Daughter Of Ethos: Divine Justice Book 4

by L M Lacee

  Harm answered. ‘A nanny.’

  Jorge shook his head. ‘Amelia said nothing?’

  ‘She does not know.’ Malchol told him as he entered, taking a seat by his mate, who refused to look at him.

  Hawk said, ‘After you have arranged guards, you should go talk to her?’

  Jorge dipped his head. ‘Thank you Commander. I will.’

  ‘Guard our Star Daughter well. Rave the same applies for you and the Prowlers. Use the kits inside the cabin. They can raise the alarm if nothing else. Salmah and Honor will help.’

  Commander, as you order. Rave said. I leave now to see to my guards.

  ‘As do we.’ Jorge said including Lukkas, they saluted and left.

  Hawk turned to the people seated around the table. ‘So let us find out what happened and how?’

  Harm stood. ‘After Peyton arrived and quelled the fight. She told Sedeen and myself to go to her cabin with Malchol and Rave. It was a nanny, her name was Lois Winslow, aged thirty-five from Halcyon. Recruited by Amelia and vetted by Commander Larson and Lady Brenda.’

  Darby said. ‘I also talked to her and looked into her background, there was nothing to find.’

  ‘There would not have been.’ Malchol told them.

  Harm continued. ‘Jax opened the cabin when we arrived. He had secured the female in the closet Peyton had placed her in. Malchol did some kind of mind scan, and she went unconscious.’

  ‘Was she disturbed, ranting, acting crazed?’ Heather asked him.

  He shook his head. ‘No, she was quiet. Rave could detect nothing from her.’

  Sedeen said. ‘The room was a mess, they must have struggled before she stabbed Peyton. It appeared she caught her as she came out of the bedroom.’

  Harm said. ‘Jax ordered the room cleaned, and we escorted the female to the brig.’

  Finished, he sat and from the corner of his eye saw an angry Heather look at Melody, and knew he was in trouble. Sedeen nudged his arm when he saw the look the females shared. He nodded, knowing when he told her he was going on the scouting expedition tonight, Heather was going to be furious, he sighed, furin hayda.

  Malchol stood and said. ‘I questioned the prisoner, unfortunately her mind was shredded. But from what I could piece together, she was programmed many luneras ago.’

  Melody asked. ‘On Earth?’

  He nodded. ‘I would say so. It was an old scar, if you can imagine when someone does something to a mind it leaves a scar. Sometimes small, sometimes a large one. Over time like all scars it fades, but it never disappears.’

  ‘And this scar?’ Hawk asked as his fingers moved restlessly on the table top.

  ‘Was old at least eight luneras, maybe ten luneras old. No older than a yenta.’

  Melody stated. ‘So on Earth then?’

  ‘My guess, yes.’

  ‘I’ll take your guess.’ Heather said. ‘What was the order?’

  ‘Simple. Kill Peyton St Hill.’

  ‘Not the Star Daughter?’ Demanded Hawk.

  ‘No, it was definitely Peyton St Hill.’

  Esther sighed. ‘Well you cannot get more definitive than that. It looks like they did not know.’

  Hawk agreed. ‘It would appear so. Let us not rule it out altogether.’

  Karen asked. ‘Rule what out; I am missing something here?’

  Esther grinned as she explained. ‘If they were using her full name and not Star Daughter. Maybe they did not realize she was the Star Daughter and if they did not, then it gives us a tactical advantage.’

  ‘Oh well, yeah, I see that. But you are forgetting this was an old order.’

  ‘Yes there is that.’ Melody said thoughtfully, ‘Although it is a fairly good indicator they have no clue.’

  Hawk nodded. ‘I agree with caution, was there a trigger?’

  Malchol rubbed his face. ‘Yes, fighting sword.’

  Darby sat up straight. ‘What?’

  ‘Apparently there were other minor words but the actual trigger if the phrase, they are fighting with swords was used.’

  Melody snorted. ‘Makes sense, swords are the principal weapon of choice out here. Clever really, if they believed we were actually going to make it to their Universe, it was a good possibility that phrase would be used.’

  ‘As opposed to Earth, where I am sure other triggers have been installed.’ Dinas hypothesized.

