Callidus

Issue #25 – Fate of the Stars

By Callidus and connie k

All rights reserved. “Captain Jette Jones, Star Ranger” © 2021 All characters and stories are not to be reproduced in any form without the expressed written permission of the authors.

Captain Jette Jones and her allies clash with Suzerain Supreme Zeta and the powerful and mysterious Goddess of Darkness over the destiny of the galaxy.

Part eight

All seems lost. Jette Jones and Lt. Riesga are at the mercy of Dark Zeta, who has sprung her final trap – unleashing a galaxy-devouring monster upon Te’ Sareez and all who oppose her. Is this the end? Has the Goddess of Darkness finally won? Hold on to your rayvolvers  …

“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! This is the Olympus Mons!”

Captain Adam Fraser, on board the Star Ranger rocketship Ajaye, faced the viewscreen. His expression was grim. “Activate long range sensor beams, now!” The Ajaye was mopping up the last vestiges of enemy forces near Serpens Kauda, the innermost planet in Te’ Sareez. But she was too far away to lend any assistance to the Olympus Mons. “Captain Castilla? It’s Fraser, what’s your status?”

Captain Sara Castilla’s voice was ragged. “We’re being pursued by something! Something huge. We sighted a spatial disturbance on the far side of Serpentarius. Some kind of energy gateway. Something pushed its way through it. It moved to intercept us and we fired everything we had. Weapons had no effect. Came at us even faster!”

“Captain! Look!” Fraser’s first officer pointed to the screen. “What the hell is that?!”

“My god.” Fraser’s grimace made the lines on his face deepen.

As the Olympus Mons raced across Serpentarius’ northern pole, a monstrous face appeared from behind the planet. Glowing eyes burned like suns, rows upon rows of teeth flashed in the purple darkness of space. Giant tentacles sprang out from within its “body,” writhing menacingly. Molten fire shown through cracks in the creature’s vomit-colored flesh.

Over the comm: “Thirty seconds to intercept, Captain!”

“Castilla, divert all power to engines and head for the Orca wreckage!” Fraser barked.

“Aye!”

The silver vessel changed course quickly, but the colossal beast was closing fast.

Fraser’s voice was almost a whisper: “They’re not gonna make it.” He moved toward the viewer, his hands outstretched. “Castilla, eject your landing module and remotely set the fuel cell to —”

But it was too late. The great mouth opened and a shadow fell across the tiny Olympus Mons. There was screaming … then static as the maw slammed shut.

Meanwhile, on the Te’ Sareez Space Station, Dark Zeta – well aware that the monster she has unleashed on the galaxy is beginning its rampage – savors another victory. This one, over Jette Jones, sitting naked at her feet …

The shock of seeing her captain’s nude body in her arms and the low, cackling laughter above her snapped Lt. Kanivia Riesga out of the fever dream the Goddess of Darkness had created in her mind.  She fell backward, away from her captain. Away from her sweat-streaked, gorgeous body.

“Wonderful, wonderful,” Dark Zeta chirped with glee. “That was more than we ever could have hoped for!”

She ran a finger deeply through her own slit and tasted. “Mmmmm. Yes. We can see why you were so hungry, little one. We understand now why humans value their sexuality so highly.”  She paused for a moment, then her smile turned malevolently toward Riesga.  “Alas, we have much work to do now that Suultr is here. We have a galaxy to conquer. It is time for you to die. Your captain can watch.”

The sudden, unbearable humiliation ignited a fire in Riesga. She fought to contain her seething anger, yet it fueled her outrage and diluted the poison Dark Zeta had bled into her mind. She hopped up quickly, defiantly.  She was herself again.

“Don’t I get any last words? You owe me that.”

Dark Zeta’s brows furrowed. “Very well.”

Star Ranger Jette Jones’ eyes were still closed as she remained kneeling naked on the floor, droplets of cum and saliva covering her face.  She wasn’t thinking of anything.  But she was doing something. She was counting.

“Hey! Zeta!” Riesga motioned with her hand. “Knock-knock. Anybody in there? Wow, looks crowded. Can you hear me okay?”

There was a long pause, and Riesga feared she may be overplaying her hand.  Then Dark Zeta spoke. “We hear you.”

“Good! Now, I know you’ve been kinda busy and all, being out of your mind lately like you have been.  But things have changed on Serpentarius.  Have you heard?”

Riesga didn’t let the silence linger. “Your Snake Queen got her head handed to her. And the Roosevelt is in orbit around the planet.  Serpentarius is now under the control of the Star Rangers.”

Riesga thought she saw Dark Zeta shudder slightly. “It is of no importance. Serpentarius is but a speck in the universe.”

“Oh, really? Well, let me tell you about another speck. I bet you haven’t heard this one. I have a feeling your girlfriend in there has kept you from knowing about that one.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your sister. Ana. Maybe the only person in your whole, twisted life you cared about.  She sure loved you. Beats me why she did, the crappy way you treated her.”

“Ana?”  Dark Zeta’s head shook. The golden eyes blinked rapidly as if seeing for the first time. “No …”

“Yeah! Ana! Your sister! Don’t you wanna know –”

“Dead?”

Dark Zeta’s head lifted, and she released a bone-curdling scream. The ape creatures standing guard along the walls of the room cowered.

Jette stopped counting. Her eyes popped open. She sprang up and rushed toward the door she knew was there in the darkness. The slimy creatures weren’t sure what to do.  Dark Zeta had collapsed onto her back. Her body twisting and rolling on the floor.

Just as Jette reached the door, it opened. There was the mechnobot. Its faceplate popped open right on time and Jette retrieved her rayff.

She spun around just as the creatures realized what was happening. The two closest to her were cut down. Riesga bolted toward her. She barrel-rolled behind another creature, undercutting its legs.  Its greasy body slid over her naked back and landed with a heavy plop.

She was up again as Jette swung the rayff back and forth, keeping the creatures at bay.  They were out the door in a flash.  Riesga grabbed up their clothes that were tossed haphazardly by the door. The last thing Jette saw was Dark Zeta’s body writhing on the floor … then another scream — “I’ll kill youuuuuuuu! Primon!”

“Eyes back in your head, Ranger.”  Jette leaned against the corridor wall and pulled on her uniform pants. They didn’t have much time and she didn’t want Riesga’s mind wandering back to their brief “moment.” And she was right –- Riesga’s eyes darted away from her captain’s bare ass.

Jette had counted on Dark Zeta not being surprised with how easily she had fallen back into slave-mode and obediently worshipped the shared body.  Zeta’s feelings were clear: Jette was hers and always would be. She was easy to fool. The Goddess of Darkness, however, let her own arrogance and the overpowering sexual energy she felt from Zeta cloud her judgment. She had herself released Jette from Zeta’s hypnotic control. [See Issue #22 – C&C] Yet she allowed herself to believe Zeta still held that kind of sway over Jette because that’s what her newfound carnal cravings wanted to believe.

It’s not easy being human, Jette thought.

Once dressed, they climbed maintenance tunnels to the top of the station – careful to avoid the dozens of ape creatures searching for them – reaching an ornate circular hatch marked “Observatory”. The room was filled with luxurious carpets and plush furniture. Starlight streamed in through a floor-to-ceiling transparent dome.

