Striker

by Lexi Ander

  Now, not only was Zeus leading men into battle, but his father, his meme, and brothers were all embroiled in separate skirmishes. This was unprecedented. If they all failed, House Vondorian would fall. The newly born young behind the door were the only future of the royal house and had to be protected at all costs.

  Meeting the gaze of each male that Sohm'lan had selected to guard Dargon and his young, he recognized most of them. He had seen them at Azaes's side many times in the past.

  "Thank you." Zeus’s knew his voice was low and rough. "I am honored to be able to leave my family in your care."

  The Monticore saluted as a group. "We will not fail."

  He cleared his throat and nodded his acceptance, only then noticing Hadon stood with Mayra and Amlyn.

  Mayra indicated Alpha where he snuggled Zeus’s neck. "I grabbed supplies from the infirmary. If he is going with you, I need to give him his post-birth booster."

  He obediently squatted down and held still as Mayra administered the injection. Alpha quietly grumbled he would be fine without the need for a needle. Knowing all too soon there would be no room for such levity, Zeus grinned fondly and held on to the moment.

  With Hadon staying to guard Dargon and the kits, Mayra and Amlyn's assistance would not necessarily be needed. Zeus wanted as many of Dargon's crew members who were not being utilized to be transported to Haven. Too many stayed as his behest as it was. "The shuttle should be back soon—"

  Amlyn interrupted before Zeus could say more. "We stay, Prince Zeus." Her unrelenting, russet gaze told him without words the matter would not be up for debate.

  "Madux, Axis, and Abechan are preparing one of the empty bays for triage," Mayra said, putting the empty needle in a cylinder case and snapping the lid closed.

  Before Zeus could climb to his feet, Mayra leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, then slipped around him to enter the cabin.

  Amlyn approached with an eyebrow raised, as if to say he would wait a century if he expected her to kiss him as well. Instead, she elbowed his shoulder as he rose to his feet. Taking a couple of steps through the door, she swung her arms and sprang easily back up to the mezzanine walkway dissecting the upper half of Dargon's room.

  Hadon was dressed in body armor that looked as if it came from the Ursid brothers, their family sigil embroidered on the upper sleeve of the jacket. The impressive amount of weaponry he carried clinked when he stopped next to Zeus and gave him a wry grin, clasped Zeus’s forearm, and then stepped into the cabin. The sold metal rods securing the captain's quarters could be heard as they engaged and slid into place. The access panel went from green to black, notifying Zeus that Hadon had already dismantled the mechanism. Dargon and the kits were as safe as he could make them.

  Zeus acknowledged the salutes as he made his feet move down the corridor to the lift. His chest ached with every step, even knowing there was no other way. Having promised Dargon they would return, he meant to keep his vow even if he had to crawl back.

  The trip from the captain's cabin to the external ramp of the open bay was a blur. Looking down at his small army of just over three hundred and fifty stirred something primal within him. His vision blurred, then sharpened. Painted faces turned towards him, and the murmuring fell into a hush as they moved into place and formed ranks. A sea of polished scaled faces marked for war stared back at him, unflinching and proud.

  Warlord Sohm'lan took his place at Zeus’s right shoulder. The Ursid brothers stood off to the side next to two massive battle mechs. Carrying more mass than a shuttle and taller than four males combined, the massive torso of the two-legged machines supported various artillery from plasma cannons to laser guided rockets. Four extendable arms sported enough weaponry to hold off a small army.

  Zeus widened his stance and clasped his hands behind his back. The sky appeared clear, the wind carried a clean salty scent, and his men waited for him to lead them in the fiery chant of war. After his entrance to the academy was blocked, he had never once thought he would be in such a position. In all fairness, Warlord Sohm'lan should have been the one to lead, but yet again, Sohm'lan stepped behind Zeus, handing the responsibility over to him.

  He lifted his head, breaking the silence with words he had memorized when he turned ten summers old.

  "Mar'Sani! With our every step, we cause the earth to tremble.

  A warning to our enemy that we are not easy prey!"

