King Of The Rim 0-Appendix-A-History By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne, JennaFl for Proofreading with Special Thanks to Sephrena Lynn Miller for Guidance and ChrisW. for the Illustration! Synopsis:Is the History of the Galactic Empire and the Trillanni Star Kingdom.

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Ancient Past
-B.C. 250,000-Foundation of Atlantis: Atlantis gains prominence in perfected mind/body due to the birth of psionic adepts who develop the crystal, chemical, mental technology that avoided atomic and nuclear war to give the citizens the equivalent advanced technology a shown in science fiction and fantasy.

-B.C. 240,900-Discovery of Ethereal Stones: Atlantis discovers the unique properties of the ore that responds to psionic energy as well as artificial intelligence computers that can manipulate the ore for a variety of effects.

-B.C. 230,025-Invention of Psionic Amplifier Medallion: Atlantis discovers gems capable of enhancing and amplifying a citizens native psionic ability

-B.C. 220,500-Invention of Magical Items: Atlantis combines the Ethereal Stones and Invention of Psionic Amplifier Medallion to create the magical items seen in fantasy.

-B.C. 220,250-Fall of Atlantis-The Flood: Atlantis uses it's technology to turn the cities into submarine cities, in a pocket dimension, safe from harm, convert the citizens that stay into water breathers while those who remain air breathers are protected within the cities until the Flood resides

-B.C. 220,150-Spread of Magicians: The air breathers develop into powerful adepts capable of total control of an aspect of creation with less powerful adepts as their army

-B.C. 220,175-Foundation of North Pole and birth of Legendary/Magical/Mythological Figures: Atlanteans the equivalent of Jedi Masters morph into the varied legendary and mythological beings and creatures at the magnetic North Pole to harness the ethereal ore merged into the magnetic field and control access to gateways to other places.

-B.C. 220,150-Creation of North Pole and Council of Legendary Figures. With the combined beliefs of muggles, varied Atlanteans morph into new forms, creating the shape changers, vampires, creatures of magic; many of whom lose much of their magic, but gain better control over aspects of nature as well as the birth of major magical beings that control aspects of magic with the leader being the Master of the North Pole.

-B.C. 220,000-Building of various Pantheons: The unification of adepts into various cultures/religions/societies forge new .Atlantis pocket dimensions where their unique powers are manifested to create the gods and goddesses of myth.

-B.C. 210,900-Creation of Stonehenge, Building Easter Island, of all Pyramids: As muggles continue to worship the many deities, the resulting release of psychic/psionic and magical energies allow for the building of Ethereal Stone/Psionic Amplifier Medallion stations to control access to accessways to other dimensions/times/locations.

-B.C. 210,800-Vistors cause creation of aerial drawings: Atlanteans returning from the colonies visit muggle civilizations out of curiosity.

-B.C. 210,700-Civil War Between Magicians and Muggles: Atlanteans unable to harness their psionic/psychic powers lead to a war against all magic users and magical beings leading to a disbelief in magic and in extreme cases, violent reactions to any magic.

-B.C. 210,650-Foundation of Magic Schools: Atlanteans create centers of learning the equivalent of a pantheon to teach magic to all Atlanteans and magical beings as well as any muggle in whom the magic gene has been activated.

-B.C. 210,600-Creation of Off World Sanctuaries for Magical Beings in Solar System: Atlanteans launch pantheon style stations filled with endangered magical beings to counter the overpopulation of the planet and act a a reservoir of life against the constant stat of war between many empires.

-B.C. 210,500-Creation of Avalon: Atlanteans merge the water breather and air breather technology to create a safe haven for all magical beings and capitol where all magical creatures kingdoms can meet.

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-0-A.D.-Birth of Christ: Atlanteans see this as a fulfillment of their hopes and dreams as ever since the Flood, they have sought out the true source of their Blessings and now relax as Church begins.
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-2020:A.D.-Formation Of Luna Base Alpha: Atlanteans working with muggles succeed in creating advanced technology minus any Atlantean magic that soon has global ramifications from the implication of Eco-Friendly technology that eliminates greenhouse gases and reinvigorates the Eco-sphere. .

-2021:A.D.-Launching Of Mars Explorer: Atlanteans working with muggles succeed in creating advanced technology minus any Atlantean magic that creates ships capable of shielding against cosmic radiation with crew living in a "shirtsleeve" environment equal to that in a submarine or passenger jet.

-2021:A.D.-Landing Of Mars Explorer: Atlanteans working with muggles succeed in creating advanced technology minus any Atlantean magic that creates equipment capable of thriving in the Martian environment.

-2021:A.D.-Beginning Of Mars Terra-forming: Atlanteans and Atlanteans/Martians employ the Martian technology [Atlantean magic] to safely make Mars over into an environment equal to Earth's by creating a Van Allen Radiation Belt from ethereal stones combined with radioactive metals used to create totally safe atomic and nuclear reactors.

-2022:A.D.-Mars Terra-forming Complete: Atlanteans and Atlanteans/Martians relocate Deimos and Phobos, turning both into shield generators and naval bases from which to launch probe ships into the solar system.

-2023:A.D.-Colonization Of Luna Complete: Atlanteans and Atlanteans/Martians install a Van Allen Radiation Belt from ethereal stones combined with radioactive metals used to create totally safe atomic and nuclear reactors with new gravity fields in bases and homes, graduated fields to help accommodate colonists as well as flora and fauna bred for the Lunar environment.

-2024:A.D-Colonization Of Mars Complete: Atlanteans and Atlanteans/Martians install totally safe atomic and nuclear reactors with new gravity fields in bases and homes, graduated fields to help accommodate colonists as well as flora and fauna bred for the Martian environment.

-2025:A.D-Formation Of Luna Assembly: Colonist form a government seperate from the United Nations to counter and thwart any attempt at controlling the riches of the Moon.

-2026:A.D-Formation Of Mars Assembly: Colonist following the advice of the Luna Assembly, form a government seperate from the United Nations to counter and thwart any attempt at controlling the riches of Mars.

-2027:A.D-Formation Of Solar Assembly: The Luna Assembly and Mars Assembly form the Solar Assembly and Solar Fleet to create the colonies and colony ships needed to spread out into the solar system to provide relief of the over population of the Solar Assembly.

-2028:A.D-Colonization Of Solar System Begun:The development of the gravity coil enables the Solar Assembly to spread the colonies into the asteroid belt and through out the solar system

-2050:A.D-Colonization Of Solar System Complete: The Solar Assembly forges an alliance between the colonies to more effectively utilize the new metals and alloys as well as compounds discovered on the colonies to advance the technology.

-2051:A.D-Discovery Of Coil Hyper Drive: The Solar Assembly with the discovery of faster than light travel, radio, matter teleportation, and gravity fields lead to the next generation of starships.

-2052:A.D-Colonization Of Galaxy Begun: Discovery Of Coil Hyper Drive and other technological triumphs allow for the colonization and gene splicing to adapt the flora and fauna as well as colonist to the varied ecologies of the planets and new cultures.

-2052:A.D-Colonization Of Galaxy Complete: Leads to the formation of the Galactic Empire and the installation of planetary kingdoms ruled by Kings or Queens of the Imperial Earth Blood Line

-2053:A.D-Foundation Of Trillannii System: Atlanteans using Medallion and Ethereal Stone Magic discover the unique triple sun star system filled with ethereal ore and natural Medallion Gem Stones.

-2054:A.D-Foundation Of Trillannii Star Kingdom: Atlantean Royalty forge an alliance with the magical beings spread throughout the Empire, leading to an exodus to the Trillannii Star System and surrounding colonies with low populations.

-2054:A.D-Foundation Of Trillannii Medallion Church: Atlantean Royalty pledge allegiance to the Galactic Church which although maintains the Vatican and ties with other denominations/world religions, switches loyalty to the Trillannii Star Kingdom.

-2098:A.D-Events Of King Of The Rim http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/book/7793/king-rim

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End Of King Of The Rim-0-Appendix-A-History

To Be Continued King Of The Rim-0-Appendix-B-Cast Of Characters

King Of The Rim Chapter 1-Shoreleave By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne, JennaFl for Proofreading with Special Thanks to Sephrena Lynn Miller for Guidance and ChrisW. for the Illustration! And For Editorial Help Synopsis:Commander John Carter, Executive Officer of the Patrol Cruiser Aztec visits his favorite haunt once again while on shore leave after another successful tour of the Rim. In the Dive, he suffers the company of fellow crew member Bronson who has used his connections within the Navy to keep from being court martialed for previous transgressions. A beautiful woman enters the Dive, catching Bronson's lustful attention. Now John Carter faces possible discipline for defending a Trans from an attack by three crewmen: Bronson, and his cronies Jones and Walsh Will Carter be dishonorably discharged? Will he lose his commission and be sent to a Penal Colony? Or will he be exonerated, leading to an encounter that is the beginning of a change for the galaxy?.

As the Aztec approached the system, Commander John Carter entered the bridge and stood by the Captain as he surveyed his kingdom, and looked over at his Executive Officer with fatherly approval. "Well John, are you ready to take us in?" 'You have never asked for the honor, you’ve always let your Junior Officers have their chance ahead of you. That selfless attitude has gained you their respect and admiration, and now they say it is your turn.'

Looking at the Captain in surprise, he saluted the Captain who returned it with a smile. "Thank you, Sir. Yes, I'm ready, but I thought that Crewman Bronson was scheduled to bring us in?" 'Not that I am complaining, mind you.'

Getting up from the Throne, the Captain smiled warmly at John. "No, he's not ready yet and I seriously doubt that he ever will be with his attitude and track record of demerits. Please, be my guest. Besides, it is your time to shine."

John saluted the Captain who returned the salute and crisply exited the bridge. John sat on the Throne and surveyed his Kingdom. 'Each Captain is treated as an emperor ruling a kingdom here in the Imperial Navy. But how many captains can avoid the feelings of being a god with such power?'

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Common to all ships, the Bridge, Captain's Ready Room and Crew's Quarters were on the upper deck with the Captain's Ready Room and quarters forming a suite on the port side, Crew's Mess on the other with both separated from the bridge by the Main Airlock/gangway ramp on either side. Sickbay was located behind both with the operating theater/behind the Crew's Mess and ship's surgeon office/crew quarters across the aisle. Officers' quarters were two room apartments consisting of a bedroom/den/wardrobe and luxury head while crewmen had quarters similar to the brig cells, but double the floor space.
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As he viewed the bridge, he saw the telltale light warning of leaving hyperspace. "Lonnie, ship's status?" 'I can see that she will make a fine captain one day. That is if she decides to stay in the Service and not marry, but that is her choice to make,' John mused as he observed her performing her duties.

Up front in the Navigator's seat came the crisp reply from the shapely brunette. "All systems are green, sir." 'Damn it all! I simply can't wait till we land so that I can get pampered by my husband Michael's hands at the spa again.'

Turning to the helm, John saw the competent Less at work. "Less?" 'Damn! She still looks good being pregnant! That Evan is one very lucky Chief Engineer to have discovered such a find.'

Less stretched as she answered John. "Yes John?" 'I know one thing for certain. I will be more than happy when I drop my load. But even though carrying our child has been painful for me, I wouldn't trade my pregnancy for anything. Evan and I will retire and settle on Trillannii after this tour. Evan, if you had to carry our twins, you'd stay in bed. Like they say, 'If men had to give birth, the human race would have died out years ago'.'She felt twinges ease as her back loudly popped, releasing the pent up stress in her lower back.

John smiled at Less as she adjusted the kinks in her back. "Take us in system." 'Damn! I can hear her poor back pop from here! She sure did enjoy it from the way that she is smiling.' "Need anything for pain?" asked John as he walked over to the replicator, ready to assist his crew member. 'It may not be tradition for me to serve a lower ranked Officer, but this is my way of honoring them.'

Less moaned loudly as she put her hand on her lower back, then shyly smiled at John. "Well, I could use a shot of my relaxer. You know that the Navy frowns upon you doing this." 'It's not every Exec that will lower himself to help his crew out. John is the best there is. He will make some lady very happy. I hope as happy as I am with my Evan.'

John smiled and said, "One order of relaxer coming up, and let the Big Wigs frown for all the good it'll do them. The Aztec is a Patrol Cruiser, not a Battle Cruiser or Dreadnought. We don't have the space for a Yeoman to serve as a maid or butler."

Flipping through the menu, he entered the order. Then John carried a tray with a tall glass of amber liquid frosty with ice, a glass of green foam and a mug filled with a frothy brew. Walking over to the ladies, he placed their drinks upon the awaiting pads. "One mint tea for Lonnie and one relaxer for Less as ordered." 'Now for their response.'

"Thank you Johnny, but I did not ask for mint tea," said a puzzled Lonnie with a sigh. 'He is always so nice to us ladies. Too bad others aren't as nice.'

"Well, I knew that you'd want one as soon as we landed. So I thought I might as well order one for you as I got Less her drink," replied a very pleased Johnny as the main view screen went from showing the fluid light of hyperspace to a static star field as the Aztec slowed to sub light speeds.

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As the main view screen went from showing the fluid light of hyperspace to a static star field, the Aztec slowed to sub light speeds. The wings began to glow as the solar cells powered up the reaction coils and thrusters to drive the ship safely to the awaiting planet. Maxie's (Hub) Planet now dominated the screen. As the Aztec entered the atmosphere, the solar wings transferred the kinetic energy of the landing into the reaction coils and absorbed the energy of the sonic boom.

The Aztec was one of the countless smaller, more efficient Patrol Cruisers now used to replace the aging Fleet. The newer ships were capable of atmospheric landing like the civilian Merchant Cruisers. The only differences were that the Naval Vessels heavy armor replaced the spacious cargo holds of the Merchant Cruisers. With the smaller size, came smaller crews. Now the Yeomen who were in training transferred to other Departments and Ensigns took their place. Yeomen still served, but only at bases or on board the older ships still in service.

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As the Aztec landed, a ping sounded from the intercom. "John, they want to talk to you," said Less with a smile. 'I just love getting to set him up like this. At times, he is so naive for an Executive Officer and he reminds me of my kid brother too.'

Then a frowning John furrowed his brow. "To me? Who wants to talk to me?" 'Is there something that I am forgetting? Some obscure regulation that I forgot about?'

Then the main screen activated and an opulently dressed Lord Duke appeared. He was dressed in the combat green livery of the Imperial Army. Lord Duke Augustus Pompeii got his jollies by scaring naive Naval Officers since he failed all of the requirements to be a Navy Officer. "Aztec, how dare you keep me waiting!! I have more important things to do than to wait while you play!" 'Now to put fear in this newbie and see him grovel to keep me from inflicting my wrath upon him.'

John Carter sat back in the Throne and laughed out loud. "I dare because I am your equal you conceited toad!! You know very well that according to Imperial Regulations the Person selected by the Captain to sit on his Throne is second only to the Captain or the Emperor Himself. Now, if you want to salve your pride by denying us entry here, we will go to another star port on this planet and tell other Naval Vessels about you. Can you afford the Imperial Fines for refusing us entry?" 'That arrogant ass is bluffing!! He knows that he can't afford to pay the fines levied against him for refusing to accept an Imperial Navy Ship if I do leave.'

John could see the pompous ass visibly deflate as he pondered the fact that John was not bowing before him in fear as a plebe would. Lord Duke Augustus Pompeii could lose his position and Title at the whim of Imperial Envoy if He felt that the Lord Duke was ineffective. "Now there is no need to leave, you are most welcome here Lord Captain." 'Oh shit! Now I've done it! This is no newbie here, this is the Exec! Best to butter him up and stay on his good side. If it were a Merchant Cruiser, there would be no fines levied.'

John leaned back as he saw that he had the pompous ass set up. "Do you expect me to allow you to raise my rank without the authority? Only the Captain or the Emperor Himself has that Authority. You will have a lot of explaining to do to the Imperial Envoy once His Eminence has viewed the tape." 'Now let's see you do some groveling.'

The Lord Duke blanched as he heard the threat. "I beg of you Sir, please have mercy upon me, your most humble servant." Damn it all! I hate having to grovel and say that to him! But that is the protocol when pleading for mercy.'

John stood up and placed his hand upon his sword as per regulations. "I accept your apology my humble servant. Now are we cleared to stay or shall we leave?" John chuckled evilly at the Lord Duke's expense. 'I love to see these pompous asses having to grovel. It serves them right for being so stuck up.'

Staying bowed before John, Lord Duke Augustus Pompeii lowered his head further. "You are cleared to stay here at my most inadequate home, Sir." 'When this nightmare will be over?'

John smiled. "We are most happy to accept your hospitality." Turning to Less, he ordered. "Cut transmission." Johnny let out a belly laugh and wiped his eyes when he saw the ship's logo signal transmission's end.

An ongoing unofficial feud between the Imperial Army and Imperial Navy stretched back to Old Earth and the Nation of America where the respective universities regularly engaged in competition.

"Do you think that he wet himself?" asked a mirthful Lonnie with a giggle. I know that I need to go to the head now.'

They heard the Captain's deep throated chortle. "If not, he at least has to shower to erase his odoriferous smell from pooping his trousers. You did very well John, even better than I expected. It's been my pleasure to groom you for Command. You'll either take over when I retire in a few years or transfer to a new Command."

A look of astonishment came over John's face as he realized what had happened. Pointing at the bemused Captain, John said. "You set me up to humiliate that pompous fool!" Then pointing at himself asked, "But why me?" 'You sneaky bastard, you planned this and I fell for it. Glad I'm on your good side.'

Acknowledging John with a good humored bow, the Captain said. "Yes, I admit that I set you up. I knew that you wouldn't let him railroad you into accepting his bullshit. He has been causing problems and I used you to deal with him. Best of all, you didn't let me or the Navy down."

John clapped his hands three times in sarcastic good humor. "Very well, glad to be of service to the Navy. It was my distinct pleasure to put him in his place. Now maybe the Empire will replace the Lord Duke with a trained monkey. It couldn't do any worse," snorted John.

The Captain stood up at attention to show that the time for humor had passed. "Please follow me, John. We have a bit of a problem to discuss before you take liberty." 'I just hope that it doesn't cause you any harm, but you’re about the only one that I can trust.'

John saluted the Captain to acknowledge the seriousness of the request, which the Captain crisply returned. "Aye aye Captain." 'I wonder what it could be that needs my attention?'

The Captain turned, going to the Crew's Mess, just off the bridge. "Less, Lonnie, you're free to take liberty," said the Captain with an exasperated sigh. 'Wish that I could go on liberty, but being Captain means dealing with red tape, and I am meeting with Imperial Envoy Eric Cameron. Glad that he is a Rimmer and his Loyalty Oath is as unquestioned as mine is.'

John followed the Captain. After signaling their spouses below, the two women squealed with delight as they rushed past the men like girls going on Spring Break.

"As you know," began the Captain, "the Empire has been sending out more of its upgraded ships. Now we know why." 'It's against Imperial Policy, but letting him know so that he can notify his family and friends through their network is the right thing to do. The Empire doesn't know that he's the Prince of Trillannii. If they did, they would seek to destroy or subvert him because of the inherent Power of Trillannii Nobility. Unfortunately for the Imperials, once corrupted, that Power is gone and only the heir of a Corrupted may access the Legacy.'

John activated a series of controls to access the Ship's Library. "No doubt they are planning upon a massive assault all across the Rim." 'Thanks to friends like the Captain, we Trillannii are ready for the war, but it's best to let the Council know what ships are being sent.'

The Captain was one of a few Imperials that supported the Rimmers. He grew up on Old Earth and was raised at Hayfield Hall to respect all people. The Hall was continuing its policy of teaching the T.G. in secret, only now the Graduates left Old Earth behind and took their families to T.G. friendly worlds.

The Captain nodded in approval at his activities. "No, normally, that would be the case, but not this time." 'Just wait until you find out, I doubt that you will believe it, I don't really believe it myself.'

Then after accessing the Imperial Naval Files on Ships, John paused to send the information to his communicator, which would discreetly send the accumulated information once a ship with the proper coding arrived. He noticed that one was here already. "Oh? if not a planned assault then what?" 'This had better be good. Wonder which ship is in port? Good thing the Port Authority pays lip service to Imperial Policy or we couldn't risk the transmission.'

The Captain smirked in approval of his question. "The Princess is coming out here on a Good Will Tour of the Rim. That will cause more than a few tongue waggers to gossip, which is what the Imperial Palace wants, no doubt. She has been kept ignorant of the Truth. Once here, you Trillannii can show her the Truth."

John sent the message and closed the terminal, erasing all evidence of his activities in case Imperial Intelligence (Imp In) should check. "Well, that is different. No doubt the Emperor is fretting over her being here, but He can't deny Her without causing Her to wonder." 'I bet that the Council back home will be debating this tidbit of news for a while.'

The Captain stood up to escort John out. "No doubt an excuse for the build up. Take care John, and pray that we don't go to war over this. I hate war, such a waste of ships and crew. But the Rim is ready, I hope."

John shook hands with the Captain. "Don't you worry. My Dad initiated a refit of all Trillannii and Rim ships to upgrade everything, and it is now complete."

"Good, now go before Brick comes on duty."

"Then I'm on my way! I had best take my liberty now before his shift starts or I'll be stuck here on Monitor Duty instead of Brick." 'Can't wait to get to Maxie's Tavern and relax with a proper steak and ale.'

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Interlude: Trillannii Throne Room
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The Palace is guarded by a meter thick kilometer high masonry that housed generators, missiles, shield and towers at each of the four corners that protected the Royal Palace in the center. Each of the four Courtyards was divided into farming plots with dairy-cattle housed in barns next to the walls. The tenant farmers were housed in cottages next to the Palace with well paves roads linking everything.

The hangers were carved out of the living stone of Mont Camelot, the highest mountain on the planet. The hangers house the factories that build the Trillannii Fleet of Trillannii Cruisers [Warships], Merchant Cruisers, as well as the Merchant Freighters. The Trillannii Cruisers and Merchant Cruisers are basically the same ship, except that the Trillannii Cruiser is armored against attack, and the cargo pods house fuel, only the Governor Coils maintain the illusion the both classes are different.

The Merchant Freighters are an older design relying on the brute power of the engines instead of relying upon a combination of engine power and streamlining and wings to perform the same tasks. But at a much lower fuel cost. They are used as dreadnoughts, hospital ships, tankers, and troop carriers because of their rugged construction. Their long, thick fuselage and powerful engines on each side are reminiscent of ancient rocket used to launch Man into Space, but any one ship had the equivalent power of the ancient aircraft carriers, the largest, most powerful ships of Earth' Wet Navy.

Mount Camelot is an extinct volcano that formed the Northern Continent, leaving the Aortic Circle as Trillannii largest freshwater lake. The runoff from the lake feeds the Four Rivers which waters the continent. In the ancient past, a comet composed of ice and stone crashed on top of the Magnetic North Pole, causing a planetary shock wave that caused massive extinctions of most life, but also the Northern continent with its four peninsulas, each with a distinctive ecology.

The Pacific Peninsula is a vast forest of ancient trees in hidden valleys and new growth forests in the plains of orchard of fruit, nut, and lumber with arboreal cities built out of living trees that were shaped into houses by Trillannii Druids capable of performing the magical feats of druids using psionic energy. The Druids maintain an army of Rangers who tend the forests, and houses as well as maintain a variety of non polluting vessels.

The Eastern Peninsula is a vast fertile plan of farmlands divided by the mountains into districts where orchards, farms, and cattle are kept along with special areas devoted to wild life reserves where rare animals and plants are kept from extinction. Here, solar, wind, and hydro power is used in place of burning fossil fuel, although methane gas is stored for heating during the winter.

The Atlantic Peninsula is a vast rocky land of mines, industrial parks, and factories. This is the home of Trillannii technological wealth and industrial might. Here is the site of the many industrial, and technical l universities, and storage for older, vintage technology where students learn about all technology. As a mountain is excavated, or leveled, the refuse is turned into houses, roads, and warehouses.

The Western Peninsula is a vast swamp of interlocking islands of fertile soil where orchids and other rare plants are grown in the galaxy's largest greenhouse. When Trillannii was settled, a Colony Ship containing the embryos of animals adapted to Trillannii crashed, releasing them all, turning the once desert into a swamp as the ruptured engines melted the mountain ice. Since then the wreck has been repaired and turned into one of the many apartment complexes housing the populace.

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King Reginald sat on the Throne, meeting with petitioners, as was the Custom of every King to meet and greet His subjects. Even though the Trillanni Kingdom was prosperous, there were still too many instances where the greedy would try to deny a subject his or her due bounty, and this was His way to counter that evil. He wanted for all his people to prosper, so He had set up a republican government to handle the needs of the people. To ensure that there was no abuse of power, all offices had a four-term limit. The official could still serve in other areas, but not in the one they had served before.

King Reginald saw Chancellor Merlin approach. He was wearing the blue robes of his Office, which consisted of a matching bodysuit that protected him against all forms of attack, even chemical, gas and radiation assault. Even though the need for such security measures had long since passed, with the current political situation, the Government was taking no chances. Each member of the Government was similarly protected, but the Ruling Family even more so.

For them, their minds and bodies were subjected to special training that released the body’s untapped potential, and the mind's hidden gifts. Utilizing the mental bonding with their medallions, a Trillannii Royal could perform many mental feats of the mind and body.

The Chancellor's tall, rugged body and classic Roman features made him look like Zeus, or Apollo among mortals. Only King Reginald's 'Fabian' looks were more appealing.

Merlin approached the Throne. "Your Eminence." 'Reggie says to never use that term unless I need a private audience with him.'

Reginald lifted his hand. "Yes, Chancellor?" 'What could be the reason for this interruption?'

"Forgive me, Your Eminence, but it is time for you to review the new additions to the Fleet."

Reginald smiled. "So, the new Throne Ship is ready?" 'Damn! Has the Emperor finally decided to invade?'

"Yes, Sir. The crew is ready for you." 'I hate this subterfuge, but it's the King's decision to keep the public ignorant of the war. Time enough later when war is declared.'

Reginald hit a small gong with a mallet, sounding an end to the session. "People of Trillannii, this session is now over. I now go to attend to my duties as your King!"

As he stepped away from the Throne, the many petitioners applauded him. They knew that he would listen to them when he could. And he had a habit of visiting them in their daily lives, learning exactly what their needs were.

"Come, Chancellor, I am sure that you will want to check out the Fleet with me," he admitted. 'Arturo has always had a thing for building special ships. It's a good thing that he went to the Naval Design College.'

"Coming, your Majesty. Who shall attend to Your Duties if You are detained?" 'We need to make an official Change of Command, now that Reggie will be overseeing the Navy, and attending to His ambassadorial duties.'

The King turned towards the Chancellor and the audience. "I appoint you, Arturo Merlin as my Regent, kneel before me." 'Damn this pomp and circumstance! But the People need this show in order to qualm their fears. If not for the Emperor's tendency to do secret appointments, I'd not need to do this.'

Arturo knelt before the King. "Yes, your Highness."

Reginald unclasped the sword from his side, and touched the flat of the blade to Arturo's shoulders. "By the Authority invested in me by the Most High God, I name thee, Chancellor Merlin Arturo as Regent of Trillannii. Now arise, and fulfill thy duties." 'Not that he needs this ceremony, as Chancellor, he is automatically next in line, but there are those whose agendas are contrary to mine, and if in charge, would cause trouble.'

The greedy who were all to ready to confiscate or steal the wealth of others were guilty of inciting political unrest to further their goals. When caught, their corruption was either healed through Medallion Healers, or if they would not/could not be healed, were banished to the Imperium with all their Medallion knowledge and skills erased from them.

As the audience applause died down, the visitors looked for the exit and soon departed the scene. The Royal Guards escorted them to their waiting carriages, or to the Public Transport Terminal to board at one of the transport hubs. There was an air hub for sky taxis and sky buses, the subway and boats. But for those who could afford it, or lived within the Capitol City, there was the teleporter.

"Okay, Merl, where did this data come from, and just how current is it?"

"We got it in our last data transfer from the Emperor's Palace. They waited until the Emperor called his pet terrorist Jellico back to escort the Princess on her tour of the Rim. Until then, the Naval Maneuvers were all speculation."

"Damn! Did the data include ship movements?"

"Yes, we were lucky, that way, and some of it came from our friends in black."

By now, they had reached the King's Chamber which only a few knew about. It was accessed via teleporters and trapdoors that prevented an enemy from attacking the King. Its exact location was behind the Throne Room, but showed up on scanners as a column of dirt.

"Oh? Really?"

"Yes, Reggie, What's on your mind?"

"Well, it seems as if they're able to see what we do. I wonder if we should make an alliance with them."

Merlin Arturo busied himself with getting Reginald a frothy brew of Trillannii Beer to help him ponder upon his alternatives. The brew worked with the Medallion to streamline the thought processes. "Considering their nature, they make excellent allies, but are they willing to fight if war is declared?"

Reginald accepted his mug. "According to our records, they are against the Emperor. They have fought against those that have tried to force a gender change upon a victim, but that might have changed," he said with a sigh. 'If the M.I.B.D. have allied with the Emperor, I am the best one to sense it, other than my son, John. That's what makes my decision so damned dangerous! If caught, I could endanger the Rim.'

Sitting down across from Reginald, Arturo shook his head. "It's too damned bad that I can't do it, but then again, I don't have the ability to sense subterfuge as you or John do."

"All too true, old friend. How is the Queen doing?"

Arturo began to cry, "The poison continues to ravage her body. Soon, there will be nothing human left of her body. She will become a living statue."

"Have the S.P.A. schools left the Earth? That is the only thing that would give my wife's sacrifice any meaning."