“What are we doing up here, Sir?”

Jette stopped short. “Honestly, Lieutenant, I don’t know.  But this is where I’m supposed to be.” She shushed Riesga with a raised hand. “And I don’t believe it’s Dark Zeta telling me.” She thought of Sha-shara and the mind dimension. “There’s a lot going on here that I don’t understand. I just know this is … right.”

Riesga made a face. “Won’t She find us up here?”

“Hopefully, Zeta can keep her distracted a bit longer.” Jette tapped at her hand comp. “Epsilon, do you copy?”

There was a burst of static and then a faint voice. “I read y— Captain.”

“What’s the status of the fleet?”

More static. “Ranger fleet was transported … Edge of the Te’ Sareez … Caretakers are with them … Working to free the minds of … However … New problem.”

Riesga pointed to the opposite side of the circular room: there was a computer console next to a maintenance airlock and equipment locker. “Let’s tie into the station’s comm array. I can clean up their transmission.”

Jette nodded and they hurried across the observation lounge. “Epsilon, I can barely read you. We’re going to boost your signal. Where are you?”

Riesga flipped switches on the console. “Tying in now, Skipper.”

Epsilon’s face appeared on the small screen. “I read you cleanly now, Captain. We’re on board the Ajaye. I star-stepped here with K’wari and Flock.”

Jette swallowed. “How are they?” Epsilon stepped aside and revealed two figures lying beside each other on medical beds, one in gold armor, the other in crimson robes. K’wari was furiously typing on a hand comp.

“They’re both being treated.” Epsilon stepped back into view. Her face was etched in worry. “Captain, we have a very serious problem. Can you see the Orca wreckage from your vantage?”

The two Star Rangers turned and looked out the transparent dome. Riesga drew in a breath as they gazed across space. It was like staring into an abyss, dotted by huge chunks of orange, blotting out the stars. “Look at that!”

The Orca was breaking apart. A fiery debris field smoldered where the gargantuan ship had once been. And in the middle of it all was a colossal creature, its terrible maw opening and closing. Jette’s eyes went wide. They stood in stunned silence as the monster gobbled down the wreckage of the Orca, tearing the colossal hull apart one enormous bite at a time.

She finally spoke. “Do you have any idea what we’re looking at? What this creature is?”

“Yes, Captain.” Epsilon’s matrix was erratic. “During their spacefaring era, the Primons encountered this creature. They described it as a living black hole. They monitored it while it devoured a multitude of star systems over a millennia. They determined, given enough time, it would consume the entire universe. When they gained the power to do so, they lured it into a trap and banished the creature to another dimension. They called it Suultr, the Prathe word for hunger.”

Jette’s jaw flexed. “Suultr. And now She’s brought it back. Either we surrender to her or she lets it eat Te’ Sareez.”

“Epsilon?” It was K’wari, her voice was weak from the painkillers. “Can you star-step it back?”

Epsilon’s matrix fluttered. “Negative. We don’t have the energy. We were able to tap into the Mg77 fuel that powered the Orca to get the fleet away but with the ship devoured …”

Riesga snapped her fingers. “Skipper, what if we got more Mg77? I mean Valinore was planning to sell her haul from the Nursery to somebody.”

Jette’s voice was suddenly distant, strange. “No time.” Her eyes closed, her body leaned back slightly.

“Skipper?” Riesga looked at her captain and felt panic. “Skipper! There’s something I need to tell you!”

Jette didn’t react. The words of Sha-shara planted deeply within her subconscious now rang clear.  Riesga moved closer to her but kept back. “I haven’t had a chance to tell you! It’s about the rayff. Can you hear me?”

Jette whispered dreamily. “I hear you, Kanivia. Tell me.”

She spoke quickly. “I read everything I could about the rayff. The last report was from the Vicars and their study of it.  The rayff is divided into four sections with two engraving for each section.  Each engraving performs a function.  But … they don’t know what they do.”

Jette ran her hands up and down the rayff like a blind woman reading Braille. A faint smile crossed her lips, then she sighed. “I know what they do. Stand back, Kanivia.”

Riesga did, reluctantly.

At first nothing seemed to happen. Riesga saw her captain’s eyes moving under the lids, as if Jette were having a fitful dream. Then her lips began moving. Riesga leaned closer, only picking up fragments of what Jette was saying.

Jette was in the mind dimension. She ran her thumb over one of the etchings: three points of light above a large black spot.

“Creature … threatens all of us. The whole universe.” Jette’s voice was barely a whisper. “Ancient … banished long ago. Primons called it Suultr. It’s back … I need your help.”

After what felt like an eternity, Jette’s eyes opened again and she looked at Riesga with alarming intensity.

“They’re coming.”

Jette adjusted the thruster pack’s shoulder straps then grabbed a bubble helmet from the observatory’s equipment locker.

“You sure about this, Skipper?” Riesga paced back and forth nervously.

“It’s the only way. If we don’t stop it now, it’ll devour the entire Te’ Sareez system. And that’s just for starters.”

Jette slipped on the bubble helmet, pulling Zeta’s collar out of the way as it sealed itself on her neck. They had still been unable to remove it while on the Artemis IV. “Epsilon, what’s our status?”

“Suultr has moved on from the Orca wreckage and is currently on a direct course for the center of the system. We believe its target is the twin suns.”

“Did you get my text transmission?”

“Yes, Captain. I can access enough energy to make it work, but the window of time is less than two seconds. You have to be very quick.”

“Just give me a countdown.”

“Five seconds.”

Jette turned to Riesga. “I’m sorry, Kanivia.” Jette lunged forward and shoved her hard just as a black spot of empty space opened behind her. Riesga tumbled through it.

Riesga found herself lying on her back in a Star Ranger ship’s medical bay.

Epsilon helped her to her feet. “Welcome aboard the Ajaye, Lieutenant.”

The ape creatures, those who had not fled, cowered against the walls of the Council chambers. They were dumbfounded by the sight of their goddess flailing wildly on the floor.

Zeta still underestimated just how much power the Goddess of Darkness was capable of even as they were joined as one being. The Goddess of Darkness had wanted Jette Jones. She wanted her mind and her body, both of which she was certain she could have controlled and used quite easily. Zeta, however, was stubborn, selfish and – as far as humans went – rather infantile. Their body kicked and screamed on the floor like a spoiled toddler.

“Enough!” Dark Zeta’s body went stiff as a board, then relaxed slowly. “We have no time for this! I need to warn Suultr!”

Like some kind of twisted ventriloquist’s dummy, Dark Zeta’s head shook back and forth. “My sister is dead because of you! Serpentarius is lost! My army has been defeated. Everything you promised me was a lie!”

There was an eerie, empty silence in Zeta’s mind. At last, the Goddess of Darkness’ consciousness spoke to her.

“You are quite right, Zeta. Did you truly believe I would leave you to rule Te’ Sareez on your own? You failed to bring Jette to me. I had to do it myself. Your lusts perverted your judgment. A woman ruled by her loins is no queen.”

Enraged, Zeta tried to squirm, to reject this presence inside herself, but she only felt immobilized and weak. Even her anger lost its strength and was soon buried in a black, blank Darkness.

