Daughter of Ethos

by L M Lacee

  ‘I moved it,’ Peyton told her dispiritedly, ‘more people want to sit here.’

  ‘Well, I like it. You can see more of outside and the dining room.’

  Brenda and Esther placed trays with food, cups and jugs down on the table. Helen told them. ‘She’s been mooning in here all morning.’

  Peyton said nothing and returned her gaze out the window with a sigh, as everyone took food and poured tea. Helen refilled her cup as Peyton watched her in the reflection of the window. Someone had made sure her huge coffee cup was on the ship; it made her feel sad and good at the same time. Before she could really get into feeling depressed Darby’s small hand turned her face toward her own as she said. ‘No hiding, if I cannot, you cannot. What is happening?’

  Peyton smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. ‘I am not hiding. I am scared… scared shitless! What have I done, I have dragged you and all these people to some far off place on a hope and prayer and I don’t even pray? What have I done?’

  Her voice rose at the end, as the panic that had been gnawing at her insides ever since she had given her speech, finally found purchase in her voice. She looked at these brave women that believed in her, in her word and in her promise and felt her soul shake. ‘Oh stars, I can’t do this?’

  ‘If not you, who?’ Hawk asked as he and Kerol pulled up chairs and joined them while everyone shuffled around. Helen murmured to Brenda. ‘We need a bigger table here.’

  ‘Good idea.’ Brenda agreed as she poured both males a cup of tea, while Esther made them a plate of food each.

  Peyton eyed both Warriors. ‘You could lead them. The Warriors follow you and the females would too. You are liked so…’

  ‘I am liked, really?’ Hawk sounded absolutely stunned at the thought that people liked him.

  Peyton snarled. ‘That’s what you heard. Yes, you ego maniac, you are liked.’

  ‘You really are.’ Melody seconded Peyton, ignoring her tone. ‘I hear it all the time.’

  ‘As do I,’ Heather said, ‘people talk to their healer and they tell me you are patient and you do not yell like some people who will remain nameless!’

  Melody just directed a snarky smile toward her as Darby mumbled. ‘You don’t scare me anymore and never look at me like I am weird.’ At their blanks looks she said. ‘Strange, different!’

  Hawk asked her. ‘Who said that, give me their names?’

  Kerol growled. ‘Tell me, and I will explain to them that you are not.’

  Darby blushed pink and ducked her head shyly saying. ‘Oh, well!’

  Esther gave her hand a pat telling them. ‘This is why they like you both.’

  Helen said. ‘Everyone talks in here, about everything. I hear lots of snatches of information.’

  ‘That is interesting?’ Hawk stated, thinking how these females could be a source of information, a valuable asset. Esther opened her mouth but Darby got there first. ‘Peyton, hon’ you are glowing!’

  ‘Really am I?’ She snarled. ‘I wonder if it’s because I’m having a moment here.’

  ‘Your point?’ Melody drawled.

  Peyton snapped back. ‘My point army girl is that you are all meant to be sympathetic. Tell me I am okay, and I am not alone in this. That my family and friends will be here to help me, not discuss how they!’ She stabbed her finger in Hawk and Kerol’s direction. ‘Are liked, which everyone knows because they are so friggin’ wonderful.’

  Hawk and Kerol froze at Peyton’s angry words. They slowly moved their eyes to the other females around the table and noted that not one of them looked concerned. Hawk lowered his cup to the table as Kerol placed his food back on his plate, waiting for the explosion they knew was coming.

  Heather calmly asked with raised eyebrows. ‘Isn’t that what we did?’

  Peyton frowned and growled. ‘Did you? I must have missed it!’

  Esther told her. ‘No you didn’t girly you aren’t listening. If there was a problem, wouldn’t you think we would say something quick, smart? Peyton you are okay, just a little scared of the responsibilities thrown at you. Although in truth it is really not any different to what you have been doing for months. Just with more people and on ships.’ She smiled as they all nodded in agreement with her.

  Brenda assured her. ‘Pfft! As for the new worlds, there isn’t one person here, who doesn’t want to go.’

  ‘You are also forgetting something?’ Hawk said quietly. ‘You are the Star Daughter with all the knowledge and wisdom of the Star Child available to you. Of course we… all of us would follow you whether you were or not.’

