As they reached the summit of the steps Sharr Khan knelt before Ambika Sen. She was the only woman in all the Khanate Sharr would kneel before. The matriarch reached out and touched Sharr on the side of his face.
“Namaste,” greeted Ambika in the traditional Hindu manner. “Welcome home, Sharr.”
Ambika spoke with a softly accented voice, indicating her upper class youth and an education spent while in Europe.
“Maa,” Nadia reached out and held her mother.
“It’s good to see you again, Nadia.” Ambika looked her daughter up and down. “You look well, child.”
The Grand Dame glanced past her daughter and noticed her grandchildren, Ariel and Sitara. Out of habit, Ariel joined her grandmother on the steps. Kuras was where she had become most comfortable. Beside Sitara, Kulcarin waited respectfully.
“Sitara,” Ambika said, hugging her granddaughter. “It has been such a long while since I’ve seen you. Always off in space.”
“Nani,” Sitara greeted in Bengali.
Ambika smiled. “Kulcarin, it pleases me to know that you shall be Sitara's Rakja.”
“I shall do her and the Imperial family honor, my great lady,” the Drakorian proclaimed with a gallant bow of his head while giving the claw-on-fist salute.
Sharr motioned for Frederika to join him. “This is Frederika Gisela von Gotha, Duchess of Saxe-Coburg.”
Frederika stepped forward and gave a well-practiced Namaste. To see this girl actually shook Ambika’s clinical reserve. She moved a pace closer to the young woman and took hold of her. Ambika Sen marveled at the product of her husband's work
“Yes!” Ambika exclaimed. “Yes, I see my beloved Turhan's work in you. Just as he said you would be sculpted from the Radiun90. So beautiful and fit.”
“Where is Shuriken?” The Shotar asked, surprised to find that his Viceroy was absent.
“Shuriken conducts troop maneuvers today,” the Grand Matriarch said. “He assures me he will attend dinner this evening and be at tomorrow's ceremony.”
Swoop, thud, roll.
The figure rolled over and looked up at the blonde woman. Coming to his full height, the Falcanian took one step forward and tilted his head. His hair was uncontrolled and spiked in every direction. He wore goggles so large it amazed everyone that they stayed on his head.
A mischievous grin over came his thinly bearded face. The Falcanian male's ears, distorted from being hit in the head too many times in the combat ring, twitched like he picked up sounds beyond those of normal human hearing.
“You're the new her, I presume? The other 'plastic woman'?”
Plastic woman? Frederika thought bemused, not sure if she should be insulted or not. She offered her hand and he shook it slowly. “Frederika Gotha.”
“Shuriken Kra.”
Frederika studied Shuriken, in an attempt to figure him out. Her first impression was not that of a great general as she had imagined, but that of an eccentric prankster.
ISG Kra toggled a switch on the side of his goggles, glanced again at the girl. He walked around her to the left and adjusted them again, shifted the focus and different filters. The sound of tiny motors within the goggles could be heard. “Hmm,” the Viceroy said to himself. “He sure knows how to pick them.”
Frederika shifted her weight to one leg and crossed her arms. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Wow.” He shook his head, his grin reappearing. “Perfect. This one's a keeper.”
“I'd like to know what those goggles do.”
Kra clicked something on his eye wear. He spread his wings and jumped into the air where he hovered on his jets. “And an attitude to match. Great! See you around.”
Then the Imperial Strato-General was gone.
Ch’Kran Trakan escorted Frederika into the large antechamber, which unlike the rooms in the palace on Vanguard Island were square rather than round in shape. Trakan ushered the girl towards the raised dais where Sharr Khan sat on his carved throne, looking over papers. “My Lord? The Lady Frederika is here as you requested.”
“Thank you, Trakan. Please excuse us.” He waved his majordomo away.
Trakan bowed and drew the doors closed as he exited. Frederika, clad in tight black pants and a lace-up bodice, walked toward him. Sharr sat back and absorbed her movements with his eyes. He noted the precision of each step, the slowness of her pace. She was purposely making him anxious. There was no doubt; seduction built into her composition.
