DISCLAIMER: Is this really necessary?
AN:
Thanks for reviews ya'all! (I just finished watching Sweet Home Alabama for the 10th time and
I'm feeling a little Southern.) Anyway, before we get started, just one quick
note. In this chapter the Nuctora Galaxy is also called the Andromeda Galaxy.
This galaxy is actually real. It is the coolest galaxy to ours and I have it on
good reference that that is its real name! So look, a little science thrown in!
Have fun!
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The Nuctora Space Port was located in the Nuctora Galaxy. It would be the last living thing that the Fate would see before their return home to Montresser after they visited Dead Earth.
Very few people actually lived in the Nuctora Galaxy for it was very far away from other living galaxies. The few people who did live in the Nuctora Galaxy all lived in the Nuctora Space Port, or NSPO. The space port was a circular planet that had glass walls curving around it. The bottom of the planet was flat with a long antenna sticking out of the middle on the bottom.
As they neared the glass sphere Alyson's lips tightened. She was still angry at Jim and she wasn't likely to forgive him anytime soon.
Not only was she still angry at Jim for what he had said last night, but she was also angry that Jim planned on staying at NSPO for five days, when all they needed was two. Alyson's almost groaned with a headache when she remembered how their raised voices pounded through her ear.
Why do I also fight with Jim? Alyson wondered with a sigh, but then her beck stiffened, because he's an arrogant jerk!
"You're pouting." BEN said, moving to stand next to her.
Alyson glared over at the robot, her eyes blazing, "I am NOT! You must be imagining it!"
BEN smiled and touched Alyson's lips with his cold fingers, "I think not. I may be an unfeeling robot, but I know a pout when I see one."
Alyson swatted at BEN's hand and walked away, her whole body trembling with rage. She stomped up the ladder and walked over to where Jim stood with Morph on his shoulder.
Alyson glared at him and crossed her arms over her chest. Jim looked at her out of the corner of his eye and sighed.
"Five days and that's final." He said calmly.
"That's so stupid!" Alyson exploded, "It'll only take two days to fix the ship! Why must we stay 3 days longer!? I want to go to Dead Earth as quickly as possible!" She was going to hit him in a moment, Alyson thought and oh was it going to hurt badly. She almost smiled at the thought of Jim's pain. Almost.
Jim laughed, "Believe me, Professor, I want to get you to Dead Earth as quickly as possible as well, but I also take good care of my ship. We may need only 2 days, but adding another 3 days on top of that will insure the safely and well-being of my ship." With that Jim turned back to the steering wheel.
"I hate you." Alyson said softly, surprised to find that she didn't think it was true. She didn't hate Jim.
Jim choice to ignore the ache in his heart when she said that. I don't like her, he reminded himself for the thousandth time, it's just lust.
"Rochester," Jim said to his helmsman, who was right below him, "prepare the docking procedures."
Rochester nodded, "Aye, Captain." To the crew he said, "Alright you space-dogs! You heard the captain! Docking procedures."
Jim turned back to Alyson but found the woman had disappeared. Shaking his head, Jim turned to Morph.
Morph sighed as Jim stroked his chin, "What is about her, Morph? She's under my skin in a way I don't want but it's not a bad way."
Morph made no reply, he just sighed.
"Alyson, what are you doing?" BEN called after Alyson an hour later as Alyson clasped her silver cloak around her body.
Alyson didn't reply, but made sure her glossy, midnight hair was stuck up in it's messy bun. Her hands tangled with the loose strands that had come free from the bun, but she really didn't feel like fixing them. With a huff of annoyance, Alyson turned and walked to the plank that hooked them to NSPO.
Jim had ordered everyone to stay on the ship until he got someone to start fixing it, but the last thing Alyson wanted was to be near Jim. That and she was still angry at him so Alyson was looking for anyway to annoy him, and disobeying a direct order from Jim was sure to vex him, so Alyson was all up for leaving.
"Alyson! Alyson!" BEN was calling, running after her until the plank started.
