Loose Ends
By Trynia Merin
Disclaimer: Excalibur and its characters are property of XMEN. This is a work of fiction, and is not meant for profit or to demean the characters. The events here take place after my first story Dreams Nailed. Please R and R. This part has no R rated stuff, but I'd put it a PG for language and some tense situations. As for adult material, they'll be marked in upcoming individual chapters.
Chapter 3
"Who be this?" Moira asked as Rahne helped Amanda lug the unconscious Elf into a bed at the Medlab.
"He said his name was Khaos, and he knows Excalibur," Amanda said. "He was being chased by some people in sophisticated armor. He doesn't seem to be a threat...."
"I'll have t' ask Kurt about him," mumbled Moira. "How on Earth am I supposed t' treat..."
"I'll be responsible for his care," Amanda Sefton said. "He's an Elf. Perhaps related distantly to those who once inhabited your world. They are the Third Race..."
"Like the Fairie Folk?" Rahne asked in awe. "They be real?"
"They are beings of magic, far older then my own people, the Romany," said Amanda. "Their culture and magic were old before your race came into being... many of the ancient spells were first spoken by them. My mother taught me many things about creatures of magic. But he's from another realm... another dimension you like..."
"Like Limbo?" Rahne asked.
"Sort of. A whole other world..."
"Kurt told me about other dimensions," Moira sighed.
"Mum you look tired. Ye should rest," Rahne urged her.
"Go get some sleep, I'll manage here," Amanda said. "Rahne, can you get some of the wooden boxes from my room? I'm going to have to make some potions to help our guest here..."
"Shuild I nae tell Kurt?"
"Tell him that Khaos is here, and he's looking for someone named Cerise..." said Amanda, who had no knowledge of who this person was, male or female.
"I'll tell him right nau," Rahne nodded, scuttling off in her transition form to radio Kurt and Kitty.
Left alone with her charge, Amanda sighed, and began to prepare herself for the upcoming task. Rahne soon returned with Amanda's bundle of herbs and ingredients, and some of Moira's labware. She watched entranced as Amanda brewed a series of potions and spoke her incantations, still leery because the voice of Reverend Craig still haunted her, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live..."
If Reverent Craig had his way Amanda would have burned at the stake long ago. Fortunately for her and for Amanda, Reverend Craig's fiery torches were a thing of her past. Still his presence haunted her darkest nightmares.
"Anything else I c'n do to help?" Rahne asked her as she finished her first potion.
"Check if Kurt or Brian has reported back," she nodded.
"Will do," Rahne said, leaving her alone with her patient. Amanda dripped a bit of the green liquid to the wound on Khaos chest, after having removed the breastplate of his armor. It hissed and fizzled as it cauterized the wound and she slowly added bandages soaked in poultice to speed the recovery. She had already administered part of her healing elixir to Wisdom, who lay in the bed nearby, his vital signs stabilizing.
Slowly Khaos blinked and looked up into the face of the young sorceress, his expression guarded as his vision blurred. She was very lovely, he realized, and the aches and pains in his body were slowly dissipating. The cold cloth over his brow soothed and tingled, and he smelled magic in the air. Whoever she was she knew her craft.
"You're awake, good," Amanda said, with a smile. "Can you move at all?"
"I can, because I must..." Khaos said. "You have tended to my wounds, I trust, young sorceress..."
"Uh huh," she nodded. "And if you're well enough, I have a few questions. You said you knew Nightcrawler and Excalibur."
"Indeed, milady," he said as she passed him a cup of brew, and slowly ingested it, after sniffing it. "Are you a member of their ranks, or known to their leader Nightcrawler?"
"I am. To them I'm known as Amanda Sefton. I'm Kurt's lady, and if you're a friend of his, then it's safe to say it speaks well. But what brought you here? I would have thought..."
"You are new to this," he said, glancing at her. "Many things have changed. I sought Nightcrawler at the mansion, but found none there... and then the knights who fly with dragonfire captured me. Their evil queen put me under a spell, sensing my great power."
"You have me at a disadvantage," Amanda said. "Since I had no idea that you even KNEW Excalibur. You're a Drau, a dark elf. Why are you in our world?"
