by L M Lacee
He pressed a hidden button on the short black handle and a blade extended. Peyton looked at it, speech almost beyond her now.
Hawk asked for her. ‘What is that made from?’
Reeve said. ‘It is made of no known metal or substance that I have ever found.’ He looked at it, then her, and grinned as he told her and the two males. ‘The secret is not in the blade but in the person’s intent holding the blade, because the blade is not here, it is a Phasin. Which my friend told me is a blade that passes in and out of time and can cut through any substance, even the hardest alloy in our Universe.’ As he said this, he nodded to Hawk, who quickly pressed her back against the wall. Surprised, she sucked back a scream as his hands held her shoulders.
Reeve whispered. ‘Calm Peyton... calm sister, we have you.’
She sobbed as she chanted. ‘Kaykaykaykay.’
‘Hold... hold… hold.’ Then he placed the blade on the shaft a quarter of an inch from her body and tapped the handle. There was a sound like a sizzle as the blade went through the shaft like a hot knife going through butter. ‘Pull Hawk.’
He pulled her off the remaining shaft and into his arms where she passed out as her blood pumped from the hole in her body. Coraan pressed a self-adhesive pressure pad to both sides of the wound, halting the flow of blood.
When they were ready, Reeve led the way as Hawk carried her through the shuttle. Coraan brought up the rear, wings spread as far as he could. Hawk made the doorway just as the explosion ripped through the ship, throwing the body of the shuttle into the air.
In a move he would later not remember making. Hawk launched himself and his burden on powerful legs from the shuttle, and was instantly seized by hands under his arms.
Coraan called down to him. ‘Hold tight to her, my friend.’
Hawk looked up and saw the massive golden wings beating above him, and his breath left him at the majesty of the flying being. Large gold wings scooped air and lifted them higher and higher away from the following ball of fire.
Ahh! Peyton you would love this. Hawk thought as he tucked her face closer to his chest.
Netta dropped beside the downed Reeve, trying to roll him over to smother the small flames.
‘I am alright.’ He said as he grabbed her in a tight hug, more to stop her hitting him as she tried to beat out the small flames dancing on his uniform.
‘Netta, sweet one. I am well!’
Panic creeping into her voice, she said breathlessly. ‘That was so close, I thought we had lost you. Reeve I can’t see them, they are not there!’
‘Settle your mind.’ Forever the teacher, he lectured now. ‘Listen with your Rie, let it guide you.’
She stilled her being as her hands on his shoulders stopped their movements. She then stretched her senses out as she had been taught. Searching the skies above for the trio. Finally finding Coraan high in the sky and screamed within her mind. Hawk!
We are well, she is unconscious. Calm Netta.
‘They live, they are fine. He comes now.’ She dropped her head against Reeve’s shoulder as he smoothed a hand down her back. ‘Good Netta, make sure your Rie is still calm.’
She nodded as Reeve gave her head a pat before she moved away to do as he asked. Darby launched herself at him. ‘Do not do that again. I almost had a coronary.’
‘Really, anyone else would say heart attack, you have to be medically correct.’ Melody growled as she ran to them, ashen but steady as she touched both Reeve and Netta.
Netta assured her as she grabbed her hand. ‘He is safe Melody, I swear.’
Darby reached over and touched Netta’s cheek, ‘You okay sis?’
‘Yeah… yeah I am now.’
‘I know I can feel him. What do you mean now, are you alright, did you get hurt?’ Melody asked as Netta smiled. ‘Not really, it was touch and go for a min.’
‘She speaks a lie.’ Reeve said as he looked up at the sky. ‘She is an Elite, she was indeed courageous and controlled.’ All three grinned at his statement. ‘As is my brother, he comes now.’ Which was the only indication he had been worried about the three people who had not yet touched down.
Heather ran toward Reeve and Netta. ‘Are you alright, what happened?’
Netta explained as Dinas walked to them, an air floater beside him. He gave Reeve and Netta a swift once over and his face relaxed as Heather stood hugging Netta and asked. ‘I was so worried when Carrick arrived with the little ones. Where is Peyton?’
Netta pointed upward to where they could see Coraan spiraling down. Heather drew in a breath and mumbled to herself more than to Netta.
