Dressed like an Eskimo, he exited the house and jogged all the way to the castle. By the time he reached the main hall where the meeting was being held, his teeth were chattering. He stood underneath the entryway, struggling to put on his translator device with trembling hands. He saw the young Surrealan king sitting in his usual seat, at the head of the dining table that was at the furthest end of the room from the entrance, raised on a wooden platform.
Yudit spotted him. “Come in.” He waved at John. “Have a seat.”
John pressed the small activation button as he briskly walked forward. Sitting comfortably in their seats on either side of the table were the Starr men, Gorwin Starsun, and several others he did not know, but assumed were the Space Guardians. There were metal mugs in front of each of them.
“I’m sorry I’m late.” John sat in the only available seat, between Asher and Andros Starr. Those he knew nodded their greetings.
“Not at all,” replied Yudit. “You are just in time.” He waved for a maid to come forth. “Please bring our guest some hot tea.”
The maid quickly did as he instructed. She placed a mug and a small bag of herbs on a dish in front of John. She poured hot, steaming water into the mug with a smile.
John bowed his head to her. “Thank you.” He dropped the bag of herbs into the steaming water.
“My fellow Guardians,” Kenner gestured to John, “This is Seacat John McCall from the Sea-anan Empire. Seacat, these are my fellow Space Guardians.” As he named each Guardian, they bowed their heads in greeting. “Hayden. Ryo. Jared. And the Black brothers, Jase and Thane. Now that John is here, what updates do you have on the war?”
“We do not have much to report,” began Guardian Ryo in a deep baritone voice.
John saw he was a Medlothian. Unlike the Starr men who were athletic in form or Gorwin who was more robust, Ryo was over-the-top muscular. He wore a silver chain around his head like the others. The silver medallion in the center had a rock pattern to it. The man’s eyes were metallic brown with a speck of white light that shone in the center. A tattoo of brown rocks surrounded his eyes.
“Then tell us what you know,” encouraged Yudit.
Ryo bowed his head. “What we know is that Daehog’s carnage is spreading. The Dominion seems to be everywhere. We are doing our best to answer all the emergency hails received at Space Control. More than not, we arrive too late.”
“They have enslaved many,” continued Guardian Jase. “Countless more have been left dead.” He shook his head sadly. “Many races have been left virtually extinct.”
The room grew silent. The king’s attention lowered to the table. All the servants in the room stopped what they were doing upon hearing the Guardian’s words. The same thought crossed all their minds.
John’s hands closed into fists. It was not what he wanted to hear. It meant his warriors were not strong enough to put an end to Daehog’s carnage. He had to return, but not alone. He would gather as many fighters as he could and rejoin his fellow Seacats and Sea Rangers in their plight to stop Daehog.
John raised his mug to his lips and regarded Jase over the rim. Jase’s midnight-black hair, worn to the shoulders, made his skin appear depleted of blood. His bluish lips and pupil-less, obsidian eyes made it worse. His brother Thane looked the same, only with shorter hair. John had seen this race once before. The fangless, vampiric ship merchant on Cerko must have been from the same planet.
“How far have they spread?” Andros’s voice broke the silence.
“Where have they not gone, is more like it,” Guardian Hayden said finally. “Surprisingly, there are a handful of planets that have not been attacked yet. Like Mammon and Cerko.”
“And Surreal,” murmured Yudit.
Hayden nodded.
“Why?” questioned Sirius.
Hayden shrugged his shoulders. “Perhaps the Dominion feels these planets are not worth the effort.”
John studied Hayden’s appearance. He was less frightening to look at, even though he appeared to be of canine descent. From his skin coloration, he was a Doberman, without the protruding muzzle. It seemed all creatures were capable of evolving into humanoid species. John’s gaze dropped to the table. He did not want to meet a spider race. The Senarians—on his side of the universe—were bad enough with their six arms.
“More likely, they have not gotten around to it,” said Thane.
“What has Space Control decided to do?” asked Gorwin.
