by L M Lacee
‘So a two for one attack.’ Netta muttered.
‘Yes, so we have to take out the Elders and the Masters quickly and permanently.’
Hawk asked. ‘How many do you think there are?’
Jarrod looked at Peyton, she shrugged and said. ‘I feel four Elders, but it is hard to pinpoint exactly with all the crystal. I think they are using it as a focus.’
Kardan said. ‘Let’s go with that number for now.’
Jarrod told them. ‘No matter, the points will be protected by Masters, there a six and each of them will have Masters doing the actual targeting. Which means they will have soldiers and more Masters protecting them.’
‘Thank you, so an Elite for each point.’
‘We are still short.’ Hawk told him.
Dantara stood up. ‘I can lead.’
Reeve said. ‘And kill the males you trained and fought with.’
Dantara slowly nodded. ‘If I must, to keep my mate safe.’
Kardan smiled. ‘We thank you for that Commander, but to ask such of you is not something I can live with. So I ask you to stay and protect your mate and her family here.’
Dantara looked at Kardan and saw nothing but honesty. He nodded. ‘I will do so, Amahka.’
Melody said. ‘I can take a team.’
Coraan turned to find her fully kitted up. Peyton smiled as concern clouded her eyes. ‘Wowza girl!’
‘Shut it, Star Sister.’ Melody growled with a laugh which did not hide the worry she was feeling.
Coraan said. ‘Little Warrior, are you sure?’
‘It has not been that long. I can still lead.’ She looked at Gunner when he went to protest.
‘They know and trust me.’
He grimaced. ‘I know you are right, but still...’
‘What! I trained you, remember!?’
‘Yes, I do.’ He saluted her with a smile.
Kerol said. ‘I also will lead a team.’
Hawk agreed. ‘Thank you Commander.’ Reminding all those present, Kerol was fit to lead as a Commander and just as deadly as them all. Then Hawk ordered. ‘All right, those that need to get kitted up, do so now. Then assemble in the underground in ten mins. Do not be late we have a fight to get too.’
Kardan stated. ‘That was novel.’
Hawk agreed. ‘It is, Melody said it makes people feel better.’
Reeve snorted. ‘We need them to feel murderous, not better. Your speech is not as rousing as it should be.’
Hawk raised his eyebrows as he asked. ‘Are you saying you can do better?’
‘We are Elites, of course I can.’
‘Then do so.’
‘I will have to think of the right words.’
‘As I thought.’ Hawk growled, causing several people to laugh quietly at the brothers.
Kardan said. ‘Assign Mystics, please Kail?’
Jarrod issued his orders. ‘Jarrmeru with Melody, Telfor with Netta, Malchol with Kerol. I will go with you for the Elders and hope we only have the two. Coalin with Dinas, Heelon with Reeve. Hawk, he is young but well trained, Gorin.’
The Mystics all bowed as Jarrod told them. ‘Please go with my father he will make sure you are fully kitted out. Before you go.’ Jarrod said halting their momentum. ‘Mystic’s this is a kill mission, leave none alive. Remember, the ones you go up against will kill you if you give them the chance. The lives of the Elites and all our Warriors, in fact our way of life, rest in your hands. Dismissed.’
His uncle, Malchol, and Telfor gave him a nod before they left.
Reeve said to Hawk. ‘See, that was a rousing speech.’
Jarrod shook his head at the irrepressible male and told them. ‘My brothers have killed before, as has my uncle. The others have not, they are all capable of killing and will willingly do so to protect you. I trust each of them to do their duty, stay safe my friends.’
The Elites, Melody and Kerol nodded as Hawk asked Dinas. ‘Are you ready?’
He looked at Hawk, his eyes purple and furious. ‘Brother, I am beyond ready, my blade hungers to taste blood again. It has been too long.’
‘Wasn’t it only this morn?’ Melody said as she made a face at Netta, who grinned in return. Dinas growled. ‘I am not seeing your point.’
Melody shrugged. ‘Not really having one, Medical Boy.’
Dinas grunted as Coraan and Reeve laughed.
Kardan told Netta. ‘You may find your Rie will grow again. It is of no concern. We will train after and settle it once more.’
