Chapter 3
Promise for a Tyger
Standing in the transmission room on the Hades, Drax and Hiss, Drax’s Jungle green-scaled snake Serpian stood before a giant seventy-two inch screen that showed a live video feed of King Rymu.
“You know I have your son,” Drax stated, “Now know this, the people of Felinis will work for the Xatu Empire in the mines of Jupiter or your son will share the same fate as your wife.”
Rymu was furious and replied, “You will release him immediately you traitor!”
“Now, now your majesty, you are lucky that I haven’t kidnapped your daughter, but that could be a matter of time. So I wouldn’t make that same mistake twice.” Drax saw Rymu sighed in defeat.
Rymu knew he was right, but he did not want to answer too harshly as he knew that there had to be another way. He closed his eyes remembering why he had become king. He had the people to protect, even if it meant to sacrifice his own son. Besides, he knew his son is more resourceful, his only hope was that Xman could escape that ship on his own.
He opened his eyes to meet Drax’s and replied, “No. My people will fight for their freedom. And as for my son, you better pray that he does not break free from your grasp Drax.”
Drax frowned at that answer.
“A pity, you will soon learn the fate of those who do not cooperate with the Xatu Empire.” Drax said as he switched the vidcom off. He turned to Hiss and commanded, “Bring Xman to me.”
“Yesss my lord right away,” Hiss replies as his slithered out the door.
Hiss has become very obeying to Drax and the empire during his service with them. His race was easily persuasive to join the Xatu as the Serpitans loved power and money. Hiss however, wanted to follow Drax in hoping he too could once lead an entire Xatu fleet to victory.
Moments later Hiss and a few guards brought Xman back in Drax’s office once more. Drax smiled upon him as Xman looked up to Drax’s red eyes in disgust.
“Congratulations, you father decided to have me terminate your life,” Drax started. Xman’s eyes surprisingly widened. “It seems that he does not care for you anymore.”
“My father would rather save my people than have you control them,” Xman said proudly.
“Well I am not a barbaric man Xman,” Drax said, “so I will give you a fighting chance. Do you remember what you did to me on Jorda two years ago?”
Just then, his mind created a vision. Jorda was a fueling station in the Hyder System. Xman remembered that his father assigned him there by to guard it, but the Empire invaded the planet. Xman then knew what has happened next.
“Yeah I remember,” Xman replied, “I also remembered that you invaded that planet.”
Then Drax said, “Isn’t it interesting, I was a corporal and you were a captain. Well, it looks like the tides have turned around. Now I am the higher rank officer. Funny, that vat of chemicals you threw me in gave a new lease on life.” He held up his hand and suddenly it morphed into a sharp wielding weapon. Xman’s eyes widened in astonishment then to resentment. “Now, with this new power I have, I can do much about anything, including terminating you. Maybe you can tell me if you remember why we attacked that chemical plant in the first place.” Xman looked at him, confused. Drax smiled back at him and reminded him, “My primary orders were to locate information about a great energy source that was rumored to be somewhere in this galaxy. We had information that someone there knew of this. Perhaps you?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about. We were there to protect that fueling plant from you. Whatever information you got must have been bogus. Because by the time you gotten there all of the scientists were gone. You were stupid enough to fall in our little ambush.”
Drax frowned at that last remark and said, “Well if you won’t tell me, perhaps your rebellious friends will. Tell me Xman, where are your colonial friends hiding?”
“I rather die than to tell you.”
“That could be arranged Xman,” Drax said as he motioned his gauds to take Xman back to his cell once more.
Xman then realized what Drax was going to do to him and faintly smiled. He could not wait to get another shot to finish what they had started. For a moment, he thought of his family back on Felinoron, but he had to do what he felt was right to protect them.
Back on Cian, the doors on Port 23 opened and Tygla entered. She saw Mike near the ship’s entrance ramp and smiled to him. She was in awe of the beauty of the Condor and knew that she would have her brother home in no time. She walked towards him with her grey bag over her shoulder.
“Are we ready?” Tygla asked.
Mike turned around to Tygla and replied, “Uh, yeah, get on board and we'll take off.”
Tygla smiled and Mike followed her onto the ship, The Golden Condor. The bay door then closed. Inside, the two pilots entered the cockpit as their passenger settled in. She looked at the small lounge area and wondered how these two manage to live here. As she stowed her bag in the compartment above the lounge, she joined Mike and Justin.
“Are we all set?” Mike asked checking ship’s system.
Justin replied flipping a few switches, “Yep let’s rock.”
Mike entered the starter code on the key pad and the ship’s thrusters fired as the Condor lifted itself up off the ground. Tygla entered the cockpit and sat down behind Mike as he piloted the ship into outer space. Once they made into orbit, Mike needed to know where the Xatu were hiding Tygla’s brother.
“Ok Tygla,” Mike said turning to her, “Where too?”
“Well,” she started, “First we need to head to Felinoron to get more information on where the Empire is holding my brother. Then we need to plan some sort of break out.”
“All right, that makes sense,” Mike nodded, “Justin, set course to Felinoron.”
“Already on it,” said Justin, “Course set to 1149.36.1434.19”
Mike then pressed the Hyper Flight controller on the console and the next thing they knew the ship disappeared into the farthest star. A few moments later in the ship, Tygla retired to the ship’s lounge, which was pretty small. She saw a small two-seated couch on one side and a small vinyl cloth chair that someone folded into the hull. She also noticed a small washroom next to the chair. She looked up, saw another chair on the ceiling, and wondered what that was for. She lay down on the tiny sofa feeling tired and relieved, and then Mike entered the room.
She looked up at him and asked, “How is up front?”
“Just fine,” Mike said as he unfolded the vinyl chair and sat down, “We'll be at our destination in a couple of hours.”
Then Tygla nodded and lifted her head and put her hand under it for support. She was curious about her new found friends and wanted to know them more especially, Michael.
“So how did a guy like you get in to a business like this?” She asked curiously trying to kill time.
Mike smiled and like telling his fascination with archeology, “I always like finding things. Ever since I was a boy, I found archeology fascinating. I took a couple of courses in it at the Cian University majoring in archeology. I think it was Uno Pu’Do that made me interested in it. You know the famous archeologist who was lost in the forbidden zone.”
“You mean the one who tried to reach the center of the galaxy and never returned?” Tygla inquired.
Mike nodded, “Yup that’s the one. One day, probably when we retire, I want to follow his footsteps and find out what’s really in the center of our galaxy.”
“Yeah right,” Justin said sarcastically entering the lounge, “Mike no one ever came back from that place. That’s why the council banned anyone to going there, it’s cursed.”
Tygla looked to Justin and wondered, “What do you think is in the center?”
“Personally?” Justin answered as Tygla nodded, “I think it’s just a giant black hole.”
She looked to Mike for an answer and replied, “I think it was the sam
e as Uno thought when he sent back his last transmission, Heaven and Hell.”
Tygla nodded again, “So how did you two meet, at the University?”
“No, we first met at the Cian orphanage,” Mike said as he started to frown, thinking of the terrible past, “We were the last survivors of Earth, before it was destroyed by the Xatu Empire. I was about 4 years old when it happened. They took my parents and killed them. I was taken by one of my dad’s friend and was transported to the Cian orphanage.”
Tygla frowned as the story saddened her, “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s ok. Sometimes I do miss them,” Mike replied as Justin just stood in the doorway, “So how about you Tygla, what’s your story?”
“Well,” she started trying to find the words to tell them, “I lived on Felinoron all my life, trying to defend our planet from the Empire. My father raised me and my brother with help from our servants,” she started.
“Servants?” Mike thought interrupting her, wondering what she was talking about.
“Yes,” she replied, “My father is, a king.”
“King!?” the crew exclaimed.
“Hold on, you mean you’re a princess?” Justin asked.
“Yes, I suppose so,” she replied.
Justin did not believe what he heard, “No wonder why you were offering us a lot of money.”
“Well I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” Tygla said, “But I had my reasons, if I had told you would you still take the job?”
“Well,” Justin thought.
“Of course not,” she continued, “You would think I was way beyond your expectations, just like those jerks back at Cian.”
“No, we’ll take any job from anyone, ‘cept from the Xatus.” Mike said not caring about the Xatu part, “So it’s ok.”
Tygla smiled at him, she knew in her heart that Mike was kind and understanding. She liked that in men.
“Thank you,” she said warmly.
“Wait a minute,” Justin interrupted, “If you’re a princess then why do you need us? Don’t you have soldiers of your own or something?”
“I wish,” Tygla replied looking at Justin, “Father thinks because of this stupid war, it’s unnecessary to waste soldiers to rescue my brother. He thinks I am not capable of commanding a squadron to help set free my brother, so I have to show my father that I can gather a rescue party and get him back myself. The Empire has kidnapped my brother and no one on my planet can help me, not even my father. I can just think what horrible things they are doing to him. The Xatu, there’re just a bunch of….bearcats!”
Mike nodded to that last comment. “So what does he look like?” Mike asked.
Tygla dug into her small bag and brought out a small device that looked like a Palm Pilot Mike read in technical history class. She turned it on and the screen showed a thumbnail of pictures. She tapped on one and it enlarged showing her brother and herself in bathing suits standing on a beach. Mike smiled at Tygla in the picture, as she was more stunning than ever. He then looked to her brother who was holding her. He had the same complexion as Tygla’s, but taller and more muscular. She sighed looked at it and realized that she missed him so much.
“Xman, I miss him so much,” she said sadly.
Mike replied, “Don’t worry, we’ll help you get your brother out Tygla, I promise.”
“Thanks,” she replied, “I’m sorry. I’m just a little cranky.”
“Get some rest,” Mike said, “You’ll feel better when we arrive.”
Tygla smiled to him, she closed her eyes and lay down again as Mike got up. Both pilots left her alone and headed back in the cockpit. They both sat back down in their seats as Justin looked at his companion’s face as Mike smiled. He knew that it was the face of love and Justin did not like it. He had seen what love did with him when Mike was dating Julia. Moreover, Justin made a promise to himself that he would not let his friend go through that again.
“No,” said Justin.
Mike questioned looking to his friend, “What?”
“You got the hots for her, don’t you?” Justin replied.
Mike exclaimed looking to his friend, “What? No way, well all right, she is cute and I do like her.”
“Mike you got to remember two things man,” Justin started, “One, she’s a Felinis, and two, she’s a princess and can never happen.”
“I know, I know,” Mike sighed looking down on the controls, “But something in her struck my heart. I don't know, maybe I’m crazy.”
“Yeah, crazy in love,” said Justin, “Look Mike, you just can’t fall in love with every woman you meet. Remember what Julia did to you?”
“But this is one different,” Mike replied looking back up to him, “I don’t know. Somehow she seems special.”
“No one’s special,” said Justin, “Not in this galaxy anymore.”
Mike argued, “But she is Justin, she is. I just have a funny feeling that she might be the one. And for once I like to share my fortune other than a great friend like you.”
Justin shook his head not believing what he is hearing, “I don’t know about this one though. All I know is that you’re heading in deep waters with her.”
Mike did not care what Justin said. He took a quick glance at Tygla and saw her sleeping. She looked so cute just lying here, Mike thought. Maybe one day, could it be possible and Mike did not care about Julia anymore, but then again Justin was right. When he first met Julia, she was so nice and he liked her. That was until she backstabbed him and broke his heart, but what if Tygla was not like Julia, Mike thought. He just wanted to fall in love again and he wanted someone to adore.
Meanwhile on Hades, in the detention center, “Get in there,” ordered the armored guard, as he shoved Xman in his cell. Xman just looked at him with a grim expression. He did not like empire’s lackeys treating him this way. Even though, he was a warrior, he was also a prince.
“I will kill you,” Xman warned.
The guard laughed and replied, “Yeah right.”
The guard closed and locked the door, before Xman could react. He needed to escape and look for help, but then that was only a pipe dream. The walls were made of the strongest metal the Empire could find. There a few air vents, but they were excessively small for him to crawl though. Xman hated the Xatu Empire, ever since they killed his mother. That is why he joined the colonial army. He knew that escape was impossible and decided to sit and mentally prepare for his battle against Drax if he gets out.
He remembered the last time he fought him. He had thought that Drax was dead. After he was thrown in to the vat the entire place was about to explode from the battle and he had to get out of there quickly as possible leaving Drax’s dead body. That was until he had seen him today. It was not possible, he thought. Drax was dead. He saw him die, but what now, what has he become, some kind of mutant freak? He did not care, all that Xman new that he had to finish off what they had started.
“It’s not promising, is it?” A voice said in the cell next to him through a small air vent atop near the ceiling.
Xman questioned looking around, “What? Who’s there?”
