by L M Lacee
The cloud hanging over him since rising this morn grew lighter and his mind cleared of worry. Allowing him to work through the steps he would have to take to accomplish his plan. Then, as he reached out to place his palm on the scanner to unlock his bedroom door, a thought came to him. If he ordered the revival of the Warriors from stasis, what would stop them leaving to join Roeah in his rebellion. Somehow the basterad had convinced the Warriors here and obviously on the other worlds to follow him. So what was there to stop him doing the same again?
He, Uthar had no way of knowing how he had subverted his Warriors in the first place, he shook his head. No, it was too risky, he could not replenish the Warriors. He would just have to hope Thanikis could find Roeah and return him to Uthar, so an example could be made.
Sighing loudly, he wondered how many Warriors he would have to execute to make them understand they belonged to him and he was their only leader. Losing Roeah would be annoying, just as much as deciding which of his brothers to wake from stasis would be.
He paced some more as he cursed Thanikis for losing control of Roeah. This mission was meant to be a simple matter of policing some small world in an obscure Universe, how was this possible.
Suddenly an idea came to him. Should he contact the worlds that had not reported missing Warriors? Although if he did, and the Warriors were still there, mayhap that would look suspicious to the rulers of those worlds. Especially as he would be breaking with protocol. Of course he could just bypass the rulers altogether and contact the Warriors directly, but again this came with problems. Would that spur the Warriors into finding out about the rebellion and leaving to join Roeah? After a few minutes of thought, he decided not to contact anyone and wait to see how far Roeah’s influence had spread.
The last thing he wanted to do was let anyone know he was experiencing problems. That alone could cause long reaching ramifications, especially if other rulers realized he had no Warriors to defend his world. Jenersar could suffer, worlds might stop paying the credits they owed, and his people could begin demanding answers, which could mean unrest, even civil war. This was an impossible situation Thanikis had landed him in, and if he, Uthar were to lose his position as Emperor. Then Thanikis, brother or not, would lose his life.
His mind shied away from those thoughts, as he found his pacing had brought him to his dressing scanner. Regardless of what was happening, he knew it must appear to his people and the rulers of other worlds that he, Emperor Uthar Jenerika was still in control.
So he took his time to scrutinize his face and body for telltale signs of stress. Seeing none, he stared admiringly at his reflection. He was still the most handsome of his brothers, brushing back his long black hair, which he seldom tied or braided as he had not this morn. He turned his face from side to side, looking for flaws.
He smirked as he thought of his last mistress, before he had her dismissed to some distant planet as someone’s breeder. She had often told him his body belonged to a much younger male, and he knew she was right. He was as lean and just as muscled as he had been in his youth. He sighed gustily as he remembered he had always liked how she flattered him with her honest observations, along with her willingness to try anything new. Sadly, she had become far too enamoured of her position as his mistress. He despised arrogance in others; it was hard enough being mated to an arrogant female, having one as a lover was more than any reasonable male could tolerate. Although he would admit, he may have acted in haste, because he also hated an empty bed.
Maybe as a diversion from his worries, he would look around court and see who would benefit from becoming his lover. Suddenly anger at the situation he found himself in overcame him once more, removing any pleasure he had about finding a new lover.
Turning, he slammed from his bedroom and strode from his suite. At six-foot-six, Uthar was well over the normal height of most Jenersar males and was without doubt an imposing male. Especially when his eyes flashed silver as they were now. He snarled out vicious curses as he walked through his private sitting room.
Spying one of his hapless cousins, who was acting as his secretary for the moment, he demanded. ‘Comm my brother, the erstwhile Ambassador to the Coalition and inform the fool, I wish to speak to him. NOW.’
As he walked into the corridor, he knew the idiot would be on the comp as soon as he left the room.
Uthar growled under his breath. Somehow Thanikis had caused this and he would have to fix it before it escalated. It was a simple arrangement, he Uthar pulled the strings and Roeah the basterad complied with his demands. How in all the stars had Thanikis failed at that?
As he did every morn for propriety’s sake, and because she demanded it, he entered his mate’s personal dining room and heard her ask. ‘Tell me, Uthar. How much worse can this get?’
‘I do not know.’ He replied as he helped himself to tea. ‘At least we have heard nothing from the Capital.’
‘Thank the stars for that.’
As if saying the name tempted the fates, a messenger rushed in and handed Uthar a missive. Hurriedly departing when he saw his thunderous expression.
After reading it, Uthar violently slammed his fist on the table, rattling Quara’s fine crockery and upsetting the platters of food. He let loose a long string of curses.
Well used to his outbursts, Quara muttered. ‘Furin hayda.’
Thumping the table again, Uthar snarled. ‘Well, it seems our luck just ran out. The Governor, demands I comm him.’
Quara whispered. ‘They have gone from there as well, what will you tell him?’
‘How the furin hayda do I know Quara.’
‘Tone! This is not my fault Uthar. I told you not to pull so hard on Roeah’s yoke. You and Thanikis thought you knew better, now see what you have wrought.’
‘Enough Quara. You are not that valuable to me. I will not replace you.’
Quara barked out a laugh. ‘Try my dearle, just try.’ She stood and left the room with a smirk for her mate.
