Daughter Of Ethos: Divine Justice Book 4

by L M Lacee

‘What if no position is better, then what will you do?’ Francs asked.

  She shrugged with a glint in her eyes, she knew they were testing her and saw why they had been tanked so often. These males were no easy pushovers. She secretly applauded them for their attitude, in their place she would be the same. ‘I will think of something else.’

  ‘Maybe you will you put us down, like you do the Prowlers who do not make the grade.’ Tomas challenged.

  Kate said quietly, anger evident in her tone but only enough to warn them to take care. ‘I do not put down any Prowler. Everyone makes the grade and I resent you saying otherwise.’

  Rage growled a low warning as Peyton smirked at the male saying. ‘Commander Tomas, were you always an olesho or did that just happen since the tank?’

  He threw his head back and laughed. ‘I probably was always, my brothers could tell you more.’

  Francs said. ‘Our apologies Artar Kate, we would never imply you did not treat each and every one of your patients with the utmost care. But we have been through the fires of hell.’ At the surprised looks on all the Terrans faces, he said. ‘We heard Healer Heather use that expression. We looked up what it meant, we agreed with her summation.’

  Mends softly said. ‘Please forgive us, but if we are to take this position, we must know we are with others who feel the same. That life is precious, every life, whether they are biped or four legged or none.’

  Kate nodded. ‘I can respect that, all my people feel as we do. So we should not have a shortage of takers.’

  Darby started to explain the expression before Peyton launched into her own explanation leaving them more confused than they already were.

  ‘She means everyone will want to work with you as your Artar.’

  ‘Well, that is good.’ Raley interrupted. ‘Because we are going to need more than one.’

  Peyton agreed with him. ‘Yes we are, so Commander Raley, you will take on joint Command with Rage. Fanharr has asked to be excused from the military side of the Prowlers, preferring to be the Pride Leader for the non-combatants.’

  Fanharr told them. Although I will offer any help, I can and will always be willing to give advice when needed.

  Raley smiled and said. ‘We thank you for your generous offer, and remember we are always here for you as well, Pride Leader.’

  Fanharr inclined her head in a regal bow as everyone returned the gesture. Peyton said. ‘Now that is out of the way. I was going to ask you Telfor, if the Commanders are ready to return to duty but I see there is no need. They are more than ready.’

  ‘Yes, they are, Malchol assured me he has never worked with three stronger minds, we are very lucky to have them with us.’

  Peyton smiled at their embarrassment of Telfor’s praise. ‘Any qualifications?’

  ‘No they are fully able to go on duty.’

  ‘Okay, so this is my proposal. Commander Raley and Rage will be joint Commanders, and Commanders, Jayy, Wuu, and Luii will take over the position Rage has now. With anyone else he appoints. You will employ Artars when Kate has chosen them and Heather will assign Healers. Telfor will of course choose more Specialists. I would appreciate you Kate and Telfor overseeing this for both Prowlers and Warriors.’

  ‘Yes Madam.’

  ‘Commander Raley there are offices in this Hex, on the left of us here for your use. So your unit will not be isolated, this way you will remain part of the Armee. When Pantarr arrives, we will do a planet command system, but that is for another day.’

  Hawk told them. ‘Rage and Fanharr will step down and find replacements for their positions as trainers. You Commanders will find trainers for both Warriors and Prowlers, we are integrating. We have to work together and that means combined units of Warriors and Prowlers. We also will be training together for units to go on away missions. I will not allow off world missions without both, so work that out.’

  Peyton told the Commanders. ‘Employ whoever you need, admin as well as military. Also you need to include the match-makes and find more. We need more bonded, it gives stability to not only the Prowlers but to us. We apparently receive great benefits from having a bond.’

  Fanharr said. As do the Prowlers, we find even as kits they are more responsive to commands and training.

  Kate added. ‘They thrive more, the ones that find their bond. They are better physically and mentally and the older ones feel revitalized.’

  Telfor agreed. ‘It seems to help the kits mature, to balance their emotions easier. The older Prowlers have found a reason to live and a will to stay among their Pride.’

  Tomas said thoughtfully. ‘It will be the touching, do you notice the bonded always touch the Prowler?’

