by Lexi Ander
"Hear me out first." The shuttle bay echoed with noise of the hydraulic lift system catching on the shuttle, beginning to haul it down the ramp. Zeus waited for the noise to die down, because he refused to yell.
"As I understand it, we will not receive help from Haven for some time. I am keeping a small number here to ensure those who are not fit to walk the distance to the capital have time to be shuttled out. Dargon will be the last, since we cannot move him as yet. The size of the Terren-V'Saar force headed this way is too large: I cannot defeat their number. I can only hope to hold them off until help arrives. Even then, Hadon, you have to know we will probably be fighting a losing battle. Staying could be a death sentence."
Hadon's gaze stayed steady and unwavering. "I will remain with House Vondorian."
At his announcement, Al'haska and his brother lightly bumped Hadon with their round bellies. "Then we stay as well," Al'haska rumbled in reply.
Hadon pursed his lips, his facial fur ruffling when he blew out a forceful breath. "As if it would do any good to argue," he murmured.
"Eh'monak and I are the only two aboard who are certified to operate the battle mechs. Learning would take more than an hour's instruction."
"I would be grateful for your assistance. I wondered about the turret under the ship. Could it be used with the ship as-is?" Zeus asked, relieved the brothers would stay.
Al'haska contemplated the question. "Not if we have men outside of the ship. Upon firing the gun, the concussion alone would incapacitate any on the ground. Some would come away deaf."
Zeus sighed. "A last-resort weapon, then. Thank you." He noticed Athena and Sohm'lan heading toward him. "Excuse me."
Before he could formally greet Athena, she talked over him. "How do you expect me to go when you stay? When mother and father separated us, I did my duty. I went with father and in doing so, I lost all of my family. The cost is too high."
"Athena ...”
"No, Zeus, I will not leave you again."
"I will be fine."
"No! Do you think I did not hear what you told Hadon? That staying could mean death? I know what is coming. You will send nearly every last warrior to protect us and keep a mere handful for yourself. You cannot fight such odds alone!"
"The people need you to lead them." He held Athena's shimmering gaze. "I will do my very best to make it out of this situation alive but you must do your duty, again, just as I must do mine." He could see her warring emotions, her face so easy for him to read.
The Fal'Amorics incapable of making the journey to the capitol on foot began to file into the bay. The pod of Orions assisted weakest among them down the ramp to the waiting shuttle. The sight was a reminder that he stayed to make sure the infirm were able to escape.
"I will lead the people to safety as you say. But if you do not hurry, I will return with an army," she warned. From the look on her face, Zeus did not doubt she would.
She quickly kissed his cheek and left to help a limping male shuffle down the ramp. Zeus grinned after her, scooping up two toddling younglings, and followed. They loaded as many people as they could onto the shuttle. Several ignored the safety protocols by sitting in the aisles, cradling the young.
Standing at a safe distance, Zeus watched the shuttle lift straight off the ground, rotating as it rose. Once the vessel reached a good altitude, it sped away towards the capital. The sound of the engines left behind an echo even after the ship disappeared.
His gaze roamed over the cliffs behind the Oethra 7. Gaex was correct when he said he set down close to the sheer rock wall. There were maybe two meters between the ship and the vertical rock face. A path of packed dirt, not paving stones, led to the pass.
Valespia was home to the three primary monarchies: Athena's people, who were the Fal'Amorics before they became galactic nomads; Prince Vipre's people, the Purz'Hiels, and Prince Malek's people, the Chago.
If he remembered his studies correctly, all the land on this side of the wall belonged to Athena's people. Zeus took in the flat plain with grass tall enough to brush his knees, topped with pink, fluffy puffs. Not far away, maybe half a kilometer, the jungle began. The chirping and buzzing of insects proclaimed the area to be full of unseen life. To the left, the blue-green swells of the sea-caressed yellow sand.
The guards said nothing when he moved toward the water. The smell of salt and kelp reminded him of home. The moisture in the air caressed his exposed skin and all he wanted to do was toss away his clothes and run naked into the surf and swim. Even though he could not frolic like a youngling, the water beckoned to him.
