Hello Poppet Book 1 pt 2

Hunt for the warlord turned King
Crane’s POV…

Crane sat upon his throne tearing into a roasted boar, he was impatiently waiting on his little slave bird. He had sent the little feather duster to aid the bastard Ratchet after he had become king. Well to spy on the bastard anyway, since his warlords were dropping like flies. Ratchet had found a lead but that was the last Crane had heard from him in weeks. There was going to be hell to pay if he had failed him. A group of scantly clad slaves entered his throne room. They lined up in front of him bowing deeply, he waved for them to begin. In slow graceful movements the slaves began to dance for his entertainment. Women and men from different planets, all different humanoid species. Leaning back his dark hungry eyes watched them while he sipped some wine. Has they moved their bodies into a variety of steps that lead them closer together and imitating sexual acts, he was starting to feel his body stir with need. Before he could choose a few to join him in his chamber’s one of his crew came in.

Oka his second strode through determined, but when he knelt before him in submission, he knew what he was about to hear wasn’t going to be pleasing. “My king forgive my intrusion but I have just received news that Ratchet is dead and Raven appears to be missing.” The man continued to kneel at Cranes feet. Cranes eye darkened in rage, his magic blasted outwards taking out the slaves along the edges of the room. The remaining slaves, and Oka stayed completely still. Blood seeps out over the floor its coppery scent filling the air. Cranes eye’s returned to their regular darkness has he breathed in the scent. He began to bark out orders “Ready the crew and send five of the remaining slaves out with messages to the remaining warlords under my rule”. Crane stood and left, stretching out his magic searching for that damned magician. His tie to that slave should be buzzing in his minds eye, which it was, but not loud. Which meant he was either dying or captured by someone who knew their way around magic. Best to leave this place and group up, it could be the little wench who escaped slavery when she nearly killed Ratchet fifteen years ago.

Captain’s POV

Captain woke with Cora snuggled in beside her. Her second was often in her bed particularly after high stress moments. It was like she had a sixth sense about stress levels. Captain carefully detangled herself from Cora. She valued Cora for this, she seemed to know just how gentle to be or rough when needed. A rare smile spread across her face has she trailed her fingers down Cora’s side. Cora sighed in her sleep and rolled over. Captain climbed fully out of the bed and grabbed up her robe. Slipping it on and tying it tight she left her room. Heading first for the infirmary to check on Robby and Cricket, while reflecting on how she found them. She couldn’t figure out why it hurt her to see Robby so beat up.

She peaked in at them, neither had moved in the hours since treating their minor injuries. The effects of Ratchet’s magic must still be wearing off. Captain felt something then a feeling she did not like. Moving quickly, she headed to her office where she had Raven trapped in the circle. He was awake and stared at her as she opened the door. “I know you can take human form do so now and speak, I know something isn’t right and has something to do with you.” Raven did not shift but instead pushed his consciousness into hers. “I cannot shift thanks to the man who enslaved me, I can however project my thoughts. Has for that feeling you have…my master may have become aware he cannot sense me properly.” “Son of a bitch.” Muttered Captain has she headed for the control room. Looking at the data screen they still had 12 hours before they’d be in site of the planet, he was hiding on which meant if he figured he needed to skip out he had plenty of time.

Sighing she headed back to her room. Cora woke has she climbed back into bed. Feeling the new tension in Captain she began to massage her body. A small chuckle escaped “you know you don’t have to do this all the time, or the other things just cause I am stressed or tensed.” Cora smiled, “I like doing this for you Captain.” Cora placed kisses where she finished massaging. An automated voice sounded from their autopilot program “Ms. Captain we will be on the planet shortly however target is not in this time period shall I activate time jump protocol?” Captain reached towards the nightstand to press the respond button “No Asta we are going to see if we can catch him coming out of the time, chances are he will jump to this time before taking off.” “Yes ma’am, Eta is now 6 hours.” With a sigh Cora sat back, Captain sat up placed a hand on her cheek, “You are an amazing second Cora and in case you do not realize it I value you has both second and a bed partner.” Cora blushed for these soft moments with Captain were rare.

