The Staff of Ira

by Carl Sheffield

  Looking at him, “I also read where you come back when Tudo was King. I am here to tell you something.”

  “First,” I said, “How did you pass our sensors without us picking you up?”

  Ozo said, “Tudo helped me place a device on my ship so I could come without alarming you.”

  I said to him, “That now could prove to be harmful. We are at war with several planets.”

  Ozo said, “Since I fly the crown, if you did detect me, it would not alarm you. If you wish, I will take it off.”

  I asked him, “What is your message, Ozo?” Ozo began to tell how he was on his home planet.

  “I have overheard the Centaurians and Palatonians in council. A ship landed, the ship had come from here. I’m afraid my friends, they’re coming here.”

  Ozo asked, looking at Omega, “What is your name?”

  Omega said, “I am Omega, King of Boldlygo. My Queen, Kira. This is Leah, wife of Dorn.”

  “Dorn, yes. I have heard of him. Ira’s son, known for his speed with a sword. Listen, when all these planets come to the council, they will come.”

  Omega said, “Mi, take a shuttle, go to the other ships, tell them what has happened here. We will return to the floor with Ozo. When you have gone to all the ships, go to the moon, tell Garth what has happened then return to the surface.”

  Mi replied, “As you wish, my King.”

  Omega said, “Leah, you sure you want to take him to the surface?” I told him I would be when we get to the surface. We landed the ship on the pad next to the lab. Mekon walked out to meet us. Walking off the ship, twenty-five sentries met us.

  “Father, you have always said you wanted to see it, well, here it is.”

  “Leah, what is it?” Mekon asked.

  I told him with a hand jester, “Bota’s first ship.”

  “Oh my,” Mekon said, “You are not Cam.”

  Ozo said, “No, I am Ozo, son of Cam.” Mekon went aboard; there were eight beings on board. Kira told Ozo to come to chambers.

  “Tell your people to come ashore, a meal will be prepared for you.”

  Kira asked Ozo, “Tell us what you think of the Veronias and Centaurians.”

  Ozo answered, “I don’t like them. There’s also the Valorians. My father said you can’t trust them.” I agreed with him. Mekon joined us as we talked.

  Mekon stood. “You know I was thinking of long ago in Russia when Ira and I was just small boys. Our master and protector taught us about weapons, how to use them. One night Ira was in the orchard, we knew people were coming so Comp was known in those days to start and finish a fight. Comp had to kill a brother of four one night.

  A Russian lieutenant in the Russian army came by, told Comp. Ira, as I said, was in the orchard, saw a fire several miles to the east. Some knew Ira was master of the sword, so was Comp; me, not so much. I was a scientist.

  On this one night, Ira told Comp of the fire. Ira, Comp, and I took off running, went to the fire; there was fifteen of them. We jumped in, killed all of them except one; he was hurt. Someone had to tell the story. After that night, no one ever challenged Comp or Ira again.”

  Kira asked, “What are you saying, Mekon?”

  Mekon said, “Well, at this moment, they’re not expecting us. We take our fleet, one jump from our space orbit, we could be on top of them. I tell you it’s the last thing they would expect. Ozo, I feel your intentions are honorable, we must ask you to stay here under guard.”

  Ozo said, “No, wait, let me help. I think my father would want that. Take me to my ship. I’ll show you something I have on board.”

  Aries said, “I will stay here.”

  I said to Candance, “Take care of my daughter. I’ll take a shuttle to the moon, have Garth to send a ship to meet Dorn, tell him what has happened. Talk only to Dorn, not on the radio.”

  Ozo had a device that Tudo gave him long ago. Mekon said it would block us. We will not be shown on radar. We brought the Xonian ship into line, we jumped just as Ozo said; the device proved good. We had not been detected when we approached the planet, it was too late for them, we hit hard and fast. There was great damage to the city. They had it coming, I thought.

  There were over thirty ships. Veronia, Centurian, Palatonian, and the Valorians were destroyed. We headed back to home, we had no damage. Mekon was right, we did well; all ships returned. I was afraid now they would regroup. We had no idea how many ships they had or if they were all there, maybe some were in space. It didn’t matter. We won this round. I wondered how long it would be before they come again.