“Since this” — Dark Zeta touched herself — “is all you understand,” the Primon mentally said, “then let it be ALL you know.”

Zeta suddenly felt herself shrinking inside her body. Smaller and smaller. She was aware of the stimulation of sex, but not on her nipples or clit or ears. She felt it in what remained of her mind. The smaller she felt, the stronger she was stimulated.

There was an audible moan. The Goddess of Darkness kept her hands free as she concentrated. The build-up increased relentlessly. Zeta soon teetered on the brink of a massive mental orgasm. She was edging without a body, yet her agitated mind was also deflating like a balloon. Spiked nipples were the only evidence of the arousal deep within it.

Zeta’s body was Hers.

Zeta edged, closer and closer, while the last of herself grew more distant. Compressed to a single, sharp point. Too far away, too powerless to reach the climax she craved.

The torture of denial was exquisite.

Zeta’s mind was merely a tiny blot inside the dominant intelligence which had seized total control. The venereal pulse-pulse-pulsing of her essence reduced to a flicker no bigger than the glow of a lightning bug. Too small, even, for it to register any longer on the consciousness of the Primon.

There Zeta remained.

Jette activated the thruster pack’s force shield. Glowing energy covered her Star Ranger uniform and the bubble helmet; a protective barrier to hold in her small pocket of atmosphere. She opened the observatory’s maintenance airlock, lifted her arms and flew out into space.

“Have the Ajaye link up with the Artemis and then all of you rendezvous with Elexa and Carpenter,” Jette said over the comm as her weighted boots touched down on the roof of the station. “Keep everyone clear until it’s over.”

She looked up … and her eyes widened. “They’re here.”

Butterfly-like wings shimmered with a sapphire-and-magenta glow from the Mg77 coursing through their long serpentine bodies as they soared gracefully into Te’ Sareez space and directly toward the space station.

The dragons had come.

The largest of the three, a stunning, dark female with silver eyes stared at her. Jette could feel eons of knowledge and wisdom, passed down genetically from every member of their species, staring back at her.

Silver swung her head around and the smaller female over her left shoulder, with vivid gold eyes, nodded in response. Then she turned to the male at her right shoulder, with its piercing blue eyes. Blue flexed his great wings and his tail thrashed angrily.

Jette could sense some vague shadow of the mighty dragon’s thoughts. Their conversation in the mind dimension had been more directly telepathic. The rayff she still carried kept their minds tethered just enough that she could feel Silver wondering if the tiny human had the courage to climb on.

Jette didn’t hesitate. She pushed off from the station and flew forward and up, gliding over Silver’s enormous head and found a spot between the great mass of horns atop the dragon’s skull. Jette touched down and found a comfortable bit of natural armor to straddle. She clicked open the rayff staff to its full two-meter length and held it aloft.

“Let’s go!”

Silver launched forward with Gold and Blue trailing on each side. The stars streaked by in Jette’s peripheral vision as they gained more and more speed. They didn’t have far to go.

Dead ahead, Suultr was closing in on the closest of the twin suns of Te’ Sareez. It stopped and turned. The terrible burning eyes fell upon Jette and the space dragons. The gargantuan monster thrashed, its mass of tentacles reaching across space to swat them down.

But the dragons were no insects. Jette could feel something churning within Silver as she stretched her wings. Then her mouth dropped open and blue nuclear fire streaked out! Jette watched as the beam carved a kilometer-wide gouge across the creature’s bulbous head. Then another across its lizard-like body. Jette was awestruck. Silver’s breath could cut a continent in half. Maybe a planet.

The chasm split open and molten gore from deep within Suultr’s body spilled out. The monster roared in pain. Gold weaved through the giant limbs as she drew closer to the monster’s body. The tendrils were everywhere, closing around her from all directions.

Gold’s eyes flashed and her mouth spewed out blinding fire, piercing Suultr’s carapace. At first nothing happened. Then Suultr’s tentacles flexed and thrust forward to snatch Gold. The wound suddenly tore open revealing a deep chasm leading directly to the interior of its body. Fiery life-blood spurted forth as Gold soared clear. Blue dove in and his blast cut through one of the tentacles and sawed it clean off.

But Jette knew such a creature did not consume star systems without learning to defend itself. “Something’s happening.”

One of the great, damaged tentacles suddenly split down its length, turning into dozens of smaller tendrils that each shot forward like a swarm of eels. The three Driacs were instantly snared. Jette held on tightly as Silver thrashed wildly. The tendrils closed over the great dragon’s wings, bound its limbs and then constricted around its head! The fleshy tentacles were closing in around Jette.

She leaned forward. “Silver, I need your fire!” The dragon’s jaws were clamped shut but there was just a bit of teeth showing through. Silver let the energy build in her mouth. Jette plunged the rayff down as far as she could reach and let the staff drink it up. The pommel grew warm. Then hot. Then it began to hiss and vibrate.

She pulled the rayff free and beat the staff against the tendril in front of her. “Get off of her!” She struck the tentacle and sent the stored energy surging into it like a lightning strike. The tendrils let go and flailed uncontrollably.

Silver wrenched her head free and breathed fire, slicing through the limbs holding her body. She bit down on the tendril around her neck and ripped it in half. Then she fired her breath into the tentacles that had Blue ensnared. The dragon pulled itself free.

Gold was not so fortunate. She was completely ensnared. The horrid tendrils were flexing violently one way, then another. Then the tentacles pulled in every direction at once and ripped Gold apart.

Silver roared and beat her wings in fury. She pulled them up into a high arc. Then plummeted down into a savage dive. “The eyes, go for the eyes!” Jette shouted, pointing with the rayff. She felt the energy move through the dragon beneath her. And then atomic fire sliced through Suultr’s eyes. The huge orbs sputtered and went dark, blinded.

Jette looked across the wide, gaping mouth and saw that Blue was badly injured. The dragon’s rear legs hung limply and they were twisted in a wholly wrong direction. But the dragon was not out of the fight. Not even close.

Blue was systematically flying circuits back and forth across Suultr’s vast body and using his breath weapon to sever the vile tentacles at their base. The dead limbs drifted away and burned themselves into scorched chitin.

But Suultr was not so easily beaten. The great monster pointed its remaining digits toward the closer of the two suns and the tendrils began to glow strangely. The star flickered as a stream of gas and particles were pulled right off the surface like they were being sucked up by some cosmic tornado.

Jette tapped her hand comp. “Epsilon, it’s drawing energy directly from one of the suns. It might be trying to heal itself! We need to strike much deeper if we’re going to kill it. How stable is that Mg77 fuel it gobbled up? Can it be detonated?”

Epsilon turned away from the screen, Flock was muttering something. She turned back. “Johansen says that photon charges work just fine.”

“Great. Now how do we take a shot that deep inside it?”

“Captain Jones?” Suddenly a new signal cut in. It was Sigma with another Caretaker, Gamma, on the Artemis IV. “We have an idea but you’re not going to like it. We propose to set off a chain reaction within the creature and detonate all of the fuel at once.”

“Why don’t I like this idea?”

“Because it means we will not be able to return your ship to you as we’d planned,” Sigma said flatly.

