Twins on Lavana.
Part 3.
 |
© Copyright 1999 Stellar Spark Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs FanFic page by Stellar Spark https://www.angelfire.com/id/stellar Email: Stellar Spark (stellar@mailcity.com)
Twins on Lavana. Part 1. |
Remrod lightly touched the ideally smooth and bright surface of space deck. Star Sheriffs did not wait for a call to come out and come down to the ferocious surface of the alien planet.
They didn't wait for long – a light flat iridescent platform reflecting like a mirror brought a whole delegation. In front of all stud a beautiful young women. By her looks it was hard to give her more then 28 years, but in her eyes you could read so much patience and experience which can be possessed only by an older people. Near her stud that pretty girl which invited them here. She changed a little beet from what they saw on the screen. Her hair was knotted and decorated with a brooch. Now she looked more official. Behind them was half a dozen man and women but non of them could compare in beauty and dignity with the one in whom Star Sheriffs unmistakably recognized the Queen.
The new arrivals greeted the hostess and got a polite answer.
" Welcome, earth men! That news has you brought us from your planet?" Klio asked, shaking in abeyancy and nervously turned her gaze from one guest to the other. Then she saw April. For a have a second she was stunned and then in disbelieve she moved her sight away from her – this old wound was steal painful. But Stellar continued to gaze at the only one female in Earth team.
'How dares she to look like me?! Yet I'm the Crown princess! She can use her alikeness to me.' thought the Princess.
At the same time April noticed something strange at how the princess was looking at her. It was so interesting – is it truly possible for nature to create such a likeness – they are like a tow drops of water. Who can say that he learned all the ways of Nature?
Colt was charmed by the Princess. She was beautiful back there at Remrod's monitor, but now at the daylight Stellar appeared in all her glory. Her light-chestnut straggler flaps in the soft wind, her features were sweet and painfully familiar. She was dressed in a clinging dress that showed off her pretty figure. She was zephyrian like dream tissued from clouds. She matches exact with Colt's imagined perfect girl. So he gave a word to him salve that he will not lose a chance to get to know her better.
Fireball as well was admired by Stellar but different from Colt. His eyes run from one face to another but always returned to Stellar.
Saber Rider was thinking hard what to answer the Queen and finally sad. "We are searching for an outrider secret base. They are danger not only to the Earth and its colonies, but also in some way to you too…"
The Queen just smiled in response. Saber Rider abash clam up in abash, remembering how they was trying to get through the force field and how powerless Fireball jerked unresponding controls.
"Leastwise they can try to harm you with all what they got. There is one person among them who is capable even for the worst shabby trick." added the leader of earthlings.
"Other are capable too, but they can not think of anything apt." as always chop in Colt.
The Queen made a pause, showing that she took this information to consideration and proposed: "Stay here for a while. It's Stellar's birthday soon. She will be honored to have you on her reception."
"I'm afraid it's not possible, Your Majesty. We have only one week to search out the Crow system. It's very important for us – our well-being depending on that." reasoned his denial Saber Rider.
"Don't worry, we will provide you all necessary information." suggested Queen Klio.
Another platform separated from beneath and lowered in front of Star Sheriffs. April stepped first on it other followed.
* * *
The architecture of the Royal palace was akin to the Earth's European Middle Ages. But it's white stone and high windows and arcs made it airiness. The roof was made out of small metal plates shining in the sun. The palace matched perfect with surrounding landscape and appears like it has bean made by the nature out off water, ice and air. There were no artificial formations in the garden around the palace so it looked natural and very pretty. The climbing plants made the palace look ancient.
The floating platforms slowly landed in front of the palace entrance and disappeared as they touched the ground.
The Queen and her attendance walked in to wide gates made of wood but cold if you'll touch it and strong as still. It was light inside the palace – natural light. Maine hall shines in decoration. There was several staircases leading up, down and half-floors covered with embroidered light carpets.
'Just like back at home.' Saber Rider thought, remembering his tribal castle. And he understood what was so familiar – the stairways.
"Of course, I understand that you are curious, you would like to question us and look around, but look at your apartments first. Servants will lead you. With all problems and questions please apply to my Prime Minister. He will be your guide while you are on Lavana." sad Klio and went to one of the stairways leading up. She stopped for a moment, small platform materialized under her fit and took the Queen up and out of the sight.
Star Sheriffs enchanted looked after her. From the moment they have landed on this planet everything was like in a dream. A fairytale dream – it was so beautiful and grand that it seems unreal. Saber Rider even thought that why were hypnotized to be taking to a trap. But after decided that its not sow. As he understood Cavalry Command already knew about this planet and if they would wonted to destroy them they would don it while they were helpless in their ship.
Prime Minister brought them out of the trance. He showed the path leading down.
Saber Rider looked around. Only this man remained from all queen's followings.
Star Sheriffs walked through the wide corridor with a glowing ceiling. It definitely was a day light but coming through a running water. Along the walls different plants was growing right from the floor.
"This is the beginning of the little stove-house. All plants were brought here from other planets at the times then our ancestors were traveling among the stars ", sad the Minister, " In this part we keep vegetation from planets which stars have less emissivity then ours. Here," a door opened as he pointed on it, "We have flora and fauna from average gravity planet. A little further will be a cell with giant plants from midget planet. We can visit it, of course if you are not tired."
Star Sheriffs accepted the offer to "visit a midget planet", as Colt called it.
