Striker

by Lexi Ander

  "The lies being told to this council by House Cordyl."

  Timsah exploded off the pedestal, leaping towards Zeus, only to be caught by the Monticore. They must have been expecting the move to get past Zeus so quickly.

  "Please show the councilmen Timsah's right wrist." Zeus commanded his guard.

  The Monticore wasted no time in revealing the wrist where the bracelet should have been. Timsah sputtered, claiming Zeus’s guards had removed the device when they grabbed him. Zeus held still and feigned confidence he did not possess. He was sickened by the coiled fear in his belly, attempting to get his emotions under control, because more than half the councilmen had the ability to scent his emotions. He took comfort from Alpha's whisperings.

  "Timsah Gadrius, do you believe us so inept we would not notice the device's removal?" Bram's fingers moved over his vidscreen and the overhead switched to the view of two meters. One tracking the meeting time and the other how long the wristband had been deactivated. "We have known for some time what you have been doing."

  "It does not change the facts or the evidence," Timsah snapped. "Prince Zeus is a spy who gave classified information to the Terrens, who most assuredly shared the information with the V'Saar, placing all Atlainticians in danger. Look at what the humans have done. They came through Valespia's shield because he let them. Only through the brave deeds of the Striker has he been thwarted!"

  Zeus took a deep breath to steady his nerves. "Councilmen, if I may?" He held out his hand to the attendant who had retrieved the wristband from Timsah's pocket.

  "You will only cheat to make people believe your lies," Timsah snorted.

  Zeus ignored the jeer and removed his formal jacket. Underneath he wore a black sleeveless V-neck shirt. Alpha was fully revealed, covering the whole of Zeus’s neck, down across his pectorals and shoulders. He held up his hands so all could see his unadorned arms before the attendant snapped the cuff around his right wrist.

  The councilmen took turns questioning Zeus, unraveling everything Timsah had built until it came to how the schematics came to be on the Terren battleships.

  "Yes, Sir, I recognize the schematics. I created the designs for our military before I went offworld. I believe your question should be whether they actually came off the Terren battleship database. The files Timsah gave you are encoded to specific individuals’ translator chips. If one of those key people are not in close proximity, then a protection protocol will activate. If the Terrens opened the file, they would have only had a scrambled data disk and their system would have downloaded a virus. As it is, you are in luck that Emperor Valdor is in the room."

  Timsah sputtered when all the council members turned their angry gazes on him.

  Zeus continued. "I created those devices for our military, Timsah. Do you really believe I would have left them unguarded?" He did not need to glance at Timsah to see the hate-filled stare. He could feel it on his skin. "I know you despise me, but why attack Father?"

  "You are nothing but an animal, a human monkey brainwashing our youth. The emperor has let it go on too long. You make us weak and vulnerable to those who wish to take what we have. Someone must put a stop to it." Timsah moved as close as the Monticore allowed, and spit at Zeus. His flat U-shaped snout snapped in agitation, revealing jagged crocodile teeth. The bulbous, amber eyes sitting on top of his head narrowed with his undisguised loathing.

  Zeus noticed the Galactic Emperors had sat quietly observing the proceedings. Until that moment. It was as if the audience took a collective breath when Emperor Cyprian, the current Fal'Amoric Bespoken, rose from his throne. His silvery gaze roamed the audience, stopping briefly where Dargon was hidden behind his assigned bodyguards before continuing, finally coming to rest on Zeus.

  "Tell me, Timsah Gadrius of House Cordyl, what do you see when you look upon me?" Cyprian's robes were made of stiff, black brocade edged in red and gold, matching the crown framing his eyes banded by crimson paint. His bearing was regal, but not stiff. Cyprian's blue-black hair hung in silky waves almost to his knees, with white strands lightly streaked throughout. From a distance, he looked as young as Zeus, but standing so close, Zeus could see the fine lines of age about his mouth and chin. But Zeus knew differently. All three Galactic Emperors were closer to seven times sixty.

  "You are Galactic Emperor Cyprian of the Fal'Amorics, husband to Galactic Emperors Goth tut de Luuk and Volnah des de Vorn." Timsah haltingly went to one knee, the members of his house following his lead.

