“I am Belain, brother of the king of the Sceriae. Make no foolish moves and I will take you to our king”.
“You have my word that I will do no one any harm. I desperately need to speak to your leader and then try to get in touch with my king”.
“Bind him” Belain ordered, and his men moved in to fasten his hands behind his back, putting a magnetic collar around his neck that could be detonated in an instant.
Giving orders to contain the ship Belain and his guards took their prisoner to the landing deck and then across to Acorus’ ship. Once on it’s landing deck they stripped him of his armour and gave him a kaftan to wear, refastening his hands behind his back. An Escorii guard was sent for and they tested the stranger’s mind before taking him before Acorus. The Escorii were satisfied that he had no special mind powers, declaring him to be the same as the Sceriae, but with mix breed blood.
They took him to the officer’s mess where Acorus and Jo were waiting for him, still dressed in their armour. Kalen stood proudly in front of them, his head held high.
“You have a lot of questions to answer, mainly why you were assisting our enemies,” Acorus said.
“Yes, my people have been dupes. We trusted a race that are not what they appeared to be and have assisted them to attack what appears to be a people descended from the same ancestors as us!”
Acorus frowned and sat down “You say we have the same ancestors?”
Kalen nodded and proceeded to tell them about his people, the Sceriatii. “A starship arrived in our galaxy many millennia ago. A race of dark haired blue eyed people like you. All male, no females they travelled from planet to planet seeking a home. Many of the planets in our galaxy are uninhabitable or peopled by savages. Finally they found a planet that reminded them of home and settled there. On that planet was a native species who attacked them viciously but were no danger to the more advanced strangers. Females were taken, long limbed, strong, with white hair and black eyes. Some became pregnant and male and female young were born.
Slowly memories turned into legend and we became the Sceriatii, ruling our galaxy and exploring new galaxies. We are many and live peacefully, still remembering our beginnings. Then we discovered a new race on one of our empty planets, the Xenorrii. They dealt with us politely and explained that they had been chased from their galaxy by an evil race. Although they were ugly and not like us they gave us no reason to distrust them, living on or rather under the empty planet. They traded with us and appeared to care for their young and females well and slowly we accepted them.
Then a few years ago they came to us telling us that their home planet had been destroyed by that evil race and asking for our help. They explained that there were many inhabited planets in their galaxy whose people had been enslaved by the evil ones and they wished to free them. We helped them with our technology and advisors but refused to give them an arrny.
To our surprise they had bred more quickly than we would have thought possible and their young matured very quickly, turning into vicious fighters. When they were satisfied that they had a big enough star fleet they informed my king that they were returning to their galaxy to free the other species there. My king was curious and insisted that each starship had a Sceriatii ambassador on board, which the Xenorrii appeared to be happy to agree to. However no sooner had we left my galaxy than we were taken prisoner and allowed no communication with each other or our planet. Then the Xenorrii showed their true colours. We’d had no idea that they were blood drinkers and I was horrified to find that the holds of the ship I was on was full of our native species milked for their blood. The cruelty I saw alarmed me, as I said we have lived in peace for millennia and the people in our galaxy are now all gentle and peace loving. If we were more like our ancestors, or you, maybe we would not have believed their lies so easily”. Kalen’s voice trembled and he swayed.
Acorus leapt to his feet and steadied him “Here sit, when did you last eat or drink?”
“I don’t know, I was kept on the flight deck with the Xenorrii captain and can’t remember when I ate”.
Acorus turned to a guard “Fetch food and drink for us all, and free his hands”.
Still cautious he kept the Escorii guards on hand to control the stranger, if necessary, with their minds and once he drunk and had some food and he settled down to question him.
“When we first had the technology to investigate the wormholes many of our ships were lost. It is possible that one such ship was the start of your race, the Sceriatii, and offshoot of the Sceriae. Our language has the same base and even our armour is similar. To find a race whose females were compatible is sheer luck. We searched for years to find such females when the Sceriae females started to die off. The human females like my mate Lady Joanna have saved our race in the same way that your white haired natives saved yours. We have many things to discuss with your leaders. Do you know where the wormhole to your galaxy is?”
“No but the coordinates for it are in the Xenorrii ships memory banks. That is what I was trying to save when you found me. For the first time in mine and my people’s memories I used force against another race. I should be ashamed but I could not let evil triumph”. Kalen looked sombre as he spoke.
“You have nothing to be ashamed of my friend. We will return to Scerior, you will rest and then we will send you home along with our embassador, to take greetings to your king. Hopefully we will see the end of the evil of the Xenorrii”.
Acorus then gave orders for Kalen to be taken to comfortable quarters, and treated as an honoured guest, although the collar was to remain on and the Escorii were to guard him along with the Sceriae guards.
The fleet had been severely damaged, fighter pilots and their ships had been lost, but overall, due to Acorus’ caution they had escaped lightly. Thanks to their force fields being up no starship had been completely destroyed and on the starships there had been only minor injuries, as crew had been knocked off their feet when the ships were hit. Some fighter pilots had made it back to their mother ships injured, but all were now in the capable hands of the Escorii and Sceriae doctors and nurses. Moral was high and all were looking forward to docking on Scerior.
