Daktar watched as Kivar ordered the young alien brought to him. As the guards held her arms, she was forced to kneel before him. Watching he who was Zan all the time, Kivar placed his hands on both sides of her head and commanded Zan to renounce his throne. Zan only watched, his eyes seething with hatred.
Kivar commanded Daktar to tell the young alien to beg to Zan, beg for Kivar’s mercy, and he did so, wishing the young alien had taken the poison he had brought for her, whatever the risk for Daktar. The young alien screamed, “No!” and Kivar asked what she had replied. Daktar said at once, “She pleads for mercy milord” Kivar’s look of pleasure at that was quickly extinguished when the young alien followed her refusal by spitting in Kivar’s face.
The guards and those around Kivar shrank back in terror at the look that came to his face. Blue flames leaped from Kivar’s hands, blistering the sides of the face of the young girl and scorching her hair. All expected the girl to cry out in terror and agony, but her eyes locked on those of Kivar, she said nothing although her face grimaced in pain.
Even from where he stood Daktar felt the power of Zan burning through the force field, trying to establish a connection, to share the young girl’s agony, to share the young girl’s fate. Daktar had never felt such a desperate need, and was amazed when the young girl rebuffed the connection, and connected instead with Kivar.
Miss Scientist (M/L) Teen complete
Moderators: Anniepoo98, Rowedog, ISLANDGIRL5, Itzstacie, truelovepooh, FSU/MSW-94, Forum Moderators
Liz had put her mind in a box walling out all feelings of the flesh. She knew that her body was being burned, that she would perhaps die, but it did not matter. She felt Max try to share her pain, share her fate, but could not allow it. She had one mission and one mission only. She would do that mission whatever the cost, if it could be done at all.
Hidden by the power that flowed into her from Kivar she sent her own weak power into him.
She knew that she had not the force to destroy him, but she knew that Kivar did have that force. In all organisms there is the potential for their own demise.
She had gotten the idea watching Daktar reading a text, wearing an ancient set of reading glasses. The glasses were necessary because, over time, the lens stiffened and became inflexible. It did this she had learned because over time linkages would form between molecules in the lens, disulfide bonds that would stiffen it.
In fact, the entire aging process consisted of such chemical reactions. These were reactions that gave off energy, that …wanted to happen, but required something to initiate them, a something which happened rarely but predictably.
But she could channel her meager power, she could be the catalyst, like the drop of blood spilled in the bottle of hydrogen peroxide that would free these reactions to complete themselves. And if she could salvage that energy, already within Kivar, channel his energy, to activate even more reactions, she could create a cascade that would cause him to age rapidly as all of these reactions sought their level of least energy, causing his death, causing his very flesh to rot.
For the law of entropy, Liz knew, ruled all, even powerful alien monarchs.
She ignored the pain, she ignored the flames, she ignored the smell of her own flesh being burned, she sent her mind into the biochemistry of Kivar and found what she knew would be there.
Adenosine Triphosphate was cleaved to form cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate, releasing energy which she used to form disulphide bonds throughout Kivar’s proteins, changing their tertiary structure, destroying their function but releasing even more energy as they did so.
Throughout his body she used this energy to hydrolyze proteins, liberating still more energy as she turned Kivar’s muscles into putrescein and cadaverine.
Enzymes throughout Kivar’s body were being hydrolyzed, water splitting them into nonfunctional fragments, while still the energy she controlled, Kivar's energy grew.
The cascade built higher and she now targeted the proteins in his mitochondria, gaining yet more power as she destroyed his ability to create power himself.
Throughout his nerves she found the acetylcholine and hydrolyzed it, weakening him further while her power within him grew.
The cascade built higher and she reached into his brain, hydrolyzing neurotransmitters, hydrolyzing the sphingomyelin that insulated his very brain. And still her power built within Kivar.
Liz’s allies were small, far smaller even than the smallest of small town girls. But their numbers were legion and the numbers grew exponentially, with every second she could endure…..
Hidden by the power that flowed into her from Kivar she sent her own weak power into him.
She knew that she had not the force to destroy him, but she knew that Kivar did have that force. In all organisms there is the potential for their own demise.
