Kain's Marcasa - by: Mobien
For generations untold, the Morhean Dark Ladies had ruled the section
of the Universe known as 'Morbien's Space'. There were trade routes
from all over the Universe that ran thru it. Many races made their home
in and around Morbien's Space due to these trade routes. When word
spread of a Divine Order rising and spreading thru out this Universe,
the Dark Lady and the Morhean Council at that time sensed danger and
using their vast psionic powers, closed off their section of space and
thus created a pocket universe. With the trade routes sealed off, chaos
reigned until the Divine Order took control. Not only had they lost the
most direct trade routes but also access to ore rich mining asteroids
and planets. Morbien's Space could not be entered but after a few
centuries passed, a way to communicate with certain people inside was
restored. Plans were made to bring the downfall of the current Dark
Lady and the Morhean rule.
"How exactly," Kain asked, "Do you expect me to bring down the Dark
Lady?" His guest was silent for a moment, a cloaked figure that had so
far refused to reveal his identity. That he had found the hidden base
of the infamous Pirate King should have sealed his fate, but Kain was
intrigued enough to spare him until he had more information.
They sat in Kain's office in the 'salvage' area of his operation - -
the place where captured vessels were plundered and new slaves readied
for market. There was still a lot of world's dealing in slaves inspite
of the Dark Lady's laws against the practice.
"There is a prophecy," the cloaked figure said. "A Dark Lord will be
born with the forbidden power to create, an abomination that will bring
down the Morhean rule. He will be as powerful as any Dark Lady. I know
who this Dark Lord is - - he is the first-born son of the current Dark
Lady. His powers have been suppressed since childhood, as all the great
Houses would demand his death if they knew the true extent of those
powers."
Kain laughed, leaning back in his chair - - a throne, really. "Why
would I care about some moldy prophecy? I care only for profit - - no
one can get close enough to the Dark Lady to end her rule."
"Her favorite son can, especially if his powers are unleashed," his
visitor insisted. "And I do not speak of the Morhean Empire alone.
There are many unclaimed worlds that would easily fall to the powers he
possesses - - powers YOU will possess as his master. You are the pirate
Kain, called by some the Pirate King, but with the power I can deliver
into your hands, you could be Emperor Kain, Kain the Destroyer, Kain
the God."
"You do interest me," Kain purred, leaning forward once more. "But how
would I get a Dark Lord that powerful to obey me?"
His visitor leaned forward, and Kain sensed his smile. "By making him
believe he is a Dark Lady - - and that you are her lord and husband."
Kain smiled slowly. "Tell me more," he said. "Start with your name."
"I am called Zenn by my people," he replied, "You may call me Dr.
Zenn."
Marc looked at the ring one more time before putting it away in his
pocket. Tonight would be the night he finally proposed to the woman he
loved. He had known Titania since they were both three years old when
her mother became his nanny. They were both on leave from the ship and
Titania had transferred off. He had no intention of staying on the ship
without her. She was not going to get away from him that easily. He had
pulled strings and arranged to take a more extended leave. They were
celebrating her transfer from Security to Covert Operations. He had
taken her to Chez Williams, the finest restaurant in Greenhaven. Later,
he planned to take her dancing at the Red Lady Club. He was a little
worried, as he had noticed she had taken a couple of recreational
drugs.
He disapproved but did not want to fight with her on this night of all
nights. He looked up and saw her coming back from the ladies room. She
was gorgeous; she matched his height of six foot with long shapely legs
and bountiful breasts. Her flame colored hair cascading down in curls.
He stood and moved her chair for her and sat back down. Titania smiled
at Marc and said, "Okay, now what is it you have to tell me that is so
important?" He reached over and took her hand in his; he looked into
her lovely blue eyes and said, "Titania...I have loved you all my life.
I would like the honor of making you my consort. Would you be my
bride?"
He then took out the small black jeweler's box and opened it. He knew
she had expensive tastes and being quite wealthy himself, had bought
her the most expensive diamond engagement ring he could find. He looked
once more into her eyes, waiting with bated breath for her answer. It
was not what he expected. Titania started laughing, she laughed so hard
she could barely breathe. People were starting to look at her.
"Titania, it's not a joke! I'm serious...please stop laughing!" he
said. "What is so funny?"
"You! Marc...you are a wonderful friend but I've seen the size of your
cock, no way you could ever satisfy me with that little thing!" she
said and began laughing once more.
Marc let do of her hand and leaned back in his chair. She had never
allowed him to touch her. "I am of normal average size, Titania!" he
whispered loudly. "If you would just allow me the opportunity I am sure
I could please you."
"Oh, please, Marc! You've had your chance with a couple of my
girlfriends...if you could not satisfy them then you certainly could
not satisfy me!"
Marc started blushing. He remembered those encounters. He had not been
happy with their performance either.
"Please Titania, stop laughing! People are staring!" he pleaded. He
signaled to the waiter, "Check please!" He could not bear to stay any
longer and be further humiliated in public. He noticed Titania smiling
and winking at a man sitting at a nearby table as he signed the check.
The man was smiling back at her. Marc read Titania's mind, she wanted
that man! Livid, he stood up from the table and informed Titania that
she was welcome to go on over to the man as he was leaving. She laughed
some more and got up and actually walked over to the man's table. Marc
used his psionic power to make the man's drink fall from his hand and
into his lap. He was hurt, angry, and disgusted. He was a nice guy and
he did not deserve to be treated that way!
Marc went down to his car and told the driver to take him back to his
estate. He sat in the darkness and closed his eyes. He opened his mind
and linked with his twin sister, Liz. "She turned me down, even worse
she humiliated me."
He heard his sister's soothing voice in his mind, "Tell me all that
happened, I'll be waiting for you when you return." He told allowed her
access to his memories, she saw everything. She felt his love for
Titania, heard what had been said and felt how very hurt he had been by
Titania's words and actions.
Once home, Liz met him at the door. Not a word was spoken, they had
been communicating telepathically all during the drive home. She
wrapped her arms around Marc and kissed him. She held him as his tears
began to flow. She led him upstairs and allowed him to show her just
how much of a man he really was and how much pleasure he could bring to
a woman. He awoke before the dawn and crawled out of bed. He had made a
decision. He would cancel the remainder of his leave and return to the
ship. He would never see Titania again. He would never fall in love
again.
Titania awoke to a pounding headache the next day. As she wrapped a
robe around her naked body, she stumbled into the kitchen of the
apartment that she shared with Marc. A cup of juice later and two
hangover pills, Titania began to think about the night before and just
how stupid she had been. Why had she taken those damned drugs? She
asked herself. She knew Marc had something planned. She thought it had
been to celebrate her promotion. She never dreamed he'd actually
propose to her. She moaned as she remembered how she'd laughed at him
and blew off his proposal and if that wasn't bad enough, flirting with
the guy at the next table had been. She'd never seen Marc so angry
before. She had rarely seen him angry in all the time she'd known him.