‘Okay.’ Her body glowed once, as though her Rie knew the Elite was talking about it and wanted to show that it was ready.
Darby’s eyes went round as she said. ‘Freaky!’
Netta growled. ‘Shut it Comp Girl, that’s my Rie you’re talking about.’
Darby grinned. ‘Stay safe, all of you. I will be most annoyed if you get hurt.’
‘My Darby, will you be annoyed if your mate, was to be hurt?’ Reeve asked in a pitiful voice.
Darby’s eyebrows flew up at his tone. ‘You know I will be, but I think we will be okay. I am sure they will jump from the tops of the buildings when they see you coming.’ She joked, but her eyes were haunted with fear.
He kissed her palm and closed her hand over it. Watching her closely, he knew his Darby was terrified for him, for all her family and trying to hide it. ‘Because I am an Elite?’
Melody said. ‘Yeah, let’s go with that.’
Darby laughed and hugged him. ‘What she said, and when you get back. We need to talk about a certain Raider who wants to bed you.’
Reeve growled. ‘I will pull all of Jax’s wires out, one by one.’
‘Yeah… yeah.’ She whispered. ‘I love you my Elite, come back to me.’
‘Always, my heart.’
FIFTY-ONE:
Cemeru told Kardan. ‘If we cannot shield you, they will know you are coming?’
Peyton said from where she sat. ‘I can shield you as you leave here, but only from the Masters and soldiers. The Elders will see you.’
‘Can you, while shielding the Embassy?’ Cemeru asked as he and Kardan shared a look. Kardan asked. ‘Are you sure my heart?’
‘Yes, to both of you. It will not be for long, but it may give you a chance.’
‘We will take all the help you can give us.’
Klune asked Kardan. ‘Amahka, what can we do for you?’
He pointed to the map and said. ‘We are shutting down this part of the city. I need you and your people to keep the Governors and their families under surveillance.’
‘Done!’ Klune said and as he spied Fox entering the room with Sedeen. ‘Fox, can you get us out of the Embassy unseen?’
‘Of course uncle.’
Kardan smiled. ‘I leave it to you, keep safe all of you.’
Peyton said. ‘Take care and keep safe.’
‘We will Amahka, Madam.’ Klune and Rata left with Fox, to gather their spies.
Gunner looked at Bendrix who nodded then said to Kardan. ‘Was there a reason you left us out, Amahka?’
Marlo and Larson stood. ‘And us.’
‘What of us?’ Willian asked as he, Peneria and Ipeara walked in fully kitted up.
‘I need you all here.’
Salmah arrived with the remaining kits and Prowlers. Lia stood with Avana, who said.
‘They are in the Embassy!’
Kardan asked Jax. ‘How many?’
Heather said worriedly. ‘I thought he would not allow that?’
Hawk swore. ‘Hayda, I knew I forgot something, Darby, Jean, Jax is not responding.’
Jean looked concerned as she said. ‘Wait!’ She and Darby had their tablets in her hands. Suddenly both females started cursing.
Darby told them. ‘They have compromised him, he has been hacked. He is overwriting the hack, but it will take time. Until he completes it, we are blind.’
Jean said. ‘Jax is down.’
Nina said. ‘He is going to be so pissed when he finds out
how they did that.’ She looked at Darby. ‘How did they?’
She shrugged. ‘No idea, Ask Jean she is great at hacking him.’
Jean smirked. ‘So you know about that?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Did he tell you?’
Darby laughed. ‘No, I think you pricked his pride.’
‘Huh, perhaps.’
Amelia asked. ‘Well, can’t you help him Jean?’
‘Not from what I can see. This is all on Jax.’
Peyton said. ‘He is a life form, how do you cripple a life form.’
Esther said. ‘Many ways, I suspect, just like with us.’
Helen said. ‘Our poor Jax, I wager poison.’
Jean told them. ‘As we said hacked.’
Darby asked. ‘Peyton, can you pinpoint them?’
‘No, I cannot feel them, friggin crystal. My shield is preventing me. I can drop the shield or hunt them, your choice?’
Kardan said. ‘Keep the shield my heart, our Warriors will hunt.’
