B29
Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story
By James
Chapter 29: Assembly
Earth C
Kristina's helicopter touched down on the sand.
She gazed into the center of her compact mirror, studying her blue dress-suit and skirt.
"You're looking great, Kris," the pilot called, sounding every bit as flirtatious as ever.
"Thanks a lot, Ed," she said quietly, pulling her hair into a ponytail. The weather was bound to be breezy here. She put the glass away and picked her phone back up. "I'm at the site now. Wish me some luck." Time to try and woo a first recruit to the team.
A little chuckle came from within the call. "They're only kids, Kris. How bad could it be?"
She made a loud scoff. "Thank you, Kurt. I needed that jinx." She picked a tablet up and held it right to her side, hopping on the sand and striding over the beach. The sun was warm. The waves were loud. This was an absolute paradise. She was quite tempted to remove her shoes, but that would make her seem less professional. She'd come to this place to cast a good impression.
She had also come to be sensitive.
A young man was sitting several yards away, sprawled on the sand in an open shirt, which flapped all around him as he stared at her.
"Lothar Junior?" Kristina said.
He gazed for a moment, and then looked away.
"My name is Graf. Friends call me Kris. I want to talk about a new team I'm creating."
He played with a few grains of glittering sand.
"I have your outstanding credentials here." She grinned while turning the tablet on. "You were going to be a police detective, all set to join your father's squad. Moments before graduation, though, you fled the stage, on live TV. I can still remember what you said that day." She shifted her focus to the boy again. " 'This isn't me. This is him.' "
He glanced her way, but just for a second.
"You think no one sees who you actually are. People only view you as 'Lothar's son' — an exact copy of the younger him."
"You a telepath?"
"A therapist — someone who needs to put a little thought in." She smiled and shrugged. "But I'm down for action every now and then, and I'm pretty sure that you are too. That's why I'm here. We'd like your help. The world is facing new alien threats. We're going to need people to counter them. I want you to come join the DoE. You can help the rest of us defend the world, and you can craft your very own legacy."
"Who else is joining?" He looked suspicious.
"If you're asking me if your dad will join...yes, we're hoping to get him too."
He turned away.
"It's not the police." She shook her head. "You won't work for him, you'll just work with him. This isn't his team, this is our team. And the best part is, above all else, this wouldn't be a case of you following him. This would be a case of him following you."
"What do you mean?"
"I've asked you first. I'm asking him next."
He studied the ground, appearing uncertain.
"We can even alter your name a bit. That's a major step in the pursuit of self, along with the practice of introspection. Rather than calling yourself 'Lothar'...perhaps you could go by 'LJ' now."
The chopper touched down beside a sprawling forest. Snakes and hyenas were scattered about. It appeared that rope traps were set up too.
"Now this seems fun," the pilot quipped.
She glanced at him, then started her trek.
Around twenty minutes after she'd set out, she got her second call of the day from Kurt.
"Any luck, Kris?"
"Not just yet." The person she'd been seeking was nowhere in sight. She made a little sigh as she stood in place. "You weren't exaggerating in the slightest bit. I won't find the kid unless he wants to be found."
A little rustle came from a spot up above. "I presume you mean me?" a male voice said.
Kristina turned around, seeing the boy, a teen with dark bangs in a lavender shirt. "Walker?" she said. "You're Kit Walker, right?"
"Why are you here?" he asked from the tree.
"Government agent. Kristina Graf. We're forming a team to stop alien threats. I want to know if you'd be interested."
He didn't look very enthused about that.
"I work with your uncle. He's on the phone now." She held it out.
He didn't respond.
"Listen, Kit, just like you, we think that your father is innocent. We can try to prove it if we all join up. Your uncle really does want to see you again."
His gaze grew softer as he stared at her.
You're Reading
Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story
Kristina made her way through a posh resort. Her federal card was a ticket in. Families were relaxing on the long pool deck. Others were diving and swimming about.
Then she saw a lone teen girl in a chair, sprawled in a rather revealing bikini. Her long black locks extended down to her chest. Her toned right leg was sitting over her left.
Kurt wouldn't call her about this child. He didn't even realize that Kris was here.
Just as she was ready to approach the girl, she heard a disturbance near the entryway. The pool manager was in a confrontation.
"No more guests," he said to a couple, denying them entrance to the area. "We've just reached maximum capacity." He studied the pairing with a bit of disdain. The woman and the man were foreigners. "Do you understand what I'm saying, pal? No entrance!"
Another man and woman walked up to the gate. Both had skin like the manager's — fair and bright, ivory-hued.
"Come right in," the manager said, stepping aside so that they could pass.
Both foreigners looked angry now.
"Hey..." The girl with black hair spoke up. She was standing right at the manager's rear.
He turned around, facing her.
She touched her hips. "So you've got a problem with people from Spein?"
He scowled a bit. "Not in the least..." he said in a mutter. "Aside from the fact that they look kind of weird."
She tilted her head. "This from the guy with purple skin."
The man looked confused, then glanced at his arms. That was when his eyes started growing wide. He took a sudden look at his legs as well, then let a yelp out and ran off from the grounds.
Kris could hear him screaming as he left her sight. The color of his skin hadn't changed at all. The girl made him see what she wanted him too. That was a perk of her telepathy, according to everything Kris had learned.
The foreigners stared, clearly perplexed.
"Right this way," the teen girl said, smiling at them as they stepped on the deck.
"Nice job, Jedda," Kristina declared.
Jedda turned to her, appearing surprised.
"My name is Kristina. I work with your dad."
"I think you've confused me with somebody else."
"After that display? Hard to believe. It's pretty obvious that I've met Jedda Walker."
"Or maybe you've met Jedda Gordon instead." The girl transformed into a blonde-haired teen — someone from a file that was labeled Earth A. "Or maybe I'm actually a different Jedda." She changed into a teen with short dark hair, a girl from a planet that was called Earth B.
Kris realized what was going on. "You can keep playing in my head if you'd like...or maybe you can hear what I've come to say."
Jedda stared, then changed to normal, removing herself from Kristina's mind. "I see that you don't scare easily... I kind of like that," she said with a grin.
"I see that you know about the multiple Earths. It's pretty admirable that you're educated." She straightened a bit. "But we need to focus on this Earth now. Ming the Merciless will attack us soon. Me and your father are forming a team."
"Hmph," she muttered. "So my daddy dearest couldn't face me himself?"
"Your father doesn't actually know that I'm here. I'm pretty sure he doesn't even know you're here." Jedda's modeling had brought loads of success. The kid lived a wild and glamorous life. Was she a child who just wanted fun, or was the girl distancing herself from her dad? Kris wasn't clear on their bond just yet. She didn't really feel it was her place to ask. She also didn't know where the mother was. She simply knew she wanted Jedda on their team. They could put the pieces together in time. "Will you come aboard?" she asked politely. "Your cousin is joining the unit as well. I know that everybody would welcome you."
The girl touched her hips, eyeing the ground. "I don't have any tolerance for bigotry, and Ming the Merciless is the biggest bigot. He thinks Mongoians are superior."
Kris made a nod.
Jedda sighed. "I'll help for now. Let's see where it goes."
"Great work, Kris," Kurt said on a call, talking to her via video. "You brought two people to our team today."
She licked her lips. "Actually, Kurt, I recruited three. You can let me know if you object to this."
"What's going on?" He stroked his blond beard.
Jedda leaned over by Kristina's side. "Hi, Dad," she uttered, quietly.
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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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