Chapter 9:
Rhade landed on Tarazed, last he heard the doctors were still working on Beka. He had brought Crylon back with him; he was going immediately to jail. Dylan did express his concerns about Rhade bringing him with him, believing that Crylon would not make to Tarazed alive, but Rhade explained he would rather see him in jail were he could suffer than dead.
Death was an easy way out for Crylon, Rhade's mind said.
After dropping Crylon off at the jail, Rhade headed to Carron's office. He had told Lt. Carron to have the girls ready. As he entered the room, he toppled over as the girls jumped him.
"Ahh, okay girls. Let me up," Rhade said.
"Did you bring Mom?" asked Nisa.
"No, you mom is still on Oedekirk. I've come to take you to her."
"Why is Mom still there?" asked Serena.
"Your mom suffered some major injuries. No come on let's go," Rhade said walking them out.
"Don't we need our stuff?" Phaedra asked Rhade.
"No, you'll be coming back."
The girls were thrilled to hear they would be coming back with Rhade. He was the first major male figure in their lives and they enjoyed having him around. On the trip back to Oedekirk the girls told Rhade all about their time on Tarazed. Deana enjoyed her time with Carron, mostly working as a secretary for him. Serena was allowed to go and work with some of the mechanics on the slip fighters. Phaedra and Nisa went sightseeing around Tarazed. Rhade was happy to see that the girls had enjoyed themselves, because on Oedekirk it wouldn't be.
Rhade led the girls through the castle to the quarters where their mother was.
"This castle belongs to our grandmother?" asked Deana.
"Mmm hmm," Rhade mumbled.
"And Mom lived here?" asked Serena.
"Yes, but she spent most of her life on the Maru with your grandfather and your uncle," Rhade said turning down a long hallway.
The girls noticed pictures on the walls, nobody looked familiar until they came to the last one. The girls stopped abruptly, and just stared at the picture. It was of a blond haired girl about their age, the girl looked like Serena and Nisa.
"Is that our Mom?" asked Phaedra.
Rhade turned around and walked back to the girls, getting ready to speak when a voice spoke from behind him.
"That is my daughter, Rebeka, or Beka as she likes to be called," said an older lady in a beautiful blue frock coat, "Rhade, you said you were bringing, Beka's crew, who are these girls?"
"Senator Talia, these girls are your daughter's crew, but they are also your granddaughters. This is Phaedra, Nisa, Serena, and Deana," replied Rhade pointing them out to their grandmother.
"Oh… well, welcome. It is a pleasure to meet you. Are you the same age or..?" asked Senator Talia.
"We are quadruplets," Phaedra said sounding very stern.
"Where is Mom?" asked Serena hoping their grandmother had not noticed Phaedra's tone.
"This way, you can't see her just yet the doctors are still working with her."
The girls followed their grandmother. As they walked through the door, Rhade stopped Phaedra and walked her back down the hallway to the bigger room they had just walked through.
"Sit down Phaedra. You need to understand something. Your grandmother had nothing to due with your mother's kidnapping. Crylon, who is the man from Misculon, controlled your grandmother. She basically knew nothing of what was going on. You saw what Zaleas looked like right?"
Phaedra nodded.
"All of that was done by Crylon. So don't blame your grandmother. Okay?"
Again she nodded.
"Come on let's get back."
"Rhade can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Do you know who my father is?" asked Phaedra not even looking at Rhade.
Rhade had been wondering himself. "Well, you Mom never mentioned anybody. I didn't know about you girls until I walked into the Maru."
"Oh," replied Phaedra sounding more disappointed.
"Come here, Phaedra," said Rhade opening his arms to her. Phaedra slid over and let Rhade hold her. Rhade rested his chin on her head and continued, "I know you want to know why he hasn't been around. But don't blame yourself okay. Anybody would be crazy for not wanting to be in your life or even in your mother's."
"Are you going to leave us?"
"Phaedra, I don't know what will happen after this is over with. But I promise you this, I will never be so far away that I can't come and see you. If you ever need me, I promise I will be right their no matter what. Okay? But it is up to your mother what happens next. I can tell you that I am bringing you, your sisters, and your mother back to Tarazed. She is going to need more medical attention then Oedekirk can provide her. The doctors there will probably force her to stay on Tarazed for a while until she is back on her feet."
"Rhade, Beka's awake. Wait there are four of them?" asked Dylan coming around the corner.
"Yeah, come on Phaedra," Rhade said helping Phaedra up.
Dylan, Rhade and Phaedra walked into the room. The other girls were already with Beka. Rhade nudged Phaedra in and closed the door behind her. Rhade came back and sat down next to Dylan.
"Why didn't you tell us?" asked Trance looking at Rhade obviously implying to the children, though her eyes spoke of another meaning.
"I didn't know. When I received the message telling me, the Matriarch of the Nietzchean Race needed help. I just assumed it came from Beka, because it was a computerized voice transmission. Then I arrived on the Maru and those four were sitting in the cockpit. That was the first time I knew Beka had daughters. When I told you the message came from her crew, I didn't know how to explain that it actually came from them. I myself didn't understand it, I still don't."
Senator Talia listened intently to the Nietzchean, and then as if coming to an understanding she said, "Hmm… Rhade would you follow me. I need you to bring something in for Beka. Excuse us."
Rhade followed her out of the room. They traveled through the castle to a small room. When Senator Talia opened the door, Rhade saw a large box of what looked to be gold. Rhade could see ornate drawings on it. They looked oddly recognizable, but he didn't know why.
"This is Beka's. My ancestors made this box and put certain objects 'The Lady of Perfection' would need."
Rhade looked at the Senator surprised by her choice of words, "How did you know this box belongs to Beka?"
"I didn't know. No one knew when she would arrive, but when you named Beka as the Matriarch of the Nietzcheans. I knew. She was the one. Nietzchean's strive for perfection, so it stands to reason that it belongs to Beka. I think Crylon knew Beka was the Matriarch, and so he kidnapped her. He probably hoped she could open it. What he didn't know and few do is that it takes two people to open it. 'The Lady of Perfection' has to have her other half, soul mate as it were, to unlock it."
"Centuries ago, the Matriarch was known as the 'Lady of Perfection.' It is interesting that your ancestors would have her dowry, and be responsible for producing her," Rhade replied, "But who is going to help Beka open the box?"
"The father of her children," replied the Senator as if she knew exactly who it was.
Rhade turned surprised at her proclamation, but it did make sense. Unfortunately for Beka that meant she would have to go on a search to find him.
Beka is going to love this, Rhade smirked.
"Would you please lift it our, I believe it to be heavy. You should be able to handle it though."
Rhade lifted the box it wasn't heavy as the Senator said, but it was awkward. He followed the Senator back down the hallway. When they came back in to room, everybody was with Beka, so Senator Talia walked in and brought a table for Rhade to set the box on. The girls were lying in the bed with Beka, who looked pale and weak.
"What is that?" asked Beka trying to sit up while trying not to look at her mother.
"Your dowry. Don't worry about it right now. You will take it with you. The doctors said you should go to Tarazed for more medical attention and Rhade is going to take you," said her mother.
"I know, they told me. Be aware of this Talia, I have no resentment towards you for what happened here and now, but make no mistake I still resent you for what you did before. What you did to my father, my brother and to me. I assure you this is the last time you will ever see me or my children again," looking towards Rhade and continuing before her mother could answer, "When are we leaving?"
"In a couple of hours," Rhade told her.