Sacrifice: Revisited Chapter 21, a x-men fanfic

A/N: I ran into a bit of a dilemma with the last chapter of Warren's story. When I first wrote "Sacrifice" back in 2009, it was intended as a standalone novel – no sequels planned. That changed after I finished posting the story, and "Esserru" came into being as a "what if" story.

With this re-editing effort, I had a choice to make…keep the original ending or rewrite it to flow into "Esserru."

Decisions, decisions!

The following is what I ultimately decided. Enjoy!

Chapter 21

Over the following Imperial standard year, Ztar visited Archangel five times. Each time, the hours stolen away were heaven. He lived for the next encounter. For a few precious hours, he was not Emperor, no war raged around him, no generals vied for his ear or guidance, no reports of yet more battles won and lost, warriors or innocents killed. He let the chess pieces of strategy sit for just awhile.

Yet each time he slipped away to the star system on the very edge of Turzent space, he put himself, his ship, crew, and even the Empire at risk. Worse still, he jeopardized Earth and Archangel. But he was desperate to have something for himself; somewhere to lose himself. In between, the longing for respite in Archangel's arms was nearly unendurable.

And so the Mi-Lartui traveled beyond the battle lines and out into unprotected Imperial space. If the enemy knew, they would hunt him down to strike when he was most vulnerable. Secrecy was paramount. Ztar took only one escort ship with him to go as stealthy as possible. Each trip to Earth was a roll of the dice.

His sixth trip that year, the dice came up snake eyes.

Commonwealth ships were waiting, tucked close behind Earth's moon where the Mi-Lartui's sensors were virtually blind. Too late, Ztar's powerful telepathy sensed the whisper of a collective mental presence despite the enemy's psy-damp shields as Mi-Lartui passed by for final approach to the blue and white planet beyond.

"Damn the gods!" he yelled at the holo-image floating at the front of the bridge, and then spun toward Yels. "Captain, it's a trap!"

From behind the moon came a swarm of Commonwealth fighters, weapons blazing. Mi-Lartui shuddered slightly and dispassionately issued her warnings. A heavy cruiser and frigate quickly position themselves to block an easy shot to FLT. The helmsman veered sharply away and nearly into the path of a second fast-moving frigate.

Their escort was quickly upon the new arrival that hugged Mi-Lartui's starboard, firing her full complement of weapons to free the Imperial cruiser of its shadow while Mi-Lartui's weapons did likewise.

Another quick course change sank their ship down swiftly and hopefully into a position for emergency jump to light-speed. It was then that a second heavy cruiser revealed itself from behind the moon, mirroring Mi-Lartui's sinking maneuver and shooting quickly to block another potential escape route. The enemy was penning her in.

"Damnations!" Yels shouted at the forming roadblock. "Helm, get us out of here!" Captain Yels ordered just as the Mi-Lartui took simultaneous blasts from the cruisers sending violent shudders through the sturdy craft despite her powerful shields.

Ztar knew another, more imposing danger lurked somewhere. Fighters meant a battle carrier. 'Still behind the moon?' He stretched awareness out to find what he knew had to be nearby.

Mi-Lartui's weapons master was already striking back. The large holo-display showed two fighters explode in rapid succession. Unfortunately, it also showed the Mi-Lartui's escort ship take crippling point-blank, all-cannons blows from the powerful phase weapons of the two heavy cruisers and both frigates. Whoever was in charge of the ambush obviously intended to take out Mi-Lartui's protection as quickly as possible.

'Exactly what I'd do,' the Emperor thought grimly as he watched enemy vessels block another trajectory Mi-Lartui's pilot had attempted. Without a clear path, they could not jump to FTL. Even at full shields, a collision with another ship would cause massive damage. For the moment, they were limited to sublight speeds. Even at that, the enemy had maneuvered brilliantly and quickly to limit even those movement options. The noose was tightening!

"Captain," the tactical officer broke in. "Tuo-Evom's engine shields are failing – if they take another major hit in that grid-"

The holo image at the head of the bridge finished the officer's warning as the escort took a shield-busting hit that resulted in an explosion that obliterated her engine pod, spewing debris and likely bodies into space. She was instantly dead in space. Ztar's heart sunk. His fault. The situation was all his fault.

Outgunned, surrounded, and under nonstop, multi-ship weapons barrage, the Mi-Lartui shields were quickly weakening. They needed to get out of weapons range immediately, or all was lost. Ztar's mind quickly shifted through possible escape tactics, throwing away one after the other. Then the holo display revealed a small gap forming astern.

"Yels, when I give the word, reverse engines – full power," Ztar ordered.

Captain Yels nodded, instantly relinquishing command to his ruler for as long as Ztar desired it.

The helmsman turned quickly to the Captain, "But sirs!"

"Don't question me. Mi-Lartui is a Turzent vessel – her engines will survive," Ztar interceded ahead of his captain, while fervently hoping he was right.

"Yes, my Emperor. Engines ready for reverse, full power."

"Crew alert! Prepare for…impact!" the comm tech warned ship-wide, using the best term she could come up with for the affects of the pending maneuver.

Mi-Lartui took hit after jolting hit while automated warnings blared as shields deteriorated and breaches formed. But Ztar did not hurry. Mi-Lartui was the best Turzent technology could build…she would give him the time they needed. He waited, Mi-Lartui shuddering as the Commonwealth fighters and cruisers homed in on her front and sides, top and bottom. 'Patience, Emperor…patience. Let them move toward our flanks and bow a little more…'

"Now!" Ztar yelled.

A violent, stuttering wave ran through the length of the Mi-Lartui as her engines screamed to reverse direction instantaneously. The resulting backward lurch sent flying any unrestrained bodies and objects. The Mi-Lartui sprang backward through the gap as if shot from a cannon. In one move, Ztar had cleared his ship from the cluster of Commonwealth vessels, but at what cost to the engines? He would soon learn.

