by L M Lacee
Darby exploded from her chair, her curly hair standing literally on end as her eyes shot fire at Trina. She slammed her hands on her hips as the ladies who had slipped in behind Trina and Jarrod moved to stand with Melody, who had risen at their entrance.
They all watched as Darby snarled. ‘How dare you, she is our sister. I hate that she left.’
Trina shrugged. ‘Boo-hoo, life is no different than it was two days ago for any of you. We are still part of a large loving family, unlike Heather who is alone with a new family surrounding her.’ She tapped her chin as she said. ‘I know, maybe we should go back and kill him, then we can make her come home, never to go away again.’
‘Do not be ridiculous!’ Darby said horrified at the idea, and worse for a split second, she was tempted and that made her angrier and sadder.
Trina scoffed. ‘No more ridiculous than what you are doing. Heather found her dream and all you can think about is how much you are hurting. What does that say about you?’
Hawk stood just outside the lounge doorway, next to Jarrod and his brothers as Malchol asked softly. ‘Do I want to be here?’
Telfor asked just as softly. ‘Do any of us?’
Jarrod nodded. ‘Yes, we all need to be here. We are learning how to manage Terran females, apparently this is how one goes about shocking them into action or so my Trina says.’
‘And you think poking the small one, will do this?’ Telfor asked with a skeptical tone to his voice. Peyton said from behind them. ‘Trina is a wonder and is correct, look at the small one now. She is angry and fighting, not wallowing in despair.’
‘Madam, I was unaware you were there.’ Telfor explained, worried he had offended her. He was unprepared for the grin she threw him as she laughingly said. ‘I would say that does not happen often?’
He sighed as he looked at her, then Jarrod. ‘More often than not.’
Jarrod said. ‘It is because you will focus solely on what is in front of you. Not what is around you?’
He said righteously. ‘I am committed.’
‘To being killed!’ Malchol scornfully told him.
Telfor eyed him. ‘Brother you tread a fine line.’
Peyton advised him. ‘You should take him to the mat.’
Startled Telfor asked. ‘I should what?’
Hawk told them. ‘Madam and Commander Melody, have implemented a dispute management technique.’
‘Are you making fun of me?’ She asked him suspiciously.
‘Why would I do that?’ He asked her with a straight face. Peyton gave him the evil eye and told him. ‘Yeah, stop hanging with Melody.’
He hurriedly explained to the brothers who seemed a little perturbed at the expression she used. Conveyed by the raised eyebrows and the swift once over they gave him.
‘That expression means conversing or being with Commander Melody working out or just talking over tea. We do not actually hang anywhere.’
The three males looked very relieved until Peyton said. ‘Although, that would be fun to watch.’
Hawk stated. ‘No Madam, it would not.’
‘Spoilsport.’
He just looked at her as she stared back and when he did not look away, she shrugged and grumpily said. ‘Fine, no hanging!’
‘Thank you, Madam.’
‘Yeah… yeah, so…’ She said louder so the females could hear her. ‘Are we done here now because I have Warriors to find and I feel like kicking butt?’
Hawk reminded her. ‘Not until morn, Madam.’
‘Oh dayam. Okay, well I am going to bed then, see you all in the morn. Good-eve.’
They all chorused good-eve as she walked away. Then the males turned their attention back to the females in time to hear Trina ask Darby. ‘Well, are you done?’
Darby nodded her head. ‘Yes, I am finished with my pity party. What about you Melody?’
‘Yep, thanks Trina, who is not Netta.’
Trina grinned. ‘As long as I helped.’
Darby apologized ‘Oh you did, we are sorry we made you angry.’
Trina hugged her. ‘I wasn’t angry, I just couldn’t stand you hurting like that. It worried me and I thought I should say my piece.’
‘I am glad you did. I needed to see how mean spirited I was being.’
Melody grinned. ‘My liver thanks you as well. I will thank you if you never mention this to Heather.’
‘As if I would.’
