CHAPTER TWO: GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Watchtower, Earth Orbit, October 18, 2009

'Wow.'

That was all that went through Superman's head as he looked out the Monitor Womb window, still catching his breath with the rest of the League in the wake of their last mission; a mission that had been a success, but a costly one.

The Excalibur team now had their namesake, a weapon that even Apocalypse feared; Arthur's hand had been magically healed, giving him access to a dormant power; and their plan to neutralize Nur's bases was underway…but they had lost Merlin, one of the ancient mages who had sealed Nur away, a hero in his own right, who had left them only a cryptic urge to find his brother, and a partially complete nonsensical word.

All in all, it had been a heck of a first day back on the job.

"Commander El?"

Turning, Superman spotted Sentrius' avatar as she walked in, automatically assuming Monitor duty. "Is everything alright, Commander?" Sentrius inquired.

"I'm fine, Sentrius," Superman answered. "I'm just thinking."

"Your inflection and vernacular suggests regret, Commander. I can only surmise that you are reviewing the events of today's mission."

Superman sighed. "Yes, Sentrius, I am," he said. "I just…wish we could have saved Merlin."

"Not all key personnel can be saved during hostilities, Commander."

Superman arched an eyebrow. "You sound like you have experience in that regard."

Sentrius' hands stopped moving over the keys. "I…would prefer not to speak of it, Commander."

Superman had a sneaking suspicion that this was a delicate subject. "I've been told that talking about things like this helps, Sentrius."

Sentrius remained frozen. "My mental state is irrelevant, Commander. I am an A.I. I have no inner stress that would justify besmirching my creator."

Superman's eyes went wide. "Sentrius, does this have anything to do with what you told Aly and my mother about my ancestor, Nir-El? That story you had to cut short?"

Sentrius paused for a moment, and then looked at him. "If you are asking me to reveal the contents of the classified chamber, Commander, then I cannot comply," she said. "If you wish to inquire further about my early days of service, I can oblige."

Superman nodded. "I think I'd like to hear more about you and my ancestor, Sentrius."

"Understood, Commander," Sentrius said. "Following the rendezvous with the Skrull force, Master Nir-El teleported aboard to discuss the rules of the conference. We had all expected it to be a routine mission, but we were gravely mistaken…"

Deep space, Mor'Nek System, Earth date June 17, 3045 B.C.

"I do not like this, Father."

In his personal quarters aboard the Morphic Wrath, Skrull Emperor Loth'Nar casually poured himself a drink – 5th Era Sudra wine, a vintage too dry for all but the most discerning palettes – while his son glared out the nearby window. "You question me, son?"

Ath'Nar paused in his baleful glare at the crystalline ship beside their crippled task-force, and turned to his sire in mild panic. "N-Never, Excellency!" he exclaimed. "I simply do not trust these…Kryptonians."

Loth'Nar chuckled. "Nor do I, boy," he said. "The point of this exercise is to gather information about them, to determine how best to begin our economic takeover."

Ath'Nar scowled. "Forgive me, Father, but the idea of talking sweetly with these creatures rankles me!" he snapped. "They insulted us! We should strike back now!"

Loth'Nar's eyes narrowed, his face clouded with ire, but before he could rebuke his son, a feminine laugh did so for him. "Typical Ath'Nar: always thinking with his muscles. Sometimes I wonder if I have a Kree for a brother."

As he turned towards his eldest daughter, Loth'Nar allowed himself to smile. "Ar'Nia, my child, I bid you welcome."

As dazzling as always in her gleaming mauve robes, her long magenta hair tied back by her coronet, First Princess Ar'Nia smiled back as she bowed, her charmingly conniving smile now genuine. "Hail, Your Excellency!"

Loth'Nar rose from his seat. "Rise and embrace me, my daughter," he bade. Happily, Ar'Nia did so, which made Ath'Nar's face darken further. Despite the happy reunion, Loth'Nar's expression turned stern. "What are you doing here, Ar'Nia? Did I not bid you to remain on Skrullos to oversee your operations there?"

Ar'Nia looked contrite. "Please forgive me, Excellency, but my negotiations took an unexpected turn, and resolved earlier than I had planned. When I heard that you had requested repair-crews to come from Skrullos through the Ring, I merely thought I could assist you, and joined the first ship leaving Skrullos."

Loth'Nar arched an eyebrow. "I trust the negotiations resolved in our favour?"

Ar'Nia's canny smile – the one that let any who saw it know that she was already victorious – crossed her face. "Why of course, Father," she cooed. "Once I intimated that the Nortulian Trade Minister's nighttime activities were known to us – and could readily be made known to the Nortulian public – the venal fool was gibbering at my feet. We will have a new exclusive source of both Vibril ore and Jarja fruit available to us before the week's end!"

Loth'Nar was ashamed of himself for doubting her. "My dear girl, sometimes I wonder how the Empire ever conducted trade without you," he said, as he placed a kiss on her forehead.

Ath'Nar scowled. "Yes, Sister, I am sure you are of use in committees, but this is a military matter."

Ar'Nia chimed with laughter. "Silly brother. A skilled diplomat can do with a word what a thousand soldiers could not do with ten thousand plasma-rifles."

As amusing as his children's bickering was, Loth'Nar had to stop it. "Enough, both of you. This is not the time."

Ar'Nia quickly bowed. "My apologies, Excellency," she said. "Has there been any change to the situation?" She glanced to the window. "Is that vessel from the task force that attacked you?"

Loth'Nar sighed. "Daughter, that vessel is the force that struck us."

Ar'Nia's eyebrows shot to her hairline. "E-Excellency…surely you jest."

"I jest not, daughter."

Ar'Nia took another look at the vessel, and then back to her father. "I begin to see why you wish to commence operations so swiftly, Excellency. This is a prize greater than any we have ever seen!"

"Indeed," Loth'Nar agreed, as he handed her a data-pad. "This is what little we know of these Kryptonians."

Frowning as she skimmed the extremely brief report, Ar'Nia arched an eyebrow as she saw the copy of the visual feed they'd received upon contact. "Pale, short ears, and no ridges," she mused. "Handsome enough if you like that sort of thing, I suppose." She looked up. "And you would have me convince this "Nir-El," Father?"

"You will be needed for the conference itself, daughter. I already have a delegate to present our case to Lieutenant El."

Ar'Nia frowned. "Oh, Father…please tell me you did not entrust Ath'Nar with this."

Loth'Nar chuckled. "No, daughter. My delegate is with the Lieutenant now."

Ar'Nia blinked. "You sent for Il'Nar, Father?"

"No, daughter."

Horrified dismay spread over Ar'Nia's face. "Father…you sent Ly'Neia?" she cried. "Oh, how desperate you must have been! Why did you not send for me sooner?"

Ath'Nar scoffed. "For once, Sister, I agree with you," he said. "Why in the Empire's name would you entrust our doltish sister with this, Father?"

Loth'Nar glared at his son. "It is precisely why I sent her, boy," he snapped. "Ly'Neia is utterly without guile, which makes her the perfect means to persuade the Kryptonian fool! With her at his ear, and us at the table, the Kree will be barbarous savages in comparison! The Kryptonians will side with us, allowing us to commence economic operations!"

Flinching, Ar'Nia bowed. "Forgive us, Excellency! We were ignorant of your plan!" she exclaimed. "We will obey, of course!" She sighed. "Still, Father, I am concerned: this is Ly'Neia we speak of. Give her a plasma-rifle, and she'll end up incinerating a parade square."

Loth'Nar chuckled. "I am aware of her shortcomings, daughter," he answered. "Rest assured: she knows that failure is not an option…"

XXXXXXXX

"…my initial choices for the conference were either Koren III, Jiora I, or Eltin V. I was leaning towards Eltin V, Lieutenant; what do you think?"

After their initial meeting – and her near-breakdown – Ly'Neia had been immensely grateful for Lieutenant El's – Nir's – suggestion to call a brief recess, which had given Ly'Neia a chance to order her thoughts. Presently, Nir's hand was on his chin, deep in thought. "Hmm…that would likely be the best choice, Your Highness. Jiora I is known for sudden and severe dust-storms, and Koren III is in the middle of a planet-wide rainy season – neither of those would be ideal to hold a conference meant to cool heads."

Ly'Neia had to smile at his witty remark, but something in his tone made her wonder. "You sound as if you don't agree."

Nir was stirred out of his thoughts. "Hmm? Oh, no, Your Highness; my apologies if I did," he said, as he zoomed the image of Eltin V out to that of the Eltin System, including the image of its golden-yellow sun. "It's just that…the Eltin System poses a few operational issues for myself and Cira."

Ly'Neia's eyes went wide. "Nothing dangerous, I hope?"

Nir smiled, which made Ly'Neia's knees a bit wobbly. "Far from it, Your Highness. We just have to take a few precautions." He drew his communicator. "We have a destination, Second Lieutenant. Dial Bgztl and have the diplomatic contingent rendezvous with us at Eltin V. Be advised: Rao Protocol is in effect."

"Got it, Nirrie. Any ideas on departure time?"

Nir sighed. "Not yet, Cee. We're still unsure if this vessel is jump-capable. I'll update you within the hour. El out." As he switched off his communicator, he groaned. "Rao preserve me, but sometimes I think she actively tries to drive me mad."

Ly'Neia couldn't help but giggle. "Have you two been friends long?"

"Ever since we were children," Nir answered. "The House of El – my family – and the House of Zod have been close since the foundation of modern Kryptonian society, so we met at an early age, and we just…connected, I suppose. We've been together ever since, all the way through the Academy up to here." He snorted. "I suppose we make a good team: I'm the voice of reason, and she's the reflexes."

Ly'Neia smiled. "I'd love to meet her."

Nir chuckled. "You may wish to reconsider that, Your Highness. Cira's a bit of an acquired taste; I've had years to get used to her."

Ly'Neia laughed out loud. "Lieutenant, that's mean! How can you say that about her?"

"Easily. She's insane."

Her hand on her mouth, Ly'Neia tried to stifle her laughter, as she thought of something else. "May I ask what this "Rao Protocol" is?"

Nir was instantly serious. "That's classified, Your Highness."

Her giggles banished, Ly'Neia flinched. "I-I'm sorry…"

Nir calmed. "No, no; it's alright," he said. "It's just…I can't talk about it."

Ly'Neia nodded. "I understand," she replied, before she changed the subject. "If you needed an update on our repair status, I should be able to find out."

She had just fished out her communicator when an alarm klaxon began to blare, followed by an alert message. "Condition One! Condition One! All hands to battle-stations!"

Alert, Nir drew his own communicator. "Cira, report! The Skrulls have sounded general quarters! What's happening?"

"We've got company, Nirrie! Three more big vessels – that kinda looks like theirs – just came out of step-through! It's hailing the…oh, scrak. Listen."

Cira's voice was replaced by the imperious tone of the Kree admiral. "Attention, unknown vessel and Skrull scum! Our reinforcements have arrived! Surrender immediately or be destroyed!"

Cira's voice came back. "Well, now we know that the Kree have their comms back up," she said. "The new ships are charging weapons, and the Skrulls are trying to do the same. Want me to paste 'em both with the Disruptor?"

"No!" Nir exclaimed. "The way the Skrull ships are, another Disruptor blast could completely fry life-support! I'm still on the Skrull flagship, Cee!"

