Topic: Calyx: A serial novel of the Federation

[Andromeda]

Calyx
by Andromeda "Rommie"

Calyx is the story of a girl, who, because of an unexpected encounter with a starship captain, finds her way to Starfleet Academy.  She searches for the person who started her on the path to Starfleet, hindered by rival classmates and the inexplicable emnity of the Commandant of the Academy.  A terrible secret slowly reveals itself and she must face the truth about herself and her classmates... and learn what it truly means to be a starfleet officer.

[I'm sitting here in the Oval just down the walkway from Rod Laver Arena where I was watching a rather one-sided match between Sharapova and Kim Clijsters.  I've been trying to come up with a sequel to Gremlins without much success.  An altogether different idea came to me at the end of one of the games in the first set.  I came over here so I could use my laptop and started typing.  So far I'm at 8,000 or so words and about ten percent through the idea.  When we get home on Monday I'll start posting it here.]

[KOTH-KieranXC, Ret.]

Sounds impressive, Andromeda. Looking forward to reading it.

[Commander La'ra]

Ya' got my attention.  Hell, I've even got some Smirnoff and popcorn to enjoy it with...

[Scottish Andy]

Welcome back, Rommie! Glad to see you again, and with another story in the works too. We need more of that here to support the Guv's efforts of keeping this place alive.

Looking forward to seeing what you have.

[Governor Ronjar]

... to support the Guv's efforts of keeping this place alive.

You noticed...oh my!

Yes, I am in need of reinforcements. Send them with as much beer and ammunition as they can carry. If they are weaklings...skip the ammo!

--thu guv!

BTW: ...Smirnoff and popcorn...? Funny, I can imagine you with the same two items while watching porn in your underwear... Had we lived together longer...I PORBABLY would have SEEN you as such...

[Andromeda]

FWIW, I've discovered a liking of shōjo manga so there's a good bit of that influencing the story.

[Commander La'ra]

BTW: ...Smirnoff and popcorn...? Funny, I can imagine you with the same two items while watching porn in your underwear... Had we lived together longer...I PORBABLY would have SEEN you as such...

Quite untrue.  Everyone knows I don't wear underwear.

[Andromeda]

Well, we do now anyway.  Not that it is something I really wanted to know.

[Governor Ronjar]

Underwear only gets in the way of the true enjoyment of porn! 

--thu guv!

[Andromeda]

Only for men.  Proper underwear can be the sexiest thing in the universe.

[CaptJosh]

Tell me about it. My lady love put on a show for me the other day via webcam (long distance relationship thing)...whew...surprised my monitor didn't burn up from the sheer heat. And she tells me she didn't even come close to showing me the whole collection.

[Governor Ronjar]

All men's underwear has going for it is durability (vs. Skidmarks) and that nifty hole they put on the front. They say its to make bathroom trips easier, but we all know it's so we won't stretch the elastic too far when we scratch...

--thu guv!

[Scottish Andy]

How come we were never this disgusting when we didn't have a regular girl author? (sorry Jaeih, you don't count as "regular"!)

[Andromeda]

You now have someone to attempt to embarrass.  You've got a long way to go.

Since I'm getting home today, the story will have to wait until tomorrow.  I forgot about travel time.

[Commander La'ra]

Attempt to embarass?

Jeez.  False propoganda?

Do you know how rare and exquisite an experience it is to (as a male) know even one woman you can be your crude, unshaven, grunting, scratching self around?

[Governor Ronjar]

Indeed. One of the saving graces my wife possesses.

-thu guv!

[Scottish Andy]

Yeah, Larry. That one woman is called your missus, 'er indoors, your other half, the ol' ball and chain, the light of your life, and other affectionate and not so affectionate names.

[Andromeda]

Or someone online where it doesn't matter.

[Andromeda]

I know it's Wednesday and I wanted this out on Monday but I'll post part one later today.  Before I do, I have a question for everyone.  Do you prefer all of the story parts posted in one thread or to have a separate thread for each chapter?

[KOTH-KieranXC, Ret.]

A single thread is generally easier to keep track of, and I've noticed I tend to get more comments in a single thread. So, that would be my recommendation.

[Scottish Andy]

All in one thread please, Rommie. I second Kieran's words, and add that its easier to save your favourite stories to disk and re-read them when they're all on one place.

[Andromeda]

Calyx: Chapter I - Acasja

Arith Kiyos walked along the main hall of the administration building of Tory Secondary School in New New York City.  A girl was standing boredly outside the principal’s office; her head down and one knee bent so her foot was against the wall.  Indicating her pink shorts, he said “Hey Acasja, so that’s the uniform in question.  It looks pretty good to me.”

She looked up and smiled.  “Oh, hi Kiyos.  I don’t see what the big deal is.  It’s on the approved list.  But they went ahead and called my aunt.  She’s in there now and no doubt getting her ears chewed off by Principal Maguch.”  Her tone turned harsh and her voice rose.  “It should be me getting yelled at not her; she didn’t do anything wrong.  I’m the one wearing a boy’s uniform.”

Kiyos put his hands on Acasja’s shoulders.  “Don’t.  Let her handle it.”

She pushed his arms away.  “I can’t.”  She turned sharply and grasped the door handle, fending off Kiyos’s attempts to stop her.  She pushed the door open and marched past the startled receptionist.  Acasja opened the door and barged into the main office.

“Principal Maguch, it’s my responsibility for what happened.  You shouldn’t yell at my aunt!” Acasja announced to the surprised occupants of the room.  Behind her Kiyos raised his hands in a helpless gesture of resignation.  

Her aunt stood up from the leather chair across from the principal’s desk.  Facing her niece, she raised a hand and slapped her sharply across the face.  “Behave.  We will discuss this matter at home.  Now go.”  Her face brighter than her pink hair, Acasja turned sharply, bowed to the principal, and left the room without another word.  Kiyos arched his eyebrows and the corners of her lips turned slightly upward in a hint of a smile.  He gave a quick bow to the principal and followed after Acasja, shutting the door behind them.

“Quite a girl you have there, Miss Tilfe,” the principal commented.  “We can’t permit her to wear attire not in the dress code, however.”

“I’m sorry.  Ever since her parents died, she’s been an extraordinary child,” explained Tilfe Accalia.  “When I took her in, I was too much in grief to tell her the truth. I told her that her parents had gone away for a while but loved her very much.  It was right when the Federation made first contact with us.  So I told her they had gone with the starship.  She told me not to cry and that she would stay with me until her parents came back for her.”  Principal Maguch brought a hand to her mouth and gasped, making a sympathetic noise.  “I’m sure she’s figured out the truth but she has never asked and never cried, at least not in front of me.
  
“She is an exceptional athlete and exceptionally gifted intellectually as well. She’s really very considerate. I’m sure you and I can work out an accommodation.  Besides, knowing her, I have no doubt that her uniform is legally within the school’s dress code.”

Acasja was already outside of the building and running toward the wall that surrounded the school.  She vaulted to the top and jumped lightly down the other side.  Kiyos managed to get both arms on the top and began to pull himself after her.  “Can’t you take normal paths?” he said breathlessly.

“I like secret paths and shortcuts,” she replied flatly.  “If you don’t like danger, then don’t fall for me.”  Then she was off and racing towards an alleyway.  Shock registering on his face, Kiyos fell behind and Acasja was soon out of sight.  Muttering to himself, he hurried out to the street and along the sidewalk.  He walked as briskly as he could to the condominium where the Tilfe’s lived.

Acasja was waiting for him at the entrance.  She had several envelopes in her hand and was reading one of the pieces of mail.  “Uh, about what we were talking about earlier…”

She folded the letter and looked steadily at him.  “Yes?”

His nerve almost faltered.  “Well, do you… I mean, is there… someone?  A person you like?”  

“Me?” she asked with artificial naďveté.  She glanced at the addresses on the envelopes.  “Well…” Then she stopped suddenly and her cheeks brightened.  She pulled out the second envelope from those in her hand and read the address label.  “A letter with a Federation seal!  It came again this year!”

“Why would that happen?” Kiyos said crossly.  “Who’s it from?”

“Him, of course.”  She turned away from him and ran toward the elevators.

“Who’s him?”
A door opened and she darted inside.  “The person that I like,” she blurted out and the door closed between them.

Acasja ran heedlessly to her own room, opening the letter as she ran.  Inside was the familiar postcard with a view of some alien scene on the back.  She flipped it over to read the words on the front, wondering what message it would give her.  “This year,” it said, “we will finally meet.”  Excitement overwhelmed her so quickly that Acasja felt as if her heart would burst.  

She opened her dresser and rummaged until she found her secret stash hidden beneath her undergarments.  There were the eight other postcards and the ring, wrapped in silk and bound with a ribbon.  She sat them on the bed and reverently opened the wrapping.  One by one she began to read them again.

Unnoticed, Kiyos slipped into the room and began reading over her shoulder.  “A bunch of cards and a ring?” he asked.

“Hey,” she exclaimed, startled.  “Who gave you permission to follow me inside?”

He ignored her.  “Perhaps you’d like to explain…”

“They’re never signed, but they’re all the same.  They always come in the fall when the Sutena bloom,” she said referring to the fragrant pink blossoms that were growing outside of the building.  “I know in my heart they’re from him.  Who else could they be from?”

“I met him nine years ago.  It was raining; the heavens were crying with me.  That was the day I figured out that my parents were never coming back.  I wandered through the streets.  A child in a raincoat laughed at me.  Finally I came to the river.  There was a hole in the fence.  It was as if the river were calling to me.  I remember falling heavily toward it and then it embraced me.  

“A hand grabbed me then and pulled me out.  I remember the gold bands on his shirt.  Two solid bands and one braided one.  I remember asking ‘who are you?’ but he said ‘it’s all right.’  Then he kissed my cheek.  ‘Just remember you’re never alone.  I’m giving you some of my strength.  I have to go now, but there will come a time when we may meet again, if you do not lose your new, noble heart.’  Then he gave me the ring and was gone.

“It was like waking up from a dream.  I was in the park under the May sunlight and the skies were clear.  My aunt was calling me.   I never told her about my parents or him.  When we got home, I took the dictionary and looked up the word noble.”

Kiyos looked at her in disbelief.  “It was a dream.  What kind of man just gives a nine-year old girl a ring like that?  It’s probably something left from your parents and your aunt has been sending you the cards.  An incentive to keep you going until you were old enough.”

“I thought it was a dream at first,” Acasja said softly, “but I don’t believe that.  This year’s card says we’ll finally meet.  It has to be real.”

Kiyos grabbed the front of her men’s shirt and shook her.  “He’s a dream.  Get over it and move on with your life.  Find a real guy to be in love with.”  She glared up at him.

“Let me go.”

His cheeks reddened and he released her.  He scooped up the cards and ring.  “Let me borrow these.  I won’t hurt them, but I’ll prove it to you.”

She stood still in shock as he walked out.  “If something happens to them, or if you mention this to my aunt, we’re through!” she yelled after him.  “You got that?”  Acasja moved to the window to watch him go and then she noticed something out of the corner of her eye.  A man was standing by the road, looking up at her window.  He was wearing black pants with a green shirt that had gold braiding on one wrist.  His hair was brown and cut short in an unusual style with pointed sideburns.  She guessed his age to be thirty.  She took in his appearance in only a moment and the turned to look at him more closely, but he was gone.  

The next morning of school passed by slowly.  Acasja found a note in her locker from Kiyos, asking her to meet him in the library at lunch time.  “Your hero doesn’t exist,” he said calmly.  When she glared harshly at him, he hastily added “I can prove it.”  

He got out the cards and began laying them out on the table.  “There’s a message on the front of the cards, but there’s also one on the back.  Not in words, but in pictures.  He arranged them so that the shape of a large building took place.  “That’s the headquarters building in Hollans for the company your aunt works for.  And these notes.  Look at the font.  They’re printed out using the same kind of printer that’s in your own house.”

Acasja snatched the cards up.  “That’s it?  You’re saying he doesn’t exist based on that?”  

Kiyos nodded.  “Your aunt sent them.”  She put a hand to her mouth and stared blankly for a moment.  Suddenly she turned and ran from the library.

Outside, Acasja ran until she was out of breath.  She leaned against one of the stone walls of the school and hugged herself.  It really had been a dream, still was a dream, and she was like the sleeping beauty and could not wake up.  Somehow she had to force herself to wake up and go on with her life.  

[Andromeda]

She spent the rest of the school day in a perpetual haze.  At home, she made dinner by rote.  When her aunt came home, she sat down two plates at the table with a large bowl of pasta and meatballs.  Her aunt, however, was not alone.  With her was the man in uniform that Acasja had seen the day before.  “This is Captain Acton from the Federation.  He’s here visiting and has some business with my superiors.  I’ve invited him for dinner this evening.”

Captain Acton reached a hand toward Acasja to shake her hand, but when she extended hers, he took it and brought it to his lips and kissed it.  She noticed then that he was wearing a ring like the one she had been given.  It was perhaps the only thing she noticed all evening.  Her mind was in a whirl of hope and imagined romance. 

“You were outside my window last night,” she commented.  “Why?”

“Ah, you recognized me then.  Your aunt told me she had a beautiful niece.  I see that she was not deceiving me.”  Acasja’s blushed and turned her head away.  She quickly passed him the bowl of pasta. 

“We eat pretty simply most days,” her aunt explained.  “Help yourself.”

He took a large portion and began eating in earnest.  “It’s very good, Acasja.  Thank you for making this.  A woman of many talents, this niece of yours.”

Aunt Accalia smiled and Acasja blushed again.

There wasn’t much conversation for a while.  All three were hungry.  “Accalia told me you had a problem with your uniform at school,” Captain Acton finally said, as he slid his bread around the plate, sopping the last few bits of food.  “Good for you.  Keep standing up for yourself.  I love strong women.”   Aunt Accalia volunteered to do the clean up and left the two of them to talk. 

“May I ask you something?” she said tentatively. 

“Of course,” he replied firmly and laughed. 

“That ring.  Where did you get it?” 

He looked down at his hand.  “Oh, that.  It’s a starship emblem: the USS Enterprise.  Everyone who graduates from Starfleet Academy gets a ring from the ship that’s their first assignment.  I’m not allowed to wear it on duty, but I like it.”
“I have one just like it.  Want to see?” 

He didn’t appear to be surprised by her revelation. In fact, he seemed pleased that she had mentioned it.  “No, that’s fine.  That you told me is good enough.”  He sat back and let out a contented sigh. 

“I want to show you anyway,” she replied.  It was important to her, a secret that she hadn’t shared with anyone.  Kiyos didn’t count since she hadn’t done it on purpose.  It was more special to her now since it was a secret shared only between her and the captain.  Just then her aunt came in to take the extra bread and put it back in the pantry.  “Perhaps it had should wait for a better time,” Acasja said with a glance through the open doorway to the kitchen. 

He seemed to agree.  “That was a good meal,” he said, changing the subject.  “Now go ahead.  Is there anything else you want to know about me?  I imagine I’ll become an important part of your life from now on.”  Acasja gasped and felt like she would faint.  A white cloud filled her vision for an instant.  “Are you alright?” he asked, rising quickly and steadying her with a hand on her shoulder.

“I’m fine,” she said, patting her chest.  She asked a question to turn his attention from her and to give her a moment to recover.  “But what are those bands on your sleeve?”  Her heart was beating so loud that she was sure he could hear it.  She took a glass of wine in both hands and sipped at it. 

“You are the curious one, aren’t you?” he said, laughing again.  “They are rank insignia.  These mean that my rank is captain.”  Another question entered her mind but she never got to ask it.  A sudden crash from out on the porch interrupted their conversation.  Acasja ran, the captain right behind her, to the door and opened it.  A gust of wind blew into the room, carrying a few leaves in with it.  Lying broken on the ground outside the window was an orange urn with a flower in it.  The flower looked a lot like a Sutena, but it was white and very fragrant with a heady, unfamiliar scent.  Acasja had to take a deep breath to absorb it.  She loved flowers and cared for the ones in front of the building.

“Oh, you’re gift.  It’s ruined,” said her aunt coming up behind them.  “And you said it was a rare white rose from Earth.”

Acasja bent down and touched one of the petals.  She noticed the stem was turning blue.  “I don’t think we’ll be able to re-pot it.  I think it’s dying.”  Captain Acton put a sympathetic hand on her aunt’s shoulder. 

Acasja recalled little more of the evening until after the captain had left.  “Oh, I nearly forgot,” her aunt said, “I asked about the uniform at school,” her aunt said.  “You can wear it this way for the rest of the semester.  After that it won’t matter.  I’m being transferred to Hollans.  I got a big promotion and we’ll be moving over winter break.”

“That’s fine,” she said, dazedly.  “I don’t mind at all.”  She wondered how she would get to speak to Captain Acton without her aunt around – far away, not just in the next room.  He had been her hero, her dream, for as long as she could remember.  To have him here now left her confused and unsure of herself.  At the very least, she was going to explode and go crazy. The large ache in her heart was something she had never felt before and something she could not explain.  She wasn’t sure if it was good or bad, but it was wrenching and she knew that, with it, her life had changed.

Then she wondered what she would do with her life with its dream fulfilled so suddenly.  Not only did she want to be with the captain, but she wanted to be just like him.  That was the main part of her ambition.  She wanted to stand on the deck of a starship, giving orders, having her crew relying on her strength and judgment.  He had set her on that course himself.  Surely he would encourage her to continue to pursue it. Of course it didn’t have to be a starship, she told herself.  She just imagined it that way now because that is what he was.  Anywhere that she could be the hero and do great things would be enough.

Acasja slept poorly; she was too excited to get a proper rest.  When she finally did fall asleep, she dreamed of him, their lips touching, his strong body pressed against her, sharing urges that she had so for only experienced alone.  It did not improve the quality of her sleep.

Despite the lack of sleep, she was full of energy the next day.  Her books held in front of her chest, Acasja bounced into her morning classes with a big smile on her face.  She dropped them in a carefree pile on her desk without putting them away.  “Guess what, Kiyos,” she said, “he does exist.  He visited our house last night.  His name is V. Luke Acton, a Federation Starship Captain.”  He gaped at her in surprise, but didn’t have a chance to answer her; the class bell rang and interrupted their conversation.  Nor did they find a chance to talk during lunch break.  For having a messy desk, Acasja spent that period cleaning the classroom. 

After school she grabbed Kiyos and practically dragged him to her aunt’s office, where she expected to find the Captain.  “I don’t need to see your hero,” he protested.

“Oh yes you do,” she insisted.  “Otherwise you won’t really believe me.  He even said he likes me, but we didn’t get much of a chance to really talk.”

“That’s a little sudden, isn’t it?”

“Come on,” she laughed.  “We’ve known each other for years.  Plus he saved my life.”  She led Kiyos into the office building and to the third story office that was her aunt’s.  She wasn’t in, but Acasja thought she heard her aunt’s voice from the storeroom.  She flung fully open the door that was already ajar.  Standing in front of a shelf of copy paper were her aunt and Captain Acton.  They were embracing each other tightly and their lips were locked in a passionate kiss. 

“It wasn’t me,” Acasja whispered, stunned.  “It was you.”  The couple broke apart quickly, faces red, and adjusted their clothing.  They looked at her and Kiyos with surprised expressions of embarrassment.  She stood a moment longer until she could make her legs move and then turned and ran back out the door. 

“Acasja!” her aunt called uselessly after her. 

[Andromeda]

Kiyos frowned at the couple, walked up calmly, and slugged the Starfleet captain in the jaw.  “Sorry about that,” he muttered and then he ran after his friend.  He was glad she had told him the story of her first encounter with the captain; it was the only way he knew where she’d be.  She was already through the hole in the fence at the edge of the river.  As he watched, she spread her arms and launched herself into the river in a high-arcing dive.  “No!” he yelled at the top of his lungs, too late.   

As fast as he could run, Kiyos sped towards the river.  He barely fit through the hole and snagged his shoe as he was passing through it.  He tore it off angrily and ran to the river’s edge with one bare foot.  He looked down and saw Acasja some distance down the current.  She was holding a small figure, a girl, in her hands and was nearing the far bank.  She pushed the girl up on to the dry land and held the verge for a moment.  Then her hands slipped loose and she sank back beneath the surface. 

Not a strong swimmer, Kiyos knew he couldn’t jump in after her.  He looked hurriedly left and right.  There was a staircase leading down a hundred meters away.  He made his way down as quickly as he could and ran to the river’s edge.  To his surprise, someone had beaten him to it.  A man, drenched in water, held Acasja in his arms.  Seeing Kiyos, he laid her on the ground.  He seemed to fade from sight and disappeared completely in a silvery shimmer.  Kiyos blinked, not sure if he had imagined it, and then ran quickly to where Acasja lay.

As he reached her side, her eyes fluttered open.  “Where am I?” she asked.  “How did I get here?”

“Do you remember?” he asked in turn.

She nodded.  “Some of it anyway.  I was coming here to look at the river.  I do that when I’m depressed.  Then I saw a little girl fall in, like I did all those years ago.  I… I tried to save her.  I’m not sure what happened after that.”

“Look!” he said, pointing to the other side.  A woman, he guessed the girl’s mother, was helping the child up and wrapping her in her own coat.  “You did save her but then you fell back into the water.  I was afraid you were going to drown.  I ran as fast as I could.”

“Did you save me?”

He stopped.  He couldn’t answer her.  He wanted to say it had been him, but couldn’t.  Finally he spat it out and his voice sounded unintentionally bitter. “If I did, would you look at me like you look at your Captain?”


“The reason I considered him so dear to me isn’t that he saved my life.  He gave me something beautiful, something shining.  He taught me that I have the courage and the strength within me to live a noble life.”  Kiyos stared at her intent face as Acasja spoke and sighed.  She continued less emphatically and her voice was soft. “I guess it’s okay if he’s in love with my aunt and not me.  He said he liked strong women, I thought he meant me.  He meant her.”

Kiyos took a deep breath and sat down on the far end of the bench.  “Are you sure you really want to know the truth about your hero captain?”

She glanced up at him before finding a spot on the ground to stare at.  “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” he said, hesitating.  “I mean.”  He sighed heavily.  With her he could only say the truth.  “Your hero does exist and he’s not Captain Acton.  I saw him.  I think I did anyway. I wanted to rescue you.  I tried to reach you in time, but I was too late.  When I arrived at the river’s edge, he was already holding you.  He saw me and set you down and then he vanished.  I know what you mean now.  It’s almost like it really was a dream. That’s how I know it wasn’t Captain Acton.  It didn’t look like him.  But that’s not all.  I can prove he exists.”

“Did he have a green shirt and dark hair?” she asked breathlessly.  Her voice was all excitement again and her recent accident forgotten.  “Wait.   You can prove he exists?  Then you must have known about him all along.”

“I did,” he admitted glumly.  “I didn’t want you to go after him.  You’re the best thing that ever entered my life.  But, since you’re moving with your aunt anyway, I’d better tell you while I still have the chance.”

He looked at her then, but she was focused on his revelation, not him.  “The cards do have a message on the back.  Let me see them.” 

Acasja reached for her bag. “Oh, it’s up by the hole in the fence.”  He reached a hand down to help her up.  When she put her weight on his arm he winced and all the strength left him. 

“I’m bleeding,” he said dumbly, looking down.  There was red around the sole of his bare foot.   “I must have cut it going after you.  I didn’t notice until now.”

She smiled warmly.  “I guess the crisis is over.  She reached under her uniform jacket and took out a yellow scarf.  She gently examined his foot and wiped the grime and stones off the bottom.  Then she wrapped the scarf around the cut on the bottom.  “This will hold until you get it looked at by a doctor.  Now lean on me and we’ll get back to the top.”

Once there, she carefully replaced his shoe and tied it so that it wouldn’t slide against the makeshift bandage.  “Can you show me the message now, or do you want to go home first?”

“Right.”  He opened the backpack and found her postcards.  He laid them out on the ground.  “They are different parts of one scene.  It’s the Federation’s Starfleet Academy.”  She rolled her eyes at him.  “I know, I know.  You already knew that.  Just look here at the last one.  By this tree here, there’s a small square.  If you blow it up, it’s a placard with writing on it.”  From his own book bag, he pulled out a folded piece of paper.  On it were several letters in a blocky, unfamiliar script. “It’s Latin, an ancient language of Earth.  I had to look it up.” He glanced at her one last time, but her eyes were shining and focused solely on the paper.  His eyes were filled with tears too.  He knew he was losing her forever.  “It says ‘I will meet you here.’  That’s your final clue.”

It was well after dark when Acasja slipped into her aunt’s condominium.  The lights in her aunt’s bedroom were out but there was a light on in the kitchen.  Her aunt had left her a note and a plate of food.  She read the note, “We’ll talk in the morning, young lady,” as she reheated her dinner.  She peeked in on her sleeping aunt as she turned in for the night.

The next morning, her aunt was waiting for her at breakfast.  “About yesterday,” Accalia began.  “What happened?”

“Oh, I’m sorry auntie,” Acasja replied lightly.  “I didn’t mean to upset you.  I was just surprised when I walked in on you, that’s all.  Do apologize to Captain Acton for Kiyos.  He’s very protective of me.”  She got up to leave.

“We’re not done,” her aunt said and Acasja, half standing, slid back into the chair.  “I’m moving and you’re coming with me.  You know that.  That’s not all.  Captain Acton and I are getting married and the three of us can become a sort of family.”

“Congratulations,” Acasja answered sincerely, “but I won’t be moving in with you.”

“You’re still in school and a young lady shouldn’t be out on her own alone.  Or are you and Kiyos going to get married when you graduate?”

Acasja laughed at the idea.  It was almost hysterical to her.  “Kiyos never was my boyfriend, auntie.  I thought you knew that.  But that’s not what I meant.  I’m going to Earth and to join the Federation.  I’m going to enter the Starfleet Academy there.

Last night I was at the library, getting all the information I need and downloading the proper forms for an application.  I filled out what I can, except for the essays, and have to give parts of it to you, my teachers, and Kiyos and my other friends.  It said on the Starfleet Net that a recommendation from a Starfleet Officer was very helpful.  Perhaps Captain Acton would be willing to forgive my rudeness of yesterday and do that for me?”

Her aunt looked at her in stunned silence.  “You’re sure… of course you are.  Alright, Acasja, fly away to your future.  I’m having dinner with Luke tonight.  We can ask him when he comes to pick me up.”

Captain Acton treated her as though nothing had happened.  “I’d be happy to sponsor your entry into Starfleet Academy,” he replied, smiling, in response to her nervous question.  “Even better, once you’ve completed the application, give it to me.  I’ll make certain it gets to the proper authorities more quickly than any other method.  You’d better hurry though if you want to get it done in time to be considered for the upcoming year.”

“I will,” Acasja promised solemnly.   She began filling it in while they were out.  She left the parts meant for her parents to be completed by her Aunt.  Though Acasja already knew the truth, she felt it better that her Aunt complete that section anyway. 

She took the part to be filled in by her teachers with her to school the next day.  There was the academics section that she took to the main office.  The recommendations she gave to those teachers whom were willing to accept the charge.  Acasja was sure they wouldn’t have done so had they known how often she would pester them to get them back.   At home when her schoolwork was done, she answered the essay questions.   Thanks to her constant pressing, she had everything completed within a week. 

Captain Acton was pleased to see her finish the task so quickly.  “Very promising,” he said, after looking over the packet she gave him.  “It all appears to be in order.  I’ve already completed my own recommendation as well.  I included a bit about how you inspire loyalty in others to the point of them hitting a Starfleet Officer over an alleged slight to your honour.”  It elicited an embarrassed smile from Acasja. 

Two days later, he dropped by their home after Acasja returned from school and before her aunt was done at work.  “I submitted your application and I can tell you that, while it will take some time - probably after you graduate - before you receive official notification, you will be accepted for the next year’s class at the academy.”  She gave him a very polite and formal thank you.  She did not mention it to her aunt or Kiyos.  Both of them could wait until she received official notification.

The acceptance came shortly before her aunt had completed all the preparations for the move to Hollans.  It was a brief message on the computer instead of an envelope delivered by post.  She told her aunt that night and waited for morning to reveal it to Kiyos.

He had found a summer job working at the city library.  The quiet of that place was too intimidating even for Acasja.  She waited until he took his lunch break.  She treated him to her favorite café.  Over a parfait at the end of the meal she said, “I got accepted to Starfleet Academy.  I’ll be traveling to Earth on a real starship. It’s leaving in two days.”

He nodded.  “I always knew you would.  How could you not?  You’re so good at everything.”  He looked away from her for a moment.  “Oh, my time’s nearly up.  I have to get back to the library.”  He stood up hurriedly, knocking over his chair and resetting it.  “I’ve got to go.”

“Kiyos, wait,” she said, grabbing his hand to keep him from leaving.  He still did not look at her.  “I know how much you’ve done for me.  You’ve always… been there… for me…” She could see his distress, suddenly realizing how deeply he cared for her. 

She released him, stood up, and came around the table.  Gently but irresistibly she turned him to face her.  A slow tear was trickling down the side of his face.  She put a hand on his cheek and lifted his face until he was looking at her.  “Acasja?”

She stepped up and into him and brought her lips to his cheek, touching them to the trail of salty liquid that ran down his face.  “Thank you, she whispered.  She wiped the tear gently away with her lips.  “There.  Now you have the same strength I was given.  Because you’re the friend I love the most.”  She put her arms around him and they held each other for a long time. 

She released him, took his hand in hers, and shook it.  “I have to go now and find my destiny on my own.  I’m not sure what awaits me at Starfleet Academy, she continued, starting toward the exit.  He watched her go with a whimsical smile on his face.  She paused in the doorway.  “I do know all of my life so far has been a prologue for tomorrow.”  He kept her in his sight until she reached the end of the street and vaulted the stone fence and was gone.

[CaptJosh]

Well, I like it very much so far. Your main character's general attitude reminds me a lot of Commander Piper, from Dreadnought and Battlestations. Very headstrong, simultaneously sure and unsure of herself...I'm going to have to reread this later to get a better feel and a more complete review. Assuming I remember to review it.

[Commander La'ra]

Very interesting, so far.  Believable adolescent/family drama that's brief and fast paced enough to let the reader know it's not the main point of the story. 

I like the relationship between Acasja and Kiyos, it's realistic enough to be irritating that Acasja doesn't feel/show more affection.   Not until women hit their mid-thirties does the male gender have it's final revenge.*eyeshift*

I take it that our protagonist is either not human or from a human culture that isn't the usual?  If so, not just directly stating that and letting us infer from the details is pretty effective...though early on, when the aunt slaps Acasja, I didn't know that and wondered why the Principal wasn't coming out of his chair (Someone does that to one of my clients, for instance, and it's on like 6-6-44)...though I also wonder if the differences aren't part of the 'different' and 'terrible secret' things you mentioned in the initial post.

All in all, can't wait to see how the Academy goes for our heroine.

[Andromeda]

I thought it was important to show a bit of "normal" life before I got into the Academy part.  I thought it was a good way to develop her personality without having to put it into plot.  There are some elements that are foreshadowed.

About the culture, that's a reflection of where I live.  Since I've moved to Australia, I spend a lot more time in Japan and Hong Kong.  The culture of Acasja's world is based a lot on what I've observed there.  A student barging in to speak to the principal like that would be all but unthinkable.  Her aunt's reaction would be very appropriate at the least.  The principal in turn wouldn't bat an eye and would scrupulously ignore the event.  She would find nothing wrong with the aunt's reaction.

[Scottish Andy]

Sorry, Rommie. I have to say that I really don't get it.

Larry says that it's brief and I agree, only more so. It's too brief for me to sink my teeth into. The meeting with the captain when she was nine seems really weird and surreal, and the story has a kinda... anime feel to it. Which is by no means a bad thing, as Kadh's 'Projeck B-Ko' proved. I just can't quite latch on to this.

Admittedly, I can see what both Josh and Larry noted and I will be back to find out what happens next. I'm just saying that, to me, it seemed a bit rushed.

[Governor Ronjar]

Hmmm...

Still chewing on it, really... I do know that I'll be back to read any further 'chapters' in the tale.

I kinda agree with Andy. Certain scenes seem sureal, not quite right.

Maybe if I see more, I can get a handle on the tale and it won't seem so off.

What I did like:
a) The fact that the main character goes to school in a boy's uniform.
b) The fact that the aunt didn't go in there and 'lay down the law', thus making it so that she could go on wearing it. More realistic that way.
c) That the boy had the gall to hit a Starfleet officer. (Though if I take green for a marine's uniform, I know of few marines who'd have allowed it, or allowed him to get away with it)


Gimme more.

--thu guv!

[Andromeda]

Green was the colour of Captain Kirk's wrap-style shirt. 

Andy, it only gets more surreal from here on out.

[Governor Ronjar]

Ah! I always forget about that one...

By the way, are there any physical, appearance type differences in your 'aliens' in this story. You've stated that they were contacted by the Feds and she needed officer sponcer-ship to join the Academy. And did I read something about pink hair...or did I cross some words somewhere....

I'll reread that first part.

Oh, another thing I liked was your Starfleet Captain's practice of 'pulling strings'. I mean, he promissed results without even batting an eye. AND, more importantly, delivered them! That made me like him.

--thu guv!

[Andromeda]

The alienness of these people and to what degree gets addressed in story later.  They're not significantly different from the norm though.

Glad you like Acton.  Acton / action. 

[Commander La'ra]

Andy, it only gets more surreal from here on out.

Can't speak for our represenative from the British Commonwealth, but I'm a pretty big fan of 'surreal'.

[Governor Ronjar]

Maybe I should lend you 'The Martian Chonicles', then. Now that is surreal...

And I'd kinda wondered about the Acton/Action thing.

--thu guv!

[Andromeda]

The next part got unfavourably looked over as too surreal so I'm rewriting.  Hang in there.

[KOTH-KieranXC, Ret.]

Glad to see you're still working on this, Andromeda. I enjoyed the introduction, and I'll be watching for more.

[Andromeda]

Finally finished and have time to be here.  Part I coming very soon.  Hoperully toninght.

[Commander La'ra]

Hell yeah.

[Governor Ronjar]

indeed


--thu guv!

[Czar Mohab]

Honestly, I have to admit that I've been trolling through the works of the past to catch up on where everyone is at with what they are doing. I hadn't got to this yet, so I'm glad it got bumped to the top.

Surreal anime seems to be the general consensus of what people feel this reads as. And, picturing the characters with those huge anime eyes and over the top reactions to things doesn't sit well with me. The pink hair maybe, but that's about it. As for surrealism, it does feel as if the main 'toon is living a semi dreamlike existence. This, I like. Gives the feel akin to the Great Bird's view of the future, that whatever bad has come, there is always good; that whatever your dreams, they can come true.

I'm not sure what you have planned for her, but I can't wait until she takes her big chair for the first time, making some memorable quote similar to "Let's see what's out there!" or something.

I also look forward to some of the classroom experiences she's bound to have, as this is a hugely different era compared to when that stupid Crusher kid went through (and the only sources I've read about academy life seem to come from, with regards to actual detail more than "Kirk beat the K-Maru", et al, that we are forced to accept as "thats all there is" from a canon point of view).

I really like what has been written thus far, and I am truly waiting for more. Take your time, and be not sorry for delays. I'm patient.

Czar "I hope its tonight" Mohab  

[Andromeda]

Calyx - Chapter 2: Interlude I, Dirt

The starship didn't seem that big to Acasja.  She had expected a huge behemoth that filled the sky.  Instead it was no longer than the sailboats that she had taken out on the lake.  She was sure it would be very uncomfortable for a long trip through space.  Even one of the boxier ships on the ground at the spaceport would have been more to her liking.  While they didn't have windows, they at least looked large enough to be comfortable on the inside.   "It's a shuttlecraft," said Captain Acton, who was standing beside her looking out at the landing area.  "The ship you'll be travelling on can't land on a planet."
"Is it too large?" she asked hopefully.

"No, not that," he said with a laugh.  "It's not made to go through a planet's atmosphere and land.  If it did, it would never come back up.  Don't despair though; it will be more than large enough to enjoy the journey."

He was right.  Rising Star was more than large enough.  It took Acasja more than a week to walk every deck from one end to the other.  Plenty of stops in between had made the journey longer.  There was the crew galley that she was allowed to visit.  There was the casino that she was not.  Both surprised her.  She had thought the crew would eat as well as the passengers.  If I ever get my own ship, she thought, my crew will eat well.  Nor could she imagine that a spaceship would have its own casino.  Then she found out Rising Star was a luxury liner.  It travelled from the core of Federation space to the rim and back.  Acasja was one of the few passengers that was not from Earth, or Rigel, or one of the other central systems. 

She got her first glimpse also of alien species.  She met Rigellians and Andorians, whom she liked; and Tellarites and Orions, whom she did not.  Most of the passengers were human like her, but, she was pleased to discover, none seemed all that strange in manner. 

It did not occur to Acasja to become homesick.  She was walking forward to her future and that was the way she faced.  Her favorite thing to do was to look at the stars as they streaked by.  Ahead they gleamed like blue diamonds. The best ones were the ones she could see to either side.  Those weren't gems or even lights.  They were streaks of color that raced along beside the ship for a few seconds and then were gone; outdistanced like an older train in NNY.  She would look back and the stars they had just raced were scattered like a handful of playing cards dropped to the table after the game was over.

It surprised her that they did not see other spaceships until someone showed her just how vast space was.  If they met another ship out here it would be intentional on someone's part.  When the alarm sounded, the one they had practiced once on her first day on the Rising Star, Acasja returned to her own quarters to wait until another signal came that the drill was over.

Her room in the apartment was nowhere near as nicely appointed as the stateroom on the Rising Star.  That all this space, gleaming with luxury, was hers amazed her.  Later she was told that hers was one of the smallest cabins on the ship.  Whatever strings Captain Acton had pulled to get her on it, she decided, must have been pretty long. 

The alarm didn't come immediately.  For the first time on her trip, excepting when she was given a tour of the engineering section, she could feel the deck tremble slightly as the ship increased speed.  The stars must be interesting at a different speed.  It was disappointing.  As far as Acasja could tell, there was no difference in the way the stars went by.  Ahead they looked no different.  Behind, behind was a silver block that filled the starfield.  It loomed larger until it was alongside Rising Star and Acasja could see its profile.  Rising Star was vodka and satin to look at.  This ship was chocolate milk, poorly mixed.  "All passengers are advised to stay in their cabins," said the speaker in her room.  It was the first time she had heard it speak; she recognized the voice of the captain: she had sat at his table for dinner as her second meal on Rising Star.

The most surprising thing of all then followed.  Rising Star dropped out of warp alongside the other ship.  "Please remain calm," the speaker said again, still the captain.  "A crewmember will be visiting each passenger shortly.  Please comply with his requests.  We have been boarded by pirates.  Again, I remind you to please stay in your cabins."

A second voice followed his.  It reminded her of the Tellarite she had met.  "Anyone who fails to obey these commands will be shot.  There will be no exceptions."  Acasja evaluated her physical condition versus that of unknown pirates armed with unknown weapons.  She factored in the needs of the crew and other passengers and sat perfectly still facing the door to her stateroom that she now noted was being called a cabin.

It felt like a long time, but later she checked to find it had been less than fifteen minutes.  There were three of them in addition to the crewman, one of the pursers, she thought.  One was Orion, one human, and she did not recognize the third species.  The purser read from a padd.  "Acasja Tilfe from Anetu.  Trip paid for by Captain Acton of Starfleet.  Middle class background.  Destination: San Francisco, Earth."

"Valuable to Starfleet, eh?" mused the human.  He held a weapon in his hand, as did the unknown alien.  "What do you think? Do we take her?"

The Orion looked at Acasja.  "Answer truthfully girl.  Why did Starfleet pay for your trip?"

"I've been accepted into Starfleet Academy," she said and stopped.  It was all she knew and it answered his question.

The human scoffed.  "They don't do that for just anyone."   He leaned toward her so that she could see the individual pores on his face.  He smelled of grease and sweat.  "Do you know how many people I have killed?"

She kept her attention on the Orion.  He was the leader.  "It does not matter to me."  Again, it was the truth. 

"Given a few years you could be a fine pirate," the Orion said to her.  "Let's go."

The human raised his weapon until the end of it was just in front of her nose.  Despite her best efforts, Acasja could not make herself back down from it.  "Let's go," the Orion repeated more firmly.  "If I have to call you by name, we'll have to kill her and that would make me mad.  Now come."  They left her.  Within a minute the other ship pulled away from Rising Star and disappeared into warp with a flash.  Acasja had been one of the last to be visited.

She tried to keep in control of herself.  It had been a long time since a situation had been totally beyond her control.  It started as a slight shudder and then descended rapidly into silent heaving sobs that left her choking for air and lying face down on the floor of the stateroom with the heat from her cheek warming the cool carpet.  This close, it smelled faintly of dust.  It was an unexpected revelation and it became the rope by which she pulled herself back.  Her newfound critical eye scanned the stateroom.  Some of the gold and crystal were newer than most of the rest.  The later additions were of a similar quality and artificially made.  The older, yes older was the word for the remaining trappings, decor was hand done.  Rising Star was a tarnished gem, not as lustrous as she seemed.  Acasja wondered if it had been worth it for the pirates to stop her.  She suspected not.

Later she discovered they had removed ten passengers and most of the cargo. 

The one incident of excitement was enough for Acasja and she was grateful to make the rest of the trip to Earth without another.  They were forced to make an extra stop and undergo interviews with Federation Police officers.  Acasja told her story and was complimented on being 'such a brave girl'.  It had rankled to be dismissed like that, but she had managed to smile and nod in the appearance of gratitude.

