by L M Lacee
Then she looked over the males standing just behind Peyton and Avana. When her eyes lit on Jarrod she just shrugged and demanded. ‘So where the hayda have you been. I have had an annoying itch in my head, which has been driving me crazy.’
Jarrod moved toward her in jerky movements as he softly told her. ‘I am unaware of any place I was supposed to be.’
‘You were meant to be with me.’ She whispered as he moved closer. She looked up into his amazing brown eyes and sighed. He looked down into green pools of delight and told her. ‘I understand that now, forgive me it all seems like an improbability that one such as I, may have a mate and especially a beautiful female such as you.’
‘There is nothing wrong with you, why would you even say something like that.’
Peyton told her. ‘It is what they are brought up to believe. The Elders who rule their world tell them they will never be mates as there is no one who would think they are worthy enough to love. Because they are Masters, oh sorry Specialists now.’
Trina told her with a small smile. ‘That’s just tuap, because he is mine.’
Peyton jiggled the baby in her arms. ‘Yep, that is what I say. Oh, not about him being for me, just you know the tuap stuff.’
Trina grinned as Jarrod raised his hands and placed his fingertips gently on her temples, then closed his eyes as she closed hers.
‘What are they doing?’ Telfor asked Peyton.
Smiling, she told him. ‘Your brother just found his one. He has been in contact with her for a while now unbeknownst to him of course. Probably once he was drugged, his needar went searching and without his normal controls in place, it found her. Right now they are syncing together as one. Which is why your race say they have found their one, when they meet the right person for them? It is romantic really.’
Malchol warned them, in his quiet way as he came to stand next to Peyton. ‘It is said that it is dangerous for a Master to mate. That we will pass on the madness to any young, if we can have any that is?’
She placed her hand on his cheek, and just as when Jarrod had touched him, he stilled. She assured him and his brother. ‘Believe me when I tell you, they lied, and in time you will learn why, but until then we will believe for you. We do not lie, your sister knows this. Do you not Avana?’
She withdrew her hand as Avana just as stunned as her brothers at the turn of events answered. ‘Uh-huh, that is right.’
They all stared after her as Peyton walked away. ‘Should we just leave them then?’ Avana called after her.
‘Oh I would, he will kill you if you try to touch her, so leave them be.’ She whirled around. ‘On second thoughts, it may be better if they were not standing in the passageway.’ So saying, she flicked her fingers, and the couple were gone.
Hawk queried. ‘Madam?’
‘In her cabin. Can we please arrange clothes for the Specialists, because those robes are making me itch, also they will need cabins as will Avana and Koana?’
‘Yes Madam, it is being seen to.’
‘Hawk come on, who knows what those spies are doing and what information they are getting out of our people.’
Avana told her. ‘We will go see to our cabins and clothes, if you will give me back my baby.’
Peyton sighed. ‘Sure, because you never see her.’ She gave Koana kisses and tickled her again, making the baby shriek with laughter. Peyton handed her back to her mother. ‘We will see you for eve-meal in Helen’s dining room, anyone can tell you where it is.’
Kent arrived just as she finished speaking. ‘Warrior Kent, how are you?’
‘I am well Madam, I will escort the Sene and Masters, excuse me, Specialists, to their cabins, where we have clothes for the males. Sene you clothes are in your cabin with your little ones.’
Avana smiled at the huge Warrior. ‘Thank you, Warrior Kent.’
FIFTY-FOUR:
Peyton and Hawk entered the lounge and found Sedeen, Klune and Rata as well as the twins talking and laughing with her people.
‘See what I mean.’ She whispered to Hawk.
With a straight face he replied. ‘Very suspicious.’
He then watched amused as she harrumphed and moved off. Esther offered her a plate of food, which she declined as she passed her.
Just as Helen gave one to Hawk. ‘Here, this is for you. Where are the others?’
