by L M Lacee
‘My name is…’
‘I DO NOT CARE!’ She yelled, shattering windows in the process, the Draygonissia on the floor all screamed and cringed as glass flew outwards. The advisors dived under the table as the Consort covered his mate.
Her Warriors stood strong and hid their grins, while they waited with Peyton until the males crawled out from under the table and the Consort and Darganissa sat again. She was amused to see the Darganissa give her Consort a smile and pat on his arm and wondered if it was for throwing himself over her or for not messing her up. Peyton bet it was for the latter.
‘As I was saying. I will rip you from your planet and put my own people here to govern and believe me if I have to do that. I will do a culling like you have never seen before. In fact, it could result in the whole of the Blues being removed from the world. Do I make myself clear?’ She stated loudly as more glass shattered and the ground rumbled under their feet. When deep cracks appeared in the walls, the males frantically nodded their understanding as the Darganissa nodded only once.
‘Good, so start acting like the honorable Darganissa I am told you can be. Because it seems to me, you need help to regain what you have lost since coming into power. I feel a step in the right direction will be the cessation of all DNA profiling.’
She told the Advisor who was obviously a scientist, as he moaned and put his head in his hands. ‘Now do not worry, I have once again decided to help you with this.’ He groaned louder causing her to smile like a shark as she said. ‘My Specialists are removing all your corrupt data. I know you probably did not know it was there, but they assure me it is.’
She knew Darby and her team were doing just that because Jorge had signaled they had arrived and were going through the comps’ in the science departments as she spoke.
She stared at the Darganissa as she said. ‘I realize as soon as more eggs are produced you will be concerned all over again, and rightly so. You imagine that there is a possibility of them being the unwanted Bronze you fear and want eradicated. You know the ones you made a deal with then double crossed or is the word I want reneged. Regardless the Star Child once they knew of this were concerned, you see they liked your ancestors. But unfortunately for you they have run out of patience with, well to be blunt, with you. They deplore what you have reduced your people and world to and the lack of progress you have made in the Universe. They believe and I agree with them as old as your species is, you should be a ruling voice in our Universe and you are not. I have neither the time nor inclination right now, to discover all the reasons why. But in their infinite wisdom the Star Child have decided to give you a gift, they have noted the efforts you have gone through to rid your world of the Bronze Draygonissia. And because they do not want you or your people to suffer needlessly. They have removed any chance of another Bronze or variation of Bronze being produced. This will continue from now until Draygann fades into the histories of the Stars.’
They looked at each other, even the Opposition Minister looked at the Darganissa with bewilderment while they tried to understand what it was she was saying. Fear was uppermost on the face of the Consort as he quickly came to the understanding of what the Star Child had done.
Peyton said softly. ‘Isn’t it amazing Darganissa Dayrinda, you will have accomplished what you set out to do? You will have removed from your society the Warmasters and the troublesome Bronze Draygonissia. There will never be a possibility of another Bronze or Warmaster being hatched on your world, in your lifetime or the lifetime of your planet. Now you will be able to establish the balance you have striven for and promised your citizens to obtain. Your world will be able to live in harmony and peace, how long it lasts is up to you. I am sure you will sing the praises of the Star Child for yentas to come.’
Shock ran through the room, there was not one Draygonissia who was not affected by her words, some were happy, some were shocked. The intelligent of the Draygonissia present were coming to the realization of what the future of their world would hold without the threat of the Bronze Draygonissia and the Warmasters
The Darganissa sat immovable, Peyton could read fear in her eyes as the full implication of the Star Childs actions dawned on her. What she had not thought of in her fear of an uprising from the Bronze Draygonissia, or more correctly the Warmasters. Were the repercussions if she actually managed to rid the world of the Bronze Draygonissia? Although Peyton could see her Consort understood the repercussions, if his expression was anything to go by.
Peyton nodded her head as she stated. ‘Exactly, I see you understand, today was a warning. I came with a small force, imagine what happens with a force that intends to claim this world as their own. You see how easy it was for my Warriors to enter your world and you knew who we were and that we were here. The Coalition I am sure will come calling. I mean who is there to keep them at bay now. Your Consort’s security force, I think we have taken most of them out of play. I do hope your negotiations with the Coalition go well. I saw what they did to my birth world.’
The Darganissa closed her eyes and fell back into her seat, she knew what Peyton said was true. As soon as the Coalition understood Draygann was unprotected, life could become difficult if not downright dangerous for not only her, but her people. While the Coalition knew the Warmasters were present, they never pushed the point of inclusion to the Coalition. Now the Warmasters were gone she had no idea what was to happen.
In the past she had always counted on being able to persuade the Warmasters to fight for Draygann. It was only ever been a matter of promising better living conditions for their people, and a whisper in the ears of the right elders to obtain their cooperation. With only a few words this female had exposed them all too how vulnerable they really were. Dayrinda felt herself start to slip into panic, how was she to explain to the populace their world was now vulnerable. Placing the panic aside she quickly ran through all the possible scenarios where she ended up with a rebellion and her dead. To stop that from happening she was willing to explain to her people how her advisors had made this happen with their irrational fear of the Bronze Draygonissia. From the corner of her eye, she saw her Consort’s mouth tighten, the only sign he was furious. She knew she should have listened to him for yentas he had been advising her to release her hold on the Bronze Draygonissia, to give them back their dignity. She had refused, positive she was correct that the Warmasters would rise up against her.