He could hear the grimace in Cira's voice. "Oops. Never mind." She turned serious. "What do you want to do?"

Nir sighed. "Patch me through to them," he said. "The General and Head Councilwoman sent us as negotiators, so let's negotiate."

Cira snorted. "Riiiiight," she answered. "Okay, El. I'll put you through...now. Good luck."

Nir took a deep breath. "Attention, Kree forces," he said. "This is First Lieutenant Nir-El of the Kryptonian Defence Force. You are threatening a diplomatic contingent. Stand down immediately."

The admiral came back. "YOU!" he exploded. "You will pay for striking at the Kree Empire, creature! Surrender or..!"

"Admiral, please do not be deliberately obtuse," Nir snapped. "If you are capable of calling for reinforcements, then you must be aware of the impending peace conference between yourselves and the Skrulls. We are the assigned mediators for this conference. Furthermore, your vessels could not stand against ours when you had even larger numbers. What makes you think that this time will be different?"

The admiral sputtered. "I will be DEAD before I talk of peace to a Skrull!"

Nir's eyes narrowed. "With respect, Admiral, I would wager that that attitude is a large part of why the two of you have been fighting for so long, with no end in sight," he said. "From what I can see, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain from simply talking; if you attack, you lose everything and gain nothing." He folded his arms. "So which one would you prefer to be, Admiral? The hero who brought about peace, or the fool who threw away his and his crew's lives?"

There was silence for several long seconds before the admiral grumbled in the background. "Stand down."

A second grumble came as the admiral dropped off the frequency. "You NEVER let me have any fun, Nirrie."

For the umpteenth time, Nir rolled his eyes at his wingman's antics. "If you want to blast things, Cee, then log some hours in the simulator on your own time. El out." Closing the channel, he turned back to Ly'Neia. "See what I mean, Your Highness?"

Ly'Neia was still in the grips of mild panic. "You…you just faced down Kree Admiral Ru'noth!" she sputtered. "He commands the entire Kree Armada! Even my brother fears him! And you just…just told him to stand down!"

"Logic and fear cannot coexist, Your Highness, and whenever possible, we try to choose the former," Nir said, as he sent an annoyed glance towards the nearest window. "Most of us, anyway."

Ly'Neia had to giggle at the joke, but before she could say anything, an aide strode into the chamber. "Your Highness, Lieutenant, your presences are requested on the bridge. If you would be so kind as to accompany me..?"

Nir arched an eyebrow. "May we ask by whom?"

"By His Excellency the Emperor, Lieutenant."

Nir's expression turned grave. "I see," he answered, as he glanced to Ly'Neia. "May I escort you, Your Highness?"

Caught between being flustered by the offer and terrified at the thought of being in her father's presence – again – Ly'Neia nodded. "O-Of course, Lieutenant." With that, she looped her hand around his elbow – which made her cheeks burn all the more – and let him lead her out of the chamber, towards the bridge.

As the bridge grew ever closer, Ly'Neia felt her legs start to weaken, her grasp on Nir's elbow growing more anxious, until her fingers were digging into his uniform sleeve. Nir gently smiled. "You do realize, Your Highness, that if my arm falls off, your father will know something is wrong."

Ly'Neia blinked. "W-What?"

"The circulation in my arm is decreasing."

For a moment, Ly'Neia was confused, until she realized what he meant. "O-Oh! Yes, of course!" Loosening her death-grip on Nir's arm, she took a breath to steady herself just as they walked onto the bridge. 'Alright, Ath'Nar is here, which I expected, and Father looks cross, as always. Perhaps things will work out…'

"Why hello, my dear little sister."

At that voice, all Ly'Neia's hopes promptly flew out the airlock. "A-Ar'Nia?"

Her charming smile in place, the First Princess took a few steps away from their sire to plant a sisterly peck on her cheek – playing the doting elder sister flawlessly. "It's been far too long, Lynni; I'm so sorry I haven't been able to visit."

Ly'Neia managed to steady her nerves. "T-Think nothing of it, Ar'Nia. I know that…that matters of trade are most trying."

Ar'Nia's chuckle was perfectly planned. "You're very understanding, as always," she crooned. "And I would love to see your smile again; why, if I did not know better, I might think you weren't happy to see me." She turned her endlessly-calculating gaze upon Nir. "And this is the brave Lieutenant that repelled the Kree attack on those poor Confederates?"

Nir frowned. "First Lieutenant Nir-El, Kryptonian Defence Force, Your Highness," he replied. "And yes, my comrade and I rendered aid to Confed One." His eyes narrowed. "I hope you can understand our confusion; when we intervened, it appeared that your vessels were the initial attackers."

Ar'Nia's eyebrows dipped with sympathy. "I was so afraid it would seem that way," she said. "You see, that vessel that attacked was stolen by a Kree special forces unit. We were in the process of retrieving it when they attacked the Confederates. How else could their reinforcements have known to come here?"

It always amazed Ly'Neia how masterfully her sister lied.

Ath'Nar scowled. "Why do you talk pretty with that creature, sister? It should be in the brig for daring to strike at us!"

"Don't be petty, Ath'Nar," Ar'Nia chided, before she dipped her voice conspiratorially low. "Ignore my brother, Lieutenant. There are two things you need know to handle him. One: he always gets testy when his toys break."

Nir arched an eyebrow. "And the other?"

Ar'Nia smiled. "He always breaks his toys."

"Enough," the Emperor said. "Ath'Nar, Ar'Nia, be still. Your Emperor speaks." His cold glower turned to Nir…and Ly'Neia, by extension. "We are to talk of peace with the Kree, and you are to mediate."

Nir nodded. "That is correct, Your Excellency."

Loth'Nar smirked. "We will abide, of course. We Skrulls are reasonable," he said. "I simply would not get my hopes up regarding the barbarous Kree."

"Well, hopefully the two of you can start to work past your differences, Your Excellency."

"No doubt." Loth'Nar's stern gaze turned to Ly'Neia. "I assume a location has been selected, daughter?"

Ly'Neia's nerves went haywire. "U-Um…y-yes, Excellency," she said. "We had decided on Eltin V as the best location for our conference; of the only planets within our limited jump-range, it has the most stable climate at this point in its cycle."

Loth'Nar pondered that. "Hmm…we concur," he said. "However, our vessels are still an hour away from regaining step-through. We will require your assistance in maintaining this cease-fire with the Kree. I marvel that they have not attempted to attack, already." He arched an eyebrow. "Of course, if you were to assist in the repair-effort, I'm sure that could be hastened."

Nir raised his hand. "My apologies, Your Excellency, but I'm afraid I cannot. I have orders to remain either in negotiations or on watch until we rendezvous with the rest of the conference."

"Of course, of course," Loth'Nar said. "We will not delay you. We merely wished to know where to chart a course. Please resume your duties." His gaze turned to Ly'Neia, turning hard for only a moment. "Daughter, make sure to assist the good Lieutenant whenever possible."

Ly'Neia gulped. "Of course, Excellency," she said. "By your leave?"

Loth'Nar turned away. "You may go." Ly'Neia was happy to do so, following Nir out of the bridge.

It wasn't until they were back in the conference room that Ly'Neia relaxed, sitting down as she caught her breath…which Nir took notice of with a sad eye. "Your father frightens you that much?"

Ly'Neia looked stricken. "I…I would rather not discuss it."

She was grateful that Nir did not press the issue. "Well, that takes care of informing your superiors. All that remains are ours."

Ly'Neia was confused. "Your superiors?" she asked. "How can you contact them from here?"

Nir just smiled, as he drew one of his crystals. "Senna? Initiate sub-space relay program, and lock onto the Gate. I will be contacting Kryptonopolis."

"Acknowledged, Master Nir. Initiating relay program."

Ly'Neia's confusion doubled. "Who was that?" she asked. "And what is this "sub-space relay"?"

Nir chuckled. "By utilizing the World-Gates' subspace signals, we can bounce our transmission all the way back to Krypton from here," he explained, as he tapped his crystal, which expanded into a square frame that settled onto the floor, glowing once it had. "As for who, that was Senna, an A.I. under my command."

"Artificial…Intelligence?" Ly'Neia whispered. She recalled her own people's brief dabbling in such technology…which had ended in miserable failure. "And you are certain it is safe?"

"She, Your Highness," Nir corrected. "And I should be certain; I'm the one who designed her."

Ly'Neia didn't even have time to register her shock when the A.I. spoke again. "Relay established, Master Nir-El. We have the Council on now."

"Very good," Nir said, as he stepped onto the pad, which made him start to levitate, as he saluted, and began to speak. "First Lieutenant El reporting, Head Councilwoman." He paused. "No major incidents to report, Councilwoman; except for a bit of social chafing, the Skrulls, Kree, and even Cira have behaved themselves…the latter of which still amazes me." There was another pause. "The Skrulls have attached their own delegate, Councilwoman: the Skrull Princess." Nir seemed to flinch. "No, Councilwoman, not the one from the transmission; her younger sister, Princess Ly'Neia. She's here now." He blinked. "You wish to…hold on." Nir poked his head out of the light-field the pad was projecting. "Your Highness? Would you care to join me?"

Ly'Neia could only gape. "Um…w-what?"

"Our Head Councilwoman wishes to speak with the Skrull delegate in charge of organizing the conference. That's you."

Ly'Neia felt panic well up in her throat. "You want me to speak with…your planet's leader? Across galaxies?"

Nir's gentle smile was reassuring, even as it made her heart jump. "It's easy. All you have to do is step on the light-pad." He turned back to the screen. "Head Councilwoman, permit me to introduce the Second Princess of the Skrull Empire, Princess Ly'Neia."

As Nir held out his hand, by pure reflex, Ly'Neia took it – noting how warm his touch was – and let him lead her onto the light-pad. The instant her feet touched the glowing panel, she was lifted just above the ground…and she found herself somewhere else.

The image before her now was a vast, wide-open chamber, completely dark, save for the platform of glowing white crystal they stood upon…and just in front of her and Nir was an older Kryptonian woman, in a simple but elegant black robe under a silver-coloured garment, her silvering hair tied back in a bun, and a kind face painted with smile-lines. "Your Highness," Nir continued, "permit me to introduce our current Head Councilwoman, Thara-El."

Ly'Neia blinked, not sure if she'd heard right. "Thara…El?"

Thara smiled gently. "I'm sure you have noticed by now that my son is fond of formality and logic, even by our standards."

Ly'Neia gulped, her mind reeling from what she'd just learned. "I…might have, Head Councilwoman," she replied, unsure of how to proceed.

Thara's smile grew. "And since we are on the subject of formality," she bowed her head, and extended her hands, palms up, "sister in bonds, I greet thee thrice."

Ly'Neia quickly recognized that this had to be Krypton's formal greeting, and responded in kind with a deep curtsy. "May your fortunes be ever-changing, but your peace be ever-stable."

Thara nodded. "Now that the formality is behind us, permit me to say how pleasantly surprised I was to hear my son say that it was not your sister he spoke with," she said. "I mean no offence, of course. Your sister speaks the tongue of diplomacy very well; it is a language we know and understand…but not one that we trust without cause to."