They saw a solid green wall. Plants was going up high and appeared to be so thin compare to earth's vegetation.
"Is seems like not the planet midget but we are," April was amazed. They walked in. Next moment they were overfly as birds – so little the gravitation was. Fireball ensnared in netlike branches and scared up some small creatures.
"Don't worry. They are harmless," sad the Minister. Finally all Star Sheriffs returned Prime Minister explained, "In here gather from whole planet. There are some cameras in the far corner with the specimens, which requires special climate. In case of any kind of disaster or so on that planet we would be able to restore the ecological balance. As a rule we do no interfere, any crises brining a qualitative changes in nature's development. In any of those lopes an intelligence can born. And we wouldn't wont to spoil it."
They went back to the corridor. The standard gravity annoyingly constrained their bodies. They were holding to the walls at the first moments while the muscles adapting in a new gravitation field.
"Do you have collections form all planets which your people visited?" asked Saber Rider.
"Yes, we had." Answered the Minister, "Lately we remover some alike of them but steal there are to many of them. There are 12 corridors like this and they go from the Palace right to our Capital. It's almost 13 kilometers in earth metrics."
Star Sheriffs turned to an open door climbed upstairs. There were for doors in front of them.
April stepped in her room. A shadow appeared behind her, but she didn't notice it.
There were three half-light rooms: first was large with a low ceiling the furniture (sofas, armchairs and tables) in it was put in a shambles manner; second room had only one large bad with the satin bedcover. In the surrounding darkness it was hard to be sure that color it was. April looked in to the third room. It was just a little bit smaller then the first one and in the middle of it was the big comfortable armchair. The girl stopped and listen. She thought she heard water running. The noise appeared again. Near the shelf made out of black wood and decorated with gold stood Stellar – the Princess of this planet. She took two wineglasses.
Now, out of the daylight, two girls especially looked like each other. Stellar spotted that and screwed up a little. She moved her hand and light appeared. This effect immediately disappeared. Colorful clothes clouded their faces taking all attention to it serve. April's clothing was no match to Stellar's and at the light the difference in their tint hair color come out. A few long seconds they looked in to each other's eyes, comparing them selves and not finding any major differences.
In other time April's sense of tact would dominate other all others. But her likeness with the Princess, her age… April was shocked and she just could not call that girl "Your Highness".
Stellar watched over the guest in silence. She wonted to find at least a little alterity. She could not get through he mind that in the world exist another girl who looks so alike her. Stellar already noticed that her guest have the same motions as she does. Finally two weeping wineglasses in Stellar's hands become heavy and she held out one to April giving her a nice smile.
April o bowed her in thanks. She tried to think of some thing to say.
Stellar couldn't stand any of this silly silence and proposed, "Come on, I'll show you how to use this bar…"
April came closer.
Controls were pretty easy. All it needs to touch the wall in the precise place and think of what you wont. After Stellar started to explain about other things in the room. April quietly followed her.
It seams that Princess described everything. Stellar was in hesitation, should she leave or stay. And at the moment when princess was already turning to go, April stopped her. Princess Stellar turned about wonderingly.
"Don't you think what we are surprisingly the same." April made a small pause and continued from conviction, "I'm sure what it's not a spurious coincidence."
Stellar absentmindedly looked at the floor like she hasn't heard that she was told. The feeling of disaffection, which she felt from the first moment as she laid her eyes on that earth-girl, gone. She realizes that as long as they stayed alone affinity began to grow between them.
April waiter for her replay and when she understand that she will not get one, decide to change the chapter. "That for this room is?" she showed other the door there the big armchair could be seen."
"Ah, that..." bucked up Stellar, "That is for psychological workout. Alright, watch."
They walked in to the room and Stellar touched the wall neat the entrance. In response a panel slid away. April looked inside but there was nothing. Princess hold her hand in there for a few seconds and stepped away. The panel returned on it's place leaving no evidence of it existence.
"Look!" repeat Stellar. She stood beside the armchair. Somehow the half-lightened room started to change. Trees, flowers and grass appeared, sun started to shine, some where in the distance could be seen the Blue Mountains. Sky becomes light blue and breeze came. Invisible birds started to sing.
"How lovely!" April sad. She was afraid to make even one step and spoil the illusion.
Stellar looked around and saw the armchair steal remaining on it's place. At the next moment it became a lovely garden bench surrounded by the blooming bushes. Stellar made an inviting gesture allowing her guest to examine.
April made a small step and carefully with her pinky touched the blooms. Everything was real!
With a smile Stellar watched as April experimented. And when she ducked one of the branches and started to smell light purple flowers princess took out of nowhere garden pruner and cut the limb. April glanced with gratitude at her new friend. Yes, from now they become friends. Both girls looked at the distance created by Stellar. It was so real that April forgot that she's in the room and started to walk ahead. Suddenly Stellar took her hand. April shuddered and stopped.
"There's a wall out there." Explained Princess.
April outstretched her hand and her fingers run on a smooth cold wall. She smiled in disappointment.
Stellar decided to take her guest out of this room. "Come on."
They went out. Passing the doorway, April noticed that the blooming limb disappeared from her hand. She thought that she might of have drooped it down but there was nothing on the floor.
Two girls left the palace. A huge park lies way ahead other the hill. Walking around the Royal Residence they came to the backyard where by the old tradition were the stables.
