Chapter 31

Understandably, the flight back to the VELANCE'R was a quiet one. Missing was the inter-ship chatter that normally went on. Silent also was the intercom of the T-ship, and Robin jerked in his seat when a two-toned alarm sounded over the fleet's emergency frequency.

"All ships, this is the NUMEN'R, we show three unknown craft within the defense perimeter, any fighters available please identify."

"NUMEN'R, this is Shalocfa one, we are a flight of eleven enroute from the ROSHON'R to the flagship, give me a vector."

Robin pursed his lips in thought then keyed into the frequency. "NUMEN'R this is Shalocfa actual, how did they get inside the perimeter?"

"They came out from the shadow of the ROSON'R and appeared to be an IR ghost of your flight. A cross check by the BORORMI'R showed that they were actually different ships."

"Understood, what's their location now?"

"Three klexos astern of you, matching your speed."

"Necha! I have them on my scope, just sitting there."

"Understood Shel'b, Shalocfa flight, take no action for the moment, as they are not making any aggressive moves yet."

"That just changed, Shalocfa. They are now increasing speed, and moving towards us."

"Shalocfa flight, do not fire until fired upon, you may take evasive action, but you will not take first action. Titans, separate!"

"Shalocfa, their weapons systems are not armed and they do not have their targeting systems active."

"Then what're they up to? Shel'b, break off and head for the flagship."

"Shalocfa, I request. . . ."

"Request denied, Lieutenant. You're transporting Sher'l's body, which makes your ship unsuitable for combat, now head for the flagship."

Robin heard Shel'b's frustrated sigh over the radio, and he braced himself for an argument. He didn't get one.

"As you order, Commander."

"Stev'n, that goes for you too seeing as you have Teranc'r aboard. I want him in a nice secure cell, and I don't care if you weld the door shut."

"Understood, Commander," Stev'n replied with a chuckle. "I know a couple of the security guards that I can trust, Teranc'r will not escape again."

"Okay everyone, we have them outnumbered three to one now, so stay out of their cone of fire, and let's surround them."

A few moments later and the combination of Tamaranean fighters and Titan ships had done just that. Each of the slip fighters now had three ships pointed right at them.

"Alright now, engage targeting systems only, light them up," Robin ordered, and the slip fighters found themselves targeted by three ships each. 'These guys must have nerves of steel,' Robin thought as none of the ships showed any type of reaction. "Okay, bring your weapons online, but do not fire."

After another few moments, Robin keyed his radio again. "Mik'l, would you do the honors?" Robin heard the pop of Mik'l's communications system shifting to a wide beam frequency.

"This is Commander Mik'l, of the Tamaranean Defense Force. You are outnumbered, out gunned, and surrounded. You will take no provocative action and you will state your intentions."

"This is Slip Fighter One, we are declaring an emergency, and request asylum. Our weapons systems have been damaged, and we have no provisions and have been away from our mother ship for two days."

"Slip Fighter One, you will not deviate from your present course."

Robin heard the pop of the channel being closed. "Shalocfa, if those are the three ships that remained when we came up to the fleet, their story would check out."

"I know the one in the back on the right is one of them. It still has the scorch marks on their left rear side where I hit them," Cyborg reported.

"VELANCE'R Control, this is Shalocfa actual, we're coming in with three captured slip fighters. Have a squad of warriors standing by to assist with taking the pilots into custody."

During the time it took them to reach the flagship, Robin had a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that something wasn't right, that he was missing something. "Mik'l, does this feel right to you?"

"I am not sure what you mean, Commander. It is entirely possible that their story is correct. If you continue to doubt that, you may be striking a dead horse."

Suddenly it dawned on Robin what he had been making him feel uneasy. "NUMEN'R, this is Titan One, where did you first pick up the IR ghosts?"

"As I reported, as your flight departed the ROSON'R, they came out from the area we can not scan because of the ROSON'R's location."

"Thank you NUMEN'R, out. Titans back off, and keep the flagship between you and the ROSON'R. Starfire that means you as well."

"But. . ."

"That's an order Titan," Robin said, cutting off her protest. "I have my reasons, Starfire."

There was a tense moment of silence before Starfire responded. "As you wish, Robin."