It was easy to see where Nir took his lightning wits from. "We agree that trust takes time, Head Councilwoman. We only ask a chance to earn yours," she said. "Our intentions are only peaceful."

Thara smiled again. "As are ours. I am glad that you agree," she said, as her expression turned mournful. "It was heartbreaking, to learn that our World-Gates facilitated your war with the Kree; so many lives lost, both Skrull and Kree. When we became aware of our role in your conflict, helping to end it without further loss of life was the only course of action we could take."

Ly'Neia could only nod. "We welcome Krypton's aid in achieving peace, Head Councilwoman."

"As we welcome yours, dear. We hope that peace can be achieved, so that the disruption in intergalactic trade will be only temporary."

Ly'Neia blinked. "D-Disruption?"

Thara was still smiling, but there was a hint of steel behind it, now. "Of course, Your Highness. Once we learned that our World-Gates were a key factor in your war, we began measures to deactivate the entire network," she said. "This was unfortunate, but necessary. To avoid further casualties, all World-Gates will be locked until an armistice is in place. We have already begun informing our allies and have their support. We had hoped to contact the Kree personally, but in the absence of their delegate, we had hoped you would deliver the news."

She had said it so kindly, but the meaning was clear: neither her people nor the Kree would use the Rings to move troops ever again. "I…I will deliver the news to the Emperor personally, Head Councilwoman."

"We deeply appreciate your diligence, Your Highness," Thara said. "Many of our allies, in addition to the Confederation, have expressed interest in this conference: the Kymellian Commonwealth, the Nation of New Genesis, the Principality of Azarath, and the Oan Republic and its Green Lantern Corps have all requested permission to attend."

Ly'Neia felt herself tremble at that implication: all the mightiest nation-powers in the cosmos – legends, all – were weary of their conflict, and wanted it stopped. "We…would be honoured."

Thara's smile turned warm again. "Splendid. I will leave the two of you to fine-tune the details," she said. "I will expect your full report shortly, Lieutenant…"

"Wait!" Ly'Neia exclaimed. "This building, it…it is in your planet's capital, correct?"

Thara arched an eyebrow. "Of course."

Ly'Neia knew this was a horrible breach of etiquette, but every artistic fiber in her being simply had to try. "I-If it p-please you, Head Councilwoman…may I see it?" she pleaded. "Nir – Lieutenant El – showed me a small image of your capital – Kryptonopolis? – but…I have never even considered that crystalline architecture could be utilized in such a way, let alone to so great an extent..!"

With a mildly bemused smile, Thara glanced to her son. "Nir? Would you care to explain?"

Nir looked embarrassed. "Well, Mother – Head Councilwoman – part of our initial negotiation included exchanging brief snippets of information about our respective homeworlds, and I included a holo-diorama of Kryptonopolis. I saw no harm…"

"…nor did you expect Her Highness to be interested in xenoarchitecture. I can understand…though I would advise you to be more discerning in what you can brief on," Thara warned. "And as for a glimpse of our capital?" She said no more, and only tapped a control device on her wrist…

…and the darkness began to part, giving way to brilliant light.

As her eyes strained against the luminous sight, Ly'Neia realized that they must have been in the massive dome in the image she'd seen. Slowly, her eyes began to adjust…and then she saw something to steal her breath from her body.

The sun was just starting to set over the horizon…and it was a deep, vibrant red, instead of the orange-gold of Skrullos. Its light painted the city before her with myriad shades of crimson and white-gold, until the crystalline spires seemed ablaze. The towers themselves were all perfectly faceted, with each facet catching the light in its own way.

Ly'Neia felt her eyes sting with tears of awe. "Oh, gods…there are no words…there are no words…"

Thara chuckled softly. "I suppose we can take that as a compliment."

Ly'Neia turned to Nir's mother, her eyes moist with gratitude. "Oh, Head Councilwoman – my Lady El – thank you! Thank you so much! I…I will be able to fill a year's worth of canvas with this!"

Thara arched an eyebrow. "Ah. You are artistically inclined?"

Ly'Neia flinched. "Y-Yes, Head Councilwoman," she whispered, bracing herself for the waves of scorn…

…which never came. Thara only smiled gently. "Then perhaps you might lend your talents to Lieutenant El in the design of the conference center," she said. "Rao love him, my son is more than apt when it comes to science, but in terms of aesthetics, he's as hopeless as his father."

Nir sputtered. "M-Mother..!"

Ly'Neia flushed, as she hid her smile with her hand. "Of course, my Lady; I would be happy to do so."

"We thank you, dear. I will leave you to it." Thara glanced to her son. "Lieutenant, that will be all. I will expect your next briefing once you have arrived at the conference site and have set up the conference center…and be sure to maintain your nutrition pack regimen in the meantime," her eyes narrowed warningly, "and not indulge in Cira's habit of junk-foods."

Nir gulped. "Do you ask as my supreme commander, or as my mother?"

Thara arched an eyebrow. "Need there be a distinction?"

"Of course not, Head Councilwoman," Nir said. "You may expect my next report in one standard cycle, and my next briefing in two cycles."

"Very good, Lieutenant. Dismissed."

"Ma'am." Nir promptly saluted, and then stepped out of the light. Ly'Neia followed suit, feeling a twinge of sadness as the luminous sight of the city – Kryptonopolis – vanished. Nir's expression turned sheepish. "I apologize if my mother strayed from protocol; for the both of us, balancing familial and professional roles can be trying."

Ly'Neia shook her head. "No apologies are needed, Lieutenant. I thought it touching, to see that you have a parent that…that…" She trailed off, as she realized what she was about to say – "…that loves you." – and how it would look for her father, and the Empire with him..!

Nir noticed her hesitation. "Princess?"

Ly'Neia shook herself out of her mild panic. "O-Oh! It is nothing, Lieutenant; pay me no mind!" She started to go. "I-I am sure that you have other, more important duties; perhaps we might speak again, after the repairs are completed and we have jumped to Eltin V?"

Nir nodded. "Of course, Princess. In the meantime, I will be in the conference room you provided; if any problems should arise, please feel free to notify me."

Ly'Neia forced herself to calm down, smiling at Nir's kind words. "Thank you, Lieutenant." With that, she headed out, her creativity flaring brighter than a blue sun from what she'd seen…

…and from who she'd seen it with.

XXXXXXXX

"You're suuuure I can't tempt you, Nirrie?"

With Senna on watch in the Speeder, Nir had opted to return to the conference room where Cira was, and open a nutrition-pack…while Cira munched on the packet of Sucri-Bits she'd smuggled aboard; how she got contraband from this far out, Nir didn't want to know. "I'm quite certain, Cira," Nir said, as he sipped the carb-protein gel pouch from his pack, before looking over his plans. "That shrog rots your teeth."

"Ha! Shows what you know!" Cira paused in her snacking to grin, showing all pearly whites. "I keep up my dental routine, thank you; I've earned my little indulgence!" With that, she flicked one of the sugar-lipid solid suspension spheres into the air, to gulp it as it came down. "So this place has a yellow sun?"

Nir nodded, as he brought up the file's holo-projection. "It's a yellow star on the verge of a transition, but it has enough energy to power us. That means that, before going planet-side, we will need to activate the Red-Shifters on our personal shields."

Cira rolled her eyes. "Right. We get yellow sunlight, and we basically become living gods," she said. "Remind me why that's a problem?"

Nir glared at her exasperatedly. "Rao Protocol, Zod. Even brief exposure to that frequency of solar radiation produces a manic state; added to the powers it imparts, and it's a recipe for disaster. Did you even read the texts on the Age of Wars?"

Cira deflated. "Sorry!"

Nir calmed down, and resumed business. "I have an advance scan of Eltin V. I believe I have the optimal location for the conference site." Expanding a nano-driver into a tablet, he projected an image of an arid sector; specifically, a desert plain, wide open and flat, with mountains far in the distance. "We will set up the conference site here," he said, as four domed buildings superimposed themselves on the plain. "It will provide sufficient space for the conference shelter, the dignitary shelter, and any shelters the Kree and Skrull contingents will require," he said. "It will also be far enough from any natural features if both sides…disagree."

Cira looked serious. "You think they could start shooting at each other."

"Considering how long they've been fighting, I can't discount the possibility, Cee," Nir said. "At least here, we have the best chance of containing any damage to the planet."

Cira scoffed. "We can do that on any part of the planet, El. You saw the tac readouts on both sides' ships. And if the data we hacked is any indication, they haven't innovated their warfighting tech in centuries!"

"The price of a large interstellar empire, Cira," Nir reasoned. "Expansion of territory provides an increase in resources, but also a need for greater administration to oversee the territory, which can match or exceed the gains of raw material. Add in the amount of manpower to maintain such a massive armed force, as well as the administrative complexity to operate it, and it's amazing both sides have lasted as long as they have." He sighed. "Despite their best efforts."

Cira blinked. "So they're red-taping themselves to death."

"In essence, yes."

"Wow." Cira munched another Sucri-Bit. "So how can they pull themselves out of it?"

"A massive decrease in their territory, for starters," Nir continued. "They would also need to invest in resource-minimal technologies…and stop their war, of course."

Cira chuckled. "Good luck convincing that grouch of an Emperor, or that scrako of a Kree Admiral…although," her expression turned teasing, "that Princess you talked with seemed…open to negotiations."

Nir's expression turned sad. "Yes, I…noticed a few things about her."

"I'll bet you did."

"I'm serious, Zod!" Nir snapped. "You didn't see her when she was going to see her father, or even when he was mentioned in passing; she was terrified!"

Now Cira was serious. "What are you saying, Nir?"

"I can't say for certain; at least not without more evidence," Nir said, "but what I've seen so far has almost every parameter of…of abuse."

It was difficult for Nir to say it, or even think it; on Krypton, abuse of one's child – at any age – was reprehensible to the point of being unheard of. It was a vile anachronism best left with Jax-Ur's age, buried in the heart of a comet, and rightly so. Nir only knew the old criteria because of his one elective in Predictive Behaviour Analysis, as a model for the analytical process used…but Ly'Neia exhibited almost every behaviour listed in that antiquated text, and the ones he hadn't seen couldn't have been observed in that context. There was no other explanation: her hypersensitivity to perceived failure, her extreme hesitance to approach her father, her heightened startle, and her emotional reactivity all told a heartbreaking tale.

Ly'Neia was trapped in an abusive family.

Cira looked stricken. "Let's say that you're right, El. What can we do?"

Nir sighed. "Obviously removing her isn't an option. Skrull law isn't Kryptonian law; we have no way of knowing if there is a legal option – like an or'shon – to challenge parental authority…and that would just be with a normal Skrull citizen. The Emperor and his family likely hold themselves apart from most laws."

Cira scowled. "So we do nothing?"

"We keep our eyes open," Nir said. "We make sure she knows that she can talk to us. We stand ready to intervene if any overt abuse occurs," Nir said. "That is all we can do."

Cira still frowned. "That isn't much, El."

"I never said it was, Cee."

Before Cira could press the issue, Senna's voice came in over the comm lines. "Lieutenant El, I am detecting increased chatter from both Kree and Skrull flagships. Their step-through drives are operational again; they will attempt to jump to Eltin V within one minute. Permission to adhere the Speeder to the Skrull vessel's hull for jump?"

"Granted, Senna."