  The Monticore's hands slapped against their sword hilts and stomped their right feet in accord. The continuous sound made Zeus think of rolling thunder. In unison, they responded.

  "My life is mine to give!

  I will not be defeated!

  I will not be easy prey!"

  Tall, fluffy rain clouds began to gather, obscuring the horizon, matching the rolling tension trapped in Zeus’s chest. He projected his voice, loud and clear.

  "We are born of a distinguished people.

  We swim in the Waters of Poseidon."

  The Monticore responded.

  "God of the Water, bless our younglings.

  May we be worthy of your rewards."

  The wind whipped up, pulling the scent of the sea into their midst. Before Zeus could continue, the Monticore started again, Warlord Sohm'lan repeating with them so that Zeus heard every shouted word of the antiphon.

  "We walk abreast as we are lead into battle by the Invisible

  By the overlooked,

  By the son who hides in plain sight.

  We are led by the Striker!

  His sting is deadly.

  When the enemy finally sees him,

  They overlook him,

  Only to die by the hand of the Lord of Thunder."

  The sound of the Monticore stomping was accompanied by true thunder: the rainclouds built swiftly, darkening the once clear skies with their bulky mass.

  Alpha made a proud noise of approval. Humbled by the honor the males had given him, Zeus’s eyes stung. Rarely did soldiers add to a responsive chant. In all of their history, only a few additions—less than the number of fingers on his hand—were recorded.

  He straightened, blinking the grit from his eyes and continued.

  "We are the seed sown in the past.

  We are the unbroken link never to be lost.

  We are of an honorable race!

  Beware of us our enemy!"

  The Monticore responded.

  "Today we will make the earth tremble.

  Our enemy will hear us and know despair.

  They will flinch at the sight of us and know fear."

  The wind lashed at them, but instead of drowning out their voices, they were amplified as Zeus and the Monticore chanted together.

  "We are going to eat you,

  Our mouths water for the taste of your flesh,

  With your last breath

  I will inhale your soul as I claim your life!"

  The slapping of scabbards and the stomping of feet suddenly stopped; the wind died down and true thunder rolled once again while lightning crackled above them in the dark rolling clouds.

  As one, they threw their heads back and released a long hissing roar. The utter quiet when they finished lent an eeriness to the moment, broken only when the males closest to the sea began to whisper and gesture.

  Zeus filled with hope and expectation, turned toward the water. "Thank the Gods," he whispered as he moved swiftly down the ramp toward the sea. He had not dared to believe when he sent the call. Maybe, just maybe, all would not be lost this day.

  Canry waded slowly out of the water, clad in an odd blue-green armor comprised of what appeared to be shells. The yellow and green scaled stripes of Canry's skin blended well with the armor. He gave Zeus a sharp-toothed grin and planted the butt of the three-pronged trident in the sand next to his booted feet.

  Zeus held out his hand and Canry clasped his palm, pulling Zeus into a warm and surprisingly dry embrace.

  "I was unsure if you would come," he confessed.

  Canry p
ushed him back, grasping his shoulders and pinning him with an amused green gaze. "I told you I would. I would have been here sooner, but moving an army through the Waters took longer than I anticipated."

  Zeus followed Canry's glance. Barely hidden by the swells of the waves were hundreds of people, the crowns of their heads and eyes the only features Zeus could make out.

  "Why do they not come out?" he asked.

  "We are being watched from the tree line and do not wish to reveal ourselves yet. My people cannot completely leave the sea, but they will still be able to help."

  Zeus would have asked more questions but Sohm'lan approached. He grasped Canry's hand and urged him forward.

  "Warlord Sohm'lan, please meet my brother, Prince Canry." His personal guards immediately saluted and bowed. He grinned at Sohm'lan's stunned expression before gathering himself and bowing to Canry as well.

  "Prince Canry, the emperor and empress will be overjoyed at your return."

  Zeus scanned the distant tree line, unsure how Canry knew they were being watched. The shadows under the canopy seemed to move, but he could not make out any forms.

  "Warlord, Canry reports we are being watched. Alert Otho." The news caused everyone within hearing distance to fall silent, and when Zeus glanced to his guard, their stances changed as they prepared to defend him.