Robby’s POV
Robby groaned has he finally woke up after what seemed like days and needing to piss like a mother fucking racehorse. He saw to his left a dim light and figure it was the bathroom. Moving slow he managed to make it has he finished he heard an “Awe shit.” behind him, signaling Cricket was awake but hadn’t been so fortunate. Coming out he gave the other man a sympathetic smile “Tends to happen when we’re in medical bays on a ship mate lack of catheters.” Robby spotted a supply closet and a small load wash/dry machine beside it go get cleaned I’ll deal with your bedding. Embarrassed Cricket said nothing but stumbled his way to the washroom tossing his clothes outside the door. Robby gathered all the soiled things and put them in the machine. There was a button on the bed that said sanitize so he pressed it. By the time Cricket emerged the bed was clean and dry, and the machine was on the dry cycle. The door opened and a young woman came in with short bright green hair and light tinge of green beneath her skin. Robby watch Cricket’s jaw drop. Hard to believe its been three days since they were rescued.

The woman held two trays of food “Oh good you’re awake, Bossman soon has you eat Captain wants to see you in her office…though we may have landed by then.” She set down the trays gave Cricket a once over that left the man redder than a tomato and walked out. “So, when did we get moved to the infirmary?” “Probably after Captain socked me though I think you’ve been here since she recued us.” Cricket groaned and finished eating. Robby got up when he was finished and headed to find Captain asking Cricket to take their trays to the kitchen when he was done. Captain had just left her office has Robby walked up. She signaled to him to follow her. “Why was I in the infirmary instead of my room” he asked her as they walked. “Rose found you on the floor while I was interrogating my captive, we figure you dropped out of exhaustion.” “She also bring us the food? If so, I think Cricket maybe smitten.” Captain only nodded; Robby gently touched her arm to get her to stop. “We don’t have time to speak about that kiss.” Robby sighed; she was back to her cold aloof self. “Keep up there is work to be done Bossman.” Cora stepped into the hall from Captain’s room and seen Robby walking behind Captain.

Captain’s POV

She had no idea what she was going to do about Robby, she was quiet glad Cora stepped out when she did cause she did not want to talk about or even think about the kiss Robby had given her. Cora knew about it but kept her silence has the three of them continued to the bridge. “Asta update!” Captain said cold authority behind her words. “Eta five mins Captain, no signs of other ships though they could be cloaking their signals.” “Asta warn everyone 30 secs till manual override.” Asta’s voice sounded over the ship’s entire intercom system has Cora and Captain strapped in. Captain glanced at Robby “Bossman you uh might wanna strap in like now.’ Robby barely finished snapping in the clips when she grabbed the controls and flipped a switch kicking the ship in to gear to break the atmosphere. The landing was smooth and when she looked back, she noticed that Robby had a death grip on his seat.


Too late

The crew moved swiftly after the ship landed and scanned the long abandoned looking castle. Cricket called to them from a courtyard were there was marks of recent lift off merely an hour old. “Son of a bitch.” Captain exclaimed. Then she sensed something. The cold look that came over her face could frighten a bear. Then it was like she disappeared into the light. Her crew didn’t bat an eye just created a circle facing out weapons drawn. Taking the hint Crickey and Robby joined the circle. A small group of warriors appeared out of what was left of the courtyard garden. The group of women acted has one defending themselves with ease. Cricket and Robby had barely needed to lift a finger they moved so quickly. That was until several more randomly dropped from the sky.

Captains POV
She watched the fight seeking and homing in on the one calling the shots. Her crew easily taking care of themselves even though an attack had come from above. Wrapped in light like she wrapped herself in shadows. Her gaze moved up to the sky and there she saw it that bend that said there was something hiding there. Gathering power, she leapt straight up and used the light beams to rise over the bend. She landed lightly on top making no sound. The quiet buzzed inside her head, raising one fist up she threw all her weight down smashing through the glass top. A yell sounded has she grabbed hold of the pilot (probably the one in command of the ambush). The fighters scattered has the mini-ship dropped outta the sky and Captain leaned in close to the pilot with a “Hello Poppet.” She hissed has she yanked him out and rolled off has the ship crashed into the ground.