Each girl picked up a stallion, saddle up and rode through the park.
April thought that she never felt so good. She got a feeling that Stellar not only a friend but something much more…
Stellar had almost the same feelings. She even forgot about her frightens for her crown.
Horses brought them to the forest lake. Part of the lakeside was covered with send and not far from the water stood a lovely arbour.
April wanted to breeze along the water, but Stellar called out "Stop!"
April pulled the reins and the stallion frizzed.
Stellar dismounted and led the horse to the arbour by only known to her trail.
April followed the Princess's example to the spec. Finally she asked. "Stellar, why are you going like this?"
In silence Stellar took out an apple from her saddlebag and thrown it aside of the trail. From the moment the apple hit the ground it started to sink. In a few moments it was gone.
"Quick sands!" whispered April.
"Yeah. So now one will get to my lake." Explained Stellar.
"Yours? Whole lake? What for?" April was amazed.
" It's not just any lake. It cleans the skin and heals the wounds. But if everyone will use it, it will lose its powers soon enough. Even I swims here with out any clothing."
Finally they got to the arbour, tied the horses, took their cloth off and walked in to the water.
Swimming in the fresh crystal clear water… skinny-dip… April really enjoyed it.
Suddenly a sound came from the shore. Staying in the water both girls stared at the moving bushes. Three horseman rode out of the forest. The first one was Steed carrying Saber Rider followed by Fireball and Colt on horses from Royal stables.
"Good thing that I left a beeper to April" Saber Rider was saying at that moment not seeing the swimmers.
"Look!" Fireball pointed at the two wet heads in the middle of the lake. He turned his hors to the water hurrying up to get fun on April.
In horror April followed his movements. At the same time Stellar hissed as a snake.
"He going to have it! And others won't follow on my territory!"
"Fireball, stop! There's a quick sand!" cried out April. But it was too late. His stallion sensed the danger and pulled back. Fireball flies over the horse's neck in to the quick sand.
April was ready to jump out of water sobbing in disability to do anything.
Stellar got a hard time trying to keep her in water. She hadn't forgot that both of them are naked. But April's help wasn't needed, Saber Rider and Colt was there just in time to pull back Fireball.
April sighed with relief. Stellar scowled at the boys messing on the shore.
"Hey, what are you girls doing their?" asked Colt.
Both girls remain silent. Fireball all in send found horse's footmarks and followed the trail to the water. April and Stellar hastily started to swim to the opposite bank. While to boys searched for the way to the lake, girls gain to the shore and lied up in the cane.
Stellar continued to blast them.
"It's seems like they will not leave until they will not clean Fireball." sad April.
" What!? In my lake?!" flared the Princess and shouted with the full voice "Get out of here! Don't dare to defile my water!"
But she was unheard. Stellar become ferocious "You will pay for that!" Stellar almost cried of insult. Still hiding in the cane girls monitored the movement at the far shore. Colt was helping Fireball to wash off the send and Saber Rider was shouting some thing, but his wards didn't get to the girls.
April decided to swim a little bit closer to Saber Rider so she can hear what does Saber Rider wants from her.
"You needed at Remrod" She made out of Saber Rider's call.
"I'll be there. But do me a favour... get lost!" April cried back.
"We'll wait for you" come forward Fireball.
"No!" cut off April. Fireball wonted to say something gibingly but Saber Rider put his arm on Fireball's shoulder and forced him to go along. Soon there was no evidence of the boy's visit.
* * *
Some time later April all ready was in Remrod. Up to now she didn't had a clue of what can possibly happen so boys would go looking after her. Because of the dust cloud there was no communication with the Cavalry Command and nothing should be broken at the ship. So what happened on this fairytale planet?
Walking in to lounge April stopped in abashment. Boys turn over all room. There were a lot of things lying at the floor and they continue to take out more things from the shelves not noticing her presents.
"What's going on here?" asked April looking at the boys with wide opened eyes.
"We are looking for a present to Princess Stellar." answered Saber Rider.
"You think she need your gifts!" cracked back April. She remembered that meanwhile it's her Birthday tomorrow as well and this 'good boys' completely forgot about it! But they are ready to turn Remrod upside-down just to cater the Princess! "And only because of that you made all this commotion?" she sad and thought 'Hurtful!' "And what can I give her?" She asked trying to hide her annoyance.
"Seek for your self, April." Babbled Colt rooting in the drawer.
"Give her one of your new garbs which you've bought during our last leave" suggested Fireball.
"What for she need clothes? And will she like it?" disputed April "Will it fit her okay?"
Saber Rider: "You and she almost the same height. If it fits you, it will fit her."
'Ha! Almost one height…' thought April, 'How he do not see that we as like as two peas. One height…' "Perhaps, they don't wear anything like this." Again disputed April.
"If you like it, she will like it as well." Assumed more watchful Fireball. He noticed that April and Stellar wasn't only look-likes but had almost the same temper.
"Buy the way, what was the reason to hunt for me?" asked April.
"Honestly… we got bored…" came from the shelf where Colt was still rooted.
"Innocents!" cried out the girl. "Now you'll get it from Stellar. You managed to desecrate her personal lake! And you even don't have an excuse.
Boys looked at her in surprise.
"I thought they are more advanced than we are." Sad Saber Rider.
April: "Of course they are, but they still have some hangovers. Royalty for example!"
"Strange…" sad Saber Rider wrapping some thing in a paper.