She had gotten the idea watching Daktar reading a text, wearing an ancient set of reading glasses. The glasses were necessary because, over time, the lens stiffened and became inflexible. It did this she had learned because over time linkages would form between molecules in the lens, disulfide bonds that would stiffen it.
In fact, the entire aging process consisted of such chemical reactions. These were reactions that gave off energy, that …wanted to happen, but required something to initiate them, a something which happened rarely but predictably.
But she could channel her meager power, she could be the catalyst, like the drop of blood spilled in the bottle of hydrogen peroxide that would free these reactions to complete themselves. And if she could salvage that energy, already within Kivar, channel his energy, to activate even more reactions, she could create a cascade that would cause him to age rapidly as all of these reactions sought their level of least energy, causing his death, causing his very flesh to rot.
For the law of entropy, Liz knew, ruled all, even powerful alien monarchs.
She ignored the pain, she ignored the flames, she ignored the smell of her own flesh being burned, she sent her mind into the biochemistry of Kivar and found what she knew would be there.
Adenosine Triphosphate was cleaved to form cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate, releasing energy which she used to form disulphide bonds throughout Kivar’s proteins, changing their tertiary structure, destroying their function but releasing even more energy as they did so.
Throughout his body she used this energy to hydrolyze proteins, liberating still more energy as she turned Kivar’s muscles into putrescein and cadaverine.
Enzymes throughout Kivar’s body were being hydrolyzed, water splitting them into nonfunctional fragments, while still the energy she controlled, Kivar's energy grew.
The cascade built higher and she now targeted the proteins in his mitochondria, gaining yet more power as she destroyed his ability to create power himself.
Throughout his nerves she found the acetylcholine and hydrolyzed it, weakening him further while her power within him grew.
The cascade built higher and she reached into his brain, hydrolyzing neurotransmitters, hydrolyzing the sphingomyelin that insulated his very brain. And still her power built within Kivar.
Liz’s allies were small, far smaller even than the smallest of small town girls. But their numbers were legion and the numbers grew exponentially, with every second she could endure…..
Daktar watched in horror as the young alien’s face and hair was burned beyond recognition, but her eyes stayed locked on those of Kivar.
At first Kivar smiled as he watched Zan go wild with rage, delighting in seeing his pain. Kivar seemed to forget the girl. She was a means to an end, too trivial to be concerned with, too weak, too unimportant.
But then the flames dimmed from his hands, he seemed confused, his powers seemed to weaken.
Too late Kivar brought his eyes to those of the girl, too late he saw her grim expression, not a cruel smile, but certainly a determined one. Kivar tried to drop his hands from her face then, to break the connection, but she tore her arms away from the guards and clamped her hands to the sides of Kivar’s head. She would not allow the connection to be broken, and while Daktar could sense little power flowing from her through the connection, Kivar’s body nonetheless seemed to shrink, his face growing hollow, his body starting to collapse in upon itself.
She kept her hands clamped to his face, following him to the floor as he fell. The guards stepped back in growing horror, watching the hideously burned young alien continue whatever she was doing to Kivar. As the guards shrank back, the very body of Kivar seemed to liquefy, to bubble, to putrefy.
The aliens have an expression, Daktar recalled, ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust.’ Kivar’s body was not yet dust, but it was certainly now a hulk, devoid of life. The Usurper would rule no more, and somehow this young alien girl, despite her small size and apparent weakness, had done this.
Daktar had never found a good translation for the term the girl had used, ‘molecular biologist,’ but it was apparent that there were still powers that existed in the universe that were unknown to the Antareans, and that this one had such a power.
The guards who had held her shrank back in fear. The guards at the force chamber raised their weapons at her in terror.
At first Kivar smiled as he watched Zan go wild with rage, delighting in seeing his pain. Kivar seemed to forget the girl. She was a means to an end, too trivial to be concerned with, too weak, too unimportant.
But then the flames dimmed from his hands, he seemed confused, his powers seemed to weaken.
Too late Kivar brought his eyes to those of the girl, too late he saw her grim expression, not a cruel smile, but certainly a determined one. Kivar tried to drop his hands from her face then, to break the connection, but she tore her arms away from the guards and clamped her hands to the sides of Kivar’s head. She would not allow the connection to be broken, and while Daktar could sense little power flowing from her through the connection, Kivar’s body nonetheless seemed to shrink, his face growing hollow, his body starting to collapse in upon itself.
