Daughter of Ethos: Price of Power Book 3

by L M Lacee

Hawk lifted a comatose Peyton and placed her on the bed, then a light blanket was placed over her, hiding her injured body from the eyes of the hundreds of people who stood lining the docking bay and passageways to medical.

  The bed floated from the shuttle with Willian and Nikolas by her side and the Turqualls surrounding them, keeping the worried crew from her. Hawk and Kerol walked from the craft, leaving the females behind.

  Dinas entered the shuttle, it was plain for all to see that he was very angry. His face was expressionless and his hands were clenched tightly into fists, his normally relaxed personality was replaced with a male on the edge. Having to listen to his mate be threatened and fearing for her life woke every protective instinct he possessed. Only because of his extreme training and immense control, was he able to prevent his Rie from exploding into action and killing all who were near him.

  Now as he looked at the three females who were responsible for his and his mate’s distress, it was hard to remember they were his friends.

  His voice was clipped and hard as he snarled. ‘Do not ever let that happen again. My mate would die over and over for anyone of you. She is a healer and you in your sad belief that she would have caused anything to harm her friend, our Star Daughter, dishonored her and Heather by your distrust.’

  Patty gasped and reached out to her mate to deny his claims. ‘Dinas no.’

  Melody, Darby and Netta all stood with their heads bowed, as Melody stated. ‘Patty, he is right, we did not trust in you enough, and for that we are ashamed. Please forgive us our momentary madness and lack of trust. We will expect to be placed on report.’ Together the three sisters bowed low to Patty and then turned to Dinas. Melody said contritely. ‘We apologize Commander Elite Dinas, we hope you will be able to forgive us in time.’ They then bowed low again and feeling very contrite they quietly left, passing Hawk and Kerol without a look or word to either, walking across the empty bay and entered the lifts.

  ‘Dinas.’ Patty cried as he pulled her into his arms, his body vibrating with anger, worry and relief. It took him two tries before he could speak. ‘No, my heart. They were wrong. You could have been hurt, believe me those females are deadly. I repair the Warriors after training.’

  ‘I know, but they would never have hurt me, I know them. Dinas they bowed and were humbled.’

  ‘As they should have and more.’

  ‘Being humbled will not kill them.’ Hawk assured her as he re-entered the shuttle. ‘Are you truly well, Patty?’

  ‘Hawk you saw they stopped and were very contrite. They were protecting Peyton as they should have and thank you.’

  ‘For what, I did nothing.’

  ‘And that is what I thank you for. I know you could have put them all down, and that would have hurt you and Kerol. You would not have forgiven yourselves.’

  He looked at her and smiled. ‘You know us so well.’

  ‘Of course.’ She said as she hugged him. ‘I patch you guys up as well. They love you, it would have hurt them if they had made you take serious action.’ She hugged Kerol as she came to him, then she rushed to the lift. She had a patient to see to.

  Hawk sighed as he looked at Dinas when they exited the shuttle and walked toward the lift. ‘Your mate and the rest, are bat shit crazy, you know this, right?’

  Dinas cracked a smile, the first since he heard his mates cry of distress. ‘Yes, I know a question though.’

  Hawk tensed, he expected Dinas to call him out for not involving himself and Kerol quicker. He was prepared for his brother’s anger. ‘Yes, my brother ask.’

  Dinas smiled, he knew his brother expected him to question him on allowing the incident to take place. It had not occurred to him to be angered by either Hawk or Kerol, he knew Hawk would have rendered them unconscious if not killed them to protect his Patty.

  ‘Could you explain what a bat is?’

  Hawk and Kerol started to laugh, Hawk clapped Dinas on the back. ‘Kerol will explain it, he has vids and pics, but I must warn you, they do not show crazy. It is, I think, another Earth metaphor.’ As they walked into the lift, that would take them to medical.

  Hawk asked him. ‘You will make a report to Heather?’

  ‘As I must, Patty will not think of doing so. Will you report to Peyton?’

  ‘Yes, I wonder what they will use as punishment.’

  ‘Of that I have no clue.’

  ‘Interesting.’ Was Kerol’s only comment.

