Daughter of Ethos

by L M Lacee

  Sadly no one was monitoring the skies on the magnificent security systems, or they would have detected Peyton’s armee arriving and taking over the planet. Which Darby explained to her with what Peyton could only term condemnation for the sloppy security.

  Darby now demanded to know as she stood in front of Peyton with her hands on her hips. ‘What is the point of the high tech, if no one is there to monitor it?’

  Which of course Peyton had no answer for. Jean grinned as she looked between an irritated Darby and a nonplussed Peyton and offered her opinion.

  ‘It’s a shame really, all that technology just going to waste. I think it is only fair to remove it from these people. They obviously have no idea how to look after and use it!’

  Darby’s irritation morphed into smiles as a relieved Peyton quickly agreed. ‘I agree, you should do what you do best and see what is viable to take with us.’

  Melody asked as she walked back into the room. ‘Is that not stealing?’

  Peyton shrugged. ‘We will negotiate a trade or something.’

  With that, Jean and Darby immediately started directing Warriors to set up the systems to hunt for the sleepers as well as dismantle equipment. At the same time the Warriors started bringing the occupants of the house into the dining room. Peyton was a little startled to see that each of the people were cuffed and gagged. She raised her eyebrows at Melody, who shrugged and whispered. ‘Hawk’s orders.’

  Once the Warriors and healers began searching the small planet, they started finding pockets of people hidden in ramshackle villages. Heather and her medical teams were administering aid to any villagers they found. Peyton had seen the vids of the squalor that the few farmers and village people were living in. She was not happy which was signified by the light white glow that emanated from her.

  Netta and a Warrior called Jorge walked into the dining room and Netta softly asked. ‘Madam Peyton could you come with us please.’

  Peyton and her shadow Willian, who had presented himself to her just after they had entered the dwelling saying. ‘Madam, Commanders Hawk and Melody, say I am to shadow you while you are on planet.’

  ‘They did, did they?’ Peyton had asked as she eyed the nervous male. He had swallowed fearfully at her tone and bravely stated. ‘Yes Madam.’

  Peyton immediately softened her voice; Willian had things going on and as yet she had not found out what they were. ‘Alright Willian, thank you.’

  Hesitantly he had nodded then stepped behind her as they entered the dining room. Now she and Willian followed Netta and Jorge who she’d met only the previous day at training. He was a handsome male with long blond hair that had brown pencil stripes streaked throughout. His eye ring was green, and he had several scars over his arms and she assumed body, he had one or two on his face, which did not detract from his rugged good looks. She had taken an instant liking to him, because as she told Darby, the male had a wicked sense of humor.

  They strode down a long hallway into a cavernous room. Obviously the kitchen, it had large stoves and what looked like fridges and cupboards stocked with all kinds of food. There were small rooms with meat and vegetables or what she guessed were vegetables in storage containers, the likes of which she had never seen before. It was as if the object inside the containers were held in suspended animation. She twirled around slowly looking at everything and asked Willian. ‘Please comm` the ship and have Chef Helen come down.’

  ‘Yes Madam.’ He started talking into his link as he moved away from her.

  Netta asked her. ‘Where is your link, did you lose it?’

  ‘No, it is broken again. Darby is looking at it.’

  Several Warriors stood holding blasters on four males and six females, all seemed tall with dark gray skin. Jorge rumbled out when he noticed where she was looking. ‘Janersan servants from Jenersar.’

  ‘Thank you Warrior Jorge.’

  All ten were laid stretched out on the floor cuffed and gagged as well. Peyton looked to where Netta and Jorge now stood waiting. Her jaw almost hit the floor when Netta moved aside and she saw what they had been standing in front of. A ceiling to floor large cage with six young children imprisoned within. Peyton glowed a little more as she walked over to the cage. ‘Why have they not been released?’

  Netta replied. ‘We are not sure they won’t run away. We opened the door, and one of the taller ones, took off. Jorge just managed to grab him. They are quick.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘We are not sure they can understand Coalition, they have not spoken yet.’

