Ethram spaced out his reports of their decaying status and he kept Ballion out of sight, saying he was caring for the mates. Ballion was no actor, and in any case he had no control over the damning antennae that continued to stroke his chin in happiness that the warriors were pleased with their mates, and happiness of the impending large boon.
Ethram left the bridge to check on Tempest and Miranda. All the constant chatter with the Quillant about their withering was making him nervous and he wanted to make sure they really were all right. They continued to sleep, though Miranda would reach out, searching for her mate’s hand. Ethram placed her wrist with the offering back on the pillow, and waved a comforting aura towards her. She slept calmer.
He went back to the communications bridge. To summon up the proper countenance, he employed something he only did once a year on the anniversary of the discovery of his mate’s decay. He envisioned coming across her withered body in the small home she had shared with her sister. Flowers, dried through time, were placed all around the faded rooms, and the possessions and decorations showed him she had been a gentle, kind woman. His own tears brimmed as he thought of his loss.
Ethram called the Quillant. He could see the devastated crew trying to stand back and give the anxious warriors room while hoping for good news. Ethram cleared his throat, “I am so sorry, Commander.” He heard the groans from the crew, and watched as two of the warriors fled from the room before anyone could see their tears. “Nothing could be done. The outer world I found them on was polluted. The planet itself will be swallowed soon, and they did not have the strength to adapt to the inner worlds.”
Taliquant began to panic, believing something had gone wrong and his Tempest was truly lost. “No!” he bellowed. “I want to see her. Commander, I need to return to the Isotant.”
Zulien was barely holding it together himself as he stood up and threw an arm around Taliquant’s shoulder and whispered in his ear, “She is fine, Taliquant. Take a chill pill.” He turned back to the screen and said loud enough for the crew to hear, “You are certain, Ethram? Maybe they are just in a deeper sleep.”
“I am sorry, Zulien. Ballion remains with them, but there has been no breath or heartbeat for over an hour. They are decayed. Please, what can I do to ease your suffering?”
Taliquant had managed to discreetly swallow a pill, and was better composed. “I wish my mate brought back to Shallistar. I want my mother to know I did have a mate, and that I comforted her for the short time we had.”
Zulien replied as though in a shocked state, “Yes, Taliquant. Ethram, that is my wish as well. My mother so wanted to meet my little Ancient, and I want her to know she received my offering before she decayed.”
“Of course, Commander.” Ethram appeared to be thinking something over, and he added the final line to his script… the line they all decided would seal the ruse. “I take it I will be compensated for this extra travel?”
Zulien exploded up from his chair, “By the stars, yes you will be compensated. My mate is decayed, but I will see to it you get your damn boon, Ethram. I trusted you to protect her.” Zulien looked like he was going to break through the communication screen, and Seartock tentatively walked forward and took his arm.
“Commander, let me escort you back to your quarters. Perhaps we can toast your mate’s journey to the after worlds,” Seartock said quietly.
Zulien needed to go back to his quarters and take his own little pill of sanity. For a brief moment he had believed Miranda to have decayed, and the overwhelming grief still had him weak. He allowed himself to be led off the bridge, and Letang followed with Taliquant. When they reached the Commander’s quarters, Letang asked Seartock to get them some wine.
He took their time alone to make sure Zulien remembered his pill. “I promise you, your mates are fine.”
Taliquant was panicking again. “How can you be so sure?”
“Ethram has been very careful to keep Ballion off screen. He has made continuous excuses all day because the Minoc cannot control his emotions. His antennae were waving with joy like a flag when we left them earlier. There is no acceptable protocol for him not to have been seconding his Commander when he gave us this news,” Letang reasoned.
The warriors looked at each other. Letang was right. It was an unforgivable breach of protocol for the Commander to stand alone while admitting failure in his mission. “I hope Berslan does not think of that,” Zulien commented.
“Check your communications log. He has already sent two messages back to the Magistrates, so I think our plan is working.” Letang shook his head in sadness. The ambitious warrior’s betrayal was complete.
Taliquant gave a nervous laugh. “By the stars, Zule, I thought you were going to dive through the screen when Ethram asked for compensation to return our mates to Shallistar.”
The Parina’s head was being shoved down on Taliquant’s cock, and Zulien was standing behind her, unlacing his breaches. Tomorrow would be Berslan’s day with her, and they were not sure how they would relieve their pressure.
“That was close,” Zulien admitted. “We all have a future on the stages of Valeridon if we ever want to stop this warrior nonsense.” He quickly entered the android from behind.
The two men pumped to frenzied relief, just as they heard Seartock approaching. They shoved the android into the closet and got back into the form of grieving mates. Seartock was weighted down with the pressure in the room, and made excuses to check the bridge. He almost slipped and said he needed the comforting arms of his mate.