She cleared her throat twice before she could speak. ‘How... How... is this possible? What right do you have to remove my people and to judge me?’
Peyton shrugged. ‘The fact everyone in here can understand Coalition convinces me, you have not kept your world or yourself completely isolated from the Universe. Your histories tell you why I am able to do as I will. Shame on you for not preparing your people for my coming. But to answer your questions, the Star Child gave me the right. I am their arm of justice. You may not have wished to acknowledge they are moving in the Universe again, but you know what it means that they are. Now if you do not like the gift, they just blessed Draygann with, which is your right please feel free to take it up with them. I am sure they will be happy to discuss it with you. If you last with their touch on your mind. As for me, I don’t give a furin hayda what you think. I have done what I wished to do. So if you do not anger your Consort too much, he may help you to extract yourself from the predicament you find yourself in. I would not rely so much in the future on your advisors, they are fools, as is this idiot.’ She pointed to the Opposition Minster. ‘Now we will retrieve all the ones I deem mine and leave you and your world in the peace you crave. Do remember you are always being cared for, your Star watches over you for as long as you don’t anger her.’
She stood and as her eyes swept over the Draygonissia in the room, she said in all seriousness to the female who ruled this world. ‘I hope you know what you caused to happen here today Darganissa, and you can live with the consequences. I pity you and your people for what you personally have wrought.’
With that parting shot she swept from the room, leaving a stupefied Darganissa behind. She, and in turn her people had been handed everything they wanted. And as Dayrinda sat back and listened to her advisors and the Opposition Minister argue, she knew her world was doomed. She turned her eyes to her Consort in the hope he would provide a solution, instead when his eyes met hers she only saw contempt staring back at her.
‘Eggs… you were going to sell our young.’ He shook his head in disgust as he said. ‘You have killed us all and for what? To secure your position as the rightful Darganissa. Who was there to challenge you… him?’
He pointed to the yellow male. ‘You are as foolish as these pathetic creatures you listened to. I told you Dayrinda I would not interfere if you promised to release you hold on the Bronze.’ He stared at her with disgust as he said. ‘To sell our young, our people that is one step too far. I wash my hands of you and your rule. Do not come to me for help, you have shamed not only me and our Draygonissia but our ancestors.’
He moved around the silent room releasing the still bound males, knowing her eyes followed him. Once finished and without a backward look at his mate the Darganissa and her advisors, he and those loyal to him walked from the room.
The Opposition Minister slipped back into his secret hideaway and ran along the passageway and through another secret door to enter the hall.
FORTY-FOUR:
Peyton wondered if the Darganissa’s mind was racing with the consequences of the Star Child’s decree. Would it occur to her how tenuous her position was now, would it occur to her the people may turn their attention to the Blues and her. Now they did not have the Bronze Draygonissia to engineer hate against?
Uncomfortable with her thoughts, she gave up her guessing game and walked slowly through the doors into the long hallway, her Warriors once again surrounding her as they moved. It surprised her to see there were no males lying on the floor, and it even looked as though the floor had been cleaned. Peyton came to a stop as she heard screams and frightened cries of children.
‘Do you hear that?’
‘We do.’ Jorge said as the others nodded.
She could see them all listening intently, trying to pinpoint the location of the crying. The Opposition Minister shimmied out from behind a sliding door next to where they had stopped and said. ‘Star Daughter, I am the Minister for the opposition.’
Peyton blew a surprised breath out. ‘I know.’
‘You were almost dead.’ Jorge growled as he eased back on his blaster, remembering to take the one that had appeared in Peyton’s hand.
The male paled to a disgusting mustard color, Peyton felt dislike crawl over her skin. There was something cruel and corrupt about this male. Everything from his weird color to his square face and beady eyes and most of all his oily whiny voice annoyed her. She was done with this world and done with these people, which reflected in her voice as she sharply asked. ‘What is it you want?’
‘I wished to say if you were to stay and…’
‘Did you miss the part where I said no?’
‘I…’
‘No, see, I said it again. Now do you know where that crying comes from?’
‘Oh yes, that is from the drayget, all draggos…’ At her confused look, he said with a smarmy smirk. ‘That is what we call our care unit for the draggos.’
Peyton growled, and the floor moved as she demanded. ‘Take us there now!’
He swallowed and wrung his hands as he hurriedly said. ‘Of course... of course.’ When he went to touch her elbow to guide her. Jorge and the Warriors instantly had blasters aimed at him.
He simpered and quickly lowered his hand away from her saying. ‘Sorry... sorry, please this way.’
Peyton turned her head and grinned at Jorge, who did not grin in return, but his eyes held a smile. She tried to take her blaster back, but he shook his head and frowned, handing it off to Carrick. Peyton stuck her nose in the air as she followed the mustard male, choosing to ignore Jorge’s smirk.