April remembered that she haven't prepared nor the birthday gift nor the garb for tomorrow. In her room she recall how wonderful they celebrated her last birthday. Boys surprised her with a cake. And now only a year later they completely forgot about her!
'All right, if they will not remember it them selves, I will not remind them!' She opened her wardrobe in search for a suitable garb. She decided the light purple would be best with the father's gift and she remembered that boys still haven't seen the necklace.
'I'll wear it tomorrow. They will be surprised to see it and will ask where I've got it. And I will tell them that it's daddy's present on my birthday. This way they will feel remorse that they forgot about my Birthday!' – thought April. She put her dress in to the bag, took the necklace, court shoes and some other things, April went to the palace. She thought that it would be easier for her to spent a night there. Boys were left at Remrod, still packaging presents for princess.
* * *
Royal Palace. One of the humanlike robots took Nova to the stables, other one was ready to carry April's bag.
At first she thought that she forgot the way to her apartments, but finally she saw a familiar door. She nod in thanks to the robot, but when it wonted to get in to put her things on the chair, April didn't let it do it.
Left alone she took out the dress and put it in to the closet. Why did she wont to come in to the palace so much? Oh, yes! This room there your thoughts materialize!
April stood near an open door. Walls in the room become gray again, but instead of a chair there was a big cube.
Stepped in to the room, girl has ordered to the walls to change, but nothing happened. She recalled about the slot in the wall and quickly repeated all procedures, performed by Stellar. Now the room begins to transform.
* * *
April was in a gym. Just like the one where she spent so many hours practicing. She started to train when she still was a little girl. She had a friend at that time. They were training together for a few months, but that girl wasn't strong enough and pretty soon she stop coming. Starting that moment April got her own key to the gym and allowances to come any time. Her first Sansei newer allowed any onlookers in the gym. "If you are not practicing, why should you come here?" he used to say. And she always agreed with him. She even preferred to be alone for her workout. Pretty soon she become a best student of her Sansei. Some time later her father got a new assignment and they moved to another city. Once a month at the weekend April went to her Sansei and for the rest time was practicing along. The skills she got helped her to become a Star Sheriff and were useful in many difficult situations. To keep body in a good condition, April never missed an empty gym at the new base where she and her father now lived…
April thought about the past as she deal with the gym's inside. She changed in to her kimono, which she brought from Remrod along with the other tings. After worming up and stretching she started to work with the sandbag. And right at that moment Stellar came to see how her guest is doing.
"Wow! I didn't know, that you can do something like this!" she declared in amaze, standing in the doorway.
April instantly freeze thunderstruck by these words.
"Get out of here!" April yelled angrily, gesturing to the door.
But Stellar even haven't moved, just darkened. Furious by her disobedience, April has ordered to crush down a huge stone monolith other the doorway. The sensitive equipment immediately executed her order.
Faster when she could think about it Stellar jumped from the door and savaged return to her part of the palace.
April has continued her drill with out any disturbance.
* * *
Stellar arranged her birthday party to start from the morning.
Up to the noon Stellar was greeting her guests and gathering gifts in the throne room. The day of joy, fun, dances, dainties and many other entertainments.
April walked in to the hall. Among of all this people she couldn't find boys, so she went to the princess, congratulated her with this beautiful day and gave her a present.
In response Stellar narrowed her eyes and whispered: "I'll talk to you later."
April nodded suspecting nothing and went to the edge of the hall. She found a chair and immediately set down. There was nothing she could do right now, plus she felt kind of strange with all those people, so she concentrated on the tip of her shoe. She thought how great it would be if she would have the possibility to do some thing like this on her Birthday, well at least half of it… That she is thinking about! With friends like Saber, Fireball and Colt it seems she will not hear even a simple "Happy Birthday".
Some one stopped near her. April looked up and saw an old woman. By her look April understood that old lady wont something from her. So she stud up. Old woman curtsies graceful and started to jabber: "On this magnificent day I wish you all happiness in the world, I want that all your wishes and dream well come true. Happy birthday!" she finished.
For a breath moment April believed that some how this old lady found out that she is also the one who should be cheered today, but then she understood that she have been mixed up with Stellar. Even through the have just began April felt weariness. But she smiled to the old lady and trying not to offend her sad: "Thanks, but Stellar is over there!" She showed at the real Stellar, who at that moment was gathering her birthday presents from the Star Sheriffs.
The old lady was confused and rushed toward the princess, but stopped halfway and turned back to April. "But you look so like her!"
"Yes, I know. Some times it is happens…" April smiled.
She shook her head and went to pay her respect to the princess Stellar.
At that moment boys listened a rowing form Stellar about their yesterdays bad behavior and for that they are loosing all privileges on this planet.
"You'll be escorted to your space ship." Finished her speech Stellar with the tone like she was sending them to a gallows.
'That the devil? Why all this problems always appear with monarchies? To recall for example the planet Jaar! But that time we have well perform during the battle, plus April's diplomatic abilities... Apropos, where is she?' Thought Saber Rider.
SR: "But what about April?"
S: "April will join you soon enough. But first she'll pay for her unrespect!"
"What does she do wrong?" Fire Ball was surprised. He wanted to say something else and already has opened this mouth, but at that moment he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked back - it was April.
"What's going on here?" She asked.
"We're under arrest." Colt answered, very distressed by this event. He counted to have fun with girls for a whole day. "Like always!"