‘Okay, we are ready.’
Reeve asked her. ‘Where are the ladies and little ones?’
Dinas answered before Heather could. ‘Patty is with the children and ladies. Be prepared, Esther is furious.’
Jarrod strode up. ‘Trina is with her and I already told Esther I was the one who placed them in sleep.’
‘Did it help?’ Dinas asked with a small smile.
Jarrod hunched his shoulders. ‘It did not.’
‘How is Avana?’ Netta asked as Jarrod hugged her. ‘Angry, she is with the children.’
‘Good.’ Melody said as she looked upward.
‘We have the portable regen in her apartment.’ Heather told them.
Darby asked. ‘Why there?’
Dinas replied absently. ‘Defensible position.’
‘Oh.’ She murmured as Reeve stood in one swift movement with her in his arms.
‘Ooh.’ Netta and Heather said together. Reeve smiled, letting them know he heard.
Darby smirked as he placed her on her feet. Then he nodded toward Ipeara, who stood with her arms wrapped around herself, mumbling over and over. ‘I should never have left the shuttle. I left the shuttle.’
Netta walked to her and took her in her arms forgetting for the moment the pain in her shoulder.
‘Ipeara you did it, you saved us all. I am officially taking you off probation.’
She looked at Netta, pale and shaking and stated. ‘Commander, I left the shuttle.’
‘Yes I know.’ Netta answered puzzled at her admission, she had been there on Terra with her. She had even shown her some fruit from Earth. So why she kept repeating the same statement confused her.
Ipeara, realizing what had been bothering her, stopped speaking. Her eyes grew rounder, and she grabbed Netta, pulling her toward her in her agitation and missing Netta’s wince of pain, saying sharply. ‘Netta, they had to have placed the bomb there!’
Netta froze for a second as she quickly assessed what Ipeara had said, then she bellowed. ‘Commander Reeve!’ He whipped his head around as she shouted, and his face went from tense to fearsome as she told him. ‘We have traitors on Terra, assemble a team and go hunt the basterads down. Bring them home so we can have a chat.’
He grinned, and it was the fierce Battle-Masters grin of death. Rage, and several others who had remained with the enraged Pride Leader, stalked toward them. We leave.
Jarrod said. ‘Malchol and my father are on the way, they will search the planet.’
Reeve called out. ‘We are up in ten mins.’
Melody questioned. ‘Rage you will need units too?’
‘Already at the cruiser.’ Harm said as he walked to them.
‘How did you know?’ Heather asked her somber looking mate.
He replied. ‘It was logical.’
‘Oh okay.’ She mumbled, her mate was very terse at the moment. Which she knew meant someone was going to pay for what they had done.
Reeve asked Harm. ‘You will come?’
‘No, we will question the ones here.’
‘They will not talk.’ Zenerra said as she hurried to them. She had been with the injured Warriors, making sure they were attended to until Healer Heddro arrived from seeing the prisoners.
Harm looked at her and smiled. It was chilling in its intensity, as was the look in his eyes. ‘Our methods can make anyone talk but we are f
ortunate. We do not have to resort to them, we have the Kail and he is very angry.’
They all turned to watch Jarrod greet his brother and father, and could see what Harm saw, the barely suppressed rage held in check.
‘Dearle Stars.’ Zenerra said.
She looked like she had been in a battle, her wings were damaged along with bruised arms and chest. Netta asked. ‘Zen, are you well?’
‘I helped bring down the traitors.’
‘Yes, but are you well?’
Zenerra looked at Netta, her eyes sad. ‘Yes Commander, I am well.’
‘Good, make sure you go to medical please, I will require a report.’
Zenerra nodded, wanting to say she would if Netta who was favoring her shoulder would. But she did not because her voice locked up as Harm, said. ‘I hope whoever these traitors worship has mercy for them, because they will find none here.’
She swallowed the lump of fear that held her quiet and thought, I understand why the Assaens are feared and by so many. Commander Harm is very frightening.
He walked to the Hex saying. ‘Those leaving have seven mins left.’
