aqqDISCLAIMER: No, I do not own Treasure Planet. But thank you for asking.

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Chapter Nine – The Betrayer or the Betrayed

They spent that night together. Things were still uneasy between the two and neither had said much to give ease to the qualm of their silence. But what was there to say? Everything was clear and out in the open between them now, and they were calm with one another again; or at least they were what was preceived to be calm. But the truth was, there was still so much to say, it just wasn't capable of being phrased. It was a topic that would be best left as was; laid to rest in the frustrations they'd released. But some tings just couldn't be so. He felt guilty for not telling her. She felt guilty for asking him. There was no middle space here, just an issue that had thought to have been absolved. That thought couldn't be farther from the truth.

Everything was happening in a manner that Amelia was unaccustomed to. Between Delbert and this voyage she was becoming unsure. Amelia couldn't fathom what was wrong with her. Years ago larger problems than these would hit her with force and she'd handle it with a steady hand. But now, now something was different. There were too many factors involved. Too much was at stake. Some stakes very dear to her heart.

Amelia couldn't help but feel that the man she lay beside now, the man who was there for her when she was in need of comfort, or a laugh, or even slight or albiet major, distraction, she was in jeopardy of losing him. She chastised her self constantly and numerous times that the very idea was folly. She would tell herself that competing with a dead woman was just plain neurotic, and she wouldn't stoop so low. Though as neurotic as it truly was, it was a competition that Amelia felt as if she were in.

Aside from the romantic aspect of her life, the military aspect confounded her. There was no logic to what was happening and what events had already unfolded. At this moment there was nothing that she could do. The only immediate action she could wait for was a meeting of captain's in the morning. Until then she would attempt sleep, however uncomfortable that sleep may be.

* * *

"You said there would only be minor casualties! That ship wasn't supposed to embark on a damned suicide mission!" A man whispered hysterically in the shadows of the cargo bay. "Now, not only are Gantarin and Cyran forces depleted, there's a chance of ever more raised suspicion on the side of the fleet!"

"Yes! Suspicion is exactly right!" said another man in whispered tones, with an air of motivated enthusiasm about the current situation. "They will be suspicious, but ever more so will they be confused. Not even Smollet will be able to gather the pieces until the final blow has been dealt."

"That's all well and good, but you've no idea how much I have on the line, or how bloody much it took to keep you undiscovered and away from the hangman's noose."

"It only seems such that our own little betrayer has gotten himself in too deep. Don't tell me you're considering turning your blasted turncoat once more and attempt to prove your loyalty to the empire." Any jovial nature in the second man's voice had disappeared. His eyes were mere slits, illuminated specks of light reflecting the monitors of the ships circuit board. "Take heed to your own fears, you are in far too deep now to stop working with us. As it stands the empire believes you to be on their side, but turn yourself in and you'll be found for treason, while I shall be considered a terrorist by your people and a hero by my own. I doubt you could even hand me to your own superiors without revealing your own traitorous acts. … I don't know what you believe, but people of any territory seem to hate traitors most of all. There's a common trend with traitors I'd say… They can't be trusted."

"If you believe I can't be trusted then why work with me where the fate of your people is concerned?

The other man smiled at this. If it had been lighter in the dark control room one would see the wickedness show on his features. Although the menacing tone in his voice made the lack of light irrelevant. "Because if you betray your people all you face is discredit and a simple death by hanging. If you cross us, you'll be praying for a slow and painful death at the very least. My people do not adhere to laws against cruel and unusual punishment."

He said nothing after the larger man's threats. He knew that they were in no way empty. He just stood and watched as his counterpart left the control room and he stood alone. As much as he wanted to just cast aside the other man's words, he knew them to be completely true. He was far too deep in this mess to back out now. And even if he decided to back out now, turn coats a second time, as it were, he had be an informant and a traitor for so long now that weaving a new web of lies to favor him would be futile. Yet switching sides again, with an honorable attempt at nobility, only in thought would he receive mercy. His counterpart's words were true to the highest extent. He would be seen only as a traitor and convicted as such. He would receive no mercy from colleague, enemy or empire.

His only option now was to follow through with his intended plans. If he succeeded he would be granted asylum past the Cyran borders. But even if the impossible were to happen, there were those, he thought, who would hunt him down; make him pay for his treachery. Any way he looked at it he was imprisoned by all sides of the choice he made years ago. With so many years past he had lost sight of why he had made such a detrimental choice in the first place.

