She gave a nod. “This way.” She told him. He and his men fell in behind her. Her people picking up the rear.
***
Callister continued to mutter as she sowed. If Lea hadn’t been in so much pain, she’d have found it amusing. It was Callister’s way of complaining. They all knew it. She wasn’t happy at the damage Lea was in. Lea took another drink. She wasn’t particularly happy about it either. Her cup was re-filled and she thanked the woman. Her make shift command centre, a large tent, was filled with their warriors. Sarafina and Josey with her. Some strategic planners, some soldiers, others, dealing with the mechanics of fighting a war. A few others served to support them. Lea didn’t like them in the field. They were not trained, not battle hardened, they could all use a knife or gun if needed, but it wasn’t the same. It made them vulnerable and that, didn’t sit well with her.
She saw Kariden approach followed by several amazingly large men. The light of day starting to drop behind the hills. Had someone blocked out the sun? She thought looking them over. They were over twice the size of Kariden and she wasn’t any wilting flower. Lea’s mouth watered as she looked at the leader. There was no denying the power and strength there. Each of them carrying faces that could melt hearts. All of them good looking and without doubt, deadly. The one in the front, caught her eye again, as he constantly scanned around him. Lea liked that. Like her, he didn’t like surprises. Kariden came in and moved towards her, lent in and whispered. “I don’t think they are with the others.” She pulled back and looked at Lea. She got the message. These were new. Lea had to agree. They weren’t like the others.
“We’re not.” The lead male told her. Lea jumped and hissed at a particular nasty cut being scaled closed. She closed her eyes for a moment at the pain.
“I’m sorry child.” Callister whispered and kept going. Stopping, wouldn’t help either of them. A growl hit her. Lea lifted her head forward, opening her eyes focusing back on the lead male. She had to admit, he was magnificent. Short dark hair, over 6ft, broad. She’d bet he was packed with muscle looking at how his clothes fitted him. She felt her body heat and frowned.
Lea saw him take a step towards her. Her people closed in. “The female causes you pain.” He told her seemingly confused. “Turn off your pain receptors.” He told her. A smile crept across her face. Several things clicked for Lea. The military look of her guests, their size, their way of walking, holding themselves, taking everything in, the voice and the way he spoke. These were not human males. Not entirely anyway, thought Lea. Memories of stories handed down to her by her great great great grandfather surfaced.
“Since when do pirates buy the services of honourable Cyborgs?” She asked.
Lea thought she saw a partial smile hit his lips. “They don’t.” He told her.
Ares stood there. He was close to ripping the medic away from her. His senses ran riot with the need. His logic confused. Why had he told her to turn her pain receptors off? She was human. It was not logical.
Lea noticed his eyes never left the work Callister was doing. She knew he saw every flinch she controlled, every intake of breath. The intensity of his gaze, pulling her in. “I can taste your pain.” He told her. It sounded …. sad.
Lea took another drink and tried to control her body. She didn’t want to rationale this male’s motives or actions or her own.
“What do you want soldier. I’m in the middle of a war. If you’re here to fight. I suggest you pick the right side. Or I could just kill you now and save us both a lot of time.” She told him calmly, then looking at each of his men to make sure they got the message. She was tired and had no time for games. Callister finished her work, wiped the area and covered it. Patting her hand, she stood and leaned into Lea and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, mother.” Lea told her, then watched her leave, making sure the new comers didn’t interfere.
Ares was confused. The female who tempted him so much, allowed her mother to cause her pain in mending her wounds, then let her leave. Now that he looked at the female, he saw she was covered in similar marks. She’ been in many battles. His senses raged. His logic questioning everything. They put her in danger time and time again. He would not allow it! Why did she not use a med bed?
“I am here to speak with the leader of this community. Your world borders our sector of space. We found information of your existence and that Earth Corp has abandoned you. We were naturally concerned to find this information. We are here to help, if you need or want it and as long as you pose no threat to us, we would welcome trade, commerce, sharing our resources, we wish to live in peace with our neighbours.” He told her.
“And if we say no?” She asked fingering the blade in a thigh holder. Ares’ eyes followed each movement she made. The half-smile was back on his face.
The male shook his shoulders. Lea thought it a very human thing to do. This male had been around a lot of humans to have picked up mannerisms. “If you pose no harm to us, we leave.”
“And what will that cost us?” She asked. It was on the tip of his tongue to say only you, his body screaming to say the words, to tell her she was his mate, but he held them back. That wouldn’t have been honourable.
“Nothing,” he told her. “You don’t have to agree to anything. We only recently found this planet on the boarders of the Cyborg Empire. We have seen what happens to worlds left by Earth Corp. As I said, we would welcome trade. A place to rest when running security in this sector of space, would also be welcome. We will be defending our world and yours, in this part of space now that we know you are here. It would be mutually beneficial.”
Lea wasn’t stupid. That all sounded too good and the timing, couldn’t be better. This wasn’t the first group of men to arrive with promises of help. In the beginning, her people had accepted, then found the price had been costly. They learnt quickly. Outsiders couldn’t be trusted. But, she was no fool either. If she said no, there was a chance they’d just take it and they would lose everything. Or, they could just be what she’d been looking for.