Zulien had the feeling he was forgetting something, and he had half convinced himself it was another side effect of being separated from Miranda or of the tranquilizers. All of a sudden, it hit him. “Letang, we need to disengage from the Isotant. Now,” he ordered.
“What is wrong?” Taliquant asked.
“The Magistrates may order the body of an Ancient be returned to Latisqua under the guise of ceremony but perhaps to make sure she is really decayed. We need to get Ethram underway to Shallistar. He knows we have to deliver Berslan on planet before we can meet him, so he will deliver the other three mates first. They are bound for Perith Three. The hierarchy there is on silent communication until the world divisions are decided. They would not be able to hail him down and ask him to return.”
“I am on it.” Letang dashed from the room and ran to the transport portal. He quickly unlatched the outside locks, knowing the Commander or Ballion would see they were no longer docked. Hopefully, Ethram would figure out it meant to leave.
Ethram noticed the red docking light go out and the green light come on, and at the same instant it occurred to him the Magistrates might call him in with the Ancient. To have her found alive would be treason. “Ballion, by the polluted planets of the outer worlds, get us out of here. Now.”
Ballion quickly set the navigation screens for Perith Three, and they were more than a quadrant away before anyone else on the Quillant knew they had disengaged.
Zulien was sitting at the helm, gazing blankly at the stars through the bridge view port. The crew did not disturb the brooding man. They could not fathom the grief he must be suffering. In reality, Zulien was scanning the stars and imagining his Celestial bound for the safety of Shallistar. He was anticipating her waking and how he would show her the beauty of his home. He could picture her overwhelming delight after leaving the polluted planet in the outer worlds. When a small smile would crease his eyes, those that saw him thought it was caused by the short, bittersweet moments of his meeting with his mate.
Taliquant had sequestered himself in his quarters over his loss. In truth, the tranquilizers made the warrior nervous and he only took them when he had to move among the crew. For now, he was taking out his frustrations and release with the Parina. He had tied her, not that he needed to, over a chair with her naked ass facing the ceiling, legs spread wide. The juices of his release coated the inside of her thighs and traveled to the carpet. He looked at the android and thought, By the sta
rs, I need my mate. When he did leave his quarters, he avoided Berslan as much as he could, because even with the ‘chill pill’ he wanted to throttle him.
Taliquant reluctantly released the Parina, and she made her way to Berslan’s room.
Zulien and Taliquant met back in the Commander’s quarters. “I hate having no communication with the Isotant,” Taliquant complained.
“I am convinced our mates are fine. I feel as though a fire has been lit inside of me, and if something happened to her I think the flame would extinguish as well.” Zulien’s hand rubbed absently over his heart. “It bothered me the Magistrates have not called for her body.”
“Now, it does not? It could mean they are after the Isotant.” Taliquant rose and began to pace.
“Berslan has been in his quarters with the Parina, and Letang informs me he does not even know we have disengaged. Perhaps he is having a fit of conscience.” Zulien shrugged in indifference. Berslan had chosen his path. “The Magistrates have not called because they would show their hand and expose their spy. How else would they have even known Ethram had procured an Ancient? He has not logged a boon for her.” Zulien lifted his wrist and tapped a number on the band. “Letang, come to my quarters.”
Letang arrived within minutes. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I have a crater the size of Josarin where my heart should be. How are you?” Zulien waved him to a chair.
“I wish the rest of the crew knew the sacrifice you are both making.” Letang watched Taliquant drop into a chair. “Major, you look like you are going to be sick.”
“Thanks for reminding me, Letang. I hate the pills. I feel like I am standing beside myself watching a robot take over.” Taliquant let out an exasperated breath.
Zulien nodded in agreement. “At least they allow us to function.” A look of concentration came over his face. “Letang, how difficult would it be to spread a rumor we have the decayed mates on board? We could secure the hatch in the hold and no one would dare disturb our mates. The rumor would have to be something vague, so we could deny it when we get to Latisqua.”
“I think the easiest method would be through the mates. They live for gossip. I could tell Vasilla, and by the time the news spread to the warriors no one would be able to track its source.” Letang smiled. “Berslan will hear about it by dinner.”
“It would keep the Magistrates from considering the Isotant, and it may give Ethram extra time to get them secured on Shallistar. When will we be arriving at Latisqua?” Zulien rubbed his crotch. The infernal need was driving him crazy. No wonder they did the claiming so soon after the mates were joined, because an ordinary man would go crazy if he had to wait for the ceremony.
“I told Nemiste to drift in that direction an hour ago, because I was not sure whether you would want to drag it out. We could be there in a little more than three days if we push it. No one will question the orders, and if they think they are unusual, they will attribute it to your mourning.”
“I will go up and issue the order myself. I cannot keep hiding in here, and if I do not keep occupied I will lose it. Have Vasilla start the rumor among the mates, and let me know when Berslan communicates with the Magistrates.”
