"Wyatt and I have thirty-six memorials to planetary leaders to attend in the next few weeks," Teeg said.
"Have you looked at those? Closely?" I asked.
"What do you know that I don't?" he asked.
"That Zaria weeded out the ones that Jett and Kooper have suspected of criminal behavior," I said. "Zaria saw through them and didn't bring them back."
"Then we'll be watching who takes their place," Teeg drummed fingers on his desk.
"No need to continue on the same, rutted road," I nodded.
"You called?" Tybus folded into Teeg's office.
"Yeah. I need to go with Mom for a while," Teeg said. "Can you handle the press conference?"
"Of course." Tybus dipped his head to me and to Mom, before she folded us to Karathia to visit my brother Ry.
Mountain Retreat
Randl
"Wake up, sleepyhead." Dori placed a kiss on my forehead.
"That's a nice wake up call," I rumbled. "Seeing your pretty face hovering over mine."
"Pretty?"
"Gorgeous. Lovely. Beautiful."
"Nice," Dori grinned and leaned down to give me a proper kiss. "We can't stay here, though. Kooper gave orders to let him know the minute you woke."
"Great." I attempted to sit up in bed. "Kooper may have to wait. I have things to do, first."
"What things?"
"I thought I'd spend some time with my girl, then go steal her a ship."
"Oooh, keep talking, big boy. I like how your mind works."
Travis
"She hasn't stopped whining since she got here," Susan set a half-empty tray of food on the retreat's kitchen counter. "Kell's compulsion only lasted while she was kept at the hotel. That ended when they brought Jewl here. Even her guards no longer speak to her. They asked to be moved to an attic room, not far from Charla."
"Charla's been pretty quiet," I said.
"She watches the news-vids and cries now and then. The only thing she's asked for are treats for Barkins and to see Randl. I told her he's not up for visitors, yet."
"Still no Randl?" Zanfield Staggs wandered into the kitchen. He'd refused to go home until he got to speak with Randl, too. As he'd rendered valuable service to the ASD, I'd let him stay with us at the retreat.
It actually appealed to the wealthy eccentric. Who knew?
"Not yet, but we're hoping soon," Susan said.
"What's the decision for the Conclave?" Zanfield asked.
"The members will be doing the meetings via vid-feeds from their homeworlds in three months," I said. "The word came in this morning. It's safer that way, at least until the Prophet is eliminated."
"We also have conspiracy weed-balls claiming that the CSD and ASD manufactured this whole thing," Zanfield offered.
"That happens every time," I grumbled.
"Hello, folks. Who wants to watch me commit a robbery?" Randl sailed into the kitchen with Dori close behind.
"Kooper wants to see you first," I pointed out.
"I know. I'm willfully disobeying him for the moment."
"Oh, I like this," Zanfield lit up with enthusiasm.
"Good. If you want to see this, come with me. If you want to report it to Kooper, then you stay here."
"Uh," I said.
"Bzzzzzz—wrong answer. Anyone else?" Randl sounded happy for some inexplicable reason.
Then it hit me—he'd gotten laid, then Dori filched breakfast for him.
"Come with me, rabble," Randl smiled and folded space. Susan and I were the only ones left in the kitchen.
"I'm not telling Kooper," she said and walked out.
Founder's Palace
Kooper
"What do you mean, Jewl Yarro is in Lissa's dungeon?" I snapped at Winkler.
"I'm only the messenger," Winkler held up a hand to stop the impending rant. "Randl left her there, after telling the vampires to place as much compulsion as they liked to stop her whining."
"You found out about this after he left?"
"No," Winkler grinned. "I was there when she was tossed in her cell."
"You talked to Randl?"
"I suppose I did."
"What the fuck did he say?"
"He said that the deal with Jewl was between you, her and Jett. Neither he nor Lissa made a deal with Jewl. He says that he kidnapped her and handed her over to the palace guards, who were quite happy to incarcerate one of the Big Three."
"Oh, for the gods' sake," I mumbled and covered my face with both hands.
"He also says to tell you that he's taking over Jewl's holdings, including her fleet of ships. You should have transfers to this account soon," Winkler handed a comp-vid to me. "He says there should be enough there to rebuild Campiaa and compensate the families of those killed in the attack."
"What about her homes and other holdings?"
"I believe you'll receive messages when each and every one of them is razed to the ground. Without those and without compensation, her employees will leave and her empire will fall."
"Is Charla in the dungeon, too?"