Hawk told her absently as they both watched Peyton lead Harmara’s aunt and uncle to a secluded part of the lounge. ‘Thank you, Helen. Trina and the Eldest brother named Jarrod have found they are mates. Sene Avana and her other brothers are finding their cabins and changing clothes, they will meet us for eve-meal.’
‘What is she up too?’ Esther asked Hawk as he took a mouthful of food. He shook his head as Darby and Melody moved to where they were standing, watching the three people. Melody murmured. ‘Better not ask, you agree, Darby?’
‘Definitely do not ask, tea anyone?’
Peyton walked with the older Solverea’s toward the end of the lounge where couches and chairs had been arranged in a semi-circle.
Klune Solverea asked. ‘You wished to speak to us Star Daughter.’
‘I do, please take a seat and I am told to ask you to call me Madam Peyton, apparently people are unsure what my title is.’
‘Who tells you these things?’ Klune asked, startled that anyone would dare to speak to the Star Daughter in such a manner.
‘Oh, that would be most of my family.’
‘I see.’
She waited as they both sat on a couch facing hers, then said. ‘So I have two things that I really wish to discuss with you. The first being. Please make available the drug you used on my people and the antidote.’
‘Why would we do that?’ Rata asked with a polite smile on her lips.
Peyton’s eyes went black, then flames appeared. ‘Let us call it a good will gift for your nephew being allowed to join with my sister.’
They both inclined their heads, and Rata passed her a small data chip. ‘This has everything on it, Star Daughter.’ Neither of them mentioned the fact they had the data chip ready.
‘I thank you, now to the second reason.’ Her eyes return to normal as she spoke. ‘I have a need of your talents or to be accurate the talents of your people, but only if you and they are willing.’
Klune asked. ‘What is it you need from us, Madam?’
‘I need all the information on the ruling family of Patamoglian and a house called Pentamogytes.’
The couple looked at each other, then again at her. Rata shrugged much to say, ask and we will see. Klune sat back, making himself comfortable as Rata stared out the viewing window. He asked. ‘May we know why?’
‘Of course.’ Peyton sat back in her chair as well and wiggled into place as she told them. ‘Over two yentas ago, a young Warrior was abused at a party for the first daughter of the house of Pentamogytes. For their entertainment, twenty-four daughters from prominent houses whipped him mercilessly. Fortunately, he lived even though he went luneras without adequate medical care. I have recalled all our Warriors from their planet and have sent an account to the ruling family for the last fifty yentas my Warriors were stationed there. And an account to the Pentamogyte family for the Warrior who was almost killed. So far, as you can imagine, we have received nothing, other than I had a very disappointing conversation with the Patamoglian Ambassador. So, before I escalate this, I would like to know about the world, the ruling family and the family in question.
One more thing, I know as I am sure you do, that somewhere on that world, there is a vid of what happened to my Warrior. I wish to have it please and all other recordings destroyed and or removed if you can. If not, please let me know, and I will have my specialist do it. I would prefer to keep this between you and me for now. Is this something you can do for me or not?’
Klune Solverea asked. ‘If I am understanding this correctly. You wish us not to tell Harmara. You realize he is the head of our family.’
‘Yes, I do
, and he just joined with my sister. So technically I am the ranking member of your family, or at least that is your excuse if you get caught.’
They looked affronted as Rata said when she turned back from her inspection of space. ‘We never get caught.’
‘See, I thought that.’ Peyton grinned at them and they could not help but respond in kind. ‘Please help me. I must find this recording and make what happened to my Warrior right.’
Klune asked. ‘Why, he is one of many Warriors and was not even known to you when this happened?’
Peyton sighed and rubbed her forehead. ‘I know you are right, but you see he is mine now. They all are, he is not just one of many, he is my friend and my Warrior and I know about it now. I must seek justice for him and as the justice arm of the Star Child, this is my duty and privilege.’
She leaned closer to the couple as she shared with them. ‘They, the Star Child, have taken a liking to my people, all of my people.’
‘Oh, my.’ Breathed Rata ‘You are saying…’
‘Yes, that includes your family as well. So you see, I must make this right or they will and if they do…’ She hung her head and shook it slowly from side to side.