* * *

A restless night and an uneasy sleep came and went in what felt like no time at all. The faint light of morning was finally beginning to show itself.

Amelia had already woke and dressed for the day, setting an alarm in passing to wake Delbert so he would have time enough to dress for this morning's briefing. With a final looks in the mirror, making sure that her uniform was pristine and free of wrinkles, she left her quarters and opened the door, receiving a full blast of refreshingly cool morning air.

Crewmen were already working diligently on the morning's tasks. Making her way to the bridge she noticed her first officer, Firth, at the navigational controls.

"Report." She said, drawing Firth's attention away from the control panels.

"All systems and sections are reporting normal Captain. There haven't been anymore Gantarin sightings as far as I'm aware of. The fleet commanders will be ready to board in an hour and we're within sensor range of the Denari System."

"Very good; I want constant sweeps as we near Denari. We can't afford to be taken by surprise again, especially if we're to make port there."

"Aye Ma'am. If I may ask though?" Firth said, continuing after Amelia motioning to continue. "Is it truly wise to simply walk half blind onto one of the Denari planetoids? I must point out Captain, that we cannot risk detection by bringing even one if not more of our vessels to close to the system."

"I understand your concern, and I commend you for it, they follow closely with my own. I shall request of the other commanders that the majority of the fleet sail past the Denari system with the exception of one of our battleships. The said ship will remain in the system, dispatching a team to the planet for reconnaissance."

"It seems a solid guiding plan Captain. I would only lay caution to the compliment of the reconnaissance team. It irks me greatly that we're not aware of spies once again in our government, and I fear there may be one amongst us." Firth said gravely in an undertone to his captain.

"That is why I plan to place you to take charge of the specifics. You will be working with Lieutenant Akai at Captain Togashi's request. The two of you are formidable tacticians. After Captain Togashi and I bring the plans format to the other commanders, we shall entrust you with the details. You both will report to me with the finalities."

"Understood Ma'am." Firth said acknowledging his Captain. He had no bother to disagree with her, or show an ounce of modesty. He knew his tactical skills were above standard. And as for Lieutenant Yusuke Akai, well he had never worked with the man personally, but his tactical skills were well known throughout the Royal Navy. Captain Togashi was truly lucky to have Akai as an asset in her crew.

"Until the plans are finalized this is only to stay between you and I. Inform me when the other commanders are ready to board."

"Yes Captain."

Without any further words to her first officer, Amelia left for the galley. She was in desperate need of caffeine. Already the day was beginning to feel as if it would drag.

* * *

They argued, complained, and argued some more. The mornings briefing hardly went smoothly. In fact, every bump, twist, turn and detour of an argument that could have been brought up, was brought up without restraint by every commander. Some felt feelings of rage, wanting revenge, many were suspicious, all were a combination of anger, sorrow and confusion. They all had good reason of course. Many of the commanders and many of the crew had friends who had been lost aboard the Odyssey. One thing was certain though; there was no turning back at this point.

The latest intelligence from their own informants in the Denari system stated that the Cyran population had more than doubled on the second planet, desolate as it was. Other reports stated that three known Gantarin scout ships moved back and forth between the second, fifth and sixth planets of Denari. For now, the nine planet system remained neutral, but change might ensue with the growing population of Cyran inhabitants.

Amelia's and Captain Togashi's plan for gathering information was well received by the other commanders and Admiral Carson. Amelia could only be thankful for his passive silence throughout this mission. For once he seemed to be agreeing with the majority of her decisions. Another well received take was the tacticians to lead the planning process. In Amelia's own opinion, Firth and Akai could not be matched in a purely tactical field. It was one of the main reasons she requested Firth for duty aboard the Legacy.

Firth and Akai would have one week to conceive their plan, to finalize all of the minor details and comb through the fleet's personnel with a fine tooth comb to create the compliment of the away team. They would report only to their respective captains.

* * *

The next morning's briefings seemed to take an eternity. After finally agreeing on the major details of the reconnaissance mission, the mornings briefing finally came to an end. As her stateroom door closed Amelia wanted nothing more than to let out a sigh of relief as the evermore frustrating events of this voyage temporarily left her be, but on this morning luck would favor her not. She hadn't heard that overbearing imbecile move from his chair, and as Amelia turned around to face the straddler she confirmed that the over ranked control addict still sat across from her at the conference table.