  Francs nodded his head. ‘A soft pat as they go by or an ear tug. I saw a male run his hand the length of his bonded and then he pulled his tail.’ He grinned at the memory.

  Mends said. ‘They lift their paws to inspect them, for what I do not know but the Prowler allows it.’

  Francs said. ‘I have watched you Commanders on your balconies, you brush your bonded it seems you brush for hours.’

  Tomas sighed. ‘You can feel the joy, it sings in the air, especially after eve-meal. When most do the brushing and you know the joy is from them both.’

  Penny dabbed at her eyes as did Darby who said. ‘It is true, we are always touching and I do feel at peace when I brush Honor.’

  ‘As do I.’ Raley and Hawk said together.

  We also feel it. Rave stated. It is a soothing experience, one we had never had before you came into our lives. Now we cannot get enough of the joy we receive. Even the un-bonded will find someone to brush them at night.

  Peyton said with a smile. ‘That is so… I cannot think of a word to describe it.’

  Darby snorted. ‘That will be a first.’

  With a sharp look at her sister, who shrugged one shoulder as much to say ha-ha. Peyton ignored her and said. ‘So we definitely need to have more match-makers. I know of three among the Senes. Raley get in comm with the Senior Hananva’s they know all the capabilities of the mystics.’

  ‘The, who?’ Raley asked, before the others could.

  Peyton grinned. ‘We needed a name for all the Senes and Masters and people like them. So we came up with Mystics. Jarrod told me he does not like being referred to as healer or specialist. He said both titles are deceptive and limiting. His people are so much more than either of those titles. I told him it is confusing for us to not know who and what they are.’

  Telfor said. ‘He is not alone, many say the same, as do I.’

  Peyton grinned as she nodded. ‘So we came up with a new designation.’

  ‘Do not blame me Star Girl.’ Darby stated. ‘I had nothing to do with it.’

  Ignoring her Peyton told them. ‘Mystic, in Terran means a person or persons with mythical or mystical powers. It sort of takes in the whole, rather than the parts. Removing the stigma or fear at the mention of a Master and stops all the tuap about the Senes.’

  Telfor said admiringly. ‘I like it, in fact it is really rather brilliant. We will be known as the Maikonia Mystics. What does Jarrod think?’

  Peyton grinned. ‘Trina said he liked it.’

  Telfor laughed. ‘Trina is a jumble of horwamoans at the moment, so Jarrod will do anything rather than have her in tears. Is that not cheating Madam?’

  ‘Aww! Telfor how can it be, it was Trina’s idea.’

  Darby leaned over to Kate and asked. ‘He meant hormones right?’

  ‘Yep.’

  Raley nodded. ‘Mystics, that sounds very Maikonian.’

  Telfor smiled at him. ‘Agreed.’

  Darby said softly to Kate. ‘It really was my idea.’

  ‘Of course it was.’

  Hawk cautioned. ‘It will not stop the Senes being hunted.’

  Peyton agreed. ‘Commander Hawk is right but it will slow down the hunters. Which is what we want, and it is again another reason why Prowlers must go off world with our people? Alright so you h
ave until the end of the weken to organize or at least have some kind of plan in place with personnel.’

  Hawk told them as he stood. ‘The structure so far, is you all report to Commander Raley and Pride leader Rage. They report to me and Madam Peyton, which actually means Commander Netta.’

  Peyton said. ‘I am sure you can make a workable chain of command. Remember people, you are no longer just a military unit, now you are part of the Maikonian Prowlers and are a specialized company within our military. So become that, own it and have it done sooner than later please. Darby will recommend tech people and Penny will give you a list of people to choose from for your administration personnel. Are there any questions for me so far?’ Everyone shook their heads no. ‘Good, I will leave you here to work, you have the room for as long as you need it.’ She looked around and sighed. ‘Penny is there a Hex available nearby?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Okay assign it to the Maikonian Defenders.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Oh, I was trying that name out for the new company. They have to have a designation, I mean you are not just Prowlers and not just Warriors. There will be people from all over Maikonia working with you to defend us, so Defenders.’