She went to his bedroom door and knocked upon it. She was startled to
hear the voice of his sister behind her.
"He's not in there, Titania! Dear Brother canceled his shoreleave and
returned to his ship. He's long gone by now. How could you say those
things to him? You ripped out his heart and stomped on it! He loved YOU
beyond ALL measure, has for years! Why do you hate him so much?"
Titania turned around slowly and looked at Liz. She had never seen Liz
angry before and it was not a pretty sight. The Dark Ladies were always
more powerful then the Dark Lords and all Morbiens knew better then to
anger one. Titania feared no one except Marc's mother. Still, she did
not want to anger Liz further.
"I don't hate Marc, he's my best friend. I can't explain last night. I
did something incredibly stupid and hurt him. I regret the way I
treated him. I was hoping to somehow make it up to him today."
Liz glared at her, "Why bother? He's out of your life now. You drove
him away! No more listening to his lecturing you about your drinking,
your drug use, No more putting up with his little idiosyncrasies! And
no more spending his money, I'll damn well see to that!" Liz was livid,
Marc had loved this woman most of his life. He had never even
considered another woman to be his wife. Liz had often been surprised
by her brother's patience with Titania, another Dark Lord would have
used mind control and taken the bitch as a love slave! But not Marc, he
was far too nice a man to do such a thing to the woman he loved.
"No more Marc? I don't think so. I know he's hurting right now but
he'll come back, he always does. This time things will be different. I
realize now the depths of his feelings for me. I never suspected that
he wanted to marry me. I truly do regret hurting him. You can read my
mind, you can see I am speaking the truth!" Titania said as she
carefully watched Liz. It would not do to make her even more angry then
she already was but she would not lie to her either.
"Are you so sure, Titania? Why would you want him to come back?" Liz
asked, reading in Titania's mind the sincerity of her words. Had she
been lying she would have been punished.
"Yes, I am sure and I want him to come back! I will apologize to him,
he did not deserve the way I treated him last night I feel just
horrible for what I did to him."
"No, he did not deserve it! He has loved you and been there for you for
YEARS!"
"I know! It's just that he can be so irritating at times! I can sense
his presence in my mind at times as if he is reading my thoughts. I
have no privacy from him......"
Liz interrupted, "But he has always known when you were in trouble or
sad and was there for you! How did you think he knew! He only did so
because he loved you so!"
"I know, at times I felt like he was the only person in my life that
actually cared if I lived or died. I feel ashamed for the way I treated
him last night! I was hoping we would get together today and talk about
what happened. He's always given me a second chance before."
"He has never been this angry before, Titania! Why do you deserve a
second chance!" Liz demanded.
"Because I really do love him. I wasn't ready to take our friendship to
the next level and I am certainly not ready to get married." Titania
admitted to Liz as well as to herself.
"If only you had told him THAT last night instead of the insults you
gave!"
"When he comes back, I'll make it all up to him. I swear it! I don't
want to lose him from my life. He's been my best friend since we were
kids. No one knows me like he does, no one cares about me, or takes
care of me like Marc does."
"It's about time you realized that, Titania. My brother deserves better
then the likes of you but you are the only woman he ever wanted. Mother
actually gave her blessing to this union when she could have arranged
for a more suitable consort for him. You are a fool."
"Please, Liz......I don't want to hurt him again. Tell him how sorry I
am, that I want to see him again," Titania pleaded.
"You definitely will not ever hurt him again! His mind is shielded at
the moment but the minute he drops his shields I will contact him and
tell him of this conversation. It will be up to him whether or not he
wants further contact with you."
"Thank you, Liz. You will not regret this!" Titania said with relief.
"I best not or you will for the rest of your life!" Liz said and
disappeared.
The ship had been on course for three weeks near the Tymorean system
when the pirates attacked. Being an Explorer class ship, it did not
have the weapon power to hold out long in battle. The ship was boarded
after sustaining heavy damage. The red alert siren was blaring, the
room was lit in red light. Only minimal life support was left when Kain
strolled onto the bridge followed by his advisor, Dr. Zenn and several
of his crewmembers. He walked over to the Captain's chair and yanked up
the injured man who lay beside it.
"Captain Henry. I have come for the Dark Lord, you will surrender him
at once and I might let you live," he growled. Henry looked up at the
pirate. "What Dark Lord? There are no Dark Lords on this ship!" Henry
sputtered. He was the only one on board that knew Marc was indeed a
Dark Lord. Kain flung the man at two of his crew. "Make him understand
that turning over the Dark Lord to me is preferable to the torture he
will endure until I find out which of these men is the Dark Lord I
seek."
The hooded and cloaked figure that had entered with Kain had been
looking at the bodies one by one until he came to Marc. Marc had
sustained a massive head wound.
"Kain, I have found the Dark Lord. He has been injured. Have your men
go to the medical bay and find a stretcher and lots of bandages. It
looks bad but he may survive."
Kain walked over to his advisor and looked at the man lying broken on
the floor.
"Well, this is just bloody great! You'd think they would have tried to
protect the son of the Dark Lady better! He's useless to us now!" Kain
roared.
"No, I can rebuild him, make him more easily controlled. Brain damage
would be the perfect excuse as to why he cannot remember being your
wife. If he survives the initial surgery all well bode well for our
plans, Kain."
"Alright, I'll give you a chance to try. We can always ransom the body
if you fail," Kain told the hooded figure. He turned to the rest of his
men, "Take the prisoner and the ......injured man here," he said
pointing to the Dark Lord, "to my ship. Once they are aboard, destroy
this ship."
It was a week later when news reached Titania that the ship had been
destroyed with no signs of survivors. She was not surprised to receive
a summons from the Dark Lady. She knelt before the Dark Lady, keeping
her eyes down cast. "My son is missing. His ship was destroyed. We have
little evidence of what happened. We believe pirates attacked the ship.
Marc is still alive, his sister and I would have felt his death. For
some reason unknown to us, we cannot find him. Once you have completed
your covert operator training you will be sent to the area the ship was
last known to be. You will find out what happened to my son's ship. You
will find out who did this and you will find my son."
"Yes, My Lady. I will find the information you seek," Titania said as
she stood up, she looked straight at the woman she served. "I will not
disappoint you." Or him again, she thought to herself.
"See that you don't! You are dismissed."
Titania threw herself into her training. She had to be the best, top of
the class. If Marc's mother believed he was alive then she would find
him or die trying. Titania took high honors and when her training was
complete, she was sent on her first covert mission. Titania found she
loved working undercover, gathering information, getting close to her
targets and killing them. Titania felt like this was the work she had
been born to do.
