by L M Lacee
Klune shrugged, a mannerism he had picked up from the Terrans. ‘I think not.’
‘So let me have it.’
Klune smiled as he made himself comfortable
‘As you know, Jean was looking into this affair on behalf of Darby, who asked her to, on behalf of you. I am only going to say this once. You should have come to me first.’
Peyton grimaced. ‘Agreed, we were wrong and it will not happen again.’
He raised his eyebrows at the easy acceptance of her wrongdoing. She sighed as she wiggled in her chair. ‘Kardan made it plain to me that having a Spy Master and doing the work myself or asking inexperienced people to do the same, is just stupid.’
‘Did he phase it like that?’
‘No, but that was what he meant.’
Klune hid his smile as he asked. ‘And of course that goes for information on Dantara?’
‘Oh… oh, yes that too, sorry.’
He shrugged again. ‘I have assured Darby I will take over the investigation from her. You will have my report soon.’
‘Are you angry?’
‘Why, do I sound angry?’
‘Ahh no, sort of, yes!’
‘I am not. I find myself frustrated. This is what I do, what my people do. We have spent yentas perfecting our craft. But Madam, if you keep circumnavigating me. What is the point of my being here?’
Peyton winced at the truth of what he said. ‘I can only express how sorry I am and that it will not happen again.’
Klune nodded as he said. ‘You will inform command of this.’
‘You are command.’
‘Am I?’
Peyton frowned. ‘Do you think you are not?’
Klune nodded. ‘Sometimes, it feels like that.’
‘Well I am sorry you feel excluded, it was not intentional. In fact you should feel the opposite.’
She drummed her fingers on the desk. ‘I think we need to restructure command and define our positions.’ She eyed him and smiled.
Nervously, Klune asked. ‘Why are you smiling?’
‘Because, I think you and Cemeru are perfect to organize that.’
‘Why?’
‘You are both older, more seasoned, and definitely more experienced than any of us in this kind of thing. And you are not military. So what do you think?’
Klune thought about what she asked and said. ‘I do not know about Cemeru, but I will take on the assignment.’
‘Good, so can you ask him?’
‘I will.’
‘Okay, so when we return home we will have a meeting, and look at your recommendations and go from there.’
Klune nodded. ‘I feel we need to change the name. Command denotes Armee.’
‘Yeah, but I was stuck for a name.’
‘It is time we look at changing it.’
Peyton was willing to agree, knowing she had upset him, upset her. ‘Okay. So Kolin.’
‘Yes,’ He sighed, ‘Kolin.’
‘Can we fix it?’
‘We cannot, but I think you will be able to. It is how you fix it that troubles me.’
‘Oh, I see. Tell me a story.’
Klune smiled. ‘It goes like this. Kolin was assigned here under the Coalitions authority to maintain the capital.’
‘Wow! Big job.’
‘It was, and that speaks of how talented he is.’
‘It really does.’
‘Anyway, thirty yentas ago a young and handsome Emperor found his way to the Capital, and as it happens, he was a talented engineer as well. Nowhere near the talent of Kolin, but good. The Emperor’s world produces components for androids, specialized androids.’ He said this suggestively and waited for Peyton to realize what he was saying.
She sat on the edge of her seat, excitement making her eyes glow with suppressed glee as she whispered. ‘You mean Cyborgs.’
Klune agreed with a twinkle in his eyes. ‘I mean Cyborgs.’
Standing abruptly, Peyton danced and pumped the air with her fists. ‘I knew it… I knew it!’
Klune raised his eyebrows as he watched the most powerful female in the Universe dance in place. Noticing he was not joining her, Peyton adopted the appropriate expression and retook her seat and nonchalantly said. ‘Ahem, so cyborgs. How interesting.’
Klune shook his head and replied. ‘Yes, isn’t it? Anyway, this Emperor decided he wanted Kolin for his world. At first he did not know about the Jenersar Warriors and their servitude. He tried enticing Kolin with wealth, and when that did not work, he tried females. When that obviously did not work, he tried males.’
