he had struck a soft spot within his queen. In his softest voice he said in nearly a whisper "I know she does my queen, she is still your daughter. And you…" He sighed "…are still her mother"

Vexus sat down in her couch heavily, a thoughtful and somber expression on her face. Quietly, she stated with finality "Leave me Tatican, I wish to be alone" He gaze looked beyond him, past him, as if she was seeing something far away.

Tatican bowed silently and exited the observation deck, the doors whirring behind him. Composed and calm, he continued the trek to his quarters in elegant steps. He quickly locked the door and moved to a large, black chair in the corner of his quarters. With a heavy soul, he sat in the dark cushions and thought.

In the darkness of the room, the only sounds to be heard were his quiet sobs.

And that, my friends, is the very end of this Fanfic. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. It was a labor that I happen to love. A labor of love if you will. Reviews are still welcome about this ending chapter, and now for even the entire story. I am a little sorry I have to end it on such an Emo note. Ah well, technically I ended it back in Chapter nine, and that was plenty happy. On another note, some of you might be happy to know that this is the only piece of fiction I have ever worked to completion. It is quite a revelation, I assure you. Also, I don't seem to have exactly 60,001 words. Oh well, I break promises all the time and it is just too damn late to type another 700 words. This is however, quite a long single exchange.

Oh the words… So many of them… so cold…

So I am going to be doing another FanFiction in about a week or so (Probably sooner, the muse usually gets me pretty hard when I stat new things. It's finishing them that is hard) And this one is going to focus on Sheldon and Jenny, rather than my OC's (A necessary evil unfortunately for the stories I want to tell. I had to get there personalities hammered out in this story, but now that I have they will have a less prominent focus. Not to say that they won't be important, but I won't often focus on them) I have always liked Sheldon, and Jenny is the titular character, so I thought it would be good to work with them.

The New Fanfic is going to be titled "Do Robotic girls dream of Nerdy boys?" (A homage to Philip K. Dick) and is going to be a Alice in Wonderland esque psychological adventure. There will probably be light romance, but nothing major. What Can I say? I haven't got a good enough hold on the characters yet to have a really good romance story.

I'm certain it will be shorter than this story, primarily because it will not focus on juggling three different plotlines. Just the one. As a result we can expect shorter, but better edited and written chapters. Just one of the perks of a short story I guess.

Oh, and Dr. Madwoman? I hope I put the whole Tatican being Vegas father thing to rest. No, Tatican just has a crush on Vexus and Stalker esqu tendancies (The funny thing is, for all his military skill and might, he's actually rather shy and bad with women. Go figure huh?) We won't actually get to see any really Vexus political maneuvering for a while though (Perhaps the Fic after the next one) But I can definitely say I'm looking forward to it. I see great things in her future, great things indeed.

Also, I'm thinking about starting every chapter with a quote now. Do you think that will work? Cause I think it might be pretty classy.

And Before I go, I'd just like to thank anyone even reading this. Your all super cool. Perhaps even awesome. I really hope some of you follow me over to the next story, but you know what? Do whatever you feel like.

If you are curious to my sporadic update schedule however, check out my DeviantArt page. I CAN HAS ARTS!

…woah… Was I speaking in Lolcats?

…

I think I need to go lie down