The tactic brought the Mi-Lartui astern into the outer reaches of Earth's atmosphere. Anyone on Earth observing the heavens in the direction of her moon that day was getting quite a show.

"Helm, 90 degrees port and engage FTL drive!"

With the enemy nearly on top of them once again, the Mi-Lartui's FTL engines sprang to life and she was ready to run.

'We may make it out of here yet,' Ztar allowed himself to hope.

Just as the Mi-Lartui's engines were initiating FTL, the battle carrier appeared from behind Earth's horizon to lay in a strafe along her length and directly across her starboard engine. Weaken shields collapsed under the assault of the powerful weapons of the warship. An explosion rocked the Empire's flagship, more warning alarms wailed. Mi-Lartui listed.

"Sirs, FTL starboard engine and aft shields are gone!" one of the bridge crew members shouted out. "Impulse drive operational at the moment, but we're leaking plasma. Forward weapons remain on line. Hull breaches on decks three and four."

'Then we're lost,' Ztar's thought was a mix of anger, sadness, and regret. It was his desire to see Archangel that had put him and his crew in their dire position. 'Selfish to the end!'

Ztar turned to the communication technician. "Send file ArchangelOne to military command on a secure channel, directly to General Gtar-Cro, and to the other tagged destination. Also send the file to the Commonwealth command ship, all channels."

"Yes, sir."

"Sirs, insertion shuttles approaching," the tactical officer announced, slight fear evident in the tight voice.

Captain Yels approached Ztar, his face showing the pain of defeat and fear for his monarch. "My Emperor, we are going to be boarded. Do you wish us to fire on them?"

"No, Captain. You will prepare the crew and ship for surrender. I will have no more needless Turzent deaths here today if I can prevent it. I am going to my shuttle."

"Sir?"

"I have unfinished business on Earth and I intend to complete it. Once I'm clear of the ship, cease all defensive activities and signal your surrender."

"I will assign escort shuttles-"

"No escort." Ztar cut him off.

"But Emperor, if they send fighters after you…"

"That's an order, Captain."

Ztar had already telepathically summoned his elite guard to the bridge and when the lift door opened, they spilled out onto the bridge, ready to serve.

"Sirs," the comm tech interrupted. "Main shuttle bay reports our hatch has failed and we're being boarded."

"Internal defenses?" Yels shot back.

"Offline, sir – went down with the last hit. Would have been of limited use – several of the boarding parties are in combat armor."

"They are indeed prepared," Ztar snarled. "Inform security to delay any enemy headed toward my shuttle, but to lay down weapons as soon as I'm away. Everyone else is to surrender immediately." To his elite guard, "We are going to my private bay."

"Let's move," guardmaster Gragne commanded his unit.

Phase weapon fire greeted them as they turned the first corner on deck four. Elite guards returned the welcome, using their bodies to shield the Emperor, but hand weapons had limited effect against the armor-clad storm troopers.

The mutant gathered up his energy. "Let's see how that armor fares against me!" Then Ztar began to shimmer and he commanded, "Down!" The guardsmen dropped instantly.

An intense wave of distortion shot from Ztar's body and slammed into the enemy at the opposite end of the corridor, propelling them into the wall with force, but it wasn't enough to injure the soldiers inside. Ztar followed up with a telepathic burst no armor could block. With screams muffled by faceplates, the enemy slumped lifeless to the floor. Sudden silence filled the hall, but lasted only moments. Sounds of phase volley could be heard from elsewhere on the deck.

"Go!" Gragne barked.

Two guards quickly checked around the next corner. Clear. The group ran down the corridor ever closer to Ztar's shuttle bay.

"Stop right there!" a sudden voice rang out from behind.

Without turning around, Ztar lashed out with his telepathy, driving into the unprotected minds, deep into their thoughts, feelings, and memories. He savagely tore through all that they were. The soldiers crumbled to the floor, holding their heads, screaming their anguish.

Ztar nearly took it to the next level – death – when the image of Archangel came to him. That beautiful creature had shown Ztar that cruelty need not rule him. The telepath backed off and instead induced coma-like sleep in the three intruders. These were just soldiers doing their job. He would not extinguish any more souls in a battle already lost on the way to see his noble-souled companion. It would not be fitting.

Continuing down the corridor, Ztar and his guard fought off two more small groups of intruders. Ztar held himself in check, using his energy field and telepathy not to kill, but to render unconscious. Even with the non-lethal assaults, his head felt like it would explode by the time they reached shuttle bay. Assaulting so many minds and bodies in such rapid succession left him drained and reeling.

Ztar used what was left of his bio and mental energy to blast a path through Commonwealth troops that had breached his private bay from the outside. The effort staggered him. He took a moment to steady himself. "Gragne, you're with me. The rest of you remain here and make sure the enemy does not enter. Once I've launched, you will drop weapons. Understood?" All heads nodded with decidedly dejected looks. "You have served me loyally and with excellence. Thank you," he offered, swallowing back the regret of having forfeited their freedom for personal desire.

Leaving the elite squad to protect their backs, Ztar and Gragne ran toward the shuttle. Just as his over-taxed telepathy warned that one mind was still conscious somewhere in the bay, pain ripped through his body as a phase weapon hit him full force in the back. He fell to the floor as Gragne returned fire. Ztar felt the unarmored Commonwealth soldier's death in his mind.

"Sir, you need medical attention!" Concern filled the guard's voice.

The pain was almost beyond tolerance as a spasm seized his body. Gragne's eyes widened as Ztar sucked in air to remain conscious. Both men knew without examination that the injuries were grave. No one, not even a sturdy Turzent could survive long after a full-force phase blast without swift medical attention. Likely the only reason Ztar was still alive was because of his augmentation. But he would see his Archangel one more time – Ztar would not let dying deny him.

"No! I need to get to Earth," Ztar said between clenched teeth.

Sudden fear washed over Gragne's features. "Emperor, your injuries...they cannot treat you-"

The sound of gunfire erupted beyond the bay door cut the guard off. "Must get to Archangel." He fought blinding pain to sit up, willpower alone keeping his body functioning. "It- it's not an option," he hissed.