She leant forward. “A bargain then,” she told them. “Prove you can be trusted and we can talk. You have men and we have three ships that need taking out in our space. Deal with that, put out buoy warnings of sovereign ownership around our planet, support with the clearing up and you have my attention.”
Ares gave her a slight smile. She bargained well. She’d made sure they got something out of this without commitment. He would have to be careful, Ares decided. She might be able to manoeuvre him away from his objective. She was canny, he liked that. “Done.” He told her, then turned to leave, his men going with him.
Lea didn’t like it. It’d been too easy. It fleeted across her mind that he’d been a bit too happy … “Your name soldier.” She called out as he reached the door. He half turned back to her. His men moving out his way, so he could see her.
“Ares.” He told her, then turned and continued on his way. Lea watched him leave. She knew her old world history. Ares, god of war, had apparently arrived. He did indeed look like a Greek god, she mused. The question was, was he here to save them or kill them all …
***
Ares walked back to his off-worlder. They would set up camp around it. He connected his neuro net to his second. We set camp here. Relay to the ship. Do as the female asked. Set the buoys, mark them as Cyborg Empire territory. Do we have an update on those ships?
Affirmative. We are taking them. A few hold outs nothing we can’t handle. We found prisoners. They need treatment.
Transfer them to our med bay. Treat their injuries. Any from here, arrange to bring back, the rest, send to the Station with the ships. Bring our men down to support with the clear up.
Affirmative.
Ares looked out across the battle field to the command tent on the horizon. His female was there. He liked her spunk. She commanded here. She was no simple soldier. That, he knew, could complicate matters. He would have to tread carefully. She was his and nothing, would get in the way of tha
t.
***
Lea had risen for the day to the sound of troop movements outside. The light told her it was still early. By the time she’d dealt with her visitors the day before, darkness had fallen. She’d been up for hours after that, taking last meal and talking over their offer with her senior staff. There wasn’t much else they could have done in the dark. Lea had given her orders, taken the draft her mother had left for her and gone to bed knowing her people could deal with anything that came up.
She’d washed and dressed, then headed into her ready room. Several of her staff stood around talking and looking out over the land. She walked to the table and sat down. Food and drink was placed in front of her. Lea gave her thanks and poured a drink, cut some fruit native to this land and goat cheese, and cracked open some boiled eggs. A couple of her people joined her at the table.
“Sarafina, pull back the canopy. Lets all see what’s going on.” She told her. Several of the women moved and rolled back the sides of the room. The table was positioned well with a clear view of the battle field. The cup was half way to her lips when she stopped. Hundreds of men were working the battle field clearing away the dead and making pyres. Lea sat stunned. She couldn’t ever remember seeing so many men at one time. Even those that came to battle, didn’t have that many men. They were so fucked…
A cold chill ran down her body. She couldn’t see any of her troops working with them. Fear made her blood run cold. Had they taken over in the night? “Where are our women? Our troops?”
Kariden came forward from standing in the doorway. “One of his men, told us it wasn’t suitable for ‘females’ to handle such work. That they would deal with it. We have seen to our own dead. They provided medics for our women and asked why we did not have med beds to fix our damage.” Ok thought Lea, that didn’t sound like conquerors.
Lea drank. She choose to ignore the med bed comment. They didn’t have them. “And we just allowed that?” She demanded. Kariden shook her head.
“No. But they kept herding us away. Our women were getting agitated. It would have come to blows, so I moved our people back.” She told her.
Picking up some more fruit and goat cheese, Lea ate and observed the movement of troops. By the way they moved, it was clear they were soldiers. Their work was organised and through. Weapons constantly at the ready. Guards taking up position as they moved. Lea watched as they appeared to check the men were dead. Some were moved to one side and some kind of triage was going on. Others were moved to the pyres that had been created.
“When did they arrive?” She asked.
“First light. I went out to meet them and was told they had orders to clean up as requested.” Josey told her. She looked at her both eyebrows raising. So he’d kept their bargain.
Lea could see a perimeter had been set up with his men too. Her own people were interspersed with them.
“Send word to the compound. There will not be a bombardment. They are to start work on the damage. Send word to my sister. We have company. She should join me.” Kariden gave her a nod and left. Lea wondered what her sister would think.
***
Sir we have a group of indigenous people heading our way. They appear to have come from the community some 30 miles away. Ares moved to the vid screen. A large group of women were riding towards them. He guessed that his female had called in re-enforcements. It was a small party for battle. A guard maybe?
Do we have eyes on that community?
We do. It’s fortified. No getting in there without a fight or invitation. Ares smiled. His woman was fierce. He looked forward to their next meeting. He’d scented her desire at the end of their last conversation, it filtered through her pain. He wanted to taste that again.
