Laboolaron spread his arms open in a submissive gesture, and then chuckled through his snarled teeth, “Very good, my Lady. You are a worthy human opponent.”
Danielle returned his grin with clenched teeth, “And you, Laboolaron, make an excellent sparring partner.”
The two laughed as she moved her sword from his side, sheathing her weapon. A door creaked open from across the hall. Another Antarian approached the two.
“Laboolaron,” the Empress quizzed, “Do tell me how that gorech, Dumakas, is taking to his new surroundings?”
“He has...adapted.”
“I see. So, he does not grow accustomed to a dark and cold cell?”
“No, he does not...and neither would you, my Lady.”
“I was held in that very same cell.”
“Yes, my Lady,” Laboolaron answered, bowing to the Empress before collecting his fallen weapon.
“However,” Danielle added, “I suppose we could extradite him to his native moon, Delema, to serve his time.”
“I’m sure he would much prefer his current situation, my Lady,” the words slithered past Laboolaron’s crooked teeth.
Danielle looked at the approaching Antarian. She picked up a towel from a rack before addressing the newcomer, “Darnash, it is good to see you.”
“My Lady,” the eight foot tall Antarian growled, “I have news.”
“Darnash, walk with me. Laboolaron, you may return to your duties.”
Laboolaron bowed, “Until tomorrow, my Lady.”
Danielle and Darnash slowly walked to the hall’s exit. Darnash held his arms behind him as he walked, taking one step to Danielle’s three, “My Lady, our repairs are nearly completed.”
“You mean the energy collector stations will be operable soon?” Danielle asked, dabbing the sweat with her towel from the back of her neck
“Yes, my Lady. Within one cycle, we shall have full power restored to our moon.”
“It will be good to have power again. I tire of these primitive candles we use for lighting, and the nights grow colder.”
“My Lady, we have little choice. All our power was knocked out by the destruction of our energy collectors, three weeks ago.”
“I fully understand. It was my people that attacked your power grid.”
“Yes, and it was fortunate that Serintin’s days are long this time of year.”
“As well as the relatively mild temperatures,” Danielle smiled.
“I know you are not accustomed to such drastic swings in climate between night and day. I hope I have made you as comfortable as we were able to afford.”
“Yes,” Danielle answered, “Under the circumstances, I shall forgive any inconveniences.”
“Thank you, my Lady,” Darnash bowed as he slowly walked with his Empress.
“What of the Betelgeuse wormhole? Have our scouts returned from that sector with their report?”
“Yes, my Lady. We have confirmed that the wormhole has destabilized.”
“Permanently?”
“Our best scientists are working on that as we speak. We should know in a few of our moon’s short cycles.”
“Have any who were pulled into the collapsing corridor returned?”
“No, my Lady. We’ve had no ships return from the battle at Betelgeuse.”
“Most unfortunate.”
“Yes, my Lady. If one were to return, I am sure they would be able to provide a most enlightening report.”
“Immediately inform me of any changes you become aware of, Darnash, of the House of Delema.”
The two reached the massive hall’s exit. Darnash lifted her fur coat from a hook and held it as his Empress slipped her arms into its warmth.
She wrapped the coat around her body, “Thank you, Darnash.”
“You are most welcome, my Lady. Night is approaching. The temperature will drop another ninety degrees tonight.”
“The sooner you can have power restored the better. These forty degree nights are becoming most uncomfortable. I much prefer the day cycles of your moon.”
“You prefer one hundred and twenty degrees over a timid forty?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Try that wearing your fur coat. We cannot remove ours.”
“Did you not say that winter cycles are nearing?”
“Yes, my Lady,” Darnash said, motioning the Empress through the exit. “Soon the days will be forty during the day, and minus fifty at night. The winds will blow bitter cold, and the storms will entomb our villages with ice and snow.”
“Just see to it that power is restored before then. I will not survive those hostile night conditions.”
“Yes, my Lady. Humans may prove to be formidable opponents after all. No one has ever attempted such an attack at our home world.”
“Never under estimate the human resolve.”
“No, my Lady,” Darnash grinned. Saliva dripped from his crooked teeth, “the council of elders from the House of Delema agrees.”
“This is why I have created a new order of elite guards, such as you, to be stationed at every collector station.”
“Yes, my Lady. We are already fortifying the power stations’ defenses.”
“In addition, I command three battle cruisers to protect each of our moon’s orbital structures.”
“Yes, my Lady. We currently have two assigned to each station as well as the continuous sector patrols by groups of three destroyers.”
“How soon before we are fully staffed in these areas?”
“Most of our attack fleets are over a month out, finishing their raids on systems currently within easy reach. Production at the Gornash shipyards continues at maximum capacity, five large ships or more of smaller classes every quarter.”
“I need ships twice as fast. Double production immediately.”
“My Lady, while not an impossible goal to obtain, that will require significant resources, resources that our current raids will bring upon their return.”
