Epilogue

1400 – Aboard the Battle Cruiser Hidalgo

154 – 2105

Niko crossed her arms as she watched the explosive lights fade from the surface of Arkansas2 where the atmospheric dome had once stood for more than four years protecting the mining settlement. In the instant that the grid had failed, the dome had shattered sending all of its gases toward the dominant black hole's accretion disk.

Niko shuddered involuntarily as she thought about all of the destruction. Her eyes misted as she remembered Sarah Jamison, whom she had somehow touched on a very intimate psychic level. A warm arm settled across her shoulders as she continued to look at the darkening planetoid, but Niko was still not persuaded to look away.

"Why so sad," Gooseman asked softly. "Everyone made it off the planet safely."

"Not everyone," Niko whispered still caught up in her reverie of Sarah Jamison's life and slowly leaned her head into the comfort of Shane's shoulder.

"I know, babe. But, we did our best. Sarah would be proud of both you and Doc. We did manage to save her daughter."

"I hope so." Niko's voice didn't sound convinced.

"I know so." Goose affirmed. "So, stop looking out the observation deck and have a cup of coffee with me. You can tell me what are you plan to do with all the extra leave time we accrued. Isn't that archeology exhibit still open in New Dallas?"

Niko looked one more time out the observation portal before turning to follow Shane. In the split second she turned, she caught a glimpse of her reflection. Her eyes reflected a hue of purple. She stopped and turned back around.

"Niko, coffee or tea? Niko?" Gooseman glanced over his shoulder to find Niko still staring out at the remnants of Arkansas2. Sighing, he went back to her and gently turned her away. Shane looked at her face and placed a gentle hand under her chin and tipped it up to him. There was an unreadable look in her blue green eyes. "Hey, you okay?"

"I thought…" Niko's voice trailed off.

"What?" Gooseman prompted.

"You didn't see it?" She hedged.

"See, what?" Gooseman was becoming exasperated. "What did you think you saw?"

Niko shook her head slightly and looked back at Shane. "Nevermind. It was nothing."

"You sure?"

"Yes," Niko finally smiled at him. "Don't you owe me a cup of coffee?" She asked and headed to their table where Zachary was still grilling Doc about the binary black hole phenomenon that had caused all of their trouble.

2200 – Deep in Crown Territory

155 – 2105

A lone form perched imperiously on a high backed chair in the center of a round room. A look of pure displeasure crossed the figure's countenance as another shape moved to the foot of the stairs leading to throne.

"Is it done?" The shadow asked once the being at the end of the stairs gestured in supplication.

"As you commanded."

The woman cackled with glee at the statement and her mouth drew into a cruel smile of delight. "And the colony?"

The lurid red light filtering into the room made the fur on the creature gleam psychedelically as he paused with reluctance. "It is lost."

"Lost!" The shrillness of her voice caused the catlike being to flinch.

"Yes. The mining colony was completely evacuated moments before their atmospheric dome failed. The increased seismic activity prevents further excavation of Arkansas2."

"Too bad." The Queen of the Crown purred still delighted that the first part of her plan had succeeded so well. "The creation of synthetic starstones was so promising. No matter, those can be developed elsewhere. But, the Galaxy Rangers…" the Queen's voice began to taper off in what sounded suspiciously like a giggle until a single thought occurred to the dark empress. "The psychic?"

"She has no idea. Your plan is a success."

"Of course it is, my dear, Nimrod!" The Queen declared self-righteously. "It was my plan!" She saw the creature glance around nervously and smiled wickedly at him. "Don't worry, Nimrod, you'll be paid for your service to the Crown as promised."

Nimrod's eyes shined greedily at the mention of payment. He had worked very hard on this mission. But, his greed turned to fear at the Queen's next words.

"Slaverlord!" she growled. "Make Mr. Nimrod comfortable! He will be staying with us indefinitely."

A ghostly white figure applied a garish purple hand to Nimrod's shoulder. "Wait! This isn't what we agreed to! What about my gold! What about my loyalty!" He struggled to free himself from the viselike grip of the slaverlord.

"I'm insuring your loyalty, Nimrod. You are my guest in my best dungeon suite reserved for only the most dedicated servants of the Crown. Quit your sniveling, or you can be the next test subject in my Psychocrypt!"

The threat of being completely subjugated worked its magic on the feline creature. He immediately stopped struggling with the guard and allowed himself to be taken away.

"Ah, the Rangers," the queen crooned softly and took out a faceted red gem to caress lightly. "Your Zachary will be joining you soon, Eliza. And, the little psychic will be my gambit to do it." Gales of malicious laughter peeled down the hall to the prisoner being led to the dungeon.

"What have I done?" Nimrod whispered fearfully as he crossed the threshold of the cell.

--Fin--