As if reading Jette’s thoughts, Sigma continued. “You are where you’re supposed to be, Captain Jones. So are we. We will need your help to get through.”

Jette called out to Silver. “We have to clear a path!” The dragon nodded its great head and thrust forward. Silver’s jaws opened and she unleashed atomic fire, cutting through a half dozen tentacles in one pass.

Jette watched as her beloved ship zig-zagged through the forest of tendrils. The tiny rocketship lurched forward quickly … then disappeared into Suultr’s mouth. Seconds felt like hours. Then, BOOOM!

The explosion was massive – ripping a huge hole into the side of the beast’s reptilian body. Jette leaned forward and patted Silver’s head, and the Driac dove forward, dangerously close to the wave of exploding energy particles gushing from the monster.

The insides of the beast began collapsing into itself like a lava-covered mountainside. The monster’s mouth opened wider … and began consuming its own body in huge, gulping swallows. The head began to grow larger.

Jette extended the rayff and it also began soaking up the energy particles emitted by the wounded creature.  Its body began to shrivel, its tendrils hanging limply around it.  Jette kicked with her leg, and Silver dove downward toward the huge hole.

They disappeared inside.

The walls of the creature’s insides were covered in death and destruction – a graveyard of dead ships, cities, oceans. Planets and civilizations. They banked to the left and flew toward the monster’s head from the inside.

“This thing’s gotta have a brain!”

There was more destruction — pieces of the Olympus Mons, the Orca, ships Jette couldn’t even recognize all being digested by a massive blob of thick, oozing, gray puss.

With a mighty yell — “Eeeeeeeyaaaaaah!” — Jette fingered one of the engravings on the staff, pointed it and discharged all of its remaining stored energy into the mass of goo, joined by a supercharged blast of fire from Silver’s angry mouth.

There was a high-pitched, inhuman shriek all around them as a huge crevasse was ripped across the center of the gray blob, venting its poison into space. Jette could see stars on the other side.

“Fly, fly!” Jette roared, pulling at Silver’s horns. The Driac ducked her head and soared through the opening.

Blue wasn’t far ahead them, the light of his wings sputtering as he struggled along. Silver scooped him up with her front legs just as the creature’s mouth let out a galaxy-shaking scream!

Silver reared up and turned. She and Jette watched as Suultr thrashed wildly. Explosion after explosion within punched enormous holes in the gigantic head.

A titanic BLAST lit up the solar system! Jette threw a hand up to shield her eyes.

When the bright flash dimmed, Suultr was no more.

Silver swooped down above the space station and Jette launched herself outward, landing heavily on the roof.

Jette lifted her hand to wave, but the two Driacs had already soared off.

“You think this is the end, Jette?” She spun around. “It is only the beginning of the end.”

Fifty feet in front of her, the Goddess of Darkness was waiting. Zeta’s body glowed with orange-and-red flames. She was encircled by a translucent energy bubble, which extended out some 10 feet around her. Even the superbeing needed air to breathe.

“You’re finished … goddess,” Jette said defiantly. “Time to crawl back into the hole you came from.”

The Goddess of Darkness’s smile was coy. “Jette, when will you realize? I am a Primon. The most powerful being in your universe.”

Jette smirked and shook the rayff. “Not while I have this, you ain’t.”

The Goddess of Darkness, her human body surging with power, reached out with her hand and a jagged bolt of energy flew toward Jette. There was a mighty CRACK as it struck the rayff Jette held before her face. She nearly stumbled backward but held it tightly.  The rayff hissed as it soaked up the energy.

Jette pointed the staff at the Primon, firing the powerful charge back at her, but the protective bubble sent the blast veering away harmlessly.

“That’s a neat trick,” Jette shouted. She held her ground.

The two combatants traded volleys again with the same results.

“It appears we are at an impasse, Jette.” Surprisingly, there was a different look on the Primon’s face. To Jette, it appeared as if her hips jutted to the side, her breasts seemed to swell. The anger was gone. In its place was a look that was all woman.

“Put that weapon down … and embrace your goddess.” The Goddess of Darkness open her arms invitingly. “We have shared consciousness in the mind dimension, Jette. You have had the dreams, glimpses of your future. Your whole life. And I have been there with you.”

Jette’s expression softened. “My past and future,” she whispered.

The Primon smiled. “It is at last time to meet your fate.”

Jette knew she was right. This was the future she had been led to. She felt it in her mind, her heart. And damningly between her legs.

She stepped forward. She lowered the rayff with one hand as it retracted. Her other hand pressed against the barrier. It gave way momentarily and she stepped through it. She dropped the rayff. She unhooked her helmet. She undressed. All the while her eyes remained on the Goddess of Darkness. This wasn’t Zeta. She couldn’t sense her presence at all. This was a Primon in human form. A woman of fire. A body so enticing that Jette seemed magnetized, like an electron around an atom.

Jette stood before the Goddess of Darkness naked but for the thick collar around her neck. Jette’s body was perfection in the Primon’s yellow-gold eyes.  Her hands rose slowly. Even the powerful Primon could not predict what the Star Ranger would do next. Withdrawing from the mind dimension, and without Zeta’s “humanness” to guide her, the Primon was unsure. Yet they both knew that with a wave of her hand, Jette would be turned to ashes.

The Goddess of Darkness could see the lustful look in Jette’s eyes. It was a look the Primon had never been given before. She was excited by it. They stood breast to breast. Jette reached out … and plucked the glowing dark orange nipples.

The Goddess of Darkness’ breath caught. The sensation surprised her – she felt it on her clit, like a hungry lick. Jette tugged them again, pulling the woman to her. And they kissed.

They lost themselves in passion. Groping, squeezing, sucking. Their tongues tying in a union of fated lovers. With a firm hand on her ass, Jette steered the Primon onto her back.

Jette knew Zeta’s body well. Where to kiss and where to bite. She ran her hands up and down her arms, licked behind her ear and down her long neck.

The Goddess of Darkness was never more removed from her Primon origins. All these sensations were new! This is what she had longed for – to feel! Yet she hadn’t prepared herself for the profound depths true carnal desire could send her.

She heard herself moan as Jette offered her breasts and she feasted on them with her lips and teeth. It was its own kind of mindlessness. The Goddess of Darkness had completely tamped down Zeta’s presence within her, and these new untethered emotions flooded her senses, her awareness of time and place. The ecstasy of the seduction.

And the need.

Jette could feel the body beneath her trembling as her hands roamed lower, across her ribs and down to the glowing red fur. There was no hurry. She could feel the Primon’s need on her fingertips, letting it grow, surging like an underground volcano readying to explode.

Jette’s fingers lightly dabbed at the petals of the Primon’s fiery flower. Her back arched and her legs opened. Jette could hear the shocked gasps of discovery. Zeta had experienced a thousand orgasms, but she was now quieted and detached from these sensations. The Goddess of Darkness was naked and alone like a virgin on her bridal bed.

But she was not alone.

“Jette …”

She didn’t hear herself say it. She was beyond thinking. She was driven by desire and want and nothing else. Only Jette could send her over the edge.

