B23
Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story
By James
Chapter 23: A Growing Ensemble
Earth K
Dale knelt with Duffy right in front of a throne, hands bound together like the teen girl's were. She thought that Earth K was the cyber world, the one with all the shiny futuristic stuff. It was obvious that she was wrong about that.
This planet did have technology — a strong tractor beam had pulled them out of the sky — and several modern buildings were confined in spots. But it was a distinctly medieval place. Palaces and castles were everywhere. Some were modern structures given overhauls; that was quite apparent if you looked hard enough.
Two people sat upon the royal throne: a haughty woman, and a teenage girl. She recognized the latter as Jedda Walker — or Princess Jedda, as she was called here. The kid wore an elegant dress and crown. There seemed to be a pity shining in her eyes.
The woman was decked out in similar garb. She ran her long fingers on the arm of the chair. "I am Hadea, ruler of Mongo. I also reign as High Queen of Earth."
Dale had researched this dimension with Rick. From what they had gathered in a limited time, Hadea of Mongo had dethroned Ming, which made almost everything different here: Dale was never captured by the merciless one, Flash had never landed on Mandrake's yard, and nothing had led the Defenders to form — which left the door open for Hadea's conquest.
They would need to find a way out of this. Duffy's telepathy could probably help, but the kid seemed too tense to concentrate.
The queen clenched a fist. "By traveling here, you've delivered something that I've long desired: a ship that can make it to Dimension H."
Dale glanced at Duffy, who looked confused. "Dimension H?" she questioned Hadea.
"Dimension H is where my counterpart rules," the queen revealed. "My seer, Zorelda, knows what is to come. The other Hadea will reign for years. Then her daughter Jedda shall assume that role. And then Jedda's child will inherit the throne. Rebels will rise, and rebels will fall. Most of them shall merely be driven by pride — men taking issue with a woman's rule, or women whose ambitions rise out of control. Eventually, though, Hadea subdues every single rebellion. Her dynasty flourishes indefinitely." The queen looked away, scowling a bit. "Zorelda has witnessed my future as well. Rebels will eventually end my reign"
Dale found herself deeply fascinated. In her many journeys through the galaxies, she'd seen it all, or so she thought. She didn't think that people could observe the future.
"To rule as long as my counterpart, I must have the very same power she has." The queen stood up. "Someone must travel to Dimension H, and bring her Necklace of Oros here."
Dale had learned a little bit about the necklace — even before she was caught by Ming. Its power sounded greater than any she'd known. But last she'd heard, it'd been destroyed. "I thought the necklace didn't exist anymore."
"Every dimension has one of its own. The jewel from this dimension slipped onto Earth E. The Jedda there placed it in a lava pit." She narrowed her eyes. "But I can still obtain the necklace of Earth H...and it is your duty to bring it to me."
That made Dale flinch. "What do you mean?"
"You have demonstrated your piloting skill. As a result, I now order you to travel to that dimension, and transport the Necklace of Oros to me." She lifted her chin. "And should you flee, or disobey..."
A guard placed a blaster to Duffy's head.
The girl twitched nervously amid the touch.
Dale froze stiff, then looked at Hadea. Her gaze drifted over to Jedda as well. The princess had tightened her eyes for a moment. She looked like she didn't approve of this threat.
"I'll do it," Dale answered. She had to make sure Duffy didn't get hurt.
"Excellent, Dale," Hadea replied. "Portal H opens up regularly. You will travel on the very next occasion. First my technicians will adjust your jet — just to ensure I can track your flight."
"You can't go there," Duffy exclaimed, inching toward Dale as they sat in the cell. "Dimension H could be dangerous." She squirmed while looking at the grimy floor. "This is my fault," the girl declared. "She wouldn't have leverage if I'd stayed home."
Dale was reminded of a very dark day — the day when she'd sat locked up with Rick. She touched Duffy's shoulder, without even thinking, wanting to soothe her as best she could.
