Post by Roy on Jan 31, 2019 23:19:03 GMT -5
Five hours after The Red Plume...
The Queen's private shuttle landed in the docking bay of the high security prison hidden away on a barren planet's moon deep within the Hapes Cluster. Many of the worst criminals against the crown were locked away here, including a majority of those imprisoned during and the conclusion of the war. The highest priority prisoner here was also the reason she was paying this visit; Maltez Buffton.
Maxima wasn't required to do this task in person herself--and many of her advisors and guards tried talking her out of it--but this was the price she was paying, and she wouldn't put that burden on anyone else. The Queen was dressed in a formal, yet functional, ceremonial armor from crown-forged helmet to toe, only her face and hair visible with deep purples and silvers of varying shades adorning her. The two guards flanking her as she moved through the prison with purpose wore identical armor(sans crown of course) and were clearly armed and ready for whatever may occur.
Not far into the prison, Maltez Buffton had been brought to a waiting room--the first time he had stepped outside his cell since arriving--and thus knew something was in the air. When he spotted his daughter step through the doorway, dressed for war, he couldn't help but grin.. a grin she did not share. Determination dominated her expression, eyes narrowing at the man who caused so much pain and turmoil in the Galaxy.
"You've come to free me," the elder man spoke up, a smugness barely contained in his voice.
It took a moment not to scoff, but the Queen did well restraining herself. "Antor bargained for you, holding ransom the lives of half a million Mandals desperately fleeing a dying world to secure your freedom. You must be so proud," she finished dryly.
Nodding, Maltez took a step forward.. though that instantly drew the weapons of the royal guards up in hand, aimed his way, until Max lifted one hand to set them at ease. "I -am- proud, Max. The woman you've bec--"
The sentence was cut off, because in a flash Maxima Buffton had launched herself forward, closing the distance between the two in a split second, and drove a thin Hapan dagger into the former Emperor's midsection. His eyes went wide in shock, staring down at those that now showed so much hatred for him.
"I will deliver you alive," Max began, her voice suddenly icy and full of venom. Her grip remained tight on the dagger, even as his wrapped around her wrists in an attempt to free himself, but she was unwavering. "But it will be on Antor to save you." Her wrist began to twist every so slightly, drawing a gasp from Maltez. "Mark my words, 'father,'" Another slight twist. He began to drop to his knees, but the Queen gracefully lowered herself with him. "If you ever show your face in public, I will -personally-" Twist. "Hunt." Twist. "You down like the scum you are."
Green eyes stared into matching eyes, pure determination and loathing in one pair, pain, shock, and a bit of sadness in the other. They remained motionless for a couple seconds longer before Maxima pressed her thumb into the hilt, separating it from the blade, and pulling her hand back and standing up again. She stared down at the man now clutching his wound for a moment longer before looking towards one of the prison guards standing by. "Keep him alive until he's delivered to Antor, then let him worry about it from there."
"... Max," Maltez weakly called out, but she was already turning on her heel and striding out of the meeting room without another glance.
The Queen's private shuttle landed in the docking bay of the high security prison hidden away on a barren planet's moon deep within the Hapes Cluster. Many of the worst criminals against the crown were locked away here, including a majority of those imprisoned during and the conclusion of the war. The highest priority prisoner here was also the reason she was paying this visit; Maltez Buffton.
Maxima wasn't required to do this task in person herself--and many of her advisors and guards tried talking her out of it--but this was the price she was paying, and she wouldn't put that burden on anyone else. The Queen was dressed in a formal, yet functional, ceremonial armor from crown-forged helmet to toe, only her face and hair visible with deep purples and silvers of varying shades adorning her. The two guards flanking her as she moved through the prison with purpose wore identical armor(sans crown of course) and were clearly armed and ready for whatever may occur.
Not far into the prison, Maltez Buffton had been brought to a waiting room--the first time he had stepped outside his cell since arriving--and thus knew something was in the air. When he spotted his daughter step through the doorway, dressed for war, he couldn't help but grin.. a grin she did not share. Determination dominated her expression, eyes narrowing at the man who caused so much pain and turmoil in the Galaxy.
"You've come to free me," the elder man spoke up, a smugness barely contained in his voice.
It took a moment not to scoff, but the Queen did well restraining herself. "Antor bargained for you, holding ransom the lives of half a million Mandals desperately fleeing a dying world to secure your freedom. You must be so proud," she finished dryly.
Nodding, Maltez took a step forward.. though that instantly drew the weapons of the royal guards up in hand, aimed his way, until Max lifted one hand to set them at ease. "I -am- proud, Max. The woman you've bec--"
The sentence was cut off, because in a flash Maxima Buffton had launched herself forward, closing the distance between the two in a split second, and drove a thin Hapan dagger into the former Emperor's midsection. His eyes went wide in shock, staring down at those that now showed so much hatred for him.
"I will deliver you alive," Max began, her voice suddenly icy and full of venom. Her grip remained tight on the dagger, even as his wrapped around her wrists in an attempt to free himself, but she was unwavering. "But it will be on Antor to save you." Her wrist began to twist every so slightly, drawing a gasp from Maltez. "Mark my words, 'father,'" Another slight twist. He began to drop to his knees, but the Queen gracefully lowered herself with him. "If you ever show your face in public, I will -personally-" Twist. "Hunt." Twist. "You down like the scum you are."
Green eyes stared into matching eyes, pure determination and loathing in one pair, pain, shock, and a bit of sadness in the other. They remained motionless for a couple seconds longer before Maxima pressed her thumb into the hilt, separating it from the blade, and pulling her hand back and standing up again. She stared down at the man now clutching his wound for a moment longer before looking towards one of the prison guards standing by. "Keep him alive until he's delivered to Antor, then let him worry about it from there."
"... Max," Maltez weakly called out, but she was already turning on her heel and striding out of the meeting room without another glance.