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Raptor was moving out of the Bexian Dominions. Heading rapidly towards the Tassic Imperial borders, enroute to the Galacia Federa courts, when it picked up a distress signal.
Locating its source was not difficult. Nearing the point of its origin, they could see what had generated it. A simple transport vessel. Suffering from a breakdown of its power cores, not it should be added, unusual for a craft of this type or age.
Raptor is the flagship of the Fendiq Empire. The owner of such a fine vessel and one that has weapons way beyond the understanding of the Galacia Federa. Is the other half to the Queen of the Fendiq Dominions. Cistera. Haphketsut who chose Nathan to stand at her side, not entirely of her choice but that is another story. She gifted him with an amulet that he wears on his left arm.
Within that amulet are two gems that when activated, triggers an alien device. Powering a high energy weapon of some magnitude. You don't want to be its target.
Cistera has an inbuilt biological gem like cluster, which is basically an inbuilt bio weapon. ANY hostility towards Cistera triggers the weapon automatically and there are few, who possess powers, to prevent its punishing effectsm apart from other things she can achieve with such power including mind reading, inflicting pain and, if she so desires, the death of her attacker or destruction of the threat?
She can also 'Psyshift' Thats the ability to shift her physical being into another place. Like teleporting but her senses can detect if, where she ends up, is likely to be close to or in the presence of hostiles. Thus her gems are activated should that be the case, almost immediately.
Nathan is an extension of that power and can inflict serious trauma on enemies. Destroy weapons and similar devices, simply by raising his arm and pointing.
Now approaching any craft drifting in space is an occupational hazard for some. Boarding? Could be a trap, a trigger to kill you, immobilize your vessel, allow others to board your vessel and so the list goes on. A decent scan is an absolute and easily achieved with the tech aboard Raptor.
The facts were conclusive. They were not, or did not appear, to have been contrived. The craft power cores were definitely degenerating and fast, which would mean all systems including life support facilities, onboard the vessel, would fail. He had no choice but to offer survivors, the lift to the nearest planet.
A relief at the scans showing only one being on the craft? The craft was was locked on to and the airlock initialized. When the hatch to the craft, opened. A female emerged from it. “I’m Imperial Princess Shinsekai of the Rogarian peoples.“
The airlocked hatch closed behind her with a hiss as Nathan ignoring her told his Pilot to disengage the craft. "Dees move us back onto our original course?" He turned to look at the female.
“I had been taking the craft to check it out and run diagnostics, when the fuel cells died on me. Bit difficult to understand why, they seemed fine. Delays meant, I was unable to power the craft to return to the main ship. My fathers craft.
Our flag ship. May I use your coms unit to contact them?”
Nathan nodded as he showed her to what was known as the Galleria. Handed her a coms unit.
She contacted her vessel, to be informed, they would NOT be returning to pick her up? The female was quite insistent! "I wish to talk with my father!" It would seem that her father, had to roused from his rest. He was NOT a happy individual.
He told her off! Angry that apparently, she had disobeyed his orders! He insisted on talking to Nathan? “ Ka I am Emperor Groger of the Rogarian peoples. No doubt you have heard of me likewise the reputation that precedes you. Thus, I have a favor to ask. I am more than willing, to leave my daughter in your capable hands, for transportation to the Galacia Federa Judiciary. I am headed there and am informed you, will be there within two days?
I would, of course expect to pay a sum to compensate you for taking care of her, delivering her back to me? Now, as to her activities of late. I have told her time after time, that when she is told NOT to leave the ship, that she complies with those orders? Yet, she chooses to ignore those instructions, to pursue her own agenda.
We have delays upon delays thanks to her. Why this time I had had enough. Left her. I have to confess that we knew you were in the vicinity and trusted to my knowledge of you, that you would indeed, respond to the distress call and act as you have done. However I am also aware that your response to come to her aid, did take you off course and cost you valuable time.
Since she is now aboard your vessel, she is no longer in my charge. I feel however that I would not ask you to unfairly decide upon her punishment. To save you that embarrassment I have made the decision, that whilst aboard your vessel, I submit her to your charge. NOT, as the Imperial Princess, but as a Quaquestor at your command?”
There was a howl from Shinsekai. She screamed, moved to protest. “Father I am an Imperial Princess not a chetze. (Lowest of the low, slave, minion.“ “I Shinsekai am your father and you will do as I tell you.” His voice had raised, as she bowed her head. A soft, “Yes father." from her lips.
“Then it is settled. YOU Ka will have her as your Quaqestor, until she is disembarked and boards my flag ship, at which I expect you, to hand her over to me. Should I accept .“ Shinsekai looked up to see her father glare at her. “YOU have brought this on yourself, your continued disobedience, puts everyone at risk. You constantly endanger yourself and if you were to be seized, now is a perfect example of what could have happened.
You are lucky it is the Ka of Fendiq and not others who are enemies of our people, slavers, or Pirates! Do you wish to be ransomed or bartered or worse still sold for slavery? Consider yourself LUCKY, it is the Ka who is your temporary “ He paused.
“OR permanent master, which he will be, if I am NOT impressed with how you behave yourself. Accept and take your punishment in the manner I expect you to. Is that understood?” “Yes father.” “She is yours Ka, I will see you in a week or so. Please ensure she is treated as a Quagestor or I SHALL refuse taking her back, until such time you honor my request.“
He waved his hand, the screen went blank. She smiled. “Father was of course only jesting. I am tired after all of this, can you show me to my quarters?” Nathan sat down, beckoned her to sit. She watched as he summoned Fehlise to attend? Who is Fehlise?
A bio morphic lifeform, NOT Humana, but self aware and programmed to an incredibly sophisticated level. She shares quarters with another onboard Raptor of the same disposition, a female form called 'Tanya' who is known as Tan. However she has extra in built attributes that Fehlise does not. Tan can copy any living life form, duplicating them to a level of precision that is remarkable to see when it happens.
Taking time to explain what had occurred? “So Fehlise what to do? I would appreciate your advice on this.“ Fehlise looked at Shinsekai, she was sipping on her drink and staring at Fehlise trying to decide if her opinion was of any consequence. “Under the terms of bondage you have little choice but to comply to her fathers request.
The Imperial Princess must also accept her fathers decision, if she wishes to return aboard his flagship. I have just checked the data on the Rogarian Imperiatta. He is not one to be trifled with and if he makes a decision he expects his orders to be carried out as he has decreed, no compromises are acceptable to him.
I have learned much about your father Shinsekai and also yourself. I can understand why he has made this decision. Not I should add, lightly. You leave, you don’t tell anyone where you are going, what you are doing and even simple safety rules, you ignore.
It is not just dangerous it is suicidal, you cannot and you must not continue as you are, without regard to your safety and the concerns for your well being, by others that you choose to persistently ignore. It's arrogant, rude and an abuse of your privileged status, as a Princess. Perhaps some time as a Quagestor will teach you some invaluable humility.“
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