Thresholding by CidGregor
Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans.
This fic is dedicated to Post, for all that he has contributed to its existence. (Space is a crime...)
ACT TWO
Chapter 14
"Ladies and Gentlemen…honored dignitaries of the planet Tamaran…on behalf of this country, and of the entirety of Earth, I wish to express to you our deepest apologies."
Silence reigned. The stony faces of the two Tamaranian males remained impassive, unreadable.
"The actions of the former General, Robert Graham, were most atrocious and horrible crimes. That his deeds were the direct cause of the deaths of your comrade, Officer Lysand'r, is a terrible tragedy. We are just as appalled by Graham's behavior as you are…and just as furious."
Starfire, the only other Tamaranian in the room, compulsively wiped at her bright green eyes with one hand. Her other arm wrapped itself tighter around Robin's, and her friend squeezed back, his masked eyes grim…defeated.
"We can assure you that Graham will pay for the crimes he committed. Lysand'r's death will not go unpunished."
General Lambert mirrored the Titan leader, standing at his other side. His own eyes, the same eyes that had been alert and wary merely three hours ago, were now weary. The General that had once stood proud and intimidating was now the tired, old man he appeared to be.
"While we…understand if you do not wish to continue pursuing a peace agreement with our planet…I do hope you will not judge us all by the actions of this one foolish man. I hope you can see that we want your friendship, your alliance. It may take time…but we hope that the peace talks can go on…and that eventually, we can forge harmony between our two peoples."
The President fell silent, watching solemnly through the holo-projector at the congregation inside Area 51. The room had been mostly cleared out now. Only General Lambert, Galfore, Tromand'r, and the Titans remained present. There was no sign remaining that a mere three hours prior, a life had been taken from that very room.
There was a long silence after the President's speech had finished, in which Tromand'r stared unseeingly into empty space, and Galfore closed his eyes, his head bowed. Starfire and Robin exchanged glances of mutual understanding: the silence was a good sign from Tromand'r…but from Galfore, it was thoroughly unnerving.
Officer Lysand'r had been removed from the room – and from the base – almost immediately, taken back to the Squir'l by Tromand'r himself. His friend's death seemed to have wrought a massive change in him. The man's fury toward Graham had subsided…almost seemed to have vanished entirely, in fact. The Captain had hardly said two words to anyone since the moment of Lysand'r's passing, and the burning passion that had always filled his eyes had dwindled into near-obscurity.
"Sir President," the Tamaranian ruler finally said, raising his eyes to meet the President's. "I admit that…I too wish for peace between our people…and if it were truly as simple as that, we might still salvage it."
He paused, his face hardening. "But all the same, it cannot be ignored that one of your people made unprovoked attacks upon us that directly resulted in not only the tragic death of my officer, but much of the crew of the scout craft Isom'r that crashed near your shores. Your General Graham may have only been one man, Sir President…but you must all share the responsibility of allowing such an unstable being to remain in a position of such power that enabled him to carry out those attacks."
"…We understand, Emperor Galfore," the President allowed. "But in light of the looming danger of the Gordanians, it is in all of our best interests to establish an alliance, so that we may combat this threat together. Surely you know this as well?"
Galfore did not respond one way or the other.
"Emperor Galfore," Robin spoke up. "No one's asking you to forget what Graham did, or to let what happened to Lysand'r and the Isom'r crew pass unpunished. We're only asking you to set aside those matters for the time being."
"They will be dealt with in due time," Raven added. "But the Gordanians are a far more important matter. They present an immediate threat to your fleet, and to this entire planet. That has to be our priority."
"We all know what it's like when things get personal, man," Cyborg said. "We've all been there. But you gotta know where to draw the line. You gotta realize just how much going out for your own personal revenge might cost you, and you gotta ask yourself if it's worth it. This time…it's not worth it, dawg."
"Please, Galfore…you know what is right," Starfire pleaded. "Upholding honor will do none of us any good if it leaves countless innocent lives dead, either by our own hands or by the Gordanians that seek to destroy us all. Please, my dear knorfka…you know what must be done."
Another long silence held, and Galfore's expression was more conflicted than Starfire had ever witnessed.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
A light blinked green on a small device attached to Galfore's belt, accompanied by a quiet beeping that drew the Emperor's attention. "One moment," he murmured to the room, unclipping the device and holding it to his ear. "Vada'n?" he said in his native tongue. He listened intently to the voice at the other end, and though she couldn't quite make out what the voice at the other end was saying,Starfire thought she saw the frown on Galfore's face loosen ever so slightly.
