Daughter Of Ethos: Crystal City Book 6

by L M Lacee

  Willian told her. ‘He is planning to visit in a few luneras.’

  ‘He is happy I am your pilot.’ Ipeara told Peyton, who grinned in response, knowing it meant a lot to Ipeara her father was pleased with her.

  Melody asked. ‘Why, does he not like you?’

  Kenera laughed as Ipeara looked confused as she asked. ‘Why do you ask that?’

  ‘Did you not just walk between two lines of angry males?’

  ‘Oh, I see no, he loves me.’

  Melody scowled at Jean. ‘Seriously Jean, you have to work on her humor.’

  ‘I try.’ Jean responded absently as she looked around at the vehicles. They were amazing there were rows and rows of sleek hovering cars of all colors zipping by or parked waiting for their passengers. Some even looked like limousines from old Earth vids.

  Harm and Fox hurried to where they waited followed closely by Zenerra and Lucerra. ‘Star Daughter, I hope we have not kept you waiting.’

  Peyton said. ‘We just got here Harm, all is well.’

  Darby grumbled to Heather. ‘If you don’t count the custom agents and the armed guards. Everything was just fine.’

  Peyton sighed as she scolded Darby. ‘Thanks Darby, I was trying to make him feel better for being late.’

  Harm never heard them as he was too busy kissing Heather. ‘I guess he missed her.’ Netta observed.

  ‘Looks that way!’ Stated Peyton.

  ‘Aww!’ Said the girls as the young boys made choking noises encouraged by Fox.

  Zenerra asked Netta. ‘Trouble?’

  ‘I will tell you when we are at the Embassy. How are you two?’

  Lucerra smiled. ‘Good, Coraan has had us out flying.’

  Before anything more could be said. Reeve growled. ‘No more sightseeing, we move now.’ He nudged Harm and Heather. ‘Kiss her later. Now we go.’

  Melody asked Amelia, who stood with Rayvan in her arms. ‘When did we do any sightseeing?’

  Jorge answered. ‘The port, were you not with us?’

  ‘Oh well done, Jorge. Ipeara, did you see how it was done?’ Melody asked her.

  She looked doubtfully at her as she said. ‘I am to say yes.’

  Melody eyed her as Karen said. ‘Let it go, leave the girl alone. You can teach her while we are here.’

  ‘I just don’t know Karen, is it doable?’

  ‘Of course, Peneria has a fabulous sense of humor.’

  ‘Really!’ They all turned to look at Peneria, who said, her expression never changing.

  ‘Absolutely, I constantly make people chuckle. Now leave my sister alone.’

  ‘Well alright.’ Melody muttered as she shook her head at Jean, who grinned and looked away.

  Fox slid next to Peyton. ‘Star Daughter, you are looking well.’

  ‘So do you. City life appears to agree with you.’ She moved Keylan to her other arm as she smiled up at him.

  Fox grinned at her, then turned his attention to Keylan. ‘Hello, little one.’

  Keylan frowned hard at him, and he asked Peyton. ‘What did I do?’

  ‘She has good taste.’ Marlo said as he took the baby from Peyton. ‘Isn’t that right little lady? Do not you let that handsome face bewitch you?’

  ‘Commander, I so missed your wit.’ Fox snarked at him.

  Marlo growled and Keylan let out a baby growl and shoved her face into Marlo’s neck, hiding from Fox. Then the little minx let out a small whimper as Marlo growled. ‘See what you have done?’

  Fox said with a stunned look on his face. ‘What did I do exactly?’

  Dinas said as he moved to where Marlo stood with Keylan. ‘Everything, even she knows you are annoying.’ He looked the youth over then said. ‘Pleased to see you are whole. Now go away.’

  As the males fussed over Keylan while shooting Fox death glares. Peyton grinned at him. ‘They missed you, Fox.’

  He smiled slyly. ‘I believe you and I have missed you sweetie.’

  ‘I missed you as well, honey.’

  ‘I am going to puke.’ Netta stated in her annoyed voice as she pointed first at Fox. ‘You go away.’ Then at Peyton. ‘You keep walking. People let’s move out, we have been here long enough.’

  They all followed Hawk, who was talking to Harm, as they moved along the walkway. A few mins later they arrived next to several long gray hovering vehicles.

  Harm said. ‘These are ours.’

