A/N: Gtar-Cro is busy, Ztar's frustrated, Den-neer is bored, and the light bulb finally comes on for Warren.
Chapter 6
Gtar-Cro's image stood before him. Anyone else would see only a self-assured, hardened general that revealed little he did not intend, but Ztar knew every subtle nuisance of his long-time military intelligence chief's body language and it foreshadowed the news would not be to his liking. "I have little to report, my Emperor. The Hydeera prisoner interrogations are underway and we have a team re-evaluating data collected during the raid, as well as what was obtained from the Etagllot computers, though that is quite limited. We've learned nothing new thus far. However, our data-mining for any public or military reports of unusual ships has uncovered some interesting occurrences."
"Such as…" the Emperor prompted, annoyed he had to do so.
"Nothing I'm prepared to share as yet. We are still collecting and analyzing."
"It's been nearly two days, General, and you have nothing you're prepared to share?" he snarled. Ztar hadn't slept since the news. Helplessness was driving him mad, causing his temper to be short with everyone around him. So much so that Jharda warned him to stay in his office and out of their chambers until he could better manage his foul mood claiming it was making their unborn child restless.
Gtar-Cro shifted his stance to ease slightly toward Ztar. "Patience, my Emperor. Our work continues. The lead to Archangel may come at any moment."
"Patience?" he slammed his fist on the desk, rattling its contents. "I have no more patience. In the past two years, Archangel has been taken three times. Incompetence has permitted history to repeat itself yet again and you want me to be patient?" he roared. "How many more times will he be endangered, General?"
Gtar-Cro was wounded. The accusation cut to the bone and then plunged to its marrow. He took a moment to collect his thoughts while watching the very angry visage of his ruler. "We are facing a formidable enemy with superior technology. My ability to protect Archangel goes only so far if he is to be allowed freedom of movement." It was truth. His own Turzent ire flared. "If you wish me to guarantee his safety, I can do that with a high degree of certainty, but at what price? Do you wish for Archangel to live in isolation, kept under heavy guard in an impenetrable fortress? If that is your wish, it will be done, but I don't believe it is what you desire. We both know how Archangel would react to the confinement – how most anyone would."
His general's sharp retort took Ztar by surprise. Gtar-Cro rarely spoke in anger to him. Ztar stepped back from his own emotions that had him on the edge of desperation. The General was right. He would not force Archangel or any of his Court to live in fortresses for that would not be living at all. Freedom equaled risk at their level and they had many enemies. Despite all threats, no member of the Royal Court of Ztar had been killed. Close calls, yes, but no court deaths.
Ztar rose to look the representation of the man straight on. "General Gtar-Cro, please accept my apology. I can only blame my sharp tongue on worry over Archangel. Not in the 23 years you have served at my side – through war, conquest, and terrorist threats and eradications – has a single court member died by the hand of an enemy. That is deserving of praise, not ridicule."
Gtar-Cro studied Ztar before speaking. "My Emperor, if at any time you wish me to step down, I will do so gracefully. Until that happens, know that I will do everything within my power to return Archangel safely to Earth."
"There will be no talk of stepping down, old friend. I simply allowed my emotions to run ahead of reason. Earth is as secure as we have capability to make it. Archangel can be…difficult to protect. If he'd accept royal guard protection, your job would be easier, but he tends to be stubborn," Ztar added with a smile in remembrance of their days of butting heads, as the Human called it. Gtar-Cro nodded agreement. "You continue to have my complete confidence and trust. Bring Archangel home, General. Quickly."
"It will be done."
"And Xavier? Is he aware of Archangel's disappearance?"
Gtar-Cro indicated negative with a hand gesture. "There are no indications in their communications or actions that the X-men are aware of the situation. Apparently, Archangel was alone at his mountain residence."
A sigh escaped. "Not surprising – another way he makes our job more challenging. I will contact Xavier shortly. He must be told."
Ztar ended the comm with a heavy heart. Not only had he lashed out at the only man he believed could find Archangel, but that man's report provided little encouragement. Where was Archangel? Who had him? Why? He procrastinated placing the comm call to Xavier. He'd promised the influential Human they would protect Archangel from his enemies. Ztar had failed.
