ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

Friends And Strangers

by Mike Vivian

Disclaimer:  Xena and Gabrielle are characters owned my Renaissance pictures and Studios USA. They are used with Ren pics indulgence. Everybody else is mine; all mine and belong to me!

It is the 41^st century. Mankind has spread to the stars. But all is not well! Mankind has many enemies. Fortunately, mankind has many friends and allies. Together they have formed a galactic alliance. Keeping the peace is the Galaxy Defense Force. Located on the planet Themyscria, deep in the heart of the galaxy, they fight for truth and justice wherever it may take them. Wherever there is trouble, the Galaxy Defense Force is there!

It is early morning in the command center of GDF. "Commander on deck" rings out as the doors open and in walks the commander of GDF, Megan. She was a tall woman, with shoulder length blond hair. She was muscular but not overly so. She wore a blue garment that came up to her chest, covered by a breastplate, ornate golden bracelets with different jewels set into them. In the back she wore a white cape hung from her shoulders. Around her head she wore a golden circlet with single ruby gem. At her hip she wore her trusty Chakram. Forged out of a mysterious metal called Amazonium, it was light yet virtually unbreakable. She was never without it. Her very presence had certain energy to it. It demanded respect. Some called her The Warrior Princess behind her back. No one called her that to her face.

"Report!" she said. Rising Dawn, her second-in-command gave her the traditional salute by crossing her wrists.  Megan returned the salute. Rising Dawn was a descendant of what was once called Americans Indians. With long black hair and red skin she was as beautiful as she was capable. Megan depended on her and would trust her with her life. Rumors had persisted for some time about their relationship, The truth was they had been lovers some years ago but they had become best friends. They were more like sisters than lovers. Megan was searching for something or someone, who or what she wasn’t sure, she just knew there was something missing.

 "The Torac have been reported in sector 17." Said the woman.

The Torac were the scum of the galaxy. Thieves, murderers, cutthroats, slavers, black market, they did it all. If they were around it meant trouble. "We’d better check it out."

"I’ve already alerted the Ephiny’s crew. They are ready and waiting." Megan smiled. Her second knew her well. The Ephiny was The Commander’s personal Battle cruiser. She was a thing of beauty and elegance and yet still able to hold her own in a fight.  Her blue and gold colors were known throughout the galaxy. They signaled your greatest hope or your greatest fear, depending on who you were.

 "Sometimes, Rising Dawn, I think you know me better than I know myself." Said Megan.

 "I know you well enough to know you’d want to check out the Torac report. Besides, you’re not the only one itching for action." Said Rising Dawn.

 "Yes it has been a while. I hate inactivity." Replied Megan. The truth was, she hated the inactivity because it allowed her too much time to think. When she did that she remembered how empty and incomplete she felt. She didn’t like that. She preferred to be in battle where she had to concentrate on the situation. As they stepped up onto the teleporter pads, Megan felt something she couldn’t put her finger on. A sort of premonition, something told her that this mission was one she would never forget. As they materialized onboard the Ephiny, Moira Kelly, the chief engineer, greeted them.

"Greetin’s Commander, Rising Dawn!" said Moira. She was a small woman, about 5’4" tall with short red hair, but the two women knew better than to judge her by her size. She was the best engineer in this part of the galaxy, possibly all the galaxy! She was also a fierce fighter. The engineer crossed her wrists; the pair returned the salute. "The Ephiny is purring like a kitten, Commander!"

"Excellent, Moira! Hopefully the kitten will get her chance to pounce on the Torac!"

"The Torac, aye that would be grand. I always look forward to tangling with the likes of them. The Ephiny will be ready!"

"Of course she will. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you!" Megan said with a nod. Then the two exited the room. They moved into the corridor and toward the lift. As they entered the lift Megan let out a moan of pain and slumped against the side of the lift as the doors closed behind them. "Bridge." She said. The lift began to move up toward the bridge. She clutched her head as the red jewel in her circlet began to blink on and off. "Headaches again?" said Rising Dawn. She tried to put her arms around Megan but the commander waved her off. "I’ll be ok, just give me a minute." She said weakly.