‘Oh, and he finally worked out why.’
‘He spoke to Uthar, who explained why Kolin was unmoved by the offers the Emperor had thrown at him.’
‘So I don’t understand, that should have been the end of it.’
‘Yes, but unfortunately the Emperor had a mother, who apparently fell in love with Kolin.’
‘Did he fall for her?’
Klune pulled on his bottom lip. ‘I think the feelings were reciprocated.’
‘Oh poor Kolin.’
‘I felt the same for both Kolin and the female, when I first read the reports but with more information. I have revised my opinion.’
‘Why?’
‘I will get to that in a min. When the Emperor made another offer for Kolin’s contract. Uthar turned him down and made him aware there would be no more negotiations. It was then he made the Emperor aware of Kolin’s… ahh status. It seems the Emperor’s mother became enraged and swore revenge on Uthar.’
Peyton murmured. ‘Huh, like that has not happened before.’
‘Probably more times than we can guess.’ Agreed Klune. ‘The female told Kolin she would find a cure for him and release him from Uthar.’
‘Obviously she did not.’
Klune smiled. ‘Obviously not. What she did was far worse.’
Peyton frowned. ‘What is worse than promising something you cannot deliver?’
‘She made it so Kolin could not live and work at the Capital.’
‘What… how?’
‘The mother and son conspired to kill his spouse and daughters.’
Peyton stood as she snapped. ‘They what!?’
Klune stood and walked to her dispenser to make tea and coffee. More to give Peyton time to settle than he wanted tea. When he had placed her cup on the desk and retaken his seat. He waited while she slowly did the same, but not until she had sipped her coffee did he continue.
‘It appears the Emperor became tired of his spouse. In their society, there is no… ahh separation.’
‘Divorce.’ Peyton corrected.
‘Yes divorce.’
Peyton asked. ‘So death is their way of putting aside the unwanted spouse.’
Klune nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘And the daughters?’
‘Females have very little value on this world.’
‘So like the mates, they are killed.’
‘Yes, a barbaric practice.’
‘I agree and one I intend to stop.’
‘I am sure you will.’
Peyton sipped her coffee as she regained her composure then said. ‘I am guessing after the Empress and her children were killed, Kolin was blamed.’
‘Yes, it seems the Emperor faked an injury to his hand and was unable to do repairs on their ship. Kolin was ordered to do them. The ship with his spouse and daughters never made it home.’
‘Your conclusions.’
‘The Emperor and his mother decided they had a way to dispose of the spouse and daughters and to force Uthar’s hand. By incriminating Kolin in the death of the Empress and her daughters, they believed they could pressure Uthar into releasing Kolin to their world as compensation. Where he could work out his life in servitude to the Empire.’
Peyton nodded as she looked out the window. ‘It was a two for one deal.’
‘Yes.’
‘Ugly story.’
‘Unfortunately it is.’
‘I am guessing Kolin learned of this and ran.’
Klune agreed. ‘As fast as he could, he stayed hidden until Hawk called for ships to go to Earth. He thought to stay on Earth until he found out about you, then he revised his plans and the rest as you Terrans say is history.’
‘And you have documentation to prove what the Emperor and his mother did?’
‘Yes and testimonies.’
Peyton looked surprised. ‘From Kolin?’
He smiled. ‘From him as well as others who were here at the time.’
‘So…’
‘So,’ Klune heaved a sigh as he said. ‘The decision now is what we do with this information.’
‘That is the question.’
It was his turn to look out the window as he said. ‘I can have Sedeen and Fox take care of the mother and son.’
Peyton was secretly appalled, more because she liked the idea than he suggested it. She stared at his profile and once more wondered how old he was, and what kind of father he was going to be. She bet a kind, loving one. Shaking loose those thoughts, she hummed.
‘Hmmm. It has possibilities, but what justice is in that. No, I have to show other worlds, I do not condone death of spouses and children because they become an inconvenience. And there is Kolin. He needs to know I will stand for him, for all our people. No, I have a better idea. Are they here for the meeting?’