  Europa strode up, her clearly assessing gaze taking in Canry and the sea behind him. "What he says is true. My infrared shows the body heat signatures consistent with Terrens. The cooler temperatures of the V'Saar are behind them. I would surmise the V'Saar are unaware that we both know of their alliance with the Terrens and are expecting them. They may not show themselves unless it appears the Terrens are faltering."

  Alpha's snorted. "They would not want to give away their secret unless they absolutely had to. They will use the humans as fodder to weaken us before they attack."

  Zeus would use the V'Saar's reluctance against them.

  "We are able to handle the humans, Zeus." Canry hefted the trident. "You only need to worry about the V'Saar."

  Canry moved down the beach, joined by Nethus. Zeus curled his lip at the male who had provoked him and injured the twins, but Nethus followed closely on Canry's heel.

  "Europa, close the Oethra 7 up tight. Axis will activate the shields once the ship is locked down. Let the Ursids know to be ready, and that they are not to fire on anyone other than the V'Saar." Considering her previous reluctance, Zeus was surprised how quickly Europa moved to carry out his orders.

  Moving to the head of the army, he unlatched the safety straps, allowing him to draw his swords, then pulled the rifle from over his shoulder and gripped it firmly. He wondered how long they would have to wait for the Terrens and V'Saar to make their move.

  "The V'Saar stinger must be removed first," Alpha counseled, showing Zeus why. It seemed the V'Saar were rarely disabled or killed in one blow. The venom from their stinger was their most dangerous and oft-used weapon. The poison placed the injected person under the V'Saar's control while the pervasive liquid slowly killed them.

  He reached up and stroked Alpha, the action soothing them both. "We have been over this several times the last few weeks." There had been several meetings with the warlords and lieutenants before they reached Valespian space. "The warriors have studied all the specs you gave them. Because of your assistance, they are better prepared now than they would have been."

  "I am not worried about their survival," Alpha snapped.

  Zeus grinned, ready to tease Alpha when something changed in the shadows of the tree line. The ball of pressure sitting on his chest tightened. Thunder rumbled, long and loud. He sensed the lightning before it streaked across the sky, lighting up the edge of the jungle and the Terrens crawling out into the tall grass.

  Warlord Sohm'lan moved closer to him, his own gaze following Zeus’s to the picture the lightning revealed.

  "Pass on the alert," Zeus ordered.

  Sohm'lan spoke into the com-link at his collar. "Prince Zeus, again I must insist you move back from the first wave."

  He grimaced. They had been having this argument for a couple of hours now. A king did not charge in to save the knight. They led, as Zeus would until the need for him to fight arose. "Agreed. But I will hold this position until I am needed. I will stay with my people."

  "A king—"

  "I guess it is a good thing I am not king, then." Zeus shot Sohm'lan a grin to take the bite out of his quick retort.

  More lightning lit up the sky, revealing dark heads bobbing between the fluffy pink stalks. There were too many to count and they appeared to outnumber his own men. Zeus hoped Canry's people could help even though they could not leave the sea. The V'Saar had yet to present themselves.

  Zeus glanced over to his brother. Canry's silhouette was easy to make out in the gloom. He stopped his trek down the beach, put his back to the sea, spread his feet, and planted the butt of the trident's staff in the sand between them. Nethus stood a distance away, as if he kept vigil. Zeus frowned, concerned that Canry's position exposed him to be easily attacked.

  He had taken only a few steps toward Canry when his brother threw his head back and the tines of the trident began to glow, as if the tips had been suddenly pulled from a molten fire. Behind him, the People of the Longing waded closer to the shore. Zeus had met many family pods in the Waters of Poseidon. Never had he seen so many together in one place.

  Nethus held his hand facing palm up, signaling for Zeus to halt his approach. The waves beat at the shore. The skies darkened further, giving the illusion of dusk when that time of day was still hours away. The clouds, in colors of deep indigo to the lightest of lavender, roiled as if a froth bubbling from a cauldron. Lightning streaked through the sky touching the distant waters, again and again, mere moments apart. It would have been an awe-inspiring view if Zeus’s immediate concern was not for his brother.

