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Meanwhile

Wherever he the hell he was, it was a very nice place with nice people. Dick spent a lot of his time in his bed recovering from severe burns he had received from Kori's starbolts that night. Dick wasn't sure just how long he had been out or just how long he had been in this place but he had had plenty of time to think about that night.

She had left because she had to and because she loved him. Her last words to her hadn't provided any comfort and only made Dick even more curious as to why his wife had left him, and why she had attacked Raven.

Of course, such thoughts, given enough time to stew in a man's head often have drastic results.

"Why?" The most simple of questions and yet the most important. "Why did you leave me Star?" That question had festered in his mind for the last three weeks. Day and night it plagued him. At first Dick thought it was his fault and that he could have done something about it but as he thought over his last conscious moments with his love Dick began to ask more questions.

"Just what is your job? Why is it so important to you?" Those two were probing and needed to be answered but Starfire wasn't there to sooth over Dick's raging mind. Even more damaging was the reference to her family on Tamar. Just how did she have a family on Tamar that he didn't know about? It just wasn't possible he was the only one she had ever been with. She had told him so their first night together.

"Unless… She just did her homework very well…" Dick had told himself. He had no way of knowing that. Sure there had been a membrane there but that can be replaced; even with Terran methods and technology. Nightwing had seen that sort of thing done before in the sex trade. A girl could easily be "patched up" and be sold as a virgin again up to three times. That was on a human though… Dick had no sure way of knowing just how old Koriand'r really was or just how Tamarians really aged.

"It had to be with that Tamarian bastard she was suppose to marry. If I hadn't been so young and stupid…" Dick raved in the cold, silent blanket of darkness the night offered him. By the dawn of his fourth week in his undisclosed location, Richard Grayson was dead, the Nightwing the only thing surviving him.

Raven sighed as Stone placed her into the bath and left her to scrub herself once again. Raven knew that Stone would be sitting in the courtyard reading a book right now; she was quite familiar with their routine now.

Mornings began with breakfast and a lesson in how to read Infernal. Having nothing else to do Raven took to these forced lessons and was making fair progress in learning the strange looking language.

After the lessons Stone normally left Raven on her own until he brought her lunch. To fill the time Raven often went over the day's lesson. After lunch was her bath time during which Stone would read a book.

When she was done bathing and dressing herself in a simple purple robe, Stone would take her and seat her in the courtyard under some trees. There she would read, or pretend to, instead Raven often watched Stone go though his daily workout.

Nudity or near nudity didn't seem to phase Stone at all. He often went through his workout in nothing but a loincloth. At first it was rather shocking to Raven to see Stone without the grandeur of his gleaming armor. It turned out that Stone was more machine then he was human. His fingers up to and including his massive shoulders, his legs up to his thighs, his left pec and ribs as well as the left side of his head. All of that was mechanize. Raven had asked how he had gotten that way but Stone had only responded with an icy glare.

However the hot weather did lend itself to loose clothing and less clothing in general. Raven was rather thankful for the loose robes that Stone was providing her with as they did allow for quite some airflow without showing anything off.

Raven idly watched Stone go through his routine. For once she wasn't even bothering to hide the fact she was watching him. She was sure a warrior or his training would have seen through her screen of hiding behind her book long ago and she had to admit that Stone had quite some body, the parts that were flesh anyway.

"Well done Major, you've done a fine job in setting up a foothold on Earth."

"Thank you Air Marshal." Koriand'r replied to her superior. A senior member of the military had been on tour inspecting of the invasion force and the forward HQ was the last place on her visit. "We've tried to expand as rapidly as possible while Earth's forces were still caught off guard and divided. Currently we've occupied most of what is called North America. The territory known as America was a superpower on this world and had to be neutralized. Most of the individuals I wrote about in my report have been apprehended and have been detained."

"Ah yes, those 'superheroes' you spoke of. Most of them were situated in this 'America' correct?"

"That is correct, ma'am. That was another reason why America had to be the primary target on Terra. It had recently undergone massive civil unrest and upheaval due to an unpopular series of wars that left the country without allies and exhausted militarily. Their form of government also makes it very hard for swift countermeasures to be taken against us. Thus far no measures have been taken against us. Our units are too well hidden in a country where the people have lost all faith in the government." Koriand'r continued.