‘Yes, they arrived two days before we did.’
‘Okay, okay.’ She drummed her fingers on the desk as she thought. ‘You have proof?’
‘Yes, definitive proof.’
‘What is the name of the world?’
‘Odehrema. The Emperor is Omern Yodhum his mother’s name is Ozmera Yodhum.’
‘Thank you.’
Klune made to leave. ‘If anyone warrants justice, it is these people, they are what my Rata calls evil.’
‘I agree, to kill your own spouse and children and grandchildren is beyond evil.’
‘I will send you the documents.’
‘Thank you Klune, and again I apologize.’
Klune grinned as he said. ‘Delightful, just delightful.’
‘Such a charmer!’
Once he had left Peyton swung full circles in her chair joyfully singing. ‘I am going to meet cyborgs, I am going to meet cyborgs… yippee for me!’
FOURTEEN:
After an evening at the museum and dining at a high-class restaurant, which Bendrix had organized for the family, Jorge finally got around to looking at the data drive Willian had delivered earlier that day.
He read the information about one Gorbog Vulron, owner and operator of several high-class restaurants. Suspected of being a slaver and responsible for numerous murders. It appeared Gorbog did not like competition or being denied. Shodian Lujunn was lucky, he and his daughters may have found themselves dead or sold into slavery if they had left the protection of the Capital.
Jorge took a drink of his whiskay and looked out the window at the twinkling lights. This Gorbog Vulron was no one to give a casual warning to. Males like him would not take the warning he and his friends would give him for what it was. A chance to change and find another way to make a living.
‘Jorge, are you coming to bed?’
‘Yes, my heart, one moment.’ He finished his drink and removed the drive and secured it in his trunk. ‘Jax, please ask Sedeen and Matt to meet me tomorrow morn at 04:00 hours, if they are willing. If not, let me know.’
I will do so. Jorge, will you talk to Kardan?
‘No, he does not need to be involved.’
He will not see it like that.
‘Regardless, this is my mission and my responsibility.’
I will notify Sedeen and Matt.
‘Thank you Jax.’
‘Jorge, I will never get pregnant if you don’t help!’
Grinning, he started unbuttoning his shirt as he said. ‘I am coming impatient one.’
FIFTEEN:
Just before 04:00 hours, Amelia watched her mate dress and sighed. ‘So, no early morn cuddles then?’
Jorge grinned. ‘Not this morn, sorry I have a meeting.’
‘But you are not wearing a uniform.’
‘It is not that type of meeting.’
‘Oh, you will be safe?’
‘I will.’
‘Okay, love you.’ She rolled away from him, exposing yards of delicious skin. He bit back a groan and almost climbed back into bed with her. Strengthening his will, he kissed her bare shoulder before pulling the blanket over her and whispering. ‘My heart belongs to you.’
Amelia whispered without turning to him. ‘Whatever you are going to do, know I accept you are doing it because it needs doing. My heart belongs to you always.’
She heard the door to the bedroom close and let a tear fall, then squeezed her eyes shut against anymore. She knew who and what Jorge had been before she had met him, but he was no longer that male. Now he was the male that loved her more than life itself and would come back to her just as he left her. She said a quick prayer she was right.
Jorge left the apartment with Tipper by his side. ‘You can remain behind.’
What do you think the likelihood of that is?
‘Not high.’
Smart male.
Matt and Sedeen stood drinking tea as he entered the viewing lounge. Cobalt greeted Tipper as Jorge went to the dispenser and ordered tea for them both. After placing Tipper’s bowl on a low table, he walked to the two silent males. ‘Greetings.’
Matt nodded and yawned as Sedeen said. ‘And to you. Why are we here?’
‘I have something to do and I need you to help me, if you are willing.’
Matt asked. ‘What do you need?’
‘I need you to get me into an apartment and Sedeen, I would like for you and Cobalt to watch our backs.’
