by L M Lacee
‘I bet you do.’
Darby asked. ‘Why Bronze?’
Melody grinned at her. ‘Because of Coraan.’
‘Oh yeah.’
Peyton asked. ‘How did Coraan take them?’
Melody laughed. ‘As you would expect from a Warmaster.’
Peyton laughed as well, imagining the outrage from the male. ‘I am really happy for you.’
‘Thank you sis, love you.’
‘You too. I will see you at the party.’
She left the stage unobserved, or at least she hoped she wasn’t. She did not feel bad about leaving her people to wish Melody and Coraan well or in leaving the Draygons to their joy.
FIFTY-SIX:
‘Jax please have Heather, Dinas, Patty and Kate, come to my office as soon as they can.’
As you wish Madam.
She entered her office and picked up the cup of coffee Jax had ready for her. Then sat at her desk and finished the work she had started earlier that morn, tomorrow there would be no time for work.
‘Jax?’ She said without lifting her head. ‘Please have the Falears, Lukkas and Sedeen. Oh, and perhaps Jorge as well. Placed on standby to scout the planet.’
And Lord Harm, Madam?
‘No, he will not be going on this mission.’
He will be most annoyed.
‘Yes, but his mate’s annoyance is in the higher octave range.’
Ahh, I see.
‘I thought you would.’
Twenty mins later, all four healers arrived. Heather asked as they entered. ‘You wanted to talk to us?’
‘I did, please come in and close the door.’ She stood as they moved farther in. ‘Just a quick thing, before we go enjoy the party as you know I have imprisoned eighty-eight of the senior Draygons. What you do not know, is I have asked the Star Child to look for a suitable planet for them to inhabit. When one is found, they will be shuttled onto its surface. I will send two shuttles full of supplies with them. Hopefully, it will last until they can look after themselves.’
Patty asked. ‘What if they don’t or can’t?’
Peyton said nothing and as Patty looked into her eyes she saw the answer, then looked down and mumbled. ‘Oh I see.’
Kate asked. ‘What do you need from us?’
‘A way to have them permanently sterilized without invasive surgery. They must not be allowed to breed, for obvious reasons?’
Heather looked shocked and asked. ‘What obvious reasons? Because their way of looking at their species is not ours. This is not a reason to stop them making a life, if they even can. I think it is wrong, and I think you are wrong.’
Dinas rebuked her. ‘You think Peyton has not thought of all of that? I thought you knew and trusted her.’ Heather’s lips tighten at the criticism.
‘Even I, who have known her for less time than you, know she would never ask this of us on a whim.’
Kate said. ‘I do not come under Heather’s command, if she does not see the implications of allowing them to breed a race of bigots and fanatics. Then I will undertake to make the contraception alone.’
Jax said. As will I.
‘As will we.’ Patty said, speaking for Dinas.
Heather looked at them and cried. ‘For words, for saying words. I do not understand your willingness to do this?’
Kate told her. ‘It is not just words, is it? They believe they are right to the detriment of everyone else. Look at what they did to their own people who supposedly they love and care for.’
Patty nodded and said. ‘We value life, the life of all species, and we intend to aid and support those that value life as well. These people do not, unless it falls under what they consider the correct blood, the correct pure blood.’
Dinas asked Heather. ‘How can you not see this?
We will never be seen as anything other than lesser to them, only good enough to be enslaved? I will never allow that to happen. I will never willingly place a yoke around my neck or my mate’s neck again.’
Kate adamantly agreed with Dinas. ‘I agree, I will never allow that to happen, not on our worlds and not in my lifetime. We left a world like that to fight for justice and freedom for all. Heather we see the injustice of prejudice every day with the Prowlers who come to us. Tell me my friend, why else are we here in this Universe with the Star Daughter?’
Peyton came to Heather defense. ‘It is not that Heather does not see it. She just cannot or wishes not to believe people can be evil.’ Heather flushed at her accurate assessment as she told her. ‘Heather I respect what you say and even understand where you are coming from. Did you read the document they submitted?’
