The Time Voyager's Obsession

Rise- II

“Are you ready, my Queen?” Gnoab asked, looking to Hana for confirmation.

“I’m ready,” she affirmed, taking his offered hand. With her heart hammering in her chest, Hana ascended the stairs of the sim pod, easing herself down into its interior chamber. She lay back against the liquid bed, feeling it mold to her shape before hardening into a supportive foam. The overhead hatch lowered and the airlock sealed, the sound of her labored breath contrasting harshly against the silence.

“Commencing Bioscan,” an AI vocalized before plunging the compartment into darkness. A red light passed overhead, scanning Hana’s body from head to toe. She bit at her lip nervously, wondering if the computer would be able to differentiate between Tahlia and herself.

“User identification verified, requesting vocal confirmation to initiate system preferences for Tahlia Dariana Reginus, Queen of Naphus, System No. 215673-00.”

“Initiate,” Hana returned, hoping she’d given the correct command. The system paused as she waited with bated breath.

“User authorization granted, please remain stationary while system preferences are engaged,” the AI requested as a metal brace tightened around Hanna’s head. Two elongated needles appeared to either side of her temple, and Hana balked at the sight of them. Her restraints held fast and she squeezed her eyes shut tightly, her body tensing against the pain she thought to be imminent. To her surprise and astonishment, Hana never felt the slightest sting. When she opened her eyes, she found herself to be fully immersed within the simulation.

She stood alone in the center of a vast chamber, a labyrinth of passageways extending out in all directions.

“Hello?” she called, unsure of which path to take. “Is anyone there?” Her voice reverberated within the empty space and Hana jumped when she received a disembodied answer.

“Welcome back, Tahlia Dariana Reginus. How may I assist you?” an AI inquired.

“Could you tell me what I’ve done here in the past?” Hana asked with uncertainty, eyeing the vaulted ceiling expectantly.

“Accessing activity log,” the AI chimed. “Most recent activity was obtained ten years, eleven months, and twenty-four days ago. Do you wish to view logged activity?”

“Yes,” Hana replied doubtfully, still apprehensive to pry too deeply within the dead woman’s head.

“Last logged activity was memory immersion. Do you wish to access the recorded memory database?”

Hana smirked with satisfaction and muttered, “How’s that for, ‘preparing for my role’, Tiberius?”

“System does not recognize voice command. Do you wish to access memories of Tiberius Var?” the AI queried. Hana paused, unsure of how to proceed. Part of her knew it was wrong to view Tiberius’s shared memories without his permission. Yet, the idea had also piqued her interest. The Voyager was always so cryptic when it came to his doomed relationship with Tahlia. What would it be like to witness it first hand? Would Hana see herself in the dead Queen? She still felt ill-used by the Voyager, his impassioned kiss burned within her mind's eye.

“Yes,” she confirmed without thinking, her heart pounding with adrenaline.

“Access granted. Do you wish to view recorded memories in chronological order?”

“Yes,” Hana answered once again. What better place to start than at the beginning?

“Access granted. Memory immersion will begin in three...two...one…”

The cavernous room disappeared before Hana’s eyes, the air around her pixelating until she found herself in an entirely new world altogether. She gazed around in awe, the palatial beauty rendering her speechless. She was outside, standing in the middle of a massive stone courtyard. A pleasant floral smell hung on the warm breeze, and illustrious gardens surrounded the terraced court on all sides. The sound of splashing water reached her ears and Hana turned towards the noise, nearly plowing headlong into a woman carrying an armful of towels.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” she apologized out of habit. The woman passed her by as though she were in a trance. “Right, this is a sim,” Hana chastised herself. She was viewing a recorded memory. No matter how real it felt, the simulation was only a snapshot in time and Hana wouldn’t be able to interact with the physical environment or anyone in it. She was witnessing a pale shadow of what had been, nothing more.

She continued on towards the fragmented sounds of water and laughter until a large pool appeared before her. Hana stopped in her tracks, staring wide-eyed at the woman wading within the rippling water. She gaped at her with a sense of eerie recognition. Tahlia Dariana was Hana in every way, and then some.

Where Hana was smaller and more compact, Tahlia was all sumptuous curves. Her hourglass figure was bared for the world to see, her body stretched out languidly as she floated on the water’s surface. Her eyes were the same hazel as Hana’s own, yet they seemed to blaze with a vivacious intensity that was all Tahlia’s. Tight black ringlets waved out in a halo around the Queen’s head, and her warm skin seemed to emanate with a luminous glow. She laughed at something one of her attendants said, and the musical sound seemed to rival even the birdsong overhead.

Hana glared at her from afar, feeling an instant dislike for the woman who had once worn her face. Slowly, she drew in closer, her ears perking at a name she recognized all too well.