Ryo answered. “What else can they do? Headquarters has joined the Seacats and Sea Rangers. They informed Sev of their decision and updated him on the situation in our jurisdiction.”
“When did they last speak to Sev?” asked John.
“Six months ago,” continued Ryo. “Sev informed Space Control that he has departed Oceanica. He is now with the Sea-anan Seacats in their part of space.”
John frowned. Why would Sev leave his home to help them? After so many years of not seeing one another, they were like strangers.
“Why?” he wondered aloud.
Ryo regarded John closer. “To help defeat Daehog. Why else?”
The Starr men and Gorwin all looked at John. John knew they understood what he meant, but he still felt the need to explain to the others.
“Sev had never heard of the Sea-anan Seacats or Sea Rangers. They were formed after the destruction of Oceana. Sev has no loyalties toward us. If his surviving citizens are in transit, then he should be making sure their new homeland is secure and ready for their arrival. Why would a king leave his world and citizens unprotected?”
Yudit nodded his agreement.
John lifted his palms in a questioning gesture. “Plus, that was six months ago. Has your headquarters heard from him since? Do they know if he left alone, or were there others with him? Did anyone stay behind to protect Oceanica?”
Ryo shook his head. “That was all they said to us.”
John scrutinized each Guardian. The Guardians’ shifty eyes and subtle uneasiness seemed suspicious. His senses told him they were holding something back.
“You’re lying.”
Andros and Asher quickly turned their attentions from John to the newcomers. King Yudit, Gorwin, and Kenner stared at John disapprovingly.
Sirius sat forward in his seat. “John, why would they lie to us?”
“Sev said something else.” John glowered. “What did he say?”
The newcomers sent each other side-glances. Asher sat straighter in his seat. Andros’s hands curved into fists. Besides John, they seemed to be the only ones who noticed the odd behavior. John started to growl.
“Answer him!” snapped Asher and Andros together.
Hayden conceded. “All right.”
Gorwin and Kenner shared a puzzled look. Sirius’s lips parted in surprise.
“Sev told Space Control that the Aligned Worlds had fallen apart,” revealed Hayden.
“What?” John jumped to his feet. “That’s not possible!”
Asher grasped John’s forearm and motioned for him to retake his seat. “Did he explain what happened?” he asked.
“He said the reason was fear and loss of faith,” Jared said.
John’s attention fixed on the Medlothian. Jared was heavier set than the other Medlothians at the table. He had short metallic-green hair and eyes. The white light in the center of his eyes shone brightly. The carving on the silver medallion at his forehead was a leaf. The tattoos around his eyes were dark green leaves.
“The Ambassadors believed all those of the ruling clan were dead. Without a ruling clan member or the queen, they felt there was no one qualified to lead the surviving warriors to victory. The Ambassadors were leaving Sea Base Five when he arrived.”
“What happened?” prodded Asher.
“Did any of them leave?” inquired Andros.
“Sev said he managed to save the alliance,” replied Jared.
“He managed to save the alliance.” Taking Asher’s advice, John sat back down. His features twiste
d in doubt. He shook his head and chuckled. “I don’t think so.”
“Why?” asked Jase. “He is the Seacat king.”
“Not our king!” snapped John, all humor gone.
The new arrivals and Yudit regarded him harshly. Asher squeezed his forearm. John understood his friend’s gesture. The Space Guardians were highly respected in this region of space, and his behavior toward them was improper. However, John chose to ignore Asher’s counsel on this account. The new arrivals needed to know who was in charge. Being a McCall, there was no way someone was going to tell him that the Oceanans were calling the shots in McCall, Blaisdale, and Moonstar territory.
John spoke loud and clear into his translator’s microphone. “The Sea-anan Empire is ruled by a woman. Empress Areo. And she is single. I would know. I’m her eldest brother.”
A ripple of surprise traveled along those who sat around him. John remembered he had not told his new friends that he was related to the queen.