  Standing on the pedestal, Zeus was not quite as tall as Cyprian. He could not help himself from looking down to gauge the differences between them. He had never been self-conscious about his stature before.

  Cyprian chuckled softly. "You are the same blood as I. You will continue to grow over the years, albeit slowly." Zeus met his gaze, wondering what he meant. "Those rescued from the Terren imprisonment are relatively young by Fal'Amoric standards. From what we have learned, many of the elders were murdered to keep the younger generations more compliant." A deep sorrow crossed Cyprian's expression. The horrors the Fal'Amorics endured at the hands of the human’s experiments curdled Zeus’s blood when he thought about it.

  In a low voice that only Zeus and his closest bodyguards heard, Cyprian asked, "They do not know?"

  Zeus did not answer right away. Cyprian could mean any number of things but Zeus, stuck to the issue at hand. "Only those who travelled on The Gorgon know of my heritage, as recently discovered as it is. I was not aware until after I had been taken aboard the Oethra 7."

  Cyprian's gaze flicked down to Alpha. "Why do you hide your Dar Massaga?”

  He could not answer the question without giving away Dargon's condition. His enemies were close and he would not endanger Dargon with a whispered confession—for anyone.

  Cyprian's brow rose steadily up his forehead until it almost touched the band of his crown. "Oh." The exhalation was short and sounded almost shocked. "Well, that changes many things."

  Had Cyprian guessed? Did he give something away that screamed 'I protect my mates and younglings'? What did he mean that changed many things? What things? Zeus decided he did not want to know, when Cyprian turned and met the gazes of the crown princes, shaking his head infinitesimally. When he turned back to Zeus, a heavy weight seemed to bear Cyprian down.

  "I am sorry I have not met your expectations." The wristband beeped at Zeus’s first lie, polite though it was. A tiny smile twisted Cyprian's lips. Zeus pushed on. "I believe I know who can tell you where to find the Bespoken, Prometheus."

  Cyprian's eyes widened and he glanced down at the bracelet that remained silent at Zeus’s honest statement. "Truly, that is the best news I have heard in months."

  Cyprian's head dropped and he seemed to concentrate on breathing. Zeus’s heart clenched as he watched Cyprian struggle for calm. He had learned from his father that rulers could never afford to appear weak. Although Cyprian was at odds with himself, Zeus knew he could not break the carefully-constructed facade by giving into his compulsion to embrace Cyprian. His meme, though, had taught him how to lend support without making Cyprian appear weak in front of others.

  Taking the emperor's hand between his own, Zeus squeezed. "My family will do everything in their power in assisting you in the search of Prometheus. If you allow us, we will help you and yours carry this burden."

  Zeus continued to hold Cyprian's hand between his palms as Cyprian gathered himself. Out of the corner of his eye, Zeus could see Timsah working up to a good bluster. Suddenly, he did not see Timsah as dangerous or threatening, but simply a confused male in a sad state of being. The feeling lasted all of about thirty microns.

  "He is doing it again! Deceiver!" Timsah pulled an energy weapon from the folds of his robes.

  Before the first shout of alarm could be raised, Zeus reacted without thought, bearing Cyprian to the floor. His temple burned as the Monticore fell upon him and Cyprian. People yelled causing the room to echo slightly. Several long moments passed before the
noise reduced and his guard carefully moved off of him, calling for a medic. A feral lion's roar filled the air. Zeus ignored it as he helped Cyprian to roll over, and then searched for any sign of injury on the emperor.

  "Your Highness, have you been shot?" Before he could get an answer, he was lifted from the floor and crushed in Dargon's strong arms. "Everything is fine," Zeus reassured him.

  "You are burned," Dargon snarled, cupping his face and tilting Zeus’s chin to the side.

  He reached up to touch his throbbing temple. Dargon pushed his hand aside with a hiss. A mixture of Monticore and Basilisc formed a tight circle around them as Cyprian rose to his feet.

  "Let me examine your Marked." Cyprian waited until Dargon withdrew a half step before he prodded Zeus’s wound.

  "Were you hit?" He attempted to inspect Cyprian was thwarted by both Dargon and Cyprian holding him firmly in place.