“Very well, I will give you six weeks to meet my production requirement.”
“Why the urgency, my Lady?”
“Because we are preparing for a massive invasion.”
“The Serintin council has not approved your plans for the invasion of Earth. They insist on learning more of your people before committing extraordinary resources to such a risky venture.”
“They must agree!”
“The corridor has collapsed, my Lady. Earth poses no threat to Antares.”
“I know them. They will return!”
“Why would they return for a single life?”
“That is the way we are, Darnash. We must attack them before they come for us.”
“Your people are not prepared for such a campaign, my Lady.”
“With the help of the Eridonian’s they soon will be!” Danielle pointed a finger in Darnash’s face, “Are we not the Warlords of Antares? Do we not invade other planets at our discretion? What is different about this one?”
“Beg pardon, my Lady, we are Antarian, you are human. Annihilation is not the Warlords way,”
“Tell that to the Draconians. You left their planet wasted from your raids.”
“Yes, they fought their battles, and lost. However annihilation it was not.”
“Why do you come against me, Darnash of the House of Delema?” Danielle growled, “You are supposed to be my trusted First Commander! Was that choice an error?”
“My blood lust has not returned, my Lady.”
“Then perhaps you should partake of the blood lust from the Boreshog beast, such as I, and regain your life-force.”
“I see that you are moving forward with your plans of capturing a live beast?”
“Yes, Darnash,” her lips curled into a grin, “I must continue to feed on its blood spirit to keep my life-force primed for this war.”
“Then I sense that I shall be partaking in the beast’s blood lust soon enough.”
The two approached the Empress’ chambers, “Wh
at of Tumaleka?”
“I have sent for her as you asked. Her shuttle will arrive shortly from Delema.”
“Very well, please send her to my chambers when she arrives.”
“What is our next move, my Lady? Are you going to order the invasion and split our three houses apart, or are you going to allow our resources to build and raid...more enticing systems?”
“I will rely on the wisdom and words from the ancient scrolls that madam Tumaleka brings.”
“What if the reading of those old scrolls contain errors? What if the translation has you follow a path that was not meant to be?”
“Then you surely will fail as Warlords of Antares. Those scrolls are the only thing keeping me alive, Darnash. I am human, an inferior creature to the Antarians. If it was not for your ancient prophecies, I would not have been raised to the position as Empress of Antares. I have no choice but to follow the writings.”
“It was the blood spirit of the Boreshog beast you drank, that was your salvation. It sings to you. It is the source of the fortitude and strength behind your accomplishments.”
“True. However was it not also prophesied in the ancient scrolls that a stranger from an unknown house would quench the Emperor’s blood lust?”
“Yes, my Lady.”
“...and this stranger was a female warrior? She would become Empress of Antares after defeating the beast of the Valley of Trenches?”
“Yes, my Lady.”
“Then you must believe that what has occurred at the star of Antares was foretold and has now happened.”
“I do believe that what has occurred was prophesied. However, you do not know nor understand all that has been written.”
“This is why I have called Dumakas’ grandmother. Together we will read the remaining scriptures to learn the path that we must travel.”
“You may not like everything the prophecies in the scrolls offer, my Lady,” Darnash cautioned.
“Nevertheless, we shall follow the scrolls. We must, I must. I have no choice.”
“But, my Lady, the ancient scrolls are incomplete.”
“What do you mean?”
“There are sections missing. To interpret incomplete prophecies could be dangerous; for you, and for Antares.”
“Then we shall interpret what we can, through what writings remain. The rest, we shall go on instinct.”
“Instinct, my Lady?”
“Yes, our blood song will guide us.”
“Very well, my Lady. I shall take my leave of you and prepare the hunting party for the Valley of Trenches. I feel that all of us should partake in the beast’s blood soon.”
“Very well. I shall accompany the hunting party.”
“It is unwise to encounter another beast of the field, my Lady.”
“It is necessary that I go along to show my fortitude and leadership abilities.”
“As you wish, my Lady. I shall bring Tumaleka as soon as she lands.”
“I need to know what is left within the scrolls immediately.”
“Yes, my Lady. We should be ready by daybreak. Then the hunt will be on.”
“Most excellent, Darnash. I shall see you at daybreak. You are a good First Commander, Darnash.”
“Thank you, my Lady,” Darnash bowed, and then turned to depart her chambers.
CHAPTER TWO
________________________
Earth
John F. Kennedy Space Center
________________________
A knock on his door lifted Admiral Jedidiah Fitz’s attention from the paperwork on his desk, “Come?”
The squeaking door opened to reveal Colonel Race Jennings’ smiling face.
“Race? Good to see you!” Jed exclaimed. He came around his desk and grabbed the man’s hand.
After vigorously shaking Race’s hand, he gave him a man hug, “Hold up there, Admiral,” Race said, backing away. “No need for that. What’s gotten into you, anyway?”