Gragne hesitated for two heartbeats; then a look of admiration followed. "Then let's get you to that shuttle and out of here," the guardsmen said urgently but gently, as he wrapped an arm around the larger man to haul him to his feet. "I'm coming with you as pilot."

Ztar groaned and fought against his own failing body as they hurried to the shuttle. "No, you will stay here with your men. Do not argue with your Emperor," he ordered firmly between clenched teeth, but extended a weak mental touch of appreciation.

Gragne got Ztar into the shuttle and over to the pilot's chair. "Now go. Hold the Commonwealth off outside the bay until I've launched. Then you will surrender."

"It has been my deepest honor to have served you, my lord." And the man did as ordered by his Emperor without further objections.

Fighting pain and unconsciousness, Ztar settled into the seat and brought the shuttle to life. He downloaded the landing site coordinates from the Mi-Lartui's navigation computer. Then with the engines ready, he launched the shuttle 'hot' – the backlash causing an explosion in the bay. His only chance was to move so quickly as to not give the Commonwealth forces time to react.

When Ztar's shuttle shot out of the bay at breakneck speed, it caught the enemy by surprise. That gave him precious seconds to dive his shuttle toward Earth. Quickly, several fighters were on his tail, weapons firing. Ztar dodged and darted enemy fire, but pain, shock, and blood loss were already taking their toll. Suddenly, the sensor screen lit up as three fighters were taken out in quick succession by Mi-Lartui's remaining phase cannon.

/ Yels! / Ztar reached out to touch his Captain's mind. / Were my orders unclear? /

/ I must have misunderstood, Emperor. Forgive me, / came the defiant, but poignant thought.

Despite everything, Ztar had to chuckle mentally. By defying orders, Yels had gained Ztar precious breathing room, but just as quickly, the enemy battle cruiser hit Mi-Lartui's port cannon point-blank and the explosion that rocked the trusty ship ensured no more help would come his way.

/ Thank you, Captain. I have been honored to know you. /

/ And I have been honored to serve, my Emperor. /

His shuttle took two hits in quick succession as it entered Earth's upper atmosphere, pulling Ztar's mind away from the captain. Pushing the shuttle to its limits, Ztar dove into the thickening atmosphere. After several seconds, the two pursuit craft ceased firing, obviously content to simply follow him down.

Damage made steering the shuttle challenging. Ztar's injured body screamed against the jostling and vibration from the steep descent. He activated the navcon to guide the shuttle toward Xavier's mansion as he held on to his seat, gripping the armrest against the agony and blackness that wanted to take him. 'My gods, just let me see him one more time – I beg you!' he silently prayed to gods he had given had nearly forsaken until one year ago.

Riding the bucking shuttle that plunged full hilt to the planet below, he cried out mentally to Archangel. At first, there was no response and Ztar feared he was too depleted to reach the man, but then found the familiar feel of the Human's mind. / I need you! / was all Ztar could manage.

The wounded craft as it started to level out. Before long, the shuttle was indicating its approach of the programmed destination. Ztar allowed the craft to land on its own. Fighting off unconsciousness, he held on as damage made for a rough landing at Xavier's mansion. He felt the winged man nearing – he would see his Archangel one last time.

###

Desperation and urgency filled Ztar's mental cry – he was in dire trouble. Exactly what that trouble was, Warren did not know. Pumping wings hard to get to the mansion as quickly as possible, he reached the estate just as an Imperial shuttle was coming in for landing. Burn marks on the exterior told Warren that there had been fire play. Then he spied the two other craft coming in hot. Super keen eyesight made out identification symbols and they weren't Turzent.

/ Professor! / Warren shouted his projection to Xavier. He immediately felt Xavier's mind for the first time in two years. / We have trouble! /

/ Warren? / Xavier questioned with surprise.

/ Ztar's shuttle is landing and two possible enemy shuttles are in pursuit. / Xavier's mind quickly retracted.

Seconds after the craft set down, Ztar stumbled out and collapsed to the ground. Warren landed next to him as the pursuing vehicles landed. Their doors quickly opened and armed soldiers spilled out.

At the same moment, X-men erupted from several points of the mansion ready for a fight, but Xavier held them off. The developing situation could be a delicate matter involving two galactic powers, neither of which Xavier wanted to anger unless necessary. Earth would only lose. Neutrality was Earth's best defense at the moment. Unless necessary, the X-men would only observe.

Ztar was obviously gravely injured – blood was everywhere. His breathing was ragged and the dark brown eyes filled with pain, but he was conscious and clutched a small PI in one hand. Warren gathered the Emperor to him. He gently cradled Ztar in his lap as troops surrounded them.

"Release the Emperor to us!" one of the soldiers ordered.

"We're getting this man medical attention first!" Warren yelled back. Weapons clicked to the ready.

"I'm afraid we cannot allow that."

Before Warren could say anything more, Ztar spoke. "It is okay, my Archangel. Let them…have me – I'm dying." Ztar grimaced in pain from the effort to speak.

Warren felt Ztar gather strength as the man looked at his enemy. "I am Ztar, ruler of the Turzent Empire. I call upon the rights due me by my position under Commonwealth law," the Emperor winced again and as a spasm gripped him. Then he continued, holding the PI up in a shaky hand. "This contains several legal edicts I have issued concerning my Empire, this planet, and my personal surrender to the Commonwealth. Give it to your battle commander." The soldier took the PI from Ztar's bloodied grip.

Ztar turned his attention back to his companion. "My beautiful Archangel..." Strength…life was leaving him. He brushed his companion's cheek, leaving tracings of blood. "If the…Commonwealth is honorable, my edicts will ensure your planet's independence. Earth…should be safe."

Ztar's body shuddered and he moaned; the hands turned into fists. Warren felt the familiar mind touch his.