"Is there anything further I may assist you with Admiral?" Amelia asked as she returned to her desk chair. As always the tension between the two could be cut easily with a knife.

"Just one further note Captain. When this mission begins, and until the fleet reaches our home borders, any and all transmissions from the fleet will be ceased. Only top priority will be sent back to the rear. All personnel will retain strictly minimum access codes. Any transmissions that need to be sent out will be put through your decision."

"I see Sir. Your thinking then s that we shall force our spy to surface themselves or prove even that this all goes much higher than we ever expected."

"Or that you are the informant." said Admiral Carson in what seemed his attempt at a joke; a highly unusual act for him to be sure. Amelia raised an eyebrow at him, question his purely random comment. She knew he despised her but surely he didn't think her a traitor. At her expression he took on a more serious note. "In all reality Captain, despite my own views of you, I would trust this task to no other in the fleet. Of anyone I have served with, I know of no other least likely to play favor with treason, even if you're not one for open patriotism."

"I should hope that you don't think me unpatriotic Admiral. I would fight for the Empire to no end. Even you should know, Sir, that which I do not find common ground with is politics and politicians." Amelia said testily. Even she, who had great dislike of the way the Empire was at sometimes run, would fight to the death for King and Country so to speak.

"Even so Captain, I would trust this to no one else. The other commanders will be informed of the situation by the end of the day. I should not need to press on the matter of Mission sensory and secrecy in this evermore paramount time. " said the admiral grimly.

"I see Sir. When shall the transfer of codes take place then?"

"Tonight. Be assure we shall receive messages just as before, but they shall be routed through all ships communications systems. I can only hope you have well placed confidence in your crew's competence to report anything suspicious."

"Unwavering confidence Admiral." Amelia retorted.

"I see that you do Captain. I shall return at nineteen hundred hours for you to have your newly created codes transferred."

"Understood Sir."

And with a final nod to the Admiral, he left Amelia alone to contemplate this new turn of events. She finally let out that sigh she had been hold in, full of frustration. More complications.

* * *

The exchange of transmission codes went better than expected in Amelia's opinion. True to his word, Admiral Carson knew not the password for which she had entered, seeing as he had left the room briefly for her to enter it into the computer. She had also found that even his master codes would now be ineffective. She had to agree; it was a necessary complication to an already complicated mission.

On the subject of their planned mission to the Denari system, she would be briefed in two days time on the specifics and finality by her first officer. They would have three days after in which to prepare to depart for the three day mission.

* * *

It was late that night when Amelia ended her nighty meeting with Firth, and with the nuances of the day, normal and abnormal, she left her cabin for the galley for a steaming hot cup of tea.

After resurfacing she walked the length of her ship , not trying to think of anything in particular, which in succeeding she was grateful for. Every day was proving more and more stressful and normally she had no problems in dealing with such stress but now, now she felt as if in need of a holiday. This was her third voyage in a row with but only a total of three weeks at home in a period of six months. When this over she would disperse herself from the spacer world for a short time. Besides, there was a wedding to be planned.

Amelia smiled to herself at this. The fact that she and Delbert were finally engaged had not completely dawned on her, and with other recent events occurring, she had hardly thought of it. Granted, certain things beyond her control needed to be discussed, and damned she'd be if she gave up on that; but still, the fact that she was engaged stunned her to this moment.

She removed the pristine white glove covering her left hand and stared at the ring. It was a delicate yet stunningly beautiful piece of jewelry. Delbert, she guessed, had most likely spent weeks picking out this ring. She smiled at the thought.

Her husband to be was too good to her. She knew that it was a truly lucky draw to have met hi in the first place. If anyone would have said this is where she ad Delbert would be in what felt like such a short time she would have laughed annoyingly laughed it off. In fact, she again remembered Arrow telling her something to the affect and she did brush it away from her mind.

They were so different ; but that, in its' own ways said something about the odds they'd already faced. The soft smile she had been wearing slowly faded away.

Odds. They had already come so far and she knew without a doubt that she loved him to no end. Amelia also knew that Delbert was unwaveringly in love with her, and would remain so to the end of their days together. He had told her once that that he would not love her until the day he died but that he would hold such feelings forever.

She believed him. He had no reason to lie to her. He never had a reason to lie and she knew this very well. And with this thought she could not for the lief of her find why the knowledge of Delbert's late wife bothered her so. A voice in the back of her mind held the answer. Every so often she couldn't help thinking if the man she loved had once said the said the exact same things to her as he once might have said to the woman he had once loved. It was not an encouraging thought and she attempted to press it out of her mind straight away.

