by L M Lacee
He grinned as he told her. ‘I am told they love human females. It would be a shame if all your friends ended up there and if you think I don’t mean it, think again?’
Peyton looked inside her vault of knowledge but before she could find anything to use, she was enclosed in a net of warmth and heard a voice speaking. It was like listening to a song being sung by a chorus of heavenly voices only deeper and more menacing.
The Star Child raged. You dare to threaten our Daughter, the sisters of her heart and our chosen.
The room was suddenly engulfed in flames, all except the table and chairs where they sat. Ian White shouted. ‘What the hell is this?’
Thanikis cried horrified. ‘No… No! It is impossible. This cannot be, you are a myth?’
Nothing is impossible Thanikis of Jenersar. You who are your Emperor’s brother. You should have studied your histories as well as you studied the art of exploitation. We have asked our Daughter what we should do with you. We wish death!
Both males paled as the words registered on their conscious minds, they stared fearfully at Peyton as the Star Child stated. Our Daughter says we must stay our hand for now. So I will do as she asks, although I will remove all memory of this conversation.
Which they did and the knowledge of Peyton placing a code in Thanikis and Ian White’s tablets. They then implanted both males with the suggestion that they should release Peyton. Because it was obvious, she had no idea where the Warriors were and was not responsible for their disappearance. The Star Child told Peyton that they had taken her recommendation, which she did not remember making, and had punished both males. As she would not allow their deaths, they had rendered them impotent for a period of time. They assured her it was a fitting punishment!
Peyton wasn’t sure their time, and hers was the same, so she was unsure how long the males would remain impotent. She could not find it in her heart to feel sorry for them and was sure she heard the Star Child giggle before they departed. A minute later the flames disappeared and Peyton was sitting demurely in her chair, both men were once again in their own seats.
They blinked several times and shook their heads as they stared at each other, knowing something had taken place but unable to see anything amiss in the room or with Peyton, who said innocently. ‘As I have already stated, I know nothing about the Warriors.’
‘We understand you say that Miss St. Hill, but you should understand we must ask when rumors surface.’
‘Of course Ambassador White and the threats?’
‘Remain in place, if we find you have lied.’ Thanikis told her with a sneer.
Peyton nodded. ‘I am sure you will find I have not. May I go?’
Ian looked sideways at Thanikis who gave a small nod, then Ian assured her. ‘Of course… of course, the Ambassador and I have no more questions for you.’
He smiled a smile that made her stomach clench as he said with a touch of menace. ‘We know where to find you, if in the future we need to speak to you again.’
Peyton nodded without a smiling, she needed to get out of this room quickly, in the depths of both men’s eyes, she read the knowledge they knew something had happened and they suspected it had something to do with her.
Ian White stood and said. ‘Thank you for your time Miss St. Hill. My soldiers will see you to the train.’
Calmly she stood, her mouth was so dry she could not reply, so she just nodded. Within seconds she found herself in the corridor where she was once again being escorted by the same two soldiers down the long hallway. Just before they made the exit the soldiers slowed then stopped. ‘Miss St. Hill, could you tell General James, that Sergeants Mike Thomas and Henry Adams, say hello and we are using everything she taught us.’
She whispered. ‘Do you have water?’
He handed her a small bottle; she drank it dry then said. ‘I thank you and yes I will. Now you need to be careful, and whatever you do make sure you have a way out.’
They started walking again as he smiled down at the small, feisty woman. Whatever had taken place in the room had not seemed to worry her too much. She seemed paler than when they had left her but still just as steady. ‘Don’t worry, our General has that covered, we are as protected as we can be.’
‘Good, it was nice to have met both of you.’
They arrived at the door to the train where two female soldiers were waiting. One tall and one of medium height, both a little older than Peyton.
‘Take her back to her town and make sure you are careful with her.’ Ordered Sergeant Thomas.
The smaller woman nodded her head and said. ‘Of course Sergeant.’
He looked at Peyton and saluted her with a smile. ‘Miss St. Hill, until we meet again.’
She smiled at both soldiers. ‘Take care, and I hope we meet again too.’
Then Peyton looked at the two female soldiers, the taller woman said. ‘If you would come this way please?’
She had an accent which caused both male soldiers to give her a hard look, but they did not stop them from leaving. Peyton moved quickly when she noticed sweat on the women’s faces and the trembling of their hands.
Something was not right but as she felt nothing but worry from both women, she did not argue about leaving with them. With Peyton in the lead, they quickly stepped into the ground train where twenty soldiers armed with rifles and in ill-fitting uniforms waited tensely. One of the soldiers was holding a rifle upside down, when the taller soldier entered, she motioned with her hand for the woman to correct her hold on the weapon. The woman went red and quickly turned the rifle the right way up, almost dropping it in her haste.
Peyton put her head down to hide her smile and grabbed a strap as the train started to move. Her eyes traveled to the soldier’s feet and saw trainers, dress shoes and boots. Stranger and stranger was this new escort; she raised her eyes and carefully looked at the soldiers and saw they were all young, soft faced very frightened women.