When they reached Earth, Acasja prepared to board a shuttle down to her destination.  Instead, she was lead to a small room with no other exit.  From her tour she knew it as the transporter room.  The question is it safe? had already been answered for her with the assurance that it was.  She gathered her small bag; the rest had been transported ahead of her and would rejoin her at the academy, and stepped onto one of the pads.  At the command 'energize' she could not help but look up and found herself taking in a blue sky.

It was somewhat cloudy and there was a smell of the sea.  Not all that strange and quite welcome after a month in space.  Her gaze lowered and the city filled itself in around Acasja.  It was tall and colorful and clean and fresh.  Acasja imagined that it always smelled like it was just about to rain and that the zephyr that blew a strand of hair in front of her eyes was always gently blowing.

When her vision finally reached eye level, Acasja found she was not alone.  Two people, both in uniforms, stood nearby, waiting for her notice.  The one she noticed first was a girl in a silver open-collared dress.  On her left breast was a patch shaped like a ten-rayed star.  She wore high-legged boots and dark mesh covered her leg between the bottom of the skirt and the top of the boot.  Her hair was brown and only slightly shorter than Acasja's.  The second was a man, also in a uniform.  His resembled Captain Acton's.  He seemed cut from a similar cloth as the captain.  There was less fire in his eyes. 

The girl spoke first.  "Hi.  I'm Midshipman Lieutenant Tyler.  I'm commander of Echo Company at the academy.  Should you make it through the summer program; you will be joining my company.  This is Starfleet Lieutenant O'Hara, the company officer.  Welcome aboard."

Acasja wasn't sure how to respond to that greeting.  "Thank you," she settled on.  "Sir," she added to the officer.  He reached out his hand and took hers.  "It'll be years before you get to do that again," he told her as he continued to hold her hand in his grip.  "Enjoy it while you can."  She relaxed her hand and he allowed it to slide away. 

"Would you prefer to walk to the Academy from here or transport?" Lieutenant Tyler asked. 

"This is my first time on your planet," Acasja said and smiled. "Let's walk so I can get a picture of it.  As they walked, her fellow cadet gave Acasja a verbal tour of the campus.  Acasja only partially listened, committing to memory what interested her and allowing her other senses to run free across this new world.

The building they led her to was shaped like a large rectangle with an open field in the center.  "This was at one time a fortress that traded hands between three nations of Earth," explained Lieutenant Tyler.  "It was called The Presidio back then, but now it is the home of plebe summer at Starfleet Academy.  It will be your home for the next seven weeks.  If you pass that experience, you'll join the Academy proper.

"Why don't you tell me about your own education and how you got into the Academy to this point?"

"Of course," Acasja replied politely.  She started with her school experience and then went on to tell the other two about her trip to Earth.  More than the pirate attack, they both seem surprised that she had not taken the competitive examination.  "What's that?" Acasja asked, stopping in her tracks and looking at the other girl with eyes wide and curious.

"You take the entrance application, which you did," explained Lieutenant Tyler, "and then, if you are accepted, you go to one of the testing sites and take the competitive exam with other candidates.  Usually only one candidate from each test is admitted to the academy. After that, they come for a week long orientation.  That's when most candidates who are going to drop out discover that military life isn't anything like civilian life and quit.  Didn't you have to go through any of this?"

"I have a sponsor," Acasja answered, once she understood the meaning behind the Lieutenant's questions.  She took out the ring she had been given and showed it to them. 

"I see," said the real Starfleet officer.

Lieutenant Tyler was looking at her with an expression of jealous anger on her face.  "I had to take the competitive exam twice before I got in," she said.  The rest of the walk was in silence.

Acasja and the other two parted just inside the gates of the academy.  It felt somehow ominous as she walked beneath the stone archway that separated Starfleet Academy from the rest of the world.  She was directed to the center of the quad where many other people were standing.  Half were in uniform and the stood quietly, waiting.  Some looked at her with eyes that were predatory.  Those she smiled at warmly.  The other half were like her: civilians.  Some looked openly afraid, others were nervous, but most were chatting gaily.  Acasja had a feeling that she would be best served by joining the group of bantering candidates.

What happened next, she wondered how many of them could have predicted besides herself.  Apparently everyone who was expected to arrive had come and the gates clanged shut.  At that moment, the uniformed side of the field snapped into action. 

An amplified voice called the civilians to order and explained that this period was to be used to turn them into professional soldiers.  Those of them who made it through were to be admitted into Starfleet Academy as Midshipmen Fourth Class.  Each of them was assigned a Midshipman First Class who would be their guide throughout this introduction.

The first order of business was turning them out of civilian dress and into cadet uniforms.  This was the one thing she dreaded most.  Acasja was used to wearing a uniform.  It had been a facet of student life since her first day of school.  She hoped the uniform requirements were more flexible than they had been at home.  If she had to wear that dress Lieutenant Tyler had on...  Her worries were relieved as she received her first uniform.  Female Midshipmen had the choice of wearing a uniform either like that she had seen on Lieutenant Tyler or one in the same colors, but of the style Lieutenant O'Hara had worn.

It did not surprise her that she was the first one on the quad when they were assembled later.  How bad many of the others looked in uniform did surprise her, though.  Acasja had expected everyone to know how to wear a uniform from their own days in school.  Based on her initial evaluation of her classmates, she hoped they would make her an officer.  She was disappointed to learn that only Midshipmen of the First Class were officers.

What followed was the first day of what she called the most exhausting seven weeks of her life.  Her day began at sunrise and ended long after sunset.  The outside world might as well not have existed.  They called it teaching the intangible and tangible qualities that make an outstanding Starfleet Officer.  In many ways Acasja found it to be stimulating.  In others, she found herself forced to suppress her own nature to meet the expectations of her indoctrinators.  Anger seethed just beneath the surface of her being until she realized she would need to suppress that also.

Self-discipline, organizational ability, critical thinking: these all were qualities she already possessed in measure.  She was surprised that she started with a big edge over the others in physical fitness.  She made it one of her goals to maintain that edge.  The ability to think quickly was another area that they were trained in.  Acasja was again surprised at how many of her fellow candidates needed to be taught that.  That word, surprise, was her constant companion as she rated her cohorts. 

There were things she didn't know.  Most of those, however, were tangible skills and she picked them up very quickly.  The basics of navigation and shuttle piloting were new to her.  She enjoyed the training in phaser use and quickly became the best marksman among the candidates. 

When it came to leadership techniques she found her own knowledge lacking.  It was the one area of her performance that disappointed her.  She made it her goal to leech every bit of that part of her education out of anyone who would stop long enough to teach her some more.

Finally it ended.  Acasja was formally welcomed into Starfleet Academy as a Midshipman Fourth Class.  The small area of the Academy that had been her home was opened up to the larger campus.  For nearly a week it was to belong to her and her fellow classmates.  Then the rest of the students were to arrive.

[Andromeda]

Having been to Japan a lot lately, I wouldn't describe Anime as a genre.  More of an artistic style.  I don't really think of style in that way when I'm writing.  I just do it as I am.  Which reminds me, this part isn't surreal.  It's simple and straightforward.  Probably too much tell and not enough show.  I consider it the necessary evil in getting from the prelude of chapter 1 to the meat of chapter 3.  I considered leaving it out entirely and skipping right to the first day at the academy.  You guys can judge it anyway and tell me what you think of it.  I won't take it out of the story, since like I said, it is in some way necessary. 

Chapter 3 is already written and I will post it in a week or so.

[Commander La'ra]

Can't really judge without seeing the sections afterward, but it feels necessary to me, to include this section.  It doesn't have the tone of the earlier parts of the story, but our heroine has also migrated to an entirely new environment and thus it really shouldn't feel the same as her previous life.

I liked the rather low-key pirate attack with the liner heaving-to quickly and the urging of passengers to stay in their cabins.  Nice foreshadowing with the statement that if you saw another ship, it was deliberate.

Continuing to enjoy this.  Looking forward to the next part.

And yeah, anime is style, not genre.

[kadh2000]

The more I read it the more I like the second section.  Told you to put it in.

[Czar Mohab]

First off, I must say I really like this piece, a lot.

I really like the "entrance exam" conversation. Kinda made me feel like "You had to take an exam? Sucks to be you!" was the unspoken theme there. Also the whole acadamy indoc scene reminded me of the first day of boot camp; confusion, mild embarrassment, butt hole drill instructors... I realize that the acadamy would be different from experiences I've had, but the scene was reall to me.

So, do I undersdtand this right, that Acton went from an enviable posting on Enterprise to wherever he went to climb the ranks to end up as a luxury liner captain? Kind of a wierd posting, but makes sense for the story. I wonder if it was his choice or if he really got some admiral miffed at him...

Czar "More when you can, please." Mohab

[Andromeda]

I'll need to fix that to make it more clear.  Acton is not the liner captain.  He merely pulled some strings to get Acasja on the liner.

[Governor Ronjar]

I didn't have any problem following.

--thu guv!

[Andromeda]

Acasja sat alone at the end of a table in the mess hall contemplating her situation.  It was the first day of classes and she had yet to meet her new roommate.  The previous person with whom she had shared a room hadn't made it through the summer session and Acasja had spent a week living alone. 

"Hey mister," a squeaky female voice interrupted her thoughts.  The girl had short blonde hair and was quite human.  "What do you think of Starfleet Academy?"

Deciding to play the part, since the girl had obviously mistaken her shirt and trousers as a sign that she was male, Acasja replied "I'm sure I'll love it with cute girls like you around."

The girl looked at her with wide eyes, and then giggled.  "Oh, you're Acasja Tilfe, the girl who dresses like a boy.  I'm Wanda Beck.  We're roomies.  Isn't that great?  Do you want a tour?"

"If you're in fourth class like me, how can you give a tour?" Acasja asked quietly even as she stood up.  The girl was a full head shorter than she was.

"That's easy," Wanda said with a smile.  "My brother graduated last year."

As they walked along and Wanda showed her the campus, Acasja could only find one word to describe the grounds of Starfleet Academy: confusing.  Message boards floated along in large clumps, displaying pertinent information about the days' upcoming activities.  Odd paths lead off in diverse directions only to lead to nearby buildings.  Beyond the initial quad there was little rhyme or reason to the layout that she could determine.

If there was a second word, it was broken.  Gates existed where the top of one side connected to the bottom of the other.  Archways stopped halfway before connecting to supporting posts.  Stairs lead up to nowhere only to have a nearby staircase, a short step away, continued on up to a building.  Large panes filtered the sunlight in some areas.  While the effect was artistic, Acasja could find no sense to it.   

As they walked, the sound of cheering grew louder at a corner.  Rounding it, Acasja saw two people in fencing garb surrounded by a large crowd of midshipmen.  Both seemed very skilled and equally matched.  When they reached the interior of the circle of the audience, one penetrated the other's defenses.  Both stepped back and saluted one another before removing their helmets.  One was a female student.  Acasja recognized her as her Julia Tyler, the company commander. 

"Julia's captain of the fencing team," Wanda explained.  "Do you fence?" 

"Where I come from, we call it dueling," Acasja said, distracted by the boy.  "Who is he?"

"Oh, that's Mickey.  Everyone adores him.  I think it's because he's so cute and so smart."

"Can you introduce me to him?"

Wanda rolled her eyes.  "You too, already?"  She led Acasja over and through the dispersing crowd.  Lieutenant Tyler appeared to be explaining some finer point of their match to Mickey.  When they were done, she brought Acasja over to the youth, who was stripping off his fencing gear.  "Excuse me sir, this is Acasja, my boyfriend, who wanted to meet you."

"Boyfriend?" asked both Acasja and Mickey together.  Wanda laughed.  "I thought that would get your attention.  Isn't she masculine?"  Red-faced, Acasja turned and quickly left the area.

Acasja never brought the subject of Mickey up and Wanda never mentioned it again. Acasja found that Wanda was in many of her classes.  The girl had a way of sneaking up on her and leaping onto her back.  "I love you, Acasja," she would say and not let go until Acasja responded in kind.  Acasja became very used to carrying the girl's weight on her back.

The workload of a Midshipman Fourth Class did not provide her with many opportunities for extra-curricular activities.  As the first semester came to an end, Acasja finally felt she had a grasp on her academics.  It had meant hard work, but her first semester grades were perfect.  She was also beginning to feel like she was ready to participate in organized sports. 

Most of the students left for the midwinter break.  Wanda went back to her family's home in England.  The company officers also went home.  Acasja and a few of the other students, mostly from beyond the Sol system, were the only ones left on campus.  She found it a very lonely time.  She used some of the time, most of the time, almost all of the time, in practice with her shinai.

It turned out that fencing was only open to upperclassmen so Acasja turned her attention to the sport of basketball.  She had been good back home and it continued here.  She became the first person from the fourth class to lead the academy team in scoring. 

With her at small forward, the Starfleet academy team made it to the collegiate championship.  As the game wound down to its final minutes, the Vulcan Science Academy team had a slight lead.  Acasja was sitting on the bench getting a breather before the final push.  "I want to be the hero, not someone taken care of," she said to herself, repeating the pep talk she always gave.  "I don't need to be protected; I need to do the protecting.  To do that I need to win!"  She hopped to her feet just as the coach called her back into the game.

The Academy team inbounded the ball and it quickly found its way into her hands.  Acasja drove down the lane, fighting through the Vulcan defenders and the arm that came down to block her shot.  Despite the foul, she made the layup and then the free throw afterwards.  The team made the defensive rebound on the next shot by the Vulcans and Acasja hit a jump shot at the buzzer to give Starfleet Academy a two point victory.

"Ooh,” Wanda cheered from the stands.  "That's so cool.  My darling Acasja's such an all-around athlete."

"And she's so nice!" agreed the girl sitting next to her.

"It's such a pity she's not a boy," said a third.  "She's the hero of the fourth class."

The victory didn't win her any perks when she returned to school, but Acasja discovered she had a fan club among the female students, who seemed to also regard Wanda with some awe.  It made her feel more alone than anything else.  She wandered the campus, reveling in her self-pity.  With a sudden shock she remembered why she had come to the academy and she hadn't even begun looking for him.  Head down, she clenched her hands into two fists and began walking.  "I came to this far-away place in search of something important to me, more important than anything else."

Something blocked her path and Acasja looked up to see what it was.  It was an open gateway with a chain-link fence across it. A sign read 'Keep Out'.  Behind it were a shallow lawn and another gateway that was closed by a pair of iron gates.  Looking back the way she had come, Acasja realized she was lost.  She realized she was lost.  She wasn't sure she would easily find her way back to anywhere she knew.  With a shrug, she stepped over the fence and walked forward to the decorative iron gate.  A sign above it read 'Officers Only'.  Despite the warning, she reached out to the latch.  The gates pushed open with only a light touch and Acasja walked between them.

Trees, tall but not threatening, loomed over her.  A narrow path meandered through them.  Enchanted, Acasja followed it. The thin wood suddenly ended and Acasja stopped and stared.

The garden was beautiful beyond her imagination.  A lane before her led to a fountain overflowing with trickling water.  Statues of figures she recognized from various Earth myths were strewn almost randomly throughout.  A line of columns separated the main garden from a small maintenance shed and many more colorful plants and flowers.  Everywhere on the near side there were roses.  There were more varieties and colours than she could name.  Their fragrance filled her nose and then her heart.  Acasja sighed and breathed deeply.  She let her hands touch the blossoms as she passed by the flowers.

Just beyond the fountain, she saw a female midshipman watering the flowers.  'I can ask where I am,' she thought.   The midshipman's head jerked suddenly sideways and the watering can fell from her hand.  Then Acasja saw that another midshipman stood behind the girl ahead and that he was one of the brigade officers.  'What's with those two?' she wondered as she got nearer.

The officer brought has right hand down across the female student's face again.  His left hand swallowed her right wrist, preventing her from escaping. 

"Hey!" someone else called out and a hand reached out and grabbed the officer's arm before it could descend again.  Acasja let out a relieved sigh.  'Thank goodness someone was there to stop him.'

Footsteps rushed up behind her.  It was Wanda, who wrapped her arms around Acasja as usual.  "We lucked out.  We'll be in the same classes again next semester..."

"Wanda, you're heavy," Acasja interrupted her.

The girl didn't pay any attention.  "What are you looking at?  Oh, Commander Simon.  He's such a hottie!"

"The guy with the wavy hair?" Acasja asked, referring to the one who had struck the girl.  "And the other is the brigade captain this semester.  His name was, was... Thomas Applebaum?"

"No way!" Wanda said in disbelief.  "You recognize Captain Applebaum, but not sweet Kevin, the boxing champion?  You are so out of it, Acasja!"

Acasja arched her shoulders and twisted so that Wanda slid down off her back.  "I'm sorry, but I don't have the advantage of my brother having been a student here.  Who's the girl, then?"

"Angela?  She's the commandant's sister.  She is so gloomy.  You'll find out soon enough that she's not good for anything.  I found out she's going to be in our Astrodynamics class starting tomorrow."

"Are they dating each other or something?"

"What?  No Way!  Tommy may be a playboy, but serious Kevin would never do something like that!  She just tends the officer's garden here, that's all."

"I see," Acasja nodded.  "So that's your type, Wanda."

The girl slapped the back of Acasja's head.  "Oh, come on.  You're just being jealous!  Well, don't worry!  I only have eyes for you.  Please believe me Acasja.  I really, really mean it."

Acasja didn't answer but watched as the trio left the garden, apparently unaware of their audience.

[kadh2000]

I think I like Wanda.  She's evil.

[Governor Ronjar]

I wasn't picturing this as anime...not till the last post. The conversation...how things were said...was so very anime...

You have my love!

--thu guv!

[Andromeda]

Crap!  I know what happened.  I wrote down everyone's ages as four years younger than they are supposed to be. For whatever reason I have them listed at ages appropriate for secondary school, not university. 

I've been reading a lot of manga.  I didn't realize it had crept into my writing.  Ah well.

[Andromeda]

Actually, I forgot that I mentioned I was reading a lot of manga at the start of this attempt.  It certainly does and should have that feel.  Whether you want to imagine the characters with big eyes and small mouths that get impossibly large when they cry or even as cute little chibi figures is up to your own interpretation of my story. 

I'd define it as a coming-of-age story for one Acasja Tilfe.  More than most other people, Acasja's not afraid of change and that brings her into conflict with the people around her.  You'll notice that adults are either not mentioned or have no part in the story.  Does a college student really care about the adults or is her life centered around her fellow students and friends?  All the students have the same goal: power and authority.  Most want to be in command of a starship.  The upperclassmen see this goal more clearly than the fourth class students.  Of course they're all labouring under the misconception that just by wanting something, having self-confidence, and trying as hard as you can that you will reach that goal.  Not everyone who wants to gets to be the captain.  It's part of growing up and that's the heart of my story.

Surrealism: A 20th-century literary and artistic movement that attempts to express the workings of the subconscious and is characterized by fantastic imagery and incongruous juxtaposition of subject matter.    I really wanted to try writing something very surreal.  I think I'm succeeding.  Some parts more so than others, but that's intentional. The realism exists more in interactions beyond the student environment while the surreal is seen through the eyes, not only of Acasja, but all the students at Starfleet Academy.

I might have set it at a private upper secondary school for those on the path toward a university education, but chose Starfleet Academy so it would fit on the board here.  It actually increases the surrealism of the story.  Despite early misgivings, I'm discovering that I like it.

-S

Postscript: I can set MS Word for American English spellings if you find the differences jarring. 

[Andromeda]

INTERLUDE II - COURT OF HONOUR


Midshipman Captain Thomas Applebaum stood framed by a large stained glass window, where the glow of the afternoon sunlight caused it to give him an almost sinister air.  "I'm sorry to have called you all together on such short notice," he addressed the assembled senior officers of the academy brigade. 

"Lieutenant Tyler, Commander Zoppi, could you both come forward as witnesses."  The pair that Acasja had seen fencing came to the fore of the chamber.  "You both saw what happened, so I feel you need to be present when I deliver my verdict as Midshipman Captain.

"Commander Simon, Angela Otori, come forward."  The MIdshipman Commander stepped forward without apparent concern and the girl, the only person present who was not an officer, followed, her hands clasped at her waist and her eyes aimed downward.

"Commander Simon, we were chosen as officers by the rules of the Starship Seal.  But your violent treatment of Midshipman Otori debases all we stand for."

The blonde Midshipman reacted with a sudden jerk and his casual manner disappeared.  "That's not true," he replied sharply.  "She is my consort.  How I treat her is my business."

Midshipman Lieutenant Commander Mickey Zoppi interrupted.  "The rules of the Starship Seal are absolute.  We are merely the competitors, granted a chance by Last Judgment... a chance for greatness or failure."

"You can't just interpret the rules to your own liking, you know that." Lieutenant Tyler
added.

Commander Simon snorted.  "I know nothing of the kind."

"Kevin!"

Captain Appelbaum raised his voice threateningly but the smaller voice of Angela Otori filled the air.  "I am his.  For now I am his consort."  She looked the Captain in the eye.  "Everything must be as he wishes.  That is what I know."  Her energy expended by the outburst, her head dropped again.  She saluted him and he returned the gesture automatically, even as his mouth opened in surprize. 

"That's how it is with us," Commander Simon asserted with a smirk.  "Good day."  He snapped a salute and turned sharply on his heels and led the girl from the room, slamming the door behind him after they departed.

"What can we do?" Mickey asked, his voice thick with worry.  "Should we let him do what he pleases with her?"

Captain Applebaum stared at his hands for a moment, twisting the ring with the symbol of the Starship Constitution that he wore on the third finger of his left hand.  "We must let Starship Seal law guide us.  Commander Simon may do with her as he wishes, but only until someone takes his consort from him.  We will turn a blind eye until the next duel."

[Governor Ronjar]

Two word in reply to this one in regards to how Ford would have treated this Simon feller [Southern for fellow, BTW]...

"Towel Party"

--thu guv!

[adds that the guv may have to write something based on this idea in his 'Back in the Day' line-up...]

[Commander La'ra]

Warning to other posters...reading this comment from Andromeda....

Whether you want to imagine the characters with big eyes and small mouths that get impossibly large when they cry or even as cute little chibi figures is up to your own interpretation of my story.

...immediately followed, in a drowsy state, by this comment from the Guv...

Two word in reply to this one in regards to how Ford would have treated this Simon feller [Southern for fellow, BTW]...

"Towel Party"

....can result in disturbing mental images too bizarre to describe with text.

[kadh2000]

Sorry Rommie, but that is a hysterical image!

[Governor Ronjar]

 

--thu guv!

[Scottish Andy]

Okay, I can't help but find this seriously bizarre. Cadet captains and commanders, women 'belonging' to men through consort attachments, cadets carrying on as if they were from a primary school as depicted in Manga...

More than anything, this reminds me of a manga series I got a graphic novel of, called Midnight Panther.

I'm just having a hard time reading this as Trek.

Beyond that, you're writing it well, and despite all the above (and maybe because of the Panthers association), you have and continue to have my attention. 

[Commander La'ra]

women 'belonging' to men through consort attachments..

That's one thing Star Trek, past the TOS era, has been continually afraid of doing:  Portraying an alien or pseudo-Alien culture that doesn't follow mainstream 'Developed Country' social mores as anything but some kind of socially undeveloped barbarians. 

Infinite Diversity through Infinite Combinations is not a TNG more, but here we're shown a little conflict between cultures (which is what I'm assuming this to be), and that's a good thing.

[Andromeda]

It's not only different cultures, but different age groups.  In a wierd way, this was meant to be a teen-aged view of the world.  Very skewed and centered on the actions of the main characters with very little interest or empathy with anything that doesn't affect them directly. 

Unfortunately Starfleet Academy age is about four years older than that.  I do remember that was about the age when empathy for others really began to matter.  I seriously considered setting this at a private academic college that was preparatory to a university education.  I couldn't find a Star Trek angle for that though.

Consort relationships are an interesting thing to explore as well.  (I just thought of this.  SA should have branch campuses throughout the Federation.  I should have set it on one of those to make everything work better than based in the old Presidio in California) The main character is meant to be 'normal' or supernormal but I didn't make her normal culture as America so it probably doesn't come across quite right. 

On ranks and titles.  Star Trek said their ranking system was loosely based on the US Navy so I went to tne naval academy website to find how they ranked their cadets.  There are adult officers from the ranks of Starfleet attached to each company of midshipmen.  Again, they're not really important to the story more than to note, as I did when the main character first arrived, that they exist.

Andy, La'ra  thanks for commenting on my story. 

I hope no one minds the occasional peak into my ideas for the story instead of just the writing.

PS.  I'm having more fun writing this than anything I've ever written before.  (Oh, yes, the next part is seriously weird.)

[Commander La'ra]

I do remember that was about the age when empathy for others really began to matter.  I seriously considered setting this at a private academic college that was preparatory to a university education.  I couldn't find a Star Trek angle for that though.

Sort of an ROTC-style prep school prior to going to the Academy, perhaps?

Andy, La'ra  thanks for commenting on my story.

It's a pleasure. 

I hope no one minds the occasional peak into my ideas for the story instead of just the writing.

Oh hell no.  I can while away hours talking to the Guv or my unfortunate significant other about tiny little nuggets of ideas and little stuff I sneak into stories that I never know if people notice or not.  Talking about that stuff is important, and, though this place has it's activity doldrums, it's one of the best places I've found to do that.  You should see some of the IM convo's Andy and Kieran and I have had.

PS.  I'm having more fun writing this than anything I've ever written before.  (Oh, yes, the next part is seriously weird.)

Hehehe.  Gooood.

[Scottish Andy]

While writing is supposed to be the main reason we are here, reading  is often first and foremost. Of course, ou can't have one without the other. As for commenting, I love doing it, even though commenting on some are harder than others.

We like to explain ourselves, so feel free to do so. I know the Guv and I like to. We even like to address points raised by commenters!

[Andromeda]

Sort of an ROTC-style prep school prior to going to the Academy, perhaps?

When I do the next rewrite, that's what I'll do.  For now you'll have to suffer with the original.

USNA ranks: (from the US Navy website.)
Freshman: Midshipman Fourth Class
Sophomore: Midshipman Third Class
Junior: Midshipman Second Class - members of the this class may hold NCO positions (sergeants and so on)
Senior: Midshipman First Class - members of this class may hold officer positions up to the rank of Midshipman Captain for the highest ranking student in the Brigade of Midshipmen.  Each officer in the USNA only holds his rank for a single semester so that more students may benefit from command experience.

Midshipman is technically the lowest officer rank available and can be considered 'officer candidate'.  A midshipman cannot command actual naval personnel but is given the respect due an officer.

I'm sort of afraid to post the next part since it is the most manga-like and least star trek of the chapters.  It's probably one of the strangest as well.  I'm kind of committed now, though, so I will post it for the weekend.

[Governor Ronjar]

As I have come to like Manga more than Trek of late...I am more than happy to read your Manga.

I have often thought of doing an episode or two of Endeavour as a Manga style comic...

--thu guv!!

[Andromeda]

CHAPTER 4 – Feats of Nobility

Acasja found a plot of grass where no one was marching and lay on her back enjoying the sun beaming down on her.  She held the ring up into the light and looked at the symbol on it, Enterprise: one of the twelve cruisers of Starfleet, which made up a part of the seal of the academy.  "My first love," she said and sighed, "gave this to me so long ago.  I don't recall his name or face, but I remember he smelled of Sutena, no of white roses."

The warm sun beat down on her and made it hard to see the ring for the glare.  Acasja turned on her side to look at it but her eyes were heavy.  "I'll never forget that scent..." Her eyes closed and the brightness no longer bothered her but she was surrounded by warmth.

Someone giggled and a heavy weight pushed Acasja into the warm grass.  "Your sleeping face is beautiful," said Wanda, lying on top of her.

"You're heavy," Acasja muttered weakly, still mostly asleep.

Wanda noticed her finger.  "A ring.  How pretty.  Where did you get it?  It's not a gift from some guy is it?"

Acasja repeated aloud the words from her dream.  "Someday this ring will lead you to me."  She pushed her hands into the grass and slowly forced herself into a sitting position with Wanda still holding onto her.  "That's what Prince Charming said when he rode up on his white horse and gave it to me."

Wanda let her go and the girl's breath hissed in sharply.  She moved around her to look Acasja in the face.  She pointed a finger accusingly and opened her mouth to speak, but stopped for a long moment before waves of laughter came pouring out.  Acasja sighed.  "Oh, you made me laugh to hard," Wanda continued once she calmed down.  "My stomach hurts."

Acasja stood up and Wanda took her arm in her grip.  "Hey!" she said, looking toward one of the hovering announcements where several students were gathered.  "What's with the crowd?" she asked one of the midshipmen on the edge of the crowd.

"Somebody wrote a love letter and it got posted on the board," the midshipman replied.

Acasja looked at the board.  Over the heads of the students, she could see a sign for the upcoming marathon, but nothing else was clear.  Several of the students burst out laughing.  She forced her way forward, her sense of right and wrong deeply offended.  "Listen to this line," one of the male midshipmen said, "'I was dancing with you, Kevin, in my dream.  You were smiling kindly.  It made me feel so silly.'"  Another round of laughter followed.

"How awful!" Acasja exclaim, bullying her way to the front of the crowd.  "Have you no sense of shame?" she asked loudly and ripped the letter from the board.  The midshipmen nearest her shrank back.

"Acasja,” a soft voice said, barely audible.

"It's posted," one midshipman said timidly, "so it's for us to read."

"That doesn't mean you should, so don't!"  Then Acasja realized who had quietly called her name.  She caught Wanda's eye.  The girl's face was pale and her lips trembled.  Wanda turned abruptly and fled. 

Ignoring the bodies she knocked out of the way, Acasja ran after her roommate.  She found Wanda on the edge of the quad, leaning against a tree and sobbing.  "It was your letter, wasn't it?" she asked.  Wanda's body only shook more strongly.

Her own face was red and she could feel the blood pounding inside her.  She tore the paper to shreds and turned toward where she knew Commander Simon would be.   She found him in the gym practicing cuts with a suburito.  "Bastard!  You won't get away with this!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he replied calmly, not even looking at her.

"The letter from Wanda."  Acasja stood at the door, arms akimbo, almost shaking with anger.

"Of course it wasn't me." His voice remained even.  "I threw the letter in the trash.  I'm sure someone else just fished it out and posted it.

"Why didn't you tear it up or dispose of it properly?"

"Oh please.  It's my business to do what I like with the letters I get.  It was just a note from a silly girl.  Such a dumb, rather such an amusing letter should be used for the enjoyment of others.  Don't you think so?"

Unable to contain herself any longer, Acasja leaped forward with a shout and caught the wooden blade in her hands as it descended.  "What makes you think...?" he began and then stopped, his eyes fixed on the ring she still wore on her left hand.

"Today after classes," the words poured out almost as if someone else was using her voice, "I challenge you... to a duel."

"I see," he said almost to himself.  "So you're next are you?"  He let the sword slide through her grip and turned away from her.

"Well, do you accept?" she asked sharply.

"Heh, why not," he replied and began to calmly clean his gear, still facing away from her.  "I shall meet you in dueller’s wood behind campus after classes are over today."

"Dueller’s wood?" she repeated softly.  Ignoring him now that he had answered her challenge, Acasja turned and wandered dazedly out of the room.  She wasn't sure where that would be or even what it was, but it could be only one place.  Outside the gates away from the water that surrounded the academy on three sides.

She waited until classes were over, occasional glances at Wanda motivating her desire for satisfaction from the unfeeling Commander.  She quickly headed back to their room to retrieve her shinai.  She inspected the blade and hurried toward the landward side of the campus.  She remembered seeing a gate there, one that she had never seen opened.

It was somewhat overgrown.  The seal of the academy, with the twelve starship symbols, was engraved on the gate.  Two pure white knobs met in the centre, surrounded by a plasteel recess in the gates.  Suddenly nervous, Acasja reached out with trembling hands to grasp the two globes.  She tried to turn them but they did not move and the gates rattled against each other.  "Locked.  I knew it."

At that instant, plasteel panels shot from the sides of the lock to grasp both her hand and hold them firmly.  Terrified, she jerked them free from the knobs and pulled them tightly to her chest.  From the door, the symbol for the Enterprise shone briefly and with a click and a screech, the gates opened.

Acasja picked her discarded shinai back up and walked beneath the archway formed by the open gates.  To encourage herself as she entered the unknown environment, she muttered aloud, "I don't understand what's going on here, but I'm going to find out." 

A bell began to toll ominously and Acasja walked through a sudden fog into an area overgrown with thorns.  She swung her bamboo blade back and forth to clear herself a path through them.  They finally parted to reveal one of those strange staircases that permeated the grounds.  Not hesitating, she stepped forward and began to climb. 

"Oh my," she stopped and gasped when she finally looked up near the top.  A castle seemed to float in the air above the field of stone at the top of the staircase.  She wondered that she hadn't seen it from the academy grounds.

"Your first time?" Commander Simon asked.  She hadn't seen him approach and yet he stood in the centre of the square of stones. 

"What is that?" she asked, still looking up.

"Call it a mirage of sorts," he said. 

"A mirage?" she echoed in disbelief.

He didn't answer her.  "You puzzle me.  I wonder are there others who have been given the starship seal.  Besides the officers of course.  Are there others like you?"

His words confused her.  "Given the starship seal?  What do you mean?"

He held up his own ring.  It had another emblem on it: the USS Exeter.  "Angela.  Prepare us."

It was then Acasja noticed the third person.  The same female midshipman she had seen him with before. From the waist up she was wearing the dress uniform of an admiral in Starfleet.  A wide skirt flared out from her waist and reached to the ground, hiding her feet.  She walked to Commander Simon and pinned a red rose to his breast, covering the cadet patch.

She approached Acasja to do the same, but covered her patch with a Sutena blossom.  "Whoever has their flower knocked off first, loses," she explained to Acasja.  The girl smelled of white roses and Acasja was overwhelmed by memories of her first love, her captain.  "Good luck to you," the girl said and Acasja shook herself back into the present.

"What do you mean by wishing my opponent good luck?" Commander Simon yelled at the girl and slapped her. 

The girl covered her cheek with her hand and almost collapsed on Acasja.  "I'm sorry, sir," she said meekly.

"What is wrong with you?" Acasja barked at the commander.  She squeezed the girl protectively.  "Are you alright?  How can you let him treat you like that?"

"Commander Simon is my Lord,” she replied, "and the current victor in the duels.  He has the legal right to do whatever he wants with me."

Anger over what the commander had done to Wanda had been enough to bring Acasja to that point.  At the girl's words her mind almost shut down.  "What?!" she shouted in disbelief.  "You don't like him?  He isn't your boyfriend?"  It wasn't what she wanted to say, but what she wanted to say, she couldn't believe.  "You people are as broken as this place is!  Where's the technology, the phasers, the tricorders?  What are we doing here with swords and iron gates and stupid duels?"

"Are you ready now?" the commander asked, his bored tone cutting through her rising shrieks.  "Shall we get started?"

"I don't know what's going on," she replied, "but all I have to do is win, right?"  Mirages and magic tricks, insane officers, ceremonies and strange costumes were driving her to her limit. 

"The blade of the Federation, the power Almighty that sleeps within me," the girl intoned.  "The power to reinvent the universe."  A sword seemed to appear in her outstretched hands and Commander Simon reached out to take it."

"More magic tricks?" Acasja growled. Without bothering to reply, his sword arced toward her and downward, batting her own loosely held blade to one side.  "Here I..." she began, but he was readying another swing.  She lifted the bamboo blade and blocked his second stroke.  Then she backed away into the centre of the stones and raised the shinai to her right shoulder.  His own sword was held in both hands in front of him.  She stroked downward toward his head and he parried.  On the offensive, she pressed her advantage and pushed him toward the edge of the square.

"Hmm," he said, still bored, "You're pretty good for a girl.  Let me guess, you think you're the handsome Prince Charming here to rescue the damsel in distress."  His voice suddenly grew in strength.  "You presume too much."  He twisted his wrist on his next parry and the metal blade cut through her bamboo one. 

"You mean that trick sword is real?"

"Such a silly girl.  I can't believe you challenged the blade Infinite with a bamboo practice sword."  He raised his sword in a final salute and Acasja realized he was serious and truly insane. 

She dodged the following stroke and involuntarily raised the short haft of what remained of the shinai.  "Why do I have to be in this crazy duel?" she wailed loudly.  Her mind raced but could not focus on the moment.  Being attacked by the second ranking officer of the academy, duelling for the right to have Angela… that was her name, as consort, while overhead a fairytale castle floated, waiting.

Acasja realized the Commander had the tip of his blade pointing at her throat.  "Don't you know about the Sword Infinite?" he pressed.

"I don't know about this Sword of God, the Federation, or whatever; your duelling; or any of this," she answered honestly.  "I merely did this for my friend Wanda."

"Commander Simon," Angela interrupted, "perhaps she truly does not know..." 

He slapped her again before she could finish.  "Shut up!  You are my consort, my property.  Keep quiet."

Acasja cursed him again.  He had been in the gym practicing kendo.  "How dare you call yourself a kendoka?  To call a girl your property!"  His offense against her sense of rightness brought her firmly back to the moment.  "The one whose rose drops loses, right?  Then this match isn't over yet."  Only grateful that he had stepped away from her to strike Angela, Acasja raised what remained of her shinai.

"So you mean to keep going with that stick of yours?" he teased her.  "If you really want, I could stain that white rose with your blood - in a single strike."  He paused to let the threat sink in.  "Would you really risk your life against me, Prince Charming?  Is saving the damsel really worth that price? Ha ha ha."

Time stood waiting on her reply.  The scent of the Sutena rose to her, taking her back to the past again when the starfleet officer had saved her life, banished her tears.  "So much sadness born by such a small child," he had said. Acasja could see that sadness in Angela.  "If you do not lose your noble heart, this ring will lead you to me."  He had kissed her cheek then, erasing the tears and bringing her back to the moment.

"Man or woman," she said resolutely, "one of strength and nobility is always the prince."  As she pointed what remained of the shinai at his breast, a deep boom echoed across the field.  Out of the corner of her eye, Acasja saw Captain Applebaum ascending the stairs.  She made a slight flourish with the haft.

"You and that stick of yours," Commander Simon sighed, shaking his head.  She lifted it to her left shoulder and rushed at him.  "You're serious?  Well, then in that case...."  He shouted as he cut across her path with the sword.  She stepped slightly left and the tip of his blade passed the rose and cut through the fabric over her right breast and arm.  Angela covered her face with her hands. 

Acasja whipped her small weapon down and to the right once she was inside his guard.  The petals of the rose on his shirt fluttered to the ground.  Breathing heavily, she said "Your rose is mine."  The sword in his hand flew into the air and settled towards Acasja.  She dropped the remains of the shinai and reached out to grasp the hilt as it descended. 

"You!" the commander screamed at her, shocked.

"Almighty!"  It was Angela and she stared at Acasja almost in awe. 

Acasja almost felt another presence hovering over her and within her, guiding the blade into her hands.  She couldn't move.  It engulfed her, moved her.  It exploded over her and she screamed with an ecstasy she had never felt before.  The moment passed and she was herself again.  She looked in wonder at the blade in her hands.

The three people around her reacted as though it had not been just her that had felt something.  Angela still held her face in her hands and was sobbing.  Commander Simon sat stunned on the ground.  "The sword activated for the first time," Captain Applebaum said in wonder.  "Is that the power that everyone is after?"

Acasja ran her fingers over the hilt in confusion.  Her attention was somehow drawn away from it to Angela who was no longer crying.  "Here," Acasja said, walking toward her dazedly.  "This is yours isn't it?"  She presented the blade to the girl.  "I won it for you."

"Tell me your name," said the Captain.

"Midshipman Fourth Class Acasja Tilfe," she said, barely noticing him, her formal salute was by reflex only. 

"Acasja Tilfe," he said and smiled, "I could be falling for you."

"Don't get cute with me," she replied sharply.  "This isn't the time."  His smile grew wider and he laughed.   "All I want to do is get out of this crazy place!"  The insanity was threatening to infect her too and Acasja ran until she had passed through the gates.  They slammed forcefully behind her.  "Angela!" she suddenly remembered and faced the gates resolutely.  They would not open for her.  Acasja mouthed a silent prayer for the girl and turned her back on them and made her way back to the campus.

[Andromeda]

Chapters 4-7 are of a kind.  I was tempted to post all of them together, but I'll hold to one per week unless you want me to go faster.

[KOTH-KieranXC, Ret.]

You should see some of the IM convo's Andy and Kieran and I have had.

LOL. Indeed. *grins, shakes head*

[kadh2000]

I keep meaning to write a long commentary about this one, but I haven't had the time yet.  It's coming.

[Andromeda]

Karma for everyone who actually posts on the story and a promise of reciprocal commentary!  It may not be Trek enough for you, but it will not reach its full potential without helpful criticism.

Thanks,
S

[Governor Ronjar]

...and a promise of reciprocal commentary! 

Thanks,
S

...scans Ford stories for mentions of Andromeda's name...

Coolness! A new voice would be welcome there.

--thu guv!

[Czar Mohab]

No need for + Karma or promissory cross posting for me. Just know that I have been reading and thoroughly enjoying this series. I just haven't had a lot of time to poke in and say much more than a line or two overall.

I feel like i've been neglecting you all...

With that said, I'll give you my complete thoughts on this subject soon.

Czar "Busy busy busy" Mohab

[Commander La'ra]

Yeah, no need for karma here either.  I've just been lazy...