Kain stepped into the room and looked at the pale, still figure on the
bed, the head was still wrapped in bandages, his brain and skull had
been damaged by the explosion on the bridge, Dr. Zenn had worked for
hours in surgery on Marc. He had implanted controls deep within the
brain tissue, he had done all he could about the brain damage and only
time would tell if the experiment was going to work.
That had been three months ago and his patient was still in a coma.
Marc's face had been altered to look more feminine, he now almost
appeared to be an identical twin to his sister, the Heir of the Dark
Lady. Breasts had been created thru the use of hormones and fatty
tissue from his abdomen. His Adam's apple had been shaved and his vocal
chores had been altered, Kain's partner assured him that the voice
would be only a little higher but should still sound like a woman.
Around Marc's neck was a psionic inhibitor collar, he would not be able
to use his powers as long as that collar was on and Kain had the key to
it's lock. Nor would any Telepath or empath be able to sense his
location.
"Now, explain to me again why you are not going to cut off his cock? I
don't see how we can make him believe he is a woman when he has a cock
and balls!"
"She will believe anything we tell her. We can program the implants
with false memories. We will tell her that she was diagnosed with
Jorgenson Syndrome while attending University. Tests showed that
although her genitals appeared to be male they actually were not. The
clitoris was elongated, the testicles are swollen glands, and her
vagina is fused with her rectum. There is no need to actually change
the gender."
"SHE is starting to look like a pretty sweet thing. I think I could
still fuck her and not be bothered by the tiny cock."
"She will believe that you are her loving husband. Once we find out if
she has any memories we can program her to remember your courtship and
wedding from that time forward."
"Make sure she is programmed to be fully loyal to me. I am intrigued by
what her powers can do but I want complete control of her. I want to be
able to use her for more then just fucking. I want to be able to use
command words to bring different personalities into play."
"Yes, we are doing just that.....we have already installed the assassin
program. With control words she will turn from a sweet thing into a
cold-blooded killer. We have installed a program where her mind will
become blank and she will carry out any order you give her without
question. What cannot be programmed into the implants can be programmed
by hypnosis." Dr. Zenn replied.
Kain nodded his approval, "Good, I never liked my women to be sweet. I
want her to be the Darkest of all the Dark Ladies. A true bitch in
every sense of the word.....but only at my command."
"It will be as you request." Said the hooded figure that proceeded to
download the prepared programs into Marc's brain implants.
Months later, the time had come to bring Marc out of the coma and test
the implants. The implants were brought on line, powered by Marc's
brain's electrical impulses but controlled by Kain and Dr. Zenn.
Marc slowly opened his eyes, he did not know where he was. His head
felt foggy, he was very disoriented. He felt someone holding his hand
and looked over to see a man sitting beside his bed holding his hand.
His throat felt incredibly dry.
"Who are you? Where am I?" He asked, his voice did not sound quite
right to him but he thought perhaps it was from the dryness in his
throat.
"My Love, I am your husband, Kain. You have been recovering from a
horrible accident. We feared you would not survive, you suffered severe
head trauma."
"Husband? I don't remember being married." Marc replied, puzzled.
"Oh, my dear Marcasa! It is as we feared! But no matter, you are awake
now and we will do all that is possible to restore your memory. I love
you beyond all measure, I have rarely left your bedside these past few
months."
"Marcasa? Is that my name?" Marc asked, it did sort of sound familiar.
"Yes, my wife. You are the Dark Lady Marcasa."
"Dark Lady? But......I'm not a woman! Am I?" Marc could not remember.
He could not remember his name or what had happened before the
accident. The head trauma must have been bad if he could not remember
his gender, Marc thought to himself. In the next room, watching on a
monitor, Dr. Zenn listened and made a few adjustments on the control
panel. Mustn't let Marc remember he was not a woman.
"My Love, of course you are a woman! You just have a slight birth
defect, that is why you are confused about your gender!" Kain assured
her. "Don't you remember? We met shortly after you had been diagnosed
with Jorgensen's Syndrome. Your Mother had raised you as a male but you
found out you really were not a man after all. You were living as the
woman you knew yourself to be. We fell madly in love."
"Jorgensen's Syndrome?" she asked. "Oh, yes! I remember going to the
clinic now. They ran tests and discovered my vagina. I was so relieved
to find out I had been right all along! I never felt male!"
"Your Mother never accepted the diagnosis. She would not bless our
union. You do remember your mother don't you?" Kain asked. The
programmed memory was impressive. He had some ideas for a few more to
have programmed into Marc.
"Mother.....is my mother here? I want to see my mother!" Marc asked.
"I'm sorry, dear wife. Your mother never accepted our relationship and
cut off all ties with you when we married. I informed her of your
injuries right after the accident, but she has not responded. That was
almost six months ago," Kain said as he kissed Marc's hand.
Marc began to weep. "I'm sorry.....I just don't remember you yet. I
can't believe she didn't come or send someone! The last thing I
remember is attending University. My sister.....has my sister not
contacted you?" Surely her sister would have come, they had been so
very close!
"Lady Elizabeth has been forbidden to have any contact with you. I'm
sorry my love. My sons and I love you very much. Your family turned
their back to you for daring to live and love as you pleased. This has
been too much information to give you so soon after your coma. Rest
now, dear wife. The doctor has said your memory will return in good
time."
"Thank you, Kain. For loving me and standing by me. Six months is a
long time to wait for someone. Had we been married long? Are there
pictures I could see of our wedding?" She had always dreamed of a big
cathedral wedding.
"My love, you are worth the wait. We had been married less then a month
when the accident occurred. I will have our wedding photos brought to
you. It was a simple civil ceremony. I must let you rest now, Marcasa.
I will be back in a few hours." Kain said as he stood to leave. Marc's
eyes were beginning to close, she felt so sleepy. As soon as she was
asleep, Kain left the room and joined his partner.
"Marvelous! How soon can she be up and around?" Kain asked.
"Within two weeks she will be rejoining her husband. I have prepared a
lab at your manor house, I will be using it to continue with the
programming."
"Excellent! The sooner we get her home and settled in the better," Kain
replied.
Two weeks later, the day arrived when Marcasa would be released from
the private
clinic where she had been recovering since her accident. Each day,
after a
session with Dr. Zenn, she remembered more of her life with Kain.
Memories of
life before Kain had become rather fuzzy but she did not want to
remember, she
had not been happy then and since her family had disowned her there was
no point
in trying to remember them. She was depressed though that she could not
use her
powers. Dr. Zenn had explained to her that there were times when she
had
psychotic episodes when she behaved irrationally. To prevent her from
harming
herself or others it would be best for now to continue to wear the
collar. In
time, they would find the right combination of drugs to keep those
episodes from
reoccurring and then the collar would be removed. She did not know how
she could
face her husband. How could he still love her? What use could she be to
him?