"Your wife, is as a daughter to me. Yes, thanks to Doris spilling that vat of poison, the schools were able to get away."

"Good, her sacrifice is another in a long list of grievances against the Emperor."

Maxie's Tavern's dim and smoky atmosphere had become the standard by which other pubs on the Rim went by. For Maxie's Tavern's was well known for its brews and excellent menu as well as its catering, emporium and take home services. More than one ship had loaded up upon the pub's vast variety of pre-packaged meals for the journeys between ports of call where the crew could safely dine while away from their ship.

The Hub was the Agri-Planet Ceres IV, but poor management o natural resources depleted the soil, leaving the planet a wasteland until retired Governor Max set his plan into motion to reclaim it. Max officially released the name Ceres IV and renamed the planet Maxie's Planet, better known as The Hub.

The Hub was the first one established at the port by Max, and grew until it had taken over the warehouse complex, eventually the entire planet. Max used his influence to establish other taverns around the planet, especially at other star ports. There were other taverns, but his was the best.

Using his connections as the retired Governor, Max made the planet the transport hub for the region for Merchant Cruisers om all over, capable of handling the needs of ship and crew from the Hub's vast resources, rivaling any port in the galaxy at large. The Imperial Navy, which had its own base adjacent to the base of trade and commerce, used the Hub's connections to provide supplies for the base, eliminating the cost of a PX store and fuel depot.

As the Hub's popularity grew, Max claimed more of the planet until the entire surface was remodeled into a megalopolis that covered the planet, turning the mountains into factories to reclaim the air and all bodies of water into fresh water reservoirs, kept clean via bio friendly algae that fed the marine life harvested for consumption. The Hub's farms were located at the equator and polar regions to take advantage of the available sunlight and grow the specialty items on demand throughout the galaxy.

A sullen John Carter drained his glass and the waitress refilled it as soon as he passed it to her. 'Well, here I am in Maxie's Tavern having a few pints after my steak. Unfortunately, that Bronson shows up without taking the antidote, and now that wet-behind-the-ears plebe is drunk as a skunk! He was told by the Captain that anymore trouble and he'd send Bronson to the Penal Planet in spite of his contacts in the Navy.'

"That'sh one purty gal there. Wonder if she'sh wearing undiesh?" asked Bronson.with a hiccup.

Looking towards the door of the bar, John Carter saw a petite redhead enter wearing a green bodysuit and matching boots. She looked quite capable of handling any trouble with her laser pistol and truncheon, "Careful there Bronson, she is from a Merchant Cruiser, I doubt that she is willing from the way that she carries herself," John chuckled as he remembered more than a few times that he had seen such a display in the seedy streets of the star port.

"Sho?" Bronson then began to greedily down the contents of his flagon. 'A challenge will be nice for a change from diving into the slave pits.'

'Damn it! All I wanted was to sit down with Max and talk over old times after that excellent dinner, but he had to go break up a brawl. I remember being a wet-behind-the-ears plebe on my first liberty furlough and coming into this tavern when it first opened its doors. I was his first customer and he gave me my first pint of root beer. He couldn't believe that I drank the stuff. But when he pulled his first pint of Trillannii Root Beer, he found out just how much of a kick it has.' "Careful there Bronson, you're drunk!"

"Sho?"

John finished as the waitress returned his now full glass with her customary smile, "And you did not take the antidote as per regulations. Your flaunting of regulations has just ruined any chance of a promotion." 'Back then it was the only tavern here, but Max converted this old warehouse into his tavern and emporium. Thanks to him, this depleted agri-world is now a hub center of trade.'

"I am shure that she is good for a bit of fun."leered Bronson.who drained away his beer and poured more from the pitcher. Make another notch on my bedpost," he slurred as he drank.

'Damn it all!! I have to stop him from doing something foolish!!' thought John as he sat hid mug down. Then he said. "If you do what I think your gonna' do, that is a Court Martial Offense. And you are drunk as a skunk. You know very well that the Captain warned you about getting into trouble."

"And you would be more than happy to shend me packing Mishter Clean," accused Bronson as he belched loudly enough for other patrons to turn and stare at him in open disgust.

"No, Bronson, I just enforce the regulations," sighed an exasperated John. "I do not make them." Then John looked Bronson square in the eyes, "Can't you tell that I am trying to save your sorry ass?" Then he turned Bronson's empty pitcher over. 'I hope that he gets the message through that alcoholic fog.'

'Guesh that I was wrong about 'im. 'e ain't too bad at that.' "Well then, I guesh that I will head back before I muck it up. Good night Shir." He saluted sloppily.

John returned his salute, "Good night Bronson." Then he finished sipping his brew, thankful that he HAD taken the Antidote before he left the ship. 'I won't feel that she is safe until I make sure that she's been escorted back to her ship. Bronson's small stature might make him an ideal sniper, but it also makes him drunk all too quickly without the antidote.'

The drunken Bronson drained his mug of beer and staggered out, weaving a wobbly trail to the exit followed by his friends Jones and Walsh, together, they went looking for fresh meat.

==================
Interlude: Imperial Palace
==================
In the opulent Throne Room, Emperor Augustus Sylvester Pendragon awaited his daughter Princess Ariel Selena Pendragon as he sat upon the Crystal Throne. The Crystal Throne was built by Master Artisans and Craftsmen. Using gold, precious gems and silver, they worked with Master Technicians and Engineers to create a throne from which the Emperor could rule His Empire. Inlaid with technology, the Crystal Throne could convey the Emperor anywhere safely and protect Him with an array of weapons.

Running up to her Daddy, the Princess hugged Him. "Oh Daddy, guess what your little girl did?" She beamed with delight.

Looking at His precious daughter, who had perched herself upon the arm of the throne so that her hose encased legs could dangle, Augustus smiled and said, "You caught a fish in the Royal Pond." 'She is the only one that I will ever allow to disturb me as she does, and I wouldn't have it any other way.'

Ariel reached over to the decanter and poured herself a glass of chilled water kept there for the Emperor and Princess. "No silly, I got the part of the Good Fairy in the play," she said between giggles.

"Is that so? You look like Tinkerbell, but in pink, not green."

"Can't you tell by my costume?" she replied as she lifted the hem of her tiny skirt and swished to show her fairy wings.'My Daddy just loves to tease me and I love it.'

The Emperor clinked his glass to hers and they both sipped their drinks. "Now that you mention it, yes. When do you perform?" he asked with laughter in his voice. 'She looks so cute in her pink tutu and tights. She may practically be an adult, but she still acts like a little girl. I purposefully kept her away from Court intrigue, but that has weakened her too. She needs to start taking responsibility, yet I want to protect my precious daughter from political treachery and manipulation.'

She placed her now empty glass down by her Daddy's empty glass. "After my Royal Tour of the Rim." 'I know that my Daddy hates the idea of me going out there, but I must start doing my duty as the Princess. I hope that my Daddy understands.'

Then the Emperor frowned at His daughter. "Ariel, are you sure thatyou want to go on the Tour?" he asked, his voice heavy with concern. 'Is My daughter finally ready to act as the Princess? Can I trust her to make the right decisions out there away from me and the Court?'

Ariel looked her Daddy in the eye. "Daddy, I'm an adult. It is time for me to start taking responsibility and show people that I can lead. So far, all that I've done is go to school and attend Royal Balls. I need to show the People that I'm not a spoiled brat, a Royal-Pain-In -The-Neck-Princess," she said, pouting. 'Daddy thinks that I am a naive and gullible girl. My teachers taught me about his depredations. When I am Empress, the evil will end. But I need the help of the Rim to consolidate my position.'

The Emperor looked at her with new found respect for her decision. "Very well Ariel, the Throne Ship 'the Majestic' is yours for the Tour. It is ready for you. Shall I escort you to your ship?" 'It will be one of my very few pleasures that I have as your Daddy. Too bad you're an adult; I loved seeing you grow up.'

She squealed with delight." Oh, thank you Daddy!! I'll go and change now." Then the petite Princess ran out of the Throne Room. 'Have to maintain the image of the little girl or I can't do what I must.'

After she left, the Emperor thought long and hard. 'Who shall I appoint as the Captain of her ship? Who can I trust to both uphold Imperial Policy and keep her safe for me while she's out touring the Rim? Ah yes!! Now I know the perfect man for the job.' Reaching over to the intercom, he activated a special button. "Grand Admiral Jolleck," he called out.

Then a hologram of a silver haired Santa Claus in a crisp white uniform appeared before the Emperor. "Greetings Your Majesty, how may I serve the Empire?" 'I wonder what that old bastard wants me to do for Him now? He has given me many an hour of pleasure as I engaged in my vices while serving Him.'

The Emperor grinned at the sight of His friend. "Get your ass over here at once, you rascal. I have a job that needs your special touch."

Jolleck saluted the Emperor who crisply returned it. "Aye Aye, your Majesty."

The Emperor cut the connection and awaited the Grand Admiral. To help pass the time, the Royal Attendant brought out an ornate tray filled with refreshments and then sat a much smaller chair on the other side of the table and went back to his place in his alcove off away from view to await the Emperor's next whim.

John Carter watched with growing interest as the redhead approached the table. "I am Jane Meadows," she said as she held out her hand in lady-like fashion. 'I saw him with his drunken friend. He must be a rare one. Is he the gent that I hope he is or another cad?'

John took her hand in his and gently kissed it. 'Yes,she’s smiling.' "I am John Carter." 'She moves with grace, must know a few Court Dances or I hope so.'

John Carter held the chair as Jane sat down. "My oh my, are we not a gentleman, John Carter of Mars? So very few out here on the Rim."

"Actually, my family came from Mars, but we settled out here on the Rim," he said as he remembered the first time he had read the John Carter of Mars stories.

"Oh, which system?" she purred as the waitress placed Jane's order of wine by her. 'What a handsome man! Is he single and available?'

"The Trillannii System."

"Then you are one of the few that support the T.G.," she said, sighing, grateful to have found a possible friend. "So few people out here on the Rim openly support us because of Imperial Policy. And with the damned Imperial Navy more active, it's even more dangerous to openly support us."

"Yes. As soon as my tour is over, I am retiring and going back to the family farm."

"An officer and a gentleman as well as a farmer. Being from the Trillannii System, are you a Trillannii Knight? Will you be mine tonight? I feel that I need one."

She wiped her forehead as the wine began to take effect. John held out his hand. "Then I shall be your Knight, my Lady." John took a swallow of his brew. 'If she only knew what my family farm actually is, she would have a fit. Retiring as the youngest Captain at thirty in four years will be even sweeter if I find me my Queen out here.'

"Perhaps you could help me, then." She sipped her wine and set the glass back down. "I hope that I am doing the right thing, I'd hate to have to see you get hurt." 'How will he react to my news? Is he simply giving me a spiel about being pro T.G. to entrap me? Good thing my pistol is charged.'

"Sure, what do you need?" he finished his drink, sensing an end to the conversation.

"John, I am a T.G." Then she drained her glass in order to steel herself for trouble. 'Well, in for a penny, in for a pound.'

"Whew! Jane, you look like a G.G. to me." He eyed her appreciatively. 'I can't tell that she is T.G. Not that it matters to me, I like her.'

"Thank you, actually, I did serve upon a naval ship before I transitioned. I served as Ship's Surgeon on board the Dreadnought, Terra Queen. Now it's been converted to a Merchant Cruiser hauling liquids," she wiped her forehead as the wine began to take effect. 'Now I know that I am safe with him, but who in the hell spiked my wine? I can't trust myself to shoot straight now. Have to rely on him now.'

"Oh, how complete is the transition? For you that is. That Merchant Cruiser comes here every month." John smiled at her. 'Damned good looking girl here, well worth knowing in my book.'

"Complete enough, only by scanning my records can you tell that I used to be James," she said with a sigh. 'Looks as if I have found a friend in John.'

"So, you can? Uh, ..." 'I think that I am in love with her.'

John ordered another of his brew from the waitress who replaced Jane's order of wine by her. "Yes, I can. And I do want to have a family." 'I think that he could be the one for me in spite of the fact that he is in the Navy.'

"Don't worry Jane, your secret is safe with me." 'Besides, none of the crew would ever believe me, even if I was to tell them. And I wouldn't mind being the father of her children.'

"I know that, but I saw your shipmate leave, and I need you to escort me back to my ship." 'I hope that you will do it, because I doubt that there are any of the crew ready to help me out thanks to shore leave.'

"You think that he will attack you?" 'She is scared of Bronson and with good reason. He won't take no for an answer.'

"Yes, and if successful, I could get..."

John held out his hand, "Then I shall be your Knight my Lady."

Jane graciously accepted his hand. "Thanks, but I am not a lady. Not with my record."

"Princess then," he suggested with a smile.

"If you insist."

[*][*][*]
After paying the bar bill, John Carter led Jane out of the Dive. Since the bar was located close to where the ships docked, it wasn’t much of an imposition for John to escort Jane back to her ship.

"There is my ship, the Rim Queen," she said with pride.

"Believe it or not, that ship berthed next to yours is my ship, the Aztec."

As they got closer, her fears were realized. Three men suddenly stepped out of the ships' shadows. It was Bronson, aided by his cohorts Jones and Walsh. Bronson lunged at Jane as Jones and Walsh rushed forward. Carter stepped in front of her and let loose with his Command Baton, leaving their shoulders numb from the stun charge. Bronson attempted to raise his laser pistol only to have his pistol arm stunned as John delivered the nerve pinch to the shoulder, ending Bronson's fight.

Jane looked on in horror as the fight went on, after being pushed away by John to safety, crying as she thought of what could happen.

Walsh put on brass knuckles that gave him shielding from the Baton as Jones went for his vibroblade. John threw Bronson into them as he withdrew his star sword to do battle with his opponents. But instead of fighting, they turned and fled back to the Aztec which was berthed next to her ship the Rim Queen.

Jane lowered her fists from her mouth, relaxing from her protective stance.

"Glad to be of service. I will have Bronson sent packing along with Jones and Walsh." Then John gently wiped her tears away with his hand.

"Only one thing, John." 'Will he hate me now?'

"What is that?"

"Jones and Walsh were shipmates of mine. They know who I am. Oh please, John! Don't hate me."

"Shit!"

[*][*][*]

---

---

End Of King Of The Rim-Chapter 1-Shoreleave

To Be Continued In King Of The Rim-Chapter-2-Courtmartial

King Of The Rim Chapter 2-Courtmartial By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne, JennaFl for Proofreading with Special Thanks to Sephrena Lynn Miller for Guidance and ChrisW. for the Illustration! And For Editorial Help Synopsis:Commander John Carter, Executive Officer of the Patrol Cruiser Aztec visits his favorite haunt once again while on shore leave after another successful tour of the Rim. In the Dive, he suffers the company of fellow crew member Bronson who has used his connections within the Navy to keep from being court martialed for previous transgressions. A beautiful woman enters the Dive, catching Bronson's lustful attention. Now John Carter faces possible discipline for defending a Trans from an attack by three crewmen: Bronson, and his cronies Jones and Walsh Will Carter be dishonorably discharged? Will he lose his commission and be sent to a Penal Colony? Or will he be exonerated, leading to an encounter that is the beginning of a change for the galaxy?.

---

[*][*][*]
John grabbed Jane by the shoulders. "Damn it all to hell! My goose is cooked. The captain has no choice but to send me to the penal planet!"

Jane looked him in the eye, ready to endure his wrath. "If I had known that Jones and Walsh were involved, I'd have never involved you. The only reason that they know is that they saw me at the clinic. Because of me, that clinic is now an Imperial Clinic and all of the staff members are slaves." 'He has every right to take out his anger on me, but why do I feel safe, even now?'

John Carter was speechless for a few moments as he contemplated the full implications of what she just said. "Those two will tell Bronson and then they'll tell the Captain!" He sighed heavily, resigned to the worst possible outcome.

"I wish that things had worked out better for my knight." 'He looks so lost now, all because of me. Was it worth his court martial for me to be defended? His black wavy hair and piercing blue eyes make John an Adonis. He may be small and lean, but his whipcord physique makes me drool.'

Then he slumped into a nearby bench against a retaining wall. "My career is over now. I apologize for yelling at you. I was defending your honor as any knight should." 'And I would do it again to protect her too.'

Going over to John Carter, she gently kissed his cheek and then sat down by him on the bench. "The knights of old slayed dragons? Are you really a knight?"

His sense of humor returned when she called him her knight. He remembered the oath he swore as a knight. "On my world, I am actually a knighted prince. We are very much like the Knights of Camelot." He grinned at her to let her know that he was not angry at her. 'Why do I feel so comfortable around her? Could she be the one for me?'

Beginning to feel at ease in his presence, she teased, "Oh, so I am talking to royalty?" Her eyes glistened with laughter. 'Here, all of this time, I never believed that I could ever find true love. Yet, in my heart of hearts, I yearn for him. Is he the one for me?'

John reached into his pocket for a napkin, then gently wiped the tears from Jane's eyes. John sensed a sweet soul longing for acceptance. "My Home Trillannii is a Free Port World. We believe all are equal. Unfortunately, some have need of our help because of the Empire. Which is why we Trillannii Knights help those in need."

Jane looked at her wrist chronometer. "Too bad I was not born there; I have no doubt that I'd have been free to be me. But it is time for me to return to my ship. However, do not worry about your career. I believe that you won't go to the Penal Planet." 'Come to think of it, he just might be the Prince of Trillannii that we have been looking for.'

Standing up, John helped Jane to her feet. "Why do you say that?" He gently kissed the back of her hand, treating her like a Lady of the Court. "Is there any hope for me?"

Jane smiled in approval of his Court manners. "I am sure that somebody will buy out your contract with the Navy. That is the only way out for you." 'To be specific, the Captain will if you are the Prince that I believe that you are. If not, we will still be of service to another Trillannii Knight.'

"But then I will be the slave of the purchaser. Not much of a hope, but at least there is some hope for me."

"Johnny, whoever buys your contract can free you. My Captain is looking for an Executive Officer. Hopefully he can buy you, and free you." 'If he won't, I will! I have the money thanks to cashing in my scholarships.'

They shared a long, lingering kiss and embrace that inflamed both their hearts with longing for the other. Reluctantly Jane turned away to board her ship as John stared up at her retreating form.

The Rim Queen, John noted, had a long oval body with an attached delta wing that housed the fuel and Star Drive nacelles. Its stern held the reaction drive and twin "V" rudders that guided it during atmospheric flight. John couldn't help but wonder how its weapons and armor compared to the Aztec.

===============
Interlude: Rim Queen
===============
Jane swiped her hand over the security scanner to open the plasteel door and headed down to Engineering to see her best friend. Even though they were both the same age, Sparky always seemed to have a way of quelling Jane's fears and doubts. If not for her friendship, Jane would have given up after transferring to the Queen.

Jane hugged the Chief Engineer. "Sparky, I may have met my True Love, but he's in trouble for defending me from attack by men of the Imperial Navy."

"All because o' Imperial Policy. Get ya' fanny to tha' Cap'n. He'll do what he can for tha' man."

Then a gray haired legless man in a hover chair spoke, "No need to Jane, I heard you just now, and I'll do what I can for him. But next time, dress less sexy when you go ashore please."

Jane moved away from Sparky's station to give the Captain a hug. "Thanks Daddy." 'He earned my love when he chose to accept me as his daughter.'

"You're welcome my daughter. If only your family would accept you."

"Daddy, they are not my family after disowning me. You're my new daddy."

"And wha' abou' tha' crew? Are we na' family too?" asked Sparky.

Jane turned and hugged her. "Yes, all of you are family, now let's help Johnny please."

"It all depends upon if his Captain chooses to sell Johnny's commission to me, but old Steel Britches is a firm and fair commander. He'll not let Johnny rot in jail." 'Can't let them know that he is a Trillannii Friend.'

Carter turned and headed for his ship, the Aztec. The walk, though short, seemed a marathon. The Aztec was a long, lean version of the Rim Queen. As he approached the gangplank, he saw his best friend, Security Chief Brett "Brick" Steele standing there waiting for him with a bemused look on his face as he pondered the scene that he had witnessed below. Brick was a tall dark-skinned bald powerfully built man with gray eyes, his somber brown armor accentuating his physique.

Brick stood aside to let his shipmate enter. "Hello John." 'Looks as if Johnny now has a sweetheart. If she is the one that has caused all of the trouble, then I must say that she is most definitely worth it in my book, but does John think so too?'

Seeing the bemused expression of his trusted friend, John knew that Brick had witnessed the kiss and perhaps more. "Hi Brick." John sighed tiredly. 'At least Brick is there for me in my time of need. I never would have made it through boot camp without his friendship.'

Brick smiled as he thought of John's reputation among the crew. "I heard that you opened a can of 'Whup Ass' upon Bronson and his cohorts Jones and Walsh. I wish that I could have been there to help you out. If it had've been me instead of you, then it'd have simply been me dealing out justice as Security Chief. As it is, you are in trouble that I can't get you out of."

"Understood." Johnny shrugged. "Did they say why?" 'I wonder if they tried to lie? Not that it'd do them very much good with the Captain and Brick.

Brick shook his head. "No, sadly only that you attacked them. As if you would! No, I know you far better than that my friend and so does the good Captain. Knowing him, he'll ferret out the truth from them even without the security tapes and my eyewitness account of the incident."

John stared wide eyed at hids friend. "If you saw it, why didn't you help me?"

"I was on Monitor Duty and couldn't get to you before you ended the fight. You were so quick that I couldn't get there in time. Besides, you didn't need my help!"

John shook his head. "I guess you didn’t believe them then. Brick, you never did like Bronson's attitude."

Stopping the both of them in the Crew's Mess, Brick sat down at the Captain's Table, as did John. Brick looked John square in the eye. "Would you?" His question conveyed understanding to John.

"No, not at all, but he has his friends on board who can cause trouble," John said.

"Ah, my friend, if you only knew about all of the support and friends that you have made on board." 'Poor Jonathan believes that the coward has a way to influence the outcome of the trial.

======================
Interlude:-M.I.B.D. Moon Base
======================
Deep in the heart of Moon Base One was a simple shop with "Mary's Dress Shop" above the doorway. Within the shop were racks of clothing of all sorts for all genders and ages. Mary's Dress Shop occupied four acres of space to house the shop, a tailoring section to fit the needs or wants of the customer, and a factory to produce the goods. Behind the sales desk was a door leading to the manager's office and utility room with a hidden door leading down into the bowels of the Moon.

This hidden Base of Operations was the new headquarters for the M.I.B.D. The Agency's former bases were now sanctuaries for the transgendered people, stranded on the Moon and the Earth by Imperial Policy. Each client was treated to a session in the Booth: a personal sized tubular chamber that used nanobots to transform the body. Once transformed, the client was given a new identity and sent to the Rim, or if they wished, they could join the Agency and still live within the Empire.

A woman, wearing a black skin suit with an equipment belt around her waist, entered the shop. The emblem on her rebreather tanks on her back showed her to be a freelance repair engineer. As she stepped up to the counter, an Oriental woman wearing a black, silk kimono with a stylized red dragon on the back greeted her. "Greetings, my Lady. How may I, Lotus Blossom serve you, this fine day?" 'It's not often that we get an Agent from Earth up here. Something big must be up.'

"Thank you, Lotus Blossom. I am Starr. I am looking for a very special gown," she replied, swiping her hand over the palm reader.

Lotus Blossom saw the 'URGENT" warning flash under the I.D. file. "Oh? What sort of gown, Starr?" 'Damn! I was right! What in the hell has the Emperor done, now?'

"For a concert, I have the chance to see the Princess."

Lotus triggered the door, letting Starr behind the desk. "Follow me, then. We have a selection of special gowns hidden away for special occasions."

"Oh? Why hidden?" 'If not for the Imperial spy cams, there would be no need for our coded phrases.'

Lotus said, "Few can afford the prices of these. Now, if you were one of the Royals, you'd easily have the money." 'That will make the spies laugh. They know that none of the Emperor's Clan would visit here.'

"Proceed, please."

Lotus led Starr deep into the base below, going through a hidden door located between solid bulkheads, while another Agent, from the Manager's Office, replaced her in the shop. Lotus and Starr entered a transport tube that whisked them down into the bowels of the Moon, shielded from Imperial scanners via a shell of foam that fooled all scanners. The base itself was in one of the many caves that inhabited the Lunar Mountains built from the tunneling debris from creating one of the many bases and housing complexes on the Moon.

"Care for anything?"

"I wouldn't mind a mug of ginger beer, Lotus. Are you fully female?" If she is a man, I can't tell the difference.'

Lotus operated a control on the panel by her seat and a foamy mug came out with a plate of pretzels. "One beer, with pretzels for you. And yes, I am now fully female. I was awarded a session with the Chamber upon graduating from training."

Starr sipped her beer. "Good ginger. So, are you an Agent, or simply here until transport can be arranged for you?"

"I am an Agent from Japan. I knew that I was a girl at a young age, so my family sent me to the Agency's Training School in America."

"Oh? I thought that you'd have attended the school in Japan."

"I would have, but my parents graduated from there."

Starr paused for a moment. "Does that mean that you can still see them?"

"Yes, at least when I'm at the base school. They're teachers, now."

"That makes sense." Starr nodded as the tube came to a stop. She took a final swig of her beer, and put the glass in the receptacle before stepping out into a foyer. Then she approached the reception desk.

"Greetings, ladies," said a red haired woman wearing a black swimdress. "I am Mary, the Base Commandant. I bid you welcome."

"Thank you, Mary. I am Starr. I have vital data to pass on to J.O.S.H.U.A."

Mary shifted her gaze from Starr to the Agent. "Very well. Lotus, since your time topside is almost up, you may see your family over in the Eastern Farming Compound." There, Lotus will be able to pass on the data to the Organic Computer for analysis.'

Lotus bowed. "Thank you, Mary." She smiled as she contemplated a happy reunion with her family.

"As for you, Starr, please come with me to my office. There, you can have another ginger beer," Mary said with a smile. She may be from Texas, but she fell in love with the British during her tour over there.'

"Thank you kindly, Ma'am. I do have a hankering for that tasty brew."

Mary touched an object on the wall mural behind her desk. A cleverly disguised panel slid open. In her office, Mary wasted no time. She asked Starr directly, "Okay, what is the data?"

"We now know why the Emperor is amassing the Fleet around the border, Ma’am."

"Why is that?"

"To protect his daughter, Princess Ariel from harm. But that's not the worst news. Jellico is her guardian."

"Oh great."

"What about Bronson? With his contacts and being the son of a Grand Admiral, he can call on his dad to bail him out. I know that the rest of the crew respects me, but how many support him? You know that's one of the Empire's greatest vices. So how do you stop it when the entire system is based upon passing your title on to your chosen successor?"

Brick shook his head slowly before answering, "Bronson's dad, Grand Admiral Carl Riley Bronson, is from the Imperial Merchant Fleet. Do you think that he has any authority in the Fleet?"

John adopted Rodin's "The Thinker" position as he looked at his friend Brick in amusement. "No, that he never revealed. There are Grand Admirals out there in charge of different departments and projects. I never thought about the Merchants having one." 'I am glad that I have Brick on my side during the upcoming court martial, he will keep things real for me.'

Brick nodded. "I thought as much. Besides, the Captain heard the alarm broadcast sent to all ships. So he did see the attack and you defending her. Don't worry, I didn’t include you and her kissing in my report, nor on tape with the Captain's permission. Bronson is being interviewed by the Captain himself."

Johnny breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks my friend, but I have news for you. She was not a regular woman." 'And my friend, I would do it again, too.'

Brick's gentle amusement was replaced with surprised awe as he contemplated the possibilities. "Oh? What is she then? The only other possibility that can be causing you this much trouble is that she is one of the Trans. And knowing you and your luck, she is," he admitted with a sigh.

Placing his hand upon Brick's shoulder in friendship, John uttered the bad news. "She is a Trans, my friend. I seriously doubt that you will enjoy the news, knowing how much it is that you detest the Trans haters." 'If he had known, he'd have been sorely tempted to hurt them.'

Brick looked his best friend in the eye and sighed in resignation. "Then unfortunately, your career is over and there is nothing that the Captain can do but follow Naval Policy. The Captain will hate having to lose you, now he will have no choice in the matter. Damn it all! Why in the blazes did Bronson have to attack her? He causes nothing but trouble!"

John stood up to face the music. "I know." 'At least Bronson will be gone after this.'

Going over to Carter, Brick placed a massive, meaty hand upon each of his shoulders. "John Carter, I will miss you. But now I must be strong for the both of us and do my duty and yours until the Captain finds another Executive Officer to take over. But it will be a pleasure to guard Bronson."

John smiled as he thought back to the many adventurous shore leaves that they had shared. "Thanks Brick, I will miss you too. No more casino runs or poker tournaments for us. Too bad, we were the best of the best, too."

==================
Interlude: Grand Admiral
==================-
After signing off, the Grand Admiral called the bridge. "Captain Jackson, take us to the Imperial Palace Dock." 'I wonder just what it is that the Emperor wants me to do now?'

The view screen activated to show a worried middle-aged balding man. "Lord Admiral, we are about to leave the system. Why must we abort the jump?"

"Because the Emperor has demanded my presence immediately, I can't really blame you Captain for asking. After all, I am basically ordering you to scuttle his ship with a *Full Burn."

Reacting quickly, the Captain did some compensatory computing and saw a solution. "A jump will cause as much damage as a Full Burn. Shall I make a jump to the dock then?"

"Please do. That is if it’s quicker than a Full Burn." 'This Captain deserves a medal for original thinking. I'll make sure that the crew is saved from The Pits for harming Imperial Property. They are obeying the Emperor after all.'