She kept her hands clamped to his face, following him to the floor as he fell. The guards stepped back in growing horror, watching the hideously burned young alien continue whatever she was doing to Kivar. As the guards shrank back, the very body of Kivar seemed to liquefy, to bubble, to putrefy.
The aliens have an expression, Daktar recalled, ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust.’ Kivar’s body was not yet dust, but it was certainly now a hulk, devoid of life. The Usurper would rule no more, and somehow this young alien girl, despite her small size and apparent weakness, had done this.
Daktar had never found a good translation for the term the girl had used, ‘molecular biologist,’ but it was apparent that there were still powers that existed in the universe that were unknown to the Antareans, and that this one had such a power.
The guards who had held her shrank back in fear. The guards at the force chamber raised their weapons at her in terror.
It was the words of the translator, Daktar, that broke through the fear of the guards when they pointed their weapons at the terribly burned young girl. “Don’t challenge her if you value your lives. She killed the Usurper with a touch, but only after he threatened her.”
It was the word ‘usurper’ that broke through to them. For almost 80 years to use that word publicly would lead to a slow and painful death for him who used it, and his family as well. That this humble academic could now say it on the floor of the throne room of Antar, before both the assembled crowd and with the proceedings transmitted to most of the planet, brought home forcefully to the guards how much and how quickly things had changed.
Looking at the festering putrescence laying at the foot of the throne the guards realized that Kivar indeed could threaten no one any longer. First one, then a second, finally all of the guards secured their weapons and laid them at their feet, bowing to the young alien.
Liz was unsteady on her feet, her power almost exhausted and her will no longer enough to contain the pain from her damaged face. Even so she was ready to try her best to charge the guards around the force chamber, try to free Max, Isabel, and Michael, in the few seconds of consciousness, the few minutes of life she had left.
As she started to gather her powers to attack the guards, Daktar had stepped forward and said something in Antarean. As the guards laid down their weapons and bowed to her she looked up at Daktar, a question in her eyes. Through the fog of her fatigue and pain she heard his voice tell her, a smile on his lips, “The wicked witch is dead.” She smiled up at him despite the pain as she understood.
Daktar watched the girl act with a determination he would never have believed possible as she stayed on her feet and approached the controls to the force chamber. Her powerblasts were weak, but the third one was nonetheless enough, as the controls fused and the force field went down.
Zan moved instantly to the girl, oblivious to all else in the room. Rath and Vilandra moved with him, flanking him on either side. The two looked out into the crowd, their eyes promising swift death to any who challenged Zan, ….but there were no challenges. Kivar was dead and it was obvious that Antar now had a new monarch.
It was the word ‘usurper’ that broke through to them. For almost 80 years to use that word publicly would lead to a slow and painful death for him who used it, and his family as well. That this humble academic could now say it on the floor of the throne room of Antar, before both the assembled crowd and with the proceedings transmitted to most of the planet, brought home forcefully to the guards how much and how quickly things had changed.
Looking at the festering putrescence laying at the foot of the throne the guards realized that Kivar indeed could threaten no one any longer. First one, then a second, finally all of the guards secured their weapons and laid them at their feet, bowing to the young alien.
Liz was unsteady on her feet, her power almost exhausted and her will no longer enough to contain the pain from her damaged face. Even so she was ready to try her best to charge the guards around the force chamber, try to free Max, Isabel, and Michael, in the few seconds of consciousness, the few minutes of life she had left.
As she started to gather her powers to attack the guards, Daktar had stepped forward and said something in Antarean. As the guards laid down their weapons and bowed to her she looked up at Daktar, a question in her eyes. Through the fog of her fatigue and pain she heard his voice tell her, a smile on his lips, “The wicked witch is dead.” She smiled up at him despite the pain as she understood.
Daktar watched the girl act with a determination he would never have believed possible as she stayed on her feet and approached the controls to the force chamber. Her powerblasts were weak, but the third one was nonetheless enough, as the controls fused and the force field went down.
Zan moved instantly to the girl, oblivious to all else in the room. Rath and Vilandra moved with him, flanking him on either side. The two looked out into the crowd, their eyes promising swift death to any who challenged Zan, ….but there were no challenges. Kivar was dead and it was obvious that Antar now had a new monarch.