Galfore clicked off the device. "If you all will excuse us," he announced suddenly, "I must speak privately with what remains of my entourage."
The President nodded. "Of course."
Galfore turned and marched toward an empty corner of the room, Tromand'r trailing behind him.
"I have never seen Galfore so distressed," Starfire murmured to Robin as she watched them go. "Not even when my sister forced me into my betrothal was he this way."
"This war isn't like the one Blackfire staged…" Robin murmured. "This one is all too real. And far more complicated."
"Robin…do you think there can ever truly be a peace between our people…after what has happened today?"
"…I don't know, Starfire…" Robin admitted. "…I just don't know."
"Princess."
Starfire turned to see Galfore beckoning toward her. He wanted her to join him. With a quick reassuring glance at Robin, she hurried over, hoping to hear good news.
"Yes, my friend?"
"I received a message from our fleet. Intelligence has some new information that is….both a blessing and a curse."
"What kind of information?" Starfire asked.
"Intelligence reported that, following the skirmish with their scout craft, the Gordanian fleet has not moved in yet. It appears they are holding their fleet in place at the outer edges of this star system, and they show no signs of being mobilized to begin their invasion."
"That is most assuredly the blessing," Starfire observed. "Then…what is the curse?"
"The reason they are holding their positions now is because their scout craft managed to get a message out to their fleet before we destroyed it. Intelligence deduced that the scout reported the size of our presence here at Earth…and that in response, the Gordanians are most likely gathering their forces. They truly are desperate. Every available craft seems to be being diverted to this attack fleet, according to our Intelligence agents across the galaxy. Fortunately, this means we will have that much more time to prepare ourselves…but it also means we will have that much more dangerous an enemy to combat against."
Starfire nodded. "Then we must make use of this extra time X'Hal has blessed us with to its fullest extent, and unify our forces with those of Earth."
Galfore looked solemnly at her. "Princess…it is not that simple. The crimes committed by this General Graham cannot be ignored. No one wishes more than I that we can move past this tragedy with little incident. But the fact is that simply cannot be done. I cannot easily forge peace under such circumstances."
"But it must be done."
Galfore and Starfire both turned to look at Tromand'r, startled by the softness in his voice.
"I witnessed…my best officer die in my arms," he said, almost inaudibly. "I watched the life flee from his eyes. I felt the strength of his body disappear. And in my mind…all I could think about at that moment was getting at Graham."
He stared at Starfire, his hand subconsciously clutching at his braid, and the small locket encased within it. "My lust for vengeance blinded me for that one terrible moment, and within it…I did not care that Lysand'r had died. I wanted nothing but Graham's blood. And the moment I came back to myself…I was horrified. My desire for revenge had outweighed my friend's death, even if just for a split second."
He turned to Galfore. "What the Titans say is truth, my Lord. This is not a vengeance worth pursuing. Not now. Lysand'r can be honored and his murderer punished another day. Defeating the Gordanians…that must be our priority. And we could very much use Earth's help to do so. Everything else can wait."
Galfore frowned. "As much as I agree, Captain…the people will not so easily ignore the deaths of their own kin. How do you propose to establish a peace that the people can accept this quickly?"
At those words, Captain Tromand'r turned to gaze straight at Starfire, who stared back, confused but hopeful.
"Do not worry, my Lord. There is a way…"
"General Lambert…if I may ask you something…?"
Lambert turned to the Titan leader. "You may."
Robin folded his arms, staring blankly into space. "What Graham said as he was being dragged away…that his daughter was killed…"
"Mmm…yes…" Lambert murmured. "A story so tragically common in times of war."
"What…happened to her?"
"Graham was already rather distrustful of alien beings following Superman's short-lived service under Darkseid. When Hawkgirl revealed her true colors and the Thanagarians invaded…well, that was just the icing on the cake for Graham."
He heaved a sigh. "His daughter was killed in the initial invasion. A civilian. An innocent, much like the many others that died in the attack. We expected Graham to fall apart…leaves the service a broken man…but he stayed on. And he never showed signs that his daughter's death had affected him…not until today. I suppose the alien presence triggered his prejudices…and brought the pain of his loss to the surface."