After all they had been through there were still things she had yet to find out about her beloved. He was her own personal enigma. Amelia smiled at this as well. He was hers, just as she was his; and that's the way it would stay.

It was at this moment she came to realize something she hadn't seen before. She had not seen it, due from the jealousy of a woman no longer living, kept her from seeing something else. Indeed she and Delbert were in love, and even with his past - but that was just it, wasn't it? The past was his past; even as he recalled it, his late wife, Juliana , was nothing more to him than a series of memories in his past that he no longer cared to recall. That should have been a comforting thought, but it wasn't. Amelia thought that if she, god forbid suddenly perished from his life, was that all she would ever be? His past?

'No. Absolutely not.' she thought pushing yet another thought from her mind.

Setting her empty cup on a stray cargo box, she sighed as she rubbed her fingers to her temples. The green demon of jealousy was ever trying to work its way against her, jut as she was ever tryig to work her way against it.

Amelia attempted still to banish all of the unwelcoming thoughts from her mind. She told herself that they were insignificant, that the thoughts were only random, come into play with the insecurities she didn't even know she harbored until recently. She kept telling herself that these random thoughts didn't matter.

But all together Amelia knew this wasn't so. The thoughts she was thinking, they were significant. They were significant and they weren't random, and they did indeed matter. One thing kept egging her mind though; she and Delbert needed to discuss all the goings on between them, for they wold not move past this until a resolve could be found.

Amelia at this time turned around only to see Delbert emerge from the stairs leading to the crew quarters. He met her eyes and and she held his gaze for a time. The deck was practically deserted at this time of night except for the crewman atop in the crows nest and another on his nightly rounds, whom Amelia knew was at the opposite end of the ship at the moment.

Delbert slowly approached her, an aura of calm surrounding him. He said nothing when he first came to stand next to her; he looked as if he didn't know quite what to say. They just stood there for a time until, finally, Amelia broke the silence.

"This can't be your final word on all of this Delbert. I need you to tell me why – "

"I agree." He said, cutting her off. "It's not a comfortable topic but I'll agree to tell you what you want. I can see that my past has come to bother you, so…" he sighed as he turned to look at her. "Whatever you want Amelia."

Amelia held his stare longer than she intended to. She could not seem to determine a reason for his change of mind; he had seemed to adamant to not want to discuss it anymore. As she listened to him she gathered that Delbert sounded calm but defeated. Clearly, he had been in thought about this just as she had. Possibly more than she had imagined. She motioned for him to follow her as she silently walked to her cabin.

As he closed and locked the door behind him, Amelia removed her second glove and and coat. Her uniform felt overwhelmingly stifling at the moment and she wanted no more than to speak with him as one should speak to their love. Other than what was naturally her, Amelia dropped her façade, her last defenses, ones she reserved only to be dropped for him and him alone.

Amelia took a few deep breaths before beginning. She wanted this to come out right. Of all things, Amelia wanted not to end up in yet another spat with Delbert. He meant too much to her and he was the one thing in her life that held no real problems, until recently that was the one portion of her life that felt right. He was a baffling, bumbling, clumsy, loving, caring light in a darkness of her highly uncertain life.

And as if he knew exactly what she was thinking, which he usually did, he approached her from behind, placing a hand softly on her shoulder and turned her around to face him. Delbert looked her in the eyes and smiled. Amelia's eyes narrowed just the slightest bit. Whatever he was at now, she hadn't been expecting it.

"I understand this is all very hard for you Amelia. It was difficult for me as well as one point. Well, it was hard for me in a different sense." He added slightly abashed at his latter point. "But whatever you want to know I promise that I'll answer truthfully.

He took her hands in his own and pulled her closer. As he held her she looked up at him; in his eyes she saw remorse and, what she could only determine as guilt. Amelia though these feelings were harbored for the first time by him when he really had a reason to harbor them. Then again, she believed he did try to tell her his story twice before and, circumstances being what they were, prevented such conversations, so it was true that his guilt should not have been harbored in full forece.

Amelia lingered in his embrace for a time longer. She didn't want to start this same argument over once again. Right now she wanted to be consoled for the storm to come. She wanted to wait just a bit longer to receive answers to the questions that had plagued her insecureties for weeks now. Right now, it was comforting to be held by her beloved, even though it was his own past she needed comforting from.