"You are not ok. It’s getting worse, isn’t it?"

"Doesn’t matter. You know this thing won’t come off. The goddesses know I’ve tried just about everything. I have to do my penance."

"What happened was not your fault.  When are you going to accept that?"

"I don’t want to talk about it. Besides it’s starting to go away."

"Megan, I wish you’d let me help!"

"No, Rising Dawn. I have to go through this myself."

"I wish you’d never found that thing."

"It was meant to be. It’s my punishment."

Just then the doors opened and the two walked out onto the bridge. Rising Dawn knew the conversation was over, at least for now.

The Bridge was a circular affair. The command chair was set in the middle. In front of that was the weapons and helm console. To the left was the engineering and sensor stations. To the right were the science and communication stations. Megan took her place in the command chair while Rising Dawn moved to the weapons console and took her seat.

"Helm, set course for sector 17." Commanded Megan.

"Yes, ma’am." Replied Ensign Miryamoi. After touching a few buttons, she reported "Course laid in and ready to do. ETA 19 hours and 23 minutes."

"Then take us out Ensign."

"Yes Ma'am." Ensign Miryamoi replied.

With that the Ephiny broke orbit and started her journey. "How long before were are able to phase?"

"5 minutes commander."

Megan pressed a button on the arm of her chair and said "All hands prepare for Phase in 5 minutes." The message echoed throughout the ship.

"4 minutes and counting."

Everyone began to prepare themselves. The transition from normal space to Phase space was difficult and unpleasant.

"3 minutes"

"Goddesses, I hate this part." Megan thought. "It was so damned uncomfortable."

"2 Minutes."

Megan felt her apprehension grow. Something just didn’t feel right about this mission. She had a feeling that something was going to happen. She wasn’t sure if it was good or bad, just knew that is was something.

"1 minute."

"Here it comes!" She thought. "Prepare for Phase. All systems on automatic." She ordered.

"30 seconds."

Everyone touched the proper controls to set their systems on automatic.

"5.... 4.... 3.... 2...1...Phase out!"

Instantly, the all too familiar distortion was upon them, followed by the equally familiar nausea. It seemed to go on forever instead of the few minutes it actually took. Then, suddenly it was gone. They had made the transition. They were now in the gray void known as "Phase Space".

"All hands secure from transition.  Ensign Miryamoi, de-activate the main viewer, we won’t need it in Phase Space."

"Yes ma’am." She replied and the main viewer at the front of the bridge turned into a white panel.

"You know, this may be a lot faster than hyperspace, but getting in and out sure does a number on my stomach. Whew!"

She stood up and said, "if anybody needs me, I’ll be in my cabin. Rising Dawn, you have the Conn." With that she left the bridge. "Deck 5. " she said and the lift carried her there. The doors opened and she walked out into the corridor. As she strode down the hallway, she absent-mindedly returned the salute as she walked toward her cabin. The doors opened to admit her. She walked in. The cabin was bigger than most, It consisted of a bed large enough for two, A pink vanity table with several drawers, A dresser the same color as the table, A medium sized closet, and the bathroom including toilet and Sonic shower.

She sat down at the vanity table and began to brush her hair. That always helped her relax. She stooped and looked at the mirror. She saw the gleaming circlet affixed to her head. She could still remember the day she got it. It was a day she would never forget!

Her mind flashed back to the day she "acquired" it. It was nearly 10 yrs. ago. She was a mercenary, hunting treasure. The group she was with had already killed hundreds of people because they wouldn’t tell them where the treasure was hidden. She was too young and too scared too stand up to them. Then she came upon the old lady. The old woman had asked her if she wanted the greatest treasure of all. Eager to stop the killing she said yes.