She grabbed Jette’s wrist suddenly, perhaps to push her away. But Jette’s hand was pulled, begging her to be filled. Two fingers entered, lightly brushing against the inner walls of her treasure and a deeper moan left her lips. Jette kissed softly around her open thighs, while her other hand reached up to pinch a defenseless nipple.

Soooooo close. Her wetness bathed the probing fingers and the Primon felt her hips contract – first tightening then opening even more.

“More …” she whispered roughly.

Long licks scooped up her cream along the edge of her ass up to the sopping patch of hair. She thought her heart might explode as Jette’s thumb slid deeply into her yearning hole.

The all-powerful being that was the Goddess of Darkness was going out of her mind. Jette’s thumb filled her, but it was not enough. Could there ever be enough? The feelings of ecstasy continued to build but more slowly. Her head turned and she bit into her own shoulder. She needed the sensations, enough more to deliver her to orgasmic bliss.

She gasped again. Jette slowly pulled out of her, then rubbed the spasming button above the crease. Up and down. She pressed on it with the palm of her hand. Another flood of wetness poured over her asscheeks.

“Please …”

It wasn’t the plea of a superbeing. It was the cry of a woman in need.

She felt the tap-tap of something hard, larger than a thumb, parting her twitching pussy lips. Then it entered her. The Goddess of Darkness’ body jolted, her legs opened even wider, desperately, and she threw her legs across Jette’s back as if trying to swallow her whole. Jette pushed the invader in deeper, then held it still.

“Take meeeee!” she screamed. The chrome phallus twisted slowly, then plunged into her depths. Deeply in, then out, then deeeeeeper …

The Goddess of Darkness cried again. “Yesssssssss!” Then just as suddenly in a shocked, higher voice — “Nooooooooo!”

Captain Jette Jones fingered the two circles carved into the rayff – the etched image of the twin suns of Te’ Sareez. She pressed down hard.

The Goddess of Darkness came.

Then went.

Her limbs stiffened, her hands clawed at empty air. As her climax hit full force, the staff buried inside her weeping sex began to vibrate wildly. The rayff was absorbing her! Sucking her energy into itself. She could feel herself being pulled inside!

The Primon felt a numbness in her fingers and toes. A dull emptiness had invaded her body. Jette gripped the rayff with both hands as it shook. So much energy! She could barely hang on. Hang on! The body beneath her bucked out of control.

The renegade’s legs thudded on the roof lifelessly as every ounce of her strength was being sucked out from between her legs. There was a desperate wail. Strong at first, then it collapsed into a weak groan as it too seemed to be soaked up by the rayff.

The body went still, but only for a moment. Summoning what little of her power remained, the Goddess of Darkness lashed out! There was a thunderous BOOM! And the rayff was violently expelled, sending Jette flying backward. Her hands held on, but they were on fire!

Jette slammed against the protective bubble. It was starting to disintegrate. She tried to crawl to her helmet before it dissolved completely, but lightning charges tied the rayff to the Primon. Jette couldn’t let go. Her arms were weakening, her strength almost gone. Her hands sputtered with flames.

She desperately rolled toward the helmet and pushed her head inside just as the force shield bubble disappeared. But she couldn’t secure it around her head. She dared not let go. She held her breath …

The bolts of energy brightened … then dimmed slowly. The gold in the Primon’s eyes went black.

Jette quickly cinched the helmet around her neck. Gasping for breath, she crawled to the exterior control panel and slammed down the lever. An entire section of the space station roof descended.

Once inside the station, the secondary hull above her closed with a heavy clang.

Jette dressed quickly, then carefully stepped toward the powerless Primon. The open, black eyes turned green. The body began to stir.

“Zeta?” Jette couldn’t believe it. “Zeta.”

The body rose and stood uneasily.  Breathing heavily, the woman looked at Jette.

“Well. I suppose I should thank you.” And she smiled. It was Zeta.

“The war is over, Zeta,” Jette said. Her voice was firm. “You’re coming with me.”

“What do you say we call it even? Hmm?” Jette looked at her sternly, as if she were a misbehaving child. “No? Perhaps you’re coming with me then.”

Zeta reached up to fondle her earring, then pressed the button hidden there.

ZZZZZZAP!

Jette felt choked as a powerful electric charge fired into her from the collar. She grabbed for it, falling to her knees. The pain was like nothing she had ever felt. She fell forward, then weakly tried to push herself up. But the mind-blowing pain was too much. She collapsed, her body spasming from the shock.

Zeta looked down at her, almost indifferently. She bit her lip and bent over.  She dressed herself slowly as Jette shuddered at her feet. She paused only a moment to look at Jette again before walking toward one of the interior exits on the station. At the door, she turned.

Jette sucked in a breath as if it were her last. Then – suddenly – the pain was gone. The collar opened and clanged onto the deck.  She coughed, feeling her throat loosening. Bleary-eyed, she looked across the room at Zeta.

“I don’t need a collar to bind you to me, Jette.”

Jette looked down at the collar. Then at the rayff, before looking back up at Zeta.

“Good-bye, Captain Jones. Until we meet again.”

And she was out the door.

Jette picked up the rayff. In her hand, she had the power to apprehend Zeta. The beeping sound from the station’s comm array turned her attention. It was Riesga.

“Skipper! Am I glad to see you! Where’s Dark Zeta?”

Jette retracted the rayff and put it on her belt.

“She had a staff meeting.”

“Your hands!”

“They’ll be all right.”

Riesga’s eyes didn’t think so. “The dragons have flown off, Captain. Is it over?”

Jette looked away. She thought of Coral Pace and Sha-shara. Of the two queens, Ana and Kalokairi.  Of Zeta and the Goddess of Darkness. And the cost in human life.

“Yeah,” she said. “It’s all over.”

One week later, on Serpens Caput …

The streets of the capital city were bustling with activity and high spirits. Despite months of hardship, destruction and death, the brave people of Serpens Caput were quick to rally together and rebuild their lives.

Many of the bombarded structures were being repaired or torn down. The marketplaces were open, filled with cheerful voices and delicious smells. In the opened courtyards around the great palace, crowds had formed and there was laughter and crying as friends and families reunited. The heavy pall of occupation had at last been lifted.

Cpl. Kabie Fizburn took in the sights with a sense of awe and pride. One hand clutched tightly to the medallion around her neck. Her part in the defense of Caput, to her, seemed small. But she had been decorated by the queen herself! What a glorious day!

She felt an arm across her shoulder. Grinning broadly, Sgt. Bev Sullum leaned against her to share the moment.

“I never thought this day would come, Corporal.” Her own medal twinkled in the bright sunshine – although one of their suns was now much dimmer than it used to be. It would serve as a reminder to generations to come what occurred here.

“I did,” Fizburn replied. “Our faith kept us going to the end. Sometimes, Sarge, faith is all we have.”

Sullum pulled the laser gun from her holster. “Yeah, and about 50,000 of these.”

“The queen! The queen!” someone yelled. And cheers and calls erupted around the palace. They grew louder and stronger with every breath.

Fizburn and Sullum looked up to the center balcony of the palace, waving their arms and cheering with the rest as Queen Diamanti smiled down and returned the waves. Every person feeling as if the queen was waving only to them.

By her side was their champion, the Vipera Berus, Jette Jones.