"Guard flight, keep a close eye on those fighters, and report anything out of the ordinary. Mik'l, the phrase is whipping a dead horse, and thanks for jogging my thoughts."

"May I know what those are, Commander?"

"Ancient Earth history. An old warrior tribe called the Greeks had the city of Troy surrounded, but was unable to breach the walls around the city, so they built a wooden horse, filled it with warriors and left it outside the city gates and made it look like they were giving up the siege. The next morning the Trojans brought it inside, as a war trophy. That night the warriors inside, came out, killed the guards at the gate, and opened it for the rest of their army."

"You think that is what these fighters are doing?"

"What powers them?"

"A plasma reaction generator, just like our fighters."

"What would happen if one of those went critical inside the VELANCE'R's landing bay?"

"X'Hal that is ingenious!"

"Shalocfa, one of the fighters has shut down its engines, and is using only its thrusters to approach the flagship," Shar'n reported. "Something must be very wrong with it, because its pilot just ejected."

"Guard Flight, get those fighters away from the flagship!" Robin snapped as he quickly dove toward the now drifting fighter. Taking careful aim, he fired a grapnel and took it in tow.

"At your present speed, you will have the fighter a safe distance in one minute, thirty seconds."

"That'll make it close. One minute fifty seconds to detonation."

Just as Robin was getting ready to cut the grapnel line, his ship was enveloped in a bright blue glow, and all his systems went dead. Working quickly, he shut the switches for everything off, then started restarting.

". . . All right?" Came Starfire's voice as his communications system came online

"I'm fine, I just restarted everything, and I'm cutting the tow and getting clear."

"Thirty seconds to detonation," Mik'l advised.

"The cable won't release! I can't break free!"

Just then, a pale blue beam cut the cable connecting Robin's ship to the doomed fighter, and he started moving off.

"Robin I'm reading some severe stress on your main power coupling. If it blows, you'll be dead in space again."

"Thanks, Cy, I'll keep. . . " Robin began but cut off when he felt his ship shudder. "I think it just blew."

"Commander, your rate of drift away from the fighter is not enough to get you clear of the blast zone."

"Understood, Mik'l," Robin's voice replied, sounding distant from the mike. "I'm getting into my emergency suit, and will use the thruster pack to get clear."

"Robin, you'll only have two minutes of air."

"Thanks for the reminder, Cy. That just means that you'll just have to pick me up quickly."

"If we can find ya." Cyborg muttered as he watched a flash of flame streak away from Robin's ship. He switched his scanner over so he could monitor Robin's locator signal, and sighed as he reached the edge of the projected blast zone.

The problem was that none of them knew that the fighter was loaded with an additional nuclear device, almost doubling the size of the explosion. The last thing they heard of Robin was his surprised shout when the shockwave hit him.

"Highness, if you can not find him, he is lost."

"He is still alive, Mik'l, the crystal is proof of that, and he only has one minute of air left. I will find him." Starfire took a calming breath, trying again to pick up on Robin's whereabouts through their bond.

"Star where are you? Your ship is drifting."

"That is because I am not on board, Friend Cyborg. I am very near Robin, and I do not want to miss him because my ship can not maneuver quickly enough."

"Time expired, oxygen supply depleted," a computerized voice said.

"Shalocfa flight, this is Princess Koriand'r, I have found him. He is unconscious, and I am bringing him to my ship now."

Mik'l let out a sigh of relief. "Understood Highness. You have been cleared for port side aft landing bay. You have point, the rest of us will follow, Titans first."

It was about an hour later. Raven was looking into Robin's room through the large glass window that made up most of one wall of the critical care room. She was struck by the similarity of the scene before her, only this time the people had switched places. Robin lay in the bed and Starfire sat beside him, her right hand holding his, her left draped around his head as her head lay on the pillow with his.

"Is he well?"

"They say he's resting comfortably, and I'd say she's doing about the same. Raven turned to see who spoke, and was startled to see Galfore, and she dropped to one knee. "Emperor Galfore."

"Rise Titan Raven," he said smiling softly. "When there are no others of my people around, you need not kneel."