"For what?" April was amazed.
"For everything wrong what you have done on this planet." answer Stellar.
Princess lightly pressed a stone on her bracelet. It took not more then several seconds for robot-guards appear in the throne room armed with halberds.
"Put her in to the old catacombs." Ordered princess indicating April.
One of the robots pointed its halberd direct to the girl, pushing her to the exit. But she was so resentful over the attitude to herself that has caught the shaft of the weapon.
"Hey! I've got self-respect to!" Resent April. Handling the halberd shaft so the robot could not harm her and continue to show her indignation. "Any way, I will fight for my freedom."
In sunlight the stone in April's ring shined and caught everyone's attention. The guardian-robot was the first one who recognized the ring of the king of Lavana. It immediately stopped futile attempts to tack the girl away and frozen in respectful waiting. Stellar has repeated her order but the robot didn't move. No one noticed when the queen appeared.
By here powerful gesture the crowd moved making the way and she appeared near the arguing girls. Everyone's eyes addressed to her. Only now many of attendants have noticed that there are guards in the hall and their princess is annoyed with something.
Clio came to her daughter. Nothing has escaped from her glance not Stellar's mood, not the abashment of the Star Sheriffs. Not saying a word, she took both girls hands and putted them before her in front of her subjects. Now everyone could see that their princess and the girl from the space ship are similar as two drops of water. It wasn't just an alikeness, which has struck Clio in their first meeting - it was full identity. Girls not only were similar but also had same manners, gestures and even their voice didn't differ. Girls were alike in everything except for the social position.
April and Stellar peered into crowd and tried to understand why all this people looks so shocked. Confused they looked back at the queen. Her lips trembled, it seem that it was too hard for her to say what she was about to declare.
"Both of them are my daughters! April and Stellar!!!"
There wasn't even a sound of breathing. Not many knew that there were two daughters in the royal family. But even those who knew could not believe that two of them finally met. But no mater how amusing it was for the others the real capped persons were April and Stellar. They agazed at Clio.
"What does it mean?" asked Colt.
"That means, Colt, that April is a princess!" answered Fireball.
"Yes. But this is also means, that Commander Eagle is the king of this planet. And don't forget – Lavana is a high tech planet." expressively noticed Saber Rider.
"No! I meant that April got a sister! And a beautiful one!" objected Colt, as always his shifty mind could work only in one direction.
"Colt, grow up!" Fireball called him down. "Can’t you see, this is the happiest day on this planet?!"
"Of course I can see that!" parried Colt, affect independent.
Boys have looked at girls. They was embracing each other whispering "Sister! Sister!", and then dash to their mother with bawl " Oh! Mother!"
Clio immediately hugged both her daughters.
* * *
Boys stood near the main stairway of the palace. They didn’t know what they were waiting for, but something kept them near the Royal Residences.
"Now we are going to have a real princess in our crow!" wondering spoke Fireball sweetly stretching in shades of luxurious trees.
SR: "I’m afraid that we won’t have any."
"Why not?" Fireball gazed at his friend. "You saw it! The queen called April her daughter!"
"Stellar and April are twins and no one can tell who will take the throne!"
FB: "Ne-a! April won’t live us! She will refuse it in Stellar’s favour."
SR: "Are you sure?"
"I’m not! She could stay! It’s a beautiful country! May be she is tired fighting? You know!" Colt’s arguments were sufficiently strong, but non of them want to believe they could leave without April.
To support his faith Fireball has said: "I believe in her! She’s not that kind of a girl! She’s got responsibilities and enough courage and energy, to stand against outriders! She is a part of the team! You know what I mean!" He nearly shouted waving before Colt’s and Saber Rider’s noses with a slipped sprig.
C: "Hey, guys! While you here perorate, I’ve recalled that today is April’s Birthday too! And we’ve forgot about it!"
"I hope she will not use her new power and will not throw us in to the dungeon for that!" Joked Saber Rider.
"I think as long as the day is not other yet we have chance to correct our carelessness. More so that I have a gift for her." Fireball pulled out of his pocket a small box beautifully enfolded in the brilliant paper and a favour on the top.
"I've got something for her too!" and Saber Rider conjured a neat folding.
C: "So I was the only one who forgot about her Happy birthday?"
SR: "Seems like it".
C: "What should I do?"
FB: " Think, Colt! Think!"
Fireball and Saber Rider turned away from Colt with indifferentism.
"So what should I do? I’m asking, guys!" repeated Colt in more increased tone.
"Fireball has said already. THINK!" answered Saber Rider without turning around.
"Why I’m asking! I know what to do! Anyway I’m a prof and understands girls better than you two put together!" Colt self-complacent smirked and left to somewhere.
Fireball and Saber Rider was left alone.
FB: "I wonder how come April and Stellar turn out to be on different planets and didn’t been aware of each other existence?"
SR: "My guess is that only Queen Clio and Commander Eagle have an answer to that."
FB: "And remember, when on our way here at the force field April recalled that her father has sad something about the high-tech civilization."
SR: "I believe he knew we may meet them. Well, as soon as Colt will get back we better present our gifts to April.
* * *
While boys was outside palace sitting on the stairs, the queen Clio was telling her daughters their history, how she her self has got to Lavana and why the King has left to fight with outriders.
April sat eyes closed and tried to imagine by her mother’s tale how it was.