  TWENTY:

  When Heather had been notified of what had happened to Peyton, Harm had promised to get her to her sister as quickly as possible. They had boarded his uncle’s ship and under his command were in Oraintarre’s orbit eight hours later. Heather thought he may have set a record for the fastest space travel from one side of the universe to the other.

  Once their shuttle had docked with the Warship, Heather went straight to the medical unit, not even stopping to see her other sisters. Peyton had been removed from the regen tube and had been placed in a private room. She had read the reports from Dinas and Patty and the one from Hawk that Willian had sent her on her trip here. So she was surprised to see that the beds in the other units were mostly empty. What she was not surprised by was the team led by Patty and Dinas, they were as good as she knew they would be.

  It appeared that the forty-five Warriors found on the moon were almost all healed. As she moved to the bed Peyton was in, she saw Willian asleep with his head on his arms; she was thankful to see he appeared unhurt.

  Taking a breath, Heather slowly let her eyes move from Willian to Peyton, and she sighed in relief. She was almost back to normal, her eyebrows and lashes had regrown but had changed color, her hair which had been a cool white had also regrown and like her eyebrows and lashes were now a silvery ice white. It appeared as though her skin was normal although she had a nice tan now, other than those minor adjustments she seemed her normal self, apart from being considerably thinner. What worried Patty and Dinas was the fact she still remained comatose. Heather turned to Patty, who had slipped up next to her and asked. ‘How long?’

  ‘Since before I administered the K serum. I’m worried by giving her that it has caused an adverse reaction. It’s been ten hours and there is still no response to any stimuli. I cannot find any reasons for the coma.’

  ‘I see. Well, nothing to worry about yet.’ Heather thought she may know why Peyton was still unconscious and it had everything to do with the Star Child and not Patty’s use of the K serum. Patty nodded, feeling relieved Heather was here. ‘I am so pleased you are here, Heather.’

  With a hug, Heather assured her she was too. They drew apart, and Patty nodded toward Willian. ‘I will leave you with her, he needs to go to bed.’

  ‘I will see to it.’

  Patty gave her a small smile and withdrew from the room. When Heather realized she was being observed, she raised her eyes from her study of Peyton and found a Warrior, his foot in a balloon cast limping toward the bed Peyton was on, a cup in his hand. He was tall and unnaturally thin, short haired, almost bald, blistered and badly scratched. He had several sores and cuts over his arms, legs and face. His voice when he spoke was rusty, as if his throat was raw or had been severely burned.

  ‘He has not left her.’

  He nodded his head toward Willian, who was still in his fatigues. She touched his shoulder and brushed her hand gently over his hair. ‘I would expect no less, she sat with him when he was in treatment for his back. So I assumed he would be here.’ She held her hand out as he came closer. ‘Greetings, my name is Heather Solverea. I am the Chief- Medical- Officer for Maikonia. You are from the moon?’

  After watching the interaction between the healers and their patients. Marlo knew what holding her hand out meant. He placed his large thin hand around hers and pumped twice as he had seen others do.

  ‘Greetings I am Captain Marlo Daimond from squad Daimond.’

  ‘What are your squad brother’s names?’

  ‘Why must you know their names?’
/>   Heather did not take offense at his hostile tone, she just patiently explained. ‘So I can check to see where they are in their treatment.’

  ‘Ahh, I see. Larson Sillva, Raley Ayyban, Alexx Ganer.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Marlo eyed the healer and asked. ‘So you are the one mated to the Assaen?’ He went to release her hand, but she held on. ‘I am. Are we going to have a problem with that?’

  ‘No business of mine.’ She released his hand, and just when she thought he wasn’t going to say anymore on the subject, he said. ‘As long as he treats you right, otherwise we may.’

  Heather grinned. ‘Alright then duly noted.’

  She sent a message to Patty asking after the Warriors as Marlo frowned heavier to stop himself smiling. He did not know these females, they could be as treacherous as the last ones and the many others he had encountered over the yentas. He would reserve judgment, but that did not stop him from admiring them, or at least the ones he had met so far.

  ‘How long were you on the moon Warrior Marlo?’

  ‘Six luneras.’

  She muttered. ‘A lifetime.’