Reeve jogged behind him to the steps of the Hex, he stopped, turned around and jogged back to Darby. When he reached her, he scooped her up in his arms, kissed her deeply, then placed her back on her feet and jogged back the way he had come. Netta, Melody, Zenerra and Ipeara all looked at the slightly stunned Darby, who patted her curly hair and sighed smugly.
Netta asked. ‘Where is Jorge?’
‘I am here.’
He was fully kitted out and armed, following him also armed were the rest of Peyton’s guards. With them were Marlo, Larson, Alexx and Raley. Tipper called out. The Warmaster is down.
Everyone raced to where they landed, as did Karen, who had just run down the steps of the Hex. Before she reached Hawk, Melody was wrapped around Coraan with his wings covering her.
Jorge and the guards surrounded Dinas and Heather as they took Peyton from Hawk’s arms and placed her on the air floater.
Karen found herself in her mate’s arms, her head buried against his chest as he stroked her hair, trying to calm not only her but himself.
‘We are taking her to her apartment.’ Dinas told him as they started walking toward the Hex with the others shielding them.
Marlo asked Heather. ‘Why is she not healing?’
‘I don’t know, she should be by now Jarrod, Netta what happened to her?’
Jarrod told them tersely. ‘She used her energy for Purponna, the sun on Terra and then to place Willian in a healing sleep as well as blocking Peneria from Willian and Boaks. She also placed a shield around the children, ladies and Prowlers.’
Darby muttered to Ipeara as she blinked the tears from her eyes. ‘Busy for someone that looks dead. I am so going to yell at her, dayam it.’
Ipeara squeezed her hand quietly saying. ‘Yeah, I get that, it’s a sister thing.’
‘Yep, can’t live with them, can’t kill them.’
Ipeara and Zenerra smiled at the fiery female who sniffled back tears.
‘She did all that, I never knew.’ Netta sighed. ‘I should have.’
Jarrod shrugged. ‘I suppose, but it was busy there for a while. Anyway, Marlo, that is why she cannot heal herself, she has no reserves left.’
‘I don’t understand, she is the Star Daughter. What reserves can she not make for herself?’ Raley asked him.
Jarrod just shook his head as Heather answered him. ‘She has been the Star Daughter for less than a yenta and has a Terran body. You have to admit she has been through a lot lately. Not everything can be cured with the regen, natural healing has to be allowed too.’
Raley nodded thoughtfully. ‘Thank you Heather, I found not understanding, annoying.’
‘Oh, I know, it drove me crazy until I asked her.’
Dinas assured them. ‘For now she needs the regenerator, she has placed herself into a healing sleep. The machine will speed up the remaining healing.’
Jarrod placed his hand on Hawk’s arm, halting his and Karen’s progress behind the floater. ‘Hawk we have more trouble, Reeve and Rage have taken a company of Warriors and Prowlers with my father and Malchol, they have gone to Terra.’
‘Why?’
‘The bombs were placed there.’
Hawk’s hand wrapped around Karen’s tensed as he said. ‘Thank you, briefing my office, let’s go.’
THIRTY-SIX:
The group split up, half to secure Peyton in her apartment, the others to Hawk’s office. When they arrived, he kissed Karen and showed her to a seat just as Harm walked in with Rave, Coraan, and Melody.
Hawk turned as Esther, Brenda, and Helen walked in. ‘Ladies.’
Esther walked over and hugged him, then she hugged Netta. ‘Good, good. Well done, Ipeara, thank you for saving us.’ She hugged and kissed her cheek, then faced Jarrod, ‘Thank you Jarrod, you saved us and as angry as I was, I understand.’
‘It was all I could think of to do.’
‘I know and again I say good call.’ She hugged him and then sat by Karen, taking her hand in her trembling one. Helen and Brenda gave their own hugs and thanks for saving not only Esther, but everyone else. Helen told Netta. ‘We are going to Avana and the children, we will tell them you will be along later.’
Netta nodded her agreement as Brenda looked up at Hawk. ‘This has to stop, I for one do not care what you all have to do to achieve that. But this stops now.’
Hawk leaned down and kissed her cheek. ‘I and everyone here are in agreement with that statement. This indeed has to stop.’