  On the surface with all ships return to the hanger, Ozo was in the chamber with Omega and Kira. Candance brought Shasta to me. I sat listening to them talk. Ozo was talking to the council.

  “Ozo,” asked Kira, “What did Ba say Porta done?”

  Omega said, “Ba said Porta cost him several lives.”

  Ozo said, “I stand before you that is not true. Bas and his brother Ba sent bounty hunters after Porta. Porta got word of this. As they approached his ship, there were several Veronians on the ship. They locked weapons; Porta shot first, that’s a fact.”

  I said, “My husband has given his word to deliver Porta to Ba.”

  Ozo asked, “Would you know?” I told Ozo I don’t know where he is.

  “Well, if you did, would you?” Ozo asked.

  “Ozo, that’s up to my husband and Omega. He will be here tomorrow,” I said.

  A sentry came to the chambers. Omega said, “Enter.”

  “The ship, my King, has passed our sensors. They will be here by morning.” My heart beats fast. I told Ellie a bath tonight some loving tomorrow. I left the girls, went to my sleeping room. I slept very well. Somewhere in the night, Kira called to me.

  “Leah, Leah, come hurry! Candance is having her baby.” I ran to them, Candance was sitting on the stoop.

  “My water broke, Leah. The baby is coming. I can’t stop it.” I helped Kira pick Candance up. We started to the lab when Aries ran to us. Aries took Candance, ran to the lab. It was the fastest delivery I have ever seen. Twelve minutes later, the child was born.

  I went to the lab door. “Aries, come see your daughter.” Aries looked down at the child then at Candance. “How are you?” he asked.

  Tears filled her eyes. She looked at Aries. “I love you, Aries.”

  Aries replied, “I love you too, my love. Mea said there was two.”

  Mea replied, “Just one, with a very big heartbeat.”

  24

  The Valorian held us for two days as in space searching all the ships, staying with us until we met our ship. Leaving us, the captain still insisted we had Porta on board. Captain Slag told me they would run with us until we were home. Slag departed the George Washington back to his ship. Two days of hyperspace, Zar called me to the bridge.

  Zar said, “Dorn, a ship from home.” We dropped from hyperspace. Zar docked with our ship, the captain came aboard. Fax and Ren came to the hatch to greet the captain.

  “Dorn, there has been trouble at home. We are at war with the Palatonian, Veronians, Centaurians, and Valorians.” He said.

  I turned to Zar, “Call that Veron ship, have them return to us.” Slag returned. Slag was briefed. He looked at me, then to Ren.

  “Dorn,” he said, “We must leave, I do apologize. Dorn, you seem a respectable man.” I told him you must know they plan to attack us.

  He replied, “We want to join them, we will go somewhere else.” Breaking loose, we made our final jump into the Spores galaxy above our home world.

  Fax shipped, stayed in orbit. I told Zar to take the shuttle to the surface. Zar landed in the west staging area. Two more shuttles came in behind us. One took the east area, the other to the lab. Coming down the ramp, the first one I saw was Leah. Leah was waiting with a young child in her arms. I went to my wife, it had bee
n almost two years since I had seen her. Taking her in my arms, I held on, kissed her.

  I asked her, “Well, who do you have here?” Leah gave me a kiss.

  I asked again, “Who’s baby is this, Leah?”

  Leah smiled, that little smile. “Remember Dorn when I come to you on the ship? I told you I had a surprise when you return.” I told her I remember.

  Leah said, “Dorn, I give you your daughter, Shasta. She was named from Kira.” I saw tears in the man’s eyes. Eyes that was always so serious, so strong, yet so loving. I held out my arms, took the child. Somehow, she knew who I was. She came to me with no problem. I had seen human children do this on Earth. This child had never seen me, yet she knew me. I held both in my arms. Leah and I exchanged kisses then I told her we have people to take care of.

  I told her I wish we could just go to our home. She looked at me with those big blue eyes. “We will have time, my love.” I told my husband we have trouble coming.