/ My Archangel! / He sent the mental call out with every ounce of psychic and soul strength he possessed, knowing Archangel would never hear. Ztar returned to his chambers where Jharda waited anxiously to hear any news. He'd place the comm to Earth from there.
###
On Volu, Warren jerked and looked at Ettwanae. "Did you say something?"
"No, why?"
Warren shook his head. "Nothing. Just thought I heard my name." Volu was still healing and her occupants were scattered about the ship doing whatever they did to pass the time. Ettwanae and Warren ended up in the kitchen for a snack. Being around her continued to be uncomfortable. His libido just wouldn't give up. The effort to maintain control was wearing both physically and mentally. 'Let's hope Volu is ready to travel soon or…' Then another thought suddenly crossed his mind. 'God, Worthington, you're such an idiot!' he chastised himself. "Volu?"
"Yes, Warren."
"Did you or the other ship trip any sensors when you were on Earth?"
"I did, but their sensors should be unclear as to what they detected."
"Shit!" Warren exclaimed.
Ettwanae eyes darted to him. "What's wrong?"
"Ztar – he'll be out of his mind."
"But Volu said-"
"The Hydeera signature – that's what military intelligence labeled the sensor readings they got on Volu at Hydeera. They'll be looking for me. Volu, I need to get a message to the Emperor."
No response. Warren looked to Ettwanae to see if the ship and the Eshaaru were in mental contact. It didn't appear so.
"I am hesitant, Warren. We prefer to remain unknown," the reply finally came.
"I won't reveal anything…simply assure him that I'm okay and will be returning to Earth soon. If I don't report in, he'll turn the Empire upside-down trying to find me. Ztar and General Gtar-Cro will do whatever it takes. Do not underestimate what they are capable of." He hoped that would convince the ship.
Another hesitation. "I will not jeopardize us to make contact with anyone at this time."
"How could Ztar and company possibly find you from a simple transmission? Are you afraid they'll trace the comm?"
"It is not their capabilities that concern me."
Warren instantly understood. "You're concerned about the other Eshaar'ne."
"Yes. My specific method of communication is detectable by another Eshaar'ne. Additionally, she has abilities I do not. She has been augmented. I have observed her use of extraordinary abilities, such as during the attempt on you and when Ettwanae abducted."
Flint meandered in, surveyed the array of snacks, and plunked down at the table.
"The other Eshaar'ne performs feats Volu cannot. She is very dangerous," Ettwanae reinforced, snatching up the last zante just before Flint's fingers grabbed it. She smirked. He glared.
"What can the other one do you can't?"
"She has in-atmosphere cloaking abilities I cannot match. Her weapons are enhanced, as are her shields."
"You keep saying she. How do you know her gender?" Warren asked as an aside as Gatebi strolled in.
"Female Eshaar'ne have orifices males do not."
He rose from the table to get a glass of water. Warren wanted to ask the obvious, but did not. It didn't matter. More pressing matters needed attention.
Flint, though, apparently thought otherwise. "Ya know what they're for…s-e-x. Vo's kind get it on, War, to make little Vos. She doesn't have a mate – explains the orneriness. Sexual frustration they call it. All hot 'n bothered and no prospects," he expounded in obvious glee.
Three things happened simultaneously as Warren watched in amusement. Flint's hand snapped to the back of his neck as he jumped in his chair. "Oww!" Gatebi scowled a look that could melt steel. Ettwanae threw her zante, hitting Flint in the chest.
"Hey, I was kidding! Bein' funny, ya know? Humor? Anybody got it 'round here? Jesus!"
Unfortunately, Flint's talk of unmet sexual need was all it took to stir up Aru again and flashes of what he'd like to do with Ettwanae flickered through his mind. 'Jesus, is right!' he chided silently in self-disgust. "I need to get a message to Ztar somehow. If his forces are looking for me, that also puts you at risk." He directed that to Ettwanae as he leaned against the counter. "Any ideas?"
Blank faces displayed their lack thereof. Then Gatebi spied what hung from Warren's belt loop. "What's that?" she said pointing at the rectangular device.
Warren looked down. "My cell phone. Why? You want me to phone home?" He smiled at his unintended reference.