  ‘Well that is rude, and I will not tolerate that.’

  She said softly to the six children. ‘Greetings, little ones.’

  They all scowled at her but still refused to speak. There seemed to be two small girls and four boys, all ranging in age from three or four to ten yentas old. The two taller boys stood in front of the younger ones.

  Each of the children were covered with a fine tan colored fur, their eyes were narrow and golden, combined with their small pointed ears and stubby tails they were adorable. ‘We do not recognize their species,’ Jorge stated, ‘maybe the Commander will?’

  Peyton said. ‘They are Raparthen.’

  All the Warriors looked shocked or as shocked as they were willing to show. Jorge murmured. ‘Amazing! I have heard of them but never seen any. How did they end up here I wonder?’

  ‘A question, I will be sure to ask. For now we can find some things out from these little ones.’

  Netta said. ‘Good luck with that!’

  Peyton growled, then she addressed the taller of the boys. ‘Do you speak Coalition?’

  ‘Why should we tell you?’ Snarled the boy in Coalition.

  ‘Well, that answered that!’ Netta grinned as the boy growled when he realized he had spoken and let it slip they not only understood but spoke Coalition.

  Peyton said gently. ‘I am Madam Peyton. These are my Warriors, who are you from?’

  Shocked that this pale female knew how to ask after their pack, the same boy answered readily. ‘We are from the Xindray.’

  ‘Well, I think you need to go home. They must be very concerned with your disappearance.’

  His only reply was to nod as the other five did. Turning to Willian when he moved closer she said. ‘We need to locate a children’s healer, and they need food, find out when Helen is coming please.’

  ‘Yes Madam.’

  Turning back to the children she told them. ‘We will contact your pack if we can and tell them we have you. We have a healer who will examine you.’ She pointed at them, stating. ‘You will allow this without scratching or biting. Now if we release you, will you stay?’

  The other tall boy sneered. ‘Why should we trust you? You are not Xindray.’

  Before she could answer Jorge snarled back. ‘She is the Star Daughter, show respect!’

  They immediately dropped to their knees as Peyton looked from them to the Warrior and whined. ‘Jorge, why did you do that?’

  Netta snickered. ‘Whining, so funny!’

  Which made Peyton instantly halt the next words hovering on her tongue as Jorge answered without expression. ‘It just slipped out Madam.’

  ‘Well shoot… not you Warriors!’ She said quickly to the Warriors guarding the prisoners as she saw their fingers start to twitch. ‘It is an expression, my bad!’ She explained, blowing a breath out as Netta grinned, especially when Peyton rolled her eyes.

  She returned her attention to the caged children. ‘So pups will you stay? We have a very good cook coming who will feed you, I swear.’

  She asked Willian, without turning her head from the children. ‘Is Helen on her way?’

  He had no time to answer as Esther, Helen, Brenda and Esther’s cousins, Amelia and Karen entered the kitchen. Both sisters had the same brown hair with red highlights and sky-blue eyes, each of them were very much the modern Italian females in their early thirties and did not really look anything like Esther. Karen was taller by a few in
ches to Amelia’s five-foot-five and both had trim athletic figures.

  ‘We are here and oh my… what a kitchen.’ Helen said as she and everyone with her did what Peyton had done, turn around in circles taking in the large room. They bypassed the people on the floor as they moved toward Peyton, Netta and Jorge. Esther spotted the children in the cage and asked. ‘Madam Peyton, who are these little ones and why are they in a cage?’

  There was an edge to Esther’s voice, causing Peyton to sigh before she explained. ‘I have not got to that yet. We are still at the stage of making sure they do not try to scamper away, when released.’

  Amelia walked up beside her aunt and looked inside the cage at the children. ‘Listen up, my name is Lady Amelia, you will not leave here and will remain with Chef Helen, myself and Ladies Esther and Karen. Do I make myself clear?’

