by Crystal Dawn
The next screen covered equipment. They had left what was available that the ship could do without. A list of needed items for building had been made and a wish list for wanted items was also there. Radvar would do his best to see both lists filled. The last screen was a list of supplies that had been sent down to the camp. They had emergency supplies in case the ship didn’t make it back as soon as expected. Any possible situation was covered. He felt comfortable with deciding they would head back to Earth. Their return would no doubt cause some fearful moments for some. The president would be at the top of that list.
The order was given and the ship took off eventually going to warp speed. They would stay in contact with those left on Jaded, but the communications would lag more the farther away they were. Radvar could see nothing they would need unless something was overlooked when the lists were made. It was time to settle in with his mate for the trip back to Earth.
An easy and fun voyage behind them, Earth lay at their feet. It was a pretty planet from where they orbited. There were some wild and beautiful places that the humans hadn’t ruined even now. “Incoming transmission,” Collin informed.
“Send it through,” Radvar directed.
“There are Dramites on Earth. We have had attacks in isolated areas. What are you going to do about it?” President Banon asked.
“First, I’m going to point out that the only time they could have been left on your planet was before our agreement when we weren’t tracking their activity. Second I’m going to ask you if you really believed we wouldn’t know you were substituting volunteers for the people on our list?” Radvar asked.
Banon turned red, his mouth opened and closed like he was uncertain of what to say. “Not everyone is willing to leave their planet behind at a moment’s notice,” he explained. “What else could we do?”
“Not all of your volunteers were willing either. I want the people I requested and if you can’t gather them, we can,” Radvar concluded.
“What about the Dramites?” Banon asked.
“We’ll see if we can locate them. When will you have the people ready?” Radvar asked.
“Maybe tomorrow,” Banon stated.
“We need some of them right away. Are any of the people we asked for prepared to go?” Radvar asked.
Banon spoke to someone behind him. “We can get 500 together in a couple hours,” he informed.
“See that you do it,” Radvar said as he dropped the link. “Collin, scan the Earth for Dramites.”
Collin went to a screen and started typing. “I see ten possible locations,” Collin said.
“We have to assume they’ve been breeding,” Radvar said.
“What does that mean?” Shay asked.
“Dramites infest a planet by sending breeding pairs to several isolated locations. They are worse than roaches or rats. Once they begin to breed, it is hard to get rid of them. The females lay eggs, daily. If she has an unlimited food supply, she can lay a dozen eggs a day indefinitely. These eggs hatch out in a week, and if fed properly, they grow to full size in a week or less. As soon as the female is full sized, she starts laying eggs. They’ve had time to build an army while we’ve been gone,” Radvar explained.
“So what will we do now?” Shay asked.
“We’ll go hunting, one location at a time. We’ll kill the adults and burn the eggs. If we’re lucky, we’ll get them all,” he observed. Some of the warriors were grinning. His males were ready for a fight and that was good because he was sure they were about to get one.
A Dramite couldn’t beat a Majuri one on one unless he was injured. Even Shay and her human team could beat most of them. The problem was each of the Dramite females could have laid nearly 500 eggs during the time they were gone and some of those offspring would also be reproducing. Luckily, most of the Dramites wouldn’t have armor which would make it easier to kill them. He knew Shay would want to go in with her team and he would let her. The humans had a saying that covered this perfectly-happy wife, happy life.
His team would be right there with her and an incendiary device would be set by the eggs when they left. A team would return after the place cooled off to ensure all Dramites and eggs were destroyed. Majuri were nothing if not thorough. Radvar loved the fight, but he hated the Dramites and their smell, it was completely obnoxious. Even fire didn’t always remove it when a large colony of them was involved.
The teams met and were flashed down to the first location. It was some kind of subway tube. The offensive smell struck him almost instantly and he headed in the direction it came from even though his eyes started to tear from the concentration of chemicals. He closed his helmet and the odor cleared out in seconds. His first target appeared just after that. An untried male, the creature didn’t stand a chance against him. More Dramites appeared and everyone was battling a creature. No one seemed to be having any problems and they fought until no more Dramites came forward.
Radvar motioned them to follow him. He found the nest filled with eggs and some small Dramites. He tossed the device which would destroy everything in this section of the tunnel. They were back on the ship in the blink of an eye. Adrenaline poured through him even though the battle was over for now.
He texted Banon letting him know they’d taken out one nest and giving him the location and letting him know there were nine more locations. Sending the team to clean up, he wasn’t going to take on another target until he saw that the people sent in an hour or so, were actually on his list. Banon was devious and untrustworthy, but he could be made to toe the line. Until he was sure of it, they would kick back and see what happened next.
An hour later showed him Banon was prepared to play nice. All 500 were on his list and some were people that had been held back the first time. Once he had determined that, he and his team prepared to go to another location and he had a second team go to the third nest. All his warriors were good and he knew they could do the job. Both teams left at the same time, but his team was back well before the other team. Shay and her people were doing better each time they battled.