[Governor Ronjar]

  ...Yeah....I never really feel lazy when I think about you...

--thu guv!

[Andromeda]

Chapter 5 is next.  I think that chapters 4-8 would be called "rising action".  I realized I certainly am not half way done yet and I've already finished the 9th cpapter.  Okay, maybe 2/3 of the way done.  Again, less Trek and more weird.  The major rewrite that will make it more appropriate is coming.  Feedback to make that version even better would be awesome.  FWIW there is a duel involving a phaser in chapter 6.

CHAPTER 5 - Into the Mists

Acasja stood in front of her dormitory, looking across campus under the light of the morning sun.  Her sleep had been restless but not without benefit.  "Now that I've won that strange duel," she said to herself, "perhaps Commander Simon will leave that girl alone."  She started across the field to her first class.  She passed through the crowd of students almost without noticing them; the events of the previous evening still preoccupied her.

"Acasja!  Good Morning!" a couple of her classmates greeted her.  "Hello," she said briskly and walked on.  Behind her, the comment "Is it me or is she not her usual self?" barely registered. 

Acasja took her seat and faced forward.  Same old morning, she thought, same old classroom, but after yesterday it's all changed.  Suddenly she sat erect.  The girl, Angela Otori, was in the room also and was speaking to one of her classmates.  While all Fourth Class Midshipmen took the same core classes, Angela had not been in Acasja's class.  Acasja's eyes followed her as she took a seat near the back of the room and bent over her class work.  It was as if nothing had happened yesterday.  "And so class," the professor began, and Acasja reluctantly faced forward.

Between classes she needed a break to try and clear her mind.  Was it all a dream? she asked herself.  At that moment, Wanda chose to ambush her and leaped upon Acasja's back, knocking her forward so that she had to struggle to maintain her balance.  "Wanda," she said through gritted teeth, "you're as heavy as a sack of old monkeys today."

"Acasja?" Wanda replied, angrily.  "Acasja!" her voice was quivering.

"What, did Commander Simon do something else to you?"

"No.  I don't care about that.  Who needs him when I have you?"

"Oh, okay," Acasja replied dumbly, not following the conversation at all.

"It's not okay.  We're classmates and we were roommates and all, but starting tonight you'll be in Cochrane Hall."  She released Acasja and stood beside her.

"A room change?  Cochrane Hall?  I thought that was overflow housing and hadn't been used in ten years.  Is anyone else moving there?"  Wanda shook her head negatively.  "Shall we stop by and take a look at it?"

Wanda shook her head even more emphatically.  "I hear that it's full of mice and weasels and ghosts.  Plus all the rooms are singles.  No thanks!  I can't stand the thought of you being there with spider webs, cockroaches, and doodlebugs."  Acasja wasn't exactly sure what weasels and doodlebugs were but apparently they were some kind of vermin.

She went to Cochrane hall alone.  She wondered if it was somehow related to yesterday.  The entrance was as gloomy as she imagined.  She grasped the right doorknob and twisted.  The door creaked open as she pushed it inward. 

The interior of Cochrane Hall was grand and decayed.  A chandelier, dripping cobwebs was the centerpiece of a large foyer.  Two wooden staircases lined the walls, leading up toward the first story.  The main floor extended both left and right at the foot of each staircase.  She looked up to see a single room centered between the two staircases.  She was certain the first story extended to the sides as well; but that single room caught her attention and she turned to the right and began to climb the stairs.  She put her hand on the banister to help maintain her balance but withdrew it quickly.  The handrail was covered with dust over sticky resin.  "Sheesh!" she said aloud, her voice carrying in the large empty hall.  Shaking her head, she thought, this is going to be a pain for me to clean up if I have to do it alone. 

She got to the landing and noted the hall did continue, and that stairs on both sides lead on up to the second story. Her name was written on a metal plate beside the door.  It must be even more disgusting in there, she thought and reached for the knob.  Fine, dammit!  I'll just clean a decade's worth of dirt.  It turned with a smooth click and she pushed the door open. 

She dropped her duffel with a loud thunk and stood dumbfounded in the doorway.  The room was huge and it was pristine.  A mirror shone to her right and to her left was a portrait of Zefram Cochrane.  A reading table and high-backed luxurious chair were right in front of her. A bouquet of roses sat on the coffee table.  The afternoon sun gleamed through perfectly clear windows.  "Thank god! It's clean inside."

Angela Otori zoomed by her, still in uniform save she was barefoot.  The girl had a wad of cloth in her hands and was pushing it along the floor.  "I'm sorry Lady Acasja, but I'm not quite finished with the housekeeping."

Acasja watched for a moment as the girl continued to dry the floor.  At last her voice came back to her.  "W-why are you doing that?  This is my..."

"Oh!" the girl said, stopping and standing up.  "I must have forgotten."  She went to the writing desk and opened a drawer to take out a marker.  Holding it in her left hand she walked out the door and Acasja followed her in confusion.  Below Acasja's name on the brass plate, she wrote her own name. 

"By the laws of the Academy Seal, I'm your roommate as of today.  After all, I am the consort of the victor.  So I belong to you, as does the sword Infinite of course.  You were given the right to do whatever you want with me.  I am here to serve you."

"Consort as in spouse or as in companion?" Acasja asked, feeling trapped and helpless.  "Are you all nuts?"

Angela didn't answer her, but said "The housekeeping's done now.  Tea is ready, and what else can I do?"

"Is this a joke?"

"Ah, you must be tired.  I'll get you ready for bed."  The girl came over and lifted her shirt over stunned Acasja's head.

Acasja pulled herself way.  "Wait a second!  These laws you're talking about.  Does this mean you stayed with Commander Simon in his quarters too?"

"It's my duty.  I must become engaged to whoever is the victor in the duel."

"Engaged!  To be married?  Are you saying you belong in that way to whoever wins that strange duel?  Wait, don't answer that.  How can you be okay with that anyway, being treated like an object?"

"The laws of the Starship Seal are absolute," Angela answered and lowered her head so that Acasja could not see her eyes.  "Does it bother you to have us with you?" she continued quietly.

She looks so sad.  "I wouldn't say that," Acasja said and the girl moved to the kitchenette where a pitcher and three teacups were placed.  "Us?" she repeated and blushed at her own state of partial undress.  "You mean there's someone else here?"

"Yes."

"Where?  Who?" Acasja looked around wildly and then noticed the far teacup move by itself.  Wanda's voice, 'ghosts,' echoed in her mind.  "No way!"  She lifted the cup and a small pair of clawed hands slipped from it and a creature fell onto the pillowed seat of the far chair.

"What is that? A monkey?"  Acasja wasn't sure, but that was the closest she could come to it.  The creature was no longer than Acasja's arm and covered with dark fur, save two large white puffballs of ears.  It had a humanlike face and a long gray tail.

"It's Geoffrey, my friend, and he's a cotton-eared marmoset."  The creature all but growled at Acasja.  "Geoffrey, this is my friend.  Say hello."

"You have a pet?"  Acasja was certain pets weren't allowed.

"A friend." Angela corrected her.

"I see," Acasja agreed, and nodded kindly at the creature.  She picked up a cake and offered it to the marmoset.  "My name is Tilfe Acasja.  Will you be my friend too?"  The marmoset took the cake and quickly ate it then thumped its chest.  Acasja reached out her hands to it.  It grabbed them and squeezed gently then released her.

"How nice, Geoffrey likes you, Lady Acasja." Angela said and clapped her hands.  She took a seat and the marmoset hopped down from its perch and ran over to her.  It climbed up the chair legs and onto her lap. 

Acasja also sat down and faced the two of them across the table.  "May I ask you something, Angela?  What's so special about this ring?  It opened, or seemed to open, that gate in the forest.  Commander Simon had one too and I think the Captain did as well."

"It shows you're qualified to participate in the duels.  All of the brigade officers have one.  One after the other they'll challenge you and, as the current victor, it's your duty to accept."

"More crazy duels?" Acasja stood up rapidly and the chair behind her tipped over. The pleasant mood of a minute before was gone and her voice rose in anger.  "Was it these officers that made up these stupid rules?  What kind of place is Starfleet Academy?  Well, I make up my own rules and that floating castle and that sword trick was a bunch of hooey.  Believe me.  I'll find out what is really going on."

"Please don't!" Angela begged her.  "Lady Acasja, you don't know what they're capable of."

"Not yet," Acasja agreed, "but I'm going to find out.  Besides, it's cruel to make you live like this."  She turned toward the front of the suite and strode toward the door.
"Lady Acasja!" Angela called worriedly after her.  Acasja stormed out of the room and slammed the door.  Seconds later, she stormed back in, swiped her uniform blouse and jammed it back over her shoulders, and stormed out a second time.

First, I'll go back to that field where we dueled, then I'll find the Captain and...   Acasja stopped short in her internal rant.  Cochrane hall was near the rose garden and Midshipmen Captain Applebaum stood just within the entrance to the garden, his back to Acasja. Fine, I'll ask him directly.   "Targeting new objective!"  She marched toward him as he stepped through the gate into the garden. 

The sign, OFFICERS ONLY, gave her pause, but only for a moment, and she forced her way into the garden after him.  Always ahead of her, he entered one of the hothouses.  She raced to catch up with him.  "Hey Cap!" she called out defiantly, "I know you're in here!  I'm Acasja Tilfe and I want to talk to you!"

There was no answer and she walked down the central path among exotic roses from throughout the Federation.  "I said hey!" she called again.  "Where?"  Then she stopped and gasped.  It was him!  The Captain, her first love, was here.  His back was to her and he was looking out through a closed door.

Her Captain!  She wanted desperately to see his face.  Acasja raced down the path and toward the door.  At the corner where the main path intersected another, a voice sounded in her ear.  "You called?"

She turned in surprised. "Captain Applebaum?  Can you tell me who that man is by the door?"

He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into an embrace.  Acasja was totally unprepared for it and the next thing she knew his lips had covered hers.  Whether her heart beat many times or not at all, she couldn't have said.  It felt like forever before her body responded to her frantic mental commands.  One arm was pinned by his, but her other was free.  She reached out blindly to pull a rose from a bush and brought it up with a heavy smack across his face.  He jerked away in response to the pain.

"Playboy!" she gasped.  "They said you would make a pass at anyone!"  She pivoted on the arm that was still linked to the captain.  "He's gone!"

"No one but officers in the academy can come here," he said and released her.  "We're alone.  Oh, those thorns."  He wiped a hand along the bloody scratch.

Acasja snorted and tossed her hair and took two brisk steps before he brought her to a halt by saying "Wasn't there something you wanted to ask me?  About the starship seals we both wear on our ring fingers, for example?"

She turned and glared at him.  He held up his left hand.  "Yes, I have one as well.  It's the mark of one who can join in the game."

"Game?" she echoed dumbly.

"The duels in the woods," he said slowly, patiently.

"You give away a girl as a trophy in these duels," she said, “and you call it a game?  Who started this awful game?  You?"

"Of course it wasn't me.  These duels were decreed by Last Judgment."

"Last Judgment? What kind of name is that?"

He didn't answer.  "A letter marked with the academy seal comes on days apparently chosen at random by Last Judgment.  If we do what the letter says, the gates will open for the ring."

"Well, I've gotten letters," she admitted, "but they never spoke of a duel."

"Well, that's how the rest of us meet."

"But why duel?" she asked in frustration.  "Why this game?"

He wiped at his cheek again.  "That's the only way to win.  To possess the sword Infinite the consort carries."

"What's so great about having Angela and her monkey?"

"The sword Infinite." he said, not looking at her but gazing upward as if he were seeing something she didn't.  "It chooses its own master.  Not to say that it has power, but that it grants power to the one who has it.

"To the valiant one who continues to win and to be engaged to the consort, the sword grants infinite power.  Win enough and you can reach that castle in the sky." He wasn't paying attention to her at all by this point.  He was focused on his own words and was speaking rapidly, harshly.  "There every desire is granted, even if you want to change the universe.  That is the power Almighty."

"But why?  I can't even imagine what that means."

He turned to her again.  His smile was predatory.  "Surely you must have glimpsed it at least once, the power Almighty, that one time."

Acasja thought back to the duel when the sword had seemed to float into her hand and what had happened after.  She couldn't help but blush remembering the sensation.  "It, it was amazing to be sure but still I..."

He cut her off casually.  "I was surprised, to put it mildly, when you drew forth the power of the sword.  I was even more surprized that you weren't an officer." He walked slowly toward her, past her.  "Where could such an ability be sleeping within you?" His questioning made her blush even more.  "Where is it hiding?"  She felt his breath on the back of her neck and his hand moved her hair.  "I'd still like to find out."

Her face continued to burn, but anger replaced the strange emotion that had caused it before.  She slapped him again with the rose.  "If you ever touch me again, you will regret it!"  She threw it at him, turned and walked, as fast as she could without appearing to be running away, to the door.

"You know this weekend, is the spring formal..." he said.  She felt compelled to stop and turn back again, wondering what he was saying.  "If you want to know about Last Judgment, come."  He held her flower in one hand and inhaled the aroma.  "I'll wait for you."

"You think I would go to a dance?"  That was the final straw.  This time she didn't turn back and slammed the door.  She wiped at her mouth in sudden disgust.  In all the insanity, she chose to focus on the thing that was least outlandish.  What a little... He doesn't love me or care about me, and he kissed me.  My first kiss with a guy to someone like him.  Ick. She wiped at her mouth again.  What a blunder.

"Angela, but why?" At the sound of someone else talking nearby Acasja looked up.  Angela Otori, with the marmoset on her shoulder, was talking to Commander Simon.  Those two again? she wondered. 

"I'm sorry Kevin," Angela said, not looking up at him, "but I'm consort of Lady Acasja now."

"You're saying our engagement wasn't real?"

"No, Kevin, but it's over. I'm engaged to Lady Acasja now."

Acasja was surprised to see tears in his eyes.  He seemed to really have feelings for Angela.  "Shame on you!" he said and swatted her head.

It was time to intervene.  "No, shame on you commander."    Acasja forced herself between the other two and pushed him away from Angela. 

Acasja had thought the incident with Captain Applebaum had turned her away from this game forever.  The horrible reality of what she had just seen made her realize she could never back out. "Midshipman Otori is only following the rules of the academy seal that you officers made.  Now, if you really are worthy of the rank of commander, accept your own defeat and stop harassing her.  Or else challenge me fair and square. You know I'll take you on."

He stared at her for a moment, stammered, and fled.  She could see that the tears in his eyes were genuine and that made it even worse.  "I can see he really cares for you Angela."

Angela was staring after the commander; her own expression was of rage.  "Lady Acasja, you said you didn't want to take part in this anymore."

"I still don't Angela.  But things change.  I don't believe I can avoid them either.  Somehow, all of a sudden, I'm trapped in the middle of it all.  For now, I know only one thing.  I won't run away, not until the day I understand all of this.

"Tell me Angela, why did you become the consort in all of this?"

The girl put her hand to her chin and looked thoughtful.  "I don't know.  I've always been the consort."

"Don't you wonder why, though?"

"I guess I've never thought about it, but I don't mind being the consort."

In all the surrealness that surrounded her, that one sentence was the most surreal.  Acasja couldn't help herself and she laughed.  "You're so weird, Angela... but I don't mind.  Just don't call me 'Lady' Acasja anymore, and stop saying we're engaged."

"But I am engaged to you, Lady Acasja."

"Oh no. Why me?"  Laughing, arm in arm, they returned to Cochrane Hall.

[Commander La'ra]

In regard to Chapter 4: That was so relentlessly different that I had to read it twice to make sure I liked it and wasn't just impressed by how unusual it seemed.  After such, I decided I loved it. 

As for details...well, much like with the Guv and Andy's story's, there's not any real negatives that spring to mind.  I can't really even pinpoint favorite moments or other such, I just keep reading to see what you're going to do next.

Well, there is one thing...I love this line...

"I don't know what's going on," she replied, "but all I have to do is win, right?"

How very...Klingon...of her.

[Governor Ronjar]

Very Trek meets Manga meets Alice in Wonderland. I keep expecting to see mention of a Phantom Tollbooth.

Keep this coming. Yeah, there could be more Trek elements to it, but they certainly aren't 'missing'. This story could easily stand alone, but the fact that you've made it Trek adds a whole new element to it.

Me Likee!

--thu guv!

[Vipre]

I have a similar but opposite take than Governor Ronjar, I think it's a great story but that the Trek elements are a disservice to the rest. Every time I slipped into "a Trek frame of mind" for lack of a better term, I was hit with a surreal aspect that took me right out of the story. The story would have all the same positives and none of the negatives if you changed the Trek aspects to non-Trek ones. The girl still meets her "captain", still goes to the academy and still has her ring but they'd reference some other organization.

"Interlude II - Court of Honour" is a prime example, I expected the Cadet Captain to launch into a formal hearing for actions unbecoming a Starfleet Cadet after the assult incident and instead they start talking about "consorts" and "being chosen as officers by the rules of the Starship Seal". I just stopped and went "HUH?"

It's funny he'd mention Alice in Wonderland because I was thinking the same thing before I saw the post, floating castles, stairways to nowhere, tea drinking primates, it's all very through the looking glass.

Can't wait to read the rest though.

[Czar Mohab]

I don't think I see this the same way that others do. I definitely see the AiW thing, but its not what I was thinking at first. I was thinking more along the lines of "how sad to have a 'normal' academy experience crushed by an unknown secret scociety that Acasja's been apart of without knowing it". Personally, if I was her, I'd be a wee bit passed pi... err, "upset"... over this.

Long story short: I like where this could be headed; kind of hoping for a touch of spilled blood caused by Lady A... I don't think I like her new "friends" much.

Czar "What makes the grass grow?" Mohab, who notes that the answer is in FMJ.

 

[Andromeda]

La'ra: Oddly enough, there are more lines like that coming out of her in the future.

Ronjar: Thanks.
 
Vipre: You've hit the nail on the head.  Starfleet Academy is perhaps not ideal for this.  The full officers of the academy certainly isn't.  Since I wrote that part, I've come to realize that the "Starship Seal" is a secret society within the academy.  Sort of like the ones you find at Oxford.   "Court of Honour": the original version went much like Wesley and cohorts' trial in the TNG episode at the academy in terms of flavour.  I didn't think it went with the story at all and changed it to this simpler version.  So the secrety society might be easier to take than official court.  I think the rewrite will address your concerns.  Alice in Wonderland: interesting parallel.  Thanks for the good criticism.

Mohab:  I like your perspective.  Acasja spends a lot of the story pissed.  You'll probably like the ending.  FMJ: full metal jacket?

[KOTH-KieranXC, Ret.]

Star Trek manga, huh? It's not a concept I'd ever entertained, but more power to you for pulling it off, Andromeda.

Personally, though, I don't like manga/anime in the slightest. (La'ra can vouch for me on that one, LOL.) It's a shame, because I thought the story started off with an interesting hook, but now it's gotten a bit too 'out there' for me to read, for some of the reasons Vipre mentioned. It's nothing against you as a writer, I like your work that I've read previously to this story, I just can't stand this particular style.

Sorry I don't have more to say, I feel like I owe you more of an explanation besides "I don't like manga in general, so it's not just yours". I'll still be around to read your next non-manga Trek story, though.

[Governor Ronjar]

Personally, though, I don't like manga/anime in the slightest. (La'ra can vouch for me on that one, LOL.) It's a shame, because I thought the story started off with an interesting hook, but now it's gotten a bit too 'out there' for me to read, for some of the reasons Vipre mentioned. It's nothing against you as a writer, I like your work that I've read previously to this story, I just can't stand this particular style.

BAH! *sniff*

--thu guv!!

[Andromeda]

CHAPTER 6 - Obstinance

Saturday afternoon, before the formal ball, there was a knock on the door of Acasja's suite in Cochrane Hall.  Angela reached it first and opened it to reveal a student carrying several large boxes.  "A delivery for Acasja Tilfe from Captain Applebaum," he said.  Then he noticed how big the room was.  "Wow!  This is overflow?  It's big enough for an admiral!"  He brought the boxes in and sat them in the chair.
 
While Acasja showed him quickly back out, Angela opened one of the boxes.  "Look Lady Acasja, a dress from Captain Applebaum."  She held up a white frilly skirt which was covered with the red roses that he favoured.  

Acasja was already dressed as casually as she could and still display her unique style.  She frowned and looked at the gown.  She noted the card that had fallen out of the box when Angela had lifted up the dress and Acasja made a dismissive gesture.  "If he thinks I would prance off to a party in that frill-fest..."

"What, you're not going?"  It was one of the rare times that Angela had shown emotion.

Acasja looked down at the card.  It read See you there, Tommy.  She stepped on it, pressing it into the floor with her heel.  "It's not my style.  You go in it.  It's too nice to waste and since you always sit alone in class..."

"But, I..." Angela didn't finish the sentence and her head and arms sagged.

"Don't you have any friends?'

Angela set the dress on the chair.  She picked up Geoffrey.  "Sure, right here."

The marmoset and Acasja seemed to both agree.  It hopped off of Angela and into her arms.  "You need to go out and mingle with some humans."

"But Lady Acasja, I should always be with you.  Always."  The marmoset jumped down and sought a place to hide as Acasja pushed Angela towards the dress.

That evening, Wanda and a few of her friends sat beside a fountain that had been created for the ball.  All were dressed in ball gowns, but looked rather glum.  They watched as several couples occupied the dance floor; most of the male students were in dress uniforms while the female students wore gowns.  She knew how Acasja would be dressed if she decided to come.  "It's no fun going to a ball if you don't have a date.  I wish Acasja were here."  Her eyes strayed to the hors d'śuvre.

"Look!" The girl to her left grabbed Wanda's arm.  "Isn't that Acasja?"

"Omigosh!" The phrase escaped her as a single word and Wanda stood up suddenly.  "Acasja's dressed as a girl?"

Her friends crowded around Wanda.  "She looks so adorable."  "Isn't she cute?"  "I almost wish I was a guy."

The object of their attention stood self-consciously in the doorway leading into the ballroom.  The portrait neckline of her gown left Acasja's shoulders uncomfortably bare. She could feel her hair on the back of her shoulders.  A single white rose adorned her head, pinned to one side.  Unlike most of the other female students, she hadn't had time for anything more formal.  It made her stand out even more.  "I told you I didn't want to wear this thing," she said crossly to Angela.

"I'm sorry for making you wear that embarrassing outfit, Lady Acasja," the girl replied, "just so I could get out and make friends."

She knew just the right button to push.  "Harsh!" Acasja complained, but relaxed and uncrossed her arms from in front of her.  The two of them entered the ballroom.

Within seconds, Captain Applebaum seemed to appear out of nowhere.  "There you are.  You look lovely."  He spread his arms in appreciation.  "Now, turn that way and let me have a good look at you."  Acasja's arms went back across the front of her gown and she turned as he directed.  Her face contorted in a grimace but she kept silent. "It looks great on you.  I knew I had an eye for lady's clothes."

To stop Acasja from creating an angry scene, Angela stepped in.  ''Thank you for sending her that beautiful dress, Captain."

Acasja was already too angry to stop though.  "Just let me remind you that I didn't come here to dance.  So don't get the wrong idea."

He grinned, but bowed slightly.  "Of course, of course."

"Thomas!" a female voice interrupted.

Acasja turned to see Lieutenant Tyler and Lieutenant Commander Zoppi approaching.  Both, she noted with some degree of anger, were in dress uniform.  "Could you be Acasja Tilfe?" he asked her.  Apparently he had forgotten the one time they had met face to face, Acasja thought with relief.

"Yes," replied Lieutenant Tyler before Acasja could speak.  "She's just a normal girl and yet she drove poor Kevin into complete despair."

To be so casually dismissed by her own company commander raised Acasja's already on-edge temper even higher.  "Complete despair?" asked Captain Applebaum.  "What do you mean?"

Lieutenant Tyler shook her head.  "Don't tell me you haven't been paying attention.  He's barely come to class since losing that duel.  What do we do?"

Acasja was relieved to see that the captain was actually turning his attention away from her.  "This isn't good," he said.  "There's no telling how far Kevin will go when he's desperate.  Suddenly worried about Angela from that remark, Acasja turned to find she was no longer by her side.  She could not see her through the crowded room and wondered how they had become separated.

Angela stood by the fountain on the far side of the ballroom, surrounded by several female midshipmen from the first class.  "It's all your fault, Angela Otori," one said accusingly.  "Kevin is all messed up because of you."  Another added, "He even resigned from the boxing team."  "Behind that innocent face, there's a witch," said a third.  "What did you do to him?"

"Stop it!" a male voice cut firmly through the small group.  Commander Simon stood in behind them only long enough to get their attention.  Then he forced his way through them to stand by Angela's side.  "Get away from her and leave her alone."

The girls backed away from his angry countenance.  "If that's how you want it," one said, trailing off before retreating. "He looks scary," another said, "come on."  

"Angie," he said, "you look beautiful in that dress I sent you.  Please be my bride and come away with me."  Without waiting for her to answer, he grabbed her by the arm and forcefully escorted her toward the door.

Acasja was alone with Captain Applebaum.  They stood on a balcony overlooking one of the gardens on the academy grounds.  Overhead the full moon shone down on them.  She realized he was looking intently in a particular direction.  Wondering what he was staring at, she turned to look but saw only trees.  Then she realized he was looking at her.  "You said you would tell me about 'Last Judgment' if I came." she said quickly.

He was leaning on one arm, gazing at her.  "I was thinking," he remarked, "about how beautiful you are."

Acasja was thankful they were alone.  The cool breeze was some comfort for her suddenly burning face.  "What, what are you..." she began and then stopped short.  Behind Thomas, through the open doors that lead back to the ballroom she could see Angela and Commander Simon.

Somehow he sensed her attention and turned to look back at Acasja.  He grabbed Angela more tightly and changed directions.  Acasja and Captain Applebaum were closer to the exit than he was.  Acasja realized he was heading for one of the old elevator shafts that were still used in the building. "He's going to do something to Angela," she shouted, and moved. Forgetting her formal dress, she leaped off the balcony, determined to meet the elevator when its doors opened on the floor below.

Captain Applebaum stared after her for one second only.  "Amazing."  Then he sped back into the ballroom and grabbed his two friends.  "You're right.  Kevin is out of control and we have to stop him before he does something that will ruin us all."  They raced toward the staircase and to the ground floor.

Acasja made it to the elevator in time.  Just as the doors opened she burst in between them.  Commander Simon had one hand on Angela's shoulder.  "Acasja!" he said in surprise.  

"Give her back to me!" she shouted at him.  

"I challenge you to a duel and this time if I win, I keep Angela for good," he answered her.  His other hand, which had been hidden, now came up.  He was holding a phaser.  He leveled it at her.  

The martial training she had been learning in class presumed that one might be unarmed faced with the task of disarming a person with a phaser.  Acasja stepped against him and grasped his wrist with both hands.  To maintain control of the weapon, he was forced to release Angela.  That was what Acasja was waiting for.  With Angela no longer in his grip, she released his wrist and shoved Angela out of the elevator with one hand and pushed a random button with the other.  

The doors closed and she could here Angela pounding on them and desperately calling out her name.  A burst from the phaser tore into the door and Acasja realized it was not set to stun.  She dodged into the center of the tight room.  She dropped to the floor to avoid the next shot but was trapped in the corner.

"I'm unarmed and in a ball gown," she said to him.  "This isn't fair."

"That doesn't concern me, Acasja Tilfe," he replied and saluted her with the phaser as though it were a sword.  "All that matters is defeating you and now is the time.  Prepare yourself."

Acasja's eyes darted left toward the closed door to the elevator.  There was no help there.  She looked up at the Commander as he slowly lowered his weapon toward her.  She realized she was trapped and decided to meet her fate standing.  She put her arms against the walls and started to pull herself up.  As he levelled the weapon at her, the door burst open.  A heavy object filled her vision and fell on her as the phaser fired.  Captain Appelbaum's face appeared in front of hers.  "Ah, good to see that dress I got you isn't stained," he said and collapsed in her arms.

"Captain!" the distressed voice of Mickey Zoppi said from the entrance.  Kevin Simon stood, looking blankly down at the body and the phaser slipped from his hand.  

Acasja looked up numbly, "I thought he was just an unfeeling playboy."

"How did this come to pass?" Mickey asked sharply, but neither Acasja nor Kevin answered him.  She bent over the Captain and cradled him in her arms.  She vaguely heard someone call for a doctor.  She realized his shoulder was covered with blood and that he was still alive.  She kept her hand over the wound, holding in the blood, until help arrived.  

It quickly became the talk of the ball, and a large crowd had gathered by the time two medical technicians took Captain Applebaum to sickbay.  Acasja and several of the other officers marched across the campus to be with him.  The phaser had disappeared before the staff arrived.  Acasja noticed that her dress was no longer free of blood.

Only Lt. Commander Zoppi, Lt. Tyler, Acasja and Angela were permitted in the medical building and all four were ushered into a waiting room.  Julie Tyler paced angrily before settling against a wall.  "This is taking forever," she growled.

"Yes, I hope he's alright," Mickey agreed calmly.

Angela was standing over Acasja, rubbing her back and attempting to comfort her.  "This is all my fault."

"But you did not do anything."

"No!  He got shot by Commander Simon in my place.  I thought he was just a selfish womanizer.  I never thought he would do that for me."  A pair of booted feet were suddenly in front of her and they stopped before her with a loud thump.  Acasja looked up to see Julie Tyler's fist coming right at her.  It struck the side of her head behind the temple and she looked up, dazed.

"Don't you go and flatter yourself!"  Lt Tyler was surprisingly angry.  "You can't continue in the duels if you're dead or hurt.  That's why he stepped in.  It's not because he likes you, by any means."

Combined with the stress of the evening, the verbal assault brought Acasja to tears.  Thankfully a doctor entered the room.  "We're done," he said.  "Not a thing to worry about. He should rest here for a few days, though."

"Can we see him?" Mickey asked.  "Sure."

As she stood up to go in, Acasja felt a firm hand grasp her shoulder.  "You stay out," Lt. Tyler ordered.  "I am your commanding officer, captain of the fencing team." She held her left hand so Acasja could see the ring with the symbol of the starship Defiant.  "I will settle this with you sooner than you think.  I'm not like Kevin.  I will prepare myself to win."  She released Acasja and followed after the doctor.

Acasja shook her head, trying to clear it.  "Why should two girls have to fight?"

Another hand laid itself on her shoulder.  "Midshipman Tilfe?"  Commander Zoppi held up his ring with the Potemkin seal.

"I can't duel you now," Acasja whimpered.  She felt weak and vulnerable.

"I don't intend to challenge you," he said.  "I don't like it.  We shouldn't be treating Midshipman Otori like a trophy to be won."

Acasja sighed with relief.  "I didn't think any of you officers saw it that way."  She impulsively put her arms around him.  "I hope this means we can be friends."  He remained stiff in her grasp so she released him.  "I'm sorry."

Perspiration was running down his cheek.  "Please excuse me," he said and started after Lt. Tyler.  He stopped at the door and turned to face her, standing at attention.  To her surprise, he saluted her.  "I am Midshipman Lt. Commander Mickey Zoppi, and I am pleased to meet you."

Acasja wasn't sure how to react since she was out of uniform for the ball.  She waved her hand at him.  "Oh, yeah.  Me too."  Then he turned and disappeared down the hallway.

Acasja looked after him, thinking how sweet he was.  "Acasja!" Wanda's loud voice called.  The girl had slipped into the building unnoticed.  "I got worried about you so I came over here."  Despite both of them wearing formal dresses, she followed with her traditional greeting. This time though, she immediately released Acasja.  "That was Mickey!  He talked to you!"

"You call him Mickey?" Acasja asked in astonishment.  "He's an officer."

"Get a clue, kid," Wanda retorted.  "He's so hot.  The girls are all over him.  He's so pretty and so nice.  He's had perfect grades since he got here and is a piano prodigy!  He and Lt. Tyler are best friends.  He's so calm and she's so wild.  They make a good team.  He's so nice and she's so scary.  Quite a pair, eh?"

"I see," Acasja said, and gave the hallway toward Captain Applebaum's room a last look.  "That smack of hers hurt a lot, though.  It's like she has had it in for me all year."

Angela, who had been gone for a while, reappeared.  "Lady Acasja, I brought you a change of clothes since those are all bloody.  Let me help you undress."  She started pushing Acasja towards a restroom.

Wanda followed them in.  "Angela Otori, what is going on?  What are you doing to my Acasja?"

"But I belong to Lady Acasja."

"What did you say?  Say that again!"

"I said, I belong to..."  Acasja slipped quietly back out the door and made her way to her room alone.

In Thomas Applebaum's room in sickbay, the injured midshipman lay on the bed with Lt. Tyler half-sitting, half-standing beside him.  Lt. Commander Zoppi stood stiffly further away.  "It's not a serious wound," the captain said.  "I was lucky."

"Rubbish," Julie answered.  'You'll have to go through months of physical therapy to get it back to full use.  You took a shot just for that girl?  Didn't your usual lines do the trick?  Why did you have to resort to chivalry?  You know you'll just throw her away once you've had her."

Thomas didn't answer and the smile on her lips faded.  "Since I'm here, you will have to pass my judgment on to Commander Simon," he finally said.

After receiving their orders, the pair went in search of the Commander.  They found him waiting in the lounge of the officer's dormitory.  "Two weeks suspension of all extracurricular activities for injuring Captain Applebaum," Lt. Tyler told him.  "When classes are over, you are to return to your quarters."

"Two weeks," he said without looking up from his silent contemplation of the floor.  "I can't agree to that."

"Why not?  It's extremely lenient.   More than I would have been," she replied.

"Tommy butted in during our duel.  He broke the rules.  That was my fight with that Tilfe girl.  His injury is his own fault."

Mickey looked at him incredulously.  "That's not true.  You're the only one who calls that a proper duel.  It wasn't at the dueling grounds.  Where were the consort and the sword Infinte?"

Lt. Commander Simon snorted.  "Don't be so self-righteous, prodigy."  

"Do you have anything else to say?" Lt. Tyler interrupted.  

"What gives you the right to stand in judgment of me?"

"Captain Applebaum gave me that right.  You've been stripped of your rank as well.  You are Commander Simon no longer, just Midshipman First Class Simon."

"But Tommy protected that girl on his own!" he protested.

"No.  He was protecting the rules of the Starship Seal.  As Brigade Captain..."

"NO he was not!" Kevin shouted.  "He did it because he likes that Tilfe girl.  He wants her."

The two of them glared at each other.  "Ridiculous," Julie said.  "Tommy may be quick with women, but he does not fall in love with them."

"This time he has," Kevin insisted.  "If he steps in without thinking, then I say he's serious about her.  You may love him, but I've known him since childhood.  But, ok, I'll stay quietly in my dorm room, suspended.  I suggest you keep an eye on Acasja Tilfe."  He stood up and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click.  She stared after him, unmoving, holding in rising jealousy and anger.

[Andromeda]

(Chapter 6 ctd.)

After class the next day, Acasja made her way to the infirmary in quiet trepidation.  In the shop she had picked up a bouquet of flowers.  She walked without looking left or right, her heart pounding.  Is this too much?  Will he laugh at me?

She never made it into the room.  Julie Tyler, now wearing Commander's stripes, stood outside his door.  "What's this?" she asked.  "I see.  You bought him flowers."  She laughed cynically. 

"I just wanted to..." Acasja began.

"Save it," she said, snatching the roses from Acasja and tossing them in the garbage.  "Tommy gets enough flowers every day to start a compost heap."  She marched away, still laughing.

"But that was..." Acasja began again, and trailed off on her own as the other girl turned down another hall.  Why is she so mean to me?

She took out her distress on the baseball diamond.  Her fan club was sitting in the bleachers, cheering her on.  "Home run!  Home run!"

"Just watched me," she murmured under her breath. 

From a distance away, two members of the fencing team watched the practice.  "Acasja amazes me," said Mickey Zoppi.  "Such athletic skill!  First basketball, then outdueling Kevin, and he is, was, president of the Kendo Club, now baseball.  I bet she could even fence."

Julie's brow furrowed.  "It sounds like she's beaten you already."

"What?" he asked, startled.

Angrily she whipped her epee at him.  He barely parried and backed away as she continued to press him.  "Stop it!  That's a real blade and we don't have our masks on.  You know it's not allowed."

"Never let your guard down," she shouted at him.  She changed her position and raised her sword to catch the baseball, driven foul by Acasja, on the tip of the blade.  Around her there was much applause.  Julie looked to the baseball field to meet Acasja's eyes.  She slowly slid the ball off of the end of her blade and smiled cruelly before letting it drop.

The incidents with Commander Tyler continued.  After her shower one evening, Acasja complained at her roommate.  "You know, Angela, I can't help but think she's picking on me.  Today she even flipped over my tray at lunch and accused me of being clumsy.  Sunday, before mass, she picked me to do the solo. I can't sing."

"That's just awful," Angela replied, her tone devoid of concern.

"Are you even listening to me?"

"Of course I am Lady Acasja.  I've seen it all before.  It's how she works herself up to it.  One day soon, she will challenge you for me."

"Ugh!" Acasja groaned.  "It's just as I feared.  She's after me."

"Do you mind?"

"No, not really," Acasja admitted.  "I'm in this game for good.  I'll do what I must when the time comes.  I don't understand why she wants you.  You're a girl."

"It's not because of that," Angela replied darkly.  "There are always other reasons."

Across campus, in the Captain's private residence, Julie Tyler had finally worked up her nerves enough to talk to Thomas Applebaum about Acasja. The rest of the house was empty and she made her way to the bedroom.  The door was closed so she tapped on it and entered.  "Tommy, I wanted to talk to you about something.  Tommy?"  The room was empty.  She looked back down the hall, wondering where he had gone.  She hadn't seen him leave since he had entered.  Then she noticed the window was open.

Sometime in the night, Acasja was wakened by Angela's marmoset jumping on her head.  "Huh, wha, what's wrong with you Geoffrey?"  The creature jumped on the floor and chittered at her.  She decided she wouldn't get any rest until she saw what it wanted.  She slipped her feet into her slippers and followed it to the kitchen.  The curtain on the window was open.  She walked over to shut it and noticed someone standing under a light outside the window.

Surprised at who it was, she opened the window and stuck her head out.  "Captain Applebaum?  What are you doing here?"

"I had to come and see you."

"Don't mess with me," she ordered him and started to close the window.

"I thought you wanted to know about Last Judgment.  We never got the chance at the formal.  Come down Acasja and let's walk to the dueling field.  I want to show you something."

She hesitated, but only because it was night and she was wearing pajamas.  To see if this Last Judgment was waiting for them was more than worth it.  She grabbed a jacket and hurried down and out to meet him.

Without answering any of her questions, he led her to the gate at the edge of campus.  He opened it himself and led her on through the undergrowth.  This time there was a clear path to follow.  Once they reached the top of the stairs, she saw it.  "Wow!" she gasped.  The castle in the sky was glittering with light.  "It's like a chandelier," she said in amazement.  "It's dazzling."

"See!" he said proudly.

He was sitting on the edge of the steps.  Even mostly hidden by the darkness, she thought he looked pale and tired.  "You should not have done this.  How's your arm?"

"Forget about it.  I wanted you to see this at night... with me."

She looked at him sharply.  She couldn't explain what she saw in his eyes.  "I, I see," she lied.  "I'm sorry you got hurt protecting me.  It was very kind of you."

"That's a knight's duty, isn't it?" he asked and smiled.  "A knight is always ready to throw down his life to protect a princess."

She turned away from him.  The breeze cut through the thin fabric of her pajamas and she clutched her jacket tightly against herself.  "That's what scares me about you," she said after a moment.  "No offense, but I don't want to be a damsel to be rescued.  I want to be the Prince Charming."

"Why?" he asked, straightening up.

"You'll laugh," she answered eventually.  "It's a story that doesn't suit me at all."

"That makes me even more curious," he said with a laugh.  "Since I'm just resting here for a while anyway, I'd like to hear it if you don't mind."

She thought back into memory.  "I was six when my mom and dad died.  I didn't know what to do.  I wandered all over town and, on a bridge, I almost fell.  It was then that a Prince saved my life.  I found out later that he was a Starship Captain.  Anyway, he gave me this ring and he told me 'There will come a time when we will meet again."

"If you do not lose your noble heart," Tommy finished for her.  "A good reason to want to become a prince."

At those words she turned back to stare at him.  How did he know?  Those words... only the Captain and I know them.

"Strength, nobility, passion... the things that make us great," he continued, returning her gaze.  "Only those who have not lost them can ever reach the castle in the sky.  Everything is in that castle.  The answer to every mystery, and the power Almighty.  When they are yours, then you can become the Prince Charming, the Captain, that you desire."

Trying to read him, Acasja continued to examine his face.  He's too young.  It can't be.  It couldn't be him, could it?  Her Captain?  He stood and stepped toward her and she couldn't move away.  Once they stood face-to-face, the wind causing their hair, raven and pink, to mingle, he bent down and brought his lips near hers.  She didn't back away.

"Acasja Tilfe!" a loud voice interrupted.   Julie Tyler stood at the edge of the square, fire in her eyes.  "I invite you to duel.  The time has come."  Somewhere the gong of a clock struck two a.m.  Acasja stepped away from Tommy and faced her opponent.

"Lady Acasja, there you are."  Somehow Angela was there also.  She held two roses, one white, one red.  She had brought Acasja's uniform and helped her into it over the pajamas.  She pinned the white rose to Acasja's breast.  "This small rose is a gift for you."

