by L M Lacee
Crystal City
By L.M. Lacee
When one believes in their destiny, the rewards are cosmic.
—Kardan.
Copyright
Copyright@2019 L.M. Lacee
All rights reserved. Published by PrivotelConcepts
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Ant resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
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Title of Contents
Crystal City
Copyright
Title of Contents
Characters
ONE:
TWO:
THREE:
FOUR:
FIVE:
SIX:
SEVEN:
EIGHT:
NINE:
TEN:
ELEVEN:
TWELVE:
THIRTEEN:
FOURTEEN:
FIFTEEN:
SIXTEEN:
SEVENTEEN:
EIGHTEEN:
NINETEEN:
TWENTY:
TWENTY-ONE:
TWENTY-TWO:
TWENTY-THREE:
TWENTY-FOUR:
TWENTY-FIVE:
TWENTY-SIX:
TWENTY-SEVEN:
TWENTY-EIGHT:
TWENTY-NINE:
THIRTY:
THIRTY-ONE:
THIRTY-TWO:
THIRTY-THREE:
THIRTY-FOUR:
THIRTY-FIVE:
THIRTY-SIX:
THIRTY-SEVEN:
THIRTY- EIGHT:
THIRTY-NINE:
FORTY:
FORTY-ONE:
FORTY-TWO:
FORTY-THREE:
FORTY-FOUR:
FORTY-FIVE:
FORTY-SIX:
FORTY-SEVEN:
FORTY-EIGHT:
FORTY-NINE:
FIFTY:
FIFTY-ONE:
FIFTY-TWO:
FIFTY-THREE:
FIFTY-FOUR:
FIFTY-FIVE:
FIFTY SIX:
FIFTY-SEVEN:
FIFTY- EIGHT:
FIFTY-NINE:
SIXTY:
SIXTY-ONE:
SIXTY-TWO:
SIXTY-THREE:
SIXTY-FOUR:
TRANSLATIONS:
Characters
Humans/Terrans:
Peyton Roeah: Star Daughter.
Netta Mentu: Commander of Star Daughters Guard.
Melody Daygoniss: Commander/Tocho/Tivna.
Darby Roeah: Scientist/Specialist.
Heather Solverea: Doctor/Healer.
Esther Lioni: Nanny/Omperea.
Helen Sillva: Chef/Housekeeper.
Brenda Daimond: Housekeeper/Celebrant.
Penny Naltone: Personal Assistant.
Trina Hananva: Kailee.
Jean Harding: Systems Analyst.
Karen Roeah: Warrior Liaison.
Amelia Torroni: Executive Chef Prowler I.
Nina Hananva: Botanist:
Fern Jocarse: Biologist:
Kate Torvans: Veterinarian/Artar.
Patty Cooper: Doctor/Healer.
Sabrina (Rina) Johnston: Pilot.
Kelly Patterson: Linguist.
Lilly Adams: Chemist.
June Hastings: Pilot.
Echo Wallace: Negotiator.
Relic Wallace: Guard Commander.
Sonia Solverea: Comms Specialist.
Abigail Martin: Doctor/Healer.
Christine Martin: Researcher.
Gunner Cooper: Commander.
Mark Solar: Commander.
Charlotte Solar: Midwife.
Argo King: Warrior.
Roman Wright: Warrior.
Vic Butler: Warrior.
Nail Perez: Warrior.
Erin Kischer: Receptionist.
Warriors:
Kardan Roeah: Amahka Elite.
Hawk Roeah: Elite/First Commander.
Reeve Roeah: Elite/Second Commander.
Wolf Roeah: Commander.
Dinas Serapera: Elite/Healer.
Kerol Naihal: Commander
Willian Devet: Warrior/Investigtor.
Lukas Naihal: Warrior/Scout.
Jorge Torron: Commander Star Daughters Guard.
Carrick Torvans: Urnu.
Nikolas Faelone: Pilot.
Kolin Matewe: Engineer.
Sarn Kischer: Warrior/Guard.
Kent Jeyer: Warrior/Guard.
Hue Artton: Warrior/Guard.