The Air Marshal smiled. "Their majesties will be very happy to hear that all their years of waiting and planning have paid off. Only good things will come from this Major. I'm sure another promotion will be headed your way soon. Given your limited resources you've managed to accomplish much in just three weeks. Just how did you manage to do that?" The Air Marshal asked.

"I was posted on Terra prior to the invasion as an advanced scout. I lived there for a number of years and gathered intelligence on the personnel I thought would be the biggest obstacles to over come when the invasion came." Koriand'r explained.

"Yes, I remember reading that in your profile now that you mention it. It also stated that you were married to a Terran." The Air Marshal leaned in and whispered; "Just how are they compared to our boys?"

Kori couldn't help but blush at the question. Normally she would have been able to take such personal questions but to be asked that by one of the highest ranking brass was a little much. Of course it didn't help that the answer was "I honestly can't say. I've never been with one of 'our boys.'"

"Such a shame. I'm sure those Terrans couldn't have done much for you. Out of curiosity, what did you do with your husband once the invasion began?"

"I killed him. He was one of the personnel deemed an obstacle." Kori answered in as emotionless a voice she could muster.

"I'll take note of that extra duty when I file my report. Thank you for your time Major."

Kori saluted and made her way as quickly as she could to her quarters. Once safely inside she threw herself on her bed and cried, the memories of Dick far too painful to be endured.

After her botched arrest of Raven, Kori had stated in her report that Raven and Dick were both killed in the fight. Since both of Kori's men had been killed the high command had no choice but to believe her story. However there were loose ends, and loose ends always had a way of causing massive amounts of trouble. Kori had no clue as to where Raven and Dick had gone or how they were.

In her own attempt to detach herself from her adopted home Kori hadn't ventured back down to the surface of Earth since that night. The memories of that planet hurt too much to be faced. Her days as a Teen Titan, her nights with Robin, her years as Mrs. Grayson. It pained Kori to know that all of that had been part of a job, part of a previous allegiance that she had to live up to. Despite all she had told Dick before, despite her vows to him, it had been all for the sake of a family she hadn't seen or heard from in over a decade.

Stone growled. He had been pulled away from his secluded vacation to deal with a rapidly dissolving stability of the southwestern border. Stone had just launched a campaign that had headed southwest wiping out one medium sized clan and adding its lands to House Tir'eir's holdings. This had unnerved another clan that was unfortunately wedged between Lord Tear's lands to the north and the Morizaka Clan. The Morizaka's were one of the more powerful factions that held a considerable amount of land and power in the western portions of the Nine Hells. Tear had wanted to keep a few small clans as a buffer zone between House Tir'eir and the Morizaka Clan but Stone had thought other wise and had convinced Tear to allow his campaign in the region.

Stone knew that the Morizaka wouldn't risk open war with a faction as powerful as House Tir'eir, at least not in a one on one fashion. That would allow Stone to absorb the smaller clans that had served as buffer while placing a quiet pressure on the Morizaka. Of course it had to appear like that wasn't his original plan at all or the Morizaka would think the same and try to duplicate the move taking land that would have been easier to take when not in their control.

And that is where he was now. Stone had been ordered to the front to swiftly crush the opposition that had, out of fear of being absorbed into the Greater Northern Empire, foolishly declared war on House Tir'eir. While all was going according to his plans Stone hadn't counted on having to secretly keep Raven taken care of. Having an empress as a pet had forced Stone to create new plans and modify other plots. Dick could be an open guest but Raven was an entirely different matter given her blood heritage.

"Lord Stone, scouts report that the enemy force has split into two and is attempting to flank us on the right."

"How well trained are your harassers?" Stone asked the reporting officer.

"My harassers, sir?"

"Have them engage the enemy, hit and run style. Have the men at the camp split into three groups. One group will travel with me to intercept the flanking force. One group will remain in camp fortifying it and the remaining soldiers are to take to ambush positions in the surrounding woods. Am I understood?"

"Sir, yes sir. I will issue your orders immediately."

The battle was a massacre. The enemy flanking force had turned out to be far smaller than Stone had anticipated which had given him a two to one advantage, which he exploited by surrounding and crushing the smaller force. The quick demise of the flankers allowed Stone to re-deploy his men and join in the greater battle against the main enemy force. He struck from the rear, the harassers he had ordered deployed hit the flanks and disrupted the ranks, the ambushes diminished enemy moral and troop numbers so severely that those that made it to the camp were those surrendering to save themselves.