  Stunned Peyton sat with her eyes wide opened and her lips slightly parted as Kerol asked. ‘You wish to know why?’

  Snapping her lips together and with a bite to her tone she said. ‘Oh, very much so!’

  Helen tapped her hand. ‘Enough, this is not you talking, you are taking your fears out on us.’

  ‘I don’t think I am.’

  Esther’s tone sharpened as she said. ‘Girly, you are, now stop it.’

  Peyton spread her hands and asked. ‘Am I really?’

  ‘You are!’ They all exclaimed, except the men who just sat and watched the interplay.

  ‘Oh.’ She squeezed her eyes closed and took a long breath or two in and out and when her heart rate settled, she apologized. ‘I am sorry, I lost it there for a moment.’

  The apology paralyzed Hawk and Kerol and gave them pause, to be honest the whole exchanged shocked them to their very core. No one in power ever apologized and especially not within their hearing.

  Melody took pity on them as she saw the bewildered looks they were trying to hide. ‘Maybe this is because we are from Earth or maybe it is just us but this is how we discuss, argue, learn, and mostly how we cope. It is okay I swear, in case you missed it this is a meeting and make no mistake at these meetings we can be ourselves.’ She grinned as she stated. ‘Well, we are always ourselves, anyway we will talk over any problems we are experiencing, what we want to happen in the future. How we can help others and share ideas. What we have accomplished and what we wish to accomplish, who needs advice and how we can solve a problem whether it is personal or business. We will waylay fears and help one another to do the right thing. We do that by snapping and snarling with the occasional bitching at each other, but it means nothing. It is just us, there is never a repercussion for saying what is on your mind and speaking the truth.’

  ‘Kerol, you were saying.’ Heather brought their attention back to the discussion.

  He nodded. ‘Yes Healer Heather as I was saying, in all the comments our Warriors tell us about you Madam Peyton. Nikolas, Willian, Lukkas, Kent, and Sarn, who are only some of the ones you have touched with your smile, your grace and your kind words. You never order or issue demands we cannot accomplish. We as Warriors are unused to this but you and all the ladies treat us as though we matter. It is comforting and a little confusing.’ He looked at all the women as he finally said. ‘We like it.’

  Peyton smiled as she sighed. ‘Oh my, I really don’t know what to say now.’

  ‘Nothing, let’s get on with business.’ Esther grumbled. ‘I have cakes to cook, my boys like my ginger apple.’

  ‘Don’t we all?’ Darby stated.

  Peyton said nothing she was not a fan of ginger even if it was in a cake. Esther eyed her when she was the only one to not comment and asked. ‘You got something to say girly?’

  Peyton shook her head and eyed the feisty woman. ‘No ma’am, nothing.’

  The males were fascinated as they listened to the interaction between Esther and Peyton. Again Lady Esther had corrected Madam Peyton, and she had said nothing. These females were very confusing and yet endearing. It was very difficult to associate these females, in fact all the human females to females they had interacted with in their universe. The differences were glaringly obvious.

  Darby announced. ‘I have my nanobots programmed and working.’

  ‘What do they do?’ Peyton asked and before Darby
started explaining, she said. ‘In simple terms please.’

  Darby narrowed her eyes at her and said. ‘In simple terms they will be injected under the skin where they will attach information packets to different parts of the brain that need the information, like language. Coalition for us, English for the Warriors, other languages can be accessed if needed. Also, it will enable the histories of both humans and Warriors to be downloaded into another part of the brain. Then another packet will explain our aims for Maikonia and our missions. Basically anything we program into them.’

  Melody asked hopefully. ‘Written language?’

  Darby smiled at her tone. ‘No, sorry, no muscle memory. That will be your own concern but once you have the language, the rest is just practice.’

  Peyton said thoughtfully. ‘We will need to set up classes for the women to learn written Coalition and the Warriors to learn English.’

  Helen nodded. ‘Good idea, we could get the Warriors to teach the females and the females to teach the Warriors. We can set them up in the shipteens.’

  ‘Warriors Jorge and Sarn are exceptional organizers they will help coordinate with the other ships.’ Hawk advised them.