  Karen nodded. ‘Makes sense.’

  Harm advised Hawk. ‘It is something we will have to be aware of, if we come in contact with other Terrans. We will need to scan everyone at home.’

  ‘Colossal job.’ Melody commented.

  ‘So the question is, how was she triggered here?’ Darby asked the room in general.

  Jax said. I reported those words to Healer Heather.

  Heather eyes opened wide as she said. ‘She was there. I remember now we had just introduced ourselves and she was talking to one of my healers when Jax notified us of the fight. We all ran from the unit. I don’t remember seeing her again.’

  ‘You would not have, she was on her way to Madam’s cabin.’ Malchol told her.

  ‘So where is she now?’ Hawk asked Harm.

  ‘In the morgue unit, she unfortunately passed away while I was interrogating her.’ Malchol answered for him.

  Everyone looked at him and the two Assaens who remained expressionless. Truthfully they felt nothing more than sorrow for the female. Her life they knew was forfeited the second she entered Peyton’s cabin.

  Hawk asked. ‘I assume you learned everything you could from her?’

  All three of them nodded. Malchol said. ‘There was nothing further to find.’

  ‘We thank you. All of you.’ Hawk told them.

  Malchol said. ‘You should know I have contacted Jarrod, and he has ordered a thorough scan of the planets.’

  Shock filling her voice, Heather asked. ‘He can do that?’

  Malchol looked at her and his eyes held a fierce expression, one she had never seen before. It appeared the Mystic was as rattled as they all were.

  ‘Yes, I think you would be surprised at what we will do to protect our family and home.’ He said to Hawk. ‘If there are any more like this female, they will be found and interrogated.’

  Hawk nodded. ‘Thank you Malchol we appreciate everything you do for us.’ He looked at Rose and asked. ‘How did you find out?’

  She was still pale but more in control of herself now. ‘I listened into Malchol’s comm.’ Malchol looked at her with surprise and she said defensively. ‘What… you would not have told me?’

  Melody cracked a smile, Rose sounded so much like a Terran. Malchol told her. ‘It was not for me to say.’

  Karen held her hand up, and every eye snapped to her. ‘No Malchol, all you males should learn this. Marriage, mating, joining whatever we call it, does not work that way. We are not some little female you come home to at the end of a day, and pat on the head and say work was fine. You don’t get to cut us off or out of things that happen or will happen. Secrets destroy matings, trust is building in the early stages of a relationship. Closing any door on your mate, male or female is wrong, even if your intentions are good.’ She held her hand up again when she saw Harm about to ask her a question. ‘Even in this case. I am sure Peyton told you not to discuss this, but that never, never includes your mate. If you cannot trust us to be discreet, then resign your commissions because we are just as vigilant in keeping things quiet as you are. We understand the importance of your positions and how they affect lives. And most of all we know to whom we are ultimately answerable to. We are your mates, your other heart. Do not cut yourselves off from us when we have just found each other, it will not work in the long term.’

  ‘Karen, how do you know this?’ Hawk wanted to know, her wisdom astounded him.

  ‘Esther, she will tell you.’

  They all looked at the older female who nodded. ‘It is so, secrets will destroy your mating and we are talking big things. Not the small I have a presen
t for you things. What you all withheld from your mates, those secrets will cause trouble.’

  The tension in the room had eased with the telling of what had happened and the frank discussion on relationships.

  Malchol said to Rose. ‘I will try to be more open in the future, but Rose you must know I have no knowledge of relationships. It is not something we were encouraged to learn.’

  Rose placed her hand on his cheek. ‘I am sorry, you are right. I should have discussed it with you instead of doing what I did. We will work on this together.’

  He kissed her hand. ‘Thank you.’

  Heather smiled at Rose and then Harm said. ‘Forgive me, my treasure. I did not realize and should have. It seems I am still new to sharing, and as much as I wish not to anger you, I should tell you I am leading a unit to the surface to scout the world tonight.’

