by Lil Gibson
She froze in place for a full two minutes before scrambling off the mat and heading to the clean room. She looked forward to greeting her aunts.
"We have him on voice and visual communicating with a Dargon called Dung," Prolinc began without preamble. "Dyfainius demanded the antidote for his daughter to restore her reproductive system, stating that he had met his side of the bargain, and more by providing them with the lay-out of secured areas within Gattonia and other sensitive information as to our fire power and size of force readiness. But it revealed much more," he paused with a combination of promised retribution and satisfaction. "Dyfainius went on to accuse the Dargons of failing to capture the women after she had been practically handed to them. The last bit of conversation, I am having transmission-loaded onto your COM, so you can review it first hand. They were after Catarina."
Zorroc felt like frozen crystal on the outside and an incinerator within; he would make Dyfainius wish he had never been conceived. "I suggest we discuss our options in dealing with him properly," Zorroc stated with deadly calm. He supposed he owed the Dargons a dept of gratitude in one small measure. It had kept him from mating with the viper's daughter.
The rest of the late morning and early afternoon flowed comfortably for Cat. The aunts delighted in seeing her confirmed as Divitta and pleased as punch they would be residing under the same roof once more. Scotty and Spock acted just as happy; having more hands to pet, feed and coddle them. Nadia joined them with her tornika, which looked like a cross between a ferret and a longhaired cat. Spooka proved mischievous and affectionate and the three animals took to one another right away, their antics going a long way to help Nadia and Cat open the door to friendship.
Later that afternoon, Nadia took Cat on a tour of the chambers and grounds, both of which dwarfed vast. Cat knew she could remain lost for weeks in the underground webbing of protective corridors, shelters and computer facilities that regulated everything from grounds maintenance, clothing, food, utilities and upper level appliances. As they headed back to the living chambers, the main entrance panel signaled a waiting guest.
"I will get it Jaffers," Nadia spoke happily into the COM as the panel slid open. Her expression froze as she glanced uneasily from Cat to Zana. Fur was going to fly. Zana, on a mission though, did not notice the changing emotional climate as she bused Nadia on the cheek, greeting her as "sister" and then blithely announced that she and Zorroc had things to discuss; the time had arrived to re-formalize their betrothal and set a date.
Cat didn't know whether to laugh or spy. She would have given anything to be a fly on the wall for this confrontation. When her eyes met Nadia's, she knew they shared a similar thought.
"Come on," Nadia encouraged while propelling her down the corridor. "We need to hide. She will strike you dead if she figures out who you are on her way out. There is a room where we might be able to hear some of the conversation, follow me," she ended, a twinkle visible in her amber depths.
Since her talk with Zorroc, Nadia had figured out that Zana had most likely used her on several levels, not the least of which included getting on Zorroc's good side by cozening up to his sister. Nadia realized with new perception that when Zana spoke, Nadia's job entailed listening and being impressed. There had been little interaction the brand Zorroc had demonstrated during their last discussion.
Nadia and Cat needn't have worried about being able to listen in on the conversation; when outraged shrieking blasted out of his office and echoed down the length of the corridor. They slipped in to the chamber closest to Zorroc's office and waited silently. They made out the words 'vile spreader' and 'Earth whore' before all went silent. After several minutes, a light tap sounded on their panel, the two looked briefly at one another before Nadia rose and answered it. It was Jaffers.
"The Divo requests your presence in his main office, Mi Divitta, would you follow me?" Of course, it hardly served as a request; Cat strived for all the dignity she could muster, considering she had been caught eavesdropping, and followed him next door, where she was announced.
"Catarina, my love, may I present Zana, daughter to Dyfainius of the House of Tinz. Zana this is your Divitta, Catarina, formerly of the House of Tuk and daughter to Princess Nancia and Rowan." Cat wondered if she would ever get used to the woman that gave her birth, being called a princess. Had Zorroc realized he called her 'his love'?