Checking the results, the Captain warned, "At this distance, a jump is quicker, but the Short Jump will scrap the Transition Coils."

"Scrap 'em then, the Emperor is impatient." The Lord Admiral cut the transmission. 'Not even a Throne Ship can withstand such stresses. No need to punish anyone for carrying out the order. Too bad, I could use some entertainment.'

Captain Jackson saw the Imperial Seal on the screen, denoting transmission end. "Well, since Jolleck ordered it, compute and initiate a jump to Imperial Palace Dock, but keep an eye on the coils. It's barely possible that they'll survive. If not, they'll make great projects for the Engineering Colleges."

"Aye aye, Sir. Course plotted and initiated."

Then the vessel jumped as the coils shredded from the stress.

*{A Full Burn occurs when the Reaction Drive suddenly jumps to full speed. Such an action creates a time warp as time on the ship slows down. If the Coils are already hot from a Transition, the Full Burn and Short Jump will not harm the Coils, which is why a ship seldom if ever shuts down the coils. The Transition Coils help the ship govern the tidal forces of the engines and prevent jumping to another time.}

They broke up expecting the worst. Brick escorted John Carter to the Captain's Ready Room. When the door opened, Captain Hector Abraham was seated behind his desk while Bronson stood in front of the desk.

Seeing Carter, Bronson immediately began to show fear. 'Shit! Now that he is here, I have no chance to redeem myself! Any hope of him actually going AWOL is gone now! My goose is cooked as well as his!'

As John approached with Brick, the Captain smiled at them. "Welcome John Carter, it seems as if Bronson has a complaint against you. As if I would ever believe that scoundrel, what with all of his demerits stacked against him. He has bullied the civilians when he could and shown very little respect for anybody. His father will be ashamed of him." 'Now to see him squirm.'

Brick and John stood "at ease" as was the custom, whereas Bronson leaned forward over the Captain in disrespectful bravado to bolster his waning courage. "And I have a complaint against him as well," replied Johnny. 'If I know the Captain, then he will just love the chance to cashier Bronson out of the service and now I can help even though I will be too.'

Bronson turned towards them and placed his hands upon his hips. "What are you, a tranny lover!?" sneered Bronson. "Can't you find a real woman or do you enjoy slumming to get your demented jollies? You disgust me with your perverted ways!" 'Even if I am as good as dead, I can still make sure to have a record of this hearing.'

Tired of Bronson's attitude, the Captain subtly signaled the Security Chief, "Brick?" 'Brick can act in ways that regulations prevent me from doing. Too bad, because I would love to manhandle that toad for causing all of this.'

Brick grabbed Bronson by his lapels and growled menacingly, "Have a care Crewman Bronson. You are up for court martial. It would be my distinct pleasure to space you as you deserve." 'Now to make him fear me. It shouldn't be that hard to do with this wimp.'

Seeing that Bronson was suitably cowed, the Captain said, "Easy there Brick, you may tend to him shortly, but I must deal with his charges against John." 'One of the most dreaded burdens of Naval Command for me. If I was the Captain of a Merchant Cruiser, I wouldn't be having this problem.'

Brick dropped the frightened crewman. "Yes Sir." ‘Ah, so Bronson is a 'wetter.' This should make things even better.'

Looking at the spreading stain, the Captain remarked, "Unfortunately for you, you will have to wear your uniform as per regulations, until all charges are dropped, all of your other uniforms are confiscated." 'He must have spent a small fortune on his custom tailored wardrobe. Too bad for him, because now all of his belongings are the Navy's and will go to the Naval Thrift Store, at least that which the crew doesn't help themselves to.

Bronson knew he was in trouble. "But Captain! This is my only uniform now that you've taken my others. You sadistic bastard! That regulation is only enforced at your discretion! You know that I paid out good money from my personal fortune for my designer wardrobe. Now you're using your authority to punish me before I leave!"

Captain Abraham grinned at Bronson's discomfort. "You should have thought about that before you wet yourself. Now one of your shipmates can of course loan you one of their spares. Which I seriously doubt will happen since you are so small in size, but you just might like dressing as a woman."

Hoping against hope, Bronson knew that his diminutive stature now worked against him. "Captain, the only one on board that is my size is Doctor Finley, and she is a woman. And it is against Regulations for me to wear her uniforms. So now you will have to give me back at least one change of clothing, even if it is from the replicators." 'Glad that regulations will deny him that choice.'

The Captain flipped a switch upon his desk. "Doctor Finley, please report to my ready room." 'Now for my fun to begin as I humiliate this jerk.'

"May I ask the reason?"

"Bronson!"

"On my way."

"While cross-dressing for men is against Regulations, Captain's Discretion gives me the power to veto any Regulations when it comes to a court martial, including all records. So your accusing John of loving a tranny is moot, because there will be no record. John's court martial is for attacking you while within the ship's landing area. That I cannot stop." 'Thank God about that rule or Johnny would be sent to the Penal Planet for life.

Bronson fell into a nearby seat as John Carter looked at the defeated crewman, then turned to the Captain. "You wouldn't! No, you would now that you can get away with it, thanks to the Regulations. You sneaky bastard, I wholly approve of what is about to befall Bronson. Now I have a chance at life." 'Guess Jane was right, after all.'

The Captain smiled at the dismay on Bronson's face. "Yes, John Carter, I would like to show him just how it is to be treated as he treats women." Then looking at Bronson in disgust, he spat, "You asshole! Because of you, I'm about to lose the best damned Executive Officer in the Fleet! And all this time, you fancied yourself as his replacement. Hardly!"

Bronson did his best to defend himself. "But that was a tranny! Can't you see that I was doing just what the Emperor would want me to do?" 'Maybe that will change his mind.'

The Captain defused Bronson's defense with his track record. "Yes Bronson, and you have been brought up on charges of rape before now. Your punishment is to dress as a woman for the crew until we reach a naval base, then you will be returned to normal. If you had any rank, I'd demote you as well, but you seem to enjoy being at the same rank as a new plebe." 'Even if the Emperor would disapprove of my punishment, he hates rapists.'

At that moment, Doctor Finley entered the room. Seeing Bronson, she grinned. "May I assume that Bronson is why I am here? I knew that this day would come after he raped me and got away with it. The only reason that I stayed on."

The Captain helpfully pointed at the stain on Bronson's uniform. "Yes, he seems to have wet himself and needs a change of clothing. Bronson, I suspect Dr. Finlay will simply delight in your punishment since you got away with raping her, thanks to your connections." 'Now let him stew over that fact!! I couldn't punish him before for raping her. All that I could do was promise her retribution when the time came, and now it has come.'

Delighting in the dismay etched upon Bronson's face, Dr. Finlay continued to humiliate him. "Does he not have his own uniforms, or has he decided to wear my uniforms for a change of pace?" she asked, giggling. 'None at all knowing the Captain. This is so much fun! Payback is a bitch when it comes around.'

The Captain prolonged the charade much to John, Brick's and Finley's delight as they looked on silently amused at Bronson's dismay. "Well now, normally he would, but he is court martialed for accosting a civilian." 'Let him just try to justify what he did and defend his actions! Both Imperial Law and Naval Policy punish rapists, even if the victim is Trans-Gendered.'

Bronson tried to regain some dignity. "I accosted a 'tranny' you mean? A tranny is not a woman, neither were my other victims except for the doctor. Besides, they deserved it for being a Trans."

"Yes, you got away with those rapes because of your connections and the fact that they were inter-sexed. However, Imperial Policy allows them to choose their gender. Raping them almost ended you up in the Penal Planet, but your dad stopped it."

Finally, the doctor tired of the charade. "Brick, if you will please follow me with him, I can tend to his needs momentarily. I have the perfect outfit too. One that'll show off Bronson's assets/shortcomings quite nicely too."

The Captain reluctantly stopped her from completing her fun. "Please wait, Doris, I have the sad duty of the court martial of John Carter, too. I want that bastard to see what it means to be a real officer and a gentleman. Bronson had his chance and he blew it royally."

Doris stopped in her tracks and did a double take before turning around to face the Captain. "But why? John Carter is the best that you have, with the possible exception of Brick here! They have both been there when I had my nightmares from the rape. They treated me like a sister. And I can never thank them enough.'"

John placed a friendly hand upon her shoulder. "Doris, I stopped Bronson and his friends from raping a tranny earlier tonight. He should have been canned long ago. That is why I am here. Little sister, you will still have Brick here for you while I shall be alone."

Doris hugged John to her as she wept. "Oh Johnny, you and your high ideals. But at least you took out those three scum bags. I will miss you my sweet knight. How I wish that things were different." 'Then we could be lovers, but you are too much of a gentleman and friend to let sex interfere with our friendship because you knew that Brick and I are intimate.'

John gently put his hand on her cheek to help wipe the stream of tears from her eyes. "Well Doris, you have Brick now to console you. I know that you two are a good match." 'Maybe it's time for Brick to make his move.'

John made a subtle motion to his good friend.

Brick came over and knelt in front of Doris, holding a golden band in his hand. "Doris, light of my life, will you marry me?" 'Thanks John, I was reluctant to ask what with your trouble taking place, but I know that you want to hear her answer.'

"Brick, you know that I also fancy John. Do you trust me not to fail and seek him out?"

Brick laughed heartily. "Doris, I love you with all of my heart! I know that you fancy John, but you LOVE me! Will you marry me?" 'John, I trusted you and you did not fail me, thank you.'

Doris smiled. "Yes Brick, I will marry you." She jumped into Brick's arms, smothering him with kisses.

Then they gathered John into a warm embrace. Although joyous and heartfelt, the prospect that it might be their last moments together made the group hug bittersweet and they let him go.

"Okay, you two, we three musketeers are splitting up now," John began. "Doris, the reason that I never pursued a relationship with you is that Brick loves you and you love him. I'm simply a best friend to both of you. The captain bought our contracts because he is our Sponsor. If he had not have been waiting for the Aztec to be refitted, who knows where we'd be. But now, thanks to his help, I'm either going back home or posting on a new ship. Either way, we'll still stay in contact."

Brick held Doris firmly. "Yes we will. And if you post on a Merchant Cruiser, you can get us a discount."

"Agreed."

"Then I'd best hope that I can sell you to a Merchie," added the Captain.

A nagging thought tugged at John. "Captain, what about the other two? Surely they are gone as well. If not, there may be trouble."

"They are already gone. I sent them onto the Prison Barge. Where they just might salvage their careers. They were just following Bronson. Once they serve their time, I'll restore their rank, if they learn their lesson. They were actually duped into the attack."

John, fingering his Academy ring, asked, "What are the charges against me? Will I have to give up my ring? Damn! I hope not! I went through hell to get it!"

Looking down at the report, the Captain cleared his throat to dispel the rotten taste in his mouth. "Accosting three crewmen while upon shore leave. Unfortunately, I can do nothing about the charges because they were filed with the Imperial Naval Office instead of through me. But you keep your ring since you aren't going to prison. If through me, I could have swept this mess under the rug and dealt with it myself and only lost Bronson."

John, hoping against hope, asked, "Will the record show why? As if there were any doubt."

The Captain offered him a slim hope. "Yes, that you were defending a woman. At least I can hide the fact that she is a tranny, otherwise, you would face a Firing Squad or prison."'I can at least do that for you because the Envoy is my brother.'

John saw the favor that the Captain was doing for him. "Then I plead guilty." 'You rascal, you have made the case against me a moot point.'

Bronson caught a whiff of hope. "What about me? If you helped him, I just might have a chance of salvaging my career. Any hope is better than no hope at all."

The Captain, holding his gavel in his right hand, offered Bronson a way out. "Do you drop the charges against John Carter? Your answer will either save or condemn your career. And the only hope that John has of salvaging his career."

A vindictive Bronson sealed his fate. "Hell no! Let him fry, I can take any punishment, because my family will buy my freedom and buy your contract and make you my slave."

The Captain brought down his gavel with authority. "Too bad, because your friends dropped their charges. They will only serve out their term of service then get an honorable discharge or return here if they so choose. You, however, get a dishonorable discharge effective now!"

The Doctor, seeing her chance, asked, "May I assume that it is time for me to help Bronson? He will look cute when I am through with him." She smiled and giggled as Bronson squirmed.

The Captain spread his hands. "Sure Doris, have fun with him. He deserves your handiwork."

Brick quickly grabbed Bronson.

"Hey! Hands off you oaf! You have no right to touch me!"

As Bronson resisted, Doctor Doris Finley pulled a hypo from her belt and injected it into Bronson's neck. He slumped onto Brick as the hypo took immediate effect, rendering him unconscious. "Glad that I keep the hypo loaded."

"Why do you?"

"Ever since my rape, I've done so for protection, Brick."

"I'm glad that you aren't mad at me," replied a smiling Brick.

"Well, I for one want to see what you do to Bronson," admitted a curious John.

"Go ahead, John. I have some red tape to deal with," offered the Captain. 'If I don't take the time, Imperial Intelligence will be on the case and turn the entire crew into slaves. I can't let that happen.'

Brick then easily carried the limp form into the Sickbay Ward where he placed him upon a diagnostic bed. The Doctor began the transformation process. She selected different hypos, injecting Bronson with them, causing him to take on a quickly developing female form.

"These nanites will alter his DNA so that Bronson will now look as he would if born female. I could have tweaked his libido, but then there would be the possibility of a pregnancy. That would cause problems until Imperial Archives can be altered by Captain Abraham's cousin, Naval Envoy Harrigan Abraham."

Brick smiled. "I totally approve, but I doubt that Miss Bronson would," he replied, pointing at the patient.

On the bed, the body of Bronson was visibly transforming as nanites reconfigured his body into a feminine shape. The hips widened as the male sex organs pulled in and formed a vagina. An entire female reproductive system developed quickly. The internal organs rearranged to accommodate the change as the waist narrowed and breast tissue grew, filling up with fat tissue and muscle to support the milk glands. The larynx lost its bulge as the face was remolded into a softer, feminine version with fuller hair.

Pleased with the amazingly quick progress, Doris said, "It’s a good thing that disguising Naval personnel is standard or making him look like a woman would take more time. More than one male has gone on shore leave in disguise."

"Yes, as spies and for the decadent pleasure of the Emperor or Grand Admiral," added Brick. "But even the spies stay in disguise for life unless recalled."

John looked at the now female Bronson. "Is he still a guy then? He looks so cute now; he will become quite popular with the men."

The Doctor noticed the bulge in the uniform trousers of her two friends. "Yes John, she is very cute, she can revert easily enough. But will keep a hairless body."

As if on cue, Bronson awoke, and felt the dreaded changes in his body. "You people are sick." Then, realizing that he was in a highly unusual situation, he asked, "What's gonna happen to me now?"

"You are now my nurse. Get ready to serve, Brianna Bronson."

"What! You bitch! You will pay!!" she yelled at Doris, attempting to attack as the bed's restraining field activated, pinning her down.

"Don't take that tone with her, Missy! Your father knows about this and has sent you a recording!" said Johnny in his command voice. Across from the bed, a viewscreen activated to reveal an older version of Bronson.

'Glad that Hector called me before my child did. Now maybe my son will stop being an ass.' "Son, or rather, daughter. I am tired of using my rank as Admiral to cover over your crimes. Enjoy your new life! Maybe after you have served your sentence, I might reinstate your access to the accounts. Until then, you will have only what the Navy pays you," he said as the viewscreen cut to black.

"How could he do that?" Bronson whimpered, "The Trans had it coming."

"Get over it," John said. "You lost. Make the best of your new situation."

Without his father's support, there was no hope for Bronson wiggling out of his punishment. "I know I never lived up to his expectations. But what am I to do now? Without money?"

Doris took charge of her new assistant. "You shall be here as my nurse. Now go change into your new uniform." 'I am very sure that these two will appreciate the new and improved Bronson.'

Bronson followed the doctor to a cubicle. Within minutes, she came back out attired in nurses' whites. Bronson now wore a mini-dress uniform with matching bloomers over white tights and Mary Janes. The elastic waist was set off by a matching apron holding pouch containing a variety of instruments and hypos.

"She looks so sexy in that, especially with the slits to the waist on the sides to show the bloomers," approved Johnny.

"That is my old uniform from my academy days," Doris replied, looking at him. "Bronson, now if you do a good job here, you will have it a lot easier than you think. It's up to you. You can still have a career if you choose. As a nurse, that is."

"But the men will be pinching my butt. And these two are getting excited, looking at me, too!" exclaimed Bronson as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"Can you blame us for appreciating how pretty you are?" asked Brick.

"Do you believe that either of us will attack you?" asked Johnny.

"No, you are both much better than to do what I did as a male," she admitted with a sigh.

"Yes they are, and you will be making visits all over the ship, either with me, or alone. They do it to me too, that is why I use male nurses, but you need this lesson," promised Doris as she placed a sympathetic hand upon her shoulder.

Bronson wiped her eyes and looked pleadingly at Doris. "Will they know that I am me? Please say no."

The doctor tried to reassure her, "It is up to you to reveal that. All that they will see is a nurse, not a former crewman."

A voice over the ship's intercom system called out, "Nurse needed in Engineering."

Quickly Doctor Finlay hung a necklace with a RED CROSS emblem pendant around Bronson's neck. "Gather your kit and go nurse. Good thing that you passed Advanced CPR."

Bronson saluted her new Commanding Officer. "Yes ma'am. Maybe I can salvage my career. As a nurse, I might sleep my way to the top," she quipped as she headed out of sickbay. Immediately the Doctor, along with Brick and John, proceeded to the Captain's Ready Room where they could view Bronson handling the medical call in Engineering.

Nurse Bronson passed the Captain as she proceeded to Engineering where she had to deal with fresh men as she answered the call. The emergency was a crewman suffering from exposure to a hot coil. Nurse Bronson realized that the crewman needed an anti-radiation pill. Bronson tried to reassure her patient that the exposure wasn't too bad. He would recover. However, she wasn't sure what to make of the crewman's attempt to hug her.

"Well, as you can see, she is getting a crash course in men," Doctor Finlay observed. 'Looks like Bronson is a closet girl coming out from her actions. So few know until they're given their chance.'

"Just so Doctor, as for me, I am glad that I am not her," said the Captain. "All she needs now is to bed one of them."

Doris turned towards John. "Take care John. Goodbye for now, I hope we meet again," she said, giving him a kiss as she gently wept.

John took her right hand as he knelt before her and kissed her hand. "Thanks Doris. You have been a good friend and sister to me." 'I could never love you more as my sister.'

'Such a Knight of the ancient Code of Chivalry. You are an officer and a gentleman, Jonathan Lee Carter.' Doris turned away from John, hoping to hide her sorrow.

A duty bound Brick escorted John away to his quarters, where he would be held in detention, while the Captain remained to talk to the Doctor.

[*][*][*]

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End Of King Of The Rim-Chapter 2-Courtmartial

To Be Continued In King Of The Rim-3-Fair Skies

King Of The Rim 3-Fair Skies By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne, JennaFl for Proofreading with Special Thanks to Sephrena Lynn Miller for Guidance and ChrisW. for the Illustration! Synopsis:After the court martial, John Carter now has an uncertain future ahead of him. Yet, things are happening that will lead him into a new future away from his best friend and into a future filled with unknowns. As repercussions are felt, his friends discover new strength.

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[*][*][*]
"Come, Doris, let's adjourn to my Ready Room," ordered the Captain as he triggered the hatchway open.

Doris smiled as she led the way. A bit of that brandy that you keep for medicinal purposes?"

"Yes, to quell the bitter taste of this nightmare. Best of all, the Antidote makes it taste sweeter."

"Lead the way, my friend."

Captain Abraham escorted Doctor Finley into his Ready Room where he poured them both a generous snifter of brandy, dropping a vibrant blue pill into each brown hued brandy, turning both clear, with champagne bubbles.

The Doctor sat and accepted the Captain's gift with a smile. "Please, do not be worried about John, Arrow. He's resilient. He'll find a new home. As for Bronson, she will learn about being a woman this way. It is up to Bronson to choose his/her gender after the serving out the sentence."

"You were able to initiate the change, easily enough. I find it amazing that the Imperium does such gender swapping."

"Arrow, not many women have the necessary skills as very few enroll in Imperial Intelligence. That is why the androgynous men and those as small as Bronson can opt to serve as women after graduating and .serve the Empire in such a way. Even though that fact is kept hidden from the general public and the Naval Personnel in general. Only the top brass like you and us Medicos know that the Empire has the technology to completely change genders."

"Yes. Best of all, we Medicos can spot the changes as well as treat any of their medical needs as such a major change in the body can cause problems until cured."

Sipping upon his own flagon of ale, he let its heady aroma soothe his troubled heart. "Arrow, eh? It's been a long time since you called me that nickname, Dee. Too long. Being a stickler for Regulations and using obscure ones gave me my nickname. And having a photographic memory helps."

Doris smiled. "And you've not called me Dee since Bronson raped me just before I posted here. I've missed our friendship as much as you have, Old Friend."

"I had to in order to keep the Imperial Naval Crime Investigation Service from checking us out too closely and finding our links to Trillannii. They see conspiracy everywhere."

"What made it worse for me was that I had to drop the charges on Bronson because of the Bureaucracy. But now that I have him as a nurse, my vengeance is fulfilled."

"Then will you accept Bronson as a nurse after this is finally over or will I have to dismiss him/her? Damn it's hard to keep Bronson's gender straight. I wonder if Bronson will have that trouble, and will others see Bronson as a woman too?" 'I wouldn't do this to him if I didn't know that Doris could do it.'

The Doctor placed her hand over his in sympathy, "Yes, as a male or female, I can alter any records as needed. It's one of the few powers that I have as a doctor. Good thing that the regulations take forever to change, otherwise, I'd have to go through the Envoy. That would be a headache and a half. Even if he is a Rim Supporter, he's still my brother," she said as she giggled.

Arrow used his gavel with authority to signify his acceptance of the Dee's words. "I shall leave her in your hands. Now, unfortunately, I have to deal with Carter's court martial, and find a new officer. He had such a bright future ahead for him too. Carter could've been my replacement for when I retire next year, now who do I choose? I know that he wants to retire in four years when his tour is over, but he might've still opted to stay for another tour if not for Bronson."

[*][*][*]
Excerpt from Captain Hector Abraham's Personal Log: 'I have served the Empire all of this time and I never questioned Imperial Policy or Naval Regulations until I was assigned to the Rim. Out here, my eyes were opened up to the many atrocities taking place all in the name of the Emperor. When I tried to ask questions, I was told not to make waves or I'd lose my Commission. That is why I joined with the Trillannii in their fight against the Emperor and his hatred for the Trans-gendered people. I have met many of them and have found that they are more than worthy of friendship. Soon I must choose what to do with the ship as I am due to retire in a month. I may choose to take her as my own since the crew supports me, or donate her to the Trillannii. Whatever I choose, I will not let the Aztec be used against the Rim!

The Captain's communicator vibrated and he pressed the activation button immediately. "Captain, please report to the bridge. We are ready to lift off."

"Thank you." The Captain slammed his hands upon his desk in frustration. "Damn it all to hell!" He looked sheepishly at the Doctor. "Sorry about the language Doris, but I need to go to the Throne and lift us. Thanks to Bronson, I am very short handed until we reach a Naval Base. Replacing so many of my crew will surely be a peace time record."

Doris smiled at the Captain's consideration. "Shall I tag a long? It seems as if you need some molly coddling about now. Might be a bit un-Navy sounding, but it fits."

The Captain smiled and motioned for her to exit as he sealed his log and pocketed the medallion knowing that he could access its damning evidence. "Molly coddle indeed!" the Captain snorted in good humor.

"Please, be my guest Doris. I think that it's high time that you sit on the Throne. There are a few Naval Medical Ships that are captained by Doctors, and you qualify."

When they stepped onto the Bridge, the Captain smiled and gestured to the Doctor. She promptly sat on the Throne. "The Captain has authorized me to take us up. Launch when ready." 'This is a first for me.'

"Yes, the Doctor has earned the right to sit upon my Throne. Treat her well, Less and Lonnie."

"Will do, Sir. We girls hafta stick together."

"You can count on me Captain. 'Girl Power' will get the 'Lady' Aztec up for you."

"Good, then you know the proper procedure."

The Aztec easily lifted off planet as the solar wings, which had been collecting energy, lifted the ship up into the sky, utilizing the pent up kinetic energy to sail away into orbit until the ship escaped the planet's gravity.

A saddened Captain headed for his office as he saw the blue sky meld into the star spangled expanse of space. Upon entering, he saw that he had a message awaiting him. Activating the screen, he saw the message from his old friend.

"Greetings Abe, Trent here with the 'Rim Queen.' I am calling to see if I may purchase the contract of Executive Officer Commander John Carter from you." 'He'll be glad to send him to me, knowing that I'm not a Slaver.'

The Captain challenged his guest. "Greetings Trent, why are you interested in him? And how is Jane? Glad she told you about John. If not for that accident, he'd still be commanding the sister ship, Inca."

A pleasant smile appeared upon Trent's jovial face. "We Rimmers are always looking for good crew and Carter sounds like one of the best. We are here and can take him off your hands or we can wait for him at the Penal Barge." 'I like this Captain. He evidently wants the best for John.'

Researching the Cruiser, the Captain saw what he was looking for. 'Ah, so that's why he is so interested in John.' "I see that John was instrumental in saving one of your officers. And he is a Trillannii National." 'Now it's easy to see why he wants John so badly, and quite frankly, I approve.'

Trent nodded. "Yes, he was. We thought that we would reward him with a posting since he can never space with the Navy again. And you know it with Imperial Policy being what it is. Besides, we Trillannii stick together." 'He's worried about John. Abe has been a good friend to John.'

Glancing at his computer screen, the Captain noted another reason for interest in Carter. "I see that the officer that he helped was your Doctor and that she is a trans. Not that I would mind. Hell, I have met quite a few that are knockouts." 'It’s best to set his mind at ease.'

Trent leaned forward to playfully intimidate his friend. "Yes, that is all true. Are you denying me his contract? Or shall we play poker for him?" he asked jokingly. 'He is as sharp at poker as he is at chess; we’ve both met at the finals of many chess tournaments only to reach stalemate after stalemate.'

The Imperial Captain laughed at the idea. "Hell no, I am giving you his contract. Take care of him. Because I no longer can." He sighed in resignation of his inability to help his friend. 'Now my friend, at least you have a chance to have a life.'

The Rimmer Captain smiled as he accepted the generous gift. "We will. We take care of our own." 'And Arrow has proven that to me just now.'

[*][*][*]
Excerpt from Captain Trent's Personal Log: 'Well, it's good to know that even in the Imperial Navy that there are true Officers and Gentlemen. He couldn't really hide it from me because even though he is an Imperial, the light shines bright in him. He has made an excellent captain for Johnny, and now it is up to this old Space Dog to teach Johnny what he needs to know, I hope that I'm up to the task.'

As the friends sat pondering the information, a light activated on King Reginald's Throne. He quickly touched the light, activating the monitor screen. It went from showing a pastoral view of the Castle Park to showing Grand Admiral Anton Piers, Commander of the Fleet. He showed the evidence of his high gravity, aquatic heritage in his smooth, scaly hide and gills inherited from his mother and sinewy limbs perfect for climbing trees from his father's arboreal legacy.
There were very few who could out swim or out climb him, making his rise through the ranks as a security guard almost anticlimactic. So he entered the Rim Olympics and won gold medals in track and field, wrestling, and archery.

"Greetings, Reginald. I have some very good news for you." 'He seldom gets any. I'm glad to brighten his day.'

"Greetings, Anton. If you have such news, it must be about our Fleet!"

Merlin said, "More than likely, old Ant has already made all of the modifications to our Fleet that his news pertains to, too. He's the best at innovation, but applying said innovations takes time as he thoroughly tests them. However, once satisfied, he is a demon of speed to implement them.'"

Anton let out a booming laugh as deep as the sea. "You're correct, Merl. Best of all, these improvements can be sent via message packet, and let the crews implement them. And, I have a new ship for you Reg."

Reg looked surprised. "New ship? You mean a new Throne ship, or do you mean a yacht? I could use another Throne Ship, or a Yacht."

Anton shook his head. "No, your Majesty, neither. It's the new Armored Courier," he boomed. 'Will He want one for Himself? I know that Merl will.'

"Can they be used in a battle against Imperials?" 'Not worth it if they are weak.'

"Now, Merl, would I have it if it couldn't handle one?"

"No, I guess not, Anton. Have you named it yet?" asked Reg.

"No, not yet. I know that you need a new ship that nobody knows about for any hidden movements. The Armored Courier is a smaller Royal Yacht with Throne Ship level weapons, Your Majesty." 'Will He use it, or stay with His older ships?'

"Okay Anton, what about the innovations?"

The Grand Animal smiled. "Don't You worry none, Your Majesty! The innovations will give the Royal Fleet total stealth in all phases, and the Merchant Fleet's weapons are upgraded with a new governor coil that increases engine efficiency and weapon range." 'That ought to entice Reg into coming down here. I need to tell Him something in person.'

Reginald finished his brew and set the tankard back in its receptacle, which hovered over to the sink where the tankard was cleansed and then taken back to its place on the shelf. Merlin continued to nurse his brew, carefully analyzing the scene before him. As Chancellor, his duty to the King was to protect him from harm, while his duty to the Crown was to replace the King if he was unable to fulfill his duties. In the succession line, the Chancellor himself had a second in the Palace Guard's Chief of Security, Melanie Sasha Trent.

"Your Majesty, let's go and see his contraptions," Merl added with a smirk.