At last Acorus was free to rest and handing over to his second in command he followed Jo to their quarters, keen to wash and rest. They helped each other out of their armour and stepped into the blissful hot shower together. Although they washed each other and kissed and cuddled, for once even Acorus was too battle weary to make love, and once dry they curled up on the bed together and discussed the Sceriatii as they waited for their food.
“What a strange twist in the fortunes of the Xenorrii”. Jo said.
“Yes, who would have imagined when I destroyed their city that they had found a wormhole that would lead them to the descendants of our ancestors?”
“And that they’d be able to fool them in the way that they did. I’m sorry to say but the Sceriatii seem to be very naive. The Xenorrii actually look evil!” Jo shook her head.
“Mmm, but I suppose we don’t know what the other races in their galaxy look like. Apart from the Xenorrii all in our galaxy look, mmm, what you humans would call humanoid. Maybe some of their neighbours are arachnid types but still decent and peaceful”. Acorus pointed out.
“Yes I suppose you’re right, my human prejudices are showing, although I try to keep them under control”.
“It’s a good job I’m humanoid, maybe you’d have put up more of a fight when I first took you, if I’d been spider like instead of stunningly handsome”.
“Oh, you, you, m.c.p”. Jo spluttered.
“Me! A chauvinist!” he chuckled.
“Yes, big headed brute, you know I had no choice. When I think how frightened I was of the Lord General I don’t know how I survived”. Even after all this time Jo choked up with tears.
Pulling her into his arms he said “I’m sorry
, that was wrong of me, you know I’m ashamed of what my race had to do to survive”.
“I know and you tried to be kind and not hurt me but it’s a time I don’t want to remember, I hated you all so much. All those terrified young girls, thank god we managed to change things”.
“It was your bravery, my love, that changed things, plus the fact that I love you more than life itself”. Acorus leaned over and kissed her and his ever ready shaft turned into an iron bar.
Luckily for a very tired and hungry Jo, there was a knock on the door and the Escorii entered with their food.
“Put it on the table” Acorus ordered “We’ll help ourselves”.
Once they had gone they put on kaftans and went to sit at the table. Pouring wine as Jo helped herself to food Acorus said “I would love to see this unknown galaxy, but first we must send an ambassador there with gifts and invitations for them to visit Scerior. To find a race descended from a lost starship is beyond surprising, maybe there are other galaxies with people like us inhabiting them”.
“It would depend on whether there were compatible females in any of those galaxies”.
“Yes, unfortunate to survive the journey into a strange galaxy then to die out due to the lack of females. In future we must make sure that there are both male and female crew on our ships”. Acorus grinned.
“On knowing you Sceriae males I’m sure they would have found some comfort even with spiders!” Jo laughed.
“Are you saying that we will fuck anything?” he growled.
“Well, what about the Ghorans?”
“At least they had beautiful bodies as long as they were in the dark. But talking about female bodies...”. Acorus stood up and circled the table.
“No!” Jo choked on a mouthful of food. “Don’t you start, I’m exhausted!”
“Then you will be required to do nothing” he grinned as he prowled towards her.
Jo grabbed a plate “Take care, I’m armed and dangerous”.
Laughing he pulled her into his arms and swept her up into his embrace. Carrying her to the bed he pulled off her kaftan and proceeded to show her how little she had to do.
Chapter 23
It took four days for the fleet to limp home to Scerior as they nursed the damaged starships. The very last to dock, beside their central city, Luga, Acorus’ crew were greeted by crowds of citizens eager to welcome their new king home. His sister, Andea, had sadly finally died and he was now king in fact not just proxy. He had put on his dress uniform and Jo was dressed in ceremonial wear, covered in precious gems and gold, looking every inch his queen. Their crew, human and Sceriae formed ranks for them to pass through and the air was rent with cheers and huzzas.
Dignitaries met them but all Jo wanted to see were her children, and there at the end of the dock stood Jacki and her sisters, all looking regal and sombre. Then they saw their parents and Jacki gave a whoop, and despite their Escorii tutors frowns, led the rush into her parents arms.
“Oh how you’ve grown, how beautiful you are” Jo was smothered by them, two already bigger than her.
Despite the dignitaries around him Acorus joined in the hugs and kisses, as thrilled as Jo at their welcome. Then as he turned he saw Kylie and her thirteen daughters and went to greet them. They were older and more cautious, some already mothers themselves, but when he hugged and kissed each one they responded in delight. He was still their father and loved each one the same. Finally he turned to Kylie and sweeping her into his arms he hugged her tightly.
Jo came over to join them and fell into Kylie’s arms saying how good it was to be home and thanking her for looking after her girls so well.
Then Acorus gave a speech to the crowd and along with the top dignitaries they climbed into their vehicles and were slowly transported through crowded streets to the palace.
Jo frowned “Aren’t we going home?”
“This is our home now Jo. Now that Andea is dead we need the space to govern the planet”. Acorus pointed out as he waved to his people.
“Oh yes, I suppose so, but what about our things?”
“They have already been moved to our new quarters inside the palace. Pensus organised it after he lost Andea. He’s moved into a smaller villa with his females and children”.