She was sitting by the window when Kain walked in the door. Looking at
Marcasa
in that dress one would never have suspected that she was not the woman
she
appeared to be. He crossed the room and went over to her, kneeling by
her chair.
"My Love, you look so sad. Are you not happy to be going home with me
today?" He
asked with love and concern in his voice.
"It's not that, Kain. It is just that Dr. Zenn has explained to me why
I must
continue to wear the collar."
Kain took her hand and kissed it. "My love you are going to get better.
It is
only a matter of time before you are well and able to work with me once
more."
"What is it that you do?" Marcasa asked, she had no idea what her
husband did or
what their standing in their community was.
"I am a shipping magnate. My ships are doing well and I think it is
time to
branch out into new territory, perhaps mining. There are several mining
operations in Sector 21 that I would like to acquire."
Tears flowed down her cheeks. "With my psychotic episodes how can I
possibly be
of any use to you!" She said as she fingered the jeweled collar that
held the
psionic inhibitor.
Kain smiled and kissed her tears away. "My dear, you will be more help
then you
know and you will be by my side every step of the way."
*******************************************************************
Reports had begun to come in about increased pirate attacks in Sector
20 and 21
on both ships and mining colonies. The Dark Lady sent out ships but the
pirates
eluded them. With her first mission successfully behind her, Titania
was called
once more before her ruler. She knelt before her and waited her
instructions.
"You have proven yourself worthy of the task I now lay before you. You
will
infiltrate Kain's pirate operation. You will use any means necessary to
gain
information about him. Our investigation suggests that Kain had a hand
in Marc's
disappearance. Find Kain and find my son!"
"Yes, my Lady. I live to serve you!"
"You will be given a small ship to use, it has been outfitted to appear
as a
smuggler's ship. You will be given goods as well as coin of the realm.
You must
appear to be successful. You will allow your ship to be boarded by the
pirates
and convince them that you want to join them. You will be given
documents to
prove your identity to them. Captain Olivia will give you a full
briefing and
all you will need. I expect daily reports. You will be implanted with a
communication device. You will be in direct communication with me. You
will be
given a list of contacts in Sectors 20 and 21. Go now and prepare. You
leave in
two days time. Succeed where the other operators have failed me.
Dismissed."
Titania stood up, bowed to her Lady and said, "As you command, so shall
it be."
She then turned and left the throne room. The Dark Lady watched her
leave.
Titania would find her son. She remembered how close the two of them
had been
ever since Titania's mother had become their nanny when the twins and
Titania
were three years old. She had agreed to give her blessing to their
union when
Marc had asked her. She had known that there could be no arranged
marriage for
Marc with another Morhean, none of the great or lower houses wanted to
be
aligned to her thru him. She had sent him to live on Morbia with
Titania and her
mother at her family's estate in hopes that Marc would get along better
among
the Morbiens and learn what life was like for the average Morbian. She
had plans
of grooming him to take the Morbian seat on the Council. The other
Morheans had
criticized her for choosing a Morbian to father her first born but the
Lady did
not do anything without careful thought and planning. The two groups
needed each
other and a Morhean/Morbian Dark Lady could unite them in ways no
treaty could.
The Morbiens were a passionate bunch of people. They loved that the
Heir to the
crown was part Morbian. They had loved Marc as their Dark Lord. They
had mourned
his loss. She refused to give up her dream for her son. He would return
to her
someday and take his place at her side.
***********************************************************************
*********
*********************
It was not long before Kain was playing with his new toy, weapon, and
wife. He
used the control words frequently. It was a thrill to watch Marcasa go
from
being the sweet young wife to brutal killer to seductive bitch all by
the
uttering of certain words. He had not tested her power as yet but the
time was
coming soon. His territory was increasing daily. He now had control of
the
shipping lanes and the mining colonies in Sector 20. He had lost a few
ships to
the Dark Lady's forces but not enough to slow him down. He had used
Marcasa to
eliminate those who opposed him. They had thought he was rewarding them
by
inviting them to pleasure Marcasa. Once in the privacy of the bedroom,
Kain made
sure to whisper the command codes to Marcasa thru the communication
device
disguised as an earring. In the middle of seducing her target, Marcasa
would
pull out an ornate dagger and stab them thru the heart. She would smile
cruelly
while she pulled out the blade and licked the blood from her fingers.
There were
some who began referring to her as "Kain's whore". Not all he rewarded
were
killed. Marcasa never knew just what was going on during her
'psychotic
episodes' as Kain liked to call them. She just remembered meeting his
associates
and then hearing later that they had been found dead. She began to
worry about
Kain, that he would be murdered as they had. She begged him to increase
his
security force. Kain merely smiled and assured her that he was in no
danger at
all, but he did agree to increase his security force.
***********************************************************************
*********
******************
Titania had infiltrated Kain's operation and was working her way up the
ladder.
With each rung she learned more about the man. He was sleaze. She
learned that
he had been responsible for the attack on Marc's ship. The man used
women and
discarded them once their usefulness had ended. There was talk of a new
young
wife who had been seriously injured shortly after their wedding.
Titania felt
sorry for the woman, tales were told that she had suffered brain damage
and was
never seen without Kain or a nurse. The higher she got in the
organization, more
became known of the wife. Titania learned that she was a tall woman,
young, very
pleasant and that Kain used her as a whore. Titania thought if there
was some
way she could befriend this woman, she could get closer to Kain. She
reported
all that she learned back to the Dark Lady. It took sometime before she
became a
part of Kain's household security. It was not long after she started
seeing
glimpses of Kain's wife around the house. Titania had been watching
this woman
for days, ever since she learned that the woman was a Dark Lady. She
was not
known to THE Dark Lady or to any of the Morhean Houses. This woman was
a
mystery. Titania had been instructed to learn everything she could
about this
woman. The resemblance to Lady Elizabeth and Marc was uncanny. Watching
her had
always made the hair on Titania's neck stand up. She was never alone
yet the
look on her face showed how lonely she was as she strolled about the
gardens.
She seemed to change whenever Kain was around. It was as if the young
woman came
alive when Kain was with her. Titania knew she would have to get closer
to Kain
and to his wife to learn what had become of Marc and the identity of
this rogue
Dark lady.
***********************************************************************
*********
*******************
Marcasa's sleep was restless. She had nightmares that she would wake
from in
fear but not remember the actual dream. Sometimes she heard voices in
her head,
she knew she was not receiving telepathic communication because she
still wore
the collar. She told Dr. Zenn about the voices and he adjusted her
medication.
