Chapter 11
The Titans watched as the boomerang shaped ship, first hovered, then landed on the roof of the tower. When a hatch opened at the back of the ship, Robin and Starfire stepped forward, to greet the new arrivals.
"My name is Robin, I am the leader of the Teen Titans, welcome to earth." he said in Tamaranean.
"I am Commander Devon'r, Tactical Officer of the Tamaranean Warship SOMON'R, and this is Lieutenant Ronsh'r, Weapons Officer, and I thank you for your greeting." one of the men said in English.
"If you'll follow me, we can get the briefing started." Robin said, and they headed down into the tower.
"So you are the one Koriand'r has chosen as her Shalocfa." Devon'r said as they continued down the stairs.
"The Declaration will take place shortly after the VELANC'R arrives, in about a week." Robin said, "Galfore has approved however." he added, then went over to Cyborg, who was waving him over.
"Did you get a good look at that ship Robin?" Cyborg asked, "Two class five lasers on each wing, and what looked like missile ports too." he listed, "That ain't no transport shuttle."
"No, it's a VALNO'R class fighter." Robin said. "The SOMON'R has about a hundred and twenty-five of them aboard."
"I'm getting a bad feeling abut this." Cyborg muttered, "Now I know why you want the T-ship on instant alert.
They entered a room that had a conference table, and a computer to display graphics, and video on a wall sized monitor. Devon'r stood at the end of the table, by the monitor, and Ronsh'r manned the computer terminal
Devon'r cleared his throat, then began, "It is a black day for Tamaran, princess." he said, looking straight at Starfire, "Eight months ago, cargo vessels belonging to the Salvainians started vanishing without a trace. Two months ago we received a declaration of war from the Salvainian home world, with this excerpt from a distress beacon." he related then turned to watch the monitor.
The screen showed the interior of the command deck of, what Robin and the others gathered was, a Salvainian cargo ship. Someone entered the frame, but all that could be seen was the back of their head. The captain of the vessel stood, as if to greet the newcomer, but a flurry of star bolts quickly killed the crew. The last one moving was the communications officer, who was quickly pushing a series of buttons on his console. As he pressed the last one, his face took on a look of triumph, that was quickly replaced with one of pain as a series of star bolts hit him, and the picture went black.
"X'Hal." Starfire practically whispered in the shocked silence that followed. Cyborg and Beast Boy sat open mouthed, stunned by what they had just witnessed. Robin, Starfire, and Raven sat, heads bowed, eyes closed in respect for the fallen crew.
Suddenly Robin's head snapped up. "Replay that again, please." he said, and Ronsh'r quickly tapped the command into the computer. "Freeze that!" Robin ordered and the picture froze with the unknown Tamaranean's hand moving forward to launch a star bolt, "Devon'r, how common are purple colored star bolts?" he asked.
"What difference does it make?" Ronsh'r countered.
"How common are they?" Robin insisted.
Devon'r sighed, "Not very, most are either red, blue or green." he replied, "I personally do not know anyone whose star bolts are purple." he added.
"But we do." Robin said.
"X'Hal, no!" Star gasped, "you can not be serious!"
"Komand'r, or as we know her, Blackfire, Starfire's sister, has purple star bolts." Robin told the two officers.
"Why would she do this?" Devon'r asked.
"I take it the trade, or peace agreement between Tamaran, and the Salvainians was sealed by marriage." Robin said.
"Decades ago." Devon'r replied. "Princess Liand'r, Whitefire in your language, was married to Sha'mel, then ruler of the Salvainian Empire. He died about two years ago, and their youngest son Kor'mel took the throne. He has kept the agreement in honor of his parents."
"She can't be that crazy!" Cyborg insisted, "I mean killing, just so Starfire has to marry to stop the war!"
"Revenge is a powerful motivator, driving people to extreme measures." Robin said softly, and he felt Starfire take his hand in reassurance under the table.
"Indeed." Devon'r agreed, then took out a small device, and tapped at its keys. "Komand'r was last seen, nine months ago in the Zendiri system, not far from where the ships started vanishing." he reported, "Thank you Robin, you've given us a new direction to look into."