"Nope. You may have to ask him about that. He says he'll contact you later."
"Great. I have an agent who's out doing who knows what," I growled as the comp-vid in my hand came to life.
An account balance in the billions began to appear, and then the numbers kept going higher.
"Randl, what are you doing?" I breathed. Winkler took the opportunity to fold out of the library, where he'd found me to begin with.
"Hello, Director," the figures were replaced by Randl's image.
"Randl, I want to see you immediately," I snapped at him.
"That's great, but I'm busy right now," he said.
"Doing what?"
"Well, take a look. This was Jewl's flagship. It's mine, now. Actually, it's Dori's; I promised I'd get her a ship, even if I had to steal it."
Randl stood aside so I could see the new logo on Jewl's massive, dark-gray ship. It bore the black wings of the BlackWing Pirates, with the number XIII after it.
"What about the other ships?" I asked dryly.
"Sending them to the hidden space dock for the BlackWing fleet. You can conscript them or sell them, I don't care."
"How many?" I reeled in my anger.
"Twenty-four. This one was twenty-five, but I'm keeping it."
"I see that. I can declare you rogue, you know."
"I know. That's exactly what you need to do, Director."
"What the fuck for?" I exploded.
"Because the enemy of my enemy is my friend—at least temporarily. Put me on your most wanted list, Kooper. I'm counting on the Prophet to take that bait."
I wanted to count to keep my anger at bay, before deciding there weren't enough numbers or sufficient time to achieve that result.
"So—you're not coming in," I growled.
"Not right now. We can meet up later."
"I'm putting you on the most wanted list as of tonight, for aiding in the escape of a known criminal," I said.
"You won't be wrong—I have Charla and Barkins with me."
I considered that for a moment.
"Who else is with you?" My patience was now stretched far past its limit.
"I am. Hello," Zanfield's tilted head appeared in the frame as he waved at me.
"Zanfield," Randl turned his comp-vid so I'd see his face again. "Dori, because she'll captain XIII, Chief Markus, Mak, Jak, Vik, David, Charla, Gerrett—Zaria brought him, actually, plus a few of Dori's old crew to act as navigator, helmsman and so forth."
"I trust I'll have dossiers on the crew plus a full report by tomorrow morning?"
"Of course."
"Well, aside from naming you one of the most wanted," I said, "There's only one other thing left to do."
"What's that?"
"I'm putting you in charge of the entire BlackWing fleet, Commander Gage," I said. "Your primary objective from now on is finding the Prophet and eliminating that threat. Smooth sailing, Commander. Kooper o
ut."
The End
22
List of Characters and Places
List of Characters/Places Appearing in the BlackWing Pirates Series
(Characters from other series will be indicated by the series name for their first appearance. Those series will be listed in parenthesis after the names)
Adam Chessman: From Old Earth. Former chief of enforcers for the Vampire Council. Chosen to become a member of the Saa Thalarr. Mated to Kiarra. Also a member of the Al'Riyu. (Blood Destiny Series, Saa Thalarr Series)
Akrinn Lemm: Native of Jaledis, best friend of Fergue Bing. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Amlis: Prince of New Fyris, a kingdom established on Harifa Edus after Siriaa's destruction. Father: King Tamblin of Fyris-deceased. Mother: Queen Omina of Fyris-deceased (First Ordinance Series)
Ardis: Avii Captain of the Guard for King Justis. Mated to Dena, Queen Quin's personal bodyguard. Daughter: Dara. (First Ordinance Series)
Ashe Evans: The Mighty Hand, or Strength. Owns SouthStar Groves on Avendor, which houses many. SouthStar is a haven, and those who reside there will never age because of the power wielded by Ashe. Mated to Kay and Breanne. (Legend of the Ir'Indicti Series)
Astralan Starr: Fifth-level Karathian warlock, one of four brothers who protect Teeg San Gerxon. Mated to Queen Reah. Member of the Nameless Ones—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (High Demon Series, BlackWing Pirates Series)
Aurelius: Vampire from Old Earth. Turned Gavin Montegue. Mated to Queen Reah. Member of the Saa Thalarr and Mil'Karha—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (High Demon Series)
Ba'Moru: Small vacation resort on Pyrik and home to Caille Morr.