Iaan Jerffon: Warrior/Guard.
Orin Certen: Captain.
Ward Tenne: Captain.
Marlo Daimond: Commander/Liaison.
Larson Sillva: Commander/ Liaison.
Raley Ayyban: Commander/ Liaison.
Alexx Ganer: Commander/ Liaison.
Kinn Brada: Graynite Warrior/Captain.
Ferrian Watsor: Graynite Warrior.
Lonn Grason: Graynite Warrior.
Saffri Folark: Graynite Warrior.
Mayton Norr: Warrior.
Virin Porran: Warrior.
Matt Karto: Commander/Falear.
Po Zaato: Captain/ Falear.
Len Sasski: Captain/ Falear.
San Ghota: Captain/ Falear.
Varn Carto: Captain/ Falear.
Isha Etaran: Captain/ Falear.
Warr Jurtor: Captain/ Falear.
Mystics:
Avana Cooper: Sevna.
Jarrod Hananva: Kail.
Malchol Hananva: Mystic.
Telfor Hananva: Mystic.
Kenera Hananva: Mother.
Cemeru Hananva: Father.
Jarrmeru Hananva: Mystic.
Marabela Porfitter: Sene.
Prowlers:
Briark: Bonded to Peyton.
Leiark: Bonded to Peyton.
Rage: Pride Leader.
Fanharr: Female Pride Leader.
Rave: Bonded to Harmara.
Honor: Bonded to Darby.
Salmah: Bonded to Hawk.
Bracce: Bonded to Marlo.
Bricc: Bonded to Raley.
Bacon: Bonded to Melody.
Knife: Bonded to Netta.
Jade: Bonded to Kerol.
Scout: Bonded to Lukkas.
Pepper: Bonded to Helen.
Midnight: Bonded to Jarrod.
Tipper: Bonded to Jorge.
Boaks: Bonded to Willian.
Riim: Bonded to Frand.
Runner: Bonded to Jarrmeru.
Remii: Bonded to Heather.
Lia: Bonded to Avana.
Maya: Bonded to Hope.
Kosmo: Bonded to Rayvan.
Tag: Bonded to Draykin.
Leema: Bonded to Enara.
Deela: Bonded to Enuru.
Kitolin: Bonded to Kate.
Lott: Bonded to Esther.
Petal: Bonded to Ni
na.
Gum: Bonded to Fern.
Allie: Bonded to Penny.
Cobalt: Bonded to Sedeen.
Drifter: Bonded to Ranarra.
Traders:
Rose Hananva: Chief Trader.
Frand Leesungha: Pilot/Trader.
Miko Artton: Laroro/Accountant.
Savo Leesungha: Head of family Leesungha.
Teelu Leesungha: Lalorla/Lawyer for Leesungha traders.
Reeico Leesungha: Chief Inventor.
Savna Leesungha: Pilot/Trader.
Teenarlo Leesungha: Inventor.
Solverea Family:
Harmara Solverea: Family Leader.
Sedeen Solverea: Infiltrator.
Klune Solverea: Spy Master.
Rata Solverea: Spy Mistress.
Waseo (Waysu) Solverea: Commander.
Rita Lewen: Former Spy Mistress.
Kaven Fortnar (Fox): Spy.
Dantara Lewen: Commander.
JAX:
Draygons:
Coraan Daygoniss: Warmaster.
Ranarra Daygoniss: Warmaster.
Zenerra Daygoniss: Guard.
Lucerra Theruu: Guard Commander.
Dana Surgan: Guardian.
Heddro Mainer: Healer.
Patamoglian:
Phantor Patamogol: Emperor
Parkern Patamogol: Brother/ Ambassador.
Putaran Patamogol: Brother of Emperor.
Iperran Patamogol: Brother of Emperor.
Peneria Patamogol: Daughter/Investigator.
Ipeara Patamogol: Daughter/Pilot.
Menturians:
Bendrix Mentu: Former King.
Jerthem Theruu: Domard.
Kern Mentu: Cousin.
Kassapi:
Taurene Kassapi: Ambassador.