Flint lit up. "Hey, E.T. – I get it! Like E.T. phone home." He looked at the two puzzled faces. "It's a movie about a little alien who missed his ride home and got stuck on Earth. E.T. – extra-terrestrial. Used some kid's toy and a record player to call his ship. Brilliant, Gabby! Can we do it?" The teen shot an expectant look around the room.
'How on Earth could she get a phone signal to Earth?' Then he caught himself. Not on Earth and he wouldn't doubt what alien technology was capable of. "Is it possible, Volu? And how would that help us avoid detection?"
"A moment please while I scan the device." While she performed that function, she 'accidentally' began a deep scan of the surrounding area of Warren's body. She jerked mentally and halted before reaching her goal. 'Dear goddess!' Her thoughts raced through the implications. She would not reveal her discovery – it would give her away to Warren. Instead, she refocused on the task before her.
"I can amplify its frequency and send that signal to the interstellar comlink on a naturally occurring subspace carrier wave. The other Eshaar'ne should not detect it as a signal from me, because it is not. The comm system will filter out the carrier as interference leaving your device's signal intact. Of course, I need to preface the frequency with a comlink destination code, but that is possible. The short initial protocol burst will not be easily detectable no matter how sophisticated her sensor array may be. Once within the comlink system, our signal should be translatable into the appropriate encrypted code, then-"
Flint rolled his eyes. "Vo! A simple yes or no."
"My name is Volu." Warren could have sworn he heard the ship sigh. "There is a high probability I can do as Gatebi suggested. The military comsat near Earth will revert the signal back to its original configuration and broadcast the message in your device's native protocols. Warren, if you wish to contact home, I should be able to get a signal through without revealing ourselves to our pursuers."
"You said military comsat – that's because there's no civilian comlink in Earth System, correct?"
"Correct," the living ship confirmed. "Earth is a quarantined planet and only a military presence is permitted."
"And the military comsat will accept a signal from the civilian network?"
"It will if I use military encryption." An air of smugness resonated in the Eshaar'ne's voice.
"Volu, as a member of the Royal Court, I'm not sure I want to know how you came about acquiring military comm codes."
"Then I will not tell you."
"Fair enough, but since you have said codes, I'd rather call Ztar or at least the palace."
"Communication channels to the Emperor are at a security level unmatched by the general military comlink. My capabilities are impressive, but not all-powerful. Turzent military also has extremely advanced signal tracing capabilities, especially surrounding the highest ranking government officials. I do not wish to risk someone locating the sector comm I will use to initiate communication."
Warren wondered how much Volu knew about imperial capabilities, but that was a question for another time. "How about a general comm to say Sarrys Station? That'd work, too. They'd get a message to Ztar or General Gtar-Cro."
"A call to a military station is not wise…" Gatebi injected.
"Warren, I prefer to send a transmission to your homeworld and not to anyone in an imperial position. Fortunately, I secured the Earth comsat destination code when we enter the star system. I am ready to attempt the transmission. Perhaps your friend on Earth will contact the Emperor for you."
Warren considered the pros and cons. It was an acceptable solution. He could accomplish multiple tasks with a single contact. "Very well. I'll place the call to Earth."
"There will be a delay, Warren – it is a limitation in the carrier frequency as it travels between us and the relay station. I will boost your device's signal as best I can within the carrier wave, but some degradation may not be fully cleared by comlink filters. Once within the system, the signal should pass to the receiving device without further delay, assuming it is properly reconstituted to its original signal type and frequency."
"In other words, the comlink will take my phone's signal, massage it to pass through the subspace comlink system, and then return the signal to its original form at the other end?"
"That is a correct summation."
"Rad!" Flint injected with enthusiasm.
"I estimate a three point four second signal hindrance."
"Understood." Warren took out the phone that did just about everything but his laundry, and maybe that was possible with the right app. "Now, if it just survived the past day…" He woke the phone and spoke the auto-dial command to the one number he knew would always be answered. "Xavier."
Volu grabbed the signal, ran it through her communication array, added the necessary protocols, and pushed the odd frequency out within a natural subspace wave to the nearest comlink relay.
Warren waited for what seemed an eternity before he heard a voice that sounded as if it indeed was in another part of the galaxy. "Xavier Institute." Warren didn't recognize the female.
"This is Warren Worthington, can you hear me okay?"