As the transmission ended, Cira grinned. "Well, here we go!" she said. "Ever get the feeling that a mission is about to get seriously scrakked-up, Nirrie?"

"Yes," Nir said flatly. "Every time I am partnered with you."

"Oh, you know you love me, El." Cira teased, as she stuck out her tongue, just as the ship jumped…

…and Nir wondered if Cira was right about the mission.

XXXXXXXX

Eltin System

The silence of the Eltin System's edges was suddenly shattered by the resonance of step-through, followed by the myriad of winking lights that deposited the damaged Kree and Skrull battlegroups in the black…which was then followed by the creaking and groaning of the ships' hulls as they strained to hold together. No Kree or Skrull had ever heard their ships wheeze so…

…because no Kree or Skrull had ever conceived that their ships could be laid low so handily, especially not by a vessel so tiny.

As the lights upon the bridge of the Kree flagship steadied, High Admiral Ru'noth could only glare balefully out at the Skrull flagship, as he always did with any Skrull vessel in battle. This time, however, there were two differences: first, this was one ship that he had been ordered not to destroy, by the Supreme Intelligence Itself; and second, the target of his hatred was not the Skrulls, but the crew of the puny ship – a dark barnacle upon the Skrulls' bloated star-whale – adhered to it.

He still could not believe it. His honour and reputation – his, along with the Kree Empire's – in tatters, thanks to these upstarts. He'd have preferred a death at Skrull hands.

Looking about his ship, Ru'noth found that his men shared his sour mood. The entire bridge crew was sullen, their expressions ranging from shock to humiliated despair to his own impotent rage. There was nothing they could do about their shame.

But he could. "Captain…what is the status of our launch bays?"

The Captain of the vessel paused. "My Lord?"

"Our launch bays. Can we launch drop ships?"

The Captain glanced to the Sensors officer, who gave his report. "Our fighter complement is nowhere near deployable, my Lord, but our ability to launch landing craft is unimpeded. We can launch them, but we've no means of protecting them!"

"Nor do the Skrulls," Ru'noth mused, as a smile began to cross his face. "Send word to our ships: all ships capable of launching landing craft are to hold back, on pretext of mechanical failure. Once the Skrull ships are out of range, they are to launch landing craft and proceed to the target!"

As his men raced to carry out his orders, Ru'noth's smile grew. His honour would still be salvaged, his glory restored, once he crushed the Skrulls and brought the upstart wretches to heel.

It was time for this planet "Krypton" and its meddlers to learn that the Kree Empire was not to be crossed…and he, Ru'noth, would be the one to teach them.

XXXXXXXX

When the Morphic Wrath emerged from step-through, Ly'Neia had thought the ship would rattle itself apart. From the adjacent chamber, she could hear Nursie's shriek, not that she could blame her caretaker. The vessel's tremors had nearly knocked Ly'Neia from her seat.

Whatever damage the Kryptonian ships had done was extensive.

Dusting herself off, Ly'Neia checked the time – fifteen minutes before landing started – and quickly put her sketch-pad away, pausing only at the chiming of her door. "Coming, Nursie!" Ly'Neia called back, moving to the door. "I promise, I'll be ready for..!"

Her call ended in a half-choked gasp as the door hissed open, for it wasn't her Nursie at the door.

Looking perfectly composed and radiant in her iridescent, prismatic robe, Ar'Nia smiled that charming smile of hers. "Hello again, Lynni. I'm so sorry I couldn't stop by earlier. May I come in?"

Ly'Neia tried to steady herself, and forced a smile. "O-Of course, my Sister. Please come in."

As Ly'Neia stepped aside, Ar'Nia glided past her, briefly looking about the room, before she turned back. "And how are you, Ly'Neia?" she asked. "It's been so long since we've spoken, and I have missed you." Her face turned forlorn – a beautiful portrait of dejection. "I hate how so many of my trade operations have me so far from home. I can barely remember the last time you, Il'Nar and I were all together!"

Ly'Neia hated herself for feeling this way, but her sister's tone made it so easy to believe she meant it. "It must have been years ago," she agreed. "Il'Nar was still in larval; he couldn't even shift his form."

Ar'Nia chuckled. "Not that he ever stopped trying?"

Ly'Neia softly laughed. "No, not at all!" she exclaimed. "Sometimes, I thought he would permanently warp himself!"

Ar'Nia beamed at her. "But he always heeded you, didn't he?" she asked. "He was always so close with you…and I am sure he still is. I think I always intimidated him, and Ath'Nar was…well, he was Ath'Nar." She arched a bemused eyebrow. "You know what I mean."

Ly'Neia sighed. "All too well."

At her response, Ar'Nia looked concerned…as far as Ly'Neia could tell, at least. "He's still being horrible to you, isn't he?"

Ly'Neia turned her head to hide her flinch.

Now it was her sister's turn to sigh. "I should have known. I swear, my twin would have strangled me in the womb, had he been able," Ar'Nia said. "As I have advised you, Sister, the only way Ath'Nar will leave you be is to outwit him. When I did, he left me be."

Ly'Neia sniffed. "I am not you, Sister. I do not have your wits."

Ar'Nia's smile gained a hint of condescension. "Perhaps not," she said. "But you have your charms." She reached out to brush a lock of Ly'Neia's hair. "And now you have a perfect opportunity to use them. Succeed, and Father will surely adore you – enough to silence his son's cruel words." She arched an eyebrow. "You must have had a chance to get an impression of the brave young Lieutenant El by now. Tell your Sister?"

She'd been foolish to think Ar'Nia had been genuinely interested. "Nir – L-Lieutenant El – is…is kind," she said. "He is very…logical; from what I gathered, all of Krypton's people value logic and reason."

"Mm-hmm," Ar'Nia mused. "And it seems to have served them well, thus far, if their technology and tactics are any sign. Quite professional…and handsome, I suppose." She smiled slyly. "Light skin is quite strange, but hardly ugly. Even the lack of chin-ridges could be overlooked. I am almost envious, Little Sister. Do promise to share bedside details, if you need to go that far."

Ly'Neia squeaked with pure embarrassment. "A-A-Ar'Nia!"

Ar'Nia's laugh was resonant. "Oh, sweet Sister. And you wonder why Ath'Nar persists, when you are so easy to fluster," she chided. "Well, given their technology, I would hazard that they are hardly in need of material trade goods or services." She put a finger to her chin in thought. "Perhaps we could extend their diplomatic reach? The Empire is vast; we could offer connections they might not make alone."

"I doubt that, Sister. Krypton may have no Empire, but it has mighty friends," Ly'Neia said. "Kymellia, New Genesis, Azarath, and Oa and its Lantern Corps. All will be in attendance."

Ar'Nia's eyes shot wide in genuine surprise. "You…Sister, you jest."

Ly'Neia shook her head. "I heard it from Krypton's leaders myself, Sister; Nir…L-Lieutenant El made a transmission to Krypton to contact her," she confirmed. "They are tired of us, Ar'Nia! The mightiest powers of the cosmos have seen our war stretch on, and their patience is all but gone! Head Councilwoman El also stated that they are deactivating the network of the Rings! Our ability to use them to wage war is ending!"

Ar'Nia frowned at that, before her smile came back. "Head Councilwoman El?"

Ly'Neia flinched. "Yes. She is…Lieutenant El's mother."

Ar'Nia laughed joyously. "Then I am doubly envious, Little Sister! You have a chance to charm the son of Krypton's head of state! Oh, what I often have to do for such an opportunity!" she exclaimed. "Well, the potential loss of the Rings is hardly fortuitous, but the chance to open markets with the legends of the cosmos is well worth it!"

Ly'Neia could only gape. "Sister…did you hear nothing I said?" she murmured. "We have roused the ire of the most powerful civilizations in the universe..!"

Ar'Nia's sigh was exasperated. "Yes, sweet Sister, I heard you," she replied. "You say that we have irked Krypton's allies, but I say – as will Father – that we have an opportunity to show them that we have had no other choice. Once we show how utterly barbarous the Kree are – how surrender, or even compromise, would have put them on our throats – the Skrull Empire will have gained a plethora of new allies, each one mighty enough to annihilate the Kree on their own!"

Ly'Neia chewed her lip as her nerves took over. "S-Sister…"

Ar'Nia had turned to go. "Really, Lynni, you must work on your observational skills. Otherwise, every golden opportunity that Father hands to you will fly by," she muttered. "I'm not going to keep fishing you out of trouble if you can't at least try. Do remember that."

And with that, she was gone, out the door without a single glance back.

Feeling her eyes moisten, Ly'Neia eased herself into one of her chairs, not trusting her knees to avoid buckling. She was such a fool, both for believing Ar'Nia cared, and for not being able to do her duty. She truly was the most abysmal failure…

"Princess, we must get ready to…Princess!"

Nursie's cry of alarm came as she walked into Ly'Neia's room and saw her. Moving to her side quickly, Nursie took her hand as she knelt to her. "Princess, what is wrong?"

Ly'Neia fought sniffles. "A-Ar'Nia."

Nursie scowled. "Of course," she muttered to herself. "Oh, my sweet girl, what did that horrid little witch say now?"

Ly'Neia sniffled. "N-Nothing that was not true, Nursie."

Nursie scoffed. ""True" and the First Princess' name: two words I never thought I would live to hear in the same breath!" That remark drew a half-hearted chuckle from Ly'Neia, as Nursie had intended. "Oh, darling child, you must close your ears to that wicked girl," Nursie crooned. "Her words are nothing but poison."

Ly'Neia tried to steady herself. "I…I will try, Nursie."

"I know." At that, Nursie placed a doting peck on her forehead. "Would you like me to help you freshen up?"

Ly'Neia dabbed at her eyes, knowing that she must have looked frightful. "Yes, please."

After gathering up Ly'Neia's few cosmetics from the lavatory, Nursie went to work. Before long, her soothing hands had smoothed away all traces of Ly'Neia's tears. "There we are, my sweetness: as lovely as any of your artworks once again!"

Ly'Neia managed a smile. "What would I do without you?" she asked, though her heart already knew the answer.

She'd have withered away, long ago; dead by her own hand or by an "accident" where Ath'Nar was nearby.

Nursie's worried look told Ly'Neia she'd guessed her dim thoughts. "A question I hope not to answer just yet, sweet one," she said gently. "I imagine you should head to the vehicle bay soon?"

Ly'Neia nodded. "Once the Wrath lands, Father will want to set up his own base camp, away from the Kree," she hazarded. "He won't want to contact them until he establishes a presence."

"No doubt," Nursie agreed. "I assume the young Kryptonian Lieutenant has selected some neutral location?"

"I assume so," Ly'Neia remarked. "Nir…um, L-Lieutenant El knows that our people and the Kree will need time to come to terms with each other's presence."

Nursie didn't miss her use of Nir's name. ""Nir"?" she repeated. "Princess, does protocol not dictate use of rank instead of name with his people?"

Ly'Neia blushed. "Normally, yes," she said. "But…he and I had a chance to talk during our first meeting – to truly talk – and…he did not mind."

Nursie's eyes went wide. "My sweetness…you must be careful on this mission."

"I know, Nursie. With Father's eyes on me, if I make even a tiny mistake…"

"That is not what I meant, darling child," Nursie corrected. "You must be careful around the young Kryptonian. I would spend as little time with him as possible, were I you."