'Yes' sounded through her consciousness. She inclined her head Gattonian style to Zana and she in turn mumbled a group of words back. Cat had to give her credit, she kept her tone respectful, if quiet, but she looked like a volcano about to erupt.
Zorroc waited until Zana exited silently before grabbing Cat and lifting her onto his massive desk where he proceeded to kiss her Gattonian style, incorporating both his mouth and his mind.
* * * *
She touched Zana languidly while waiting for her to make sense. Zana had arrived at their chambers thirty minutes before and Sandra had yet to hear a coherent sentence. The betrothal was off; she gathered that much, and with it, all the plans they’d devised for Zorroc. Zana and Sandra had been introduced to one another within the first week of ship's landing and recognized a like mind and kindred spirit in each other immediately. They became lovers that night and Sandra moved into Zana's living chambers one week later, as a companion. Zana had told her father that, because he spent so much time away from her, she required company. Her father had jumped at the chance to please his only child and light of his life.
Sandra rose and padded naked across the room for a glass of Jive, a potent liquid guaranteed to relax and intoxicate. The two enjoyed it plain, or laced with just a touch of Assyllis. She brought back a large drought and placed it in her Chosen One's hand, then sighed. Things had been going so well. Lately, Zorroc had gotten in to the habit of escorting both of them to official gatherings, signaling to them, his intention of taking dual mates. They thought it only a matter of time before the High Council passed the new statutes and Zorroc made formal his commitment. It titillated and tickled them that while he courted them with all propriety, they got down and dirty with each other every night looking forward to the day when he would make them his mates—so they could cuckold him. The vision played deliciously naughty and made them collapse into fits of sniggers when they contemplated it.
Zana did not like the attention of males but had been willing to spread herself for Zorroc, occasionally, for the power and rise in status. Sandra enjoyed the feel of a man inside her and would enjoy riding him to give him the whelps required to seal her place, but Zana made up her other half and for the first time in her life, she knew love instead of the act of sex, alone. Zana loved her in return. She noticed her high-strung beauty had calmed sufficiently, and proceeded to gently pull the facts, of the afternoon, from her.
"He is lifemated to her and has been for months, we are skirged! She is living with him and he had the audacity to present me to her. I think it is that puny abomination you told me about, the one with hair the ugly shade of a brown-sky flower," she ended in frustrated fury.
"Catarina; was her name Cat or Catarina?" Had that little bitch tripped her up, again? She couldn't, wouldn't believe it.
"Yes, that was it and it is a lifemating, there will be only one for him. All of our plans are ruined."
"Wait Zana, there is still a chance for us. She comes from Earth, if the statutes become law, he can still lifemate with you and then you can bring me in as your companion; it is not ideal I'll grant you but if I'm with you, I can deal with it," she offered sincerely.
"You blind cow, do you understand nothing?" she fumed, looking for an outlet to unleash her fury. Sandra flinched, unused to the lethal vehemence being pointed in her direction. "She is daughter to Princess Nancia and Rowan of the House of Tuk. It is a High House. And, though of split blood, she is Gattonian. It constitutes a bound lifemating; impossible to break even if he chose to, which he does not from the besotted look on his face at seeing her. No Sandra, all of our plans; they have va
nished like Wallows Mist."
Sandra rose thoughtfully and went to refill Zana's glass with more Jive, only this time with a pinch of Assyllis to put her mind toward her Chosen One and not her enemy. Cat would pay for this, she would see to it.
While Sandra and Zana slept peacefully after hours of sweaty sex, the Guard of the High Council, headed by Commander Ryder, with orders straight from the Divo, quietly entered the private chambers of Dyfainius and arrested him.
At one a.m. they led him into the main interrogation chamber to face the High Council, along with a group of additional personnel including members of the High Council Guard, and Rosik, Prolinc, Carpov, Bandoff, Sycor and of course, Zorroc. Dyfainius showed outrage at being dragged from his mat at such an hour with no excuse given; but mostly he was nervous. They could not know. It was not possible. He had been too careful.