Finally, when her eyes met each of theirs. They saw the weight of the Universe in her star filled eyes and heard the song of the Stars in her quiet voice.
Our daughter has fought a long and hard battle not to give into the demands for retribution and render this world from our Universe. At this time we will honor her decision. But know this, we will not allow this vile cancer to seed our Universe. We trust you will help in her quest for justice.
Klune and Rata bowed their heads. ‘We will do as you ask Star Child.’
‘Thank you, I really appreciate your help.’ Peyton told them in her normal voice.
Klune took a breath and let it out slowly, being in the presence of something so immense was exhilarating as well as daunting. He looked at Rata as she gave him a small nod, letting him know she was regaining her balance.
He told Peyton. ‘We will send you what we know, when we know it. What is the time frame on this?’
‘I would like some information in say twelve luneras, but obviously I have never done this before. So I leave that up to you.’
Klune smiled. ‘I think we can do better than that.’ ‘We have a very good operative named Fox. He will do well with this assignment. So Madam Peyton, we will definitely fulfill your request.’
‘Thank you, please have all expenses routed to this account. I would prefer no one else to know of this, so if you need to communicate, it is with me only at this code.’ She passed a data drive to them with the information on it.
FIFTY-FIVE:
They rose from the seating area just as Harm and a radiant Heather arrived. She laughingly asked Peyton. ‘Plotting to take over the Universe?’
‘Aww, you know me so well.’ She quipped back as she looped her arm through Heathers. With a nod to the three Solverea’s, she and Heather started walking to the others.
Harmara followed slowly behind the two females with his aunt and uncle, his eyes serious as he asked quietly. ‘You are well?’
They both nodded as Rata told him. ‘She is intense and delightful all at once, tread warily, Harm. She is far more than what you see and we met with the Star Child, very fearful.’
‘That I am already aware of. She is one very sweet, resourceful and dangerous female.’
‘Yes and very intelligent, do not let that sweet look fool you.’
‘Oh, here.’ Klune handed him a credit chip. ‘She asked immediately for it.’
Harm laughed and took the chip, ‘I warned you.’
Klune cursed as he walked to his nieces, Rata said. ‘He likes her, she is clever and direct.’
‘Good, she will make an excellent ally.’ He told her as he grinned and walked to where his treasure was waiting.
Rata did not call him back, what more could she say that they did not already know. She was not the only one to recognize there was more to the Star Daughter or was it Madam Peyton. The female wore so many faces, the most terrifying the face of the Star Child, and that one worried her the most. The Star Child and Daughter both had plans and an agenda, and whether or not Harm liked it, he just became a game piece.
As she watched Peyton laugh and talk to Sedeen and Klune with the small female named Darby, the brilliant, very dangerous Darby close by. She realized she and her family had just entered the game as well, and she really did not know how she felt about that.
Unlike Darby who had discovered some information about the Solverea family. Rata and Klune had found absolutely nothing out about the Star Daughter’s people. They had asked the Raparthen Nation for information, but they declined to part with anything of value. No matter the bribe or persuasion, their only advice had been they must learn what and who the Terrans were for themselves. A very unsatisfying answer for a spy. From this meeting, Rata and Klune hoped to learn who the players that would eventually have an influence in their Universe were. And perhaps they will have some idea of the people Harm had allied them with.
‘It gets easier the longer you stay and play.’ Esther murmured as she handed Rata a cup of tea. Rata smiled politely as she took the cup from the short female known as Esther. A friend of the Star Daughters who was so much more. ‘You presume to know what I am thinking.’
Esther sipped her own tea with watchful eyes. ‘You are where I was many luneras ago, and I will tell you what I tell the young ones, let go and fly. We have not even seen where we are going yet.’
‘It is where we land that concerns me, Lady Esther.’
‘She will catch you, Lady Rata. You are hers now.’
Rata sipped her drink, her eyes remaining on Esther’s.
