Nadia blushed and batted her remarkable blue eyes at him.
“I should like to inspect the facilities on Mars soon. If it’s no trouble of course?” Asked the Guilthari Lord.
Though his face remained hidden, Sitara knew underneath his hood Urksa eyed her with lust. He always looked upon the Princess as if he would one day have her as his own. The Guilthari Lord already had two wives. To make Sitara his third would be his crowning achievement. That alone was reason enough for Sitara to reject him. She was a Princess and would not make herself a junior wife to Urksa or allow the Guilthari to advance his agenda through her.
Urksa pulled back his hood to reveal a young face. A second generation Falcanian, complete with the angled eyes, golden in his case. His complexion white-bronze and within the normal range of his generation. Like all Falcanian men, he wore a beard trimmed to fit his Eurasian features. His traditionally bound long hair, flaxen-brown and held in a golden ring that proclaimed his discipline to the Road of Tarik.
“Tara will be more than happy to transport you to Aren-Zülar Urksa.” Sharr stood, and deliberately placed himself between the Guilthari and his daughter. Though he liked and respected the young man, he could sympathize with his circumstances. Sharr knew full well Sitara wanted nothing to do with him. He was aware his daughter had a pack of possible suitors who would gladly mate with her when she became ready to bind herself in wedlock. Never mind there were a number of candidates he also had in mind for his daughter. “I myself have considered inspecting our base,” the Shotar announced. “After the recent occurrences it seems prudent.”
Sitara grinned at her father. Perhaps Urksa would behave himself if he knew his Shotar would go on the trip?
Sharr turned to his daughter. “Sitara, please see to scheduling our journey.”
“Of course,” Sitara beamed and gave an imperious sideways glance at Urksa, to then turn her shoulder at him. “I shall see to it right away. Though I'm sure we will not be able to make the voyage for some weeks. The FS-Vor Kiral Kra is scheduled for routine upgrades.” She paused for a moment. “There is also the festival coming up, to say nothing of your birthday.” Sitara told her father, though she intended for Urksa to take the hint that his advancements were not wanted, which she was almost certain he would ignore.
“At the first free opportunity then, my swan.”
“You and mother are still coming to my apartments for dinner tonight?” asked the Princess. It had been months since she had eaten a meal with her mother or father, not since her and Ariel’s birthday in September.
Nadia smiled. “We wouldn't miss it.”
“I must attend a debriefing with Grand Admiral Krag.” Sitara nodded to her parents. “I'll see you both later.”
As she departed the C&C Sitara purposely ignored Urksa. Few Falcanians could get away with such disregard toward a member of the Dreikatha. Being Sharr and Nadia's child had more than a few advantages.
Nadia looked up at Sharr and gave him a grin. She leaned against his shoulder, fully aware as to why he'd yet to speak about what clearly went through his mind while Lord Vorskrai still stood with them.
“I shall take my leave, my Shotar,” the Guilthari said as if he sensed that his presence no longer was desired. “Maharani T’Kara.” Urksa added with a bow and left the couple to their personal discussions.
Sharr motioned in the direction of Urksa. “Sitara encourages such displays.”
“There's a reason,” Nadia reminded her mate. “Valküri battle armor doesn't obstruct the female form – ”
“Because sexuality is a potent weapon.” Sharr answered.
“Urksa Vorskrai desires only to add her to his collection of wives. He knows to gain her as a mate will make the offspring your heirs. That would be advantageous for the Guilthari.” A slight frown suddenly touched Nadia's full lips. “We should talk to her about mating. Sitara and Ariel are a year away from their majority after all. Mating our daughters to the right men could settle a multitude of loose ends.”
Sharr placed his arm around her bare waist. “I agree.”
“Speaking of which, I’ve not seen Kulcarin in a few days? Do you know of his location?” Nadia asked.
“He attends to an issue for me.” He did not explain further about the whereabouts of young Kulcarin Aranskrai.
“Leave it to me to be matchmaker.” Nadia regarded her mate seriously. “In that respect, we shouldn’t be remiss to think beyond Vorkrür’s shores for such prospects. There are certain suitors worth our consideration not yet Falcanians. Darius Noorani comes to mind. He would make a good ally. That is the feudal way, by means of blood or steel. It is how Imperial lines thrive.”