  “I have been informed,” I said to her.

  Leah said, “No, you haven’t. We attacked them. I’m sorry, we have been hit by them so many times. This King Ba with his brother Bas came here, called us liars, scorned your name. Mekon told us a story of Ira and Comp.”

  “Comp,” I said, “Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time.”

  “You know the stories?” Leah asked.

  I told her, “Just the ones Ira would tell. So you took the fight to them? Mekon told us it was the thing to do. I agreed so did Omega and Kira.”

  I told Leah, “Let’s go to the chambers.” Entering the chambers, Kira ran to me.

  “Father, it is so good to see you home.” I took her in my arm. “It’s good to be home, my daughter. I was not sure who missed me the most.”

  Leah said with her thought, “You’ll see when I get you home.”

  Mi took my hand. “Good to see you, sir.”

  I said, “Yes, look what has happened. I should have stayed at home.”

  I told Mi, “Next time, you can go.”

  Mi said, “I’ll decline.”

  I was looking for Candance. With all the excitement, I had forgotten about her. I went to her sleeping room while Dorn talks to the others. Candance was lying in bed. Ellie stood with her. I walked over to Shasta. Charlie saw her, started kicking, blowing spit bubbles. I placed Shasta on the floor. Ellie placed Charlie beside Shasta. I looked at the baby in bed with our dear friend. I took Candance’s hand.

  “I’m sorry, I never meant to leave you.”

  Candance said, “Leah, you were trying to protect our children.”

  I asked Candance, “Have you named the child?”

  She replied, “No, Leah, I have thought of many.” I caught a movement from the corner of my eye in the hallway, it was Nida. I told her to come see the baby. Nida eased her way through the doorway.

  “Leah, I wish to come no closer. May you bring her to me?” The woman had tears in her eyes. This woman I thought had been hurt before, I was not sure how. If it is in the archives, I’ll find it.

  Kira came from the great room. Kira said, “Mother.”

  Nida turned, “Yes, my child.” Nida fell to her knees.

  “What have I done?”

  Kira took Nida’s hands, “Rise, mother.”

  “Kira, I’m so sorry. I have broken the worst law.”

  Kira asked, “What law is that? Being my mother? Ira new this would happen. That’s why he forbid you from knowing, now you know.”

  “Mother, from the day in the great room, I have known,” Kira said. Kira looked at all in the room, “Ira was foolish to forbid this. If he was here, I would tell him.”

  Nida said, “When Kayla went back to Earth, Ira forbid everyone from telling Dorn as he has forbid me from telling you. I was a native female who gave birth to a human child. I was the first to do this. My mother gave birth to me, I was almost human.”

  I asked Nida, “Who is your mother?”

  Nida said, “Her name was Joy, daughter of Jen, Kayla’s handmaid before Soy. My beautiful child to be Queen. Ira asked me how would that look. Ira being a native, I didn’t understand. Yet I did as requested. I promised myself not to become too close.” Nida’s eyes were flowing with water.

  She said, “It was no good. I still loved you all through the years. I watched my child grow, my grandchildren grow, now my great-grandchildren.” Nida bowed to Candance and Kira. Leah, when I looked at your child lying on the bed, I saw Kira all over again.”

  I said to her, “I guess that makes Dorn your husband.”

  “Leah, it’s not like that. This was another reason why Ira didn’t want anyone to know. Mekon and Ira were the only ones that knew of the transfer. However, they didn’t know it would be Kira, until the day she was born. Looking down at her it occurred to them who she would be. The only thing we must go by is the archives. The archives speak of you three.

  It tells all Leah, please believe me, it was DNA only. Dorn was gone from here.” Kira’s eyes gave her away to her father. “I had no idea who the donor was until she was born. Looking at her, you could tell Dorn was her father. I’ve never said a word to him. Leah, as far as I know, he has never asked. Soy knew, Ira forbid her to say.”

  “What was the secret?” I asked.

  Nida said, “Go to the archives, you will read about it then you will see.” I told Nida it was before my time.

  Dorn entered the chambers. “Leah, ready to go home?” I told Kira and Omega I’ll return early.