Tommy Applebaum stood watching.  "The duel is a sacred ritual," he said mysteriously.  Acasja wished she had the time to ask him if he was the captain she had been seeking.  She looked at him intently but he averted his eyes from her.   The mystery would have to remain.

Angela pinned the red rose over Julie's emblem.  "The one whose rose gets knocked off loses."

"I know that," Julie answered impatiently.  She pointed her sword at Acasja.  "Once you lose, don't you show your face to either Tommy or the consort.  Do you understand me?"

Acasja ignored her and eyed Angela with concern.  The girl walked over to her meekly.  "Please be careful," she whispered.  "For me." 

Acasja touched her cheek, lifted Angela's face.  "Okay, I will."

"Enough talk," Julie said.  "Let's do this."

This time Acasja was close enough to hear Angela speak.  "Sword Infinite, the power Almighty that sleeps within me, answer to your master.  Show yourself now."  The light from the castle was dazzling and Acasja couldn't see where the sword came from.  All she knew was that it had been in Angela's hands and now it was in hers. 

"The power to change the world," Julie said, "grant strength to my sword.  Now!"  With that, Angela backed quickly away and Julie rushed at Acasja.

Acasja was on the defensive from the moment of first contact.  Captain Applebaum, and now the other officers who wore Starship Seal rings, watched in interest as the two girls fought across the stone field. No wonder she's the captain of the fencing team, Acasja thought, her guard is so tight. 

"Is that all you've got?" Julie taunted.  Her sword seemed to pounce at Acasja from everywhere.  She gave ground until she was at the edge of the field.  Forced to hold her ground, she pushed back at Julie's next stroke and the two of them came close together.  "I will win," she heard Julie growl in her ear, "and you will stay away from Tommy."  She couldn't let Julie win.  She wanted to, needed to, ask him a question.

Mickey Zoppi ascended the steps to stand next to the object of the girls' interest.  "Julie's good.  Acasja seems to be losing.  Whose side are you on?"  The Captain did not answer.

Angela suddenly looked up toward the castle.  The spectators followed her gaze but saw nothing beyond the dazzling light.  Tears filled her sad eyes and she looked at the duelists.

Acasja felt like she was suddenly drowning in a sea of roses.  Then it was lifting her and she was floating in the sea.  She pushed and Julie backed away from her.  A whirlwind felt like it was swirling about her and Acasja thought she could feel her hair standing on end.

It must have seemed that way to Julie too.  "You won't fool me with your tricks."  Acasja felt sudden sympathy toward her opponent, realizing how much like trickery it had seemed to her before, too.  She looked at Julie and somehow she could tell by the way she stood exactly what moves she would make, the stance she would take and where she would make her cuts.  She could see it all and it was no contest.  When they stepped apart after Julie had gone through her maneuver, Acasja stood in the center of the square and Julie fell to her knees, her rose neatly nipped off where the flower met the stem.

Captain Applebaum stepped between them.  "Acasja Tilfe is the winner."

"It was a trick!" Julie exclaimed.  "Some mirage from the sky."

"You let your guard slip because you were angry, Julie," he said to her.  "It was your error."

"But it's not fair!" she protested.

"Don't disgrace yourself," he retorted.  "If you don't like the outcome, then challenge her to another duel."  Julie looked at him with tears beginning to form in her eyes.  She jerked her face away so he couldn't see it, stumbled to her feet, and fled the field.

"That was too mean," Mickey said to him after Julie had gone.  "You know how she feels about you."

Acasja stepped between the two before Tommy could answer.  "No.  There's something I have to ask you.  I can't help but think that maybe you're the one.  Are you my Captain?"  The she realized he hadn't been planning to answer Mickey at all.  He was staring at the castle above and hadn't paid attention to her either.  She felt her own heart breaking from the realization that he had no room inside him for anything else.  Leaving him to his own rapture, she slipped away and back to her room. 

[Andromeda]

Chapter 6 added now.  I had to add my comments here because it was too long.  Here's where you can see I was still in military mode for a lot of it.  I even threw in a phaser for you guys.  It was set to fricassee though.  By the end of this chapter and into the next, I had completely made up my mind that the Starship Seal group was a secret society.  It still doesn't sound like that in this part, so you'll just have to pretend. 

I'm not entirely happy with chapter 6.  I think it will be the one most improved by a rewrite.

Today I wrote the first (and probably only) sex scene of the story.  You have to wait until chapter 10 to get to read it though.

[Czar Mohab]

I love how each segment reveals just a bit more of this "secret society" deep in the back woods of the academy. I didn't really catch it until this last piece, but you've been dropping hints (some tiny, some giant) about this group of Starship Seals (I can't help but think back to an old photo of a moored submarine with 8 or so seals on the bow, the caption below reads, "Navy Seals."). I don't think that Acasja's captain is running loose at the academy, I think that each "seal" heard the same words from their own version of the bold captain. That's just my thoughts on it, anyway.

I really enjoyed how you showed both sides of Lady A's duels (with sword), the first when she had no clue what was going on and won, the second when she could feel the power within her. Lets the reader know how special she really is.

All in all, this is a great piece in a wonderful story! Hope to read more soon.

Czar "Sex scene coming up, eh? " Mohab

P.S. Here's the pic!

Keep in mind I searched for it after I remembered about it. 

[Scottish Andy]

Hi Rommie, I have to agree with Vipre waaaaay back when he said:

I have a similar but opposite take than Governor Ronjar, I think it's a great story but that the Trek elements are a disservice to the rest. Every time I slipped into "a Trek frame of mind" for lack of a better term, I was hit with a surreal aspect that took me right out of the story. The story would have all the same positives and none of the negatives if you changed the Trek aspects to non-Trek ones. The girl still meets her "captain", still goes to the academy and still has her ring but they'd reference some other organization.

"Interlude II - Court of Honour" is a prime example, I expected the Cadet Captain to launch into a formal hearing for actions unbecoming a Starfleet Cadet after the assult incident and instead they start talking about "consorts" and "being chosen as officers by the rules of the Starship Seal". I just stopped and went "HUH?"

I just cannot reconcile the two frames of reference. I love manga and Trek, and I've read Trek Manga and liked it. However, there has to be a single frame of reference. For me at least, it kinda has to be Trek in a Manga style and not Midnight Panthers on a Starfleet Academy campus.

"By the laws of the Academy Seal, I'm your roommate as of today.  After all, I am the consort of the victor.  So I belong to you, as does the sword Infinite of course.  You were given the right to do whatever you want with me.  I am here to serve you."

This highlights my main problem. The Federation is tolerant and accepting. Starfleet officers must show dignity and respect to those ideals and the values of other cultures while still maintaining dignity and respect for each other. Calling someone property and smacking them about would have anyone disciplined and more likely booted out of the Fleet at this early stage, as they have no sterling record to fall back on when they promise not to do it again. Starfleet officers have to display and hold to Federation values.

I could enjoy this as just Manga as it you definitely write well, but as Trek I'm just not buying it.

[Governor Ronjar]

I must disagree totally with the Canadian Andy.

I find the whole sureal aspect of this story even more greatly exemplified BECAUSE it is set in the Trek universe [sort of]. I find no problem whatsoever in the fact that this does NOT fit with any form of traditional Trek/Federation/Starfleet. The fact that is doesn't jive adds even more sureal ambience and makes it like an episode of the Twilight Zone or the Outer Limits. I mentioned the Alice in Wonderland comparison some time ago. This bent form of reality [if Trek can remotely be caller reality...] really appeals to my bent psyche!

Does this story need the Trek element to survive and entertain? No. Does it help to establish the feeling of STRANGE? Oh hell yeah!

GIMME MORE of same from same jug!

--thu guv!!

[Andromeda]

Vipre, Czar Mohab, Tus, Kieran, Scottish Andy - the people I owe a read of their own writing as promised.

Thank you to everyone who has read and commented. I really enjoy the sharing aspect of the community.  Please keep it up as long as you can stand to read it.  I really do take it to heart. 

I've never seen ST manga.  Does it really exist?  I'll hzve to see if I can find some.

Kieran:  sorry you don't like the genre.  This one's really out there for me, so I doubt you'll see more like it after this is done.

Ronjar: Thanks.  I want the trek element to feel integral and that it's wrong even more so.  I want to do a better job of making it feel necessary though.

Mohab:  I've loved your comments so far.  Nice deduction on the seals/captain.  It gets more surreal and less military as it goes on, though.  That pic is awesomely funny.

Andy:  It was a vague union at the beginning.  As a secret society with very ancient rules, it makes sense.  Unfortunately, it's an onion and the outer layers are not telling as much about the core.  HOpefully you'll keep reading anyway.  I've already dumped some of the structure tying it to the academy as a whole and dropping it to a smaller group within.  Regarding Federation values not being adhered to by some of the people in the story, very true.  They're the exception rather than the rule, but the rule doesn't matter to this story.  If I added something about others doing this and getting booted, it would slow the story down and if I took it out, it wouldn't be the story I have to tell.  I want it to be trek, because it is so anti-trek.  The element of wrongness of it all is very important to the story. 
That explains why I've done what I've done.  I'm sorry it hasn't worked for you so far.  Either way, your comments have been very valuable.

Tus: Thanks for the PM.  One of my uncles also went to military school.  I'm not really focused on the us vs. them aspect of the cadets vs. the instructors, but if I find a part in the rewrite that gets that attitude across that you expressed in the pm, I'll do it.

[Commander La'ra]

This one's really out there for me, so I doubt you'll see more like it after this is done.

*snaps fingers*

[Governor Ronjar]

Being one of a kind makes it all the more special.

--guv!

[Andromeda]

Chapter 7.  I did a few minor edits so that it will be more in keeping with the improved idea.  I figured out a relationship between this story and the ST universe that may make sense to you guys.  How many different genre's has Shakespeare been set in?  I don't claim to be that good, but that's at least a plausibility.

FYI: Tiu was a god of War in English/Germanic myths.  It's from his name that we get the weekday Tuesday: day of Tiu.  He is more commonly known by his Norse equivalent: Tyr.  It's a fitting name for this story.

Chapter 7: Immaturity

The next afternoon, Acasja tried to clear her mind with something that required total discipline.  Wearing a leather glove on her right hand and a matching strip on her left arm, she held a bow in the archery range in the main sports complex.  Arrow after arrow struck the target but none hit the centre.  My aim is off; my mind’s on other things.  Several members of her fan club were watching and cheering her on.  "You can do it."  "Go for it."  She couldn't; however, stop thinking of the night before and the look on Tommy Applebaum's face.  She raised the gloved hand to her face in thought.

Angela quietly slipped into the stands to join those watching her shoot.  "Acasja, your girlfriend Wanda's rooting for you!" the perky girl yelled out.  A sad frown curved her lips downward and Angela lowered her head and slipped away as quietly as she had come.

"I'm sorry, I can't" Acasja said resignedly.  She slipped the end of the bow around her ankle and unstrung it. 

“Acasja?” Wanda ran up to her and took Acasja's arm.  "It's that Oteri girl isn't it?  What did she do to you?  Since you moved in to Cochrane Hall with her, you've been acting weird."

"No, it's not that," Acasja said quietly, her thoughts still far away.  She turned to Wanda and forced cheerfulness into her voice and a smile onto her lips.  "Stop worrying so much, ok?"

"But..."

Acasja put her finger to the girl's lips.  "Really, thanks for your concern Wanda." She dropped her hand and turned and walked away.

"Acasja?" the girl called after her, sighed, but did not follow.

Outside of the archery range, she saw Mickey Zoppi lounging idly.  He was wearing his fencing gear, save the helmet, and had a foil draped across his lap.  He looked up when he saw her.  "Oh good.  I wanted to see you, Acasja.  Julie’s been so down of late, since the ball.  It's just not like her -- she's always been so tough."

Walking without paying attention to where they were going, Acasja and Mickey made their way toward the cathedral.  "I feel so sorry for her," he continued.  "Julie's done so much for me.  The Starship Seal Society, fencing, my music -- I’ve been able to stick it because she was there.” She listened stoically, standing like an angry statue with her hands crossed over her chest.  “This thing with Tommy is tearing her up.  We’re all supposed to be friends!  Why can't he show her just a little compassion?"

Acasja realized then what had been bothering her.  There was no compassion in Captain Thomas Applebaum. Only his passion for victory ruled him.  "You know, I think you're right,” she said in answer to his last question, the only part she had really heard.

He hugged her spontaneously.  "Acasja, that's great.  So you'll help me spy on him tonight?"

Huh?  Where did that come from?

He didn't give her the opportunity to protest.  "He should be in P-T right now, so we'll be in the clear to check out his quarters." Acasja assumed he would lead her to the officer's dorm but instead he went towards the smaller, but more impressive building next to it.  "This is the Flag Building, the Captain's private residence.  You know with all the perks one gets for being Brigade Captain, he might as well be an Admiral.  With a place like this, he could really take advantage of it to plot... Um, Acasja, what are you doing?"

She had seen an open window on the upper story and was climbing her way toward it.  "We can use the front door," he called up to her.  "I borrowed the key from his locker."

Acasja snorted and jumped back down.  She kicked at a rock in disappointment.  "You really get a kick out of this kind of thing, don't you?" he asked.

"Of course!" She didn't tell him she had her own reasons for accompanying him on his spying mission.  Because if I investigate Captain Applebaum’s secrets, I could find out if he’s my prince or not.  He wouldn’t tell me if I asked, so it’s his own fault.

Mickey unlocked the door and it opened quietly.  The two of them stole in and up to the first story.  "This is his private area, away from the public parts of the residence," Mickey explained.  "If there's a clue to what he's up to, it must be here." 

He tried a door and peeked into the room.  “Acasja, check it out.”  The walls were lined with books like some ancient library.  More were piled on the desk next to a globe of the Earth.  Acasja hoped she would finally get to learn something of the captain's secret personality.  Mickey began to peer into the drawers of the desk.  "The rest of us… we just receive letters from Last Judgment, the shortest of messages.  But he gets more.  I have the feeling, standing here, that he’s actually in touch with Last Judgment.  Just a feeling, but a strong one, you know? Like he knows things we don’t; does things in secret."

Acasja had found a handwritten journal and was beginning to browse its contents.  "Of course," she said without really paying attention to her words, "that's because he's the Prince Charming."

"What?"  Mickey looked at her questioningly.

To hide her embarrassment, she shoved her face into the book.  "Oh, um, nothing."  She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye to make sure he wasn’t staring at her. 

He had already turned his attention back to the desk.  He pulled a picture from one of the desk drawers and she walked over to look at it.  It was of Tommy and a pretty younger girl.  From his uniform sleeve, Acasja could tell it was from the previous year.  "Who is she?"

"She's his sister.  She's probably a couple of years younger than you are."

Acasja smiled at the happy scene on the image.  "I'm an only child.  It must be nice to have siblings.  I envy that, you know."

"I have a sister, too," Mickey answered, somewhat hesitantly.  "She lives here in San Francisco.  We're twins."

"Oh, Acasja replied.  "Is she cute like you?"  He coughed and it was his turn to blush.  "I'm sorry.  Did I hit a sore spot?"  I'm so dense, she said to herself.

"No," he said quickly.  "It’s okay… with you."  He put the picture away and looked at her.  "With you I can talk about anything."  When he gazes at me… those deep eyes shining….  He reminded her of Kiyos. She had captured another one.  "You see, mm, I...” he continued, but did not get to finish his revelation.

The open air of the house carried the sound of the door downstairs opening and closing.  They looked at each other in alarm and then about the room as footsteps padded up the stairs.  "He - he's back already?  Oh no!" Mickey whispered. 

"Let's hide," she urged him.  "Wh... the closet.  Quickly!"  She grabbed his arm and pulled him toward a narrow door.  She opened it and rushed in blindly only to teeter on the brink of a staircase leading down into darkness.  Mickey, hurrying behind her, ran into her and the two of them tumbled downward.

She landed on her back with a thud and he landed face downward on top of her.  "Ow!" she complained, feeling the back of her neck. 

"I guess this isn't any closet," he muttered, rubbing his forehead with his palm. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think so."  She realized how they were connected about the same time that he did.  They stared at each other for a long awkward moment and she thought he was going to kiss her.  Sudden perspiration gathered on his brow.

At the last moment, his eyes turned away from hers and he stared.  She turned her head to see what he was looking at.  "Acasja, is this for real?"

"I see it too.  What is this place?"  She started to roll over, but his legs were still tangled about hers.    "Tommy’s secret.  A hidden study of some kind." The carpet on the floor where she was laying was covered with odd runes. He quickly pushed himself up, unwrapped his legs from around hers, and the two of them got hurriedly to their feet.

Adorning the far wall, a mural featuring the zodiac captured their attention.    Its centre displayed the Starship Seal.  The two of them were drawn to it.  "It' some kind of calendar," Mickey said, deciphering the writing on it.  "Look, written in here,” he pointed and traced along the glyphs, “symbols and memos.  Yeah… a schedule of the duels?"

She tried to read it, but could understand nothing.  "What?"

"Information about the duels!” he said excitedly.  “It’s all written on this calendar.” 

"It is?"

"The fight between you and Commander Simon.  Here," he pointed to another group of symbols in a different section of the tapestry, "is last night's battle between you and Julie."

“Are you sure it’s not just a record of what happened?”

"No, because it says that you and I will duel next month."

"Duel with you? That's ridiculous," she told him.  "Why would you and I fight?"

"Yes!" he agreed.  "I mean I won’t do that. I won't duel and not with you."

"You say that now," Captain Applebaum's voice intruded.  They turned quickly to find him at the bottom of the staircase, blocking their escape.  He started slowly toward them until he loomed over Mickey.  "But you will, Mickey, you will.  Not only that, you will want to.  It never fails."
How would he know?  Acasja wondered. Belabouring the point, he repeated himself, punctuating each word sharply.  "Mickey Zoppi… you will… want to fight her.  It never fails."

"Tommy, something so dangerous?  How can you just say that?" Mickey asked him, refusing to back down.  "Don't you have any feeling for Acasja?  If you like her, even a little, you won't let her do it.  You won't.  At least that's what I’d think.  Because I can't duel!  I’ll protect the girl I love."  His voice grew stronger and he pressed up against the captain.  "I just can't stand it any longer!  I request the disbandment of the Starship Seal Society.  We can't follow such inhuman rules."

Acasja just stared at Mickey.  He had actually said it out loud.

Tommy Applebaum hit him and Mickey fell to the floor.  "Acasja isn't here to be protected.  Can’t you see that?" he told him and reached down and grabbed him.  "To protect is to love?  Is that what you think, Mickey?" He hit him again and knocked him back down.  "So naďve, Mickey." 

He picked Mickey up a second time, kicked open a door, and tossed him out through it.  He slammed the door shut and a moment passed before Acasja could hear Mickey banging on it from the other side. "Applebaum, What are you going to do with Acasja?" he screamed through it.  “Let me in!”

Tommy looked at her, as he casually removed his uniform shirt.  Beneath it he wore a plain white t-shirt with the words 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' printed on it.  "A good question," he said.  "What shall I do?"  Her mind went blank.  W-will he force himself on me like last time?  She remembered the surprise kiss and could feel her heart pound in her chest.

The pounding on the door continued. "Acasja?" Mickey called through the door once more and then there was silence. 

"So, who’s this Acasja?" someone asked him and he turned to see his sister.

“Christina?”

In the silence left in the secret study, Tommy walked menacingly toward Acasja.  She backed away until she felt the wall against her shoulders. She raised her fists between them, but he reached gently toward her and cupped her chin in his right hand.  Across the room, behind him, she could see the calendar mural.  Hoping to distract him with his other passion, she asked, "Tommy, is our duel planned?  Have you put it in your chart… the duel between you and me?”

His left hand was by her hip.  "I'm waiting for you to get strong enough for me," he answered.  He ran his right hand along her cheek, her hair, until his fingers touched the wall. Then his left hand twisted beside her and Acasja fell backwards.  He had chased her to the door.  "If you break and enter again, I won't let you off so easily. Now go."  The door slammed and she was left alone. 

Her heart was pounding so hard that she couldn't move to stand.  "Acasja!" Mickey called to her.  "Are you alright?  Did he do anything to you?"  She wanted to reply, to tell him that obviously there hadn't been long enough for anything terrible to happen, but she couldn't talk, not yet. 

Then she saw that he wasn't alone and it startled her into action.  “There are two Mickeys?”  His arm was around the other girl’s waist.  She stood up and her eyes went back and forth between the pair.  The two of them could have been identical twins, but Acasja knew that was impossible. 

"I'm his twin,” the other girl answered.  "Christina."

Acasja's mind jumped at the distraction and she raced forward enthusiastically to greet Mickey's sister.  "You’re his sister?  You sure look alike.  Wow!  Nice to meet you.  I’m Acasja Tilfe.”  She stuck out both hands to greet Christina.

Christina drew back before Acasja reached her.  "Don't touch that.   My bracelet," she warned shrilly.  "It's a set with Mickey’s." She glared at Acasja hostilely.  "Captain Applebaum warned me that there’s a girl seducing my brother.  That’s why I've come to save him.  I've always been with Mickey – ever since we were born. That’s why I know everything about him… can feel things even when we’re apart.  He would only like someone I would like.  That’s how we are."  Her look plainly said that Acasja was not someone she liked.

“Christina!” Mickey said, embarrassed.  He gave Acasja a helpless look and allowed his sister to lead him away.  This twin thing must be a royal pain.

She got a chance to watch it at work that Monday evening during a fencing competition.  Sitting beside Wanda in the bleachers, she told her about the short conversation of the day before.  "Yep," Wanda agreed, "Mickey's sister is famous for having a super duper brother complex.  Watch."  As Mickey made his way toward the mat to begin his match, one of the Second Class girls wished him good luck.  "They say she's why the poor guy can't get any girlfriends, even though he's totally cute and popular." 

"Is that so?" Acasja said, reflecting.  Below them, Christina Zoppi intercepted the girl who had greeted her brother and all but chased her from the stands.  "I can't help but feel some envy.  I know how she feels."

"Having a big brother can be awfully nice," a low voice behind them said.

They both turned quickly in surprise at Angela's words.  Acasja hadn’t heard her approach.  "Wow, she talked," Wanda exclaimed. 

"Angela, you have a big brother?" Acasja asked.

"Yes," she replied, and smiled lost in a happy memory, "although I hardly ever get to see him.”  Acasja just stared at her roommate, not wanting to intrude. I’ve never seen Angela look so happy.  Sure, we live together but I know nothing of her private life.

Tuesday, the next day, she started to pay more attention to what Angela did.  Acasja was looking back at her roommate during the Federation Government and Constitutional Development class when the instructor announced he was returning their latest exam.  Acasja reluctantly faced forward.  It was the first test since the height of all the strangeness and she wasn't looking forward to the results.  Normally her grades were perfect so she hoped it wasn't too bad.  "Anyone who receives below forty percent will be taking this test again," he announced.  Several students groaned and complained as they looked at their grades.   Acasja looked at her own paper and was horrified to see the '39' centre top of the first page. 

"I've never had to take a makeup in anything my entire life," she lamented to Angela after class.  "I've just been so busy with these crazy duels and such."

"Hmm, is that a fact?"

"You don't care?" Acasja was shocked by the casualness of her reply.  "I guess you get good grades."

"Me? Not at all," Angela replied.  "I always take the make-ups.  I don't let them bother me."  Her lips turned in a wide grin. She handed her test to Acasja and turned away and walked down the hall toward her next class.  The score on the first page read '0'.  Acasja dropped it without knowing, her eyes fixed on the back of the girl walking away from her.  Angela… she lives on a grander scale than the rest of us.

[Andromeda]

Chapter 7 (ctd)

Someone bent down and picked up the fallen paper.  It was Mickey's sister.  What she was doing there, Acasja had no idea.  "A 39?" the girl exclaimed.  "Acasja Tilfe got a 39!"  Acasja looked down and realized she was still holding Angela's test and had dropped her own.

“Hey!” she said and reached for her paper. 

Mickey was with his sister and he snatched the paper away from her with a scowl on his face.  “Mickey!” Christina hollered in protest but smirked with dark glee as he read it over.  "I just happened to pick it up." 

He didn't respond but began marking up the test paper.  "Could I have it back?” Acasja asked him.  “I have to take it over.”

“Hold on,” he told her.  A few minutes of rapid marking and he returned it to her.  "Okay.  These are the right answers." 

Her eyes bugged out at how quickly he had done it.  “You are a genius.  This was a full period exam and you did them so easily.” 

“I can show you what to study,” he offered.  “I have a pretty good idea what will be on the test."

“You mean it?” She hugged him quickly in gratitude.

“Sure.”

"Angela, Mickey can come over to our suite and… Angela?”  The girl was gone

"Why don't you study at my place?  I’ll be there too," Christina interrupted with a quick suggestion of her own.  Mickey winced.  "Come to my apartment.  It’s just off campus.  I'm sure you can get permission for a few hours since Mickey's so important.  Right Mickey?"

He looked first at Acasja, then his sister before bowing his head in defeat.  "I guess."

Angela declined to accompany her and Acasja and Mickey went together to Christina’s apartment.  He was definitely a genius.  His explanations of early Federation politics, especially of the Vulcan-Andorian conflicts, made the whole subject seem easy.  Christina, despite an obvious great deal of boredom with the subject, hovered nearby.  “Eep, that political stuff is way beyond me,” she said, clearly impressed. 

Finally Acasja stood up and stretched.  No matter how helpful he was, studying was exhausting.  "Enough!  We've been going at this for nearly three hours.  Let's take a break."

Mickey nodded agreement and she threw herself onto the couch with a sigh of relief.  "Christina," he asked, "why don't you get us some tea?"  She agreed and headed off.

"You are such a good teacher, Mickey" Acasja complimented him.  "I'm guaranteed to get a perfect score on the make-up.” 

"I'm not all that good," he replied.  "You're very smart."

"No… really," she replied sleepily.  Her exhaustion quickly overtook her.  "I..."

He looked over the edge of the couch in surprise.  Acasja was fast asleep.  Some inner beauty shone forth and he found himself sinking toward her.  He couldn't resist putting his lips against hers.  Her breathing changed and he jerked away as her eyes came open.  “Mmm,” she yawned and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.  “What is it Mickey?”  He was staring at the pillow her head had just been resting on, clasping his stomach with both hands.

A loud crash of ceramic breaking came from the just inside the doorway to the kitchen.  Acasja quickly jumped up and ran to help clean the mess.   "Are you okay?” she asked Christina.  “Oh no, the tea!  Let me help.”

Mickey didn’t move for a second, then he turned away from his sister and buried his head in his hands.  "She saw me," he whispered.

Christina was motionless and glared down at Acasja.  "What... were you... just doing to him?"

"What was I?" Acasja asked in confusion.  "I dozed off for a second, I guess."  She had clearly missed something because Christina made a wordless angry sound.

"Don't you play all sweet and innocent with me, dressed like that!"  Acasja looked down.  She was still wearing her midshipman uniform.  Christina stretched out angry hands to grasp at Acasja’s throat.

“Christina, stop it!”  Mickey came to life and blocked her attack, knocking her away from Acasja.   "You know it's not right to go and blame Acasja, not when it was me.  I was the one who kissed her while she slept.  So go on and blame me."

"What?" Acasja exploded.  So that is what was going on.

"I like her and that's all that counts.  Don’t you see, Chris," Mickey continued, obliviously marching onward.  "We're not a single entity anymore.  We fall in love with different people, live different lives.  It's better this way... for both of us."  He reached out for her hand.

She pulled it away from him.  "Both of us?  Speak for yourself, traitor!"  She stormed out of her own home in tears.

Mickey sighed with relief and sat down.  "Let's just get back to work."

Acasja was trapped between her need for his help and her awareness of the power she had over him.  Mickey likes me? "It's not like you," she said quietly, but firmly, "to hit your sister, to make her cry.”

He didn’t answer immediately so she waited him out.  "I'm sorry," he finally said.  "Next time I kiss you, I'll be sure and get your permission first."

"That's not the problem!" She stormed out on him also.

Not far away, sobbing under a tree, Christina Zoppi watched Acasja leave.  How could he? How could he treat me like that?  Who matters more, Acasja or me?  The girlfriend matters more than the sister, of course, even if they’re twins.  She hung her head.  How could he do this to me?

A dark hand softly brushed her damp cheek.  "Shh, Poor Christina," a voice said gently and she looked up in surprise.

Mickey followed after Acasja.  She walked briskly.  He didn't dare catch up with her but followed her back to the campus to make sure she was safe before he returned to his sister's apartment.  He used his key to get in and found the bedroom door closed.  He tapped on it lightly but there was no answer.  "Chris? Are you asleep?  Acasja's gone home.  I'm sorry about before."  The silent door remained closed and he turned away.

The spilt teacups were still on the floor in the parlour.  She’s still not back, he wondered.  It’s sort of late. He picked up the mess and carried it back to the kitchen.  On the table was Christina's bracelet.  Next to it was an envelope with the Starship Seal on it.  He quickly tore it open.

Raging winds shall strip the leaves from the young treetop unless you act Tonight.  On the day of Tiu when the bell strikes midnight cross swords with the one who stands beneath the inverted castle -- and triumph.

Mickey read the note and raced back to his sister's bedroom.  This time he forced the door open.  The room was empty.  He stared at it, seeing nothing, for a minute.  He could not think what to do, but knew he would have to be there and fight.  Without any clear reason, he went to see Acasja.  Fortunately for him, she wasn't restricted to the Fourth Class dorm after eleven.

Acasja was alone in her suite; Angela wasn't there for some reason, and she was finally ready to call it a day when the knock came.  Mickey's face betrayed some horrible disaster.  He explained what he had found when he came back for his sister.

"Your sister's been kidnapped?  Why?  By whom?  For what?"

"I don't know," he replied, "but I'm going.”

She grabbed a jacket.  "Then I'm going too."

His face was set in a hard expression she had never seen on him before.  "You know I believe duelling is wrong, Acasja.  I - I don't want you to see me do this."

"But why not?  You look really cool right now: strong, courageous, valiant; ready to protect your only sister."  In some way she was proud of him that he had developed that strength because of Christina.  She followed after him anyway.

Mickey pointed.  “Look – up at the top!  Someone’s there.” A woman in a flowing dress that reminded Acasja of a bridal gown more than anything else, stood at the top of the stairs.  Angela was alone on the stone field. 

"Angela, why are you here?" Acasja asked her, but Mickey was louder. 

"Did you kidnap my sister?"

Angela thrust an envelope at Acasja.  "For you Lady Acasja… a letter with the Starship Seal – delivered to our suite.”

Acasja trembled as she opened it.  She gave Mickey a careful glance, but he hadn't seemed to have made the connection.  He looked over her shoulder as she read.

Tonight on the day of Tiu when the bell strikes midnight, cross swords with the one who stands beneath the inverted castle.

Mickey seemed to realize what was going to happen.  A deep bell began to ring.  He looked at her.  "I have to duel Acasja?"

Angela held two roses in her hands; one red, one white.  "The midnight bell on the day of Tiu, God of War*, shall begin the duel.  We must live, we must fight by the rules of the Starship Seal.”

Acasja and Mickey just stood and stared at each other.  She could hear Captain Applebaum's words to Mickey echoing in her ears, "Mickey Zoppi… you will… want to duel." A duel between me and Mickey?

She looked up and left the memory when she saw Angela standing before her, the white rose extended.  She could see the stair, winding without support back towards the ground.  "The small rose within me, for you."

"Angela," she protested, but her roommate pinned the rose to her breast in silence and began walking toward Mickey.

 "This is a trap.  Someone wants to turn Acasja and me against each other.  But who?"  To Acasja, only the name of Captain Thomas Applebaum came to mind. 

Angela pinned the red rose over his cadet seal on his uniform shirt.  "This rose that takes flight from Last Judgment for you."

Mickey looked from Angela to Acasja in anguish.  "And I must win the duel or lose Christina.  Oh my sister, this is too cruel."

"Yes it's a trap," Acasja snapped, "but I won't be taken in."  His expression turned to one of surprise.  She flung her hair out of her face, where the wind was blowing it.  "That’s why I'll lose for you Mickey."

"Wh - what?"

"It's the only way to get Christina back for you."

Now it was Angela's turn to react in disbelief.  "Lady Acasja?"

Acasja turned to her in sadness and rested a hand on her shoulder.  "Don't worry Angela, Mickey's a nice guy.  I'm sure he'll take good care of you.  You and Geoffrey."  She turned away quickly because she didn't want either of them to cry.  "Now, let's get on with this!"

"Acasja, you're the one who's really nice," Mickey said, saluted her, and stepped back. 

"Mickey! You forgot this."  Captain Applebaum, his expression matching the hard throw, tossed an epee at him and Mickey caught it reflexively.

"Damn you Thomas Applebaum," Acasja cursed him.  "This may be what you predicted, but..."

He cut her off harshly.  "Don’t you want to see this through to the bitter end?  To see the power of Aion, the power to change the universe?  Throw this match and you're no hero and you'll never get to see your captain either."

Love for Angela, respect for Mickey, and hatred of Tommy finally released the first tear from Acasja's eyes.  "M-my captain..."

"You know," Captain Applebaum continued ruthlessly, "that Christina will not come back unless you two fight for real."

"H-how do you…?"  Realization finally came to Mickey.  "So it was you who set this up!"  He pointed his weapon at Tommy.  A rumbling sound from the castle above made him pause and look up.  Around them the stones on the edge of the field shook. 

"An earthquake?” Acasja said, trying to maintain her balance.  “How is that even possible?"

"It is the power of Aion," answered the Captain. 

The shaking stones began to pull themselves away and float upward.  Beneath them what looked like a glass cage came up from the field and floated toward the palace.  Trapped within it was Christina Zoppi.  "Mickey!" she called out, pounding futilely against the glass, "Help me!"

"Now listen up," Captain Applebaum drew their attention toward himself again.  "Unless you activate the power of Aion, Christina Zoppi will never come down. So tell me, Acasja Tilfe, will you risk it?  Can you still lose on purpose?"

“I…” She looked at Mickey and hesitated. 

"Let's fight without holding back," he said.

"Mickey...."

"It's okay Acasja.  I won't lose.” He looked doubtfully at the epee in his hand.  “It’s my duel.  I can be strong."

She looked at him, judging his expression. "Alright."  Her blade was in her hands already.  Somehow she hadn't noticed Angela giving it to her.  Mickey lunged.  Steel clanged against steel again and again.

Casually, Tommy asked Angela "Which one do you want to win?"

"I?  I am the consort," she replied and looked at her feet, hidden by her voluminous skirt.  "I shall follow the victor, by the law of the Starship Seal Society."

Acasja felt herself slowly wearing down.  It seemed that her opponents increased in skill each time.  "Mickey, you really are strong!"

"My sister's life is riding on it.  I won't lose, even to you."  He thrust, she parried and gave ground.  "I must have the strength to force you to give it your all!" he challenged her. 

The next blow came from the side and she barely got her sword up in time to parry.  The edge of the epee slid along the outside of her hand.  "And I won’t lose… not even to you!  I’ll see it through."  He pressed and rather than let him cut her again, she fell backward to the ground.  He lunged forward to cut the rose from her breast.  Despite her rising exhaustion, her sword was somehow there, blocking him. 

The presence came down on her again.  A second hand guided hers and she raised the sword upward with new strength.  This time she was able to withstand the sensation enough to see.

The light from the hilts, the light in her eyes, was dazzling and he couldn't see.  Angela raised her head and smiled in relief.  "Mickey!" he could hear his sister scream.  Something fluttered against his chest and only the stem of the rose remained.

"Acasja wins the duel," Tommy said, as if he had expected it all along. 

Acasja was on her feet looking at Mickey in sadness.  He wasn't sure how she had become standing. “Mickey, I… I won?”  Above, the stones rumbled and fell back to the ground.  The cage released Christina and she collapsed on top of him.

"Mickey, I'm sorry. Sorry I made you do this.  I won't ever, ever do it again."  He hugged her to him.  "Angela told me to come here with her so she could show me who my brother truly loved."

Acasja looked at her roommate in surprise, turned away.  Angela led Christina?

"I was so worried that if you got hurt it would be my fault," Christina continued.  “I’m sorry Mickey, I’m so sorry.”

"It's okay," Mickey assured her. "I'm just glad you're back safe."

Acasja watched as Tommy leaned over Angela and whispered something to her; he was a full head taller than she was.  He turned to look at Acasja over his shoulder and snorted. 

Angela came over to her.  "How is your hand?  We should clean it."

"Yeah," Acasja agreed absently.  She searched her roommate's face.  Why did you do this?

"Acasja!" She snapped her head up when Tommy Applebaum called her name.  "Soon. You’ll see your Captain, your Prince, your Hero soon.  The bitter end is not that far away."  He was already on the stairs and she was held by Angela.

"Captain!  What do you know this time?  Tell me!  Captain Applebaum!  Tell me, c'mon!"  He did not reply.

*Tiu is the god of war in old Germanic/English myths.  Also known more familiarly as Tyr in Norse mythology.  It’s from his name that Tuesday came.  It fits well into the story I’m telling.  Oops, repeated twice.  Oh well.

[Vipre]

Last two chapters have been very smooth. No feelings of whiplash between the surreal and Trek aspects.

I had a really odd idea the other night. I was looking over the story and a bunch of the surreal bits jumped out in a clear picture, the deuling, the lack of reaction to violence, shooting cadets with phasers and not getting a nod from the instructors, consorts and the general agression of characters. The thought popped up that this is probably what the Mirror Universe is like.

[Andromeda]

I thought of that too.  I'll let it wait 'til the end though.

[kadh2000]

I've just finished the prologue, so here's my comment on it only.  Now I'm going back to my nano novel.  Once I'm done with it, I'll finish "The Promise".

Find a synonym for 'sharply'.  You like to use it, a lot.

“I like secret paths and shortcuts,” she replied flatly.  “If you don’t like danger, then don’t fall for me.”

- I like that line.  That sleeping beauty image is awesome.  Another great line - the one about being a hero anywhere was good enough.  Our Lady A is quite ambitious.

One thing that didn't make sense to me:  the building on the back of the postcards: first it's the Aunt's Corporate HQ in Hollans, and a little later it's Starfleet Academy.  Also, you're missing a quote mark at the last sentence of the prologue. 

Acasja, Lady A as I read from the Czar, is quite a contrast.  She's a girl, wants to be a prince, and can't figure out how to be both.  Nice job on the minor characters!!  All believable and all different.  Just having read the prologue in detail, it's incredibly good.  I mean incredibly good.

[Governor Ronjar]

I must have a full copy of this one when it is finished.

--thu guv!

[Andromeda]

I must have a full copy of this one when it is finished.

I'll save it as a pdf and have someone host it for me so anyone interested can download it... once it's finished.

[Czar Mohab]

Sometimes I get the feeling that those who are "Eternal Members of the Brotherhood of the Starship Seal" are a bit nuts. Then, I realize that its just a secret society with different rules and regulations. Nuts, therefore, could easily just be zealous.

Or completely insane. I'll have to see how this turns out.

Applebaum seems like 'El Nutjobo Supreme-o'. Like any good evil villain, he even comes with a secret lair! And what's better than a secret lair? Why, whatever it is that he has in the lair, of course! Who wouldn't want the ability to predict (parts of) the future? Or have a secret drinking room? Whatever it's purpose, it does seem creepy and Dr. Frankenstein-ish. I half expected torches and candles, honestly.

That bit with the possibly mad Applebaum makes me feel that all the "Seals" have their ranks and stations for a reason. Which means that there is something of special importance with the consort, Angela; and something tells me Wanda, too, but that's just a suspicion. There's still an extreme amount of secrets and suspicions going on here, slowly being revealed.

I still don't quite see the anim-magna thing that some say is here. Unless I picture Stinkoman as Acasja. Then I can kind of see it.

Please, don't let my ramblings or observations get to you. I am really enjoying this series and I, too, would love to find a linky to the whole thing when it is done. PDF=Pretty Damn Fantastic, after all.

Czar "Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Pan Pan is fat! Ha ha ha ha ha! He fell on you! Ha ha ha ha! He's a good bear!" Mohab

[Andromeda]

C. Mohab, You're riight.  If this is anime, it isn't the BESM kind.  I can't imagine these people, well maybe Wanda with those giant eyes and tears that fly for miles.

Chapter 8: The Rake Incarnate

Back in their suite, Angela tended her wrist and wrapped it in a bandage.  "I'm glad it was not a serious wound."

"Yeah," Acasja agreed, "but I don't see why I can't just go to the infirmary and have them take care of it." 

Angela ignored her.  "This will be a bit inconvenient for daily tasks for the next few days I'm afraid, but we'll just have to help a friend out." 

“Yeah.  By the way, Angela, I need to ask you…”

“Geoffrey, are you done?” Angela pointed to the marmoset which was holding Acasja's hairbrush.  Acasja looked at the creature in surprise.  He was wearing a small striped necktie and an earring. 

"Doesn’t it look good on him?  I felt sorry for him being naked all the time," Angela explained.  "So I made him a tie to match the one I like to wear.  The hoop's from a candy box."

"I dunno.  It seems to accentuate his nudity more than hide it."

"Really?  You think so?"  Angela put her hands to her cheeks and sighed as she looked at the small creature.

Acasja realized she had been distracted.  "Did you do it?  Did you tell Christina to pretend she had been kidnapped?  I won't get mad, Angela, I promise you.”  She closed her eyes, unable to look at Angela.  “I just need... I just need to hear the truth from you." 

"I am your consort," Angela replied and looked at her with bowed head.  "I will do whatever you say."