‘Yes, that was wrong, but Peyton two wrongs do not make it right. Doing this makes us dictators, exactly what you accused them of being.’
‘Normally, I would agree with you but what you did not see in the document is the sentences I asked Jax to remove. Jax show them please?’
Instantly the wall showed lines of text and Heather along with the others read what Jax had removed.
We demand the toy returned for further research.
We demand the termination of the mixed blood known as Enmeela.
We demand you surrender the corrupted Draggo named Draykin. For re-education or termination at our discretion.
They all sucked in an audible breath at that sentence, then continued reading.
We demand all Maikonia citizens to be sterilized, so no half-bloods can be created.
We demand a world to be turned over to us for the growth and development of a New Draygann.
We demand the immediate death of Warmaster Coraan and his female. They must not be allowed to breed or influence the others of our race.
Peyton looked at Heather and said softly. ‘As you can see I had to remove those demands.’
Heather breathed. ‘Darby and Hawk would have killed them.’
‘Yes, she is fierce, and Hawk will not tolerate the threat to his family or home. None of us will. What decided for me was Melody’s reaction. We Terrans survived a lot and lost many but unlike Melody we left Earth with a clear conscience. She did not, up until recently she believed she should have remained on Earth to fight and that she let Earth down.’
Dinas clarified. ‘Military people are like that.’
Peyton gave him a quick smile as she said. ‘I am coming to see that.’
Heather said with sad look. ‘I never knew that about her.’
‘Heather why would you? It is not something she is going to broadcast is it?’
‘How do you know?’
‘Actually Rage told me, apparently they had a conversation about honor and duty.’
‘Why did you not take action you had provocation?’ Heather asked with a catch in her voice.
‘I wanted to, so much you have no idea. Just for thinking of hurting my babies and our sweet Draykin, who spreads his joy wherever he goes. I swore to Darby no harm would come to him and truthfully I was close, very close, but I refuse to become a cold-hearted tyrant. There will be times I will have to do things I will not like or in fact none of us will like. But with your help this will not be one of those times.’
Peyton looked each of them in the eyes as she said. ‘I did not show you this to persuade you, any of you to do my bidding. It was just to let you see they surrendered all their rights when they threatened our children, our mates and our way of life. They have known us for less than twenty-four hours and this is what they decided they should do. I gave them the opportunity to change their minds, and they refused. I cannot allow them to subject children, or any of us to their beliefs. I think they have done enough damage, so this is what I am requesting. Develop a permanent sterilization and administer it before we let them go.’
She spoke directly to Heather. ‘This is kinder than if I ask the Star Child to handle this situation, at least they will stay alive.’
Heather nodded and straightened her shoulders. ‘I apologize. I know you didn’t suggest this on a whim and you ar
e right, they will have their lives. We will do as you have asked.’
‘Thank you. Oh, you should know we are close to the planet Duaim, which has the laboratory on it. We will be in orbit early tomorrow morn. Make your teams ready. Heather I have not requested Harm to lead the scouts.’
‘Why?’
Peyton blinked several times before saying. ‘Ahh, because I thought you may not like it.’
Heather gave her a look she could not interpret but thought it held superior amusement tinged with righteousness as she said. ‘I see, so you are trying to blame me for not allowing my mate to do what he loves and enjoys. Or are you saying you found him wanting. Was he Madam, not good enough to be the leader of the scouts?’
‘See that is just sister mean, right there.’ Narrowing her eyes she said. ‘I will not address any of those obvious traps. Instead I will only ask, please Heather, could you ask your mate if he would like to talk to Jax about the mission?’
Heather swished her skirt as she replied. ‘Why yes Peyton, I will.’
Kate eyed the two sisters and said. ‘You know you two are just plain weird.’ She appealed to Dinas and Patty. ‘It’s not just me that sees that, right?’
Dinas laughed as Patty quickly assured her. ‘Oh no, everyone sees it.’
