Chapter 67

As the universe carried on around her, the chaos and politics of interstellar civilizations marched on. The Shi'ar Empire had retreated hastily from the Veil Nebula, tails between their legs. An initial message of apology from Majestrix Lilandra echoed through every communication channel, accompanied by a humble request for parley with Lydia herself. The Genoshian Empire, however, remained silent, its statement lingering like a loaded gun, the echo of Lydia's immense display of power still fresh in the minds of every being in the galaxy.

The Andromedan Rebellion, previously a raging tempest of defiance, crumbled into nothing more than a gentle breeze. Tarkus, once a beacon of rebellion, was now perceived as a trickster, a coward. Even he saw the futility of his cause, the fear of Lydia's wrath driving him to surrender rather than confront the undeniable power of the Genoshian Empire.

The K'tharn, despite the immense damage to their system, found themselves eager to join the Genoshian Empire. They, like many others, began to see the safety and security that could be found under Lydia's rule. The galaxy, once fragmented and diverse, slowly began to unify under a single banner.

Yet amidst this galactic turmoil, Lydia remained blissfully unaware, ensconced within the confines of the Genoshian flagship, recuperating from the immense strain she had put on herself. Her body, silent and still, was a stark contrast to the vibrant hustle and bustle of the outside universe.

The captain of the ship, respecting his Empress's wish for solitude, made no attempts to disturb her. However, he diligently relayed the state of affairs to Central Command, his tone hinting at the concern lurking beneath his professional demeanor.

Astrid, having been on the receiving end of the captain's report, promptly cut him off, her voice crackling through the communication channel. She announced Grand Admiral Carol's imminent arrival, instructing the captain to escort her to Lydia's quarters immediately. As her order echoed through the ship's intercom, the anticipation and anxiety permeating the air became palpable.

A single command brought the hum of the Genoshian flagship's engines to life, Carol's voice echoing in the cockpit as she set a course for the Veil Nebula. As the stars outside blurred into lines of light, Astrid's protestations were silenced by the finality of Carol's tone. She needed to see Lydia.

As the ship hurtled through the cosmos, Carol's mind began to wander. She found herself returning to a memory, one from a time before they were leaders of a vast empire, when they were just two warriors battling the universe together.

The Kree ambush had come out of nowhere, a sudden storm of energy blasts and weapon fire that had left her pinned down and desperately trying to evade. Carol remembered the hot rush of pain, the taste of fear and defiance on her tongue, and the strange peace that had settled over her as consciousness started slipping away.

And then, just as quickly as it had begun, it had stopped.

The memory of Lydia standing there, glowing with the intense power of three Infinity Stones, was etched deeply into Carol's mind. Lydia, commanding the energies of Space, Mind, and Power with an air of someone who'd been born to wield such force. The very fabric of reality twisted around Lydia, bending to her will. Carol recalled the thunderous roar from Lydia that echoed through the vacuum of space, a defiance that was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.

The Kree fleet, once a formidable force, now looked like a child's plaything in Lydia's grip. Their vessels were being crushed under the tremendous force exerted by Lydia's clenched fist. It was a display of raw power and unyielding determination, a reminder of the woman who would go on to become the Empress of Genosha.

The memory was so vivid, Carol could almost feel the heat of the energy emanating from Lydia's charred arms, see the luminous cracks in her skin where the unfathomable power of the Infinity Stones seeped out. She remembered the gasps of pain that escaped Lydia's lips as her body warred with itself – her inherent healing ability locked in a fierce battle against the stubborn energy from the Stones.

Lydia's knees had buckled, her body wracked with a pain that Carol could only imagine. She had looked so frail then, a stark contrast to the immense power she had just displayed. Carol recalled the desperation in her own heart, the terror of being helpless, the dread of seeing the woman she loved in such a state. It was a feeling she didn't want to experience ever again.

With tender care, she had cradled Lydia in her arms and gently carried her to their ship, laying her down in one of the healing pods. She could still remember the harsh light of the pod illuminating Lydia's pale face, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths.

As the memory faded, the flagship burst into real space, the Veil Nebula sparkling in the distance. Carol's determination hardened; she had to reach Lydia, and fast.

The memory lingered in Carol's mind, the echo of fear still palpable, as her ship touched down in the Veil Nebula. A maze of twinkling stars and swirling cosmic dust welcomed her arrival, but her focus was solely on the Genoshian flagship that loomed ahead.

Her ship glided smoothly into the docking bay of the flagship, the enormous doors sliding shut behind her with an echoing thud. Impatiently, Carol tapped her fingers against the console, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for the docking procedure to complete. Her gaze was fixed on the doors separating her from Lydia, her mind filled with worry. She needed to see Lydia, to make sure she was okay. She had to be okay.

The metallic halls of the flagship echoed under Carol's purposeful strides, her heart pounding in sync with her footfalls. The Genoshian officers she passed immediately straightened up and saluted, their expressions mingling respect and fear. She dismissed them all with a swift wave of her hand, her focus set on reaching the captain's quarters.