  Kerol said. ‘I have another two males, if we need them as well.’

  Heather asked. ‘Who do we get to oversee this?’

  ‘Oh, I have the perfect person and her friend.’ Peyton declared.

  ‘Who?’ Darby wanted to know hoping she did not mean her, she had so much work to do already as did Melody and Heather.

  ‘Penny and Jean, you have met them?’

  ‘Jean is helping me. I cannot work without her. She is my… Kerol what is it called?’

  ‘Second in command, Lady Darby.’

  ‘Yeah, my second, but I agree Penny would be great.’

  Melody said. ‘You need Trina Brown she is a language savant. She can speak Coalition already perfectly. It seems languages are her thing.’

  Peyton smirked as she said. ‘Well, that is the meaning of a savant.’

  Which caused Melody to give her a look of speculation before she asked. ‘When was the last time you trained?’

  ‘Ahh, Darby, it was yesterday right?’

  ‘Yep, definitely yesterday.’ Darby quickly agreed knowing if Peyton had to train she would be dragged into accompanying her.

  Hurriedly Peyton nodded to Melody. ‘Okay, we will tap both of them.’

  Esther mentioned. ‘My girls Karen and Amelia will volunteer, they are not busy and they like teaching.’

  ‘We have about a hundred teachers on board the ships if not more?’ Darby told them after looking at her tablet. ‘Let’s get Karen, Amelia and Penny to tap them and Trina can lead the actual dialect part with any others, who are already proficient in Coalition. I can give them a list.’ She was into her tablet again, tapping away as she spoke.

  Peyton asked her. ‘Can I leave that to you then?’

  Darby told her. ‘Done, all notified, lists sent.’

  Melody asked with a tone in her voice they had heard before. ‘Did they accept?’

  Darby frowned. ‘Why do you ask me that, of course they did?’

  ‘You did not just tell them they were doing it?’

  ‘Alright then.’ Peyton said loudly, heading off Melody and Darby’s argument on how they issued orders or did not. ‘Darby can you tell us what else your nanos can do please?’

  With a sharp look at Melody she answered. ‘They will download information on different cultures and their society’s mores and who rules those worlds also about different species we may encounter.’

  Hawk asked. ‘What about security?’

  ‘I thought that would be a concern so only Peyton and I. You, Melody and Heather as chief- medical- officer.’ She looked at the frowning Heather. ‘You are the chief- medical- officer right?’

  ‘Yes, she is.’ Peyton answered before Heather could. Darby nodded as she continued. ‘So only those people mentioned will have the data to program or reprogram them.’

  ‘Why me?’ Melody wanted to know, she had not expected to be included.

  Darby looked confused as she asked. ‘Are you not a Commander too, I thought you were?’

  ‘Of course she is.’ Peyton again answered for her. ‘In fact, let’s clear that up first, thanks Darby. So Commander Roeah which is just not going to work. So with your permission we would like to address you as Commander Hawk for private use, which means family.’

  ‘So basically everyone on the ships?’ Stated Melody with a twinkle in her eyes.

  ‘Yes Melody! That is what it means.’

  ‘Just clarifying. You should try that sometime!’

  ‘Alright then.’ Peyton glared at Melody, giving her the new look she had been practicing. It fell somewhere between disdain, and I am ignoring you. Unfortunately, it only made Melody smile more. It seemed like she would have to practice another one. Bringing Peyton back to the conversation Helen asked. ‘Is that alright with the Commander?’

  ‘What?’

  Helen arched her eyebrows and asked again. ‘Is that alright with the Commander?’

  ‘How would I know? I haven’t asked him yet?’ Declared an exasperated Peyton.

  ‘It is.’ Hawk quickly stated as Helen’s eyebrows rose higher.

  Melody whispered. ‘Good one!’

  He grinned in reply as Peyton said. ‘Good, so my question is, who leads here?’

  Hawk rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Technically the Star Daughter does but as I have thought on it and been assured you will be unoffended. I think I should say… that is not happening.’

  They all smiled at the unusual turn of phrase from the Commander. Peyton gave a deep sigh. ‘Thank you, I was so afraid you were going to say I had to do it.’

