D32
Dynasties
By James
Chapter 32: Fractured
Jade Walker's door was sent flying open. She jerked from her seat and stumbled back a few steps.
The Phantom emerged from the shady hall. His eyes were dark and his face was red, burning with a fury never seen before. "A second daughter."
Jade quivered.
"You were pregnant again when you went to prison? For over two decades, we've had a child who you never told me about?"
Flash ran in and held the Phantom back. Their struggle lasted for a number of seconds.
Jade's fright was offset by a sense of relief. She'd been looking for Rachel for quite some time. It was pleasing to know that the girl had been found.
"How?" he snarled. "How could Rachel be sent into foster care without me ever knowing? How did you keep this a secret for so long?"
Seeing that Flash had the Phantom secure, Jade folded her arms and summoned a smug expression. "It wasn't as hard as you might think. You only visited once a year, remember?"
The Phantom trembled in Flash's hold, gritting his teeth as he tried pressing forward.
"I also had a skilled friend on the outside, one who blocked the information before it could get to you."
The Phantom's eyes began gleaming with hurt now. "How could you do this to me?"
She scowled a bit. "You put me in that prison. I wasn't about to thank you by sending my newborn baby into your arms."
The Phantom lunged again.
Flash struggled to hold him back. "Hey. That's enough. Come on, we're leaving. We're leaving."
As the men were making their exit, Flash turned to Jade with a look of pure disgust.
Flash threw a curious glance over at the passenger seat. His friend clearly wasn't in the mood to talk.
The Phantom held his eyes on the long highway.
"How can we be sure that all of this is true? Who's to say that Rachel isn't some actress hired by Jade?"
The Phantom stroked his forehead and closed his eyes. "I've contacted Rachel's agency. They've verified her name, her background, and the details of her birth." He looked out at the road again. "She's Jade's daughter. She was born in prison, then sent into foster care."
"All right. But how do we know that you're Rachel's father? Jade had a fling with one of the other traitors, didn't she?"
The Phantom shied away, holding silent again.
"Didn't she?"
"Yes. She did." He cast his solemn stare toward the distant mountains.
"You and Rachel need a test in order to learn the truth."
"I know," he muttered. "But right now, there's a possibility that she really is my daughter, and that means that I can't just shut her out of my life. I don't want to punish her for Jade's actions."
LJ and Rick were sitting at the monitor again.
"When I was a kid," said Rick, "I thought that my family had issues. But the Walkers...wow."
LJ shook his head while looking up at the ceiling. His friend seriously had a point. "That is one fractured clan." He turned to Rick and brushed a hand across his shoulder. "So. With all the craziness surrounding them...do you still wish that you'd married a Walker woman?"
Rick chuckled. "I guess drama is an ongoing part of family life — whether it's Jedda's family, my family, your family, or even Ming's family. Every dynasty's got its own little saga going."
"Tell me about it," he whispered. A few seconds later, a suspicious smile began crossing his face. "By the way, what are you doing here? I thought that you'd resigned."
Rick sighed, letting his gaze sway back and forth around the base. "Well, you know me. I tend to have a tough time letting things go."
Rachel and the Phantom had gathered in the Defenders' guest chamber, a quiet room containing plush sofas and a coffee table. One of the walls was outfitted with a large pane of glass, similar to the kind used during police interrogations. A person on the outside of the room could look inside, but those within could only see their reflections.
The Phantom took a seat across from Rachel and removed his mask.
Rachel froze, finding herself completely taken aback by the gesture. She began studying his features with a fascinated stare.
"You visited Jade in prison during your youth." He paused, looking deeply into her eyes. "Tell me everything that she told you. Tell me the story of our family's past as you heard it."
She hesitated for a moment, then let her gaze drift off to the side. "I know that I was conceived a few months after Jedda was born."
The Phantom's mind began overflowing with memories of Jade during that period. He stubbornly tried to recall any pregnancy signs that he might have noticed.
"Jade told me that your lives were good back then — but not quite good enough in her opinion. She was offered the chance to build a better life for her family, and she took it." Rachel drew her gaze back to the Phantom. "Your response was to send her to prison."
He lowered his head and closed his eyes. A long silence began to linger.
Rachel's eyes gleamed with curiosity, and her voice dropped to just above a whisper. "Aren't you going to defend yourself?"