He told her they were from the brain damage and not to worry. She
worried about
her husband. So many of his associates had been found murdered. He had
increased
his security force as she had requested. There was a really nice
looking red
haired woman who had been assigned to guard him. She wanted to meet the
woman
and be friends with her. Marcasa hoped that they could be, she was
lonely for
female companionship. Kain was a workaholic but he was starting to take
her with
him more on business trips. Unfortunately they tended to bring on her
psychotic
episodes so she didn't remember much about the places they visited or
what they
did. A couple had been hit with disasters and they had been lucky to
have left
when they did. One mining colony had a city that had collapsed into
rubble
during one of their visits. Kain told her it was an earthquake but he
had been
able to accomplish his mission. Another had been attacked by unknown
forces.
Thousands were killed. She was starting to wonder if someone was after
Kain. His
ships were being attacked as well.
She climbed out of bed and put on her red satin robe and went to find
Kain. She
did not find him but she found the red haired woman. She looked very
familiar to
her, "Hello, I am looking for my husband. Please tell me where he is."
She asked
the woman.
Titania was surprised to see Marcasa walk up to her, let alone speak.
"The
Emperor has gone back to his office, he has a meeting there and will
not be back
before tomorrow. How may I serve you?"
"Oh, dear. I wish he would have told me goodbye before he left."
Marcasa said
sadly.
"You were asleep at the time, he did not want to wake you. He left
orders for me
to see to your needs." Titania told her.
"You look very familiar to me." Marcasa began as it slowly dawned on
her that
she knew this woman. "Titania? Is that you?"
Titania was surprised. "My name is Titania.....you know me?"
"Yes!" Marcasa said, a smile brightening her face. "Don't you recognize
me? I
haven't seen you since our Junior year in University! It's me, Marc!"
Titania was stunned but hid it well. Titania tried to remain calm.
Alarms had
just went off in her head. What she was thinking could not be right.
She looked
closer at Marcasa. She would play along, perhaps she would learn just
what had
happened to him. She could hardly wait to contact the Dark Lady and
tell her,
not only had she found the identity of the rogue Dark Lady but Marc as
well.
"Marc.....what happened to you? You just disappeared one day. When did
you
become a woman?" Titania asked. "I am so glad to see you again! I've
missed
you!" She said and threw her arms around Marc. The breasts felt real.
"Oh, Titania, so much has happened since I last saw you! I was always a
woman......my gender had been misdiagnosed at birth. I found out the
truth and
then I met Kain and married him my Junior year. Where were you? I don't
remember
the last time we saw each other. I had some memory lost from the
accident."
"I got a job offer from a Pleasure Transport and left school, you
remember how
much I liked sex." Titania said with a smile. "Then I sort of got bored
with
that job and became a private security guard. I just recently started
to work
for your husband. I sure did not recognize you, you've changed a lot
since I
last saw you!"
Marcasa blushed and was about to say more when they were interrupted by
her
night nurse. "My Lady, it is time for your medication." She said as she
pressed
a hypo spray into Marc's arm. The nurse looked at Titania. She would
report the
conversation she had heard to Kain.
"We'll talk more, later. The drugs always make me sleepy. Goodnight,
Titania!
I'll look you up in the morning!" Marcasa said as she yawned and
allowed herself
to be led away by the nurse.
"Sure, I'll be looking forward to it." Titania said as she watched them
leave
the room. The nurse's timing was not lost on Titania, the room was
being
monitored, no doubt the whole house was as well. She would have to be
very
careful what she said and did in this house and the garden. It would be
two days
before she could leave the grounds and make contact with the Dark Lady.
She was puzzled, the Marcasa she had observed seemed so different when
she was
with Kain. Marcasa was more aggressive with Kain, more of a bitch. The
Marcasa
she had just met was friendly and the more she thought about it, the
more the
woman had seemed to remind her of the nice guy Marc had been. She
needed answers
before she contacted Marc's mother.
__________________________________________________________________
When Kain returned home, Dr. Zenn was waiting for him. "We must talk,
Kain." He
said. Kain gestured to him to follow him into his office. They would be
more
secure in the office, there were no monitoring or listening devices
there.
Kain settled into the chair behind the desk while Dr. Zenn remained
standing.
"Your new security guard, the red-haired one named Titania, Marcasa
approached
her and recognized her. She told the woman who she was, Titania now
knows that
Marcasa is Lord Marc!"
"Calm yourself, Zenn. I had the woman's background fully checked. She
was raised
with Lord Marc but has not been in contact with him for years. The
woman has a
death sentence on her if she ever goes back to Morbia. I will speak
with her and
if I find anything to worry about I'll make sure she disappears for
good. What
worries me more is that Marcasa is not as easy to control as she was in
the
beginning. The control words are not working as quickly. She actually
told me
'no' to a request I made of her yesterday. The mouse turned into the
bitch
without my having to use the control word and I'm a little worried
about the
assassin coming online at the least opportune time. Why is she
malfunctioning?"
Kain demanded. Had it not been for the psionic inhibitor collar, Kain
would have
been afraid of Marcasa. As long as he held the key to it, Marcasa could
not hurt
him. If the contact words failed, how long before her programmed
unending
loyalty and love for him failed as well.
"The biomechanical implants do break down as does anything with
circuitry." Dr.
Zenn replied. "It is one of the reasons why time is of the essence,
Kain. It is
time mother and child were reunited."
"Not until Tymora is mine!" Kain snapped. "Once Tymora falls to me then
we'll
see about bringing down the Dark Lady!" Kain pushed a button on the
desk and
ordered that Titania be brought to him. "You keep Marcasa under my
control. I
don't care what you have to do, once I have Tymora she is disposable."
There was a knock on the door. Kain bellowed out, "ENTER!" Titania was
escorted
into the room by two security guards. Kain turned to Dr. Zenn and said,
"Have
her ready, we will leave for Tymora tomorrow."
Dr. Zenn bowed and left the room. Kain looked at the two guards and
dismissed
them. Titania watched Kain's every move.
"Have I displeased you, Emperor?" She asked as she stood before him.
She kept
her breathing even and remained calm. She knew why she had been hauled
in here
and she had every intention of leaving this room alive. It was
debatable if Kain
would though.
"I understand that you had a conversation with my wife today. You knew
her
before she became my wife?" Kain asked, watching Titania through
narrowed eyes.
"Yes, I was rather surprised when she walked up to me and begin to
speak. I did
not recognize her as my childhood friend Marc but she recognized me. I
was even
more surprised, as I had no idea that Marc wasn't a man. Too bad about
the
accident, I can see where it changed Marc. Had she not said anything I
would
never have known that Lady Marcasa was Lord Marc. She does seem happier
as a
woman. Do you mind if we renew our friendship? She did seem rather
lonely and if
I may say so, you are gone for long stretches of time." Titania said,
watching
Kain's reaction to her words. She was a very good liar and she knew it.
