by L M Lacee
‘Well that won’t work, now will it?’ Peyton asked him.
Janet laughingly replied instead of Hawk. ‘Not likely.’
Causing several others and Peyton to laugh as well, while Hawk smiled and said. ‘The female we are going to see is named Eddea, she is the second sister to the Matriarch. As you know there are six sisters altogether, although there is a set of twins, they count as one and fourteen cousins and other numerous family members, who reside near the town. We are searching their homes and businesses first. Darby’s people will take over the information systems on your command, and their satellites are already ours. Their port has been set to be locked down again, on your command, all trade on the planet will cease to operate.’
Peyton told them quietly. ‘Oraintarre will stop all the mining when and if I ask. Let us hope it does not come to that, and they have looked after our people well.’
Hawk grunted. ‘That is like saying they will be reasonable.’
‘We can only hope they will be.’
They turned left, then right. There was no need to ask for further directions or have Darby explain what kind of house to look for. Because as they turned the corner they were confronted with an Empirer. A grand pretentious building, it took up almost an entire corner block in its magnificence.
Peyton was astounded by the grandeur and prominence of the house, which sort of resembled a castle from Earth. Her heart sank as she realized these people believed they were the center of the universe and wanted everyone to know it. To lift the tension she and her Warriors were feeling. She whined. ‘How come, I don’t have a place like this?’
There were smiles, and a few laughs, especially when they heard Darby’s snort and reply. ‘Like you would live in a place like that, you cannot even cope when people kneel to you.’
Peyton grinned. ‘That is very true but could you imagine Heather’s face when she gets home, if we build something like this.’
Darby’s laughter came through the links, something she did seldom, which had all the Warriors smiling. Peyton straightened her shoulders and took a breath in and then let it out slowly. ‘Commander, Warriors let’s get this show on the road.’
Hawk ordered. ‘Warriors formation one.’
Instantly, in a well-choreographed move, the Warriors shifted into position, creating a barrier between Peyton and the outside world.
The Turqualls slipped into and around the Empirer with the Falears, Warriors who had been specifically created to fade, rendering them invisible. They were Peyton’s secret weapon and only deployed when she was assured they wished to be. Sadly their ability came with a price, usually several days of down time and in extreme cases burn out, where the Warrior faded completely away.
Knowing the consequences for the Falears when they used their abilities, she never demanded they went on missions. In fact, she would prefer they remained at home, but their Commander had told her it was their right to search for their brother Warriors. There was no arguing with that, so she had reluctantly agreed, she just made sure they were aware they had a choice.
Heather and the Solverea family medical researchers along with the Maikonian researchers were seeking a solution to the Falears problem. At her last comm Heather assured her she and the scientists of the Solverea family were well on the way to a cure for the Falears. Peyton hoped she would have a result soon, otherwise she would ask the Star Child to see about a cure. She had hesitated in contacting them, unsure whether their idea of a cure would mean removing the Falears altogether or actually curing them. So she decided when and if she was left with no options, she would talk to the Star Child, as long as it did not place the Falears in danger. Until then, she would wait to see what Heather and her people discovered.
She watched the Warriors fade as she and her guards advanced on the Empirer, Hawk stepped forward with his three guards and banged on the gold painted, ornately jeweled doors. Three sharp thumps that sounded throughout the long grand hallway into the tense, silent building.
A door was swung open by a small female, she stood no taller than four foot nine or ten. She was slightly pink with three colors in her hair. In Darby’s report, it stated that people of Oraintarre had either three colors or two. Except for the Matriarch, she had only one. This female had brown, pink and red striped hair which was styled in a roll. Her eyes were red and her lashes and brows were a mix of the brown and red of her hair. Hawk looked down, and she smiled up at him apprehensively as her voice trembled with fear and nerves. ‘Greetings Warrior?’