  Peyton asked. ‘Ipeara, can you pilot these?’

  ‘I sure can.’ She danced from foot to foot as she impatiently waited for the signal from Hawk to enter. ‘So cool.’

  With a nod from Hawk, she stepped inside as he said. ‘We wait for Ipeara.’

  Marlo handed Keylan back to Peyton, and after a few mins they heard a thump from within the vehicle. A tall, lightly golden male who held a resemblance to Fox exited, holding his face.

  ‘She hit me.’

  Harm said. ‘You should have moved faster. Now move, before I let her hit you!’ He pointed over his shoulder at Netta, who stood arms crossed a fierce look on her face.

  With a gulp, he scrambled away and slid into one of the other vehicles.

  Fox looked after him, laughing hard. ‘He is a taje.’

  ‘Boy.’ Carrick said as the girls giggled again.

  Fox looked around as Esther nudged him. ‘Say sorry, Urnu.’

  He dutifully repeated. ‘Sorry Urnu.’

  They heard a grunt in response. Grinning, Fox said. ‘I see some things have changed since I left.’

  Netta agreed. ‘Yes, more than you know. Now who was he?’

  ‘My cousin.’

  ‘Huh, sorry about that.’

  ‘Do not be, I told him you would have your own driver. But he said Madam would take one look at him and demand he be allowed to drive her vehicle.’

  ‘He is delusional then.’ Melody stated with a smirk.

  Fox murmured. ‘No, just an olesho.’

  ‘Boy.’ Was grunted before he could say more.

  Fox grimaced and called back, ‘Working on it.’

  ‘Work faster.’

  Fox wiped his mouth, and a smile crossed his face. Harm shook his head and sighed as Ipeara came out of the vehicle, stopping Fox from putting his foot wrong again. ‘It is secure, Star Daughter.’

  ‘Thank you, Ipeara.’

  ‘I programmed in the destination.’ Harm assured the new drivers as they all entered their vehicles. Waseo was to drive the second vehicle, and Fox was handling the third.

  Once inside, Netta smiled as she looked around the luxurious interior of their vehicle. ‘I could get used to this.’ She murmured to Heather, who agreed. ‘Me too.’

  Everyone found seats and instantly the little ones were glued to the windows, staring at the world around them.

  Netta asked Harm. ‘What about the Warriors?’

  Ipeara pointed out the window. ‘Look.’

  Some Warriors were on modified mag-bikes.

  Netta mumbled. ‘So want to try one of those.’

  Both Draygons sighed wishfully as Peyton watched the bikes surround the cars and asked. ‘What are they called?’

  Harm answered. ‘Raccinor, pronounced Race-in-or. They are powered by a modified crystal source and go very fast.’

  Peyton asked. ‘Rose, can you have Frand obtain the blueprints and the materials for them? They would work well, especially on Halcyon. I am sure Kolin would love to assemble them for home.’ When she heard several wishful sighs from around her she asked. ‘Zen, Lucca, would you like to learn to ride?’

  ‘Yes Madam.’ They both answered hopefully.

  ‘What about you Ipeara?’

  ‘Madam, I learned yentas ago with Peneria.’

  ‘Will you teach the others, who cannot ride?’

  ‘It would be my pleasure. We can also get the Warriors that know how to operate one to give lessons.’

  ‘Rose make sure we have enough for our Warriors and anyone else who wants to learn while we are here. Purchase them
so we can take them home with us. Ipeara if you will schedule the lessons for anyone who wants to learn. Earlier rather than later and Harm do we have somewhere they can practice?’

  ‘The Embassy has an underground parking area which will suffice. I also can operate one.’

  ‘Well, if you don’t mind, will you teach too?’

  He grinned. ‘Most definitely, it would be my pleasure.’

  Heather smiled and said. ‘As you are offering your services as an instructor. I would like to learn, it looks like fun.’

  Esther said. ‘I would like to learn as well. Will you teach me too?’

  Grinning, he agreed. ‘Why not? What about you Madam, can I teach you?’

  ‘Oh yeah, I would like that. So Rose, do you have that hon?’

  ‘Yes Madam.’ She said as she swiped and tapped on her tablet, then looked up and smiled saying. ‘Frand is on it as we speak, he has a contact.’

  Esther asked Harm. ‘What happened to our luggage?’