Alyson pulled her hood over her head and covered her hair. Then she turned back to BEN and smiled slightly.
"I'm just going to look around, BEN." She said, "I'll be back soon."
"But what happens if Jim finds out?" BEN called, gripping the railing in his metallic hands.
Alyson shook her head and began to walk down the plank, muttering under her breath, "Captain Hawkins can do what ever he pleases, but that isn't going to stop me. I don't abide by his rules."
Alyson ignored BEN's shout and pulled her cloak tighter and stepped onto the ground of NSPO.
Even though few people lived on the space port, enough people were visiting to make a crowd almost as big as the one on the Montresser Space Port. Alyson hurriedly excused herself as she bumped into the soft back of a pink creature.
The creature snorted at her and moved quickly out of the way, looking very annoyed.
Alyson glared at the creature, "How rude." She mumbled to herself and began to walk out of the market.
As Alyson walked onward, she found herself surprised by the large houses just outside the market. They were mostly made of stone and about half the size of the Academy each. The green grass was artificial but still had the smell of healthy grass. It was so real that Alyson was tempted to lie on the grass and bask in the artificial sun glowing on the space port as well. But to do that Alyson would have to get past the iron bars that surrounded each house/mansion.
"Why would anyone need bars around their house anyway?" Alyson wondered out loud and then said, "Oh, yeah! Most of the people living on NPSO are famous signers, actors, or some other kind celebrates. No wonder there's a crowd, everyone's trying to see the celebrates."
Alyson wondered who lived in the big white house she was looking at. It had a huge porch under a curved roof. A huge, ancient-looking chandler huge from the porch ceiling and ancient chairs lined the porch as well. The iron bars turned into a huge gate with a curved top. Alyson's eyes widened when she saw the guards standing there, guns pressed against their shoulders. Numbly, Alyson turned back to look at the massive house.
"Who could possibly live in there and need all the protection?" Alyson wondered. Curiosity got the better of her and Alyson walked up the guards. She was aware with a pounding-heart that they were a least a foot taller then her.
With grim faces, they looked down at her. Their eyes where cold as the guard on left barked, "What do you want, girl!?"
Alyson offered a weak smile, "Um, hi. I was just wondering who lives in that house you're guarding."
The guards exchanged glances and they seemed to agree on something, even though their faces were unreadable.
"Are you daft, girl?" Said the guard on the right, "Don't you know who lives here?"
When all Alyson did was stare at them, the Left-Guard sighed and said, "Lady Typhena lives here!"
Alyson
was about to say 'who?' when she finally remembered, "Oh? Oh! Lady Typhena!"
Right-Guard rolled his eyes,
"Jeez girl, have you been living under a rock all these years?" Then he laughed
meanly.
For some reason, Alyson took more offense to the Right-Guard's insult than she did to Jim's insults. How very odd indeed.
Alyson smiled tightly and the guards' laughter exist, "How might I get to meet Lady Typhena?"
Left-Guard laughed, "There is no way! Lady Typhena had a strict no-visitors policy."
"Well that's not entirely true." Right-Guard pointed out, "If an Academy ship captain should come up here and claim important business with Lady Typhena, then we have to let him or her pass."
"Well, what would a ship captain want with Lady Typhena in a business sense?" Left-Guard asked Right-Guard, apparently forgetting about Alyson.
"Well, you know the rumors about Lady Typhena…" Right-Guard trailed off.
Alyson almost laughed. Oh, she knew the rumors about Lady Typhena and this was perfect!
"Thank you boys!" Alyson said, happily, "See you tonight."
The guards gave her confused looks but Alyson ignored them. She continued on her exploration, looking forward to when she returned to the Fate.
Jim watched as BEN flinched as he neared him.
And he should, Jim thought angrily, after he didn't tell me Alyson ran off. Only about 30 minutes after Alyson had disappeared in NSPO, Jim had found out about Alyson's little adventure. Now it was almost night and she still hadn't returned.