/ You touched parts of me I had forgotten existed. You reminded me what joy is, how powerful gentleness can be. What it means to sacrifice oneself for the greater good. Most of all, I learned how to care about someone other than myself. You made me feel something other than anger and bitterness. Thank you for showing me I was still capable of that. I love you, my Archangel. / Ztar looked longingly and with remorse at his companion, tears escaping. He'd run out of time to make amends for the horrors he'd inflicted. / I am so sorry…for everything… /

Then aloud, Ztar continued with great effort, gasping for air, "Do not…interfere with the soldiers. You…must maintain Earth's neutral position. I named you Earth's representative to the Commonwealth…and the Empire." Ztar's voice grew weaker, more ragged with each word.

"Ztar, what are you talking about?" Warren was confused.

The soldier in charge began to say that time was up, but Xavier exerted mental control over him and the others. They stood silently in place. He doubted Earth's safety would be jeopardized by a little mindblock.

Ztar drew in a shaky breath. "My ship has…downloaded the edicts and other information to the mansion's computer. The file is ArchangelOne." The man took a sharp inhale and shuddered violently. / Read it and you will understand. / Ztar then telepathed the key points about Earth's new legal status. / In case things go badly with the soldiers. /

Ztar's body convulsed, and he hissed. Through the link that was in place between them, Warren could feel the searing pain, the man's body shutting down. Warren wanted to stop the anguish, let Ztar die peacefully, in spite of everything that had happened between them.

/ Open to me, Ztar. /

Warren closed his eyes and reached down to the passionate energy and pulled, using visualization and memories of their nighttime activities to ignite the right feelings. But nothing happened. Then he felt Ztar's mental presence and a flood of erotic physical sensations washed over him. The gateway gently opened and ecstasy welled up. Then Warren reached into that quiet place in his mind he had used to quell Ztar's madness after Trapia. He brought the two together, let them intertwine, grow, and emerge. Opening his eyes, he looked down at the man. Warren poured blended energies outward – joy and bliss, sensual pleasure and warming euphoria, soothing gentleness, and tranquility. He offered it to Ztar to wash away the fear and pain of dying.

Ztar took the gift gratefully and smiled at his beloved Archangel.

A gentle, golden glow radiated around the Human. Ztar eyes widened at the vision of an ethereal Esserru above him and placed a trembling hand on the breathtaking visage in awe and gratitude. / So beautiful…thank you… / he whispered in Archangel's mind.

Then the deep brown eyes stilled; the hand dropped. He was gone. Warren let the energy fade as Ztar's mental touch slipped away. In spite of everything Ztar had put him through, Warren's heart was surprisingly saddened at the death.

X-man and soldier alike stood transfixed as the waves of rapture and peace dissipated. There were no sounds – only silence for many long seconds. What they experienced, none had felt before and it left them stunned.

Wolverine was the first to shake off the effects. "Fuck! What the hell was that?"

Wolverine's outburst shook the Commonwealth soldiers out of their stupor. "Take the body into the shuttle," the leader ordered after his wits returned.

Warren did not resist when the soldiers snatched the lifeless form from him. He remained seated weakly on the ground while the aliens boarded their shuttles.

The soldier in charge addressed the X-men from the entrance of the shuttle. "This planet is now in our jurisdiction. Consider yourselves part of The Systems Commonwealth." Then he turned to enter his craft.

"No!" Warren said sharply. The Commonwealth commander stopped in his tracks. Warren stood shakily and faced him. "As Earth's legal representative to the Commonwealth, I dispute that statement. If you read the edicts, you will find that Earth is an independent system from the Empire. We are a neutral party in this war. Therefore, by Commonwealth law, you cannot take us into your jurisdiction."

The soldier glared at Warren, but did not argue. He was a soldier, not a politician or diplomat. The matter was best left for others to sort out. He entered the shuttle and the two crafts departed.

As the shuttles disappeared, Warren bent over and placed hands on knees. He was light-headed, likely from the energy he had expended to give Ztar a peaceful passing, he figured.

Xavier was quickly at his side. "Warren, are you okay?" Xavier was still trying to process what it was Warren had done. Whatever it was, the effort had obviously left him drained.

"Just need to sit down."

"Hey, flyboy, what the hell did ya do to us?" Wolverine demanded as Xavier and Warren made their way toward the mansion.

Warren stopped, holding on to the back of Xavier's wheelchair for support. "What are you talking about, Logan?"

Rogue leaned over to Kitty, "Sugah, anythin' make ya feel that good, mus' be illegal!" Kitty snickered.

"I need a shower," Peter said quietly and started toward the mansion.

"Wha'd ya do when ya were glowin'? Never felt nothin' like that before. Not sure I wanna again – makes ya weak!" Logan's expression was caught somewhere between anger and amusement.

'Weak…that's one way of putting it!' Cyclops thought with a mental smirk as he headed inside.

"When I did what?" Warren was confused. Glowing? What was Logan talking about? What he had done was between Ztar and him, wasn't it?

"Logan, we'll discuss this later," Xavier said firmly.

Logan let it go. The other X-men exchanged glances. Did Warren really not know what he had done?

###

Epilogue

The Professor asked Warren to join him in his study several mornings after Ztar's death. Xavier had thoroughly reviewed document that had been forced into the mansion's highly secure computer system. He was impressed. It was obvious the Emperor fully intended to do everything possible to protect Earth no matter the outcome of the war between his Empire and The Systems Commonwealth.

"Warren! How are you feeling?" Xavier said looking up from the computer display.

Warren wasn't certain how to answer. Ztar's death had oddly affected him and he was trying to reconcile the reasons. Why had he shed tears for the death of his kidnapper and rapist? It didn't make sense. And so he stuffed those confusing emotions down deep with all the other best-forgotten experiences and memories. "Better each day. Is that Ztar's file?"

"Yes. Quite impressive. Obviously, I'm not familiar with either Commonwealth or Turzent law, but it appears that Ztar and his people were well versed in both. The file contains his final edicts and numerous passages and they invoke Commonwealth and Imperial law quite effectively."