"Put this on." Said the old woman and handed her the circlet. Megan put it on, and her life changed forever. Immediately she was in tremendous pain. Her head felt like it was splitting open. She tried to take it off, but it wouldn’t come off. The old woman said "When one and one make one, when souls are reunited, when Warrior and Bard are together again, then you shall be able to remove the circlet." And then she disappeared as did the pain. It was then that she knew what she must do. She had to stop the mercenaries, no matter what. With new determination she hunted them all down and killed them all.  The people thanked her, but she could not accept it. In her eyes she was as guilty as they were, even thought she had not pulled the trigger, she had not stopped them before the mercenaries killed over a hundred people. That guilt would always haunt her. As if on cue, the gem in the circlet began to pulse, and the pain returned. Each time it was worse; her head throbbed in time with the gems pulsing. The pain was becoming unbearable, the room was spinning, and then darkness came.  As she lay on the floor, she saw a vision; A tall dark haired woman in armor spoke to her. "Soon, Megan, soon. The time is fast approaching."

Megan remembered nothing until Rising Dawn’s  voice woke her. "Commander, are you awake?"

"Umm, just a minute." She said as she started to get up. The door opened, and as soon as Rising Dawn saw Megan on the floor, she rushed to her side, the door closing automatically behind her.

"Megan, are you all right?"

"I think so. Just give me a minute. Whew, how long was I out?"

"Well, we’ve got about one hour until we make the transition back to normal space. When did you collapse?"

"No too long after I came down here."

"You’ve been out all this time?"

"It would seem so."

"I’m calling Dr. K’tal’e. She should be told about this."

"NO!" said Megan sharply. "I don’t want anybody else knowing about this."

"Megan..."

"I said no! There’s nothing anyone can do, so there’s no need to tell anyone else. If the crew found out about this, they would lose confidence in me."

"I don’t think you give them enough credit, but OK."

"Now why don’t you get back to the bridge. I’ll be there after I freshen up some."

"Alright. But if you’re not there by the time to transition, then I’m sending the doctor after you. OK?"

"OK, mother."

With that Rising Dawn left the room. Megan stood up and began to disrobe. First she removed the breastplate. After that was off, she breathed a sigh of relief. That thing got a little tight after a while. Then the bracelets, boots, cape, bodice and undies were removed. She walked into the bathroom and turned the sonic shower on and stepped in. A good shower was what she needed.

Megan was a beautiful woman with large shapely breasts, long legs, beautiful blue eyes, and a figure that most women would die for. This meant nothing to Megan for she did not feel beautiful on the inside, in fact it was becoming harder and harder to feel anything. If she had to describe herself she would use the word empty. That was how she felt, and yet she had a strange feeling as if she were close to finding what she was looking for.

She enjoyed the shower for a few more minutes and then stepped out totally dry. That was the beauty of sonic showers, no water to dry. Of course sometimes there was no substitute for a nice, hot shower! Well, maybe when they got back to base. She got out a clean set of undies from her dresser and put them on, panties and a bra. They helped cushion the armor a little bit. Then came a fresh bodice and fresh socks. After that, Came the boots and then the armor. Finally, came the cape. She looked herself over in the mirror and decided she looked good enough. She pressed the emerald on her right bracelet and spoke into it. "Bridge, report!"

"Rising Dawn, here commander. Final preparations are being made for the transition. ETA to normal space, 15 minutes. Megan out."

"Understood. I’m on my way up." With that she exited her cabin.

The doors opened onto the bridge. "Commander on the bridge!" rang out. Megan walked confidently to her chair. Rising Dawn stood up and said, "We’re ready to start the final countdown to transition."

"Thank you Rising Dawn." The women nodded to each other and then took their respective positions, Megan in the command chair and Rising Dawn at the weapons console.

"5 minutes until transition to normal space." Said ensign Miryamoi.

"All stations, make final preparations for transition." Said Megan.

"4 minutes."

"Here we go again," Megan thought.

"3 minutes."

Megan began to clutch the arms of her chair hard.

"2 minutes."

Megan tried to calm herself. She hated this.

"1 minute"

"All systems on automatic. All personnel prepare for transition." Barked Megan.

"30 seconds, 20 seconds, 10 seconds, 5...4...3...2...1...PHASE!"