Uthar threw his cup against the wall. One day he would end her life, when the time was right and he could not be held accountable. He growled as his link sounded demanding he answer the comm from the Capital’s Governor.
TWENTY-SIX:
The inhabitants on the world called the Capital, home to the Coalition. Retired the previous night secure in the knowledge Warriors patrolled their world and Battleships orbited the world they called home.
Only to wake the next morning and find empty streets and an equally empty air space.
The Governor of the Capital after learning of this disastrous situation ordered the Commander of the Capital’s armed forces to his office. Whereby, he demanded Commander Dantara Lewen, tell him the whereabouts of the Jenersar Warriors and Battleships.
Commander Lewen could only state, he had no knowledge of the whereabouts of the Warriors. His conscience twinged a little at speaking a near truth. On reflection, he felt justified as he believed the question he was asked, was where the Warriors and ships were. Not when did they leave, and had he helped them leave by piloting the shuttles to the Warships.
He took the demotion in rank for dereliction of duty without a murmur, feeling he probably warranted it.
After his interview with the former Commander, the Governor then comm’d the Emperor of Jenersar to ask some very pointed questions. First, he demanded to know why the Warriors had been recalled and secondly, when would they be returned. A very lengthy discussion ensued.
The Emperor was unaccustomed to being on the receiving end of anyone’s displeasure, which he re-laid to his brother Thanikis, minutes after finishing his comm with the Governor.
When Uthar calmed enough to enquire whether his brother had retrieved Roeah and his Warriors yet. Thanikis had to admit to he had not. Needless to say, Uthar was livid and threatened another demotion.
Having already been demoted in his Emperor’s court. Thanikis could not afford another failure. So he spent the following days reassuring the Emperor and the Coalition tha
t the Warriors would be returned. Unfortunately, as the days passed, this seemed less and less likely. His position as Ambassador and his very life was placed in jeopardy.
TWENTY-SEVEN:
Two weeks and three days after the sudden withdrawal of the Warriors. Peyton was sitting in her office going over lists of people who still had to be gathered or contacted. When a name popped out from the list and slapped her in the face. Fran Hugh, sister to Sybil Hugh, former mayor of Runnerdale.
Peyton smiled, she was sitting in the very office which used to belong to Sybil. She and her friends had been some of the first women, auctioned or gifted to a new world, which is what the Government was calling the selling of women. Peyton remembered Sybil and her friends were thrilled to have gone in the first wave of ships. She wondered if they had remained happy; she hoped so.
She sighed as she rubbed the back of her neck; she had been in her office since seven this morning, seeing to inventory and paperwork. Looking over escort requests for women coming to Runnerdale and for more shipping containers. Stretching, she decided she needed coffee and noticed the time, it was the middle of the morning. Which she thought was a pleasant time of day, just an hour or two from lunch.
A time to finish up house chores or sitting with friends for a morning cup of coffee or tea. She wondered if she should grab Melody and go into town. They could have coffee then help sort out inventory for containers, or look over loading lists. She was sure they would need her help.
Then she remembered Darby saying she could not leave her office until she had finished her boarding lists. She was right, but still looking at names and deciding on who was to go with them and who was not just made her sad.
She walked to the oversized bay window Sybil had insisted on having installed. When she had taken over the office of mayor, which had not long been after the world had a working Government again. Peyton looked out on the town she oversaw, or more rightly ruled. Her town had changed in the last two weeks, now containers lined the streets, and houses were filled with recent arrivals and Darby’s computer people, who were constantly busy.
The authority she had been handed did not sit so easily on her shoulders. Command was something she knew she would have to get used to, it was just so new. Unlike Melody and Commander Roeah, who seemed to accept the weight of command with no noticeable qualms, she felt too young most of the time.
Everything that was happening at Runnerdale and the towns surrounding it was a direct result of her and her new identity as the Star Daughter.
She raised her eyes up to the almost empty sky and sighed. It wasn’t that long ago the first spaceships had arrived, carrying what they all hoped was salvation, but in truth was a lie.
Cyber-hackers had flooded the net with speculation that the Coalition themselves had caused the Virus. Many believed that to this very day. However, this rumor was quickly shut down by the Government but the damage had been done. Speculation and suspicion had consumed the world and especially after the signing of the Agreement.
Peyton in the capacity as personal assistant to the Mayor had been taken to the governing building in Manhattan and was present at the signing of the Agreement. If she had heard once she heard a hundred times that day, how lucky they all were to be rescued by the beautiful Aliens. Peyton had repeatedly shaken her head in bewilderment at this sentiment.
It seemed to her the Coalition was getting a better deal than the people of Earth. The Government signed over to the Coalition the planet’s resources and Earth got invaded and a supposed cure for the Virus.
She remembered now, that by the end of the day she had been exhausted. More from trying not to show how embarrassed she was at the way Sybil acted when she had been introduced to Ambassador Jenerika. As well as all the flirting with all the Aliens who were there. Some of it was just so blatant, it made her cringe, even now remembering it. Seriously, it had been enough to make a grown woman want to shoot someone. In the end all the fawning over the Ambassadors and envoys had Peyton feeling like she needed a shower. So when Sybil decided they would stay the night in the city, Peyton had quickly made her excuses and caught a mag train home. She was sure it had been a relief for Sybil and her simpering friends when she had left.