"My people are known to you," he said slowly. "And it has been nearly a year since the spell that brought me here was cast, and my passage home was denied. A sorcerer named Gath sought to conquer my world, and I sought him far and wide. Excalibur and the warrior Cerise assisted me in my quest to conquer him, and returned me to my world to continue the fight. Although Gath was defeated, the spell that sent them home scrambled and sent me here, imprisoning me. I spent many months trying to reconstruct the spell, but the result sent me into the clutches of the warrior queen Saturnine... and her evil minions. Long I suffered under her spells and machines of evil science, but she could not break me. I managed to escape and elude her, seeking the help of Excalibur. Only now had I escaped, only to be recaptured."
"Saturnine," nodded Amanda, finally filling in the gaps. "But Excalibur hasn't seen her for a long time..."
"She hid on a world of stone in the high heavens, in what you call outer space," said Khaos. "I have spent much time learning the language and history of what you call science in my attempts to recreate Gath's spell. If you are a sorceress perhaps you can help return me to my world. For when the Queen Saturnyne saw my energies, she set her sorcerers... you'd call them scientists... on trying to pierce the veil to my world. However they were not successful..."
"I know something about dimensional travel. I learned from my mother," she said slowly.
"You gave me your real name, why?" asked Khaos.
"Because you are a creature of magic, at least partly. And well, I felt like I could trust you. Strange, huh?"
"Allies are few in this world, friend," Khaos said. "But where is the warrior Cerise?"
"I don't know who this 'Cerise' is," said Amanda. "Nightcrawler never mentioned her."
"Strange, for she was one of his mightiest warriors. Tall of stature and impressive of muscle, with the power to bend crimson light to her whims. She possessed powers that were close to the technological ones of my idol IBIC..."
"This talisman gives you your powers, I trust," Amanda pointed to the monkey statue clipped to his belt. "I sensed the aura. It's comparable to the power of many before me on the Winding Way."
"There are few who use sorcery on your world, are there not," said Khaos with regret. "Would that you were in my fight on my world. There are MANY such as yourself, but few who have access to such power as you."
"My powers ebb and fade depending on where I am on the Winding Way," Amanda shrugged, dabbing his wounds. "Right now I'm in good shape. But if there are any before me, my power ebbs."
"Like the tides," said Khaos, understanding. "But if you can find the warrior Cerise you must tell her I need her aid. And I have a boon to ask of her..."
"A boon?" Amanda asked.
"When I return to my world, I require her fighting skills at my side," Khaos said. "I am to be the ruler of my kingdom, and I will need a captain of my guard. She is the only one I consider fit for such a task... and there is another reason..."
"You got a thing for her?" Amanda asked.
"I don't understand."
"You like her, don't you?" Amanda laughed. "What OTHER thing could you possibly want?"
"I admit my affection for her has grown. She alone trusted me when the others did not. And I can think of no female more worthy to reign at my side as Queen."
"I hope you can find her," said Amanda. "She must be very special to you."
"We only met once. Would that I had the chance to tell her how my affection for her has grown, and that I might offer her a place at my side... when I return to my world."
"I might be able to help you with that," Amanda said. "Returning to your world. It would require an extensive spell. But perhaps if I can open the way, your statue could take up the rest..."
"Amanda!" cried Rahne, who rushed in. She gasped in wonder as Khaos sat up, and looked at her intently in her wolf/girl form.
"Another of your friends is a shape shifter," he commented.
"Rahne, this is Khaos. He's an old friend of Excalibur," said Amanda. "What's going on?"
"I jest got a signal from Kitty. Kurt went to investigate the ship, and he was beamed inside, and Kitty can't get inside wi' her powers... and to make matters worse, I lost contact wi' Meggan and Brian!"
"Damn it," she cursed.
"You speak of Brian and Meggan girl?" asked Khaos. "They are in trouble, as is Nightcrawler?"
"Aye Mr. Khaos..." Rahne said. "Amanda, what do we do?"
"We will have to find out what happened to Brian and Meggan, and get Kitty back here. Then we plan," said Amanda.
"I will offer my help," Khaos said grimly. "For I suspect that Saturnyne is behind this. She mentioned your Captain Britain and his lady with ire... I was on my way to warn you all!"
"We've got to get Kitty back here and have a plan. Then we can try and rescue them."