‘Commander.’ Hawk corrected softly, once, not that long ago, he would not have considered her feelings or how she viewed himself or his Warriors. It would never have occurred to them that people did not have to be in a state of fear when they spoke to a Warrior. Now he and his Warriors had been shown the way the person perceived them could and would affect the outcome of the conversation. By being more approachable, the people they interviewed would relax and therefore give them more information. In essence, Hawk had found he received more cooperation by softening his features and voice. He nodded and then moved aside as Peyton came forward as he introduced her. ‘The Star Daughter wishes to speak to you.’
The female went to kneel, Peyton softly begged.
‘Please, do not.’ The female stopped, and Peyton smiled saying. ‘Thank you.’
The small female’s mouth made a circle of shock as her eyes widened. She could not remember when the words please and thank you had been directed at her.
‘Greetings this morn.’
‘Greetings this morn, Star Daughter. I am Julope Ontarro, servant to second sister Eddea. She has requested you leave her home and planet immediately.’
‘I am sure she did Lady Julope, do you know why we are here?’
‘Yes, please what message do you wish me to deliver?’
Peyton smiled again, her eyes softening as the small female wrung her hands in worry. She reached out slowly and covered those work-roughened hands, stopping the motion. ‘It was very brave of you to come out here, Lady Julope Ontarro. I know if I was in your place and faced with a strange female and huge Warriors I did not know, I would be very frightened. We understand the message you delivered was not yours, and as a servant you must do as you are ordered. So thank you for the courtesy you have shown.’
Julope could see the female was not mocking her and seemed to truly believe what she said. She bowed her head with respect as she told her. ‘I am not a lady, just a servant.’
Peyton said softly. ‘To me you are very much the lady.’ They could all see her stand a little taller as her hands stopped trembling, and she lifted her head a little higher and her voice became stronger as she thanked Peyton. ‘Thank you Star Daughter.’
Peyton said gently. ‘When you return to your mistress, tell her we received and ignored her words and we will see her soon.’
Julope bowed. ‘As you wish, Star Daughter.’ She still had a look of worry, but the fear had lessened as she turned away from the door. Peyton still had a hold of her hands; she tightened her grip a little to get the female’s attention and mind-sent to her.
Lady Julope, if you and any others wish to leave this place, come to the port when you can and we will take you to our home. If you are unable to get away, try to get a message to any Warrior or Turquall, you see. They will tell me, and we will help you. I swear I will not enslave you. I realize what I ask could be hard for you to believe, or for you to trust me, a complete stranger, but if you do not wish to come to our home. At least come to the port and talk to my people. We will be here until we have all our Warriors, so please think on what I have said.
Peyton released her hands as Julope nodded her head, but did not reply as she turned back into the darkened hallway, Peyton hoped she would believe her.
Two Warriors pulled open the large, heavy doors that swung wide with ease. Well-oiled, Peyton supposed as they all stepped inside and watched as Julope on silent feet moved deeper into the house at a very fast walk. Once they cou
ld not see her anymore, Peyton’s guards followed her and Hawk into the wide hallway.
They stood looking around at the walls, which were lined with spectacular paintings. Everywhere they looked was another feast for their eyes of colorful depictions of scenes of battles and planets seen from space. There were even scenes of couples in very compromising positions. ‘Is that even possible?’ A Warrior asked out loud as he and the others all stared at a very risqué scene of several couples all wound together.
‘Only if you are very supple.’ Janet murmured with a smile at the innocent question.
‘What about that one?’ Lukkas asked, his eyes were glued to a scene of a male and female on a horse, or at least an animal that resembled a horse. If a horse had eight legs, no ears and two tails. He dragged his eyes from the painting and looked at Peyton as he asked.
‘Star Daughter?’
‘No comment. Nope… not answering.’
Every Warrior there looked at her as she blushed, taking pity on her, Janet finally said. ‘You should ask Kerol, I hear he was top in his sex education class.’
