B1
Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story
By James
Forward
With special guest Marzena
On becoming a DoE fan:
"I fell in love with the family aspect of it. Over the years, I created and developed my own characters and storylines."
Preview
Synopsis for Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Story, by Marzena
The Krotan supporters, called The Brotherhood, are continuing to try to get Krotan on the throne.
Chapter 1: Those Three Seconds
Bandar Village — 5:20 am
"Get dressed," she said, shaking his arm.
Krotan opened his eyes slowly.
"We have to run. They've tracked us down." Jedda moved away from the boy on the bed, clutching a cover to her naked frame. She took another gander outside of the hut, casting her gaze toward the twinkling stars.
The huge spaceship hadn't gone anywhere.
Even here, from her distant spot, she could discern where the craft was from: Ming's finest troopers were aboard that thing.
Other villagers were beginning to notice, gazing at the cruiser with stares of awe. Krotan took a peek at the vehicle too, then he released a frustrated sigh.
They stepped back in and proceeded to dress. Jedda couldn't help but to scold herself. What was she thinking when they chose the village? She and Krotan had made a grave mistake.
All they had wanted was some time alone — away from her father, away from Ming, away from everybody who'd forbidden their bond. Most of all, they'd wanted to flee from the throes of battle, to run from the war gripping Mongo and Earth, a struggle that was meant to end Ming's rule.
Jedda was the one who'd suggested the jungle. She didn't think that anyone would locate them.
Now she realized how dumb that was. Krotan was a leader of Mongo's rebels. He was being tailed by his father's men — agents who possessed great hunting skills, along with that blasted technology. By choosing this place for their night of passion, she had endangered the villagers.
She never, ever should have brought him here.
"Just follow me," she said as they moved. They tore from the hut and made a run for a cliff. Then she heard what sounded like a crack of thunder, followed by a grunt from the boy at her back.
Jedda spun around, horrified.
A glistening beam had shot out of the ship, pulling Krotan up toward the craft.
"Go!" he yelled. "It's me they want!"
She wasn't surprised that he'd told her that. It wasn't a shock that he'd put her first. Jedda had seen a new side of him, a side that he rarely showed anyone. Krotan was once an abusive prince, but he was beginning to change his ways. He was the boy who she just might love. There was no chance she would walk away.
As though he was actually reading her mind, Krotan attempted to shoo her off, swinging his hand repeatedly. "There's nothing you can do. Go and find help."
Reluctantly, she turned around, making her way toward the distant cliff, the one with a body of water below, the ledge that she'd grown up jumping from.
Jedda was about to make the leap — the leap that would spawn a three-second fall. That was the moment she always craved, the one that had come to define her being.
For those three seconds, she had peace — the greatest form of peace known to humankind. No one could bug her. No one could touch her. No one could rant about anything.
For those three seconds, she was alone. She didn't have to fill any kind of role. She wasn't a soldier. She wasn't a lover. She didn't even feel like a daughter at all.
For those three seconds, she was Jedda. For those three seconds, she was free. That was the way it had always been. That was the way it would always be.
And then came the moment when it no longer was.
Around one second into Jedda's leap, the alien beam shot down on her, pulling her up toward the craft as well. It had interrupted her purest peace. It had invaded her privacy.
As she was hovering above the cliff, arms suspended quite helplessly, a dark realization crept into her mind. Jedda's whole world had forever changed. She was no longer a jungle girl. She was no longer a village kid — despite her efforts to reclaim that life.
Now she was entwined in galactic struggles. Now she was engaged in royal strife. Being a Defender was to blame for that.
She'd never again have what she desired. She'd never again have normalcy.
The moment they entered the bridge of the ship, she and Krotan began fighting back. He threw a palm thrust into the first man's face. Jedda spun into a fast crescent kick.
Both green guards tumbled onto the floor.
"Enough!" called a woman.
Jedda turned around.
Krotan froze in a state of shock. "Castra?" he uttered.
His sister stepped forth, her dark cape flapping.
"Why are you here?" Krotan asked.
Jedda had to wonder the very same thing. Had Ming somehow tricked Castra again?
"Me and my men have seized this ship," Castra announced. "Our force is rebelling against Ming too. People are calling us the Brotherhood."
The name sounded vaguely familiar to Jedda; she was pretty sure that she'd heard about them. Absolutely everyone was battling Ming. Along with the Gordons and others from Earth, Ming's own children were leading rebellions. "Why did you bring us here?" she asked, helping the man she'd struck to his feet.
Castra lifted a hand to her hip. "It's obvious that you two have gotten...close." She looked them over. "The problem is, you're keeping it secret. That's the opposite of what you should be doing."
"What do you mean?" Krotan asked.
"We want the two of you to make things official. That's the quickest way for us to end this war. The Brotherhood will take Ming out today — using this ship as a means of cover. Then Krotan will inherit the crown. But people need to see that a change has arrived, or they'll rebel against Krotan next. They need to see a symbol of peace on the throne." She looked at Jedda. "You gained a following when you were Interim Queen, back when my brother tried to marry you. Now that your feelings are mutual, I want you to actually wed Krotan. I want the two of you to get married for real."
Jedda was stunned. She turned to him. Krotan looked absolutely staggered too. She had always hoped that she would wed one day, but she had never figured it would be like this. She didn't want things to be political.