“The name’s CRAIG,” he replied in the next cell over, “I’m a Cybernetic Robotics Advanced Intelligence Generator.”
“That’s a mouthful,” said Xman looking towards the vent, “So, what are you in for?”
“I was once lord Drax’s assistant, until he got disappointed with my programming, so he’d gotten Hiss, then Drax decided to put me into this cell,” he replied.
“If you’re an android, why didn’t they disassemble you or something?” Xman asked.
“Drax thought it would be amusing if I was locked up like a human animal,” CRAIG replied. “I just don’t understand humans sometimes. You are Prince Xman are you not?”
“Yeah,” He replied unsurely to his cellmate, “How’d you know?”
“My wireless news network informed me that you were here.”
“Well, if you’re really an android why don’t you escape or something?” Xman thought.
“I was ordered to stay in this cell until I rusted,” CRAIG replied, “So as Drax says and I must obey. It is part of my programming.”
“Well, what if I asked you to forcefully open the door?”
“Well, it is my program to obey any living person,” The android replied. “But these walls and door are made out of a Xatu metal called Xrylium, an unbreakable metal. Even I cannot break them. So it seems that we will be in here for a very long time.”
Xman then said, “Well, don’t worry. We won’t be here that long.”
“How do you mean?” The android wondered.
Xman replied, “I got friends in the Colonials who I think right now they are planning to get me out of this hell hole.”
Meantime the Golden Condor finally arrived at its destination, Felinoron. It became a dismal planet after the Empire’s latest hit. Smoke bellowed from the remains of the buildings. They saw some Felinis scurrying around trying to put out the fires and rebuild what the Empire destroyed. Tygla frowned and sighed at this sight and wished it never happened. They landed on the royal launch pad in the capital city. The palace was the only building that the empire did not hit too badly. When Mike and Justin first looked at it, they thought they took a wrong turn and ended up in the ‘Emerald City in Oz.’
“Jeez,” Justin exclaimed as they got down from the bay doors. He looked at the ruined city and said, “It does look like the Empire has been here.”
The port was empty as no one greeted them. Then suddenly a door on the far side of the pad opened and four Felinis guards entered the area with their laser rifles aimed at the new arrivals. Mike, Justin and Tygla were alarmed and confused. When they noticed Tygla, they lowered their guns. One of them mumbled something in his MiniCom. The doors opened once more and an older tiger looking Felinis entered the pad.
“Tygla?” He called to her.
Tygla turned towards the door and replied, “Father?” She knew that she was in trouble disobeying her father, but maybe he had forgotten as she ran towards her with open arms.
Her father hugged Tygla and said joyously, “Tygla my daughter. When I learned that you disappeared, I-I was so worried,” he then looked at her with a stern look. Tygla’s heart leaped in fear. “I thought I told you to stay in the castle walls.”
Tygla frowned and said softly, “I’m sorry father. I had to go and find help.”
King Rymu looked at the two human pilots and their ship wondering what kind of help Tygla got. He did not like strangers escorting his daughter throughout the galaxy without him knowing.
She looked at her new friends and said, “Oh, I’m rudely sorry father, let me introduce you two. Mike, Justin. This is my father, King Rymu.”
“Hi,” Mike replied holding out his hand for a handshake.
King Rymu shook his hand in good gesture as he did the same to Justin. Tygla’s father was an older version Xman, but he was a bit shorter and had a grown a furry mane around his chin. Mike thought that he did not look like a king at all, just some father.
Tygla continued, “Father this is Mike Tippin and Justin Jobbs. They’re my, uh, new private guards.”
“Say what?!” Justin exclaimed not believing what she said as Mike calmed him down with a hand gesture.
Tygla concluded, “They’ll be staying here for a couple of days, if that’s okay with you?”
“Well,” he pondered looking at them. He did not know why Tygla had picked them to be private guards, but he was sure that she had her reasons. And even now they desperately needed more guards and soldiers he made his decision, “All right, but let me inform you this, it’s been rough for us all, most of the common rooms have been severely damaged, so you’ll be staying in the main castle,” he proclaimed.
Tygla said happily, “Oh, thank you daddy,” she kissed him on the cheek, but her father tried to smile, but he was too disappointed in Tygla’s actions.
“But I want to talk to you young lady. Alone”
Tygla sighed and replied grimly, “Yes father.”
King Rymu, Tygla and the guards left the launch pad through the door. Mike and Justin got their things and followed them.