There was a smattering of words as several links were used to snap pics of the scene, Peyton heaved in a breath and refused to look at any more art, keeping her eyes on her boots instead. Eventually dragging his gaze from the paintings and remembering why they were there, Hawk cleared his throat loudly to remind the Warriors where they were. He would have used words, but they seemed to have escaped him for the moment.
Enlisted by Darby, Lukkas covertly released her little spy network, hundreds of little flying vid drones. They had been designed by Peyton when she was much younger. Darby had taken her design and adapted it to be smaller and even more efficient, they flew throughout the Empirer and would remain monitoring until Darby recalled them.
They all watched them for a few seconds, long enough to let the Warriors exiting the hidden door halfway down the long hallway to come closer. As silent as their approach had been, Rage and his unit had already alerted Peyton and her Warriors to their arrival.
Thirty thin, ill-kept Warriors, weapons at the ready, advanced slowly until Hawk called out. ‘Warriors, I am Commander Hawk Roeah. I am here to release you from your duty and take you home.’
A Warrior made a sign, and the others stopped. He advanced a few more steps, then halted. His voice barely suppressed the emotions running through him.
‘Commander Elite Roeah.’
Hawk took the steps necessary and clasped arms with the Warrior, as the male asked. ‘Do you really have a home for us to go to Commander?’
Hawk pulled him in close, saying as the others tensed. ‘Yes, I do, we have been trying to make contact with you so we can bring you home.’
The Warrior told him. ‘The sisters allowed us to hear a message, but we dared not believe it was true, so much here is a lie.’
Within that message Hawk knew was embedded the code to disarm the kill switch, he was relieved to know the Warriors had indeed received it. He released the males arm, and the Warrior stepped back as the others joined him, Hawk spoke to them all. ‘I cannot know for sure what you have heard or been told, but trust me when I tell you, there is a home world waiting for you. The Star Child is once again moving in our universe, and our Star Daughter is with us. She has secured our home, known as Maikonia, this is the name of our freedom. Now allow me to introduce the Star Daughter who has taken us from just throw away fodder for any that wanted a usable commodity, to Warriors of worth, Warriors with honor.’
At the slight growl and snort of disgust from behind the tall Warriors surrounding her. Hawk cocked an eyebrow. ‘And if I am not mistaken, she is a little annoyed right now.’
Peyton tapped Sarn on his back. ‘Move please Sarn, I need to beat the Commander.’
All the new Warriors tensed at her words, unlike her squad who just grinned. Sarn moved, and she stomped through the other guards. When the new Warriors saw her, they started dropping to their knees. Peyton just stopped herself from screeching as she watched them all begin to go down on one knee. ‘Hawk!’
Halting their progress, he said. ‘Warriors, do not kneel, our Star Daughter does not require her people to be subservient. Rise.’
Hesitantly, as if they thought what he told them was a ploy to punish them, they slowly stood again, their eyes never leaving his.
Peyton sighed her pleasure. ‘Thank you Warriors, you all kneeling when we meet as the others will tell you, drives me insane.’
Hawk quickly explained her words as the Warriors looked disturbed again. ‘The Star Daughter in not insane, she does not like that we revere her as divine, as she is not, which she tells us often. She would like you to be polite and respectful, follow the other Warriors they will show you.’
Hawk sighed inwardly as directing her comments to him now, she growled. ‘Fodder, do not ever let me hear you say that again.’ He inclined his head to Peyton. ‘Only you and the females of Maikonia believe we are something else.’
‘Something more.’ She stared at him hard and then around at the others. ‘That is because the peoples of the universe have not met and conversed with you. But when they do, they will recognize that you are much more than just Warriors, and you have much to offer the universe. Just like we, the people of Maikonia do, ask any of the females that have found their mates, they will clear it up, if you are still unsure.’