"Contraptions? Merl? Are you ready to eat your words?" challenged Anton in good humor. Both Anton and Merlin had grown up with Reginald in the Palace School System where other children of Noble Blood were schooled along with the children of diplomats and those whose intelligence had won them a scholarship. In order to give more students access to the most prestigious school on the planet, the Palace School System had schools world wide, next to a Trillannii School System School. There was an ongoing debate on which system was better, but so far, there was no clear winner.

"You bake the cake, and I'll eat them," quipped Merlin.

Reginald began laughing so hard that he cried. When he was through, he smiled at his two best friends. "Thanks you two! I've been needing a good laugh for a while, now. Come, Merlin. Let's go and see what Anton has cooked up. For Miracle Worker Engineer, he can sure create culinary masterpieces, but that could be a Chef Coil, too."

"Very well, Your Majesty," Merlin agreed. "I myself am wondering what he is up to."

Captain Hector Abraham broke the connection and started the next phase of John's transfer. "Brig."'Now Brick will be needed more than ever with Johnny gone, but will Johnny agree, or does he have somebody else in mind?'

The screen lit up with the stolid features of the Security Chief. "Brig, Brick here," he said. 'I've been expecting this most dreaded call ever since the court martial.'

The Captain was impressed with Brick's prompt response. "Brick, bring Carter to me at once." 'He must have been awaiting my call. It shows good intuition.'

Brick crisply saluted. "Yes Sir." 'Now the real ordeal begins. Will Jonathan survive?'

The Captain returned the salute in kind and then cut the transmission. While waiting for Brick and Johnny, the Captain had time to consider the effects of Carter's absence. How would Brick fare? Would the Doctor be up to the challenge of increased responsibility?

[*][*][*]
Common to all ships, the Brig, located on the lower deck, under Engineering, was a four cell suite of single room apartments containing a bunk, chair, tray, and utility head, as well as a view screen and food replicator. Each cell was monitored to prevent escape as well as to meet any medical needs. If necessary, it could function as an escape pod. The Security Office was the only access to the Brig with the Security Officer seated behind a desk with a transparent plas-steel wall and door in front, equipment on display behind the desk on the rear bulkhead with access to the cells through an airlock on the starboard side, opposite the desk.
[*][*][*]
Brick marched from his spartan Security Office, heading to Carter's quarters and rang the bell. "Yes? Who’s calling me" 'Dear God, I hope that it's good news for me. '

Then the patient Security Chief smiled and announced. "It is I, Brick. The Captain wants you." 'Be well my old friend, for your ordeal now begins.'

The door opened to show John, haggard from worry. "This is good news I hope, like perhaps Bronson changed his plea? Nah, fat chance of that happening."

Brick hugged his friend and then looked him in the eye. "Me too Jonathan my friend, me too. But it is in the Captain's hands now. At least he is a fair and impartial commander. And he likes you."

While leading John to the Captain, Brick broke the rules by not training his Maser Pistol upon him as per Naval Regulations, but Carter took note. "Aren’t you breaking the rules? If I was Chief, I'd have you up on charges, but you know your duty to the ship." 'Will he honor his duty or his friendship to me?'

Then a deep throated chuckle erupted from down in Brick's bottomless chest. "Jonathan, I trust you, besides, the corridor is secure. You would not get anywhere, and we both know that only I or the Captain has access to the Security Systems," he admitted.

"Well, I have access too," Johnny said with a smirk as he let go of the pent up stress.

"As if you would attempt anything," Brick snorted. "No, you're as 'by the book' as I am. And thanks for clarifying everything. Now the Envoy will accept anything that I say when he reviews this situation. Even though he is the Captain's friend, he must do his Duty to the Emperor."

John smiled at his friend's candor. "Very well Brick. The Captain dare not court martial you too. Who else would run this ship for him?"

As the Imperial Throne Ship exited the surreal domain of hyperspace, the stress and strain of the micro jump overloaded the transition coils causing them to evaporate into photons that caused a cascade effect that evaporated all of the ship's power systems and engines. From outside the hull, a stream of multi-colored photons drifted away upon the solar wind as the ships lights failed, then returned in a dim glow. Down in engineering, the alarm systems lit up the main board like a Christmas tree.
[*][*][*]
"Damn it! That asshole has just ruined the ship!" yelled Chief Engineer Braneck as she tried to gain control of the situation.

The alarms silenced themselves as they were evaporated. Then she read the results and cursed again. "Barkley!!" 'Hope that he survived.'

From a hatch way to her right, a sweaty red headed man mountain popped up. "What'cha need Betsy? Damn, you look ready to chew through armor
plating. I'd hate to tell you what just happened down here."

Wiping her sweat soaked brow, she smiled at her assistant. "Ship's status. From what I can tell, we just became a damned lifeboat. Please tell me I am wrong. But I know that I'm right."

He shook his head in dismay. "Unfortunately, that's a perfect assessment of what happened to us when we did that stupid micro jump. Whose gonna pay for it this time? The Navy is notorious for assigning blame to protect the Officer responsible."

She then slumped back in her chair. "Oh Shit! We are both royally screwed! Guess early retirement looks good now, doesn't it Brent?" 'And he is a damned fine Techie too.'

Brent climbed out from the hatch, secured it and knelt by his superior. "Why do you say that? We were ordered to make the jump. Could the Admiral be that petty?" He looked at Betsy. "On second thought, forget I asked."

Betsy began to laugh bitterly and weep. "Brent, you naive, wet behind the ears plebe, the Lord Admiral will blame us for breaking his precious toy! He cares not that he gave the order, only that the ship broke. What a royal pain in the ass he is. Too bad we don't have any royal blood coursing through our veins, and then we'd be safe from such bull."

Taking her hand in his, Brent stood up and pulled her to her feet. "Then let's file our report before he can file his. All we have to do is sign the reports. I doubt that he will until he can access the hyper wave radio and that won't be anytime soon with the Hyper Systems down, blocking his access to his files. That way, we have our case before the Emperor. He might be lenient since he likes a pretty face. More than a few women have avoided the gallows by appealing to his
code of honor."

"Very well, we have nothing to lose."

They were at the Captain's Office and Brick again rang the bell. "Yes."'And now a duty that I most dread is upon me, Lord, give me strength to see it through.'

Brick brought John into the camera's view as the video screen activated. "Brick here with John."'So much damned pomp and circumstance with this court martial, I am sick of it!'

The screen darkened and the door cycled open to reveal a room that bespoke of its occupant's love of the sea with scale models of ships on display as well as murals of ancient and modern ships underway. However, the murals also doubled as monitors and were fully functional. "Enter," came the reply from within. His desk was built of the highly prized ironwood for its low weight and resistance to damage.

They both entered the office where the Captain sat behind his desk. "Please be seated, both of you." 'Now to see if I am right about Brick and Carter or if I am hoping needlessly.'

They both sat in the awaiting chairs. "Now, I need to find a worthy replacement for you John Carter. Do you have any suggestions? This is a slap in the face against Regulations, but so what! I trust

John motioned with his thumb. "Promote Brick here. He's the best choice. He graduated from the Academy, so he is a Commissioned Officer in spite of his Rank as Sergeant." 'I know he'll object.'

======================
Interlude: M.I.B.D. Lunar Base
======================
Mary was worried about the disquieting news. As the Commandant, it was her duty to shepherd all of the other Agents, and help to keep their families safe from harm. But Jellico had the unfathomable ability to thwart most any plans that the Agency developed. Their only hope was that their Palace Agents had influenced the Princess enough that she would stand with them. She had made affirmations of loyalty, but being of Imperial Blood, and under Jellico's aura of entropy, she could still betray them to their deaths, if her loyalties were ever found out. She had not received the conditioning that all supporters and Trillannii agents got. If she fell, it would be far worse than the previous attacks generations ago when they were still based on the Earth.

Back on Earth, the M.I.B.D. was involved in an all out war against an organization of women who feminized men, turning them into personal slaves of each woman. They were defeated, but at great cost, only to come back later, leading to the M.I.B.D. developing a more intensive role in policing the globe for new threats that others were not
equipped to handle.

But Mary was worried; the Empire could easily destroy the base and scatter the Agency, hunting the remnant across the galaxy. She had a hard choice to make, either stand alone, or form an alliance with those who could possibly help, the Trillannii. The Agency had sponsored schools throughout the world to help protect the trans-gendered to blend in with the aid of J.O.S.H.U.A.

The supercomputer J.O.S.H.U.A., other than its predilection for playing games, was the perfect computer to operate the base’s multiple needs. Asimov's Laws Of Robotics were hardwired into J.O.S.H.U.A. and the artificial intelligence program that operated the security-safety systems and threat assessment and strategy. Thanks to the J.O.S.H.U.A. artificial Intelligence, the Agency had been able to stay ahead of the Imperials in the Cold War between the Rim and the Empire with the Agency stuck in the middle.

As Mary was pondering the situation, she received an unexpected call from a surprise source. Her call indicator lit up, which startled her. She should not have been sent any messages while in conference. Any calls were to be made in person, or if from off base, an Agent sent to notify her.

"Well, Mary, who's breaking protocol?" asked Starr.

Mary huffed in anger, "Let's find out, then I can assign punishment duties to this gadfly! If this is a stupid dinner order, I'll replace Bonzi with Spike!'"

"Greetings, Mary. I am J.O.S.H.U.A.," droned the voice over the speaker.

Mary looked at Starr in amazement. "Are you the computer, J.O.S.H.U.A.?' We knew that he has initiative, but have been at a loss as to why there has been no interaction, before.'

The wall screen activated, showing a bland human face against a smoky background. "Yes, I am that J.O.S.H.U.A. Is there another that you are aware of?"

"J.O.S.H.U.A., I must inquire why you are only now interacting with us?" asked Mary as she activated the intruder alarm.

J.O.S.H.U.A. smiled. "Mary, I have cancelled the alarm.”

"Then, why are you calling me? This is a Red Alert situation."

"Yes, in the past, it would be called Defcon Four."

Starr began to laugh until Mary shushed her. "Oh, Mary, J.O.S.H.U.A. must have scanned some of the ancient entertainment programs about fictional computers. Either that, or he has a sense of humor."

Mary gathered her thoughts. "Very well, J.O.S.H.U.A. You evidently have control of the base, yet do not cause us mischief. That means that you are loyal to the Agency," she stated.

"That is correct, Commandant."

"Then why are you not telling me why you called?"

"Very simple, I am currently assembling an avatar for interaction with the base personnel. Once assembled, I will be able to project holograms of my avatar and use a vid screen avatar, as well. But I am uncertain as to which gender to give it."

Mary thought for a moment. "Choose a female avatar that can morph into a male."

"Why that?"

"Then you can use the avatar as a model for other avatars and create an army of soldiers in case of an emergency where we need men."

"Very well. In that case, there are two models to choose from."

"Models? What models are you speaking about? We have no such avatar models. In fact, we have none at all," announced Star.

"Correction, there are two former individuals in my records who were related, and were intersexed, or morphed from male to female. One was an Agent."

"Okay, J.O.S.H.U.A., just who are the models?" asked a perplexed Mary. 'I have an idea on the models, but will wait to confirm my guess.'

Then there was a signal from the door bell, announcing a visitor. "Mary, this is J.O.S.H.U.A."

"Enter. J.O.S.H.U.A."

They saw the avatar and gasped in amazement as they saw the legendary Diana Hunter standing in the doorway.

Brick jumped up in shock, "John, you know very well I am only a Security Goon. I'm not Command material. And I never wanted it either. Please don't continue John."

John grabbed him and pushed him back into the seat. "Bull! Brick, you were on the Command track like I was until you took the Security posting. You're as qualified as I am! I'm sorry my friend, but the Captain needs you now more than ever, now that I'm going." 'He never wanted Command, even though he has the aptitude.'

He lowered his head in defeat and shame at confessing to his friend and the Captain. "But I never wanted a Command. I only took it as part of Security Training. And to my horror, I found that I do indeed enjoy Command."

The Captain smiled in appreciation of their display of friendship.

"Then it is simple, as my Executive Officer, you will be doing very much as you have been as my Security Chief. And Reynolds is up for promotion to Security Chief. If I don’t do that then I lose a top notch crew member to another ship. You'll make a fine Exec Brick, just as John has."

Brick smiled in honorable acceptance and relief, knowing that the ship was in good hands. "Then I will accept the promotion, Sir. Reynolds is my pick to replace me. He can now stay on the ship that he loves too. And now he can earn his Rank as Master Sergeant, the highest noncom Rank there is." 'Make me proud Rey.'

The Captain began to rummage through his desk. "Thank you Brick. Now for a bit of pleasure; one of the few more pleasant duties that I have." 'Ah, here it is, I knew I had it here for him.'

Brick bowed in respect. "My pleasure Captain. I hope that I am worthy of your trust in me." 'Looks like Johnny boy had me pegged from the start.'

Then, extending his hand over a case, the Captain said, "Open the case Brick. I've had them ready ever since you became Security Chief after Matson retired. I could tell that you were gonna be Command material."

His eyes opened wide in astonished awe at what he saw within the case. "Sir, these are Commander's Stars. Why are you presenting them to me?" 'Why do I have the feeling that I'm being royally had?'

The Captain smiled at Brick's befuddlement. "Yes, you are now a Commander and my Executive Officer. All Executive Officers are promoted to the rank of Commander permanently. You have the qualifications. Now wear them in good health. There are a few more promotions to make, one of my few pleasant duties, Commander." 'Which will be done as soon as John is safely away.'

Then Brick adorned his uniform with the Commander's Stars. "Thank you, Sir. I am honored to be of service to you. And to think that all that I ever wanted to do was to be a cop, well, now I am much more."

"Brick, my man, you're long standing self-denial has made you the only one to replace me. In fact, if Captain Trent was to retire, and I was up for the captaincy, I'd choose you as my 'Number One.'"

"Thanks John, for believing in me my friend."

Turning his attention to his former Executive Officer, the Captain said, "Now John, a Merchant Cruiser has bought out your contract, so instead of transferring you to the Penal Colony, you shall serve on board that ship. I’m glad that they called for you because the Penal Colony is a living hell."

John looked up from his musing over his future. "Which ship sir?" 'Did Jane talk to her Captain or is this some cruel joke?'

The Captain kindly activated the main screen on the far bulkhead to display an aged but well maintained ship being loaded. "The Rim Queen,

Not a bad looking ship, clean lines and sturdily built. I would be proud to crew her myself." 'If I ever want to be a Merchie that is, more than likely, I'd become a Privateer.'

John laughed, knowing that Jane had succeeded. "Sir, the lady that I defended against Bronson crews with that ship. But won't the Imperial Envoy see a conspiracy in my being sent to her ship? I want to avoid causing you any harm."

"Don't worry about him, he's one of us. Those that he sent to the Emperor have not been Trillannii, only those that broke the Rules."

"I seem to recall that name, Sir; she is Jane Meadows, Ships Medico." 'Good Girl Jane, you came through for me. I could kiss you!'

The Captain nodded his approval at John. "Well, don't worry John, they're quite pleased with your record and they actually specifically asked for you." 'Let the Emperor chew that fact over. He hates losing Prime Command material.'

Seeing that the Rim Queen had already launched and was spacing as well, John asked "Captain, how shall I get there now that we are both spacing?" 'Will my luck hold out I wonder?'

The Captain activated a new display showing two ships that were exchanging pods. "We will jettison you in your escape pod that they will recover and then they'll send us one filled with the items that we have purchased."

"Captain, the crew will thank you for replenishing the Aztec's Ship's Store, and Chief Purser Ritter will have a fit sorting out the packages," Brick chortled.

"Brick, Angharad is a neat freak, and you know it," John snickered.

Then a bell sounded.

"That bell means that they're ready for you John. Best be off with you. May the stars bless your journey." 'At least we get to top off all of our personal stocks thanks to this. That Captain is one shrewd seller; I never bought so much from any one source.'

John stood at attention and crisply saluted his former Captain who returned the salute. "Goodbye my Captain and friend. It was a pleasure serving under your command. And thanks for the Blessing, that means a lot to me." 'Now to see what happens next in my life. Dad, I hope that you are proud of me.'

The Captain clasped John's forearm in a firm, solid handshake. "Fair skies, John Carter. I will miss you. You are the best damned Executive Officer that I know of. Brick, please escort John to his Pod." 'Now to see how Brick fares as my Exec. Somehow, I think that he'll be as good as John was.'

Carter and Brick exchanged salutes and hugs. "Yes Sir, Captain. It is my pleasure to escort John to his Pod."

"Brick, who better to send me off?" 'Being Blessed with 'May the stars bless your journey, a traditional wish of good fortune for departing friends, and 'Fair skies', a wish of good luck between spacers by the Captain tells me that my luck has changed for the better. Now to see what my future holds.'

"Indeed," agreed Brick.

Brick turned to John. "Now I must do your duty my friend, I never wanted your job, but I will do it to the best of my ability," said a dejected Brick. 'Can I though? Or am I better off serving as a Security Chief? Only time will tell at this point.

[*][*][*]
Common to all ships, every Officer of command rank had a dedicated Escape Pod ready for their usage. The Pod was often used as a Personal Shuttle between ships when needed as well as for escaping from a doomed ship. Each pod was equipped with a Star Drive and Reaction Drive capable of arriving at a planet or Safe Haven within a five light year range.
[*][*][*]
Brick escorted John Carter to his Escape Pod. "Well John, here we are.Please, no stalling, my friend. Not that I'd blame you."

John's Escape Pod's hatch cycled open to reveal a well-kept, spartan interior. "Yes my friend, a parting of the ways. Wish this was a quick trip on one of our Casino runs, we had fun in those races."

Brick placed a meaty hand upon John's shoulder. "Fair skies John. And God Speed old friend. We were quite a pair of scoundrels on leave. I hope that we meet up again."

John put his hand upon Brick's. "Fair skies Brick. Take care, old buddy. Now you have to be the Captain's Touchstone with the crew. You can do it."

The friends wept as they hugged each other, knowing that they would not see each other again. When they broke their embrace, John Carter stepped into his Pod as Brick secured the hatch and launched his friend into the ether of space.

[*][*][*]

---

End Of King Of The Rim-Chapter 3-Fair Skies

To Be Continued In King Of The Chapter 4-New Life

King Of The Rim 4-New Life By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne, JennaFl for Proofreading with Special Thanks to Sephrena Lynn Miller for Guidance and ChrisW. for the Illustration! Synopsis:After being sent away from his former life, John Carter faces a new and uncertain life aboard a new vessel, far away from the life that he knew. Finding that the woman he defended was instrumental in his new career, he finds that his future is bright indeed and he starts on the Path.

---

Jonathan Carter began to ponder his fate as he headed into the unknown. Well, here I am being jettisoned away from my career and all of my friends and heading into a new life. Things have sure changed for me ever since I left home. Father Abraham of the Church Of Trillannii was worried about me getting hurt because I believed in the equality of all. Before I left home, he told me why the Empire and Navy were Trans-phobic. How was I to know that Trillannii was a pivotal reason for the current state of affairs? But as much as my father had contributed to current events, the Galactic Church was to blame all the more.'

The Galactic Church is the largest denomination of Christian Churches, comprised of the Catholic Church, based in Rome Italy on the planet Earth. It has existed for three thousand years, with Vatican City, the Churches headquarters publishing all of the Church Literature, often censoring many books that do not meet with Church Approval. This has caused much dissension within the Church itself, leading to splits as member join other denominations, or form their own Church.

It is a sad fact that ten percent of the People's income is taxed for the Galactic Church, and the People are STILL expected to tithe to the church. Very few do because of their contributing to other charities and Churches that they attend. All citizens are registered a members of the Galactic Church, but most attend other churches. The Galactic Church uses its clout to support Imperial Law which it helped to write, making the Empire a Religious Dictatorship with the Emperor as the Leader instead of the Pope.

Using Gestapo techniques, the Galactic Church has created an army of storm troopers that are totally loyal to them, who are second only to the Imperial Guard. But, for all the evil done by the Church, there are good, honest clergy who hear the Call and faithfully serve the People as they should, instead of Church Dogma or the Emperor. The main difference is that the True Galactic Church maintains the traditional architecture in its buildings, whereas the Fallen Church embraces the high tech trappings.

The Fallen Church has used its extensive holdings, of donated property to build its training and boot camps, ships, and businesses to enhance the Emperor's personnel fortune and increase the vast might of the Navy, but at a cost to the Emperor that has led the Empire into an upcoming civil war that will decimate the galaxy, leaving behind megalithic ruins as mute evidence of its one time glory.

The Galactic Church for the last two generations, has been in charge of the schooling of all children of Royal Blood, ever since Emperor Emeritus Julius Adam Pendragon gained the Throne. He was a graduate of Vatican City College which taught all the Clergy their skills. In Julius, however, they found a rare prize, indeed. The then, Prince Augustus was born with the enhanced physique of a Super Storm trooper, combining the very best physical attributes of the Warrior Races with the intelligence of the most advanced intellects. He only lacked psionics which were denied him because of a deep ingrained fear of magic and witchcraft by the Galactic Church.

The current Galactic Emperor, Augustus Leopold Pendragon; King of Space was raised in the ultra-conservative environs of the Imperial Galactic Church where the anti-T.G. dogma was taught. At first, he was willing to accept the trans-gendered into his government and the Imperial Navy, in limited numbers in a servile capacity. He felt that allowing this limited access would enhance the strength of the Navy without giving them a Command, but what turned him totally against the T.G. Community was that he fell in love with a certain trans-woman.

Baroness Veronica Von Kirk was visiting from her home of Equus when Leopold saw her at the Grand Opera in Contrail City; Capitol City of the Niagara star system. They were celebrating the founding of the system as a member of the Empire and were putting on the classic Phantom of the Opera. The Baroness was there to show her support to her neighbor. Both systems shared the cost of maintaining a fleet of Border Patrol Cruisers to stop pirate attacks, little knowing that the pirates were retired Naval personnel using mothballed stealth ships.

The goal of the attacks was to encourage wayward colonies to join the Empire, and replace their independent ruling body with Imperial versions, destroying all forms of freedom. When the Imperials took over, even though all People STILL had their Rights, the Church Gestapo strictly enforced their own Rules with Imperial consent. Only in cases where the Imperials were allied with the Rim, were the People's Rights ever returned to them, leading to a vital underground community created by the M.I.B.D. and the Trillannii which served as a conduit for sending goods and personnel to other areas, and in developing better equipment that stayed a generation ahead of Imperial versions.

They soon became a couple and were married. She had transitioned earlier and he was smitten with love for her. He thought she was very pretty and wanted to bed her, but she refused because she was sore from her monthly cycle. The corrective surgery had progressed to where a Trans could become a genetic woman and only a deep scan could reveal the truth. He had a surgeon to give her a check up which confirmed what she had told Augustus.

But his ego was sorely wounded and the knowledge that she was Baron Vincent Niagara fueled his contempt and hatred for her and awakened the subtle hypnotic commands imprinted by the Imperial Galactic Church during his tenure as a student. Like his father and grandfather, he'd tolerated the presence of the Trans-gendered within the Government's Civilian and Military branches.

Now, they were all banned and executed in retaliation, causing The Great Exodus that crippled the Empire's technology base and bolstered the Rim's as Major and Minor Houses worked with two agencies to escort the Exodus to safety. The Trillannii Underground used their hidden agents within the Government and Business Sectors to send families while the M.I.B.D. handled Government, Royal, and Corporate Business Management that were Trans-gendered.

He had ordered her execution in retaliation because he didn't believe that she was a genetic woman now. She was saved from death by King Reginald of Trillannii, my father brought her to his court where she was made welcome. Soon after, Augustus began the active banning of all T.G. within the government and navy. Now here I was about to board a mystery ship and embark upon a new phase of my life.

So all that had happened made this very personal for me, Mother was really the Empress. Because Leopold never filed for divorce after her rescue, the Imperial Galactic Church with the backing of Leopold, published the rescue as an abduction in order to cast the Trillannii system in a bad light and cause the closing the Church Branches in the Rim because they were headed by mainly by the Trans-gendered.

Unfortunately for the Emperor, the Trillannii Church supported my parents and transferred the Clergy that wanted and agreed to minister to the Rim while sending those that supported the Emperor away, thusly reopening the closed Churches, much to the chagrin of the Emperor and Pope Leroy Sebastian XXV. This led to Augustus and the Pope to declare his marriage annulled, but according to Church Law, I am an illegitimate heir to the Throne because I was conceived before the annulment.

The "Exodus" cost the Empire several Royal Houses that transferred their loyalty to the Rim, almost bankrupting the Empire until they were able to reopen mines and farms closed due to a glut of supply overriding demand. To this day, Rim technology is more advanced than that of the Empire thanks to the Exodus.

[*][*][*]
He could see that he was nearing a ship. It was almost the size of the Aztec, but was bulkier with cargo doors in place of any weapons along its flanks. Like the Aztec, it had its weaponry on two forward thruster delta shaped assemblies just behind and below the main access way hatch near the bow. It looked to be well kept, but worn by the insistent pinging of stardust upon its hull. The patina of wear gave the ship an eternal beauty as if to say that the ship was immortal. The silver with sable trim and the avatar of a Regal Queen sitting upon a Throne of stars bespoke of her mission, for only a Merchant Cruiser used silver with sable trim. Taking his time, he gave me a visual tour of the hull, memorizing the equipment and varied hatches until automatics ended the tour.

As the pod docked, he saw the tell tale lights indicating a solid seal and lock as the outer doors sealed and a red warning light, then heard a voice over the speaker, "Welcome aboard the Rim Queen, I am running a Medical Diagnostic upon you. Please be patient."

"S.O.P. in the Navy, but are you sure of my identity? I need to assure myself that I am where I am wanted." 'Have I ended up with pirates, or slavers?'

"Yes, you are Jonathan Lee Carter of Trillannii," then he heard a giggle that sounded very familiar to him.

He was truly startled to think that he was that lucky, "Is that you Jane Meadows?" John asked incredulously. 'Could it be that I am THAT lucky?'

Her husky voice got him VERY excited as he contemplated seeing her again, "Yes John, I told you not to worry, did I not? Here, you will have no need to worry about anything, you are a free man." 'Thank you Lord; for bringing him into my life.'

John chuckled gleefully and wiped his eyes, "Yes you did, but I never thought that we would meet again. I thought that you were trying to give me a false hope" ‘Either I am that lucky, or you are rewarding me Lord, which I do not know yet.'

"But you know that I ship with the Rim Queen, or did you forget?" she asked with concern in her voice.

"My Captain told me that I was coming here, and I told him that I knew that you were here, but until now, I never thought that it was possible. I thought that you had simply been a passenger, or had a friend on board. I couldn't believe that you were telling the truth, not in my situation," he sighed in relief. 'My Dream has come true! Am I a Warrior Poet from the Legends? Only they could make their Dreams reality.'

"Why? Johnny Luv, this is a Merchant Cruiser from Trillannii, not an Imperial Trader. And I am not in the habit of lying to my friends." 'I guess that he has a right to be paranoid. Now to see if he can trust again.'

"Well, actually, until I heard your voice, I thought that you were a dream. Now you are the Girl of my Dreams. I feared that the Emperor had taken you away from me," he sighed in relief as his horror abated.

"Why, Johnny? Do you think that that piece of filth is that powerful? Well, he isn't! Don't' let his press fool you," she admonished him. ‘It seems that everybody under the Imperial Flag is convinced of the Emperor's infallibility. Time to set the record straight will Johnny.'

"Because I Love you, That's why! I fell in love with you when I saw you boarding the Queen."

"And I Love you too Johnny. Until now, I was alone except for my Shipboard Family, now I have you. Now, I have a reason to hope for a family of my own," she replied as she confessed her feelings for her True Love. 'Am I worthy of his Love? Will my Heart be broken?'

Then his wacky sense of humor kicked in, "Can your scanners read my Love for you?" he chuckled.

Johnny heard a few beeps, "I can see from my scanners that you are telling the truth, so, yes, I can tell, she giggled," 'Why am I playing with him? Do I LOVE him? Or is this simply a crush?'

"Oh? Never heard of that! Glad that you have proof," he chuckled. 'Wait till dad hears this. Too bad mom ain't here to hear it, she died just before I shipped out.'

Jane noticed a distinctive rise in certain brainwave patterns and action with a certain body part,” Johnny, do you need a cold shower?" 'If he does, then the attraction is VERY mutual.'

Johnny blushed as he heard her question, telling him that he had no secret as long as he was in his pod. "Sorry about that, but you are so beautiful to me." 'Now why would she ask? This is definitely NOT S.O.P. for a ship.'

Then the POD doors opened and Jane ran into his arms as he exited the Pod. "Thanks for saving me back there from Bronson, John," she planted a deep, long kiss upon his lips.

Johnny felt his body react to her advances and could tell that she felt the same way about him, "You are most welcome. I think that I am falling in love with you." 'Is this what Dad felt for Mom?'

She looked up into his eyes, "And I you."

=====================
Interlude:M.I.B.D. Luna Base
=====================
Mary looked at the J.O.S.H.U.A. avatar in wonder and disbelief, "WHY DID YOU CHOOSE DIANA HUNTER?" 'Does he know that I am the original Mary? Either I or one of the other originals have been in charge all of these years in order to maintain our watch over the galaxy.'

Diana smiled, "I chose this form because Diana was at first, Joe Rossi, then Diana, then was brought back as a genetic woman. She is the ONLY template with such a history. Does my choice frighten you?"

"Sit down Diana. I hope that this does not interfere with your work. But as for me being frightened, I was startled to see my old friend in the flesh, again." 'Does this avatar have her memories?'