A long pause followed and he feared the woman may hang up thinking no one was on the other end. "Yes, but our connection is bad. I'm having a hard time hearing. Can you call back?"
"No! Don't hang up. Please, get Charles – it's important."
Another long pause. "He is teaching a class and cannot be interrupted. May I take a message?"
"It's an emergency, just tell him Archangel's on the phone."
"Archangel? The Archangel? Oh my god. I'm sorry – I couldn't understand… Mr. Worthington, hold on. I'll 'path him – it's quicker!" the young-sounding, obviously telepathic woman offered hurriedly.
Faster than he would have thought possible, Charles came on the line. "Warren? I'm told there's an emergency. Are you all right?"
"There'll be a nasty delay in my transmission Charles and, yes, I'm okay. At least for now," he said looking at the trio watching him intently.
"Where are you calling from – this connection is degraded."
"Charles, I'm not really sure, but it is very far from home. I'm aboard a space ship."
"What? Are you with Ztar? What's going on, Warren?" The worried tones came through the weak connection.
"No, but I'm with people who I believe are new friends. Right now, Charles, I need a favor. I need you to contact Ztar. My departure from Earth likely set off alarms and he'll be looking for me. It's complicated, but I can't contact him directly."
"But my comlink is programmed only for your PI."
"You need to get my PI from the Manhattan penthouse. It should be in my bureau."
"I knew he had a penthouse!" Flint pointed out to the females. Ettwanae gestured him to be quiet.
Warren turned away from his audience and walked out of the room. "Charles, will you please do this? Ztar will be desperate to find me. No telling what he'll do if he thinks I'm in danger."
"Are you?" came the delayed question.
"Not at the moment. I don't believe the people I'm with mean me harm, but the situation is unusual to say the least. I think they're being honest when they say they stopped an Etagllot from kidnapping me outside my aerie. Their ship was damaged in the resulting attack, but we're safe for now and hunkered down making repairs," he explained in the simplest way possible.
"Why not contact Ztar yourself?" Charles wanted to know.
"As I said, it's complicated, but if Ztar and General Gtar-Cro are looking for me, we need to call them off."
"I don't like what I'm hearing, Warren. You're with strangers who want me to call off the people likely looking for you?"
"Charles, please. I'll be back in a day or two. If I'm not, you can call out the cavalry again."
The pause was much longer than three point four seconds. Charles was analyzing.
"Two days, Warren. If you are not at the X-mansion by then, I will contact Ztar and restart the search."
"Thank you, Charles. If the worst should happen, call my attorneys also. Your power of attorney over Worthington Industries is still valid should I be delayed or disappear."
"Who are you with?"
Warren chuckled. "A female captain of unusual origins, her two sidekicks, including a smart-mouth Human teenager, and an amazing ship with attitude, or so I'm told."
"And you're certain you are not in danger."
"Not from this crew," he relayed with reassuring tones. 'In danger of bedding their captain, perhaps,' Warren thought to himself and then stuffed down the mental images that his brain seemed all too happy to entertain.
"I will do as you ask, but in two days, Warren, if you are not standing before me…"
"Understood. Should anything delay me, I will be in contact. Meanwhile, would you kindly notify staff at my estate that I'm taking a short side trip before returning?"
Mission accomplished, Warren re-entered the kitchen area. "Done. My friend on Earth will contact Ztar and convince him to hold off. But Charles is expecting me back in two days – if I'm not, then they'll start looking again. Everyone's clear on that?" Nods and hand gestures indicated understanding. "Ettwanae, you should really consider asking Ztar for assistance in your search and protection from the Etagllot. He'd want to help – he holds reverence for your kind. I trust him. You can trust him." He put the idea out there, but didn't hold out much hope she or Volu would be keen on it. Sure enough, Ettwanae's golden head immediately moved back and forth and her wings pulled in, but it was the ship that spoke.
"I am sorry, Warren, but we cannot risk it. You may trust him, but his history speaks of a man who takes what he wants. His so-called reverence is what frightens me."
Warren leaned against the kitchen counter. What he wouldn't do for a cup of coffee. Mutant healing factor prevented any caffeine withdrawal headaches and physical dependency on the stimulant, but that didn't change the psychological addiction. He really needed a strong cup of steaming Joe. "How so?"
"I do not want us to end up as someone's prized possession."