I will
get Marc away from him if it is the last thing I ever do, she thought
to
herself.
"It does not bother you that your old friend is now a woman and my
wife? What
about her family? Do you plan to contact them now that you know?" Kain
asked.
"Doesn't bother me at all. Whatever makes Marc happy is fine with me."
Titania
replied. I'm going to enjoy watching you die you sorry son of a bitch,
she
thought to herself. "Why would I contact them? It's not my place to
contact
them, I haven't seen any of them since I left University. I was nothing
more
then the hired help's kid and they never once let me forget my place.
Hell, they
used to pay me to play with Marc and be his friend. I feel sorry for
you, you
have the worst mother in law in this universe. Why does she keep
attacking your
ships? I would have thought that would have been a breach of your
marriage
contract?"
"I do not have a marriage contract." Kain answered, puzzled by her
question.
"Surely she doesn't want Marc back what with the brain damage and all.
She can't
get a good marriage contract or price for such damaged goods." Titania
said,
noting the look of puzzlement. "Not that he was very valuable before
the brain
damage or the sex change. The other Morhean Houses would not have him
linked
with them."
"What are you talking about?" Kain asked.
"The Dark Lady only had children to use as pawns in her political game
or to
acquire valuable commodities." Titania explained. "I would have thought
she
would have allowed you to marry Marc in recognition of your place as
Emperor of
Sector 21, thus making you an ally. The Morheans didn't like the fact
that Lord
Marc was half Morbian so they didn't want to be linked with House
Nesmith thru
him."
"You seem to know this Dark Lady rather well, Titania. Perhaps you can
be of use
to me in negotiating a marriage contract with her. I think it is about
time that
my Lady was reunited with her mother and be given her blessing on our
union.
Marcasa dreams of a High Cathedral wedding. I want to make that dream
come
true."
Titania bowed her head before Kain, "I live to serve you, my Emperor.
Command
and I will obey."
Kain was pleased to hear that Titania knew her place. "Perhaps an
arrangement
could be made for you to be my Lady's companion. Not too different an
arrangement from when her mother paid you to play with her. You would
be with
her at all times, keep her safe and happy. In return, you will be well
rewarded.
What do you say?"
Titania leaned forward on the desk giving Kain a good view down her
cleavage.
"I'd have to ask about fringe benefits.....I'm not too good at being a
lady's
maid." She said as she laid a hand over Kain's hand. "Surely you have
other uses
for my time then babysitting your poor wife?"
Kain smiled. "Perhaps arrangements could be made for after hours
entertainment
after Marcasa is asleep."
Titania arched an eyebrow. "She's asleep now isn't she? What say I
start the new
position tomorrow and have a go at the 'fringe benefits' tonight?"
Kain licked his lips at the thought of a real woman in his bed. "An
excellent
idea. I was about to retire for the night. You will join me." He said
and held
out his hand to her.
Titania gave an evil little smile as she took his hand and allowed him
to lead
her off to his quarters.
_____________________________________________________________________
Afterwards, as they lay in the bed where they had just explored each
other's
bodies, Titania began to question Kain about his plans for Marc and
Tymora.
"Tomorrow, we will leave for Tymora." Kain told her as he continued to
nuzzle
her neck. "Once Tymora is mine then we will make contact with my mother
in law."
"Why is Tymora so important to you? You already hold their mining
colonies."
Titania asked.
Kain stopped his nuzzling and fondling of Titania and laid back in the
bed. "I
was raised on Tymora. My mother was the mistress of a nobleman. His
wife took
offense at her giving him a son before she did. When my father died,
his wife
did not follow the law and take me into her home as her son. She threw
my mother
and I out into the streets. My mother petitioned the crown. Her
petition was
denied. She did not have marketable skills. We lived in poverty from
the time I
was six years old. She died when I was twelve. By that time I had been
living on
the streets and had joined a gang that led me to the pirate trade. I
swore that
someday I would return and I would seek vengeance. Tymora will be the
crown
jewel in my Empire. I will make my home there and I will rule my Empire
from
there."
_____________________________________________________________________
Titania could not believe the destruction she witnessed on Tymora. She
could not
believe that anyone could be so blood thirsty. She could not believe
even after
seeing with her own eyes Marcasa's horrendous acts. She felt ill at
having stood
by and done nothing to help the Tymorans. She had tried to get word out
to the
Dark Lady about Kain's plans and Marc but she was not sure if her
message ever
reached it's destination. The Dark Lady's ships came too late and too
few.
Kain's armada picked them off one by one. Titania could do nothing
until her
orders came thru though, she longed to put an end to Kain once and for
all.
Marc......after all the bloodshed and destruction seemed disoriented as
if he
had no idea of what had happened or that he was responsible for the
deaths of
thousands as they had fought against Kain. It was almost as if there
were two
people inhabiting his body, the murdering bitch known as Marcasa and
the sweet,
confused Marc. It did not make sense to her. She thought the brain
damage might
have had something to do with it. She also felt that Kain was somehow
controlling Marc.
_______________________________________________________________________
_________
_____________________________
"Report!" barked the Dark Lady. Never had she been so angry, they had
lost
contact with most of the covert operators in Sector 21. Tymora had
fallen to
Kain despite their best efforts to repel his attack. The Dark Lady
Marcasa
appeared to be just as powerful as Grace even without the crown
amplifying her
powers.
The young man stood straight and tried not to show any sign of
nervousness. "My
Lady, at last report, eighteen covert operators died to get the
information you
are about to see smuggled out of Sector 21."
"Titania......what is known of her fate? Her last report stated she had
infiltrated the pirates." The Dark Lady asked, she had tried not to pin
all her
hopes on the young woman but she had been like a member of her family.
"This information is the last known report from Titania." A large view
screen
came to life showing an image of Titania.
"My Lady! I have much to report! Send your forces to Tymora! Kain will
strike
there next! I have infiltrated his household security. I am now the
bodyguard to
his wife, the Lady Marcasa......I know her identity." A picture of
Marcasa
appeared on the view screen. The Dark Lady's eyes widened as she
recognized that
face. She quickly hid her emotions. It would not do to let others see
her shock
and dismay.
Her voice betrayed her as it cracked when she gave the order for the
image to be
enlarged. The face was so much like her own that they could have been
mistaken
for close relatives and in fact, they were.