  ‘All the luggage will be collected by Warriors and delivered within the hour. It will be checked at the Embassy by Jax for anything that may have been slipped in.’

  Netta muttered. ‘Because we all know they will be doing that.’

  Peyton agreed. ‘It does seem to be the Capital’s way.’

  Changing the subject, Harm told them. ‘You will like the Embassy, Rose excelled in her choice. It is beautiful.’

  Smiling at the compliment, Rose said. ‘I thank you Harm, but most of the credit goes to my Parta and Unta, they are the ones who found it for us.’

  ‘Well, they did a good job. Believe me, it is stunning and Jax is now fully integrated. We also have visitors coming after second-meal.’

  Peyton asked. ‘The Menturians?’

  ‘Yes, and as expected, they are wary, but Rita is confident you will persuade them to your way of thinking.’

  Peyton frowned and asked Netta. ‘Is that her polite way of saying I am a tyrant?’

  Harm laughed with the others as Netta replied. ‘No, that is her polite way of saying you are someone it is hard to say no too.’

  Peyton pursed her lips as she thought about Netta’s answer. ‘Isn’t that the same thing?’

  Netta smirked as she explained. ‘It is if you want it to be.’

  Peyton ignored the smirks from the others as she asked Harm. ‘How is Rita?’

  ‘She is exhausted, this was too much for her.’

  Peyton frowned and with a concerned look at Esther, who returned it, she asked. ‘Is she at the Embassy?’

  ‘Yes. The mission is over as far as the Scout team is concerned.’

  Peyton nodded and told Harm. ‘Release anyone who wishes to return home.’

  ‘Done, I should tell you that Yewta and Retder, have already left.’

  ‘Did they have another adventure to find?’

  Harm smiled. ‘Something along those lines. They said you would understand.’

  Peyton smiled as well. ‘It is what they do. The Falears?’

  ‘Matt ordered them to Yanarah.’

  ‘Oh, okay. Netta, I will visit Rita first. Harm, do you think she wishes to leave?’

  Harm said with a frown. ‘I think she would prefer to be gone. She does not like the city as she once did.’

  ‘Alright then, Harm can you make preparations to have her moved from the Embassy to the ship.’

  ‘Yes Madam.’

  Peyton sighed as she looked at the wide-eyed, amazed looks of not only the children but the adults. ‘So I am going to say for today only, no shopping or sightseeing. Netta can you make that known, I would prefer for everyone to remain in the Embassy just for the day.’

  ‘I will.’

  ‘Maybe they can talk with Miko and decide on what shops they want to visit tomorrow.’

  Esther assured her. ‘Dearle, don’t fuss.’

  ‘I just don’t want to be that person who spoils everyone’s fun, you know?’

  Melody said seriously. ‘Peyton, we all came through the port with you. We have an Embassy to explore and a restaurant to sample. It’s a great way to start a vacation.’

  Harm told them joyfully. ‘Pools, and Holo rooms.’

  Grinning at his enthusiasm, Peyton said. ‘Alright, so I am calling it a settling in day then.’

  They all agreed and before anyone could start questioning Harm about the Embassy. They were driving under a massive building and into a well-lit parking level or space port as the car flew rather that drove on wheels.

  Once inside the structure, the vehicle became trapped by an invisible force which grabbed hold of the vehicle and dragging it into what looked like a three-sided box.

  ‘Ipeara what is happening?’ Peyton asked as everyone grabbed handles or the hands of the person sitting next to them.

  ‘It is the Gravatron, Madam.’ When she turned and saw confused and worried expressions on their faces, she hurriedly explained. ‘It is like a great big hand that is pulling us into the lift to take us up into the Embassy and deposit us at the entrance.’

  ‘Okay Ipeara, it may serve us well to tell me these things beforehand.’

  ‘I apologize Madam. I did not realize you had not experienced this before.’

  Harm warned Ipeara. ‘Let us, for the sake of the Capital, assume the Terrans and Draygons have experienced nothing of our galaxy, while we are here.’ He peeled Heather’s fingers from his arm and Esther’s grip off his knee as he spoke.

  Peyton said. ‘Ha-ha.’

  ‘He makes a good point though.’ Esther agreed as she shook her hand out.

  Netta murmured. ‘Safer.’

  Ipeara nodded as she said seriously. ‘I shall do so in the future Commander.’

  Smiling, Harm asked the children. ‘Were you scared?’