Zan himself seemed to see only the young alien girl as he moved to her and touched her face, making the connection and instantly sharing her pain. His hands glowed as he healed her, restoring her fully, perfectly, as if he’d spent years memorizing her face and knew even its tiniest detail. When she was at last restored, he clung to her for long seconds, enfolding his arms around her.
His eyes then went to the pool of corruption that was the body of Kivar, and his face showed grim satisfaction. His eyes clouded as he beheld the guard who had used his baton on the young alien, and the man looked up at him in fear, accepting that his death was coming, begging only for mercy for his family.
The young girl looked up at Zan. “What are you doing, Max? There’s been enough killing.” And as quickly as that, Zan’s anger passed as his eyes turned away from the guard toward the young girl. And then it happened. A thing that Daktar would have never believed could happen. Zan led the young alien over to the throne. He sat there holding her surrounded by Vilandra and Rath, and gave an ultimatum to all of the people of Antar.
His eyes then went to the pool of corruption that was the body of Kivar, and his face showed grim satisfaction. His eyes clouded as he beheld the guard who had used his baton on the young alien, and the man looked up at him in fear, accepting that his death was coming, begging only for mercy for his family.
The young girl looked up at Zan. “What are you doing, Max? There’s been enough killing.” And as quickly as that, Zan’s anger passed as his eyes turned away from the guard toward the young girl. And then it happened. A thing that Daktar would have never believed could happen. Zan led the young alien over to the throne. He sat there holding her surrounded by Vilandra and Rath, and gave an ultimatum to all of the people of Antar.
It was almost two years later that Daktar descended from the ship at Dulles airport. It had been a busy two years, the fullest two years of his life, and the happiest. The ultimatum had shocked all of Antar. Zan, well, Max now, had told them they had a choice. They would meet his demands or the Royal Three would simply leave, returning with those they loved to the world they had long called home, leaving the throne to whoever wanted it bad enough to fight for it, kill for it.
His demands were simple in concept, but had required almost two years to work out in practice. The power of the monarchy would be limited, the power of the people expanded. The responsibilities of the monarchy would be contracted, the responsibilities of the people increased.
Daktar himself had worked with Jesse, consort to Princess Isabel (the blood draining from Daktar’s face as he remembered her reaction the one time he had called her Vilandra) to form the basis of the new Constitutional Monarchy. They had taken much from the Terran Magna Carta, much more from the laws of the Terran United Kingdom. Many compromises had been made over the last two years, but all were willing to make them.
A millenium of old animosity and political intrigue was forgotten or forgiven. None wished to return to a time when a Kivar would rule them, and the new Constitution would forever eliminate that threat. Two political bodies, one of the commoners, one of the Royalists would need to agree on laws acceptable to all, and then the Monarch must give concurrence, or be over-ridden by a two-thirds majority of both bodies. No one would have absolute power, all adults would have responsibilities and rights of citizenship. Except for the moral authority of the monarchy which at least with the current king and queen was considerable, the actual political power of the monarchy was greatly restricted.
Daktar the academic, a person more comfortable with dusty old books than with political intrigue had somehow found himself prime minister of Antares.
And it all worked. Miraculously, it all worked well. Jesse had called it the law of unintended consequences, a reaction to the long terror of the reign of Kivar.
Daktar had been the first off the ship, an ancient craft that had been salvaged from the back of the Terran moon where it had once been discarded after the new wormhole technology had been developed. It had been decided to not yet share the existence of that technology with the Terrans, so they shuttled down from the transporter on the moon to Earth in this quaint old relic.
This was the first official visit, after members of the Antarean Diplomatic Corps had landed this very ship on the lawn of the White House three months ago and negotiated the opening of diplomatic relationships and establishment of an embassy in this, the principal country of Terra.
Over the decades, the agents of Kivar had abducted Terrans for information and even for research. The survivors of those abductions had been freed, healed, and were now being returned to their homes as a goodwill gesture by the new government of Antares, on this very ship bringing the first official state visit.
It was unfortunate that the king and his chief of staff were not along, but while the new Constitution seemed to be working well, all had decided that for the next few years, at least one of the Royal Six would stay on Antar until people were truly used to the new Constitution. For this visit, three Royals would certainly suffice.
