Daughter Of Ethos: Divine Justice Book 4

by L M Lacee

  Peyton impatiently flapped the cloth at him. ‘Of course... of course, whatever gets them gone from here with the least amount of trouble?’ She looked out the door and saw Draygonissia of varying colors filling the corridor and some even inching into the large outer room. The adults seemed very subdued, but she would not put it pass them to try to stop what she and the Warriors were doing. It seemed Jorge thought the same as he looked their way, then at her. ‘Do what you need to Star Daughter, the quicker the better please.’

  ‘Okay.’

  He nodded, and she watched as he signaled two Warriors directing them to remove the female and the young girl. Who was fearfully staring between the Minister and Jorge.

  Peyton reached into the crib and stroked the back of the small baby, feeling a shiver race over the little body. In a voice barley above a whisper and in Draygannis, she crooned. ‘Small one, I need to move you so I can change your cloths. Then I can pick you up and have you come with me.’

  The baby who could not be more than two or three luneras old whimpered as Peyton smoothed a hand over its filthy head and whispered. ‘It is okay little one, it will be alright. I am going to take you from here and keep you safe…’

  Once again the Minister’s annoying voice interrupted her, but it was much closer coming from just behind her left shoulder this time.

  ‘They are too stupid to understand. These dirty ones know no words, it is better if you show them at this age with a firm hand and a few slaps. It usually gets them to do what you want, just grab it and do what is needed, maybe I should…’

  As he reached his hand over and around Peyton, the baby cringed and crab crawled back into the corner of the crib. Trying to get away from the clawed fingers reaching for it. Peyton had enough she elbowed the Minister in the throat and as he fell to the floor gasping for breath said. ‘I am sorry Minister. I did not see you.’

  Jorge and Carrick quickly helped the male to his feet and forcefully marched him from the room. Looking into the crib at the frightened baby Peyton gave up the idea of changing its diaper or dressing it. Instead, she turned around, grabbed a blanket from a pile on the shelf, they were made from some kind of soft fabric she had never felt before. Taking three more, she stuffed them into her pockets. She would ask Rose to purchase some if she could.

  Peyton looked at the cloth the baby clutched and the one in her hand and grimaced, it seemed the blanket was too good to be used on this small one. She pulled another from the shelf and held it out to the baby with one hand while gently tugging the cloth from its grasp. The baby hesitated for only a moment, then released the dirty blanket and grabbed for the soft clean one.

  Peyton flipped open the blanket and wrapped the baby in its warmth as she scooped the baby into her arms. It was as though she held a shadow she was positive her tablet weighed more than the baby. Her head reared back as she caught a whiff of the stench coming from the infant and she tried not to gag.

  Then before she could unleash her anger, she stormed from the nursery, there was no sight of the Minister. Perhaps he feared to remain in her presence or Jorge had discouraged him from being anywhere she was.

  As she exited the room, she was once more surrounded by her guards and swept along through corridors and into the shuttle. Jorge was the last to board and as she strapped herself and the infant in, he grinned, saying. ‘That was a delicate piece of work with the elbow; the lessons are paying off I see.’

  Peyton stopped her crooning to the small baby and smiled. ‘I thought so, have we everyone?’

  He tapped his link and listened, then said. ‘We are holding, they are still sweeping the other rooms and buildings for Castque. Two more rooms were discovered with at least thirty more Draygonissia inside. It appears we have them all, they are just making sure.’

  Peyton nodded and said. ‘Let’s wait for the all clear, don’t hurry them. I refuse to leave any behind.’

  ‘Agreed.’ He spoke into his link for a few mins, when he completed his comm she asked. ‘Has Darby’s team left?’

  ‘Yes, they are back on Prowler I.’

  ‘The other teams.’

  ‘All returning, it seems the people were ready and waiting for their rescue, so it was fast. The collection of the eggs is taking the longest, but Commander Howl requested more personnel and shuttles.’ His link chirped he listened for a min, then said. ‘That was Commander Howl, she says another twenty-five mins.’

