Daughter of Ethos

by L M Lacee

  Heather gave Melody the thumbs up and she replied with a small smile. Then closed her eyes once more and sent up another quick prayer, lifting her head she relaxed her tense face muscles and kept what she hoped was a smile on her lips, and not something that could be mistaken for a grimace of fear.

  With one last look at her sisters who had backed farther into the lounge, she opened the front door and looked up and then up some more. Dear God, why had no one told her they were so large? They had muscles on muscles and did someone say tall… She looked up into the face of a man that made her want to sigh with delight.

  Her next thought almost made her giggle as she wondered if they would have to walk into the house sideways, just to get their shoulders through the door. Maybe they should have met in a barn. These men were just that big, and that was saying something, she had trained with some very large men, but none like these.

  ‘Ahh… hi!’ As an opening greeting, it was lousy, and the feminine groans that came from behind her did nothing at all for her confidence.

  She had offered to meet the Warriors first because she had been a General and not much disturbed her. She was, as she told the other three women, known for her courage under pressure. Unfortunately, that all deserted her when she opened the door.

  One of the men looked down at her, she noticed he had a long scar that ran from just below his right eye to his jawline. It did not detract from his looks one bit, neither did his eye color, in fact together, they only added to his overall appearance. He quirked his top lip up and said in a voice that was made for winter nights in front of an open fire. ‘May we enter?’

  ‘Umm sure… yeah good idea!’

  Melody nodded as she backed away from the door and was positive she saw one of the other males hide a smile. These males did not look at all like the Jenersar Warriors, Darby and Heather had reported to her and Peyton about. She was unsure what she expected but seeing them up close, she was hard put to reconcile these men with being slaves or believe they were often used in trade and hired out against their will.

  Darby had stated they were sometimes used for guarding cargo and dignitaries, or at least anyone who could pay the exorbitant charges their Emperor demanded. She could see how they would be used to quell planetary wars and for world control. Which is what they were here on Earth for, to enforce control of the populace? Darby’s report suggested they were owned by the Jenersar Emperor and that he had final say in what the Warriors were or were not used for. It seemed that this assignment was a good-will opportunity for the Emperor to show the Coalition he was still a team player.

  Commander Roeah, walked into the dwelling behind his Warriors and looked at the females. Two were tall by human standards. The other two were not much taller than young ones, he had encountered on other worlds. They looked soft, not like the one that had met them at the door she held herself with discipline. Then he looked into the green eyes of the smallest female and saw they blazed with something not of this world, intrigued he indicated his Warriors should enter further.

  Melody cleared her throat causing every eye to turn to her. ‘If you will come this way?’

  She and the other three women led them into the huge kitchen that seemed to shrink in size as the men entered, their physical presence was almost overwhelming. Peyton and the others watched as two of the Warriors split off and went into each room of their home to search for whatever Warriors searched for.

  The same scarred man that had asked for entrance, waved what looked like a wand around the kitchen and then over each of them. Darby had told them the Warriors would more than likely search for any hidden surveillance devices. So Peyton had asked her to remove all her tech, wanting everyone to have the feeling as well as the actuality of security.

  Heather could not help herself, like the others she found her eyes drifting over each male more than once. They were just so handsome and truthfully even though she had met many men over the years, she could not remember any looking like these. The scars that one or two of them carried did not hinder the impression of desirability nor did the fact their eyes were black and there appeared to be no sclera, how she wondered was the possible and how had she missed that in Darby’s research.

  Melody and Heather were both around six feet tall, and each of the Warriors were taller than them by at least eight inches or more. They were as Darby would say designed to be Warriors. Peyton looked at each of them and silently sighed, these amazing men were enough to make any woman sigh in delight, although she could not forget they were created for war. It would remain to be seen if they could be anything other than a deadly Warrior. Because, if her plan worked, she could see no problem with the Warriors finding someone to marry them, she imagined women would be lining up for the chance to be with these men.

  Looking up into the eyes of the males, she wondered if their black eyes with the ring of color would be a little disconcerting for women. She did not find it so, but not every woman was like her.

  They also may find their piercing, unblinking stares frightening; she felt this was something they would have to work on, to make them seem friendlier, already she could feel Darby’s unease.

  In the report on the Warriors they had all read, Darby and Heather had found in their research that the ring of color was to denote the Warriors creator.

  However, she had her doubts about this, regardless of what was documented. She had looked through all the stolen data from the Jenersar scientists and could find no mention of the substance that caused the ring to occur. Therefore, she concluded it was either a flaw or a result of combined stands of DNA. Darby postulated that it was more than likely from a substance, which had been purposefully introduced to the embryo. For what reason she could not say.

  Peyton had believed her grandmother, when she had told her the eyes were the window to the soul. She had spent her life reading truths and lies in people’s eyes but as she stared at the males. She was unsure if indeed it was the eyes she had been reading. Especially now, as she stared into the blank eyes of the males standing before her. Maybe, she thought she had been wrong

  Suddenly it was as if a veil was lifted and Peyton could see into the depths of the Warriors souls, discovering a truth almost too terrible to look upon.