"I've ordered camp to be broken and the march into enemy territory to take advantage of the recent…tip in troop numbers here on the border. I hope you don't mind my lord." The reporting officer had told Stone when he made it back to a half packed up camp.

"What's your name and rank?" Stone questioned the man.

"Captain Stevens." The man answered cautiously.

"Stevens that was good thinking and action on your part. I like men that get the necessary things done on their own accord. Come and dine with me to night in my tent Major." Stone told the newly promoted major before walking into the camp to make inspections of the major's men going about breaking camp.

Despite it being a short campaign it was several weeks before Stone was able to crush the opposition and install Colonel Stevens as the military governor. Rapid promotion was not something Stone normally did but he felt that this Stevens was quite capable and would proven a stout ally when the time came to launch his coup d'état. The advantage of being the Lord General of House Tir'eir gave Stone the necessary authority to appoint whomever he wanted to positions of power. Having allies and connections at all levels was important.

The house was small and cherry enough. Tucked away in a valley safely within the confines of the lands that were becoming known as the Greater Northern Empire, several people gathered in the cellar away from the owner's prying eyes and ears.

"He is asleep?"

"Yes, master he is. Once Garfield falls asleep his is dead to the world, if you'll forgive the pun. We can make as much noise as we want, master." A tall, thin, blonde woman growled as she hooked one leg around a man's own and ran her tongue along his jaw line.

"Miss me?" The man asked, his voice slightly distant and hollow as the woman took off his black and orange shirt.

"Everything is going according to plan." The woman moaned as she ground herself up and down the man's thigh.

"Good."

"Stop holding back and fuck me already. Garfield is hardly anything compared to what you are Wilson."

"No one is, Terra." And Slade tore off the dress she had been wearing.

On the wall a green gecko watched petrified at his wife's actions

"You means she is here! As in here in this very castle here!" Maria yelled.

"That is what I said, m'lady." Jacob answered calmly.

"Does father know?"

"Not to my knowledge, m'lady, though I am sure he will find out soon enough. This is, after all, his castle."

"Where is she, Jacob? I'll tear that bitch apart to setting foot in daddy's domain!"

"You may find that difficult to achieve without your talents." Jacob replied.

"It doesn't matter, I'll kill her with this!" Maria snapped back blowing out a candle, yanking the candle out of its holder and hefted the 60cm (2 foot) candlestick.

"She is in Lord Stone's quarters."

"WHAT?" Maria's voice echoed off the dusty tones of the castle's library

"It is my understanding that Lord Stone brought her down and hid her away in his private quarters ere his vacation which is why the information took such a long time to reach my ears."

"Damn it. Perhaps bringing this to father's attention my get me the desired result." Maria thought out loud.

"Perhaps m'lady but keep in mind her political weight is very considerable despite the lack of an official title."

"Then perhaps we'll have to come up with some way of making her life hell while keeping her in the House."

"Just what are you thinking Maria?"

"You'll find out after I research a few things. I'll tell you later tonight." Maria walked off giving Jacob a suggestive wink.

Spies are essential to survival in the harsh world of politics in the Nine Hells. Just as necessary as plots and counterplots were. Having Raven around had forced Stone to take some rapid maneuvers in his plans and plots as well as set up numerous counterplots. Whether or not they worked depended heavily on how Raven acted. After all, women were the most unpredictable creatures.

One prime example was Raven, who had seemed to be getting used to Stone's presence but now had retreated back into her old self of being dark, emotionless and ever so calculating. His absence must have snapped her out of whatever ravine she had been in.

There would be time to dwell on that later on. First Stone had to check on how Dick and Raven were doing and had Dick brought to his quarters as he made his way there.

A/N: SO I'm not dead, I've just been busy. The usual bunch of lies and excuses should be inserted here:

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I've been kicked back into writing gear by reading some fics that just really grate at me and just make me sick at how immoral the world is and that is reflected in the fics. So I'll be bringing up a few things in the next chapter that weren't originally planned there just so the world can catch a glimpse of what they don't want to see; someone with morals. I shouldn't say morals cause then people start going on and on about how that differs for people or is based on religion and whatnot. I'll just say good old fashion common sense which is a treat that seems lacking in the US, those oversexed bastards. Animals are more faithful partners then most of America given the sex on first date and the divorce rates…

LockDown over and out…