"That's not it, Angela," Acasja said urgently.  She put a reassuring hand on Angela’s shoulder.  "I want you to answer as a friend."

"As a friend?  Lady Acasja you mean that you... and I..." She didn't continue and the two girls faced each other, eye to eye, until Acasja looked away and blushed.

"Just answer my questions."

"All right."

"You couldn't possibly have set that up?"

"Correct."

"Someone ordered you to bring Christina?"

"Correct."

Acasja took a deep breath before she asked the question that bothered her most.  "Was it Captain Applebaum?"

"I too was sent a letter," Angela confessed, "a letter with the Starship Seal.  You know I can not disobey the will of Last Judgment."

"So 'Last Judgment' thinks nothing of toying with us," Acasja said angrily, clenching her fists.

She went to bed still upset and spent a long time lying awake on top of the covers.  She remembered the annual letters with their seal and wonderful smell.  They brought news and encouragement from her captain.  Wondering why they had changed, she finally fell asleep without any answers.

Acasja survived the next day despite her bandaged hand.  She returned to her suite to find her roommate waiting just inside.  Angela handed her an envelope with the Starship Seal on it.  "Lady Acasja, it’s here.  One more.”

Acasja turned then letter over in her hands.  Was it a good one or another bad one?  It smelled of sutena oil.  Then she remembered it was her birthday and tore it open.  The time is ripe at last.  I await you, she read.  She flipped it over to see the picture of the greenhouse with the exotic roses.

Finally! The one I’ve been waiting for.  She yanked the door open and ran down the stairs.  "Lady Acasja?" Angela called into the empty air after her.  Images filled her mind as Acasja ran.  Tommy Applebaum the night before, saying "The bitter end is not that far away," and "you'll see your prince, soon."  Tommy standing above her, pressing his lips against hers. It couldn't be.   Then she was there at the door to the hothouse.  She threw it open and stood in the doorway, searching the interior of the building.

"There you are, Acasja Tilfe.  I am here, your Prince."  She looked into the smirking face of Tommy Applebaum.

Notes:
Okay, that was the first part of chapter 8.  I got a little unsure of how to go from that point and took a break from the story.  I don't have any comment on this part.  It fits in well I think.   I do have the rest of it written, but here's a little surprize for you.  When I couldn't decide what to do from here, I wrote a little piece as entertainment.  I was sorta feeling the "is it anime" heat when I did it, so I got that out of my system with this next piece.

[Andromeda]

calyX-FILES 1: The Spice of Life
I'm Geoffrey, a knight who protects the Princess Angela Oteri.  "Monkey, out of my way!"  The hateful Kevin Simon.  "She is my consort!"  But a powerful prince chased Kevin Simon away.  Now it is the three of us: the Prince Acasja Tilfe, my mistress, and me.  The Prince and my mistress were having tea.

"Geoffrey ate my cake again," the prince exclaimed!  "Faker," she accused me.  "You're not asleep." 

"Geoffrey, you're so naughty," my mistress scolded.  I'm happy when I'm full.

"I heard you like spicy chilli, Lady Acasja," my mistress said.

"Well, yes," said the prince, "but as a snack?"

My mistress stood and went back to the kitchenette.  It roused me to action.  Oh no!  My mistress cooking?  She was reaching up into a cupboard.  "Chilli, chilli," she said.  "Mix anything spicy together with beef and beans and it can be chilli."  She threw whatever she grabbed into a pot.  "A few veggies," she said, "a touch of flavour, mayo..." A few minutes later and she tasted it.  She poured a small cup and sipped at it.  I gasped in horror.  "Very nice." 

Thankfully she left for a few moments and gave me time to work.  I crept up to the cup she left and tasted it.  Gasp!  It's awful, the worst, I managed to choke out.  I can't let the prince Acasja eat this.  What should I do?  "Lady Acasja, your snack is ready," my mistress said.  I could hear her coming back.  I scurried at top speed through the cabinets.  Then I found it.  Fire Chilli!  Kick Yo Ass Hot! I read on the box.  That's it: I'll hide the bad taste with some heat!  I gave it two shakes and sniffed.  A bit more... The lid popped off and the chilli powder poured in.  All of it?  What should I do? 

My mistress came in and sniffed the air.  "It smells good."  She poured a dish onto a bed of lettuce.  I grabbed at her leg to stop her.  "Geoffrey," she scolded and I had to let go.  I scurried behind her, hoping the prince had a better sense of smell.

"Let's eat," the prince said.  "I've never been so famished."

"Here you go," my mistress said and served her the steaming plate.

"Wow, piping hot!  Yum!"  My mistress sat across from her.  "Now we can chow down!"  I ran to the window and hid behind the curtains in terror.

KABOOM!   "What's going on?" "An explosion in Cochrane hall!"  "Don't Acasja Tilfe and Angela Oteri live there?"  Students came running from all over.

In their meeting room, Captain Applebaum called an emergency gathering.  "The consort and her betrothed!  Someone planted a bomb?  This could be the worst crisis to ever befall the Starfleet Seal.  Who could have caused this?  Who did it and what for?"

"Um, Captain Applebaum," Lt. Tyler tried to get his attention.  "Tommy!"  Startled, he looked at her.  She gestured to the person standing beside her.

"The infirmary has released both of them," Lt. Commander Zoppi reported. 

"Well, uh, ah, good." 

"Yeah," Mickey answered, "but they're both a bit... weird."

"Weird?" the captain repeated.

"Nah, it's my imagination," Mickey said while deep in thought.  "Has to be.  I hope."

Outside, the two girls were walking back to their suite.  Wanda Beck leaped on Acasja's back.  "I'm so glad my Acasja is safe!"  Acasja collapsed to the ground in an awkward sprawling mess.  That's not like her, Wanda thought.  "Acasja?"

Angela stood watching, arms at her side.  "I'm glad, Angie.  I was worried."  Commander Simon wrapped his arms around her and leaned over to kiss her. 

He was met halfway down by her hand raised in a solid slap. "What are you doing?"  He stepped back, surprised. 

Kevin Simon had his own fan club. "Angela attacked our dear Kevin!" one said.

With Wanda off of her back, Acasja quickly got to her feet and jumped on Angela's back!  Let's go home," I tried to say. "Something's wrong!"  They seemed to listen and Angela hiked off to the dorm carrying Acasja on her back and wrapped around her.  Behind them Wanda and Kevin stared in amazement.  "Acasja?" "Angie?"

Later that morning, I was riding on my mistress's shoulder.  A group of girls, Kevin Simon's fan club, appeared and surrounded her.  One shoved her to the ground.  I leaped off and ran back to their suite to get the prince.  "How dare you hit dear Kevin," I heard.  "You know what you need?  To be eternally dangling from Acasja Tilfe's butt like jellyfish poop ."

The prince was in the suite, wearing the girl's uniform I had never seen out of her closet.  She was cleaning a window.  I ran to her side, pulled on her boot and screeched at her to come quickly.  Despite my efforts, she picked me up gently, slowly, and pulled me up to her face.  "It's okay, Geoffrey.  I'm Angela and Angela is Lady Acasja."  What?  What's going on? 

Some distance away, Angela was on her feet and slapped one of the girls tormenting her.  "What are you doing?" one asked.  "How dare you defy us, puny girl."
"So that's how it is," she said to them.  "I guess for Angela it's always like this.  Poor thing, to put up with such abuse day in and day out.  Sorry, but I think you girls have a lesson to learn.  This is from both of us, for all of your bullying."  She tore into the girls, a tornado of flying fists and kicks.

"Angela, you are so cool!" someone cheered. 

A girl looked up.  "Run, it's her roommate.  She's even scarier!"

I sat on Acasja's shoulder as the two girls looked thoughtfully at each other.  Both began speaking at the same time and I wasn't sure who said what.  "I'm sorry Lady Acasja, it looked like I had paid them back... and it felt so good!" "I need to apologize, Angela, for making your body get all violent.  I'll be careful from now on."

The prince sat me on the ground both of them looked down at me.  "Check this out, Geoffrey," they said in tandem.  "Our personalities got switched in the explosion."  Everything went black. 

I returned to consciousness lying in my bed, musing on what had happened.  So, Acasja is Angela and Angela is Acasja. 

"Why did this happen?" Angela, I mean Acasja, was asking.

"I don't mind," said my mistress, "I like seeing Angela being cool like that."

"Well, I mind... Kevin hugged me.  Something must have caused it, it must have." 

The two girls stared at each other in realization.  "The chilli!" 

"Angela, make it the same way you did last time." 

"Okay." 

I watched Acasja, I mean Angela make the chilli again.  I knew it wouldn't work.  I was the one who had poured in the chilli powder.  I had to make things right.  I took my bag and went to the market.  The clerk knew me; I was always running errands for my mistress.  "Can I help you?" he asked. I lead him to the spice aisle and found what I was looking for.  I pointed at the label.  "The 100th power chilli powder that was there?  We just sold the last one.  I can order it, but it's such an exotic that it will take six months before it comes in."  I started to faint.

"Little monkey, are you okay?"  I heard a voice call me back and I saw the chilli powder floating in front of me.  I reached for it but it danced out of range.  "Monkey, you seem to want this chilli powder very badly."  It was hateful Kevin Simon.  He had bought the last one. "Well, looky here."  He waved it before me again but pulled it away before I could grab it.  "I could give it to you, if you do exactly what I say."  What choice did I have?

The next day, Acasja, in Angela's body, met him at the greenhouse. "Angela," he said, "I'm glad you came to me.  We were torn apart by Acasja Tilfe, but this is our weekly confirmation of our love for one another."  He put his hands on her shoulders and she started to move to block him.

"Huh?  Love?" then she glared at me.  Please bear with it, Lady Acasja, I tried to say.  "You didn't tell me about this, Geoffrey," she said, accusing me. I put my clawed hands together in prayer.  She seemed to understand and instead of blocking him, let him touch her.  ""Why, what do you mean?" she asked him.

"I'll show you how much I love you, now look Angela, look."  He opened his uniform shirt, baring his chest.  "Now you show me how much you love me."

She reared back to hit him again.  I had to do something.  I leaped into the path of her open palm and she smacked me instead of him.  She caught me in midair.  "Geoffrey, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to hit you."  I wasn't worried; I had sacrificed myself of my own free will. 

Hateful Kevin Simon tossed his hair.  "Mmm, I'm becoming enamoured by how feisty you're getting lately.  Here it is, the usual.  My love for you." he said, holding out the notebook he had hidden inside his shirt.  "I'll be waiting to hear of your love for me."  He turned and left her.  I struggled free from her grasp and followed him.  "Monkey," he said, "you'll get your chilli powder when I get that back."

I found Lady Acasja reading the book in the suite.  It was an exchange diary.   I peeked over her shoulder as she read.  It was the usual stuff.
...turday
... am resigned to... writing of our love for... now, but I will contin... sword training... you back some.... wait f...

As she put it, "Some sort of slam book of love.  Angela, I don't believe it.  You've been keeping this up all along?"

"Yes, Kevin insisted."

"Then you write the response."  She handed the book to my mistress.

"You're Angela right now, Lady Acasja."  Who promptly handed it back.

"Don't give me that.  Why should I write to that pervert?"  She threw the book back and I leaped into the air, knocking it down between them.  I stole a pen and held it between my clawed hands.  "You're going to write it, Geoffrey?"

Both of them put their hands to their faces.  "Thank you!  We're both so tired from making and eating all that chilli.  It just wouldn't explode."  I'm sorry, you two.  Geoffrey will get you back to normal.  I scratched out some words and took the book back to hateful Kevin Simon.

He dove into it immediately.  "It looks like you brought the response back.  Here's your reward." He tossed me the chilli powder.
I raced back to the suite.

Kevin Simon looked at the fleeing marmoset, wondering what it was so happy about.  "What is this?" he said in shock when he found what was written.  "That damn monkey must have written this!"

My deear Kevin,
I'm sorry this is so late.  Today I'll rite about Angela's favourite foods.
* Banana
* And cookies
* And sweet potato
* Apples
Beneath that I had drawn three hearts.

The girls were sitting down to another meal. Chilli again.  "Eat up," Lady Acasja said. 

"Yeah," my mistress answered with a very disgusted look at the plate in front of her.  I burst in, chilli powder in hand.  "Geoffrey!"  "What?"  Chilli powder in hand, I leaped from one to the other, liberally pouring as I did.  "Geoffrey what are you doing?   Stop it!  What are you pouring on us?"  They were covering their faces and trying to avoid it but I wouldn't stop.

Someone else burst in.  Hateful Kevin Simon was holding his sword in hand.  "Monkey you lied to me!  You cheated me out of my 100th Power chilli powder, but I will be avenged."  He raised the blade.

"Kevin?" asked Acasja.  "100th Power Chilli Powder?  Geoffrey, why are you?"  The sword came down in the centre of the table, sending me, the chilli powder, and the chilli all flying.  CRASH!  KABOOM!

"Oh no!" students were shouting.  "Another bomb in Cochrane hall!"

Lady Acasja, Hateful Kevin Simon, my mistress, and I all began to pick ourselves up from the floor. 

"Dammit.  What the hell..." whoever was in Lady Acasja's body said and rubbed her forehead.

"Lady Acasja?" the person in my mistress's body asked hopefully, her hands pressed against her cheeks.  "We're back to normal Lady Acasja.  We did it!"  The two girls embraced happily.  Hugging, they jumped for joy.

Then they put it together.  They reached for the little marmoset.  "But that means the first explosion was your fault too.  This chilli powder did it, right?" Lady Acasja asked.

My mistress picked the marmoset up. "Geoffrey, you're such a bad boy."  Confused, not sure what had happened yet, I rubbed my face.  The marmoset was in front of me, complaining mightily in my mistress's hand.

"You won't talk your way out of this, Geoffrey," Lady Acasja shouted. 

I slipped out the door before anyone noticed.  People were running up the stairs.  "Kevin, were the girls okay?" Captain Tommy Applebaum asked me.

"Yeah, yeah," I said and he ran past.  I explored my face.  I had switched personalities with Hateful Kevin Simon.  I was trapped in his body.  Well, it is better than a scolding.

Gotta run!

END

[kadh2000]

I just finished reading this just now and I think I've figured it out.  This isn't anime or manga or anything like that.  It's a fairy tale.  Damned good one too.  I also want a copy.

On the extra bit:  that was funny.  It's the only part that feels like anime to me.  Supposed to, neh?  I know you said this was different from your usual style.  This is good, keep doing it this way.

There are minor punctuation errors in the X-file.  I figure you didn't edit it. 

[Andromeda]

Kadh: okay, you're on the get a copy list.  Can you host the pdf?  A fairy tale?  I guess that's s good as any genre.  I prefer the word 'myth'.

Here's the rest of chapter 8...



My Captain is Tommy Applebaum?  The one who saved me when I was a little girl and gave me the ring with the Starship Seal.  Acasja remembered the dark hair, the hands that had wiped away her tears, and tried to reconcile that with the long-haired redhead that stood in front of her.  Tears started to form in her eyes.  I came this far to be like him…

"You came to the academy looking for your Prince Charming?" he asked her, closing the distance between them.  "Am I right?"  He put his hand gently on her shoulder.  "You came all this way and now here I am."

Part of her really wanted it to be true.  "Can you really be him?  If you were, why would you do this?  Why would my Captain make me fight?"

"Because I knew in my heart that you would win," he answered her.  

"When I met him, he looked so grown up, but you…" she protested.

"It was a moment beyond space and time, like those when the power of Aion is activated - transcendent."

"That's true," she admitted, "it was."

His look grew more intense, the pressure on her shoulder lessened and he stepped until he was touching her.  He lifted his hand to caress her cheek.  "I called you here at long last, after you grew into my ideal woman, to make you mine - and mine alone, Acasja."

Is he really the Captain from that day? His lips were almost touching hers.  But something is different! She raised her left hand between their faces and turned to the side.  "Wait, wait a minute."

The door opened and Angela entered.  She was carrying a watering can.  "This isn't..." Acasja began, but Angela apologized.

"I'm sorry to intrude, but it's time to water the roses.  I'll be done right away."

"Wait, wait a minute," Acasja said again.  "Angela."

"Ignore her," Tommy said.  "The consort has no soul.  She's only loyal to her position."

Acasja watched her work for a moment, moving from flower to flower.  "What does it mean when you say Angela doesn't have a soul?"

"Her heart belongs to no one," he answered. "How else could she ever enjoy being the consort?”

Acasja couldn't take her eyes off her roommate.  Angela reached onto a flower petal and pulled off an insect and crushed it between her fingers.  "Enjoy being the consort?  Angela Oteri is just a normal girl.  This is no life for her!"

"Really?" he said mockingly.  "Do you think she feels the same way?"  He raised his voice. "Tell us, Angela, what do you think about being the consort?"

The girl looked up, startled, and slowly echoed his question.  "What do I think?"

"Acasja believes you're a normal girl.  I think nothing of the kind.  Far from it."

Angela looked at her.  "Lady Acasja, you believe?"  She looked back at Tommy.  "Yes.  Yes I am normal."  Her voice was flat, her response was without a shred of feeling.

"She does whatever you say.  After all, she's your betrothed, isn't she?  At least for now."

Acasja turned on him angrily.  "So that's it.  You plan to fight me.  You want her for yourself just like all the others."

"What I want is you."

She looked searchingly into his eyes.  "I don't believe you!"  She could feel danger from him.  Acasja grabbed her roommate by the arm and dragged her out of the building.  "Let's get out of here!"

"The watering..." Angela tried to protest.  "I haven't finished yet."

"It doesn't matter!"  Acasja was able to drag Angela out of the building.  

Finally outside, she relaxed her grip and Angela stuck her head back through the open doorway to ask Captain Applebaum, "Um, could you please finish watering the roses?"

"Angela!"  This time Acasja slammed the door.

Captain Applebaum walked lazily to the door and looked out after the fleeing pair.  "Heh," he laughed.  "The two of them… so cute.  I love it how Acasja gets so worked up and how Angela is the total opposite.”

Once they were out of sight of the greenhouse, Acasja stated,  "This must stop!  There won't be any more ‘Lady Acasja’ from now on."

"What?"

Acasja spoke rapidly, wanting to get it all out before Angela could respond.  "We have to show the Society President, and all the others, that you're a normal girl!  A normal girl with your own free will.  If you say you don't want to be the consort, then there won't be any more of this duelling nonsense.  And this isn't an order.  It's a request, Angela, from a friend."

"Then alright, Lady Acasja," Angela responded evenly.

"Like I said!" Acasja said, pumping her fist excitedly.  You've got it wrong.  

The next day, after morning classes were over, she took Angela with her to find Wanda in the Fourth Class Dorm.  She tried to explain the situation to her former roommate.  "...so you see, we need your help.  Angela seems a bit weird because she doesn't have any normal girlfriends who could be a role model for her.  And God knows I'm not much of a role model, so..."

Wanda looked at Angela and then Acasja, her mouth tight.  "You're saying I should be her friend."

"Yeah.  I want you to be a good influence on Angela.  C'mon Angela, ask her yourself."

Angela knelt before the girl.  "Thank you for all of this, Wanda."

Still not sounding pleased, Wanda said, "Yeah sure, I'll give it a try for a while since it's what Acasja wants."  She turned to Acasja.  "So that’s settled.  Let’s have lunch.  I made yours, too, Acasja.  Made it with love."  She gave her a small basket. "Here you go. Isn't it too cute?"  Acasja looked at the food in the basket.  It was arranged in the shape of a heart.  Oh no.

A heavy box thumped on the ground.  "Oh, I made one too," Angela said.  

"Oh my gosh! Can I start at the top?" Wanda asked, eyeing the large container.  She cautiously opened the lid to reveal a diverse selection of foods from fried octopus dumplings to ramen.  As she lifted out the last layer, she saw a strange sight.  "Is this food?  Eek!  It moved."

Geoffrey sat up and peeked out of the box.  "He's my friend," Angela said with a smile.  

Acasja laughed in delight as the three of them carried on.  Then her eyes were caught by something she saw out the window.  Tommy Applebaum walked in front of the dorm, accompanied by several female midshipmen.  She lowered her head and sighed, look at him prancing around with a gaggle of girls. Despite her disgust, she found herself forced to watch until he was out of sight.

She was brought back to reality by Wanda tugging on her sleeve.  "Acasja.  She's more than a bit weird.  She talks to the monkey.  She plays cards with the monkey.  She only communicates with animals.  I like you, Acasja, but I hate her.  She's so weird she might as well be an alien." Wanda marched to the door and held it open.

"Wanda!" Acasja protested uselessly.  She was forced to take Angela and Geoffrey and leave.

"I'm sorry," Angela said once they were outside, "after you arranged all of that with Wanda."

"No," Acasja replied and rubbed her temples to prevent the headache that was coming on.  "I'm sorry too, that Wanda said such awful things.  I must have made you feel even worse."  Angela and the marmoset were playing some game that only the two of them seemed to know the rules for. She doesn't seem to mind, Acasja thought, despairing, not at all.

Horrible nightmares filled Acasja's sleep that night.  The scene in the greenhouse with Tommy kept replaying itself.  "The consort has no soul.  Her heart belongs to no one.  She enjoys it."  Then he kissed her. Again and again until she couldn't stand it and threw back the covers and flung herself upright.  A dream?  Why did I have such a dream? She rubbed her eyes and, knowing she wouldn't get back to sleep, went to get a glass of water.  She heard the marmoset whiimpering and went to check on Angela.  Her bed was empty save for the marmoset shivering with cold on top of the coverlet.

She tried to stay up to wait for her, but sleep finally overtook her.  When she got up in the morning, Angela was already dressed and up.  "Good morning, Lady Acasja.  You're up early today.  Usually you're twenty minutes later than this."

Acasja rubbed at the back of her head thoughtfully.  "Where were you last night?  You didn’t come back until after dawn."

Angela kept her head down and didn't look at Acasja.  "No.  No -- I didn't go anywhere.“

"Geoffrey's crying woke me up, and I looked and you weren't there."

"It must have been a dream."  Angela looked up at her and smiled.  Acasja could only react in confusion.  She dropped the subject; Angela wasn't going to answer her.  The day passed as if nothing had happened.

"The consort's heart belongs to no one," she heard Tommy Applebaum say and jerked upright, suddenly awake in her bed in the middle of the night and covered in perspiration.  She hurriedly got out of bed and looked in Angela's room.  The girl was gone.  She ran to the window and saw her roommate, in uniform, running down the sidewalk.  Acasja grabbed a robe and threw it over her pyjamas as she ran in pursuit.  

She got a brief glimpse of Angela's excited face.  The girl was heading for the commandant's residence.  Despite the lateness of the hour, Angela walked up to the front door and opened it.  Acasja hurried after her and entered by the same door.  She was faced by a myriad of choices.  Doors, halls, and stairs made her pause in confusion.  The first one she tried was locked.

Then she heard the swish of fabric from up one set of stairs.  The sounds led her all the way to the top story. The door at the top of the stairs was open.  She entered and found herself in a planetarium.  Behind the telescope was an overstuffed chair and Angela's hand was lazily draped over one arm.  Acasja began to walk toward the chair.

Just as she realized it was someone else, the person in the chair noticed her presence and said, "Come here."  His hand reached out, grabbed her arm, and pulled her on top of him in the chair.  She landed in his lap with a thump.

"What are you doing?" she cried out, resisting the strong grip.

"What? Who?" he said and leaned over her so he could see her.  In the dark, Acasja could tell he was older and had dark hair.  

Angela entered from a doorway on the other side of the chair. "Lady Acasja, what are you doing with my brother?"  He released her and she stood up quickly and straightened her robe that had come untied.

He led the two girls down the stairs and into a study.  "Yes, I'm Angela’s brother, Iblis Acton.  And I’m the acting commandant.”  Behind him on the mantle was a picture of Iblis and Angela.  In it, he had a hand on her shoulder.  

"You're Angela's brother and the commandant?"  Under the brighter light of the study, Acasja couldn't quite believe it.  She had expected an admiral to be commandant.  "But you seem like you're so young."

He laughed.  "I'm not the true commandant.  I act on his behalf."

Acasja was having trouble believing it.  "But why is your last name different from Angela’s?"

It was Angela who answered.  "He has a new family.  My brother is going to marry Commandant Acton’s granddaughter soon and is taking their last name out of respect."

Angela went to his side and together they seemed to press in on Acasja.  "I’ve heard all about you,” he said. “Angela says you're her best and only friend and that you always protect her from the bigger boys and girls at the academy who bully her."  Acasja looked at Angela in surprise. Best friend? I never knew Angela thought of me that way.

He put his hand on Angela's head.  "You should make more friends like Acasja, okay?  Do it for me, please." His hand moved down to caress his sister's cheek.  

"I will, thank you."  She looked happy at his touch, but he withdrew and sat down in one of the chairs.  She followed and reached out in turn to touch his cheek.  Angela's very lucky that she has him.

 "You should go home now, with Acasja.”

"Okay."  They both stood and together lead Acasja back to the front door.

"Acasja, you should come back and visit again, just to tell me how Angela's doing."

"I'd like that," she readily agreed.

He picked up a small box.  "How is Geoffrey?  Take some cake for him.” He touched her hand again as he gave her the box and Acasja was struck by the aroma of rose attar from him.  Her eyes widened for just a moment.  He's kind and graceful.  What a wonderful brother.  He followed them to the street, waving.  Acasja looked back to return the gesture.  The moon framed his head like a halo.

"Lady Acasja," Angela said quietly.  "Thank you for not saying anything to my brother."

"About what?"

"You know.  About being the consort, the duels.  I don't want to bother him about that.  I don't want him to know."

"So now I know," Acasja said, relieved.  "You don't like being the consort, all this crazy stuff.  That's why you didn't want him to find out, right?"

Angela appeared to be momentarily confused.  "What?  Oh, I see, Lady Acasja.  That's right.”  Acasja smiled happily at her.  “Oh, here we are."  She hurried into Cochrane Hall and up the stairs to their room.  "Geoffrey, we're home and we brought presents."

As the marmoset gorged itself on the cake, Angela said, "From now on, Lady Acasja, I think I want to try harder to make new friends.  Maybe you could work with me on it."

Acasja beamed with joy.  "You bet!" Angela's really a normal girl.  People will soon understand.

The next afternoon, the two found the girls of Acasja's fan club.  "Hi," Acasja greeted them.  "Is it okay if Angela joins you guys?"

One of them moved to the side and offered the two girls a seat on the lawn beside her.  "If she's with you, sure."

"Nice to meet you all," Angela said as she sat.

One face, Acasja noted, wasn't happy to see her.  "Oh, Wanda," Acasja said crossly.  

She watched happily, stretched out o her side, as Angela joined the girls and the group of them fawned over Geoffrey.  "Look, Geoffrey has such cute, chubby cheeks."  "Here, eat this too."  Good, she seems to be doing fine.

"A-ca-sja!" Wanda yelled in her ear and then lowered her face heavily on Acasja's shoulder.

"Wanda, you're so heavy."  As usual.  She realized Wanda was crying.

"Acasja. Who do you like, Angela or me?"

She rolled over to look at her friend. "Wanda, what are you talking about?"

"Don't you see?" Wanda grabbed Acasja's arm and wrapped hers around it.  "You're always with Angie these days.  I don't like it.  I belong to you."

Acasja reached out and touched the girl's wet cheek.  "Wanda, you're my dearest friend.  C'mon, don't cry."

"Then what about Angela?"

"How to put it," she said thoughtfully. She could remember dancing with the marmoset as Angela looked on and then they traded places.  "The princess is kind of like family.  When I'm with her, and Geoffrey, I feel at peace, like I don't have to say or do anything."

"Humph," Wanda replied crossly.  "Isn't that the sort of thing that married people would say?"  She jerked away from Acasja and started sobbing heavily into her hands.

"Wanda!"

"That's even worse, Acasja.  That means Angela Oteri is your wife." Well, she is my consort, but I can't tell her that.

"If that's how you want it, fine!" Wanda looked up at her and started yelling at Acasja.  "I'll be the mistress.  And I'll just fight the legal wife over you!"  She grabbed Acasja and buried her face between her breasts.

"Wanda!"

Everyone else suddenly turned and looked at them.  "What are they up to?"

In the Kendo team storage room, Captain Thomas Applebaum knelt on the floor and lifted a katana from its stand.  "So," said a voice from behind him, "are you finally going to duel with Acasja Tilfe?"

"Kevin!"

"Can you beat her with that arm?  It was quite a vicious injury."

Tommy waved his hand dismissively.  "There isn't even a scar left.  You know the time is ripe.  Everything stands ready.  I will win against Acasja Tilfe.  I will get the consort and the power of Aion.  I will change the universe."  He strode confidently out of the hall.

"Poor Angie," Kevin muttered to himself, but did not follow.

Angela and Acasja walked together back to their suite.  "Did you have fun chatting and playing with all your new friends?" Acasja asked.  Angela stopped and looked thoughtful.  "Angela?"  The girl looked up and grinned and began racing towards Acasja.  Imitating Wanda, she leaped on her back.  "Uh, Angela?" Acasja groaned.

"I overheard what you were talking about.  Wanda is always doing this with you so I thought this is what best friends do."

Acasja put her hands under Angela's legs to hold her better.  You're too heavy.  "Well, you shouldn't do what she does.  Wanda's a bit weird, you know."

Angela pressed her face against the back of Acasja's head.  "I wanted to try it, even if it's weird."  She sighed behind Acasja.  "So this is what being friends feels like.  It's nice. I hope you'll always be my friend."

Angela never fear, I'll protect your happiness.  After a bit, Angela slid off of her back and they chatted gaily as they walked.  They were forced to stop and look up when someone blocked their path.  Acasja's happy expression immediately went black.  Tommy Applebaum, not a trace of friendship in his demeanour, stood in front of them.

"Tilfe Acasja," he said, using her name properly, "I challenge you to a duel.  Meet me at the stone field. See you."  He turned to walk away.

[Andromeda]

(ctd yet agaiin)

"Wait!" Acasja called after him.  "I won't accept the challenge.  I refuse."

He looked back at her and sneered.  "You must duel.  That is the law of the Starship Seal Society."

"Why do we have to duel, you and I?" she yelled at him.  "If you are who you say, if you are my captain, then I don't want to fight you.  Besides, I'm tired of how everyone treats Angela.  She doesn't like it either, being passed around from winner to winner with no regard for what she wants.  I won't send Angela or Geoffrey anywhere.  I'll protect them."  She thumped her chest forcefully.  “It’s the laws of the Starship Seal Society that are wrong!”

He walked slowly up to her, his own expression softening to one of concern.  He put his arms around her in a strong embrace.  "Stop it Acasja," he whispered.  "Stop playing Prince Charming."

"Tommy?" she breathed, confused.

"You don’t need to protect her like she’s a princess.  The one I really pity is you," he said gently, "you who needs Angela Oteri so desperately but doesn't know why."

"Pity?  Me?" She pushed him away and he released her.  "But I don't need the princess at all.  Why do you say that?"

He gripped her shoulders and looked intently down at her.  "I don't want to fight you either, but fate is fate, and your fate is to fight your Prince Charming.  You can't avoid the battle.  None of us can.  For the answers we seek; the answers to everything, can only be found when the last duel is finished."  He released her and walked away. 

Surrounded by emotional darkness, Acasja let him and said nothing.  My fate is to fight my prince, my captain? I... I...

"Lady Acasja, please, please fight for me."  Angela came up quietly and stood beside her.  This time it was her head that was level and Acasja who stared at the ground in silence.  "No one can defy the laws of the Starship Seal.   I'll be fine.  I will.  I know that you will win.  I... I trust you."

Acasja's life felt like it had been spiralling toward that moment.  She looked up and into Angela's beautiful green eyes.  There was love for her in them.  "Then I'll fight," she said with determination.

She stood on the field of blocks, the sword Infinite in hand.  Tommy faced her, armed with his katana.  He withdrew the blade from its sheath and they began.  The duels must happen.  She heard that again.  Thoughts related to the event begin to crowd into her head.  If I must fight, I fight to win, Tommy Applebaum, and if the answers we seek are at the end of the duels, then I have to win to find out why we have to fight like this.  I have to win; I have to defeat you even if you are my Prince Charming, my Captain, my Hero.

Suddenly rose petals filled the air and the sword tore itself from her hands.  I lost?  I... Angela!

"Are you hurt, Lord Thomas?" Angela was asking.  She was holding his left hand in hers.

"Angela!" Acasja called out in vain.

Tommy, Captain Applebaum, turned toward her.  There was an air of haughtiness he hadn't used with her before.  "Always waiting for your Prince Charming.  You lost to your own feelings, Acasja.  In the end, it was our captain, our prince, that was your week point.  I guessed I could exploit that so I took advantage of your heart.  I'm not your Prince Charming."

She looked at him in horror.  "Not my prince?  It was a lie?"

He smirked.  "You are now freed from the duels and the laws you hated so much.  I will obtain Princess Oteri and the power of the sword Infinite in your stead.  Go back to being a normal student like you wanted."  The words beat down on her until Acasja couldn't look at him anymore. 

"Are you ready?" he asked Angela.

She put her hand inside his arm so that he could escort her away. "Yes."

"Wait, please,” Acasja gathered up her nerve.  "Just leave Angela with me.  Don't you care?  Don't you feel sorry for the way she's treated?"

He seemed genuinely surprised.  "After all this you still don't know?  I'm surprised you've stayed so blind."

"Blind?  Blind to what?"

"Midshipman Oteri?" he said in answer to her question.

"Yes?"

"Let me ask, do you not like being the consort and betrothed to the winner?" he asked Angela.

"What?" she said softly.

“You’re happy belonging to the victor of the duels, happy being the consort, right?”

 Acasja cllasped her hands in fear.  "Angela, tell him the truth."

The girl looked at Acasja.  Her face was an empty smile.  "Yes, I'm happy that I can be the consort.  Yes I am.  I'm happy this way."

Acasja wanted to take her hand but couldn’t.  She raised her hand to her face.  "Angela."  Tears came flooding down her face. 

"Now do you finally understand?"  Tommy didn't stop pouring blows on her.  "Angela isn't a normal girl.  This is who the consort must be.  She just says whatever makes you happy when she's your betrothed.  Do you see?"

When she didn't answer, he took the red rose from his breast and put it in her hands.  "I like you.  Please know that."  He went back to Angela then and the pair began to leave the stone duelling field.  Tommy glanced back at her one final time, but Acasja couldn’t take her eyes off Angela as the girl walked away on his arm.

She sat in silence the next morning as Angela packed her belongings.  "Have a nice day Midshipman Tilfe.  It was a short while, but thanks for everything.”  She would have given anything to hear the words 'Lady Acasja' at that moment. Angela picked up her bag and lifted the marmoset onto her shoulder.  The creature looked back at Acasja and began to struggle and protest.  Angela gripped it more tightly and walked out the door.  It slammed shut.

Acasja began crying again.  I don't care about anything else anymore!  She slumped, unmoving, in her chair.

[Governor Ronjar]

Ah...such absolute oddness...

I continue to enjoy!

--thu guv!

[Andromeda]

G. Ronjar: glad you like it.   

Since I finished it, I'll go to posting Tuesday and Friday, so the next part will be out sometime today.
I have a couple of style questions for everyone.

1. Acasja's thoughts: Instead of writing 'My fate is to fight...', she thought; I've been writing My fate is to fight... has been the way I'm doing it.  It's different for me.  I don't think it interrupts as much.  What do you think?
2. The relationship between Angela and Iblis.  Is that okay or too blatant or anything?

[Commander La'ra]

1. Acasja's thoughts: Instead of writing 'My fate is to fight...', she thought; I've been writing My fate is to fight... has been the way I'm doing it.  It's different for me.  I don't think it interrupts as much.  What do you think?

Use that method myself and prefer reading it as well.  As you said, it doesn't break things up as much.

I also use italics to denote when someone is speaking but not actually present, such as over a radio.  Not sure where I picked that up, but I like it too.

[kadh2000]

1. I like it.  I should probably do it that way.  La'ra's additional idea is a good one too.  I might still put that part in quotes. 

2. Incest I take it.  Nope, not blatant.  Necessary and appropriate?  I don't know and won't know until we see later.

This part: ooh, Acasja the invincible lost.  Nice.  This really is following the classic story outline.  I take it that the BBEG is Iblis.  Did you take his name from Battlestar Gallactica or Arabia?

[Czar Mohab]

That caught me off guard. As in, I was in Lady A's shoes, pondering things, then *swiff-cut-flutter* where the heck did that come from? Seriously, I was half expecting more on the duel, as had happened in the past; however, this showed the reader that Acasja really was distracted. I kind of had a feeling Captain A-hole would win, but still didn't see it coming.

As to Angela/Iblis... If I read that entire part right, and if I've been keeping track of the story right, then... well, I'll let that part play out a little bit more to see for sure, but it looks like we'll be seeing a slight bit more of Ibby.

Personally, I like to do something, italics, 'quotes', or whatever, to signify a.) thoughts, b.) someone talking but not in the same room, and/or c.) something else that is important. I prefer italics in those situations, but in many of my older works, I did use 'quotes'. I find no difficulty in deciphering thoughts, off screen talk, ship names, et al that are not otherwise annotated. I do it for the reader, such that it is clearer for him/her. Guess I'm just trying to say, "do it how you want".

I also enjoyed your piece with the chili. If any of that could be included into the main story, it would have to be Geoffrey's intuition and intelligence. Perhaps something that most might take for granted, but you have portrayed well throughout (especially in the interlude, giving us a glimpse inside his furry noodle).

Czar "Excellent, as always," Mohab

[Governor Ronjar]

I prefer italics myself to the 'he thought' method. I have gotten into the habit of throwing in the 'he thought' thing, however, to cut down on the time it takes me to post my stories here, as I still am not about to chase through all my crap to change it over INTO italic. Which makes for some redundancy in my home-copy, which has both italics AND she/he thought after it.

I also like the use of italic for intercom/radio, but have gotten out of the habit of using it.  I must amend this.

The duel went quite the way I would have written it, but I cannot say it was the way I EXPECTED it. I never expect folk to think like me. It's probably better they don't. But you managed to fool me, and that's + Karma right there! Bravo.

Keep on keeping on!

--thu guv!!

[Andromeda]

CHAPTER 9:  REFINED

The gates of the academic buildings were open and small clusters of midshipmen walked toward them for morning classes.  Four male midshipmen were the first to notice.  "Huh?  Look."  "What a sec.  Is that… is that Acasja Tilfe?"

Five girls nearby turned to look.  One gasped in horror and the other raised her balled hands to her mouth.  "Ohmigod!  I can't believe my eyes.  Why is our Acasja dressed like that?"

Ignoring the buzz, her expression set and her school supplies slung over her shoulder, Acasja walked to class.  Her uniform was a silver mini-dress like the other female midshipmen were wearing.  Black boots crawled up her long bare legs.  She couldn't ignore Wanda; the girl stopped right in front of her.  "A-Acasja?  What's going on?  Why are you wearing your dress?"

Acasja stepped around her without stopping.  "That's what girls wear to class."

"But not you," Wanda whined and chased after her.  "Your normal outfit is the boys' uniform."

"It got ripped.  Is that okay with you?"  Acasja didn't look back, and Wanda ran after her, calling out her name.

Her change of attire made an impression on her instructors as well.  Gathered in the faculty lounge a week later, the main topic of conversation was the abrupt change in Midshipman Fourth Class Tilfe.  "It's a miracle.  Tilfe Acasja is finally a normal female student."  "Such a nice change.  Her grades are back up as well."  "The girls who had totally idolized her idiosyncrasies are shocked, of course." "The boys don't seem to mind a bit."

"She sat down!" "She turned around!"  "Such bold and perfect postures!"  "Acasja's a babe!"  "She's so hot!"

Tommy Applebaum sat, arms crossed in front of him as he relaxed.  Angela poured his tea and bowed.  "The entire school is in an uproar over Acasja's new look," Julie Tyler said, looking out the window.  She turned on him.  "You hit on her, so it's your fault. I hope you're proud of yourself Thomas Applebaum."

Mickey joined her in making accusations.  "All's fair in love and war, but such outright manipulation just to lower her defences.  You did all that just so you could win, Captain?  It must have been such a shock for her when she found out it was all lies."

He closed his eyes and sighed.  "In any true duel both winners and losers get hurt in the end."

A Midshipman First Class stood at the doorway to the officers' lounge for a moment before entering.  "You must feel so good about yourself Tommy, having won the consort.... at any price."

"Kevin," he hissed.

"Don't you care at all?" Mickey banged his fists on the table.  "That you hurt people's feelings, that you hurt Acasja?"  

"Mickey, calm down.  This is our regular Starship Seal Society tea.  It's not the place for this."  Tommy's eyes were cast down and he did not look at the others.

"I know," Mickey said, looking away and trying to relax.  "But I feel sorry, sorry for Acasja."

Julie stirred her tea so violently that it slopped over the edge of the saucer and onto the table.  "I agree.  You disgust me, Tommy."

He looked away from her.  "Princess, pour some tea for Midshipman Simon."

"Of course, Lord Thomas."

"First it's 'Lord Kevin', then 'Lady Acasja', and now... now it's 'Lord Thomas', eh Angela?" Kevin said bitterly.

Without appearing to notice, she said "Please have a seat, Midshipman Simon, so I can pour the tea."

"You have no shame do you?" he said and smacked her hard, sending the tea flying and knocking her back onto the table.

Tommy rested his face on the palm of his hand and his elbow on the table.  He sounded bored as he spoke, “Kevin, she's my betrothed.  Don't hit her."