"Thank you, My Lord. As we were leaving the ROSON'R, Robin asked me to take Cyborg back to Earth to secure the use of a canyon we know of, that he says is very like the Canyon of Remembrance on Tamaran. The Princess wants to give Sher'l a warriors funeral, and would like to have it done on Earth."

"Will you need escort ships?"

"No, I will be teleporting us both there and back."

"Very well, young one, I agree with Koriand'r's plan, and I thank you for your efforts on Sher'l's behalf"

"We will do all we can to honor her, as she was our friend, and died protecting Starfire," Raven said, then went in search of Cyborg.

A few moments later, Starfire awoke as she felt the stirring of Robin's mind through their bond. Just as she sat up, he moaned softly, and his eyes opened, focusing on her face.

"Now there's a sight worth waking up to," he said softly, then reached up and stroked her cheek with his fingertips. "Thank you."

"You are most welcome, my love, although I must admit that I saved you for the most selfish of reasons."

Robin returned the smile Star was giving him, then tried to sit up. Failing, he lay back with a groan.

"Easy, my love. The healers say that you were fortunate to have curled up into a ball and had your back to the blast. Your thruster pack protected you and absorbed much of the shock, but your back is a glorious variety of colors from the bruising."

Robin chuckled at the expression and tone of voice Starfire used. "Kori, you're the only one I know that would see something pretty about a bruise like that."

Robin watched the smile fade from her face, as she lowered her gaze. "Sher'l would have," she said softly.

"Kori, I'm so sorry. It was my job to ensure your safety, and because I failed at that she's gone."

"No, my love you did not fail me, nor is Sher'l's death due to any fault of yours. Remember she practically begged to be part of the security team that would be protecting me. I believe Teranc'r thought that he would have a clear shot at me, because he thought Sher'l would not stand in his way."

Robin nodded, then sighed, as he felt the guilt Starfire was feeling. "Just as it isn't your fault either, Kori. She would have found some other way to redeem herself, like that stunt she pulled coming up here and snaking around trying to find out what Blackfire's supporters are planning.

"My sister's involvement in Teranc'r's actions has not been proven yet."

Robin looked at her in utter disbelief. "Kori, Teranc'r was the most outspoken in favor of continuing the war between your people and the Salvainians, and we know she's involved in that."

"Do we? All that has been shown is that a Tamaranean with purple star bolts killed the crew of one freighter. I will concede that that color of star bolt is rare, and that Blackfire has them, but she is not the only one with them."

"Kori, I know she's your sister, but how. . . ?"

"Because she is my sister, my family. I know this may seem strange to you, but because of that she deserves my giving her every opportunity to redeem herself."

"Even to your own harm, or the detriment of your home world?"

"As I said, I know this seems strange to you as family is something you would know little about, but I had hoped you would have more compassion."

Robin stared, dumbfounded at her, as she stood there, her arms folded across her chest in anger. After their conversation last night, he couldn't believe she'd make a statement like that, and he tried again to get out of the bed.

Starfire gasped as she felt the wave of anger through their bond. Anger, and the feelings and thoughts behind it. "X'Hal, Gentha'fa, I am sorry. I did not think before I spoke."

"That's for sure. Did you ignore me last night, or just not believe me?"

She staggered back a step, as she felt his anger deepen. "Robin, I. . . ." she began but trailed off seeing the glare he was giving her. "I shall give you the time to calm down." she finally said, and left the room.

Robin groaned as he lay his head back and rubbed his temples, closing his eyes, hoping that the lack of light would ease his headache.

"She meant no disrespect, or harm, Shalocfa, but her relationship with her sister is. . . . .complicated."

"And one sided, Shel'b. I do understand how she can be defensive over her, but Blackfire has tried to trick the Centauri Police into arresting Koriand'r in her place, then arranged a sham of a marriage, to try to get her out of the way so she couldn't interfere with her taking the throne."

"I was aware of the second incident, but not the first. There is something between them that you do not know, Robin. As members of the royal family both Komand'r and Koriand'r studied under the warlords of Okarra, and underwent a series of trials meant to determine their acceptability to rule our world. What exactly the trials were I do not know, but the fact that Komand'r had failed and was not worthy to take the throne, while Koriand'r succeeded, and was named the Crown Princess, and successor to the throne."