Diamanti looked to the sky. “The great Darkness around Caput is gone, Jette. It gladdens me that you are with me to see this.”

They turned together and moved inside.

“The High Clerics have named me Suzerain Supreme. Our four planets are finally united.” She paused and met Jette’s eye. “I am still married, Jette. The ceremony was binding. Ander shall rule at my side, and our heir shall one day rule Te’ Sareez.”

Jette felt the sudden finality of Diamanti’s words. She could only nod slowly.

“We have run out of honors to give you, Jette. Three times you have rescued my people from oppression.” She pressed her delicate, bronze hand to the gold medallion of the Vipera Berus on Jette’s chest. “I release you from your burden.”

“Protecting you has never been a burden, Suzerain.”

And the sadness which passed across Diamanti’s face made Jette want to cry. They longed to be in each other’s arms again. But that future was never to be theirs.

“I do not know if we will see each other again, Jette. But please remember — my heart shall always be yours.”

“And mine yours, Diamanti.”

They shared a long smile, deep and lasting. Diamanti bowed her head and returned to the balcony. Jette waited until the sound of cheering filled her ears.

Elexa Dyne stood by the ladder leading up to her ship amid the dozens spread out across the capital city’s landing field.

“Where are you off to?” Jette was standing close, and Elexa took a moment to appreciate her dashing good looks in her dress uniform. Elexa looked off her and up.

“I have to return this to its owner. I don’t think I’ll tell them their ship I stole helped win a war.”

“And then?” Elexa’s eyebrows rose. “I know, never mind. Thanks, Elexa. We couldn’t have pulled this off without you. I mean that.”

“Don’t tell everyone. You’ll put me out of business.”

“No. Just the ones who matter.”

“Take care of the redhead for me, Jette. Tell her my door is always open.” Her head tilted. “If … it’s all right with you?”

“She a big girl. But I’d be careful, Elexa. Something tells me she may be more than even you can handle.”

“Challenge accepted.”

Jette smiled warmly, and Elexa suddenly felt the awkwardness of this good-bye.

“Oh hell …”

She took Jette’s head in her hands and kissed her hard. Jette wasn’t thinking about Diamanti in that moment. She wasn’t even thinking about Elexa. She was thinking of someone else.

Elexa stepped back knowingly.

“Okay.”

It’s just as well, she thought. A spy can’t afford to be in love. She forced herself to think about having a three-way with Princess Miko and her bodyguard when she returned home.

“You’ll still look me up in Tokyo next time your Earthbound, right? Before Japan sinks into the ocean.”

“Of course.”

She gave Jette a wink and hurried up the ladder. Jette couldn’t help staring at Elexa’s ass as she climbed.

One week later, on Moonbase One …

Flock awoke, then squinted.

“Toto, I don’t think we’re in Oz anymore.”

K’wari folded her arms. “You sound just like you.”

Jette and K’wari were standing by the bed.  Everything was white and sanitary, like a hospital, but Flock was quick to notice the guard posted outside her door and hooks for restraints by her elbows and ankles.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m doing okay, Captain, under the circumstances. A lot of poking and prodding. Not sure what they have planned for me though.”

“They’re going to keep you here for a couple months,” Jette said. “For deprogramming.”

“Deprogramming … that doesn’t sound very fun.”

“It’s better than the alternative, Johansen.”

Flock sat up, her eyes jumping from face to face. “Hey, you guys, don’t look so cheerful, you’re freaking me out. I’m still Flock. You know. Somewhere in here. I could use a cheeseburger though.”

Jette smiled. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“And a milkshake. Vanilla.”

K’wari laughed. “I wouldn’t have thought vanilla would be your flavor.”

“Yeah, well, it feels like vanilla is all I’ll be up to for a while.”

Jette patted her leg with a bandaged hand. “I’ll let you two talk. Johansen, I’ll stop by again before I leave. It’s good to have you home.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Jette turned to go. “Cap’n? Be careful turning your back on me.”

Jette turned around. The look on her face alone told Flock what she needed to know. “Flock, you may not realize it now, but I think blasting me was the only way you could have saved me.”

The words hung in the air around Flock. “Good night, Sir.”

Flock let out a deep, contented breath before looking at K’wari. She wasn’t sure what to say.

“It’s not a cheeseburger, but I have something for you,” K’wari said. Her eyes drifted to a table in the corner of the room. On it was the helmet to Flock’s power armor.

“Wow!” she said excitedly. “I thought that was lost for sure.”

“Found in one of the sentry’s rooms on the space station. I have to give it back though. The science division has been monkeying around with your armor, trying to figure out what makes it tick.”

Flock giggled, and it made K’wari warm inside hearing it. “Good luck with that. It’s a waste of time. You know what the secret to the FLOCK is, K’wari?” She tapped her chest. “It’s me.”

K’wari slid into the bed next to her. She combed Flock’s matted blonde hair with her fingers slowly and gently.

“Is this part of my therapy?”

“No, Flock. It’s part of mine.”

K’wari kissed her forehead, then worked her way down.

“Have a seat.”

Rear Admiral Hartley motioned to the chairs opposite her desk. Jette’s eyes moved to the large screen on the wall. Three, well-dressed dignitaries were staring back at her. “This is the Galactic Systems League’s Defense Sub-Committee. They are joining this hearing as official witnesses of record.”

Jette stood in the at ease position, resting her hands in the small of her back. “If it’s all the same to you, Admiral, I’d rather stand for this.”

Hartley sighed heavily. One hand played with the collar of her uniform. Jette noted that the button hooks on her tunic were all closed today. “Vice Commander Jones, we’re here to formally review charges and disciplinary measures regarding your recent actions in the Te’ Sareez system. Do you wish to request counsel?”

Jette snapped to attention. “No, Sir.”

Hartley cleared her throat. “I am required to enter into the record the list of charges against you:  Unauthorized use of an Earth satellite. Violating a Galactic Systems League no-fly zone. Disobeying a direct order from the Supreme Commander of the Star Ranger Corps. And, engaging in unauthorized warfare in the Te’ Sareez system, specifically on the planet Serpens Caput.”

Jette nodded solemnly. “That’s all true and I take full responsibility for what I did, Sir.”

“So noted.” Hartley removed her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose. “But that’s not the whole story, is it? There are a few other things I’d like to enter into the record. Do you know what the death toll was in Te’ Sareez?”

Jette stood a bit straighter. “It’s over ten million as of this morning, Sir. The Black Widdom and the Diamond Warriors were especially brutal on Serpens Caput.”

“However, it could’ve been far worse.” Hartley picked up a data pad. “Suzerain Supreme Diamanti, who recently decorated you as a Citizen of Te’ Sareez, has stated that, quote, without Captain Jones’ bravery the death toll would’ve been measured in billions. End quote. Is that right?”

“Perhaps the queen was overestimating, Sir.”

“Perhaps.” Hartley nodded. “I also have testimony from Star Ranger officers who say that the beings known as Caretakers were essential in freeing our prisoners from Black Vigil conditioning. Tell me, Vice Commander, who did you contact during your unauthorized satellite access?”

“My former pilot, Epsilon.”