A pre-emptive strike, in his current situation would prove most deflective, he decided, and so Dyfainius faced his peers with political bluster if not confidence. "Though not informed of this impromptu meeting, it happens to serve my purposes well. Fellow Gattonians, we have been patient with this child leader long enough. We have put up with Zorroc’s lack of guidance and misdirected actions for many years, and now I, for one, have reached the end of my tolerance and beseech you to join with me in doing what should have been done ten years before. I, Dyfainius, Leader of the High Council, hereby challenge Zorroc for the rule of Gattonia on the grounds of reckless endangerment to the people of Gattonia and contributions to the end of our race. Further, I charge him with the desecration and disruption of the moral fiber of our culture by trying to infuse our society with inferior alien females and then coercing me into proposing indecent statutes. Statutes designed to degrade the females of Gattonia and corrupt the fiber of our males," he accused facing Zorroc, head high, shoulders back, and finger pointed. He was nothing if not a great politician.
Zorroc rose, faced the High Council and delivered his charges against Dyfainius.
"Traitor: Giving confidential and harmful information to the enemy pertaining to male-power, defenses, numbers, and logistics of sensitive and devastating targets.
"Attempted Murder: Pre-meditated plan to murder the daughter to Princess Nancia and Rowan of the House of Tuk.
"Attempted Murder: Pre-meditated attempt to murder the Divitta of Gattonia, Catarina, daughter to Princess Nancia and Rowan formerly of the House of Tuk.
"Suspected Attempted Murder: Suspected pre-meditated murder of the future heir of Gattonia now residing in the Divitta's womb."
Other than his complexion taking on a mottled red pattern, beaded with perspiration, Dyfainius exhibited no visible reaction to the mandatory death charges that had been leveled against him. Shrouded in dignity and indignation, he turned to Zorroc. "You have no proof. What are you trying to accomplish here, son?" he implored, shaking his head sadly. "Your father and I shared a friendship that spanned many decades. You besmirch his reputation by leveling these injustices. My daughter, in turn, ministered to your father when he fell ill after the death of your mother, and nursed him until the day he died. Zazu, our families intended a joining until your incompetent handling of the Dargon attack. Why are you making these implausible accusations?"
Zorroc lounged back in his chair never removing his knowing glare from Dyfainius as he pressed a button on the keypad next to him, and smiled dangerously. The screen came alive showing Dyfainius in thousand-prong clarity speaking on COM to another party that identified himself as Dung, speaker for Dargons. The High Council listened in mounting horror as the conversation unfolded. The remaining attendees sat motionless, their knowing eyes glued to the unfolding scene. There would be no escape for the accused this night. When the screen went blank, total silence ensued.
"I am not your son, scum of a Syphor," he stated with quiet vehemence, "now what do you have to say to the allegations? The seriousness of the charges negate your right to a hearing but out of respect for my father, I am allowing you to face your peers."
"Well, it is obvious, is it not? The video scan is a counterfeit. Who gave you such an obvious piece of fabrication? It is clear that my lips do not match the poorly faked voice and I demand an explanation! Who gave you this scan?"
"I did." Prolinc stood and spoke for the first time. "Under orders from the Divo, we had your chambers, both private and official, monitored. After the ambush of The Stellar, we realized that the Dargons had been fed the information pertaining to our location and human cargo. While under siege, it became equally clear that they searched for one particular woman and so we monitored all attempted COM relays, not authorized by the Commander of the Miramid. When the male you assigned to report our activities tried to contact you, it confirmed your perfidy but not possible others involved."
He turned to the High Council to address them pointedly. "We remained unsure if Dyfainius worked alone or in conjunction with additional members of the High Council, and equally unsure of the extent of involvement with the Dargons and movements against the Divitta. When the High Council Guard took her involuntarily, we knew immediate action was vital for the protection of the Divitta and Divo. Thus, the video scan." Prolinc then faced Zorroc with feigned subservience and asked, "With your permission, Divo?" He enjoyed his role in this early morning drama. For years, he had stood by while the High Council underestimated and undermined his friend's authority and abilities but tonight he would see an end to it for all time.
