B16
Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story
By James
Chapter 16: Houses Divided and United
"For the last time: I can't send you home." Castra tried to pacify Hadea and Sheila, both of whom were following her through the room. Maybe she should have chosen gentler words, but she was getting tired of the arguments. Her sisters should've known that her hands were tied. She'd banned traveling between Mongo and Earth. She couldn't violate the agreement herself. They'd face consequences the moment she did. It could drag Mongo into battle again.
Hadea held Castra and turned her around. "Perhaps you can send us to the Earth in secret. You know I have a kingdom which I must tend to."
Sheila made a frown, licking her lips. "It's really time for me to go back as well."
Castra knew Hadea had a valid point. Sheila was a whole different story, though. "Sheila..." Cas sighed. "I can't take action for personal reasons. I can't send you home to protect your marriage."
Sheila looked stunned. "What does that mean?"
It was hard for Castra to respond to her. "I think we know what this is really about. This is about the return of Dale."
Sheila's jaw hung for a couple of seconds. It felt a bit longer than that, however. "How dare you, Castra?" she managed to utter. "How dare you insult my bond with Flash, suggesting that I'm threatened by his ex-wife? How dare you question my loyalty, claiming that I'd act out of selfishness? You think I'd put my marriage ahead of this world?"
A moment paused. Castra felt stiff. She knew that she shouldn't have said what she did. "Listen... Sheila..."
A door swung open. Aura walked in. She steadied her gaze on Hadea and Sheila. "The argument is over. You can go home. I am granting you the permission to."
Castra glared. "No one departs until I say so. I am the ultimate authority here."
"Not anymore," Aura remarked. "I've had my aides do a bit of digging. They've uncovered something which you all must see." Aura stepped closer. "We need to find out who attacked our home. Flash Gordon stands as the top suspect. I wanted to eliminate him from the list, so I pulled videos of his flying style — clips starting in the Rebellion days." She closed her eyes for a second or two. Then she showed Castra a mobile phone. "And look what I discovered while researching. You probably never knew that this was being recorded."
Castra eyed a video on Aura's phone. It looked like a secret security clip. Flash was in a hangar, boarding a jet, no doubt preparing to depart on a quest. Seconds later, within the screen, Castra ran up and jumped into the plane. She pulled Flash close. They shared a kiss — a long, passionate, intimate one. Afterward, once words were exchanged, Castra hopped out and watched Flash take off.
Castra felt a chill as the clip wrapped up. That was in the midst of the Great Rebellion. No one was supposed to find out about it.
Sheila faced Castra in astonishment.
Castra raised a palm. "This was long before you and Flash were wed."
Aura eyed them both, then made a quick sigh. "Maybe our sister will let that go, but I doubt that the people of Mongo will. You betrayed Tevrok when you kissed Flash. The citizens won't accept that in a queen."
Castra balled a fist, stepping toward Aura. "You truly believe you can blackmail me?"
Aura made a sullen, regretful look. "I'm sorry, sister. You have my love. But I must request that you step down now. I will serve our people as Mongo's queen. Sheila and Hadea will depart in secret. No one will know they have left our world."
Castra heard a step near the right hallway. Moments later, Jedda appeared, holding a mobile device herself. Everybody swung their gaze toward her. How had she crept so quietly?
"I'm sorry to eavesdrop," the young one said, "but I had to pay attention when you mentioned Earth. That was when I started to record your words." She lifted her phone. "Aura, you can't take over as queen. I'll let the people know what you were willing to do — that you put your family ahead of your duty. You planned on violating the agreement with Earth."
It was Aura's turn to be smitten now. That was the way she appeared at least.
"It could have resulted in hostilities. We can't have a ruler who would take that risk." Jedda shook a little, appearing tense. She didn't seem used to making plays like this — but would no doubt get used to it. That was what ruling on Mongo meant. "Aura, Castra..." She took a slow breath. "I am taking over as Mongo's queen. Me and my husband shall claim the thrones."
You're Reading
Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story
Monitor — 1:50 pm
Kshin felt relieved when Flash showed up, but was still sorry for disturbing him. "H-Hey," he muttered. "I know you've got a lot going on right now..." To say the least. "But I uncovered something that you need to see."
Flash walked over to the console screen. "So what's happening?"
"Your friend Morkon found our ship in space. The one that was stolen in Egypt, I mean. He thought it was you, 'til it fired on him. He zoomed past the cockpit and made a recording." Kshin pointed up to the video clip. "I managed to slow the scene down a bit."
The screen showed an image of the stolen ship. There was no doubt of who the pilot was.
"Ming!" Flash said.
"But why would he make an attack on his planet?"
"To stir tensions up between Mongo and Earth. He probably wanted Castra to retaliate, hoping that it'd get her kicked off of the throne. Everybody's tired of battle now." Flash eyed the clip. "What happened to Morkon? What happened to Ming?"
"Ming got away. Your friend's all right."
Flash reached down and placed a pat on his shoulder. "Good work, kid. Send that clip to the president. Send it to the palace on Mongo too. All the leaders need to confer on this. I'll be back shortly." He exited.
Kshin felt a flutter of pride well up. It pleased him to know he had earned respect. He knew he couldn't bask in the joy for long. There was still work to be done today.
Within a few minutes, he'd opened up a video call with the palace. He was surprised by who answered it. "Jedda?" he said.
She sported a crown. "Hi." She nodded. "What's going on?"
He scratched his brow. "I was just attempting to contact the queen."
Jedda blushed a little. "You're talking to her."
After a couple more minutes had passed, he gave her the gist of what they had uncovered, along with the video clip from space.
Jedda placed her arms along those of her chair. "I'll end the travel ban between Mongo and Earth."
April held her palms within both of her mom's, sitting right beside her on the living-room couch. "Mom," she whispered. "I'm so, so sorry."
"For what?" Dale answered, frowning a bit.
"The trip to Mongo. I...I..."
"No," she uttered, shaking her head. "Don't you dare blame yourself for that. It wasn't your fault. It was no one's but Ming's."
April felt tears welling up in her.
Dale brushed a comforting hand on her cheek. Then she faced April with a motherly smile. "I love you, honey."
A few seconds later, April grinned back. "I love you too."
Volume II — End
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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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