“And the businessmen,” Lydia said.
“Who is it,” Tas asked.
“Bernard Capshaw,” Lydia said. “He’s the most persistent.”
“Invite him here to see what he wants,” Tas said. “He’s big in Africa.”
“Our research agrees,” Lydia said. “Will you help me draft a reply to him and the others?”
“Of course,” Tas said. “I’ve heard enough bull from my father to be able to put together a friendly non-committal letter.”
“I’ve got dates he could come,” Lydia said.
“Great. Let’s get to work,” Tas said.
“When does Glavar return,” Lydia asked.
“Two hours,” Tas said. “It’s ridiculous but I feel like it’s years when I’m away from him.”
“I understand completely,” Lydia said.
***
Lydia worked in Mycos’ office as he was away for a meeting. She and Tas finished all the communications with the ambassadors and the businessmen less than an hour previously.
“There is a car at the gate,” Landros said. So many cars arrived, this was the fifth time he informed Lady Lydia of it today.
“How many women,” Lydia asked without looking up from the reports she read.
“The windows are too dark to tell,” Landros said. “Nic is suspicious.”
Lydia’s head snapped up as she stared at Landros for a few moments. “Did she say why,” Lydia asked.
“She said our habit of opening the gate for these refugees makes us vulnerable,” Landros said pride rang through the words.
“She would know with all the strategy she’s been reading,” Lydia said. “Let’s have Colonel Brown and his people check on the vehicle.”
“You are suspicious,” Landros asked.
“I trust Nic,” Lydia said.
“Damn right,” Nic said. “We’ve got to come up with a better way.”
“Agreed,” Lydia said.
“Where’s Mycos,” Nic asked.
“At a meeting with the Mayor,” Lydia said.
“City hall,” Nic asked.
“Yes,” Lydia said. “Let’s get as many as possible into the basement for safety. The workout rooms can be secured against any attacks.”
“Yes, milady,” Landros said. “Will you contact Colonel Brown?”
At her nod, he turned to follow her orders. “Wait. Nic go with him. Stay with Abby,” Lydia said.
“What about you,” Nic asked not moving.
“We’re probably overreacting,” Lydia said.
“If they get through, you need to be protected milady,” Landros said.
“Fine. Send me some men,” Lydia said. “Get the rest down into safety.”
“Don’t get dead,” Nic said.
“You either,” Lydia said. She picked up her com to contact Colonel Brown.
***
“Where’s Lydia,” Abby asked for the fourth time.
“She’s running this drill,” Landros said as he carried her to the basement. “You and the other sisters are all to practice getting to safety.”
“She’s not gonna get hurt,” Abby asked clinging to Landros.
“She has six men protecting her,” Landros reassured.
“But it’s a drill,” Abby said her lower lip wobbled as her eyes filled.
“We’re practicing,” Nic said. “Do you think Mycos would let her go around unprotected?”
“No,” Abby said. “She’s gonna be safe, right?”
“Yes,” Landros said hugging the little girl to him, felt her hot tears against his neck. “Once everyone else is in the basement, I will go check. Will that help?”
“Yes, please,” Abby said hugging him hard. “I need her.”
“We all do,” Landros said. “Lord Mycos’ top concern is her welfare and yours.”
“We should follow the protocols of the drill,” Nic wanted Landros safe.
“Nic,” Abby whined.
“Fine,” Nic said. “Don’t think you can get away with this all the time. There are going to be times when you have to just do what you’re told.”
“It’s a drill,” Abby said. “Right?”
“But we are supposed to follow the protocols,” Landros said putting her on her feet in the basement. Hannah took her hand. “I will go this time but from now on we need to follow the rules.”
“I’m coming with you,” Nic said.
“You stay here,” Landros said kissing her forehead. “I won’t take long.”
“Landros,” she murmured his name fearful for him.
“I will be safe,” he hugged her close and turned away.