With that the meeting broke up, and Robin followed the two officers to their ship. "If you fight, as well as you think, you will make a fine warrior." Devon'r said, handing Robin two boxes from inside the ship.
"I hold my own." Robin replied, taking the boxes by their handles, "Thanks for the briefing." he added, as he took the boxes and headed down the stairs, just as Starfire flew up onto the roof.
"Galfore sends his best wishes, Koriand'r." Devon'r said, as he and Ronsh'r brought out two large boxes, "and enough zorka berries to last about six months."
"Thank you Commander." Starfire said, "And the other items I asked for?"
"See for yourself." Ronsh'r said, opening one of the boxes. Star looked at the contents, then nodded her head, and Ronsh'r closed the box again.
"Princess, if I may be so bold?" Devon'r asked, as Ronsh'r took one of the boxes down to Star's room.
"You may speak freely in my presence." Star told him.
"I would have counseled you against taking Robin as you Shalocfa." he said, "What I did not tell you at the briefing, is that there is a growing dissatisfaction with Galfore's ruler ship."
"There has not been a civil war on Tamaran for millennia." Star said, astonished at the news.
"Share this with no one but Robin." Devon'r warned, "As leader of the Titans, and as your Shalocfa, he needs to know, but no further."
"I understand the need for security Commander." Star assured him.
"Of course princess." he said, putting his right fist to his left shoulder, and bowing slightly.
Just then Ronsh'r returned, and the two officers boarded their ship, and took off. Starfire watched the ship until it vanished from sight. She stood there a moment longer, then took out her communicator, "Locate Robin." she told it, and the display told her that Robin was in the kitchen. Smiling softly she lifted the remaining box, and went into the tower.
"Hey Star." Robin greeted her, when she entered the kitchen a short time later. "Beast Boy, and Cyborg ordered pizza, and I don't know about you, but seeing as we skipped breakfast, I'm starved." he told her.
The boys all laughed, as Star's stomach growled loudly, as she put two slices on her plate, then got the mustard out of the fridge.
"So what have you two love birds been doing in the training room all morning?" Cyborg asked, with an evil grin.
"Robin has taught me how to throw birdarangs!" Star answered excitedly.
"She's pretty good too, Sparky." Robin put in, getting a dig back at Cyborg, "What time did you get off the line with Bumble Bee last night?"
Cyborg blushed, and cleared his throat, "Yeah, um, pretty late." he replied, then quickly went back to his pizza.
In short order the pizza was gone, and Robin and Star were doing the dishes, Robin washing, and Star drying. "So what do you. . ." they said together, then chuckled.
"You first." Robin said quickly.
"I was wondering what you wanted to do this afternoon." Star said, "I am most anxious to get back to going on missions."
"Okay, I've got another weapon I want to let you see." Robin said, knowing he needed time to heal as well.
Instead of changing into their gi's, they went directly to the large training room. Robin crossed over to a bench, and opened one of the boxes that Devon'r had given him. "Here you go." he said, carefully lifting the contents out, and handing it to Star.
Starfire took the object, her eyes wide in astonishment as she looked at it. "Robin, this is. . . " she said in amazement.
". . .The sword your father gave you, when you completed your training." Robin finished for her, knowing that seeing the weapon would bring back memories, he just hoped they were happy ones.
Except for the material it was made from, the sword was identical to the wooden one Robin had given her yesterday, with one exception. Where the hilt, blade, and cross guard met was a round disk, that bore Starfire's family crest. Robin watched as Star's fingers gently traced over the crest, and he moved closer to her as he saw her eyes brighten with tears as she looked at it.
"Mathad, shu vena parena du sheneva penefa." she said softly, which Robin translated as 'Beloved, you have a way of touching my heart.' "At times your kindness confuses me." she told him, in English, "I always used to think, that tears were for sadness, or pain, but with your acts of kindness, you have shown me otherwise." She was silent for a moment, as she tried to put her thoughts into words. "My father was so proud of me when he gave this to me." she related, as she buckled the sword belt around her waist. "I could hear the pride in his voice, as he confirmed me as a warrior."
"Koriand'r, shu vata roka shovaka du Tamaran. . Starfire, you are now a warrior of Tamaran." Robin said softly, knowing she was replaying the ceremony in her mind.