Idella Kassapi: Sargann Commander.
Suena Kassapi: Sargann.
Onera Kassapi: Sargann.
Children:
Hope St. Hill.
Rayvan St. Hill.
Keylan St. Hill.
Drayken Kline.
Enara Solverea.
Enuru Solverea.
Koana Cooper.
Adversaries:
Doctor Agnes Johnston.
Jenersar Ambassador Thanikis Jenerika.
Earth Ambassador Ian White.
Emperor Uthar Jenerika.
Empress Quara Jenerika.
Sether Jenerika.
Orotha Jenerika.
Meins Thomsfar.
Celinna Thomsfar.
Fantha Thomsfar.
Leanii Undinly.
Governor Gearmry Swent.
Juary Swent.
Matriarch Sennha Raintor: First Sister.
Eddea Raintor: Second Sister.
Medenna Raintor: Third Sister.
Iirtha Patamogol: Former Empress.
Ambassador Ikiern Portarian: Empress Brother/ Former Ambassador.
Amera Patamogol: Empresses Daughter.
Wentur Patamogol: Empresses Son.
Dayrinda Darryan: Darganissa.
Landyn Darryan: Consort.
Governor Kittihue.
Governor Eorn.
Governor Wynn.
Extras:
Sunshoona: Earths Sun.
Gaea: Planet Earth.
Inferr: Planet of Indorino.
Planet Oraintarre.
Planet Pantarr.
Planet Nimbyya.
Planet Draygann.
Lasing Undinly: Head of family Undinly.
Julope Ontarro.
Renla Ontarro.
Paolo Ontarro.
Ulyssa Bellpone.
Ervina Bellpone.
Juet Quewtton.
ONE:
Arriving on board Prowler I was like being embraced by an old friend. Although old friends never received as many upgrades as Peyton’s Warbird did. The first few days of any voyage were filled with discovering what new and wonderful things Commander Kolin and his team had installed.
Unfortunately, this time she was not feeling her usual level of excitement. Even watching her children and their kits race from one new discovery to the next, did nothing to stir her interest. Sadly Peyton was still wrestling with her decision to allow the children to accompany them to the Capital. Ultimately, it came down to: they were her children and her responsibility.
She smiled as the little ones joyfully showed Carrick and their new nanny Dana, the remodeled classroom. Dana was just as enthralled by the ship as the little ones were. For her, it was only the second time she had ever been on a Warship. Peyton doubted she remembered much of her first trip, when the Draygons had been rescued from Draygann.
Carrick had confided to Peyton, Dana had been his first pick for guardian, because she was conscientious and young enough to relate to the children, especially the girls. Although Peyton had observed, the boys fell all over themselves to be next to the cheerful Draygon.
Watching Dana listen attentively to Hope, Peyton frowned as she tried to work out what was different about the Draygon. Then her frown disappeared when she realized the brown-eyed beauty had cut her shoulder-length blonde hair. Now it was styled short and spiked with black tips, like Netta’s. In fact, she had seen several hairstyles like Netta’s over the last few wekens. When she had asked her about it, she had hummed and shrugged her shoulders, which was no answer at all. Peyton felt it was the female’s way of emulating Netta. This amused her greatly, because she knew it made Netta uncomfortable, which just added to the humor of the situation.
Briark and Leiark, and the kits treated each unknown area of the ship with deep suspicion. Until Bacon and Knife showed them the Prowler’s diner and the special playroom. Which housed the grooming facility as well as a pool and a simulated outdoor play area. For some unknown reason, these areas seemed to relax the new Prowlers. Maybe it was as simple as they reminded them of home.
Rose was having a level of the Hutell remodeled to accommodate the Prowlers as per Fanharr and Rage’s specifications. Another level was being remodeled into a learning and play center for the children.
Peyton’s cabin had been enlarged again to accommodate her children. Keylan was once more in Peyton’s bedroom while Rayvan and Hope shared a room. Netta and Esther had their own bedrooms. The cabin was equipped with an office, lounge and dining area as well as a small kitchenette.