"How so?" Warren asked as he sat down in front of the Professor's desk.

Xavier smiled at Warren. It was good to feel his mind once again. Although Xavier did not pry, he allowed himself to read the general emotional state of his friend. Warren's relief over Ztar's death was enormous, yet conflicted, though Warren tried to hide that part. And Charles knew that not enough time had passed yet for Warren to truly believe he was free from the Emperor. It would all still be somewhat surreal.

Then there was the matter of what Warren did to ease Ztar's death. Xavier hadn't experience anything exactly like that before and certainly couldn't easily explain what it was. Not quite telepathic, not really empathic, it was something different. Perhaps akin to an offering up, not projecting out – it was the best description Xavier could come up with. But answers to that were for another time when Warren was stronger psychologically.

"If these edicts are indeed honored by the Commonwealth and the Empire, then Earth is safe by their own laws. Ztar sequenced the edicts in a very precise order. This was not a hastily created document. He must have planned for this possibility for some time." Charles turned the monitor so that both he and Warren could see the file together, which the Turzents had considerately translated into English. "If this holds, Warren, you have quite a role to play in Earth's relations with the Turzent Empire and the Commonwealth."

Warren leaned toward the desk. "What do you mean?"

"It's a lengthy document, so I'll summarize. Ztar's first edict invokes Turzent law and his own power as Emperor. He names you as the Turzent Empire's sole and exclusive representative to all interstellar governments in matters involving Earth."

Warren jolted. "That's…interesting." He felt instant weariness as to what might follow.

"There's much more. In his second edict, Ztar grants Earth its full and complete independence from the Turzent Empire as a neutral world – that's important. It means Earth is no longer part of the Empire nor is Earth a party in the war. With those pieces in place, he cites the Commonwealth war law that binds them to treat Earth as an independent, neutral system and not a "liberated" protectorate. This apparently positions Earth to determine its own future wholly and completely under Commonwealth law. I understand this to mean the Commonwealth cannot simply add Earth to its territory as a spoil of war."

"Exactly. That's part of what Ztar told me telepathically before he died. He said that the Commonwealth could not forcibly annex Earth and still abide by their laws," Warren relayed.

"Next, he cites Commonwealth interstellar war law that binds their military to recognize you as the named sole and exclusive voice of Earth in all matters between a neutral Earth and the Commonwealth during wartimes. That results from his earlier edict naming you as the sole representative for Earth to the Empire."

"Thorough bastard," Warren muttered under his breath to low for Charles to hear, but there was no fire in the words – only mounting unease.

The elder man gave Warren an inquisitive glance before continuing. "Ztar goes on to remind the Commonwealth that under their laws, your representation of Earth automatically transfers to peacetime. In effect, that double secures your position as representative – both under Commonwealth civil law and Commonwealth war law."

"Sounds air tight," Warren noted with a scowl that escaped before he could stop it. "Anything else?" He was growing more apprehensive by the moment. What had Ztar gotten him into?

Xavier hesitated. The telepath had that subtle look Warren was all too familiar with – sensors wide open, but not probing.

"Yes. Ztar's final act was to abdicate the throne without naming a successor. He states that in this way his Court is free to either continue the war under another leader of their choice or to surrender to the Commonwealth."

"I wonder which they'll choose," Warren hoped for surrender, but having a single, enormous galactic power at Earth's doorstep was not comforting. He thought for a moment more. "My being the representative for Earth won't go over. The world leaders will not agree to it and I'm not sure I want the responsibility." Actually, terrified of that kind of responsibility wouldn't be an overstatement. Running a corporation was one thing – representative to two interstellar regimes was another matter entirely.

"You will do just fine," Xavier reassured. "Whether Earth likes it or not, it appears the only representative both regimes can now acknowledge is you, by their own laws. How we here on Earth deal with Ztar's maneuvering you into that position won't be a Commonwealth or Turzent concern."

"I can see the price on my head now!" Warren snapped sarcastically.

"I summarized the edicts. You hold the position of representative until your natural death. Ztar carefully crafted your position with that stipulation. There are passages stating what happens should any harm come to you that would render you unable to fulfill your duties. The position of lifelong representative is apparently strictly honored under Commonwealth law. Should it be discovered you met with a suspicious death or injury, no one can step into your position that they can legally recognize. Earth would remain neutral and independent, but unrepresented within Commonwealth space. In one of the passages, Ztar warns Earth that non-representation is a decidedly undesirable position. He cites several Commonwealth laws pertaining to that scenario. If the citings are correct, Ztar spoke truthfully."

"So me or nobody. If I refuse the post, Earth's put into an undesirable position." Anger was rising. 'What did you do, Ztar?'

Charles was beginning to feel Warren hadn't been ready to learn of edicts. From the man's perspective, it would be yet another entrapment maneuvered by the alien dictator. Yet sooner or later, Warren had to know, and so he pushed on. "Another passage states that should the Earth choose to become a full member of the Commonwealth, it will be you that holds the Council seat in their unified government as a right of your position."

"Oh, it just gets better and better." The responsibility wasn't something he wanted to be burdened with. Even after death, Ztar was dictating his life. 'Damn you, Ztar!' He got up and started pacing. "What else?" he demanded more harshly than intended.

Xavier paused. Warren was obviously upset. "We can set this aside until later. No one has to know of it for awhile – maybe not until either the Turzents or the Commonwealth return to Earth."

Warren dismissed the idea with a sharp sweep of an arm. "No, we've gone this far. Tell me the rest."

Watching the man carefully, Charles decided to summarize quickly. "The document also states that your position as representative to the Turzent Empire is also legally sound, should they prevail in the war. The rest is detailed legalize. The document is quite extensive. The decision is when to reveal the document to world leaders."

Warren halted abruptly and faced Xavier. "They won't believe it. They'll say it's a sham."