Perhaps ten paces away, she halted. “I think I met your friend today.”
“Friend?” Sharr shifted in his seat. “I have many. To whom do you refer?”
“Kra. Deformed ears? Acts kind of strange and speaks randomly?”
He motioned her to come forward again. “Ah, yes. Shuriken Kra. I’ve known him many years.”
She took several more steps and stopped. “What’s with the goggles?”
“A defining characteristic, to be sure, he is never without them.”
Frederika came closer and placed one foot on the dais. “It seemed like he focused on me for a long time and constantly adjusted his goggles. It was almost uncomfortable.”
Sharr threw his head back in laughter. A surprising open expression of joy as he so guarded his emotions. “The answer is quite simple, really. Not many know this, except for Vron who designed the goggles and me who know the true nature of that device. You see, they are equipped with myriad abilities, such as night vision, heat sensors, radar.”
“What is so funny about that?” she asked.
Sharr laughed again. “You can be sure what he sees, I see.”
He motioned to a flat monitor on his right. The image on the screen was Frederika, arms crossed, weight shifted to her left leg.
Before the dais, Frederika raised one eyebrow.
“He was looking through your clothes.” Sharr managed over his laughter even though he attempted to not show his amusement yet utterly failed.
“What?” Frederika’s jaw dropped. “He... he did not. He...”
“Yes, it’s true.”
She stood speechless as the information sank in. “A bit – forward!” She shook her head after a moment. “Und,” she said haltingly. “He called me a 'plastic woman'. What does that mean?”
Despite himself, Sharr flushed. “Its a reference to Morningstar construction.” Oh yes, Sharr realized, Frederika has been raised under the misconception that she was a product of genetic engineering rather than the result of biorobotics. “Nadia always sort of laughed at that description by Shuriken. Not that either of you are really plastic.”
“Why did you send for me?”
“There’s something I wish to show you.”
Glancing down at the papers in Sharr's hands, Frederika noticed the strange calligraphy. “That is not the Kaliburn. What script is that?”
“This,” Sharr said, “is an older form of Falcanian handwriting called Trikash, preferred for use in shorthand.”
Frederika sighed. While she studied the new script, Sharr studied the emotions behind her eyes.
“What's the matter, Rika?”
“It's Sitara. I fear that she has grown to hate me.”
“She'll come around and trust you again. Give her time.”
“Trust,” she echoed, her emerald eyes full of concern. “Don't trust Oberon, Sharr, even if he is your brother. I've come to learn he acts for his own agenda.”
Not really wishing to talk about the matter, Sharr changed the subject. “I supposed Mia and Sabina are pleased to learn that they are to be your ladies-in-waiting?”
“They're a bit confused by recent developments,” Frederika admitted. “Becoming Falcanian will improve both their lives I think.” She knew making that demand of Sharr was the correct action on her part. Both young women deserved better lives. At least she would not be going into this alone.
“What is it you wanted to show me?” Frederika asked.
Sharr stood, took Frederika by her arm. “Come.”
“By Wotan!” Frederika gasped.
A series of FS-9 Raptors flew overhead. Stronghold troops marched in formation inside the mountain. Below the scaffolding on which she stood, workers armed both Falcanian warriors and their war machines as they prepared for their day to strike.
Sounds of metal welding on to equipment filled the massive hollowed-out base within the Himalayas. Troops of all ranks and orders marched in formation or conducted elaborate combat exercises “on the wing” as they soared around the base in disciplined formations.
There came a swish in the air. Frederika watched a Falcanian worker launch himself up to a girder and push a pallet of weapons hanging on a crane onto a transport. Attached into ports along the wall, like bats nested in a cave the FS-9 Raptors docked and allowed for their crews to disembark.
Sharr came up behind his duchess and held her by her shoulders. “We shall become masters of the Earth by the might of this army.”
Frederika stiffened. That notion of Sharr's chilled her. “It is not such a wise plan, my lord. You... we have Vanguard Island and this province. Surely trying to wrest the globe from the hands of the Imperium will cost us dearly.”
“Nadia said something similar,” Sharr confessed. “She worries we tangle with a rabid beast.”
“We are!” Frederika wheeled around. “JR Giovanni acts only out of revenge and hatred for the worlds abandonment.”
To see this massive army in person was an amazing experience. She realized her decision to join the Falcanians was the right one. Even with her misgivings about the war plan, she could see a possibility of victory.
One of the warriors below caught sight of their Shotar. He saluted and the others in the massive stronghold followed in his lead. The sound of the booming cheer made the blonde smile. For a moment Frederika's fears of the conflagration she would be part of subsided.
“Our blood burns,” the Tahru cleric intoned. Repeating the holy words of the Falcanian mating rite, the cleric outstretched his arms to enfold the couple. He wore a deep blue cowl that almost concealed his whole face. The light from the saffron candles in the temple reflected off the triangular green bindi adorning his forehead.
Veiled in a gossamer red wrap Sitara's violet eyes were filled with warmth and joy. In a loving touch beside the holy prayer lamp Sitara and Kulcarin joined two fingers together. The bride's choli and lehnga glistened with pure threads of platinum woven into the luxurious red fabric. Eight pointed stars fashioned from gold were stitched into the wedding ensemble, each one catching the light of the holy lamp to reflect its burning light onto the witnesses who encircled the couple.
As tradition demanded, all present stood around the large lamp in bare feet as the scent of sandalwood filled the air.
“Our souls seek the stars. Our hearts beat with tairlok,” continued the Tahru cleric. “You are tierkel and valka, Falcania's Heart beats at your core.” The cleric waved a stick of cleansing incense around the couple. “Thrice around the lamp pass. Let your bond be forged in fire. Let its might alight your souls. May Falcania's hammer forge a strong tharrin from within you as her hammer made three shards into a single mighty blade.”
Together Sitara and Kulcarin circled the blue domed telhri which burned with oil, repeating in the steps of those who had first laid the foundations of the Falcanian Khanate. The light of the Telchar cast its radiance upon the newly joined couple.
Drums hammered a steady thump upon anvils and raised the sexual tensions inside the marriage temple toward a feverish pitch. Everything in the ceremony affirmed fertility and the bride's holiness as a bearer of eggs.
On their last round the lamp the couple turned to look at the cleric.
“Sip now this tea. The bitterness and sweetness of love.” The cleric poured a dark spicy brew into a green mug from an iron kettle.
Sitara pulled back her veil and sipped from the smoky tea, grown only on Vanguard’s shores. She handed the cup to her new mate.
“My T'krin, I declare thee! Protectoress of Darr and clutch,” Kulcarin boldly stated and then sipped from the cup at the spot where Sitara had just drank.
“Rakja I declare thee, sire of my offspring,” Sitara murmured in response.
Kulcarin placed a collar around her neck on which the Aranskrai emblem of the Iron-Sun was emblazoned. In return, Sitara fastened a gold band onto to Kulcarin's upper arm. On it was a single stylized thread of DNA. A symbol of one T'krin, but should he take other mates a new thread would be added to the armband.
Sharr's eyes strayed in the direction of Frederika. She was decked out in a green ensemble chosen for her by Nadia. Apparently the young Duchess greatly enjoyed the party as she showed by dancing and drinking to her heart's content. Beside her, Mia and Sabina danced with each other. Certainly many of the males in the room were pleased with Frederika's presence, though very few dared make an approach and the ones that did so she politely entertained and teased.
Sharr hardly could believe it when Shuriken pulled the blonde aside. He kept up a steady stream of hilarious teasing to which she reacted with amusement. An unusual action to be certain, Kra did not have a particular need to always be surrounded by females. Mostly to Shuriken women simply were just there.
At their table the Shotar noticed his daughter behaved as the perfect blushing bride. Sitara smiled and thanked her and Kulcarin's well wishers. Nadia hovered by the couple expressing her thanks to those who offered gifts to the newly mated pair.