***
“I've got one of our combined teams surrounding the car," Colonel Brown said over the com. "We'll have a visual in a few moments."
"Do you think we're being over cautious," Lydia asked watched out one of the windows facing the drive.
"With the attacks," Colonel Brown said. "No. Here comes the vid."
"There's three women in the front," Lydia said. "Can you see in the back?"
"Colonel," Private Bitta Gartner said as she approached the car. "Can't get a visual of the backseat. The women look nervous. Floren's moving in."
"Use caution," Colonel Brown said.
Lydia watched looking towards the gate. She saw Floren approach the car, bend down. The camera fuzzed, the woman in the driver's seat wept as he leaned closer.
"Tell them to get out of there," Lydia said as her instinct went into overdrive. "Do you hear me, Colonel?"
"Retreat," Colonel Brown called over the coms to Private Gartner.
Lydia saw Floren turn as Bitta spoke to him. He stepped away, two, three steps. A loud boom shook the house, the windows Lydia stood near shattered.
***
Landros took the steps three at a time. At the top of the steps, the house shook. He grabbed the wall to keep his balance. "Lady Lydia," he murmured as he raced to the office. The front door hung open showing smoke rose in the distance.
Justinian rushed out from the healing room. "We need to send men," he said. "There will be injured."
"Lady Lydia," Landros said as he nodded to the men. "Call the first squad."
"I'm all right," Lydia said shaking her head as she came out of the office. Glass shards fell from her hair. The shattered glass shredded her shirt, little spots of red splattered her back.
"Milady, you are not," Justinian said.
"Floren and Bitta," Lydia said ignoring their concern for her. "We have to get people down there. The car had three women in it. I don't think they could have survived but maybe…"
"First squad is approaching," Landros said listening over his coms. "Colonel Brown is sending more of his people."
"We need to make sure the building is still stable," Lydia said. "Can't the blast have done something to it?"
"I do not think it was strong enough, but we will check," Landros said taking her arm gently. "Let us have Justinian look at you first."
"The others will be worse," Lydia said though she felt unsteady.
"It will not take long," Justinian said leading her gently to the healing room.
"But you have…" Lydia objected but he led her to a healing table.
"You need to be on your stomach," Justinian said. "This will not take long."
"We have two casualties coming in," Landros said quietly.
"Go get her a new shirt," Justinian said. "This one is too damaged."
"I'll do it," Nic said from the door.
"You…" Landros started to scold.
"Yell at me later," Nic said as she turned away. Returning in moments, she carried a new bra and shirt for Lydia.
"How are the girls," Lydia asked.
"Abby's barely holding it together," Nic said. "But she's tough. She's 'in charge' of Hannah."
"Why," Lydia asked.
"Hannah tipped over," Nic said. The two men stepped out as Lydia sat up and stripped off her shirt and bra. Nic helped her get the new clothes o
n.
"Is she hurt," Lydia asked.
"No," Nic said stepping back.
"Casualties," Landros gave them the warning.
"I'm dressed," Lydia said though she still felt a little unsteady.
"Lay on your side," Justinian said.
"I'm …," Lydia said.
"Don't argue," Nic said helping her lay back down. "Landros get with Colonel Brown and get an update and keep us updated. We need to contact Mycos and let him know. We need to warn Gregor and Sally."
"Of course," Landros said. Stepping out, he jumped back to allow the casualties to be brought in.
***
"The women had no chance," Colonel Brown said. He sat in the dining room watching his squad get food along with the Hylatians. "How soon will Lord Mycos be here?"
"They're double-checking the transport," Lydia said. "Apparently there were people near it." Her hands gripped hard in her lap.
"Dearhar is gonna be fine," Abby muttered as she sat next to Lydia. "He will."
"I'm sure he will," Lydia said putting her arm around Abby.
"How are Floren and Private Gartner," Colonel Brown asked.