Standing on the edge, the sea almost touched his boots before withdrawing, only to return as if reaching out. Zeus crouched to sit on his heels, mesmerized, unable to look away as the water withdrew then stretched toward him and—he touched the edge of the water. All else fell away, time slowed and then came to a halt.
"Say my name."
He could see each diamond burst of sunlight reflected off the water, every rounded foam bubble, how clear the water was around his submerged fingers.
"If I am to die here today, I will not bring another to share death with me. Already too many will stay and fight at my side," he whispered.
"Say my name."
"Brother, I would spare you—please."
"Say. My. Name."
If he could save another life, he would. He would not call upon Canry now, not when he had no hope of seeing the sun rise tomorrow.
"I have enough hope for the both of us. Trust me. Now, call my name."
He closed his eyes and prayed he would not be dooming another. "Canry." The wind captured the whisper, time began once more; the edge of the wave retreated but did not return to reach for Zeus again.
Zeus stood, his legs partially numb from squatting for so long. The water pulled back three meters from the shore and was held there by an unseen force. The despair that had begun to plague him eased when he realized Canry would not insist upon Zeus calling him if he could not help. He watched for a couple of moments, and may have stayed longer if something had not brushed across his mind.
Reaching for Alpha, he found his Amor fast asleep. The brush came again and he turned, searching the forest's edge, his hand going to his belt only to remember he had not donned his weapons yet. He strode past his guards who stared, perplexed, at the ocean. They startled when he moved passed them, and quickly followed him.
Zeus scanned the pass. Warlord Sohm'lan met his eyes and sent a signal causing the Monticore to surround the group of Fal'Amorics gathered outside the shuttle bay. Those who were able to walk needed to make for the pass in the next few microns, but not yet. Something was not quite right—no, not wrong, different. Something headed their way at a fast clip: he could almost see it, almost feel the ground blur under his running feet.
"We come."
"What?" Zeus asked aloud. He reached again for his absent sword. "Someone please grab my swords and a pulse rifle."
One of the guards ran towards the ship, passing Sohm'lan. Zeus turned his attention back to the open field.
"What is it?" Sohm'lan asked when he stopped at Zeus’s side.
"I am not sure. Do you ... hear anything?"
A moment passed, Sohm'lan's head cocked to the side. "Nothing but the wind."
The answer was both right and wrong. The air had been filled with the noise of the insects and birds earlier. Now, there was nothing.
Athena joined them, her gaze, too, trained on the open plains. "Yes, Zeus, I heard them. I thought they were gone," she whispered with excitement.
"You know who—what comes?"
"When the Ancients engineered our race, we were given guardians who cared for us. I remember them from before our people fled Valespia."
Hadon approached, shoving a sword belt at him. "How many times have I told you not to leave your cabin unarmed?" He sniffed the air as the wind shifted directions. "There is—"
"I know." Zeus swung the belt around his waist and buckled it. His guard
returned with a pulse rifle. He slipped the strap over his head and across his chest so the rifle rested crossways against his back.
A slight motion caught his eye: an undulating, dark mass exiting the trees in the distance. "Get the people back inside the ship," Zeus ordered. He heard movement behind him but did not turn to watch his command being carried out.
"Athena."
"No, I stay." She lifted her chin up a notch, acquiring a stubborn tilt.
He refused to argue. Whatever came their way, she seemed to know who or what they were. He would use her expertise, even if he did want her back on the ship with everyone else.
The dark line grew as the creatures came closer, the long bodies scrunching and then stretching as they ran across the field toward the landed spaceship. At first, Zeus had the impression they were the size of large lions, but the closer they came, the more he realized he had been mistaken. What moved towards them towered over most land vehicles.
Fifty meters out, the herd—pack—slowed to a fast walk. Their line of bodies took up the width of the flat plains. Three in the middle pulled ahead of the others, each one behind dropping back, until the straight line turned into an arrow pointing directly at Athena and Zeus.