"But Kurt..."
"Let me think," Amanda said calmly. "Dammit..."
****
When Nightcrawler shook his head and looked around himself he found that he was bathed in a red light that emerged into reality once more. Before a console stood a feathery headed individual in space suit and armor, glancing at him.
"Subject has been transported aboard, commander," he said.
"What am I doing' here?" Nightcrawler demanded. "What is the meaning of this?"
"I am sergeant D'marran of the Grand Jhar," the Shi'ar male said. "I welcome you to the ship Sssidra of the first fleet of her majestrix Lilandra..."
"Why are you here and why have I been captured!" Kurt cried.
"You will come with me, Kurt Wagner," said the soldier, his black headfeathers sleek and gleaming like the plumage of a crow.
"I think not. I demand to know why I've been abducted. My teammates will not stand for this."
"You are here as our guest," said the reluctant soldier, his armor green and insectoid as Kurt had remembered the battle dress of a Shi'ar footsoldier. "There is no need for hostility..."
"If you don't send me back I'll become exceedingly hostile!" Kurt hissed in anger.
"If you'll come with me, your questions will all be answered..." he said patiently. "Please do not make it any more difficult. Your world is in danger, and there is not much time..."
"But my team mates..."
"Our commander will explain," said D'marran. "Please... time is short. If you value the lives of your captured teammates you must listen..."
"Captured?"
D'marran sighed when he realized Nightcrawler wasn't going to come willingly without some explanation, "One of your people has advanced spaceflight capabilities. Our commander was once stationed on your world and she can explain the nature of our mission. You were transported here because we must act under the utmost discretion. The being that threatens your world is a criminal amongst the Shi'ar..."
"I know ALL about how you treat criminals," Kurt hissed.
"Please, our commander is very anxious. Can you take the chance on your friends Captain Britain and his consort Meggan's lives if you delay?" asked D'morra.
"All right, but make it fast!" Nightcrawler mumbled. Reluctantly he followed D'marran out of the transport room and through a hatch that seemed to dissolve in thin air. He followed the suited Shi'ar down a long corridor that seemed almost organic in nature. At times another suited alien, not necessarily Shi'ar, but one of the many races from the galaxy would pass and salute with the traditional Shi'ar salute of both hands touched to the arms then folded on the chest.
They reached a large circular hatch, which opened up into nothingness but an empty space of whirling lights and a half dozen figures hunched or seated at control panels. D'marran saluted a figure in a large swiveling command chair, its back to them both as he entered and said, "Subject Nighcrawler has been recovered and has been brought to the bridge Commander..."
"Good," said the voice, which sent shivers down Nightcrawler's spine. He hardly dared hope when he saw the chair spin and the occupant rise to her feet in impressive violet space armor. Gold bands resembling feathers and plumage decorated her shoulders in a long feathery cape, the mark of a Shi'ar high commander. However the face that met his with a sweet smile took Nightcrawler's breath away.
"Kurt Wagner, it has been too long," she said.
"Cerise?" Kurt gasped "But... the last time we spoke... you were angry with me..."
"Kurt Wagner," she smiled. "It is good to see you..."
Kurt gasped as she strode forwards and put a hand on his shoulder, escorting him out of the bridge. She turned to one of the other figures and said, "Shagnar, take over. I will speak to our guest..."
"Aye, Commander..."
Cerise swept Nightcrawler down a hall to a chamber that adjoined the bridge. He gasped as she turned away, and swept up her armored hand to form a solid bit of wall. Awkwardly Kurt mumbled as he looked up at her, and she smiled warmly.
"I have waited long for this moment, my love," she smiled, and walked forward.
"Cerise... wait," Kurt said, backing from her.
"I have waited for months," she said, approaching him as her armor dissolved, leaving her in the svelte bodysuit he knew so well, her body now visible under its contours. He was enfolded in long arms, and her lips pressed to his in a heady kiss of greeting.
Nightcrawler moaned, and then tried to fight his way free o the embrace. He was with Amanda now, and this was only an awkward situation, even though he still had feelings for her. Quickly he teleported, giving Cerise a mouthful of brimstone that sent her coughing.
"Cerise, I must tell you that things have changed," Nightcrawler said.