Robin sighed as well. "After the things Graham did…I never thought I'd be feeling sorry for him…but I understand where he's coming from."
"I just hope what he's done hasn't doomed us all…"
"DE X'HAL, ARE YOU SERIOUS?.!"
Robin's head spun toward Starfire's voice. She was staring wild-eyed at her companions, and when they nodded their heads, she stole a brief glance back at Robin. Her face flushed and she turned away again, shaking.
"Starfire? Is everything okay?" he called over to her.
"Everything is fine, young one," Galfore spoke for her. "We have made our decision."
Galfore turned to face the holo-projector, where the image of the President was still displayed. "Sir President…under normal circumstances, it would take many days…perhaps weeks, even…to establish peace between us given the circumstances. Unfortunately, as we all know, we do not have the luxury of time. According to our most recent information we have been blessed with a reprieve. The Gordanians are amassing their forces at the outer rim of your star system, and it will still be several hours yet, perhaps more, before they make their move. We have decided to use that time wisely."
"And how have you decided to use it, exactly?" the President inquired.
"Tamaran is what you humans would call a 'monarchy,'" Galfore said. "As I understand it, in your human monarchies of the past, the royal family would often marry off their sons and daughters to establish trade routes…to improve foreign relations…and to establish alliances."
Robin's eyes widened. No…it couldn't be…
"That is what we propose to you today, Sir President. A royal marriage between our peoples to forge the ties of friendship. It is one of the oldest traditions in our history, honored above nearly all else. A peace agreement under these conditions is one no Tamaranian would dare break." He turned to Starfire. "Koriand'r, would you come forward?"
Robin's gaze grew harsh, his fears confirmed as Starfire approached her Emperor, her eyes anywhere but on Robin, her face horribly red. The Boy Wonder knew exactly what Galfore would say next. He's going to put her through it all over again…he's forcing her to get married to some…some…
…other guy…
"Sir President…the hero you know as Starfire is of royal blood. She is Princess Koriand'r, heir to the throne of Tamaran. We propose an engagement between the Princess…and a representative of Earth. Upon the completion of the betrothal ceremony, the alliance will be made, and I assure you, every single Tamaranian life under my rule shall honor it to the death."
"Oh, man, not again…" Beast Boy murmured under his breath.
"What do you mean, 'again'?" Terra whispered.
"Starfire was almost forced to get married once before. It was while you were still frozen in stone. That time it turned out to be a big fake…but this time…looks pretty real…"
"Don't worry about it," Raven silenced them. "I have a feeling this time around…it'll be to her liking…"
The President, meanwhile, furrowed his brow, contemplating the proposal. "It sounds…quite reasonable, Emperor Galfore," he said, "but…who among us would be…ah…married to your princess?"
Probably some old fart of a politician that'll sleep around behind her back, Robin growled to himself. He clenched his fists and teeth, trying hard not to shout out in protest.
"The Princess will be married to someone of noble and honored standing in your society…"
Slowly, Raven's eyes shifted, and a smirk crossed her face.
"Someone who has done great things for the people of your planet, and is known throughout your world for those deeds."
Beast Boy and Terra followed Raven's gaze, and smiles lit up their own faces as well.
"Someone who will honor and treasure the Princess above all else…"
Cyborg too turned to face the same thing his teammates had, grinning.
Robin, oblivious, stared at the ground, refusing to look at Starfire. He couldn't do it…it would hurt too much…
"The Princess...shall marry a worthy human suitor…entirely of her own choosing."
Robin's head shot up to stare at Galfore, stunned. Her own choosing?
He looked to his teammates. "How can she choose a suitor for herself? She hardly knows anyone outside…of us…Titans……um……why are you all staring at me?"
The other four Titans were indeed staring at him, each with smiles of varying wideness.
"…What?"
Raven gestured behind him. Robin turned around…and nearly jumped out of his skin. Starfire was there in front of him, her enormous green eyes almost swimming with emotion. But it was different, somehow. She was looking at him in a way he'd never seen her do before…as though she was seeing him in a completely new light…a better light…
"Uh…S-Starfire? What…what's going on?"
"The Princess need only speak aloud the name of her chosen suitor…and the betrothal shall commence," Galfore said.
The Boy Wonder barely heard him. Up close, he saw her lips purse…she took a breath and parted her lips, a single word mounted in her heart and mind…
And mere milliseconds before it was spoken, he realized exactly what that word would be.
"………Robin………"