Sharr restrained a laugh, yet Nadia caught the slight grin he attempted to hide.
“What?” Her kohl accented eyes became blue slits.
The look on her face caused him to grin even more. “It's just –”
“What?” Nadia leaned closer; her generous breasts almost touched his chest.
Sharr Khan inhaled deeply, and savored the sweet aroma of his mate. Her perfume seemed to be laced with almonds and cinnamon scents. Nadia’s oil treated hair, conditioned in a weekly regime passed down by her upper caste Bengali forebears ensured that her rich dark locks would keep their beautiful sheen. The jasmine smell of her hair reminded Sharr of the flowers which grew around the Falcanian stronghold at Kuras, located near the foot of the Himalayas. The fragrances always caused Sharr to go weak and think only about things of pleasure when he breathed Nadia's sweet aroma.
“My T'Kara,” he took her in his arms.
For a moment, Nadia cringed at her mate's use of her Falcanian name. Not that she did not like it. T'Kara, a beautiful word to be sure, yet also a literal translation of the name which her father had bestowed upon her, carried with it an intentional irony which Nadia's superstitious side shied away from.
“You sounded so much like your mother.” Sharr watched the hard expression on Nadia's face soften. “I imagine Ambika Sen made a similar remark to Turhan Korelia concerning our bonding. Your mother’s a weaver of fates.”
The Queen arched a brow. “So you’re saying I’m just carrying on Maa's meddling?”
“Yeah,” Sharr laughed. “Something like that. It is particularly interesting that you bring up Darius Noorani given our Intel concerning who, and what he is, wedding him to one of our twin daughters may prove beneficial for our Khanate.”
Sharr took Nadia into his arms. The couple walked arm and arm around the deck of the C&C Tower to gaze out of the grand window that overlooked the bay. Outside ships arrived from India and Japan, bringing merchants to trade wares with the Falcanians.
[North America: New York City]
A glistening mega-city glowed with spotlights and flames which perpetually burned in great cauldrons atop columns set as high as the greatest towers within the metropolis forever served to be a beacon to all, this nation would never again be destroyed. Many looked toward the monolithic city as a sign of hope.
The capital of the North American Imperium settled atop the ruins of Old New York. Romulus chose this place to be his seat of power as a sign of defiance to the world that even after the bombings and the ineptitude of the former Government, what had once been the United States would again become a light of progress for the world.
Bronzed armored centurions lined the steps of the massive complex that stood opposite the Senate building which served as JR Giovanni's palace. There could be little doubts however that power rested with the Imperator and not the Senators who bickered among themselves in the smaller building which stood in its shadow. Dressed in royal purple, a golden olive crown rested upon his gray brow, Julius Romulus Giovanni watched his ship enter foldspace from the comfort of his plush eagle throne. He knew he had done a good thing for his people. Expansion alone would ensure his citizens safety and the journey into space had become necessary to seek resources which would allow his Imperium to grow more powerful.
Senators from the p
rovinces stood with their Imperator to watch the launch. Many held they should not have allied themselves with the British in this project. It was a sentiment born out of resentment from the actions of many Europeans after the last war.
JR Giovanni, old as he had become, was still a fierce figure. A crown of once black hair remained cut in its sleek military style. Even with the disease which slithered inside his bones and threatened to make him weak, he still continued to inspire awe. U.S. Marine training let him survive the wastelands and bring together the warring factions to form his new great Imperium. A promise of glory he would keep at all costs.
The Imperator at last rose from his chair and walked the room. Each of the twelve Senators watched him, a calculating gleam in their eyes. All wondered who would take Romulus's place when he died. He had no children of his own and trusted only his Praetorian Guard. Surely his favorite among them would take his place? Senator Viktor Paxton bowed. “Your Excellency, the DSV Excalibur is indeed a fine vessel –”
“But you still think a captain from the Imperium should be in command,” JR Giovanni finished. “The alliance called for a Brit to be in authority over this vessel. We have centurions aboard, and a security officer has been assigned to overlook Captain Braden in this most perilous, but important mission.”