Cora had the crew round up all the enemies and tie them up. Captain was busy interrogating her new captive. One minute they all moved and talked well bitched then they started to drop one by one. Damn pigs all the same, Captain thought in disgust hide behind their armies and then if captured kill them. Mother fucking warlords and cowards at that. “Search the place one more time for anything that is left behind. Prepare for a warrior’s funeral. I’ll be in my office.” When she got there, Raven was asleep on his perch. Feeling frustrated at missing the chance and knowing she wouldn’t be able to track using the magic connection between slave and master she decided to deal a blow to Crane. Kneeling she adjusted the symbols on the magic circle then slammed her hand onto it. The magic imploded.

Warriors’ funeral

Ravens POV

Raven landed on his ass with a start. The fact it wasn’t his feathery tailed ass shocked him. Slowly he raised his hands ups. Hands he had hands no longer wings. His own magic flowed freely for the first time in a really long time. He looked up at the young woman before him her face cold which did not match her actions of freeing him. Has he stood up he manifested a robe to cover himself. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do next. The young woman…Captain they called her, though he was sure that wasn’t her real name. Then he saw the hair and he flashed back to a ball of fire he had been forced to dive into and the pure white blond locks he had flown by. Now it made sense why Ratchet had wanted her. It didn’t explain why Crane did though. She gestured for him to follow her and left without looking back.

Curiosity got the better of him has she led him to a hallway full of doors and stopped in front of one pressed a button to open the door. She gestured for him to enter “This will be yours till I can take you home you should rest and get use to your magics this will be a good place to stay while you do that. You have about 20 mins to get cleaned up I expect you to be there since you are temporarily part of my crew.” Raven went to respond but she was already gone. Right then he caught a whiff of himself, he stunk like a friggen bird. He spent has much time has he could in the shower feeling the water on his skin while scrubbing with some mild soap. Wishing he could remain in the shower he sighed then got out and dressed. He made it out just before they went to light it up.

Captains POV

The moment she seen Raven join them Captain waved a hand and flames lit up. She got a look of surprise on Raven’s face. “It’s been a long 15 years birdman I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way.” The crew stood around and watched as their enemies burned, when there was nothing but smoking ashes left Captain had them take all their findings onto the ship. Captain grabbed one of the bins to carry herself and went back to her ship. “Once everyone is on board Marley get us ready for take off.” Marley quickly grabbed what she could carry then headed for the bridge being their regular pilot. Captain headed straight to her office. Cricket knocked on her open office door. She glanced up at him and waited. “Uhm I heard from my crew you headed anywhere near the Oran sector?” Sighing Captain shook her head “we don’t have much leads now but we can take a detour. I noticed you looking at Rose what are your intentions?”

Captain watched Cricket’s face turn beat red while he mumble something about not having even spoken to Rose. He left right after and she returned to sorting through some of the scattered notes they had found. They were locations of the five warlords in Cranes employ. Turned out one was in Oran sector oh how the goddesses shine on those who help themselves, Captain thought. “Asta inform Marley you will be taking over now has its a long way to the Oran Sector.” She barely finished speaking when Robby barged in. “Are we going to speak now?” “You should get of the ship when we meet up with Cricket’s crew.” was all she said and walked out of her office. Captain found Raven in the kitchens he seemed to be preparing a feast. “I know you were stuck has a bird for such a long time but surely you can’t eat all this?” He gave her a look “Obviously not this is to say thank you for freeing me though I am unsure why you did it…or how even.” Captain dropped a file in front of him in answer. She watched Raven pick it up and leave through it while he worked. He looked at her after with surprise and tears, “she’s alive? Crane said she was dead, he killed her for trying to help me.” “She’s alive and well birdman he killed an astral projection so not the real one. I should be able to get you home to her in about week.” Captain left to go inform the crew that the feast Raven was preparing in gratitude would be ready soon.