"Why do you escape me?" Cerise asked, her voice pained. "Do you not long for me. Are you not happy to see me..."
"Brian and Meggan are in trouble... we must put our personal business behind us," he mumbled, cursing himself for failing to mention Amanda. "Your sergeant said that we were in danger... surely their safety means more... then a loose send..."
"Loose end?" she asked.
"Ach I mean... it IS good to see you... but I'm worried about Meggan and Brian..." Kurt stammered.
"Ah, you are indeed worried. Forgive my exuberance..."
"Lilandra said you would serve her by your side. How do you come to be a commander?"
"Because of my present loyal service Lilandra has entrusted me with the mission of liaison to Earth. We mean to help you in any way we can... to stop the being Saturnine from conquering your world..."
"Saturnyne? Unglaublich, you KNOW?" Kurt asked.
"Saturnyne's deeds from her original reality are known to the Shi'ar," said Cerise, reaching into a food synthesizer and pulling out two glasses of a fizzy beverage. She offered one to Kurt, who reluctantly sniffed it and perched on a sofa opposite where she sat.
"But Brian and I had searched long and hard... and we..."
"Reality 238 in Roma's terms were rid of her, but as you know the Shi'ar has ancient claims and ancient subjects. We trade with other dimensions long before your race came into being. And Shaskofruganon, my homeworld has long been subject to the actions of trade with Earth 239... for they are one of the few dimensions that possesses Iridite. Minerals we use in great need that supplies power to our star drives and warp gates. When I gave my report of earth and included the altercation with Saturnyne, Majestrix Lilandra assigned me to a mission to capture her and bring her to trial. Captain UK of that realm wishes her returned."
"But I didn't think Roma had anything to do with the Shi'ar..."
"Roma has asked Empress Lilandra for her aid in finding Saturnyne. It is a complicated net of trade negotiations. As she has said to stay her hand in matters of your world, Lilandra suggested the Shi'ar had an express interest to help rid your world of this criminal. And since her targets were Captain Britain 616 and Meggan his consort, I volunteered. That and to see you again..."
"Then we must contact the others," said Kurt. "They will be worried SICK about me..."
By Trynia Merin
Disclaimer: Excalibur and its characters are property of XMEN. This is a work of fiction, and is not meant for profit or to demean the characters. The events here take place after my first story Dreams Nailed. Please R and R. This part has no R rated stuff, but I'd put it a PG for language and some tense situations. As for adult material, they'll be marked in upcoming individual chapters.
Chapter 3
"Who be this?" Moira asked as Rahne helped Amanda lug the unconscious Elf into a bed at the Medlab.
"He said his name was Khaos, and he knows Excalibur," Amanda said. "He was being chased by some people in sophisticated armor. He doesn't seem to be a threat...."
"I'll have t' ask Kurt about him," mumbled Moira. "How on Earth am I supposed t' treat..."
"I'll be responsible for his care," Amanda Sefton said. "He's an Elf. Perhaps related distantly to those who once inhabited your world. They are the Third Race..."
"Like the Fairie Folk?" Rahne asked in awe. "They be real?"
"They are beings of magic, far older then my own people, the Romany," said Amanda. "Their culture and magic were old before your race came into being... many of the ancient spells were first spoken by them. My mother taught me many things about creatures of magic. But he's from another realm... another dimension you like..."
"Like Limbo?" Rahne asked.
"Sort of. A whole other world..."
"Kurt told me about other dimensions," Moira sighed.
"Mum you look tired. Ye should rest," Rahne urged her.
"Go get some sleep, I'll manage here," Amanda said. "Rahne, can you get some of the wooden boxes from my room? I'm going to have to make some potions to help our guest here..."
"Shuild I nae tell Kurt?"
"Tell him that Khaos is here, and he's looking for someone named Cerise..." said Amanda, who had no knowledge of who this person was, male or female.
"I'll tell him right nau," Rahne nodded, scuttling off in her transition form to radio Kurt and Kitty.
Left alone with her charge, Amanda sighed, and began to prepare herself for the upcoming task. Rahne soon returned with Amanda's bundle of herbs and ingredients, and some of Moira's labware. She watched entranced as Amanda brewed a series of potions and spoke her incantations, still leery because the voice of Reverend Craig still haunted her, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live..."