"Where the hell is she, BEN!?" Jim demanded, his eyes blazing, "It'll be night soon and she might not be able get back to the ship."
I'm only worried about her because of my responsibility, Jim told himself, not because I like her.
BEN looked out onto the docks and market of NSPO, "I really don't know. I thought she'd be back by now."
Jim glowed and considered going out into NSPO to get her, "Damn woman. If she isn't home in 10 minutes, we're going out to get her."
"Don't tell me you were actually worried about me." Came Alyson's sarcastic remark.
Jim wheeled around and faced her, relief flooding him like a tidal-wave. But now that his worry was gone, he could feel anger pound in him as well.
"Of course I was." Jim said, barely about to keep his anger in check, "You're my responsibility. Should anything happen to you I have to answer for it. That's the last thing I want."
And because I don't want to see you hurt, Jim added silently. That's a lie! he thought when he realized what he had thought the first time.
Alyson refused to allow the hurt she was feeling to show on her face, "I'm perfectly capable to take care of myself."
Jim
rolled his eyes, "Yes, you've proven that."
Alyson turned her head to
glare at him, but then surprised him when she smiled very sweetly.
Too sweetly, Jim thought.
Alyson stepped towards Jim and placed her hand on his cheek and rubbed his face very gently. Jim almost stepped back but was too captivated by Alyson's warm hand to do so. He gritted his teeth hard as he forced himself to not grab Alyson's hand and kiss it.
I don't like her, Jim thought, I don't like her. It's just lust, just lust and Alyson doesn't even like me.
Jim got more proof to the latter thought when Alyson's face turned back into her glare and she pulled hard against the skin of his cheek. Jim cursed like a sailor when Alyson pulled his face to hers by the skin of his cheek.
"You're lucky I need a favour from you or you'd have a bloody nose by now." Alyson growled to him and Jim just glared at her. Out of the corner of his eye, Jim saw BEN dash away.
Lucky him, Jim thought.
Alyson let go of Jim's face with a sigh of disgust. Jim moaned softly and pressed a hand to his throbbing cheek.
"Why should I do any favour for you?" Jim hissed.
Alyson laughed, "Because I'll make your life a living hell."
"And you haven't already?" Jim said and when Alyson just glared, he continued, "Prove it."
Alyson stepped towards him and planted the heel of her boot firmly down on his. Her sharp heel pressed down hard on the leather of Jim's own and he growled. He grabbed Alyson by the shoulder and hauled her off his foot.
"I'm wishing to God right now that you were a man because I don't hit women." Then he said, "What's the favour."
I can barely think, Alyson thought, he's to close, to hot. Calm down, remember what you want. Remember that you hate him. But it was hard to do so when you were staring up into those dark blue eyes.
Shaking her head, Alyson said, "Lady Typhena lives here and I want to go see her."
Jim placed Alyson back on her feet and frowned in concentration, "Lady Typhena…? The singer Lady Typhena?"
Alyson rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips, "You know of any other Lady Typhenas?"
"I was just asking." Jim growled, "Anyway, why do want to see Lady Typhena? You're not the kind of person that strikes me as music interested."
"I'm not." Alyson said, "But there is a rumor that says that Lady Typhena is a true blood Earthling. It says she escaped Earth when she was fifteen and that was why she never got past NSPO. That rumor has always been over looked because there was no proof that Dead Earth was ever living, but now that there is, Lady Typhena could really be an Earthling. If she is, then she can prove that there still is life, or was life, on Dead Earth around 78 years ago."
"Let me get this straight. You want me to trek all over NSPO so you can see this singer, who just might be an Earthling."
Alyson nodded, "And you really don't have a choice if you want your sanity." With that she smirked.
Jim rolled his eyes, but knew it was true, "Fine, all right. I'll take you to see this singer."
Alyson laughed and grinned, "Well, let's go now before she goes to bed."
Jim rolled his eyes and called up to BEN, who was watching them from the control area, "BEN, watch the ship while I take the professor here to Lady Typhena's home."