“Just happy to see you, that’s all,” Jed held Race by his shoulders at arm’s length.
“It’s only been three weeks, for gosh sakes.”
“I’m just really happy to be alive.”
“You mean, after your birthday? You’ve always been depressed during your birthday, well, for the last five years, anyhow.”
“I feel like I’ve got a new lease on life.”
“You mean you and your Draconian friend, don’t you?” Race winked.
“Oh, well, yeah. She does have a powerful effect on me.”
“You sure that effect wasn’t from the fifth of Whiskey?”
“I can’t help it if Skati is fond of Whiskey. They only have one alcoholic drink on their planet, and she rather likes the way this stuff burns on the way down.”
“What is it about her being drunk all the time that you especially like, Jed?”
“That’s just it, Race. The Draconians have a much higher metabolic rate that we do.”
“So, you’re saying she doesn’t get drunk? How unfortunate for you!”
“No, no, of course she can get a buzz going. But it takes a really large amount and then it only lasts for a couple of hours.”
“Where’s Joan in all this?”
“My wife’s been dead for five years, Race.”
“I know, but she’s ruled your life since she died. What’s different now?”
“Skati has an unusual effect on me. Yes, it’s sexual, but in a different way.”
“What could you possibly want more than sex, Jed?”
“It’s not that at all. Sure, it’s wonderful and all. But she has, well, a calming effect on me. It’s something that goes deeper. I can’t explain it.”
“Well, I’m just glad the old Jed is back in the saddle, if you know what I mean.”
“Please,” Jed motioned to a chair, “Have a seat, Race. Where are my manners, anyway?”
“It’s alright,” Race smiled, and sat across from Jed.
“Don’t get me wrong. I still love Joan. I always will. It’s just that Skati has helped me stop punishing myself over Joan’s death.”
“Just like that. You’re all over it, now?”
“I tell you, the Draconians have this special ability. It’s great.”
“You don’t blame yourself for the accident anymore?”
“Skati has helped me to come to terms that it was just an accident. It wasn’t my fault. It wasn’t Joan’s, not anyone’s.”
“Not even the drunk’s fault that slammed his car into yours?”
“What’s the point, Race? It won’t do anyone any good to continue to dwell on what should or could have been. The driver’s dead, there’s no one else to blame.”
“So you’ve decided to stop blaming yourself, and to start living again?”
“Yep, you got it, Race.”
“That’s wonderful, Jed,” Race said, crossing his legs, “but I don’t think you called me here to discuss your mental wellbeing, what’s up?”
“You’re right, Race. I didn’t call you here for any of that.”
“So, what then? We’ve not seen, nor heard from the Antarians. The wormhole is destabilized, so there isn’t any imminent attack threat. So what can I do for you?”
“We have a space fleet now, and nothing to do with it.”
“So, let me guess? We’re going to put our fleet to work?”
“You got it. Man, Race, your intuitive skills are simply amazing,” Jed kidded.
“Very funny, Jed. But to be honest, we don’t have that big of a fleet anymore.”
“We’re still four ships strong,” Jed argued.
“Officially, yes, we have four ships.”
“It’s just two of them are on an extended assignment.”
“The Yamato and HMS Bristol, supposedly out at Sigma Draconis sector enlisting the help of others.”
“According to Malcom, and the other Eridonians, yes.”
“Now that the Agamemnon is lost, and you’re the Admiral, what are your plans?”
“First, we need more ships.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“That’s why we’ve begun building five more ships.”
“It took the military, with the other countries' collaboration, five years to build what we have today.”
“Right you are. However, now we have the Eridonian’s and our friend from Draconis to help us build them faster.”
“Doesn’t seem like enough, Jed. There are only three Eridonians and one Draconian, how’s that gonna help us?”
“On the surface, it doesn’t.”
“I feel the other shoe about to drop,” Race grimaced.
“It’s nothing bad, Race. But Skati is already providing new ship designs and upgrades to our current construction models. The Eridonians are giving the workers super-sense skills, and the ability to work longer, more effective hours.”
“What’s our new construction capacity?”
“On the surface, we’re doing ten ships a year now.”
“What does, ‘on the surface’ mean?”
“That means we also have two orbiting stations that house multiple ship builds each.”
“Wow, I’m impressed.”
“That’s not all.”
“Okay, I’m listening.”
“We’re taking Malcom to Epsilon.”
“We are?”
“Yes, you heard me right. You’re still my CAG. I need you on board.”
“Right. I just didn’t expect to head back out so soon.”
“What’s the matter, Colonel Race Jennings,” Malcom said, popping into Jed’s office. “You do not like the vastness of space?”
Race jumped out of his chair, “Don’t you people ever knock?”
“No, not really. We’ve never had the need to,” Malcom smiled.
“Well, we’re not telepaths. We can’t tell when you’re about to pop in on us, so if you don’t mind, a little warning would be good.”
“My apologies, Colonel Race Jennings. I shall take note.”
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