  ‘Okay, we will wait.’

  Twenty mins later Jorge’s link sounded, again he listened and then told her. ‘They cleared all the rooms in this building and completed the search of the other buildings. There were no more being held captive and no other buildings with Castque. Although they found five hiding in a closet in a nearby house, terrified to come out. They are all aboard shuttles.’

  ‘Why were they hiding?’

  ‘Aliens apparently.’

  ‘Dear Stars.’ Peyton grinned.

  Eighteen mins later, Netta sent the signal for the all clear. Jorge announced. ‘Netta is clear.’

  Peyton nodded then said. ‘Well let’s haul ass out of here, before I lose what is left of my temper.’ She went back to crooning a silly song to the small terrified baby in her arms.

  FORTY-FIVE:

  Peyton’s shuttle docked in the hold of Prowler I, alongside the others, she and her team were the last to come on board. As soon as the all clear was given, the Warship left orbit headed to their next destination. The planet with the hidden laboratory.

  Peyton and her Warriors disembarked their shuttle with the baby held securely in her arms. Either they had all become used to the smell or it had lessened. Although the Warriors all took several paces away from her as soon as their feet hit the docking bay floor. So perhaps she was the only one thinking that.

  The first people she saw in the large hanger were the female and the young scarred girl standing together. In a sharp voice that had more than one Draygonissia and Warrior flinching with the sound. Peyton called out.

  ‘Release chains.’

  All the Draygonissia dropped to their knees. This was one time Peyton did not complain. ‘Jax translate please.’

  As you wish Madam.

  ‘I am the Star Daughter, and this is my ship and these are my people. You have been released from captivity and slavery by the people of Maikonia who live in the Star Daughters solar system. This system is a long way from here, we will travel there in this ship which is called a Warship. You must know your world is closed to you now and for that I am sorry. We have taken every one of the Draygonissia your planet deemed unclean and unwanted with us. This includes the eggs your Darganissa was stock piling to sell. We will not sell you, and we will not enslave you. What we will do is give you a chance at a free life, as well as a home on Maikonia to call your own. If you want to live there or you may find a world for yourselves, the choice is yours. For now, please allow my healers to treat you. We have plenty of food, as well as showers and clean clothes. Now the first thing you will receive is a download; it will enable you to speak and read Coalition. This will help you talk to the people helping you. Everyone here understands that you have very little knowledge of technology. For example, this ship you are on or about the way I am speaking to you. This download will give you that, it will enable you to understand the world you have been thrust into. Our understanding of your world is small, our understanding of what you have had to endure larger. What we definitely know is you have no need to trust us and that we accept. I know I am asking much of you when I say, please allow us to help you.’

  To the waiting healers, she said. ‘I want everyone given the download, then have all their medical needs seen to as soon as possible.’ In English she said, ‘Sedate them if you must to give them the download. I know that is harsh but in the long run they will thank us, I hope.’

  Before she had finished Darby was at her side. ‘All being taken care of... what is that smell?’ She yelped as she took steps away from Peyton, who grinned evilly as she
unwrapped the small infant. Now the light was better Peyton could see the marks and bruises that covered the small body. Sadness hit her hard as she asked Darby.

  ‘How many did we get?’

  Heather who arrived to stand next to Darby said.

  ‘On first count fifteen hundred eggs, seven hundred and eighty juveniles. Forty-six hundred adult females and seventy-two hundred and thirty males. As well as one hundred and ninety seniors or what we call elders. Making it, give or take, twelve thousand and eight hundred altogether.’

  Peyton sighed and murmured. ‘Not as many as I had hoped.’ In a louder voice she asked Darby. ‘Have you adapted the download?’

  Darby did not smile as she too looked at the people who were watching them. Some with interest but far too many with fear. ‘Yes, I did that while we waited. I used my Draykin to make it compatible.’