Once again, the disorientation and nausea hit the crew and once again it seemed to go on forever. Then blissfully it ended, but the effects lingered. As soon as Megan could pull herself together she said "All stations, secure from transition. Activate main viewer. Mewerr, long range scan." She said to the Kettelian sensor officer.

The Kettelian were evolved from cats. They were humanoid but bore unmistakable feline characteristics, such as the pointed ears on the top of the head, the long, tufted tail, and the soft fur covering their body. Mewerr had soft golden fur and green eyes. The sensors were her pride and joy. She was an expert at them. It was said she could spot a flea on a dog parsecs away.

"Commander, sensors show Torac ship orbiting a planet in the system bearing 359." Said Mewerr, rolling her R’s as Kettelian were prone to do.

"Navigator, set course for that system. Photonic drive on full."

"Aye, aye!"

"ETA?" asked Megan.

"ETA 15 minutes."

"ENGAGE" ordered Megan.

The mighty photonic engines roared to life, scooping the Photons up, accelerating them and spitting them out the back, pushing the Ephiny along at great speeds! Before Megan knew it, they were within sight of the Torac ship. It was orbiting the 5^th planet from the red sun. "Bring us in behind the planet ensign. They haven’t spotted us yet and I want to keep it that way for now."

"Aye, aye Commander."

"Mewerr, scan the planet, I want to know what the wolves are up to!"

"Scanning... I have a fix Commander. Shall I put it on the main screen?"

Megan nodded. The screen shimmered and the planet surface came into view. The Torac were there all right. Tall, wolf like creatures, as fierce as their ancestors were and as cunning. Three of them were standing on a narrow pathway up some cliffs. They had lassoed some creature, possibly a native of the planet. As soon as Megan saw her, she knew she had to act.

"All right people, I want an armed rescue party in the transport ASAP! The Torac won’t take another slave this day! Rising Dawn, as soon as we transport down, Raise shields and go after their ship. I don’t want them sending down reinforcements."

"Aye, aye! Be careful Commander!"

Megan mearly nodded and hurried off the bridge. "Deck 5." she said. She couldn’t explain it but she knew she had to rescue that girl down there. She knew it was female, she didn’t know how, and right now she didn’t care. She had to get down there and the goddesses help the Torac if they’ve hurt her. As the doors opened, she hurried to her quarters. There was something she needed.

As the doors to the transport chamber opened, Megan saw the rescue team was assembled with blasters waiting. Also there was K’tal’e, the GDF’s Chief Medical Officer. A tall slender woman with dark hair, like all Megan’s senior officers, she was the best at what she did! Moira was at the transport controls. They all noticed the sword that hung from Megan’s hip. It wasn’t the first time she had used it and they were sure it wouldn’t be the last!

"Moira, set us down behind them. Dr. K’tal’e, stay behind us. We don’t need you getting hurt."

"Don’t worry about me Commander, I know what to do!" said the Doctor.

Normally Megan would not have let that insolence go, but there wasn’t time to deal with it! Megan nodded and said, "Activate transport!"

The lights flashed as they dematerialized and rematerialized 5 ft. behind the Torac. Megan didn’t waist a second. Her Chakram was in her hand, then it was being rebounded off a rock wall and cutting the Torac’s ropes, freeing their prisoner. She leapt high into the air and somersaulted over the Torac, letting lose the most feared sound in the galaxy, her battle cry.

"Ayiyiyiyiyiyiyiy!"

It was enough to send shivers up even the Torac’s spine. "The Warrior Princess!" they growled.

 "Leave her alone!’ demanded Megan. She was on them in an instant, sword flashing and slicing until nothing remained of the three but corpses. "Are you all right?" she asked the mysterious young woman. The woman smiled, her green catlike eyes seemed to draw Megan to her. She was transfixed for a moment as they stared into each other’s eyes, then suddenly, a rumbling sound started. It was an avalanche! Rocks of all sizes came down upon them. The boulders lodged themselves between Megan and the rest of the rescue party. One landed on Megan knocking her to the ground, despite her armor, she was sure she felt several ribs break. She thought she heard a voice shout "Xena!" then all went black.

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