Daughter Of Ethos: Crystal City Book 6

by L M Lacee

  ‘How will that make him understand what it means?’ Netta asked, bewildered by her logic. Peyton pursed her lips as she thought about that and then smiled as an idea came to her, Avana shifted uneasily in her chair.

  Peyton said innocently. ‘You know we could skip the explanation and just show him.’

  Netta pounced on the idea as she gave Gunner a thoughtful look. ‘Do you mean like a demonstration?’

  ‘No, definitely not. He could die!’ Avana cried as she shook her head.

  ‘He might not.’ Darby also gave him a speculative look.

  Peyton agreed with them. ‘It would be good training.’

  ‘For them both, maybe.’ Netta added with a look of glee in her eyes.

  Melody shook her head. ‘I think he would die, he has not trained as a Warrior, although...’

  ‘Yes… yes, listen to the Tivna.’ Avana hurriedly interrupted Melody.

  Melody suggested. ‘We could bet on whether he will or not?’

  Avana was starting to be concerned, especially when the word bet became involved. She pleaded with her mother and Esther. ‘Mama, Lady Esther, make them stop please.’

  Esther said. ‘I am sure they don’t mean it dearle.’ As she and Kenera grinned at each other.

  Kardan sighed and said. ‘No.’

  Peyton pouted. ‘Oh, but…’

  ‘No, my heart.’

  All four of the sisters sighed with regret.

  FORTY-NINE:

  Dinas and Patty entered, halting anymore discussions about Gunner and Carrick, which Avana was thankful for.

  Patty asked with a smile. ‘Madam, you have a need of a download?’

  Gunner looked over his shoulder at the newcomers and then stood slowly, his face paling as the humor of a few mins ago left him. He swallowed several times before he could speak, and when he did, he had the attention of the entire room.

  ‘Patty, my Patty, you are alive. I thought… I believed…’ He stopped to gather himself, his voice was hoarse when he continued. ‘They said you were dead. That there was no hope. Oh, Patty.’ He hung his head as he shook it from side to side and mumbled. ‘All this time I have spent yenta’s keeping my feelings from surfacing, burying my grief under work.’ He lifted his eyes to hers as he stated. ‘Because I believed if I let go, I would destroy the world for taking you from me.’ He straightened his shoulders and smiled, although his eyes remained shuttered. ‘And here you are alive. I almost cannot believe what my eyes behold.

  Hesitantly, Patty reached her hand out to him. ‘Gun, it can’t be… oh my stars Gun. I thought you were gone. They told me you were dead, that you had sacrificed yourself for me, so I could live. I believed them.’

  He swallowed his anger at her words and softly agreed. ‘They lied sweet Patty… they lied to us both.’

  She cried as her voice trembled with tears. ‘Forgive me, my heart has hurt every day since I lost you.’

  Dinas stepped in front of Patty as he bristled with fear and anger. ‘She is mine.’

  Gunner grunted as his hand dropped from reaching for Patty. ‘She was part of me, still is, nothing will ever change that. Not you, not death, nothing.’ He growled as the temper he was renowned for rose swiftly to the surface. To be so close to his long lost sister was torture and now this male interfered with their reunion.

  Dinas released a little of his Rie and it filled the room as he challenged. ‘I will never allow you to take her from me.’

  Patty stifled a cry as her tortured eyes sought and found Peyton’s. Calm sweet one, we have this.

  Patty nodded jerkily, but Peyton thought she did not really believe her. Gunner eyed Dinas as his face hardened and his voice deepened with long buried emotions. ‘You could try to stop me and you will fail.’

  Peyton placed a hand on Kardan’s arm, holding him in place and mind-sent. It is okay, Netta and the ladies have this.

  Netta moved between the two males as her Rie rose and engulfed them both. ‘Stop now.’

  ‘Shoot Netta, I had credits on Dinas.’ Melody grumbled light-heartedly.

  Esther said with a smile. ‘It is okay Gunner dearle, Helen, Brenda and I were backing you.’

  At Dinas’s grunt, Brenda rushed to assure him. ‘It was not that we thought he would win Dinas. We were betting on how many bones you could break before he lost consciousness.’

