TSB 8

The Space Between

By AmandaDoE

Chapter Nine: Queen For A Day

"Do you understand the plan?" O' Rourke asked.

"Yes," Cain answered, gathering her sais together, "We sneak into the IUA prisons and break Ming the Merciless out of prison."

"Exactly," O' Rourke smirked, "He will be perfect in helping us taking down MacLeod."

"Wasn't he in jail for killing Tori Gordon?" Cain asked.

"Yes," O' Rourke answered, "Yes, Ming the Merciless was in jail for the murder of Flash Gordon's niece Tori, but something tells me that there is more to the story."

"Is that so?" Cain quipped.

"Yes," O' Rourke nodded, "I believe that MacLeod might have something to do with Tori dying and Ming the Merciless took the blame for it."

"I'll bet he will want revenge for that reason," Cain smirked.

"As do we," O' Rourke nodded.

"When do we make our move?" Cain asked.

"Now," O' Rourke answered.

-The-Space-Between-

Ming sat down at his cell.

It had been a year and a half since he had been arrested for the murder of Tori Gordon. Yes, he was involved in Tori's death, but it was MacLeod who took her head. He wondered why the Highlander wasn't in this prison cell as well. That didn't matter now as he had remained in prison since.

MacLeod's watcher, Flash Gordon, the Defenders, even the IUA all covered MacLeod's tracks. Everyone believed that he was responsible for Tori's death.

The closest thing he ever gotten to MacLeod getting the blame was Tori's own mother, when she had become delirious, blaming Duncan MacLeod for her daughter's death. As a result, she was put in the hospital for several months after Tori's memorial service.

Startled, Ming heard the alarms of the prison. He noticed the guards were arming themselves. It appeared that there was a break in of some sort. Who could it possibly be?

Ming looked on as a woman who had brown hair with Sais took down the guards that were near his cell. A dark haired man with pale skin gutted another guard with his sword.

Ming wondered what these two wanted from him as the man used the dead guard to unlock his cell. He stepped out of his cell, walking next to his apparent new allies.

"Go!" the woman shouted, "Go!"

The man led Ming out of the prisons before they entered the van.

"Cain should be joining us at any time now," the man told Ming.

Moments later, the woman joined them before the man drove off as fast as he could.

"What is the occasion of freeing me from my prison?" Ming asked.

The man pulled over once they made it to a secluded area.

"Ming the Merciless," the man proceeded to introduce himself, "My name is Liam O' Rourke, and this is my partner Lauren Cain."

"Hello," Lauren nodded, "We hear that you were imprisoned after Tori Gordon's death."

"Yes," Ming confirmed the statement, "Yes, I was. I summoned the demon Ahriman in hopes to cripple my enemies the Defenders of the Earth, Flash Gordon and Duncan MacLeod."

"Duncan MacLeod is our enemy too," O' Rourke revealed, "and we are going to get our revenge on him by destroying everything he cares for."

"And he had already begun that plan by reactivating the portage initiative," Cain added, "where portals emerge from Earth to Mongo."

Ming glanced at his new found allies, his curiosity piquing, "Excellent. Not only will our plans for MacLeod come to play, but my plans for Mongo will come to play as well, even for the Defenders of the Earth."

-The-Space-Between-

Netherworld Palace — 2:50 pm

It was unlike anything she'd seen.

And she had seen a lot in her time on Earth.

Amanda spun around with her sword sheathed up, eyeing ivory structures with sparkling walls. The Golden Realm was incredible, even more so than she'd always heard.

"Thank you for coming," a woman's voice said — a voice with a balance of calmness and strength.

She turned again.

Hadea was there. Amanda hadn't seen her ease down on the throne.

The empress was a sight to behold indeed, every bit as regal as she seemed on film, donned in a glittering garment and crown. She didn't wear a smile, but still looked great — an effortless beauty no one could deny.

Amanda had to pause. She felt quite odd. This wasn't the way that things usually went. She was the one who left people stunned. It was strange being on the opposite side.

"Shall we proceed?" Hadea asked her.

Amanda cleared her throat, then dropped to both knees, placing her sword on the marble floor. Time to learn why she'd been summoned here.

"Annie Devlin's allies are targeting Jedda," Hadea revealed.

Amanda scowled a bit. She knew just how dangerous Devlin could be, but she'd thought that Duncan had thwarted the woman. "I heard that MacLeod- -"

"Defeated her? Perhaps he did, but Devlin's teammates are still roaming about. They seem to be available for hit jobs now." Hadea's brow lowered. "Astra of Mongo has a grudge against Jedda. She's hired Annie's unit to eliminate her."

Amanda could tell where this talk would go. It was pretty clear what her task would be.

"I shall ascend to a new rank soon," Hadea declared. "My daughter is set to rule here in my place. For Jedda's sake — and this kingdom's as well — I need you to stop Annie Devlin's team." She motioned to a servant. He brought a box forth, placing it squarely on Hadea's lap. He pulled the top off, then stepped away.

"In return for your work," Hadea continued, "you will receive what you've sought for years — the blade you were never quite able to find." The queen revealed a lengthy, golden sword.

Amanda flinched a little. She was impressed. Hadea had clearly researched her well. Amanda had wanted that weapon a lot.

"In addition to this," Hadea said, "you'll kick your shoes off, and serve as a queen, helping to govern in one of my lands. I sense I could use a ruler with your skill."

Amanda fidgeted. Becoming a queen? She wasn't quite sure what to make of that.

"My people can assist you in finding the targets." Hadea paused a moment. "Do we have an arrangement?"

-The-Space-Between-

Amanda sighed, feeling a sense of satisfaction as she walked out of the Netherworld. She knew being a queen wasn't her thing, at least not yet, but she was glad she was able to save Hadea's daughter from Annie's terrorist friends.

When Duncan, Joe and Richie learned she was queen for a day, this brought them by surprise and they were happy for her.

Amanda was able to take on Astra and her group, and they would end up being taken into IUA custody thanks to Jack and Richie leading the agents.

After all that, Hadea was disappointed that Amanda was unable for staying queen, but she understood her decision and respected her decision and let her know that the door was open in case she ever changed her mind.

Amanda smiled, willing to take that into consideration. Maybe one day she would be willing to settle down and rule the team one day, but right now, she wasn't sure if she was able to fully commit to ruling a land, at least not yet.

---------

Author's Note:

The storylines are going to be back into full swing after this chapter, starting with Duncan dealing with Marek in "Black Tower," and that's when things are about to take a dramatic turn.

The first scene with Amanda and Hadea was written by James.

---------

Article

Author

Chapters

1: Prelude — Part One

Everyone reflects on the recent events while considering the future.

2: Prelude — Part Two

Angie tends to a despondent Richie. Portals to new dimensions are discovered.

3: Sins of the Father

Duncan embarks on a journey abroad. Richie confronts his trauma.

4: Diplomatic Immunity