  The scars of grief and lost hope which only those that had accepted their fate carried within their souls, spoke to her. Until five days ago, she had seen that same look in her own eyes as well as in the eyes of her friends and every person she had spoken to, since the Virus had decimated their world.

  Peyton felt a sigh sweep through her mind as something in her heart and soul that had been at war settled. She now knew what she was about to do was right, for the ones in her care and for the Warriors.

  It had taken some determination and a lot of faith for her to get a flash-drive to the Commander of the Warship, and until tonight she and the others were not sure if the invitation she had issued would be enough to get him here. But here he and his men were, standing not three feet from them. With a nod from Peyton, Melody smiled and offered. ‘Gentlemen, if you would please take a seat, we will get down to why we are here!’

  ELEVEN:

  All four women pulled out their chairs and sat waiting for the men to do the same. Hesitantly two also sat as the two younger men stood against the far wall.

  Peyton nudged Melody who grunted as the elbow she dug into her ribs stung with a quick look of retribution for later, she cleared her throat and instantly had every male staring at her once more. A less confident person would have quailed under the pressure, not Melody she quashed any of the apprehension that threatened to surface and steadied her voice. ‘Firstly, do you all speak and understand our language?’

  When she got nods from them all, she carried on. ‘Okay, well good evening Warriors, we thank you for coming to our home.’

  The Warrior who had entered last and was so obviously the highest ranked, acknowledged the greeting with a slight nod of his head. Not in deference or respect, Melody thought
but then not a brush off or insult either. She would take it for what it was, an understanding that they were here and would listen to the human.

  ‘We also wish to thank you for your willingness to speak to us.’

  This time the nod was accompanied with an eyebrow lift and was easy to read. It was a thank you, now hurry up. She cleared her throat once more and said.

  ‘I think it would be a good idea to introduce ourselves, so I will go first. My name is Melody James. I am thirty-one years old and I am recently retired from the army. My rank was Lieutenant General.’

  She indicated Peyton and introduced her. ‘This is Peyton St. Hill. She is twenty-five years old and is now the unofficial Mayor of our town, Runnerdale. Sitting on my other side is Heather Wilson. Doctor, or as you call them healer, surgeon and researcher. She is also aged thirty-one years old. Next to Peyton is Doctor Darby Kline, she is twenty-nine years old and is our resident genius and specialist in everything else.’

  The man who had first walked in said. ‘I am Kerol Naihal, second in command to Commander Roeah.’

  He was tall at least six foot eight and very muscular with blond almost white hair that had a few brown highlights, his eye ring was blue. He indicated the silent man beside him. ‘Our Commander, Hawk Roeah.’

  This male was square faced and looked as if he had never smiled in his life, he had a calculating look in his guarded eyes sometimes Darby saw that same look in Melody’s eyes. She thought maybe it had something to do with being a General in the military. Although that explanation did not explain the same look she saw in Peyton’s green eyes on occasion.

  The Commander made her feel uncomfortable, although he was handsome with the gold eye ring and long black hair. Maybe it had something to do with him being older than the one named Kerol, and much more intimidating. Once more she hoped Peyton knew what she was doing.

  Melody thought the Commander was exactly what she expected a male who oversaw an off world force to be. Guarded and suspicious with the presence of power only a person in his position carried. She thought he wore the weight of command well.

  Kerol said. ‘Behind us is Warrior Lukkas Naihal.’ The name told the story of the male standing against the wall. He was an almost identical copy to his brother in height, weight and muscle, minus the facial scar and brown streaks in his hair. It was obvious he was younger than Kerol, and his eye ring was blue as well. Heather wondered if the color of the ring matched because they were related or created by the same scientist. She would have to ask, maybe they would know.

  Kerol finished the introductions as he said. ‘The other Warrior is Willian Devet.’

  He was young, if not younger than the Warrior named Lukkas, but that was all that was similar about the two males. Willian had long black hair with distinctive brown streaks, his eye ring color was red and at first glance quite startling. He was nowhere near as muscular as the other Warriors, it was almost like he had been ill, although he was still very broad in the shoulders and chest. Melody bet he was recovering from injuries, it was in the way he held himself. She had seen that kind of stiff wariness in soldiers who had been subjected to prolonged trauma. Almost as though their bodies remembered pain so intense, they suspected, that if they moved quickly or in the wrong way, they would experience it again.

  Kerol intoned. ‘We are the Commander’s squad.’

  All the women gave a small nod of acknowledgment, knowing from Darby’s research, that a squad was like an army unit. Normally there were only four members and most times this included the leader.

  Melody swallowed hard, they had spent the better part of the day trying to figure out how to explain why they had asked them here. Eventually, they all decided to just wing it, so she gripped her thighs together clenched her hands into fists and blurted out.

  ‘We have asked you here in the hopes of convincing you to take us to our new planet!’