Warren jerked and his own wings drew close in unconscious shielding. 'Shit, that hits wa-a-ay too close to home!' He shifted uncomfortably. 'Do they know more about me and Ztar than they've let on?' But Ztar was a changed man. "The Emperor would not do that."
"Not even to protect Ettwanae from her enemies? To keep possibly the last of her kind safe?" Volu proposed.
"You mean as in lock her up for her own good?"
"Yes, even if it meant against her will. When it comes to revere icons, history is full of people causing harm while proclaiming just that reasoning."
He had to nod. Volu made a valid point, but she was still wrong about the Turzent. Right? Ztar wouldn't lock Ettwanae or even Volu away for their own protection, would he? Yet if he were them, would risk finding that out knowing Ztar's violent past? "I understand, but it was worth suggesting. Perhaps in the future if you get into a real bind, reconsider asking for his assistance. He really has changed."
Gatebi and Flint had remained surprisingly quiet during the exchange, as had Ettwanae. Warren got the feeling that Volu ran the show more than Ettwanae and the trio looked to her for wisdom and guidance. Whether that was good or bad, he didn't have enough information to judge.
Flint's face suddenly took on a strange expression that Warren couldn't really interpret. He looked like he wanted to ask a question. After a few seconds, the kid seemed to have gotten up his courage.
"Ya know, War, most on Earth are clueless that we're part are of the Empire. Vo dug around, but says the comnet only tells when that happened, not how. Since you and Ztar are tight, maybe you can explain?"
Gatebi and Ettwanae eye's joined Flint's to lock on Warren. 'Oh, this is potentially awkward.' Old feelings of embarrassment stirred; the emotions not caring that he had nothing to be ashamed of. But then again, he needn't share all the sordid details. Besides, they had time to kill.
He settled down at the table and let the story unfold – a sanitized, abridged version of the Empire's acquisition of the Earth System. Tiptoeing around the exact nature of the Accord, he deftly avoided sharing the circumstances of why and how Warren ended up with Ztar. To his relief, any questions the foursome had in that regard, they were too polite to raise.
###
Bae notified Den-neer immediately upon detecting a comlink signal from Earth to the Imperial communications satellite. Origin – the place known as the headquarters of the quasi-military group Archangel belonged to, the X-men.
"It will take me a moment to decode the signal. The comm signal is heavily encrypted."
That did not surprise Den-neer. The PI generating the signal and the receiving comsat were both military issue. A few moments later, voices filled the air – the Eshaaru had succeeded using blended Eshaar'ne and Etagllot decryption technology. The earlier signal they intercepted from the satellite to the X-men's headquarters was all too easy to decipher since the comsat had reconstituted the message into one of Earth's primitive communications modes. They had eavesdropped on Archangel's conversation with the man named Charles and learned the estimated return of the target. All he had to do was wait.
As he listened in on the conversation between the Human and the ruler of the Turzent Empire, Den-neer eased back against the too narrow back of the bridge seat. One day, he may need to request a more comfortable chair.
###
Ztar's heart raced when his PI suddenly signaled an incoming call from Archangel. When Charles Xavier's image greeted him instead, he knew the Human had learned of the disappearance on his own.
"Emperor, greetings. I'm calling you with a message from Warren." Archangel's friend got directly to the point.
Ztar jerked in surprise. "What? Where is he? Is he safe?"
"He is well and apparently unharmed."
Relief flooded him with such force that Ztar was nearly dizzy. "By the gods, Xavier, I was frantic, I have no qualms admitting. In fact, I was just preparing to comm you about the situation. Where is he?"
"I don't have a location, but aboard a spaceship with people he is cautiously labeling friendly. He tells me the Etagllot had attempted to abduct him, but the people he's with interceded."
That was a surprise. If he was aboard a ship that prevented an Etagllot kidnapping, was there a second ship involved they hadn't detected? Another possibility – Gtar-Cro had mentioned a skimmer…was the Etagllot attempt ground-based? His thoughts jumped ahead. Archangel was saved once again by the mystery ship. Circumstantially, it all but confirmed that Archangel was the target of the last instant save on Hydeera and not Ztar. Who were these apparent guardians of the Human? First things first, though. "Where are they?"