“I love this room,” Nadia sighed.
Sharr unlatched the front of his jaal jacket. “Why?”
“You, I and Shalimar had a lot of fun in here.”
She noticed a twitch at mention of Shalimar, yet didn’t linger upon it. Nadia had faith that Sharr and Shalimar’s issues would resolve themselves soon enough. Nadia smiled and helped her mate remove his ox-blood vest.
“Our children were born here,” she added. “Remember?”
“Shreik bursting through those doors to tell us a nuclear bomb had been detonated over the United States stands out in my memory.” He frowned at the sharp recollection of his then majordomo as he charged into the room to wake himself, Nadia, and Shalimar with news of the nuking of America clear in his thoughts.
A sense of mischief overcame Nadia. Her body felt like it had begun to vibrate and then her awareness shifted, becoming two beings.
“You are ready.”
“Ready?” Nadia asked as she felt the AI occupy her body.
“Ripe and prepared to reproduce. Your child will be filled with the might of the Telchar. A worthy successor to Sharr Khan shall come from this mating.”
Nadia’s awareness returned to the room. Sharr held her by the chin, making her look up at him, lust burning in his gray-blue eyes. Sharr Khan undid the string of Nadia’s cobalt choli, the soft fabric fell away, her ample breasts exposed erect nipples ready for his pleasure. With a light nudge he pushed her onto the nest, there came a clang of bangles and she let out a breathless sigh.
Nadia leaned back, and looked up at her Shotar, now clad only in gold bands and elaborate earrings. Her brown mane hung wild about her face. He moved on top of her and forced her hands over her head, kissing her lush lips.
Hours later after they fulfilled themselves the couple lay in the nest.
She kneaded Sharr's chest with her manicured nails, Nadia traced the birthmark shaped like an infinity symbol over his heart. She leaned down, and kissed him on his lips. “It has been a while since you've made love to me like that.”
“Really?” Sharr Khan cupped one of his mate's breasts, playfully pinching it. “We do it all the time.” His free hand patted her hind end. “You were different as well.”
Nadia smiled, aware that the AI had possessed her. She and Falcania both experienced the intercourse with the Shotar and it had an indelible impact upon the other that would add a new depth to the AI’s life.
“What I mean is you have gotten into the habit of throwing me down and fucking me. Not that it’s ba
d, I just sometimes think that you only see me as your egg layer, not your wife and companion.” She leaned down and kissed his neck. “Tonight I felt like you loved me as you did long ago. It was like our first time.”
“Bright Eyes, you are my T'Kara,” he assured her. “I do love you. Never forget that.” Sharr ran a string of her hair through his fingers. “And as I recall the first time we had sex, I did throw you down and bang you after an argument. An argument that you provoked if I remember correctly?”
Nadia couldn't help but giggle a bit. She had deliberately provoked that fight all those years before, seeking the passionate response he had given her.
“Tell me,” Sharr ran his finger over the ridge of her pointed ear. “Why did you not mention your suspicions about Frederika sooner?”
Her brown tresses washed over his chest, smiling as she felt his erection. He was primed to take her once more.
“You’re a distrustful man.” She nibbled on him, moving downward toward his freshly erect phallus. “There was no need to rouse your worries without certainty. Have I not always acted with your best interests?”
“Always, love,” he said. “Frederika tells me to not trust Oberon.”
She looked up at him with her brilliant gaze. “I agree. Once I either prove or disprove his claims then we can decide how to act. He very well could be your brother.” She knew this would be a touchy subject for her mate. “Will you be angry? If Oberon is whom he claims, that means Uric abandoned you…”
“T'Kara you know I’ve always assumed my mother had good reason to cut my father out of my life.”
Just then Krürashi leapt up into the Imperial couples nest.
“How did we come to have the cat?” Sharr asked as he patted the beast's head. It purred, pressing its body against the Shotar.
“I believe Kulcarin sent him away. They deserve some private time, even away from their pets.” A wry gleam entered her eye. “Surely you remember what that first night was like, Sharr?”
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