  Commander Roeah, leaned back in his chair and didn’t acknowledge the chairs protest at the movement, keeping his attention on the females across from him. In preparation for their arrival on Earth, he and his Warriors had studied the population and the males in Earth’s army. Males that were considered highly trained and physically fit. So he knew compared to those males, his Warriors were taller and much larger of body which could make their presence intimidating to females. His own presence, that which made him an Elite, was overpowering, so he had been told. The sheer determination and strength that had allowed him to become the Commander of the Warriors could overshadow his personality if he allowed it to.

  Obviously not for these females, they did not seem to be afraid or intimidated by him or his Warriors. They did seem slightly apprehensive, although that could be explained in the reason for asking him to be here tonight. Maybe he thought, they would feel differently if they knew why he was here as the Commander of the Warriors.

  Hawk Roeah earned his Warriors loyalty because he searched endlessly for a way to protect all the Warriors under his command. He was an Elite, born to battle and born to survive, he strove constantly to give the Warriors he was responsible for, hope that one day the servitude they all endured would end. This is what drove him five nights earlier to open the flash-drive passed to him from the very nervous female.

  Commander, there is hope! I have been in touch with, ‘One’ who knows how you and your Warriors have endured. If you will allow me, I can help you and those you are responsible for escape your bondage. Please come to this address, in five night’s time, at 2100 hours. Commander, we can help each other, please have faith. Please come!

  So that was why he, Hawk Roeah, five hundred of Earths years old, had taken heed of the message and with his trusted squad arrived at this small dwelling.

  Until they had scanned the home, he and his Warriors had been full prepared for Thanikis to have set a trap for them. It would not be the first time he tested Hawks bonds that held him captive.

  Even when the bio-scans had come back negative for Thanikis, they had still approached the building cautiously, it was conceivable that Thanikis could have been distorting the readouts of the scanners.

  To say, he and his Warriors had been shocked by the females when they had entered the house was an understatement and it had nothing to do with the illegal projectile blasters they carried. It had more to do with the surprise he felt at the depth of determinism and lack of fear they had at meeting four large males for the first time.

  These females were sincere, which meant he would have to take careful consideration of their proposition, because Hawk knew he was more than interested in what they had to say. In a voice that had been honed on thousands of distant battlefields, he asked.

  ‘Before we go any further, it would be prudent to know who the one mentioned in the message is. Do you not think?’

  Peyton unconsciously wiggled in her chair, such a small movement but it was enough to have all three of her friends look her way. Before she could prepare them for what she was going to say, one of the Entities who had introduced herself several nights ago took control of her body. She had no choice other than to just listen to what was being said, because seriously what else was there to do, this was so far out of her experience.

  She heard a female’s voice in her mind, which was disconcerting trying to listen to her speak and hearing her own voice at the same time. ‘Ladies and Warriors, allow me to introduce myself. I am Sunshoona or if you like, I am Earth’s sun.’

  Peyton felt so sorry for what her friends were feeling as they all gasped and looked at her with varying expressions of disbelief and confusion. Sunshoona, softly soothed her. Peyton, Star Daughter, it will be well, I promise.

  Anguished Peyton cried. They are so confused, I wish I could have prepared them!

  Sometimes it is better not to. Sometimes the way I do it is best!

  Peyton could hear and feel the tone in Sunshoona’s voice and knew that arguing now was not something she necessarily wanted to do. Remaining silent seemed like a good idea. The soft laugh
ter that followed that thought, Peyton knew did not come from her.

  The Warriors dropped to a knee with a hand placed over their hearts and their heads bowed in what could only be termed, respect. Sunshoona using Peyton’s body bowed her head as well and then turned her gaze on to the women. Each of the three women without conscious thought dropped to a knee and bowed their heads.

  Power flooded the room and the Warriors and women present knew without a doubt, they were in the presence of an Entity, which could only be described as Divine. The tension and bewilderment eased from the room as Sunshoona spoke in a voice of pure radiance.

  ‘Ladies, I assure you, your friend is well and able to hear and see you. I will return her unharmed, I have taken over her body so I can talk to you. Please take your seats and Warriors if you will please rise and take your seats. I have a very limited time to be here and there are some things that need explaining.’

  When they were all re-seated, she smiled and moved to stand at the end of the table. ‘So let me begin. This world is in the process of evolving. She has always since her conception been in the throes of becoming sentient. What the people of Earth in the past mistook for global warming or climate change was in fact Gaea stretching and flexing her surface. In the last two thousands of Earth’s years, she has worked intensely to become wholly sentient. Recently, within the last one hundred years, she developed a plan to speed up her evolution.’

  ‘She caused the Virus!’ Darby whispered as the blood drained from her face and the faces of the others.

  Sunshoona nodded sadly. ‘Yes, the Virus was indeed created, not as some have postulated by humans or beings from another planet. As you have already guessed, it was caused by Gaea herself. She felt it was time for her to re-adjust, to come to terms with her new evolving environment. So she is modifying her surface, this is going to take many of her years to accomplish. For Gaea to succeed, she requires less drain on her surface. In simple terms, this means less pull on her resources. So Gaea decided rightly or wrongly...’