Amelia burried her head in Delbert's chest and he held her tighter, not wanteing to let her go. Ever. And as before, he would do what he must to keep her. Especially is it meant revealing a part of him he felt would always be vaulnerable.

"I love you Amelia." He told her thinking reassurance was what she loosened his embrace and lifted her chin to see her face. She had her eyes closed. He was just about to speak again when she stopped him.

"If I were to die tonight," she began. "would I pass through your mindin the years to come? Would you end up saying the things you've said to me to someone else?"

"Is that what you've been thinking of?" asked Delbert, his eyesa a bit wider with shock.. "Amelia, what I have with you is nothing like what I had with – "

"Except that it is." Amelia said pushing away from him and walking the length of the room. "Aside from certain distinct differences, what you had with her and what you have with me are very much the same. I can't help but think that if I were to pass on, I would be nothing more than a mere moment in your life. Nothing else." She paused for a moment to take in a breath but spoke again before Delbert could get a word in edgewise. "It's an insecurity I wasn't aware I had and it's one I am ashamed to admit keeps me growing a fear about what will happen to us in the future. I – "

This time Delbert stopped her all together. He crossed the room in one almost swift motion, catching his boot on the leg of her desk chair and stumbling in the process. He corrected himself by the time he came face to face with Amelia. He too her by the arms and pleaded for her to look him in the eye. Only a small part of him could believe what she was saying; what she had been thinking.

"Amelia, listen to me." He said sternly. "What I have with you is completely different that what I had with her. What we had was a hallowed love followed by a hidded stream of one sided lies. What you and I have Amelia is greater still and will always remain as such; at least in my mind it will. I love you to no end Amelia. Every moment I spend with you, they're one I will hold forever. I look forward to all the days we'll spend together, the family we'll create. Amelia I – " he paused for a second, then continued. "Yes. I was married, and it is a damper in my past… she was my past, as was the man I used to be then. I'm not that man anymore Amelia. He is gone. The Delbert Doppler you fell in love with is who stands here now. What I feel for you is so much more than I ever felt before. You are my world. When I lost Julianna, I fell into a secluded life with no meaning. You are my life, my love and if I were to lose you, my world would dissappear with you."

Delbert sounded as if to be pleading. He was. As this unfortunate part of him plagued his love, he began to fear more and more every day that if stubborness were to continue its reign, he might just lose her. That most of all was what had beleaguered him these past weeks. To his best efforts he would set this right.

And she believed him. Everything he had said, most of it really, was what she had been yearning to hear for some time, though she didn't exactly know that it really was that which she had yearned for to begin with.

Amelia slowly relaxed her features and sank back into his embrace once more and he let his arms wrap around her slight form, only to attempt to comfort this stoic, emotionally surpressed woman in an unusual time of need.

"I'm sorry to have caused you this. I'm sorry I never told you. I'm sorry this is all too complicated." Delbert said in the most sincere, apologetic tone he could muster. "I am sorry Amelia."

"As am I." she replied in barely more than a whisper. "I don't know what came over me."

"We were both an bit in over our heads here. There's no more need to dwell on it any longer, I hope."

Amelia looked up at him and smiled. It was over. It was over and she could sleep peacefully without worry for the other woman who had held the heart of the man she now held. This brought to her the realization that she may face whatever, whenever and whomever, but the only thing she feared was losing the man who held her now. Not such a rediculous thing as she may have once thought before he came into her life. It was such a rediculous thing to have once thought such a thing.

Delbert kissed her then, and she kissed him back. No more words were needed to be said on the issue. As far as they were concerned the matter was over and done with, which was perfectly fine.

They led into her bedroom where any insecurities, any doubts, had dissipated and finally began to wash away all together. The pair hadn't fallen prey to sleep until very late into the night, and although so little sleep had been attained, they both felt regenerated; as if a great weight had been lifted.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: OK! FINALLY! I've been able to post this chapter. Don't worry; I am still working as vigilantly as possible to write this story. I apologize in my long delays but as you see my work prevents me from devoting as much time as I'd like to it. I am in the Army and am currently deployed to Afghanistan. So as you see, I have little time to write but I have NOT forgotten and will indeed finish this story. Writing this helps me get away from my everyday stress so please read and enjoy and review if you wish. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter.

Always

Ashley

A.K.A. Final Kingdom