by L M Lacee
She held her hand up and addressed Juary only. ‘Please do not tell me you were not told of this, I know you were. The Star Child came to you and your spouse, which is when he became right minded again, and they told you they had blessed your world with the sand. Is this not so Mistress.’
She nodded, defeated. ‘It is, he became better after their visit, which was as a dream. They spoke to everyone left on the world.’
Peyton nodded. ‘And they told you for your bravery, for being strong and remaining on your destroyed world, they would reward you.’
‘Yes.’
‘I am saddened you wasted their gift. The gel and sand will be gone when this wind has blown its last in five days.’
Everyone gasped as tears entered Juary’s eyes, she begged. ‘Please do not take it away. Our lives will falter.’
Peyton looked at her with scorn. ‘Your lives were already faltering. What did you think the lowered birth rate was?’
‘I… I…’
Peyton cut her off. ‘It was a warning, a sign that your world was in danger. And in your heart you knew this even as you convinced yourself and your people it was a medical issue. You foolish… foolish female. We have removed your off world ships. What food and water you have and can grow or capture will have to suffice. No communication will be allowed to be transmitted from or to your world, and yes, I can and will enforce that. I am placing Lowertt in quarantine.’
The people in the room were stunned at her proclamations, without expression Peyton told her. ‘Now Mistress Juary, you will have what you always wanted, total control of your world. Enjoy it while you can, it is after all everything you wished for. Disconnect Holo.’
‘Please,’ Juary begged, ‘do not do this. You condemn us to extinction.’
‘Mayhap I do. Remember, it was you who brought this on yourselves with your selfish belief, you were more important than any other race.’
‘Please, I beg you, my young.’
Peyton lowered her head and drew in a breath, then looked up at the female. ‘I know that will become difficult for you, but I am sure you will manage. Just like you managed everything else. I do feel pity for the very young ones, but maybe their lives will be spared as they grow older and become generous citizens. Perhaps in the future, I will return to find a better civilization and revisit my decision. That will of course be up to you and your people.’ She then looked at the three youths and shook her head. ‘You have ruined these males, they will never change their behavior now. You allowed them to become monsters, just as you allowed all this to happen. Truly, how did you think this would end, once you heard I was here?’
Juary shook her head. ‘I did not think you were real.’
‘Yeah, I get that a lot, although I do not believe you. You knew the Star Child was real.’ Motioning to Melody, she said. ‘We are out of here.’
The tallest of the youths dropped to his knees and begged. ‘Please… please, Star Daughter, take us with you.’
She looked down at him, then at the other two youths who eagerly dropped to the floor next to him.
‘Take you with me, why would you think I would do that?’
‘We are young and innocent. We had no choice, we are the products of our parent’s fear.’ The youth let go a sob as he begged. ‘Please, have mercy on us.’
Scornfully Peyton stated. ‘Mercy, like you showed my females, when you were placing them in tubes for days at a time to see if they would go insane. When you threatened to rape and impregnate them with your spawn. What would make you think, if I took you with me, you would stay alive long enough to enjoy being off this tuap of a planet? No, you will remain and reap my justice as you deserve.’ She turned from the three crying youths. ‘Of course you could hope Commander Hawk kills you too. I do not think he will, although if you are brave enough. You could tell him about the games you played with the females. He may change his mind then.’
She stared into the ravaged eyes of the female who ran the world and said in warning. ‘Mistress, I hope you know all the games they learned to play.’ She indicated the young girls sitting with the other female. ‘I would keep those two close. In my experience males like these never stop once they have had a taste of what they call fun.’
The mother of the girls looked horrified at the youths who remained on their knees, but her expression was nowhere near as horrified as the first spouses. Leading Peyton to believe Mistress Juary knew very well what games her son and his cousins had played with the females.
Peyton nodded to Melody, indicating she was ready to leave. Melody ordered. ‘Warriors, we are leaving.’