As the large double doors of the quarters came into view, she quickened her pace, her gloved hand instinctively reaching for the access panel. Inputting her Grand Admiral credentials, she watched as the encrypted codes blinked on the screen, followed by the unmistakable hiss of the doors sliding open.

The sight that met her eyes sent a sharp jolt of fear through her veins. Lydia lay on the large bed in the middle of the room, her body still and silent as a statue. A cascade of dark hair spilled over the stark white pillow, and her skin, usually glowing with a healthy radiance, appeared pale against the contrast of the sheets.

"Lydia!" Carol cried out, her boots hitting the polished floor as she dashed to Lydia's side. The large doors hissed shut behind her, sealing them both in the sanctity of the quarters.

The room was bathed in a dim, cold light emanating from the stars outside the large viewport. The hum of the spaceship's machinery, usually a comforting backdrop, now seemed too loud, too ominous. Carol's breath hitched as she reached out to touch Lydia, her hand trembling slightly.

Her heart pounded deafeningly in her ears, drowning out the quiet hum of the ship. Fear gnawed at her gut, but she fought to keep it at bay. Her grip on Lydia's hand was firm, a silent promise. She was here, and she would not let go.

***

The room, filled with sterile shadows and cool mechanical hums, seemed to pulse in time with Lydia's throbbing consciousness. Through a foggy veil, she was vaguely aware of a persistent sound, a name being called out, but it was a name she struggled to attach to herself. Her limbs felt weighted, her senses foggy and confused.

Then, the world gradually began to coalesce into sharper focus. Muffled sound began to take on clarity and meaning, blurry images honed into recognizable shapes, and the gentle squeeze of her hand finally registered in her sluggish mind.

"Carol," Lydia's lips formed the word as a soft whisper, her voice filled with an intimate familiarity. Her eyes, now clear, met Carol's worried gaze. The edges of her lips twitched into a small smile. It was weak and barely there, but it was a smile nonetheless. "Hey you."

The small phrase hung in the air between them, a fragile tether pulling them closer in the hollow silence of the room. Her attempt to move, however, was thwarted by a sudden, searing pain that tore through her body, wrenching a pained moan from her throat.

Carol's grip tightened around Lydia's hand, her other hand moving to Lydia's shoulder with gentle firmness. "Lydia! What... What can I do?"

"Help... help me turn over," Lydia managed to get out between gritted teeth. "Lay... lay with me."

As they shifted, the pain subsided slightly, replaced by a bone-deep exhaustion that made her limbs feel as heavy as lead. But at least she was now face up, staring at the metallic ceiling, and more importantly, Carol was there next to her.

"I'm okay," Lydia reassured her, letting out a sigh as she felt Carol's arm around her. "Just... drained. And really, really tired."

Carol let out a relieved sigh, but it was quickly replaced by a frown. "You are such a reckless idiot," she grumbled, trying to sound stern but her voice shaking with relief. "Scaring me like that..."

Lydia chuckled weakly, a small spark returning to her eyes. "I live to make your life exciting," she teased lightly, the corners of her mouth curving into a playful smirk. The tension in the room eased slightly, replaced by the soft, familiar banter that had seen them through countless battles and hardships. It was a comforting reminder, a beacon of hope in the face of their trials.

Carol reentered the room, the aroma of food trailing behind her. The small tray of neatly arranged meals from the galley was a welcome sight. Lydia was sat up, her body still stiff but at least she was able to move, a sharp contrast to the immobile figure Carol had found not long ago.

"Here," Carol offered the tray with a soft smile, "Eat something."

Lydia's face lightened up at the sight of the food, a small sign of her returning strength. As they began to eat, Carol started recounting the events that had unfolded during Lydia's incapacitation.

"Gladiator is stable, Tarkus turned himself in, and the Andromedans... they want to join the Empire," she listed the unexpected developments, her tone a mix of disbelief and relief.

Lydia couldn't help a triumphant smirk at the news. "See? Told you most of our problems would be solved. Not so mad at me now, huh?"

Carol shot a deadpan look at her, not entirely amused at Lydia's jesting. "Keep it up, Lyd, and I'll make you sleep on the floor," she retorted, her tone playful.

Changing the subject, Lydia then brought up Lilandra's request. The mention of the Shi'ar Majestrix brought a serious edge to their conversation. "We can't allow her to come to New Genosha," Lydia stated firmly. "It's too much of a risk."

Carol nodded, understanding Lydia's concern. New Genosha was their sanctuary, their safe haven. The last thing they wanted was to expose its location to potential threats.

"We'll have to meet them halfway," Lydia continued, her gaze determined as she looked at Carol. "We'll take the fleets and meet them at the Shi'ar homeworld. Discuss there."

Carol was silent for a moment, contemplating the idea. It wasn't ideal, but it was necessary. And she would be there, by Lydia's side, ready for whatever would come their way. "Alright," she agreed, meeting Lydia's gaze with a steady one of her own. "We should let them know soon. They've been waiting for our response."

As they finished their meals, a sense of resolve settled over them.