  Kerol frowned. ‘No one can make you do anything Madam, you are the Star Daughter.’

  ‘Pfft, you obviously don’t know my family.’

  ‘But Madam…’

  ‘Hush boy or no cake for you.’ Esther nudged Kerol, who snapped his mouth shut, he liked Esther's cakes.

  Peyton hid her smile and said. ‘Can we say all matters of a military nature belong to you and the other Commanders? Let me clarify here.’

  She looked at Melody and raised her nose a little in the air and refused to acknowledge the surrounding sighs. ‘I want you Hawk to be my First Commander so there is a distinction between you and the other Commanders. Melody would then be my Second Commander, will that be alright?’

  ‘It’s okay with me.’ Melody agreed as Peyton smiled with her.

  Kerol hesitated then said. ‘Madam, Commander Hawk is an Elite.’

  ‘I know, I am well aware what that means Captain Kerol.’

  ‘I am not a Captain.’

  ‘You are now!’ She said with a smile. ‘The reason I am not going to single Commander Hawk out as an Elite is, I will not allow him to become a target. And he will be if they think we have found out that he is much more than a Commander. So for a little while, with your agreement Commander Hawk, you will be known as First Commander Hawk. Like you will be known as Captain Kerol and Melody is now Commander Melody. Netta wherever she is will be Captain Netta and the rest you can figure out, is that acceptable?’

  Melody and Kerol both nodded as Hawk stated ‘Immensely!’ A feeling of warmth invaded his needar, as he gently reminded her. ‘All females are addressed as Lady.’

  ‘Of course, thank you.’

  Helen told them. ‘Except me, I am known as chef. I feel I will need the distinction as it seems I am in the position of Executive Chef for the worlds.’

  ‘Are you okay with that position?’

  She smiled. ‘Peyton, I am. I spent years learning my craft. Helping our worlds eat well and sustainable, validates all those years of sacrifice.’

  ‘Okay, so you will be known as Chef Helen.’

  ‘I thought you weren’t going to do military?’ Heather asked Peyton, who shrugged and replied as she worried that something she had said or done had upset Heathe
r. ‘Regardless of what I want, I am in the position of Commander- in- Chief. I will not do the day-to-day operations, which is their job.’ She indicated Hawk, Melody, and Kerol. ‘But let’s be honest here, I know stuff. The Stars give me information. Are you mad at me for something? Was it because I said you were chief- medical-officer, don’t you want to be?’

  Heather rubbed her eyes. ‘It’s not that. I know I am good enough. It is just…’

  Darby cut in. ‘You should have asked?’

  Peyton looked at Darby, then Heather. ‘Darby is right. I should have asked, Heather I apologize. There is no one I would trust more than you, but I should not take any of you for granted.’

  Heather waved her hand as though brushing the feeling away. Having the words she thought spoken out loud showed how petty they were. Embarrassed she said. ‘No, it is fine. I was being precious. If you had chosen someone else, I would have been annoyed with you.’

  Peyton asked with a smile in her eyes. ‘So what you are saying is, I could not win here?’

  ‘Funny, but probably true.’

  ‘Peyton dear, it is alright. Sometimes you have to take for granted that what you say will be done. It is the price of leadership.’ Helen told her as she looked around the table at all these wonderful women and men, young and old and said in the only way Helen could.

  ‘Ladies, buck up. This is a whole new life we are entering with a whole new set of rules. So get on board or get off. This is the only choice we have, we are all taking on new rolls and they will be for the betterment of Maikonia and our people. As well as for ourselves and for these wonderful men, we have forced into freedom with us. Are these not some of the reasons we are here.’

  Peyton asked quietly. ‘Is Helen right, are we all agreed on this?’

  They all answered together. ‘We are.’

  Peyton nodded then went on to something else.

  ‘Now as for uniforms, I leave that for you Commanders and Captains to work out. Also, we have over fifteen thousand female army personnel and they will not be side-lined. If you need admin, we have females and Warriors that can and will do that job willingly and probably happily, so use them. The female Warriors need training, so train and deploy them. They earned the right to help secure our people and home worlds, get them and the Warriors used to each other. You will know better than I, how to do that.’