‘Leave my office now. Honestly how is it I can get abused here, in my sanctuary?’
They all laughed as they left, Peyton grinned then said. ‘Jax send out the code please and tell the scouts they leave as soon as we are in range, make them aware please.’
As you wish Madam. May I ask, by telling Heather her mate was not going? Did you know she would become angry?
‘Why Jax that smacks of manipulation.’
So the answer is yes.
‘I refuse to answer, other than to say your instincts are well honed. Now I will be in my cabin if you need me.’
Ladies Esther and Brenda wish to see you.
‘Ask them to meet me there please.’
As you wish.
When Peyton arrived at her cabin, she saw Hue and Iaan at her door. ‘Greetings, I did not know you were on board?’
Hue told her. ‘Greetings Madam, we have been in engineering.’
‘Oh do you like that sort of thing?’
Hue shook his head. ‘Not really, it is a requirement when on a new Warship, to learn all the operations. In case we are required to take over from someone else in an emergency.’
‘Huh, that is something which never occurred to me.’ Now she had an answer for what the crew did on voyages. Eagerly she asked Hue. ‘Do you think Commander Kolin would like me to learn how the ship operates as well?’
Hue’s eyes rounded as he tried to think of a way to tell her that Kolin would literally pull his hair out, if she was to go near any part of the ship he had made off limits to her. Which was every level devoted to running the ship. He wondered how long it would take to get Specialist Darby or Jean here, when Iaan casually said. ‘Madam we could ask Commander Hawk for you, or Specialist Darby they would know.’
‘Ahh, no I think that will be okay, they are busy.’ Hurriedly she asked to take the Warriors minds off talking to Darby or Hawk. ‘So I thought we had dispensed with extra security?’
Iaan replied. ‘Until the seniors are off the ship Commander Netta ordered you to be guarded.’
‘Well, she would know. Thank you.’
With that, Hue opened the door for her to enter, when he closed it. Iaan grinned. ‘That was close.’
‘I know Kolin would have our heads. Perhaps we should give Commander Netta a heads up.’
‘Good idea, you do it.’
Hue grunted then comm’d Netta.
Knife and Bacon were in the cabin visiting with Hope and the boys. She found Esther walking around the room with Keylan in her arms, slowly rocking her to sleep. Hope was sitting at the table with Brenda next to her, showing her how to do a simple jigsaw puzzle.
Rayvan saw her first and walked over. He raised his arms, and she picked him up, her voice was muffled as she cuddled her face into his neck. ‘Greetings warrior boy.’
‘Greetings Mama, are you sad?’
‘Yes my son. I am a little.’
He held her face with his small hands and told her seriously. ‘We need coffee and cookies.’
She grinned. ‘Did the Grammies bring cookies?’
He nodded as she let him down. ‘Well then, you get the cookies. I’ll get the coffees.’
Rayvan giggled. ‘Jax done it.’
‘Thank you Jax.’
You are welcome Madam.
‘Jax please call me Peyton as others do, when we are alone.’
As you wish Peyton.
‘Good, so ladies what do I owe for the pleasure of your company and cookies?’
‘Just let me put her in her crib.’ Esther said as she walked into the bedroom and placed Keylan in her crib. Covering her, she kissed her sweet face, and placed the small stuffed dragon that Darby had replicated beside her. She then closed her eyes and said a quick prayer.
Brenda kissed Hope’s cheek and said. ‘I think you can do this by yourself.’
Hope looked at Peyton as she placed the cups on the coffee table and said. ‘Maybe I could look after Rayvan?’
Brenda said. ‘Oh sweet girl, we are not going anywhere, we will be right over there talking. You and Rayvan can do puzzles here and eat cookies alright?’
‘Yes Grammie.’
Brenda stood as Peyton placed two plates and two tumblers filled with juice on the table, she kissed Hope’s cheek and said. ‘Greetings sweet draygon girl, how are you?’