"So that's how it started?"

"Let us just say that it was the last of a series of real or imagined slights that were done to Komand'r. Much of that I am uncertain, as the Princess and I are so close in age, and I was not assigned to the Palace after my initial training." Shel'b closed her eyes for a moment as she struggled to remember. "I know that Koriand'r is much loved by our people, and this most recent attack on her will cause support for Teranc'r to fall away. If the Princess was a male, the term in your language that would be used for her would be 'favored son'. It has been said that their parents doted on Koriand'r, praising her, and bestowing favors on her."

"And Komand'r was all but ignored."

"If what I have heard is correct, yes. It is understandable that Komand'r became bitter toward her sister."

"And Kori feels responsible, because she passed the test, instead of failing it like her sister. Yes I can understand Blackfire's feelings, but trying to have her killed?"

Shel'b was thoughtful for a moment and she paced a few steps back and forth. "I do not believe that she wishes Koriand'r killed, Shalocfa. When ones such as Teranc'r are involved, reactions can be. . . .unpredictable."

"For Kori's sake I hope you're right," Robin said, and finally managed to sit up. As he did so, he was glad that the blankets covering him continued to do so as he suddenly realized that not only was his armor removed, but the leather shirt and pants that went with them.

Shel'b chuckled when she saw that Robin had become aware of his predicament. "I believe you will be needing this," she said, setting a box beside where his feet were. She then stepped back, and pulled the privacy curtain around the bed.

After a moment, Robin opened the curtain then buckled his sword belt in place. "You're certain you got this from my room?" he asked, trying to shift his chest plate, which didn't feel quite right.

"Yes, I am certain," Shel'b replied, then stepped closer to him and made an adjustment at his shoulders. "There, is that better?"

Robin moved his arms and took a deep breath, "Yes, much better. Thank you. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go talk to someone in the port observation lounge."

If Starfire heard the door to the lounge open she gave no sign, and Robin took a moment to admire her silhouette in the soft glow from Earth. So that he wouldn't startle her, he concentrated for a moment, and reached out to her through their bond, but all he felt was how angry at herself she was. "Kori," he said softly, and was surprised that she didn't flinch from his voice, but turned toward the unexpected sound, both hands glowing with star bolt energy. "Athani, Mathad, pe va aparo pe dovek sa shu."

Robin sighed inwardly as Starfire cooled her bolts. "Do not apologize for yelling at me, beloved, with what we spoke of last night I should have known far better than to think you do not understand the importance of family. Two times, recently I have let myself speak before I have given thought as to how what I say will effect others. The other time was to Sher'l."

"And as I recall she forgave you," Robin said, cupping her cheek with his right hand, his thumb wiping away the dampness caused by her tears. "Kori, I am your shalocfa, responsible for ensuring your safety, and part of that is trying to make you aware of. . . .blind spots, and I hate to say it, but your sister is one I can't do anything about."

"What do you mean?"

"Kori, you're right when you say that because she's your sister you owe her a certain loyalty. All I can do is make you aware that she is also power hungry, manipulative, and wants you out of the way of her regaining the throne."

"You seem most certain of her guilt."

Robin struggled to find a way to put his thoughts into words in such a way that wouldn't hurt her. "I am, for two reasons. One, I have to be. No let me rephrase that. It's not that I'm certain of her being guilty, but she's the most likely suspect right now, and with her past actions I can't take the chance that she's innocent and leave her an opening to hurt you. The other thing is that I'm not in love with her, and I hope I have a more objective view of her."

"So this blind spot is caused by my love for her?"

"Exactly, as I would have one if you were to commit a crime. To be honest, even if I saw you in the act, I would deny the truth even in the face of a very convincing argument."

"I am glad that you have such faith in me. I am sure that you remember that I did not have as much for you."

"But you still couldn't shoot me with your star bolt to stop me from getting away. Kori it was then that I first learned that you cared for me as more than a friend." The pair was silent for a moment. "Kori, why didn't you tell me about the Okarran trials?"

Starfire nervously looked at her hands, "I did tell you about them. I told you that Tamaraneans of royal blood are sent to the Okarra Warlords and tested to see if they are fit to rule."