She moved forward confidently. He reached out to catch her, only to be pulled along with her, until a couple of meters separated them and the beasts. He craned his neck up and up, his gaze quickly taking in everything about the creatures before him, from the cross between clawed paws and fingered hands on the front legs to the leathery, striped skin in colors that would camouflage them in the jungle's shade. Their tails were long, curving over their backs, the tips round, bulbous, and wickedly spiked. Intelligent, violet eyes were set above long, squared snouts, with sharp predator's teeth peeking through the lips. Long, black tongues lolled off the side of mouths, giving the impression of exuberant, happy grins.
"Valuzial Guardians, it has been a long time since I have looked upon you." Athena gave a slight bow, tugging on Zeus’s hand to signal he should do the same.
"Princess, we are overjoyed at your returned. We felt your approach and set out immediately to meet you, ready to continue our guardianship. Does this mean the threat to the Bespoken has been eliminated?"
"No, the threat remains. Those who hunt him followed us here," Zeus replied.
"The bugs." The words were spat with much derision.
The closest guardian inhaled, snuffling in Athena's direction first, snorting a low angry rumble. "You have been injured."
She glanced away and nodded, her posture screaming her discomfort at the statement. Zeus was scented only to have the creature stare at him long enough that he began to feel antsy. "You are of Trine."
He shifted his feet, his palms gripping the hilts of his sheathed swords. "Yes." The word was sharp and clipped: he would allow no arguments about who he was from these beings. He was Mar'Sani, Marked of Alpha and Dargon.
"We do not challenge you, pup." The guardian gave a wheezing laugh. "I am Mneseus, leader of this pride. We have come to once again take up the mantle of guardians of the Fal'Amoric. I speak for all when I also say we are honored to once again bear witness to the reemergence of the Trines."
Zeus scowled. Neither Alpha nor Dargon had indicated a Trine would be held with such importance by other races. The Qrxzl overlooked and ignored their bond.
Athena spoke before he questioned Mneseus. "We gladly accept your service again. Are you too weary to travel further? We seek refuge at the capital. It seems some of the Terrens have allied with the V'Saar and they seek to capture us again."
A snorting rumble came from the large pride. "Yes, we are aware of the Terrens and V'Saar behind us."
"How far away are they?" Zeus asked.
"We set several quick traps once we passed them by. You have maybe four hours, possibly less, before they arrive at this place."
Zeus appreciated the tactic, even as he wondered what sort of traps these being could set. He eyed the size of the guardians. "Will you be able to move Athena and her people to Haven?"
"It would not be the first time they rode our backs." Mneseus sounded almost fond of the Fal'Amoric.
Athena bowed again. "Thank you for your help."
"We will not be convinced to allow you to leave our service again," Mneseus replied.
With a few quick orders, the Monticore began to pair up the Valuzial Guardians and the Fal'Amoric. Those who were not healthy enough to sit on the backs of the Valuzial were held close to their chest with a front limb. Going from four legs to three did not appear to hinder them much. For added protection, and after a brief, heated discussion with Athena, Zeus arranged for the Orions to accompany the Fal'Amorics as well. He was consoled that if he failed, and the V'Saar slipped by his small force, Athena's people had an additional layer of defense. Each one of the Orion was equal to ten of the Monticore, capable of ensuring the Fal'Amoric reached safety.
The last to mount up, Athena confirmed all her people were taken care of first. Time slipped away quickly. Zeus wanted to rush them, knowing the more distance the Valuzial put between them and the plains before the Terrens and V'Saar arrived, the better.
Athena pulled him into a fierce hug. "I will make sure reinforcements are sent to you if I have to fly the vessels myself."
He returned the embrace, relieved she and her people would reach safety before the Terrens and the V'Saar arrived on the plains. "Worry about your people first."
She gripped his biceps as if to emphasize her words. "You do not get a say in who I worry about. I will always be concerned for your welfare." Her gaze turned a little sad. "I will be there for you, because even if you do not feel it, we are family bound by blood. You are of my people."