Inside it was something that Mike and Justin had never seen in their lives before. Even though that the Empire had destroyed most of the city, the palace seemed that it was never touched. Mike inquired about that and Rymu explained that they had a shield generator turned on round their home. Tygla said after the battle she snuck away in a public transport ship and arrived at Cian. They walked down the hall and Mike noticed all the fancy paintings around. He then saw Tygla’s painting and she told him that it was painted during her coronation when she was eighteen. He then knew that he could never be good for her. Justin was right she was way out of her league.
She escorted the two to their room and Tygla told them that she was going to her room to clean herself up and would see them later. They both entered and saw the room. Justin never thought that he would see the day that he would be sleeping in a luxurious room such as the one Tygla pick out. It was big, so big in fact; you could put the Condor in the room. It had a full size bathroom, entertainment center, and more. Justin and Mike was very impressed and started to unpack. A half an hour later, once Mike and Justin finished unpacking, there was a tone at the door. Mike went over and opened it and their stood Tygla in her proper royal gown. She was in a white long silk dress with a v-neck line in front. Her hair was done and braided she glimmered in the sun like a white diamond.
“Wow, your beautiful,” Mike remarked astonishingly. “Just like a true princess.”
Tygla blushed entering the room, “Why thank you Mike.”
“OK,” Justin said sitting on his bed, “Why did you lie to your dad back on the pad?”
“If my father ever found out that you were bounty hunters, he’d kill me,” Tygla replied, “He doesn’t like the idea of ruffians living in the castle. Besides, you promised me.”
“Yes we did,” Mike commented, “But one clear thing, we’re not bounty hunters, we’re adventures. So what’s the plan for getting your brother?”
“Well, we have to access the control room, when no one’s around, so we have to do this after hours. Therefore, I convinced my father that you‘d be my special guest for dinner tonight. After dinner, we'll all meet in the control room. I am sure no one will be there at that hour. We’ll then plan for his rescue,” Tygla informed.
Justin said, “I thought we were you private guards?”
“You are,” she replied, “But for now, you’re my guests, okay?”
“Yeah, okay,” said Justin, “We’ll play it your way for now.”
“Good,” she said, “Dinner’s at six. And don’t be late.”
“Anything else my love, I mean Tygla?” Mike asked quickly correcting himself.
Tygla replied and she thought he said ‘her love’, but ignored it, “Yes, I hope you have something better to wear than what you have on now. When we have guests for dinner, it’s kind of formal.”
“Don’t worry,” said Mike, “We won’t embarrass you.”
“I hope not,” she said flirting to Mike as she left the room.
“You’re getting too cute for her, Mike,” Justin warned.
“I think she likes me,” Mike replied dreamily as he leaned against the door.
“Get real,” Justin ended, “Say, do we even have formalwear?”
Later that night in the dining room, everybody entered. Mike and Justin had to borrow a couple of suits, as they were handsomely dressed, with their black tuxedos and jacket. King Rymu however was in his royal purple king’s attire complete with robe. Mike noticed that the room had to be large enough for the long banquet to fit in. He saw more paintings on the wall. Some he recognized from his old earth history book. They must be replicas he thought.
“I’m sorry for all th
e mess that’s around here, but some of my servants had to seek safe refuge from the last battle we had with the Xatu,” remarked Rymu.
Everybody sat down expect Tygla. She picked up her glass and said, “I like to propose a toast,” then everybody picked up his or her glasses and Tygla continued, “To my brother, I hope he is here, with us, in spirit. And I also wish he will return home safely.”
“A beautiful speech Tygla,” commented Mike as she sat down next to him.
“Can we have the first course?” The King asked.
One of the servants who decided to stay came in with a cart. On top of the cart sat a silver tray with a dome lid. The servant removed the top and the delicious smell filled the room. Another servant entered caring two bowls. One of them was salad, and the other was some mixed vegetables. He placed it on the table and began serving the others.
Mike sniffed the savory odor and asked, “What is it?”
The king turned towards Mike and replied, “It’s a unique old Earth delicatessen you might like, Beef Wellington.”
“Beef Wellington?” Mike questioned.
The king replied, “What? You thought it was some erotic Felinis dish?” He laughed and continued, “Eat up.”