"Justinian gave me an update a quarter-hour ago," Lydia said. She closed her eyes. "Floren has burns over a large portion of his body. He took the brunt of the blast. Justinian is doing some specialty healing. He's still uncertain on his recovery. Bitta is less damaged. Floren protected her. She has a concussion, bruised ribs, and some minor burns."
"We're working on tracking the car," Colonel Brown said.
"Milady," Landros said. "Gregor reports they are locked down and secure."
"Thank you, Landros," Lydia said. "Were there identifiers on the car?"
"We got a shot of the license and we were running it when the explosion happened," Colonel Brown said. "It looks like the plates were stolen." He read information off his tablet.
"What does this do for them," Lydia asked. "How does this help them?"
"Them who," Colonel Brown asked.
"Them. The people who don't like us," Lydia said. "I'm assuming the Senator and his pals. He's the one who lost the most because of us."
"We don't have evidence linking him to this," Colonel Brown said. At a sharp look from her, he clarified, "I'm not disagreeing with you, but we don't have evidence."
"You do realize this is an attack on the Hylatian people," Lydia said rubbing her hands over her face. Her body ached while her mind felt numb. She wanted Mycos in her arms.
"Lord Mycos' transport has taken off," Landros said. "Milady, perhaps you should rest."
"Not yet," she said. "Abby, you need to go to the other girls."
"I'm staying here," Abby insisted.
"I need you secure," Lydia said
"It's okay," Abby said. "No men in masks."
"Abby," Lydia said the ache in her body starting to morph into a headache.
"I'm staying," Abby said. "You need me more right now."
"We've blocked off a perimeter," Colonel Brown said. "My people search all vehicles coming within a mile of here. You can probably take the household off alert."
"Not until Mycos arrives," Lydia said.
"The transport is ten minutes out," Landros said. "Abby, come with me to get Lady Lydia some water."
"Okay," Abby said. "Not a drill."
"No, it was not," Landros said.
"Why did you tell me it was," Abby asked taking his hand.
"We hoped it was," Landros said.
"Lydia should have been with us," Abby said.
"She had a job to do," Landros said. "Just like you did."
"What was my job," Abby stopped to look up at the tall warrior.
"To keep safe," Landros said.
"Oh. So Lydia and everyone else could do their jobs without worrying about me," Abby said.
"Insightful," Colonel Brown said. "Are you all right?"
"No," Lydia said. "I'm not all right. My home has been attacked. Three women have been killed at our gate. Two of our people are in serious condition."
Colonel Brown covered her hand with his. "You've done everything right," he said. "Your sisters are safe and your mate will be here soon."
Lydia took a deep breath and blew it out. "It doesn't help to get hysterical," she said. "I know."
"You're doing very well," Colonel Brown said picking up his coffee cup.
"I hate this," Lydia confessed. "We're trying to do good things but I'm about ready to say screw it let's get on the ship and go away."
"What stops you," Colonel Brown asked.
"Them," she said motioning towards the men. "The girls."
"You need more mates and more women," Colonel Brown said. "The girls?"
"They aren't ready," Lydia said. "They’re still tied here to some extent."
"Your man is here," Colonel Brown said nodding towards the door.
Lydia turned, rose and ran to Mycos. She meant to be calm, but she rushed to his arms.
"Mo chroin," Mycos murmured. Carefully, he held her close to him. He knew she was injured and healed. "I am here now."
"Can we…" she sniffled.
Mycos turned, guided her out of the dining room where so many lingered. "I have you," he murmured. Out of sight of everyone, he scooped her up and strode down the hall towards their bedroom. She trembled in his arms, held him close to her.
"I have you," he murmured as he shut their bedroom door behind him. Going to the fireplace, he sat in her favorite chair. She wept in his arms, clung to him as he rubbed her shoulders.
"Are you in pain," he asked worried her injuries bothered her.