‘Should I be fearful or relieved?’
‘You should be careful.’ Esther told her. ‘Peyton is not the only dangerous one here.’ With a nod of her elegant head, Esther walked away, her back straight and her shoulders square.
Looking at her departing figure, Rata was puzzled as she asked herself. Where have I seen that walk before?
Then as she looked into her tea she smiled, realizing she saw that walk every day of her life, she was Esther. She sipped her tea and casually walked to her treasure. With a smile Klune automatically enclosed her within his arm, just as Darby asked him. ‘Would you know of a planet called Ediean?’
Harmara stilled for a minute and then he nodded to Sedeen, who answered. ‘Yes, Lady Darby, we do. What is your interest in this planet?’
‘Not for pleasure, I can assure you. I was asked to find it, if I could. Which I have, and then to see what I could do to rescue the females from Earth who are reported to be there.’
‘I see.’ Sedeen swirled the liquid in his glass, letting the shards of golden ice clink as he told her. ‘Unfortunately, Lady Darby, the planet was raided not long ago and is now closed down. Any females or males that were there have been either relocated to their home world or taken to another world to be helped.’
Peyton asked. ‘How many were re-homed or helped Sedeen?’
He looked up and his eyes were bleak. ‘Not many, Madam. I am sorry to say, not many at all and none from your home world. The owners of these planets have a nasty tendency to not leave any witnesses behind when they are raided.’
Hawk asked. ‘Is it possible they have been sold on?’
‘It is possible but unlikely, I will try to find out for you.’
‘Thank you.’ Darby said quietly, her face showing her sadness.
Peyton asked. ‘So this planet was an illegal, unsanctioned operation?’
Klune replied. ‘Correct, an unlicensed pleasure planet, they spring up often. When they do, the Coalition eventually raids them and shuts them down. They try to raid them before the operators find out they are coming, it is usually unsuccessful.’
Peyton asked. ‘That is very unfortunate and the owners of these planets, what happens to them?’
Klune sighed as h
e told her. ‘They are usually fined for using a planet that does not belong to them. Because there are never any witnesses left alive or willing to testify, the charges will be dismissed and they are cautioned about trespassing.’
‘This is not good.’ Peyton turn to Hawk. ‘We should do something about this, when we get home.’
Sedeen spluttered and just stopped himself from laughing out loud when Peyton arched an eyebrow at him.
‘It is not as easy as it seems Madam, you have to find them first. Then get there without them knowing and then what will you do?’
Peyton narrowed her eyes at him. ‘Was he patronizing me?’
Sedeen eyes widened as Melody sucked on her bottom lip then said. ‘Sounded a little like that, but it was so dayam polite.’
‘I know he is very good at it.’ Peyton eyed him and said. ‘Possibilities.’
Melody nodded ‘Oh indeed.’
The Solverea’s looked confused by the conversation Heather murmured to Sedeen. ‘I will explain later.’
He nodded, then raised an eyebrow as Peyton addressed him again. ‘Anyway Sedeen, our Darby can find anything, anywhere. Then our Warriors will get there somehow without anyone seeing or knowing, and then we will slip in and remove these owners. Dead owners cannot run a pleasure planet, can they?’
Hawk agreed. ‘No Madam, they cannot.’
Sedeen saluted Peyton and Hawk with his glass. ‘I stand corrected.’
Peyton said. ‘Okay, one more thing to go on the list.’
Talk returned to general matters after that. The twins showed their brothers and aunt and uncle what they had learned since being on Maikonia. They also introduced them to the titles, auntie and uncle, with help from Brenda, who explained what the titles meant and how they carried respect.
If Peyton had to guess, she would say that aunt and uncle would be new forms of address introduced to the Solverea family very quickly. She had come up against the twin’s determination before.
Eventually, the talk turned to general matters about the Universe and the different worlds. All four Solverea’s were taken to the Turqualls level and introduced to the Pride leaders, Rage, Fanharr and Rave.