“What may I ask, are their orders?” Senator Paxton carefully inquired. The Imperium's Senate had been kept in the dark about what the ship's inaugural mission would be. Now they knew exploration was part of it, but they remained unaware of Romulus's true intents for his space fleet.
“No, you may not.” Even the DSV Excalibur's command crew knew nothing of the Imperator's orders. Not until they reached the Imperium’s first deep space outpost would they open the sealed commands to learn the true objective of their voyage. Romulus glared at the old man. “For the time being the mission is secret.”
The senator did not look pleased, yet he accepted what his Imperator told him with all due respect. This man had saved all that remained of a fallen America, and so Victor Paxton figured he owed him that much gratitude at least.
“DSV Excalibur is a mighty ship,” a voice echoed in the room. “It’s a perfect chariot to carry the Enlightened to the stars.” Each of the senators cringed at the metallic noise, which sounded as if it were modulated through a synthesizer, or as if someone scratched nails on rusted steel.
Imperator Romulus for his part remained oblivious to the sound, surprised that the owner of the grating voice hadn't appeared sooner. “Welcome back, Styx.”
Styx's face remained hidden, concealed under a golden bucket shaped helmet. No one ever saw his true face. Even his eyes were obscured by a black rectangular shield that made it impossible to know what Styx actually looked like or if he even ever were human at all. The bishop clothed himself in a scarlet robe from head to toe. On a heavy chain dangled a golden cross that rested at his waist. He tucked his gloved hands away in the folds of his sleeves. Styx deliberately turned his head to glance at each of the senators. He grinned as he watched them cower, despite their attempts to hide it. None were among his flock. All were sworn to Romulus and his Legion. The Imperator would let him take the truth to the stars. For that reason alone, he suffered the presence of those not in the light. “Has the Falcanian Khan responded to your summons?”
Imperator Romulus scowled. “Drakonis refuses to meet with me.”
“The Falcanian are a threat to us.”
JR Giovanni was not certain if Styx meant that the Falcanians were a threat to the Imperium or only to his Budjah. If he knew the bishop, Romulus guessed Styx meant his Budjah Order rather than to JR Giovanni's restored nation.
“They do not think we brought the Earth back from the brink.” Whenever Styx spoke of this he seemed to faze out, as if a program triggered, or he had a frayed wire. “The Falcanians murdered an entire mission, they must be punished.”
“I agree with you. The Falcanian must be dealt with and we're intending to do just that. I cannot however risk sparking a conflict at this time.” The Imperator grinned. “There are secrets I wish to learn from these Falcanian. Our intelligence tells us they are building a fleet of foldships. We wish to learn how far along they are and if they will be a hazard to our own expansion.”
Politics. Styx was glad the helmet masked his dismay. He always discovered his own plans to save the human race hindered by the political and military agenda of his Imperator. Had he the power, the bishop would reduce all of Vanguard Island to ash. These Falcanian were unclean heathens not worthy of the Light. They did not submit themselves to the Thirteen Jahs. How could The One, the only true God permit them to contaminate his creation? Thoughts of this stain caused Styx to twitch under his bucket helmet.
[Japan: Yokohama Port November 12, 2030]
The dock was full of people boarding and leaving ships. At the moment, Frederika gazed into the water, lost in deep thought while she fingered the Thor's Hammer around her neck which Oberon gave her before she had left for Japan and said to her that it would bring good fortune. Oberon was not a man to express such notions as luck, that he had done so for this operation greatly disturbed her.
Other women soon joined Frederika on the dock. Frederika noticed most of them were dark-haired and busty. A few were Japanese, a mix of other Asians and noticeably a handful of Eastern Europeans were among the exotic dancers destined to entertain the Falcanian Khan.There were about twenty girls in all. Only one other blonde aside from herself waited for the master of the ship, the Chrysanthemum Maru, to allow them to board and head for Vanguard Island. Frederika eyed the other woman critically. The other blonde was much shorter than she, and not nearly as built. Frederika would stand out she hoped and catch Hawk's eye.
Frederika had already begun to fashion her plan of seduction.
“You're new?”
