by L M Lacee
Peyton said. ‘As with the others, the words are in star script, the left one reads. Together we are stronger. The right reads. Home is Maikonia.’
Heather was next, hers became a necklace, unlike Esther’s and Brenda’s it was more of a flat half inch wide choker. With amazingly enough a form of the Hippocratic Oath etched on it, as well as the words.
For Maikonia.
Darby’s Adee became a hair band and when she placed it on her head. It moved her hair away from hanging in her eyes and seemed to tame her wild curls.
‘Well, that saves me getting it cut.’ She grinned as she touched the warm metal.
Peyton read the words etched on the band. ‘Trust. Hope, Faith, Achievement.’
Darby nodded as she said. ‘That about sums me up.’
They all looked at Peyton as she opened hers and nestled on material so black it was like looking into an abyss, lay a thick wide rope.
Melody asked. ‘What is that?’
Heather said. ‘It is not white gold or platinum but it sort of looks like both.’
Awed, Helen said. ‘When I was young, my father showed me a picture of the rarest and most valuable metal on our world called Rhodium. This looks a little like that.’
Hawk’s voice was filled with shock, as was the look in his and Kerol’s eyes as he claimed. ‘That is not Adee. Adee cannot take on the texture and color of this substance.’ They all looked at him as his tone became filled with reverence. ‘If it is what I think it is. I have only ever read of this substance. It is said that many millions of yentas before our Universe was formed or maybe any Universe. The Star Child created one planet from Star Crystal.’
He reverently touched the rope lying in the box and felt the warmth and maybe it was wishful thinking, but he was sure he felt, starfire. He drew in a breath, saying. ‘Our histories do not say what happened to the planet. As far as I know, it has never been seen or walked upon. Although it is searched for constantly, entire worlds and guilds have been created just to study the Universe for proof of its existence. It is called the Star Crystal planet, it has always been considered a legend, based in hope.’
Kerol’s voice was respectful when he told them. ‘Legend says that every planet at their core has a sliver of Star Crystal. I guess we must conclude it is not a myth. The planet exists and all planets at their core are Star Crystal.’
Peyton said. ‘Or the Star Child can produce Star Crystal, because they are the creator of all.’
He looked at Peyton and smiled slightly. ‘Maybe that could be so. What I know is there is no worthier gift for our Star Daughter.’
Peyton thanked him and placed her fingers on the rope of Star Crystal. It hummed loudly then tied itself into a knot and when seconds later it unravelled it was to reveal a beautiful rope studded with stars. The rope seemed to disappear and then reappear in her hair and went about forming a pony tail.
Darby asked with curiosity vying with awe in her tone. ‘Is it crystal or metal?’
Peyton shrugged, ‘It feels like neither.’
She did not want to tell them it felt like the Star Child when they spoke in her mind.
Netta asked. ‘What does it say?’
Smiling, Peyton told them what was etched on the rope. ‘In Our Daughter We Trust.’
Ladies… The Star Child addressed them, making them all come to attention. We wished you to have these mementos to denote your status as precious family to our Daughter. In some cultures Commander Hawk will advise you the Adee represents royalty. We are not held responsible for what others think, so be on your guard. Commander Hawk and all the Warriors will have their rank, which garners them the respect they deserve. Sister Netta has her gift already. Sister Melody, you are doubly blessed. Soon you will have to make a choice, but that is for another day. We have bequeathed our Daughter with the heart of the Universes. Captain Kerol know that not all histories are legend, some are truth.
They departed and Peyton said. ‘Well, are you all suitably impressed? I sure am.’
Hawk bowed his head. Again it was proven he had made the wisest choice for him and his Warriors. Within his needar, the tiny spark of hope grew brighter.
Netta asked. ‘So, anyone want to tell me what gift I have?’
No one spoke as they all looked toward Peyton, who shrugged. ‘No idea.’
Netta grimaced. ‘I find that disconcerting. If you don’t know and I don’t know.’
Melody said thoughtfully. ‘Maybe it is your knives.’
‘I never thought of them as gifts.’
‘It could be the ability you have with them.’ Darby offered.
‘Could be, weird gift though.’
Peyton said with a small smile. ‘I guess we will eventually find out.’
Netta shrugged and decided not to worry about it, if Peyton did not know maybe it was not worth worrying over. She joined in on the conversations, but a part of her mind kept turning over the question of what her gift could be.
FORTY-EIGHT:
Later that night or perhaps early the next morning, Peyton wandered the passageways of the silent ship, unable to sleep. Something was nagging at her, but she could not put her finger on what it was. Instead, she walked around thinking over the day; it had been filled with more things to learn. She had visited with as many females and Warriors as she could until after lunch when Melody had dragged her to training. Which she was thinking was more for her amusement than to teach her anything.
In the late afternoon she had enjoyed watching people who received one small injection, then all of a sudden spoke Coalition. She frowned as she wondered why no one would allow her to administer any injections, she would have been good at it. Although now she thought on it, Melody and Netta had not administered any either.
She tapped her link; it seemed to have another glitch dayam it. She would have to ask Darby to calibrate it once more. Maybe that was what was making her stay awake because she knew Darby would think she had dismantled it, which she had not, at least not yet.