Immediately Warriors emerged from within the house, surrounding Peyton as they left and started the walk of five hundred yards to their shuttle. Melody and Peyton stopped about halfway between the house and shuttle and watched Hawk walk up the steps into the Governor’s mansion.
Melody said. ‘Karl said three hours longer than his estimated time. Because they have to load the gel and sand. Darby and Willian are disabling all the tech, and Orin said two hours for all the ships to be removed from the planet.’
‘Okay, Karl has guards?’
‘Yes, several squads.’
‘Alright, I am weary. Let’s go please.’
‘Okay, just let Sarn and I check the shuttle first.’
‘Alright, I will wait here.’
It showed how tired she was. She did not question Melody about checking the shuttle, even though Nikolas was still on board.
Melody told Kent. ‘Give us two mins.’
He nodded as they ran to the shuttle, Melody entered just as her link sounded. ‘Melody you there?’
Wearily, she replied. ‘Yes Trina, why did you want me to come in first?’
‘Is she with you?’
‘No, she is just about here. Trina, the one we speak of is not in the best of moods.’
‘Oh, I know, Sarn said she was sad and a little angry.’
Melody looked at Sarn who shrugged. She whispered to Trina. ‘Sarn is right.’
Trina whispered back. ‘Okay, is she there yet?’
‘Almost.’
‘Good, keep your link open.’
‘Okay.’ Melody swallowed her giggles as she wondered what Trina was up too. Dearle stars, she thought, I must be tired if I am finding this amusing.
Peyton came in with Kent and her guards, saying. ‘Pilot Nikolas, we can return to the ship when you are ready.’
‘As you wish, Star Daughter.’
He closed the door behind the last Warrior to enter as Peyton took a seat and sighed. Slumping into her seat she tried to grin but it fell flat, so she gave it up and told Melody who was sitting in the seat next to her. ‘I need to shower and sit and look at my stars.’
‘Yeah, I get that.’
‘So Esther.’ Trina’s voice sounded from Melody’s link as all the noise from the Warriors inside the airborne shuttle ceased. Esther answered back, sounding distracted.
‘What dearle?’
‘Did I ever tell you how Madam, drool’s in her sleep?’
‘Oh dearle stars!’ Melody whispered as her eyes rounded in surprise.
Peyton’s mouth dropped open in shock, especially when Esther said with a laugh. ‘Well no dearle, I don’t think you have.’
Brenda chimed in, making Peyton close her eyes on a groan. ‘Are you sure, dearle, did you actually see drool?’
‘Oh, my word yes and she...’ Trina lowered her voice to a loud whisper, everyone in the shuttle leaned forward making sure they did not miss the next words.
‘She also snort snores and there were other noises, but I will not mention them here.’
‘No, you lie.’ Esther spluttered then burst out laughing.
Brenda gasped. ‘I do not believe you.’
‘It is the truth.’ Trina stated, and then the three females laughed. The Warriors with Peyton erupted in an uproar of unexpected laughter as well.
Peyton shook her head, grinning from ear to ear as Melod
y leaned over and hugged her. ‘See, we love you. Never forget that. Terran or Star Daughter both are loved.’
With tears in her eyes, she nodded. ‘I won’t I swear.’
She leaned back in her seat as murmurs of happy voices sounded around her. A genuine smile lifted the black cloud that had settled on her heart.
Melody grinned as she said into her link. ‘Snort snores, only you Trina, who is definitely not Netta.’
Continue
Follow The Star Daughter and her new family in book three, Price of Power, with more adventures, romance and excitement.
Books by L. M. Lacee
DAUGHTER OF ETHOS SERIES:
Book 0.5: Prequel
Book 1: Unknown Universe
Book 2: Destination Home:
Book 3: Price of Power:
Book 4: Divine Justice:
Book 5: Deadly Betrayal:
Book 6: Crystal City:
Book 7: The Ascension: