D47
Dynasties
By James
Chapter 47: Heroes
A 10-year-old Rachel sat in a plain white office, waiting for her newest foster parents to appear.
Her lone companion was a red-haired secretary, who was pulling up a profile on her computer:
'Walker, Rachel Isabelle'
After reading several paragraphs of information, the woman glanced up from her screen and studied the girl across the room.
Rachel was fiddling with a few chess pieces, eyeing each of them with a bored stare.
The secretary cleared her throat and spoke in a calm, sunny tone. "Have you thought about what you're going to be when you grow up?"
Rachel turned to her in surprise.
"A lot of little girls want to become queens. A lot of little boys want to become knights. What is it that you're going to be?"
Rachel looked down at the chess board, brushing back a lock of her hair. "Maybe I can become both someday."
"Both?"
She nodded. "I want to be a hero — just like my birth parents." Rachel eyed the piece in her hand, then let it drop. "But who says that a hero can only do one job?"
The Present
Flash took his seat at a circular table. Rick and LJ were sitting at his left, while Lothar, Mandrake, and Kshin were on his right. "Okay," said Flash. "Now that we're all here..." He paused upon noticing that someone was missing.
A distant door began swinging open, followed by the sound of rapid footsteps.
Rachel swooped in, took a seat, and quickly folded her arms on the table. She leaned forward, giving Flash a quick wink.
Flash cleared his throat. "All right, then...now that we're all here..."
A radar screen lit up in the center of the table.
"I'm going to get right to the point, because I'm afraid we don't have much time. A squad of unidentified spacecrafts are heading this way. Because we're closest to the situation, the government has tasked us with investigating this matter." Flash turned to his left. "LJ will remain here and try to contact those ships as they enter the area. The rest of us will take to the sky in fighter jets."
Mandrake and Lothar turned to each other, then looked back toward Flash.
"I'm hoping that there won't be any conflict, but we need to be ready just in case."
Rachel found herself taking a deep breath.
"Everybody understand?" Flash placed a hand on Rick's shoulder. "Typical UFO procedure."
Rick nodded. "Understood."
"Let's go then."
Chairs scooted, and everyone rose.
As the Defenders began clearing the room, Flash caught up with the newest member. "Rachel?" He brushed a hand over the back of his head. "Listen. I know that you haven't completed training in our current jets. You can sit this one out if you want."
"What? Oh." She shook her head a little. "No, no. I'm okay. I'm ready to go."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded. "This is why I'm here."
He looked her over for a moment. "All right then. I mean, I'm hoping that nothing serious happens out there, but..." Upon realizing that he could be making her nervous, he simply smiled while letting his words trail off. "See you in the hangar." Flash made his exit.
Rachel pulled her lips to one side of her face, eyeing the wall with a blank stare. Then she exhaled softly, and headed off to join the others.
"Incoming, guys," LJ announced, watching his partners via video.
The Defenders' jets bobbed above a huge body of water. Thick clouds dragged across a dim blue sky.
Back at the base, LJ observed a number of split screens. He was able to monitor each of his teammates' vehicles directly, seeing what they saw, and watching them on occasion. "I've spotted them now," he revealed.
"How many?" Flash asked.
"Looks like there are about 12 of them."
"And seven of us." Flash paused, staring out into the sky. "Go ahead and open communication."
LJ spent the next several minutes trying to reach the alien fleet. Amidst this period, each of the Defenders held still and silent within their cockpits. Rachel licked her lips while studying her controls. Lothar closed his eyes while awaiting a development. Rick eyed the skies with a hardened stare.
LJ spoke up again. "Guys?"
Lothar opened his eyes and replied. "Go ahead."
"Can't seem to get through. They're not answering. I..." He flinched upon glancing back at the screen. "It looks like they've gotten really close."
"I've got a visual," Flash said. "What about you guys? If you can see them, confirm now please."
Multiple voices answered simultaneously.
"Got 'em."
"See them."
"Yeah," said Kshin.
Flash glanced toward the jet on his right. "Rick?"
"I'm looking straight at them," he said in a focused tone.
A slew of purple vehicles had emerged from the clouds. Each was small and rectangular, with a crescent-shaped front. The ships spread out in a straight line, pausing right across from the Defenders.
Rachel lowered her eyebrows while sporting a confused stare.
Mandrake glanced curiously from one craft to the next.
One of the alien pilots drifted forward. "The Defenders of the Earth. It has to be," said Ming. "And right on cue."
Ming's allies moved to his side. The Calinans were bald, silver men with muscular builds. Each wore a black uniform topped by thick shoulder pads.
"Are these the people you want dead?" asked one of the aliens.
"Yes. All of them," said Ming. "It's quite simple. I'm going to eliminate them first, then execute my plans afterward. I've gone about things incorrectly in the past."
The commanding pilot addressed his men. "Your targets are straight ahead. Kill them all."
The purple crafts began charging across the sky.
Flash drew back a bit in his cockpit, then steadied his hands on the controls. "Defend yourselves."
While walking throughout her home, Jade Walker felt a sudden sense of tension sweep over her.
She glanced at a nearby mantle and spotted two pictures of Rachel — one of her as a newborn, and one of her as an adult. Jade paused where she stood, watching the photos for a moment.
LJ watched on from the huge viewing screen. One of the purple ships had exploded in the sky.
For the past 15 minutes, a slew of lasers had been flying back and forth. Shots were avoided and chases ensued. Smoke filled the air and wreckage floated across the water.
An alien craft was rushing Rachel from behind. Another one was nearing her from out in front.
Rachel calmed herself and took a slow, deep breath. As a barrage of shots began flying her way, she swung her vehicle upward, narrowly avoiding the attacks. The enemy ships hit each other, and both fizzled while spinning toward the water.
Rick fired on the last craft in sight, destroying it with a well-placed attack. Moments afterward, he addressed his father. "Dad, do you read me?"
"Copy," Flash said.
"I think that's it. Looks like we got all of them."
LJ listened on as the others spoke.
"Lothar, you okay?" Mandrake inquired.
"I'm fine, old friend. You?"
LJ's voice arrived in everyone's cockpits. "- -read me?"
"LJ?" said Flash. "You're breaking up. I'm getting static."
"Flash?"
"LJ, go ahead."
"I said stay alert. There's one last enemy craft out there somewhere."
Flash tensed, then began looking around. "Rick, did you get that?"
"I heard him." He scanned the area. "Hard to see at this height with all these clouds out here."
"Everyone keep your guard up," Flash said. "This battle isn't over. We've got one more... Oh, no." A distant sight caught Flash's eyes.
Far across the sky, a purple craft was sneaking up on a lone Defender.
"Who is that?" Rick called.
Kshin's eyes shook with tension. "It's Rachel," he said.
Each of the male Defenders began speeding forth.
"Rachel!" Flash called. "Do you read me?"
Rachel winced amidst a crackle of static. "You're breaking up."
"Rachel! Get out of there!"
Ming's vehicle hovered behind Rachel's. He eyed her jet with a hateful stare. He didn't know who was in the craft before him, and he didn't care. All he wanted right now was to finally take a Defender down. His crosshair began locking onto her.
Back at the base, LJ was yelling through his microphone now. "Rachel! Do you read?"
A rapid beeping arrived within Rachel's vehicle. She glanced down and saw the word LOCK flashing across a small screen.
Rachel's lips parted. A chill swept through her body.
And then, much to her surprise, her mind began replaying a conversation from a long time ago...
"So you want to be a hero, do you?" The secretary paused, then lifted an eyebrow. "This is a pretty dangerous world for heroes."
Rachel looked down at the table. "I know it is...but it would be an even more dangerous world if there weren't any."
Rachel's jet exploded.
LJ shook while watching the screen. His eyes had widened in stunned horror. "Rachel..."
----------
Jedda fidgeted beneath the covers, rising with a jolt as she glanced around her bedroom.
Krotan sat up and placed a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"
She pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. "I don't know."
----------
Flash watched as the fire in the air started to fade.
Ming's jet sped off into the distance, disappearing from sight in a matter of seconds.
Flash's jaw trembled as he attempted to speak. "LJ?"
A wave of static arrived.
"LJ? Can you hear me?"
No response came.
Flash got a view of his son's cockpit.
Rick lifted both hands over the sides of his head, staring into the air with awestruck eyes.
A search had been conducted amidst the wreckage in the water. Only the bodies of the aliens had been recovered.
Once Flash and the others had finally returned home, LJ spun around and shot up from his chair. "Everyone listen," he said, lifting his hands.
The group came to a halt.
"I've reviewed her plane's readings. According to the computer, she ejected just before we lost her signal."
The guys began turning to each other with hopeful glances.
After a few seconds, Kshin managed to speak up. "Then she's alive?"
He watched as waves crashed along a wide, tan shore. A large parachute was sprawled out on the sand.
Before long, a powerful gust came and blew the parachute away, revealing an unconscious woman in a long brown cape.
Her descent had been concealed by the thick clouds above. Only one person had actually seen her land. And unfortunately for Rachel, that very person was approaching her right this moment.
"Well, well," Ming said, stepping across the sand.
----------
Rachel lay still and silent while sprawled on her stomach. A distant memory arrived in her dreams...
The little girl looked up at the secretary. "I know that this can be a pretty dangerous world for heroes." She leaned her head forth with a bold smile. "But believe me, I'm going to help make it an even more dangerous world for villains."
----------
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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