If Reverent Craig had his way Amanda would have burned at the stake long ago. Fortunately for her and for Amanda, Reverend Craig's fiery torches were a thing of her past. Still his presence haunted her darkest nightmares.
"Anything else I c'n do to help?" Rahne asked her as she finished her first potion.
"Check if Kurt or Brian has reported back," she nodded.
"Will do," Rahne said, leaving her alone with her patient. Amanda dripped a bit of the green liquid to the wound on Khaos chest, after having removed the breastplate of his armor. It hissed and fizzled as it cauterized the wound and she slowly added bandages soaked in poultice to speed the recovery. She had already administered part of her healing elixir to Wisdom, who lay in the bed nearby, his vital signs stabilizing.
Slowly Khaos blinked and looked up into the face of the young sorceress, his expression guarded as his vision blurred. She was very lovely, he realized, and the aches and pains in his body were slowly dissipating. The cold cloth over his brow soothed and tingled, and he smelled magic in the air. Whoever she was she knew her craft.
"You're awake, good," Amanda said, with a smile. "Can you move at all?"
"I can, because I must..." Khaos said. "You have tended to my wounds, I trust, young sorceress..."
"Uh huh," she nodded. "And if you're well enough, I have a few questions. You said you knew Nightcrawler and Excalibur."
"Indeed, milady," he said as she passed him a cup of brew, and slowly ingested it, after sniffing it. "Are you a member of their ranks, or known to their leader Nightcrawler?"
"I am. To them I'm known as Amanda Sefton. I'm Kurt's lady, and if you're a friend of his, then it's safe to say it speaks well. But what brought you here? I would have thought..."
"You are new to this," he said, glancing at her. "Many things have changed. I sought Nightcrawler at the mansion, but found none there... and then the knights who fly with dragonfire captured me. Their evil queen put me under a spell, sensing my great power."
"You have me at a disadvantage," Amanda said. "Since I had no idea that you even KNEW Excalibur. You're a Drau, a dark elf. Why are you in our world?"
"My people are known to you," he said slowly. "And it has been nearly a year since the spell that brought me here was cast, and my passage home was denied. A sorcerer named Gath sought to conquer my world, and I sought him far and wide. Excalibur and the warrior Cerise assisted me in my quest to conquer him, and returned me to my world to continue the fight. Although Gath was defeated, the spell that sent them home scrambled and sent me here, imprisoning me. I spent many months trying to reconstruct the spell, but the result sent me into the clutches of the warrior queen Saturnine... and her evil minions. Long I suffered under her spells and machines of evil science, but she could not break me. I managed to escape and elude her, seeking the help of Excalibur. Only now had I escaped, only to be recaptured."
"Saturnine," nodded Amanda, finally filling in the gaps. "But Excalibur hasn't seen her for a long time..."
"She hid on a world of stone in the high heavens, in what you call outer space," said Khaos. "I have spent much time learning the language and history of what you call science in my attempts to recreate Gath's spell. If you are a sorceress perhaps you can help return me to my world. For when the Queen Saturnyne saw my energies, she set her sorcerers... you'd call them scientists... on trying to pierce the veil to my world. However they were not successful..."
"I know something about dimensional travel. I learned from my mother," she said slowly.
"You gave me your real name, why?" asked Khaos.
"Because you are a creature of magic, at least partly. And well, I felt like I could trust you. Strange, huh?"
"Allies are few in this world, friend," Khaos said. "But where is the warrior Cerise?"
"I don't know who this 'Cerise' is," said Amanda. "Nightcrawler never mentioned her."
"Strange, for she was one of his mightiest warriors. Tall of stature and impressive of muscle, with the power to bend crimson light to her whims. She possessed powers that were close to the technological ones of my idol IBIC..."
"This talisman gives you your powers, I trust," Amanda pointed to the monkey statue clipped to his belt. "I sensed the aura. It's comparable to the power of many before me on the Winding Way."
"There are few who use sorcery on your world, are there not," said Khaos with regret. "Would that you were in my fight on my world. There are MANY such as yourself, but few who have access to such power as you."
"My powers ebb and fade depending on where I am on the Winding Way," Amanda shrugged, dabbing his wounds. "Right now I'm in good shape. But if there are any before me, my power ebbs."