A: "It’ gust grate that we ate together again! But, what made you sure that I’m the one? After all our alikeness simply could be the nature’s play."
Queen waned to say something, but April already guess herself. "By this necklace!" She touched the aglint stones, "Daddy told me, that you asked him to give it to me then I’ll be eighteen."
Queen nodded.
S: "Hoe wonderful to have a sister! I always wanted to have a sister!"
A: "You almost thrown this sister in to the dungeon!" quirked the new princess.
Stellar confused. "You’ve treated me as a robo-cleaner! I was forced to get apologies from you!"
A: "Alright, Stellar! Sorry! I’ll never again send you out. I’ll kindly ask you to leave."
Stellar nodded and continued from the part where she was interrupted by April. "Now we’ll always be together! Nothing will make us apart!" she stopped and sharply changed the subject. "But why the servant did not follow my order?"
April shrugged.
"Your father gave April his ring." Clio answered. "Whoever wears this ring can command on Lavana."
April took it off and gave it to Clio. "I wont you to have it".
"No" answered the queen, "You’ll return it to the King your self. He gave it to you."
"Alright," April put the ring back on her finger.
Boys went in. They saw the Queen on the throne and both her daughters sitting at her feet on the floor. Boys felt kinda uneasy in a large and empty hall. The voices sounded too loud. In one of the pauses of her majesty and their highnesses discussion boys dears to show their presence by shuffle and slight cough. When all three royals turned to them, Colt stepped forward and sad: "April, can we talk to you for a second?" he was hiding something at his back.
The princess April interested by this circumstance ran to boys. She was followed by Stellar.
C: "April, because of all these events we almost forgot to… HAPPY BIRTHDAY, April!" Colt stretched a bouquet of miraculous white with the yellow middles flowers.
"We also wish you the best!" Fireball and Saber Rider each gave their gifts.
"Oh, boys! I thought you’ve forgot about my Birthday! Oh, thank you!!!" April wanted to embrace all three of them, but at this moment Stellar appeared. She slipped in between April and boys.
"What!" she shouted as soon as got a closer look at the flowers, "How dear YOU touched my best flowerbed!" she started to close in on Colt, forcing him to move backwards.
"I.., I’m.." that was the only thing he could say.
"I’ll!.." Stellar was furious by such boorishness and was ready to tear Colt to pieces.
But April stood before her. "Stellar, please no! This is our birthday! Don't spoil everything, you must be more generous."
Stellar disdainfully looked at boys, but this time didn’t move. Tension reached the limit. One more second and whole fury, accumulated for the last two days, will splash at them. But this did not happen. Stellar’s fists unclenched, and she kinda limpened. "All right, all right!" she didn’t wont to fight "Thanks God, I’ll never see you again!"
Boys looked at April, but she kept her eyes on the floor.
Queen Clio didn’t interfere in her children business. As always she gave Stellar carte blanche. While they were busy the queen disappeared.
Stellar snapped her fingers. A light music started in the hall. Princess Stellar expectantly watched the young men around her. Saber Rider was the first one who understood a tipoff and to took a step to Stellar. The most gallant and suave he has invited a girl for a dance. They waltzed through the room. Fireball invited April. Now there was two pairs flittering in the dance.
Colt was left alone. He looked around and noticed a pair - young man and a pretty girl with him. Without losing time he jumped to them and pushing the man away in the same time offered the girl his hand. "Do you want to dance?"
One more pair joined them when the girl gave Colt her hand. Rejected attendant staid alone.
Other guest also heard the music and started to gather up. Pretty soon there was so many people that the first three pairs was pushed to the corner.
A: "Fireball, I think we should rest."
FB: "Is here something to eat?"
"We’ll ask Stellar" April pulled Fireball to Stellar and Saber Rider. "Let's go somewhere else."
Stellar liked her sister’s proposal and two pairs freed space for new dancers. The company went out on the fresh air. There they met Colt with its new girlfriend.
As soon as she saw sisters the girl sat down in the curtsy. "You Highness! A-a, I mean your Highnesses!"
C: "This is Tola."
FB: "Colt, You'll never going to change!"
Colt slyly smiled." We’ll go for a walk!"
FB: "See you at Remrod!"
C: "I'll be there!"
He took the girl’s arm and they tale by the ally. Fireball and Saber Rider could hear the fragment of their chat:
C: "So, when I became their leader, we won three battles running!"
"Oh, Colt, you are so great! You know the princesses personally! You’re the best!"
"I know." answered Colt smirking.
When pair vanish behind trees, Stellar asked: "What’s Remrod?"
SR: "It's the spaceship on which we came here."
S: "Oh, yes!.. I want to see it from inside."
"Your Highness!" sad Fireball getting April’s attention, "We may go there right now! Princess Stellar will be pleased." He looked askew at Stellar. Saber Rider sad nothing.
‘Well, now I’ll be hassled by him! Usually if he started that’s for long.’ thought April.
After short silence Stellar repeated her question: "So, what about Remrod?"
Boys kept silent. After several days in Remrod, they didn’t want to return there so quickly. No one looked at her, but Stellar wonted an answer. While boys were examining the palace architecture, April took her sister’s hand and quietly led her away. When turned back to them, girls already were gone.
"We better go alone." sad April on their way to Remrod.
"Where are we going?"
"To Remrod" answered April.
"This in the other direction. "Now she was leading April. Once in a while they were meting guests walking in the garden. People bowed to the princesses and once more wished them Happy Birthday.