Brenda hugged Darby saying. ‘You are not mean spirited luv, what you are, is experiencing loss as an adult for the first time. It is hard for us who have lost so tragically in the past, to tell our hearts that this is a different kind of loss. But you must remember you can see and talk to her whenever you like.’
‘Yes I know.’ She leaned her head on Brenda’s shoulder as she repeated. ‘I know.’
Trina exclaimed. ‘So ladies, did I show you my tats?’
Which made them all laugh, Melody actually whined. ‘Do I need to see this?’
Brenda’s answered sharply. ‘Yes, she is happy.’
Melody winked at her. ‘Gotcha!’
Which made her laugh as Trina proudly displayed her markings for all to see. Darby, Melody and each of the ladies all took turns hugging the very proud Trina and then Jarrod who came in for his share of congratulations. He was as dumbfounded by their happiness and display of affection toward him as his brothers were.
FORTY-TWO:
Early the next morning, Avana knocked on Peyton’s door, just after she had shimmed into her anti sand jumpsuit. At least that was what she was calling the one piece overall Trina had delivered to her the night before, with the promise that it was designed to prevent the sand finding its way into uncomfortable places.
‘Greetings, Avana.’
‘Greetings, Madam.’
Ahh! A formal meeting, Peyton thought as she looked at the apprehensive female. None of the friendly Avana was in evidence this morn. It looked like she had slipped back to the fearful and worried Sene she had been before she departed to find her brothers.
‘Well come on in, take a seat.’
As she did, Peyton continued to do up her jumpsuit and softened her voice. ‘So what can I do for you?’
Unsure how Peyton was taking the absence of her sister, Avana approached her as one would a dangerous beast. She had hesitated most of the night and this morn to tell Peyton what she knew but she could not put it off any longer, they were heading to the planet shortly.
She blurted her worry out. ‘There is something wrong on the planet.’
Peyton stopped doing up her uniform jacket she had placed over the jumpsuit and turned to look at Avana and asked. ‘Okay, Avana, time to tell me what it is you do. What Sene Avana, is your gift?’
Avana smiled, a smile that encouraged serenity, Peyton could feel the energy reach out to surround her, and allowed it, if it made Avana feel safer to try to calm her, then so be it.
‘I wondered when you would ask.’
Peyton shrugged letting the energy return to Avana. ‘If I wait for you to tell me, I will be too old to care.’
‘Humorous.’
Peyton grinned. ‘We say, very funny.’
‘I thought I did?’
Peyton raised her eyebrows as her only comment. ‘So what is your gift, Avana?’
By now they were both seated in her small lounge, Avana clasped her hands together and drew in a shaky breath and said. ‘I, Madam Peyton have it all. Every gift, every Sene is blessed with.’
Peyton looked at her and saw the power and the energy she held tightly to herself and wondered at how much control she must exert to keep her abilities hidden from everyone and how exhausting it must be. ‘I am guessing that for a Sene that is unusual?’
Avana nodded and whispered. ‘Yes, there has never been a Sene on record who has been blessed with every power of sight.’
‘Is it tiring holding the power in like that all the time?’
‘Yes.’ She whispered again as she closed her eyes. �
�It is so very exhausting at times.’
‘Is it a fact you are mine now, as your brothers are?’
‘Yes, like my brothers, I am sworn to you.’
Peyton left what she admitted alone for now, as important as that knowledge was, there would be another time to dwell on the ramifications of that confession. For today she had to help a Sene release her gifts. ‘Avana release the hold on your gifts, allow them to breathe. My friend your gifts need to see the light of the stars, they were never given to you to become your burdens. They are meant to be cherished, to live and evolve, they will not do so if you keep them chained, let them out.’
She told Peyton. ‘When I was young and all my gifts developed, my mother’s father, who was an Elder, taught me to hide and hold them close. He feared what the Elders would use me for, if I did not.’
‘I see and that is why you left your home world, someone found out?’
Avana shrugged uncomfortably. ‘One of the reasons. My papa suspected an Elder had discovered my secret, we could not prove it but all Senes are to be hunted and killed. The order against me is to be returned unharmed.’