“Epsilon is a Caretaker.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“So, you’re also responsible for involving the Caretakers in the Te’ Sareez conflict?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“You enabled and assisted in the theft of the Artemis IV by the Caretakers and are thus directly responsible for its destruction as well.” Hartley walked in a circle around Jette slowly. “Given some of these mitigating circumstances, I’m inclined to let the first two charges slide. If the committee will allow me.” She didn’t bother to look at the screen for confirmation. “However, there is absolutely no excuse where these final two charges are concerned.”

“No, Admiral.”

Hartley spun around to face Jette. “But, surely, there must be a reason?”

“Sir?”

Hartley leaned close. “Why did you go to Te’ Sareez and combat the Primon known as the Goddess of Darkness?  What was your motive?” The witnesses appeared to be on the edges of their seats.

“As the Vipera Berus of Serpens Caput, I felt an obligation –”

“Nothing supersedes your oath as a Star Ranger,” Hartley snapped. “Or was it something more personal? The fact that she was responsible for the deaths of your parents?”

Jette knew she couldn’t tell Hartley and members of the GSL that there was another reason — that she had felt compelled to go to Te’ Sareez. She knew she would have been busted out of the service.

“I cannot say, Admiral.”

“As a result you used poor judgment and under the color of authority you ordered other Star Rangers – specifically those of the Roosevelt, Ajaye and the Olympus Mons — to join your misguided mission. Tell me, are those the actions of a good Flag Officer?”

“It wasn’t just … No, Sir.”

“I’m glad we agree.” Hartley reached into a drawer and pulled out a small box. “This entire affair has demonstrated that you are unfit to be Vice Commander of the Star Ranger Corps. Therefore, effective immediately, you are stripped of that title and its authority.”

Hartley removed the rank insignia from Jette’s uniform. “I wish it could’ve worked out for you here on Moonbase One, Jette. With me.” Hartley gave her a meaningful look. “But I see now that you belong elsewhere.”

Jette looked into Onimanina’s eyes. “Admiral, I’m sorry I let you down.”

Hartley opened the box. A familiar emblem was inside. “I am demoting you two steps in rank to the grade of Captain.”

“Two steps?!” One of the witnesses gasped. “Isn’t that a bit harsh, Rear Admiral?”

“No,” Hartley said firmly. She pinned the silver bars to Jette’s uniform. “You are returning to the Ranger patrol fleet though you will no longer be commanding the flagship. That honor has passed to Adam Fraser, the new captain of the Roosevelt.

“Also, this time I will be picking your crew.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Hartley returned to her desk. She adjusted her spectacles and began reading the assignment chart in front of her. “Report to your new ship, Captain Jones. I want you in deep space this time tomorrow. Dismissed.”

Jette bowed formally toward the screen, then gave a quick nod to Hartley. As she headed out the door, she was smiling.

Despite the harsh reprimand, Hartley had given Jette exactly what she wanted, and she knew it. It felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. At the end of the hallway, Lt. Riesga and Epsilon were waiting.

There was a twinkle in Jette’s eye. “Looks like we’re back in business.”

Riesga slapped her hands together. “I knew it! Cosmo is going to be so excited!” She caught what she said and blushed. “Well, I mean, you know, he’s a junior cadet Star Ranger now.”

“Epsilon? What are you doing here?”

“I have my own meeting with Admiral Hartley in 13 minutes, Jette. The Caretakers have been released by the Primons. They will now be free to live their own lives and make their own choices.”

“I’m sorry about Sigma … and Gamma.”

“They died for a high purpose. I believe they would have willingly done so again.”

“And what about you, Epsilon? What choice will you make?”

Epsilon took a step forward. “I am not a Star Ranger. Yet.” And she smiled in a way Eilea Bowman would have smiled. “I choose to be with you … Skipper.”

Riesga tugged her arm excitedly. “So, what about the dragons?”

“The Driacs will live among us, Kanivia.” Her eyes met Jette’s again. “The one you call Blue was severely injured in the conflict.  My understanding is that he has made his way to Indora.”

“Indora?” Jette and Riesga almost said it in unison.

“Yes. What better place for a galactic peacekeeper to be than with the peacekeepers of our galaxy?”

“And Silver?”

Epsilon’s face was suddenly solemn. “She is the most powerful being in this universe, Captain. She will keep order, just as the Primons intended. However, she will dispense her own justice to maintain it. And maintain her power. Even if it comes in conflict with the GSL.”

Jette nodded. “I understand. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Three months later, in the farthest reaches of a distant solar system …

Yago 4 was far from Te’ Sareez and light years from the most distant member planets of the Galactic Systems League. Its northern and southern poles were mountainous and barren, but at its equator it was rich with mammals, fishes, birds and plant life. It was also extremely humid and tropical.

Cut into the foliage near one of the planet’s plentiful rivers, two large structures were being erected. In front of them, a canopy had been built, giving shade to a cluster of lounging chairs and tables neatly arranged beneath it. Goblets of cooling beverages were everywhere.

“It’s soooo hot! And my hair! It’s as tangled as the fur of a glomrat!”

Glamora fanned her face with a fistful of feathers, although they offered little relief from the heat. Her pregnancy only added to her discomfort. She had nearly reached full term, chronically pushing with her stomach in a vain attempt to give birth before it was time.

“Will you stop whining, Glamora!”

Zeta, looking no worse for wear from her months in exile, turned her head sharply as if her sunbathing had been rudely interrupted. “If you don’t shut up I’ll cut out the whelp myself!”

“I’m sorry, my queen. I’m not used to living under such barbaric conditions.”

“It won’t be much longer. I’ve arranged to have someone help you deliver the child when the time is near. A Turgit woman. She’s not much to look at but she does obey.”

Glamora scrunched her face. Turgits were galactic nomads with horribly misshapen humanoid features. But they also had just the kind of submissive nature to make them ideal minions.

After all, Zeta was in no position to pick and choose her slaves.

“Ahhh, Ryaki! I see you have brought something for me.”

Zeta’s ever-faithful, right-hand girl walked in front of a tall, proud creature – its paws handcuffed, its arms gripped tightly by two hulking Diamond Warriors. The prisoner was a female with feline features that were more lion than woman. Brownish fur covered her body and around her head and down her back flowed a long orange-and-black mane – an unusual trait for a female.

The lioness was dressed in loose-fitting animal skins and stood on two padded feet, which did not conceal their sharp claws.

“What is your name?” Zeta asked with genuine curiosity.

“I am called Regina Cantatis. I am the leader of my tribe.”

A smile lit Zeta’s face. “A queen’s thrall. Very appropriate. You and your tribe are now under my rule.” She waved her hand toward the Diamond Warriors busily working nearby. “Or they shall die.”

“We will not submit to you, alien,” the lion chieftess spat out. “Leave this planet. I have a vast army. You will not succeed.”

Zeta rubbed her chin. “Army, you say? Things are looking up, Ryaki!”  Ryaki nearly orgasmed from the pleasure of once again serving her queen. She allowed herself a quick pinch to an eager nipple when Zeta looked away.

Zeta stood slowly and approached the lioness. In her hand was an emerald-green, diamond-shaped stone.  She rolled it between her fingers.