Zorroc had an inkling as to Prolinc's motives and nodded for him to continue. They had long ago dubbed the members of the High Council as the PIPs or Pompous Impotent Politicals. It would be satisfying to see them justify their position for a change. They proceeded to do just that.
Prolinc and Zorroc mindspoke their amusement at the immediate change of attitude in the High Council. In the end, they sang like a choir of castrati admitting to being led by Dyfainius, believing him to be the future guide-by-blood to Zorroc, which would afford him the ability to control the Divo and therefore, hold the greater political power. Although they knew of the existence of Catarina and her presence onboard the returning vessel, they pleaded ignorance to her change in status and her location on Gattonia and, of course, denied knowledge of any contact between Gattonia and the Dargons. Lastly, they had been informed that mandatory pregnancy testing of recalcitrant women had come as a directive from Zorroc.
As for Dyfainius, he collapsed, admitting to all charges, declaring love for his daughter as his main motivating force and of course, had entertained no aspirations toward controlling the Divo. His indiscretions merely reflected the actions of a misguided, overindulgent father. The statutes, he proposed in the event that he proved unsuccessful in obtaining the antidote for his daughter, which had also been his purpose for initially contacting the Dargons. They assured him that an antidote existed and if he would but answer a few simple questions, it would be his. Of course, the questions never ended and eventually followed with threats of blackmail, exposing him as a traitor if he would no longer co-operate.
At this point Carpov told him that there could be no such antidote in existence because an antidote alone could not execute cell regeneration, eliminate existing scar tissue, and halt future degeneration. The three resulting disorders required three separate treatments. The Dargons had used his weaknesses against the realm of Gattonia. The people of Gattonia and his daughter, specifically, would pay for his treachery.
Zorroc pressed on, once again, facing Dyfainius. "Why did you go after Catarina of the House of Tuk? The plan to bring her here originated from you; why lure her to her death when she could have remained unmolested on Earth?"
"Come, my boy, her existence could not be kept from you, you would have been made aware of her in any case. Many others, beside me, knew of her existence; I had even been contacted by her own parents. No, much more expedient to have her secured and neutralized. As the only royal Gattonian female still fertile, she would have to be your first choice, thereby usurping my daughter's rig
htful place. And what better way to gain your trust than be the one to find her for you?" He laughed with genuine amusement. "And you never questioned my motives, never believed that I would hold my daughter above your petty wishes for a strong line and your impotent plans to keep Gattonia from the Dargons. They want this planet and they will have it and nothing you can do…"
The chamber let out a collective gasp at the puff of smoke that had been Dyfainius.
"I believe we have heard enough," Zorroc commented quietly, as he put his side arm away.
Zorroc, having carried out the mandatory death sentence, stripped Dyfainius and his family of all holdings and decreed the closing and banning of the House of Tinz. His people would be located to other houses and his daughter, provided with a dowry substantial enough to attract an agglu-mating to a Lower House.
With matters settled and the meeting at an end, Zorroc decided on one last piece of business. With the High Council firmly at a disadvantage, none would mutter a word against what he proposed, and he had to admit he might never again have them in this weakened state. Ordinarily they would hold endless rounds of debates on the soundness of his proposals and not wanting to appear an autocratic cracker brain; he would listen to all sides. In truth, they had taught him much and tempered his youthful rashness in the years past. Never again, however, would he depend solely on his father's advisors to be loyal to his rule.
He stood, faced the council, and looked each one in the eye with utter determination before pronouncing. "With Dyfainius no longer holding a seat on the High Council, I hereby appoint Bandoff, of the House of Able, to fill the seat of Lead Member of High Council. Meeting adjourned."
Heartening pandemonium ensued between the crewmembers and guards while members of the High Council moved their mouths in a gaping parody of suffocating trout. Bandoff sat Gattonian still; positive he had somehow misheard. Zorroc turned and left. Even with a Dargon attack eminent, he felt lighter and happier than he had since assuming the role of Divo to Gattonia.