Hawk and Harm hoped by having more people in her cabin, it would make it harder for a repeat of the last voyage. Rage had ordered Prowlers to guard her cabin when she was inside. In fact, he ordered Prowlers to escort her everywhere she went. Rage refused to take any chances this time. He did not say so, but he feared deeply the warning by the Star Child to remove his Beloved.
Peyton did not argue, especially after Fanharr told her it would make him sleep better knowing he had done what he could to keep her safe.
TWO:
The following morn, the ship had been under way for several hours, when Netta, who had arrived on board only hours earlier woke from a deep sleep.
She was a little disorientated and was positive she had only laid down a few mins ago. The rush to get underway in the early hours of the morn had kept her busy until the last min. She kept her eyes closed and her breathing even when she heard shuffling and young male voices mind-sending loudly to each other.
Rayvan stated. I’m in.
Draykin replied. Me too.
Knife asked. Watcha doing?
Draykin whispered loudly this time. ‘We are coming to see if you and Auntie Netta is awake.’
Whys yoo on your tummies?
Rayvan told him. ‘It’s called being sneaky, so wees don’t wake Auntie Netta and you.’
Draykin told him. ‘Scout showed us.’
Netta could hear the puzzled tone in Knife’s voice as he said. Isa wake.
‘Oh!’ Draykin and Rayvan said together, but Rayvan was made of sterner stuff and told them determinedly. ‘Yes, but Auntie Netta isn’t, so we still crawl.’
Draykin huffed. ‘Kay, Tag, you
and Kosmo crawl too.’
They both said. Kay.
Draykin asked. ‘Knife, you wants to crawl and be sneaky too.’
Kay.
Netta felt him jump off the bed. There was more shuffling and quiet groaning then Draykin whispered. ‘Rayvan.’
‘Yeah, Draykin.’
‘This is hard.’
Netta rolled just enough so she could watch the boys from under her lashes. They were concentrating very hard as they Armee crawled across the bedroom floor with the three kits behind them.
Rayvan whispered. ‘Knife is your Mama awake yet?’
Netta quickly snapped a pic as she leaned from the bed at the same time asking. ‘Whatcha doing?’
The boys yelped in surprise as the kits jumped to their feet, yowled loudly and bolted from the room. Knife giggled and rolled onto his back with his feet in the air while his tail thumped against the floor.
Netta laughed as she grabbed both boys and pulled them onto the bed with her. Knife realizing he was missing out on cuddles jumped on to the bed, causing more shrieks of laughter from both boys.
She growled while she made kissing noises against their necks. ‘Such sneaky boys.’
They threw their arms around her and Rayvan accused her. ‘Auntie Netta, you scared us and our kits.’
Draykin said. ‘Yeah, yoosa was naughty Auntie Netta.’
He tunneled under the blankets as he did whenever he and Rayvan found themselves in her bed. Which is why she had been forced to throw her original bed away and purchase a larger one. It was the same reason she had asked Kolin to change all the beds in Peyton’s cabin.
As she cuddled Rayvan, she once again marveled at how healthy Draykin was. Heddro had tested him and found he was almost three yentas old. Older than they had originally thought, his language skills had improved immensely in the last luneras. Heddro hypothesized his ability to learn had been compromised by the trauma he’d received from living at the mining camp. Since then he had grown as had his ability to speak and comprehend the world around him. Heddro also said in many aspects of his development, he was exceptional. He believed it was because of where he lived and who his mother was, or perhaps he said it was the touch of the Star Daughter. Regardless he was thriving. His next growth spurt would be when he reached five, so just two more yentas to wait. It was fun watching him grow, but Netta knew she would miss times like this when he and Rayvan became too old for morning cuddles.
Rayvan was as gifted and just as healthy as Draykin, if not more so. On those rare occasions when she remembered he was more than just a little boy, she would look for evidence of that other being. So far she had not glimpsed a twinkle of him being anything other than what he showed the Universe. Sometimes she wanted to ask Peyton about what he had revealed all those luneras ago, and then she would see them together. Mother and son and knew it did not matter. He was what he was, and at the moment he was Rayvan, her nephew, who she loved dearle.