Starfire heard Robin's frustrated sigh. She knew that he hated it when anyone evaded giving him a direct answer to his questions. She also knew the Raven and herself were the only ones that he let get away with it. 'But this is important, he should know,' she told herself, although she did enjoy teasing him like this.

"Kori, I know that you passed the trials and your sister didn't, and that's the basis of her attitude toward you."

"Who. . . .who told you this?"

"I know I don't have the whole story, but Shel'b told me enough," Robin replied then proceeded to relate what the young lieutenant had told him. He watched as she thought over what he told her, taking up his habit of pacing.

"What she has told you is true. I can not disclose the conditions of the trials, but yes I passed them while Komand'r did not. Things have not been the same between us since." she looked over at Robin, her eyes bright with happiness at the memories she was going over. "I so wish that you had known my shalama back then. As you know, I did not learn hand to hand combat as well as I should have, and I was picked on by some of my training cadre sometimes to the point of actual fights. As she told you when she first came to earth, she rescued me several times, as they would exploit my lack of ability. For many years we were very close. Two years before I reached the Age of Acceptance, Komand'r and I were sent to the Okarran Warlords. It was there that I honed my skills with hand weapons, especially the sword. Much as Blackfire would raise my lack of skills in hand to hand combat, the warlords seemed to think that as a ruler, we should learn that force is not the only answer to a conflict, and usually is not the best one."

"I take it Blackfire had a hard time believing that."

"I tried to make her see that they were right, but she refused to listen. I am certain that is why she failed the trials. I only wish that I had tried harder to convince her."

"Star, that she didn't listen to you isn't your fault. You didn't make her the way she is."

"No I did not," she said sadly. "Much of that I place on our parents. They were supposed to support both of us equally. From what I have learned since, they all but shunned her," she chuckled dryly at the irony of their situation. "All that time, between the Trials and when I was turned over to the Gordanians all she wanted was recognition and attention from our parents, and all I wanted was the same from her."

"What?" Robin asked, seeing the odd look Starfire was giving him.

Star walked over, and looked closely at the armor he was wearing. "Where did you get this?"

"According to Shel'b, it was in my room with the other boxes I got last night. Kori what is it?"

Star traced her fingers over the family crest on his chest plate, and it was then that he noticed that his 'R' was not there. "This was to be my gift to Ryand'r on the day of his acceptance."

"This must be what was in the fifth box last night."

"And it is from my sister. She and I are the only two that know the access code to the room it was stored in."

Just then the communicator that Kim'r had given Robin beeped. "Yes Kim'r."

"My apologies, Shalocfa, but this is Brend'r. Kim'r gave me the frequency of her direct link to you if I might need it in an emergency."

Starfire saw Robin's brow furrow letting her know he felt the same confusion she did. "What can I do for you, Brend'r?"

"I have learned something that I must discuss with you in private. I will meet with you alone in the hanger where your T-ship is berthed in five of your minutes."

Before Robin could answer the connection went dead.

"That was most peculiar. What would she have to discuss with you in private?"

"I don't know. Do you still trust her?"

"To be honest, Gentha'fa, I trust no one but you and the Titans. However, she is an honored, veteran warrior with years of loyal service to both my parents and Galfore." Starfire looked out the observation window, and sighed softly. "I know that was not helpful, my love, but I am uncertain as to what to do. I am not used to not being able to trust those I believe I should."

"That is my job, Kori. You know I will keep you advised of what goes on."

Starfire turned and walked over so she was in front of him. "Be very careful, my love, I do not wish to sound like Raven, but I am getting a very bad feeling about this meeting."

Robin returned the hug that Star gave him. "I will be, Kori. I promise you that."

A short time later, Robin entered the hanger bay where the T-ship was being stored, and he noticed that Cyborg was no where to be seen. He climbed up and into Starfire's pod, and ran a quick systems check. He was pleased to see that Cyborg had completed his repairs and even added some upgrades that would prevent her ship from being damaged like that again. Shutting down, he climbed out and headed down the ladder. He had just gotten one foot on the deck when he froze at the sound of a familiar voice.

"Well this is a surprise, Robin. I hardly expected to find you alone."