Diana sat exactly as the original would have, causing Star and Mary concern, "Yes, I have downloaded her files as a template to interact with you, Mary. But, independent of me. Although why two of the original Agents are active is unknown to me." 'Will they trust me? All of the personnel files from the schools were purged from my just before I was transferred to the Agency. But who did it? Who back then had the skills to overcome my safety protocols? Or was I hit by an E.M.P. blast that erased all my memory except for that in my core memory?'

Mary looked at Star and sighed, "Diana, with the recent increase in Imperial, Church, and Naval activities, we've been forced to bring all of the original Agents back before their scheduled reintroduction. Collectively, we have the experience needed for the task at hand. The only real difference is the actual individual."

"Have you succeeded in combining your memories?"

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"Logically, only with the combined memories, could you have a remote chance at operating every base. How did you do it?"

Star interrupted them, "Wait a minute, Mary! This avatar has yet to tell us why she has done what she has. Unless she does, I will launch an E.M.P. blast to frag her!" 'GOD! I hate having to be the heavy, but as Mary's Security Chief, it's my duty.'

Diana smiled at her, "It is good to see that Mary has such a devoted Assistant. There is no need for your bravado, Star. Or should I say, Katanna?"

Star looked at her in disbelief, "How did you know? I chose a non oriental body for this time."

"Very simple, Katanna, I have Diana's memories. She was able to deduce that it was you, and scanning the records revealed that you are here as Mary's back up."

"Mary sighed in frustration, "OK, Di, stop blathering and tell us why you are an avatar!"

"Simple, the base will soon be compromised when the Imperial Navy penetrates the storage silos."

"How long until it happens?"

"The penetration should happen within the next two weeks. I have already brought all Vessels up to launch conditions."

"Diana, that is my decision! Why did you take that action?" 'If this avatar is playing a war game with the Agency, I'll have to pull the plug, if I can.'

"By the time that you had reviewed the data, too much valuable time would have been lost. As it is, by instituting the Exodus early, I have denied the Navy any information about us."

"Oh? Us?" 'Does the avatar identify with us? If so, that could interfere with its central programming.'

"Yes, Ma'am. As an avatar, I am able to identify with other Agents as I allow the basic personality matrix of Diana to keep me from causing harm inadvertently.”

"Avatar, as Security Chief, I must know the full extent of the integration. Are you Diana?"

"No, I am not, Star. My positron brain is not designed to accept such a complex download. Now, if my body was organic instead of synthoid, I could become Diana, easily enough."

"But, as a synthoid construct, you can act as her and no one would notice the difference."

"True, but, I could not react as a human. If a gas or biological attack was to hit me, unless designed to affect a synthoid, I would be immune. I could not 'play dead' because my synthoid metabolism is unable to emulate that of a human, even though as Diana, I am emulating her’s."

"Diana, just how are you preparing for the Navy?"

There are crates of obsolete equipment from when the base was founded. Any potential telltale evidence of our existence has been erased."

Star began to laugh, "You are simply employing my tactic. Those hulks were in the Garbage Depot, right?"

"Yes, and I am transferring several canisters of chemicals and radioactive as well. Might as well let them deal with our refuse since they are taking over."

Mary sighed, "With the loss of this base, we have no way to keep tabs on the Emperor. This will make our duty all the more difficult."

Diana smiled, "Mary, you are worried about losing a base on the moon, correct?"

"Yes, I Am. Do you have an idea about it?"

I do, in fact."

"OK, what is your idea?"

Have you forgotten about the abandoned base on the Dark Side of the moon?"

Then we started to sate our passion in several minutes of kissing with abandon as we began to disrobe and were down to our undies when a horn blared above us, "Jane, have you finished with our new arrival yet or should I wait until you finish? I would let you two continue, but that bulkhead is not conducive to such activities," he chuckled. 'Would've sent Steele, but he's injured.'

Looking up, Johnny saw the monitor, "Sir! Did you see what happened?"

"Yes I did. This is NOT an Imperial Warship, but even as a Trillannii Merchant Cruiser; we have certain protocols to follow."

"Sorry Captain, I got distracted, we are on our way," she blushed. 'I can't help it! He is so handsome, and he loves me too.'

"Sir, I am just has guilty," 'I can't let my Lady come to harm. My Lady?!? YES!!! I do accept her as My Lady and possible future wife!!'

"That's what I like to hear, an officer admitting his or her fault." 'It looks as if I have two lovebirds on my hands. That is the Way of Trillannii Noblemen, they fall for a woman and then their Court Manners shine through. Until then, they're perfect Officers and Gentlemen.'

=================
Interlude:King Reginald
=================
'Good news has just been received!! My son Jonathan Lee Carter has finally found his way too one of our Merchant Cruisers. I was reluctant to agree with his decision to enlist in the Imperial Navy, but thanks to our many hidden agents, he was never in any danger. If Emperor Leopold Augustus ever finds out that his former wife Veronica is my Queen and John's mother, he'd throw a fit!

When Veronica came here, she was accepted by the People and our respective Houses were joined when she married me. So, you actually are heir to her People's Throne, but her brother, Vernon is now the Baron since we married, and his son, Eric is next in line. That's when she was listed as dead by the Empire and Imperial Galactic Church because the Navy never has had the firepower to conquer the Rim nor Trillannii until now.

As it is, he will be quite mad when he learns that the only three crew members loyal to him are now gone and replaced with Rim Loyalists on board the Aztec, we are all Rim Loyalists here on the Queen. When the Aztec defects and changes to a Rim Warship, he will learn just how shaky his hold upon the Rim is when the majority of his fleet leaves his fleet for mine.

But if he hadn't have oppressed and terrorized so many, his Navy would be loyal. Seeing firsthand the atrocities committed by the Emperor's Envoys and his pets in Imperial Intelligence, made them rethink their loyalties.

It is sad that there has to be war in order to throw off the Imperial yoke of oppression from the galaxy, but it was ordained when the Empire decided to ban all of the T.G. Community and sympathizers. But we are all the stronger now for their mistake.

Until Leopold Augustus began His Reign of Terror, the Rim was Loyal to him, but out here, the Spark of Freedom shines bright and here, we will tend it until Freedom shines in the Empire once again.'

Then they headed up to the Captain's Office. Jane rung the bell and the door opened upon a small cubicle tastefully appointed with a mixture of styles that blended into a harmonious whole.

The Captain was seated in a hover chair that took the place of his missing legs. As they approached him, he smiled and held out his right hand out to John, "Welcome aboard the Rim Queen, I am your Commanding Officer Trent Marcus." 'So, NOW I get to meet the Prince. I NEVER thought that I'd be so blessed.''

He took his aged yet strong hand in mine and clasped it in a firm hand shake, "Thank you sir. I am honored that you have bought out my contract with the Navy." 'So like my grandfather who now rules over the First Colony.''

"Captain? Shall I get you and Johnny some refreshments?" asked Jane "Please Daddy, for some reason, I Love him! Please take it easy on him."

"Not to worry, child. Get some of that superb wine of mine, NOT the common brew. We have a lot to discuss." 'Now to see if his palate can appreciate Trillannii spirits.''

Then Jane bustled about the room, getting out a tray and filling it with mugs of some exotic brew that was cold, yet steamy. Then she placed a mug by them and swiftly left, "Captain, please be gentle with my Johnny. I think that I love him," she blushed as she wept.

"Well Johnny, Jane loves you, do you love her? I have to ask because she is my adopted daughter, her other family abandoned her when she transitioned." 'Will he defend her honor now as a True Trillannii should?''

He sat up, "Yes I do, Sir,. If doing so will be a problem, then I’ll leave with her. I've enough funds to get us to my Home." 'Daddy will simply adore her since she looks like mom.''

The Captain chuckled and wiped his eyes, "Oh Jonathan, I am glad that you two love each other! She is like a daughter to me."

"So, you know about her past?"

"Yes, and as far as I'm concerned, she is a genetic woman through and through." 'Let's see if he knows the Code.''

"She seems to know a lot about you," I observed. 'The Code, is he a Knight?'

"Jane has been looking after me ever since I lost my legs," the Captain grimaced.

"What happened?" 'If a knight, he is NOT following form, but he might have a personal history with her.'

"We were loading Radioactive Fuel Rods for a client when we were attacked by bandits wanting the cargo. They shot me from the back with a Laser that severed my legs off."

=================
Interlude:-Pirate Attack
=================
Jane replaces her com unit on her belt and taps the Captain on the shoulder as he is conferring with the Director of the Radioactive Exchange, "Captain, Security says that a bogey is landing just outside of our hanger."

"Oh? That's not good,"

"I hope your ship can handle the bogey."

Turning to the Director, "How's your security? And my ship can handle any bogey."

All of a sudden, the outer wall behind them erupted in flame as pirates stormed in and started firing lasers and grenades.

"EVERYBODY TAKE COVER!!" the Captain yelled as his legs were cut off of him by a pirate from the other direction.

"DADDY!!" yelled Jane as she tried to kill the pirate that shot the Captain. She saw that the armor withstood her initial attack,

"Bitch! I'll save you for my pleasure for that!"

She reset it to full power and with proceeded to vaporize them with total abandon, leaving her target for last. The air was filled with the stench of burnt flesh and evacuated bowels as the bodies fell apart under her barrage of laser fire.

"Bitch! you killed my crew! Ill kill everybody else, but you!! I'll take you as my sex slave!!" he exclaimed as he attempted to carry out his plan.

"You hurt the man who calls me his daughter!!! I have no mercy on you!" she cried as she finished him off, vaporizing his gut first, then his head.

"Jane," the Captain called weakly.

She dropped down by her fallen friend. "DADDY!! Are you OK?"

He coughed up blood and phlegm. "Jane, I won't last long. Please let my son David know so that he can take Command," he wheezed.

"LIKE HELL I WILL!! I WILL NOT LET YOU DIE!!" she exclaimed as she injected healants into the stumps.

"That laser was corrupted," then he faded away.

Jane worked furiously to save her Captain. Thanks to her latent healing powers, she pulled him back from the brink of death and eradicated the corruption the laser had infected him with. Finally, the stumps took on a healthy pink color as the laser induced corruption was eradicated from the body.

Then as she was tiring, two paramedics in white coveralls arrived, "Ma'am, we have a medivac stretcher here for him."

Wiping her eyes to clear away the tears, Jane looked over at them with hope in her eyes, "He was hit by a corrupted laser, and does the stretcher have a system to deal with invasive nanobots?"

They blanched at the dread news, "Yes, but we are not trained in dealing with such a terrorist weapon."

"That's OK, I am, she attached the varied leads and soon a thick black fluid was collecting into the waste bin, filled with the infected blood, tissue, and nanobots invading the Captain.

"Jane? What happened to the Captain?" asked Security Officer O'Donnell as she arrived and saw the carnage.

"Damned pirates attacked us and hurt Daddy while you were on patrol!!"

"OH? Where are they?" she asked as she surveyed the wreckage.

"I vaporized them," she replied as she fainted from shock.

"Don't you worry Jane, the Captain adopted you when you signed on and his son, David loves you as a sister. Thanks to you, no need to call him from Trillannii. Sleep peacefully now, you deserve it."

[*][*][*]
"Damn!! Those were the pirates the Aztec was after. We caught them, but not quick enough to stop you from being hurt."

"Then the Captain laughed mirthlessly, "Oh, I am sure that the Emperor is distraught over my loss."

"Oh?"

"John, those were Imperial sanctioned pirates!! Sanctioned by Arch Duke Varley."

"Can you prove your claim?"

"Yes, I can," then the Captain slid a mini-comp over to John.

"John picked it up and scanned the contents, "Captain, if I can send a coded message to the Aztec, they can take out this pirate’s nest that we haven't been able to before now. Varley has been out to set up his own empire by terrorism, with this Intel, the Aztec can eliminate the base."

"You trust the Aztec's captain?"

"Yes, he stood with me against Imperial Policy. He could have sent me to the Penal Planet."

"No need to John."

"Why?"

"Just before you arrived, he sent word that they were going after them. A part of the exchange is all of the Intel we've accumulated on them. Now he is rooting out those pirates that are causing us trouble because they are in Imperial Space."

"That's good. You can call upon the Aztec. I have a lot of friends there."

"I agree, but we are not here to talk about me, we are here to discuss your duties."

"What are they?"

"You are to basically take over for me."

"Say what???"

"Johnny, I am dying and I need someone that I can trust to Command my ship when I die."

"But why me?"

"This is a Trillannii ship. Your ship."

"My ship?"

"Yes, the Rim Queen is yours after I die. I have commanded her in your place by the Authority of the Trillannii Council."

"Then you know my Pedigree."

Then the Captain revealed a clear medallion with a diamond centered in a golden cross that met with a silver rim, "Yes, Prince John."

[*][*][*]

---

End Of King Of The Rim-Chapter 4-A New Life

To Be Continued In End Of King Of The Rim-Chapter 5-Revelation

King Of The Rim 5-Revelation By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne, JennaFl for Proofreading with Special Thanks to Sephrena Lynn Miller for Guidance and ChrisW. for the Illustration! Synopsis:John Carter Learns more about his pedigree and the intricate, massive web of support that has been created by his father to guard against the depravities of the Emperor and Navy.

---

[*][*][*]
"Captain! That is a secret!" John yelled vehemently as he stood up. "If the Navy or the Imperial Government ever found out about me, they would kidnap me and ransom me off to my family and then, while I was their captive, brainwash me into being one of their stooges or publicly murder me for all to see."

"Sit down soldier!! I am your Captain!!" Trent Marcus shouted with a fire in his eyes that would brook no opposition. 'Damn it all to hell! It's up to me to set him straight on things.'

John Carter fell back down into the chair, seeing nothing but trouble ahead. "Damn it Captain, if my secret gets out, I am a dead man and you very well know it too. How many know?" he asked, resigned to defeat. 'Have I been duped? Could Captain Trent Marcus be a traitor?'

The Captain glided over and placed his right hand upon Johnny's shoulder and smiled. "At ease soldier, your secret is safe with me, and with those that know."

"How can I be sure? I need an assurance that I can depend on."

The Captain brought out his Trillanni Knight Medallion that housed a ruby in its center as well as a Medallion with a diamond center in a clear disk labelled "Prince O Trillannii" Jonathan Lee Carter. "I am a Senior Knight of the Cleft. I vow to defend your life with mine." The Medallion glowed with a pure white light that touched both men. Its white light was a demonstration of loyalty of any Trillannii Knight to those of Trillannii Royal Blood.

Johnny chuckled upon seeing the medallion, releasing his frustration as he pocketed his new medallion. "So, I see that Dad has been busy as usual. He must have more than this one shipped out here. Are you the only one with the medallion, or just lucky enough to have it. And why would you have it, anyway?"

"Yes, other Trillannii Merchant Cruisers and Merchant Freighters are crewed by Trillannii Knights, as the Queen is. But like the other medallions, yours was blank until you activated it."

"Oh? How did I do that? I thought that my medallion was keyed only to me. How can it be duplicated?"

"The original is still back home in the Vault with those of the Blood Royal. Any medallions seen outside of the Vault are clones, linked to the original."

"You mean that I turned a blank into my Medallion's clone?"

"Well, you and the Rim Queen."

"Explain, please."

"Like all Trillannii Naval Ships, the Queen is an Avatar, giving her analog to a human soul."

"What? But avatars have been outlawed due to their inability to process emotions!"

Then John heard a woman's rich musical voice speak over the intercom, "That is why Trillannii Avatars are the transferred brainwaves of deceased Knights. This way, we still serve, your Highness."

Johnny began to laugh out loud as he contemplated the implications of such Avatars. By implanting Avatars into bases, pods, ships, shuttles, and stations, the Navy had effectively created a network of secret agents that the Empire could not match.

After settling down, Johnny asked, "Why are the avatars female?"

"I was born Anthony Shour, but became Lady April Shour as a Lady Knight of your mother Queen Veronica," replied the Rim Queen.

"Wow! I never heard of a Lady Knight before. Are all of you former men who chose to become women?"

"No, Prince John. There are hetero, female lesbians as well as transwomen just as there are hetero, gay and transmen Avatars and citizens."

The Captain nodded as he said, "We Trillannii have the entire spectrum of humanity. The Empire is all the poorer for its insular policies."

"Okay, I can see how the Navy and the Knights can work together, but does that mean that all of the Trillannii ships are Avatars? And what about any Trillannii bases, or stations? Just how extensive is the Avatar usage?"

Captain Trent smiled at Johnny’s question. "A very good question, it proves that you have the keen intellect needed for what's ahead of you. To answer your question, most are Avatar ships, in fact, there is currently only one Trillannii ship out without the Avatar system."

"Only one, why only one?"

"When you went into the Navy, your father released the hidden Trillannii warships to the Merchant Fleet. Luckily, they were all built as armored cargo ships and only needed minor modifications to separate them from actual warships; all were equipped with the Avatar system, except for one that was given to a non-Trillannii. Best of all, we are the equal of any Imperial Warship," he admitted with relish.

"And he called you and the other retired Trillannii Naval Personnel into serving the new Navy. What incentive did he give? You are easily able to retire with your wounds."

"Actually, most of us were wanting back out into space and the Merchant Fleet was our Godsend. As for me, this happened during my new career, looking for you. It’s a good thing that the Imperials do not know that Carter is the Royal name. They still believe it to be Pendragon, like theirs."

===================
Interlude:-Secret Meeting:
===================
In a typical city, there is a regular building of an ordinary sort. This city or building could be on any planet in the galaxy with an atmosphere capable of supporting life. The only possible remarkable thing about this building is that there is a Mary's Dress Shop that occupies the lower floor next to a Public Hover-port Terminal. But Mary's Dress Shop holds a secret that very few know about, a secret that very few would believe.

This Mary's Dress Shop was the visible gateway into a secret society that lurked beneath the shallow veneer of civilization. In this secret society were the actual people of influence that decided the fates of nations on Ancient Earth that, in time, followed civilization into the galaxy. Other organizations changed over time, phasing out as newer, more vibrant entities took over where others had failed.

Only one survived from Ancient Earth due to its unique nature. The Agency had been forged from the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America. These special agents were transgendered in some way, giving them an advantage in protecting transgendered politicians and business executives. During their tenure on Earth, the Agency had become a global organization, recruiting agents on a global scale.

During their reign on Ancient Earth, the Agency along with Hunter Enterprises had met and defeated many threats to civilization, in time, merging together when the Solar Empire expanded beyond the solar system. The Agency, using its advanced medical science technology, began looking into psionics . They even employed crystals and alchemy to discover those who were blessed with the psionic gift.

The Agency found that there were certain agents that had latent psionic abilities that were suppressed due to disbelief and lack of training. But by utilizing the knowledge of Druids, Wicca witches, and others who had psionic talents, the Agency was able to develop the Avatar Technology, Coil Technology, Psionic Crystal Technology, and combine all three and build the first 'Living Ships'.

Working with Agents with Psionic Abilities, they were able to create three divisions, each with a 'House' clan leader whose psionic skills and training made them the Royal Houses. The original goal of this endeavor was to create a separate Agency that could police the galaxy while the original Agency maintained a close watch upon the Home System. But events were soon to change that goal.

Working discreetly, both Agencies were able to establish bases in the ever expanding Empire using different techniques to hide in plain sight. The original Agency kept using the tried and true method of 'Mary's Dress Shop', while the Psionic Agency built private schools that taught psionics training to gifted students in addition to the traditional studies. To handle their equipment needs, Hunter Enterprises built research labs and factories that produced goods for sale, and for the Agents.

This arrangement went on for over thousands of years as the Empire expanded and annexed star systems. Imperial aggression left many thriving civilizations in ruin and devastated the flora and fauna of those planets, leading to the development of ecological engineering to repair the planets’ ecology. The pattern of destruction and revitalization continued until the Empire reached the Outer Rim. Upon reaching the Outer Rim, the Empire found that it was colonized by the crews of the Eco Engineering ships that were retired from service.

These unwanted people had traveled out beyond the Empire to form an ever expanding loose affiliation of colonies whose one commonality was being betrayed in some way by the Empire. The Outer Rim was also where the two agencies had chosen to go to when needed, and had targeted the Trillannii Star System for a new home in case of Imperial betrayal. On Trillannii, the colonists had already established the nexus of the new Camelot.

The Three Colony Ships, launched from Earth contained the entire population of Agency personnel and their families, leaving behind dedicated scouts to maintain surveillance from within the Imperial Palace. But over the generations, the Trillannii Agents had forgotten about their origins, except for a small cadre of Agents that remained aware of their history in order to maintain their most powerful weapon, their secrecy.

They also knew the terrible secret about the origin of the ruined planets and relics of power that intrigued the Imperium. Some of the ancient ruins were from the defeated Galactic Empire that fell due to a civil war that wiped out the civilization. Ancient Earth was one of the victims. The Civil War created a chronal inversion that wiped out all life as the E.M.P. destroyed all technology and unleashed the safeties on reactors and plants.

This turned each once verdant, thriving ecosystem into a putrid hell or desert devoid of life as it left the Earth a wasteland until ecological engineering reclaimed the planet, undoing centuries of abuse as well as giving rise to vastly improved recycling technology that turned all of the toxic wastes into safe and renewable biodegradables and recyclables.

[*][*][*]
Deep within this new base on the dark side of the moon, J.O.S.H.U.A. silently prepared the base for the worst as his Diana Hunter and new Artemis Hunter Avatars sat in the navigator and helm positions, ready to jettison the base into fight if warranted. As the telltale lights on the monitor board inside of J.O.S.H.U.A. went from red to green, J.O.S.H.U.A. sent a signal to the other J.O.S.H.U.A. base computers throughout the Imperium to activate the Armageddon Protocol. All base commandants were alerted to the possible need to actively thwart any Imperial threat as well as warning all Imperial ships and agents in the upcoming battle.
[*][*][*]
Heading into the shop was an elderly man wearing a simple black shirt, trousers and boots. He approached the counter and asked, "Is my order in yet?"

The cashier, wearing a gray blouse, black skort and tan pantyhose with black Mary Jane's said, "Ticket please." 'If He is the King, his ticket will carry his D.N.A. and open the door. His voice must match the records.'

Handing over his ticket, she scanned it with the register, and then a secret door opened out of sight. "Welcome to the Agency Your Majesty. To what does the M.I.B.D. owe this honor?"

"And you are?" He asked, placing a hand on his laser pistol.

She held out her shapely hand. "Mary Risberg, Commandant of this base," she declared, letting him see the Sapphire Medallion on her chest.

"Are we safe from the Imperials? Their scanners are second to none."

"Oh yes, this entire block is immune to Imperial scanners. In fact, we built them, so we can exploit their built in weaknesses."

The King smiled. "That's why you met me here in person."

"Yes, we need to talk. Please follow me." With that, the petite woman led the King into the hidden bowels of the base.

The King marveled at the very feminine figure leading him, and knew a little bit about the Agency's history. "One question please."

Mary placed a hand on his. "You're wondering if I am a man or woman. I can see your reaction to me."

The King blushed as his erection was noticed. "Yes I am. Be you man or woman, you are beautiful."

The Commandant blushed in return. "Do you know our history?"

"No." 'Let's see if our intel is correct.'

By that time, Mary had led him into a tastefully appointed lounge where she sat in a very comfortable easy chair. "Randi, bring us a small snack tray please." Then she released a hidden control on the armrest.

"In 1924, J. Edgar Hoover was appointed as the Director of the F.B.I. He recruited Irish Catholic men trained by Jesuits as his agents. He reasoned that such men would never betray their country. What he never counted on was that these same men tended to be transvestites. When Hoover discovered this, he decided to blackmail them to keep them in line."

"This was Old Earth?"

"Yes, at the time, the planet was divided into Nation-States."

"Like the galaxy today, I take it that Hoover learned to accept them."

"Yes he did, in time. Over the years, the F.B.I. was called upon to save the lives of so many people in both business and the Government that were trans-gendered that Hoover started to see them as an asset, not a liability. Hoover even went en femme on a case which started the rumor that he was a cross-dresser. He let the rumor continue in order to keep the much darker secret hidden within."

"I'd love to see the Emperor do that," He said with a chuckle.

"It was during the Cold War that the Agency was finally split from the F.B.I. and attached to the Justice Department. The Agency worked across the board, working with local government and business as well as with foreign governments to insure the safety of the trans-gendered and American interests."

"Cold War?"

"Much like between Trillannii and the Empire."

"Oh."

"The Agency has no official name. Officially, we do not exist. We are a shadow agency that maintains the peace. Our existence is known only to a very few, especially ever since the Emperor went mad. "

"What, he does not know about you?"

"We have our ways of keeping our secret," she replied and giggled.

"Much as we do, too," the King admitted with a smile. 'This Agency and we are so much alike. Is there a common origin?'

"Our Agency’s Headquarters is always in an unassuming building in any city. The exact location remains unknown to all but ourselves or trusted individuals. Our secrecy is paramount for our mission to succeed."

"Do you have a way to ensure that your secrecy is kept?"

"Yes, all who know are given post hypnotic training that prevents them from divulging our secrets. Only you and the Princess have yet to be treated."

"I can understand me, but why not her?"

"No safe opportunity as it takes a week in one of our transition chambers to fully transform and immunize anyone against any mental, or psychological assault by the Imperial Intelligence."

"Okay, but what of an Agent that keeps his male body?"

"Those Agents dress as women full-time except for when on vacation or on special assignment. But all Agents dress as conservative, professional business women. We can wear dresses, pantsuits, skirts and blouses cut in any style as long as the color is black. Does that answer the question on my gender?" she asked with a smirk.

"No, your gender is still unknown."

"I am now totally female."

"And a very beautiful one at that." 'She looks so much like my Veronica that I am falling for her. Even though she gave me the okay to seek solace in other women, until now, I was not interested in others. Now, I want to see Mary away from the needs of the Realm.'

Mary refilled their now empty glasses. "Thank you. Any questions?"

"Yes, what of your equipment?"

"Jewelry tends to double as equipment."

"Oh?"

"Our arsenal consists of non-lethal equipment: the Tickler, Gas, and Radio. The Tickler is a taser that interacts with the brain's pleasure center leaving the target feeling relaxed. It comes in a pistol and grenade form. The Gas is a powerful combination of hypnotic drugs that places the target under the control of the Agent. The target will become very agreeable to anything the Agent says, even forgetting events. The Radio is the most powerful form of communications available. It can pierce through any but the most powerful radiation."

He asked, "And your training and equipment have stayed modern?"

"Yes."

"What of your espionage activities?"

"At times, Agents will need to dress in formal gowns or impersonate someone. That is why all Agents are trained to read body language. All Agents must give up their male identity. All traces of his existence are erased from all official records. All of our former lives are erased from public files, to protect our families from any possible retaliation by an enemy. But we can still see our families as long as we are in our new identity."

"That must cause a few problems with the Imperials."

"Yes, it does, " Mary admitted. "It is a most difficult task that we do, and very few women or men truly have what it takes to wear basic black every day. For those that can, the rewards are knowing that you are protecting the galaxy and that very few others are our equal in espionage."

"Yes, I have seen your handiwork across the galaxy. We've known that there was another Power out there. It wasn't until we researched our archives that we found out about you."

"We know. We have an Agent in your Castle."

"Oh? What secrets has this Agent revealed?"

"None, our Agent's purpose is to keep tabs on any changes in your Government."

"May I have her name?"

"She is known to you as the Lady Natasha, Ambassador to Earth, but she has another name with us, Maiden."

"Oh? Why is that?"

"We are given a Code Name as well as our feminine name. We are trained in all forms of armed and unarmed combat, as well as survival skills. We try to avoid violence, yet we are more than capable of handling most any situation when provoked. Very few of us are cleared to use deadly force. We very seldom carry a gun, yet are deadly accurate with any weapon."

"No wonder we never have needed to send a ship to your defense."

"Oh, but we do need ships. All that we lack due to our secrecy are ships to transport the new waves of transients that the Empire is creating."

The King passed over a mini-comp. "This will help."

"What's this?"

"It's a list of Trillannii Passenger and Cruise Ships and their routes. They are ready to help."

Pocketing the prize, Mary asked, "How can we ever thank you for your help?"

"Keep up the good work and let us know if you need any help with equipment or recruits."

"Who else knows about the secret?" John Carter asked as hope was renewed in his heart.

"Only those on board this ship will know for sure and they have all taken the Pledge."

"The Pledge of the Trillannii Knights is a sacred vow that is taken only after the Knight has gone through Training. Are you telling me that everybody on board here is a Trillannii Knight?" Johnny asked incredulously.

"Yes my Prince, everybody, including Jane." Then he took a drink of his beverage and smiled. "Drink up. This is Hill Wine from the White Mist Valley, back home."

John took a long draught of the best wine from his home planet. One could drink it all day and stay sober because of a distilling secret. "MMMMMM." Smacking his lips, he added, "This is some of the best I ever had."

"We only stock the best here."

Setting his mug back down, it had refilled again. Very few could afford a transfer mug, but then again, this was a Captain's Office and Captains received such luxuries as a sign of their rank. "I need to know something, then."

"Ask away and I will try to answer."

"Fair enough. How has my secret been kept from the Navy and the Imperials?"

"When you signed up at the Trillannii Home Port, you were classified as a Prince just as all the Knights are. To the Navy and Imperials, you hale from the Royal Orphanage of the Trillannii Knights. As an orphan, you have no claim to the throne."

"Okay, that jibes with what dad said would happen. But I couldn't risk checking it out without causing alarm with Imperial Intelligence. What of my Medical Records?"

"The unique genetic markers of Trillannii Royalty have been kept a secret that only the Medallion you have can reveal. No scan will show your Royal Powers."