There was a definite stunned quality about the new Warriors silence and a desperation to believe what Hawk and she had shared. She continued softly. ‘By the time we are finished, everyone in this universe will know, I will no longer tolerate any Warrior to be abused. The people who thought they had the right to do so, will pay and pay dearle for every death or scar and humiliation inflicted on any Warrior. That is nothing compared to what is going to happen to the ones that used you as a commodity after you were created. I have not forgotten about them, they will pay as well.’
She looked at the Warrior who had spoken to Hawk, and her eyes softened. ‘I realize...’ She stopped and looked at each of the new Warriors one at a time, making sure they knew she meant each of them, then continued. ‘I realize this is hard for all of you to believe. I understand you do not know me but you know and trust Commander Roeah, therefore I ask that you let your faith in him be your guide.’ She smiled gently at the wary Warriors. ‘Let that be enough to get you onto the shuttles and up to our Warship, and then you can take it from there. Just trust a little longer please, it is time for you all to come home.’
Peyton was sure she heard a sigh or two but when she looked she saw only wary hard eyed males, so maybe it came from her Warriors. She thought maybe she had not reached them as they seemed too skeptical to believe the truth, even though it stood in front of them. She asked the Warrior who had greeted Hawk. ‘Your name, please?’
‘Tenne… Warrior Ward Tenne.’
‘Warrior Ward, if you and your Warriors would please accompany these two Warriors, Kent and Sarn to your quarters to gather any belongings and anything and I mean anything else that should go with you. They will take you to the port where a shuttle is waiting.’
Ward stood there for a full min before he ordered the others with him. ‘Warriors go and gather what you deem necessary. We are going home.’
With no more urging, they sped past him and the others, meeting up with Kent and Sarn standing by the door. Hawk asked Ward. ‘How many more Warriors are here in the house?’
Ward’s face went blank as he said in a toneless voice. ‘There were another fifty or so above ground earlier, there should be fifty below and three in the tank.’
Peyton heard in-drawn breaths from some members of her squad; she closed her eyes and quickly went through the information Darby fed her, about what a tank was and her eyes hardened while her hands clenched. She walked to the Warrior and hugged him, stunned he did not move, with little effort she pulled his forehead to hers as they touched Peyton knew… just knew in the deepest part of her needar that this was the first time a female had touched
him for other than inflicting pain or humiliation. Her voice was strong, as she promised. ‘We will make sure we get every Warrior here, and they will come home or I will bring this place down around the sister’s ears. Believe me when I say they will pay. I will make them pay.’
She kissed his forehead, releasing a little glow of starlight to shine upon him for a moment, calming his racing heart immediately. He stood there shocked and a little unnerved, he had never met a female like her and not one reportedly to be the most powerful person in the universe. He wanted so much to believe her, to believe in what she said, so he decided to suppress his natural reaction to dismiss everything she stated and take a chance. He gave a nod, just a small jerk of his head, but it was enough for Peyton who smiled and called to one of her guards. ‘Warrior Janet.’
‘Yes, Star Daughter?’
All her people knew to address her as Star Daughter when on missions, it showed respect and reinforced who she was. Also, it is hard to profess friendship if someone does not know her real name. This was Hawk’s decree, and her people had adopted it as Esther was heard to state. Common sense was common sense.
‘Warrior Janet could you see Warrior Ward to his quarters please and then to the ship, make sure all the Warriors are escorted through medical until they are settled and please make sure they are aware of what they can bring with them?’ She looked at Janet. ‘You know what I speak of Warrior Janet.’
It had been suggested that some Warriors may have friends and dependents of a kind on the planets they were stationed at. Peyton decided that the Warriors would have the chance to ask any friends or dependents to leave with them. Janet saluted her and smirked when she called her by her title. ‘I do Star Daughter.’
‘Smart ass.’ Peyton mumbled before she told her.
‘Answer every question they have, understood?’
‘Yes Star Daughter, are they to receive the download?’
Hawk nodded. ‘Lady Darby is seeing to that along with healers Dinas and Patty.’