Kissing his cheek quickly, she turned and mounted Mneseus. The Valuzial guardian used the hand-like paw to grasp and lift her to straddle his neck between his shoulder blades. After other hastily-shouted farewells, the pride took off at a light run. The group disappeared up the trail to the pass within no time, leaving behind the majority of the Monticore.
"Warlord Sohm'lan, you should prepare your men to leave."
Sohm'lan laughed even as he bowed deep in respect. "With all due respect, Prince Zeus, I will not. Our duty is to you. If you stay, we stay. It is the oath of the Monticore."
He lowered his voice. "Sohm, if you stay ... you know it is futile. We have no hope of winning. We can stall them by creating a bottle neck in the pass, but we do not have the resources to hold them for more than a few hours. I would not condemn these warriors to such a fate."
"You are wrong. These warriors would be honored to die in battle for such a cause. Just as you wish to spare them, they cannot leave you to face our enemies alone. We are Mar'Sani, war is in our blood. Do you think you can keep all the glory to yourself, youngling?" Sohm'lan gave him a fond smile. "We stay. Even if you are bullheaded enough to order us to leave, we will remain, even if we are court marshaled later. We stand proudly by your side."
His chest contracted painfully as he regarded Sohm'lan, the only non-related male who had always had patience with Zeus as a child, and who had long ago become family as well as his friend.
Together, they strode back to the ship. "Well. I guess I will save you a court marshal and not demand you leave. Choose ten of your best warriors to guard my mates."
They walked the incline of the ramp, metal ringing with each step. The damaged shuttle came into view. "Since we no longer need to repair the shuttle, see if it can be used to block the pass. One of the Ursid brothers will know if they have a hydraulic lift able to move it."
He spied Otho climbing on the shuttle and an idea came to him, risky and dangerous, but something Otho would absolutely love. He waved, calling Otho over. Hanging by his tail from the roof of the shuttle, Otho dangled eye-to-eye with Zeus, albeit upside down.
"You told me you like experimenting with explosives. Do you have any we could use?" What he asked was akin to giving a pyromaniac an open flame.
&nbs
p; Otho chirped with excitement, his purple eyes going wide. He glanced out to the grassy plain. "I have a few, but with the right components I could manufacture more. You want to set traps?"
"I do, but it must be done quickly. How many people do you need to help you?"
Otho hesitated. "Six or seven. Any more will only get in my way."
"Take whatever you need."
Otho's feet tapped out a happy rhythm against the side of the shuttle. Sohm'lan called out names and issued orders. Upon seeing Al'haska inserting the long metal tines of a hydraulic lift under the shuttle, Otho jumped to the top of the small ship and waved his arms, his tail standing straight up instead of being curled over his head.
"Ho! Wait! I need to retrieve the fuel cells and the starter circuitry!" Otho scampered over the top of the shuttle before swinging with one arm through the open doorway, chirping and chittering in his enthusiasm.
Zeus checked the time, running a list of things through his head that needed to be accomplished, and which communications to send. He strode across the bay, issuing orders as he went, trailed by Sohm'lan and his Monticore guards.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Dargon dozed, exhausted but unable to achieve real sleep, afraid he would move too much and disrupt the kit's path to his pouch. Alpha slept deeply. That was to be expected, but he anxiously waited for Alpha to wake.
Even though he had only assisted Alpha with the births, Dargon's nerves seemed overly sensitive and frayed, especially around the areas where Alpha punctured his neck, still attached and drawing extra nutrients from him. He thought the phantom pains he felt were Alpha's as well. If so, then maybe it was a good thing Alpha was unconscious.
"How much time has passed?"
Mayra looked up from her handheld vid screen. "Roughly two hours since Zeus left."
He lifted his head to peer at the kits, who rested against each other. One was always touching the other in one way or another. They had moved a small distance down his chest. Dargon calculated how much further the twins needed to travel before they reached his pouch. He had never disliked his height before then.