The Phantom ran a hand along one of his temples, then took a deep breath and looked up at her. "I can't exactly do that, because what Jade told you is the truth," he muttered. "I made the decision to send her to jail, knowing that it would tear this family apart. I lost a wife, Jedda lost a mother, and Jade was separated from her husband and daughter." He quieted again, looking her over. "All these years, I thought that the damage was limited to the three of us...but now I find that my decision affected you as well."
Rachel detected what appeared to be genuine remorse in the Phantom's voice. Before long, she remembered why she'd been avoiding this meeting, or part of why, anyway. She'd suspected that the experience could be difficult for them both — but for different reasons.
"I'm sure that most people are thrilled to meet a long-lost child," he said. "But when you walked in yesterday and told me who you were, my mind didn't jump to any pleasant thoughts about the future. I merely thought of how much I must have hurt you in the past."
She placed her elbows on the table, propping her head in her hands.
"I'm not proud of my decision, but I can't apologize for it either. I couldn't allow Jade's partners to accomplish their goals. To take them down, I had to take her down as well." He lowered his stare to the table. "I wish that I could tell you something more satisfying, but all I can tell you is that I did what needed to be done to save lives. I did what I thought was right."
After a bit more silence, Rachel quietly spoke again. "Yes. I know."
The Phantom looked up in surprise.
"As I got older, I began to research our history on my own. I wanted to know why you separated the family." She felt her face tingling just a bit. "Your actions were what inspired me to pursue a career at the agency. I wanted to help save lives too. I wanted to make a difference."
The Phantom was unable to summon any words for a moment. He found himself unexpectedly touched by what he'd just been told. After nearly a minute, he finally spoke up again. "You've been grown and independent for several years. If you knew where to find me all this time, why didn't you do so sooner?"
Rachel quivered a little, then looked down at her hands. "Growing up, no matter how hard I tried, no matter how well I behaved, none of my foster parents ever kept me longer than they'd signed on to. It got to the point where I figured that something was wrong with me, and that no one could love me. I've been rejected by so many people that I didn't want to risk being rejected by you too. I didn't want to learn what that would feel like."
"I would never have rejected you outright."
"I can see that now, but I couldn't before. I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know you."
The Phantom shook his head slowly. "We've lost so much time." For a moment, he thought he saw movement outside of the room, right on the opposite side of a pane. Was somebody listening in over there?
"So where do we go from here?" Rachel inquired.
"That's entirely up to you," he said softly. "But I'd like it if we could spend more time together."
He knew about her many duties around the world. She had agencies to approach, missions to complete, and various other cases to open and solve. She'd probably respond that she was busy right now.
"I'd like that," she uttered, surprising him.
For the first time all day, the Phantom found himself smiling.
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Just outside the room, on the other side of the glass, Jedda listened on with her back turned and her arms folded. A couple of tears had welled up in her eyes.
She turned back around and brought one of her hands against the glass, holding it there as she observed the scene.
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Chapters
Volume I
Shorly after Jedda leaves the team, Queen Hadea begins a galactic conquest.
Jedda finds herself back on Mongo — and reunited with Prince Krotan.
Despite their affection, Jedda endeavors to counter Hadea's plans.
Seeking to resolve the matter with Hadea, the Defenders begin a climactic mission on Mongo.
Rick enjoys a meaningful reunion.
Volume II
Jedda and Krotan confront their feelings.
Against the wishes of his wife, Krotan grows tempted to pursue a vendetta.
Rick has a difficult time moving on.
In the wake of Krotan's actions, Jedda faces a difficult choice.
Hadea reunites with an old acquaintance.
The Royals of Mongo organize what's supposed to be a friendly feast.
A glimpse into the future on Mongo.
Volume III
Instead of spending a romantic evening together, as Jedda intended, Hadea and Phantom find themselves pursued.
Amid their exploits, Phantom and Hadea discuss personal matters.
Flash visits Ming's prison while thinking of Dale, and Rick learns that a new girl will be joining the team.
A vengeful woman targets Jedda.
The Defenders face an internal crisis.
Will she choose affection or ambition?
Needing to depart Mongo on business, Jedda and Krotan ask Hadea and Phantom to fill in for them temporarily.
Volume IV
As the enormity of his situation sinks in, an anxious Rick finds unexpected comfort.
Hadea continues to counsel Rick by reminding him that his actions have consequences.
Phantom and Hadea are advised to marry.