  Before she could say anything further a huge scarred, barely clothed monster of a male that obviously needed food and medical attention rose from his kneeling position and stepped forward. He had gold and bronze shoulder length hair and amber eyes. His wings of bronze were shot through with lines of pale gold and hung limply from his back. The edges were ragged as if they had been chewed. There seemed to be several barely healed wounds over his body. If nothing else, this confirmed for all the Maikonians how desperate the living standards for the Draygonissia had been. Another male very similar to the bronze giant, rose and helped a female to her feet. Together they stood shoulder to shoulder as they watched the large male approach Peyton. When he passed a blue male with teal wings and eyes, he rose as well and followed closely behind him.

  If Peyton had to guess she would say apart from the teal male, the other three were related.

  Melody stepped in front of Peyton, her stance relaxed her attitude one of confidence. Only Peyton saw the tightening of her shoulder muscles. Without meaning to Peyton hissed aloud. ‘Oh my stars he is stunning.’

  Melody growled quietly. ‘Do you mind, serious situation here.’

  ‘Sorry, forgot myself for a min.’

  The male looked down at Melody and crossed his rather large impressive arms over his equally impressive chest. Melody could only guess at what they would be like if he was in top condition. She could see he was as badly used as the others in the hold were, although the essence of the male shone brighter than the others. She agreed with Peyton’s assessment he was stunning, it was as if he could hold the Universe in his hands. Her heart gave one heavy thump almost knocking her to her knees when he spoke. His voice was deep and compelling, sending fingers of desire racing across her skin. With supreme effort she suppressed any telltale signs of her reaction to the male. Knowing she was being observed by her family as well as the Warriors.

  ‘Little female Warrior, I could slice you in two and take you apart piece by piece if I willed it to be so.’

  Every Warrior tensed at the threat, Darby drew in a short breath as Netta snorted back a laugh, while Peyton waited. Melody grinned as she looked into his amber eyes and said. ‘You would be dead before you took a step toward me.’

  He raised a bronze eyebrow. ‘You think so, little Warrior?’

  Melody nodded. ‘I know so.’ She looked down and instinctively his eyes followed hers and what he saw made him also grin in appreciation.

  ‘Female, you are a worthy Warrior.’ He took one step back, bringing him equal to the teal male who had stayed behind him. Peyton could not see what he had been looking at, Hawk mind-sent, knife at genitals always makes a male move.

  Oh yeah, that would do it.

  The Bronze male addressed Peyton. ‘I am Warmaster Coraan Daygoniss, I ask the Star Daughter on behalf of my people, what did you have planned for us?’

  His stance was aggressive as was his tone but his eyes told another story. They were filled with a touch of envy, and a large dose of concern mixed with confusion. All submerged under anger and shame as he looked at the Warriors surrounding him. Peyton looked into the male’s heart and needar and found what she prayed would be there. A small flame of hope burning sluggishly but still holding on.

  Moving closer as Melody shifted to the side a little… then a lot, when she got a whiff of the baby. She felt more than saw Hawk and Netta shift uneasily, but she knew what she had seen. She spoke with the sincerity of her beliefs in her voice, knowing this male and all his people would hear and understand it.

  ‘What I plan to do with you is to give you something that you have never had before, the same thing our Warriors have. I am sure you recognize them, as isolated as Draygann is, the reputation of the Warriors I should imagine has even reached you. Which is why in truth you are here on board our ship? I suspect you also have heard whispers on the wind of what they endured at the hands of their creators.’

  Coraan Daygoniss acknowledged this with a nod of his large head. Tales had filtered to them via sympathetic Draygonissia of the fierce Warriors.

  Peyton allowed a small smile. ‘We will give you what we have given to them and all the others on our worlds. Your chance at freedom. Now when you have time to think about things, other than the hunger in your bellies and fear for your survival. You may start to wonder what you want for your lives, what you wish to do and accomplish. Because we know, just like you believe there is more to life than just surviving from one day to the next. We understand this is an enormous amount of information for you to understand but we also know that with your intelligence and abilities. It will take you only a small amount of time to assimilate into our way of life. If for no other reason than for the chance of freedom and to learn about the technology available to you. We also know it is hard for you to trust us, but I ask for you to do that. Then I ask that you go with the healers and do the steps which are, heal, shower and eat. There, is no shortage of food so have as much as you want. Then sleep in clean dry, safe… very safe beds. You will meet more of the Prowlers on board. For those of you who have not seen them so far, they are a four legged sentient thinking species, with their own unique qualities. All this information will be available to you once you have the download. Then after you have had showers, medical treatment and food, think on what you want, ask our people they will help, read and learn.’