"Like the tides," said Khaos, understanding. "But if you can find the warrior Cerise you must tell her I need her aid. And I have a boon to ask of her..."
"A boon?" Amanda asked.
"When I return to my world, I require her fighting skills at my side," Khaos said. "I am to be the ruler of my kingdom, and I will need a captain of my guard. She is the only one I consider fit for such a task... and there is another reason..."
"You got a thing for her?" Amanda asked.
"I don't understand."
"You like her, don't you?" Amanda laughed. "What OTHER thing could you possibly want?"
"I admit my affection for her has grown. She alone trusted me when the others did not. And I can think of no female more worthy to reign at my side as Queen."
"I hope you can find her," said Amanda. "She must be very special to you."
"We only met once. Would that I had the chance to tell her how my affection for her has grown, and that I might offer her a place at my side... when I return to my world."
"I might be able to help you with that," Amanda said. "Returning to your world. It would require an extensive spell. But perhaps if I can open the way, your statue could take up the rest..."
"Amanda!" cried Rahne, who rushed in. She gasped in wonder as Khaos sat up, and looked at her intently in her wolf/girl form.
"Another of your friends is a shape shifter," he commented.
"Rahne, this is Khaos. He's an old friend of Excalibur," said Amanda. "What's going on?"
"I jest got a signal from Kitty. Kurt went to investigate the ship, and he was beamed inside, and Kitty can't get inside wi' her powers... and to make matters worse, I lost contact wi' Meggan and Brian!"
"Damn it," she cursed.
"You speak of Brian and Meggan girl?" asked Khaos. "They are in trouble, as is Nightcrawler?"
"Aye Mr. Khaos..." Rahne said. "Amanda, what do we do?"
"We will have to find out what happened to Brian and Meggan, and get Kitty back here. Then we plan," said Amanda.
"I will offer my help," Khaos said grimly. "For I suspect that Saturnyne is behind this. She mentioned your Captain Britain and his lady with ire... I was on my way to warn you all!"
"We've got to get Kitty back here and have a plan. Then we can try and rescue them."
"But Kurt..."
"Let me think," Amanda said calmly. "Dammit..."
****
When Nightcrawler shook his head and looked around himself he found that he was bathed in a red light that emerged into reality once more. Before a console stood a feathery headed individual in space suit and armor, glancing at him.
"Subject has been transported aboard, commander," he said.
"What am I doing' here?" Nightcrawler demanded. "What is the meaning of this?"
"I am sergeant D'marran of the Grand Jhar," the Shi'ar male said. "I welcome you to the ship Sssidra of the first fleet of her majestrix Lilandra..."
"Why are you here and why have I been captured!" Kurt cried.
"You will come with me, Kurt Wagner," said the soldier, his black headfeathers sleek and gleaming like the plumage of a crow.
"I think not. I demand to know why I've been abducted. My teammates will not stand for this."
"You are here as our guest," said the reluctant soldier, his armor green and insectoid as Kurt had remembered the battle dress of a Shi'ar footsoldier. "There is no need for hostility..."
"If you don't send me back I'll become exceedingly hostile!" Kurt hissed in anger.
"If you'll come with me, your questions will all be answered..." he said patiently. "Please do not make it any more difficult. Your world is in danger, and there is not much time..."
"But my team mates..."
"Our commander will explain," said D'marran. "Please... time is short. If you value the lives of your captured teammates you must listen..."
"Captured?"
D'marran sighed when he realized Nightcrawler wasn't going to come willingly without some explanation, "One of your people has advanced spaceflight capabilities. Our commander was once stationed on your world and she can explain the nature of our mission. You were transported here because we must act under the utmost discretion. The being that threatens your world is a criminal amongst the Shi'ar..."
"I know ALL about how you treat criminals," Kurt hissed.
"Please, our commander is very anxious. Can you take the chance on your friends Captain Britain and his consort Meggan's lives if you delay?" asked D'morra.
"All right, but make it fast!" Nightcrawler mumbled. Reluctantly he followed D'marran out of the transport room and through a hatch that seemed to dissolve in thin air. He followed the suited Shi'ar down a long corridor that seemed almost organic in nature. At times another suited alien, not necessarily Shi'ar, but one of the many races from the galaxy would pass and salute with the traditional Shi'ar salute of both hands touched to the arms then folded on the chest.