"Then it’s over!" Kevin said.  "We're done as friends, Tommy."  He stalked back through the doorway and slammed the doors heavily behind him.  Angela sat amid the pile of teacups and saucers on the ground and watched him go with a sad moue on her face.  

Wanda sat beside Acasja on a bench in a long, columned, corridor.  A male Midshipman approached them.  "Say, you want to chat a little, Miss Tilfe?"

Wanda took charge and chased him off.  "Shoo!  Go away.  Acasja isn't feeling well right now."

In her zealous defence of Acasja, she left an opening for another midshipman to approach Acasja.  He dropped to one knee in front of her and handed her an envelope.  "Acasja, um, could you read my letter?  Please."  Too late, Wanda chased him away and he kicked his heels together happily as he danced off.  “Yea!  I did it.”

Acasja opened the envelope and took out its contents.  The crisp paper unfolded neatly.  "It's a love letter."

"Eek.  Acasja, throw it away!"

"Maybe it's not so bad Wanda.  Maybe I'll try going on a date with someone."  Her tone was as flat as Angela's.

"You'll what?" Wanda asked in surprise.

Acasja didn't sound excited as she replied, "That's what makes normal girls happy, right?"

"But not you," Wanda protested.  "Acasja, you've never wanted to be protected, a princess.  You wanted to be the prince."

Acasja took a sip of water.  "Yes, but I don't care anymore."  She sat the cup on the floor and laid her head flat on the low wall behind the bench.  "Just let me be," she
said tiredly.  "Don't waste your time, all right?  Not on me."

"Oh poor Acasja."  Wanda stared at her friend in complete helplessness.

I can't stand another moment, please... let me go.

"I had no idea," said a voice that startled her eyes into opening, "that you'd fall into such self-pity."  Kevin Simon's face was at her level, looking at her from an odd angle.  "That's not the Acasja Tilfe I know."

She pushed herself weakly up to a sitting position.  "Kevin?"

"Perhaps now you know just how I felt when you took Angie away from me."  His strangely intense face was only inches away from hers.  "I hope it hurts."

She lowered her head so that her hair fell over her eyes and she didn't have to look at him.  "Yeah... now I know... how it must’ve felt."

He tried to read her but she turned away.  His breath puffed out forcefully and she could see his boots turn away from her.  "The Starship Seal.  I fear it's ruining us all.  The Society has clearly fallen apart.  A complete shambles.  Tommy is just barely within the rules.... the last of us to try and grasp the prize."  

Acasja looked up at him and just barely did not burst into tears again.  Someone else stood behind him. "Captain Applebaum."

"Hi," he smiled at her and came over to the two of them.  "Acasja and Kevin.  So you're here with her too."  They both looked at him, questioningly.  "May I sit?" he asked her.  She slid over.  "No wonder the whole academy is talking about it.  Just like I thought, you look good in that uniform."  She did not look at him. "It was easy, you know?  Putting all that effort in to win.  It's not like I hated it, not in the least."  He reached out to cup her chin and lifted it up so that he could look at her.  "You and I.  What do you say? Let's go on a date this Sunday.  Just the two of us."

It was something that finally made her react.  Acasja was stunned.  A date? Might not be so bad... a date with Tommy Applebaum.  It was then that she heard the marmoset chattering.  She looked up to see Angela staring at her, Geoffrey perched on her shoulder.  "What about Geoffrey and Angela?"

"The princess?" he asked, almost in surprise.  "Don't you mind her.  Sure she's always with me, but she's merely a tool to obtain the power of Aion.  That's the key, you see.  Don't open your heart to the consort.  You're the one, the one who matters.  I'm more interested in you."  Behind him Angela bowed her head and Acasja could no longer see her face.

"Hey!  Cut it out!"  Wanda was shaking with rage.  "What do you think you're doing hanging all over her?  Don't you dare touch my Acasja!"  He snickered and she growled.  

"Well," he asked Acasja softly, ignoring Wanda, "Will you go out with me?"

"Why, why let him say those things, Acasja?" Wanda was practically screaming.

"Let's go for it," Tommy insisted.

"Stop it right now!"  Wanda picked up the forgotten glass of water and aimed its contents at Acasja.  Tommy reacted quickly, pulling Acasja down and the flying liquid splashed into  Angela's face.  

The marmoset jumped down onto the wall.  Angela was too stunned to move.  "Oops, Oh…" Wanda began, but then changed her mind.  "This is all your fault you know?  Always standing around spaced out, like a zombie."

Acasja couldn’t help but defend Angela.  She tossed her a square of cloth.  "Here, dry yourself off."  She stood up and faced Wanda angrily.  "Don't you mean ‘I'm sorry'?  Well, don't you?"

Wanda glared at her, shaking with rage.  Then she brought her hand across Acasja's face as hard as she could.  "Acasja, I hate you! The way you are now, it isn't you. Not at all!  I want you back!  I want you the way you were."

The way I was?  Acasja couldn't think anymore, couldn't hold her head up.  Wanda ran away from her.  Acasja felt drunk.  She began to walk, where she wasn't sure.  If anyone said anything to her she didn't hear or notice.  Stars seemed to be circling her head.  

She found herself on the stairs to her suite.  There was a package, wrapped in white paper with a large red bow, waiting on the doorstep.  The stars turned to roses.  She took the box into her suite and opened it.  It was a new uniform... the male uniform, except the shirt was gold.  But from whom?  And why?  Not the first time for such a gift.  Tommy once sent me a dress, but…  Then she saw the card with the Enterprise seal on it. Could this be from my captain? She flipped it over.  
        
          Don't ever forget your strength:  your noble heart.


She lifted it up to breathe in the aroma of sutena that was on it.  The Captain who called me here, he does exist!  He's close by, watching over me even now!  And he wants me to keep trying my best!

Hearing a sound, she turned and saw Wanda standing in the doorway.  "Acasja.  I… I wanted… um, about what happened… I wanted to apologize to you, to you and Angela.  Acasja?"  Acasja leaned over her, laid her hands on Wanda's shoulders, and kissed her.  “A-Acasja?”

"I'm sorry too, Wanda.  I want to get back somehow to the way I was."  She left the girl sitting, stunned, in the study and went back to the bedroom to change into her new uniform.  Wanda was still there when she came back in; sitting in exactly the same position Acasja that had left her.   When she saw what Acasja was wearing, her fists hugged her cheeks and she grinned ridiculously.  Acasja nodded and strode out into the hall.

Angela sat on her bed, squeezing and relaxing her hand around the piece of cloth Acasja had given her to dry her face off with.  Acasja, who still defended her when she had lost her.  Don’t you mean ‘I’m sorry.’  Here, dry yourself off.  Something wet touched her hand. Wha… What’s this? Angela realized she was crying for the first time in years.  A shadow fell across the floor.  She looked up and her heart leapt.  Acasja, looking right again, stood before her.  Geoffrey chattered happily.  "Is Captain Applebaum in?"

"Oh, yes he is," Angela replied and tried to hide her excitement.

"Well, well.  A new look," said Thomas Applebaum, standing in the doorway, arms akimbo.  "Where did you get it?"

It wasn't Tommy.  I knew it.  The uniform is from my Prince Charming. "Thomas Applebaum, I challenge you to a duel!”

His eyes widened.  "Midshipman Tilfe?"

"I want to win the duel," she explained.  "I need to get both Angela and my pride back.  I miss them so much.  It's like I'm empty inside.  I want to know what the consort really is and why we have to duel.  If all the answers are in that castle in the sky, then that's where I need to go.  For myself!"

He studied her carefully.  "Alright then, I accept.  But, if we're to have a rematch, then let's put something truly important at stake."

"Okay," Acasja agreed.  She had a condition ready.  "Then if I win, I want you to resign as President of the Society."

It surprised him, but he laughed it off.  "Fine, but if I win… I want you.  You'll do whatever I say from that moment onward."

She remembered him holding her, what he wanted her for: belong to him, be his woman.  She dispelled the image.  "Then it's a deal.  Let's do this for real. Once and for all."

"I'll win again, you know."

Angela was looking at her doubtfully.  "I won't lose," she answered him. For my own sake.

Under the high arched dome of the gym, Julie Tyler and Mickey Zoppi practiced their fencing techniques on one another.  "A rematch between Tommy and Acasja?" she asked him.

He removed his mask to answer her.  "Yeah, after classes today.  And get this. If he loses, he'll resign as President.  If she is defeated, she'll be his girlfriend and do what he says."

She barked at him, "That's sick!  You know that, right?"  He backed away from her angry glare.

"That Tommy," snorted Kevin, coming over to join them.  "He criticizes me for breaking the rules and then he comes up with this crazy challenge.  How dare he?"

"How could he?" Julie asked in bewilderment.

"Acasja." Mickey said simply.

The subject of their conversation went determinedly through her afternoon classes.  Her fan club rejoiced to see her.  “Cool”.  “Acasja!”  “I’m glad she’s back to normal.”  

Angela confronted her in the hall.  "Why?  Why do this Acasja?"  Her voice was full of concern and other, stronger, emotions.  "You didn't win against Lord Thomas before."

Acasja gave her an enigmatic smile.  "I know, but I'll just give it another try, you know?"  She walked away from Angela.  Geoffrey turned around on his mistress's shoulder to watch her go.  Angela watched her retreating back, a confused frown on her face.

Tommy Applebaum stood on a balcony overlooking the Cathedral.  He looked at the seal on his ring, a part of the emblem over the front facade of the building.  "Captain," a voice startled him out of his reverie and he looked up to see Acasja.  "I'll see you at the dueller's field."

"All right Midshipman."  He clenched his fist and glared icily at her departing back.  "I won't hold back this time either."  She stopped to listen.  "I'm sorry about that, but I don't think I'm ever going to lose.  Not to you.  I desire the power of Aion far more than you do."

"Why do you want it so much?  'The power to change the universe'.  I've never understood it.”

He looked down at the students below and motioned for her to join him.  "Oh that's easy, Midshipman.  Have you ever felt that you were an outsider? That this place we look down upon… it’s like another world far away from the real one?  Our true world exists someplace else.  We all want to get that world back so we can finally return to our deepest selves."

She stood beside him and looked down.  "Return to our deepest self?"

"This world we inhabit," he said by way of an answer, "it's like an egg, a small world enclosed in a hard shell.  The chick will die, unborn, if it doesn't break through that shell: die without ever knowing it's a bird.  If we don't break the world's 'shell', we'll die without being born, without knowing we can fly.  And I want to fly.  That is why I will change the universe: so I can be myself."

She leaned over, supported her head with her arm, and glanced sideways at him.  I still don't really get it, but for such a cool guy he's all worked up over it... just like a kid.  Aloud she said, "You're rather cute today, Captain, hope you don't mind."

He rubbed his hand over his lips.  "Well, that's not the only reason why I fight, of course."  He took her hand.  "I'm also fighting awful hard to make you mine."  He leaned ever closer to her.  "Don't forget..." closer, "that when I win this last duel..." she could feel his heart, "you will at last..."

She punched him in the jaw.  Give him an inch and he takes a mile!  "See you later at the dueller's field," she said and stalked off.

He grinned.  "Yes, when the bells signal it is time to begin, we shall fight!"

[Andromeda]

(ch 9 ctd.)

At the appointed time, Acasja stood on the stone field, a sword gripped in both hands.  It was a straight blade like the sword Infinite.  The others who had rings were all there; she knew Kevin, Mickey and Julie very well and wondered if she would eventually have to fight the others she did not know.  Tommy and Angela arrived last, together, and she put the distractions out of her mind.  "It's time.  Let's duel," she said.

Angela still gave her the white rose and him the red.  "Noble rose of the castle, the power of Aion that sleeps within me, answer to your master and show yourself now."  Again, somehow the sword appeared and Tommy took it in his right hand. 

He raised it skyward.  "The power to change the universe."  He cut the air with it casually.  "You know the sword Infinite is not just any sword, don't you?" he asked her.  "There are many special techniques at hand to the true master of both the sword and the consort." 

What is he…?

He lowered the tip until it pointed at Angela.  "Consort, hear and obey: give power to the sword Infinite."

"Yes lord," she replied and reached out for the blade and pulled it toward herself.  The others collectively gasped as it seemed to pierce her chest.

"There is no pain, right Angela?" Tommy said.  "Now take the sword out."

"Yes, Lord," she said through gritted teeth, and released the blade into his hand.  There was no sign of injury or stain on her or her dress.

He turned to face Acasja, holding the gleaming sword so they all could see it.  "See how it shines?  That light is the glory of Aion and the Consort.  A glowing fire beyond measure, to burn all in its path.  Now… do you really think you can still win against THIS sword Infinite, Midshipman?"  He brought the blade down from above and she parried. 

Twice more they clashed. Unable to see him clearly, Acasja moved to defend where the light was strongest.  It was so hot, so bright.  M-my sword... its melting.

"Hah!" he cried out triumphantly and her sword snapped near the hilt at his next stroke.  He reversed his angle and aimed at the rose on her breast.  Acasja covered it with her hand and let herself fall backwards.  He followed her down to the ground, lying on top of her.  "Such a fine move!  Even though your sword is broken, you still protect your rose.  I admire that, but you can let go now.  You don't stand a chance against such power.  Come on, loosen your hand and give me that rose.  You know as well as I do: I've won." 

She stared up at him.  Their bodies were locked in a tight, violent embrace.   His right hand with the sword in it was beside her and Acasja could feel the heat of it.  Her left hand covered the white rose over the Enterprise emblem on her new gold shirt while her right, with what remained of her own sword, pushed against the weight of him on top of her.  "N-NO!  I'll fight until the very end.  I won’t give up.  I told you I wouldn’t go easy, not even for you."

He pushed himself slightly up and lifted the sword Infinite off the ground.  She caught it with the guard of her own weapon and was forced to use both hands to fend the force of it off.  "Yield now and you won't get burned," he shouted at her.

“Ah, unh,” she strained to keep him away from her.

Angela chewed on a knuckle.  “What is she thinking?  Is she crazy?  She can’t hope to win now, so why?”

"Listen to me, Tilfe.  Don't make me hurt you this way."   The remnant of Acasja's blade began to hiss and drip.  The hot metal burned her chest. 

Acasja answered through gritted teeth.  "H-Hurt me?  Why should that matter?  My pride and protecting Angela, that's what's important to me.  Far more important than getting hurt.  Far more."

Angela’s eyes flew open wide and she dropped her hands to her sides. "The light.  It's gone out?"  Tommy sat up and looked at the blade that was now no more than a hunk of metal in his hand.  "But how?"

Acasja was released from the pressure.  Her small piece of a sword shone with light.  She used one hand to push herself off the ground and the other to sever the rose from his shirt.  He rolled away from her and the sword Infinite slipped from his grasp.  “How could this be? She won.”

I won? As the rose petals fell around her, Acasja let go of the shard of her own weapon and the sword Infinite settled into her hand.  Tommy sat a few feet away looking at the stones beneath him.  Acasja only had eyes for Angela, who ran up and knelt in front of her.  "Does this mean I really won?"

Angela's eyes were shining.  "Yes.  Yes it does."

"Angela," was all she could say.

A thunderous rumble above made her look up.  "What’s going on?" someone asked.  "Do you feel that?" She thought the voice was Mickey's.  "The castle - is it moving?"

"It's descending!"  Acasja shouted excitedly.  "It's coming down - closer and closer."  A human figure seemed to float down from it.  But who? A trick of the light?  As it came closer, it took a more distinct appearance.  Or is it my Captain.  The one I met long ago. So you were real, you were real all along.  Please let it be true.  Please tell me, tell me that I was right to come here.

"It’s Aion!  He came down from above." Tommy whispered in awe from behind her and got to his feet.

"You mean he is Aion?" Acasja asked.  Here eyes looked upward, passed the green uniform shirt he wore and settled on his face, his eyes. The eyes of her captain.  "You always protected me and now I know your name.  You are Aion and this is your sword."  She switched the blade in her hands so that the hilts were outward.  He smiled down at her, took the sword between his hands and began to float back upwards.  She felt pulled to her feet.  "And that’s where he lives, up in that castle in the sky.  One day I will go there, one day I will see him again."

Angela came to stand beside her, slipped her hand inside Acasja's.  Tommy walked around her until he was facing Acasja.  He dropped to his knees before her.  "Sir?  What are you doing?"

"Acasja, I will resign my position as Society President.  I am bound by my oath."

The others crowded around them.  "Tommy?"  "You mean it?"  "But if you... what's going to happen to the Starship Seal Society?"

"Um, you know we could just forget about that promise," Acasja said in a tiny voice.

"No!” he said emphatically.  “From now on I have decided to follow Acasja.  That is the surest way to reach the power of Aion.  Grant my humble request and make me your servant."

Make you my...?   Her mind filled with haze.  She couldn't think.  "Angela, take me home."

"Yes, Lady Acasja."

___

Chapters 8 & 9 were originally one chapter.  It was too long, so I split them up.  Some truth finally comes out in this one.  If I was to split the story in half, this is the end of the fist part.  Time to start revealing things instead of just adding complications.  Originally there were two more duels before I got to this point.  I took them out as they didn't really develop the characters or further the story.  I'll post them at some point or maybe include them as 'bonus material' or perhaps the 'extended version' in the pdf.

C. Mohab: the marmoset thing was fun to do. 
G. Ronjar: I had originally included lines from the combat in between her thoughts.  This makes it  more of a surprise and more of a distraction.
Everyone: thank you for reading and reviewing.

[Commander La'ra]

Looks like I got a decent sized chunk to catch up on.  Damned Christmas shopping...

[kadh2000]

Okay, the dialog is tight.  You could probably write a paragraph of dialog without names attached and I could guess who said it.  Acasja seems to be the only one who regularly uses contractions, Kevin says Angie, Wanda is loud, etc...

I've only made this remark to one other story posted on the forums, and that was Scott Bennie's Final Twilight.  This is publishable.  Take out the ST references and you could put it out.  Not saying that there isn't some editing to do, but man, it's good.

[Hstaphath_XC]

I've only made this remark to one other story posted on the forums, and that was Scott Bennie's Final Twilight.  This is publishable.  Take out the ST references and you could put it out.  Not saying that there isn't some editing to do, but man, it's good.

Ouch!  Even though this dashes my hopes of getting my own parody works published (now that the ugly truth has been revealed that I have never actually received the Kadh stamp of publishable approval), I am in complete agreement with him in regards to your work... this is really damn good!  I would also point out that this isn't the sort of story I normally go for, so that should say something in itself.

[KOTH-KieranXC, Ret.]

I've only made this remark to one other story posted on the forums, and that was Scott Bennie's Final Twilight.

Speaking of which, Kadh, do you(or anyone else for that matter) have a copy of that story to send me? He had sent me one after he finished the story, but it got lost a couple of hard drive reformats ago...

[Hstaphath_XC]

Speaking of which, Kadh, do you(or anyone else for that matter) have a copy of that story to send me? He had sent me one after he finished the story, but it got lost a couple of hard drive reformats ago...

Hey K-Fo, I still have the nice pdf version Scott sent me back in 2003.  I put it up on the XC Bard's corner for you (and anyone else reading this that would like it) at:
http://www.xenocorp.net/H_bardCorner/pdf/FinalTwilight.pdf

Cheers, Hsta

P.S.  No comment from you yet about your role in Scene 9 of MP:Hobbit?!   

[Andromeda]

I haven't been on for a while.  I try not to look too soon after I post something.  I'm afraid there won't be any comments, or the comments will all be negative, or I've given away too much too soon, and so on. 

C. Mohab, I hope you're enjoying figuring out the names and relationships.  Kadh, same to you as with the Czar. Thanks for the very high compliment.  I have no desire to have anything published though.   The pdf is as close as I want to get.

Here's chapter 10 in which the villain leaves no doubt as to his identity. 

Chapter 10: Last Judgment

Inside the ivy covered walls of Cochrane Hall, Tilfe Acasja enjoyed the first completely relaxed sleep she could remember having.  Until Angela woke her up with a cheerful and loud hello.  "Oh there you are.  Good morning to you, Lady Acasja.  So, um, about our new hallmate..."

"Huh?"  Acasja was only slowly becoming awake and her mind was befogged.  Yes, that's right, President Applebaum.  He’s here too.

Fortunately it wasn't until she was dressed and ready to leave the suite that Acasja saw him.  He was standing in the doorway to his own room, clad only in a towel.  Another was in his hands as he dried his hair with it.  Acasja started at how loosely the towel around his waist was and worked her way up to his bare chest.  "You don't have to stare like that," he chided.  "Now that we're living together, you can see my body any time you want."  He approached until he was standing right in front of her.  "After all I am your servant.  I am here for you Lady Acasja… To be by your side... to do as you wish."

"Who said I WANTED you as my servant?"

He patted her on the shoulder.  "You need to eat some breakfast, Lady Acasja, or you will be cranky like this all day."  She brushed past him and stamped her way down the stairs.

There being only three of them in Cochrane Hall, they all ate in Acasja's suite.  "Tommy?" Acasja asked over dinner that evening.  "If you're really going to be my servant, if you're serious, then tell me what you know about these silly rules, this starship seal."

"Heh," he said with a silly grin on his face.  "Of course.  As you wish."

It was a comic cavalcade that left Cochrane Hall that evening.  Acasja stalked briskly across campus, avoiding looking at either Angela or Tommy.  She, as usual, followed in silence.  He, however, looked back at the students who stopped to watch and favoured them with his typical impish grin.  "Say, isn't that?"  "See how he follows her around now?"  "What makes Captain Applebaum do that?  Is he smitten or what?"  "And there's that Angela as usual."  "Odd girl!  And that pet of hers!"  "What's with the parade, huh?"  "Ooh, who else, Mickey and Julie!"  "It's a whole group of them.  Even Kevin Simon is here."  "Where are they going?"

The troupe entered the officers' dorm and the impromptu parade came to an end, much to the disappointment of the audience.  Once inside, Tommy took the lead and guided them to the conference room.  He waited for them all to be seated and addressed them.  "The duelling game we've been playing according to the laws of the Starship Seal ends here and now."

There came a collective gasp from those assembled.  "Did I hear you say..." Kevin began.

"Yes," Tommy interrupted.  "That's why I've gathered you here today.  To make sure that we're all agreed.  Princess, could you step outside for a bit?"  Angela looked at Acasja, who nodded, and she reluctantly left the room, slamming the door behind her in protest.

"Did you get a letter from Last Judgment?" Acasja asked.  "Was there something that said 'That's it... duelling's over... see you later'?"

No, but I know the truth.  Your victory in the last duel was decisive, Midshipman Tilfe.  You won.  Now it's over."

"But how can we..." someone else began; one of those Acasja had never fought.

"The will of Last Judgment, that is how all of it began," Tommy explained.  "Last Judgment gave each of us the ring, the Starship Seal, wanted the society members to duel.  The reason?  Something so simple.  Last Judgment wishes to gain the power of Aion."

He walked to stand before Acasja.  "Aion, the man who lives in the castle in the sky.” My Captain, Acasja sighed. “Aion is the one who came down to you at the last duel.  I don't know if he really exists, or if he's just a mirage, an illusion.  In any case, Aion has it: the power to stop the stars.  And if you can change the course of celestial bodies, well that is the power to change the universe.  And that's why we've continued to duel - to obtain the power, with the consort as the prize!  Because it is only when we duel that the sword appears.  We don't know why Angela Oteri should hold such an awesome ability, but that the sword draws forth the power of Aion from the castle in the sky.  The one who wins the duels, the one who can use the sword Infinite at will, shall be called the final victor.  And that is the one who gains the power of Aion."

"And you think it's Acasja Tilfe?" asked the same person who had spoken before.  "Several of us haven't fought her.  How can you say that for sure?"

"At the last duel, the castle in the sky began to move and the image of Aion came down.  That was the first time he was ever seen so clearly.  Who besides Midshipman Tilfe has moved him even half as much?"  There was silence behind her so that Acasja could almost hear the wind that faintly stirred her hair.

"And so the duels are over," Tommy declared. "Soon Last Judgment will finally act to realize his ambition: to change the universe."  There were no disputes from anyone else.  Even the person who had spoken before seemed swayed by his final argument.  In twos and threes they left until only Acasja and Tommy remained.

His explanation did not clear Acasja's confusion.  So I'm the final victor?   That only made it worse.  There was, had to be, something to come.  It made less sense than before.  She stood up and started to leave so she could find Angela.  Tommy laid his hand on her shoulder.  "Midshipman Tilfe?"  She looked at him quizzically.  "I plan to betray Last Judgment.  I'm telling this only to you."

"What?" 

"I'm sure that Last Judgment will try to possess you right away, so he can begin his plans in earnest.  But I beg you, please don't give in to him.  Let me stay with you, protect you.  We can go to the castle in the sky; we can get the power of Aion together."  His voice dropped to a whisper.  "One more thing, don't trust the consort.  Your princess is in secret communication with Last Judgment."  He turned from her suddenly and walked quickly away.

Don't trust Angela?  She heard a noise at her feet.  Geoffrey was sitting there, a banana in his clawed hands.  He held it up to her.  Acasja knelt down to take it and patted him on the head.  "Such a nice boy.  This is your little way of asking me to forgive Angela, isn't it?"

A shadow fell over the two of them.  It was Angela.  "I heard what he said - every word!  Tommy Applebaum is wrong."

"Oh Angela," Acasja said, embarrassed.

"You mustn't betray Last Judgment.  Anything but that!"  She had been looking directly at Acasja but now she lowered her head.

“So you...” Acasja, said hesitantly, “you obey the will of Last Judgment, not the one you're betrothed to.  Was it like that from the moment we met?"  It was so hard to ask.

Angela's head drooped even further.  She took in a slow breath.  "Yes."

"And yet you say Tommy Applebaum is wrong?" Acasja shouted in disbelief.

"Please listen, Lady Acasja," Angela said, looking back up at Acasja's face, "and try to understand.  Last Judgment sees through everything.  What Last Judgment cannot have, he will destroy.  Your safety - the safety of those important to you – is hanging in the balance.  You're the one he wants.  And if you fight him on that, or Thomas Applebaum stands in his way, one or both of you will pay the price."

"Why warn me like this?" Acasja asked her.  "Won't you get caught in the middle, Angela?"  She caught the look in Angela's eye.  "I... well... thank you.

"I still have to fight.  Last Judgment must be stopped - but for your sake too.  I know you can't be happy the way you are now.  My Princess, it has to end.  I won't run away." 

Geoffrey grabbed her leg in a brief hug and let go.  Angela watched her as Acasja's walked out of the room alone.  So sweet, she thought, so brave.  She has no idea what she faces.

Acasja wasn't sure where she was going, but she was going there very quickly.  Until I finally go to see Aion in the castle in the sky, I'll stay noble like he told me.  Yelling and people running shook her into the world around her.  "What?  A fire?"

There was smoke coming from South Hall, Wanda's dorm.  Acasja ran toward it as fast as she could.  How could there be a fire in this day and age?  Fourth Class Midshipmen were gathering in front of the dorm.  "Are you all here?"  "Is everyone alright?  Find your roommates!" "Here!"  "Hey, we're here!"  "I was so afraid."  "I thought I was going to die." “Here.”  “Hey, we’re here.” “Cough, cough.”  Acasja quickly joined the milling group.  "B-but where's Wanda Beck?" 

"Wanda? Doesn't she live in a single?" a male student asked. 

"Have you seen her?  Is she… is she still in her room?"

"Up there!"  "My God!" someone called out. 

"Wanda's window!" Acasja shouted.  "She's still inside!"  She raced toward the doors. 

"Huh?  Hey wait, you can't just... Acasja!"

Wanda lay on the ground near her door, coughing into the hand she held over her mouth.  "Someone, please..." she said weakly.  A heavy fist pounded on the door.

"Wanda!"

"Acasja, is that you?"

"Yes, quick.  Open the door."

"I can't.  It won't open.  And the windows are jammed too."

Acasja twisted the knob and it turned freely in her hand but the door did not open.  "It's not locked from the outside."

"Why am I," Wanda sobbed, "the only one who's locked in?"

Angela's words came back to Acasja.  ‘What Last Judgment can not have, he will destroy.  Your safety - the safety of those important to you - is hanging in the balance.’   It couldn't be.  Could it?  A nearby door collapsed and fell and she felt a rush of heat.

"Acasja, help me!"

She gave the knob a last useless twist.  "Hold on.  I'll find something to break down the door."  She ran into the next room, found a metal chair with a sharp end on its legs. Last Judgment, could he have done something like this? The room was in flames and when she turned back to the door, it was blocked by the fire.  "I'm closed in!" 

Something above, wreathed in flames, came crashing down, and she rolled to the floor.  ‘You're the one he wants,’ Angela had said.  ‘And if you fight him on that…’  This is too much.  "Wanda!  I'm here" she called, hoping the girl could hear her in the next room.  Smoke got in her lungs and she coughed.  More and more it surrounded her.  No way out!  She couldn't breath, couldn't move.  The fire was almost upon her but she couldn't feel it.  I'm sorry Wanda.  Oh Angela, I was too weak.  I guess I wasn't meant to be your Prince Charming.

The window burst inward.  A man holding an axe leaped into the room.  "Are you okay?"  He dropped the axe, ran to her and picked her up.  He covered her face with a respirator.  "Hold this up to your mouth.  Cover your face.  That was awfully reckless of you - heading into a fire unprepared."  She was able to breathe enough that she could look up at him as he held her.  Angela's brother.  Iblis Acton.  "But it'll be okay.  Hold onto me tight.  The stairs are already on fire so the window's the only way to escape."

Acasja regained her senses thanks to the respirator.  "Escape? No, wait.  Wanda's still..."

"Don't fret about her Acasja; you just leave everything to me."  They were at the window now.  "Now close your eyes and hang on."  It felt to Acasja like he leaped from the window.  With her face next to him, despite the smell of smoke and the respirator, she could catch the faint scent of rose attar.  He hit the ground with her in his arms and rolled. 

Acasja opened her eyes and looked up.  The respirator mask had fallen off.   She was facing the burning building.  A ladder was against the window of Wanda's room and a fire rescue worker was carrying the girl down to the ground.  "I told you to leave it to me," he said.  Looking at him now, Acasja realized how closely they were in contact.  Her heart beat loudly in her chest.  His face!  Up close he looks almost like Aion. 

"Is there something wrong?" he asked, noting her stare.  He sat up and she crawled out from under him.

"Um, do you have a sibling besides Angela?  Like a brother or a cousin who looks like you?"

"Can't say I have."

"Have you ever heard of Aion?" she persisted in asking, still struck by the strange resemblance.

"No.  Is he...?” he trailed off and Acasja could feel the heat suddenly rising. 

She surprised herself by giggling.  "Not like that," she said quickly.  "Just someone I admire.  You look a bit alike, but you're much older."  If he's a totally different person, then why was my heart pounding so hard?

Acasja didn't see him again in the aftermath of the fire.  Nor did she see Wanda, who had suffered a lot worse than she had.  She hoped someone would find an explanation for how Wanda's door had stayed locked and the fire suppression systems had failed.  Her own dark fears were too horrible to imagine.  Somehow she knew they were true.

Iblis Acton sat in the dark observatory.  "You see?  I will get you... you shall be mine, Acasja Tilfe."  He looked at his hand.  The treatment was working fine.  By morning it would be back to normal.

His nurse reached up and pulled the wounded hand toward her.  "Iblis, you have to take great care.  Don't do anything that puts you in danger.  See how you hurt yourself setting that fire?"

She was sitting on his lap.  He wrapped his fingers around hers and then released them.  His hand caressed her hair and then down her back.  "You know it can't be helped.  After all, Angela, this is the will of Last Judgment.  All must be bent to that will for all must bend to me!"

[Andromeda]

I also enjoyed your piece with the chili. If any of that could be included into the main story, it would have to be Geoffrey's intuition and intelligence. Perhaps something that most might take for granted, but you have portrayed well throughout (especially in the interlude, giving us a glimpse inside his furry noodle).

I will be posting my Tuesday bits in a few hours.  This one's for you, Czar.  More of Geoffrey.  Written when I was trying to decide on the ending and couldn't decide between a) super surreal, b) it was just a dream, and c) something in between.  In both a) and c) it really happens, so I went with one of them.  I did write all three endings, and they all work.

[Andromeda]

calyX-FILES II: THREE WISHES

It had been left, dead eyes staring, standing in Cochrane Hall's downstairs foyer one day.  And my mistress Angela said...

"Oh look, isn't that the cutest thing?"

You mean me?

She walked right by me to pick it up.  "Aw, what a cute little doll."

You call this cute... "It's a tad grubby, but it'll clean right up."  ...but it looks freaky to me.  This is no fun.  I started up the stairs.  Finally, just as I reached the top I heard it.

"No... Please stop it." My mistress was in trouble.  "Please Kevin, this isn't right."  He was harassing my mistress again.  I started down the stairs.  If only I were a little bigger then I could protect my mistress.

Arms akimbo, Lady Acasja stood at the top of the staircase.  "Stop it.  Right now, Mr. Simon!"  She raced down the stairs and forced herself between them.  "I've told you if you want the princess, you have to win her through a duel."  Lady Acasja, you're so cool!

"Damn you girl, why do you always thwart me?"

"I'll accept a challenge any time!"  You rock hard, Lady Acasja.  She and my mistress went on outside.

"Geoffrey," daunted by her, he turned to me.  "Hmph, you runt.  Couldn't get down in time to save your life.  Bet I can show you a faster way down, monkey."  He came up and kicked me down the stairs.  "Listen up, monkey runt.  Starfleet Academy is no place for you to be running around chasing Angela.  Damn little pest."

I landed on something hard and cursed him.  It was the doll.  I looked at it now that I was close to it.  Strange.  I've seen this face before.  It looked like me.  Then I looked again. Is it a girl? It was wearing a skirt and had a necklace.  It looks sort of like mistress too.  With that thought, I kissed it.

Bling!  Its eyes opened.  I ran and hid behind the stair post.  "My name is Canterella. Your kiss has lifted my curse - ella.  In return it is my duty to grant three wishes to the one who broke the spell - ella."

What?

It, she pointed at me.  "Now for number one - ella."  I put a claw in my mouth and thought.  One? I thought some more and pointed at her.  One? I thought some more.

"Please! Just decide - ella."

Hmm!  Wish wish... What do I want? Hrmm.  "Come on.  Say it - ella.  NOW!"

I know.  How about bananas!

"Hmph!" she snorted.  There was a loud rumbling noises and it began to rain bananas until the floor was covered above my head with bananas. 

The whole collection of Starship Seal members came in.  Captain Applebaum was saying something about the power to change the universe.  I burped and they all looked at me and the bananas.  "Where did you find all these bananas?" Lady Acasja asked.  "You'll get a tummy ache."  I already had a tummy ache but wasn't about to stop.  I started to peel another one.  "I said no!"  Lady Acasja grabbed the banana.

My mistress found Canterella.  "Why Geoffrey, it's that cute little doll.  You must like it a bunch if you're taking it wherever you go."

Hateful Kevin Simon took it from her.  "What a filthy doll." He tossed it in a trash receptacle.  "You'll get dirt on Angela."

Letting Lady Acasja have the banana; there were more, I dove for the trash can.  Oh!  My precious honey! (my nickname for Canterella). 

"Geoffrey?" My mistress called out.

"Leave him," Hateful Kevin Simon said, putting a restraining hand on her shoulder.  "Face it, the trash is a fitting place for that runt."

I found her, looking somewhat horrified, lying on top of a magazine that said something about live teenage models.  Damn that Hateful Kevin Simon!  "Well, what is your second wish - ella?"

Geoffrey should be the same size as everyone else!  "Hmph!" she snorted again.  Yay!  Now I can clobber Hateful Kevin Simon!  I didn't get any bigger and had to crawl out of the garbage.  Why not, I wondered.  Then I reached ground.

"Geoffrey?"  Lady Acasja looked me in the eye.  My mistress was behind her, being held by Captain Applebaum.  Did Geoffrey get bigger after all?  But Hateful Kevin Simon isn't here!

My mistress came up behind Lady Acasja to look at me.  "How did Geoffrey get so large?"

Mickey came up behind her to look at me.  "That's not it, Angela.  We're the ones who got small - to the same size as Geoffrey!"

Geoffrey should be the same size as everyone else had been my wish.  I put my hands to my mouth in fear.  "It seems he knows why we got small," Captain Applebaum said. 

Lady Acasja asked him, "You mean Geoffrey?"

"Yes.  He's acting suspicious."

Julie started cracking her knuckles.  "I'll make him talk."

I'm sorry. Really.  I'll get Honey to make everyone back to normal with my third wish.  They didn't seem to understand me. 

The door opened.  Hateful Kevin Simon came in.  "Look at that," said Lady Acasja.  "How come Kevin's still the same size?"

"He'd left the room of course," Captain Applebaum said, shaking his head.  "Does it all the time."

"It's not fair!" Mickey said, echoing my own thought.  How could this be?

Hateful Kevin Simon looked around the room, confused.  "Where'd they all go?"

Everyone ran behind the garbage receptacle.  "We can't let him see us like this," Captain Applebaum whispered. 

I grabbed my mistress and told her what I had done.  She crept to the others.  "He asked Canterella, the doll, to grant him his wish: to be the same size as the rest of us.  We'd be back to normal if he could get the doll in the wastebasket and make another wish."

"What?"  Julie looked up and pointed. "In this trashcan?"

Above us, Hateful Kevin Simon sighed.  "Oh well.  I can toss that trash can with the ratty doll and the bananas in it while they're gone."  I grabbed the basket. "Monkey, get off.  Ugh."

Suddenly he looked down in surprise.  The others had grabbed onto the legs of his pants.  "Stop it Kevin!" shouted Captain Applebaum.  "You don't know what you're doing!  Cut it out!"

"What the...?  What happened to you all?" he asked in surprise.

"It's me, my lord," said my mistress standing apart from the others.

"Angie," he said, "and so tiny.  How completely adorable."  He lowered his hands and she stepped into his cupped palms.  He lifted her up to his face. 

"Please listen, Kevin." she said.  "Give the doll in the trash back to Geoffrey.  Without your kind assistance, we're helpless."

Hateful Kevin Simon did something nice for once. "All right, Angie."  He sat her down and then gave me the doll.  "Here you go runt."

"Good luck, Geoffrey," Lady Acasja wished me.

This time I wish that Geoffrey and everyone else are all going to get big together. I raised my arm in a gesture of triumph.

"HMPH!" she said. "Then it's done.  I'll grant your final wish - ella."  The doll fell back, lifeless, and we grew.  The others were feeling themselves and making sounds of relief while I stood triumphantly among them.

"I, I can't believe it," Mickey said. 

"Yes, it seems we're back to normal," agreed Captain Applebaum.

"He seems eerily big for a monkey," commented Julie, looking at me.

"He seems to be happy, though." Lady Acasja admitted.

"Yes," said my mistress.

Now I can clobber Hateful Kevin Simon!  At the same moment, Lady Acasja asked "Where's Kevin?"

My mistress stood at the doorway.  "There.  Look up!"

We all ran outside and looked.  Above the tallest buildings I could see his upper body and head.  "What on Earth is going on?" he boomed.

People were running away from him.  "Kevin got Gigantified!" exclaimed Lady Acasja.

He looked down at us and anger stirred his eyes.  "RUNT, IT'S YOUR FAULT ISN'T IT?  I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS!"  With ripping, smashing, and crashing he came after me.  The shadow of his gigantic foot appeared over me.  Must Run!

-Geoffrey

[Governor Ronjar]

I second the Kadh-man. This is good.  Your characterizations do not waver.

I have enjoyed this immensely!

--thu guv!

[CaptJosh]

For a time I was going to characterize this somewhat like the Anime show Blood, but Acasja just doesn't quite fit the role of Sayia, and there's nobody I'd really put in the role of Haji, either. I'm going to have to go with this being a Star Trek setting fairy tale too. It is, however, as compelling as Blood, which made me keep watching even without any clear idea what was going on at first. A great deal of WTF factor with the added thought of, "I gotta figure out what's going on." I'm still not quite sure, even though I know more now than when I started reading the story.

[Czar Mohab]

Well, another wonderful addition to this epic. Great job! Glad to see that my hunch was correct, and that there was still a surprise to it, too.

Don't know why, but thinking of the enlarged Geoffery made me remember this haunting image:


There is another one that kind of plays with the anime theme, but I can't post it here (contains a bad word, I know we're all adults, but its against the rules, ya know?) so I'll PM anyone interested the link.

When you do get this put on pdf, could you include the interludes?

Czar "Thanks for the great read" Mohab

[Andromeda]

I wanted to have this ready before Christmas, but didn't make it.  I'm just posting today.  I promise to catch up on my reading and commenting as soon as we get bak home.  

CHAPTER 11:  Possession

"Acasja Tilfe shall be mine!" Iblis Acton reiterated.  "This is the will of Last Judgment and my will must be obeyed."  He stroked his sister's chin.  "Angela, will you help me as you always have?  Will you do it for me?"

"Yes Iblis.  I'll do my best."  She took the hand in hers, brought it up to her lips, and kissed it.  "Just tell me what you need."

Acasja lay asleep in bed, enjoying a pleasant dream that featured sex and the figure of Aion that had come down from the castle for her.  Her two hallmates stood outside the door to her bedroom.  Tommy Applebaum raised his hand to rap on the door.  "Do I have to go in there and pry her out of bed?"  Angela interposed herself between him and the door.  He pleaded with her, “Let me do it.  I know just how to wake Lady Acasja up."  