“Palutus, send for Tiberius Var. I would have him brought before me with all haste,” Tahlia ordered the man imperiously, raising up a delicate hand to observe as water droplets wove channels down her brown skin.

“Now, Your Divine Eminence?” the man hesitated, his brow furrowing at the Queen’s casual state of undress.

“But of course, Palutus,” she smiled lazily, “When else?” The man gave a deep bow and left to do her bidding without another word. When he was out of sight, Tahlia submerged herself beneath the crystalline waters, swimming to the near side of the pool to await Tiberius’s arrival.

“Nirijan, come, bathe me,” she commanded a nearby handmaiden, “and bring the lotus petals.” The woman obeyed, entering the water to lather Tahlia’s shapely curves. As she worked, Tahlia sprinkled the pink blossoms to float atop the mirrored surface, smiling at her reflection in satisfaction.

A few moments later, Palutus returned with a younger Tiberius in tow. Hana stared at him wide-eyed, surprised by how different he appeared from the man she had come to know. His eyes were the same intense shade of stormy blue, but his face was unscarred and set in an expression of youthful arrogance.

Tiberius tensed at the sight of Tahlia, her hands poised on the lip of the pool, chin resting atop them demurely.

“You’re back early from your scouting expedition. Tell me, what have you to report, Captain?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Nothing of interest, Your Divine Eminence. The South is quiet and has been for these past two years. There has been no organized conflict since you claimed your father’s throne from the Xeunese invader. Your land is at peace, the people satisfied.” A flirtatious smile played across his roguish features.

“That comes as no small relief. I’m glad to see that our Southern province rests in such capable hands. The guard made a wise choice in you, Tiberius. And my father showed an equal level of insight when he named you the guard’s captain. I’m glad that you’re home,” she added, shooting him a sensual look. “With my favor, you will rise high. One day, I could name you Queen’s protector and consort. Would that please you?” Tahlia asked, a smile tugging at her lips as she kicked off from the pool’s edge, floating backwards as Tiberius looked on with lustful eyes.

“My only wish has been answered, to serve as your captain, my Queen,” the young Tiberius answered tersely, forcing himself to avert his gaze from Tahlia’s nakedness.

“And what about my wishes?” Tahlia asked, eyeing him seductively before ducking beneath the pool’s surface. As she emerged the Queen began to mount the tiled stairs, water pooling down her shapely figure. Tiberius devoured her visage with something akin to pain as Nirijan wrapped her bare skin in an elaborate robe.

“Your wishes are always first and foremost in my mind, my Queen.” Tiberius’s jaw clenched with tension and his fingers flexed. “But I must apologize. I can see now that I have disturbed you while you were enjoying a bath. If you have no further need of me, I will take my leave.” He gave her a low bow, waiting for her word to depart.

“Of course you aren’t disturbing me, I summoned you, remember?” Tahlia dismissed the servants with a wave of her hand before turning her attention back to Tiberius. With a confidence that Hana had never known, she walked towards the captain, her full hips swinging with each step. She came to a stop before him, her hand rising to caress the firm lines of his muscled torso. “And here you shall remain until you are dismissed,” she teased, her fingers rising to stroke the nape of his neck.

“My Queen, I have made a vow-” Tiberius groaned, his hand rising to cover her own.

“You have made a vow to serve, Tiberius. Do you not desire to bring pleasure to your Queen?” Tahlia whispered in his ear, her fingers trailing over his shoulders and back, as she circled the captain like an animal of prey.

“Your Divine Eminence, I am but a man with a man’s desires, but I made a vow of celibacy-” Tiberius protested weakly, his voice thick with lust.

“There’s no need to be so formal, call me Tahlia. You've known me all of my life. If you are but a man, then I am only a woman. You see, we understand one another.” Her hand rose to caress his cheek and he flinched away as though her touch burned him.

“I cannot, it would be an insult to you, my Queen. I cannot give you what you seek. I would not subject you to such scandal-”

In a fluid motion, Tahlia loosened the tie around her waist and let the robe slip from her shoulders, the silk fluttering down to pool around her feet like molten gold. Hana watched on, mesmerized by the sight of a body she thought of as her own, bared before the Voyager.

“Can’t, or won’t, Tiberius?” the Queen tilted her head to the side, looking up at him through her lashes. The suddenness of her erotic gesture broke through what little remained of the captain's resolve. His carefully composed restraint gave way to a primal hunger, and he looked upon Tahlia with a mix of hatred and adoration. Wordlessly, he crushed her to him, his mouth taking her in greedily.

“Damn you!” he rasped against her open lips, kissing her until she was breathless with excitement, “God damn you, Tahlia!”