  At the looks of incredibility that shone from some faces. Peyton smiled. ‘I swear you will be able to do both. Your days of barely existing are over, what you decide to do with the remainder of your lives is up to you, we will help all we can. All I ask is that you treat each other and the members of Maikonia on and off this ship with respect as we will treat you. Now please, everyone stand.’

  As they rose to their feet their wings rubbed together making a sound that Peyton and her people had not heard before. She asked. ‘So who will try the download first?’

  Before she had finished speaking the Blue male moved forward. He bowed and even though he was gaunt, he was not as badly used as the other Draygonissia. There was no mistaking the in-drawn breaths as he walked through several rows of people. The female with the scarred girl cried out. ‘Why?’

  The male enclosed the female who was now silently crying in his arms. ‘As if I would allow you and our eggs to leave without me.’ He then spoke to Peyton. ‘Lady.’

  ‘Madam.’ Jorge gently reprimanded him. Peyton sighed quietly, causing Jorge to smile.

  ‘Madam.’ The male corrected, with a slight smile. ‘As you can see this is my mate and you have our eggs, three of them.’

  Peyton said. ‘We will return them to you as soon as you want.’

  ‘We thank you.’ He said and sounded surprised that she agreed so readily. The female lifted her head and seemed just as surprised. He explained. ‘I am Healer Heddro Mainer. If you would allow me to, I will use this device.’ He looked at Heather and said. ‘I am truly a healer. I can be of help.’

  Heather looked confused. ‘I thought reds were healers.’

  The Warmaster said. ‘This is so, Heddro was of the healing traits not politics. He is trustworthy.’

  Heather nodd
ed. ‘Great, I will need all the help I can get. Healers are a gift from the Star Child, so Darby start a jabbing.’

  There was a smattering of laughter mainly from the Terrans and Warriors. Darby said to the male as she showed him the injector. ‘This is an injector.’

  He nodded. ‘I have seen them before from outsiders.’

  ‘Good, well inside are nanites, little machines that carry information to all the parts of your brain that require the knowledge. Once they have deposited the information into your brain. Which I have designed to take several hours to complete, the nanites will break down and join the minerals of your body.’

  His eyes were wondrous as he said. ‘I understood only a little of what you explained. I would ask only, will the injector give me the understanding I need to know what you just said?’

  Darby nodded as Peyton mumbled. ‘Huh, good luck with that.’

  She ignored Peyton and said. ‘Yes, all of it.’

  He smiled. ‘Then please do so.’

  ‘If you are sure Healer Mainer?’

  ‘I am.’ He said with a small nod of his head and a calm smile.

  Darby said. ‘Then let me introduce Artar Kate.’

  She indicated Kate who smiled then asked him. ‘Which is the softest place on your body for me to inject you?’

  He showed her a patch of skin just behind his ear and said. ‘This Artar will allow the machines to slide in. There are other places, but my mate may be annoyed if I showed you them.’ He accompanied that with a lift of his eyebrows, which made those that heard him smile, even his mate.

  ‘Thank you.’ Said an amused Kate, he turned his head, and she pushed the injector against his skin depositing the nanos.

  Darby told him. ‘It will take only seconds for the language packet to download, we adjusted it for your body type. You should have language almost immediately.’

  He answered in clear Coalition. ‘I thank you.’

  ‘See it works.’ She said without Jax translating for her. He stood there stunned for a few seconds, then smiled and in Coalition said. ‘Extraordinary.’ Then he bowed to Peyton as he said. ‘Madam, thank you, what can I do to help?’