She shook her head. "I thought," she stumbled over the words. She hiccupped and pressed her mouth to his. Her tongue invaded, demanded, devoured him. Long silent moments passed as she pressed herself against him, took from him. Breathless, she rested her forehead against his. "I thought I was going to lose you," she said. "Floren and Bitta are hurt. The girls are upset but trying not to show it."
"We will go to them in a moment," Mycos said. "I am right here. I am fine. You were hurt. Let me see."
"Justinian took care of it," Lydia said. "I ache. You know how you do after a healing but I'm fine. I needed you."
Experimentally he rubbed her back, soothed her. "I need you," Mycos said. "Why are the girls upset?"
"You weren't here," Lydia said. "Gregor isn't here. They're worried about you and the other men."
"How have the seven of you kept such generous hearts," Mycos murmured as he brushed his lips across hers. "The horrors you have experienced yet you are so loving to me and to my men."
For long moments they kissed, touched, caressed to assure each other they were both fine and whole. "We need to talk to … " Lydia closed her eyes. "I'm tired of strategizing. The police chief, the mayor, the senator…I'm sure there's more we should talk to."
"Are you ready to leave," Mycos asked.
"No," Lydia said though she closed her eyes and warred with herself.
"Why not," Mycos asked.
"There are still men who haven't found their mates," Lydia said. "I want them to find their mates. I want to take more women back with us. Maybe we should put out a notice saying we're taking women with us and come to a specific location at a specific time if you want to leave earth."
"Would you have come to a notice like that," Mycos smiled at the idea.
"Probably not," Lydia said. "I needed persuasion."
"Kidnapping and demands," Mycos said.
"Kidnapping to bring me home to you," Lydia said. "The demands we figured out, haven't we?"
"Yes," Mycos said. "Ready to go back out there?"
"I’d rather make love," Lydia said. "But someone would probably interrupt us."
***
Police Chief Goeller stood at the big double doors. Surrounded by the aliens, he wondered why he had to bother knocking but he did. The door opened to reveal a large foyer. He snorted as he saw the large foyer until he stepped across the doorway. People scurried back and fo
rth. Women and men both rushed around, which took him by surprise. "Police Chief Goeller," Landros said. "Follow me please."
"I was given to understand there were only men here," Police Chief Goeller said as a large group of women carried blankets, gave him a once over before continuing down the girls’ hall.
"There has been an influx of refugees wanting to leave earth," Landros said. "I do not blame them."
"We have a safe city," Police Chief Goeller said.
"Hardly," Landros said. He knocked on the office doors before opening them.
"You're impertinent," Police Chief Goeller said.
"But not wrong," Landros said. "Police Chief Goeller is here, milord, milady."
"Thank you, Landros," Mycos said. He rose to shake the hand of the man. "Thank you for coming to us, Police Chief Goeller."
"The mayor considered it advisable," Police Chief Goeller said as his eyes scanned the room. "Why exactly do you need me here?"
"We would like an update on the investigations," Mycos asked. His tone cool though he indicated the police chief should take a seat.
"You called me all the way out here for an update on a case," Police Chief Goeller said.
"We called you out here to discuss the status of nearly a dozen cases," Lydia said. She took Mycos' hand, linked fingers with his. Her eyes narrowed as she watched the large man. "Some of these cases are weeks old and there’s been no progress. Can you explain to me why there's been no progress on the attacks on my people?"
"They aren't your people," Police Chief Goeller said. "You're human."
"I am Lady Lydia of the Hylatian house," Lydia said. "MY people have been attacked. MY people have been injured. Now MY home and the embassy of MY people have been attacked. What exactly are you doing about it?"
"We are following leads," Police Chief Goeller said.
"Are you," Lydia asked leaning forward. Mycos rubbed her back to sooth her but didn't intervene. "Or are you taking money to turn a blind eye to what's occurring? I don't see progress. There have been no arrests. What exactly are you and your detectives doing except accusing us, the victims of the crimes, of somehow causing the violence."
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