This particular entry deals with rape and its aftermath. If you are uncomfortable with those topics you may want to skip this one…..

loubug@zoomnet.net

Part 6

"Inca 7 this is Lt. Bailus of the star ship Phoenix requesting permission to land."

"This is Inca 7. Permission granted Phoenix. Approach bay 4 and land with caution. Welcome to Inca."

The large ship maneuvered its way to the empty bay and commenced landing. The ground shook as the Phoenix touched down. It had been an uneventful flight and the landing went smooth. Now Commander Sword prayed that their stay on Inca would be just as easy. Her gut told her it wouldn't.

"Lt. Bailus, I want the shields up at all times and I want every available officer on duty. Keep your eyes and ears open at all times. And if someone coughs wrong I wanna know about it."

"Aye Commander." Bailus stood at attention as Commander Sword walked across the command deck double-checking every setting and every officer on deck. She would not take chances on Sarah and Angel's safety.

"All right listen up."

Robin stood at the top of the command deck looking over her crew.

"I'm not sure how long are stay here will be, but I'm hoping it will be brief. I want you all to be on your toes. There will be time for relaxing and mingling once we are away from here and land on Thrace. What time I'm off this ship Monroe will be acting commander."

Robin's blue eyes scanned her crew. She made sure to make eye contact with each one. She depended on them and she wanted them to know she had confidence in their abilities.

"This is the best crew I've had the opportunity to work with. I don't want to lose any of you…so keep your heads up."

Robin stepped down from the command deck and made her way to Monroe. She hoped her trust in him would go unblemished once she gave him his orders.

"Monroe…I need to speak to you in private."

Monroe nodded his head and followed Robin to the conference room. Hoping she would not ask him for what he felt would be an unthinkable task. The door closed behind them and Monroe could feel the energy coming from Robin's body.

"Monroe…there is great danger here. I need you to keep Sarah on board this ship at all costs. Do you understand?"

Monroe nodded his head and waited for Robin to continue.

"I want two guards posted at the foot of the entry ramp after I leave. I want them in civilian clothing. If something should happen while I'm down there…make sure the priestess gets on board this ship…"

"And what about you Robin…"

Robin paused for a moment. "Leave me behind if you have to."

Monroe stared hard at the commander. He knew her immortality would keep her from death…but that didn't mean if she were captured her captor wouldn't make her wish for death.

"I can't leave you behind…."

"Monroe…I'm not asking you to…I'm ordering you to. If it comes to that."

Robin never blinked her eyes as she felt the familiar adrenaline rush begin to sweep through her.

"Can I count on you Monroe?"

The former everlast bowed his head and took a deep breath. His mind flashed back to a time when he interviewed Robin for this very position. He knew she would become a strong and competent commander. In the blink of an eye he stood at attention and gave a crisp nod to his commander.

"Aye Commander. You can count on me."

"Thank you Monroe. Now…get our guards ready. I've got to go speak with Sarah."

Robin exited the conference room and walked to the chamber she shared with her soul mate. Every step that she took, Robin found herself praying that Sarah would be okay and the events about to unfold would not be as tragic as she felt they would be.

Robin opened the door to her chamber and found Sarah staring out the window. She approached her lover slowly. As she walked closer she could see the tension in Sarah's body. She was about to speak when Sarah turned to face her. The look on her face was that of pure determination.

"I'm going out there with you."

Robin felt a sharp pain cut through her very soul. She had hoped that Sarah would not be filled with sadness. She never dreamed the young blonde would be so anxious to step into the path of danger. Robin would not have it.

"You can't."

"What do you mean I can't?" Sarah felt her temper flare. "I can and I will."

The tall commander had yet to see this side of her lover. It made her both proud and fearful at the same time.

"I don't want you to get hurt….or worse."

Sarah felt the anger that had started to build inside her subside. The concern in Robin's voice brought the reality of the situation into focus. Robin caught the slight hesitation and quickly jumped in.

"I'm Angel's protector love. I will go and I will find the priestess. Please…"

Robin knew she wouldn't be able to concentrate with Sarah out there. She reached out and pulled Sarah against her. The commander spoke softly as her fingers played with the long blonde strands of her lover's hair.

"What if she needs you?"

Robin hoped that her words would sway her lover to stay. Sarah looked up into blue eyes that she would never grow tired of.

"What if you need me?"

Robin smiled down at her lover and placed a soft kiss on softer lips.

"I will always need you…so please…stay here. We don't know what we are up against. And immortal or not…I'm not taking a chance on losing you."

"She's right Sarah…you need to stay here."

Both heads turned to see Abigail and Otis a short distance away.

"Otis must accompany Robin. He knows the way to the temple and he will guide her to Trinity."

Robin kissed Sarah one last time before turning to go. "I'll see you soon."

Sarah walked her lover and Otis to the door and reluctantly released Robin's hand. "Soon" she whispered.

As the door closed Robin gave Sarah that lopsided grin that sent tingles all over the petite blonde. Sarah closed her eyes, memorizing the beautiful face of her lover. She hoped how soon they would find Trinity and return to the Phoenix.