Finally they reached the edge of the park. There was no fence there. From that point began boundless meadows. Herbs on them was not brightly green as on Earth, but a little blue and it seems like the meadow was in the cold mist.
"Come on!" called Stellar, she has seen these meadows for many times and they were not impressive to her.
April stayed for one more second and dashed after her sister. Stellar went to a pillar-separator of queen’s holdings. April saw how Stellar found a button on it and a platform appeared from the ear under the princess. With Stellar aboard it began to rise.
"Hurry, April, hurry!"
April didn’t expect to of the ground so quickly. She looked as her sister lifting up, she was trying to figure out how to go through this acrobatic exercise in the ball gown. But when she understood that one more moment and she’ll stay alone. April jumped to Stellar.
Girls raced to Remrod. A high wind strikes them to the face. Girls were supporting each other. That wasn’t anything alike yesterdays flight with the queen, It looks more like mad horse racing.
A black cloud came from the forest and was closing fast. Thunderstorms on Lavana came and left fast but were strong and flurry. It was better to go down and wait it out under the trees, but their goal - Remrod was close, so girls continued their way.
Head wind increased. A lightning stroked. Under its dazzle light of the color sharply divided into black and pearl-blue. No Lightning could reach the surface on this planet – a general force field system was created to protect the population. Although lightnings itself could not harm sisters, but strong wind and a rain almost succeed throwing girls from the platform. Their ball gowns drenched and pulled them down, but April and Stellar still was on their way.
Finally, in wet dresses and tumbled hair, they’ve got to Remrod.
Excursion started from April’s room, where they change in the dry cloth and trimmed themselves. After such hayride they felt hungry.
April has recalled that she has brought from Earth a birthday cake. Now this cake was really useful. She went to the kitchen to prepare tea. Along with Stellar they made a low table on the floor in the middle of April’s room and started with the cake with pleasant conversation.
"Hey, Stellar, won’t your... Oops! Our mother worry about you?"
"Ne-e..." Finishing one piece Stellar explained "Nothing here threatened me, nor to anyone else. Mother told me that it is not so on Earth."
"Yes, it’s deferent, but also not bad..." Girls silenced for a moment, finishing their shares of the cake. Then April suddenly asked: "Would you like to visit Earth?"
"It would be interesting. Honestly, I’ve never been on any other planet. They keep saying that I’ll have time for that later. But I know they are just afraid to travel!"
"Who they?" Demanded April
"Locals! They treat us with ma different then to each other. Spatially after father left.
"You mixing something. The Queen… I mean mother sad that our father came on a space shuttle, that they knew many planets, and there in cellars you have a splendid collection of many worlds. How they can be afraid of space travel?" protested April.
"True, but it was our father with his friend. Other Lavanians haven’t left planet for a long-long time. They say – they do not need too."
"And they have no desire to explore and settle in new worlds?" April was really surprised. "You don’t need to move in to the other planets. If overpopulation on Lavana?"
"No, no such problems. Planet’s population does not grow, its slowly falls.
"Will mother let you go with us to Earth?"
Stellar looked at her sister wonderingly. "She’ll never let me or you of Lavana!"
"That?!. Why?!"
"She’s afraid to be left alone. And now than we found you, she’ll never let you go again. Plus, if anything happen to us Lavana will stay without legal royal successors."
"I’ll have to go. I can’t abandon guys in such complex situations! Earth needs all help it can get to defeat the Outriders. Otherwise they will conquer our dimension. And Earth will be their fist target!"
"No matter! She will not let you!" noticed Stellar tiredly, "Tell me about Earth and yourself."
At that time cups and plates were empty, but girls still felt a little hunger. So they continue their diner. April has filled cups for one more time and the conversation lasts. April was telling about her childhood, about father and Earth. After it was Stellar’s turn to speak. Meanwhile tea and cake were continuing to disappear and disappear.
* * *
Saber Rider turned to princesses, but they already wasn’t there. He pushed Fireball making him turn back too. Boys searched near by bushes and dashed to far alley. There they found Colt. He sat under a tree with his new girlfriend and entertained her with tales of combat adventures under his leadership. At the most terrible moments the girl snuggled to him, and when it turns out to be OK, She kissed him. Colt continued his story just to get one more kiss. He was torn away from this pleasing pursuit by Fireball’s voice.
"Colt, Stellar and April has vanished!"
" What?" he jerked up."
"O, Colt, find them, please!" cried the girl rising from the grass. She sacredly believed that Colt will cope with any task, no matter how difficult it may seems.
"So let’s find them!" started Colt, taking command in to his own hands, "You'll go that way" he showed one direction, "We'll go this way!" he took his girlfriend’s hand and headed to the other direction.
"Hey, Colt, stop!" yelled Saber Rider "They, probably not in this park anymore."
"But maybe they are in the palace!?" Answered Colt continuing his way.
SR: "Hardly. Probably they left for somewhere far. We lost 15 minutes already in the park and haven’t seen them."
FB: "Maybe the princess..."
"Which one?" put a word in Colt.
FB: "I mean Stellar. May be she took April in her secret nooks?"
C: "Right!" he shouted and addressed to his girlfriend, "Do you know where they can be?"
"Well, princesses Stellar has her lake in the woods..."
FB: We’ve been there already!"