Brenda smiled at him. ‘Good, it is about time you brought the hammer down on the lot of them.’ She nodded to Marlo and then left.
Melody said. ‘Hammer, Brenda has hidden aggression.’
Marlo said with a swift look at the frowning Melody. ‘I am a little worried she may take matters into her own hands if we don’t resolve this.’
‘As am I.’ Hawk agreed with him. None of the males had seen Brenda so angry and determined before. ‘So let us have the reports, Jarrod, you first.’
Before he could start, Penny arrived with Kerol. ‘Hawk, is she alright?’
‘She is being seen to now Penny, sit dearle with Esther and Karen, as we find out what happened.’
Melody took her hand. ‘Come on Penny, don’t make me tell her you were all weepy and shook up. She will never let you live it down.’
Kerol watched his mate smile at Melody’s words as he said. ‘The planet is shut down, the Hex is secure and the prisoners are in holding.’
‘Thank you, Kerol, Jarrod, please report.’
Jarrod was short and concise as he told them what took place, from when they noticed the Draygons flying toward the shuttle until Netta and he left. Melody handed Netta and Ipeara a cup of tea each before doing the same for Esther, Penny and Karen.
Netta stood with hers in hand, as she stated her report, taking them from when they entered the shuttle to leave Terra to when she and Jarrod left the shuttle.
Hawk requested. ‘Thank you Netta, now Ipeara your report.’
She nodded, gulped down a mouthful of tea and launched into her report. Explaining how Commander Marlo had asked her to go to Terra and pilot Madam, and her passenger’s home. Until she was asked to carry Avana out of the shuttle.
Hawk said. ‘Thank you Ipeara, We are all grateful that it was you who was her pilot today. Madam’s faith in you and your skills has not been misplaced. Never allow yourself to doubt your abilities, you showed you are a worthy pilot. I second Commander Netta’s dismissal of your probation.’
Ipeara bowed her head. ‘Thank you, Commander. I left the shuttle unattended.’
Hawk sighed. ‘I will say this once to you and all who are here. Your Commander-in-Chief is our Star Daughter. If she gives permission to do as you did, there is no wrong on your part. Ipeara you were on Terra. Our world, your judgment like Madam’s was not in error.’
She nodded, her e
yes clearing. ‘Thank you, Commander.’
Hawk asked Jax. ‘Have Commander Kolin report here please and ground all Grasshoppers from now until further notice. Where is Reeve now?’
They are just leaving the port.
‘Keep me informed please, and why are you not on Terra and in the Grasshoppers?’
An oversight on my part and the Grasshoppers are ill-equipped Commander to support me. They are no better than cargo holds with pilot stations.
‘I see, do you know why there was an oversight?’
No, I am trying to ascertain why now.
‘Please keep me informed and thank you.’
Dinas strode in. ‘She is in the regen.’
‘How long?’
‘An hour, no more.’
‘Jorge?’
‘Will not leave her. He has stationed guards in and outside her apartment and Larson is stationing guards throughout the Hex.’
Hawk nodded then said Marlo Please see to Jorge and Larson.’
‘I will take care of them.’
Esther sitting beside Karen sipped the tea that Melody had brought her and asked. ‘Why did the Star Child not appear?’
Jarrod sighed, knowing someone would ask and shared a look with Netta, then said. ‘Peyton made us swear not to call them, she was concerned they would take her.’
Marlo looked around. ‘I thought we agreed not to tell her.’
Dinas affirmed. ‘We did. No one would have told her.’
‘No one here.’ Darby said as she arrived and twirled her finger in the air.
Marlo muttered. ‘Furin Jax.’
Who answered defensively. What would you have me do Commander? I am sorry but it is not within my scope to disobey her orders.
Marlo shook his head and said with a touch of apology in his voice. ‘No, I know there is not much you could do about it, as we cannot.’
‘How did she know to ask though?’ Melody wondered loudly.
Darby snorted. ‘Really, you are asking that?’
‘Well, yeah, why not?’
Esther grinned. ‘She does find this stuff out, usually without our help.’
Penny agreed with a smile. ‘She is sneaky.’
‘So what happened to the ones that were caught?’ Netta asked Hawk, who looked first at her and then Karen.