"It's for the good of Mongo," Castra stressed. "It's also for Earth."
You're Reading
Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story
"We're minutes away from Mongo now," the captive pilot told the Brotherhood.
Castra called out from across the bridge. "Send the proper code to those roboships."
Jedda looked out at the view of space, seeing a collection of fighter crafts. According to Castra, the pilot had to radio them with a signal, a message indicating that all was well. Only after they heard his voice would the robots allow this ship to pass.
The pilot spoke up. "Attention, Squadron 2-7-4. All hands, stand down. All hands, stand down. Situation 10. Situation 10."
The fighters parted, letting them through.
There were 20 soldiers on Castra's team. All of them readied their rifles with clicks.
Castra turned around to one of her men. "Take the pilot to the back, and execute him."
Jedda flinched. What did she say? They were about to shoot this guy? "Wait a minute. What do you mean?"
"He's served his purpose," Castra said.
One of her guards yanked the man to his feet.
"Wait!" Jedda yelled. "This isn't right."
Castra pointed over to her man again. "Take him away."
"Stop..." Jedda ordered, concentrating, holding the man telepathically.
The soldier didn't budge.
"Why are you waiting?" Castra asked, frowning at her man in a bit of frustration. Then she glanced over at Jedda again, as though she'd figured out what was going on.
Seizing his chance, the captured pilot broke free from the man, hitting a button at the ship's controls. A soft alarm blared repeatedly.
Two more soldiers took hold of the pilot.
Krotan turned to his sister now. "What happened?" he asked, trembling.
Castra growled. "Thanks to your girlfriend's interference, the robots are coming to blow us away."
Jedda turned around to a back window. Sure enough, the ships were approaching. Their speed made it clear they were going to attack.
A trooper called out. "Battle stations!"
"We don't have time!"
All of a sudden, one of the roboships exploded. Then another one burst into flame.
"Someone's attacking the enemy."
A new craft had entered the area, a blue ship almost racing by in a blur. The five robots began firing back. The blue ship dodged with a series of twirls.
Krotan flinched while looking on. "I'd recognize that flying style anywhere. There's a Gordon pilot inside of that craft."
Moments later, the ship dispatched the remaining machines, blowing them up with well-paced shots.
A part of Jedda was deeply relieved. Another part of her grew nervous again. She hoped the craft's pilot wasn't who she thought.
"Attention, Castra," a voice said on the speaker, a voice clearly coming from the small blue ship. "This is Rick Gordon. Do you read me?"
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Chapters
Volume I
As the New Rebellion rages across Mongo and Earth, Jedda and Krotan unite against Ming — and find themselves pursued by one of his ships.
2: Mongo Is Burning — Part 1
Desperate to end the battles, Krotan and Jedda, who have fallen in love, agree to a politically driven wedding — which Rick opposes.
3: Mongo Is Burning — Part 2
Despite growing opposition to the wedding, Jedda and Krotan remain firm in their decision.
Rick observes Amy venting, then ends up on a wild ride.
Amy visits her ailing foster mother, only to realize that she's fallen into a trap.
Rick and Amy take May to the Netherworld, where an invasion has begun.
Against the wishes of Rick and others, Amy makes a bargain with Damian Dark.
While the Defenders scramble to catch up with Amy, another battle occurs in the Netherworld.
Volume II
Flash sets out to free Ming, who has vital information regarding an impending attack.
Lothar and April move to counter an assassination attempt.
The team hurries to prevent LJ and Rick from carrying out an assault on another planet.
The Royal Five converge to counter a group of outlaws who've abducted Castra's husband.
Despite Castra's objections, Hadea grows tempted to remain on Mongo and take over as queen.
Kshin and LJ suspect that Veena is planning to bring her father back.
The Gordons arrive at Dale's grave.
Castra and her relatives vie for the position of queen on Mongo.
Volume III
Dale reveals the identity of her first child.
Veena uses her powers to help others.
Flash gets a startling surprise while chasing Ming.
20: The Princess Makes Her Move
In Dimension K, Ming weds his ambitious stepdaughter Hadea.
A visitor arrives from Dimension Y, intent on taking Dale back with her.
Duffy attempts to bond with Dale, who learns of a portal to another dimension.
After arriving on Earth K, the duo find themselves captured by Queen Hadea, who tasks Dale with a mission.
Now a mother of four, Dale attempts to help ease tensions between April and Duffy.
Rick learns that Duffy might have another special ability.
Volume IV
After using her seer to avert a grim future, the Hadea of Earth K believes herself unbeatable.
April receives a visit from her aunt, Commander Abigail Gordon, who seeks her help on a mission.
Amy confronts her mother Cathleen, who is attempting to conquer Earth P.
On Earth C, Agent Kristina Graf seeks members for a new defense team.
April and Duffy are approached by Kent Madden's daughter Clare, who claims to need their help.
Sheila reflects on her choices.
32: Parental Guidance Required
Duffy develops an unexpected bond.
The Defenders are challenged inside Monitor.
In response to the recent assault, Abby and Dale take action against Madden.
Duffy begins acclimating to life on Earth B.
Krotan receives comfort from Jedda in the midst of a new matter.
Amy seeks to help an old friend.
Hadea and Jedda bond on Earth H in the series finale.
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