They reached a large circular hatch, which opened up into nothingness but an empty space of whirling lights and a half dozen figures hunched or seated at control panels. D'marran saluted a figure in a large swiveling command chair, its back to them both as he entered and said, "Subject Nighcrawler has been recovered and has been brought to the bridge Commander..."
"Good," said the voice, which sent shivers down Nightcrawler's spine. He hardly dared hope when he saw the chair spin and the occupant rise to her feet in impressive violet space armor. Gold bands resembling feathers and plumage decorated her shoulders in a long feathery cape, the mark of a Shi'ar high commander. However the face that met his with a sweet smile took Nightcrawler's breath away.
"Kurt Wagner, it has been too long," she said.
"Cerise?" Kurt gasped "But... the last time we spoke... you were angry with me..."
"Kurt Wagner," she smiled. "It is good to see you..."
Kurt gasped as she strode forwards and put a hand on his shoulder, escorting him out of the bridge. She turned to one of the other figures and said, "Shagnar, take over. I will speak to our guest..."
"Aye, Commander..."
Cerise swept Nightcrawler down a hall to a chamber that adjoined the bridge. He gasped as she turned away, and swept up her armored hand to form a solid bit of wall. Awkwardly Kurt mumbled as he looked up at her, and she smiled warmly.
"I have waited long for this moment, my love," she smiled, and walked forward.
"Cerise... wait," Kurt said, backing from her.
"I have waited for months," she said, approaching him as her armor dissolved, leaving her in the svelte bodysuit he knew so well, her body now visible under its contours. He was enfolded in long arms, and her lips pressed to his in a heady kiss of greeting.
Nightcrawler moaned, and then tried to fight his way free o the embrace. He was with Amanda now, and this was only an awkward situation, even though he still had feelings for her. Quickly he teleported, giving Cerise a mouthful of brimstone that sent her coughing.
"Cerise, I must tell you that things have changed," Nightcrawler said.
"Why do you escape me?" Cerise asked, her voice pained. "Do you not long for me. Are you not happy to see me..."
"Brian and Meggan are in trouble... we must put our personal business behind us," he mumbled, cursing himself for failing to mention Amanda. "Your sergeant said that we were in danger... surely their safety means more... then a loose send..."
"Loose end?" she asked.
"Ach I mean... it IS good to see you... but I'm worried about Meggan and Brian..." Kurt stammered.
"Ah, you are indeed worried. Forgive my exuberance..."
"Lilandra said you would serve her by your side. How do you come to be a commander?"
"Because of my present loyal service Lilandra has entrusted me with the mission of liaison to Earth. We mean to help you in any way we can... to stop the being Saturnine from conquering your world..."
"Saturnyne? Unglaublich, you KNOW?" Kurt asked.
"Saturnyne's deeds from her original reality are known to the Shi'ar," said Cerise, reaching into a food synthesizer and pulling out two glasses of a fizzy beverage. She offered one to Kurt, who reluctantly sniffed it and perched on a sofa opposite where she sat.
"But Brian and I had searched long and hard... and we..."
"Reality 238 in Roma's terms were rid of her, but as you know the Shi'ar has ancient claims and ancient subjects. We trade with other dimensions long before your race came into being. And Shaskofruganon, my homeworld has long been subject to the actions of trade with Earth 239... for they are one of the few dimensions that possesses Iridite. Minerals we use in great need that supplies power to our star drives and warp gates. When I gave my report of earth and included the altercation with Saturnyne, Majestrix Lilandra assigned me to a mission to capture her and bring her to trial. Captain UK of that realm wishes her returned."
"But I didn't think Roma had anything to do with the Shi'ar..."
"Roma has asked Empress Lilandra for her aid in finding Saturnyne. It is a complicated net of trade negotiations. As she has said to stay her hand in matters of your world, Lilandra suggested the Shi'ar had an express interest to help rid your world of this criminal. And since her targets were Captain Britain 616 and Meggan his consort, I volunteered. That and to see you again..."
"Then we must contact the others," said Kurt. "They will be worried SICK about me..."