Oran Sector

Captains POV

They entered Oran Sector in less time than anticipated but with relief. It was vast and would still be a few days before they could meet up with Crickets crew has they were just finishing a job in his absence. The found a planet to land on one where they could stay in their current era. The crew departed for various places to restock while Captain went to check out a lead on the Warlord in this sector. The pub she entered was eerily dingy compared to most. She lifted the hood of her cloak to keep from standing out too much. Someone grabbed her shoulder and it took every bit of will power she had not to flip them over it. Instead Captain whipped around giving the offender an icy stare. The woman gave her a snaggle toothed grin for it was a hag. “So you are the moppet looking for my master eh such a pretty little thing.” Captain let a little more innocence come across her face has she smiled sweetly at the hag “Heard he could give a gal wanting adventure a good time.” The hag witch laughed and grabbed her hand sending a spell up her arm causing her to black out.

Captain groaned it was very rare for anyone to get a leg up on her. She sat up and looked around there was plenty of shadows her to wrap herself in instead she waited. Footsteps could be heard and a door opened. A woman presenting being came in but Captain knew the face so knew this was no woman. Aka was the only trans Warlord in Crane’s employ. Gender fluid to be exact. “So you are who Crane warned us about, he will be happy to know I have caught you.” Aka spoke with a very husky voice, Captain suspected most fell to that voice in moments. “Why work for a man who would see you dead?” asked Captain. Aka laughed “The money of course, the lands, my own fleet.” Aka continued to ramble on about the perks. Captain gathered the shadows and soon cloaked herself. The rope dropped in front of Aka who was now beginning to become wary. Out loud she said “Just what are you?” Captain replied with a laugh. Aka slammed shut the door to keep Captain inside. “Now you trapped yourself in here with me Poppet.”

Aka pulled out their blade and swung it trying to find her captive. Captain was directly above her though she dropped down and whispered “Hello poppet. Time to sleep.” Aka could not swing the blade up then collapse fast asleep. Captain stood just has the witch hag burst in. Seeing her master unconscious she let out a shriek and began to bombard Captain with small balls of magic. Captain managed to use the shadows to create a shield but knew it won’t last long. She did hear fighting in the hall has she fended off the hag. Captain rolled under the next onslaught catching up Aka’s blade in the process. Bending the light and darkness around the blade the thrust it up and into the hags heart. She then flexed her magic causing the light and darkness gathered to explode inside the witches body disintegrating all the organs. The hag dropped has Robby rushed into sight. “Oh good you’re just in time to carry Aka.” Captain said before marching past him. Robby shook his head and grabbed the warlord tossing Aka over his shoulder.

Robby’s POV

Aka’s unconscious body was a tad heavy, Robby changed how he was carry the warlord and the weight became easier to bare. Captain led him to her office where she redrew the circle that had kept Raven captured. Inside the circle she placed a chair and motioned him to set Aka on it. He watched has she bound the warlord and then proceeded to check the body over. When he seen Captain was about to check inside the mouth he spoke “That’s a pretty intensive search. What exactly to you expect to find?” “Poison.” Captain replied in a clipped tone. Done with the search she kicked Robby out. With no other choice he headed for the bridge. Cricket was there with Marley has they had gotten word that his crew was on a small moon near by restocking so that’s where they were headed.

Raven happened to be there too, Robby clapped him on the shoulder and thanked him for his help. Captain had been unaware that Raven had followed her so when she was caught by the hag Raven had dived into the pocket of Captain’s cloak. Later while Captain had been unconscious and tossed into that cell Raven had found them. “Thanks Raven you sure you don’t want me to tell Captain how we found her?” “She doesn’t seem like the type to ask so lets leave it be.” Cricket walked over to them, “It would seem my crew picked up a passenger who will be very excited to see you Raven.” Raven looked at the shorter man a moment whooped and rushed off. Robby shook his head at the magicians exuberance. “What about you bossman you coming aboard my vessel when we land?” Robby shook his head, “Nope, gunna need you to head back and run the office for awhile Cricket.” Cricket groaned but did not object he had a feeling Robby was finally going to do something about his feelings for Captain.

Decisions.