  Gunner laughed, as did Dinas, even more so when they both heard a snarling Patty huff a breath out and say. ‘Seriously!’

  She stepped around Dinas and turned to place her hand on his cheek, looking up into his eyes. ‘Dinas, this is my twin brother. Remember I told you about him?’

  ‘I do.’

  ‘And how they separated us when we were in our teens and later they told me he had died.’

  ‘I remember, he is the male that left and never returned.’

  She smiled at the timber of his voice, she knew he feared she would leave him. ‘I love you, my heart always.’

  Relief sparked in his eyes as he gave a jerky nod of his head. Patty frowned as she said. ‘It seems you were right when you said they lied to me.’

  ‘The facts as you explained them to me said they lied. Is that not why we have asked Willian to investigate for us?’

  ‘Yes. There is much we have to discover, but the truth is here. It seems they turned him into a soldier and me into a doctor.’

  He growled deeply. ‘Because they were furin olesho’s.’

  Patty almost laughed at his description. ‘Yes, they were. What do I do now my love?’

  Dinas flicked his eyes to Gunner and in them he read a warning, hurt his mate and die. ‘You greet him as you should my heart.’

  ‘Okay.’ She turned back around to Gunner as he placed Koana in her mother’s arms and was relieved she did not murmur a complaint.

  Patty fell into his opened arms. ‘Aww! Patty, sweet, sweet Patty. I have missed you so much, my heart has been broken.’

  Patty looked up at him. ‘As was mine. How could they do that?’

  ‘Why, is a better question?’ Melody asked as her hand held tightly to Coraan’s.

  Gunner sadly explained. ‘To ensure I would have a reason to be who I am and you to be who you were.’

  ‘Cruel.’ Darby murmured as she watched brother and sister. ‘Very cruel.’

  Netta held her hand as she whispered. ‘I wager they would believe they did so for the greater good of the people of Earth.’

  Gunner sighed as he hugged Patty. ‘You had to know our parents to understand why they thought they had the right to tell such momentous lies.’

  Brenda cried. ‘Your parents did this? Dearle stars no… no, that is not right.’

  The sister and brother both looked at the distraught Brenda as Marlo hurried to gather her in his arms.

  ‘Sadly it is.’ Gunner told her. ‘I wish it was not.’

  Peyton nodded to Gunner. ‘For you and Patty to discuss with each other and your mates. If you need help, ask for it.’

  He nodded. ‘We will Madam.’

  Gunner held Patty as she cried heartbroken tears of relief. Dinas stood nearby, his face impassive, his eyes tortured. Gunner kissed her forehead and then passed her back to Dinas.

  He said. ‘I don’t think I really believed them when they told me she was dead, she was always in my heart. I have lived with the desire to find out what happened to her.’ He bowed his head to Dinas. ‘She is my other half, I have felt incomplete since they stole her from me. Thank you for keeping her safe, please allow us to continue to see each other.’

  Dinas held Patty as she sobbed into his shirt. ‘I will never allow this separation to continue or for it to happen again. You should know your sister is very strong minded. Now she knows you are alive, nothing will prevent her becoming part of your life.’

  Gunner nodded, his eyes bright as he looked at his twin with love and regret. Peyton took the injector from Patty’s unresisting hand and placed her fingers on her cheek, instantly she fell asleep. ‘Dinas she need
s to settle, go take care of your mate and baby they need you.’ She smiled at Gunner’s stunned look. ‘Oh yeah, you are gonna be an uncle.’

  He beamed and slapped Dinas on the back. ‘Well done, brother.’

  Dinas smiled and with a nod of his head to Avana and Koana said. ‘You as well, brother.’

  He left carrying his mate in his arms, calling over his shoulder. ‘Avana will tell you where we are.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Peyton turned as the injector was snatched from her hand. Darby told her. ‘No, just no.’

  Peyton jutted out her chin and told her. ‘I can so do it.’

  ‘Have you ever?’

  ‘No, but seriously, how hard can it be?’

  Heather walked in and demanded. ‘What has happened to Patty?’

  Melody quickly explained what had taken place. Heather smiled at Gunner. ‘I love your sister, she is an amazing person. You should be very proud of her.’

  He nodded. ‘I am sure I will be when we get to know each other again.’