The Felinis servants served the divine dish and everybody enjoyed it. Mike could not help think what Tygla said in her toast. He wanted to help her, but he also wanted to get some advice.
“Your majesty,” Mike started as Rymu looked to him after sipping his wine, “I know that your son has been kidnapped and I want to help in any way to get him back for you.”
“That is a very considerate of you,” replied Rymu “But I’m afraid you cannot help. I don’t have enough soldiers to guard the castle let alone for a rescue mission. I’m sure you understand. Besides, I need someone to guard my only daughter. That is why she chose you, right?”
Mike was distraught and agreed with him, “Right, but if we had enough people to spare, I’m sure you would find a way.” Tylga looked at Mike and did not like where this was leading. “So speaking hypothetically, any idea how we’d spring him out, if we had too?”
“My boy, you do not know the Empire’s ships as we do. It’s impossible to break in their defenses and ‘spring’ my son out,” the King announced.
Mike could not believe his ears, “So you’re gonna just leave him there for the Empire’s doing?”
“I don’t like it more than you do Mr. Tippin, but it is the best safest way to ensure my people’s freedom. Now can we change the subject?”
“Our people’s freedom?” Tygla inquired, “What are you talking about?”
Rymu frowned a bit, afraid to tell her what he had done knowingly that it would upset her.
“I had to act like a king Tygla, to ensure our people’s lives and freedom. One day when you are queen, you will know what I am talking about.”
“You traded Xman for your people’s freedom, didn’t you?” Mike said as Rymu nodded slowly.
Tygla did not believe what she was hearing.
“How could you do that?!” Tygla said in disbelief as tears start to form in her eyes.
“It was a decision I did not want to make, but it was for best interest to our home. You must understand this Tygla,” Rymu replied.
“I-I hate you,” Tygla said softly, got up and ordered her private guards moodily, “Mike, Justin. I like to be escorted to my room, now.”
Mike and Justin both got up. Mike noticed that Tygla’s mood has changed and he did not like it. He then thought he probably went overboard asking her father about Xman’s imprisonment.
“That beef Wellington was delicious your highness,” said Mike trying to make Tygla’s mood better.
Justin added, “Yeah, the dinner was great.”
Then they followed the princess out the door and into the hall. She then turned towards and snapped at Mike with an unpleasing look on her face. She did not like the way Mike was wondering about her brother. She was so mad at her father she took it on her new friends.
“Look, I know that you’re upset,” Mike said calmly.
“Upset?!” Tygla snapped, “You have any Idea what you did back there?”
“Do what?” He replied.
Tygla said arrogantly, “Offered my father your assistance. I told you he wouldn’t help, didn’t I?” Mike was then speechless as she continued down the corridor feeling so mad at him right now. Mike realized that he screwed up and wanted to apologize to her somehow. Once they gotten to Tygla’s room she suddenly snapped at them again, “And if you ever talk to my father like that again, I’ll, I’ll, I don’t know what I’ll do, just…Arrrg!” She then stormed into her room and closed the door.
“Nice going Casanova,” remarked Justin.
Mike replied, “What did I say?” He sighed awfully and continued, “I better go talk to her.”
Justin nodded, “Good idea, I’ll give Digan a call to see if he got another job, just in case this one doesn’t work out.”
Mike nodded back as Justin when to their room. Mike wanted to find out what he did to upset her. Maybe he can apologize and make her feel better. He pushed a button next to the door and a soft tone rang.
“Go away,” she cried. She did not want anything to do with Mike anymore. He then realized how much he upset her. Then the door slid open as Mike walked in. He saw her lying on her luxurious lace canopy bed crying in her pink satin pillow. Her room was the same size of Mike’s, but it has a sense of feminine décor only a princess had. “I told you to go away,” she said sobbingly.
Mike said gently, “Listen Tygla, I’m sorry what I said to your father at dinner,” Tygla looked up at him in a confused face. He saw her tears and frowned, “I just wanted him to know what we were doing, so he won’t worry.”
“Worry?! Michael, he practically sent my brother to his death,” Tygla replied unhappily. “He doesn’t care about us anymore. All he cares about is his kingdom and his people. I don’t know who he is anymore.”
Mike sat next to her and said, “Hey, he’s a father, at least that’s what I saw on the landing pad. He’s also a leader. I bet it was hard for him to decide between the two. Just like my dad did when we got separated. They love us, so don’t say he doesn’t care for you, because he does.”