They had three targets down and seven to go. Radvar had a feeling Banon wouldn’t play as nice once the Dramites were no longer a threat. He sent a text to find out when the next five hundred would be ready.
Two more hours, how does the Dramite hunting go?-Banon
We’ve taken out three targets and we’ll check out some more in 2 ½ hours.-Radvar
“Maybe he would get the message to play nice,” Radavr said as Shay leaned over his wrist comm and read the messages.
“He’s a politician, they never learn,” Shay explained.
“Then why was he elected? Don’t humans care about what kind of man leads them?” Radvar asked.
“I know little about politics and I didn’t know Banon was an asshole until he sold us out,” Shay admitted.
They were lying around in bed waiting for the next group of humans to be delivered when Radvar’s comm buzzed. He read the message and he smiled. “The next group is here and we have a situation,” he said.
“Well let’s go,” Shay urged. They dressed and were on their way quickly. He took her to the cargo hold were everyone was being sorted out.
Radvar watched her face to see when she noticed. Her cry rang out and she ran fast as she could jumping on the male human. Following behind her, Radvar was just a step away from her. She turned with tears in her eyes and jumped into Radvar’s arms.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“I knew you wanted them with you and they wanted to come,” he admitted. It was his hope that having most of her family with her would make things easier on his mate. Her parents had come with the second group of this trip. Some of her other family was here too. They had been given a choice and they had decided to come with them.
Her parents were warriors, he’d read it in their files but even had he not, and it would have been obvious once he saw them. He was certain with all they had in common with him that they would forge a close relation
ship. They could be like parents to him as well since they would eventually be grandparents to his children. Talai would have to confirm, but the he suspected the first was already on his or her way. Confirmation would be welcome, but he was nearly certain. Her unexpected tiredness and nausea only strengthened his belief. She called it space sickness, but humans usually called it morning sickness. His poor mate was clueless that she carried one of the first children that would be born on Jaded and the first human/Majuri hybrid.
He left his mate to catch up with her family while he made the rounds checking with his team. Everything was on track and they needed to deal with some more targets since the president was cooperating. Adding some extra warriors to his team so that his mate and her team could stay behind with their family, he was sure she would thank him. Two teams would go out and each would wipe out the nest they targeted. Both returned successful and with nothing but minor injuries. A text was sent to the president along with a request for the next 500. Radvar well understood the human saying-give a little, get a little.
Both teams went to clean up and rest before any more targets would be taken. Washing up, he wished his sweet mate were with him. Family was important so he wouldn’t interfere with her time spent with them. Instead he laid down to rest and promptly fell asleep. Something hit him in the face startling him awake.
“What are you doing?” he growled sitting up and finding it was his mate who attacked him with a pillow.
“What were you thinking?” she growled back.
“Huh?” he asked confused.
“You took out a target without me and my team!” she screeched. The sound was so shrill it hurt his ears.
“You were with your family. I was being considerate,” he defended.
“Considerate would be asking me if I want to stay or go. Making the decision for me is being a caveman,” she defined.
“I don’t think I will ever understand you,” he groaned.
“That’s just an excuse. We discussed decisions before and how you should let me make my own,” she observed.
“Okay. Next time I’ll ask you. Are we okay now?” he asked cautiously.
“I suppose all I can ask is that you learn from your mistakes,” she agreed. “When is the next mission?”
“Once we receive more of the humans we are owed,” he informed.
Shay shook her head. “I’ll never get used to hearing you say stuff like that. Your males need mates and I get that, but our government really stuck it to some of us,” she grouched.
“If you had a choice, would you go back?” Radvar asked and held his breath waiting for her response.
“You know I love you, but these others may not find the same thing among your people. What happens if they don’t find a mate and they want to go back?” she asked.
He pulled her into his arms and smiled. A giddy feeling came over him because she’d said she loved him. Nothing would ever feel better than this beautiful moment between them. “You know I’ve loved you since the moment I saw you,” he admitted.
“Are you avoiding my question?” she asked.
“What question?”
“What happens to the humans that don’t fit in and aren’t happy?”
“It’s not like we won’t have continuing contact with Earth. If after a year they’re still unhappy, I’ll let them go home. But you can’t tell them that or they might not try to fit in. Fair enough?”
“Fair enough.”
He wouldn’t want to keep anyone who didn’t build a life for themselves after a year. It would be counterproductive to hang on to those who couldn’t or wouldn’t blend in and become part of the community. That wouldn’t apply to many; he had already seen many connections being made with the first 500. Those he had selected were strong, intelligent, and talented people. The odds were in their favor with even a small effort on their part.