Otis sat on the shoulder of the tall commander, enjoying the view her height afforded him.

"Commander Sword…welcome to Inca. We hope your stay will be a pleasant one."

Robin politely nodded to the short round man who was now standing in her way. She was on a mission and didn't have time for formalities.

"Thank you…but if you'll excuse me I need to find someone. I'm sure my stay will be very pleasant."

Robin stepped around the man and focused on the direction she needed to be going.

"We shall see Commander Sword…"

The small man nodded his head toward an unseen figure lurking in the shadows. He turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd. His work here was done. Now he could relax and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

Otis called out the directions to the temple and Robin's long strides were eating up the distance. She had one ear open to the spec and the other open for danger.

"To the right" Otis pointed even though Robin could not see him.

"Not much further Robin…the temple should be coming into sight."

Robin quickened her steps. She felt eyes upon her and she suspected they were being followed. She only hoped they could get Trinity back on board the Phoenix.

Trinity smiled as she felt the presence of the chosen one. She knew the moment they had landed. It would soon be time to go. She closed her eyes and waited for the protector to arrive.

Her head slowly tilted to the left, allowing her long red hair to flow over her shoulder. Yes…they are close.

She held her arms out to her sides, her long robe flowing in the air around her. She could feel their presence. Yes.. very close.

Trinity opened her eyes as she heard the voice of the chosen one echo in her mind "keep her safe."

Footsteps drew the priestess head around to the front of the temple. She smiled at the woman in her sanctuary. The power she felt flowing from the tall woman left no doubt as to her identity. Ahhhh….the protector.

Robin eyed the woman closely. Her red hair hung far below her waist but could be pulled back and out of the way. The priestess eyes appeared to be black as the space around them. Her gown flowed around her and flared out at the bottom. Robin mentally noted that the length of the gown would not be very functional and she would probably need to be disguised.

Trinity smirked at the commander and the fast appraisal. "I can fix that."

Robin felt her cheeks grow red as the priestess replied to her unspoken thoughts.

"I'm sorry…I meant no disrespect. It's just that…."

"I know. You are a very functional person Robin Sword. And you are right. I must change before we leave. We will need to make a quick return to the Phoenix. You have been followed."

Without saying another word the priestess raised her hands into the air and disappeared into a cloud of smoke. When she reappeared she wore a flight suit of the phoenix; her eyes were now a warm brown. Only her flaming hair remained the same. But now it was pulled back into a long braid.

"We must go quickly."

Trinity stepped across the large temple and handed Robin a small metal object.

"Take this and keep it with you at all times."

Robin glanced at the object, not quite knowing what to do with it. But she didn't question the priestess. She tucked it away in the top of her boot and nodded quickly to the priestess.

"Let's go."

The trio stepped out of the temple and began the treacherous walk back to the Phoenix.

"Robin something is not right."

"I know Otis…I know."

The trio walked on. They appeared to most onlookers as the Commander of a star ship and her first captain: the small spec unseen by all. But to some eyes they appeared much more like a moving target.

Trinity could feel the adrenaline that was pumping through the protector's body. She also could feel the eyes of merciless killers. She knew mere thugs for hire could not defeat them. The eyes that followed them belong to a species designed to kill and inflict pain. The Dyonites.

The Dyonites are half man, half lizard beasts that track their prey by becoming invisible. Inflicting pain on their victims is what they are known best for. A creature from the farthest reaches of the universe: they know no mercy.

"Robin we must move quicker…"

The commander reached out and grabbed the hand of the priestess. Robin instantly felt a strong sense of peace and protection flowing from the priestess into her. She picked up her steps and soon they were in a light run back to the Phoenix.

Just as the large ship came into view, two blasts of a laser gun exploded inches from the commander's head. Splitting a large column straight down the middle. Robin was practically dragging the priestess toward the large ship when several other blasts came at them.

A blast that should have made contact with the commander ricocheted off her body. She watched as the laser made contact with her, but she felt no pain. A firm squeeze of her hand told her, that Trinity would not allow harm to come to her.

Finally the ship was only a few hundred feet away. The two civilian guards stepped out of the shadows and surrounded the priestess and the commander.

They quickly ushered the women aboard the ship, against the protest of the priestess the two women lost physical contact and in the next instant a laser gun was fired and made solid contact with the commander.

Robin fell to her knees in pain.

"Nooooo" Trinity called out in near hysterics.

Robin looked up at her guards.

"Get her on board…"she commanded through gritted teeth.

The two guards ran with the priestess the remaining distance to the ship. As they made their way up the entrance ramp, several other guards who had been ordered to attend to the priestess and secure her immediately greeted them.

The priestess grabbed the arm of one of the guards. "Help her" she demanded.

The two guards stepped back down the landing ramp and commenced firing at the unseen enemies.

Robin lay face down on the ground. She could feel the blows of unseen hands striking her over and over. Her thoughts were of Sarah and Angel.

Her blues eyes looked up in time to see her two guards fall to the ground in defeat. The bay door of the Phoenix closed and the engines roared to life. "They're safe…" was her last thought before she finally surrendered to the darkness.

Tbc…..

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Thanks…..loubug