Sedeen looked at Matt, who nodded and said. ‘Okay and the reason.’
Jorge drank his tea, then said. ‘I need to kill someone.’
Sedeen grinned as he stared at Jorge, thinking he was joking. As far as he knew Jorge did not kill, it was not that he could not. Every Warrior could and would kill. It was just he and his Uncle Klune had not come across any information or rumors about Jorge doing so. But Matt was not laughing, in fact he was not even smiling.
Sedeen asked half in jest. ‘Okay, is it someone we know?’
‘Jax if you would please.’
Of course Jorge.
He downloaded the information he had retrieved from the drive to their links. When they finished reading, they both nodded and Matt said. ‘Let’s go.’
Jax allowed them access through the Embassy’s security, so it was only a matter of minutes for them to leave. Even this early in the morn the traffic was busy in the city and it took all of Jorge’s concentration to guide the vehicle to their destination.
Ranarra watched their vehicle get swallowed up by the streams of traffic. He grinned as he told the female beside him. ‘Your Commander is up to something.’
Zenerra nodded as she flexed her wings in preparation for an early morn flight. ‘As are both of yours.’
‘Should we give support or report them?’
Zenerra laughed and asked. ‘Since when did we become tattlers?’
‘No need to be rude.’
Zenerra lifted off the Embassy’s roof, her beautiful bronze wings scooping the early morn air to help her rise above the lanes of traffic. Ranarra looked down at Drifter, asking.
‘Stay or go?’
I will join my friends in this clandestine endeavor.
‘What does that mean?’
It is Terran for sneaking.
‘It sounds like something Madam Peyton would say.’
Ranarra was not perturbed that Drifter was educated or that he had a passion for learning. For the first time in his life, he did not feel out of his depth. If he was unsure of what someone meant, Drifter always made sure he understood the meaning behind their words, and the emotions they were spoken wit
h. Sometimes he worried his reliance on Drifter was unfair and their relationship was unbalanced, as Zen would say.
Drifter smiled as he explained where he heard the term. It is exactly what Beloved said after hearing it on a vid.
He was well aware of Ranarra’s thoughts and feelings. What his bondmate did not realize was their relationship was balanced or as balanced as it needed to be. In fact until he bonded with Ranarra he had been alone for the greater part of his life, fighting for every scrap of food or just fighting to remain alive. Like Ranarra, he was an outcast, unlike Ranarra he’d had no family to take comfort from. There are many races who would give anything to have a powerful Prowler like him in their control. Sadly, in his youth, he had been beguiled into believing he was needed and loved by such a race.
After multiple sessions with Telfor, he was able to accept those yentas when he was duped into being someone he was not proud of. He also learned that isolating himself from his bondmate, as he had done for several luneras, was his way of trying to atone for the lives he had taken. He shook those thoughts away and grimaced, it must be the early morn that had him thinking of his past.
He nudged Ranarra, Zen is leaving us behind.
Ranarra grinned and scooped Drifter into his arms and powered up into the sky. Unlike some Prowlers, Drifter loved flying. He knew Ranarra had asked Reeico to design a carrier which would give him a modicum of dignity. Being carried in his bondmates arms like a kit was embarrassing. Not enough to stop him flying, but still he was a Prowler after all.
Ranarra lowered to the street next to Zenerra as he eased Drifter onto his feet. Zenerra snickered at the discomfort on the Prowlers face.
‘Don’t make me take you to the mat, on Drifter’s behalf, sister.’
‘Yeah… yeah!’
‘You know, you sound more and more like Netta.’
‘So I’ve heard from Lucca.’
Ignoring the siblings, Drifter asked. So what is happening?
Zenerra rubbed his ears in part apology and part affection as she told him and Ranarra. Apparently we are watching a sneaky entry into a building.
Ranarra asked her. Do we know why?
Sedeen told them as he and Cobalt moved from the shadows. Because the person inside is a criminal and slaver. He wished to enslave Shodian Lujunn and his daughters or failing that kill them. Our Jorge will not tolerate that.