  Enara answered for them all. ‘No, we are brave.’

  ‘Of course you are.’ He agreed with a twinkle in his eyes.

  TEN:

  Harm explained as their vehicle rose. ‘The Gravatron will take us to the Embassy’s foyer and from there we will walk to smaller lifts. Which will take us directly to our floors and then to our suites.’

  Peyton asked. ‘Are you doing this, Ipeara?’

  ‘No Madam, the Embassy’s automated systems are in operation, all high-rises have systems like this.’

  ‘Even the shops?’ Esther asked.

  ‘Yes, Ma’am.’

  ‘Oh my, isn’t that amazing.’

  ‘This is fun.’ Enuru cheered, the other girls giggled with nervous excitement.

  Rayvan agreed. ‘I like it Uncle Harm, it is a good ride.’

  Draykin said. ‘I not, me not like.’

  Peyton asked the little Draygon. ‘Why sweet boy?’

  Hope said with the attitude that only an older sister can have. ‘It is because he isn’t doing it himself.’

  Draykin scowled more and jutted out his chin. ‘No, you wrong, it smell funny.’

  Netta leaned over and stared into the little boy’s eyes. ‘Draykin sweetie, what smells funny?’

  He looked at Netta with fear-filled eyes as he whispered. ‘Bad smell under floor.’

  Netta looked at Keylan, but she like the other children did not seem to smell anything off. Still Netta trusted Draykin and if he was scared and said he smelt something bad, she believed him.

  Straightening, she ordered. ‘Jax override the systems and get us out of here now.’

  Done Commander.

  Before a second had passed, the car rose the rest of the way and the doors slid open. Netta had Draykin in her arms as she ordered. ‘Everyone out, take the children. Kits go now!’

  Harm and Heather grabbed a twin each as Zenerra swung Rayvan into her arms. Hope was picked up by Lucerra who quickly exited as Peyton who still held Keylan pushed Esther out before her.

  Netta yelled at Ipeara. ‘Now pilot!’

  Ipeara ran to where Netta stood just inside the foyer. Netta’s strident voice echoed across the foyer, cutting off the excited chatter from the othe
r people exiting their vehicles as she ordered. ‘Jax, get it out of here now.’

  She held a shaken Draykin in her arms as Jax slammed the doors closed just as the vehicle filled with a white gas. ‘Commanders we have a problem.’

  Peyton and her family found themselves quickly enclosed inside a circle of tall Warriors.

  Hawk strode over, ordering. ‘Report!’

  Netta rapped out. ‘Car filled with gas, cause unknown.’

  ‘Okay, that was not good.’ Esther exclaimed a little shaken at how close they had come to being gassed with an unknown toxin.

  ‘Draykin!’ Darby screamed as she ran from where she had been standing talking to Avana. Warriors made way for the distraught mother as she rushed to her son. Reeve simply walked over and plucked Draykin from Netta and placed him in his mother’s arms.

  ‘Baby boy, are you alright?’ Darby asked as she moved her hands over him, searching for wounds. She looked around. ‘Are you all alright, what happened?’

  Netta told her. ‘Your baby boy saved us all.’

  ‘He did, you did?’ Darby asked as she looked down at her son who nodded seriously at her.

  ‘Of course he did, he is my son.’ Reeve rasped as he took Draykin from Darby’s arms. ‘My son, you are well?’

  Draykin wrapped his arms around his father’s neck and whispered. ‘Papa, bad smell.’

  Reeve hugged him, his face a little paler than normal as he asked Netta. ‘What smell?’

  Peyton told them as she cuddled Keylan. ‘He smelled something bad in the car.’ She looked at Keylan in her arms as she made sniffing sounds.

  Hope said. ‘Uncle Hawk, I did not smell it.’

  He picked her up, and she laid her head on his shoulder as he said. ‘Maybe you are too tall, like the adults. They did not scent it either, did they?’

  She shook her head as he asked the twins. ‘Did you girls scent it?’

  They both shook their heads as Heather and Harm cuddled them close. Peyton looked at all the children. ‘You all did very well when you were carried from the vehicle, none of you complained or struggled. I am proud of you all.’

  They all beamed at her praise. Peyton’s attention was taken by her daughter in her arms, whose eyes were glued to where the car had been as she grumble, then coughed.

  Carrick asked. ‘Madam is Keylan unwell?’