His demands were simple in concept, but had required almost two years to work out in practice. The power of the monarchy would be limited, the power of the people expanded. The responsibilities of the monarchy would be contracted, the responsibilities of the people increased.
Daktar himself had worked with Jesse, consort to Princess Isabel (the blood draining from Daktar’s face as he remembered her reaction the one time he had called her Vilandra) to form the basis of the new Constitutional Monarchy. They had taken much from the Terran Magna Carta, much more from the laws of the Terran United Kingdom. Many compromises had been made over the last two years, but all were willing to make them.
A millenium of old animosity and political intrigue was forgotten or forgiven. None wished to return to a time when a Kivar would rule them, and the new Constitution would forever eliminate that threat. Two political bodies, one of the commoners, one of the Royalists would need to agree on laws acceptable to all, and then the Monarch must give concurrence, or be over-ridden by a two-thirds majority of both bodies. No one would have absolute power, all adults would have responsibilities and rights of citizenship. Except for the moral authority of the monarchy which at least with the current king and queen was considerable, the actual political power of the monarchy was greatly restricted.
Daktar the academic, a person more comfortable with dusty old books than with political intrigue had somehow found himself prime minister of Antares.
And it all worked. Miraculously, it all worked well. Jesse had called it the law of unintended consequences, a reaction to the long terror of the reign of Kivar.
Daktar had been the first off the ship, an ancient craft that had been salvaged from the back of the Terran moon where it had once been discarded after the new wormhole technology had been developed. It had been decided to not yet share the existence of that technology with the Terrans, so they shuttled down from the transporter on the moon to Earth in this quaint old relic.
This was the first official visit, after members of the Antarean Diplomatic Corps had landed this very ship on the lawn of the White House three months ago and negotiated the opening of diplomatic relationships and establishment of an embassy in this, the principal country of Terra.
Over the decades, the agents of Kivar had abducted Terrans for information and even for research. The survivors of those abductions had been freed, healed, and were now being returned to their homes as a goodwill gesture by the new government of Antares, on this very ship bringing the first official state visit.
It was unfortunate that the king and his chief of staff were not along, but while the new Constitution seemed to be working well, all had decided that for the next few years, at least one of the Royal Six would stay on Antar until people were truly used to the new Constitution. For this visit, three Royals would certainly suffice.
As Chief of Royal Security for this visit, Otta was aware of everything going on within the rooms in the Dulles airport that had been designated for the Antareans. The least secure was this portion, where Terrans came to inquire about relatives they believed had been abducted by the forces of Kivar, hoping that they were among those survivors being returned.
He watched the exchange between the third assistant consulate clerk and the middle aged Terran couple with growing irritation. He realized that the job had its frustrations, that many who came seeking their missing loved ones were strange, even delusional, but nonetheless people in the Diplomatic Corps should be if not diplomatic, at the least courteous.
Two years ago, Otta thought to himself, the mistake being made by the young clerk would have meant his death. Even before Kivar, it would have been a career ending mistake for any diplomat. But times had changed, much for the better he believed.
Otta had been taught English by Prime Minister Daktar himself, in preparation for this visit. The first words he’d ever translated had been the words he had heard, but not understood almost two years earlier, as a young alien girl had stood between him and certain death, “What are you doing, Max?,” she’d said. “There’s been enough killing.”
If she believed that much in second chances, could he do otherwise?
He watched the exchange between the third assistant consulate clerk and the middle aged Terran couple with growing irritation. He realized that the job had its frustrations, that many who came seeking their missing loved ones were strange, even delusional, but nonetheless people in the Diplomatic Corps should be if not diplomatic, at the least courteous.
Two years ago, Otta thought to himself, the mistake being made by the young clerk would have meant his death. Even before Kivar, it would have been a career ending mistake for any diplomat. But times had changed, much for the better he believed.
Otta had been taught English by Prime Minister Daktar himself, in preparation for this visit. The first words he’d ever translated had been the words he had heard, but not understood almost two years earlier, as a young alien girl had stood between him and certain death, “What are you doing, Max?,” she’d said. “There’s been enough killing.”
If she believed that much in second chances, could he do otherwise?