  Heather left it at that as she spied Darby and Peyton playing with the injector. She held her hand out and said. ‘Give me that, seriously you two.’

  Darby passed it over as she asked Peyton. ‘How come she only growled at you and me?’

  ‘Unfair, that’s why.’

  Heather said to an amused Gunner with a laugh in her voice. ‘Ignore them, I do.’ She held the injector up and told him. ‘Now this is a Nano download.’

  Darby took over the explanation. ‘I developed it, as you already have a working knowledge of Coalition. I modified this one with knowledge of our worlds, our allies, information about the Star Daughter and Star Child and people in Avana’s life, like her family. Also some information on the distinct races we have on Maikonia and of course the bonding with the Prowlers, like Avana’s Lia, then there is Jax.’

  As he went to ask questions. Heather said. ‘It will make sense when the download takes effect. Once it deposits everything in your brain, it breaks down into minerals and joins the nutrients of your body.’

  ‘Thank you Specialist Darby, Healer.’

  Heather smiled. ‘My name is Heather Solverea, chief medical officer, which is in the download. We tell you who everyone is and how to address people. Who is mated to who, as I am mated to Harmara, please sit.’

  As soon as he did, Koana motioned to climb back onto his knee. Heather smiled ‘Oh, I see.’

  Avana stepped closer to Gunner and Heather quickly told her. ‘Avana, it will not hurt him, this is designed specifically for Terrans.’ She then told him. ‘Gunner, this may take up to twenty-four hours for you to assimilate all the information, we have found the slow release works better for our species.’

  ‘Why is that?’

  ‘There is some debate about it, I think it is just the way we gather information. Darby believes it is because we have untapped resources in our brains. Melody says it is because we are too impatient and we want to know everything at once, so we would overload if we did not slow it down.’

  Melody and Gunner smiled at each other in understanding as Gunner nodded. ‘I go with that theory.’

  ‘So, it is an Armee thing then?’ Darby asked Netta, who shrugged as she said. ‘I always want to know as much as I can all at once, it can keep me alive.’

  Darby snorted. ‘I sort of see your point as well.’

  Heather told Gunner and Avana. ‘You should be aware that some Terrans need to sleep while assimilating all the information.’

  Gunner asked. ‘Does this happen to everyone?’

  ‘No, not every species reacts the same way, sometimes not every person. It depends on the download. Is there anything you should do before I inject you, just in case?’

  He sighed. ‘Yes, I need to talk to my men.’

  Peyton asked. ‘Is here alright or do you need privacy?’

  He shook his head. ‘No Madam, here is fine.’

  ‘Okay Jax, contact Gunner’s men please, holo screen.’

  As you will Madam.

  Instantly the wall opposite filled with the faces of five males, a dark haired male asked. ‘General Cooper are you alright sir?’

  Gunner grinned at all five anxious faces, not that they looked worried, but he had been with them long enough to read the signs. ‘I am fine.’ He said with pride to everyone surrounding him. ‘This is my unit.’

  Peyton came in to view of the screen. ‘Greetings and welcome to the Capital. I am the Star Daughter, my name is Peyton St Hill, oops no, now it is Roeah.’ She smiled at Kardan. ‘I apologize it is still so new.’

  He nodded and touched her hair in a soft caress, she addressed the five soldiers again.

  ‘Usually I am addressed as Madam Peyton, your General has found his mate within my circle of family. I am sure you all know about the prophecy. What you may not know is his desire to learn of his sister and what had befallen her. I am happy to announce as a bonus, his sister is not as he thought dead but alive and best of all here.’

  They all looked shocked by this piece of news, Gunner told them. ‘It is all true.’

  Peyton sighed. ‘Of course it is, why would I lie? Now I will give you the same choice I gave your General. If you want to come to Maikonia and serve in my Armee or do something else, it will be our pleasure to welcome you. If not please enjoy your visit with the General, until we leave the Capital.’ She grinned at Gunner’s males. ‘Your call, I am going to have coffee. And yes, it is real coffee. I have plants.’

  FIFTY:

  Koana batted the holo screen as Gunner pulled Avana closer. ‘This is my mate Avana, she is a Sene.’