‘Do your brothers know about your gifts?’
‘Oh yes, all my family know.’
‘Avana let your gifts fly, it is time. You are safe and it is time to discover what you can do.’
With relief Avana relaxed her tight hold on her powers and felt the instant gratification from her needar. She sighed with relief, it will take time she knew to become comfortable with not hiding her gifts. She had lived with the fear of discovery for so long. If she was honest with herself she was a little frightened believing she was safe enough to allow her gifts full rein.
Peyton watched her shoulders as the tension eased from them, then asked. ‘Now, what were you saying about the planet?’
‘You do not wish for me to explain how I was blessed with so many gifts?’
‘Do you want to tell me?’
‘No, not really.’
‘So why ask?’
‘You are very strange, even for the Star Daughter!’
Peyton shrugged again, as her eyes remained watchful. ‘So I have been told, now Avana what about the planet?’
Avana sighed and rubbed her forehead. ‘Yes, they are hiding something.’
‘The Warriors, we know.’
Avana shook her head slowly from side to side. ‘No something else.’ Her eyes remained on Peyton, who asked. ‘I am not going to like this, am I?’
Again she shook her head and saw a small flame appear in Peyton’s green eyes. ‘No Madam, I do not think you will.’
‘Okay, let me have it?’
Avana asked. ‘You wish for me to tell you?’
‘Yes, that is what I said.’
‘I am thinking it was not.’
Peyton kicked up one side of her mouth, when she realized her Avana was back, and stalling. ‘Avana hon, I swear I will not be angry with you.’
Avana took a deep breath in and released it as she said in a rush. ‘They have Terran females held down there.’
Peyton took a minute to secure the choke hold on her anger that seemed to be her default emotion. She blinked three times before she said calmly. ‘It does not seem like the kind of world that Earth’s government would send females to in legal trade. So I am guessing the planet did not obtain them legally?’
‘No, I am sure they did not.’
‘Thank you Avana, I am sorry if I scare you.’
‘You do and you do not!’
Peyton gave her a genuine smile and said softly because although she considered Avana a friend, they really did not know each other very well, and Avana had a lifetime of answering to people who treated her badly. When she started to believe what her gifts were telling her, she would realize Peyton was truly not one of them.
‘Well, let us do this, tell me the truth, never lie and if you are really worried go to Netta, or Hawk and maybe Darby, but you know she can be emotional.’
Avana smiled then with a frown marring her forehead she said. ‘That seems extreme.’
‘Until you know me better, it may be the way to go.’
She stared at Peyton. ‘You did not mention Melody or the ladies.’
‘I was sure you would work it out for yourself.’
‘I think, I will just come to you.’
‘Or you could do that.’
Avana grinned. ‘You are very likable and approachable, the problem is mine. Which seems to have become a little more pronounced since joining up with my brothers again, perhaps their ingrain suspicion of everyone has infected me.’
‘You know, I know of several mind specialists who could help with that?’
‘Very funny. I think I will leave it as it is, I do like you Peyton.’
‘As I like you, I think we are at the almost best friend stage, what do you think?’
‘I have never had a friend or best friend before. I believe we are there.’
Peyton grinned. ‘You have loads of friends now and a best friend or two as well. Thank you for telling me about the planet. I will fix what is wrong, that is what I do. So are you coming with us?’
Avana stood, she too was wearing a uniform similar to Peyton’s, which she had not noticed before.
‘I am wearing the ridiculous one piece against sand that Trina gave me. So as I am dressed for it, yes.’
‘So funny.’ Peyton said as they swept from the cabin.
FORTY-THREE:
They met up with Melody, Lukkas, Kent and Sarn as well as Captain Certen, plus three hundred Warriors, who were already assembled in the war room. She grinned at the Captain and asked. ‘Did you go into the regen?’
He inclined his head. ‘Yes, thank you, Madam. I did. It removed my scars as well as regrew my finger.’ He showed her his hand with the regrown appendage. Peyton was impressed, and she showed it as she took his hand and looked at the finger all shiny and new. She asked him. ‘The redness will go away?’
