by L M Lacee
Darby waved her hand. ‘Don’t do that. It will set a precedent, and then we will all have to go about apologizing for interrupting, and it will never end.’
Peyton sighed. ‘This is true.’ Then she frowned, saying. ‘I do not feel…’ She wobbled and fell to the floor and grunted. ‘Heather.’
Darby doubled over. ‘Oh my stars, that hurts.’ Then she slid to the floor next to Peyton.
‘Papa, a wet cloth, Unca Parkern blankets.’ Peneria ordered the two males. They scrambled to do her bidding as Jarrod comm’d Heather.
He crouched down beside Peyton and asked Peneria. ‘Poison?’
‘Yes, more than likely.’
He touched Peyton’s wrist lightly, just as Phantor came back with wet cloths. The girls took one each and wiped Peyton and Darby’s faces. Blankets were taken from Parkern and placed over them, just as Heather and the rest burst into the room.
Jarrod glanced at Heather as she skidded to her knees beside her sisters, informing her. ‘Poison.’
‘Okay.’ She said as she placed a scanner on the chest of each female. Melody and Netta sat in the places the two sisters hurriedly vacated.
Brenda, Marlo and Dinas stood in the doorway. Marlo was on his comm, issuing orders as Brenda wrung her hands in worry her eyes shifting over the visitors. Fox slid into the room to stand in a corner, Harm signed for him to stay and read the room, he faded into the shadows.
Heather read the message as it ran across the screens. ‘Oh no, it’s Luotiurim, I have no antidote for that, do you?’ She asked the Emperor.
Peneria answered for him. ‘No. It is not something we carry, as it is not poisonous for us.’
‘Yeah, guess not, okay what to do.’
Jarrod smiled and brushed his hand over her cheek. ‘We go to the source, healer.’
She looked at him. ‘What?’
He ran his finger down her cheek again, then smiled as he said, ‘You and Trina so complicated.’
Diverted from her patients by the handsome male, Heather said. ‘Humor looks good on you.’
He inclined his head. ‘Thank you, I have received three compliments today, four if you count Darby’s offer of Peyton’s wine.’
A growl sounded from behind them, causing her to grin. ‘Oops.’
Jarrod said. ‘Oops, indeed, I will have to meet him on the mat.’
Heather smiled and whispered. ‘Aww, you can take him.’
Astounded by the interaction between the Specialist and the Healer. Phantor and his family were appalled, well actually the males were appalled. His daughters were just amused by the light-hearted banter that was taking place. The Emperor looked at his brother, wondering if it was possible these people had orchestrated this so he and his world would be held responsible. Fear for the danger he had inadvertently placed his brother and daughters in, entered his heart. Had he just killed them all, along with his world?
‘I furin cannot.’ Jarrod whispered back, then in a louder voice he called. ‘Star Child, your Daughter and gentle Darby, sister to your daughter, lay at the gates of death, someone has poisoned them.’
A sudden rush of cold wind surged into the room and out again. A light that had never been seen before flashed over the two prone females and the rage of the Stars was felt in the very air. Peyton lay on the floor with her eyes closed as her lips moved and the voice of the Stars filled the room.
Who dares to threaten the life of our Daughter and gentle Darby?
Jarrod answered. ‘We do not know.’
To hurt either is to incur our wrath. What manner of being would be so foolish as to do such?
Melody answered. ‘A very foolish one, who does not value their own lives.’
Assuredly Sister Melody this is so. I will not tolerate acts such as this. Their lives and the lives of those who decided this was worth our anger, will meet our Justice. They are healed Sister Heather. Emperor no one here places blame at your feet, release your daughters into the care of ours, they are needed elsewhere.
‘Oh that was amazing.’ Ipeara said as Peyton opened her eyes and looked directly at her. ‘Yes, you and your sister may come home with us. Heather?’
‘I am here, you were poisoned. The Star Child healed you.’
‘Darby?’
‘Not awake yet.’
‘Okay, she will need to sleep, to finish the healing.’
Heather nodded. ‘That makes sense, I guess the Star Daughter thing is helping you.’