Secretly she had known they were all scared of her, which truthfully she had not minded. It had kept them from looking at things she wanted them to leave alone, like chasing two star generals from her town.
Of course, she laughed now with a tinge of bitterness, feeling a tingle of the old anger mixed with sadness rise and clog her throat. She, like everyone else, had believed the Coalition when they said they were here to help. That was until the day Melody had reached out to her and shown her the files Darby had discovered.
Maybe, she reflected, it was just as well she only found out later and not on the day the agreement was signed. She was positive there would have been no way she could have remained silent. Part of her wished she had known so she could have spoken up. Maybe if she had, more people would have realized what was happening earlier too. Thoughts like that just made her want to scream in anger, but she knew that would be unwise, especially now. Heavens knew what kind of terrible disaster her screaming could cause.
Sighing, she looked up at the sun and quietly asked herself. ‘Who knew this would be the result?’
Daughter, you will find everything is as it should be.
Star Child, I only hope you are right and I will take comfort from your assurances.
As you wish, Daughter.
Peyton grinned, she was getting better at conversing with someone in her mind now. She no longer ended up with a headache; she guessed it was like a muscle that just needed exercising. Talking to a vast Entity was entertaining, or at least she found it so. She was unsure if they found talking to her the same. Tipping her head to the side when she heard a noise outside, she peeked out the window. Oh dear, well I suppose it was inevitable.
Melody acting as Peyton’s secretary sat at her desk, her hand in the top draw. Ready to withdraw her weapon when she heard the thump of boots on the hardwood floor outside her office.
When the soldiers pushed open the door and stomped in, she looked sharply at each face and realized there was not one soldier she knew or had trained with.
Peyton sensing Melody’s sharp spike of anger and resentment quickly walked out from her office. And found twenty-four soldiers, all dressed and armed for combat, crowding into the small reception space. Moving to stand behind Melody, she squeezed her shoulder, stopping her from taking the gun out and starting a battle she would not win.
Peyton inclined her head and asked. ‘Soldiers, how may I help you?’
A tall male, definitely English by his accent, stated as he moved forward. ‘Are you Peyton St. Hill?’
‘Yes, I am.’
‘You are ordered to accompany us to a meeting with Ambassador’s White and Jenerika.’
‘Am I under arrest?’
The male quirked his lips in a half smile. ‘No, Miss St. Hill. It is a polite request for your attendance. We, of course, can make it an arrest.’
‘That will be unnecessary.’
This will be the first time she would use one of her gifts from the Stars. Telepathy or mind sending.
Melody, it’s me in your head.
As Melody’s eyes widened, she tensed. Peyton hurriedly squeezed her shoulder again and explained.
Don’t react, it is a gift the Star Child gave me, so we can talk this way. You can too. Just think, the words soft and slowly like I am.
Oh. My. God. This is amazing. Did you know you could do this?
No, I haven't done it until now. Seriously, I think we may have to use the term Stars like the Warriors do, instead of God or Lord. It might be easier on us when we go to their Universe.
Really! You are worried about that now?
Well, yeah. I sort of am.
You really are weird, you know that?
Peyton sniffed as she growled. Just so rude, Army girl.
Melody’s eyes gleamed as she stifled her laughter, then mind-sent. So, this is sort of fun, talking this way.
Yes it is.
When did you… Hold on a minute, can you read minds too, are you reading my mind now?
Melody, I think that is for another time.
Okay, but don’t think I will forget Star girl.
Peyton ignored that and instead told her. Contact Darby, initiate plan, oh boy. Sad to say, I think we have a traitor. Call the others.
Will do.
Peyton moved to where the soldiers all stood. The one in charge fell into step with her and together they filed out of the office.
Before Peyton and the others had contacted the Warriors, the four friends had taken into account the possibility of one or more of them being arrested. At the time, they had assumed it would be Melody or Darby as they were taking the most chances back then. So they had put in place certain contingency plans. Now they had the Warriors as back up. Melody knew time for subtle had gone.
She stood and moved to the window, watching them take Peyton from the building and vowed she would use brute force if needed, to retrieve her sister.
A smile on her face and laughter in her eyes, Peyton got into the land vehicle and looked toward Melody and mind-sent. Remember who I am, Army girl. I will find out what they want and be home for lunch, invite Hawk and Kerol. Let’s have chicken salad.
Melody closed her eyes as the land vehicle drove away with her sister in it. She rubbed her chest where a pain radiated from her heart. While her mind started working out ways to get Peyton home or if need be to kill those that hurt her or worse. What they could do to Peyton did not bear thinking about. She hung her head and breathed deeply.
Melody knew herself well, knew she would lose her shit, if anything happened to Peyton. She would kill them all or as many as she could until they killed her. Starting first with the soldiers who took her away and ending with the ones that ordered it. Then she would administer a special punishment for the traitor, if, in fact, they had one. She would ravage this planet if she must, to avenge her sister.