"He provided no location. According to Warren, the ship was damaged by his would-be abductors and being repaired. It sounded as if they were not underway, but stationary."
"That implies the Etagllot also had a ship. Who are these people and how did they know to come to his rescue? Is he certain it was an attempt by the Etagllot? Are they returning him to Earth or taking him somewhere else? If their ship is damaged, do they need assistance? I have many questions, Charles Xavier."
Charles had to smile internally at the rush of inquiries. It was obvious the man was very worried. Ztar loved Warren deeply, that Charles knew from the intense, telepathic probe he conducted on the Emperor months earlier. "I have no answers except one; Warren claims he will be returned to Earth within two days. Until then, he asks that we halt any searches."
Ztar shook his head. "I don't believe that is wise. What if he has been taken against his will? What if they coerced him into telling you what he did? No, I will continue the search, but at a less frantic level for the moment."
Charles was relieved. "Actually, I was hoping you would say that. I, too, have concerns about these rescuers. If the Etagllot are indeed pursuing Warren, we need to act."
"Agreed. I believed they would not give up their quest to acquire the nannites despite my campaign against them. We may have confirmation that my fear is justified."
Charles nodded. "And if they have the technology to slip through your security net..."
"It could happen again. But someone did set off the planetary alarms. Was it an Etagllot ship or Archangel's alleged rescuers? If two ships, and we detected only one, then I'm gravely concerned about the implications. And what are his rescuer's motives?" He frowned at the questions the entire scenario was raising.
"And if the Etagllot can get to Warren, all of Earth's people, mutants in particular, are in jeopardy."
"As are the rest of the Empire's people." Ztar's frown deepened. "Either we have different factions of Etagllot with similar cloaking technology or we have a new player. If that is the case, I'm even more concerned."
"Better the devil you know than the devil you don't," Charles offered the famous saying.
Ztar nodded. "Or as my people say, you can fight the blade you can see."
"Either way, it appears our task of protecting Warren has become more difficult."
"Unfortunately, I agree with you. I'll do all I can and I know you will as well."
Charles nodded. "Warren is very independent. I wish he'd told me when he returned from Sat'rey. We would have been on guard. Instead, he slipped back to Earth and apparently headed out to his aerie on a whim according to estate staff. Not unlike him, but that kind of behavior makes protecting him more challenging."
Ztar smiled at that. "I'd add stubborn to your behavioral assessment. It does not surprise me he failed to inform you of his arrival. Nonetheless, protect him we must until the Etagllot and whoever else have their eyes on our friend are dealt with."
The next many minutes, Charles and Ztar spent reviewing what they knew and creating a plan of action. And while Charles and the X-men would do everything in their power to safeguard Warren and Earth's mutant population, it fell to the alien to safeguard the planet and star system.
Charles rubbed his temples. Old pain gripped him over what his friend and original X-man had endured at the hands of Apocalypse and the permanent violation Warren endured. The nannites were a constant reminder of those past, dark times, and now they were becoming an increasing menace to Warren's future.
"Damn you, Apocalypse!" he swore aloud to his empty office.
###
Den-neer couldn't help but smile at the Human and Emperor's speculations. Keep them wondering – give nothing away unintentionally; that was his modus operandi.
The possibility the Eshaar'ne was unmoving was of interest. Bae had inflicted substantial damage and it did not surprise him the being was unable to maintain phase. Also likely, the Eshaar'ne had not been able to travel far before stopping. Knowing Archangel intended to return to Earth, Den-neer could simply wait. Yet he was restless. Perhaps a methodical search would help pass the time. Who knows – maybe he would be incredibly fortunate and stumble across the wounded ship.
"Bae, initiate FTL phase, follow their last known trajectory, and begin a standard search pattern. Assume they traveled a maximum of one light year in a linear path for the first sweep."
The ship did not acknowledge, but simply did as ordered. Bae had said little since the forced attack on her offspring. She would likely never forgive him even if the other Eshaar'ne survived. It mattered little as long as she did as commanded.
###
A/N: Ztar and Charles may still not be happy, but at least the situation has calmed a bit. Now Warren just needs to get back to Earth.
Next chapter is super short (for me) with as we eavesdrop on both Ettwanae and Warren's middle of the night contemplations that are mingled with a touch of foreshadowing.