Starfire drew the sword, and knelt on her left knee, and held the sword, hilt first toward Robin. "Que X'Hal co ne velasha, pelena penefa e ne corina a Tamaran. . .With X'Hal as my witness, I pledge my heart and my soul to Tamaran." she recited, and translated, "Then he took my sword, and gave me my first battle scar." she said, as she stood, sheathing the sword, then lightly traced her fingers over a small scar on her right shoulder. "I wonder what he would think of me now." she said softly, and sadly.
"He'd be proud of you girl." Cyborg said from the doorway.
Startled by the unexpected voice, Robin and Starfire quickly spun toward its source, Robin with a birdarang ready to throw, and Star with her sword drawn, and poised to strike.
"Easy guys, it's just us." Cyborg chuckled as he, Beast Boy, and Raven entered the room. "Everything's ready, Robin." he added.
Robin nodded. "Come with us Star." he said, and Starfire soon found herself boxed in as they walked down the hall. Robin and Cyborg were in front of her and Beast Boy and Raven behind her. They were silent, and even Beast Boy had a serious look on his face.
After a short walk, Robin opened a door, and motioned for Starfire to precede him inside. "On the anniversary of a warriors Acceptance, they are supposed to re-affirm their Oath before their friends." he said as they walked down an aisle toward a raised dais. The normal lights were off, and the room was lit only by free standing torches, "Due to her captivity, by the Gordanians, she was unable to do so her first year. Last year we can only guess as to whether or not she performed the rite."
"This year we will know that she has done it." Cyborg picked up, as Robin stepped up, and stood before the dais. "You stand, unarmed before the dais." he continued, and unbuckled Star's sword belt, and handed it to Robin, who placed it on the dais.
"Who are these that stand beside you?" Robin asked, after he had turned around to face her.
Star had to swallow the lump in her throat, from what her friends were doing for her, but when she spoke, her voice was firm, and clear, "These are the Teen Titans, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Raven. They are my comrades, and we have fought many battles and emerged victorious. They are my friends, and I would trust them with my life." she said.
"And do they return that friendship?" Robin asked.
"With all our heart and soul." Raven, Beast Boy and Cyborg chorused.
Robin nodded, and reached over to a small table to his right, and picked something up. "Warrior, you have proven yourself in training, and combat, step forward and accept this blade as your own." he said, holding out another sword, and belt, gripping it, by the middle of the sheath, with the belt wrapped around it.
Starfire stepped forward, and took the sword, and belt, then stepped back as she buckled it around her waist. What little she saw of it astonished her. Instead of her family crest on the disk, was a representation of Titan Tower, with her name on the upper right side of the 'T', Cyborg's on the upper left side, Robin's in the middle with Raven's, and Beast Boy's below his. After she buckled the belt on, Starfire drew the sword, and knelt on her left knee, and held the sword, hilt first toward Robin, like she did in the training room.
"Starfire, warrior of Tamaran, do you pledge your heart and soul to Tamaran?"
"I pledge that with my last breath, and the end of my strength, that I will defend Tamaran from all enemies, and will do as the Grand Ruler commands." Star replied, and Robin took the sword, and touched the flat of the blade to her shoulder.
"Arise warrior, and know that you have made your Grand Ruler proud this day." Galfore's voice said from a speaker built into the front of the dais. "You have chosen your friends well my old bumgorf, they wanted to do this for you, after they noticed you were not your usual self at your birthday, last month." he added. "Although your shalocfa had the sword, and scabbard commissioned two months ago."
"I am pleased that I have made you proud my Grand Ruler, and I look forward to when I see you." Star said. "May X'Hal watch over you, Emperor Galfore, until the Declaration." she added, then the click of the communication's channel being closed was heard. Now that she had the opportunity, she looked over her new sword. The sword itself was unadorned, with the exception of the disk on the hilt. The scabbard, on the other hand, was embossed with several images, and as Star looked at it, she realized they depicted her journey to Earth, and the forming of the Titans.
"We all had a hand in designing that." Robin said, as he and the others stood around Star. "Raven came up with the idea on how the scabbard should look, Beast Boy and Cyborg drew that actual images, and I designed the crest."