Captain watched as Raven was welcomed back by the female who’d hired her. They both waved as they prepared the ship for taking off again. Supplies were secured, missions caught up on, and no current destination in mind. Well maybe take boss man back home. She really wasn’t sure what to do about these new feelings he seems to be igniting in her. While she’s had lover’s they’d been minor attractions to scratch an itch, nothing more then that. Captain could feel Robby’s eyes on her. He had refused to get off ship when they’d met up with Crickets crew. She kept her eyes firmly ahead.

Robby sighed as he stared down at Captain. He had cooked dinner for her last night and called her his angel. Captain had stiffened at that, course he knew she had been named Angel at birth. Gods how he had wanted her from the moment he’d found her crew years ago. He had been patient, but his stint in Ratchets care had taught him a valuable lesson. His time was limitless, so he started to slowly woo her. Captain didn’t full rebuke him, but she was skittish. Now though they’d probably head back to his home on Sing. It would take a good two weeks maybe longer from here. With another sigh he headed for the kitchens.

Out of the shadows came Captains second Cora. “You know Captain, the boss isn’t so bad for a male.” Rolling her eyes at her seconds not so subtle hint Captain headed for the controls. Her pilot arched a brow but said nothing. Sometimes Captain loved watching the worlds fall away as they headed sky ward. Or close over their heads on the rare occasions they had jobs beneath waters. Once skyward she left for the kitchen. Pausing when she noted Robby was there. His back to her she took a moment to admire his backside. They’d always been friendly enough, but there had been a shift. At first, she thought it was cause Ratchet had captured him, but no it had been before then. His capture had just brought it into focus. The thing was she had no clue how to proceed. Captain had the feeling fuck buddies wasn’t going to play out here. No, these feeling were too intense for that.

In fact, just watching him move about the small kitchen was getting her all tingly. He must have finally sensed her there for he turned around. The look in his eye’s made her want to both run to him and run away from him. Robby approached the table slowly setting down some plates, eyes never straying. She watched as he finished setting the table with plate and food. The crew drifted in around them to eat. Finally, they both sat down, neither really paying much attention to the food other then to ensure they didn’t miss their mouths. The crew finished quickly and cleaned up around them, even taking their plates when they finished. Almost like magic they were suddenly alone.

Robby finally spoke “Look Angel, I’m not sure if I have enough patience left to keep moving slow. Devil knows that being captured by Ratchet certainly taught me how fragile time can be. I’m just going to lay it out on the table for you. I love you and have for a rather long time…” he paused a moment having stunned himself slightly, then continued ” If by chance you feel the same way well you know where I’ll be the next two weeks…hell you know where I live for that matter, I’ll most likely wait for ever if that’s what it takes.” Robby shut up then and left Captain to process what he said, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead on his way out. For a moment all she could do was think of the job a head. One Warlord in custody four more to find before they could even hope to find Crane and be rid of him. Then everything Robby said connected. Then her thoughts drifted to him and her.

She wasn’t sure how long she sat there for. At first all she could think of was the day they’d met. Her crew had been targeting wealthy males and she had tried to pick his pocket. He had caught her though, and her crew. Instead of turning them in he hired them. Now she was wealthy in her own right. She felt herself stand and wander the ship. Her feet had carried her to his rooms. Her hand rose and knocked without much thought from her. Robby opened his door not fully expecting her so soon but there she stood. They looked at each other, Robby afraid to make to sudden a movement. Finally, a rare soft look came upon her face as she stepped closer. Still Robby didn’t move. Captain went up on tip toe one arm at his waist the other she snaked around his neck. Smiling softly, she whispered “Hello Poppet.” This time though it filled him with warmth and fire for her voice held the same. He watched as a heated life fill the face, he loved for the first time. Never had such a look been there. His arms went around her as she gently leapt up to wrap her legs around him. As their lips met, he pushed his door close. The crew yipped and howled from the other side. The two ignored the cheering as they became lost in each other pausing only for Captain to whisper, “I love you too poppet. Not going to be letting go of Cora though.” “Wouldn’t dream of making you.” he whispered back.

End

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