  Kate told Rage. ‘Well after all, it is what you do.’

  Tomas stood as he said. ‘This is true, and we always will. Who agrees to the name?’

  The Prowlers agree.

  ‘The Atars agree.’

  ‘The Mystics agree.’

  ‘The Warriors agree.’

  ‘The Star Daughter agrees.’

  Rage stated. We will from this day on be known as the Defenders… Maikonian Defenders, a division of the Maikonian Armee.

  Peyton said. ‘I had hoped to keep your offices here, but I see that will not work, you will need a dedicated Hex.’

  Raley agreed. ‘I can see that there are a few aspects to this combining of our forces we had not thought of.’

  ‘Penny will show you to your new Hex. Please remember whoever you choose to join you, have to be asked. Not ordered and they may decline with no hard feelings. Also security has to be tight so they need clearance from the Prowlers and a Mystic. Darby, did you go over that with Peneria?’

  ‘Yes, she was fully briefed.’

  ‘Oh, one more thing. I want a registry of bonded updated every weken get with Melody for that. Please make sure that is at the top of your list. Second; a list of the wounded updated daily. These are to be sent to Penny, until she assigns someone to take that over from her. Also at some point we need to map the planets and moons we are finding Prowlers on and we need a when they were found and who told us, list. Alright I am out of here, you know where to find me. Penny if you could stay and help and while you are checking your list, please employ more people for our offices, we are going to need them. Locate a builder as well, we are going to have to expand.’

  ‘Already done.’

  ‘Good, Darby are you with me or…’

  ‘I’m with you, comm me if and when you need me.’ She told the Commanders. ‘I will have some techs lined for you to interview after second- meal.’

  Raley said. ‘Thank you Madam and you as well Commander Darby.’

  ‘Our pleasure.’ Peyton told him, she asked Rage and Fanharr. ‘Are you okay with this and anything else I need to know?’

  Rage nodded. We are very impressed, I think you covered everything. I am sure we will discover more as we go along but for now it seems you left nothing undone. Thank you Beloved.

  ‘I am pleased and as I said, I have been thinking about it for a while.’

  Rave said. I have a request for our Beloved and Pride Leaders.

  Rage growled. What?

  I formerly request to be released from my position as trainer to the kits. I find with my duties as Second and being bonded to the Assaen. I am unable to devote the time the Pride or specifically the kits need.

  Oh! Fanharr said. They will miss you.

  As I will them.

  ‘But needs must.’ Peyton quietly told them.

  Exactly. Rave agreed.

  ‘My permission is granted.’

  Rage sighed. As much as I wish it was not so. I understand, do you have recommendations to take over from you?

  Yes several.

  We will discuss them, training is ceased until we have everything in place. So consider yourself relieved.

  Rave smiled. Thank you brother.

  Peyton said. ‘Maybe you can think about mating now?’

  Rave grinned as he said. Who says I have not already.

  ‘Oh, tell me.’

  No.

  ‘Aww, come on!’

  Definitely not.

  ‘Darby, did you hear Rave has a mate and won’t tell me who it is?’

  ‘Seriously, I am right here. Rave who is it?’

  ‘Why would he tell you, if he won’t tell me?’

  ‘He likes me more.’

  Peyton gasped. ‘Is that true Rave?’

  Beloved you know it is not so, but I am still not saying.

  Darby tried cajoling him. ‘You know if Rave doesn’t want to tell us that’s fine. Although Rave you should know we have access to chocolate which we all know females like and it would be a good courting gift.’

  As tempting as that offer is my friend, I still say no. Giving up on the male, Darby slyly said to Peyton. ‘We could ask Kate, she probably knows.’

  ‘You could but she would not say either.’ Kate dissolved that thought quickly.

  Peyton moaned. ‘Oh, that is just wrong.’

  Darby growled. ‘So unfair.’

  Fanharr laughing asked. Did you not have young to see too?

  Darby told her. ‘Yes, we are so out of here and Rave do not think we have forgotten.’

  Peyton looked around at the people in the room and smiled. ‘We are finished here, the rest is up to you.’ She nodded to Raley and said. ‘Keep me informed, good luck.’