Titania's voice continued, "Kain controls Marcasa with drugs as well as
command
words that suggest some sort of mind control is used. She wears a
psionic
inhibitor collar that is controlled by Kain. She can only use her
powers at his
command. She is often dazed and confused after being commanded, she
does not
remember what has happened. She believes she has psychotic episodes in
which she
loses control of herself when she blacks out due to brain damage she
received in
an accident. Marcasa is a completely different person under Kain's
command. She
becomes the ruthless bitch that our reports indicated. Her loyalty to
Kain in
this state is unwavering. She takes pleasure in performing for him, and
does not
question his orders. Fortunately, she does not stay in this state for
very long
before reverting back to the dazed and confused state. She is kept
sedated most
of the time. Kain avoids her except when he had need of her powers."
The image of Marcasa changed, no longer did she appear as strong as she
had in
the earlier image. She appeared puzzled as a nurse administered a hypo
spray
shot to her arm. She was crying.
"My Lady, I have found Marc. It is my unfortunate duty to inform you
that Lady
Marcasa and Marc are the same person."
There was an audible gasp from the young man who had noticed a family
resemblance between his Lady and the rogue Dark Lady. He had met Lord
Marc on
more then one occasion and had not recognized him upon the screen.
"It is my belief that Kain has forcibly feminized Marc. When Marcasa
first saw
me, she recognized me and told me how she came to be Kain's wife. Her
last
memory is of being in University. She believes she has memory loss due
to the
brain damage incurred during the "accident". She was told that
although she had
been raised as a male that her gender had been misdiagnosed at birth.
She
believes she began to live as her true gender during her Junior year.
She
believes that she met and married Kain shortly after. Kain has gone to
great
lengths to create a history for her. But he messed up on one detail. He
told her
that you and the rest of the Family did not approve of her decision to
live as a
woman or her marriage to Kain and disowned her. That you were informed
of her
accident and refused to come to her side. She questions this lie where
she does
not question any of the rest of the story. On more then one occasion,
she has
been caught trying to contact you or Lady Elizabeth. Kain punishes her
each time
but still she continues to try. She has even asked me in private if I
can get
word to you. I have told her that I have cut all ties with her Family.
I have
been hinting to Kain that he should establish contact with you. So far
he has
seemed willing to establish contact with you. Please......if he does
ask for
negotiations, meet all his demands! It may be the only way to free Marc
from
this megalomaniac."
The transmission then broke off. "This was sent before the attack on
Tymora. We
have reports that show the 'Lady' Marcasa in action.........."
The Dark Lady stood up from her throne and walked over to the officer.
"What you
have seen and heard in this room, stays in this room. No one must know
that
Marcasa is my son!" She ordered. "I want all reports and evidence of
Marcasa's
crimes brought to me at once!"
The young man bowed his head, "Yes, My Lady, I live to serve you!"
"Dismissed!" She growled and began to pace the room after the young man
left.
After pacing for some time, Grace called a Family meeting. The Family
as well as
the Council would have to be informed. She was not looking forward to
those
meetings.
_____________________________________________________________________
Titania continued to sleep with Kain to further gain his trust and
information
concerning Marc. The man sickened her. She was glad when he left her
behind to
watch over Marc. It would be the perfect time to try and reach Marc,
she was
convinced he was still in there somewhere.
Marcasa was getting ready for her bath when Titania entered the room.
"I will
take care of Marcasa for now." She said dismissing the nurse and was
rather
surprised when the stoic woman actually nodded and left the room. This
had to be
a test, she thought to herself. She went into the bathroom where
Marcasa stood
before a mirror, tears running down her cheeks. Titania was glad to see
that
Marc's genitilia did not appear to be changed, just smaller then she
remembered.
Marcasa looked up to see Titania watching her.
"I'm not very feminine, am I?" She asked. "I don't look right. Kain
doesn't want
me to have surgery, he said I was fine as I am but that doesn't keep
him in my
bed. I see the way he looks at you. I know you are having an affair
with him.
It's not fair! I've only had sex with him one time since the accident
and I was
having an episode at the time! I just woke up and found him on top of
me. He
barely touches me." Marcasa sobbed.
Titania went over to her nude friend and put her arms around Marc. "I'm
sorry,
Sweetie. He means nothing to me, it's just sex. Just part of the job. I
didn't
mean to come between you and your husband. Honest, I didn't!" She said
as she
hugged Marc close. "I'd much rather be making love with you then having
sex with
him."
Marc pulled back, startled. "What...what do you mean? You never let me
touch
you, the whole time we were growing up and I had a huge crush on you,
never once
did you so much as kiss me!"
"I was a fool back then, Marc." Titania said calmly. "I hardly knew
what I
wanted. But I know what I want now. I've always been attracted to both
men and
women. I think you're even more attractive now then you were the last
time I saw
you."
"You do?" Marc sniffled.
"Yes, I do. Want me to prove it to you?" Titania said as she began to
nuzzle
Marc's earlobe.
"That...that would be a fantasy come true!" Marc said and closed her
eyes.
Titania scooped Marc up and took him over to the bed. As long as he had
a cock,
she would always think of him as a man. She laid him on the bed and
began to
kiss and fondle his breasts, watching for any sign of arousal from his
shrunken
cock, there was none.
As she continued in her efforts to seduce Marc, she noticed a change
come over
him. He became very still and closed his eyes. She thought at first
he'd simply
gone to sleep until he opened his eyes once more.
Titania gave a gasp as Marcasa grasped her by the arms and flung her
off. She
straddled Titania's hips and snarled, "You don't have permission to
touch me!
Kain might want you in his bed but I don't want you in mine!" An ornate
dagger
appeared in her hand just as the bedroom door burst open.
"No, Marcasa! Put the dagger down and get off her now!" Kain ordered.
Marcasa
did as she was bid, she thrust the dagger into the mattress just beside
Titania's head before getting up off the bed. She went over to her
husband and
put her arms around him.
"Your mistress tried to seduce me. I awoke to find her straddling my
hips and
touching me." Marcasa tried to explain. "She is not worthy of touching
me."
Kain put his arms around Marcasa. "Titania was merely trying to comfort
you in
my absence." Kain purred.
"I have wonderful news for you, My Love. Your Mother has contacted me.
She
wishes to see you once more and give us her blessing."
Titania could not believe what she was hearing. There had to be more
then just
what Kain was telling Marcasa.
Marcasa smiled. "It is about time! When do we leave and where do we
meet her?"
"We will leave tomorrow. She has agreed to meet us at the edge of
Sector 21.
Come, you must have Dr. Zenn prepare you for the journey." Kain said
and took
her out of the room. He came back a few minutes later.
"Now, my dear......I do believe I can help you scratch that itch that
dear
Marcasa could not scratch." He said as he began to disrobe.
Titania smiled at him. "Oh, I do hope so! Your wife is such a tease!
C'mon over
and show me what a real man can do!"