Shay was too soft hearted in her approach sometimes. It was alright because he would watch out for her. She would be easy for an unethical person to take advantage of and he wouldn’t allow that. His mate needed a keeper and a protector and he would be both no matter how much she resented or resisted it. Nothing would keep him from her side or stop him from seeing to her every need. The goddesses had blessed him and he was smart enough to know it. His next step would be to take her to Talai and see if he had a child to protect too. If Shay thought he was bad now, she had best prepare
Chapter 8
Family Ties
Shay had been so happy when she’d seen her family that even being excluded from the mission against the Dramite nest hadn’t upset her as much as it would have normally. Jade didn’t know she’d named the planet after her and the way she’d felt at the time. Jaded was the way the government had made her feel when they had sold her and 5000 others to the Majuri. There were other words to describe how she felt, but she wanted to honor her twin for always being there for her. Jade would probably be embarrassed by it, but she would get over it. In a way it was a testament to love and family. No family was as close as one you shared a womb with.
There were people that would say those things were reserved for those who died. The dead would never know they were honored. She wanted to do something special for someone she loved that had been her closest friend, best confidante, and biggest supporter from before the time they could speak. Shay wasn’t like other people and she wasn’t going to be like them now. The Majuri might as well get used to her.
“Shay!” a loud screech was directed at her. Oops, it looked like someone had told Jade first. She had known putting off dealing with it was a mistake. “Why?”
“Sweetie, I want everyone to know how special you are. You are everything to me and I couldn’t think of a better person to name a planet after,” Shay explained. There were tears in Jade’s eyes and Shay knew she wasn’t mad anymore.
“I guess we can finally do something since you’ve come up for air. How’s that man of yours?” Jade asked switching subjects.
Shay grinned. “Awesome, what about yours?”
“I don’t have a man.”
“Hmm, what about the handsome young Darin?”
“He’s just a friend.”
“OMG! Poor guy, he’s been consigned to the friend category. Does he suspect?”
“Tease all you want but yes, I’ve told him I value his friendship.”
“How’d he take that?”
“About as well as you might expect.”
“That bad huh?”
“He’ll get over it. Like you pointed out, he’s young. He’s got some maturing to do.”
“So you don’t feel like he’s ready to settle down?”
“Not even close.”
“Have you seen Mom and Dad yet?”
“Yes, God I’m so glad the family is along for this ride. Now that they’re here, I’m actually getting excited about it. You know the big guy must really love you.”
“I hope so, Jade, because he means the world to me. Now that the rest of the family is here, things are nearly perfect.”
“Nearly?”
“We still have a wild and primitive planet to tame.”
“I thought you were going to say something about starting a family.”
“That can wait until things settle down.”
“What if it doesn’t wait?”
“What will be, will be. I haven’t really thought about it.”
“Maybe you should.”
Jade’s words echoed in her ear and she went to find Talai. She was Radvar’s sister and Shay liked to believe her friend as well. Some day she might be Junior’s wife, or mate as the Majuri would say. Talai was in medical testing some of the samples she’d taken on Jaded. Turning as the door automatically opened, she sent Shay a big smile.
“Things must be going well. You look happy,” Shay commented.
“Most of the samples are testing as usable and that’s a good thing. What brings you to my part of the ship?” Talai wondered.
“I want you to
check me out.”
“Is there anything in particular you want me to look for or just a general exam?”
“I want to see if I’m expecting.”
“Expecting what?” Talai asked and her forehead was wrinkled in concentration.
“A child.”
Talai screamed. “Oh by the goddess! A baby!”
“Sh, calm down Talai. I wanted to talk to you about birth control but you need to check to make sure I’m not prego first.”
“Prego? Is this an abbreviation for pregnant?”
“Yes, I need to be sure.”
“Have you discussed this with Radvar?”
“No, it’s not his body.”
“Come sit here,” Talai said motioning to the examination table. “Let’s see if there’s a little Radvar in here.”
Shay made a face at her, but she had to admit the thought of a miniature Radvar pulled at her heart strings. Talai ran the monitor over her and smiled. “So? Tell me am I expecting or not?”
Talai yelled. “You are!” She did a little dance and Shay just stared at her.
“Shouldn’t I be the excited one?” Shay asked.
“This will be the first baby in the family since I was born. Just let me enjoy it. I’ve always heard that nieces and nephews are more fun because you can spoil them and give them back. I’m sure it won’t be long before I have some of my own.”
“Junior?” Shay asked slyly with a big smirk on her face.
Talai turned bright red. “Maybe.”
Maybe hell! If those two would stop dancing around each other and just get to it her child would have a play mate. It wasn’t like either of them had any doubts, they were both just naturally cautious and taking the slow route. They wouldn’t jump in like she and Radvar had and who was to say which way was right or wrong? They would get there eventually, the only question was when.
“I suppose I’ll tell Radvar and make his day. He’ll be proud that he was so potent. His head will swell even bigger.”