"Friends, you have truly shown me that you are indeed my friends." Star said, hugging Raven, Beast Boy, and Cyborg in turn, "And how wisely I have chosen my shalocfa." she added, before hugging, and touching foreheads with Robin.
"What's this Declaration thingy?" Beast Boy asked.
Robin slid his arm around Starfire's waist, "It's where Star and I publicly declare our feelings for each other, and I officially become her shalocfa." he replied, the was thoughtful for a moment, "There may be a short time, when Star and I will act a little. . . .distant toward each other, before the Declaration.
"Until he is accepted as my shalocfa, we can only be friends, and comrades." Star explained, then gave Robin a sly look, "At least in public." she added softly, putting her arm around his waist and pulling him tightly against her.
Even Raven joined in the laughter, at how Robin blushed, and the couple was soon left alone again. "I also have gifts for you, my love." Star said, as she took Robin's hand and lead him back to the large training room. "They are in a large box in the changing room."
Robin entered the smaller room, and saw the box Star had spoken of. He walked over to it snapped open the latches, and lifted the lid. Laying on top of the contents was a small chard with Starfire's elegant handwriting on it, 'Robin, may this protect and guard you during the challenges you may face, he mathad, Kori.' it said.
Robin set the card aside, and with the aid of a set of instructions, quickly donned the armor. The black leather pants fit snugly, and Robin was surprised that they didn't restrict his movements. Over the pants, Tamaranean steel encased his legs, from ankle to hip. Seeing as the pants fit so well, he wasn't surprised that the shirt fit equally well. What did surprise him was how well that the breast and back plates fit, conforming to his upper body perfectly. After putting on the upper arm guards, and his forearm guards, he picked up the helmet and went back out into the training room. "Star, how do I look?" he asked.
Starfire had been looking at the hole in the foam padding on the wall, where her training sword had stuck yesterday, and she turned at the sound of Robin's voice. When she saw him, her breath caught in her throat. She had thought he had looked handsome in his tuxedo, but seeing him dressed like this made her heat race even more.
Robin smiled softly at the warm, loving look Star was giving him, but started to worry as the silence lengthened. "I have it on right, don't I?" he asked.
Star blinked several times, shaking herself from her train of thought, "Ahem. . .um. . .yes." she stammered, blushing at being caught staring at him. "I got the measurements when you had gone to train with the True Master." she told him, then her face saddened slightly, "I only wish I had a sword for you."
"Star I think I may have one that might do." Robin said, and led her to his room. He crossed over to the foot locker at the foot of his bed, and knelt as he quickly dialed the combination, then opened the chest.
Star saw many things, in the top tray that Robin set aside as he rummaged through the larger storage area underneath, but one in particular caught her attention. "I see you have the preference for redheads with green eyes." she said coolly, as she picked up a framed photograph.
"What?" Robin asked as he looked up from his search, "Oh." he said when he saw what she was holding. The photo was of him with his arm around the waist of a shapely redhead in a dark colored outfit, complete with cowl and cape. She had her arm around his shoulders, and they both had huge grins on their faces, "She's an old friend, part of my life that I left behind."
Star saw the regret on his face, as he spoke, and looked at the photo. She wondered who she was.
"She's Batgirl." Robin said, as if reading her mind, "also known as Barbara Gordon. I thought we had gotten close, but when I told her, I learned that it only went one way." he continued, then took the picture from her and placed it back in the tray, face down. He was silent for a moment, the resumed his search. "Ah, here's what I was looking for." he said a moment later, bringing out a katana in a black lacquered scabbard. Standing he tied a silk sash around his waist, then threaded the scabbard through the two holes made in the sash for that purpose. He drew the sword, so Starfire could see the blade. A little longer than the normal twenty seven inches, the inch and a half wide blade curved gently from tip to the end of the hilt, "I got this from my first martial arts instructor," he told her, then flipped the sword around, offering the hilt to her.
Star took the blade, and Robin saw the surprise on her face as she felt how light and balanced it was. "This is a remarkable blade." she said in amazement, having never seen such a sword. She took a few slow swipes with it, and even managed to imitate Robin's move, of twirling it one handed, then handed it back to him. "Want to train with it?" she asked, with a small grin, fingering the hilt of the sword she just received