“Yes, Commander.” Letang headed for his quarters where Vasilla was napping after a serious round of sex. Letang found his urges constant with all that was happening.
Vasilla was pleased to be of assistance with the ruse. She was an excellent actress, and the entire ship had heard the rumor before late afternoon. Everyone believed that the decayed mates had been secretly transferred to the hold before the ships had disengaged.
Berslan made the call before dinner, and he actually looked relieved when he showed up on the bridge. Letang whispered to Zulien, “I think our spy is off the hook until we reach Latisqua. He probably thinks we do not suspect a thing.”
“I am sure he has no idea. He has been so caught up in his duplicity, he has not had time to digest what has been happening. It will be a pleasure watching his expression when the Magistrates ask for the body of an Ancient they are not supposed to know about and that we do not have.”
“What a nice way for the Magistrate’s future son-in-law to begin his career.” Letang wandered over to check the ship’s progress.
Three hours before they docked at Latisqua, Vasilla approached Letang in the lounge where he was pretending to commiserate with the Commander and Taliquant. “Letang, mother sent a message she received our packages. She says she really likes them and will keep them protected.”
Letang looked a little confused. Packages? What packages?
Vasilla laughed, “The way our mothers’ gossip and pass information to each other, the other mates better get busy sending gifts as well.”
Now the message was clear. Tempest and Miranda were safe on Shallistar, and Zulien’s mother had sent word through Vasilla so that the communication would not be intercepted. Naturally, she would have been concerned with her son’s distress.
Taliquant kicked him under the table and Zulien noticed the brief flash of relief on his face. The strain was taking its toll on both of them.
A few hours later, the crew and their mates disembarked onto Latisqua. The sky was lit up by the major and minor suns that sparkling off the gold roofs of the mirrored buildings. “Honestly, every time I come here I think of the waste. No less than twenty planets are destitute of resources, and still the taxes go up,” Vasilla whispered to her mate.
Zulien overheard her. “Think of the cost of labor to polish the sidewalks,” he replied sarcastically.
They were ushered into the outer rooms where they expected a long wait. The Magistrates always pretended to be busy. Berslan stood close to the door, eyes wide and looking as though he either wanted to bolt, or drop through the floor. “Anxious to see your betrothed?” Seartock asked. “I remember the wait for Ebonisia.”
“Ebonisia is your mate, Seartock. This is not the same,” Berslan muttered.
Seartock looked confused. “You’re not having doubts, are you? No one will question you if you back out of a convenience commitment.”
Berslan knew he was in too deep. He had no experience in the subterfuge of the hierarchy. It was not that he minded being used. The mission the royals charged him with was for the protection of the inner worlds, although he was sure Zulien would never understand. It still confused him why the haughty daughter of the Magistrate approached him for the joining commitment. He looked around the lavish chambers and shivered. Berslan felt like he was the one being duped.
The Magistrate of Commerce finally entered the chamber with his daughter. She held her head high in her thin embroidered shift, and she gave a slight nod towards Berslan while looking down her nose at everyone else in the room. “It looks like Berslan is going to have a lifetime to pay,” Taliquant whispered.
The Magistrate of the Old Ways also entered. It was a bit of a surprise to see the two Magistrates working together. None of them generally got along with each other, all vying for leadership and causing constant turmoil in the hierarchy. Letang was standing behind Zulien. “What the dremont is he doing here?”
“I guess we will find out,” Zulien whispered. “They are going to have to admit Berslan told them about the Ancient, and it will be interesting to see if anything is mentioned about the attack.”
The Magistrate of Commerce raised his staff to thump the required three times to begin the audition. The Magistrate of the Old Ways, not to be bested, managed a quick tap with his own before the loud boom landed.
Taliquant whispered, “I wonder if they will begin beating their chests.”
Zulien bit back the laugh. “Shut up, Tali. We are in mourning.”
“Commander Zulien,” the Magistrate of Commerce called. The Magistrate of the Old Ways seemed to constantly be a step behind.
Zulien stepped forward, and he nodded to the Magistrate of Commerce. “Magistrate.” He turned and nodded to the Magistrate of the Old Ways. “Magistrate.” It did seem to appease
the old man somewhat.
“It has come to our attention that you and Major Taliquant are in mourning. Our condolences on your loss.”
It reminded Zulien to put the appropriate expression on his face. He wanted to ask how it had managed to come to their attention, but waited to see where the audition was leading before he planned his attack. “Thank you, Magistrates.” He decided to bait them a little. “We would like to collect the boon for the Debayluth battle and return to Shallistar as soon as possible.”
The Magistrate realized what Zulien was trying to do and decided to slow the proceedings down. “Was there nothing Ethram could do for your mates?”
“He assured us there was not. He said the pollution of the outer worlds had weakened them, and they were fragile and their bloodlines had been thinned for centuries. He had no understanding of their species,” Zulien replied.
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