Jarrod said. ‘The Masters will have hidden them. You will have to search them out physically.’
‘Is it time to call for the Star Child?’ Karen asked Hawk.
Hawk smiled and kissed Karen’s temple as Kardan said. ‘No, my sister, they will reduce this place to rubble.’
‘The building with us in it. That seems harsh.’
He shook his head.
Her eyes grew large, and she swallowed hard. ‘Oh my Stars, friggin hayda… the world?’
‘It would be, I imagine, the least of what they would do.’
She said. ‘Let’s just do this ourselves.’
Amelia proposed. ‘Good idea and Karen, you keep your ideas to yourself.’
‘Got it, I am not thinking now.’
Amused Kardan told them. ‘Ladies have faith, we are very good at this. We train for these situations all the time and have done so for many yentas.’
‘Okay, that’s good enough for us.’ Darby assured him.
He nodded, then turned to Carrick. ‘Carrick the young are yours to protect.’
‘I am ready, Amahka Elite.’
‘Domard, call everyone here, their welfare is yours.’
Jerthem bowed. ‘They will be protected, Amahka Elite.’
‘Thank you both.’
Harm and Matt arrived back. Harm told him. ‘Prisoner secure, where do you want us?’
Kardan grinned like a shark. ‘Send your scouts out as you see fit, Commander. I, Wolf and Jarrod are going after the Elders and their Masters.’
Matt said. ‘We stand ready, are we assembling underground?’
‘Yes.’
Harm kissed Heather and whispered to her. She nodded, and he said. ‘Stay safe, my treasure, keep our young well.’
‘You stay safe and come back to me.’
Heather hugged Sedeen, saying. ‘You stay safe too. Cobalt, Rave, Remii take care, hunt well.’
They gave her what they all called their cat’s smile. Heather had no qualms about sending her loved ones out to kill. These people had attacked her family, their most vulnerable. They deserved everything that was coming to them.
Rave told her. We will keep him safe, our Heather.
‘I know you will Rave. Hunt well, my Remii.’
I will. It is what I do.
Waseo with Sonia entered. He had stayed with the other females keeping them calm. ‘I am here, where do you want me?’
Kardan answered. ‘With Bendrix, he is in command of the Embassy along with Jerthem.’
Bendrix said. ‘Are you sure that is alright, Commanders?’
Marlo looked at his brother, who nodded. ‘Larson and I are still compromised as much as we would like to hunt these tajes down. We cannot trust ourselves. It will be better if we stay here.’
Bendrix nodded. ‘Our brains work on another wavelength. We understand your concerns. I have to say I am pleased knowing you and Larson are here with Jerthem and Carrick.’
Kardan asked. ‘So we know what we are all going to be doing?’
Bendrix and Marlo nodded their agreement, as did everyone else.
‘Good, Bendrix, you take point.’
‘I think Gunner and his males are more suited to this hunt. I and my people will concede to his unit’s superior abilities.’
‘We thank you Bendrix. This is what I and my boys are real good at, hunting down infiltrators.’
Frand kitted up, entered with Riim and stood by Waseo. ‘I am also unaffected.’
Kardan grinned at the male, then issued his last orders. ‘You are in Commander Dantara’s team. Ambassador, Commanders, you have your orders. Secure the Embassy, take no prisoners and show no mercy. They have invaded our home, you know they are here for the purpose of removing our families and Star Daughter. I know you will not allow this to happen. Remember what you fight for!’
‘Now that’s a speech!’ Reeve stated, pleased with Kardan’s words.
Kardan looked at Peyton. ‘Where are they, my heart?’
‘Okay.’ She brought the Holo of the city up again and flashing red dots appeared. Darby cocked her head to the side as she looked.
‘They are on the points of the Star, sort of.’
Jarrod agreed as Cemeru said. ‘The strongest direct lines to the Embassy. See where they all converge right here.’ He pointed to the Embassy building.
‘Huh, well that is going to be easier than we thought.’ Netta said as Dinas studied the map, then he said. ‘Netta and I will take the ones here and here.’ He pointed to the tops of two buildings.
Netta agreed. ‘Done.’
Hawk pointed to another two buildings. ‘Reeve and I will take these two.’
