"Good to see your awake Ranma."
"Wha...Archon?" Ranma asked as his eyes regained their focus, sure enough the Archon of the Kryn Jalliele'Brea was standing over him.
"You and Princess Asrial were lucky some guards and construction workers were close to your ship when it crashed."
"Asrial!" Ranma sat up, "Where is she?"
"In the bed other there, sound asleep." She pointed to the bed across from his, sure enough the Salusian Princess was sleeping. She had a few bandaged on her but she looked fine.
"When they found you, you had used your body to shield her, so she wasn't as injured as you. I can take into account your artifacts also kept you alive and sped up your healing. You had a few pieces of sharp sharnel in your back Ranma, and normal someone would be able to move after that, yet you have."
"No kidding," He mumured, then blinked in realization. "Oh shit, have long have we been out?"
"At least 10 hours, why do you ask?"
"Damn, listen Archon, we were going to Asrial's planet because her Father got into trouble and was imprisoned. In order for her family to stay in power Asrial has to ascend to the throne with her husband, and we only have a 48 hour deadline. Now we probably have only 38, maybe 34 realistically."
"I've heard of the troubles on Salusia, but I did not know it was that bad, but why did you crash?"
"Some Salusian officer who'll be in power if Asrial doesn't get hitched put up a damn blockade keeping us from going directly to Salusia. Some ship that belonged to Asrial's brother popped up to help us, and when we bolt they send fighters after us, and boom we're shot down."
Archon frowned at this, her people were in the midst of some dealings with the Salusian Empire for parts and equipment to rebuild Aebra. Although there was some disputes over some of the Salusian methods, Queen Shiva had helped oversee the deals and things had been smooth thus far. Besides the fact this officer Ranma mentioned nearly killed a friend of hers and the Princess of his own planet, she had no desire to deal with such a militent person.
"I see your plight is dire indeed, tell Me Ranma are you Asrial's betrohed? I had no knowledge of it prior to now." Archon inquired curiously.
"Well yea, but not til recently, its kinda complicated. But right now we gotta get to Salusia before that jerk Sardine, or whatever takes control." Ranma muttered.
"Well I'll help however I can."
"Thanx Archon."
Meanwhile on Salusia.
"Excuse me but you want me to what?!" Shiva demanded as she stood up from her chair.
Sardonis merely grinned as he paced about. "Marry me my dear, you see while I have no confirmation your daughter or that human are dead, that means they would still try to get to Salusia. Sadly since they now know of my plans they're going to be more stealthy trying to get here..if they survived that is."
"And how does marrying ME help you, you bastard?"
"Simple, marrying you is the same as Asrial ascending to the throne with her husband. Since Jerka is in prison, marrying you without an offical divorce is quite legal."
Shiva crossed her arms, "And what on Salusia makes you think I'll agree to that?"
"If you do your family, and close friends won't be executed, and that extends to Asrial and her human friend if they survived the crash on Aebra." Sardonis replied smugly. "If you refuse, they'll all die before your eyes, and I'll take you as a slave anyway. The choice is yours. We can do this civil and nicely, or hard, and brutally."
The color drained from Shiva'a features, such an ultimatium would do such a thing. She thought about it, and saw the only option given to her.
"You wear they won't be harmed?"
"I promise, it'll be smoother if your by my side, the people trust you and thus won't raise much of a fuss over a new ruler. Having to keep a few prisoners I'd rather execute alive would be worth the trouble."
Hanging her head, Shiva nods and answers. "You win...I'll do it, but you had better keep your word."
"Ah excellent! You won't regret this Shiva."
"I already am," Shiva thought to herself, "So when is the 'wedding' Sardonis?"
"Heh it shall be held within the next day an hour before the deadline, call me a romantic but I find it amusing to rub it in, in such a manner. Ta-ta."
After Sardonis left, Shiva walked over to her bed and collapsed. Whimpering lightly, she prayed to the heavens Asrial and Ranma were alive, and somehow, they got here before Sardonis's plan worked.
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(Posted Wed, 10 Sep 2003 21:00)
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