  Heather wanted to ask how he could do such a thing and demand he not go. Then she realized this was her mate, this is what he did and as worried as he was about her reaction, she could feel his excitement at finally doing something worthwhile. She knew he had been struggling to find his place in a world that did not need a family leader. It appeared he had finally found something which allowed him to use his immense intelligence and the strengths he had honed over yentas as the leader of his family. So instead she nodded and with a smile said. ‘Thank you, just take care, and we should be okay.’

  He smiled with relief and took her hand in his kissing her palm. ‘My treasure you astound me at every turn.’

  Heather’s eyes softened more, at his admission. She whispered just for him. ‘I love you, never think I don’t.’

  His eyes searched hers. ‘I do not.’

  Hawk whispered to Karen. ‘I will endeavor to keep you informed.’

  She answered with a smile lightening her eyes. ‘Of course you will.’

  He then said in a louder voice. ‘Netta, are you going to become a pain in my back like last time? Because I have to tell you I will not tolerate it, we have the missions still to accomplish?’

  Netta frowned. ‘No, I am not and it is pain in your ass, not back. Seriously Karen, you have your work cut out for you.’

  Karen laughed at Hawk’s frown, she gave his hand a squeeze in consolation. ‘Never mind my love.’

  Netta told him. ‘I am pissed, but I think I have timed it right, it had to have been a Master. The Ambassadors were mind wiped by the Star Child, so it had to have been a Master on Earth, in Thanikis’s employ. Obviously they were still suspicious of her because they were very specific in using her full name, which they would have learned from Agnes Johnston. Unless… do you know if Thanikis was able to program people, you all knew him better than us?’

  Everyone breathed a quiet sigh of relief when she started talking. It appeared Netta was not reverting to the rage she carried before.

  Hawk drummed his fingers on the table. ‘Dinas what do you think?’

  He frowned as he thought about it, then shook his head. ‘He is an olesho but no, he never had that kind of knowledge, or at least not when I had dealings with him.’

  Darby asked. ‘Could he have learned it?’

  Malchol replied. ‘A Master would be the only one to have accomplished this with the precision necessary. It cannot be taught.’

  Melody sighed. ‘So a Master then?’

  Malchol nodded slightly. ‘I would need to confer with my father. He may know of a Master who could have been sent to Earth, but I cannot think of how else it could have occurred.’

  Hawk ordered. ‘Do so.’

  Malchol nodded in agreement as Melody tapped the table. ‘Okay, so what else, she is guarded and we are all alive. No one is pissed at anyone except Jax and I have a feeling it is not at just us. Oh yes, Dinas we find we again owe you an apology for placing you in Hawk’s way.’

  He waved his hand. ‘No, you do not owe anyone anything. I was harsh with our Peyton, and she forgave me as I forgive you. Not that I can think of a reason I need to.’

  ‘We should have stayed clear of Hawk that is why?’ Netta told him.

  Dinas looked shocked. ‘Melody, Netta if not for you we would have lost many, many Warriors. Hawk was not in control, his Rie became unbalanced and warped his thinking. The fact you both stood before a raging Elite, is testament to your bravery and courage. I am humbled and in awe by your willingness to protect us all.’

  ‘Oh well, if you see it like that, then we will say no more.’ Melody said with a touch of embarrassment. Netta just nodded her agreement.

  Hawk his voice as serious as his expression assured them. ‘He is right, Karen and I watch the vid from the beginning there was no way it was to be avoided.’

  Sedeen said. ‘Good, I am pleased that is cleared up, but that is not the problem. The problem is, which of us volunteers to soothe the dangerous one.’

  Their laughter lifted the tension in the room as Darby said. ‘I do, I suppose.’

  Netta shook her head. ‘Nah, you are off the hook, sister. She will cope better if it’s me.’

  ‘Why is that?’ Esther wanted to know.

  Netta grinned. ‘Because she expects me to yell and be all crazy angry…’

  ‘And you are not, because?’ Melody cut in to ask.

  ‘Oh, I am pissed and will kill the next basterad that comes at me with blaster or sword, present company excluded of course?’

  ‘Of course.’ They all chorused.

  ‘Aww shuddup!’ She laughed as she stood. ‘So about the mission tomorrow. Someone better bring Commander I went on vacation and left all the mission parameters up to Madam, I have no clue what I am doing… up to date.’