The Morningstar girl turned, Frederika came eye to eye with a lithe black haired woman about her age. The girl's amber eyes were filled with a sense of adventure. Her complexion a fair tan, and her features teasingly exotic. Frederika guessed this girl to be a mix of European and Asian heritage. “I am.” She was new to all this, though she surmised that this girl had taken this trip at least once before.
“Mia Smrhova.” The girl and extended her hand.
“Frederika Gotha.” Frederika smiled back and took the offered hand. “So you've been to Vanguard Island before?”
“This is my second time. The Shotar asked me back.”
Before the two women could continue their conversation, the ships' captain called them aboard. Although he was an older Japanese man, he spoke clear English and instructed them to hand over their paperwork as they walked up the gangplank. After they boarded the ship, the dancer's luggage was taken to their cabins and they were instructed to wait on the deck for the Falcanian representative to introduce himself.
What caught Frederika's eye about the ship's crew were the many Techno-Samurai which stood at attention along the upper deck. The Shogun honored his friend with this display of the personal vassals sent to guard the precious cargo on its trip to Vanguard Island. All the samurai kept a hand on their long daito blade hilts. These guards were enhanced with cybernetic implants which sped up their reflexes and agility. In return, it made them even more efficient killers. They could slice an opponent in half with ease and in the blink of an eye.
While they waited for the Falcanian to appear, Frederika struck up her conversation with Mia once again, and hoped to glean more details about their hosts. “Mia, tell me about these Falcanians.”
The black haired girl grinned. “They’re an interesting people.”
“Is it true, do they have wings?”
“They... Are not like us.”
Frederika hid her irritation and pushed forward. “Und what does that mean?”
“Genetic engineering has remade them into creatures more than human. The Japanese term for Falcanians is Arashitenshi, stormangels. Yes they have –”
“I am Ch'Kran, of the house
of Trakan,” boomed a baritone voice.
All heads turned as the owner stepped onto deck. Concealed in a charcoal cloak the Falcanian walked before the gathered females. He carried himself with an heir of superiority. Slowly he turned to inspect his charges, the exotic dancers meant for his Lord Drakonis's pleasure.
“Ch'Kran means 'he who brings chaos and strife',” Mia whispered. “A Telchar, one of they're religious figures. Like angels, –”
Ch'Kran's sapphire eyes zeroed in on the two women. The inner talon of his right tri-claw boot tapped on the deck. “I am the Padishah Shotar, Sharr Khan Mingh Drakonis's eyes in the outer kingdom. What I see, he sees.”
The Falcanian stared directly at Frederika. She swallowed hard at the Falcanian as she met his gaze. He projected an animal magnetism which she had never felt from any other human being. A primal surge coursed out of the cloaked being and penetrated her own core.
He had white-bronze skin, yet his features were hard to place. At moments they seemed very Asian, but when she looked again they appeared European. Her eyes fell to the tri-clawed boot and its robotic talon that clacked on the deck. For a brief moment she noticed what she thought to be an armored tail.
Ch'Kran walked over to her, grinned. “Very lovely. Exquisite.”
Frederika didn't flinch as he touched her cheek. It wasn't the first time a horny male pushed into her boundaries, she had encountered more than her share given her profession as a spy for her nation, yet Frederika had never been inspected like this. She was surprised at herself. It wouldn't have been the first time she'd had to put a male in his place. But with this Falcanian, she couldn't help herself and let the unasked for contact go without reproach.
“Good. You do not flinch. I think Sharr will like you.” Ch’Kran grinned. “My Lord enjoys haughty women.”
The Falcanian turned his attention back to the rest of the females to finish the inspection. A few minutes later, he stepped on a small podium. “The Falcanian Khanate bids you welcome. Once we reach Vorkrür, your time among us shall be filled with many interesting sights. All your needs will be tended to. Food, clothing, and anything else that will make your stay with us more pleasant shall be provided. When you leave, you shall receive many gifts as compensation for your time. We Falcanians only ask that you obey our law and respect our traditions.”Again Ch'Kran glanced at Frederika. “In your cabins, you will find the first of your gifts given to you by my Lord Sharr Khan. Go now and rest. We have a long journey ahead.”
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