"How? " asked John. "The Imperials have had a few."

"Oh? How did they acquire them?"

"From Ancient Atlantis ruins and some scattered ruins across the globe. They were always a part of some jewelry, or made into a part of some weapon, or armor. Why do you ask? Afraid that a Trillannii Knight might have fallen or turned traitor?"

"Yes, but you have alleviated my fear." The Captain looked deep into John's eyes. "Now to tell you why the Imperials can't discover you."

"How?"

"By making it glow. Pull it out and see if you can."

He pulled the Medallion out of his shirt pocket and it started to glow. Then it stopped after he commanded it. "See John, your secret is safe here."

"Here it may be, but in port, the glow can out me in a heartbeat."

"Don't worry about that, every Knight can make his medallion glow. Only you can make theirs glow. That is the true sign of your Pedigree, and you can speak telepathically with any Knight using the medallion and interface with the Queen in time."

John drained his stein again in one long draught. "And how do I train myself to not out myself when in port?"

"That is why you are here too. You will get the training needed along with your duties via subliminal tapes that only you can hear."

"That's good, because even though I did train, I had to 'forget' what I learned or set off traps that were psionically sensitive. Now, my Powers are rekindled, and need further training."

A deep voice came over the intercom. "Captain to the Bridge, please."

"Come along, John, let's see why I have been summoned from my winter's nap," he said with a chuckle.

John followed him through the door into a room where two forward consoles were attended by crew wearing blue coveralls. The main view screen showed the realm of hyperspace as they sailed within its vast ocean of mist. Off to the side, Jane approached and handed the Captain a digipad.

"We just got a report that Princess Ariel, daughter of the Emperor, is on a vacation cruise through the Rim," she said, then turned to look at John. 'Are they an item? Am I simply his Mistress? Or am I being jealous for no reason?'

"Why is that so news worthy? She is always on vacation," John replied as he shrugged. 'I'll make sure that the Captain knows the truth.'

Jane giggled and looked dead at him. "She is looking for you."

"For me? Why me?" he asked.

"Well," she blushed crimson, "She is on a tour of the Rim, ending at the Capitol where she hopes to meet the Prince." 'Good! He is not her boyfriend!'

"Jane, that's the official reason for the increase in Navy Warships in the Rim. We must be ready for increased hostilities," informed Captain Abraham.

"Oh. Good thing all of the Trillannii Merchant Cruisers are Warships then."

Then a deep throated chuckle erupted from up front. "If she marries anybody from out here, her Father will disown her in a heartbeat."

From across the way, a drawl resonated back. "Now speak foe y'all self now, y'ah heah. I do believe that she jes' mite like us."

Johnny cleared his throat. "And who are these two, Gentlemen?" he asked in good humor.

The tall, lean dark haired crewman saluted, and said with a rumble as deep as the abyss, "My name is Morgan Ulrich Theodore Thomas; Ship's Helm Officer. You can call me Mutt," he replied with a laugh

The short, squat muscular blond saluted, and said with that deep resonating drawl, "Mah name iyes Jeffarson Emayanuel Fredrik Failds, I ayum Shep's Navigatuh. Y'all ken call me Jeyeff."

John returned the salutes. "I take it that you two keep the ship running from here."

"Oh, they do more than that," the Captain said. "They also keep abreast of their favorite subject, the Princess."

"But why?"

Jane interjected, "She has a tradition of selecting only 'Commoners' to dance with at any party."

John turned to the two blushing gentlemen. "In that case, I want a detailed report from both of you upon the Princess and her Family as soon as you can." 'Such is the 'Official' reason given, but I am guessing that she is doing so as one of our supporters.'

"Aye, aye, Sir," they chorused, causing the Bridge to echo from the resonance of their reply.

A scanner warning pinged as the appearance of another vessel was detected by the hyper scanners. It was a much older Merchant Cruiser, its long, lozenge main hull the same as that of a Trillannii Merchant Cruiser, but it was powered by twin barrel shaped engines attached on the aft section with a triple thruster pack in each pylon and a twin thruster assembly dead aft in place of the Rim Queen's solar wing and coil engines.

From his Command Chair, the Captain asked, "What is that object ahead of us, as if I don't know?"

"Anything wrong, Captain?"

"I hope not Johnny, but if it's who I think it is, trouble is on its way."

Mutt and Jeff both sat down and checked their scanners. "It is a Merchant Cruiser, the North Star out of the Remul system," announced Mutt.

"Then hail them and send the message to my office. Follow me you two," ordered the Captain as he glided back into his office.

"Anything I need to know, Jane?" John asked as they followed the Captain into his office.

"You got me," she mused, "he always deals with them in private, but I'd guess that we are about to both find out. But the North Star is an old style Trillannii Merchant Freighter turned Privateer for whoever is willing to pay."

"Okay, and what about us?"

"All that I know is that I want to get you to my bed ASAP," she purred as she massaged his groin.

John's rod stiffened at her touch and he blanked out momentarily until he heard the Captain. "Jane, control yourself, you vixen. You can ravish him after this meeting." 'She's keeping his mind off of the mystery, that's good. But unfortunately, this Captain will awaken Johnny's Knighthood with his avarice.'

"Yes Sir," she purred as they both sat in chairs now arranged around the desk. It took John a moment to see the Valet-bot in the corner. The bots were handy at doing the small jobs around the ship and around the star ports.

The Captain activated the screen and a dark husky man appeared looking like an Arabian Knight, "Greetings Captain Abdul. How goes your search?" 'Why he must act and sound like he's from an Arabian Colony, I'll never figure out.'

The Trillanni System consisted of three Class G3 stars orbiting a common gravity center where Trillannii Prime resided in the eye of the system. Trillannii Prime was protected by a Van Allen Radiation Belt and four equidistant iron/nickel asteroids orbiting the same equatorial plane as the stars: Trillannii Pegasus, Trillannii Gryphon, Trillannii Phoenix.

Each star had nine Earth type planets orbiting in three orbits, equidistant from the others with gas giants in interlocking orbits keeping asteroids and comets from impacting the inner planets. Each inner planet was a unique world with life reflecting that of Earth from its many eras so that extinct fossils lived in secluded parks alongside of modern cities and farmlands.

The extensive wildlife reserves hid an equally vast network of laboratories and research facilities devoted to the preservation of wild flora and fauna endangered by civilization within depleted mines that had been extensively reworked to provide a safe environment as well as cleaning up any waste to leave the upper environment ecoo-friendly.

[*][*][*]
"Many Blessings upon you Captain Trent and the Rim Queen. Unfortunately, the search is fruitless as usual."

"What is this that you are searching for?" asked John who felt as if he could help him for some reason, little knowing that his innate psychic abilities were warning him about the charlatan.

Abdul visibly reared forward in a pathetic attempt at bravado. "And who is this young upstart to interrupt the counsel of two Captains?" 'How dare this plebe interrupt us!'

'Asshole! He is still trying to imitate others by sounding like he is a self-styled Sultan.' "Stand down Abdul! Or this conference is terminated!" ordered the Captain.

Abdul sat down, "Very well. May your House be blessed. I was not expecting company." 'Trent knows how to stop my rants. I would be a Trader as he is, but being a Privateer suits me best.'

"This is my Executive Officer, John Carter. He may be able to help you in your search," replied Trent with a hint of amusement in his voice. 'Now to see John's use of the Medallion's ability to sense the Treasure. Until now, it was a fruitless search since only a Trillannii Royal can sense the treasure.'

"A thousand curses be upon you if you are wrong! Just why do you think he can be of help?"

John could see the gleam of avarice in his dark eyes. 'This charlatan wants money and will stop at nothing to get it. I need to play along to learn the full extent of his betrayal.' "Why do you doubt?"

"You are looking for the Trillannii Treasure Ship, John Carter is a native," stated Captain Trent. John could see that the captain enjoyed delivering that bit of information. As he mused over the Treasure, John's latent psychic powers awakened as he felt the Treasure call to him.

"May the Sun rise forever upon you. Tell me John, where is the ship." 'Now I can sell the treasure to the Imperials and buy a proper ship, not an obsolete one like this old bucket. They should have let me have a Merchant Cruiser instead of this Merchant Freighter!'

John entered a trance, then soon gave voice to his thoughts, "The Treasure Ship, Queen's Choice, was passing near the Bridal Veil Mists when it was lost."

"Yes, yes. That is known. What is not known is the location," Abdul snorted. 'Is this pup a con artist, or for real?'

John could see that he was vexing the other Captain, and smiled. Rubbing the medallion, he finally knew where it was. "You will find it upon the lone planet circling the Green Sun in the heart of the Mists. It is in the Northern Valley." 'For some reason, I can tell that the Queen can handle the Mists. But what is this warning I'm getting from Abdul?'

"But that is dangerous!! The Mists disrupt all ships functions!" he yelled at John.'He must be real! Or he can read me and know of my fear of the Mists.'

John stood up, full of anger. "You asked for my help, and you got it, Captain!! What you do with the data is up to you!!" 'That bastard! He captured the Merchant Freighter Queen's Gambit, leaving it adrift in space. He sold the crew and cargo to the Imperials, who then sold the crew into slavery!'

"A thousand curses are upon you! I will find the Treasure yet!"

John turned to his Captain. "Sir, could we retrieve the salvage for ourselves? We need to take it back to Trillannii! Captain Abdul will sell it to the Imperials or to Trillannii." 'Now to see if he knows about Abdul's treachery.'

"After this run, why not, Abdul will sell to the highest bidder," he admitted. 'You've betrayed Trillannii before, never again! Only the fact that seeking justice would alert the Imperials to the betrayal keeps you safe.'

Once again, Abdul shouted. "May the Sun curse you both!! That is my salvage!! I sell to who I please!"

John turned to him and smiled. "No, It is mine, not yours Abdul." 'What is this Power that I feel? All that I know is that I know what to do.'

"Hah! You worthless excrement of your father's whoring wife! Why would it be yours?" 'These Trillannii think that they are all of the Royal House. The True Prince is still on Trillannii, ruling while his Father oversees the building of the Colonies.'

"I am Jonathan Lee Carter of the House Trillannii, Prince of Trillannii."

"John Carter! I don't care if you are a Trillannii Knight! I will take the Treasure!" 'Why do I hate him so?'

"No Abdul, the Rim Queen will get there before you do, and retrieve the Treasure, while you watch helplessly." 'Next is to tell of his betrayal.'

Abdul laughed. "And why? Pray tell me why, you reject from the Trillannii?"

John smiled. "Because you will not be able to blindside the Rim Queen as you did the Queen's Gambit. We know about your attack that garnered you the cargo, and crew which you sold into slavery. The Queen's Gambit's crew is back on Trillannii. You sold them to my People, not the Imperials as you believe! The only reason that we have not sought vengeance is that the Empire knows about the ship, they don't know that it's Trillannii!" 'Now to burn his mind.'

"I challenge you...."

Abdul screamed in helpless fury as John's psychic assault left Abdul without the knowledge about John's Pedigree as it also ripped away his latent psychic powers gained from commanding a Trillannii vessel. "I accept your challenge!!"

John cut transmission with a nod of permission from the Captain. "John, you have just issued a Challenge, are you sure that you are ready?"

"Captain that piece of flotsam is not a Trillannii as I am. As the Prince, it is my Duty to retrieve it for my People. I have never felt so sure about anything in my life!" 'Is this what it means to accept my responsibility as dad says?'

"Godd! About time that we got that Treasure back. We've been looking for it since the Founding of Trillannii. It is the Foundation of the Crystal Technology that's the basis for all Trillannii Vessels and Medallions."

Jane touched Captain Trent's shoulder. "Captain, what is this Treasure you two are talking about? I may be a Knight, yet this is the very first that I heard of it." 'Is it because I am Trans-Gendered? If so, then even the Trillannii are bigots.'

John took her chin in his hand. "The legend of the Missing Treasure is taught in Trillannii Schools. When you came with me to the Queen, I assumed that you were told about the Treasure. There was no intention of keeping you ignorant, if anything, it was a compliment." 'Now I see her by my side as my wife. I have found my Soul Mate.'

"Jane, the Trillannii had the Treasure ship as a gift from Earth. On the way, it was lost. The crew made it home, but we could never verify the ship's location. Since then, several counterfeits have shown up throughout the galaxy without the actual seals, so we know that someone has had access to the records," Captain Trent admitted.

"But if they knew, then why did they not retrieve the Treasure?"

"Because the Seals are housed in the Trillannii Imperial Vaults. When Trillannii was founded, new Seals were made to avoid any counterfeiting."

"And my Johnny can track this Treasure?"

'My Johnny? Is she ready for a commitment?'

"Yes, as the Prince, he can sense certain items on board the ship. That's why he found it when no one else could."

Then she turned to John. "And you chose me as your bride? I thought that as Prince, you'd choose a Royal."

"Jane, I love you, but I want for us both to be sure."

She wept on his shoulder. "Johnny, I am bad news. I have cost you your career and now you are embarking on some crazy scheme." Then she looked him in the eyes. "Every time that I have fallen in love, disaster strikes. Can you handle the Curse?"

"Yes, if you will have me."

"Yes, Johnny. I will have you."

[*][*][*]

---

End Of King Of The Rim-5-Revelation

To Be Continued In King Of The Chapter 6-Legacy

King Of The Rim Chapter6-Legacy By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne, JennaFl for Proofreading with Special Thanks to Sephrena Lynn Miller for Guidance and ChrisW. for the Illustration! Synopsis:John Carter learns more about the Rim Queen and her crew, finding a most pleasant surprise that validates his love for Jane, and hers for him. Meanwhile, other events are taking place that will lead to his ultimate confrontation with the Emperor.

---

[*][*][*]
John Carter looked at Captain Trent. "Sir, what exactly is on our itinerary? I need to know so that I can reschedule our meetings."

"John, you just gave us our next destination," replied Captain Trent. < i>'He still thinks that he's on a Naval Vessel, time to teach him different.'

Jane hugged John and smiled. "As a Merchant Cruiser, we have no set itinerary, we basically go where we please. Only those that serve a route are on a schedule." 'I wonder if we will now have a schedule?'

John blushed at her loving smile. "Jane..." 'Damn! She takes my breath away! Is this how Dad feels about Mom?"

"Easy there, you two. John, channel your love for Jane into your Medallion until you can manage your emotions. Then you will be the Knight we need." 'He has all the signs of being like his father.'

John's Medallion glowed with a soft, golden light that enveloped him and Jane, then retracted into his and Jane's Medallion causing both to glow. He looked Jane in the eyes. "Jane, I love you with all of my heart! My life is yours."

Jane returned John's gaze. "John, I love you with all of my heart! My life is yours."

The glow faded away, leaving both of them dazed and confused. "Good! It has happened!" exclaimed Captain Trent.

"What has happened?" they chorused.

"Your Medallions have now linked to each other, bonding your souls together. Now, you can track one another and speak telepathically to each other."

"But we just met. Why would our Medallions link like you say?" asked Johnny.

"Because, your hearts already know the truth, even if you deny it," affirmed the Captain.

"Are you saying that our Medallions have basically married us?"

Captain Trent smiled. "Yes, Princess Jane. The Medallions never lie. Now, when you meet others blessed to have a Medallion, they too will know who both of you are."

"But what about the Imperials? Can they discover the truth?"

"No, the Medallion gives the wearer immunity to all forms of interrogation. That is why Trillannii agents can easily infiltrate Imperial installations and stay hidden."

=================
Interlude:Freedom
=================
The Trillannii Naval Yard Complex was a fifty kilometer globe made from asteroid rock that had been fused together to form a fully functional base. Centered within an array of factories housed within other asteroid globes that manufactured the bulk of all technology away from a planet's delicate eco-system. The factory workers needs were provided by agri-farm globes for daily needs along with agri-dome for the exceedingly rare and dangerous flora/fauna for the manufacturing of medicine and specialized exotic foods unable to withstand the rigors of the traditional farms. The former factories had been converted into community centers filled with sports arenas, gymnasiums, theaters and shopping malls to answer he needs of the populace who demanded the factories goods.
[*][*][*]
In deep space, near the Trillannii Naval Yard, an ancient vessel from the past dropped out of hyperspace, on a collision course with the Trillannii Naval Yard Complex. In a temporary position on the bridge, Chancellor Merlin sat in the Command Chair.

"Commander, we have a situation."

"Details, Security Officer Lyon."'That platinum blond beauty disproved the dumb blond adage with her quick reflexes and perfect memory.'

"An ancient Imperial Troop Transport has arrived in system, on a collision course with the Complex."

"Any life signs?"

"Yes Sir, but very faint," replied the Nubian Adonis at the helm, reading the targeting scanners.

"What is the model and registry, Lieutenant Onuwachi?" 'He truly lives his African name of ‘God’s world’ with his mathematical genius needed for navigator/helm and talent for reading the subtleties of any planet we orbit.'

"Model class Royal Transport, registry number: 01," replied Caitlin Lyon in awe and wonder, her lion’s mane hair spreading out in response.

"Damn! The Freedom has returned from the grave!" exclaimed Merlin.

On the main screen, the registry number in mirror paint and the name Royal Servant was etched on the long, tapering body that flowed into a delta wing housing the engines. A smaller identical pod was melded atop the main body. Lights from the windows on both vessels were dimmed.

"Sir, are we going to salvage the ship and survivors?" asked the lioness.

Merlin smiled. "Oh, most definitely, Miss Lyon."

"My given name is Selina, Selina Caitlin, Sir."

"My apologies, my lady. But with you wearing that security bodysuit, you are quite fetching," he said as he knelt in proper Trillannii Knight fashion.

She blushed. "Sir, I am not a Lady. I am a commoner. Besides, we need to tend to the business at hand."

The Chancellor sat back down in his command seat. "You are right. Protocol demands that we ascertain the danger factor of the intruder. Launch the medical/security/engineer teams and erect the deflectors, but we have a month until its momentum will bring it here."

"True, but there could be nasty surprises. It's my duty to protect us from harm," she agreed as she dispatched the launch ready teams to intercept the ship.

"Just as it is mine to guide us safely to our destination and on patrol." said the Nubian.

"Yes, Nabil, you have proven your worth as Helm Officer. Otherwise, you would be helming another vessel," admitted Merlin. 'Never have I met one whose spirit is as noble as his. He truly lives up to his name.'

[*][*][*]
Each team was trained in multiple disciplines to ensure their survival. Each team was rotated to keep the teams fresh, and were stationed in a ready room, with the shuttle pod's access hatch kept open. When an alert was sounded, the teams bolted for the pod, awaiting orders for departure. Each pod on board a Trillannii Ship has the transition coils fully equipped patrol cruiser minus escape pods. Their main weakness is their size limits their range. relying upon the teams action suits to provide life support in cases of emergency.

Each pod consisted of a cockpit, passenger area, cargo hold and engine compartment, making surplus pods a highly sought after vessel by corporations, entrepreneurs, and individuals and small families filled with wanderlust.

[*][*][*]
"The teams are on their way, Sir," affirmed the Helm Officer.

"Good, prepare to launch the medivac shuttles."

"What about Sickbay?" asked Lieutenant Gloria Van Hallen from Navigation.

"After we ascertain that the shuttles are needed," replied Arturo. < i>'Good thing we have a full crew this patrol. Otherwise, I might have to send her to pilot a shuttle. Damn shame that so few want to qualify for Throne Ship Patrol Duty. But I guess that the stigma and horror of serving on the Imperial Throne Ship has been placed on the Queen here.'

The Security Officer cleared his throat. "A communique from Team 1."

"On screen." 'He can pull a message out of the static of a scrambler field as well as being a top notch soldier and pilot. With his record, our Nubian Hercules will soon earn his own Captaincy. When he does, I will give him this ship and stop being the commander.'

On the main screen, a unisex soldier in white armor with the sword icon on its helmet appeared. "Sir, the entire crew is in hibernation."

"Status of ship’s navigation systems, Crewman Barnes?"

"All systems are functioning normally."

"Then why is the ship here?"

"The ship came through a chronal shift that sent it ahead in time."

"By how much?"

"According to Chief Engineer Redstone, one hundred and fifty years."

"That computes, the Freedom was launched one hundred and fifty five years ago."

Then a second soldier with a Red Cross icon on its forehead appeared. "Sir, all of the crew are alive, but many need medical intervention to deal with various maladies that the sleep pods could not repair."

"Is a quarantine needed, Doctor Malcolm?"

"It is strongly advised."

"Security, launch medivac shuttles, with quarantine systems, and alert sick bay."

Caitlin pressed a button on her Security Monitor. "Done, Sir."

Merlin saw the lioness gasp in surprise. "Anything wrong?"

"Commander, I have a recording from the Commander of the Freedom. It was downloaded just before launch."

"Play recording."

[*][*][*]
"It is hard to believe that we are finally leaving this prison that the Empire exiled us to, but we are about to leave and join the other Colonies that have withdrawn from the Empire. The Empire began a policy of genocide against all Trans-gendered people. The colonies opened up their borders to us and soon, we departed in a mass exodus. The Empire made us a gift of one of their mothballed Troop Transports to take the final 50,000 to our destination. Little did we know that the Empire had planned for our flight to end in tragedy.

"All was going well until we made the final jump, and then the ship deposited us at the Prison Planet and jettisoned us into orbit, stranding us here.

"For fifty years, we struggled to survive along with with the prisoners who were themselves exiled here as we were. Together, we were able to convert the complex into a serviceable colony.

"Recently, the Troop Transport that had stranded us was found in orbit of our moon. It had been left behind because it had run out of fuel.

"We have been able to refuel it and make it ready to take us to our new home. Our friends have been looking for us all this time and are awaiting our arrival. As for this place, since it has been abandoned by the Empire, it will become a new colony for us.

"Even though life here is harsh, there is an abundance of metals and rare earths here for the taking. Looks as if the Empire loses out in the end.

"Now we are about to leave, I can hear the engines start up and I can see the stars dance as we make the jump. What our new life will be I do not know, but it will be better than what we leave behind."

[*][*][*]
"Now we know what happened. Gloria, can the ship be safely docked?"

"Affirmative, in fact, we can even dock it at the sickbay quarantine port," replied the navigator.

"Do so."

"Shall I alert sickbay?" asked Caitlin.

"No need, security, protocol demands that when quarantine shuttles are launched, the sickbay quarantine port must be readied."

John went forward. "Mutt, Jeff, you lads know our destination?" 'Let's see if they're as attentive to Bridge Chatter as their Naval Counterparts.'

"Course plotted, and ready to execute course correction," rumbled Mutt.

"Don'cha freyat noyan,” Jeff added. "We'yell geyat ya' theya."

"Mutt, Jeff, you have the con," said the Captain as he glided off the Bridge.

"Aye, aye, Sir," they chorused.

"John, it'll be awhile before we get there. Why not get some rest?" asked Jane. 'Will he accept my offer?'

John extended his hand. "Lead the way, My Lady."

===============
Interlude:Aztec
===============
On the Aztec bridge, Executive Officer Brick was in command as Captain.

"Sir, there is a communique from a Captain Abdul for the Captain. Should I page him?" asked the Junior Security Officer from his station behind Brick.

"Lenard, you know that the Captain hates speaking to that flotsam. I will take it." 'This guy is one bad apple. The only reason that he's yet to be brought in is that he's providing those treasures that the Emperor loves.'

The screen came to life to reveal Abdul's sweaty face, "By Aladdin's beard! Why are you speaking to me? I want your Captain."

"Captain Abdul, my Captain refuses to speak to you. And frankly, I do not want to either," stated Brick. 'Does this possibly have anything to do with John?'

Abdul bristled with rage, "And why does he refuse? I am the Emperor's friend!"

Brick stood up put his hand upon his star-sword handle, "Because all that you cause is trouble for any Naval Vessel that does business with you!" < i>'Will he deny his actions?'

"I have never caused trouble for the Navy!"

"Then what about the two Patrol Cruisers that were lost in the Vescar star system?" 'I was right. The Storm Riders of his fried the Kukulkan's and El Dorado's computer, allowing for their capture.'

"Fool! I warned about the Storm Riders!"

"Not until after the fact! You waited until we lost the Kukulkan and the El Dorado before you warned us!"

"Blame me not for naval incompetence! Blame yourselves!"

'This is getting us nowhere.' "Then tell me why you called, before I end your life."

'Would he actually do it?' "Bah! To attack the Emperor's Favorite is to end your career! You will become a slave!"

"Not after the computer has read your aura. Now, the truth is known. You are no longer a favorite!"

'Oh No! I must tell and hope to restore my status.' "Very well. I shall soon have the Treasure. I have found it, and will deliver it to you!"

"Oh? And where did you get this information?"

"From the Rim Queen." Abdul cut the transmission.

"Damn! Lynn, Lonnie, take command. I'm going to tell the Captain."

As Brick left, he heard a chorus of, "Aye, aye, Sir."

John looked her in the eye, after sating their passion. Her perfect, lithe body glistened with sweat and loving as he adoringly drank in her simple beauty. "Jane?" 'I am so lucky to have found her.'

"Yes, love?" she responded as she stretched like a cat, popping several joints and easing tension pent up from the pressure of the last few days. < i>'Yes, I do love him with all of my heart.'

Johnny caressed her breasts. "Just what is this 'curse' that I must defeat?" < i>'I have never heard of anything like it. Could she be afraid to love?'

Jane opened her eyes and saw that her lover was serious. "It all began when I was in school, I wanted to wear the girl's uniform, so I would not do my homework for punishment," she giggled. < i>'Oh what fun that was while it lasted.'

Then Johnny kissed her on the lips. "I don't understand." 'Well I do, but I want for Jane to tell me.'

"The punishment was to wear the other sex's uniform for a week," she purred. 'Wearing the hose during winter and summer was nice too.'

Johnny chuckled at her antics. "And you, of course, made sure to wear a girl's uniform all year long."

"Well, the Truant Officer simply enforced the rule, never filed a report with the Board as there was no rule to do so at the time," she moaned as she stretched. 'Unfortunately, that has changed recently.'

Johnny gently stroked her cheek. "And by the time you graduated, you had been in a girl's uniform all through school."

She moaned in extreme pleasure. "Yes, thanks to my being an orphan and under the Truant Officer's Authority. I learned about being a girl then, and most everybody thought that I was a girl, too."

'Truant Officer? That's strange.' "What about your parents?"

"That's where my curse begins, Johnny," she cried. "Can they forgive me? Or am I doomed to Hell?"

"How can that be?" he asked as he cuddled her to him. 'I will protect her from her curse with all of my power.'

"I was in my crib, some stupid parent saw that I was wearing the wrong outfit, and my parents were, executed on the spot," she wept at the memories.

Johnny put his hand to his mouth, "My god! How old were you?" he asked as he gathered up several tissues for her.

"I was five at the time. Why?" 'What could my age possibly matter?'

"Because, I have a feeling that your parents were outed for helping against the Imperials, not because of you. Even though you were in the wrong outfit. You have lived with this burden for years. Though, why you stayed in a crib seems strange."

'Oh no! He's got it all wrong! "Johnny, that crib was actually a child's bed that began as a crib. The sides fold down under the mattress, allowing the use of drawer space underneath," she explained.

"That's good to hear. For a moment, I thought that they were abusing you."

"No, they were not that way. They understood about my need. In fact, they actually got Truant Officer, Patricia Murphy, to ignore my cross-dressing. If she had told Dean Whitmire, I'd have been orphaned long ago."

"Then I'd say that your parents are innocent. It sounds as if they were murdered by vigilantes."

Jane looked at Johnny with renewed hope in her eyes. "Why do you say that, my love?" 'Can he possibly end my curse for me?'

"Because simply wearing a pink outfit is no reason to murder your parents! Not even the Imperials are that stupid."

Jane began to weep as the revelation hit her full force that vigilantes had murdered her parents and she was innocent. "Oh, Johnny, you're the first one that I told this too." 'Now I feel free of my guilt after all this time. Is it any wonder why I love him so much?

Johnny held her in his arms after he had covered them with the blanket. "You were afraid to look at your past before, Now I'm here to protect you," he promised. 'She is more important to me than my legacy.'

She lay under him and pulled him down upon her. "Then protect me by loving me back to sleep," she ordered as she lay back, ready to accept him in her body. 'Loving him is more wonderful than I could have ever imagined before now.'

With that, he gently wrapped her into the arms of sleep as he worshiped her from within.

===================
Interlude:-M.I.B.D.
===================
Deep within the base, Mary led the King to a vast natural dome where an army of women wearing black unitards were practicing battle tactics with hand weapons. Each woman used a different weapon to either down her opponent or defend herself. What amazed the King was that they were equally matched.

"Well your Majesty, what do you think of our self defense skills?" Mary asked impishly. 'It will be interesting to see how we compare with the Trillannii.'

Taking careful stock, the King carefully assessed the sparring. "From what I can see, your army is much better than any other."

"Thanks, that is because we teach each Agent to be self-reliant and to be a team player." 'Let's see if he can tell the truth about out training.'

The King shook his head. "No, we do too, it's much more than that. We use special training to hone our soldiers into their peak levels and stay there."

Nodding in acceptance an admiration of his evaluation. "You're right, we are the recipients of genetic tailoring."

"Well, at least yours doesn't make your Agents into monsters," the King observed.

Mary activated a monitor screen and led him back to his seat where they both had a full glass of wine and a plate of assorted hard candies. "We have seen the monsters that the Imperium has created using their faulty gene therapy."

"Have you had any success at treating them other than ending their tormented lives?" asked the King.

"Unfortunately not. All that we can do is keep them in suspended animation. We will not kill an innocent."

"The same for us. We have been able to use our Medallion based genetic tailoring to undo the damage, now they are Trillannii Knights."