Hope thought about it for a min. ‘I am well, I have had a happy morn.’
‘Good, I am happy you have.’
Rayvan climbed onto his chair with his puzzle and started to sort his pieces saying. ‘I have a rocket ship puzzle.’
Hope said. ‘Mine is of a Prowler kit.’
Peyton left them to it and took a seat in the couch’s corner as Esther sat in the other corner. She picked up her coffee as Brenda sat opposite them in the chair.
‘So ladies what can I do for you?’
Esther said. ‘You are tired.’
‘I am. Decisions had to be made, and they were not nice ones.’
‘But someone has to make them?’ Consoled Brenda.
‘They do and it falls to me. I understand that, it is just… that sometimes it sucks.’ She looked at Esther and said. ‘Oh, Esther, is this about Hawk, Melody and Heather, maybe not coming out on missions again because I know?’
‘Partly, I do not want to be in the diner anymore?’
‘Oh wow, I never saw that coming.’ Sadness welled up as she sipped her coffee, trying to dispel it. ‘Well that’s okay. I am sure we can find someone else to oversee the diner and kitchens.’
‘I have.’
‘Who?’
‘Amelia, Jorge and Tipper enjoy being in your guard and traveling. So she will command the kitchens and diner and he will look after you.’
‘I thought she was doing the Education centers?’
‘Yes, she was, but she has had a change of heart and she has Rata looking for someone to take over. I think her confidence got shook with the nanny incident.’
‘That was not her fault.’
‘She knows that,’ Brenda added, ‘but she wants out of the centers and the truth is she and Karen are not suited for that way of life. They love children they surely do. It is I think, as with Hawk and Jorge, it is not enough, so we will let them go.’
‘Well okay then, the council is happy for that change?’
‘We are.’ Stated Brenda.
‘So Esther, if Amelia is taking over the running of the shipteen. What are you planning on doing, staying home?’
Esther said. ‘I will be your full-time nanny, when we go out on missions. There will be help at home, in fact there are enough others to have them there. I have spoken to Darby. She has been approached by two females who have had experience and would l
ike to train. I will undertake their training and when they are ready, they will come with us, they are very excited about it. One is a female Draygon the other is a female Warrior, also I have spoken to a male Warrior on board who wishes to train as a nanny.’
Peyton placed her cup on the table and said. ‘So let me get this straight you will take over the hiring and vetting and training of nannies.’
‘Yes with help of course.’
‘So what you are saying is Darby is happy with this, and you are always coming out on missions with me?’
‘Yes, that is it exactly.’
She grinned. ‘Esther whatever you want to do, as long as you are on board when we leave home. Do it and thank you. I am so relieved, truly I am. Now if you two can hang out for a while. I would love a shower before we go to this party.’
Esther asked with a look Peyton interpreted to mean she had better not be thinking of doing exactly what she had been thinking of doing. ‘We are not considering this a joining party are we?’
‘Well not anymore.’ She mumbled, louder she said. ‘I do not think Hawk and Melody would be happy with that. Why do you ask?’
Esther replied blandly. ‘No reason just making sure you are not trying to get out of presiding over Karen and Melody’s big day.’
Peyton snorted. ‘As if I would be allowed to. Anyway Heather has already made it very clear there is no joining ceremonies until all of us have found our mates. And Hawk like Dinas will not have his until their brothers are home.’ She pouted as she said. ‘You make it sound like I hate doing these things.’
Esther raised her eyebrows. ‘Shame on me, I apologize. I don’t know what I was thinking.’
‘Yeah… Yeah.’
‘Go and shower.’ Brenda waved her away. ‘We will wait.’
‘Thank you.’ She hugged both females then skipped to her shower, happier than when she entered her cabin. After she had gone, Brenda said. ‘So did you find that easy?’
‘Yes, you think our girl had a heads up?’
‘No, not a clue. Are you going to be able to do it?’
‘Please. Looking after these three little ones and anymore she makes hers is nothing on what I used to do and I will not be alone.’