  "Alpha," Zeus snapped in aggravation. "Tell Dargon I am fine."

  Cyprian grinned. "I am unscathed, although I believe you were the target of the attack. I have no doubt you make your parents proud ... both sets. You would have made a fine Bespoken." Cyprian's smile turned grim. "It is time some misunderstandings were cleared up."

  Zeus waited impatiently to be let loose from his guards, who kept him secured within a circle of protection until the Galactic Emperors approached. The Monticore parted to allow Emperor Goth and Emperor Volnah to approach. The image of that moment would forever be burned in Zeus’s memory.

  On the thrones, the emperors seemed huge, impressive. Angered, they were intimidating as they towered over all in the amphitheater except Cyprian. Their wings ... Zeus had a feeling he would never see anything so beautiful again. The emperors never displayed their wings, and so very few had even seen them at full spread. Volnah's feathers were white like his hair and tipped in black. In contrast, Goth's were dark and leathery, covered in fine hair, the joints ending in wicked hooks. Piercings followed along the boney ridges, silver and gold glinting in the soft light along with precious jewels.

  Cyprian went to them, chastising them for rushing into danger. His words seemed to fall on deaf ears as he was examined from head to toe and then kissed quite passionately. Zeus flushed, glancing away to give them as much privacy as the situation allowed.

  One of the hazards of energy weapons was that the pulse that was released would continue to travel until the energy depleted. The single pulse released by Timsah injured four people, including Zeus. The guard, who had placed his body between Zeus and Timsah, along with two others behind Zeus, were carried out of the room to the infirmary. He declined the medic's recommendation to go as well, promising Dargon he would have the burn taken care of later, if needed.

  Timsah and several from his household were shackled and pressed into kneeling positions while the people from House Tutatara and House Tigiere were separated and surrounded by palace guards. Zeus met his parents' worried gazes, nodding to signal he was fine. He noted his father seemed to have a tight hold on his meme, her glare trained solely on Timsah. Zeus could only imagine what she would do if she managed to get loose.

  After he confirmed he could continue, the council directed people back to their seats. Cyprian resisted the urging of Goth and Volnah. Instead of resuming their places on the thrones, the two took the closer amphitheater seating behind Zeus and Cyprian.

  Prime Chancellor Bram resumed the proceeding. "The other chancellors and I agree the evidence brought forward claiming Prince Zeus as a spy to be false. Timsah Gadrius came to this council with the intention of bearing false witness against Prince Zeus and House Vondorian. We also agree there needs to be an investigation into House Cordyl's activities, as well as those aligned with it, to determine if they have been treasonous, not only to Atlainticia and her ruling house but to the Galactic Emperors as well. If any have questions pertinent to this case, speak now." Bram's steely gaze roamed the room.

  "Before we close the proceedings, Prime Chancellor," Cyprian stepped forward and turned slightly to Timsah. "Let me put to rest a few misconceptions. I asked you earlier what you saw when you looked at me. Blinded as you are, you did not see the resemblance between Prince Zeus and I. Prince Zeus is not, and has never been, Terren. He was born Zeus Cy'Argus, second in line to the Fal'Amoric throne, a title he can retain if he so wishes."

  "No! It cannot be! He has—"

  Cyprian cut off Timsah. "He is blood of my blood. Take a good long look. I may be four hundred and twenty standard years old, but our bloodlines are not so far removed to make us appear dissimilar. Open your eyes and tell me what you see."

  Timsah shook his head in denial. Zeus’s followed Cyprian's gaze to the other house members, who appeared to be in varying degrees of shock. As usual, reading the expression of the Monticore was a fruitless endeavor, for they were ever stoic when around others.

  Timsah’s gaze searched the Monticore. "No. I do not believe you. Striker! He is the embodiment of what all Atlainticians want and desire in their warrior males. He is better than the Vondorians, who are untrue to their own people. He will agree we need new leadership, new blood on the throne to bring us into a new age. He will save us from becoming weak! Show yourself, Striker. Step forward. Tell them!"

  The amphitheater quieted. "Damn you! Step forward, show yourself, and stand up for what you believe in!" Timsah's raging sounded all the more unbalanced for the silence.

