Chapter 14

Strange Twists

            Adam explained to me that Officer Stellbak was completely innocent and had no idea behind the breeding experiment.

            "The Galactic Federation had no part in the experiment. They were against it from the first, but we had never thought the Terran scientists would go against our commands.

We had just recently found out that the scientists were only using the Terran Space Station as an experimental labetory and secretly got away with it for several years!

I don't understand why we could have been so blinded by such treachery! Forgive us, Lady, for getting you into this mess." Adam made a sad expression.

I smiled, but it was no secret I was hiding my anger and sadness.

Officer Stellbak stood beside Adam and remained silent. I looked at Stellbak and returned my stare to my CO, "What about the X parasites?"

Adam sighed, "We've sealed off the air venting system that flows from the plant habitat and into the rest of the station. But, sealing off our main oxygen production, we are only limited to a few hours worth of air. There isn't enough time for Terra to reach a planetary colony within this sector of space to evacuate.

We only have twenty ships and ten thousand human lives aboard."

The black power suit stepped forward and proclaimed, "I saw we leave those deceiving scientists here to rot! They started this mess and I say they should clean it up themselves!"

Adam gave the black suit a hard stare. "It's always revenge with you." He spoke laconically. He looked at me and smiled, "I see that you have met our second best bounty hunter. We called in Shadow to help us find you, Lady."

I turned to the black power suit, "Shadow?" I said questionably.

            The black suit turned to me, "It's only a code name I go by. I have no real name."

Adam spoke up, "Shadow was created by the Galactic Federation and to strictly follow orders. It is basically our replica of you, Samus."

It? I thought as I narrowed my eyes. "I don't understand."

Adam turned his back to me and lowered his head, "Shadow is an android. The first actual and successful android the Federation has created." He turned back to face me, "But, don't be mistaken, Shadow is treated well, just as you have been. Shadow was never meant to be your replacement, since you became retired of your duties."

I lowered my head and closed my eyes. My thoughts drifted to the main reason why I became relieved of my bounty hunter life. My unborn child… A family… and Kyan.

My eyes flew open and I asked in a demanding tone, "Where is Kyan?!"

Adam blinked in surprise and frowned, "Kyan is in the hands of the doctors. He is being taken care of." His frown became a smile. "We managed to save him from the Terran scientists. He is resting now. I will take you to him." Adam's smile grew.

My eyes began to ache and tears slowly slithered down my face.

Kyan was going to be alright.

*          *          *

I took off my helm as I entered the recovery room. I turned my head to look around and found him. I ran to the side of the bed and looked down into his soft and handsome face. I lowered my gaze to see Kyan's hand at his side. I took his hand and gently caressed it. My gaze raised to his face and I watched as his eyes slowly opened.

His bright green eyes met mine and a sweet smile formed on his lips. His lips parted and he spoke very softly, "You're… alright." He raised his other hand up toward my face.

I bent over to allow his hand to stroke my cheek. I smiled and a tear ran down the side of my face.

Kyan made a worried look, "You're crying?"

I released his hand and placed my hand on his cheek, "Don't worry. Everything is going to be alright. We can leave this place and go to Earth! We can live happily and have a family together. We won't have to worry about anything from harming us. No one will hurt you ever again. We'll be safe with each other-"

Kyan put his thumb on my lip. "Samus, calm down." His thumb gently stroked my lips. His hand slid up the side of my face and went through my hair.

Kyan's hand dropped as I heard footsteps come up from behind me. I spun around to face Adam.

Adam smiled pleasantly, "You don't have to be so worked up anymore, Lady. You need to learn to relax."

I smiled at him and turned back to Kyan. Adam came to my side and looked down at Kyan. He smiled at Kyan, "You must be Kyan. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Adam Malkovich, Samus's CO."

Kyan raised his hand up to shake hands and smiled slightly, "I know who you are. There's no need for you to explain yourself."

Adam raised a confused eyebrow as he took Kyan's hand to shake. "How would you know me? We've never met."

Kyan released Adam's hand and answered, "Don't act dumb. You've read my profile. You should know what I can do."

            I looked at Adam and asked, "What's he talking about?"

            Adam's glare stayed fixed on Kyan, "I may have mentioned to you before that Kyan has psychic and magical abilities."

            "Yeah, so?" I said.

            Adam looked at me, "He can read thoughts."

            I grew surprised and blinked in bafflement.

            Adam turned to glare at Kyan again and lowered his voice to a growl, "If you dare tell her, I'll-"

            Kyan smirked, "You'll do what? As far as we both know, you have no power to even make a scratch on me."

            "What the hell are you two talking about?!" I shouted.

            Adam turned to me again, "Don't worry. It is nothing, Samus." He turned away and hurried out of the room.

            I glared down at Kyan, "What is going on?!"

            Kyan smiled slyly, "Seems your commanding officer has a fancy for someone."

            I raised my eyebrow.

            "He's jealous." Kyan spoke.

            "Of who?" I asked in a curious tone.

            "Me."

            "Huh? Why?" I still didn't understand what Kyan meant.

            "Go ask him." Kyan replied.

            I blinked and turned to hurry after Adam. I found him stomping down the hall and caught up with him. I stared into his face, "Adam, what is going on? Why are you jealous of Kyan?"

            Adam stopped and turned to stare sadly into my eyes, "He has you, that's all that needs to be said, Samus."

            I blinked and wondered why Adam's voice didn't have the ironic ring to it. He was even calling me by my name. He has always called me by 'Lady' for as long as I've known him.

            I placed my hand softly on his shoulder, "Adam, we're good friends. WE don't keep secrets from each other. I know you're hiding something."

            Adam smiled and chuckled.

            I made a puzzled look, "What's so funny?"

            Adam replied, "You look silly when you make that face." His voice softened and he turned his head away, "Samus, I … It's obvious that I have no chance against Kyan. He's a prince and I'm just a commanding officer that works in the Federation."

            I looked down to see Adam sliding a small black box out of his uniform pocket. He turned his gaze to me and smiled sadly, "I wanted to ask you, but you're going to have someone else's child."

            I cocked my eyebrow, "What are you getting at, Adam? You're stalling again."

            "Samus… I love you." Adam opened the black box to reveal a perfectly cut round diamond embedded in a smooth golden ring.

            My eyes grew and I opened my mouth to say something, but I couldn't speak. I looked up at Adam and gained my voice back, "What's this for?!" I asked in a raspy tone.

            Adam smiled sheepishly, "I was going to ask you to marry me."

            I looked back down at the ring and stuttered, "I-I never imagined that you-"

            "That your CO would ask you to marry him?" Adam smiled.

            I stepped back and shook my head, "Adam… I-I can't!"

            Adam's hopeful smile vanished and was replaced with a sorrowful look.

            "How sad… the mighty bounty hunter has fallen." A deep voice came from behind me.

            I spun around and encountered a tall man with a trimmed black beard and mustache. His brown eyes pierced fiercely into mine and his expression was rough.

            Adam gasped, "General Marqeen!"