‘Yes, you could say that.’ Peyton stood with Melody’s help.
Darby groaned as Marlo picked her up. ‘We will take her to bed.’ He directed his next question to Peyton. ‘Are you well?’
She nodded and gave his worried look a smile and said. ‘Yes Marlo.’
‘Good, be more careful in the future.’ He looked toward Jarrod and growled. ‘Specialist, search them all. We leave only when it is done.’
Jarrod, with one look at Peyton, inclined his head. ‘As you say Commander.’
Melody asked Harm. ‘Assaenation attempt or accident?’
‘Not an accident, targeted attempt.’
‘Dayam, that’s not good.’
‘No, but we will find them.’
Peyton said quietly. ‘Oh, I am sure you will.’
Jarrod walked to the door ready to leave, but just as he made the doorway, Peyton stumbled to him and touched his arm. ‘Jarrod.’
He looked down at her. ‘Peyton.’
She hugged him. ‘Thank you.’
He kissed her cheek, causing her to grin as she said. ‘That is new.’
He sighed as he told her. ‘Trina said you would like it.’ He lifted an eyebrow. ‘Well, did you?’
She grinned wider. ‘I did.’
‘Good, I will tell her so.’
Peyton waggled her eyebrows. ‘Me too.’
‘Female, you amuse me.’ He told her in the most expressionless voice she had ever heard him use, then with a soft touch on her cheek he left. Peyton smiled and shook her head as she turned and faced the people in the room. Her attention was captured by Netta who was vibrating with anger. She seemed to be staring at the wall with an intensity that was frightening.
Softly she said. ‘Netta… hon, it is okay.’
Netta slowly turned her head and looked at her causing Peyton to take a small step back. ‘Alright then, it was probably in the Alco. We both took it within the last 10 mins, unlikely for it to be in the wine, nothing lives in that.’
Netta still did not smile. ‘I will get it.’
Heather hugged Peyton and then Harm hugged her saying. ‘Do not do that again. It is unnerving.’
Peyton nodded and whispered. ‘I will try and make sure it does not happen again.’
‘Good.’ He kissed her forehead and released her then followed his mate into the bedroom saying. ‘Jarrod is not handsome my treasure; we need to talk.’
Marlo asked. ‘Darby?’
‘In my spare room, she will be scared if she is in her cabin alone.’
Brenda hugged Peyton, her hands shaking, Peyton tried to soothe her. ‘Brenda, I swear it is okay. The Star Child fixed us.’
‘Someone tried to kill you.’ Brenda cried. ‘You and Darby.’
‘Oh, I know, but I do not think they were trying to kill Darby.’
Brenda pulled from her arms. ‘This is meant to make me feel better, to know that someone tried to kill my girls. I should be happy they were only aiming for you. Should I?’
‘Umm… no Ma’am, not happy.’
‘No, I should think not. Marlo why are you standing around, get that girl into bed, truly the lot of you will drive me to drink.’ She stomped from the room.
Marlo dipped his head and mouthed thank you.
Peyton smiled and saluted him. He growled and followed his mate into the spare bedroom. Fox stood in the corner, his eyes scanning the room and people allowing his senses to hunt for a trace of another’s presence.
Netta came back with the container of Alco and everyt
hing else in Peyton’s cleansing cabinet, with another penetrating look at Peyton she said.
‘Heather, I have it all.’ She placed everything in a container and said to Peyton. ‘I will bring you more teeth cleanser and cleansing products as well as a hair brush, do not eat or drink anything, unless it has been tested first.’
She meekly answered. ‘Yes Netta.’
Netta gave her a narrow-eyed stare and said in a voice that would freeze ice. ‘This is not okay. I am very irritated.’
Peyton smiled and said. ‘But still bound, that is good, huh?’ Netta just looked at her and Peyton shrugged saying ‘Well okay then.’
Netta without another word left with Harm and Heather, who blew her a kiss as she went out the door, causing Peyton to smile. That left Dinas and Melody, who stared at the door and then each other and then the others in the room.