  Marlo’s eyebrows rose at her comment, if she only knew. ‘It seemed that way, desperation makes fools of us all. I did this.’ He pointed to his foot. ‘Trying to be a hero and kill an attacking animal without a weapon. My brother lost his arm the same way, we learned finally not to be so slow and to use what we could fashion into weapons.’ He laughed bitterly. ‘They were costly lessons.’

  ‘You are safe now though.’

  As if the words were torn from him he blurted. ‘Are we? It all feels like a dream, if I close my eyes, will we be back there?’

  Heather shook her head. ‘I know, believe me, I know how you feel. In fact, there is not a one of us that has not at one time or another felt that way. So do not think you are alone, Captain Marlo. You are among family.’

  He grunted and stepped back a little, confused as to why he had revealed his thoughts, it was so out of character for him. He sat in the chair he had pulled over earlier, so he and the Turquall could keep watch over the female and the young Warrior. He had been drawn to this room after his initial treatment, he still did not understand why. But once he had seen the small defenseless female lying so still, he was unable to leave. The healers had taken one look at him and the Turquall in the room and just smiled. He had spent some time pondering their reaction and was no closer to an answer when this female had entered.

  Heather went back to brushing Willian’s hair as he slept she casually asked. ‘Do you know Peyton or Willian?’

  ‘Never met either of them before.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘Do you?’

  ‘Oh yes, keeping watch over them as they sleep is honorable.’ She looked at the Turquall lying around the room and with a nod to them said. ‘Just like them.’

  Marlo looked away and sipped his tea, someone had brought a container to him earlier, a little kindness which he appreciated and was not easily forgotten. Just as the healers words would not be. It had been too many yentas since anyone had called him honorable.

  A sigh from the bed had Heather leaning over and softly kissing Peyton’s forehead and as they watched a tear escaped from beneath her lashes and she breathed one word. ‘Heather.’

  Within that one word was a wealth of feeling, and worlds of meaning. Heather stroked her finger down Peyton’s cheek, wiping the tear away and replied softly, her own tears held in check. ‘Peyton, sweet impossible Peyton, I am with you.’

  Peyton struggled but finally opened her eyes a little and smiled and hoarsely asked. ‘Heather, have you met him?’

  ‘I have.’

  ‘He is cranky, I like him.’

  They both looked at Marlo and it was then he realized they spoke of him. He grunted again as a smile played around Peyton’s mouth. She moved her hand and touched Willian, sighing. ‘Sweet Willian, send him to bed. I have you two and the Turqualls.’

  Heather said. ‘I will, go back to sleep star girl.’

  Marlo shifted a little in his chair as a tiny spurt of something tickled inside his chest. Peyton sighed and whispered. ‘Marlo stay.’

  A little surprised she knew who he was and his name, he grumbled. ‘She says it like I have anywhere else to be?’

  Heather kissed Peyton’s forehead again, softly saying. ‘Sleep dearle, I am here.’

  ‘Don’t leave again Heather.’

  Marlo felt that same tickle stir to life, as Heather straightened with tears in her eyes. She took a breath and banished them for later. ‘I won’t sweet girl, sleep.’

  Then she shook Willian’s shoulder. ‘Willian, wake up… Willian you can go now. Wake up.’

  He did not stir, Marlo smiled, these females, he just knew it, they were soft. He ordered sharply in his rusty voice. ‘Warrior Willian report.’

  Willian immediately jumped to his feet, saluted and then when he saw who was there he grabbed her in a hug and said. ‘Heather, you came?’

  She returned the hug. ‘Silly boy, of course I did.’

  He realized what he was doing and let her go. ‘I am sorry Healer Heather.’

  ‘Now why would you do that? We hug, we touch, we love, we are family, remember?’

  Willian ducked his head. ‘I know, it is just not…’

  She said. ‘I know Willian, go to bed, we have her.’ She looked over at Marlo. ‘Do not speak like that again. You will do more damage to your throat.’

  ‘It worked.’ He smirked. ‘Warrior go to bed, she will be fine, your healer is here and I will make sure she is not alone as will they?’ He indicated the Turquall who were in the room.