Ly'Neia could only gape. "Nursie, how can you say that? Lieutenant El has been so kind..!"

"Indeed, sweet Princess! That is the problem!" Nursie looked truly sad. "Oh, my sweetness…you have had so little kindness in your life. It breaks my heart to think of it."

Ly'Neia felt her eyes sting. "You have always been kind."

"I have tried as best I could, my child, but one old Skrull woman is not enough. Not in the face of an Imperial Family," Nursie said softly. "And now, you have met the young Lieutenant. He is a young male – a handsome one, if one can get past the smooth chin – who has been so kind." Her hand lovingly stroked Ly'Neia's cheek. "I am afraid, dearest one. I am so afraid that he will hurt you far worse than even your siblings."

Ly'Neia frowned. "Nursie, Nir is nothing like Ath'Nar or Ar'Nia!" she insisted. "He wouldn't try to hurt me!"

"I believe you, my Princess: he wouldn't try to hurt you," Nursie said patiently. "But if you are not careful, that is what he might do. He will not mean to – and he will not want to – but he will."

Now Ly'Neia was angry. Her eyes narrowed. "Y-You forget yourself!" she snapped. "It is not your place to tell me who I may or may not converse with! I will thank you to remember that!"

Nursie's eyes were wide with surprise, before she shrunk in hurt resignation. "As you command, Highness," she whispered. "I shall not trouble you any more on the matter. By your leave?"

As Nursie turned to go, Ly'Neia felt completely horrible. 'W-Why did I SAY that?! What is WRONG with me?!' Part of her wanted to call Nursie back, to apologize, but the terrible jolt of the ship touching down forced her to put that aside. She was needed as part of the landing party. Her siblings would be overseeing matters…

…as would Nir.

Trying frantically to still her fluttering stomach, Ly'Neia smoothed herself out as best she could, and headed for the vehicle bay. Before too long, she could hear Nir's voice just ahead, along with a familiar one. Another minute confirmed that the young Kryptonian woman – around her own height and frame – with short red-black hair as the owner of the second voice. "Well, so far they've both managed to play nice, El. Think they'll keep it up?"

Nir's voice was grim. "Ask me again when the Kree and Skrulls are face-to-face, Zod. Until we've had several hours of peace and quiet with both under one roof, we keep our wits about us and our Shields tuned and charged."

"Confirmed, Nirrie." Glancing over her shoulder, Cira grinned. "That you, Princess Wrinkles?"

As he spotted Ly'Neia, Nir sputtered. "CIRA!" The rosy flush that crossed his face made Ly'Neia's belly do flip-flops. "I-I am profoundly sorry for my comrade's disrespect, Your Highness…"

"Oh, come on, Nirrie. You're acting like I said that to her scrak-head brother..!"

"MUTE it, Zod!"

Ly'Neia had to fight a smile. ""Scrak-head"?" she repeated. "Does that mean..?"

"It is something that you do not want your mother to catch you saying, Your Highness."

Cira snorted. "You sure about that, El? I've said worse to my mother."

Nir glowered at Cira. "Correction: it is something that a person with more social grace than a 5-cycle and more tact than a boulder wouldn't want to say in front of their mother."

Cira feigned an outraged gasp. "I am SO more mature than a 5-cycle!" she huffed. "Just for that…you're not invited to my next birthing-date celebration!"

Ly'Neia couldn't help herself. The laughter just bubbled out of her lips, leaving her holding her sides. "I…I am so sorry!" she gasped out. "You both…so funny..!"

Cira grinned. "Told you she'd love hearing our antics, El."

Nir sighed. "You were right once, Cee."

"Hey! I may not be top of our class like some people, but I have my moments!"

Cira's comment made something in Ly'Neia's chest clench. "L-Lieutenant El? You…you were at the top of your graduating class?"

Nir looked confused. "I…suppose so."

Cira scoffed. ""Suppose" nothing, El. Every time I'm on home-leave, Mother always gives me the "why-can't-I-be-more-like-Nir" speech. Thanks so much for that, by the way."

The clenching in Ly'Neia's chest turned to shattering. Nir was one of Krypton's best and brightest…which meant that he had no time for one of Skrullos' greatest failures. Had it not been for his mission, he'd have never bothered.

Mercifully, they had reached the bay by then, where Ath'Nar and Ar'Nia were waiting. As always, Ath'Nar scowled at her, and Ar'Nia smiled as if she had not cut Ly'Neia to pieces mere minutes ago. "Hello again, Lieutenant, Lynni," she greeted, before her endlessly calculating gaze fell on Cira. "Oh, I fear I haven't had the pleasure! Lieutenant, is this your subordinate from earlier? Second Lieutenant…Zad, was it?"

Cira's eyes narrowed. "Zod."

Ar'Nia's scandalized gasp was perfectly planned. "Oh, how rude of me! Please forgive me, Second Lieutenant." She extended her hand. "I am Ar'Nia, First Princess of the Skrull Empire. My brother, First Prince Ath'Nar, I believe you know already?"

Cira's death-scowl began to diminish. "In passing," she said, as she shook her hand. "Second Lieutenant Cira-Zod…though I fully expect to catch up to Lieutenant El in due time, once I get all my flying hours in."

Ath'Nar's scowl grew, but Ar'Nia nodded, seemingly intrigued. "If your earlier performance was any indication, I have no doubt of that, Second Lieutenant."

Ath'Nar scoffed. "You talk so pretty with the one that shot down so many of my fighters, Sister."

Ar'Nia sighed. "Have we not discussed this to death, dear Brother? That was all a terrible misunderstanding, which we are now moving past. And if memory serves me, they are our Father's fighters, not yours." She looked back to Nir and Cira, as her tone turned conspiratorial. "Have you any idea what it is to grow up with an utter lunatic?"

Nir slowly sent a sideways glance to Cira, fighting a guilty smile. "I…fear I cannot comment, Highness."

Cira snorted. "You better not mean me, El."

"I said I wasn't commenting, Zod."

Ar'Nia gave her famously charming laugh-chime. "I can see that you two are dear friends, despite your bickering."

Cira shrugged. "I suppose you could say that, Your Highness. Call it a "family tradition.""

Ar'Nia arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Your families have known each other for some time?"

Nir quickly spoke before Cira could. "Respectfully, Highness, I fear that is a discussion for another time."

"Oh, of course, of course," Ar'Nia replied. "Business first. We must locate a suitable site for the conference. Sister, dear? Perhaps you might take our guests on a flight around the landing site? Prior to landing, I believe our lookouts took note of several promising locations."

Ly'Neia nodded. "Of course, Sister," she agreed. "Lieutenant El? Lieutenant Zod? If you would follow me?"

At her request, Nir and Cira followed Ly'Neia to a different section of the bay: a wide-open glass-enclosed section that led to a large-gated airlock. Ly'Neia promptly checked over the atmospheric readout terminal; the air was breathable, though a bit thin. She would be fine if she didn't take Nir or Cira too far out…or too high up. "We can take our ship if you prefer, Princess," Nir offered. "We can work out a flight plan in a few…"

"There is no need," Ly'Neia said. "I can take you myself. The air is breathable."

Cira blinked. "Oh? You can fly a ship?"

"I can fly," Ly'Neia said. "Just…not with a ship."

Both Nir and Cira's eyes were wide, as they looked to each other, then back to her. "Your Highness?" Nir asked. "What exactly do you mean?"

Ly'Neia opened the glass door and walked in, motioning for them to follow. "I'll show you," she said softly. "Just…p-please don't be afraid? Please?"

"Uh…okay," Cira said. "But…what do we have to not be afraid of?"

Once they were inside, Ly'Neia sealed the door, and programmed the outer airlock, before moving to the center of the room. She tried her best to focus, ignoring the quiver in her voice as best she could. "Me."

When they came of age, every young Skrull – common, noble, or Royal – had to choose an animal to shift into for the first time. Amongst Skrull youth, it was a point of status to have a rare, powerful beast as one's First Shift…and so the Royal Family made a point of having a preserve of Skraaldin Blood-Bats available for their children. Ly'Neia had had to run for her life many times from one of those terrible flying beasts, but she'd eventually touched it…and instinct took over from her ineptness.

At her will, the malleable sections of her genetics shifted, replicating the Blood-Bat's genome, and her body shifted with it. Her lithe frame bulked up exponentially, growing massive shoulder and arm muscles to power her membranous wings. Her legs also grew out, sprouting terrible clawed talons. Her head spread out and grew purple-black fur, with terrible syringe-fangs popping out of her jaws. Like all Skrull clothing, her robe stretched with her shifting body easily, the pressure of her growth turning the fabric transparent…so that when she was done, a Skraaldin Blood-Bat stood in her place, looming over Nir and Cira.

Cira just gaped. "Well…that's something you don't see every cycle."

"No…no, it isn't," Nir agreed. "Princess? Is…is that still you?"

More skilled shifters – professionals, who could make the process artistic – could have easily kept their vocal cords intact. Ly'Neia was nowhere near that talented…though it was comforting to know that neither were Ath'Nar or Ar'Nia. She could only nod, and crouch down to offer her back to her new friends.

Instead of being terrified – as Ly'Neia might have been – Cira looked joyful. "Holy Rao…Nirrie, she's gonna let us fly on her back! That's the next best thing to yellow sunl..!"

"Zod."

Cira stopped herself. "Right. Sorry," she said. "But still! This is gonna be like hrakka-riding when we were kids!"

As Cira hopped on, Nir sighed and followed suit. "As long as she doesn't try to fly upside down – like someone I know did – we'll be fine." Had she been capable of it, Ly'Neia would have giggled. As it was, all she could do was wait for the outer doors to open, and then fly out into the arid sky, looking for the best place for the conference…

…and hoping that Nir enjoyed the view.

XXXXXXXX

Once Ly'Neia had flown away with their guests, Ar'Nia allowed herself to relax. 'Playing the part of the gracious hostess can be so draining…'

"Remind me, Sister: why are we letting Ly'Neia speak with those creatures? She will mess up; that is what she does! You would have her represent our interests?"

'…especially when one must ALSO play the part of child-minder,' Ar'Nia finished in her head. "Did Father not explain this, Brother?" she snapped. "Of course Lynni is going to foul up! That is a foregone conclusion! Her purpose is not to represent the Empire to the Kryptonians, but to endear us – through Lieutenant El – to their leadership! When the strapping young Kryptonian acts to aid our incompetent sister, he will unwittingly become infatuated, and thus will heed when Father bids her to deliver our propaganda and demands!"

Ath'Nar scowled. "Leaving matters up to Ly'Neia," he repeated. "A guarantee for disaster if ever there was one!"

Ar'Nia chuckled. "Normally, I would agree with you, Brother – a feat in and of itself," she said, "but this time, it is our sister's ineptness that we are counting on. I sincerely doubt that even Lynni could manage to fail at being a failure."

Ath'Nar snorted. "I suppose not," he conceded. "Still, I would be happier if Father would permit me to humble that swaggering meddler El."

"Business before pleasure, dear Brother," Ar'Nia chided. "Though I would have thought that your ire was saved for that…Zod madwoman, since the bulk of our fighter losses were to her." She shuddered. "She reminds me far too much of my old Academy lodging-partner. Clearly, she is just as insane as Ro'Dia was!"

Ath'Nar's smirk was audible. "Really, Sister? Or was it simply the fact that I bedded her that irked you?"

Ar'Nia rolled her eyes. "As I said, Brother: she was utterly mad," she snapped. "All you did was prove it."

"Highnesses! General! First Princess!"

Frowning, Ath'Nar spun on the aide that ran up to them. "I trust this is important?"

The aide quickly saluted. "F-Forgive me, Highness, but we have an emergency!" he cried. "Our sensors have detected numerous Kree drop-ships landing a few minutes from our location! They are mobilizing armour and infantry in our direction!"

Ath'Nar's eyes went wide. "What?!"

Ar'Nia's eyes narrowed. "And why are we only learning this now?" she hissed. "Am I to believe that we allowed ourselves to be outwitted by Kree?!"

The aide trembled. "N-No, Highness! It is only that…o-our sensors were severely damaged by the Kryptonians' electrostatic weapon! We only managed to get long-range sensors back now..!"

Ar'Nia sighed, putting her hand to her forehead. "Of course."

Ath'Nar was gleeful. "Alert the battlegroup! I want all combat-capable crewman and operable armour-unit ready to move out immediately!" he barked. As the aide raced off, he turned to smirk at his twin. "If you will excuse me, Sister, I have real work to do."

Not bothering to try and stop her brother, Ar'Nia sighed, as she tried to work out how to use her twin's bloodlust to their advantage. 'I have said before, and will surely say so again: I MUST have a Kree for a brother.'

XXXXXXXX

A few minutes earlier

Nir had to admit: flying across the planetside atop a giant flying beast gave a better sense of the planet's landscape than the view from a Speeder's HUD.

After a few minutes of flight, the transformed Ly'Neia touched down atop a mountain summit, overlooking a breathtaking valley. Once Nir and Cira had hopped off, Ly'Neia changed back to her natural form, as if her entire biology had not just changed. Not even her clothes were affected. For several seconds, Nir could only gape…before he grinned unashamedly. "Princess, that was…that was incredible!" he exclaimed. "I have…never flown like that!"

"I know!" Cira whooped. "And here I thought that flying a Fury a few ship-lengths above ground-level was a thrill, but was I ever wrong!" She smirked. "Thanks for telling us you could do that in advance, by the way!"

Ly'Neia flinched. "O-Oh, I…I j-just..!"

Nir frowned at his squadmate. "Please ignore that remark, Princess. That's just Cira being a Zod," he admonished. "And I'm sure we have our own secrets, and thus can't comment on your secrecy."

"Oh. Right," Cira agreed, her expression apologetic. "Yeah, just so you know, Princess – if you don't already – I have a habit of making snarky or snappy comments even to my friends. If you hear me make one to you, chances are I don't really mean it. Okay?"

Ly'Neia had been uneasy about that, but Cira's words calmed her nerves. "I will remember, Lieutenant Zod. Thank you."

"Please. My Uncle is the stickler for military discipline. When it's just us, I'm "Cira," or "Cee." Got it?"

Ly'Neia smiled. "Thank you…C-Cira."

The sight of Ly'Neia's smile – her true smile – caused something in the pit of Nir's stomach to flip. He quickly re-focused on the task at hand. "This valley seems like an ideal location for a base camp," he noted. "It is within ground-transport distance, has sufficient space for several landing ports, and scans indicate subterranean water deposits that could be tapped."

Cira sighed. "That's our Nir, Lynns. All business and no fun. As you can imagine, he was a regular Nova-blast, growing up."

Ly'Neia giggled. "Cira, you shouldn't scold him for one of his more admirable qualities!"

That remark sent heat to Nir's face. 'It's most likely a reaction to the trickle of infrared radiation that our red-shields let through,' he reasoned. "W-We can have our own shelters assembled fairly quickly, Princess. Would it take your people long to set up..?"

The beeping of Nir's communicator stopped his inquiry mid-breath, as Senna's voice came from it. "Lieutenant El, we have a situation. Prior to landing, it appears that the Kree launched drop-ships with ground forces that are now approaching the landing site. First Prince Ath'Nar is mobilizing in response."

Ly'Neia gasped. "N-No..!"

Senna kept going. "I recommend launching the Speeder to a low orbit and deploying fighters, Lieutenant. Awaiting your command."

Nir thought fast, his mind racing through protocols and sets of rules of engagement…as an idea started to present itself. "You are authorized to escape to orbit, Senna," he answered. "However, you are not to deploy fighters."

Cira's eyes widened. "Huh?"

Ly'Neia was lost. "W-What..?"

"Lieutenant El, please clarify your intentions."

Nir met Cira's gaze as he answered Senna's inquiry. "We are facing two hostile mobilized forces acting in direct opposition to our mission and Krypton's interests. Conventional diplomacy and military intervention have been attempted, and are unlikely to effectively defuse the situation. Therefore, a more dramatic intervention is required as a force multiplier," he said. "On my own authority, I am authorizing a suspension of Rao Protocol until Kree and Skrull forces cease current hostilities."

Cira blinked…and then grinned. "Oh, SCRAK YEAH!"

"Understood, Lieutenant. I will commence behavioural monitoring and start the Solar Clock. Speeder out."

Ly'Neia was still confused, if not more so than before. "Lieutenant, you mentioned this "Rao Protocol" before. What is it?"

"That, Princess, is an explanation best saved for later," Nir said. "Suffice to say that, just as your people have a unique ability, so do ours. Rao Protocol is meant to keep it under control. You are about to see why." He looked to Cira, who nodded, and tapped a control on his uniform belt. "Squadron Commander First Lieutenant El," he recited. "Rao Protocol Disengagement authorized, authorization code Or'Lek-Bev'Tor-Xel'Ak-Fu'Ris."

Cira mirrored the gesture. "Squadron Second-in-Command Second Lieutenant Cira Zod. Rao Protocol Disengagement confirmed, authorization code Bor'Lon-Vah'Rae-Ty'Del-Ner'Zin-Confirm!"

At that, both their belts beeped, as the red-tinged, circuit-patterned shields around their bodies became illuminated, and slowly retracted into their belts, exposing them to full yellow sunlight. The reaction was instantaneous; Nir gasped at the influx of energy, the sheer euphoria of the power the sun was giving him. Cira was nearly knocked off her feet, her expression blissful. "Oh, scrak…that's the stuff..!"

Nir steadied himself as best he could. "Focus, Zod. The second this is done, the shields go back up."

Ly'Neia just stared. "Wha…What in the gods' names is going on with you two?"

Cira giggled. "Just keep up if you can, Lynns. You'll see."

Nir nodded. "Follow us as soon as possible, Princess. We'll handle matters." He glanced to his wingmate. "Ready, Cee?"

Cira grinned. "You know it, Nirrie! Race ya!"

"In your dreams, Zod." With that, Nir and Cira both took off at ground-speeds well above the speed of sound, leaving booming shockwaves and the alarmed cries of a very startled Skrull Princess in their wake. After a few breaths, Nir took to the air, flying under his newfound power, with Cira following suit an instant after.

As he flew, Nir focused hard, exerting conscious effort to keep his logical, rational mind in place. He had to keep the emotions unleashed with the sunlight – raw, unfiltered, intense, volatile – from affecting his judgement…but, Rao help him, the joy of flying alone was more than enough to upend his mental equilibrium.

Thankfully, Nir didn't have the distraction for long. In half the time it had taken Ly'Neia to fly them away from camp, he and Cira were closing on the landing site. Just as Senna had reported, the Kree half of the camp now boasted numerous armoured vehicles, each with swarms of Kree soldiers surrounding them. The Skrulls had responded in kind, marshalling their own armour, while their foot soldiers returned fire, with most of them sticking to beam weaponry, while a handful shifted form and flew or barreled into the Kree lines. As they both hovered above the conflict, Cira sighed. "Well, now that's just scrakking rude! They started the party without us!" she complained. "It's the Academy's mid-evals week, all over again!"

For once, Nir was thankful for Cira's irreverence; it made it easier for him to focus. "It's just as well, Cira. This party is one we need to stop."

Cira snorted. "So what else is new?"

Nir's sour eye over his shoulder finally convinced her to get serious. "With me. Drop in 3…2…1…drop." Cutting their flight power, Nir and Cira dropped out of the sky, landing in the middle of the melee with the force of a thunder-strike. The shockwave of their impact was enough to clear a wide radius around them, and drive Kree and Skrull fighters – for the most part – back to their lines. His expression stern, Nir raised his voice. "Kree and Skrull forces: you are both in violation of cease-fire protocol! Cease hostilities at once and return to your vessels! You will not be warned again!"

Silence filled the first few seconds after Nir's command. After that, whispers started to trickle from both sides. "Are those the Kryptonians?"

"How did they do that? Is that more of their technology?"

"I thought I saw their ship fly away…"

"Who are they to command us..?!"

At that last remark, Nir saw the Kree Admiral bluster his way to the front line. "Wretched interlopers! You dare make demands of us without your ships to cower behind?!"

A breath later, Nir saw Prince Ath'Nar shove his way past his troops. "I have grown weary of your impertinence, Kryptonian scum! You have finally forgotten yourselves once too often!" he snarled. "First I shall deal with you, and then these Kree savages!"

"Not if I kill them first, Skrull dog!"

Nir sighed. "Well, we've gotten them to agree on one thing: the fact that they hate us."

Cira smirked. "I count two things, Nirrie," she quipped. "I think they think they can kill us."

Ath'Nar pointed at the two Kryptonians. "KILL them!"

The Kree Admiral did the same. "Open FIRE!"

Both armies answered their commanders' orders with unbridled enthusiasm. Torrents of laser-fire burst from every weapon on the field towards the two Kryptonians, turning gravel to ash, and searing rock into glass, kicking up clouds of steam enough to obscure the sight of their targets. After several minutes, Ath'Nar and the Admiral both gave the order to cease fire, and the sound of laser-blasts went silent. Slowly, the clouds began to dissipate…

…and reveal Nir and Cira still standing, without even a scratch.

Ath'Nar went utterly pale. "H-How..?"

The Admiral bristled. "What…W-What treachery is this?!"

Cira's smile went as dark as her uncle's. "Oh, so sorry," she crooned archly. "Now it's our turn. Want me to take the blue primitives, Nirrie?"

Nir nodded, as his gaze settled on Ath'Nar, his eyes narrowing. "That works quite well for me, Cee. Strike-Pattern Thol'Ren. Execute."

Instantly, both Kryptonians darted away from each other towards their respective targets. Blurring into the air with a leap, Cira seemed to appear out of nowhere, giving the Kree no time to even react as she slammed her foot down on top of a tank with an axe-kick. The force of her kick turned the armoured vehicle into a flat-cake, as the shockwave of the strike sent its surrounding crew flying. As a second tank started to turn its turret towards her, Cira closed on it in moments, grasping the turret and tearing it off, before using it to bat the tank away. Their discipline swallowed up by sheer terror, the Kree soldiers could only gape as Cira shifted her grip to throw her improvised club like a spear, striking two tanks next to each other. Giggling with wicked glee, Cira leaned forward and blew into the ground…which unleashed a gale-force blast of wind that propelled her skyward, while blowing away the dozen of Kree troopers that had been brazed enough to try and close on her. Once she'd reached the apex of her ascent, Cira spun into a corkscrew as she fired her eye-rays down, the deadly thermal rays searing both metal and flesh with every pass. When she was halfway down, Cira stilled her eye-rays and spun into a ground-punch, striking the earth with enough force to create a directed shockwave that tore through the Kree center force. As they watched their brethren get knocked around like children's toys, the few Kree that Cira hadn't yet thrashed gaped at their newfound tormentor, who giggled again. "So, have you cave-dwellers figured out who you've been trying to scrak with?" she cackled. "If not, don't worry. I'll make the lesson very clear."

As his wingmate punted Kree troopers left and right, Nir slowed his pace once he was near the Skrull ranks, looking as though he had all the time in the world. Ath'Nar's rage overcame his prior fear. "Don't just stand there like suckling larvals, you fools! Kill him!" At their Prince's urging, three of the lead Skrull soldiers charged, morphing as they ran: the first became a bat-like creature – the same form that Ly'Neia had used – while the second shifted into a multipedal mollusc-creature, with stinging barbs in its tentacles, leaving the third to assume the form of a colossal white primate with six eyes and just as many well-muscled arms.

The bat-form trooper reached Nir first with a few flaps of its wings, and tried to grab him by the shoulders with its hind claws. Letting it grab hold, Nir simply leaned forward, and exerted his flight-force down; to any onlooker, it appeared that the bat-Skrull was flapping desperately, unable to lift him off the ground. Once the morphed Skrull had tired, Nir grabbed its lower legs and flung it into its comrades. The ape-Skrull easily hopped over its cohort, but the mollusc could not react as quickly; the bat-Skrull crashed into the mass of tentacles, only to let out a deafening scream of agony as the stinging barbs reflexively pierced its skin. Rolling away, the Skrull morphed back into his natural state, quivering with a venom-induced seizure.

'They cannot maintain their altered forms when in pain,' Nir realized. His combat-mind logged that lesson in mid-step as he moved towards the rushing ape-Skrull. The primate's feral roar would have surely reduced a Kree soldier – and even another Skrull – to utter incontinence, but Nir remained tranquil. Between the sun's energy and his own combat experience, this brutish creature was as nothing. Raising its fists, the Skrull swung at Nir, who effortlessly fell into the tel'yo stance of Torquasm Vo, meeting the strike with the inertia of a solid mountain. As the Skrull winced at his attack being blunted aside, he swung again, only to be parried by Nir's mountain-block. Enraged, the Skrull fired off a blistering salvo of punches, with all six arms, but Nir blocked and deflected each one, his eyes flashing electric blue as he swept his vision over the Skrull's nervous system…and spotted his targets.

As he blocked the last punch, Nir shifted to kerro stance, his block flowing into a grab, to pull the Skrull forward. His hands stiffening like sea-dragon's fangs, Nir peppered the stumbling Skrull's arm with finger-strikes, each one piercing a nerve-cluster, so that by the time the Skrull regained his balance, his top-right arm now hung limply. Fighting the pain, the morphed Skrull followed with a left-hand overhead smash, but Nir stepped inwards, moving towards the Skrull's knees, as he shifted stances again, exchanging the deceptive cunning of kerro for the blistering all-out offence of kel'dro. With his targets in range – and too far inside the Skrull's strike-zone – Nir exploded with a blazing-fast barrage of punches and kicks, blurring from one knee to the next, each impact cracking more and more of the Skrull's knee-joints. After enough hits, the Skrull's nervous system was overloaded, and he collapsed, morphing back to his natural state, out cold.

As his second opponent went down, Nir's now-heightened ears caught the whoosh of air that preceded an attack. Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted the third Skrull – the multiped-form – snapping its stinging tentacles at him. Shifting stances again, Nir adopted the i'ter'lo form, moving like the wind as he weaved out of the first strike's path and back in, to hop onto the tentacle and kick off. The Skrull tried to alter his follow-up attacks, but Nir answered with a series of acrobatic mid-air tumbling kicks and strikes, wisping around each tentacle like a leaf in a breeze. Frustrated beyond belief, the Skrull picked itself up with its supporting tentacles and leapt, landing on top of Nir, crushing him under its stinging weight. For several seconds, all was quiet, prompting the Skrull forces to start cheering, as their General Prince smirked, satisfied with his overdue victory…

…until the morphed Skrull began to scream with agony.

The cheers of the Skrulls faded to frightened murmurs as their morphed comrade howled in pain, as its tentacles began to turn white, covered in frost. Slowly, the Skrull began to rise…lifted by Nir, utterly unaffected, as he exhaled a stream of frigid air into his opponent's underside. Finally, the morphed Skrull lost consciousness, reflexively turning back to normal, at which point Nir caught him by his uniform collar, and set him down, before he fixed his glare on the rest of the Skrulls, especially their Prince.

Deathly silence filled the Skrull ranks, as each trooper now wore an expression of pure terror. His forces' hesitation enraged Ath'Nar. "Well?! What are you all waiting for?!"

Nir smirked. "You expect your subordinates to do what you are afraid to do, my noble prince?" he mocked, choosing his words for maximum impact. He added just enough of High General Vor-Zod's contempt to make his next words sting. "How very typical of spoiled, over-privileged children. I see now how you attained such an obviously over-inflated rank. How much did your father have to pay to buy it for you?"

Ath'Nar's expression was dumbfounded, as his brain tried to process what was likely the first real insult he'd ever heard…before it fell back on rage. "You DARE?!" he roared. He glanced to his men. "FINE! I will deal with this upstart myself! And when I do, I will see ALL of you court-martialed for disobeying your commander's orders!"

Nir snorted. "Let's see you try first, you over-indulged primitive."

That last insult had exactly the effect Nir had wanted. With a feral roar, Ath'Nar changed shape, morphing into a colossal grey-skinned humanoid with a four-pronged jaw and clawed feet. His change complete, Ath'Nar roared again, baring his form's razor-sharp fangs, before he lumbered forward and swung at Nir with a punch. Never batting an eye, Nir floated up to Ath'Nar's height, and met that punch with his own.

CRACK!

Nir's fist impacted Ath'Nar's with twice the force of Ath'Nar's punch, the smaller size of Nir's hand amplifying the force and shattering the bones in the Skrull Prince's morphed hand. Before Ath'Nar even had a chance to cry out, Nir darted forward, firing a second punch into the bridge of his nose, before grabbing his throat and flipping him onto his back, to kick him with enough force to send him tumbling back across the battlefield. Touching down, Nir turned to glare at the Skrull forces. His tone left no room for argument, as his eyes glowed red. "Weapons. Down. NOW."

The Skrulls did more than comply. After throwing down their arms, the Skrulls dropped to their knees, their hands on their heads, in complete terror, many of them with tears in their eyes. Turning back towards Ath'Nar, Nir strode towards the Skrull Prince, closing on him just as he finished morphing back. Panic had overtaken Ath'Nar, as he glanced to his men. "Help me!" he screamed. "Your Prince commands you: HELP me!"

"They cannot, my Prince. I believe you've just seen that."

Ath'Nar was in tears himself. "Mercy!" he wailed. "I beg MERCY!"

Out of the corner of his eye, Nir thought he saw a winged form touch down, but Ath'Nar's plea shook something in him. Nir thought of everything he knew of the Prince…and of Ly'Neia. ""Mercy,"" he repeated. "Tell me something, good Prince: in your entire life, how many times has your sister begged that of you?"

Ath'Nar scowled. "My sister? Ar'Nia has never begged, no matter..!"

Nir felt his teeth clench. "Your youngest sister."

Ath'Nar paused. "L-Ly'Neia?" he asked. "I…I don't understand…what does she have to do with..?"

The thing that had come loose in Nir was now thundering in his ears. It was all too easy for Nir to picture a younger Ly'Neia, in tears, perhaps with her clothes tattered, or perhaps with bruises, at the mercy of this brute. "You don't remember how many times, do you?" he accused. "Then answer me this, Skrull: how many times did you give her any mercy?"

Ath'Nar was silent.

Nir's eyes narrowed. "I thought as much," he snarled. He began to slowly walk closer. "I dislike violence, Skrull. I infinitely prefer reason, but I am not naïve enough to think the entire universe is fluent in it. I understand that some supposed-sentients – like yourself – only seem to understand violence at the exclusion of all else, which is why we must remain fluent in it. Still, there are things – actions – that are reprehensible enough to warrant extreme corrective measures." His fists clenched. "Your behaviour towards your youngest sister is one of them."

Ath'Nar paled. "W-What are you..?"

"Consider this education, Skrull; delivered in the only way you understand," Nir spat. "I want you to remember, Skrull. When it gets in your barbaric, atavistic head to be cruel to your little sister, I want you to remember."

Ath'Nar sniffled. "R-Remember what?" he asked…before Nir's hand shot out to grab his uniform collar.

"THIS." With that, Nir levelled a fierce right punch across Ath'Nar's jaw, with enough force to make him spit green blood – and a few teeth – onto the sand. Before Ath'Nar could even cry out, Nir's other hand pulled back and slammed into his gut, doubling him over and causing him to spray dark green bile onto his boots. Nir refused to let up, expanding his gut-punch into an uppercut, followed by two blurring punches that knocked Ath'Nar flat on his back. Dropping to his knees, Nir grabbed the Skrull brute by the throat, his free hand clenched, his eyes glowing red..!

"Nir, STOP!"

Nir almost didn't hear Ly'Neia until she had run to his side, grabbing his wrist with all the strength she had. "P-Please, stop!" she begged, in tears. "T-This isn't you; I know it isn't..!"

For a moment, Nir stared at her, confused…and then, his better self snapped back into focus with a gasp. 'Oh, Rao…what was I going to..?!'

He glanced towards his wingmate. "Zod! Rao Protocol reinstated! Shields up NOW!"

Cira had just been about to throw the armoured vehicle she had picked up when she heard him. Her expression was that of a child who had been told to put her favourite toy away. "But Niiiiirrrieeee…"

"NOW, Zod! That is an ORDER!" Releasing Ath'Nar, Nir quickly tapped his belt, reactivating his solar shield, while making sure Cira did the same. The second the red energy bubble encircled him, Nir felt the maddening euphoria of the yellow sunlight start to ebb away. He tapped his communicator. "Senna: prep two Solar Detox Shelters, and make sure they're set for triple the time on the Solar Clock! I want to be sure we're both drained!"

"Acknowledged."

With another tap, Nir switched off his communicator, and started to make his way towards their base camp, with Cira following. As he strode, Nir couldn't help but gaze at his own hands in abject horror…

…nor could he help but avoid looking at the fear that he knew had to be on Ly'Neia's face.

XXXXXXXX

"Well. This has been an interesting development."

As he stood with his eldest daughter in the infirmary, outside the sealed room where his son lay on a bed, laden with bandages and intravenous lines, Loth'Nar could only scowl, his anger boiling beneath his skin. ""An interesting development,"" he repeated. "Thank you, daughter, for putting it so mildly."

Nothing in his life had angered him like this before – not even the Kryptonians' prior interference. Shooting down a handful of fightercraft and damaging their capital ships was one matter, but this..!