Sighing she shrugged. Whatever it was annoying her, would come to light at some point.
Eventually, as she had known she would, she ended up in the viewing area she was rapidly claiming as hers. She had heard people called it the Star Lounge because they always saw stars shooting starlight or stars falling through space from the large windows.
Peyton knew the stars were commonly called traveling stars. The displays of shooting starlight and acrobatics was their way of signalling their pleasure in her emergence. Basically, they were showing off for the Star Daughter. She sighed and sipped her coffee; the walk had relaxed her, smiling she decided she was happy. Probably because the tension she had lived with for the last few months was gone.
Hawk, cup in hand, walked into the lounge and sat in the chair, catty corner to her couch.
‘Greetings, Madam Peyton.’
‘Greetings, Commander Hawk. Do you think we could dispense with our titles and just use our first names?’
‘I think we could.’
‘Good, because Hawk. I consider us friends, or at least a good way to being such.’
‘As do I, Peyton. Now what keeps you roaming the passageways of my ship?’
She was not surprised he knew what she had been doing, she was coming to suspect that Commander Hawk Roeah was a very special male. ‘I could not sleep and why are you awake?’
He sipped his tea then said. ‘I require little sleep. I am pleased I found you here, I was hoping to talk to you.’
‘About what?’
He shifted in his chair. ‘I feel you know so little about us, as I know so little about you and your family.’
‘Huh, I understand that, but I will not talk for my sisters or the ladies. I will tell you about me, and you can tell me about you. The other Warriors, I will find out about for myself as I get to know them. Just as you will the females that are going to be important to our lives, now and in the future.’
Hawk nodded, it was no less than what he expect
ed when he had decided to talk to her tonight. ‘I can live with that.’
Peyton grinned at the very human saying. She stared at the handsome male who was covered in a sadness that clung to him like a thick cloak. ‘So Hawk, tell me why you are sad? Deep down sad.’
He smiled and closed his eyes. She did not play with words and was direct and perceptive. He liked that about her the most, and he was finding he liked many things about Peyton St. Hill.
‘I am one of four brothers. We know this because we had our DNA tested to make certain. As you can imagine, we trusted nothing our creators told us.’
‘I can imagine, what are your brother’s names?’
‘Kardaran, Reevedaran and Wolfdaran.’
‘Wait… wait, they all have daran on the end of their names, do you?’
Hawk sombrely nodded and told her. ‘I do, my full name is Hawkdaran.’
‘You do not use that form of your name.’
Anger entered his eyes as he agreed strongly. ‘I do not. None of us do, and we have not for longer than I can remember. I do not know why I gave you our old names. It is, I assure you, not how we think of ourselves.’ He shook his head, saying. ‘This may not have been a good idea.’
Peyton grinned. ‘Oh, it so is and you know why. So tell me where were you raised?’
‘Our housing was designated complex E. Which stood for Elite. There are ten of your years between each of my brothers and myself. Kardan is the eldest, next is Reeve, then Wolf and then myself. We are as you already know, Elites. The only ones we ever heard of that are related. We were separated many yentas ago and I have not seen or felt my brothers in the Universe since then.’
A yenta Peyton reminded herself was what a year was called in Coalition. ‘I see, how old are you actually?’
He smiled, relaxing the muscles in his body as he took a soft breath in. ‘I am over five hundred of Earths years old.’
‘Wow!’
‘You are shocked?’
‘A little, you look about thirty-five, so are there more Elites. Other than you walking around the Universe?’
Hawk sighed as he said. ‘I hope so, but I have felt none.’
‘Oh, I am sorry, that must be lonely.’
‘I have my squad and my Warriors.’
Peyton left it there, asking instead. ‘So you were trained to be a Commander?’
She could see the loss in his eyes as he finished his swallow of tea and said. ‘No, my brother Kardan was, in saying that we all were given training to become knowledgeable in command. Reeve was Kardan’s second and a battle master. Wolf and I were back up, I think the term is tacticians and Warriors of exception.’
‘Sounds right. So, there are just the four brothers in your family?’
‘No, we were raised with another male, he was not blood related. I still do not understand what their point in having him raised with us was.’ He seemed to withdraw into himself. It was as though he needed a minute to go over the reasons why the male had been raised with him and his brothers. Peyton thought by the look on his face, it still confused him. He seemed to shake himself as he resumed talking. ‘He is what you would call my best friend.’
She murmured. ‘Or brother of your heart.’
‘Yes.’ He nodded and smiled a little. ‘His name is Dinas; I had heard he took another last name, losing the one they gave him. I was told he was with my brothers at the time of his death. Now of course I have my suspicions whether they died. We as Elites have many and varied abilities which we honed and used for war. It is very hard to kill one of us. I always assumed it must have been a cataclysmic event that took the life of my friend and brothers. I have spent yentas trying to find out where and when they died. Now I see I have been searching in the wrong direction, I will alter my search parameters to accommodate the additional information.’
‘I think that would be a good idea and at least you have hope, they are all alive now.’