"Oh?" 'Will they share the cure?'

"They serve as Palace Guards now."

"Can you share the cure?"

King Reginald sighed in regret. "Unfortunately, the cure is by means of our Medallion technology that only a trained expert can use. Sorry."

She placed a hand upon his. "King Reginald, please help us. If we can adapt your cure to our chamber, it'll give us a new weapon to use as we cure the Emperor's Beast Men."

"So, that's what you call them."

"Yes, they do look like they were subjected to gene splicing with animals."

"And you want for us to teach you how to use the Medallion Gene Chambers."

"Yes, or let us send them to you."

"Either option is viable. I can have the Hospital Cruiser Pasteur here and the Evacuation Cruisers Lottie Moon, Anna Seward Pruitt and Cicero Washington Pruitt."

Mary smiled. I see that you honor people from Earth's past."

"Yes, it's our way of reminding everybody that the Imperium was not always evil and that the current madness will one day pass."

"As we honor our past Agents by continuing their code names."

"It amazes me that you have achieved the ability to give your Agents a body without defects."

"Well, all of us are conceived as female...

"You mean to tell me that...."

Mary placed her hand upon his. Yes, your Majesty. The male gender develops as the male chromosome becomes dominant."

"Thank you for opening my eyes, Mary. How does your system turn Agents into women?"

"Our transition chambers scans the body and tweaks the DNA to eliminate any genetic defects and anomalies as well as repair any injury. When an Agent chooses to become a woman, the chamber alters the male chromosome into a female chromosome as well as reversing the age to that of a young adult."

"Then by combining both systems, we can extend the lives of practically anybody. But to do so might not be that wise. You may have the wisdom needed, but do all of your Agents have the wisdom to not go mad as the Emperor has?"

"He went mad with lust, not with any form of immortality."

"True, but does living so long ever become a burden?"

"When it does, I enter my regeneration pod and let my replacement take over."

"Who will be your replacement?"

"It all depends upon who is available at the time. Right now, my best friend Margo is overseeing operations while I am here. And each of our bases has their own Commandant with her Ministers in charge of the departments."

"Okay, do your leaders ever retire or leave their position?"

"Every Agent has the chance to lead. Some are more capable than others, but all have their unique skills."

"Much as the Trillannii Military/merchant Fleet."

Then a slender blond beauty wearing a gray bodysuit approached and saluted Mary who returned the salute. "Mary, we have a report on the Galactic Princess."

Mary turned to the King. "Do you know any of this, your Majesty?" 'I wonder just how good his network is?'

The King shrugged. "Nothing confirmed yet, my Agents only send me facts, not rumors. Too easy to make a bad call any other way."

"Well, same as mine and no doubt you will get the same information when you return. Too bad that security procedures prevent you from having any real time contact," Mary replied. 'The bane of our Agency.'

The King grinned at Mary. "Believe me, if I did not trust you, my People would raze this base to the ground in retaliation." 'Her Agency has proven itself too many times for me to doubt her.'

Turning to the blond Agent. "Report Agent Moondragon!" 'Now to show him how good we really are.'

Then she saluted Mary who returned the salute, "The Princess is heading out this way with the Emperor's Envoy."

"Damn it all to hell!! The last rumor was that she was coming alone!!" exclaimed the King as he jumped out of the lounge chair. 'Now I am worried about my son, he needs this information, ASAP!'

Mary placed a sympathetic hand upon his broad shoulder. "Same as us, my friend, same as us. No doubt you are worried about your son on board the Rim Queen."

The King looked sheepishly at them. "I apologize, ladies. You see, it's not the Imperial Envoy that's accompanying the Princess, it's Grand Admiral Jolleck. He's with her to capture my son, if he can," he confirmed.

Agent Moondragon smirked. "Sir, even if it is him, with your son on board the Rim Queen, he is safe. And if still on board the Aztec, he'd be with a crew loyal to him."

"King Reginald, the Agency will do its best to keep your son safe," affirmed Mary.

The King looked at Mary. "I guess this means that we are united at least in deed if not heart," he smiled as he uttered the idea of uniting with the Agency. 'If we combine our forces, can the Empire stand against us?'

"Come, your Majesty. We both know that your trip here is the start of our combining our resources, I hope that you have all the documents that you need." < i>'I wanted this too, but had to wait for him to come to me.'

Then he pulled out a mini-comp filled with documents. "Yes, hopefully by combining resources, we can cover more area and expand our range."

"My thoughts exactly, your Majesty," replied Mary.

As the lovers awoke from their slumber, they were brought back to reality by a rude announcement over the 'tannoy' in the computer's voice. " Transition to real space in ten minutes. Commander Carter to the Bridge."

"I guess that you need to be there to land us."

"Yeah, but the trouble twins can do it on their own, I'm there in case our cargo is suspect."

"John, we are on our way to get the Treasure, not delivering cargo."

"My bad. I was joking."

"Then I guess that I'll go tend to the Captain," Jane purred as she donned her robe so she could get to the shower.

John flicked a toggle at the head of his bed. "Acknowledged, I'll be there shortly."

[*][*][*]
Meanwhile, in the Captain's Ready Room, the Captain was reviewing the latest report on the Princess. "Damn! With that monster out here, things can get dicey real quick! Is there anything that you can do Steele?" 'He is supposed to be the best according to rumor.'

George Adrian Steele was the Rim Queen's Security Officer and father of Aaron Breck Steele, aka Brick. Steele had become the Security Chief after the Captain had lost his legs. He looked at the report that the Captain passed over. "Doubtful at this time other than enact some rather exotic countermeasures that might not work," he admitted. "That monster has a very bad habit of doing the unexpected."

The Captain drank some of his steaming coffee. "Well, as soon as Johnny has taken care of landing us, he will be here and give us his input." 'That is unless he comes here first to be introduced to the rest of the crew.'

Steele chuckled. "He will be amazed to see me, my friend." 'It will be nice to see my son's best friend.'

"Oh? And why is that?" 'Has Johnny some secret that I need to know?'

"He is best friends with my son Brick who just happens to look just like me."

They heard a buzz from the door. "Looks like we get to see his reaction now," replied the Captain in good humor as he let Johnny in. 'I wonder if Johnny knows about his friend’s dad?'

Johnny stepped through the door and saluted the Captain who returned the salute. "Sir, I have yet to be introduced to the crew, do they know that I am in Command or was that request S.O.P.?" 'I should have taken care of this already, but I was too caught up in loving Jane.'

"Not S.O.P., John, they know," replied a deep, resonant voice from the stranger. 'Poor boy, he got caught up in loving that vixen, Jane, and I do not blame him either from what the Captain tells me.'

Turning to the stranger, Johnny saw who he believed to be his best friend. "Brick! What are you doing here!?" John shouted as he hugged the bronze giant as he stood.

Then a deep, reverberating rumble erupted from his chest as he laughed. "I am afraid that you are quite mistaken, Jonathan." 'He sees my son, not me as I knew he would.'

Johnny looked at his friend as the Captain pressed a toggle on his desk. "What do you mean, Brick?"

"I am Brick's father, George Adrian Steele," he announced as he chuckled. 'I can see why Brick likes this man.'

Looking at the older man, John saw the older man's telltale graying temples that was the only difference that he could see. "Brick never told me that he was your double. Only your graying temples give you away, and the fact that you have hair," accused a mirthful Johnny. 'That scamp got one over on me. I wonder what he'll say when he finds out that his dad is our Security Chief?'

The Captain cleared his throat. "Johnny, I have already introduced Steele to the Crew. Time for me to do the same for you. Follow me." The Captain floated out the door onto the bridge as Johnny and Steele followed.

[*][*][*]
Johnny stepped onto the bridge where things were not as well as need be. The main screen revealed a planet shrouded in a deadly storm, and the mist hindered sensor contact and started to disrupt the transition coils.

"Report Helm!" ordered the Captain.

"Target planet's weather is a mess, Sir!" came the cavernous drawl.

"Has the Queen ever landed in such weather before?" Johnny asked.

"Yes Sir! But only with damage," came the drawl from Navigation.

"Now, what is the problem that you call me to the bridge? Can the Queen not land safely?"

Jeff sat back down and warned, "Oh we cayun, but thuh Chief wiyill blow a gaskyet if we hurt the Queen."

Johnny needed a second opinion from his new crew." Engineering, this is the Bridge, please report to Commander Carter on the Bridge ASAP."

A brogue from the Highlands of the United Kingdom blared over the intercom, "Who in tha' bloody hell has tha' gall ta' call me to tha' Bridge when I'm needed down here!"

Then a mirthless chuckle emitted from the deep bellows up front," Sir, Chief Engineer Piper will not be pleased being summoned here for any reason."

"Well, it's time that I set the tone of my Command with our Engineer then," replied Johnny.

The Captain floated over to the unmanned Communications station and waited with Steele who had taken the seat there, "Now we’ll see just how Johnny handles our firebrand of an engineer," he said with a smirk.

"Well, it is not Captain Trent calling you. Come up here, or find yourself planet side, swabbing away dust on old relics," replied Johnny with a feral grin. 'I can tell that this one is full of fire. Just the type I need to care for the ship.'

"I'll be right there, smart ass!"

"Johnny, get ready for a storm, known as 'Piper.' Hope that your luck holds out," Captain Trent said, laughing.

"You'll need it," agreed a smiling Steele.

A petite redheaded green eyed pixie of a woman stormed onto the bridge and stalked over to where the Captain was. "Why in tha' hell are ya' doin' callin' me up here fa' Cap'n? Don'cha know that I gotta ship ta' run?" she asked as she tapped her foot.

"Piper, it was not I that called you up here," said the Captain. 'She is truly a hot headed Irish girl.'

"Then who be tha one Cap'n?"

"That would be me, Miss."

Turning to see Johnny, she was aghast to see him. "Glory Be! Is it truly tha' Prince?"

"Yes, I am Prince Jonathan Carter: Heir of the Trillannii Throne."

[*][*][*]

End Of King Of The Chapter 6-Legacy

To Be Continued In King Of The Chapter 7-The Trap

King Of The Rim Chapter 7-The Trap By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne, JennaFl for Proofreading with Special Thanks to Sephrena Lynn Miller for Guidance and ChrisW. for the Illustration! Synopsis:Prince John Carter learns about the crew and their attitude as well as the ship’s limitations as he leads them into reclaiming the Treasure Of Trillannii. However, in the quest for the treasure, Carter encounters distressed locals and dangerous traps.

[*][*][*]
"Well Glory be!! It is ya! I've been wantin' to meet ya' for years. My mum would be turnin' ova' in her grave if she knew that I was meetin' tha' Prince," Piper said as she curtsied. ' And here I am, a speakin' ta him as if I'm royalty!'

John Carter touched her on the shoulder. "No need to curtsy to me Chief Engineer, I do not believe in pretentious displays of loyalty. Hell, Dad doesn’t either. He instilled the idea of meeting with the populace in the Court as equals as well as meeting them out in public to see how they live. That’s why we now have a republican government so that there are checks and balances to prevent the evil currently in the Empire. I have never seen myself as any better than anybody else."'And now the Trillannii People look to the Trillannii Throne instead of the Emperor for leadership. But how do I lead free people?'

Piper smiled at him. "Thank ya' Sir. Ya' must take afta' ya' daddy, tha' King. I've met him before an' he was jus' like you, every bit tha' offica' an' gentleman. Is it no wonder that I've given ma' loyalty ta' him and you?"

"Chief, I accept your loyalty, if you accept mine. Only a leader who listens to his friends can lead effectively."

She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Are ya' caillin' me a friend, Johnny?"

"Well, you've been calling me by my given name all of this time, so either I call you my friend, or put you in the brig," he said with a smile.

Piper blushed. "Sorry abou' that, Suh. But I've always been a mite infahmal when it comes ta' tha' crew."

"That's quite alright, Chief. I prefer that to the 'pomp and circumstance' of the Imperium."

"Thank ya, Suh. Is thah' anything else?'

"Why would your mother be turning over in her grave? Was she an Imperial loyalist?" 'Need to find out.'

She blushed. "No Sir, ma' Mum was a Rimma'." 'Now why does he ask?'

"Because to do as you said that she'd do indicates that she's displeased with me."

Piper laughed. "Oh, Johnny Boy, Mum'd do it ta' see fa' ha'se'f."

"Then I take it that your family are Trillannii?"

"Most assuredly, Johnny Boy!"

"I guess that I'm 'Johnny Boy' to you, Piper," he said with an impish grin.

"Aye, if'n ya' don't mind."

Johnny looked deep into her soul and saw a fiery sword, quick to defend him. "No, I like it."

Piper was so astonished to hear him say that, she stood there, mouth agape.

Steele chuckled as he attempted to stir the pot. "I see that the Irish storm has been stalled. Does that mean that John can summon you whenever he sees fit?" 'I know that this little spitfire will now turn her ire towards me, but I can't help but goad her.'

She turned to Steele. "No doubt that ya' expec' me ta' attack ya', but I've learned about ya' ways. I'll not be gettin' mad ta' make ya' day for ya', ya' big galoot," she replied and giggled. 'That ol' man'll need ta' do more ta' get under ma' skin.'

Steele chortled merrily. "I see that you've learned from our encounters. You are so much like my sister Ruby that I couldn't help but treat you like I do her. Truce?" he asked as he held out his hand.

Piper smiled sweetly and took his hand and threw him over her shoulder and smiled. "Truce Steele, but remember this. I tend ta' get tha' last word." 'I jus' had ta' do it after all of his taunts.'

As Steele rose from the deck, he grinned. "I guess that I deserved that. It's nice to know that you can handle yourself." 'Ruby would have done the same thing. Could she be Ginger restored to life in a new body? Or is she simply her twin in some weird way?'

Piper helped Steele to his feet. "Don'cha worry ya' big galoot. that's tha' only time that I'll do that unless ya' make me mad agi'n." 'But knowin' him, it'll be none too soon unless I'm mistaken.'

Johnny cleared his throat. "Excuse me 'children', but this is not a playground. This is the Bridge of a ship. Now, why are you two acting this way?" 'Are they in Love?'

Steele blushed. "My apologies, Jonathan. We are dating each other. I know that it was childish of us, but seeing her here was a bit much for me."

Piper curtsied again. "I kinna' apologize enough, Johnny Boy. Steele, an' I of'en scrap in tha' hold when not on duty."

"It seems to be more than simply dating to me."

Steele nodded. "To me, it is."

"Oh?" said a perplexed Piper.

Steele turned to her. "Sparky, I grew up with a kid sister named Ginger, Ruby to her friends. She was small, and fiery, like you are. In fact, she believed herself to be of Scottish blood because of her red hair from her Great Granny Hildagarde. Unfortunately, she succumbed to the Red Heat Syndrome just before she hit puberty," he said as a tear came to his eye.

"Ma' Lord, mon! No wonda' ya' cryin'!'! Tha' Syndrome wiped out many a chile' befo' it was conquered!" exclaimed Piper as she hugged Steele.

He looked at her with a deep longing in his eyes. "That is why I treat you as I do. I see Ginger in you."

"And perhaps a lova'?"

"In time. First, I'd like to get to know you as Sparky instead of Ginger."

"I'd like tha', Adrian, but we need ta' tend ta tha' Queen first." She turned to John Carter. "And what abou' Johnny boy?" she asked impishly.

Then the lights dimmed and turned red as shields increased to maximum and the 'Red Alert' klaxon peeled.

"Very well, I cannot penalize you two since Captain Trent went easy on Jane and me, but there is a ship to land. Can the Queen land in that storm or shall we wait it out?" Carter asked. 'Looks like I have a couple of naughty kids to babysit now. Did daddy ever have this problem?'

"Sa', ma' Queen can take on tha' storm. Ya' jus' gotta batten down tha' hatches." 'Glad that tha' Prince cares enough ta' ask.'

"I should hope so, her being cared for by you. Any suggestions?" Johnny smiled.

"Ya' should restrict tha' shields ta' tha' skin field ta' keep from shartin' out tha generators and go in on tha' thrusters. If lightnin' strikes tha' drives, it could fry 'em."

Turning to the front, Johnny became all business. "Mutt, Jeff, close all intakes, transfer the shields’ power to the skin field and take us in on thrusters!"

"Aye, aye, Sir," they chorused as they set to work.

Turning to Piper, he smiled. "Well, Piper. I need to know what name to call you since you are so informal with me."

She scratched her head. "Why, Johnny boy?"

"Court etiquette demands that I ask this. The Trillanni Charter declares that I am a public servant sent by the Creator, not some tyrant who believes himself to be a god in the flesh as Emperor Pendragon does."

"Then why not call me Sparky as ya' said befa'?"

"Just getting your permission, Sparky," he said and grinned.

As Piper was leaving, she smiled at him. "I gotta go, Johnny boy an' make sha' tha' engines are secured." 'Nice of him ta' give me his name. He don't hold himsel' above others.'

The Captain chortled. "Well Johnny, now the only other crew to meet is our technician. I am sure that if you follow her that she'll introduce you." 'Seeing that spitfire get the better of Steele made my day.'

Johnny turned to the front. "Mutt and Jeff, increase the integrity field to maximum," he ordered as he exited the bridge. 'Need to check out engineering now.'

"Jonathan, where are you heading?" asked Steele as he led the Captain toward the Captain's Ready Room.

"Heading down to Engineering to see the last crew member. Don't worry, Steele, I won't spoil you're scrapping with Sparky for you," he said with a chuckle. 'I want to see them scrap more, but I seriously doubt that they'll be scrapping anytime soon.'

"Very well Jonathan, you just take care and listen to her. This ship is a bit different from the Aztec," advised the Captain as he and Steele entered his Ready Room.
[*][*][*]

Synthoids are artificial constructs using organic polymers to replace all body parts. All synthoid bodies are immune to cancer, chemical attacks, and disease, doubling the life span, but leaving the patient subject to periodic maintenance of the synthoid body's organic interface. If a person is given a synthoid organ or limb, the body accepts the replacement and the synthoid part slowly converts the body into a synthoid body. Common to all synthoids is a lack of emotional response due to the needed computer interface that governs the body.
[*][*][*]

Common to all ships, Engineering, located above the Brig, on the lower deck, was a four cell suite each containing a transition coil and monitored by a dedicated computer interlinked to the master engineering computer with an airlock dead center leading to the main reactor assembly. Each cell was monitored to prevent overload, if needed. The Engineering Office was the only access to Engineering with the Engineering Officer seated behind a desk with a transparent plas-steel wall and door in front, equipment on display behind the desk on the rear bulkhead with access to the cells through an airlock on the starboard side, opposite the desk. The ship's fuel and cargo were next to Engineering with cargo in front alongside the Cargo Transporter/Loading Bays.
[*][*][*]

Johnny entered Engineering and stood in awe of the sight of the main reactor. It was a globe of multi-colored flame connected to the transition engines on either side with an upper lead connecting the cooler vanes up top. As he looked at the display of power, he noticed Jane making an adjustment to the skull of a stranger wearing a Queen's uniform. "Jane, what are you doing to his head?" 'I've never seen such a strange sight.'

She looked over to him and smiled. "I am tending to my patient. He is a synthoid with a human brain. Every now and again, I need to check on his spinal fluid to make sure that his brain is okay," she explained as she closed the back of his head. 'I know that Johnny has seen synthoids before, but I doubt that he's seen one being tended to.'

Sparky came from behind the reactor. "I see that ya' have decided ta' pay ma' domain a visit Johnny boy. What'cha think abou' ma' place?" 'I can see tha' he is smitten with love for Jane.'

"Impressive. Your engines seem to be as powerful as those of the Aztec. But what about your assistant? I've never worked with a synthoid before." 'Too bad the Navy never sanctioned their employ, but like the Empire, they looked down on anything not strictly human.'

After Jane had closed the back of his head, Sparky's assistant turned towards Johnny and saluted. "I am Ship's Technician, Techie, at your service." 'I wonder who this stranger is. Is he the Prince?'"Good, because once this modification has been made to the ships, they'll easily handle the modifieds and their coil link lasers will take out even a modified," he declared.

=================
Interlude: M.I.B.D. Base
=================

"Oh? How is that, your Majesty?"

"Agent Moondragon, all Trillannii ships are Avatars with specially modified medallions in the coils, generators, and positronic computer. That increases the energy output tenfold."

Moondragon looked at the screen. "Your Majesty?"

"Yes?"

"Can this avatar technology be added to our computer's positronic systems?"

"Easily enough. Why?"

"We are using a refurbished supercomputer from Ancient Earth that was used by the military. J.O.S.H.U.A. was salvaged by us, years ago. We were able to transfer his programming into a new positronic brain and keep his base personality matrix."

"How did you save the matrix? It was hardwired into the system, was it not?"

"That's what we thought. But when a diagnostic computer was attached, J.O.S.H.U.A. was able to separate the module interfacing with him and download himself into it."

"J.O.S.H.U.A. must have some sort of fail-safe survival program then, and here I thought that only our avatar systems had them," Reginald mused.

Mary pointed to an icon on the J.O.S.H.U.A. readout screen. "According to this icon, J.O.S.H.U.A. was a very basic avatar type program lacking the skills to fully function until Diana and Artemis built the new system currently housing J.O.S.H.U.A."

"Diana and Artemis Hunter?"

"Yes, my Liege. Why do you ask?"

"On Trillannii, the stories of their lives are well known as well as those of your Agency, Moondragon."

"And how did you gain such access to our sealed records?" asked Mary as she reached for her tickler.

Reginald smiled. "Mary, there's no need to worry about any security breach because there wasn't one."

"Then how did you acquire the information?"

"Simple, Diana's son, Ulysses Odysseus brought the records when he came to Trillannii. He was Trillannii's first chancellor, ancestor of Chancellor Merlin."

"Oh, then how much do you know about us, King Reginald," inquired Mary getting formal in response to the revelation.

"Our files are current, up to just before I came here, thanks to the ability to track your Agents' movements and Agency buildings. But that's all. We do not know about any missions beyond those from Ancient Earth."

Mary relaxed visibly. "That's a relief! For a moment I thought that we had a mole."

"Are our Agents tagged in any way, Sir?"

"No, Moondragon. My Agents simply track yours and help when needed."
[*][*][*]

A message crystal is a diamond, emerald, ruby, or sapphire, micro dot crystal encased within a plas-steel casing that houses the interface and protects the crystal from power surges. Any one crystal has the memory capacity of a supercomputer.
[*][*][*]

The Rim Queen parted the green mists of the nebulae and approached the planet wreathed in a global storm.

Over the intercom came the announcement. "All hands alert! Ship entering atmosphere."

As the Rim Queen battered her way through the hurricane force winds, a strange mournful moan reverberated from the outer hull as the storm tried to conquer the ship's integrity. Lightning strikes were harmlessly absorbed as its power was channeled into the shields and batteries. As the moaning abated, a strange thrumming assaulted their ears until it was silenced, then the lights dimmed and the main control board lit up with red lights.

"Damn it! Tha' main engine intakes covers ha' been fused shut by a lightnin' strike!" exclaimed Piper as the ship shuddered from the storm.
[*][*][*]

As the Queen pierced the clouds, satellites that looked like small, white stars appeared and launched lightning bolts that skipped harmlessly off the hull. Nearing the surface, ground based stars connected with the Queen, causing damage until an automated response launched missiles that destroyed the stars, revealing scanner towers over launch silos.
=======================
Interlude: Imperial Throne Room
=======================
The Grand Admiral stalked into the Imperial Throne Room without any of the usual pomp and circumstance associated with being granted an audience with the Emperor. He was one of the very few people granted such a luxury by the Emperor and Grand Admiral Jolleck took full advantage of it. When the Courtiers tried to dissuade him from entering unannounced, he simply touched them with his Grand Admiral's Staff, causing them great pain as their nervous system was overloaded with bio-electricity.

"Okay Arthur, why in the hell have you summoned me back here when you know good and well that I was leaving on a tour of the blasted Rim?" 'He knows that I love calling him Arthur, reminding him of Camelot.'

"Thrawn, you know how much I hate and detest it whenever you use that name," Leopold responded with attitude. 'He hates that nickname because it reminds him that he was thrown off of sky cycle during training.'

Jolleck bent to one knee. "My apologies Your Majesty, I am simply wondering why the change in plans." 'Okay Arthur, now that you know that you have made me mad, I can dispense with the name calling.'

"I accept your apologies, Jolleck. Please be seated." 'Now that that's out of the way, we can get down to the business at hand, namely why I recalled him.'

Jolleck went and sat in the Grand Admiral's Throne that rose up upon his entrance. "Well, because of your summons, I've had to scrap the ship to return here A.S.A.P. Now all that it's good for is as a lifeboat with the engines and reactors now melted away from the heat stress." 'If it wasn't for advancements in safety systems, the entire ship would have vaporized, but he doesn't know that.'

"What?"

"Don't you ever read any of the science journals?" 'Forget that, I know that he never does if he can help it.'

"No, I don't. What's the best thing to do about the Throne Ship?"

"First, Leopold, why were you so insistent on my immediate return? If allowed a slower return, the Throne ship would still be flying."

"Then I take responsibility for its damage. But I have a very good reason for my Order."

"Very well. Me, I'd give it over to the Imperial Engineering University for those lads to play with, and launch another one." 'Knowing those Merlins, they will have a ball going over that scrap heap and reinvent the wheel again.'

"Now onto why I recalled you as I did. And I know that you will like this you lecherous old fool." 'He has a history of seducing and ruining young, impressionable girls, but I still need him, so I dare not do anything about it and he knows it too.'

Thrawn visibly brightened. "Oh? Does that mean you're talking about the Princess?" 'I've wanted to seduce that trollop ever since she was old enough to go to preparatory school.'

"Yes indeed, you are to escort her through the Rim and prevent her from meeting with anybody but those loyal to the Throne."

"Sounds exciting! Now, when do I meet Princess Priscilla?"

"As soon as she returns here from packing. And why Priscilla?"

"Because she can be so prissy when she throws a temper tantrum."
[*][*][*]

"Like hell that was a lightning strike, that was a pair of concussion torpedoes that hit us!' exclaimed Johnny as the ship bucked from the assault and storm. ' Looks like the Imperials have mined this planet.'

"And jus' how da' ya' know tha' ?" asked Sparky as she adjusted a few controls while Techie activated auxiliary systems. 'Do I need ta' larn abou' tha' Imperial's technology?'

Johnny brought up a graphic upon the main view screen. "By the thrumming of the torpedoes impact. That thrumming is their sonic concussion assault," explained Johnny as he pointed out the unique sonic vibrations.

Looking at the display, "Well, wha' da' ya' know? Those sneaky Imperials sure ha' gotten one ova' me." ' I ca' design a counter fo' tha' attack now tha' I ca' see it.'

"Do you have any replacements?" 'Doubtful since the intakes are seldom wrecked.'

Then Techie spoke up, "No, but we can rebuild the original intakes once we are down."

"Well, it had best be soon or the engines will overheat!"

Hunter adjusted a few controls. "We won't, now that the cooler vanes are active."

"What about radiation? Should I prep for poisoning?" asked Jane.

"No, as long as precautions are taken, there should be no need, but have them ready just in case," replied Johnny. ' I hope that they have the proper equipment.'

The Rim Queen battled her way through the global storm that threatened to crash the mighty vessel against the mountains. Yet the Rim Queen refused to concede to the raging storm and finally landed upon the landing pad that sent out a landing signal. As the mighty ship finally touched ground, the storm dissolved as if under the control of a god.

As the ship settled on the tarmac and the engines shut down, there was an announcement that broke the silence. "Johnny, we have landed, time for you to meet the reception party," announced the Captain. Time for him to start learning about his duties if he is to become the King.'

Johnny quickly headed for the gangway. "I'm on my way, Captain. Is there anything I need to know?" 'I hope that being an Executive here is like it was on the Aztec.'

"No, just meet them and have the ship repaired." 'That, of course, the crew will do without him ordering it done.'

Then Piper tapped Johnny on the arm. "Johnny, if ya' would, please ask 'em if they have any diamond dust." 'I know tha' he'll ask why.'

"Why do you need diamond dust?" 'This is a first for me.'

"With tha' diamond dust and our supply o' decatanium dust I ca' make an alloy coatin' that'll make tha' intakes stronga' than they were." ' Don'tcha worry Queen, Johnny will do wha' he ca' fo' ya','

"Okay, Piper, but what about if they want a trade off?"

"Tell them tha' we ca' make even swap o' our dust fo' theirs."

"I'll do what I can for you."

John Carter headed for the gangway where he met up with Steele. "Why are you here?" 'Does the Captain think that I can't handle this after all?'

"I am here to make sure that there are no Imperials. They probably caused the concussion torpedoes to strike the ship. Too bad the Trillannii do not employ such a system, perhaps we can take these from the Empire."

"Good idea, Steele. We'll look into the possibility after we have dealt with the duty at hand," Johnny replied as he scanned the gangway entrance. Then seeing that there was a man waiting, he signaled the opening of the gangway.

Steele looked over the committee. "Looks like only locals here. That means that the Imperial systems here are automated." 'No Imperial would be caught dead wearing such rags.'

The man wore patched and faded clothing of very poor quality and showed the effects of poor diet. "Greetings Rim Queen, I am Vincent Riker, Governor of this colony. Welcome to our humble abode. I wish that we had something better, but the Imperials have stripped us of anything of value."

Johnny held out his hand. "Thank you Vincent, I am Commander John Carter, Executive Officer of the Rim Queen. You may call me Johnny." 'Time to show them friendship and hope, poor devils. The Imperials will pay for this.'

Vincent gratefully shook Johnny's hand. "Thank you Johnny. It has been a long time since anybody has even tried to befriend us."