  TWENTY-SEVEN:

  On the last working day of the weken and half-way through the morning. Peyton was in her office with Rayvan and Draykin in the play corner. Honor and Salmah were their sitters today. She was going over reports from her new military company, who were in their first stages of development, and so far everything looked good.

  Fox and his team had left earlier that morn on their mission. Their backgrounds were in order, and they were given a sizable credit account. They were going to establish their covers around Rita’s persona, as they only had a limited time to get the information. Rita made them aware her cover would not hold up under intense scrutiny, so the quicker they completed their mission the better.

  Peneria was enjoying her new position and the training from Melody and Netta. She had decided on a small unit at first. Their first investigation was to see how and when someone could get on board, the Warship to poison her products. Apparently, she and her new team were very enthusiastic.

  Ipeara was on board the Warbird and had not stopped smiling, Nikolas reported she was very capable, all signs pointed to her being a very good pilot.

  Rage and Raley had a more complicated mission, mainly because to integrate two different species into one coherent group came with its own problems. But in saying that, daily she saw changes around the training grounds. A small scale city had just been finished, this was to be used for teaching Prowlers how to hunt within the confines of a city. She had seen Melody and Netta with Hawk and Kerol, showing them how they had trained in mock cities on Earth. She assumed a city for both the Prowlers and Warriors would be on the new training program.

  She had watched them build the new obstacle course for the juveniles. It looked hard to navigate, and she had promised herself to try the course out. Maybe she could make it a competition or something with the other Terrans. She could ask Netta to join them, if she ever stopped scowling at everyone. Finishing up the reports, Peyton rose and made herself coffee, then she stood and watched the boys build a tower with their new blocks.

  Penny answer
ed her comm. ‘Greetings, Star Daughter’s office, how may I direct your comm.’

  ‘Greetings. I am requesting to speak to the Star Daughter.’

  ‘Who may I say wishes to speak to her?’

  ‘My name is Ambassador Jithro from the planet Uthrio.’

  ‘Wait one moment, please.’ Penny tapped her desk link to Peyton’s office. ‘Madam Peyton, a comm from Ambassador Jithro from the planet Uthrio.’

  ‘Do you think I gave him our gen code?’

  Penny grinned. ‘I would assume so, as he is calling us directly.’

  ‘True, it seems plausible. Does he look like a cyborg?’

  ‘No, Madam, he does not.’

  ‘Shoot. Well connect him anyway, desk holo, please Penny.’

  ‘Yes Madam, connecting.’

  ‘Greetings. Ambassador.’

  ‘Greetings. Star Daughter.’

  ‘What can I do for you?’

  ‘You could return the Warriors to our world.’

  ‘What world would that be?’

  Sighing, the male said. ‘Uthrio I explained that to the female who answered the comm.’

  Peyton frowned as she rummaged around in her memory seeking the world he was talking of. Then she remembered where she had heard the name before and her tone cooled. ‘I see.’

  ‘Well, do you have an answer?’

  ‘Yes.’

  The male stared at her for several mins waiting for a reply, then he hissed. ‘Well!’

  ‘Why would I send Warriors back to your world?’

  ‘Why would you not?’

  ‘You did not respect or care for my Warriors, when you had them last time.’

  Pressure impinged on Peyton’s mind. ‘Now that is just rude.’ She disconnected the comm, then looked at Rayvan. ‘Your Mama was just insulted and by someone with yellow hair. How rude was that?’

  Rayvan held a block up to her. ‘Mama block.’

  ‘Thank you my son, it is a lovely block.’

  He nodded his head with a very serious expression on his face; he was, she was learning a very serious three yenta old. His age was a guess, as was his species, Peyton had decided not to worry about either. Heather assured her, after his and Draykin’s last check-up, that he was healthy and filling out nicely. Both boys were eating just about everything placed in front of them and seemed content. Of course neither of them were talking as well as they all hoped they would be. Draykin because they assumed he was still too young, they were guessing his age to be around two yentas. With Rayvan, they thought it could be just normal for his species, whatever that was. He understood everything that was said to him, so as with Draykin they decided to take the wait and see approach. She knew she would find out where they came from, eventually.