Alyson waved to BEN, who waved back, and then she and Jim walked into the now empty streets of NSPO.
Alyson grinned and walked up to the two arrogant guards that guarded Lady Typhena's door. Jim trailed at her heels, walking with mush less enthusiasm then Alyson.
"Hello, boys." She said and the guards looked at each other, "I'm here to see Lady Typhena."
Right-Guard laughed, "I guess you aren't as smart as you look." Roughly he grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him, "You ain't gonna see Lady Typhena without a ship captain's pass, but I'd be willing to keep you company, little missy." Left-Guard laughed cruelly.
Normally, Alyson would've panicked the minute her body was pressed against the Right-Guard's, but she was just glaring now. For some reason, knowing Jim was behind her made her feel safe and she wasn't afraid.
Jim, however, was almost unable to stop himself from attacking the guards. He refused to believe it was because the guards were man-handling Alyson in particular. He told himself it was because he didn't like to see any woman man-handled by a pair of lowlife buffoons.
So Jim, with his anger burning, strutted right to the Right-Guard and pushed his Academy Ship-Captain's pass right in front of his face, "Drop the woman and let us pass or I'll report you."
The Right-Guard growled and pushed Alyson back to Jim. Alyson didn't even flinch; she just glared and waited for the guards to move. The guards did so, but reluctantly.
Jim grabbed Alyson by the arm and led her past the guards and onto the cement walkway leading to the white mansion.
Alyson
turned to smile up at Jim, "Why, Captain, that so heroic! When are you going to
sweep me off my feet and carry me onto you white horse?"
Jim growled and walked faster,
pulling Alyson with him, "I didn't do it to protect you. I just want to get
this over with as soon as possible."
"Oh." Was all Alyson said and lapsed into silence. For a reason she wouldn't name, she was upset that Jim hadn't been worried over her. But that was silly, she told herself, she didn't care.
Jim and Alyson stepped onto the porch and Alyson was tempted to sit on one of the ancient looking chairs lining the porch, but Jim was already knocking on the big white door. And loudly.
An aging woman, most likely the maid, answered the door. She opened it just a crake to peer out at them and asked, "Who is it?"
Before Alyson could open her mouth, Jim said, "I'm Captain James Hawkins of the R.L.S. Fate. I and Professor Alyson Christopher have business with Lady Typhena. We need to see her immediately."
The maid nodded and said, "Of course. Please follow me."
The maid led them to a holding room, Alyson guessed. It was white surrounded by glass tanks with fishes on two sides of the walls. The furniture consisted of a white couch and two, thick chairs on either side. In the middle was a black coffee table. A huge contrast to the white room and carpet. Looking at the carpet, Alyson had the sudden urge to take off her shoes and rub her feet against the soft looking rug.
"Please take a seat." The maid said, "Madam shall be here for you shortly." She turned, her short skirt flapping, and walked out of the room.
Alyson and Jim looked at one another and then shrugged. They turned to the couch and sat down. Silence deafened the air.
Jim threw his hands on the back of the couch, trying to look casual. But he wasn't feeling casual. For some reason, this place made him uneasy. It was neat as button and as pretty as a star, but at the same time there was a deep feeling of loss that circled the room. He couldn't explain it properly except in that way. Jim glanced around over at Alyson and knew he was not alone in the feeling.
Alyson cupped her head in her chin and leaned her elbows down against her knees. She bit her lip as the feeling of grief and loss swept around the room. She couldn't explain what it was exactly that she was feeling but it was so big and powerful that it was all she could do not to cry out. Why would Lady Typhena want to live here? Unless she was the one causing the grief and loss feelings.
Alyson's thoughts were broken when she heard feet slide against the stairs. She and Jim stood and moved over to the white curved staircase. The walls of the staircase were too high for them to see over, so they waited for whoever was climbing down the stairs to reach them.