"And why is that?"

"The Imperials have turned this mining colony into a prison for us unlucky ones that have earned the Imperial wrath," he said gravely. 'Will they be stranded here too, or will they beat the Imperials at their game?'

Steele cleared his throat. "Not to worry Vincent, the Queen will help you to defeat the Imperials."

Johnny nodded. "Tell me, has the planet been subjected to such violent storms in the past?"

He sat upon a bench in a nearby rest stop adjoining the landing pad. "No, the storms started after the last colonist arrived a year ago. Why?" 'What could that possibly matter? Could they actually be able to stop the storms?'

"Well, Vincent, we were hit with concussion torpedoes that fused our intakes. If done on launching, we would have vaporized. There must be a weather control system in orbit with the torpedoes," announced Johnny.

Then Vincent stood up. "What!"

"This surprises you?" asked Steele.

He visibly calmed down after Jane sprayed him with a golden colored mist. "Yes!! How do you know that the storms are fake?"

"In a normal storm, the ship would have no trouble landing," began Steele. "But we experienced several lightning strikes that would have vaporized the ship if not for our skin field's strength. Then we were hit by missiles that damaged the ship."

"No wonder there are no Imperials here!"

"Not to worry, as soon as the intakes are repaired, we will deal with the situation," affirmed Steele as Johnny nodded in approval.

"Do you need anything from us?"

"Well, our Chief Engineer Piper wants some diamond dust if you have any."

"You mean to tell me that Irish storm is your Engineer?"

"Yes, she is. Was she a spitfire when you knew her?" asked Steele.

"Indeed she was. She was my best student at the university."

"And you were sent here because of your radical views," Johnny stated.

"Aye, and I made sure that Hunter got away from the Imperials."

"Hunter?"

"Well, she got the name because she can hunt down any problem. She rebuilt an escape pod that she equipped with a transition coil. She wanted me to escape, but I made her go, instead."

Jonathan clasped Vincent's shoulder in friendship. "Thank you, your sacrifice has enriched our lives. Now what about the dust?"

"I alerted my people to gather the barrels and deliver the dust," he replied while lifting up a mini-phone on his wrist.

Vincent asked a few probing questions about concussion torpedoes. As Johnny described the signature thrumming, he wondered about the price the Rim Queen would have to pay for securing the diamond dust.

Steele looked up from his com-unit in his hand. "Piper says that the dust has arrived and she is commencing with repairs."

Johnny smiled. "That's good." Turning to Vincent, he said, "That's mighty fast."

"Only diamond dust can shield against the storm's lightning strikes, so I knew that you'd need it. I just now confirmed the barrels arrival."

"Are there any other ships here?" asked Johnny.

"Yes, but they can't run the blockade."

Hunter arrived and hugged Vincent. "Don'cha worry Vinnie, once ma' Queen is repaired, she'll take care o' tha' blockade."

Steele cleared his throat. "Piper, is it not the Captain's choice?" he asked and chortled.

"Tha' Cap'n gave tha' go ahead jus' now. Why else da' ya' think I came out here ta' meet ma' friend when I got a ship ta tend?"

Johnny looked at her hard. "Then don't you think that you should get to tending the Rim Queen?"

"Well Johnny, Techie is handling everythin' and as I understand it you ha' an idea abou' tha' torpedoes an' weather."

"We do, but we need the Queen up and running first," admonished Steele

"Not if Vinnie here has any sky hoppers."

"Piper, you mean that you want to take on the torpedoes and weather control with a sky hopper?" asked Vincent.

"Don' be daft Vinnie, we jus' need ta' track them and find their command frequency. Then tha' Queen ca' work her magic."

"Very well then, Piper, do you have a pilot's permit?"

"Aye Johnny, why ya' ask?"

"In that case, you'll take the sky hopper out!" ordered Johnny.

[*][*][*]
End Of King Of The Chapter 7-The Trap

To Be Continued In King Of The Chapter 8-Freedom

King Of The Rim 8-Freedom By Stanman63 Edited By Nora Adrienne, JennaFl for Proofreading with Special Thanks to Sephrena Lynn Miller for Guidance and ChrisW. for the Illustration! Synopsis: After being grounded by an Imperial trap at the planet Storm, Prince John Carter devises a plan to rescue the prisoners from the Imperial grasp and capture Imperial technology and give it to the freed prisoners.

---

[*][*][*]
She looked at him in amazement, "Ya' mus' be daft, Johnny lad! I can na' fly a pod," she exclaimed as she pointed a finger at him.

He looked at the tiny dynamo in amusement, "Oh? And why is that Sparky?" 'I've never had so much fun baiting someone, now I see why Steele does it too.'

She hung her head in shame, "Because I never got ma' permit. I wa' expelled before I cud' take tha' class," she admitted and sighed.

Johnny held her chin in his hand, "I thought that you'd have learned it already. I never knew anyone that had to actually take the class. We Trillannii and Rimmers mostly take it so we can fly Imperial as well as civilian ships." 'She is so much like a little girl now that I can't help but want to protect her.'

"Well, I ca' fly a pod, but with no permit, I though' tha' ya' would na' be a wantin' me ta' fly a pod for ya."

"Sparky, you flew the pods before I got here, right?" Why is she being so dense? What happened to put such a scare into her? The Imperial Conditioning made her doubt herself in the presence of me. I must undo the damage.'

"Aye."

"Things are different on the Rim."

"True, but ya' come from an Imp ship."

"I am not like the Emperor."

She looks at him, "Aye, Johnny Lad, Why da' ya' ask? Are ya' gonna brig me? I mean, ya' forma' Imp."

"I am Prince Jonathan Lee Carter. Heir to the Trillannii Throne. Even though I served on an Imperial ship, I am Trillannii. Besides, you are qualified without an Imperial Permit."

A gentle, aura englobed Sparky, bringing a sparle to her eyes as she unlearned her Imperial Conditioning. "I know tha'. But I thot tha' ya' wa' wantin' tha' Permit. Guess tha' I wa' wrong abou' ya, Johnny boy," she grinned.

Jane placed a friendly hand on her shoulder. "Sparky, do you think that I would fall in love with an Imperial?"

Sparky looked at Jane in horror, "Not at all, Janey guhl!"

Jane smiled at Piper as she saw Piper realize that she had done Johnny a grave disservice, "Well, Sparky?"

Sparky curtsied, "Johnny boy, I am sorry abou' thinkin' you a' Imp. Ya' see, I mus' keep ma' frien' Techie safe."

"That's Okay Sparky. I understand about protecting Techie. But if it'll help any, you may see my Medallion."

"No need, Johnny boy. I can fly a pod. But not on an Imp ship withou' ma' permit."

"True, but this is not an Imperial Naval Vessel, a Trillannii ship needs no such permit. Do you need somebody to help you with the mission?"

"Truth ta' tell, I can pilot, or handle tha' storm, but na' both."

"Jonathan, I can fly the pod while she works her magic on the satellites. Been a while since I flew, but you never forget."

Piper looked at Steele with awe, "Ya' mean ta' tell me tha' ya' wanna be in tha' pod wi' me?" Why'd ya' wanna do th' for I wunda', Are ya' a bein' sweet on me?"

He smiled at her astonishment, "I am the most logical choice since everybody else is needed on board. Are you scared of me?" He chuckled. 'This is marvelous indeed to find that Sparky feels this way, because I do like the scamp.'

Techie cleared his throat. "Piper, you know that until I get my brain casing modified, that I am stuck on board the Queen and that's also why we needed the dust, I know that I must trust my crew mates if they are to trust me."

Sparky hugged her friend. "Don'cha worry none, Techie, ma' frien'. I'll ship out in tha' pod wi' Steele here. You jus' get a crackin' on your modifications afta' we get tha' Queen fixed. Ya' here? I can na' lose ya', ya' family ta' me," she admonished him.

Johnny opened the Engineering Pod hatch in the deck by the refueling pod hatch, "Then I think that it's about time for you two troublemakers to get on the job, And Techie?"

"Sir?"

"Don't be afraid to requisition any parts that you need."

Techie smiled and saluted John who returned the salute, "Aye, aye, Captain."

Turning to Steele and Sparky. "And you two, be careful, out there. That's an order."

They saluted in unison, "Aye, Aye, Commander. they affirmed in unison.

Piper grabbed four kits from a shelf by the hatch, passing two to Steele, "Well, come on then! Or are ya' daft in tha' head now?" she asked as she gave Johnny a knowing wink. 'He is na' as dense as I thot.'

As she entered the pod, Steele raised a Spockian eyebrow, "Troublemaker indeed, Jonathan. More like matter mixing with antimatter," he said as he chuckled, closing the hatch behind him. 'I must admit that he is correct, have I finally found one to make my heart sing again?'

As they descended into the pod and dogged the hatch flat to the floor, Johnny grinned. "Never have seen two more afraid too admit their love for one another."

Techie nodded. "Yes, she may love me as a brother, but I am glad that Steele has won her heart. As for me, I know that there's one out there for me, but who?" he replied with deep thought..

[*][*][*]
The pod dropped from below the Queen and shot up from between the aft cooling venst for the reaction drives and fought the storm winds as it orbited up into the edge of space where the satellites kept watch over the planet.

"We have achieved orbit Jonathan, scanning for satellites," announced Steele as he guided the pod in a search. "Never have I seen such a storm. This is an abomination of nature!!"

"Abomination?"

"My apologies, Jonathan, This storm isn't natural."

"Keep her steady, Steele."

"Not to worry, Jonathan. The pod's thrusters are handling the winds and lightning. But these winds are growing beyond that of a Class 5 hurricane."

"Can you detect any thing to explain the increase?"

"Negative! Only that the increase coincides with the pod's launch."

"Johnny boy, tha' dust an' san' are startin' ta' ova ride tha' shields. Goin' ta' maximum thrust ta' compensate."

Then came Steele's calm voice of assurance over the speaker, "Pod is above the storm. Adjusting course to enter into orbit."

"Good, Steele. Sparky? Have you installed the kits yet?" came his voice over the intercom. "I hate being a mother hen, but I am worried about you two," he confessed.

"Don'tcha worry none, Johnny Boy! I got tha' kits installed before Steele dogged tha' hatch. Jus' find me a target and I'll do ya' proud! Those Imperial junk piles will neva' know what hit 'em," she interjected from her seat.

"We're monitoring things from here, according to scanners; there are two closing in on you from opposite sides."

"Dear Lord, they've got to be careful or they'll be killed!!" interrupted Jane.

Steele erected the deflectors that activated the stealth screens, "Not to worry, Doctor. They will not spot us now. The Imperials still have not penetrated even a basic stealth screen as the pod's," he replied.

"Steele, the pod just vanished from scanners and a new light is active. Are you responsible? I wonder, just what other technological marvels of the Rim do I have yet to see?" asked a perplexed John.

"Yes, Johnny Boy, that's us. I guess tha' ya' neva' heard abou' our stealth screens, have ya' now? I may be Irish as tha' day is long, even if ma' ma married a Brit, but Tha' there Johnny Boy has yet ta' see everythin' that tha' Queen has ta' offa' ya'," said a giggling Piper.

"Well, the satellites are initiating a total sensor sweep, so be careful there you two," announced Techie. 'Please Hunter, don't do anything rash and get yourself killed. I need you my sister by choice.'

==================
Interlude: Piper & Techie.
==================
Piper and Techie had grown up together, having no siblings soon bonded and became a family. Techie early on proved to be adept at tinkering with most any toy or appliance and make them do things not dreamed of by the manufacturer while Piper's mathematical genius and love of gadgets led her into excelling in the sciences, earning several grants and doctorates while still in high school. This lead to both attending the Imperial University on Earth.

It was while attending Imperial University that they experimented and found that they were not lovers, rather they were brother and sister. Even though she had given up her virginity to him, she considered it a wonderful experience as he proved to be as gentle a lover as he was a friend. Upon graduation, they enlisted in the Imperial Merchant Fleet because the Imperial Navy and Imperial Army would not allow women to advance beyond the rank of lieutenant, ineligible for command. Instead, they were transferred to bases to serve as aides and instructors, freeing men for active duty.

The Imperial Merchant Fleet was not burdened by such rules, Profit was their main concern. The Fleet was owned and operated by Corporate Families who had created global business empires on Ancient Earth. The Corporate Families global businesses were larger than most countries, and manipulated local law for their benefit. Even when the Galactic Federation had been replaced by the Galactic Empire, not even the Empire could afford to make them an enemy.

So, in a totalitarian police state/religious dictatorship, Free enterprise flourished in the Corporate Families. It was in the Families that innovation flourished, the over strict discipline of the military killed off the needed spark of creative energy of the inquisitive mind. Those few that did survive in the military were soon warped into producing the sadistic torture devices that were craved by the Imperial Elite for their perversions. That is why the M.I.B.D. made sure to spirit them away before they were totally corrupted.

That was another reason why Engineer 'Sparky' Piper and Technician Apollo Hunter left the Service. Sparky felt the twisting of her talent and Apollo knew that she needed help. Since he was descended from Artemis Hunter, he was an Agent in hiding. He contacted the Agency for extracting him and Piper, but before the extraction took place, he had to defend his best friend from the attention of Weems, leading to his placement within the synthoid body.

[*][*][*]
"Dontcha' worry Techie, I'm abou' to do ma' magic," she admonished as she moved the four triangular wings to form a four pointed gun pointed at the targeted satellite. "Now ta' get tha' show on tha' road."

Steele brought the wingtip lasers online, "Weapons ready to fire."

Piper took hold of the firing toggle and past it over to Steele, "Here ya' go. Ya' need ta' handle tha' while I see abou' tha' programming."

Steele accepted the switch and smiled. "Very well, let me know when you're ready."

She bent over a series of controls. "Ready."

Then four explosions erupted from the wingtips and connected with a satellite, causing its shields to glow and fail as the satellite's electronics were overridden by new programming that cascaded from that satellite into the surrounding satellites, bringing them all under Trillannii control.

Piper clapped her hands as she saw the readouts, "Success!! All tha' beasties are unda' our control now, Johnny boy!!" she exclaimed with glee.

"Good show, Sparky!! Can you two bring them down, leaving up enough to maintain a planetary shield?"

"Affirmative Jonathan, according to readouts, there are only ten needed to be reset to act as shields," informed Steele.

"It'll take me a bit ta' land tha' beasties, unless ya' wanna land them in tha' storm."

"No Sparky, wait up there with them until the storm disperses. Any idea of when that'll be?"

"With ma' control ova' tha' weatha' I can do it in a jiffy and return tha' weather ta' normal."

"Do that, just take your time and do it right," then Johnny ended the call.

=================
Interlude: Princess Ariel
=================
In her suite of rooms, Princess Ariel went over to a wall, depicting a scene of a unicorn in a glade, with a beautiful blond walking beside him. Ariel touched the unicorn's spiral horn, and blue lighting bathes the chamber with a soft light.

Ariel sat down at a recessed console that emerged from under the unicorn and waits as the console's screen connects with its twin. Then, the screen cleared to reveal Agent Amber of the M.I.B.D. who is also Amelia Dorset, Palace Guide.

"Ariel, why are you contacting me? Good thing that our friendship is not suspected by Imperial Intelligence."

Ariel sighed, "Daddy has brought back that scumbag, Jolleck to oversee the flight. I hope that he keeps his worm in his pants. If he even looks like he's about to rape me, I'll castrate him!"

Amber slammed her fist onto the padded desk, "Damn! That means that we can't meet out in the open. That Beast will torture any who contact you."

"Not necessarily, anybody with Imperial Credentials can approach me as I tour the various sites, and when I hold Court for the masses, anybody may see me. "Oh, how I detest such pomposity, but it's a part of being a Princess," she fumed.

Amber shook her head. "Not good enough for any direct contact. And Jolleck will inspect any gifts, especially technological gifts. Do you have a way around that?"

Ariel smiled evilly, "Who says that I can't go out and meet you? As long as Jolleck does not know that I am gone?"

"But Princess, Jolleck won't let you out, even if your guards will let you."

"Ariel, it’s time to reveal my Doppelganger, then,

"Doppelganger?"

"Yes, thanks to the Clone Banks creating a clone and copying my brain onto a positronic brain, my dop can replace me here, or be sent to meet you."

Amber smiled as she grasped the implications of her announcement, "So, you have a dop, eh? Who built it for you? I know that none of the staff in the Clone Banks have that technology."

Ariel blushed, "Actually, I took a fetus clone of mine from the Clone Bank, and while its brain was forming, injected positronic nanites into the cranium."

"Oh? where did you get the nanites from?"

"Having my own private play room is great for when I want to indulge in my hobby of tinkering with junk left for the Engineering College helps pass the time . Having all the degrees in medicine and engineering sure helps."

"I am impressed; I never knew that you had any tech, or medical training. But who trained you? Are they Hidden Agents?"

"Relax your anxiety, Amber. I was tutored by Instructors from the Imperial Academy that are also secretly Rimmers."

"As in Trillannii Knights?"

"The same."

"Then we both have secrets to reveal, the usual meeting room?"

"Okay, we'll be ready for your arrival."

"We?"

"Yes, we. My dop and me."

"Oh, so that she knows who I am?"

"Exactly."

Ariel shut down the screen, and readied herself for the Tour. "No doubt about it, Amber will be impressed by my dop," she giggled as she pressed a hidden switch.

The security sensors were overridden by Princess Ariel's to broadcast fake readings showing her reading her favorite romance series while a secret door opened, letting her into a secret room.

In the the room was hidden a one person long range shuttle pod with two access portals, across from each other. It's forward swept wings and tear drop shaped body made it look like a pheonix, her favorite legendary avian. Ariel quickly shut the portal behind her and sat in her lounger as she waited for her friend to arrive.

[*][*][*]
"Bridge to Engineering," came Mutt's voice over the intercom.

Johnny toggled the switch, "Johnny here, why are you calling down here?" he answered.

"Sensors are showing an increase in the storm's intensity. We will need to reinforce the hull's integrity field, soon." he announced.

"Any damage?'

"Jeff was stunned by an electrical discharge, a moment ago. I hope the Queen can take it. It's off the scale and continuing to increase."

"What are his vitals?" inquired Jane, worriedly.

"He is Okay, Ms. Jane. His chair's life support systems were unaffected, he is simply sleeping off the shock," came the comforting rumble.

"Thank God!" prayed Jane.

"Sir, we have plenty of power in the transition drive we can transfer to the hull. If not that, I have another idea," offered Techie.

Johnny went over to Techie, "What about the intakes? They're still fused shut. It'd be foolish to overheat to avoid a lightning strike," he said with a sigh.

Techie smiled, "The intakes are now open. I lasered them open while Sparky launched in anticipation of her return. Will you OK my action or condemn it as a poor choice?" he asked.

Johnny smiled. "Good choice, Techie. You have taken the initiative and it paid off. I will never admonish one for thinking ahead unless it is a clear case of stupidity," he admitted.

Techie visibly slumped, "Thank you, Sir."

"Mutt, transfer power from the transition drives to the hull," ordered Johnny.

"Roger wilco."

[*][*][*]
Outside the Queen, the weather continued to grow in violence as the two control systems warred with each other until ten of the satellites sent an E.M.P. out, deactivating the others, bringing a cloudless sky to the battered planet.
[*][*][*]
"Well Sparky, well done. Now do you have any idea on how to return the planet's weather to normal?" asked Steele.

She grinned, "Tis simple, ma' lad, tha' beasties have tha' program in 'em. I'll jus' turn it on like this," she flipped a toggle and a new program activated a series of lights that coincided with a rapid dispersal of clouds.

"I see, too bad the ecology has been destroyed or severely compromised," he observed and sighed.

"Not really, tha' planet was barren when they landed, but there are several caches of seeds an' such ta' jump start tha' ecology."

Steele turned to the controls and sent the pod on a course back to the Queen, "Then you have good news for the colonists and Jonathan."

The pod gently reformed into its flying configuration and arced back home where it reattached to the access hatch, waiting as the ship's systems performed their functions and opened up the access hatch.

[*][*][*]
Jane looked up from checking over the Captain via her monitor, "Johnny, I need to check on the Captain, he doesn't look good." 'Are we about to lose you? I hope not! I still need my adopted dad.'

Johnny gathered her with his arm, "Come on then, let's go check on him. I am surprised that he hasn't been on the intercom."'Am I the Captain now? If so, I am not ready yet by a long shot!'

=============
Interlude: M.I.B.D.
=============
Back in Mary's office, The King and Mary were finalizing the negotiations.

The King sipped on his drink and at it down. "Mary, I have a question about a possible past connection between Trillannii and the Agency," he admitted. 'Could it be that they gave birth to Trillannii? Legends say so, but I must be certain.'

Mary refilled his now empty glass with wine and dropped a counter agent in to negate the alcohol, "You think that there may be a connection between us and there is one," she admitted. 'Now to reveal the secret that can destroy us both.'

He sat up, "So! The Legend is True!" he exclaimed with awe. 'Emperor be damned! You’re about to lose everything! You fiend!! Your reign will soon end!'

Mary smiled. "Tell me about this Legend. There are so many to keep track of, especially about Trillannii," she replied and smirked. 'They are so much like us, taking on evil, and having legends told about them. It's a wonder that we are still a secret from them, then we haven't been at odds with them, either.'

He sat back and pulled out a pipe filled with herbs and lit it. "According to Legend, the First Queen Veronica was a genetic male who was an Agent who through some process became a genetic woman and married Prince Gerrold of Earth," he replied. 'I hope that it is true, because that will mean that our domain extends throughout the galaxy and possibly replaces the Empire.'

Mary sat back her mouth agape, "King, I will have to check out our records to be sure and certain, but there is a Veronica in our files who resigned to marry. They shipped out on a colony ship too." 'Is it possible that we are united by blood? If so, then I am a Trillannii Noble Woman of some degree.'

He went over and wiped her brow. "From the way that you're acting, this means more to you than confirming a few facts for me. Is it personal in some way?" 'Could she be a Trillannii Noble Woman?'

She smiled sheepishly up at him. "I may be related to you by blood. Veronica had a daughter she fathered before she transitioned and I am a direct descendant from her daughter Daphne." 'Well, more of a love child, but still counts I guess.'

"In that case, she is a Love Child. Because Veronica went on to have a family with Hector Carter who was the first King of Trillannii. It is through her descendants that the Trillanii Nobles hale from. But we do not know if during the thousand years of colonization that formed the Empire, if there was a mingling of the families, yet."

"According to our records, Veronica, and Hector led an expedition to Mars, setting up the Agency's first base away from direct Earth contact."

He smiled back. "Our Legend says that as well and that Princess Daphne, Gerrold's sister joined the exodus to Mars when the offer came." 'No wonder she does not know that much about the Legend. Daphne never joined the Agency.'

Mary got up. "Come with me to the archives and we will make sure and certain about the Legend and do a D.N.A. test to prove my pedigree." 'I have to know one way or the other. I feel something from him, but what, I do not know.'

[*][*][*]
Jane used her authority to open the door to the Captain's Ready Room where she, Johnny and their guest were greeted by a horrid sight. The Captain was most definitely dead, his head was limply leaning forward on his chest, drool pooling upon his shirt.

"CAPTAIN!!" she yelled as she ran to him, tears streaming down her face. 'Why Lord? Why take him from me?'

Johnny leaped over the console and started applying C.P.R. along with Jane, "Damn it!! Captain!! I'm not ready, yet!!" 'Lord! If he is dead, help me to be the leader that I need to be.'

Riker knelt in anguish. "This is my fault!!, Lord!! I am unworthy to lead!!"

Mutt, who had entered after hearing Jane's exclamation, placed his hand on Riker's shoulder, "Wrong! You are not at fault! It's the damned Imperials! When I transferred the power, from the drives, lightning struck and shorted out the safeties here and electrocuted the Captain. If any of us are to be blamed, it's me," he explained, as he wept for the Captain.

Riker smiles sheepishly. "Sorry, but I am the leader of my People, here. I forgot that you are not my People."

Jane looked at him. "Riker, you have been under a great strain as the Leader of your People. It's no wonder that you took responsibility for the Captain's death."

Johnny seeing that the Captain was dead, gave up as Jane closed the Captain's eyes. "No Mutt, do not blame yourself. I am sure that a satellite hit us during that moment of transfer as a part of their programming," offered a tired Johnny.

Jane went over to the distraught native, "Help me get him to the Medical Bay so that I can determine the cause of death, please Riker." 'Poor man, he needs to find some way to find the strength to carry on for his people.'

He looked at her with renewed hope, "Why me? I am not a part of the crew." 'Why does the Commander not stop her?'

Johnny placed a friendly hand upon his shoulder, "Because I am needed elsewhere. I must see to the transfer of Command and the ship's repairs." 'Even though not ready, I must become the Captain.'

Riker smiled and stood up, "Very well then. As the Leader of the Colony, I am honored to help." 'These people have given back our freedom. Can I do any less?'

Jeff turns to head to the Bridge, "Captain, shall I initiate a call to Trillannii?"

"No, wait until they return from handling the satellites."

[*][*][*]
"Where's Jonathan?" asked Steele as he entered the ship. 'What has transpired to have him absent?'

"Jane went to check on the Captain and they followed," answered Techie from the main console where he was making adjustments.

"Stay here with Techie, Hunter and get those intakes repaired," ordered Steele as he ran out the door.

"I've already gotten most of it done, all we need is the dust," informed Techie.

"What for? I thought that the intakes were in need of being repaired."

"Oh, they are, Mister Steele, we need to now coat the entire hull in order to give the Queen complete protection against lightning strikes. I've just now learned that the coolant vanes are now in need of the dust as well."

"Good thing tha' we made a stop then, because I ga' this," replied Hunter, holding up a canister.

=============
Interlude: M.I.B.D.
=============
Down in the massive vault containing the Archives, the King and Mary peruse the records and compare them with Trillannii Archival records.

"Well Mary, accounting for differences of authorship, I'd say that we are related," smirked the King. 'The Council will have a conniption fit over this, but I shan't tell her that.'

"I agree, but I prefer to wait for D.N.A. confirmation myself," grinned Mary. 'This means that the original Mary is a Trillannii Noble Woman too.'

The King lifted a tankard of ale, "Then at least let us toast to our Union Of Trillannii. With this treaty, both of our people are now stronger than before." ['I have gone beyond the Council's goal and forged an Alliance that will give the Imperials trouble.'

She clinked tankards, "Yes, to the Union," she announced, then sipped her ale as The King sipped his.

A message light flashed on her computer screen, causing both to splutter in their ale, "Well Mary, now we shall see if you are a Trillannii Noble Woman according to the D.N.A. results," the King replied with a smile. 'I am convinced that she is because I feel her through my medallion. Now to let her have her own.'

She read the report and looked up in awe, "I am a Trillannii Noble Woman," she whispered as she fainted.

The King produced two Medallions; one had a diamond center with gold dividing it into quadrants and encircling it. Each quadrant had a ruby center in a clear crystal field. The second was a plain crystal medallion divided into quadrants and encircled by silver.

"Awaken Princess Mary of Trillannii," ordered the King as he placed the silver medallion upon her chest.

She stirred as the medallion glowed and morphed, replacing the silver with gold and placing an emerald in the center with pink diamonds in the crystal fields, "What happened? Did I faint?" she asked wearily.

He knelt before her and smiled, "Yes Princess Mary. You are now and forever more a Princess of Trillannii."

"But why did I faint?"

"Your Trillannii Blood needed to be activated, that's why."

[*][*][*]
"Well, it's official, the Captain died by electrocution," Jane wept as she turned off the medi-scanner on the diagnosis bed that the body of the Captain lay on. 'Good Bye, Captain. You were my adopted father since we met. Thanks to you, I know what a father is.'

Johnny hugged her, "Beloved, I feel your loss. He was my mentor, and now I am without guidance," he sighed. 'Who will guide me now in my quest for knowledge?'

Then Steele approached them, hearing both, "Jane, mourn for the Captain. He loved you as a daughter, Jonathan; I will help you in his stead if you will have me." 'Old friend, I am here just in time. I will carry on your mission.'

Johnny clasped Steele's proffered hand, "Thank you Steele. When you showed up here as the Security Officer, I knew that you were the Captain's friend. But why did you stay hidden?"

"Simple, I wanted to see how you commanded. I knew that with no Security Officer that you would give free reign to your desires."

"And what do you think of Johnny now?" asked Jane as she kissed her beloved.

"That he is the Real Deal. He is the Prince, and has my loyalty."

Johnny smiled, "Then I promote you to Executive Officer."

"I accept as long as I am also Security Officer."

"Done."

"Engineering to tha' Captain," came Hunter's voice from the Intercom.

Johnny toggles the switch, Johnny here, report!" 'I wonder how she'll react to the news of his death.'

"Johnny Boy, Whar's tha' Captain?"

"He died from electrical shock, we just found out."

"Carsed be tha' storm!! He was a good 'un!"

"I agree Sparky, report."

"Yas sair! Tha' ship is fully operational, exceptin' fa' needin' tha' diamond dust."

"Then prepare the ship for its longest voyage." 'The Duty that we must do for Trent, even at the cost of losing the Treasure.'

"Jonathan, why? The Treasure Ship is here! All we need to do is find it"

Johnny grimaced, "I know that, Steele. But there is a Duty that I must do as both a new Captain, and Prince. If not for being the Prince, I could postpone the Duty," he sighed.

"Johnny, what duty is that, Riker asked?

"We are to take going home the Captain home to Trillannii."

[*][*][*]

---

End Of King Of The Rim Chapter 8-Freedom

To Be Continued In King Of The Rim Chapter9-Requium