TWENTY-THREE:
Within minutes they arrived at the train’s destination. She and her twenty-two soldiers, in their ill-fitting uniforms, walked from the exit and away from the shuttle she had arrived on. Her two guards lead her around the side of a large building and with all the other soldiers crowding around them, walked to a line of large land movers.
It looked like all the transporters were filled with women, teenagers and even younger children, their faces crammed against the windows. Peyton stopped and looked at as many as she could, seeing the desperation on their faces along with fear and worry.
She nodded her head once and walked onto a half empty mover. Her guards and the twenty pretend soldiers all entered behind her. She took the seat indicated as the others all moved to the back of the transporter.
Leaving three or four rows of empty seats between Peyton and the shorter guard who took the seat next to hers. Once she saw everyone was seated, she called out. ‘Go Jean.’ As the transporter pulled away, she turned to Peyton and said. ‘I am Penny Tonne.’
The woman was around Peyton’s age, maybe a little older and a few inches taller than her, she was slim with honest hazel eyes. She pulled her hat off and her shoulder length strawberry blonde hair spilled out, running her hands through it, she looked at Peyton as she asked. ‘Have I been kidnapped?’
‘Dear God, no, but I am sure it looks like it. We are here to ask to join your people. We know all about who you are, what you are doing, and we desperately need to leave. There is not one woman or girl here that wants to be a baby machine or end up on a pleasure planet. I beg you to take us.’
When Peyton said nothing because she was wondering if she could stop Melody attacking the convoy before she found out what was going on.
Penny became desperate. ‘I know who your traitor is, and we swear we are all clean. No drugs, no diseases and no spies.’
‘You can guarantee that?’ Peyton asked, her eyes on Jean, the bus driver.
Penny shook her head saying. ‘Oh, hell no, I am hoping you can?’
‘Yes and no, I was a secretary in the shipping department. I found out what was happening today. We stole the uniforms. Well actually Trina did, and we all stole the transporters and took the risk. Trina knocked out the shuttle pilot, and then we just waited until they said you were leaving.’
‘Who is Trina?’
Penny smiled. ‘The tall woman who was with me.’
‘I see, and if I hadn’t come out?’
‘We knew someone would come get you!’
‘How did you get all these women?’
‘As I said I worked in the shipping department.’ She made a face and quietly told her. ‘I found out what was being shipped.’ She lowered her voice more as she said. ‘Most of these women and teenagers were slated for pleasure planets. The younger girls were to be servants and eventual breeders. Jean, Trina and I broke them out from the holding compounds.’
‘Good job, how do you know about me?’
‘Jean is a computer systems analysts and an Undernet hacker.’ Jean waved to Peyton over her shoulder as she drove. Penny told her. ‘She tapped into your site, we went from there?’
Peyton asked. ‘Okay, Jean hon`, did you by any chance make sure we could find out if any more women are being transported?’
‘That I did Madam… That I did!’
Peyton asked, ‘What’s your full name Jean and where do you come from?’
‘Jean Harding and I am all the way from New Zealand Madam.’
‘Damn, that’s a fair way Jean?’
‘Yeah it is. Trina is from my neighborhood, Australia.’
Peyton turned around to look at Trina, who was smiling. ‘Wow! I am glad to have met you both.’
Trina smiled. ‘Us too, Madam.’
Peyton turned back around and asked Penny. ‘How many are with you?’
‘Just on a thousand.’
‘Okay, do you have a secure tag please?’
Penny handed one over to Peyton, who tapped in a code. ‘Jean, can you have them pull up here, please?’
Jean slowed the mover and flashed her lights. All the other movers stopped behind her on the side of the road.
Peyton said. ‘The answer is yes we will take you all. Tell your people to grab what they have. We are out of here.’ Quietly she asked Penny. ‘How many know who you picked up?’
Penny murmured instantly. ‘Myself, Jean and Trina.’
‘Okay, it may be a good idea to keep it that way?’
Penny nodded. ‘That is probably for the best.’
Four minutes later, five shuttles landed and within minutes they were in the air. Peyton tapped her pilot on the shoulder. ‘Yes, Lady?’
‘Your name please?’
‘Warrior Nikolas Faelone.’
‘Hello Warrior Nikolas.’
‘Hello Lady.’
Nikolas’s shyness was adorable for a huge Warrior, Peyton could tell he was young like Lukkas and Willian and just as handsome. He had long shoulder-length black hair and a red eye ring. ‘Could you open a comm` to the other shuttles please, Nikolas?’
‘As you wish Sta... Sorry Lady!’
Peyton grinned and mind-sent. It is okay Warrior Nikolas, and we say ma’am. It sounds better than Lady.
He sighed as he said hesitantly. I am sorry Star Daughter. Commander Hawk asked me to be your pilot and told me who you were. I will seek a replacement.
What for?
Star Daughter, I nearly told!
So who cares, it’s okay Nikolas. Shortly everyone will know, please don’t worry.
Very well Star Daughter. He then nodded to Peyton to let her know she could start speaking.