The first thing Alyson saw was pale blue slippers stepping gracefully onto the carpet. Then she gasped as a beautiful woman turned to them. She was wearing a pale blue bathrobe to match her slippers. The robe was beaded with pearls. Her hair was the color the sun shining off a moon-planet. Her skin was pale as fine porcelain. Her body was shapely and lean. Her eyes were burning gold.
Alyson pressed a hand to her lips to stifle a gasp. The woman standing before her looked no more the 22 years of age! And yet… if she was Lady Typhena, she should have looked at least 90. What was going on?
Alyson glanced at Jim, and from the way he was staring at the woman, he didn't seem to care that if she was Lady Typhena was 90 years of age. Searing jealousy coiled in Alyson's stomach. Alyson suddenly felt embarrassed. Why was she jealousy? She didn't even like Jim!
Alyson took an attentive step towards the pretty woman and the woman smiled a smile that did not reach her eyes. Alyson found herself looking deep into those golden eyes. Alyson then saw the one thing that gave away Lady Typhena's old age. Her eyes held the look of heavy burden and they just seemed… old.
"Are you… Lady… Lady-"
"Lady Typhena?" The woman asked for Alyson, who was stuttering, "Yes I am. And you must be Professor Alyson Christopher and Captain James Hawkins."
For the first time in her life Alyson was speechless and Jim spoke up for her, "That is correct, but how did you know?"
Lady Typhena smiled, "Because, my dear boy, news of your journey travels fast. The first to visit Dead Earth, they're saying. I had a feeling you would be coming here. To me."
Alyson shook her head, loosening glossy dark curls. She found her speechlessness was gone, but the hot jealousy was still there. Feeling silly because she didn't like Jim, the insufferable man, Alyson ignored the tight feeling she had.
"Excuse me, Lady Typhena, if you knew we were coming, then you will know the questions we have." Alyson said.
Lady Typhena sighed, "Yes, I know your questions, Professor. They are of Dead Earth. My home. Come, let us have a seat while I explain it to you."
Lady Typhena led them back to the couch. Jim and Alyson sat down on the couch once more and Lady Typhena nodded to Alyson.
"Ask away, dear."
Alyson took a deep breath, glanced at Jim, and said, "Alright, first off, you're… well…um… older then you look, right? Then how is it you don't look a day over 20?"
Lady Typhena smiled, "A question I am asked many times. I am a true Earthling, you see, and traveling in space has an… odd… effect on Earthlings. They do not age on the outside. They still grow old and tired, but you would not be able to tell from looking at them."
Alyson nodded, wishing she had a notepad to take notes, and went on, "Can you tell me what your life on Dead Earth was like?"
Lady Typhena's eyes darkened, "They were horrible. I hate Dead Earth, my homeland. But I shall tell you the tale of my life on Dead Earth since you have asked for it, but I do not think you will be pleased:
"I'm sure by now you know that Earth had a war called the True World War. A war that involved all nations of the world? Yes, good. Well, that had been over for 6,000 years ago by the time I was born. By that time, Earth had reverted back to its medieval form. The technologies that we had had were long forgotten, and perhaps it was better that way."
"Anyway, my family was a descendant of a man that traveled away from Dead Earth, to outer space with our first alien visitors. He left notes behind for his family. Notes on how to build a ship to escape from Dead Earth. My family kept these plans hidden until they felt the time was right."
"Then the right time came. A certain king, I was so young, only 10, that I do not even remember his name, believed the reason for the plagues and our loss was power was caused by 'inferior-beings'. Those who were not a certain religion, again I cannot remember the name of his religion, needed to be terminated. He decided to have genocide… an inquisition if you will to rid the world of the 'unholy beasts'."
"My family was considered one of those 'unholy beasts'. They decided it was time to leave. So, we built a ship that would take us away from our forsaken planet. That was 80 years ago. I still remember watching Dead Earth get smaller and smaller, until I couldn't see it any more. And now that I am alone, the horrors and greed of Dead Earth haunt me. I hate my planet. I hate it." Lady Typhena said, lowering her eyes.