  Peyton interrupted to tell him. ‘Sevna, it sort of means high Priestess.’

  Gunner shrugged. ‘I stand corrected, Sevna Avana and our daughter Koana.’

  She said. ‘Papa.’

  All five of the male’s faces softened as they took in the small blue baby. ‘In a few mins, I am to receive a download comprising of Nanos devised by Specialist Darby Kline, now Roeah. It is to give me background info on the new life I am walking into and my mate’s life. I comm’d to tell you and to make you the same offer Madam Peyton did, I…’

  ‘We accept.’ They interrupted Gunner’s report.

  He looked at Hawk and Kardan. ‘What now?’

  Hawk addressed the five males. ‘I am First Commander Elite Hawk Roeah, this is Amahka Elite Kardan Roeah, mate to the Star Daughter.’

  Kardan inclined his head. ‘You wish to join our worlds?’

  The five males straightened where they sat or stood, they knew when they were in the presence of a superior officer. ‘Yes sir, we do.’

  ‘Because your leader, General Cooper, does or because this is what you wish?’

  ‘Because we wish too, sir.’

  Kardan nodded then stated. ‘Understand, if you desire to serve in the Star Daughter’s Armee. You will be fighting a different type of war and will be different Warriors.’

  One of the males answered for them all. ‘We understand Amahka, it is what we want. We all have wished to be off our world. It is no place for males such as us.’

  Hawk asked. ‘Males, such as you?’

  ‘Yes, First Commander, General Cooper and General James trained us to protect our world. Not to be guards to people who consider us fodder for their own ends.’

  They all heard Peyton say. ‘I hate that word, I really do!’

  Hawk said to the male, who seemed to be the leader of the others. ‘Come to the Embassy, do you need assistance to get here?’

  ‘No sir.’

  ‘We await you Warriors.’

  ‘Thank you sir. General, we will arrive in five, wait for us please.’

  ‘I will.’ The screen disappeared as he asked Heather. ‘Is that okay, can we wait?’

  ‘Of course, this is your life. Your males seemed eager.’

  ‘They have been with me for ten yentas, we are brothers in arms. I guarantee they were packed ready for the comm.’

  ‘I s
ee, well you should have coffee and talk to Avana while we wait.’

  Gunner smiled. ‘Now that is a wonderful idea.’

  Avana asked. ‘The coffee or me?’

  He smiled as he kissed her cheek. ‘Both.’ Koana pouted her lips, and he kissed her as well, she giggled and batted the air.

  Heather said to Darby. ‘We will need five more downloads.’

  Darby nodded. ‘Programming as we speak.’

  She tapped away on her tablet. Brenda arrived with fresh tea and coffee. Heather and Darby sat with Peyton and discussed the health of the new Warriors.

  Netta said to Kardan. ‘I am a little concerned with how we integrate Terran males with our Warriors.’

  ‘Are you asking if the Terran males can adjust to the training our Warriors do?’

  Netta grinned. ‘Perhaps, their bodies may not be able to cope. It took us time to adjust to this Universe and the changes it makes on us. Also Warriors and Soldiers train differently, they may not adapt fast enough.’

  Kardan nodded as he thoughtfully asked. ‘Yet you and Melody have. Why will they be any different?’

  Netta looked over at Gunner. ‘To be honest, I don’t know. When we came here, we knew nothing and sometimes I think we still know nothing.’

  Hawk ran his hand down her back. ‘Netta that is no different for any of us, male or female Warrior. We are always hoping to learn more to strive to be better.’

  Kardan nodded as he told Netta. ‘All Warriors and Soldiers have one goal.’

  Hawk nodded in agreement. Raising her eyebrows, Netta asked. ‘Which is?’

  Hawk shrugged. ‘To train and be better than they were the day before. It is what we as Warriors are good at. You know this, it is what you did before you came out here and what you have done every day since.’

  Kardan explained. ‘What we train against keeps us alive and everyone else safe, whether we are Warrior, Soldier, Draygon, Prowler, Spy, Scout, Mystic or Ambassador. Under the outer covering we are all the same with the same goal. To protect those we love.’

  Netta grinned. ‘You are so cool.’

  He raised an eyebrow. ‘I assume that is an expression rather than a comment on my body temperature.’