Bargel: President of Pyrik. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Barra Kend: Wife of Ruther Kend, mother of Sabrina Kend. (First Ordinance Series, BlackWing Pirates Series)
Bekzi: One of eight reptanoid brothers who are lion snake shapeshifters, although their births were manipulated by a criminal element to create assassins. Bekzi and his brothers had slightly slitted eyes, preventing them from passing as fully human, and therefore they were never forced into the role of assassins. Instead, they became well-versed in farming and the repair of mechanical things, providing maintenance and such to their criminal masters until they were freed by Reah and Teeg San Gerxon. Bekzi is mated to the Mighty Heart and to Zaria. Member of the Nameless Ones—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (High Demon Series)
Bel Erland Morphis: Crown Prince of Karathia. Fifth-level warlock and skilled at scrying and spells. Father: King Rylend of Karathia. Mother: Queen Reah of Kifirin. Mated to Queen Quin of the Avii. (High Demon Series, First Ordinance Series)
Bennall: A Campiaan Alliance world orbiting the same star as Kev'Ril.
Berel Charkisul: Son of Edden Charkisul. Mated to Queen Quin and serves as a liaison/ambassador for her after he was granted the blue wings of an Avii scholar by Zaria. (First Ordinance Series)
Bornelus: Non-Alliance world taken by the Prophet and guarded by mutant Ra'Ak.
Brandl Gage: Father of Randl Gage. Homeworld is Vogeffa II, until attack by Vardil Cayetes forced the population to relocate to New Fyris. Employed by Prince Amlis and later by Queen Lissa of Le-Ath Veronis and Queen Quin of the Avii (First Ordinance Series)
Breanne: The Mighty Heart, aka Love. (God Wars Series)
Bryan Riley: Vampire from Old Earth. Head of the News Conglomerate on Le-Ath Veronis. (Blood Destiny Series)
Caille Morr: Trail guide at a mountain resort on Pyrik—one of many hidden servants of the Prophet. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Campiaa: Small planet and home to the Founder of the Campiaan Alliance.
Carek Prime: A non-Alliance world ruled by King Devarr, until it was destroyed by Vardil Cayetes. The population was subsequently moved to Cloudsong.
Caylon Black: Falchani warrior and the best Falchani blademaster ever produced on that world. Caylon Black trained Dragon, Crane and Salidar DeLuca. Member of the Saa Thalarr and the Mil'Karha—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (Blood Destiny Series)
Celestan Starr: Fifth-level Karathian warlock, one of four brothers who protect Teeg San Gerxon. Member of the Nameless Ones—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (High Demon Series, BlackWing Pirates Series)
Charla Dare: Wealthy Campiaan resident who has been working as a smuggler and committing other crimes quietly while passing as one of the planet's elite. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Chloe: Naturalized Amterean Dwarf, originally from Old Earth. Owl shapeshifter. Mated to Morwin Quiffilis. Sister to David Hiboux. (Latter Day Demons Series)
Cleaster Leech: Campiaan space station employee who has been infected with the Prophet's spreading obsession. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Cloudsong: A world recently accepted into the Campiaan Alliance and ruled by King Devarr. Has a spotty, checkered past, and was once rendered barren and useless by a rogue warlock who tapped the core. Restored by Zaria and others, to become home to all the refugees from Carek Prime.
Connegar: Larentii. Mated to Queen Lissa. (Blood Destiny Series)
Cord'ilus: An empty world, devoured by Ra'Ak long ago.