‘Hello, to everyone we just picked up. In case you had not realized it, you are all safe and will be going to a small town called Runnerdale. When we arrive, you will be asked a few questions and will see a doctor. If you need one immediately, please inform the reception committee. I believe you are all aware that we are mobilizing to leave Earth. I am sure some of you have an idea of where you were to be sent to and I am sorry our Government decided that for you. I hope in time they realize the women of Earth are not pawns in whatever game they are playing. But until that happens if it ever does, I and many like me refuse to wait around for that to happen. Anyway, we are leaving, but we still have a little time left until we do. Now there will be beds, food and showers for you all and a safe place to live. You will be asked to help as and where you can, I am sure you can imagine that there is still lots to do before we go. I hope you will all help if you can. Thank you.’
She tapped Nikolas’s shoulder again, and he flipped a switch disconnecting the transmission as she said.
‘Let them know we will need doctors please.’
‘I will notify General James.’ He tapped at his console and started talking.
Peyton walked to Penny and asked quietly. ‘The name please?’
Penny nodded and whispered the name of their traitor, Peyton did not let her see the hurt and anger in her eyes. She just nodded her head then returned to her position next to Nicolas. A little while later he said. ‘Ma’am, we are at the medical center.’
‘Please land and then can you drop me at my place?’
‘As you wish.’
She nodded to Penny and Jean and said. ‘I’ll see you both again soon, say goodbye to Trina for me and remember you are safe here.’
Penny closed her eyes and when she opened them again, there was a sheen of tears showing. All she wanted to do was drop to her knees and kiss this woman’s feet in relief and thanks for her and her friends. As well as for the thousand women she had allowed, to join her and her people in leaving what once had been their home and had turned into a living hell. Knowing that she would probably not appreciate such a display of thanks she instead said respectfully ‘Thank you, Madam Peyton’
‘Aww don’t say that. It’s just Peyton?’
Jean squeezed Penny’s hand in relief and stated. ‘I don’t think you have ever been just anything. You should get used to the title, I think it becomes you, Madam Peyton.’
Penny said to Jean. ‘It does have a nice ring to it!’
Peyton stated. ‘You know in the past. Madam meant brothel owner.’
Which for some reason made both women laugh uproariously. Peyton shrugged, she was not being funny, it was true. Jean stated as she eyed the smaller woman.
‘If you wish to take that from it, you can, although I would not.’
Penny chipped in with. ‘I have a feeling like Jean said, you should get used to the title.’
Peyton frowned. ‘Why?’
As Jean and Penny stood, Jean winked saying quietly. ‘We have just met you and even we can see you are more than just a regular person.’ She moved closer and whispered. ‘It’s in the eyes sweetie!’
Jean now Peyton got a better look at her was a little older than Penny, maybe between thirty or thirty-five. She was what Peyton’s grandfather would have called a statuesque woman. She had short curly brown hair and an engaging smile, her brown eyes held far too much sadness and wariness for the light-hearted banter they had been indulging in. Although, Peyton was used to seeing those emotions in the eyes of the women she spoke to daily.
Peyton grinned at them both and shook her head. ‘Well, there is not much I can do about what others see, but I am very glad to have met you both.’
They stepped down from the shuttle and were hustled away by several women in medical coats. The last she saw of them they were both talking to Heather’s friend Patty. Peyton grinned, knowing they would be fine. Nikolas closed the door and powered up the shuttle and within seconds he was landing outside her home.
Stepping down herself from the shuttle she thanked him and then stood and waved goodbye until he was a speck in the sky. Walking into her empty house, she placed her palm against the scanner overriding Darby’s defense system.
Then she collapsed on the floor as sobs racked her body, finally
releasing the tears she had held tightly to, for what seemed like hours. Suddenly she was surrounded and held in the arms of her sisters, while she cried out her fears for them and the Warriors. Then she cried for the Government’s betrayal of their people, and tears fell for all the men and women she would have to leave behind. She cried harder for what she would have to do in the morning and lastly; she cried in relief that she was home.
Eventually, her tears subsided, and the sobs abated as sleep overtook her, helped by a sedative hypo spray Heather administered. Hawk who had been with the three women when Nikolas had signaled the Star Daughter was home, lifted Peyton and carried her to her bedroom, as Melody murmured. ‘Well, I don’t know about you two, but I am thinking that was a long time in coming.’
Darby stated. ‘I did not think she could cry.’
Heather smiled softly. ‘We all cry, Darby.’
‘Do we? I know we all do and have.’ She pointed to Peyton in Hawk’s arms and said. ‘I was not so sure she did. She is very self-contained.’
‘Now we know she does.’ Melody told her, ending the conversation about the vulnerable woman who had become so very dear to them all. Hawk laid her down on her bed and stood looking at her, then he looked up at the three females as they entered. ‘It is a harsh task the Star Child asks of one so young.’
‘What is it they ask of her?’ Melody asked as she brushed the hair back from Peyton’s forehead.
He replied simply. ‘She is now their arm of justice!’
With that he walked from the room, heaviness in every step he took for what he knew was to come. He wondered if it had dawned on Peyton that she was no longer just human, and he wondered if her family really understood what was going to emerge from the one they called sister. He thought that they did not, and he had no way of telling them, because he truly did not know.