Peneria said into the quiet. ‘She is most scary, I wish to be like her.’ Everyone looked at her. ‘What… She is wonderful, hard but soft, beautiful and fearful, scary and…’
‘Yes… yes, we get the idea.’ Her sister interrupted her.
‘Well, yes, she can be at times, but really Netta isn’t normally scary.’ Peyton said as she waved everyone back to their seats.
Melody gave a derisive snort. ‘Do not let her fool you, she is deadly and loyal.’
‘Melody, I was trying to make their first impression of her better.’
‘Well, that was not the way.’
‘Fine, I was just poisoned you know?’
‘Your point.’ Melody asked with a smirk.
Peyton ignored her sister and asked. ‘Dinas, I need a coffee and I think everyone needs some tea. Do you think it will be safe to have?’
‘I do not know, let me test it first. Now we know what we are testing for, it makes it easier. So if you will wait. I will retrieve my kit.’
‘I swear we will not touch a drop until you get back.’ He gave her a quick grin and hurried from the room. She watched him go, then said. ‘Because we are kinda scared of Netta.’
‘Told yah.’ Melody said. ‘Always tell it like it is Star Girl.’
Peyton said to the Emperor and his people as she finally took her seat on the couch. ‘I apologize.’
Confused Phantor asked. ‘You are apologizing for what?’
Melody edged onto the couch next to Peyton, who said. ‘For all this, and for the nasty feelings I had about you and your people. It was unfounded on one incident even though it was a horrible incident. I based my attitude about your people around that and should not have. I know better. So I apologize.’
Phantor bowed his head and sighed. ‘I will accept the apology for this one incident and for no more, you and your people had every right to think badly of my world. We have not shown ourselves in a good light. We hope to do better. Also, I owe you an apology I assumed your people had tried to kill you to implicate myself and my world in your death.’
Melody nodded. ‘It’s what I would have thought, so no apology needed.’
‘What she said.’ Agreed Peyton as Dinas arrived back, just as Fox moved from the shadows. He growled at the unrepentant male. ‘Stop doing that.’
Fox grinned as he said. ‘Madam, I have the information.’
‘I am sure you do, give it to Harm please.’
He tipped his head in acknowledgment and left as quickly and quietly as he arrived, startling the others in the room.
Parkern asked, ‘How does he do that?’
Dinas testing each cup from the dispenser said. ‘Because he can and it is annoying.’
‘Yes, but how?’
‘I do not know, an ability I suppose. His family have them.’
‘That makes sense. A funny little fellow.’
‘Hilarious.’ Dinas said with sarcasm.
Phantor asked Peyton. ‘So he was your male, all the time he was on our world seeking answers for you?’
‘Yes, I asked him to find out about your world and your people. He decided to direct events where he could.’
‘Like telling me about the Assaenation of my family?’
‘Yes.’
Peneria asked. ‘To find out about our family?’
‘Well yes.’
‘Is that why we and our world are still here?’ Ipeara asked her.
Peyton’s stark. ‘Yes.’ Gave them food for thought. Finished with his testing. Dinas placed a tray with cups on the table before Peyton. He handed her usual cup to her, saying. ‘Tested safe, Madam.’
‘Thank you, Dinas.’
Melody handed out the cups of tea and said. ‘When you are finished ladies, if you are coming with us, you should leave to pack.’
They nodded as Ipeara spoke for them both as usual. ‘Papa, we are going, you know this. We have no future here. I believe we will have one with the Star Daughter and her people. You saw they are good people; they love her and she them.’
Peneria told him. ‘They will forgive and like us in time.’
Peyton sipped her coffee and sighed, then said. ‘They will like you immediately, you have no history with our people. So there is nothing to forgive you for. If I have given you the impression my people all feel like I did. I apologize, no one but a select few know of the young Warrior or his treatment on your world, and only my family saw the vid. We have destroyed it and I hope this was taken care of on your world too?’
Parkern said. ‘As soon as the trial was done with, we purged it from our world.’
‘I thank you for that.’ She smiled at the sisters as she said. ‘Even though Willian, the Warrior who was hurt, has never met you. It will be good for him to face his desouls, no offense.’