Reeve agreed. ‘Done.’
Melody pointed to the last two. ‘Well, that leaves these two for me and Kerol.’
‘Done.’ He agreed as Penny squeezed his hand.
Kardan looked at the map and pointed to the lone flashing light five blocks away. ‘I assume, that will be the Elders.’
Jarrod agreed. ‘They will be furthest from the Embassy, out of the direct line of fire but directly in sight of the Embassy. Remember, we still believe there are more Elders. If there are, they will be on the points. Elites take care they are deadly, shields at maximum. Strike fast and hard.’
Hawk looked around and noticed like him, everyone wore dark nondescript free moving shirts and trousers. They all had knives strapped to their thighs and blasters on each hip. Swords were sheathed on their backs, they looked hard and dangerous. Jarrod and the Mystics had no visible weapons, their minds and abilities were their weapons. They were also dressed as the Warriors.
Coraan and his Draygons looked frightening as they flexed their shoulders, warming their muscles for flight. For a fleeting minute Hawk felt sorrow for the ones they would hunt this day. Then he remembered the fear on Draykin and Rayvan’s face and sweet Hope’s battered and bruised body, and most of all he saw again the ravaged look in Peyton’s eyes.
Karen’s hand touched his face. ‘My heart, I love you beyond thought. Do not get hurt today.’ He smiled as her sweet voice washed over him and kissed her palm. ‘I will endeavor not too.’ He issued his order to his people. ‘We know where we are going, select your teams.’
Peyton said. ‘Zen, Lucca, go with Coraan, he will need you both.’
‘As you say, Madam. Do not leave this room.’ Zenerra growled at her.
Peyton grinned at the tone of worry in her voice. ‘I promise not to.’
‘Good, because I will know.’
‘I know, that is why I won’t move. Fly safe and fight well.’
‘We will.’ With that they left at a run, following Coraan as he turned to go with a swift kiss for Melody and a salute to Peyton and Kardan.
Lucerra stopped by Jerthem. ‘Stay safe, we have an entire life to live.’
‘Suula, fly strong and come back.’
To his surprise, she kissed him as the others had done to their mates. She reluctantly left him and ran t
o Zenerra, who waited at the door.
Netta walked into Bendrix’s waiting arms, he whispered. ‘Stay strong, fight well and come back.’
She nodded, then whispered in return. ‘I will, as I know you will. Stay safe, you have my heart.’
He kissed her and released her quickly before she felt the tremor of unease run through his arms.
‘Jorge, take Kent, Sarn, Hue, and Iaan, they will need you.’
‘Madam, we are to guard you. That is why we are here?’ Jorge argued as the others looked on.
‘I know dearle one, I also know the difference you will make to the outcome of this battle. Jarrod and Kardan will need you, my friend, go with my love. I will be protected.’
Kenera, said. ‘We can and will protect ourselves and our Madam.’
Avana told them. ‘The Senes, are not without our own weapons.’
Sonia and all the rescued ladies arrived blasters in hands that did not shake this time. Relic told them. ‘We have this. Go get them.’
Hawk said to the room at large. ‘You have your orders. Go!’
Jorge took Amelia aside and looked longingly into her face. She smiled as she placed a hand over his heart. ‘This is not of your doing.’
‘Perhaps…’
‘No, it is no one’s but the people who took Hope and want to kill Peyton. This is not about you.’
Their foreheads touched as he whispered. ‘I love you.’
‘As I love you.’
He kissed her again and said. ‘Stay strong.’
‘Stay safe.’ She replied.
He nodded and with Tipper ran to catch up with the others waiting for him.
FIFTY-TWO:
Kardan walked to where Peyton stood and said. ‘My heart, stay strong.’
‘I will.’
He kissed her swiftly as sweat dampened her skin, then he too was gone. Peyton reached out her hand and quietly called. ‘Darby?’
‘Yes.’
‘Hon, guide me to a seat please?’
‘What the friggin hell, are you blind?’
‘Hush, it is only temporary.’
Avana said with a worried look at Darby as she hurried to Peyton’s side. ‘She will remain that way, while she holds the shields over the building and our people.’