  The People of the Longing stopped when they were knee deep in the water, silent and waiting. Glancing back to the plains, the dark forms of the Terrens bobbed amongst the tall grass, more than half way to Zeus’s troops, who had been ordered not to engage.

  A noise. A beatific sound unlike anything Zeus had ever heard before filled the air, rapidly rising in volume. The wind seemed to grasp the tune and push it out, away from the choppy sea, and the tall grass rolled like a rippling wave, gliding over the heads of the Terrens.

  Zeus had never seen anything of the like before. A shiver of longing gripped his spine. When he glanced back to his brother, he realized the strange song came from Canry. It swelled as the people behind his brother joined him in song. The grip on Zeus’s spine tugged at him, compelling him to move toward the sea until he swayed on his feet.

  "No, Zeus, listen to my voice," Alpha sounded worried, but stern. He attempted to shut out the harmony that spoke of love and family and beckoned him to come home. "That promise is not yours to take. Who is your family?"

  His brow furrowed and he swallowed around a parched, dry throat. "You. Dargon. The kits. Father, Meme, and the twins, Canry."

  "Where are they, love?"

  "Here." He blinked to shake off the persuasion and found his upper arms being firmly held by Sohm'lan. "Here," he said again, forcing the knowledge through his sluggish mind.

  "What happened?" Zeus focused on the view before them. The Terrens began to stand up in the field, their gaze not on the Mar'Sani soldiers but directed toward the sea.

  "It has been a long time since the children of Poseidon used the siren's call," Alpha said grimly.

  One by one, the Terrens began to stumble their way across the grassy plain toward the water. Their weapons carelessly dropped, some stripped as they made their way to the sea's edge and the waiting embrace of the People of the Longing. The Terrens threw themselves into the arms of the People of the Longing, both bodies falling back into the water, clutching each other and disappearing under the surface. The gap in the line immediately filled with another singing child of Poseidon.<
br />
  "What are they doing?" Zeus asked in alarm.

  "They are taking the Terrens back to their homeworlds. Anywhere in the universe there is water, the children of Poseidon can travel. The humans will be safely transported, and when they awaken, they will remember it all as if it were a dream."

  Zeus’s gut twisted as the song took on an urgent note. The Terrens began to run. Alpha anchored him so he no longer felt the compulsion, only the emotion of the heart-wrenching longing. The Terrens all but threw themselves into the sea.

  Zeus did not know how many Terrens there were, but for every human there was always one of the Longing in the water to catch them. Person after person fell into an embrace. What Zeus could see of the Terren's expressions, the human soldiers seemed overjoyed, arms draped around scaled necks, eyes closed in bliss.

  "Zeus, look."

  Alpha's command brought his attention away from the spectacle toward the edge of the plain. He heard nothing, but something about the trees—they seemed to move. No, they did not move, the V'Saar were coming out of hiding, chasing the lagging humans, striking at them with their stingers.

  Gouts of flame flowered over the treetops from dozens of simultaneous explosions, shaking the ground. A wave of heat flowed over Zeus as he stared wide-eyed at the jungle. With the distraction of Canry's song, he had forgotten Otho set traps in the trees, creating bottlenecks so his devices would affect large groups of V'Saar. He thought them finished when another round of incendiary devices went off, the concussion wave slamming into everyone standing on the grassy plain before orange and yellow clouds of fire billowed skyward in six different locations. Clods of dirt and debris rained down from the sky.

  "Warlord Sohm'lan." Zeus had fallen to his knees when the second concussion wave hit him. He struggled to his feet, bringing his rifle to his shoulder. "Protect the humans. Give the command now!"

  He heard Sohm'lan issue orders into his com as he sighted the V'Saar through his scope and fired again and again. V'Saar stumbled with each shot of his plasma rifle; the bugs writhed at the loss of their stingers and the burn of the plasma beginning to sear a glowing blue trail down their tails. Zeus did not linger over a target, locating the next one quickly and efficiently.