‘None taken.’ The girls chorused.
Peyton said. ‘We have peace here and the beginnings of a working relationship I hope.’
Their father sighed as she told him softly. ‘We will keep them safe, as we try to do for all our people and will train them in whatever they wish to do. I will allow them to live in my home with Commander Melody and the scary Netta as well as Brenda and her mate Commander Marlo. How much safer than that can they be?’
He shook his head sadly. ‘I know they must go. I know they need to live their own lives; it is not how safe they will be that I am concerned with. My brothers and I have taught them well. It is where they will end up that worries me.’
‘I cannot guarantee that they will stay planet side; they could be sent on missions. They may meet someone and wed or not, they may decide they like living on our worlds. The future for your daughters is theirs to write but for the time being it is on my world, not here, and for that I am sorry.’
He sighed. ‘I know you do not have young, if you…’
She interrupted him gently, ‘I do, a male, three yentas old.’
He looked surprised as they all did and she told them. ‘I am not the usual Star Daughter.’
They smiled, especially when Melody said. ‘And we are all thankful for that.’
‘As a parent.’ He gave a nod to Peyton. ‘You will learn we must let our young sparkle as all jewels do. And sometimes that means leaving home and if that includes another world so be it.’ He said to his daughters. ‘You should go and do as the Commander said, and pack your gear and say your goodbyes.’
Both girls stood and bowed. Fox poked his head around the door. ‘I will escort them, if that is alright Madam?’
‘It is, do not get lost Fox, make sure you return with the sisters please, ask pilot June to shuttle you all to the surface and bring you back.’
‘As you wish, Madam.’
When they were gone, Peyton sat back and sipped her coffee, glancing at the two males opposite her. ‘So let us begin comp on.’
Working...
‘Agreements to record.’
Recording...
‘Emperor Phantor what is on your mind?’
Marlo returned just before they got down to the important points of an agreement. An hour and a half later, they had reached an accord, all temporary, as t
he document needed to be looked at by her command. Also, Emperor Phantor needed to talk to his newly acquired advisors, namely his brothers.
Between Marlo, Melody and Parkern, a temporary number of Warriors to be stationed on Patamoglian had been reached and a date for their return. Subject to the First Commander’s agreement. Also Marlo said he was sure the First Commander would send ships to patrol the air space and discourage the Raiders circling their world within days of their return.
Peyton had negotiated an Embassy and housing for her Warriors and Prowlers, and a treaty of sorts, to be enlarged upon with her Ambassador. They had agreed on duties and payment for the Warriors and Maikonia. Extra credits would be decided on for crews of Battlecruisers stationed in orbit to guard the world.
More relaxed now Parkern mentioned to Melody their amazement to find Peyton was not a dictator.
Peyton, hearing this, asked. ‘Did I give you that impression?’
‘No Madam you did not.’ Phantor was quick to assure her. ‘I suppose we assumed because you are the Star Daughter you would be, as they were in the past. I believe our histories speak of this.’
Peyton nodded. ‘Well as opposed to other Star Daughters and Sons, I have people to answer to. Namely my family and they are very scary. You met only some of them here, the ones at home are far more fearsome.’
‘Truly?’ Parkern asked. ‘More fearsome than Commander Netta?’
Marlo snorted as Melody glared at him. ‘I am fearsome.’
‘Not as fearsome as Netta, apparently.’
Her answer was a growl. Peyton gave her hand a pat. ‘I find you fearsome, Armee Girl.’
‘As you should.’ She said with a smile in her voice.
Peyton smiling answered their question. ‘And to answer your question, yes more fearsome. They use words as weapons and can make grown Warriors tremble. You met one today, Marlo’s mate, Brenda.’
They turned to Marlo and said. ‘We did, she was indeed fearsome.’ Parkern stated. ‘You have our respect and admiration.’
Both males turned from Marlo back to Peyton, wistfulness shining from their eyes. She said before they could voice their request. ‘Yes, we have many like her but they all look different, not all are short or round like me. Some are like Brenda and others like Melody and Netta. We Terrans come in many shapes and sizes.’