The acting rulers face a variety of issues on their big day.
The Defenders consider returning to solo work.
Volume V
Krotan and Jedda try to find time for their marriage while tending to duty.
Someone from Jedda's past returns.
Krotan and the guards attempt to defend the kingdom without Jedda.
Krotan and Ming have another confrontation under different circumstances.
Flash and Rick have a personal discussion.
As Rick prepares to leave the team, he and LJ receive a surprise visit.
Volume VI
The new trio embarks on a mission.
The Phantom is left startled by the recent development.
After spending a couple of days with Jedda, Rachel departs for the tme being.
In the future, Vera receives advice and comfort from her mother.
Jedda reflects on the recent years.
In the aftermath of an attack on her land, Hadea seeks help from a mercenary.
Flash is stunned by his discovery on a distant planet.
Volume VII
Hadea makes an announcement that leaves the Phantom unsettled.
The Phantom works to undo his mistakes.
In the future, the Royals of Mongo enjoy quality time together.
Rachel assists LJ and Hadea in very different ways.
Rachel adjusts to her new position awkwardly.
With Rachel and Jedda at her side, Hadea learns more about the history of her kingdom.
Volume VIII
The Phantom plans to propose.
Hadea and the Phantom attempt to work through their issues.
Rachel visits Hadea to discuss new intentions.
The Defenders confront a group of aliens who have descended on Earth, while Ming continues to scheme behind the scenes.
Flash, Rick, and Krotan engage Ming in battle.
Jade reunites briefly with her daughters.
A special occasion has finally arrived.
Volume IX
Rick has a meeting with Zyna that leaves him staggered.
Flash and Rick travel to another planet to investigate news.
Dale begins to set her agenda in motion.
The Royals of Mongo have a lengthy discussion about the past and future.
Dale takes bold steps forward.
Flash and Rick confront Dale to discuss her actions.
Empress Hadea appoints new queens.
Volume X
In the future, the royals have a discussion about politics on Mongo.
LJ and Lothar discuss family affairs.
Jedda views her official government profile to learn where she ranks among Mongoian queens.
Castra and Aura look to put their differences aside.
The Phantom learns more about Hadea's duties.
Volume XI
The Phantom, Hadea, and Rachel depart for a mission in the Bandar village.
Rachel heads off to find Kurt on her own.
Dale provides answers for Rachel.
Jade observes a significant discussion beween Phantom and Kurt.
Phantom learns that the village mission affected Hadea on a personal level.
Volume XII
Jedda and Krotan renew their commitment.
Krotan pampers Jedda as they discuss the future.
Nearly everyone joins the Phantom for a mission via boat.
The group arrives on Raven Island and learns the identity of the opposing team's leader.
Flash, Dale, and Rick spend time with Flash's sister, Commander Abigail Gordon, and her daughter Sara.
Rick and Kristina head off on a late-night mission.
Kristina, Rick, and Hadea confront their personal matters.
Once again, someone lands on Mandrake's yard during a storm.
Volume XIII
A woman arrives in the Netherworld, claiming to be the rightful ruler.
LJ, Rick, and Rachel investigate the Netherworld matter.
Flash and Dale's date is interrupted by news that Rick has been captured, and it's up to Kristina to save him.
While grouped together one night, several people must team up suddenly in order to defend the mansion.
Atascadero discusses her upbringing with Mandrake.
Volume XIV
Soldiers from Atascadero's kingdom come looking for her.
Ata heads to her kingdom to resolve the issues there.
Vera begins learning more about Jedda's past.
In response to the recent events, Hadea makes a controversial decision.
Rick attempts to resolve a certain personal issue.
Rick and his girlfriend decide to go their separate ways.
Flash, Dale, and Rick reunite with Dale's father, as well as Flash's.
Jonathan Gordon becomes overzealous, leading to repercussions.
Flash and Dale chase Ming down.
Kristina bonds with Rick in the aftermath of the events at the base.
Volume XV
In the future, Jedda and Krotan have to teach Vera the value of humility.
In the future, Vera is courted by several boys.
Rick and Kristina become stranded on an island.
Hadea is approached by an old suitor.
Kristina and Rick grow closer while stuck on the island.
Ata and Mandrake discuss their relationship.
Castra and her husband have a talk about their longtime commitment.
Krotan and Jedda discuss the past, and look to the future.
Flash and Dale reaffirm their feelings.
The series finale.
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