  Hawk groaned as he put his head in his hands.

  Netta smiled evilly. ‘I am off.’

  She heard Melody swearing that Peyton hadn’t done a terrible job as she hurried from the war room.

  She ran into the airlift and when she came out on the dining level, it was to see Knife waiting. Mama Netta, Mama Petn upset.

  ‘I know dearle, we will go and make her feel better.’

  We need cookies for tat.

  ‘Oh, you are so clever, let us get some chocolate ones.’

  Isa likes tems, so doos Mama Petn.

  ‘Well then you are a smart Prowler.’ He wiggled at her praise.

  Knife was happy as they detoured to the diner and grabbed a plate of cookies for Peyton. The staff on hearing who the cookies were for doubled the amount, and even gave him a cookie to eat while he traveled. He did not know what that meant, but enjoyed the cookie.

  When they came to Peyton’s cabin, Netta was pleased to see two of her favorite Warriors Kent and Sarn as guards. ‘Greetings, I had no idea you two were on board?’

  Kent grinned. ‘Greetings Commander and greetings young Knife.’

  Knife wiggled in pleasure at being recognized and shyly replied. Geetins Warriors.

  After petting the kit, Kent finally said. ‘They have kept us busy with the Warship. We are on your team tomorrow.’

  ‘So cool.’

  Kent nodded with a smile. ‘Good to see you up and around again Commander. That was some fancy knife work.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Sarn apologized. ‘We are sorry to not have been there for you. By the time the news filtered to us, it was all over. You know we would have been with you if we had known.’

  ‘I do and no need to apologize. I am thankful only a few of us were there, less for him to regret hurting.’

  ‘That is true.’ Kent acknowledged knowing the Commander as they did.

  Sarn asked changing the subject. ‘You still giving lessons at home?’

  ‘Yes.’

  He asked. ‘Can we come to class?’

  ‘You know you would be welcomed, but I will teach on board if you would like?’

  ‘We would.’ They both replied eagerly.

  Netta grinned as she said. ‘I will comm you details.’

  ‘Thank you, Commander.’

  She gave them each a cookie a
nd winked. ‘Come running if I scream.’

  She and Knife entered to find Peyton on the couch with Rayvan asleep beside her. She looked up as they walked in and eyed the plate in Netta’s hand.

  ‘Hey.’

  ‘Hey my queen, wassup?’

  ‘Nuttin, it sucks.’

  ‘Yep, so what you gonna do about it?’

  ‘Sit in here and sulk until someone brings me cookies.’

  Knife jumped up and wiggled next to her. We dids tat.

  ‘You brought me cookies?’

  Yes Mama Petn, to makes you feels beta. Mama Petn doose its makes you feels betta?

  Peyton smiled as she hugged him. ‘You make me feel better.’

  Isa do?

  ‘Yep, you and your Mama.’

  So cans wesa hasa cookie yet?

  Netta walked from the kitchenette and passed her a cup of coffee and produced the plate of cookies.

  Knife told her. These ems cohcooolat.

  ‘How amazing, they are my favorite cookies.’

  Mesa too. He told her as he munched happily on the one Netta gave him.

  ‘So tell me what happened.’ Peyton said with a sigh in her voice, as she took a sip of coffee, alternating with a bite of the chocolate cookie.

  Netta sat back in her chair and remembered her sister was a young fragile female at the moment, and sometimes it was good for the needar to hide. It was not often Peyton became downhearted as she was now, normally she was such a large personality that sometimes they forgot there was a person within the power and responsibilities she managed with daily.

  So with that in mind, she told her about the meeting and Rose’s temper and Malchol’s reaction. Then went on to tell her the details they had discussed. She kept it lighthearted getting Peyton to laugh at her observations and the reactions of the males to the female’s annoyance.

  Peyton did not shed a tear as she recounted the attempt by the nanny to kill her. Netta was not sure if she was relieved or saddened for the lack of emotion from her. A small whisper of thought made her needar quiver in fear, that perhaps her sister was losing her fight to stay human.

  While Netta was soothing the dangerous one, the others finally caught Hawk up on the arrangements for the operation the following day. Surprisingly he liked what he heard. When they had finished Esther said.