‘Yes, I suppose that is correct.’
Peyton asked. ‘So what kind of schooling did you receive? I assume it was very different to the education we received on Earth.’
He nodded. ‘That is so, my brothers and I. In fact, all Warriors were bred for war and taught to fight. We fought from the time we came out of the tubes at around five yentas old. Battlefields were our playgrounds. We teethed on mock battles and were disciplined for what they considered a failure. We learned all there was about the craft of warring and sadly not much else. They instructed us to read, write and speak Coalition. We received many lessons as we aged, as long as it made us more effective on the battlefield or for other duties such as guarding diplomats and royalty. I wish we could have received what Lady Darby devised, which truthfully would have been quicker and easier.’
Peyton bet he wanted to say and less painful but did not. Probably he thought she would not understand, sadly she did. He took another sip of his tea, then continued. ‘Regardless, we were taught about other cultures, their strengths and weaknesses, all so we could do our work better, kill better, destroy our enemy better. It is always necessary to know your enemy’s weaknesses before you attack. We were raised in an austere blood filled world, where the weak or slow did not survive. I hated every min of it, as did my brothers.’
His face was a mask of anguish if he had but known it. ‘Softly he continued. ‘I remember blood and pain. Battles that lasted for days, wekens even, and fear. I remember my brothers and Dinas as my constant companions as we were taught to endure, to fight, to hate and to kill… Always to kill.’ His voice drifted away as he stared out of the window. With his face turned from her, he said. ‘I should explain, when our training was complete. We were called on to quell uprisings and rebellions as well as many, many other missions, which I do not wish to talk about or remember. Kardan was called on to be the Commander- in-chief, which is I think how you termed it?’
‘Correct, it means the highest Commander there is.’
‘Yes, that was Kardan, and he did it well. What I understand of command. I learned from him and the best lesson he ever taught me was, Warriors depend on their Commander to keep them safe and not throw their lives away. I have tried to do this. It is unfortunate I have not always done well.’
She sighed. ‘No one can all the time Hawk. From all I have read and studied about command. We do the best we can, when we can.’ Changing the topic, she asked. ‘As an Elite, you were schooled to kill efficiently and in many ways, right?’
He turned back to her and inclined his head in the affirmative. ‘We were, and each of us has specific gifts. For example, my body is a weapon. They made it so that my sweat and blood will kill. I can poison food, water and the air of my enemy. Direct contact kills immediately.’ His entire body tensed waiting for her condemnation or worse her fear.
What he received was a grin. ‘Good to know, easy Hawk, I trust you. I know you have immense control.’
‘Thank you, it was hard won, but I do.’ He looked closer at her and saw not hate or revulsion, just acceptance and once again he placed his amazement away to look at later.
She tipped her head to the side and said. ‘I will make them pay Hawk for what they did. They had no right to raise children to do their dirty work and absolutely no right to hold you captive. They were and are cowards, and I will make them pay.’
He said nothing as he finished his tea and realized she spoke the truth and it was a revelation, he asked himself, were they really cowards? It was a concept he had never looked at before, more to himself than her, he asked. ‘You really believe that?’
‘Oh yes, very much so, and I will remind them of that fact. It is, after all, who I am.’
He nodded and placed his cup on the table, then after another few minutes asked softly. ‘Now you, Peyton, your life. What was it like growing up on your blue and green planet?’
She smiled. ‘I would really like to say it was heaven and for some before the Virus, it probably was. Unfortunately, like you. I was born into blood and war. My mother was
addicted to many substances. My father, if I ever actually had one, because it has remained unclear if a male gave me life or I was also created in a laboratory.’ She shrugged at his surprised look. ‘Whichever it was, no one claimed me as their own, so let us for the sake of our conversation say I never had a father. I had many… many uncles and pretend Papas.’
She let him think over what she had said as she drank her coffee. When he realized what she was saying he nodded. ‘I see.’
Peyton grimaced. ‘Anyway, I think my mother had made us live in just about every city in the Americas. I am sure this was when the Virus was into its first yenta. Eventually, she decided we should move to live near her parents, my grandparents. I was around five yentas old. It was a decision that ultimately saved my life. Now I look back on it I think she was scared. People were rioting or dying in the thousands wherever we went. Runnerdale and the surrounding towns were quieter and reasonably safe back then.
One eve my mother came back to the hydramotel, sorry that is what you would call a Hutell. We had been staying there for about six months… sorry, luneras; she arrived back and was very drunk and high.’
At his puzzled expression, she explained. ‘Filled with alcohol and nartos. Also, I think she again owed money to the wrong people.’
Peyton blinked several times, a trick she had learned as a child to make sure she stayed in the here and now. Rather than be swallowed by the memories that wanted to return her to that sad and depressed motel room. Where there was always the smell of blood, it had followed them wherever they went, hers or her mother’s it all smelled the same.
Just when Hawk thought she was not going to continue, she said. ‘She sold me to a male. I think she had been with him for a few days, how much she got for me I do not know. Probably a bottle of alcohol and some nartos.’
Hawk tensed as the implications of what she was saying registered. ‘She sold you to a male, an adult male?’