Cori Anderson-DeLuca: Panther shapeshifter and Co-Captain of BlackWing VIII with her husband, Marco DeLuca. Mother: Lavonna Anderson. Father: Nathan Anderson. Sister to Dori Anderson. (Legend of the Ir'Indicti Series, BlackWing Pirates Series)
Dara: Avii—daughter of Dena and Ardis. Named after Daragar of the Larentii. (First Ordinance Series)
Daragar: Larentii. Mated to Queen Quin of the Avii. (First Ordinance Series)
David Hiboux: Naturalized Amterean Dwarf, originally from Old Earth. Southern Boobook owl shapeshifter, who works as the ship's engineer for BlackWing X. (Latter Day Demons Series, BlackWing Pirates Series)
Dena: Avii bodyguard for Queen Quin. Formerly a yellow-winged castle servant. Now has multi-colored wings, like most Avii. (First Ordinance Series)
Devarr: King of Cloudsong. Husband to Hulce. (First Ordinance Series)
Derik: Prime Council of the Sirenali. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Dori Anderson: Ocelot shapeshifter from Old Earth. Captain of BlackWing VII. Mother: Lavonna Anderson, a lioness shapeshifter. Father: Nathan Anderson, a vampire. One sister; Cori Anderson, a panther shapeshifter. (Legend of the Ir'Indicti Series, BlackWing Pirates Series)
Dormas: Ancient vampire who raised Gavril/Teeg after Kifirin removed him from Le-Ath Veronis. Taught Teeg woodworking, building and architecture. Now serves as Teeg's assistant in the Campiaan Alliance. (High Demon Series)
Drake Tatsuya: Falchani, serves as co-commander of Queen Lissa's army on Le-Ath Veronis. Father: Dragon Tatsuya. Mother: Devin of the Saa Thalarr. Mated to Queen Lissa. Twin brother to Drew Tatsuya. One son: Travis Tatsuya. (Blood Destiny Series)
Drew Tatsuya: Falchani, serves as co-commander of Queen Lissa's army on Le-Ath Veronis. Father: Dragon Tatsuya. Mother: Devin of the Saa Thalarr. Mated to Queen Lissa. Twin brother to Drake Tatsuya. One son: Trent Tatsuya. (Blood Destiny Series)
Edden Charkisul: Former High President of Kondar, a large continent on Siriaa. Now serves as an Ambassador for the Avii, after he was given the blue wings of a scholar by Zaria. (First Ordinance Series)
Edward Pendley: From Old Earth of Elemaiyan ancestry. Now owns EastStar Groves, producing gishi fruit on Avendor. Mated to Queen Reah. Member of the En'Nurifi—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (Legend of the Ir'Indicti Series, High Demon Series)
Erland Morphis: Father of King Rylend of Karathia. Mated to Lissa, Queen of Le-Ath Veronis. Fifth-level warlock with strong spell-casting skills. Member of the Ba'Mirha—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (Blood Destiny Series)
Farisa: Avii guild master who has persecuted Quin in the past. (First Ordinance Series)
Fergue Bing: Former boyfriend of Sabrina, native of Jaledis. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Flavio: Vampire from Old Earth; took over as Head of the Vampire Council when Wlodek vacated the position to join the Saa Thalarr. Now a high-ranking Council member in Queen Lissa's court on
Le-Ath Veronis. Mated to Kyler. Auxiliary member of the Saa Thalarr. (Blood Destiny Series)
Flyer: Falchani warrior, member of the Saa Thalarr and member of the Nameless Ones—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (High Demon Series)
Fyris: Small continent on Siriaa, a planet destroyed by Vardil Cayetes. (First Ordinance Series)
Galaxsan Starr: Fifth-level Karathian warlock, one of four brothers who protect Teeg San Gerxon. Member of the Nameless Ones—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (High Demon Series, BlackWing Pirates Series)
Gardevik Rath (deceased): Former High Demon Prime Minister to King Jaydevik Rath (deceased) of Kifirin. Mated to Queen Lissa. One son: Torevik Rath. (Blood Destiny Series)
Garwin Wyatt San Gerxon: Son of Teeg San Gerxon, Founder of the Campiaan Alliance. Goes by Wyatt most of the time, and acts as an ambassador for his father in Alliance dealings. Mother: Queen Reah of Kifirin. Grandmother: Queen Lissa of Le-Ath Veronis. (High Demon Series)
Gavin Montegue: Head of palace security for Queen Lissa. From Old Earth, he acted as the Vampire Council's chief assassin for centuries. Roman by birth, he served in the Roman army until his near-death in battle. Turned by Aurelius afterward. Mated to Queen Lissa. One son: Gavril Tybus Montegue, aka Teeg San Gerxon. Member of the Nameless Ones—see Hierarchy of the Gods. (Blood Destiny Series)
Gerrett: Sirenali, son of V'ili and Erithia Cordan, both Sirenali. Brother of Morrett and Terrett. V'ili had no idea that he fathered three sons with Erithia, and she held V'ili in such contempt that she only pretended to like him to get her way at times. Each time she bore V'ili's child, she sold that child into slavery at an early age, after removing his tongue so he could never place an obsession. (R-D Series)
Gord: Sabrina Kend's bodyguard, before she became an agent for the ASD. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
Gurnil: Blue-winged scholar and master librarian for the Avii. (First Ordinance Series)
Halimel: Vampire; former King of Hraede and member of the Order of the Night Flower on Hraede. Turned by Rigo. (Blood Destiny Series)
Haral Lebbon: Newly-elected president of Pyrik, after President Bargel's demise. (BlackWing Pirates Series)
MindMage: BlackWing Pirates, Book 2 Page 29