  Awed by her demand and tone that sounded exactly like their mothers, they all bowed and quickly said.

  ‘Yes, Lady Amelia.’

  ‘Good, we will treat you and feed you, and Madam Peyton will make sure your families are notified that you are with us.’ She nodded to Jorge. ‘The door, please Warrior.’

  Jorge stilled, his heart he was sure had ceased to beat, then all of a sudden both hearts started to beat at once. Something that had never happened before.

  ‘Oh dearle!’ Peyton asked. ‘Amelia, have you read what can happen when a Warrior meets his mate?’

  Amelia frowned as she lifted her eyes from the children to Peyton’s. ‘Yes, why?’

  Peyton turned her eyes to Jorge whose face was darkening as Netta pointed and said. ‘You might want to do something about that?’

  Esther nudged her. ‘Amelia, hurry?’

  ‘Wha…’ Her voice died away when she spied Jorge, whose eyes were locked on her and in their depths she read desperation and hope. Walking swiftly to him she took his face in her hands and said. Breathe… breathe, what the hayda is his name?’

  ‘Jorge Torron’ Peyton answered with a straight face although her eyes were filled with laughter as were Netta’s.

  Amelia softly stroked his face. ‘Breathe for me, Jorge, please breathe.’

  At the touch of her hands, he started to breathe in great gulps of air. His hands covered hers, holding them against his face. ‘I did not know… they told us it was possible… forgive me for not believing.’

  He looked toward Peyton, who waved his apology away. ‘Do not trouble yourself.’

  She looked around at the other Warriors whose expressions ranged from desperation to hope. ‘We always believe for you!’ As one they turned to her, she softly assured them. ‘We always will.’

  Amelia had not removed her hands from her mate, stroking his face as her eyes devoured every feature that was rapidly becoming dear to her. ‘I don’t know what to say. I never thought I would be so blessed as to find someone just for me.’

  Peyton said. ‘Jorge, please take your mate up to the Warship.’

  They both turned to her with identical expressions on their faces. ‘I do not mean immediately, when the children are ready to go. I need you to get a place ready for them. Look up their species they have specific needs, and it seems you have made an impression.’

  They all looked at the children, who had yet to remove their eyes from Amelia and Jorge. ‘So get them settled, Helen will feed them here first. Amelia look up their food requirements please.’

  She looked at all six pups and said sternly said.

  ‘So pups when you have been fed, you will go with Lady Amelia and her mate Warrior Jorge to the Warship and when you are there, you will bathe.’

  Their eyes rounded in horror at the term bathe, and one or two of the younger ones softly howled. Peyton told Amelia. ‘Raparthen children do not like water at least to bathe in.’

  She glowed as she told the children sternly. ‘You. Will. Bathe!’

  They bowed their heads. ‘Yes, Star Daughter.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘How do you know so much about them?’ Amelia asked her.

  ‘Oh, some information is downloading from the Star Child. This was just one of those bits of information floating around.’

  Amelia said faintly. ‘Right… yeah, that would do it.’

  Peyton gave her quick grin then said. ‘So are we all clear here? Jorge make sure they are seen in medical and that the healer has researched them. Preferably before they go poking around or else they will get bitten, these pups have sharp teeth.’

  ‘As you wish Madam.’

  Peyton said to Helen ‘Would there be any…’

  ‘Send the boy in ten.’

  ‘Thank you, I treasure you every day!’ Peyton stated cheekily as Helen returned. ‘Oh go on with you.’

  She laughed as she made her way back to the dining room with Netta and Willian.

  FORTY:

  Five people sat facing a very angry Star Daughter, they were all from Jenersar. Three of the five were obviously related, evidenced by the shape of their faces and their light gray eyes. Peyton bet the black-haired female with the intricate hairstyle was the sister to the brothers who wore their hair in long braids, all of them were dressed in expensive clothes.