"But it's my job to get that sleepyhead out of bed," she explained.  "Besides, don't you have morning assembly to prepare for, Brigade Captain Applebaum?  Leave the rest to me.  I'm her consort after all."

Even pleasant dreams eventually come to an end and Acasja stretched as she awakened.  She opened her eyes to see the clock beside her bed.  It was over an hour since she was supposed to wake up.  The alarm was turned off.  She bounced out of bed and hurried into her uniform, wondering why no one had awakened her when she hadn't gotten up.  After only a few minutes, she entered the common area of the suite.  No one was there.  Cursing that she was totally late now, Acasja quickly left the suite and bounded down the stairs.  

At the doorway, she jerked to a stop.  "There you are.  Good morning."  It was Iblis Acton.  He was leaning against the door of a red convertible Hovercar.  

"Mr. Acton," she greeted him politely.

"Angela asked me to come over and give you a ride," he said, "so here I am – at your service.  Hop in."  She could hear the bell ring, signalling the half-hour.  "You're going to be late.  Come on.  Hurry up."

Acasja hopped in to the open-topped vehicle as directed.  He walked around and slid over the door on the opposite side and started to drive.  The ride was smooth and Acasja stood up into the breeze to enjoy the wind in her face.  The engine roared loudly as the car flew across campus.  One of Acasja’s instructors was coming in just as late as she was.  Hearing the noise, he looked up.  "Midshipman Tilfe out for a joyride?"

The vehicle barely slowed as it passed him.  "Keep up the good work, all right?" Iblis called out to him.

"Of course," Acasja heard him reply and then they were beyond hearing him.

"Hey!  Weren't you going to take me to class?"

"Aw, let's go for a drive.  The instructors can’t complain - not as long as I'm with you.  I'm the acting commandant for Starfleet Academy now.  That means I am the rules."  Acasja looked at him in wonder and sat down.  He's a strange one.  What is it about him?

He didn't stop until they reached Golden Gate Park.  "Wow! Look at that!" she exclaimed.  The rising sun cast billions of bright shards into the foaming swell of the waters and her eyes were dazzled by their dance.   Acasja had forgotten, almost, what normal looked like.

"Nice view isn't it?" he said, his eyes following her gaze.  "Half an hour by car and you're in another world.  Starfleet Academy - it's like a beautiful prison, isn't it?  The students bound by insignificant rules, yet swathed in comfort: a cage fit for a king.  It's easy to forget the real world, the one that waits just beyond the prison gates."

"My gosh," Acasja said, surprised.  She looked at him now instead of the view.  "I didn't know a rebel heads our academy."

He laughed.  "Takes a rebel to spot a rebel, eh?"  He made a point of looking at her pants.  "You're the one who flouts the standards of dress; who chooses to be herself, not merely what others expect."  The seabirds were crying above them and he looked toward the sound.  "We're birds of a feather, you and I... both of us longing to take flight."

He walked along the rocks down to the waterside and she followed him.  "That's the same thing Tommy Applebaum was saying the other day."

"Ah, yes. Midshipman Captain Applebaum, you mean?  I hear he's gone to live in Cochrane Hall.  He seems to like you quite a bit.  In fact, he's become so enamoured with you that he would ignore academy rules.”  He sounded angry and his words were clipped.  “He has good taste; I'll say that for him."

He kept startling her.  He gave her a tight-lipped smile.  She walked past him over the last few, damp rocks.  "It's slick.  Don't slip," he warned.  "Here, I'll take your hand."

"The rocks aren't that slippery.  I'll be fine." Why am I blushing all of a sudden?  “Oh!” Her attention distracted from where she was setting her feet, Acasja slipped and fell sideways into the water of the bay.

"Watch out!" he called, and quickly grabbed her from behind and lifted her up and out of the water.  "Are you all right?"  He sat her on one of the drier rocks above him.

"It's okay.  I'm fine."

"You look soaked to me.  Let's take off those wet boots."  Without waiting for her permission he reached up to pull one off.

"You don't need to do that.  I'm fine, really I am."  He didn't reply but removed both boots, then her socks, pulling them off slowly and giving them a shake so that water sprayed down from them.  His hands moved up from her feet along her legs, pushing the damp pants up above her knees.  Then the retreated back down and rolled under her heels.  She sighed and closed her eyes, leaning back on the rock for support.  What the heck am I doing here?  He looked down at her face, but did not allow his own feelings to show in his expression.

The day passed until the sun began to sink below the skyline.  He picked up her long-dry boots and socks.  "Come on, let's head back."

Acasja lay in bed with Geoffrey asleep beside her.  She gently petted his fur as she related her experience.  "...so that was my day, Angela.  Your brother is an amazing person.  He makes me feel like I still have so far to go.  When I look at him I'm right back to being a little kid again.  I guess it's because he's so grown up."
Angela stared at her face.  "Are you in love with my brother, Lady Acasja?"

She sat up quickly and brushed the marmoset's fur in the wrong direction.  It squealed at her and jumped to the floor.  "Wh… Wha… What are you talking about?" she stammered.  "I just think I'd like to be that kind of person, that's all!  Besides, he has a fiancée.  It's not like he's up for grabs."

Geoffrey crawled up Angela's leg and into her hands.  "Yes, but she's not here.  She's been home ill and..."

"No, no!  That's not what I meant at all," Acasja interrupted loudly.  

"What did you mean?" Angela asked quietly.

Acasja realized she had never told Angela about what had happened when she was a child.  "I know who I love.  Since the day we met, my heart has been his.  My Prince Charming, Aion."  Angela relented and Acasja let herself slide back into the place she had been earlier.

Angela waited until she was asleep and then left to visit her brother in the observatory.  The telescope standing in shadow reminded her of a diapered baby with bows in her hair looking up, seeking the night sky.  "Ah my dear sweet Angela," Iblis greeted her.  She came to stand before him and he pulled her into the chair with him.  "Don't fret so.  That worried look of yours, it doesn't become you.  Nothing real can be threatened.  You are the one who's most dear to me, Angela."

"Oh Iblis."  She buried her head in his chest.  "I'll do anything you ask of me.  Let me prove to you how strong a love can be."

He stroked her hair, slowly loosening the ties that kept it up.  Her long tresses cascaded over his face and shoulders.  "Soon, Angela, soon your body will have to be put to good use to at last obtain the power Aion.  Acasja will have to do the same.  The final victor and the consort will consummate their engagement and move on to the next ritual."

"What if she doesn't want to?"

He laughed.  "It's all right."  A finger touched a control and part of the roof slid away to reveal the stars of Capricorn above.  "One more push and it's done.  Acasja will be mine, all mine!  She will do whatever I say without questioning my will.”  He clenched his fist and raised it toward the stars.  “The day is at hand!  With Acasja in my thrall, the power Aion will be within my grasp."

Saturday came and Acasja spent most of the day in study.  It wasn't until evening neared that she began to worry about Angela.  She wore a black wife beater with an image of the marmoset imprinted on it.  "Geoffrey, you don't know where Angela is, do you?" she asked the creature.  Patting it on the head, she added, "It's almost time for dinner."  It squeaked at her.  "I can't think of anyplace else Angela would be.  She must be with Iblis."  A tank top and shorts weren't appropriate for the Commandant's residence so she put on her uniform and went out.

"And where are you going?"  It was Tommy.  Somehow he always appeared when she was alone.

"Not very far."

"How far?"

"You don't have to follow me."

"But I'm your faithful servant, Midshipman Tilfe."

"Go on!  Leave me alone."

He grabbed her arm and turned her around.  "Don't forget, Midshipman, that you're in a position of great importance.  Let me guard you, protect you."

"L-let me go." He was right, but... "I don't like to be forced. Don't worry, I'll be right back." He relaxed his grip and released her. His head drooped sadly. "I'm glad you're such a gentleman, Captain."

"Well I, I'm not glad at all."

The door was unlocked when Acasja arrived and it opened easily to her touch.  "It's me, Midshipman Tilfe," she called out. "Have you seen Midshipman Oteri around here?"  There was no answer and she crept in.  

She made her way up to the observatory.  Iblis Acton was sitting alone on top of the housing of the telescope.  He looks so lonely.  He turned and smiled.  "That’s funny. I was just thinking about you.  Right now as a matter of fact."

"About me? Just now?" she asked, her heart suddenly pounding.  "I mean, uh, why?"

He reached a hand down.  "Come on up.  You'll see."  He pointed to the open skylight.  "That lone twinkle up there?  It's Venus.  Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight.  When it's the first to appear at dusk it's called the evening star, brightest in the heavens.  When it's the last to shine into dawn, they call it the morning star.  Brilliant Venus - sometimes first, sometimes last.”

“it is bright and pretty,” Acasja whispered.

“My name, Iblis, is taken from that star.  I was born at dawn with Venus there to greet me."

Acasja was barely aware they were touching.  "Wow, that's awfully romantic, named for a star."

"I guess." He shrugged.  "You know, the morning star is also called Lucifer."

"Lucifer?"

"The one who used to be an angel but chose the path of the devil, was cast down from the heavens."

She turned to look at him, but his eyes were on the sky.  Iblis, the devil, Lucifer?  An image of him came to her.  He sat perched on a star, one hand raised skyward and the other pointed down.  His chest was bare and two serpents twined about it, holding a tomato between their heads.  Beautiful white wings sprouted from his back, but the shadows of two ominous horns protruded from his head above his ears.  

She dispelled the image.  "Don't you like your name?" she said, accusingly.

"It's just a name, Acasja."

"Then why do you say it so sadly?  I think it's a really cool name."

He looked at her, smiled and put his fingers on his forehead and shook it.  He was laughing.  “I really do! I like it.  A lot.  Ha ha ha.  I guess that's why I love you."  He moved one of the fingers and glanced at her surprised expression.  She couldn't speak.  "The brightest and most beautiful of all stars.  It isn't just called Lucifer, remember.  They named it Venus after the goddess of love and beauty."

He faced her, put his arms on either side of her and leaned over her.  "The evening star, the star that rises first, leading all the pantheon of the night sky... that's why I thought of you.  You outshine them all.  The strongest, the most dazzling."  His words cast a spell and she could see herself in a loose gown, her hair crowned in stars and trailing out into an impossible distance behind her.  A corsage of roses was about her wrist and a golden boa draped from her arms down to the Earth below.

"M-me?  Like a goddess?"  Her gaze was drawn to his eyes, so close and intent on her.

"That's why I want you," he said and came even closer, "to be mine."

She scrabbled backwards.  It was happening too fast.  Suddenly there was nothing below her.  "W-wait... I'm falling... Iblis...Whoa!"  She reached up and caught him and wrapped her arms around his neck.  His arms had somehow caught her just above the waist.  Her legs and hips, precariously balanced on the supports were all that kept her from falling.

He laughed.  "Hold still or you'll lose your balance."

"Are you just trying to tease me?"  His nose touched hers.  "...trying to tease..."

"Shh.  Don't move. Stay still for me.  Yes.  Like that.  Stay very, very still.  My shining star.  My Venus."  He kissed her.

[Andromeda]

(chapter 11 ctd)

That night Acasja's dreams were even more erotic than the night before.  I kissed him kept passing through her mind. Something disturbed her sleep. She rolled over and opened her eyes. Is... is this a dream?  Who's there?  A dark woman appeared beside the bed, with a mane of wild black hair draped about her. It sparkled in the moonlight.  She's so pretty, like a doll.  Like Angela, she looks a little like...  Huh?  It's wet.  My cheek is wet. Are you crying?  Poor thing.  But don't worry.  I'll save you.   The spectre draped itself on Acasja’s stiff body and lay there gleaming and sobbing in her arms.

Acasja startled awake.  The sun was shining and Angela's bed was already empty and made.  I must have had one heck of a weird dream.  She got up and made her way to the bathroom where her tired face  with its bedraggled hair greeted her.  Angela popped in through the open door.  "Good morning to you, Lady Acasja," she said cheerfully.  "And how are we today?  Sleep well?"

Acasja mumbled out "M-morning" and shook her head so that her hair formed a wall between her and Angela.  Why am I blushing? she silently asked the face in the mirror.

She made it out to breakfast to join Tommy and Angela.  Angela watched her in silence while Tommy sat stiffly, his eyes straight ahead.  Acasja sighed and began to add sugar to her coffee.  That... that was no dream.  I was with Iblis and... and we... we kissed. "Um, that was six.  Lady Acasja, you use six cubes of sugar in your coffee?"

Acasja blushed and quickly picked the cup up.  "I-I like my morning coffee kind of sweet."

"Oh.  Is that so?" Angela asked, her tone saying she knew otherwise.  Tommy glared at her and cracked his knuckles loudly. 

My shining star... my Venus.  Acasja put her hand to her temple and rubbed.  She was walking to class, Tommy trailing along behind her and to the left.  I've been out of it ever since...   "Hey Acasja, nice day, huh?  What are you up to?"  Two of the girls in her fan club stopped to talk to her. What's wrong with me?  She walked on by them without noticing.

It didn't feel like this when Tommy or Mickey kissed me.  "Acasja!"

His greeting unanswered, Mickey Zoppi stopped Tommy.  "What's got her so spaced out today?  Not that I mind, it's kinda cute in a way."

"I know what you mean," he replied. “She's been awfully weird lately."  They watched her disappear down a path.

"I was told she played hooky," Julie Tyler came up unnoticed behind them, startling them both.  "Our little Acasja went out on a drive with Commandant Acton yesterday."

"She did what?" Tommy asked.

"Where there's smoke there's fire, heh." Julie said, laughing at his reaction. 

Tommy looked back at the empty space left by Acasja's departure.  On a drive with Iblis Acton?  Troubled, he hurried after her.

Acasja found her friends arguing loudly around the lunch table.  She leaned against a nearby wall and did not join them.  "So, we were talking about which of the four guys we would go out with."  "Yes, yes!  And?"  "Guys my age are obnoxious, not my type at all.  Young ones are nicer."  "Nah, for me I like them at least three years older.  Traditional and athletic, straight-laced but handsome,” Wanda said last.

"I… I wouldn't mind someone much older,” Acasja said quietly.  “I'd like someone who's grown up."  The others stopped speaking to look at her. 

"Acasja?"  "Aww, Acasja.  Please don't you start talking like any other girl."  "What's the matter?  Do you feel sick?"

The questions poured at her so she turned and walked away.  "Never mind."  I know it's not like me, but I... I've never felt this way before.  She found herself at a windowed wall and forced to cease walking or turn, stopped and looked out.  Iblis's hovercar! 

She ran out of the mess hall and down toward the parked vehicle.  "The commandant is in a meeting.  You can't see him."  The voice brought her to a sudden stop.  She turned to look to see who had said it.

"Tommy?  But, but how did you know?"  His brows furrowed and he latched forcefully onto her arm.  “Tommy?” Despite her struggles, he dragged her to the Starship Seal's meeting room.  "What are you…?  Why did you bring me here?"

"It's for your own good.  Miss Tilfe, tell me the truth.  Did Commandant Acton do something to you?"

She tried to look away, but her face blushed crimson before she could do it.  "Do something to me?"  Pulling away from him, she hid embarrassment behind anger.  "How can you ask me that?  My personal life is none of your business, Tommy."

He grabbed her again and forced her to look at him.  "Open your eyes Miss Tilfe.  You have to see.  Please just open your eyes."

She struggled, couldn't pull free this time.  "Let me go!  This isn't like you."

"No it's not.  And I don't care."

"You don't?"  She stopped fighting him and looked up at his face.  He was closer than she had expected.  There was nothing in his expression but concern.

"I'm fully aware that you'll hate me for this, but..." He pulled her to him and kissed her, hard.

She punched him in the stomach as soon as she recovered from the shock.  He released her with an oof.  "Tommy! What the hell?  Thomas Applebaum, what's this about?  You told me you'd always protect me and now this!"

He was still looking at her and nowhere else.  "Protect you.  Yes, that's what I'm trying to do.  To save you from harm, from shame, and to keep my solemn vow to guard you against Last Judgment: against Iblis Acton."

"What?"  She couldn't believe what she heard.

"Please just open your eyes.  Iblis Acton… he is Last Judgment."

Iblis is Last Judgment?  The letters she had received for years passed before her sight. Images of Angela standing, watching as she fought, sutena flowers, and Iblis's handsome face.  The duels, the letters, it was all his doing?  "No, that can't be true.  You're lying, right Tommy?"

"I wish it was a lie, but it's the truth.  I know what it's like.  I thought he was amazing at first... did what he told me... let him use me.  He acts as if he cares, but we're all just tools to an end."  Iblis's hand caressed her cheek, 'My Venus,' he called her.  He embraced her on the telescope, kissed her.  She kissed back.  "All of us, do you understand?" Tommy was still trying to convince her.  "No one is exempt, nothing is sacred."  Then that too? It wasn't because he loved me?

"Even poor Angela Oteri, who'd do anything for him, anything at all."  That shook her.  Angela...  "He'll use her up and spit her out just like he has the rest of us."  His own sister who loves him so much?   "Angela's an empty puppet... hearing only what Iblis wants her to hear."  My dream last night, was that really Angela and not a dream?

"She was like a tiny doll, but her tears... her tears were oh so real.  She’s not an empty puppet!  She was crying out - asking me for help!"  Acasja shouted at him, finally making him stop.  She was crying.  There was a tear on his cheek too. 

"I'll leave it to you to decide.  Are my words the truth or fantasy?  Will you follow Last Judgment or your heart?  It's in your hands Tilfe Acasja," he said and left her.
 
The window was in front of her and she could see trees, the world beneath her was a small thing that she stood over.  She looked blankly at it, without seeing, until movement caught her eye.  The red hovercar with Iblis and Angela in the two seats stopped in front of the building.  He looked up and their eyes met.

He was standing beside it and Angela was still seated when she ran out of the building.  "Acasja, I know that look.  You have something you would like to ask me, don't you?"  He offered her a seat.  "Hop in.  Come on, I'll tell you what you want to know."  She just stood and stared, unable to decide.

"Angela," he said, without taking his eyes off of Acasja, "be a good girl and switch places with Acasja for me."

"All right."

"Angela!"  Acasja ran to her side.  She put her hand on Angela’s wrist. "Don't go.  This is an order.  Stay with me."

"But how can I?"

Acasja took Angela's hands in hers.  "It's okay.  I'll protect you from him."

"Angela!" he raised his voice and she jerked.  The blank smile reappeared on her face and she opened the door and stepped out of the car. 

Acasja couldn't look away from Angela as Iblis held his hand out to her and led her into the seat beside him.  The door closed and the hovercar sped away, leaving Angela behind alone.  "Angela!" she wailed helplessly.

Suddenly she realized how fast the hovercar was moving and sat down.  "Where are we going?"

"That's your big question?"

"No! Tell me..." she said vehemently.  "Tell me the truth.  Are you 'Last Judgment'?"

He grinned maniacally. "Yes I am.  Now what else?"

Despite the answer, she wasn't prepared for it.  As if it was an ordinary conversation, she asked "Is Angela your real sister?"

"Yes."

"Then why?  Why make her become the consort?  That's awful!  And it was on your order wasn't it?"

His eyes were on the route ahead, his voice calm.  "Is it so awful?  Or is it the highest honour of all?  Only the chosen can do it... the rare... the few... Angela is happy to do it for me.  She's told me so time after time.  She'd tell you too - if you'd listen."

"More of your lies!" she accused him and he laughed at her.  "You're always lying, aren't you? Even to me.  You led me on with your honeyed words and you were laughing at me the whole time.  You, you're just evil, aren't you?"

"There are things only evil can do," he said calmly.

"So you admit you’re..."

He cut her off.  "I admit I need you Acasja, more than you'll ever know."

"Need me all you want, but I'm not falling for it," she denied him.  I'm no one's tool!"

"But I love you."  Time stopped.  "And I will make you mine.  I get what I want.  That's what it means to be Last Judgment." 

Plasteel doors appeared in front of the hovercar.  Acasja screamed and covered her eyes but the car sailed on toward them.  "We're going to hit the doors to the dueller’s field!” 

Somehow they didn't hit the doors and the hovercar flew onward.  She did not open her eyes until it came to a stop amidst the stones of the field.  "It's all fine," he said.  "Don't you fear.  After all, it's another world beyond the door."  The dazzling lights of the castle above surrounded them.

She touched her cheek, pinched herself.  "I thought I was going to die."

"You did?”

"I really did," she said wealky.  He kissed her, held her in his arms until her fears were gone.

"Look up," he commanded.  "The castle in the sky: does it take your breath away?"

"Yes," she said , her breath taken away.  He kissed her again.

"You want to go there, don't you?  Need to go there."

"Yes, I do.  That's where Aion waits for me."  He kissed her a third time.

"Then I will help you.  I will tell you how to get there.  You and Angela hold the keys.  A simple ritual and together you will open the door." 

"Okay." A last tear fell from her eye as she looked upward.

He pulled her into himself until she was surrounded in his comfort.  "Good girl... good girl..." he said soothingly.  New tears began to pour from her eyes and soak his shirt.  He held her, stroking her hair gently and repeating those same words until the tears were all gone.

After several quiet minutes, he said "You and Angela will open the castle in the sky." He put his hands around her waist and lifted her skyward in his arms.  She rested her hands on his shoulders and sat on the edge of the hovercar's hood.
 
"What do we do?"

"What a bride and a groom always do."  He reached beneath her, tugged, and her pants slid down off her legs.

"A bride and a groom?"

"The next step after an engagement is the marriage.  It's only natural.  It will be fine.  Don't you fear."  His eyes were closed as he lowered her onto him.

[Andromeda]

Kadh:  Husband #1 wasn't into SF so I never saw the first Battlestar Galactica.  So, I didn't get the name Iblis from there.  Iblis, Angela, Aion - the triangle at the center of the story are all named as they are for a reason. Iblis, an arabic demon; Angela, from angel + a; and Aion, from the Greek word for a long period of time/eternity.  It's also a root of the word angel. It all goes with your faerytale idea.  Myth is indeed more like it.  Some of it's kind of revealed in this chapter.  Acasja just came to me.  I was just going to name her Calyx at the start.  I may do that in a rewrite.

Josh: I've seen a few episodes of Blood+, but not enough to really understand it.  I had to google it to know what it was about.  There's certainly a lot of WTF in this story.  It's getting more clear and more mythical at the same time though.

Mohab: which hunch this time?  I do the Geoffrey bit for people who want this to be anime.  No, really I do it when I can't think of what to do next.  I'll pass on the other image.  His two stories will be on the pdf.

Ronjar: Thanks!  Iblis finally gets a speaking part more than just as a bit now.  He's very wordy!

Some story notes: 

I finally reached the much anticpated sex scene.

The mythical qualities of the story are coming to the fore now.  They'll stay there to the end, but then it will be grounded in the epilogue. 

I really wanted to write more about Iblis's hovercar but it didn't add any to the story, so most of it got cut.  Without adding the story text back in, here it is:  It's a Candy Apple Red 2052 Corvette StarBolt Convertible Hovercar.  Originally ran on petroleum.  The loud engine noises are artificially reproduced.  In 2061, newer cleaner fuels made the older models unusable without the conversion.  The ultimate Chick magnet and it worked its magic on Acasja.

I just noticed how much of the story is carried by conversation.

[Governor Ronjar]

Old cars can be chick magnets...but only for chicks who have brains.

Obviously, Lady A qualifies.

--guv!

[Andromeda]

  I've got a corvette.  It's a relatively new one, so it's not a classic.  I'd wanted one for a long time before I broke down and bought it.  I'll post the next chapter later today.

[Governor Ronjar]

'Vettes are great. I have had a '68 Olds with a 350 Rocket under the hood. She was beyong my cash-flow capacity to keep in reair. The parts are too hard to find.

Now I have an '80 El Camino. Named Sanchez. Not by any means a chick magnet, but definitely cool, especially with his custom mods.

'nuff about rigs, on to story!

--guv!!

[Andromeda]

Chapter 12:  Bride

Acasja stood in the rain outside of Cochrane Hall.  She looked up at the lighted windows of her suite but could not bring herself to go in.  Someone came toward her from out of the darkness.  It was Tommy, holding a small umbrella over his head. 

"I saw you from the window, so I came down to get you," he said, and offered to share the umbrella.  "Come in from the rain."

I can't look him in the eye.  Her cheeks were damp from more than rainwater.  "Miss Tilfe, what's wrong?"

"I, I can't do it.  I just can't fight Last Judgment anymore.  I, I'm sorry Tommy."  She bent so far down avoiding looking at him that she almost seemed to be bowing to him.

"What are you talking about?  Tell me!"

She closed her eyes.  "I still love him.  I'm in love with Iblis Acton."

"Miss Tilfe, you can't be serious.  You have to believe me - he's..."

"I know! He is Last Judgment.  He told me so.  He's bad.  He's rotten to the core, but I can't help it.  Slap me, Tommy.  Please... please slap me out of it."  She flung herself, sobbing, onto him.  “I’m such a fool.”   The heavy rain began to fall on her back again.  Something clicked against the hard ground.   "Y-your umbrella."

"Keep it."  He pushed her away from him and turned his back on her.  "I can't live as your servant anymore, or as your friend. If you choose to do what Iblis says, then you're on your own." 

She stumbled after him, hardly able to see.  She could barely manage the stairs of Cochrane Hall.  Leaving a trail of soggy footprints behind her, she fumbled her way into the suite and her bathroom.  She stripped herself of her uniform and turned on the steaming hot shower.  She crawled in and collapsed in a tearful heap on the floor.

Eventually she came out, feeling no cleaner.  She dried herself by rote and went and sat on the edge of her bed.  Angela was waiting in the doorway.  "Ah, Lady Acasja.  There you are.  Captain Applebaum has gone.  He packed his things and left without even a word."

Acasja didn't have the energy to move.  "I... I'm so ashamed of myself, Angela.  I'm head over heels in love with Iblis.  I can't help it.  I suppose Tommy got fed up."

Slow footsteps padded across the bedroom and Angela came and sat beside her.  She rested a sympathetic hand on Acasja's thigh.  "I guess deep inside, you're just like any other girl."  She lifted her hand away, suddenly cheery.  "You are a cute young thing after all.  Why fight it?  You'll be happier once you stop trying to become what you're not: a Prince."  She stood up, picked up her marmoset, and started to leave the bedroom.

Numbly, Acasja said, "Angela, your brother, he... he said we're to perform a 'consummation ceremony'."

The girl looked back at her, smiled through sealed lips.  "Then we will.  I just do whatever my brother tells me to do.  I'd give up my life if that's what he wanted."

Acasja didn’t even look up.  "You'd even go that far?  Don't you have your own will?"

"It's not about will, Lady Acasja," Angela explained.  "It's about all he's done for me through the ages.  You wouldn't understand and it's better that way.  I want only one thing: for you to be happy, that is my will."  Acasja looked at her hands.  There was a sound, the door clicking as it closed.  Angela was gone. 

Acasja dressed the next day as though it were any other.  The suite was empty when she left her room.  She went down the stairs and out into the campus.  The sun was shining on the buildings.  Everything seemed normal.  Angela awaited her at the bottom of the stairs leading to their first classroom.  She waved enthusiastically as Acasja approached.

"Well, today's the day," she said and Acasja gave her a playful salute.  "Does it scare you, this ritual of Iblis's?"  She led Acasja away from the building and toward the street.

"Sure.  A bit.  I've never done a consummation ceremony before, but if it works and I go to the castle, if I'm finally able to see Aion, my Prince Charming, my Captain, then everything... everything... will have been worth it.  It's like a dream come true.  So why am I shaking?"

Tommy Applebaum, surrounded by a small cadre of students, stood in their path.  His expression was grim.  Suddenly, there was a roar from above and Iblis's hovercar dropped between them.  "Ah my girls, ready and willing.  Hop in, you two."

He gallantly stepped out and lilted Acasja into the rear seat.  "Upsy daisy!" 

"Whoa!" she exclaimed.

"Good of you, Applebaum, to see us on our way," Iblis waved dismissively at the Midshipman Captain.

As the hovercar drove off, Acasja turned in her seat, called out to him.  “Tommy, don't worry about me.  I'll be okay.  I will."

"Miss Tilfe, what are you...?"  He started to yell back at her but the car took her out of hearing range before he finished.

Iblis drove to the duelling field and the three of them stepped onto the stones.  This is my dream.  To see the castle in the sky - as the final victor!

"Let us begin," Angela said.   She wore a white gown with a train that trailed behind her on the stones.  A golden crown was on her forehead.  She held two roses in her spread hands: one red and one white.  "Noble rose of the castle, the power of Aion that sleeps within me, answer to your master and show yourself now!"

"This is the consummation ceremony?" Acasja asked in confusion.  It seemed like the beginning of the fights.

"Just let go," Iblis whispered.  "Play your part and soon you will see." 

She took the sword that was in Angela's hands and lifted it toward the castle.  "The power to change the universe," she finished the now familiar phrase and looked upward. 

Her eyes were drawn back down as Angela said.  "Now, Lady Acasja, now, it is time."  She stood next to Acasja and raised her hands to join Acasja's around the hilt of the sword. 

Acasja could feel the warmth of her against her hips.  Angela reached toward her, slid a hand behind her neck.  "Angela, are we...?"

"Yes."

"Let the consummation ceremony begin," Iblis ordered.  "You and Angela hold the keys and together you will open the door."

“Angela,” Acasja breathed.

"Open your heart, Lady Acasja.  Let it beat as one with me..." 

She repeated after Angela.  "Noble rose of the castle..."

"Noble rose of the castle..."

"Sword Infinite rest within me..."

"Sword infinite rest within me..."

"I give to you a bride..."

"I give to you a bride..."

"To be your sheath!"

"To be your...?"  Acasja stopped and looked at her friend.  "Angela, why... why are you crying?'  Angela didn't answer and closed the last inch between them.  Her lips touched Acasja's tenderly.  She released the hilt of the blade and her hands moved down to Acasja’s breasts. 

Angela, why... do I feel so weak?  I can't... even keep my hand up.   It fell away from the sword, and the blade remained aloft motionless.  I feel faint.  I… mmm... .ah!   She felt as if she were floating.

Iblis grasped the motionless sword.  "The engagement has ended.  Let the marriage begin.  Ah, to grasp you in my hand... to hold you.... at long last."

Tommy brooded in his room.  So it's 'love' is it?  A schoolgirl crush and, all of us, the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance.  Iblis is Last Judgment.  Would she really perform the consummation ceremony just for him?  Foolish girl, if you let that happen it will be too late to turn back.

Acasja lay floating.   She could barely hear Angela say, "The small rose within me; I give it up for you.  The rose that takes flight from Last Judgment; I give it up for you."  The smell of Sutena Roses and Angela's voice... I hear it from far away.  What's this I feel?  Is it pain? Or heat?  As if something was piercing me.  What's going on?

Iblis cried out and fell to his knees.  Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed from the castle.  The sky exploded and the midday sun was hidden behind dark clouds. 

Kevin Simon, changing into his kendo gear, heard it.  "Wh... what was that?"

Julie Tyler, watching over others fence, saw it.  "A flash of light - above the dueller's field."

Mickey Zoppi, practicing at the piano, sensed it.  "The air... feels weird."

Tommy Applebaum ran to his window.  "Dear Tilfe."

Acasja finally had the strength to open her eyes.  Someone was calling her name.   "Can you sit up for me?"  ...Hot... like I'm burning up inside...

"Iblis?   What, what happened to me?"

"It's over.  The consummation ceremony is complete.  Everything is as it should be."  He pulled her to her feet. 

"Oh!" She could see again.  "Wh... why Iblis, are you dressed like that?" 

He stood before her in the dress uniform of a four-star Admiral of Starfleet.  "Don't you like it? I do."  He gestured broadly to show her the stars on his collar and the board on his sleeve.  "You should take a look at yourself."

She looked down.  A white, full skirt hid her feet.  She was wearing the gown she had seen on Angela only moments ago.  "When did I?" she began.  "But this isn't mine.  It's a bridal gown.    But this belongs to Angela, not me.  Why am I wearing Angela's...?"

"No, Dear Tilfe!  That dress!” Tommy shouted from the top of the stairs.  He trailed slightly behind Kevin; and the other ring wearers followed closely behind them.

"It is done," Iblis said.  "Acasja Tilfe has become my bride."

"But wasn't Miss Tilfe the final victor?" Tommy asked.  "The one who can wield the sword Infinite."

Iblis laughed.  "Please.  That was all a fairy-tale, a fantasy of power to goad you on.  My ambitious little Starship Seal club members, you never stood a chance.  The sword?  Always meant for me.  And the final victor was ever intended to become my bride." 

He pushed hard on Acasja's forehead, his fingers touching the golden tiara in her hair, and forced her to bend backwards.  His other hand supported her waist to keep her from falling.  "Ah, what are you..." It, it hurts!  "What are you doing to me?"

"Just say the words, Acasja.  Say them in your mind."

The power of Aion….  "The power of Aion that sleeps within me, answer to your master and show yourself now."  I know why I never saw the sword appear.  It's ripping out of my heart.

He took the blade by the hilt and finished the phrase with the words she had usually said.  "The power to change the universe."  He held it up for them all to see and laughed in triumph.  "The castle in the sky awaits me and there I shall finally take the power of Aion - for myself.

I... I'm his bride?  Like Angela was mine?  I… I can't move.  Wh… What's to become of me?
Iblis raised the sword over his head as he held her up.  Light surrounded them and shot upward.  The clouds split and the sky shrieked.  The castle began to move.  Still he grasped her about the waist and held the shining sword aloft.

The others were suddenly released and began to move.  "The castle is spinning!" Mickey shouted.  Tommy ran toward her.  "Acasja!"

"My dear Starship Seal Members," Iblis gloated, "it's time you got out of my way." 

He waved the tip of the blade towards them.  Light flashed from the castle and pressed them all to the ground.  "Damn it!"  "Feel it?  There's something like a force field."  "And my ring!  My Potemkin ring.  It's gone!  But I just had it on my finger!"  "You're not the only one."  "Hey, mine too."

Iblis laughed again.  He lifted his hand from under Acasja's waist, supporting her in the crook of his elbow, and caught the rings in his fist, where they vanished.  "You won't need them now.  These rings were just the bait; party favours I handed out in order to find Acasja Tilfe.  They've done their job quite nicely.

"Starfleet Academy and the duels, even the consort: all a mere party game – hide and seek with rose-coloured blindfolds.  Acasja Tilfe was guest of honour because she was the only one who personally received the ring from Aion.  Not like you people at all."

He reached down, caressed her cheek.  "She is the one and only truly chosen by Aion.  A star.  A beauty.  A miracle.  And she shines just for me.   Acasja is the key that will allow me to take back the power of Aion.  She alone can open the door to the castle in which he has locked himself."

Locked himself?   Acasja found strength to speak.  "So he's in there?  He's locked away?  All alone?"

"That's the only truth.  A dying prince alone in his castle.  Aion, the power that waits." He's dying?  "He sees not.  He thinks not.  He feels not.  But still he lives on, his body but an eternal heartbeat in a life no better than death."

Iblis pointed across the field.  "You see.  He's just like that."

"That?" Acasja echoed.  She twisted her head and watched as a glass coffin fell from the castle and landed, undamaged, on the stones.  She ran over and looked.

Angela, more beautiful than she had ever been, lay encased in the box.  A golden crown perched on her head.  She was dressed in deepest royal red and her hands were posed locked over her head. "Angela!" Acasja called out vainly.  Tears welled in her eyes and started to fall on the glass.

"Her day is done.  Angela existed as the scabbard to protect the sword of Aion,” Iblis said.  “Her value was in leading you here.  Her role as my bride is ready for a new player.  From here on out, Acasja, you shall be my bride.  I think you'll fill the role far better than Angela ever did."

Acasja closed her eyes and forced the tears to stop ...far better than Angela ever did... 
"Bastard!" Kevin shouted.  "You can still call yourself her brother?  How could you do this to her?  Angela was even willing to die for you.  Let her go.  At least give her back to us.  Please."  Angela!

Iblis smirked.  "I'm glad you cared so much for my sister, but it's done."  Acasja leaped at him.  She knocked the sword loose from the hand that held it and raced after the blade as it skittered across the stones.  Her hand closed around it.  She lifted it and turned to face him.

“Acasja!” Unconcerned, he held out his hand.  "Give me the sword."

"Never!" she cried.  "Didn't you love your own flesh and blood?"

"Angela was fully aware of what was to come."

"You're lying!  How could you?  You're horrible!"

"Angela offered me everything and I took it.   Just as she wished.  You know that's what she wanted." 

Acasja thought back over all the time she had known Angela.  Her words came back to Acasja.  The sad face as she said, 'I'd give up my life if that's what my brother wanted.'    The empty smile as she said, 'I am the consort.  I belong to the victor of the duel.'   The real smile as she introduced her marmoset, 'Lady Acasja, this is my friend Geoffrey.' Her troubled look as she said, 'I'll try to make friends for myself from now on.'  The regal smile as she asked, 'Please... always be my friend.'   Angela.  Angela. The doll-faced angel that cried over her bed one night.  Angela. Repeating the vow that parted them forever. 'A bride to be your sheath.'  Angela as they held each other.  'Acasja.'  Angela taking her hand.

It was a real hand.  Iblis took the sword from her motionless hand.  "Acasja, you are my bride.  A sword does not become you, not anymore.  There is no princess you have to protect.  Come with me to the world inside the castle in the sky as my bride."  He leaned over her.  "Hand in hand, we shall rule the night."  He caressed her cheek, her chin, her throat.  "The Prince of Dawn, the Princess of the Evening Star."  He touched his lips to hers, parted them with his tongue.

She bit his lip.  "Goodbye," she told him, smiling, free of him.

He shrugged, grinned, and wiped the blood off his lip with his sleeve.  "It will be sad to go by myself, even if it means I'll no longer have to share the power to change the universe."  He lifted the sword.  A beam of light blazed from it to the castle.  When if faded, he was gone.

Acasja fell to her knees before the glass coffin that held Angela.  Behind her the others were finally able to move.  "Unh, my head hurts." "Damn, we must have passed out." "Are you alright?" "That bastard Iblis went to the castle.  He has the power of Aion by now.  It's all over."

Ignoring his own pain, Tommy crawled towards Acasja.  "Miss Tilfe?"

Acasja pounded futilely on the glass.  "Angela, I'm sorry.  It's all my fault.  I... I promised to protect you.  I'd been deluded by Iblis and now I've done something irreparable."

"That's right," Kevin accused her.  "It's all your fault Acasja."

"What do you mean?" Mickey asked, coming to her defence.  "It's not her fault.  This is all because Last Judgment wanted the power of Aion, isn't it?"

Julie looked at the coffin, turned away in tears.  "How can you blame her, Kevin?  He's the one who used his sister as the scabbard to the sword Infinite.  He thinks women are fools to be used."

"No."  Tommy stood up.  "We were all fools."

"Tommy?" Julie said, looking at him.

"The Commandant used us because we were young and ignorant.  Just like he used the Princess and Miss Tilfe.  Not as women, but as pawns."

Acasja ignored him.  She gave up her futile pounding and then began to rip off her bridal gown.  "Damn him!" she cried, flinging the tiara to the ground.  "How could I have been so stupid?  This isn't what I wanted.  It's your dress.  I didn't mean to take it away from you.  Angela! I'm so sorry."

"Stop!" Tommy shouted, grabbing her from behind and holding her steady.  "Miss Tilfe, you're bleeding."

"Let me go," she said in protest.

"Your Starship Seal ring.  It's bathed in blood."

"I don't care! I don't want it anymore."  She tore it off of her finger.  "Take it!  I don't deserve to wear it."  She threw it away.

"Miss Tilfe!"  Too late, Tommy grabbed at it and his hand closed on empty air.  The ring clattered and bounced on the stones.

[Andromeda]

As promised, Chapter 12 today.

Just posted chapter 12 wherein a great many of the secrets are revealed.  Many, but not all.   And some, not completely.  This chapter and the next are entirely in the 'mythical realm' and couldn't be anywhere else.  My take on Tommy's explanation of how Iblis used everyone.  He may have used everyone as pawns, but he picked their vulnerabilities to prey on.  A woman's response to the situations Acasja was in would certainly be different from a man's. 

Iblis, the bad guy who just keeps on going.  Acasja's lost twice now.  Hope she's learned from it.  I am very tempted to post the rest of this.

On the plus side, I've figured out which ending to use.

[Andromeda]

Aww, no comments?  I know it's trolling for them, but still.  Please comment even to say you hate it and I'm the worst writer ever.

[Governor Ronjar]

Sorry to be a bit late. Just got thru reading this chapter.

It is very much in the realm of myth, as you said. This instalment seems the least Trek and it's probably best that it does. It's like the fabric of 'reality' has all but totally disolved around these characters now.

And the result for me is a very Anime feel, even more so than previous chapters. It reminds me of some of the Anime soft-porn that used a large dose of fantasy to tell its sordid tale. Don't take that as an insult, though. Yours is first rate compared to my example.

Keep it coming. I'd like to see Iblis skewered on the end of a sabre.

--guv!!

[kadh2000]

Good stuff.  Yeah, reality certainly seems to no longer exist for these people.  I don't think Trek ever stepped so far away from its core in an episode.  At least not without Q being involved and that had established people to ground it.  I can see the anime thing because of the flowers and swords.  At least it's a good story with good characters and dialog.  Although one can see some interesting sexual undertones throughout. 