He nodded. ‘So the healer assured me.’
‘Oh good, are you pleased?’
He smiled. ‘Madam, I am in your debt.’
Peyton still held his hand as she said earnestly. ‘Captain Certen no! It is us who are indebted to you and all the Warriors.’
He squeezed her hand gently and released it saying. ‘As you wish Madam… as you wish.’
He moved back to the others as Hawk walked into the room, speaking as he did. ‘Greetings, everyone. This morn we are in orbit around a small planet known as Lowertt. I know you have all read your briefings, supplied by Lady Darby.’
He looked toward Peyton as she asked Melody. ‘Is he talking about me?’
‘Did you read your briefing?’
‘We had to.’
Melody made a disparaging noise as Hawk’s voice became a little sharper when he stated. ‘We have several objectives which are…’
Peyton cut in. ‘Excuse me Commander, I have additional information.’
Melody asked. ‘Is this something you just found out or did you forget to tell us?’
Peyton narrowed her eyes as she drew breath to retaliate, when Hawk seeing where this would lead, said hurriedly. ‘Madam, please elaborate.’
‘It has come to my attention, that there could be Terran females on the planet held against their will or at least, they probably are there illegally. If this is true, we will need to make sure they are found and asked what their status is, and I was just told this morn.’ She narrowed her eyes at Melody daring her to say something but she only grinned undaunted back at her.
Hawk nodded. ‘So now we have four objectives, secure the planet and search for our Warriors. Additionally, we will search for evidence of the Terran females, and lastly, we will make sure our Star Daughter and Sene Avana are kept from harm.’
All playfulness gone now, Melody donned her role as Commander and ordered. ‘To that end, I will Command Madam’s guard. Warriors Sarn and Kent will make up my squad.’
They both hid their pleas
ure at being selected by Melody, they saluted. ‘Yes Commander.’
Melody then said. ‘Warriors assign a squad to each of you please, we will be securing the premises, which I am sure we will be entering.’
Both Warriors stepped back to select their squads as Hawk told all the Warriors. ‘I will command the security of the planet. I am instigating reasonable force, stun only, unless you are in danger, also please remember to address Madam as the Star Daughter. Let us not give anything away.’
Peyton agreed. ‘The more we reinforce the fact I am the Star Daughter, maybe we will not have to take drastic measures.’ She read skepticism on all their faces as well as Melody and Avana’s and grimaced. ‘It could happen?’
‘Unlikely but let us try.’ Melody agreed with a tone of disbelief shadowing her voice.
Hawk ordered his Warriors. ‘From now on, Madam is to always be addressed as Star Daughter while on missions. Any questions?’ When there were none he ordered. ‘Warriors we leave.’
They all filed out and moved quickly to the lifts, a well-orchestrated movement of Warriors. Peyton watched them and wondered how many times they had done this same exercise, she was unsure if she was impressed or saddened by the thought. Darby slid in next to her, as she and Avana followed Melody and the Warriors toward the lifts that would take them to the shuttle bay. ‘Hey Darby, you okay?’
She smiled weakly at Peyton and ran her hand through her curly hair making it stick up a little more.
‘I am, so it is alright that I stay here?’
Peyton reached out and smoothed the wayward hair down, saying. ‘Yep, see you soon.’
She placed one foot on the lift as Darby said. ‘Peyton, please be careful.’
Peyton frowned at her as she stepped back from the lift. ‘Is that code for don’t piss anyone off, Comp girl?’
‘No, good stars, that was just be careful. All of you stay safe, please.’
‘Okay then.’ Peyton smiled as Melody hugged Darby saying. ‘It’s okay, I’ll look after her.’
Sighing in relief, Darby replied. ‘That’s good.’
The smile was wiped from her face as Peyton demanded. ‘What does that mean?’
‘It means.’ Melody said as she pushed her into the lift. ‘I won’t let you forget anything.’