  I asked Mi, “Have the sentry to show people where to live.” I also told Kira of Mr. Sams.

  Kira answered, “Go home, father. Tomorrow is another day. Your wife and child await you.”

  It was good to be home. Our cabin was great, I sure have missed it while I’ve been gone. I had Shasta sitting on the stoop. Leah came out of the house.

  Leah asked, “May I have her? It’s time for a bath.”

  The child looked at me said, “No.” I could not believe that a child that has never seen me loved me so. There was no way she was leaving me.

  Leah said, “I’m jealous, Dorn.”

  “Jealous of a child,” I said.

  I smiled at my husband. “Well, I want some loving too.”

  I looked at her. “I have two years of loving for you.” Leah laughed out loud.

  I asked, “What was that all about?”

  Leah said, “Two years of loving, that will end in three seconds.”

  I replied, “Yes, I see what you mean but you are forgetting about tomorrow.”

  Leah said, “I can hardly wait. Come to bed now, right now.”

  “The baby,” I said.

  “I will nurse her, she will fall asleep very quickly,” Leah said. I told her I can hardly wait. Leah laughed.

  The morning came early, the two suns on my world showed its colors. I started to rise from my bed. I thought Leah was asleep.

  Leah asked, “Are you forgetting something?”

  I said, “I don’t think so.”

  Leah said, “Well, its tomorrow.” Then it hit me, we made love. I swear it was just like the first time, Leah was a great lover. She was the best lover I know. Leah was the only lover I know. Holding her in my arms afterward, I asked her if all human females were like her.

  She asked, “What do you mean?”

  “You know, moan, yell,” I said.

  Leah said, “I don’t know my love, I suppose.” I told her I would like to try one to see. Leah jumped from the bed. I saw tears in her eyes. I realized what I said.

  I tried to take her in my arms. “My love, please, I was as you say joking. I’m truly sorry.” She was sobbing very hard. “I will never do that again, Leah,” I said, “When we mate, you know it’s for life. There will never be another for me. I will never say anything so stupid again.” Well, I had to
make it up. One hour later, I was so tired, I fell asleep.

  Leah woke me midmorning, kissing me all over. I pulled her close to me. Shasta was beside me fast asleep. Leah continued to kiss me.

  She said, “You need to get up.”

  I said to her, “You keep kissing me. I will be.”

  Leah placed her legs on each side of me, set on my lower body. “You made a joke,” she said. “Are you turning human on me? You’re making jokes. Its ok if you do; just don’t lose that alien touch.” A voice called from the front, it was a sentry.

  “Dorn, Kira has sent for you.” I told him I’d be there. I told Leah I suppose I need to get up.

  “You’re disappointed?” I asked.

  Leah replied, “After what you gave me, what you did this morning, damn it was good.”

  Kira was on the stoop as I entered the courtyard. “Morning, father.” I embraced her, I told her I wanted to see Aries’ baby. Walking to the sleeping quarters, Kira walked with me. Omega was eating a Simon by the window.

  “Dorn, please, come sit.” I told Omega I wish to see the baby, “Yes, of course. Dorn, where is my daughter?”

  I said, “Tressa is with Brad. He is a good boy, just naïve.”

  Omega said, “When she returned, she kissed me and her mother then excused herself.”

  “Omega send a sentry for her. Have Mi and the girls, all of them, to come to the council.”

  “All of them,” Omega said. I told them they have no idea what they have.

  “Wait till you see Tressa.”

  Omega and Kira spoke at the same time, “What do we have?”

  I told them, “I wish you could have seen her. She went up against a human; an orange glow came from her. The human disappeared. I was in ah, I had no idea.” I told Omega I would be back, I wanted to see the child before the council.

  Candance had her baby to her breast. “Oh, Dorn, come in.” She placed her breast back in the holder, Leah called it a bra or something.

  I asked her, “Have you given her a name?”

  Candance said, “No.” I told them to name the child, the baby needs a name. I told them to give her an Earth name.

  Aries said, “Opa, I would like to call her an Earth name.”