  Willian nodded his head and looked down at Heather. ‘I did not want to leave, Lady Darby said she would never be alone.’

  Heather smiled. ‘I see.’ She did not, but she saw the ravaged look in the young Warrior’s eyes. ‘Willian, I am here with Captain Marlo, so go to bed and thank you for making them comm me, and please shower first, you smell.’ She wrinkled her nose to show him she was joking, he blushed slightly. ‘As you say, Healer Heather, Captain Marlo, good-eve.’

  He left with two Turquall trailing him, it looked like they were making sure he got to his quarters safely. Heather took his place on the vacated chair and cued up the vid on the small screen of Operation Moon Recovery, She looked at the Warrior who sat opposite her until he looked over at her and raised his eyebrows in inquiry. ‘When are you due for regeneration?’

  ‘In the morn, they are doing all the minor repairs like my brother Raley tonight, they should all be finished by then. I, as with my brother Larson, need to regrow a limb as you can see I need a foot, he needs an arm. He is in the machine now.’ He looked at her for a moment. ‘Is it true, it can do that?’

  Heather nodded her head once. ‘Yes it can and much more, it may take up to twenty-four hours. Did they tell you that?’

  ‘Yes, I do not understand, the boy said his scars took four days, yet it can grow a foot in less than twenty hours?’

  ‘I know these are a new improved regen, we have a whole team of engineers and inventors who work on making them better and faster. As for the two repairs, they are slightly different. Think of it like this, Willian’s regeneration was like peeling a piece of fruit, delicate, deliberate work, time consuming, layer by layer of skin to peel and replenish all the way to the bone. In yours and Larson’s case it is like slapping bone in there and adding muscle and skin to cover it, like comparing knife work to a hammer, different but the same result.’

  Marlo’s face took on an expression of horror as he stared at her smiling face. ‘That was the worst explanation I have ever heard, you have been with the Assaen too long. Knife, hammer... Terrible.’ He shook his head as Heather screwed her lips up in a pout.

  ‘Yeah well, you got the idea right?’

  Marlo frowned. ‘Play the dayam vid.’

  Heather grinned and turned the vid on Marlo and she watched the extraordinary events from the moon
unfold. When it was finished, they had been joined by Patty and Dinas. Every one of the Turquall who were in the room had watched. Marlo turned to look at the small female that lay on the bed, then at Heather, Patty and Dinas as they walked a little away, there was more hugging as they spoke together.

  Marlo was confused, these people were always touching he looked down at the bed to find her eyes on him. Quietly, her voice a mere whisper of sound, she said. ‘It is what we do, we connect with touch. You will get used to it, and eventually like us will find yourself craving it.’ Then her eyes closed again.

  He was stunned by her words, who was this person to say he would crave touch, he had lived his whole life without it. Then he looked over at the healer and remembered she had touched him when she came in. In fact while he had been here he had been touched more than he could remember in a long time, if ever. The healer had touched the young Warrior, Willian, stoking his hair, even though he was unaware of her doing so. And when the female Peyton had woken, she had reached out and touched the young male.

  Confusion rode him hard, the more he thought about these people the more confused he became. He was older than most Warriors, even the Elites. He and his squad were of the first clutch of Warriors ever created. He did not remember ever meeting beings like this before and wondered if his squad brothers were as confused by them as he was.

  He felt fingers on his hand and looked down, his hand had found hers, now he was holding her hand. He wondered how that happened, why did that happen? Was she correct, was he going to be craving this touching, that they all did?

  That tickle inside his chest grew just a little more, he frowned what was it that twitched in his chest, it was nice, but also disturbing, he gently squeezed her fingers and said as soft as his voice would allow. ‘Sleep female. I am here.’

  She smiled and sighed deeply, closing her fingers around his, he felt that twitch again. If it continued, he would get the male healer to check him out. Of course the regenerator might cure it tomorrow. He scowled as he thought of being placed in a glass box, it was nauseating. Marlo hated to admit it, even to himself but he was nervous, this regen, worried him mightily but there was not much he could do about it. So he did what he had done since he crawled from his growth tube. He started constructing an argument for not being placed in the machine.