***
“Troops coming.” Kaiden raced in to tell her. Lea washed her hands and headed out. She saw her sister riding towards her like hell was on her heels. Lea smiled. Reserved was not Carolins way. She moved towards her and waited. Several of Ares’ men moved up to join them. A whistle sounded. Carolins whip cracked in the air as she cried out her command. Her people split in two, fanning out towards her, weapons raised. Lea felt the Cyborgs move nearer towards them. She felt no animosity, only curiosity. Carolin led the charge in, roaring out her arrival, her long black hair blowing out behind her. She stopped sharply with another crack of her whip some feet away. Her people stopping with her. It was an intimidating move, a skill they had learnt well. Scanning for the new comers.
Lea noticed one of the men that had been with Ares the day before, come forward and stare at her sister. He had a curious look about him. Lea caught Lin’s surprise at seeing him, her composure back in place quickly. Lin threw her legs over her saddle and dismounted, heading her way ignoring the male. Lea came forward and embraced her.
“You are well?” Lin asked checking her over. “Mother said you were injured, again.” She gave her a pained expression. Lea smiled. They were a close family.
“Nothing to worry about. You and the community?”
“No problems. Nothing we couldn’t kill. We have damage and some injured.” Lin looked around at Ares’ men. “I hear we have guests.” She looked the one that had stepped forward up and down. “Big aren’t they. Pretty too. Do we kill them?” She asked straight faced. Lea suppressed a smile.
“Not yet.” Lea noticed the Cyborg who’d stepped forward glaze over. “Come let’s talk.” Lea led her in. She had a feeling they were about to see company.
***
Lea updated her sister. They both looked out over what was left of the battle from the day before. A group of men were headed in their direction. Lea recognised the leader. Ares was coming to call. “They certainly look good. You think you can trust them?” Lin asked. Lea’s instincts told her ‘yes’.
“I sense no hostility. More curiosity if anything. I think we are strange to them. The fact that we are all female and what we do surprises them. We’ve no males and they do not appear to have any females in their company.”
“Female haters? Bigots?” Lea shook her head.
“I don’t think so, they appear to respect females. Not allowing our women to do jobs they considered ……. unsavoury.” Lin looked surprised.
“You allowed that?” Lea smiled.
“No. But Kaiden didn’t want a war breaking out so we stood down.” Ares came to the doorway with three of his men, including the one who showed interest in Lin. A guard turned towards her and Lea gave a nod. They walked in.
Ares’ gave a half bow, so did his men. Lea found it interesting that his bearing was more formal than the day before. “Good morning. I have an update for you on our bargain and hope, I now warrant an audience with the leader here.” Lea didn’t miss he looked over to Lin.
“Take a seat Captain Ares. I’m guessing you are, the Captain of your ship, yes?” She asked. Ares nodded at her and he and his men took seats. Lea gave a nod to Kaiden and she and Sarfina joined them. Drinks and snacks where placed on the table.
Ares turned to Lin. “I am honoured to meet you. I am the leader of my people here. And you are?” Lea watched the interaction looking for any interest on Lin’s side. She didn’t find any.
“Sister to our ruler.” Lin told him giving nothing else away. Lea noticed Ares and the one that had stepped forward earlier glaze over. It was over in an instant and his gaze fell back on her. It was intense, heated.
“I am the emissary of my people. I would request an audience with the leader of this community. Their Queen.”
Lea held his gaze. “I do not use that term. You have your audience.”
Ares gave a short nod. This female, his mate, held much power and yet, it was subdued, held back. There was no self-importance, no demand for reference and she didn’t need to make a show of her power either. That told him a great deal. Such an unassuming presence was unique in the Universe, thought Ares. He’d been to many places in his years and nearly always one thing was true, those in charge lorded it over the others. Apparently, not here.<
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“I am Captain of the battle cruiser World Challenger and Councilman Ares with the Cyborg Empire. We have taken the region of space that was once, part of Earth Corp. They’re ignorance, negligence and lack of judgement, placed lives at risk and forfeited them their Space Station. It had been attacked by pirate’s and taken over, the people decimated. We took it back and under salvage law, it fell to us. That sector of space is now under our protection. We have good trade routes with other planets as well as commercial enterprises in many sectors of space. We have secure travel routes between worlds. And a number of contracts with those other worlds, providing goods and materials to others who buy or barter for it.
“In our research on Earth Corp, we found information on new worlds we had no knowledge of. More recently, during another rescue mission, we found Earth Corp didn’t like the way the law worked and, set about using biological chemical warfare banned in more civilised areas, to take us out. Us and every human with us.
“We weren’t about to allow that to happen. So, we went looking for it but were too late. Unfortunately, what they were working on, wiped out the colony instead. It was a planet designed for research. Sadly, there were few survivors. Earth Corp are now facing legal challenges for their negligence, attempted murder and genocide.
“Our people searched for answers. We needed to know how far Earth Corp were willing to go and during our research, we found five other new worlds they seeded, we did not know about. One of them is yours. They all border our space. Our mission is clear. Ascertain if these new worlds have been compromised like the first one, find out if they are a threat to the Empire.”
Ares Page 2