Dale needed comfort as well right now, given what was lying ahead of her. She'd been tasked with visiting a third dimension, where she'd have to steal from a powerful queen. How was she ever going to pull that off?
Unlike Ming, or Prince Krotan, it seemed Hadea ruled in most realities, like it was something that was meant to be. The woman appeared unstoppable. That was the case on Earth H, at least, but it wasn't true on this particular world. She would fall here, the seer had said.
The Earth H Hadea didn't sound so bad. It seemed rebels fought her out of personal pride, not because her reign was tyrannical. Maybe her success wasn't due to the necklace, as this Hadea seemed to think it was. Maybe she ruled through nobility — something that the Queen of Earth K had lacked.
There was no assurance of that, of course. From what Dale knew, in most dimensions, no one was prouder than Hadea herself. Perhaps the queen had forcibly taken Earth H, just as this Hadea had taken Earth K. In any event, it seemed Dale would find the truth out in time.
She heard the light sound of a step nearby. A figure was approaching in the shady hall. She rose as the person walked out of the dark. "Jedda," she uttered.
Duffy stood too.
The princess eyed both of them uncertainly. Then she raised a key, and opened the door. "Go," she whispered. "I've readied your ship. You'll find coordinates to Dimension B."
Dimension B? The path back home? It hadn't been accessible on Earth Y, but could there be a route to a portal here?
"I've unlocked the corridor gate down there." Jedda glanced backward, then faced Dale again, looking impatient as the seconds passed. "Take Duffy with you and leave this place!"
"But what about you?" Dale muttered to her.
"I'll be okay. Mother won't know of my role in this. And if she learns, I'll deal with that."
Dale stared a moment. "Is Hadea actually your mother, though?"
"She took me in, cared for me, gave me the affection that I'd always sought. In return I promised to serve her well."
Duffy frowned a bit. "Serve her how?"
Jedda heaved a sigh, still looking tense. "By hypnotizing leaders around the world."
Dale got it now. It made her sick. So that was how Hadea had conquered this Earth. "She's using you. Come with us."
"I can't," Jedda said. "I love my mother, and she loves me. You might not believe it, but she does. Zorelda has predicted that she'll fall one day. I'm going to be here to protect her then, to make sure she gets out of that alive."
Dale paused a second. "Jedda," she murmured, "when that day comes, people might want you to reign as queen. I hope you'll do a better job than she has." She touched Jedda's hand, then moved away, taking Duffy with her as she left the hall. "Thank you for this."
Rushing to a yard at the castle's rear, she wasted no time in inspecting the jet, making sure that nothing dangerous was attached. She couldn't exactly trust a stranger's word. Once she was certain it was safe to fly, she hopped in the cockpit, with Duffy on board, then revved the engine up and soared straight into space.
"What's the reading say?" Dale asked as she steered.
"The portal should be close," Duffy replied. "I think that we might... Wait! Right there!"
Dale saw the cloud, just up ahead. With every bit of passion that flowed through her veins, she hoped this really was the portal that they sought, then accelerated, and flew through the mass.
Earth B
As she stepped out of the small cockpit, she spotted her family running up to the ship. Rick pulled her into a prolonged hug. Then he released her, and smiled again. "I was really worried that we'd lost you there."
Dale stroked his temple. "I'm okay." She was so relieved to see her son and the others.
April hugged next, followed by Flash. Both of them eyed her with relief of their own.
Amy gave Dale a quick squeeze as well, facing her with a warm grin afterward.
A little rustle came from the craft at her rear, the sound of her companion standing up from a seat.
Flash looked surprised. April did too. Amy and Rick wore the very same look.
"Um..." Dale muttered. "I'm not here alone." It was obvious they could see that now.
Dale turned around, staring at Duffy, who watched all the others quite awkwardly.
Duffy took a breath, then moved forward. "Hi," she whispered as she stepped off the jet.
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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