_______________________________________________________________________
_________
________
Aboard the Dark Lady's ship, "Fist of the Realm", The Dark Lady and
her
Warlords were gathered. They went over the battle plans one last time.
How
foolish Kain had been to think he could make a treaty with her. Did he
really
think she would recognize him as the Emperor of Sectors 20 and 21
merely because
he had her son? Did he really think she would order a cease-fire and
stop
attacking his ships? It had been all she could do to keep a straight
face when
she had contacted him and told him that she was willing to make peace
with him
since she had been informed that his wife was her missing son. That she
understood that Marc was deeply in love with him to have caused all
that
destruction on Tymora just so that he could be Emperor. That she wanted
to
welcome him as a son in law into The Family.
He had been very charming but she had no doubts about him. He was up to
something. He underestimated her. She would not underestimate him.
_______________________________________________________________________
_________
______
Marcasa stood beside Kain in a bridal gown of white satin and lace. Her
new
psionic inhibitor collar was hidden under a pearl choker. Kain had the
controls
to her collar hidden in the palm of his hand. His forces were hidden
nearby. At
his signal, they would attack the Dark Lady's ships. He smiled as he
stood on
the Bridge of his ship, the Reaper. Soon it would all be his,
everything he'd
ever wanted.
Kain's eldest son approached. "Father, I have the signal device you
ordered.
This wristband has a single ruby stud. Press this, and the attack will
begin at
once."
"Well done, Bain." The Emperor smiled as he accepted the device and
slipped it
on his wrist. "What do the scouts report?"
"Only the flagship, 'Fist of the Realm' and two light cruisers are in
this
region, just as the Dark Lady said," Bain replied confidently. "Even
if the
cruisers have a full complement of fighters they don't have enough
firepower to
stop us. They are ours, Father. The Morheans will soon kneel
trembling at your
feet."
"Very good," Kain responded. "Marcasa, we will be seeing your mother
quite
soon."
"Mother?" Marcasa asked, trying to focus through the effects of the
drugs.
"Will I be able to stay with her for a while, Kain? I've missed her so
much!"
"Yes, my sweet," Kain replied. "When my business is concluded, you and
your
mother will be reunited." He smiled at Titania, who was to eliminate
Marcasa
once the Dark Lady was dead. She would make a much more suitable
Empress,
really, unless Kain tired of her.
Titania nodded back at Kain, her eyes unreadable. She wanted him dead
with
every fiber of her being, but she knew the Dark Lady would want him
alive.
"It is time, Father," Bain said. "The transport is ready."
"Come my bride," Kain said to Marcasa. "Let's not keep your mother
waiting."
He took her arm in his and left the Bridge.
_______________________________________________________________________
_________
__________________________
The Dark Lady and her party had arranged a neutral place to meet. It
had been a
cathedral at one time on a small asteroid in a region of space between
Sectors
21 and 22.
Kain and Marcasa, along with Titania and four of Kain's bodyguards were
escorted
into the sanctuary turned throne room. At the end of the room sitting
on a large
ornate throne was the Dark Lady. She wore the crown, it gave off an
aura of
darkness. All along the walls were members of The Family and her
warriors.
Kain felt no fear as he and Marcasa was led before the throne. The Dark
Lady
descended from the throne and walked toward Marc with her arms open
wide and a
smile upon her face.
As Marcasa left his side and walked towards her mother with a smile on
her face,
Kain turned off the collar and triggered Marcasa's assassin program
Marcasa's smile widened as she drew nearer to the Dark Lady. Her arms
stretched
forth as though to embrace her mother as she calculated the killing
blow.
Kain was rather surprised at what happened next. Marcasa stopped within
three
feet of her Mother. She became perfectly still. She turned around and
faced him
as the Dark Lady took mental control of her child. The Dark Lady
motioned to two
of her people who came and took Marcasa by the arms and began to lead
her out of
the room.
"Stop! What is the meaning of this!" Kain cried out, furious that his
plan to
have Marcasa assassinate her mother had been thwarted.
"Did you honestly think I was going to let my SON assassinate me? You
fool, the
moment you released that collar I took control of him!" Grace sneered.
"You will
not live to see the end of this day!" The dark aura that flickered
around her
crown blossomed into a black halo, symbol of the Dark Lady's wrath.
Kain's
bodyguards cried out and reached for their weapons, only to find
themselves
frozen in place. Titania stepped away from Kain as the Dark Lady's
Elite Guard
disarmed them.
"Titania, kill her!" Kain growled, then saw the feral smile on her
face. There
would be no help from her. Kain flushed as he realized the depth of
his
betrayal.
"Traitorous bitch, I'll see you in hell." He snarled.
"It's over, Kain," the Dark Lady said. "Your reign has ended almost
before it
began."
Kain smiled as he pressed a button on wristband that alerted his people
to begin
their attack. "I do believe you will find that I have a few surprises
in store
for you as well."
Kain's fleet emerged from hiding as the signal went forth. On Reaper,
Bain took
the Captain's chair.
"I want the gun ships on the two cruisers, hit them hard and fast," he
ordered.
"We'll take on the Fist ourselves. I want fighters on that asteroid -
- - ."
"Sir, we're picking up enemy vessels!" called the gunnery officer.
"What?" Bain hissed, turning. "We swept the asteroid field, there was
nothing
there!"
"Sir - - it is the asteroid field - - - the ships - - - the asteroids
were the
ships! They were holographic projections. My god - - - there are
hundreds of
them!" the frightened man looked up. "Orders sir? Sir?"
But Bain made no answer as he fled the Bridge. He knew it was over - -
- his
only hope was that he might escape in his fighter in the confusion of
battle.
_______________________________________________________________________
_________
_____________________________
They had a perfect view from inside the crystal-domed cathedral.
Grace's
vessels decimated Kain's forces, enveloping and firing on each ship.
There was
a brief attempt on the part of the pirates to fight back, but they were
too
heavily out numbered. Only a handful of pirate ships managed to escape
the
initial carnage, and the Morheans only needed to send a token force to
pursue
them.
"So," purred Grace Nesmith, the Dark Lady and ruler of the Morhean
Realm. "All
your plans have come to nothing, and you are left with the ashes of
defeat.
Where is your arrogance, now, pirate? You have nothing."
Kain stared up at the dome for a long moment, then faced Grace with a
smile.
"I have one thing, at least," he said. "The satisfaction of revenge.
You may
have defeated me, but you won't take any satisfaction from it, because
I've
taken the one thing you desire; Marc. Your son no longer exists. You
may
control his body but his mind is forever gone. Alive, yet not. No
matter, I
have grown tired of him and had planned to kill him after he killed
you. Do your
worst, Bitch!"
Grace let her anger get the best of her. She had plan