Otta motioned the clerk to him. “First of all,” he said the irritation coming across clearly in his voice, “‘Liz’ is a diminutive of ‘Elizabeth,’ and ‘Lizzie’ a familiar form of that, used only by family and close personal friends. ‘Parker’ is a maiden name, which would have changed to ‘Evans’ with her marriage, and of course after her coronation seldom used. She is not on the list of refugees at all, look instead under the official party, and you will see at the top Elizabeth Regina. That is the ‘Lizzie’ that these people seek.”
The young clerk’s look of shocked horror was noted with amusement by the Prime Minister, who had heard the conversation. Daktar had doubted the wisdom of the young queen when she had picked Otta as chief of her security detail, but her Majesty had yet again proven him wrong. This man’s loyalty to her was beyond question. The man had served Kivar out of fear. He served ‘Lizzie’ now out of devotion. Daktar would speak to the young clerk later, but since the Queen herself believed in giving second chances, he could scarcely do otherwise. He doubted the clerk would ever forget his mistake this day.
And thus it happened that as representatives of all of the nations of the Earth waited in the inner concourse of Dulles airport to meet the official party of Antar, a thoroughly chastened young third assistant consulate clerk brought Jeff and Nancy Parker to the jetway where the Antarean Security detail guarded Lady Maria, Princess Isabel, and Queen Elizabeth, as they left the spacecraft.
As the bewildered couple looked at their long lost daughter the clerk accompanying them bowed deeply and said “Your Majesty…”.
“Mom! Dad!” the Queen said in obvious surprise. “Sorry I couldn’t write you or call. Gee, an awful lot has happened.”
Otta looked at Prime Minister Daktar who looked back, both nodding in amusement. They both realized the diplomats were going to have to wait awhile. As they saw Lady Maria join into the conversation, both knew it might be a long while indeed.
Chronicles of Takan, 317th Historian of Antar
The Fall of the old Monarchy of Antar and the death of Kivar at the hands of Prince Consort Elizabeth Parker lead directly to the establishment of the Constitutional Monarchy of Antares, a legal system that resulted in a remarkably stable government which balanced the interests and rights of all citizens of Antar. With the subsequent reign of King Max and Queen Elizabeth I ,this period ushered in the start of the second golden era of Antarean civilization, a time of peace, prosperity, and friendly interstellar relations throughout the Antarean region. Descendants of this Royal union continue to this day to work in government service, both in Antar and throughout the Confederation of planets.
The young clerk’s look of shocked horror was noted with amusement by the Prime Minister, who had heard the conversation. Daktar had doubted the wisdom of the young queen when she had picked Otta as chief of her security detail, but her Majesty had yet again proven him wrong. This man’s loyalty to her was beyond question. The man had served Kivar out of fear. He served ‘Lizzie’ now out of devotion. Daktar would speak to the young clerk later, but since the Queen herself believed in giving second chances, he could scarcely do otherwise. He doubted the clerk would ever forget his mistake this day.
And thus it happened that as representatives of all of the nations of the Earth waited in the inner concourse of Dulles airport to meet the official party of Antar, a thoroughly chastened young third assistant consulate clerk brought Jeff and Nancy Parker to the jetway where the Antarean Security detail guarded Lady Maria, Princess Isabel, and Queen Elizabeth, as they left the spacecraft.
As the bewildered couple looked at their long lost daughter the clerk accompanying them bowed deeply and said “Your Majesty…”.
“Mom! Dad!” the Queen said in obvious surprise. “Sorry I couldn’t write you or call. Gee, an awful lot has happened.”
Otta looked at Prime Minister Daktar who looked back, both nodding in amusement. They both realized the diplomats were going to have to wait awhile. As they saw Lady Maria join into the conversation, both knew it might be a long while indeed.
Chronicles of Takan, 317th Historian of Antar
The Fall of the old Monarchy of Antar and the death of Kivar at the hands of Prince Consort Elizabeth Parker lead directly to the establishment of the Constitutional Monarchy of Antares, a legal system that resulted in a remarkably stable government which balanced the interests and rights of all citizens of Antar. With the subsequent reign of King Max and Queen Elizabeth I ,this period ushered in the start of the second golden era of Antarean civilization, a time of peace, prosperity, and friendly interstellar relations throughout the Antarean region. Descendants of this Royal union continue to this day to work in government service, both in Antar and throughout the Confederation of planets.