  Zeus stood there watching Timsah, wondering if Rathmar's father had always been this obsessed. Was it even obsession? Maybe denial? The inability to see past his prejudice in order to grasp the truth, because he had built his life upon a belief? Now shown the truth, he grasped for something—anything, other than what had been shown to him.

  The first Monticore who moved caused Timsah's eyes to light up. The elite guardsman turned to Zeus and bowed low at the waist, not rising. He was followed by two, then five Monitcore, before the whole of the guard moved as a unit, circling around Zeus as Cyprian moved away. They blocked the various houses' view of Zeus until they all bowed, then dropped to one knee, the echo resounding throughout the chamber as in one voice they called him Striker. Zeus stood on the pedestal surrounded by the most feared fighting force in three galaxies. Acclaimed by them.

  He did not want this. He did not deserve the title or the growing stares of complete awe. He simply did what he had to do, no different than any other person in the room. Zeus wanted to deny them, push them to find one more worthy of the honor, yet he could not. Whether he wanted them to or not, they believed in him, trusted him, called him one of their own. Was that not what he had yearned for all of his life? He could not dishonor their respect.

  Zeus studied the House of Cordyl, who had come to Haven with the sole purpose of stealing his father's throne. They cowered under his hard gaze. When he met Timsah's horrified eyes, he gave a cold, mirthless laugh.

  "Do you still want me to take the throne?"

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Timsah passed out. That was unexpected. He and his house were remanded to galactic custody pending an investigation. Zeus answered a smattering of questions before relinquishing the wristband and making a beeline toward the exit.

  He could not get out of the council room fast enough. He could not bear to be cooped up any longer. He did not want to speak to his parents, his brothers, or even Dargon. Zeus lifted a hand in greeting to Athena, and even Sun Eater, but dodged around them without exchanging words he did not have the breath for.

  "Slow down." Alpha's calm words made him realize he had started running. He made himself stop, not surprised his personal guards had easily kept pace with him. He simply needed time to himself. The fear Timsah had instilled in him had not dissipated, he had simply shoved it to the side and put on a false façade. All the while, his insides churned as if he were digesting shards of glass. Zeus knew he was no coward. He had proven himself in battle, more than once, facing horrifying odds against a species threatening to devastate the galaxies. And yet, the sight of one man
made him quake in his boots. Surely, his mind would allow him to move past the torture he had received in his youth. How did he shake off the effect Timsah had upon him?

  "Love, I would soothe you, take away your memory of that night, but I cannot." Alpha caressed his skin. "You survived, not just physically, but mentally as well. Time, and sharing with Dargon and me, will help."

  He went through a glass door out on to a covered balcony. The loud roar of the waterfalls startled him. The air was moist and humid. He could smell the mixture of fresh water and sea water. The pools catching the falls glistened a brilliant turquoise. Spires jutted skyward, the pinks and blues of a soft sunset. Haven was truly a beautiful city.

  "Prince Zeus." He turned to see both crown princes standing in the balcony entryway.

  "May we have a word?" Prince Malek asked, raising his voice to be heard over the falls.

  He nodded and followed them back inside. Both crown princes had a rough, wild beauty, similar and yet different from the other. Prince Malek had dark hair hanging in heavy plaits to his lean hips, and wide, aqua-colored eyes surrounded by thick sooty eyelashes, and sharp canines barely visible against full, upturned lips. Prince Vipre appeared softer, his long, white hair pulled back from his temples contrasting with skin so dark to be called true ebony and yellow feline eyes. Rumor was that though Malek appeared the more brutish of the two, Vipre was the one to beware of.

  Zeus gave them a formal bow. "Your Highness, what can I do for you?"

  "Cyprian said you had information on our Bespoken."

  He regarded the pair. The desire to safeguard a male he was biologically related to, but he did not know, caused him to carefully consider his words. "I apologize if I appear rude but,"—he glanced between the two, searching for a way to keep from offending them—"As I understand the situation, he and I were taken away from our home and family at a very young age. He may be blessed with memories, but as I was not yet born, I bear no recollections of any life before the Mar'Sani. I was fortunate to be found and taken in by a wonderful family, who gave me a home and loved me. I made a life with them and am happy.