"Likely – until they confront the Commonwealth or Turzents, whenever that might be. But the Turzents and Commonwealth may very well not bother with Earth for quite some time or never at all."

"We can't count on that." Warren's misgivings grew the more he thought about the situation. "What was Ztar thinking naming me as representative?" he exclaimed throwing his hand up and restarting the pacing that helped release some agitation.

"I would guess he was thinking about what was best for Earth's future. You obviously made a great impression on him," Charles opinioned.

Charles watched/felt Warren's anxiety intensify; wings tight to the back and the nervous walking. It had definitely been too much too soon. What was done, was done. Ztar may have had good intentions, but his edicts were another way the ruler had trapped Warren into a position without choice.

As he watched his friend absorb and grapple with the revelation, Charles worried. The billionaire businessman was technically quite capable of handling the position of Earth representative. That wasn't what concerned Charles. No, worry came from Warren's unresolved emotional wounds and questionable mental strength. The psychological injuries inflicted by Ztar added to all the scars caused by others who'd wounded him. The man hadn't reconciled most of those. Buried the emotional pains, yes. Faced and resolved them? Not fully, if at all.

Many times over the past year, Xavier had attempted to persuade Warren to talk about what happened with Ztar. Each time he was rebuffed. That was so like Warren – always one to repress rather than deal with trauma. Just like the man had rebuffed efforts to get him to open up about Apocalypse, Hodge, Callisto, and others in the lineup of those who dealt blow after blow to Warren's body and soul. He wondered how much more his friend could endure and remain fully sane. Charles would never stop trying to help him work through the emotional aftermaths – Warren deserved that help whether he believed he did or not.

Warren moved over to the window to gaze at the sky, wings spreading slightly reflexively. Xavier recognized the stance – the mutant wanted to escape into the air. A memory from long ago flickered through Charles' mind from a time when Warren was a student in class. He'd catch the teenager looking longingly out the window – so wanting to be soaring free. That same look crossed his friend's features now. Charles felt Warren fight the impulse and a different look suddenly clouded the perfect face.

"From Emperor's whore to planetary representative – quite a promotion!" The words spat out harshly toward the heavens.

Xavier was shocked at the bluntness of the disclosure. Warren had not confided what Ztar had required of him. Vaguely implied once, yes. Directly stated, no.

Warren turned sharply toward Xavier as if he hadn't intended to speak the admission aloud. He stared at Xavier with wide eyes as the color left his face.

"I- I'm sorry," Warren whispered, his head lowering. The statement hung in the air like a heavy cloud. Warren sat down unsteadily on the window seat and closed his eyes.

Xavier maneuvered his wheelchair around from behind the desk to his friend's side.

"There is nothing for you to be sorry about, Warren." Charles left it at that. More talk right now would only be words. He simply waited silently next to his old friend and allowed him time as he struggled to maintain emotional control. As they sat quietly, Xavier let the waves of Warren's tumultuous emotions wash over him. Shame, embarrassment, self-loathing all hit Charles' open telepathic sensors and his heart hurt for the man who'd sacrificed so much for Earth's people. Tears sprang up in Charles' eyes.

Warren had paid a price almost higher than death to keep Earth safe. His life and self-determination had been stolen by the cruel alien. Add what Ztar had demanded of Warren physically…Xavier could only imagine what Ztar had put Warren through. A horrifying combination – a powerful telepath and rapist. Earth's freedom had come at a very steep price indeed. There should be no shame, no loathing in Warren's sacrifice.

Warren escaped the feelings that threatened to crush him by going to that all too familiar place in his mind. His sanctuary – his refuge. Despite everything, the alien hadn't been able to take away Warren's source of strength no matter what atrocities he inflicted.

Xavier felt the change within Warren – the raw emotions began to dispel. A quietness welled up and encompassed the mutant. He watched Warren with admiration mixed with apprehension as the man calmed.

Warren opened his eyes and looked at Xavier. He could see the concern. "I'm okay," Warren reassured softly.

Xavier took Warren's hand into his. He wanted to pull his almost son into his arms, shield him from the memories of whatever horrors Ztar forced upon him. If the Emperor was still alive, Xavier would have killed him without regret. But Ztar was dead – denying that vengeance. All Charles could do was lend strength as Warren worked through the aftermath of the past two years.

"Whatever you need, Warren, I am here."

"I know, Charles. I'll be fine." He loved the man next to him – he was both second father and dear friend. How he could have ever thought he hated Charles was beyond understanding. Charles had been as much a victim of Ztar as Warren had. Maybe he should let the telepath help him deal with all the shit life had thrown his way. 'God knows the man has tried – not just the past year, but the past several years. He wants to help, Worthington. It would bring Charles a lot of joy if you let him. Time to do some healing. Time to face your demons.'

With the silent decision made, Warren cocked his head and looked at Xavier with crystalline-blue eyes and a smirk. "How about I get us a pot of strong tea and we go through Ztar's edicts in detail? I want to know exactly what that bastard got me into. And maybe we can talk about some other things as well."

The smile that crossed the entirety of Charles' face warmed Warren to his core. Yes, his decision was the right one.

- Finis -

Sort of…

SURPRISE!

I still like Ztar's death scene in the original ending and its ramifications for Warren. In fact, a whole story series could be spun off the second role Warren was forced into by Ztar's edicts. But, as much as I like the original conclusion to Sacrifice, it doesn't lead into Esserru.

And so, what follows is an alternate ending. It reboots Chapter 21. The first part is nearly identical to the Original Concept chapter, but hang in there – it's a whole new wrap-up. While a couple changes take place before the fork in the road, I've marked the splitting point for those of you who want to skip ahead to that.

Hope you like! :-)

Chapter 21 – Alternate Ending

Lead-in to Esserru

Over the next Imperial standard year, Ztar visited Archangel five times. Each time, the hours stolen away were heaven. He lived for the next encounter. For a few precious hours, he was not Emperor, no war raged around him, no generals vied for his ear or guidance, no reports of yet more battles won and lost, warriors or innocents killed. He let the chess pieces of strategy sit for just awhile.