Iblis reminds me of the, how should I put it, seduction of youth by the trappings of adulthood: they know everything, have cool clothes, get the big house, have nice toys,  have the best car... heck the only car (nice touch there).  Tommy and Kiyos remind me of the guys who fall for girls but don't know how to express it to them in a way that makes the girl understand.  Both turn iinto followers: sort of like Stilgar from friend to follower in Dune.  Angela I can see as the veil between youth and adulthood. A symbol really.  Completely incomprehensible.  You expect to be able to cross that veil and suddenly know everything.  Once you finally do, you realize adults don't have as much as you thought they did.  All the goodies come with a cost.  Acasja is crossing the line finally to adulthood.  She's learned some lessons, paid some, and is close to crossing that veil.  Ie saving Angela.  Extremely symbolic.  Can I call this allegory?

If you want this to be a Trek story you need to seriously ground it in Trek when they escape the castle.  Don't ruin the story to do that though.  If it can't happen, don't force it.  It's a good story.   As I've said before the Trek stuff can be edited out if it doesn't work.  Okay, more than I intended but II couldn't stop myself once I got started.

[Andromeda]

It's like the fabric of 'reality' has all but totally disolved around these characters now.

 It reminds me of some of the Anime soft-porn that used a large dose of fantasy to tell its sordid tale.

I'd like to see Iblis skewered on the end of a sabre.

--guv!!

It has. The only place that exists for them now is the castle.  Where they go back to depends on what happens there.
Eww.  Glad you added the caveat.  I know what you mean about those anime.  I remember reading one at some point.
Heh.  That means I've done a good job with him.  I could go all princess bride on you now...

I don't think Trek ever stepped so far away from its core in an episode.  At least not without Q being involved... Although one can see some interesting sexual undertones throughout. 

Iblis reminds me of...
... Extremely symbolic.  Can I call this allegory?

If you want this to be a Trek story you need to seriously ground it in Trek when they escape the castle.  Don't ruin the story to do that though. 

I considered using Q as the explanation in the epilog but I think that would ruin it worse than anything else I can do.  Unless I stay with the extremely surreal ending version.
2nd para:  Okay, I didn't expect a dissertation.  Intereesting analysis.  I have no other comment than that.  I didn't intend to make an allegory.  It was supposed to be a typical 'coming of age' story about Acasja.  That her goal is freeing Angela just sort of happened over the course of the tale.
I won't. 

Regarding the ending: I'm very much considering La'ra's idea of subtracting four from everyone's age and moving it to a preperatory school for SFA.  Call it a place where people from the fringes, new planets, or those from Earth who need to bone up first, would go to get those extra tools they'd need to enter the Academy.  It's probably the best idea.  I think I'll still set the school on Earth. 
Ronjar, Kadh: thanks for being such vocal fans.  It really matters to have comments, even a simple "good read".  Self expression for its own sake is why I have a blog.  If only I could remember my password.

[Andromeda]

CHAPTER 13: APOCALYPSE

As the ring bounced toward the edge of the field, a hand reached down to grasp it.  Tommy released her and Acasja looked up.  "Can it be... Aion?"  The angelic figure looked at her and she ran to him.  She tried to reach up to him, to embrace him.  "Is that you, Aion?"

He reached down towards her.  Their hands touched and he slipped the ring back on her finger.  "Aion?"  He took her in his arms, turned her, guided her, and together they pushed through the glass of Angela's coffin.  It cracked and shattered.  The shards spun in the air and coalesced into the shape of a sword.  He took the glass blade and set it in Acasja's hand and faded away, floating back toward the castle.

"Angela!" shouted Kevin, but then hesitated.  "Is she...?"

The girl lay on the stones, motionless and not breathing.  Then her chest rose and her eyes opened.  She pushed down with her hands and sat up.  "L-Lady Acasja..."

Acasja stared down at her and smiled.  Her bridal gown was completely missing and she was again wearing her Academy uniform.  She slowly lowered the glass sword that was in her left hand and dropped to her knees in front of Angela.

"How did I…?" Angela asked her.  "Am I alive?"

For a moment all they could do was look at each other.  Acasja couldn't answer her questions so she wrapped herself around Angela.  "Angela, oh my sweet Angela.  I'm sorry.  I called myself your friend, but I didn't even try to understand you.  Your pain... your love... I didn't see."

Angela's eyes fell on Acasja's sword.  "What... what's this?"

Acasja showed her the glass weapon.  "Aion saved us.  And he gave me a sword of my own."

"Aion?  So you saw him."  The expression in Angela's eyes was unreadable.

"Iblis went up to the castle in the sky," Acasja explained.

Angela lowered her head.  "As he planned all along.  My brother's only desire is to kill Aion.  In that moment, as Aion dies, his power can be taken... forever."

"I won't let him do it," Acasja vowed.  "Will you lead us to the castle in the sky?"

They stood around her: Mickey, Julie, Kevin, Tommy, and Acasja.  She looked only at Acasja, her face thoughtful.  Then she lowered her head again and pursed her lips.  "Yes."

"Let's go, Lady Acasja, it's time."  She turned and walked to the very edge of the stone field.  She reached for Acasja's sword.  Acasja didn't think twice in giving it to her.  Angela raised it toward the castle and a flash of light came from the blade.  Thunder rumbled and lightning crowned the towers of the castle.  "The castle in the sky!  It’s coming down to us!"  Mickey shouted.

It settled smoothly onto the field, the tumbled and broken stones meshing perfectly with those of the castle.  "The Castle, come to Earth once more," Angela pronounced.  "It might be best if everyone but Lady Acasja were to stay here outside the gates... just to be safe."  The Starship Seal stood over two massive gates, the grated iron doors opened towards them. 

"We don't know what could happen," Kevin declared. "We came this far.  We're not backing out now."

"I have to go in," Julie said, "I want to see what's inside."

"Me too," echoed Mickey.

"We're in this to the end," Tommy confirmed.  "I vowed to follow Miss Tilfe - and I'm going all the way."

Tommy... Acasja looked back to him, but Angela took her arm in hers and pulled her toward the gates.  "Then let's head inside, Lady Acasja."

"Yes, it's time," Acasja agreed.  Time to find out the answers to all the mysteries.

Beyond the gates lay a great hall.  Pillared columns supported a high roof.  A second story also looked out onto the hall from above them.  In the centre of the hall, two statues dominated the room.  A man sat in a high seat, looking down, deep in thought.  A woman leaned on a low pedestal, watching him.  Acasja stared back at her with interest as they passed through the far doorway.  "You used to live here, in this castle, didn't you, Angela?"
“Why do you think so?”

"You fit right in, like you belong somehow.  You look so regal here."  Angela smiled at her.  She seemed to float through the hallway.  More than noble... like a goddess... divine.

They passed a small doll the size of a marmoset, standing in a place of honour in one of the alcoves.  It was golden and shining.  Kevin startled as he looked at it.  "This place is disturbing,” he said.  “Not decrepit, but not lived in either.  Like a mausoleum... or a museum, and even then it's... it's not human!  There's a coldness, a perfection, like a palace for the gods!" 

Ahead two men's statues stood as the guardians over an archway that was carved to look like climbing roses.  They leaned toward each other at the top of the arch and each had his arm about the other's shoulder and they stared one another in the eye.  Kevin couldn't stand it any longer.  He caught up with Angela before she passed beneath the arch and grabbed her wrist.  "Angie!  Let's go back.  Back to our world.  Please Angie.  It's because I love you that..."

His voice stopped suddenly and he hung in the air, imprisoned in glass.  His eyes were closed.  "Kevin?" Julie said, her voice trembling slightly.

"The name of this prison is Assumption," Angela declared flatly.  "It's his flaw.  It holds him back."

She turned to Acasja, explained.  "The power Aion works through me, lets me do such things. It will only get stronger as we travel deeper into his castle."

Julie's sword slid quietly from its sheath.  Acasja noticed, turned to her.  "Julie, your sword, but why?"

"Don't you see?"  Julie said hysterically.  "I knew Angela was weird, but she's a witch!"  She thrust the epee at Angela.  Angela raised her hands defensively and thrust back at the air. 

Julie, eyes wide open in shock, hung in her glass cell.  "The name of this prison is Obstinacy."  Angela said, and looked up at her.  "They aren't dead.  They are just asleep.  Sound asleep."  Julie's eyes closed.

Mickey quietly inched forward to stand beside Acasja.  "Acasja, let's get out of here.  We have to make a run for it.” 

“Mickey?”

“While I'm distracting her, Acasja, save yourself. Quick!"  He froze where he was. 

"The name of this prison is Immaturity," Angela said.  She caressed it gently with her right hand.  "Don't worry.  These solid coffins will protect them well.  For now."

Acasja frowned nervously.  The princess, she’s not her usual self!

"And last, but not least," Tommy said, standing beside her.  "What is the name of my prison?  You can tell me."

"You're not trying to run away," Angela said, still looking at Mickey.  "So you don't need one.  But we must hurry.  Aion is at the top of the castle.  We have to catch up to my brother."

They reached the central hall.  A wide domed ceiling gleamed far above them.  A grand staircase circled its way upward against the walls of the round room.  Angela began to glide gracefully up it.  Acasja followed her and Tommy brought up the rear.  "Angela," asked Acasja, "Who is Aion?  Who is he to you?  You can use his power and you know a lot about him.  Angela, please tell me.  Who are you?"

She stopped her ascent and turned back to face Acasja.  A faint smile brightened her face and she was limned in light as Acasja looked up at her.  "Lady Acasja, you remind me of the Aion I once knew and loved.

"My fate was to die.  From the day Aion chose to save me from that fate, he has been saddled with the duties and powers of a "Prince".  He was noble, beautiful.  I loved him and I respected him deeply.  For he was everything the ideal prince should be."  Acasja had a vision of the two, still as graven statues.  Angela on the ground reaching up to him and Aion pulling her up to him; clasping her hand to his heart.

"There was a second young man who loved us both: my brother.  He grew up with Aion."  The men over the archway.  "With each passing day, Aion became stronger and soon my brother was unable to contain his jealousy towards Aion, towards his great power.  At last there came a day when my brother could stand it no longer.  He overthrew Aion."  Two winged angels filled Acasja's vision.  They held each other in friendship, but the one with serpents on his chest threw the other down and stood over him.

"You know the rest.  Aion sealed himself in the castle, along with his power, to keep it from my brother.  Because I loved Aion, part of his power came to rest within my bosom, along with the sword."

"It sounds just like a fairy tale," Acasja stammered. "A myth."

"Yes," Angela said and sighed.  "It's just a myth... from a time long since past.”  She closed her eyes.  “You don't need to understand.  You and I live in totally different worlds."

"No we don't!"  Acasja shouted and reached up and took Angela's hand.  Angela’s eyes jerked open and her mouth widened in surprise.  "You and I met and we're here now together.  We breathe the same air, look on the same things.  We fell in love with the same prince and we both care about Aion with all our heart.  We live in the same world and you...are... my... friend.  I want to understand you!"

The emptiness in Angela's expression finally disappeared forever.  "You're my friend.  No one’s ever said that, not in all these long years."  She reached out, touched Acasja's face. 

"Angela..." Acasja grabbed the hand, pulled it to her heart.  The dome above them shattered and the castle shook.  Glass and marble rained in a shower of debris and all three of them fell.

Acasja rolled away from Angela.  "Wh - what was that?  What just happened?"  A column broke and fell toward her.  A shadow moved suddenly between her and the falling stone.  It pushed her away.  "Tommy?"  Tommy protected me from the debris.  “Are you okay? Tommy? Can you get up?"  He was pinned beneath the stone, but he groaned.  He was alive. 

"Ah! No!" Angela cried out.  "Has he done it?  My brother, has he finally...?  Please no!"  She buried her face in her hands.

The building continued to shake and the rumbling grew louder.  Acasja pulled herself to Angela's side.  "Angela!  What's the matter?"

"Miss Tilfe!" Tommy shouted at her.  "Get yourself to the top of the castle!  It's starting to fall apart!"

"But what about you and Angela?"

"Hurry.  This could be because Iblis killed Aion!" he replied. 

“What?”

"Don't worry about me.  Just be quick."

"Tommy."  She embraced him.

He closed his eyes and his weight pressed against her.  "I'll be fine.  I... I want you there... to witness everything in our stead.  I... I have to know.  Please... just come back and tell us."

"Oh Tommy." 

He opened his eyes. "Go Acasja!" 

She lowered him gently to the ground.  "Okay."  She picked up her fallen sword and ran up the final circuit of the staircase. 

He breathed heavily, whispered after her.  "Miss Tilfe, I know you... know you'll stay strong.  No matter what happens, you'll pull through."

Acasja reached the top, saw a room filled with light and ran towards it. In a room full of mirrors that reflected the entire world, a man sat on top of a marble globe.  He was dressed as a captain in Starfleet.  His head was lowered on his knees and his arms were in front of it as if he were resting. 

"Aion, I made it," she said. "I made it in time…” …to see my prince.  She walked up to him.  You saved me when I was little and here you are.  “I've come to see you just as I promised I would."  He wanted me to live a strong and noble life.  "Oh, Aion, thank you."  His hand fell away from his knee and down towards her.  Then he fell from the high seat to land at her feet.  The sword Infinite was buried in his chest.  "Aion!" she cried, and ran to him, knelt and touched where the sword pierced him. He... he's dead?  “Aion!" 

The sword rose away from him, hovered in the air.  He began to glow and shrink and spin.  Light exploded from him and a column of it burst upward to engulf the sword.  Aion turned into a ring?   The ring clanked on the marble floor and rolled.  The sword, empty of power and life, dropped next to it.  Acasja fell to her knees and bent over the ring.  He’s gotten so small.  She reached to pick it up.  The ring flew into the air and fell into the waiting hands of Iblis Acton. 

"You were too late, just a moment too late."  He tossed the ring in the air and it settled on his finger.  "And a moment was all it took.  I finished off Aion myself.  And now, at long last, the power to change the universe is mine!"

White light filled the room, blinding her.  She raised her hand to shield her eyes.   Another hand touched hers, pulled it down.  His other rested on her shoulder.  "Don't be sad, Acasja.  There's no need to mourn, for your prince isn't dead.  I'm right here."  The being looked down at her and smiled gently.  "Aion is just a name, a name I used to be called."

[Andromeda]

Here we go, the final catastrophe is close at hand.  Aion turning into a ring was the hard part.  I don't think I captured what I wanted.  The ring is the symbolic representation of his power, not him.  You could say he faded away and left his power, his ring, behind.  This may be the most anime-like bit in the whole story.  Sorry.

Iblis just doesn't give up does he?  He really, really wants her.

sh*t!  I was editing chapter 14 and discovered about 1500 words were missing.  It may be a week or so before I post it since I have to rewrite them.

[Governor Ronjar]

Expectantly awaiting that 1,500...

--guv!

[kadh2000]

sometimes you've just got to say "more".  Sometimes, though you can add that I'm impressed by the sheer number of words written in telling this story in addition to its quality.

[Andromeda]

CHAPTER 14: DESTINY

Looking up at him, at his angelic face, for a moment his words, his touch confused her.  But there was nothing in his expression of the man she remembered.  "Y-you're trying to tell me that you're Aion... my prince?  The man who gave me courage to live?  A lie!  One more of your deceits!"

"He ignored her words, continued trying to convince her.  "You've made it all the way to the top.  I've been watching your progress through the castle.  From here, one can see everything in the world.” The marble floor became transparent and Acasja knelt down to touch it.  She could see the academy grounds below her; the students going unaware about their day.  “You people have a name for that.  You call it 'god,' don't you?" 

She looked up at him.  "Is that what you are?  Are you a race of gods?  This castle, your powers... is that how you have all this?" 

'I don't know what we're called.  Your kind have always been so fickle about such things.  These days I am called 'Last Judgment.'  For I am 'Aion' no longer.  You were there that fateful day…"

"I… I was?" surprised, she interrupted him.

"The day it all changed: the day you met Aion.  The story Angela told you was only part of the truth.” She remembered the statues, how alike they had seemed.  “Aion and I were once two halves of the same whole.  One body with two spirits... one mind with two hearts... An Aion of Dark and an Aion of Light.”

“Two halves of one whole?” she said faintly.

As if he did not hear her, he began to pace back and forth as he spoke and his words increased in power and volume.  "The duty of Aion, our duty, was to help mankind.  We were indeed called 'god' back then, and it brought us joy to bring aid to our people.  But man asked for more and Aion of Light gave it.  Thus he sealed our fate for we were equals no longer.  If man's whims had ruled us, we would have brought ourselves to ruin.  And so I rebelled against Aion of Light.  I took my own body and with it, I at last had my triumph.”

He looked at her and Acasja could see the aftermath of the battle in her mind.  The man with the snakes around him rose from the body of the other.  “From this day forth I shall renounce the name Aion,” he had said.  “I will be called Last Judgment.

“It is our fate,” Aion of Light gasped.  “One of us must fade.  I did not know my other self could hate me so.”  The man on the floor looked at his departing brother; fell through the floor and toward the world.   “Fade away?  Yes, for thus divided I would live no more. 

“But wait!  What's this?”  Acasja recognized herself in the vision.  She was sinking in deep water.  “A girl so young with eyes as lost as mine.  She lingers here upon the verge of death.  I will give it all to her: my heart, my courage, my dignity.”  He gathered her up, brought her to the surface and kissed her and she began to breathe again.   “It's all right.  You're not alone, never alone.  I gave you strength so you can live a strong and noble life.”  The vision ended and Acasja stared at her ring in wonder.

Last Judgment stood before her again.  "I thought I was done with Aion, that he'd fade away for good, but I didn't count on Angela.”  He waved his hand and Angela appeared, hanging in the air. 

“Angela!” she called out, but it was just another vision. 

Angela ran to the fallen Aion and knelt beside him.  “It was Angela who stepped in to save Aion as he was about to vanish forever."  Angela hugged Aion to herself.  “If I can just save him,” she said, “I don't care what happens to me.  So please, please let him stay.” 

"And so he did," Last Judgment said.  The image of Aion vanished, but Angela remained, silent and sad.  "Angela saved Aion and his power, sealed them both away here, in the castle.  She kept his sword in her bosom, one last token of her love.  But it was that token that sealed her fate -- that cursed her as the consort."

"Cursed her?" Acasja asked, not understanding.

"To the victor go the spoils!"  He said, looking at Angela.  The girl floated in the air again.  Her eyes were open but empty as she looked downward.  "The sword was mine and she had to obey me -- Last Judgment -- and bestow her services upon each of the victors in the duels, even you.  But Aion, her own love, was to remain in the castle, forever out of reach."

Acasja stood and walked to the hanging image of Angela.  "Poor Princess," she said.  Is that why you gave up all hope?  "Can you hear me?  Angela!  Princess!  Please."  Tears came into her eyes but Angela continued to stare at nothing. 

He continued on relentlessly telling the story.  "She loved us both: the dark and the light... as one.  But Aion of Light is gone.  Angela's beloved no longer exists.  Her prince can never return.  What shall become of her now?"

As Acasja watched, Angela's clothing began to turn to mist.  He kept on speaking, not letting up.  "Just like Aion, she's begun to fade away.  What is life without love?  For Angela it's just not worth it."

"Angela!  No!"  She ran to him.  "Please save her.  The power to change the universe: it's yours now.  Can't you do that?"

"Aion of Dark is Last Judgment," he said.  "Aion of Light is no more.  The prince she loved is gone - and with him her will to live.  Can you blame her?  Where would you be Acasja... without your prince?" 

Time wouldn't stop and wait for her to decide.  Angela continued to fade and Last Judgment stood waiting on her.  She struck him across the face and his eyes widened in surprise.  She wiped the tears from her eyes and raised her crystal sword.  "I've made up my mind!  I'll be the prince!  I'll beat you, Last Judgment!  I'll get the ring back and then I'll save my princess.  All I need is the power to change the universe."

“Yes,” he agreed.  “All you need.  And you will never get it.  How could you hope to defeat me?  You’re just a girl while I, I have even conquered Aion of Light.”

“Shut up, damn you,” she cursed, “I mean it.  For the first time, from the bottom of my heart, I want to duel.  No more games.  This time it’s for real.”
 
Unarmed, he approached her until he put his hands on her cheeks and bent down to kiss her.  “Alright,” he said, “but please understand this won’t be like before.  This time, sweet Acasja, you will die.”  As he stepped away from her he waved his hand and a white rose appeared over her breast.  A rose? “Are you ready to find out just how truly hard it is to be a prince?”

He lifted his hand and the sword Infinite appeared in it.  She aimed a cut at his head and their swords rang as they clashed.  Their feet danced as the world turned on the floor beneath them.  Her friends, in their prisons, hung in the space between.  She lunged, he parried and turned.  The strength of his riposte knocked her to her knees and the crystal sword flew out of her hands.

She gasped for breath and he stood over her.  “Give in.”

“I… I won’t”

His eyes glittered with malice.  “You will only suffer as long as this goes on.  Play the prince for years and still you could never save Angela.”

Angela!  The girls head had flopped over sideways.   Acasja staggered to her feet.  “I will save her.  I will be a prince.  I will.  No matter how much I have to suffer.”

A sharp pain in her chest brought her to her the ground again.  Ah, my rose.  Like a thorn, stuck in me.  The pain!  Worse and worse.   She grasped it with both hands and tried to wrench it off.  “Oh!”  She could not take it off.  From the stem, thorny tendrils grew and twisted around her.  The thorns pierced her uniform and her skin painfully and she cried out.

“The path of a prince is a thorny one,” he said.  “Even the most beautiful of flowers has its sharp painful side.”  He looked down at her, almost in pity.  “And so you suffer, become a prince.  What would it get you?  Every obsession must one day be relinquished.  Prince Aion of Light, the one you love: he could not even protect Angela much less save his precious humanity here on Earth.”

A tendril from the rose climbed up her face, covering her left eye, and wrapped itself once around her head.  She hurt so much the extra pain did not matter.  She picked her sword up and forced herself into a kneeling position.  “Isn’t it time you grew up?” he asked.  “This silly desire of yours brings only agony.  Come now Acasja, hand over your sword.”  He held out his empty palm.

“No!” she cried out.  “I will never give in to defeat.  I won’t become Last Judgment.  I won’t become like you.”  His eyes blade and his sword came down angrily.  She parried the blow but he forced her back until she toppled.  He pressed downward until he was lying on top of her.  His weight pushed the thorns deeper into her and she cried again in pain. He put his second hand on his blade and pushed.  Her sword was slowly forced toward her face.

“Then at this rate,” he answered her, “you’ll die.  Is that what you want?  To give your life for Angela?”

Acasja’s vision began to fade.  Through the thin slit of her one eye she could see Angela still hanging there.  How long you must have stood there all by yourself princess, just like that.  Just like… me.  If I hadn’t met my prince that day, I would have died.  Now here I am.   “Princess!” she forced herself to call out.  “I’m here for you.  Please wake up.  Please believe in me.”

Angela’s head rose and their eyes met.  She seemed surprised to find herself yet once more alive.  It was enough for Acasja to make another push and she threw Last Judgment off.  As she stated to rise, his blade smashed into hers and again knocked it from her grasp.  She caught herself before she fell all the way to the ground, but he was on her, straddling her, in an instant.  He put his blade against her throat.  “This isn’t a game.  When will you understand?  You must surrender or else you shall…”

"NO!" she shouted back louder.  "I swear. I will be the princess's prince!"  The light poured suddenly from his ring and he raised his hand to shield his eyes. The sword Infinite fell from his grasp and he staggered away from her. The light coalesced into a shape.  "Can it be?" Last Judgment asked in surprise.  "Aion?  But, but he's gone for good.  The power is mine!"

Acasja struggled to her feet.  The pain, and the exhaustion, and the vines were gone.  Her clothing was in tatters and she bled from the tiny cuts, but she stood and the white rose remained intact on her breast.
 
Acasja looked at Aion.  He's here, Aion, the one I came for.  I've gone through so much to see your face.  But it's not enough just to yearn for my prince. Aion smiled, blessing her. I must be the prince myself.  I must protect Princess Angela.

Last Judgment took Infinite back up.  This time he did not speak but looked at her with death in his eyes.  Aion spread his arms and spoke a last time before fading away.  "There will come a time when we will meet again and if you do not lose your noble heart, then one day you will save us."

Last Judgment came up behind her and Acasja thrust backwards without turning.  The blades slid along each other... passed... and they separated.  A bright arc of blood filled the air between them.  "Ahh!" Angela screamed.  "Lady Acasja!"

The edge of Acasja's glass blade was wreathed in blood.  The sword Infinite dripped blood from its tip onto the marble glass floor.  Last Judgment held his chest that was covered in blood, a look of shock on his face.  Acasja lifted a hand from her side.  It was wet with blood.  She couldn't hold the sword, dropped it, fell. 

Angela caught her.  "Princess," Acasja breathed as Angela hugged her to herself.

Last Judgment dropped the sword Infinite and fell to his knees.  "A, Angela, Angela, come here, help me.  I... I... Angela."  She looked at him without pity and did not move.

"L-let me go, Princess," Acasja whispered.  "I... I still have to fight.  The power to change the universe.  Iblis, he still has it.  I have to take back Aion's ring.  Without it I can never save you.  Just l-let me."

"Please!  Please no more!" Angela sobbed.  "You're just a girl.  This fight is too cruel for a mortal.  Besides, it... it doesn't matter.  I don't need a prince to save me."

Acasja stopped struggling and put her arms around Angela.  "You came back to us.  Thank you Princess.  You believed in me.  You woke up.  Thank you. You've made me... so happy.  Now... it's over.  I can finally end... as your Prince."

Angela held Acasja's head up so she could see her face.  "You can… end…?"  She pushed Acasja away so that she could see her face.  Acasja was smiling.

"Lady Acasja?  Acasja stepped away from her.  Angela tried to hold her, but Acasja slipped away from her until only their fingers touched and then nothing.  “My Lady!"  Acasja turned away and was transfigured.

Last Judgment, lying on his side, looked up to see the transformation.  "What?  T-tell me: is that her or is it Aion?"  Angela put her hand to her mouth and gasped. 

The figure of light stood above him.  Acasja, healed of all wounds, held the glass sword in her hand.  She was dressed as one of the ancient images in the castle.  Last Judgment grinned and reached for his sword.  "It's Aion, isn't it?"  She pushed his sword easily out of his hand. 

Angela watched in wonder as fire and feathers swirled around the duellists.  Great wings seemed to spread from their backs.  Acasja stood over Iblis in a reverse of the image of the battle from so long ago.  "Tell me!” he screamed.  “I must know.  Who are you?  Aion?"

She smiled softly at him.  "No, I'm Acasja.  My name means calyx, the cup that shields the young flower.  I will protect her even if it means I must destroy the man I loved… for Angela's sake."  She leaned over him, surrounded him in white feathery wings.  "A kiss and it's done.  You and Aion shall be as you once were... together... as one."  She wrapped her arms around him, leaned into him.

"No, Lady Acasja!" Angela called out.  "If you do that, you'll cease to exist.  Is that what you want?"  Acasja's eyes opened for just a second, winked at Angela, and closed again. Then her lips touched his.  She grew brighter and he faded until they were both gone.  There was an explosion of crystal. 

The glass floor shattered and the stones of the castle crumbled and fell.  Angela was with Tommy again on the stairs and they were falling together.  The others, protected in their prisons, dropped toward the Earth below.  "Angela.  Princess," Acasja's voice called softly.  She could not tell from where. A star fell from the sky and dropped into her palm.  She looked at her hand and she held a ring with the Seal of the Enterprise.  She closed her fist around it.

[Andromeda]

It was only a thousand words.  It took me a few hours to write them.  They're an edit behind everything else but I wanted to post this chapter on schedule.

Anyway, there you have it.  Chapter 14, the last chapter.  There's an epilogue, but that wait until the weekend.  When I finished writing this I was so sad.  I couldn't decide if it was because I was done and had finished such a long epic or if it was because of the ending.

[kadh2000]

Wow.  Dramatic, in keeping with the rest of the story.  A believable ending.  I can see the new cultural influences have been good for you. 

I've been thinking a lot on whether you can call it Trek and if so, how.  I looked at classic storytelling to come up with my ideas.  First, it started off normally enough.  Then it slowly headed into strangeness what with the Starship Seal Society and its duels and its consort.  Then it added 'magic' with the mural in the study/lair.  Then even more with the arrival of Iblis and the mythological facets.  Nice, by the way, that you used Iblis, Aion, and Angel(a) from different religions to make a world myth instead of just a singular culture's one.  Finally into the castle where reality as we know it just completely vanished.  Clever use of Acasja's name, too.

So how to make this trek...  You go back there.  Frodo returned to the shire and it was still the shire.  It's the trip to faerie and back that makes the fairy tale.  So, return to the trek universe and you really do have a Federation Fairy Tale.  It's a pity you can't make the beginning chapters longer to establish the reality first.  So now I can say the freighter part, the boot camp beginning at the academy, were all necessary.  Anyway, that's my thoughts on the matter.

Kadh, waiting for the epilogue.

[Governor Ronjar]

I shall reply soon. Much to do tonight.

--guv

[Andromeda]

Kadh: glad you liked the finale.  The story has been very much influenced by Australia and Asia, or at least I have been so.  Keeping it Trekish in the way you suggest is what the epilogue tries to do.  Whether it succeeds or not is up to you.  At the least it returns to a normal reality. 

Guv: np.  I'd rather write my own stuff than read others' anyway.

I've also thought about the way the last chapter turned out, especially the fight sequence which is what got lost and rewritten.  It reminds me now of how my transition from youth to adult came very swiftly.  I finished school, without going to university, and soon thereafter met someone with whom I thought I was in love, got married and moved to America.  I found I could stay a child, a china doll, or I could be an adult and have an independent personality.  And I didn't have a long time to make the decision:  the pressure to stay as I had been was very great.  So there you have the element of 'me' in the story.

[Andromeda]

And now for the conclusion of Calyx...

Epilogue: NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT ANYMORE

The beautiful arches that marked the entrance to Starfleet Academy shone in the morning sun.  Brigade Captain Thomas Applebaum stood on his favourite balcony overlooking the Cathedral.  He looked at the Federation Seal on the façade of the chapel and shook his head slowly.  He made his way down, through the midshipmen and towards the academic buildings.

"There he goes.  I heard Captain Applebaum was injured.  Is he okay?"  "Captain, how are you today?"  Tommy returned the greetings with a casual nod, but did not speak.  "Aww.  There he goes again."  "He's mighty stand-offish lately.”  “Just not his old self since he got hurt last month." 

Commander Kevin Simon was wearing gym shorts and a t-shirt as he led the boxing team on a morning jog.  He caught sight of the Captain passing by and stepped out of line to talk to him.  "There you are.  Hold up a sec, Tommy.  Your name is still listed on the boxing team but your body hasn't shone up for practice since you got injured.  You never said how you got hurt.  I bet you were chasing some girl's skirt, huh?"  He shook his head sadly as his friend walked away without answering.  "Tommy?"

Lieutenant Julie Tyler stopped the captain a moment later.  Lt. Commander Zoppi was with her.  "Tommy, we never see you.  How long are you going to neglect your official duties?"

"The spring games are coming up," Mickey said, suggesting the least important task he could think of.  "Who's to recite the opening pledge?"

Tommy shrugged.  "You guys decide."

Julie brushed a finger against her chin in thought.  "A girl, perhaps.  A striking beauty.  And she should be athletic.  A popular student."

Mickey just stared at her.  "Around here?  Never seen anyone like that."  The Captain looked at them in surprise and sighed.

"C’mon Tommy," Julie began, "you know all the girls on campus.  Don't you have someone... in mind?"  He was walking away from them.

An older man in admiral’s uniform walked past.  They both stood to attention.  "Good Morning, Commandant Acton, you look well today," Mickey said.  He stopped to speak to them and Tommy turned back to watch as he made some point, gesturing with his index finger.

Tommy continued on his slow way to the abandoned Cochrane Hall.  He looked up to the darkened windows of the second floor, but there was no sign that anyone had ever been there.  After a while, he opened the door and entered the grand foyer.  There was no light coming from the cobweb draped chandelier.  He trudged to the darkened stairs and sat upon the bottom step.

The voices of two female midshipmen carried into the room.  "Oh look.  The door to Cochrane Hall is open.  Do you think someone moved in?"

"Are you nuts?  Cochrane Hall hasn't been used in ten years and I've heard rumours that it's haunted!"

"Really, Wanda?"

"It's true."  The two midshipmen entertained themselves with the thought a moment longer before moving away.

Tommy rose and started to climb the staircase.  Halfway up a marmoset was playing with a rubber frog.  "Geoffrey," he said and sat down beside the creature.  "She's gone.  Even from memory.  Vanished without a trace.  It’s as if she was never here.  It makes me feel so… alone.  Not even my friends remember the duels, Last Judgment, or the consort; that we went to the castle in the sky.   Or was that all some crazy dream I had?"  He pressed his hand against his forehead and closed his eyes.

The marmoset chattered harshly and he looked up.  He noticed the marmoset was wearing a tiny uniform with a gold shirt.  "Did Angela make you that uniform?"  He jumped up, raced down the stairs and bounded out the door, his eyes searching the midshipmen. 

The commandant, his friends, and several midshipmen stood in a crowd as someone recited the pledge for the spring games.  "As the spring games begin, I, Angela Oteri, pledge to ever honour sportsmanship, to always hold true..."

"Princess!" he called out and forced his way to the centre of the ring of students.

The student who was speaking stopped in mid-sentence and turned toward him.  "Ah, Captain Applebaum."  It was Angela, but wearing Acasja's uniform.  She was holding a tennis racket under one arm.

"Princess, that uniform…"

She smiled at him.  "You're the only one left who still calls me Princess."  They stood facing each other for only a moment before he hugged her.  The marmoset ran up her uniform and perched on her shoulder. 

They slipped away from the group and walked to one of the benches nearby and sat down.  Geoffrey curled up between them. "Julie and Mickey came over today and asked me to recite the opening pledge,” Angela explained.  “I wanted to give it a trial run.”

"You've changed, Princess," he said, looking at her in appreciation.  "But you, you know she was here!  I'm not the only one and for that I'm glad.”

"You must have really loved her," Angela said softly, staring straight ahead.

"Yeah," he admitted.  "Not as a man, or a woman, but as a human being.  Acasja Tilfe! So strong, charming, honest... true.  Every time she outdid me, I loved her all the more.  Will I never see her again?"

Angela looked at him thoughtfully over her shoulder, her long black hair reminded him of how she had looked in the castle.  "Lady Acasja," she said hesitantly, "is still alive."

He breathed in sharply.  "How do you know?"

She lifted her right hand and showed him the ring she wore on the second finger.  "This."

"The Starship Seal!" he gasped.

"Lady Acasja threw it to me at the very end.  This ring sealed away the power of Aion, the power to change the universe.” She continued excitedly,  “It's still right here.  The ring has yet to be used.  The universe is still waiting for the change."  As if reaching some momentous decision, she stood up and started quickly walking toward the main entrance, the main exit, of the academy.

"Princess?"

She stopped for a moment and looked back at him.  "Tell them for me that I won't be able to do the pledge.  I... I have to go."

"To go?" He echoed, and chased after her until they stood face to face again.  "Where?"

"To look for my friend Acasja."  A sudden wind made her hair billow out behind her. She smiled at him one last time, an angel's smile.   "When she and I meet once again, that is when it will begin.  This is just the start.  The universe awaits the power of Aion."  She turned away, walked through the gates. 

Ahead of her people went about living their lives singly and in pairs. Far in the distance she could see shock of pink hair; a woman in the uniform of a Starship Captain turned to glance back.  A white rose called Sutena separated them from their past: the girl in a men’s cadet uniform carrying schoolwork on her shoulder and the girl with empty eyes.  Her friend Acasja stood waiting for her. With a tender smile she took Angela in her arms at last. "And it begins with us."

THE END

[Governor Ronjar]

Really not the kind of ending I had pictured. I had expected an ending that allowed the ... surreal-ish anime aspect of the body of the tale to fade away in a dreamlike manner. Instead, this puts me in the mind of a tale whose real story is only just beginning. This makes me think of several 80's movies, and not in a bad way. Kind of the Never Ending Story motiff.

I really like this story. It's vastly different at the beginning than at any other point in the tale. It's fantasy setting is rich in a unique flavor that I don't think I can compare to any other work. I can reference Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland again, but even these comparisons are lacking. Your style could make for some very interesting, note worthy writing were you to get published in something similar. Keep it up.

I'm very interested in that PDF you mentioned a few pages back...

--thu guv!

[kadh2000]

I see you went for the happy ending.  I was expecting something a little less clear.  Then again, I did ask if you could take it back to reality.  Nice curtain call for the main cast too.  Showing them all in their 'real' lives.  It does leave me with a few questions that I don't think it wrapped up.  What's Tommy going to do? 

Again, much applause for the success.  Very good all around.  The ending in the real world is a bit melancholy compared to the enthusiasm of the beginning.  I want the pdf now.

[Andromeda]

Guv: you may appreciate one of the other alternatives I had for the ending.  This story really would be the "Beginning" of Acasja's life, or the story of the ending of her youth.  It's meant to say that when you give up the fun things of your youth, there is a whole life ahead of you, so yes this isn't the end.
I am really glad you liked it.  Interesting comparisons.  I'm flattered.  Very flattered.

Kadh: Yes.  In the original version, Angela's vision was supposed to be more visionlike and less a showing of the future.  I considered italicising it to show that.  I also considered leaving it out. I'm still undecided on which was best.  This version finalizes that Acasja succeeded in the final battle.  The others are more vague.  Thanks on the curtain call.  Glad you noticed it.  Also notice that she says 'my friend Acasja' instead of 'Lady Acasja' too.  What's Tommy going to do?  Graduate.  Or give up.  I think he's too strong to do the latter.

Thanks for reading it to the end guys.  I'll put together the pdf and then see if I can't find someone to host it so I can let you download it.

-S

Here are the three variations on the main line of hte story:

ENDING #1: AS POSTED

"To look for my friend Acasja."  A sudden wind made her hair billow out behind her. She smiled at him one last time, an angel's smile.   "When she and I meet once again, that is when it will begin.  This is just the start.  The universe awaits the power of Aion."  She turned away, walked through the gates. 

Ahead of her people went about living their lives singly and in pairs. Far in the distance she could see shock of pink hair; a woman in the uniform of a Starship Captain turned to glance back.  A white rose called Sutena separated them from their past: the girl in a men’s cadet uniform carrying schoolwork on her shoulder and the girl with empty eyes.  Her friend Acasja stood waiting for her. With a tender smile she took Angela in her arms at last. "And it begins with us."

ENDING #2: ANGELA'S THOUGHTS

"To look for my friend Acasja."  A sudden wind made her hair billow out behind her. She smiled at him one last time, an angel's smile.   "When she and I meet once again, that is when it will begin.  This is just the start.  The universe awaits the power of Aion."  She turned away, walked through the gates. 

Ahead of her people went about living their lives singly and in pairs. Far in the distance she could see shock of pink hair; a woman in the uniform of a Starship Captain turned to glance back.  A white rose called Sutena separated them from their past: the girl in a men’s cadet uniform carrying schoolwork on her shoulder and the girl with empty eyes.  Her friend Acasja stood waiting for her. With a tender smile she took Angela in her arms at last. "And it begins with us."

ENDING #3: JUST DIALOGUE

"To look for my friend Acasja."  A sudden wind made her hair billow out behind her. She smiled at him one last time, an angel's smile.   "When she and I meet once again, that is when it will begin.  This is just the start.  The universe awaits the power of Aion."  She turned away, walked through the gates.  "And it begins with us."

[kadh2000]

I like the third one the best, the middle one second best, and the top one hte least.  I think any of them will do though depending on the ending you want.  The third one has a nice simplicity to it, the second one lets you know for sure that the story is just beginning, while the first one does wrap it up best.

[Andromeda]

Maybe it is too quick. I'll think it over as I do the editing.  Will you host the pdf for me?

[Governor Ronjar]

I liked #2.

--guv!

[Andromeda]

#2 is how I oringinally meant it to be.  It is how it will probably end.

[Czar Mohab]

As I said to the Cuv, I've been busy. Sorry for not responding sooner.

Most of my opinions have been covered by others, unfortunately, so I don't have much to add.

Having Geoffrey there at the end kind of makes the fantasy a reality; most may have "forgotten" or pushed it away or whatever, but he's the proof it happened.

Reading this, something clicked. Something familiar, and definately not anime. It reminded me much of Carnivale. Being unsure at first who is good and who is bad, not knowing what each person represents, or why they are important, right up to the end; a fantasy world set in reality. Just enough of the realness (classes, friends, et al) to keep us rooted in what is supposed to be, while letting our minds wander through the elaborately woven web of fantasy.

Extremely well done.

Czar "Is there another work upcoming?" Mohab

[Andromeda]

Czar, thiank you for the kind words.  I'm glad to read your comments because you look for something else to compare it to first instead of anime.  Geoffrey is definitely mundane.  i could write on this story forever, I've enjoyed it so much. 

I've been thinking about it and I could certainly write about Acasja in her future.  I think the first chapter, the trip to Earth, would be a good glimpse at what she woudl be like as an adult in the real world.  I don't think anything I do will be this long.

Right now I'm rewriting the early chapters so it will be at while before I go onto something new. 

I must admiit the germ of an idea started forming earlier this morning.

[Andromeda]

I still need somebody to host the pdf file so I can distribute it.

[Vipre]

If you're just looking for something generic, I've used Mediafire before.

[kadh2000]

Send it to me.  I'll pop it up on kadh2000.com

[Andromeda]

Thanks guys,

Kadh I'll send it to you as soon as I finish the prologue.  Can you read it and see if this is better than the original since it's rather different at the outset.