Ar'Nia looped her arm around her father's in a calming gesture. "Excellency…my beloved Father," she soothed. "I know you are upset…"

"The Kryptonian," Loth'Nar ground out, "laid hands upon my blood."

"Father…"

"Upon MY BLOOD!"

"I know, Father!" Ar'Nia cried. "You think I am not angered by this? Even though I know Ath'Nar all but brought this upon himself, the fact that one of our family was battered like a street-child sickens me! I want this matter of honour set right as much as you!" Her voice took on a calming tone. "But we cannot do so the way Ath'Nar would, Father. Not now."

Loth'Nar paused. "Continue."

Ar'Nia took a breath. "As much as it pains me to admit, Father, Ath'Nar's actions put us on the same level as the Kree, today. To Krypton's eyes – and those of their allies, if Lynni's words prove true – we must look as savage as the Kree do. We must prove that notion wrong – namely, that Ath'Nar acted on his own."

Loth'Nar scowled. "You would have me abandon your brother."

Ar'Nia smiled for only a heartbeat. "Not "abandon," Father. Merely chastise him; when Krypton and her allies come, we must make it clear that Ath'Nar's response to Kree aggression was merely…overzealous. Had you been in the field, no doubt our efforts would have been focused on defence, thus prompting our two Kryptonians to fight beside us. Like it or not, Excellency, Ath'Nar squandered this chance. All we can do now is turn this to our advantage."

She was right, gods help him. Loth'Nar had to chuckle. "Oh, my child," he said, placing a kiss atop her forehead. "I thank the gods that you are here. A true Skrull, through and through."

Ar'Nia beamed, before her smile turned sly. She had already sighted their first victory, today. "That said, Father, we now have two pieces of information we did not before, and each one would be priceless on its own."

Loth'Nar arched an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Ar'Nia nodded. "The first – and most obvious – would be the knowledge that the Kryptonians' technology is not the only marvelous thing about them. I saw their physical feats, Father. Weapons would not fell them. Gravity could not hold them. They took all we had to throw – with what the Kree could throw – and brushed us aside like insects, laughing all the while." She looked grave. "I heard our soldiers' whispers afterwards; they think of the Kryptonians as living gods…and I knew no way to refute that."

Loth'Nar frowned, deep in thought. "Indeed. Clearly, conventional ground warfare will be impossible now – not without knowing some physical weakness of theirs. Even an economic campaign might fail; if we are discovered too soon, and they rise in revolt, any infiltration force is doomed."

"True, Father, but think of what success would mean! Two of them upended our entire force!" Ar'Nia declared. "What could a battalion do?"

Loth'Nar had to smile. "A valid point, daughter: a great risk, but a great reward. Further thought is merited. And the other point?"

Ar'Nia grinned. "The other point, Father, is that Ly'Neia, despite herself, seems to be playing her part well," she cackled. "I overheard Lieutenant El as he accosted Ath'Nar. It seems that, whether intended or not, sweet Lynni spilled the junja-juice about Ath'Nar's pastime of bothering her…and the Lieutenant took issue with that."

Loth'Nar blinked. "You jest, daughter."

Ar'Nia shook her head. "I speak true, Father! By his own words, the Lieutenant all but told Ath'Nar to stop his antics, on pain of further thrashing!" she continued. "It smacked of a page from my handmaidens' pornographic literature: a young soldier gallantly thrashing a brute accosting an innocent maiden!" She chuckled. "It seems that my sister actually does have a talent. Perhaps, after this, I might make use of her on my next trade mission? I am sure that I could get her to extract further information from my targets, since she seems to be wrapping Lieutenant El around her finger quite handily."

Loth'Nar's smile was wry. "I fear you are planning too far ahead, daughter. Wait until our victory here is assured; if she succeeds, I will bid Ly'Neia to join you." He frowned again. "But do not think I will not have a reckoning with that El upstart."

"I would not dare think otherwise, Excellency," Ar'Nia said dutifully. "I merely submit that we exercise patience and cunning. Have those not always been our greatest strengths over the Kree?"

Loth'Nar nodded, his smile dark. "Indeed they have, daughter. Indeed they have."

XXXXXXXX

Alone in her room, with the rest of their forces going on about their business – as best they could – Ly'Neia did not know what to do with herself.

After finally catching up to Nir and Cira, Ly'Neia had been absolutely terrified by the sheer destruction the two Kryptonians wrought against their forces and the Kree with their bare hands. As if that had not been enough, she'd seen Nir go up against Ath'Nar personally; Ath'Nar, who had copied the form of a deadly Nar'Silan Titanomorph, making him all but unbeatable in melee combat. Ath'Nar had struck at Nir as hard as he could…

…and Nir had swatted him like a glopfly.

But when her brother had faltered, and pleaded for mercy – something that Ly'Neia had thought she would never hear from him – the look of indignant rage on Nir's face had frightened her all the more. When she'd seen him slap Ath'Nar far harder than her brother had ever struck her, she'd been so afraid that Nir would do something he would regret. She'd had to stop him, even if it had meant turning that rage on her.

And now, she was alone, with only her questions for company, as well as the passing whispers of their soldiers. Their warriors were just as frightened as she was, if not more. They thought the Kryptonians were living gods…and Ly'Neia couldn't argue.

That thought burned her eyes with tears. Before, she'd thought that Nir's intellect meant that he would surely come to despise her as her family did…and if he was divine..!

She had to know. Even if it meant drawing Nir's disdain all the sooner, she couldn't bear not knowing.

After checking to make sure that Nursie had retired, Ly'Neia quietly slipped out of her room, her cloak about her shoulders, the dark fabric absorbing the light and making her seem a shadow. Keeping to the back-corridors of the ship, Ly'Neia was able to reach the ship bay unnoticed, and slipped out into the night air. Once she was far enough away, she assumed Blood-Bat form, and flew to the camp-site she'd seen Nir and Cira heading towards.

After a short flight, she touched down, and assumed her normal state, to walk towards their camp. Next to their ship, Nir and Cira had set up two crystalline huts – living quarters, most likely – and a slightly larger crystal dome…with two overhanging outgrowths that projected cones of red light downwards, with Nir and Cira each sitting within one. Outside the light-cones, a metal-crystal bipedal automaton looked over a datapad. "Master Nir. Based on these readings, the yellow solar energy that yourself and Second Lieutenant Zod absorbed will be expended shortly."

Nir sighed. "That's good to hear, Senna. Thank you."

Cira groaned. "This is the part of being on sunlight that I hate: coming off of it," she whimpered, resting her head against the side of the cone – which was a force-field, Ly'Neia realized. "Our ancestors had it so tough, back when Rao was going red."

Nir nodded. "Perhaps, Cee, but it was better than all our people risking sun-madness. I think we now know firsthand how the Age of Wars lasted as long as it did."

Cira half-smiled. "Von-El and Rol-Zod did okay. So did the rest of the Twelve."

Nir thought again. "Then perhaps our ancient ancestors had some resistance to sun-madness," he mused. "Or perhaps long-term exposure to yellow solar energy allows our people to acclimatize to the euphoria."

Cira groaned again. "Please don't tell me I just gave you another idea for research…"

By then, then android – Senna – had noticed Ly'Neia. Instantly, she drew a one-handed weapon from a panel in her thigh. "Skrull citizen: you are trespassing on a restricted area. Depart immediately, or…"

"Senna, STOP!" Nir cried. "That's Princess Ly'Neia!"

Senna paused. "Second Princess Ly'Neia: state your intentions."

Ly'Neia gulped. "I…I merely wish to understand."

"Clarify."

"I need to understand what I saw today," Ly'Neia continued. "Because what I saw was…was impossible!"

Nir looked sad. "Let her pass, Senna," he instructed. "After today, she deserves answers."

Senna was still for a few seconds, before she put her weapon away and stepped aside. "Acknowledged."

Taking a few tentative steps, Ly'Neia met Nir's gaze as best as she could. "W-What are you?"

Nir looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"B-Both of you! W-What are you?!" Ly'Neia cried. "Are you…are you gods?! Have you been watching our people all along, and only now decide to punish us?!"

Sadness crossed Nir's face. "Princess..!"

"C-Can you hear my thoughts?!" Ly'Neia continued, her eyes burning. "D-Do you already know all my failings?! Have you only been humoring me, all this time? Are you…a-are you going to start to hate me as my family does for being such an absolute..!"

"NO! Stop it, Lynni!" Nir shouted. "Stop saying that about yourself!"

Ly'Neia paused. "W-What..?"

Nir's voice softened. "Ly'Neia…I don't claim to understand everything about your people and your culture," he began, "but some things are just wrong, regardless of culture. The way your family treats you is one of them."

Ly'Neia couldn't speak.

Nir chuckled dryly. "And no, Ly'Neia, we are not gods. What you saw today was us using our people's ability to absorb and metabolize solar energy. When exposed to certain solar frequencies, we can consume the energy they carry, and manifest the abilities you saw. Furthermore, exposure can also induce a kind of maddening euphoria in us. That is what Rao Protocol is for. That is why we use shields to block that energy – to protect innocent species from us." His face fell. "That was my responsibility…and I failed, today."

Cira looked sad. "Nirrie…"

Nir looked at his hands with horror. "We think that we are so advanced, so logical, and one dose of solar energy shows us what monsters we can become…"

Now it was Ly'Neia's turn to shake her head. "N-No!" she insisted. "You're not a monster, Nir! Ath'Nar is!" Her tears started to fall. "E-Ever since I was a child – since Mother died – Ath'Nar would…h-he would h-hurt me," she whimpered. "I-I begged him to stop! I pleaded with Father and Ar'Nia, b-but..!" Moving closer, she sat by Nir outside the barrier. "But…you punished him, Nir. You told him he had to stop."

She put her hand to the barrier. "You are not a monster, Nir. I know you aren't, because…because I live with monsters," she murmured. "You stop monsters."

His expression mournful, Nir put his hand by hers. "You should never have had to, Ly'Neia. How your family treats you…that is not how families are supposed to be."

Cira nodded. "I know I complain about my father and uncle a lot, but…I've never doubted they love me."

Ly'Neia couldn't breathe. "W-What…w-what do I do..?!"

"Stay with us," Nir said firmly. "Your family wants us to ally with them, so they won't try anything in front of us. If you stick around Cira and I as much as possible, you'll be fine for now. As for later…I'll work on that."

At that declaration, Ly'Neia felt everything in her – mind, body, soul, and everything in between – just stop. "You…I can…you'll let me..?"

Nir's smile was warm. "You don't even have to ask," he said. "Just…promise you'll try to stop thinking badly of yourself. That's all."

Ly'Neia felt her tears start to flow again, as everything inside her started again, flooded by something she'd never felt before. "Th-Thank you," she whimpered. "Oh…oh, thank you! Th-Thank you so much!"

Cira chuckled. "Maybe you should wait until after you've listened to me and El bicker for a day before thanking us."

Ly'Neia giggled. "You cannot possibly be worse than my family, Lieutenant Z – Cira."

Cira grinned. "We'll see about that," she said, sticking out her tongue. "And you can call me Cee."

Ly'Neia could only smile, before she rested her head against the field where Nir was leaning, happy to be as close to him as she could be. She would likely not be certain until she was calmer, but she thought she knew what now filled her: safety; friendship; hope; and perhaps…just perhaps…

…something more.