Yet each time he slipped away to the star system on the very edge of Turzent space, he put himself, his ship, crew and even the Empire at risk. Worse still, he jeopardized Earth and Archangel. But he was desperate to have something for himself, somewhere to lose himself. In between, the longing for respite in Archangel's arms was nearly unendurable.

His sixth trip that year the dice came up snake eyes.

Commonwealth ships were waiting, tucked close behind Earth's moon where the Mi-Lartui's sensors were virtually blind. Too late, Ztar sensed the collective mental presence just as they were passing by for final approach to the blue and white planet beyond.

"Damn the gods!" he yelled at the holo-image floating at the front of the bridge, and then spun toward Yels. "Captain, it's a trap!"

Ztar knew another, more imposing danger lurked somewhere. Fighters meant a battle carrier. 'Still behind the moon?' He stretched awareness out to find what he knew had to be nearby.

"Captain," the tactical officer broke in. "Tuo-Evom's engine shields are failing – if they take another major hit in that grid-"

"Yels, when I give the word, reverse engines – full power," Ztar ordered.

Captain Yels nodded, instantly relinquishing command to his ruler for as long as Ztar desired it.

The helmsman turned quickly to the Captain, "But sirs!"

"Don't question me. Mi-Lartui is a Turzent vessel – her engines will survive," Ztar interceded ahead of his captain, while fervently hoping he was right.

"Yes, my Emperor. Engines ready for reverse, full power."

"Crew alert! Prepare for…impact!" the comm tech warned ship-wide, using the best term she could come up with for the affects of the pending maneuver.

"Now!" Ztar yelled.

A violent, shuddering wave ran through the length of the Mi-Lartui as her engines screamed to reverse direction instantaneously. The resulting backward lurch sent flying any unrestrained bodies and objects. The Mi-Lartui sprang backward through the gap as if shot from a cannon. In one move, Ztar had cleared his ship from the cluster of Commonwealth vessels, but at what cost to the engines? He would soon learn.

The tactic brought the Mi-Lartui astern into the outer reaches of Earth's atmosphere. Anyone on Earth observing the heavens in the direction of her moon that day was getting quite a show.

"Helm, 90 degrees port and engage FTL drive!"

With the enemy nearly on top of them once again, the Mi-Lartui's FTL engines sprang to life and she was ready to run.

'We may make it out of here yet,' Ztar allowed himself to hope.

Just as the Mi-Lartui's engines were initiating FTL, a third heavy cruiser appeared from behind Earth's horizon to lay in a strafe along her length and directly across her starboard engine. Weaken shields collapsed under the assault of the powerful weapons of the warship. An explosion rocked the Empire's flagship, more warning alarms wailed. Mi-Lartui listed.

'Then we're lost,' Ztar's thought was a mix of anger, sadness, and regret. It was his desire to see Archangel that had put him and his crew in their dire position. 'Selfish to the end!'

Ztar turned to the communication technician. "Our distress signal has been sent?"

"Yes, sir, but the nearest military forces are 19.3 tona from here," the man answered in a laden tone.

Far too distant to help – a day away. The man who was emperor was heartsick. Desire for Archangel may well have just cost him his empire, and the brave people on Mi-Lartui and her escort, their freedom.

"Sirs, insertion shuttles approaching," the weapons officer announced, slight fear evident in the tight voice.

Captain Yels approached Ztar, his face showing the pain of defeat and fear for his monarch. "My Emperor, we are going to be boarded. Do you wish us to fire on them?"

"No, Captain. You will prepare the crew and ship for surrender. I will have no more needless Turzent deaths here today if I can prevent it. I am going to my shuttle."

"Sir?"

"I have unfinished business on Earth and I intend to complete it. Once I'm clear of the ship, cease all defensive activities and signal your surrender."

"I will assign fighter escorts-"

"No escort." Ztar cut him off.

"But Emperor, if they send fighters after you…"

"That's an order, Captain."

Ztar had already telepathically summoned his elite guard to the bridge and when the lift door opened, they spilled out onto the bridge, ready to serve.

"Sirs," the comm tech interrupted. "Main shuttle bay reports our hatch has failed and we're being boarded."

"Internal defenses?" Yels shot back.

"Offline, sir – went down with the last hit. Would have been of limited use – several of the boarding parties are in combat armor."

"Let's move," guardmaster Gragne commanded his unit.

The mutant gathered up his energy. "Let's see how that armor fares against me!" Then Ztar began to shimmer and he commanded, "Down!" The guardsmen dropped instantly.

An intense wave of distortion shot from Ztar's body and slammed into the soldiers at the opposite end of the corridor. Bodies flew into the wall behind them, but it wasn't enough to injure the soldiers inside. Ztar followed up with a telepathic burst no armor could block. With screams muffled by faceplates, the enemy slumped lifeless to the floor. Sudden silence filled the hall, but lasted only moments. Sounds of phase volley could be heard from elsewhere on the deck.

"Go!" Gragne barked.

Two guards quickly checked around the next corner. Clear. The group ran down the corridor ever closer to Ztar's shuttle bay.

"Stop right there!" a sudden voice rang out from behind.

Ztar nearly took it to the next level – death – when the image of Archangel came to him. That beautiful creature had shown Ztar that cruelty need not rule him. The telepath backed off and instead induced coma-like sleep in the three intruders. These were just soldiers doing their job. He would not extinguish anymore souls in a battle already lost on the way to see his noble-souled companion. It would not be fitting.

"Sir, you need medical attention!" Concern laced the guard's voice.

"No! I need to get to Earth," Ztar said between clenched teeth.

Sudden fear washed over Gragne's features. "Emperor, your injuries...they cannot treat you-"

Gragne got Ztar into the shuttle and over to the pilot's chair. "Now go. Hold the Commonwealth off outside the bay until I've launched. Then you will surrender."

"It has been my deepest honor to have served you, my lord." And the man did as ordered by his Emperor without further objections.

