Zav'ra's rescue

Ronax's ships were all over Maaradan's moon, frantically searching for Zav'ra and the technology she had stolen. Fortunately, the Morrigan's stealth drive was more than up to the task; the ship was outfitted with all kinds of cutting edge technology. Or, at least it had been, 500 years earlier. Reina wondered how much Commonwealth tech had advanced during their cryosleep; not that she or the rest of the crew would know for a while -- setting up intergalactic communications would be a daunting task.

Reina wasted no time assembling her ground team upon reaching Maaradan's moon. Her, Nyra, and Rachel were to be accompanied by Mia Cosmus and Zadara "Night" Solarion, two soldiers from the Morrigan.

At 6'4", Mia was the biggest woman on the crew. A decorated soldier for the Galactic Commonwealth, highly respected for her toughness and almost superhuman endurance. Mia was as pretty as she was tough, gifted with long, wavy auburn hair and a body that could be best described as "Amazonian"; athletic, toned and muscular, but also feminine and beautiful. Her fierce nature in combat belied her friendly, upbeat personality, but when the situation called for a straight-up fight, there was nobody else in the Commonwealth Reina would want in her corner more than Mia Cosmus.

Night, on the other hand, was a master of stealth and subterfuge. A master thief, she'd finally been caught by the Commonwealth shortly before the Morrigan's galactic departure. Reina had followed her career with great interest prior to her arrest, however, and offered her a place on the Morrigan, despite Commonwealth protests; Night accepted the offer, preferring the idea of intergalactic travel to sitting in a Galactic Commonwealth prison -- not to mention, a whole new galaxy of treasures to steal. Night had an irresistible allure to her, and was never afraid to use it. With long, strawberry blonde hair and a stunning body, she'd used her wiles to tease and deceive rich men and women alike into getting her close enough to her target, after which she'd pilfer it and disappear. In spite of her deceitful past, Night was grateful to Reina, and, with newfound purpose, was determined to prove her loyalty to the women of the Morrigan... while stealing all kinds of intergalactic riches, of course.

The ground team boarded the land shuttle, preparing to head to the moon's surface. Rachel paused and looked at her crewmates, clad in their skin-tight suits; she'd never really been attracted to women before, but looking at them now, she found herself entertaining a number of dirty thoughts about them she'd have never even considered before. Unbeknownst to Rachel at the time, this was a side effect of Dr. Ranu's serum; eventually, those who took it would develop an overwhelming attraction to women. While the Morrigan's crew knew the risks and that there would be side effects, they had no way of knowing what those side effects would be, but they would soon find out.

The shuttle made its way to Zav'ra's downed spacecraft without getting caught; the Morrigan's stealth tech had successfully passed its first test. Reina spoke into her wrist-mounted computer, which had been equipped with a short-range comms device, among other things.

"Zav'ra Rav-Lo? My name is Reina Startooth, captain of the GCS Morrigan. We're responding to your distress call."

"Praise the ancestors," the voice on the other end of the communicator said. "Yes, I am Zav'ra. I didn't think anyone would get my distress call..."

"We did," Reina responded, "And we're here to get you to safety."

Zav'ra looked at the ground team through the ship's cameras. She was worried; she knew little about her possible rescuers, and had never heard of the GCS Morrigan before. Still, they didn't look or sound associated with Ronax in any way... and she didn't have much of a choice. "Let me just gather my things and I'll meet you at the airlock."

A few moments later, the spacecraft door slid open, and Zav'ra stood in front of Reina's ground team, a satchel containing what had to be the tech she had stolen slung over her shoulder. Reina and her team eyed the women lustfully for a brief moment before refocusing on extraction; she was gorgeous. Another humanoid alien, with light pink skin and bright red hair.

As they were ready to board the shuttle to return to the Morrigan, a Maaradanean patrol unit consisting of five guards approached. A number of guards appeared, pointing guns at the group of women. "Don't move."

A hand movement and a knowing nod from Reina, and the ground team quickly moved on the patrol unit. While Nyra activated an energy shield and Rachel guided Zav'ra onto the ship, the other women sprung into action; Mia was a skilled hand to hand combatant; her weapon of choice was a wrist-mounted field generator that could amplify her strength and speed. She took out two of the guards, punching one in the face and shattering his helmet; the other one attempted to jump her from behind, and she threw her into a large boulder nearby. Night quickly cloaked and jumped on the largest guard's back, hitting him with an incapacitating electrical strike from an electrified baton she carried. Reina took out the last two guards, firing energy tethers from her pistol, leaving them on the ground. It was a quick, decisive victory for the Morrigan's crew.

"We need to move -- my husband will have every patrol unit on this moon her within minutes," warned Zav'ra.

The shuttle hastily made its way to the Morrigan. The ship had remained undetected, but would have to move fast -- no doubt the shuttle would lead Ronax's forces right to it.

Reina ran to the ship's bridge and immediately ordered the Morrigan's hyperdrive jump.

"Get us out of here! Before..."

A heavily scarred, reptilian looking face appeared on the bridge's communications screen.

"Shit."

"Greetings, strangers. I am General Raxus of the Ronaxan Imperial army. In the name of our Emperor, I order you to surrender the woman and anything she may be carrying."

Raxus came off as cordial, yet menacing. Reina wondered what he might be capable of, but she knew she didn't want to find out. Still, she wasn't about to surrender Zav'ra to him.

The Maaradanean fleet had surrounded the Morrigan. Fortunately, the hyperdrive was charging, and Reina knew that she would escape -- with Zav'ra -- if she was able to buy some time. All she had to do was make sure Raxus didn't blow her ship out of the sky or disable it for a few minutes.

Reina played dumb. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't try pulling that with me. We know it was you who took out our patrol unit, we know you were at the downed spacecraft. Now, surrender Zav'ra to us, and we will show you mercy."

"And if we refuse?" Reina asked, still hoping to stall for time.

"We board your ship and massacre your people. You personally will be taken to Emperor Ronax and be made an example of, and I guarantee you, it will not be pleasant."

Reina paused for a moment, feigning contemplation to buy more time. "Fine, we'll bring you the girl. Just wait a minute..."

Reina went to Zav'ra, briefly explained the situation and brought her to the bridge. Even with Reina's reassurance, Zav'ra was nervous -- Raxus was a terrifying individual. "G-General Raxus."

"Zav'ra, I ask that you return home. You husband wants you back -- he misses you."

"My husband is a monster..." Zav'ra answered, "and so are you..."

"Zav'ra, you wound me. Believe me when I say that your husband only wants what is best for your people. We both do. Return to Emperor Ronax, and we'll forget this whole incident ever happened."

"I-I can't. I won't," Zav'ra said. She knew what Raxus was capable of, and what the price for defying him would be, but afraid as she was, her resolve wouldn't waver.

"My dear, I regret to tell you that you don't have a choice," Raxus said, his calm demeanor making him seem that much more menacing. "Your husband has requested that I bring you back alive, but as much as I don't want to, I will use **** if I must. Besides, your 'rescuers' have agreed to surrender you to us."

As Zav'ra spoke with Raxus, Reina had received the go-ahead from the Morrigan's pilots; the hyperdrive was ready. She gave the order, and smiled knowingly at Zav'ra.

"Actually -- Mr. Raxus, was it? -- I've changed my mind. We'll be leaving now -- I'd say it was a pleasure meeting you, but I'd be lying. Adios!"

Reina blew a kiss to the camera and the ship made the hyperdrive jump. Raxus was livid, grabbing and smashing anything near him that wasn't nailed down.

"Start looking for that ship! I want them found -- and when you do, bring that woman to me! What are you idiots waiting for?! Start looking! NOW!"

Reina cheered loudly and eagerly high fived her crewmates -- this was the adventure she'd been looking for! The rush she was feeling was incredible. Zav'ra turned to Reina and hugged her.

"You have my sincerest gratitude," the pretty alien told her, smiling.

The excitement on the ship was palpable. Reina and her crew had plenty of work to do, and it looked like it would be dangerous and complicated. But it looked like Reina would be enjoying the thrilling adventures she'd dreamed of her whole life after all.