“Then you are a member of the ruling clan,” stated Jase.
“Firstborn in the McCall clan. I am, also, a member of the queen’s Council of Elders. If the alliance was saved, then I’m certain there were other ruling clan members present at the gathering. Sev may have spoken a word or two, but it was the presence of the ruling clan that saved the alliance.”
Hayden nodded. “There were some there, but still—”
John banged his fist on the table. “Still nothing!” His eyes ignited in rage and insult. “The McCalls, Blaisdales, and Moonstars rule that territory! No one has authority over us!” He glared at each set of eyes, daring any of them to dispute it.
None did.
Kenner cleared his throat. “Is there more to report?”
Ryo spoke up. “We were told that Sev had asked Space Control to send ships to—” He paused. His gaze crashed with John’s.
Andros quickly looked from John to Ryo. “To where?”
Ryo glanced at his fellow Guardians, unsure if he should say more.
“What’s wrong?” asked Asher.
Thane continued. “Sev asked Space Control to send aid to planets Earth, Laaren, and Aaren.”
John jumped forward in his seat. “What! Why?”
“They are under Dominion rule,” revealed Jase.
Andros’s eyes whipped toward John.
A buzzing developed in John’s head. His limbs grew weak. He plopped back in his chair.
Asher quickly grabbed John’s drink and placed it before his lips. “Drink your tea.”
As the buzzing subsided, John slowly registered the cup. He reached for it with trembling hands and drank.
“Now breathe. Slowly,” instructed Asher.
“It will be all right.” Andros tried to console him.
“Several Guardian ships have already been dispatched to Laaren and Aaren to aid in reclaiming that sector,” informed Jared. “One of us here will lead half of this fleet to Earth to aid the Seacats and Sea Rangers in that part of space.”
“I will do it.” Andros glanced at John.
Jared nodded his approval. “The other half will be under Guardian Starsun’s command.” He addressed Gorwin. “You are to patrol the space around Oceanica until Lord Sev arrives. You are to fight with him in this sector.”
Gorwin bowed his head in acknowledgment.
Asher shook John’s shoulder. John took a deep breath to help control his emotions. He met Asher’s metallic-blue eyes and nodded his thanks. Asher smiled and patted his shoulder. John turned to Andros.
“I’ll keep an eye out for them,” Andros said softly.
John understood that Andros meant he would search for surviving McCalls.
“Thank you.”
“What about Azeroth?” Gorwin asked. “Of all the planets, they are the most vulnerable. We can’t leave them unprotected.”
John could not believe a planet existed that was more vulnerable than Surreal.
“We will not survive another attack, either.” Yudit finally spoke. He gestured to the left wall. “All the men you see out there are armed warriors. I have made certain of that. But there are few of us. I doubt any of them would leave their families unprotected to fight in this war.”
John quickly thought of Bogdan. He placed his cup on the table.
“And since we are barely existing, I cannot ask them to. You have seen for yourselves, we do not have enough weapons or ships. We are defenseless. If, and when, the Dominion arrives here, we will be lost.”
Jase finished his tea. “We understand. But unfortunately, this war has not only taken countless civilian lives—it has also taken Space Guardians. We have lost many of our sisters and brothers. Those of us left are spread thin.”
“We promise we will do the best we can to protect this planet, King Yudit.” Ryo met Gorwin’s eyes. “And Azeroth. But we do not have enough Guardians to be everywhere at once.”
“Or to leave on any planet,” added Thane.
John read the concern on Gorwin and Yudit’s faces. He understood Yudit’s desire to protect his citizens. He felt the same about his own people. As for Gorwin, he was a kindhearted man who dedicated his life to protecting the innocents. John thought of Mira and the twins, Audra, and the elders. Bogdan would be alone in protecting them. They were all friends of Jasira, his beloved. He could not leave them unprotected.
“As soon as I get back,” John told Yudit, “I will send whatever White Star I can to remain here to aid you in this war.” He turned to Gorwin. “And to Azeroth.”
Both men seemed surprised he would make such an offer.
King Yudit voiced his question before Gorwin could. “You would do this for us?”
John half-smiled. “Despite a few things that have happened, I have developed some emotional ties. And I won’t be happy if anything happens to the people I care about.”
Yudit bowed his head. “Thank you, Seacat.”
“Yes, thank you,” Gorwin said.
Ryo lifted the mug to his lips. “It does not seem like enough.”
John did not miss the mumbled words. He carefully considered the man. A question developed in his mind. He was about to voice it when Asher did it for him.
“Why do you say that?”
Ryo replied, “The Dominion is strong in numbers and in strength. For every success we have, there are double the failures. How are we going to win?”
“By sticking together and not giving up,” answered John.
“John’s right.” Gorwin viewed his fellow Guardians, one by one. “Twenty-one years ago, the Space Guardians were faced with the same odds. The Terrorshans were just as strong as the Dominion. We lost many races then, also. But we did not give up hope. Nor did we stop fighting. In the end, we were victorious. Why? Because we banded together and fought for what we believed in—peace. We are again faced with a tyrant. This time we have new allies.” He looked at John. “The Sea-anan Seacats and Sea Rangers.”
“And together we will fight until Daehog and the Dominion falls,” finished John, lifting his cup in the air.
They all raised their cups in agreement.
Thane placed his empty mug on the table and stood from his seat. “King Yudit, thank you for your hospitality.”
King Yudit rose from his seat. “You are always welcome on Surreal. May your voyage in space be a safe one.”
Thane dipped his head.
“What time tonight will your fleet be departing?” Yudit asked.
“Tonight?” John anxiously regarded the Space Guardians as they each thanked Yudit.
Ryo stood and bowed to King Yudit. “It will take Andros almost a year to reach Earth—”
“If the war has not been lost by then,” interrupted Hayden, standing up.
“Therefore,” Ryo said, giving Hayden a piercing glare, “we must leave tonight.” He addressed Yudit. “Departure is scheduled for ten this evening. That should give our brothers here enough time to retrieve their wives and belongings.” He smiled at Gorwin and Kenner.
“More than enough time.” Kenner bowed to the Surrealan king. “Thank you, Lord Yudit.”
“Good luck, Kenner. Return safely.”
“I shall try.” Kenner turned to his son. “Sirius, please get our horses ready.”
“Of course.” Sirius left the room first.
Andros was close behind him. “I’ll help.”
The Space Guardians were the next to leave. King Yudit walked toward his office, speaking in hushed tones with Gorwin and Kenner.
John remained in his seat. His thoughts switched to Jasira. He had not expected to be leaving so soon. He did not want to leave his soulmate’s side. It was sacrilege to consider it. But he had a responsibility as a Seacat to defend the universe. He could not turn his back on innocent lives.
“Are you all right?”
John looked up from the wooden table. Asher stood beside him.
“I know you were not expecting to leave so soon. But we are at war. It will not wait for us. Lives are being ended as we speak.”
“I know.” John covered his face. “But Jasira’s my soulmate. How can I leave her?”
“You are not leaving her for good. You will return.”
“In the end, and if I’m lucky.” He lowered his hands. “How long is this war going to last? It’s been two years since the attack on Sea Base Ten. How long am I going to be away from my wife?” He searched Asher’s blue eyes. “We might not see our wives for another year…maybe two. How am I going to endure that?” He pointed to Asher. “How are you?”
Asher took in a deep breath. “I’m hoping it will not take that long.”
“What if it does?”
Asher considered his question. “Then we’ll take a trip to Surreal—together—on one of your fastest ships. Until then, we must bid our wives good-bye. I will see you tonight. Find Jasira and spend your last hours with her.”
John watched the young Medlothian exit the room. He knew Asher was right. Still, there was no way he would be able to stay away from Jasira for very long. Staying away for five days was painful enough. He stood from his seat and headed to the main exit.
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