** THE FORK IN THE ROAD STARTS HERE IN EARNEST! **

/ Yels! / Ztar instantly reached out to touch his Captain's mind. / Were my orders unclear? /

/ Forgive me, Emperor, but I failed to inform our other ships of your command, / came the retort, the thought mixed with slight amusement and great relief.

Ztar was confused, but then realized his mistake with a glance to the scanner. It was lighting up with the unique signature of Imperial ships dropping out of FTL, one being a battle carrier that instantly blazed a phase cannon path through the Commonwealth ships surrounding Mi-Lartui.

An indicator lit up on the shuttle control panel – a hail coming through. Through the swirl of physical shock and stunned disbelief, Ztar activated the comm.

"Emperor Ztar, this is Fleet Commander Aggent of the Battle Carrier Sonas, responding to your distress call. I see you are in a bit of a predicament. Please, sire, at your command, may we be of assistance?"

"By all means!" Blackness was closing in and everything became surreal. Ztar knew what was happening, and his hand reached out almost of its own volition to the navcon and entered a vital override. "First, though, I think you best…take control…of my shuttle…" Blackness swallowed the Turzent emperor.

Epilogue

Warren never knew how close he'd come to freedom that day. The battle between Commonwealth and Imperial forces just beyond Earth's outermost atmosphere was a closely guarded secret that only the highest in the major-power Earth governments held.

And even fewer surmised the true reason for the fierce battle that raged. Most concluded it was a fight for the Earth System itself between the two warring realms. And when the missive was received by the US government, all it said was that Earth was safe, still within Imperial space, and the Accord remained in force.

###

Augmented Turzent physiology came to the Emperor's aid in his recovery from phase wounds that would have killed most instantly. The best medics ensured that not a scar remained on their monarch's body.

Despite the narrow escape, Ztar was determined to continue visiting his companion, but with appropriate heavy escort from that time forward. He profusely thanked General Rehsaw for the foresight of stationing a covert fleet to remain in close proximity to Earth System, "just in case" as his top military commander and fellow court member had phrased it.

Still, Ztar felt compelled to admonish the man for allocating vital resources so far from the front lines of war. Rehsaw took the dressing down in the spirit in which it was delivered, struggling to suppress a smug smirk. In the end, though, Rehsaw failed to convince the Emperor to stay away from his companion, but Ztar did agree to a permanent military presence in the Earth System for the duration of the war – it had become too tempting a target for the Commonwealth otherwise.

Ztar would never mention the incident to Archangel, he decided. That he, a battle-hardened warrior, was nearly captured by the enemy to satisfy his need of the Human would disclose a vulnerability he didn't even care to admit to himself. And so, Ztar bound those who knew to silence on the incident. Aside from Sukja, the medics, and key personnel, no one aboard Mi-Lartui knew how close they had come to losing their emperor and perhaps the war that nearly fateful day.

And so war continued under the guidance of Emperor Ztar and Warren Worthington III, aka Archangel, remained bound by the Turzent/Earth Accord.

###

When Ztar next visited, the Emperor seemed somewhat different, but Warren couldn't quite pinpoint the change. The sexual hunger was still intense, but laced with something more. What that was defied Warren's ability to define. So he chalked it up to the affects of war.

After Ztar had once again gotten what he wanted, Warren boarded the shuttle to return to the X-mansion. As the craft left the Mi-Lartui, he gazed upon the beautiful blue, green, and white planet he loved – it was pure and simply…home. How many more times would Ztar let him return after his concupiscence visits. How long before Warren would no longer be Earth's inhabitant?

Living with the uncertainty was becoming too much. In that moment, Warren decided an attitude adjustment was needed. In practice, he'd already done everything he could to safeguard his life on Earth should Ztar snatch him back. But in his mind, the situation had remained defined as "should Ztar take him away."

'Need to alter that slightly, War ol' boy. Need to start telling yourself, when Ztar returns for you. He's not growing any less needful or desirous; today reconfirmed that. If the man survives the war, he will come. Just accept it. Back off on the reintegration bit. Let others handle the company like they did the first time. Look for something else to occupy your time – something easier to leave behind.'

Tears filled his eyes at the decision, and he blinked them back. 'No more of those either, big boy. This is just the way it is. You want the world down there to stay free, that's the price.'

He placed a hand over the side window of the imperial shuttle, laying it over the Earth symbolically. "I'll protect you for as long as it takes," he whispered to his beloved home as an errant tear escaped. "I won't let you down."

- Continued in "Esserru" -

###

Author's Final Notes:

And there you have it – an ending that properly leads into "Esserru." While the chapter is essentially the same until Ztar is in the shuttle heading to Earth, it no longer mentions his final edicts, so that complication is removed. Of course, after that point, it is an entirely new conclusion to set up the next book.

Now I'd like to hear your opinion, both of the alternate ending Do you prefer the original ending or the alternate? Love to hear your preference and why!

And, if you haven't reviewed the story as yet, your thoughts on "Sacrifice: Revisited" as a whole.

I invite you to read the next three books of the series – Esserru, Circle Complete, and Soulbound – if you haven't already done so.

My heart is filled with gratitude to my faithful reviewers who posted their thoughts and reactions as I uploaded the story…ArtistOfLight, Silberstreif, Louisestarfly. You are dream reviewers and I am so very blessed that you chose to spend previous time reading my book and offering in-depth reviews. You have my eternal thanks!

And to the anonymous many from so many countries who pounced upon every chapter nearly the instant it went online – your enthusiasm warms my heart! Thank you so very much.

If you're reading this many months (or years?) after it was posted, please consider adding your own review. I don't plan on going away anytime soon. You'll make this writer's day by dropping in some comments.

Thank you to all once again for reading the refurbished "Sacrifice" and sharing my love of exploring misfortune, anguish of the soul, emotional victory, and the strength of the Human spirit.

Echo Dancer
'When you write from the soul, the pen moves itself.'