The winged male took them along a side corridor that turned left into another corridor and then right into another long corridor. They walked until they came to another junction. She whispered. ‘Jorge, are we lost yet?’
He shook his head and stated quietly. ‘Star Daughter, we are not. We can never become lost, we have inbuilt navigation.’
Peyton’s eyes went wide, and she hissed. ‘Like Cyborgs?’
He grinned and raise an eyebrow and only managed a shake of his head, when he saw the Minister’s eyes flicking back over to them. Peyton seeing the same thing remained quiet.
After another turn, they arrived at an enormous room filled with children and adults, several opaque glassed doors led from the room. The Minister stood in the center of the room and clapped his hands. Instantly there was quiet as the children sat where they stood, obviously they had been schooled on what to do.
The place was clean but messy with toys scattered around, similar to any child care center Peyton had ever seen. There were ten adult females all Bronze and seven juvenile girls who she supposed were of the same color. They appeared to be the caretakers every one of them wore the same brown formless shifts, made from the same threadbare cloth sewn together.
At a look from the Minister they all rushed into corners and huddled together. An adult female pushed a young girl behind her as the Minister sneered at her. The girl looked to be about eleven or twelve with a long puckered scar that ran down the right side of her face and neck. Peyton thought it was possible it continued down her body. It appeared that none of the young Draygonissia who were being cared for were Bronze. Peyton spoke in Draygannis as she asked the female standing with the girl.
‘Are there any other unwanted here?’
The Minister made a noise, and the female shook her head no, but then she seemed to rethink her answer and tipped her chin up defiantly. With a swift nod, she pointed to a half-opened door.
Peyton smiled at her bravery, which quickly morphed into a frown when she noticed the bare feet of the workers and chains around each foot. She supposed one could not run far, if your feet were chained together.
She raised her eyes to look directly into the female’s eyes before she lowered them but not before Peyton saw shame and a bone-deep weariness staring back at her from eyes resigned to a life of slavery. Peyton could barely suppress the tide of anger that rose within her, she demanded in English. ‘Jorge, call the shuttles.’
He replied with a nod as he made a signal to Carrick, who opened his link to the ship.
The Minister asked. ‘What is that language, I have never heard it before?’
They ignored him as Peyton said in Draygannis to the workers. ‘All who are deemed unwanted by your Darganissa are to be relocated to a new world. Please go with these Warriors; you will be unharmed.’
Like automatons they shuffled into a single file with Warriors flanking them, but she could see they did not believe her words, perhaps they had heard something similar too many times to believe her. Peyton closed her eyes, but not before she saw the Minister signal the female and scarred girl to remain. The female’s eyes narrowed at the order, but she did not move.
Jorge discreetly placed his hand on Peyton’s back, it was a trick Netta had taught him. Touch connected her to him and helped to keep her from losing herself in the Star Daughter’s power. She nodded her head to indicate she was fine as her glow dimmed, more in control of herself she walked around the yellow male and pushed the door indicated by the female, all the way opened.
What she saw made her heart hurt, a dirty crib that may have once been white, was pushed against the far wall. A young baby sat on a bare mattress, with nothing but a small thin piece of cloth clutched in its hands. Which in some other life may have been a blanket.
The windowless room was cool, and the walls were lined with floor to ceiling cupboards and open shelves. They held clothes, blankets and bottles, as well as other things children needed. Even from across the room, Peyton coul
d smell the stench coming off the baby. It reeked of fear, sadness and hunger, all mixed with a powerful scent of stale urine and feces.
The baby’s eyes held a blankness she had not seen even in the Draygonissia outside. The very lack of emotion caused Peyton’s heart to crack a little more.
Moving slowly, she retrieved a cloth from a shelf as she walked toward the crib, never taking her eyes off the small baby. She refused to say draggo, the name just sounded derogatory and hurt her heart.
It relieved Peyton to see the little ones eyes latch on to her face when she drew closer. The smell made her step falter, but she refused to allow it to deter her without turning from the baby she asked the Minister who had followed her into the compact room.
‘Are there other Bronze or unwanted that you are hiding here in this complex, Opposition Minister?’
‘My name is…’
‘Again, I do not care, answer my question.’
He started protesting and when she turned her head and looked at him, he saw his death in her flame filled eyes and subsided. ‘Yes Star Daughter, in the next three rooms there are more unwanted.’
‘Jorge have Warriors check this building and have Warriors do a city wide search as well. Let us not burden the Minister, with trying to remember if he has forgotten to tell us of anyone else.’
‘Yes, Star Daughter.’
She went back to staring at the baby and murmured. ‘Also Jorge please make sure they place the female and the girl with the scar on the shuttle.’
‘They are not to go.’ The Minister strongly protested before Peyton could ask why, Jorge did. ‘Would you like to explain why?’
The male swallowed as he looked into the Warrior’s eyes and once more saw his death. He just started shaking his head as he said. ‘No.’ Then made a point of telling him. ‘The chains, they must stay in place.’