"And she has a secret lodge at the heart of the park. That’s it. I don’t know anything more." She shaked her pretty head.
C: "You see! They’re in the park. Now let’s go to look for them!" Colt took the initiative to prove his leadership.
Saber Rider opened his mouth ready to say something, but Colt didn’t let him to and began to push Saber Rider and Fireball away.
C: "Go there and find them!"
FB: "Colt, will you shut up!" these words fell as a thunder from the clear sky. Colt froze open-mouthed and blinking looked at Fireball.
"Yes, Colt," Saber Rider supported Fireball, "I'm sure they are not in the park. And I think, now I know where they are!"
"Where?" everybody have asked at the same time.
SR: "Remember, Fireball, what Stellar asked for before they disappeared?"
FB: "She wanted to see Remrod" he automatically answered, "Oh, yes! They are at Remrod."
SR: "Exactly! Colt, call them."
C: "A-...a-...må..."
SR: "What's wrong Colt?"
C: "I forgot my communicator." He raised his eyes to the sky.
FB: "Colt!!!"
C: "What?" he resented. "Why should I must always remember about it?"
SR: "Because it's your responsibility!" he was calm as usual. He thought for a little and made his decision, "We should return to Remrod."
C: "I'll stay here!"
SR: "You'll come with us!"
C: "But..."
FB: "No buts, Colt! If Saber Rider said we should, we should!"
All three of them moved in the Remrod’s direction.
This disappearing act made Saber Rider really worried. ‘It’s not like April. I believe it’s Stellar’s affection’ thought Saber Rider.
Unhappy Colt trailed behind. His Tola decided that she will be in the way while the "Leader of the Star Sheriffs" will be concerned with important duties, so she left.
By the Star Sheriffs’s request the queen met with them. She calmly go the news of her daughters sudden disappearance.
"Don’t be agitated. Nothing can harm them on our planet."
"Anyway, I prefer to be sure where they are." Have sad Saber Rider.
"I can’t help you on that. You’ll have to find them your selves." Answered the Queen.
FB: "First of all we would like to check Remrod. Could you lend us these ‘flying things’."
"’Flying things’ teased Clio. "Lasana will show you how to use it". She called Lasana by the com-board.
Outside Lasana waited for the Star Sheriffs. She quickly explained that for these ‘flying objects’ are and taught boys to operate them. Control was not complex and soon they already flew to Remrod.
Local vegetation after a short thunder sparkles in million colors. The flying platform floated straight to Remrod. And only boys understood that they don’t know how to land.
"Jump!" ordered Saber Rider and jumped down from the platform himself. Colt and Fireball have followed him. In a result Fireball and Colt wallowing in bushes and Saber Rider was hanging on tree’s branches. Without passengers platform has melted.
Fireball and Colt rose to their feet and helped Saber Rider to come down from the tree.
In several minutes Star Sheriffs were in Remrod. The first that they saw was puddles of water on the floor. At the beginning they have thought taps are leaking and dash on the kitchen and in bathroom. But everything was okay, only on the kitchen’s table they found an empty cake box. This box made clear girls presence.
Boys approached April’s door. They could hear voices and laughter. Not knowing that to expect boys rushed in the door and saw both princesses sitting on the floor with tea caps in their hands. All furniture was moved to the corners to free some space for the table made out of some kind of box. And on that table they saw a half-eaten cake and just opened bottle of exotic liquor.
It’s hard to say who was surprised more. Girls in amaze gazed at the boys frozen in the doorway. At first Saber Rider wanted to say something about their bad behavior but when he glance fell on the cake he forgot everything. He glanced at Colt and Fireball. Both of them also could not take their eyes of the remaining of the cake.
FB: "A-a, girls, don’t you think, what you’ll be fat, if you’ll eat all of the cake?"
Girls exchanged glances: Stellar with the alert, April with the disapprobation. Then they turned back to boys.
A: "This is a low calorie cake. I looked before buying it!" And she continued to consume her peace of cake. Stellar followed her example.
C: "A, April..."
A: "Go your own way, Colt."
SR: "Are you celebrating something?" asked leader of the Star Sheriffs as the one most trained in diplomacy.
"Yep!" answered both girls at the same time.
A: "Our birthday..."
S: "Our first meeting for a long time..."
A: "My first meeting with my mother..."
S: "Mothers first meeting with her second doughtier..."
A: "My return to my motherland planet..."
"And our good mood!!!" twins in chorus have finished to itemize.
This time they noticed the coincidence, synchronous turned one to another and laughed.
Dejected boys returned in the corridor and collected in close-fitting circle begun council of war.
C: "That to do?"
SR: "You decide, after all you our leader!"
C: "Well... Well..." now Colt was regretting that started to lie while his friends were around.
"Its clear that we’ll not get our share just talking to them." Fire Ball entered in this conversation. Colt and Saber Rider listened closely. "But what if we’ll change it..."
C: "For what?"
FB: "I’ve bought April a large pizza for her Birthday. Every body knows, that she just love it."
In the process of hitting up the pizza they realized that Colt and Saber are not so fond about this dish, but they will not refuse a piece of cake.
They opened a door a little so the smell from the hat pizza could get inside April’s room and started to wait. The reaction came immediately. No one didn’t get a chance to get a first bit when April darted out of the room and saw boys at the corridor floor eating smelling fat pizza, coated with lots of tasty cheese.
Twins on Lavana. Part 1.