"How can you?" Alyson asked, almost jumping from her seat, "Dead Earth is your planet! No matter what, it is yours! How can you hate your mother-planet? How can you hate Dead Earth?"
Lady Typhena looked back up at Alyson, "You know nothing of that planet! I have seen more then you can imagine." Then she sighed, "Forgive me, I have been rude. I did not mean to snap at you, but Dead Earth is a very fragile subject to me. It has been the bane of my existence."
Alyson sighed, "No, forgive me. I cannot not imagine what it is like to live on Dead Earth."
Lady Typhena walked over to Alyson and took her hands, "Please, Professor, do not go to Dead Earth."
Alyson stood up, as did Jim, and pulled her hands away from Lady Typhena's, "What!?"
Lady Typhena sighed, "I told myself I would not ask you, but I can not resist. I beg you not to go; you will bring misfortune onto yourself and your friends."
Alyson
shook her head, "I have to go! I cannot turn away from Dead Earth. It is my
destiny!"
Lady Typhena looked deep into
Alyson's eyes. They stared at one another and then Lady Typhena nodded, "I see
there is no changing your mind. I shall pray that Dead Earth is truly dead."
Alyson said nothing but looked over at Jim. He saw in her sea-goddess eyes, that she was frightened by Lady Typhena's words. He found himself wanting desperately to put his arms around her, like he had the day she had climbed up the mast on Fate.
Lady Typhena must've saw Alyson's fear as well for she said, "I will tell you another reason why Dead Earth was doomed."
Alyson's eyes lit up and she looked over at Lady Typhena, her fear forgotten.
"It was their reluctance to change." Lady Typhena explained, "The Earthlings had named this galaxy the Andromeda Galaxy and hated the fact that it had already been named the Nuctora Galaxy. The few people that had gone with the aliens had no problem with the change and happily called it the Nuctora Galaxy, but no other Earthling would. If they had accepted the fact that they were not the only intelligent life forms, maybe they could've been saved from their greed. But Dead Earth choose its path and nothing can change that."
Alyson nodded and smiled, her fear totally forgotten.
Then Lady Typhena smiled, "You know something, dear? I am having a party in two hours. Would you like to stay for it?"
Jim instantly spoke up, "We'd love to, Lady Typhena, but you see, we've kinda got to get back to our ship and-"
But Alyson cut Jim off, "We'd love to. Thank you."
Lady Typhena nodded to Jim, "I shall tell Rosario to get you a tuxedo and, as for you dear, come to my room so that we may pick out an outfit for you to wear and we shall do your hair. I won't have you going to a party looking like that."
Lady Typhena turned Alyson towards the staircase and pushed her to it. Alyson looked fearfully over at Jim, who glared at her. He was angry that she had deliberately not allowed him to say no to Lady Typhena's offer. Alyson saw that glare and thrust her chin out and allowed Lady Typhena to show her to the dressing room.
Jim's mouth tightened as Alyson and Lady Typhena disappeared upstairs. Women! Alyson knew he hadn't wanted to stay for the party, so she had butted in on his reply so he couldn't say no. Now he had to get dressed up in some dorky suit, go to a party, and look like he was enjoying himself! Which he would not be.
The maid, Rosario, appeared next to him and Jim followed her into the next room, a small dressing room, and handed him a black and white tuxedo. Then she turned and left. Shutting the door behind her so that Jim could have some privacy while he changed.
Growling in anger, Jim shoved on the tuxedo and cursed Alyson. But in the back of his mind he wondered what she was going to look like and if he was going to like it more then her normal look.
For some reason, he doubted it.
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Done! Whew… let me tell you I shouldn't have written that at 11 o'clock at night! There were so many editing mistakes! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and watch out for Chapter Seven: Lady Typhena's Last Song. It's ball time and Jim and Alyson dance… ah-ho, could this spell romance? Maybe a kiss? Not if Jim or Alyson have anything to say about it! Don't forget to REVIEW!
With much more due respect then I get at home…
-Lizzy Rebel