“Do you know what this is, thrall? It was a gift from the people of R’th Nark.” She leaned close. “Whom I enslaved. Much to Glamora’s regret, the crystals they also bestowed upon me have been lost. But this? I still have this. Hold her tightly.”

Abruptly, Zeta pressed the stone against the lioness’ forehead. There was a sizzling sound, the smell of burning hair. The chieftess’ eyes slammed shut. When they opened again, her deep, brown eyes were a milky white.

Zeta removed her hand, but the stone remained embedded in the lioness’ forehead.

“Now. Listen carefully, thrall. I am your Mistress. Say it.”

The lion creature’s jaw slackened, her mouth opened slowly as if she were drugged.

“You are my Mistress.”

“Yes, very good. And you will always obey me. And obey all of my commands. Say it.”

“I will always obey you and obey all of your commands.”

“Yes, you will.” Zeta began to undress. She paused for a moment to make sure everyone around could see her clearly. The Diamond Warriors nearby stopped working and gazed devoutly at their leader. Zeta’s body never looked more alluring. She yanked the hides off her prisoner’s body. She liked what she saw.

“Now. Your army will surrender to me. And every member of your tribe shall … volunteer to be my slaves.” An evil leer grew on Zeta’s face. “Say it!”

“My army will surrender to you and my tribe …” The lion queen’s body shuddered, her eyes squinted. She bore her sharp teeth as she winced. Then …

“My tribe will be your s-s-slaves.”

“Excellent! Do you know, Regina Cantatis, that the last leader I used the mind stone on was on his hands and knees sobbing and begging at this point? How rewarding it is to find that you were meant to be a queen’s thrall after all.”

Ryaki’s hand moved rapidly inside her pants; Glamora was bored.

“There now,” Zeta said, returning to her lounger. She spread her knees. “Come here, slave, and kneel at my feet. I want to feel those whiskers.”

The lioness obeyed.

The rough tongue tickled Zeta’s pinkness as if it were lapping at a saucer of cream.

As the first orgasm surged through her hips, Zeta had a passing thought, and she spoke it aloud. “Mmmmm. Yes. This is going to work out nicely.” She pulled at the furry ears between her legs, slamming the lioness’ mouth hard against her dripping lips. “It won’t be long before the galaxy trembles again at the mention of my name!”

The Diamond Warriors began chanting, and soon Ryaki joined in, while cumming wantonly on her fingers.

“Zeta! Zeta! Zeta! Zeta! …”

Captain Jette Jones entered the empty room and the hatch slid shut behind her. She pressed her thumb to a plate on the wall and the hatch locked with a series of loud clicks. Jette removed Yasu’s rayff from her belt. It was still warm and humming slightly from the untold energy of the being trapped inside it. She approached the manual override for the torpedo launching system. She flipped a series of switches and opened the circular port cover of Launch Tube 1.

She saw something out of the corner of her eye. Jette turned to find a humanoid shape filled with stars in the center of the room.

“You must return the renegade to us, Jette Jones.”

Jette clutched the rayff tightly as she faced the Primons. At length, she simply said, “No.”

The Primons were silent, the stars within their form spinning slowly.

Jette cocked her head. “You knew how this was going to end. If there had been a different outcome, would you have done anything to stop it?”

“We were never certain of the outcome. We knew the probabilities. Your resourcefulness did not surprise us. We do not interfere with your reality.”

Jette shook her head. “Doing nothing is a choice. The choice you made? Cost millions of lives.”

The cosmos within their body shifted, moving a bit faster. “The difference between life and death is only your limited perspective of time, Captain Jones.”

“Life and death isn’t a game to us. You arranged the pieces on the board – the Caretakers, Yasu, Te’ Sareez. You could have dealt with the renegade on your own, but you needed us to do your dirty work. To play your game.” Jette looked at the rayff. “But it’s still my turn. If you didn’t interfere then, you won’t stop me now.”

“Probabilities and outcomes, Captain Jones. But be warned. The weight of this outcome rests on you.”

Jette turned away from them, then placed the rayff into the launch tube and shut the port. She pressed a large red button and there was a whooshing sound from the tube.

Jette was alone in the room once again.

The hatch to the command module swished open and Jette strode through. “Captain on deck!” Second Lieutenant Sewena Carpenter leaped to her feet and stood at attention next to the operations console to Jette’s left.

“Carry on.” Jette gave a casual wave. “Do we have a visual?”

“Aye Sir,” Riesga spun around in her co-pilot’s chair. Cosmo was sitting on her shoulder looking like three black ice cream scoops. She flicked a switch and the screen came on. A black hole’s accretion disk glowed brightly against the backdrop of space. “Maintaining distance at seven million kilometers. Your care package is about to be delivered.” Riesga pointed, and Cosmo slid off her shoulder and pressed a button. A green circle on the screen highlighted the tiny rayff as it sped toward the black hole. “Twelve seconds. Nine. Three. And … done.”

Jette nodded with satisfaction. “Past the point of no return. She’s gone. For good this time.”

Carpenter lowered herself into her seat. “I hope you’re right, Sir.”

The ship’s pilot turned back toward Jette. The white lines of Epsilon’s matrix glided smoothly over the jet-black exoskin of her body. “Not even the Primons, with all their technology, have been able to recover anything from beyond the event horizon of a black hole. Whatever enters cannot return to this universe.”

The door to the CM swished open again and there was a rustling of fabric. Jette smiled. Hartley had given her back her crew, after all. “You’re late. Just missed it.”

K’wari slid her arms inside her crimson robes. “I was watching from the screen in med bay. Congratulations, Jette. The last step in a long journey.”

Jette looked up at her. “Congratulations to all of us, Vicar. The universe lives to fight another day. And we’ve got enough problems to deal with; we need every day we can get.”

Suddenly there was a frantic beeping to Jette’s right. “Trouble?”

“Wowza, couldn’t have timed that one any better, Captain.” The tactical station chair swung around. Flock held a hand to her headset. “Distress signal coming in. Commercial freighter Crimson Spade reports they’re under attack. It’s Tabicocean pirates, Sir!”

“Gone but never forgotten.” Jette sat up straight. “Status everyone?”

Carpenter buckled her harness and flipped a series of switches. “Ship at full power, engines at maximum efficiency, Sir.”

Epsilon extended her hand and the black exoskin of her finger formed into a small data spike that she plugged directly into the ship’s computer. “Ready to engage at your command, Captain. Standing by for speed factor five.”

Riesga pressed buttons and a navigational chart appeared on the viewer. Cosmo slid back up her arm and perched on her shoulder. “Course laid in, Sir. Estimate 15 minutes to intercept.”

“Weapons and defense beams at full power, Sir.” Flock spun dials with one hand and opened a nearby locker with the other. Her golden power armor hung inside. “If it’s a fight they want, we’re ready!”

K’wari pulled back her robes and revealed the rayff staff hanging from her belt. “These pirates sometimes take hostages. We should be ready in case we need to negotiate, aggressively.”

Jette pressed a button on the arm of her chair. “Crimson Spade? This is Captain Jette Jones of the Star Ranger craft Artemis V.” Saying the words gave her a sudden thrill. “We’re on our way!”

The engines flared and the silver rocketship streaked away into an endless sea of stars.

… And the adventure continues …

The end