  The other male was almost a twin to Thanikis although Peyton thought he may be younger. He carried more muscle than his brother did, but was definitely not as pretty. Here was another Jenerika male who seemed to have a sense of entitlement about him, or at least that was what he projected by the sneer he wore. She would not have thought it was possible that the two brothers could be as arrogant as each other.

  She couldn’t help but notice this brother’s hair style was very short, almost military fashion as opposed to Thanikis’s long hair, she wondered if it was because this brother thought of himself as a Warrior, it was something to think about later.

  The other female looked like none of the other four leading Peyton to think maybe she was mate to one of the males. Her clothes were of good quality and fit her slim body well. She had hair that was blue-black and shoulder length, it suited her long face and high cheek bones well. Her copper colored eyes were a surprise but again they suited her and added to her overall beauty. Sadly she also seemed to have a sense of entitlement about her, although it appeared she was trying to hide it.

  Hawk had taken one look at the five people and stopped Peyton on her way into the dining room, telling her, the short haired male was Thanikis brother. Then he had softly told her. ‘You should know I do know the female between the two males on the left. Once I considered her a friend.’

  ‘And now?’

  ‘No.’

  Peyton nodded and walked into the dining room, leaving him staring after her. Melody asked him.

  ‘What did you think she was going to say?’

  ‘That I should excuse myself to the Warship.’

  ‘Why the hell would she say that?’

  ‘Because of what she was to me.’

  ‘Hey, it’s not your fault you had bad judgment.’

  Hawk looked into her smiling eyes and sighed. ‘That is true.’

  Melody nodded as she told him. ‘We were all young and stupid once.’

  ‘That is true as well.’

  ‘I know sometimes so stupid it’s amazing we are alive.’

  ‘Sadly, that is very true.’

  Peyton decided she would interrogate the prisoners with only her female Warriors present. Especially after Hawks revelation also, it seemed unfair to subject the Warriors to their former masters from Jenersar.

  Netta told her Darby had gone to the basement and was trying to unlock coded vaults. Much to his annoyance she had sent Willian to assist her, hoping to keep him out of the room as well. He had not been pleased about her decision but with Melody and Netta assuring him they would not leave her, he had subsided.

  Peyton sat now with her hands clasped together resting on the table, a cup of coffee beside her compliments of Helen who was raiding the kitchen.

  Brenda and Esther were feeding the young Rapart
hen and the small populace from the villages.

  Peyton’s people sat on either side of her or stood around the room, she pointed to Thanikis brother. ‘I am the Star Daughter; you will address me as such, explain to me who you all are?’

  With a nod from Peyton, Netta removed the males gag as soon as she stepped away from him he snarled.

  ‘I am Sether Jenerika, brother to Emperor Uthar of Jenersar, this is my mate Orotha.’ He indicated the woman sitting beside him, who Peyton thought was a sister to the other males.

  Peyton nodded. ‘I see and these other people?’

  ‘My mate’s family, her older brother Meins Thomsfar, his mate Celinna and Orotha’s younger brother Fantha Thomsfar. I demand to know why you are here.’

  Peyton raised her eyebrows and answered. ‘You have something of mine.’

  ‘I highly doubt it. This is not the sort of planet that has other people’s possessions hidden away and why did you not comm` to ask for whatever you imagine is here. Was this show of force necessary?’

  ‘Yes, most definitely it was warranted. Because I believe you would have lied if I had just comm’d and asked you to return what I was looking for. You did not ask what I was looking for.’

  ‘I do not care, we do not have it. This is a world used entirely for hunting.’

  ‘Ahh! Now which of the brothers likes hunting?’

  All of a sudden he seemed to lose the will to speak although his eyes spoke volumes. With a quick look at the other four, she noticed like Sether their eyes showed a brief flash of panic, then it was gone hidden behind veils of indifference as all four looked at her and remained quiet.

  Peyton drummed her fingers on the table and asked. ‘Nothing to say Sether Jenerika?’

  He shook his head causing her to sigh and say. ‘Commander Melody, his arm please.’ She mind-sent. The younger one.