“I just realised that your sons weren’t there to meet us”.
“They are all fully fledged soldiers, with Belain’s fleet, apart from Belthain, who is training to be a doctor like his mother. Once they are freed of their duties they will seek us out at the palace”.
“You have so many children I can’t keep track. There are all Julie’s twins as well, will we see them later?”
“Yes Belain will bring them to visit as well as his horde when we have settled in”.
“It’s a good job we are moving to the palace, the villa would have been overflowing at the seams” Jo laughed
“What with mine and Kylie’s grandchildren we may need an even bigger palace”. Acorus chuckled, then with a glint in his eye he continued “And of course there’s no reason why we can’t have more!”
Jo pulled a face “Yes if you carry them. I’ll be busy enough learning how to be queen without being exhausted carrying another half breed”.
Acorus’ eyes glinted “Yes you’re much more fun when you’re not pregnant. Maybe we’ll shelve that idea”.
“Yes for good” Jo muttered under her breath.
At the palace Pensus Andea’s consort, was waiting for them “Welcome, brother and king” he said bowing low.
Acorus raised him up and hugged him “My friend, beloved consort of my sister, do not bow to me. You will be my most senior advisor and trusted confident. We are one in the sorrow we feel at the loss of our beloved queen”.
Pensus swallowed, his eyes filling with tears “She tried so hard to stay with us until you came home, but her female genes would not allow her to survive”.
Jo stepped forward “Oh Pensus, I am so sorry for your loss. I loved her as a sister and will miss her advice and kindness”.
Pensus nodded “She was one of a kind and I was honoured to have her as my mate”.
“She was lucky to have you, you made her happy and showed her how to have fun. Something not many Sceriae females knew how to do”. Jo said bravely although some of the older males were frowning at her.
Pensus grinned “Yes we shocked many in our time, especially before you humans came and our males learned the joy of sex”.
“Mmm,” Jo thought “we unleashed a raging beast by doing that!”
Gasps emanated from the crowd and Jo and Acorus chuckled at the fact that Pensus could still shock and amuse, having forgotten how stiff the older Sceriae were. “A banquet is arranged for tomorrow” Pensus told them. “I thought you would prefer to be quiet this evening”.
“Well thought” Acorus laughed “We prefer to eat with our close family tonight, lots of catching up to do”.
“Thought so, food will be served in the small dining room in a couple of hours. Meantime maybe you’d like to retire to your private chambers”.
“Thank you Pensus “Jo said, “I could do with freshening up and changing”.
“You go, Jo, I need to catch up with things and I’ll join you later”. Acorus said.
Jo turned to her daughters and said “Come with me girls, we have a lot of things to talk about”.
Chattering happily they followed her towards her private quarters, then ensconced on sofas in the sitting Jo was questioned about Earth, the Xenorrii and the fact that Allorus had married a human. Jacki who was very aware of her position couldn’t understand how he could give up being heir to the throne. To her Scerior was all.
Jo tried to explain “He likes Earth and the human males who fight alongside him, and he wanted no other mate but Rebecca, he loves her to distraction”.
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Jacki was more Sceriae than Jo could believe “Love! It is just hormones reacting. Duty and position are more important”.
Luckily, Jo didn’t have to argue as the others joined in the discussion, showing their more human side. Hopefully Jacki would meet a Sceriae male who would sweep her off her feet, and discover what love was like, but whatever she did Jo would support her choices.
They had chatted for over an hour when Acorus joined them and they became quieter, more restrained, uncomfortable in this powerful males presence.
“Right girls, we must all freshen up and change before dinner, so off to your quarters. Oh, I assume you have been given rooms here”.
“Yes, we have a small apartment, with a sitting room and two bedrooms. At the moment Nacori and I are sharing and Annaca and Jessica are in the other. When they go back to the nursery and back to school, Nacori and I will have a room each. Of course we are too old for the nursery now”. Jacki said importantly.
`Mmm,` thought Jo `I’ll have to keep an eye on her, stop her getting any grander!` But aloud she said “Right, off you go, I expect your Escorii are waiting for you, so we’ll see you later”.
Once they had gone she rolled her eyes at Acorus “Jacki is full of her own importance, I think we’ll have to take her in hand and bring her down a peg or two”.
“She’s just excited that we’re home and that she’ll be living in the palace”. Acorus said indulgently.
“We’ll see!” Jo replied as she headed into the bedroom and stripping off her ceremonial dress stepped into the shower.
“Me too, this uniform is very tight and stiff. Come I’ll wash your back if you wash mine”.
Jo laughed “That’s all we have time for so no hanky panky”.
“Mmph. No respect, you have no respect for me at all”. He muttered as she lathered her hands and vigorously scrubbed his back.
***
The dinner that evening was a cheerful family affair, Kylie, Julie, Belain and Pensus had joined them along with Jacki, who was now treated as an adult, and they discussed mainly family matters, leaving affairs of state to the banquet the next day. None of Acorus’ female children would be present at that but two of his sons by Ileya would be. They were now officers in the army and Iccorus would be named the new heir now that Allorus had become master of Earth.
Scerior Part II Page 19