She just looked at him then hugged him tightly as she cried some more. Mike rubber her back trying to calm her down. She then sniffed her nose trying to stop as she realized he was right, “I suppose you are right. Look, I’m sorry I snapped at you. I’m just mad at my father for what he did, trading my brother’s freedom for my planet. But, I-I suppose it was wise for him. I-I just love him so, you must understand that.”
What they did not know was King Rymu stopped outside her door. He frowned, knowing this hurt her so. If he had the manpower, he would go after the Xatu that kidnapped his son.
“I know you do,” he said trying to comfort her, “But uh you know, I just realized something,” Mike continued, “We’ve never done a rescue mission before I don’t think.”
“What?!” Exclaimed Tygla as he looked to him sniffling.
Mike wiped her tears away from her soft face, “Well we’re treasure hunters. Not rescuers.”
“That’s why you tried to get advice from my father. So why did you take the job?” She asked looking sternly in his eyes.
“We’re desperate for money and back on Cian you seem desperate for anybody to help you. Therefore, I rather figured we’d help each other out. Hey, it’s first time for anything.”
Smiled a bit and said calmly, “I suppose.” Her expression changed to sadness as she gazed down to the bed sheet, “But what the use now, for all I know, he could be...dead by now.”
“Don’t say that,” Mike said lifting her chin, “You got to have hope.”
She nodded to him looking into his blue eyes.
“You know you’re right, my father does love me,” she said as she calmed down, “I’ve just been a selfish cub
. Maybe I should apologize to him.”
Rymu smiled and at that remark, at first he did not know what Mike was until now, a caring person. He was a bit surprised that Tygla lied to him, saying that Mike was a personal guard, but he guessed that she had a good reason. Tygla could not pick out a better guard. He decided to leave them alone and went to bed.
Tygla paused for a moment, looked at Mike more obsessively than before, and said softly, “You know, the first time I saw you, something inside me said you were the right one, for me.” She then kissed him tenderly on the lips. A spark ignited between them. Tygla never fell in love with a human before, but Mike was somehow different, “Thanks,” she said softly. “And for some reason, you are right about my brother. I could feel that he still out there and alive, and he needs our help. Meet me in the control room in ten minutes,” Tygla said.
“Aright,” Mike said.
He was still dazed from the kiss and hesitated for moment before getting up. He wanted to stay longer but he knew she needed her privacy.
Once he left, Tygla just realized what she did. She kissed a human. The law forbade a Felinis to fall in love with one. Ever since Earth probes discovered and colonized Felinorin, a short civil war broke out when Tygla’s great-great aunt fell in love with a human. Her great-great aunt’s father disapproved and declared war on the humans. Their successors did not like this and banned inter racial relationships, but Tygla did not care. That was from the old days, before the Xatu. Mike was not like the other humans or male Felinis. He was different. He was someone that she could express her feelings to without him turning his head away, uncaring about her. She did not want any snobby royal duke or prince like that. She wanted someone who led an exciting life, like Mike. It was a little stupid at first, but Tygla thought that she was falling for him. Even though her father and brother would be furious if they knew that she loved him, she had to keep this her little secret.
She then closed her eyes, feeling a bit scared, but she sighed shaking the feeling away. She looked in her mirror admiring her beauty and wondered if he felt the same as she did. She changed in her pink satin pajamas and met Mike and Justin in the Control Room.
The door opened in the darkened control room. As Tygla hushed them to be quiet, she turned on the lights. Technicians filled the entire room with computers and comport screens.
“If your father finds out we’re in here, he’ll kill us,” said Justin.
Tygla replied, “Don’t worry, the electrical security devices was damaged in the battle.” She turned on one of the working equipment, an Electric Graph Grid as the two looked around. “Besides, by father wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s gentle as a cub.”
“Look at all this stuff,” Justin fantasized.
Tygla had better equipment then they did on the Condor. He saw an Advanced Weapons Console in the corner, a modified shield generator panel next to it. He also saw a Crylon Crystal Generator controller on the other side.
Tygla replied, “Most of this stuff has been damaged from the battle,” she typed in her password and continued, “Except for this.”
“Can you get in?” Mike wondered
“It’s not problem for me,” she replied trying to impress them. Especially Mike, “I have complete access to all the computer networks.”
A holographic screen appeared in front of them showing a menu: