Daughter of Ethos

by L M Lacee

  Hesitantly he said. ‘Commander, I... I think it would be better to go through the walls.’

  ‘They are underground?’ Peyton asked him with a confused look.

  ‘Yes, but structurally…’ He started to say when she held her hand up.

  The Warrior stood braced for condemnation or outright punishment, knowing he should not have spoken and awaiting his banishment to the Warship overhead, instead he heard her ask. ‘What is your name Warrior?’

  ‘Kolin Matewe, Madam.’

  ‘Are you an engineer Warrior Kolin?’

  ‘I studied Madam.’

  ‘So the answer is yes, Warrior Kolin.’

  ‘Yes Madam.’

  ‘Thank goodness, anyone else you can ask for help?’ Surprised he just nodded his head.

  ‘Alright then, Warrior Kolin, explain it to Commander Hawk. I am sure he will be pleased for all the help you and the others can give him and the sleepers. Thank you Warrior Kolin for speaking up. You have probably saved us time, but more importantly we will now not be forced into extreme measures to make sure we leave no one behind.’

  Stunned he said nothing but his eyes as he looked at Hawk spoke volumes. Unaware of what she had done by praising Warrior Kolin for making his voice heard. Peyton had just giving voice to all the Warriors, now they would feel free to speak. Hesitantly at first, Hawk knew but it would become easier. His males had never before been asked or offered a chance to be free with their thoughts or words. He now saw a whole new world opening up for them.

  Willian and Trina walked into the room as Peyton greeted them. ‘Next, Willian and Trina how goes it?’

  Trina said. ‘We have two hundred people, mainly females helping us. We really have no idea what is good or valuable and what is not, so Willian and I have decided to take everything and sort it out later. The females are packing as we speak and we have the Warriors lifting and carrying the heavy things, thank goodness for that. Oh! And we have a recorder for each room, listing the items before they are packed. We should be finished by tomorrow night. Half the vaults are done already.’

  ‘Wow! You guys are great, ask for more people please. See if we can hurry that along. I would really like that done by tonight. So as many people as you need, I will leave that with you two.’

  ‘Yes Madam.’

  ‘Next, Darby comm` the ships, we need several people to come down and get the tech. I saw little cleaning robots, I like them. We should get more of those.’

  ‘Done.’

  She and Helen started talking quietly together as Heather said. ‘I am helping with the villages if you need me, then I am going up to the ship.’

  ‘Thank you Heather. Anything else?’ Peyton asked the room in general.

  Hawk asked. ‘The Turquall?’

  ‘Will be coming with us, we will make sure they get where they need to go. I think that is all for now, let’s get going folks, we are on the clock.’

  Heather said. ‘I will explain that.’ As she and the others left the room.

  Peyton grinned at Melody and nodded to Janet, as Netta and Kerol brought the prisoners in from the kitchen. ‘Thank you Captains, remain please if you have nowhere else to be. Kerol if you wish to stay please do so, if it is too much, I will excuse you.’

  He smiled, his gentle smile, the one they were coming to associate with him. ‘Madam, I think it is better for me to be here, instead of the Commander.’

  ‘I see, well if you wobble tell Netta.’

  ‘Yes, Madam.’ He replied hesitantly, Netta quickly explained what Peyton meant as they took up positions on either side of Darby who was once again sitting behind her computer. Monitoring and directing her technicians.

  FORTY-THREE:

  The prisoners from the kitchen were lined up. Peyton turned her attention to them and watched the eyes of the ten people and felt her anger resurface, when not one of them looked remorseful. They seemed only to be fearful, maybe she thought, that was what happened when you were used to servitude. Switching back to Coalition, she directed Netta. ‘Captain Netta, please release their gags.’

  She waited while Netta slit each gag with her ten-inch blade much to the prisoner’s absolute horror and Melody’s amusement. Which she showed by rolling her eyes at Peyton, who hid her smile.

  When Netta had completed her task and moved away, Peyton asked. ‘I am the Star Daughter, which of you is the housekeeper?’

  No one answered or moved, Peyton sighed as she looked at Melody. ‘Commander, if you would please?’

  Without hesitation, Melody shot the leg of a male standing at the end of the line. He crumpled to the floor screaming in pain. Peyton raised her voice to be heard over his yelling. ‘Now answer my question, which of you is the Housekeeper?’

  Still no one answered, even though she could read more fear on their faces mixed with hate. She told the remaining nine, as the five royals watched from their seats at the end of the room.

  ‘The next one, will result in a death.’

  A youngish looking female stepped forward, she was well muscled with large shoulders and a long, square body. She had long, blunt fingers. Peyton bet she could make nice bread, kneading dough with those strong arms and hands it would be a snap.

  She was not as beautiful as the other females, due mainly to her square face and stone gray hair pulled up into a top knot. Her hard dark eyes held hatred and derision as she looked at Peyton, when she finally spoke, her voice was at complete odds to her outward appearance it was smooth and cultured.

  ‘I am the housekeeper.’

  Darby sat behind her screens, her eyes hard and her lips held tightly together as she read the notice of an uncovered grave with bodies and bones of children inside. She tapped out the report and handed it to Netta, who skimmed it and her hand shook as anger surged within her. Darby steadied her with a brush of her hand. ‘Calm Netta.’

  She gave a jerky nod and walked to Peyton, placing the tablet on the table beside her, then returned to her position next to Darby who smiled and mouthed. Okay. Netta let out a breath and mouthed back. Yep.

  ‘Housekeeper, explain why there were young Raparthen in a cage in the kitchen. Please do not lie or you will be dead before your body hits the floor, do not doubt my intent. Remember I still have nine others to get my answers from, so far I have been tolerant but from the way my people are acting, that may not last, so I advise you talk truth. NOW!’

  The prisoners all jerked when she yelled and the female hurriedly answered. ‘We use them for the hunters, Star Daughter.’

  ‘Explain?’

  ‘The hunters like them to run errands and do other things for them.’

  ‘I see and the cage?’

  ‘The Master only brought these ones two days ago, they will run if you let them out too early.’

  ‘You have much experience with Raparthen?’

  ‘Yes Star Daughter, the Empress and Mistress Orotha likes them.’

  ‘Where did your master get them from?’

  ‘I do not know, I am only the housekeeper.’

  ‘You are related are you not, to the royal house?’

  Reluctantly she nodded her head, Peyton stared at the female as she drummed her fingers on the table.

  ‘I see and what happens when the Raparthen’s usefulness is over.’

  The housekeeper clenched her hands tightly along with her jaw as sweat appeared on her face. Peyton kept her gaze on hers until she lowered her head but not before Peyton saw the spark of fear in her eyes and tonelessly said. ‘Well, that explains that. Tell me about all the food in the kitchen, is that for the family who are here now?’

  The housekeeper wiped her face with her cuffed hands as she replied, ‘Yes Star Daughter.’

  ‘A lot of food for only five people and ten staff, were you expecting more hunters?’

  ‘I am unsure Star Daughter, I was not told.’

  ‘You live on this world?’

  ‘Yes, we came at the request of the Emperor and Empress.’


  ‘How long have your masters owned this world?’

  ‘Twenty-five yentas.’

  ‘You have been here twenty-five yentas?’

  She nodded her head slowly. Peyton eyed the female with distaste, as she quietly asked. ‘What happened to the people on the planet when you came here?’

  ‘I do not know Star Daughter.’

  ‘Yeah, you do? Commander if you would.’

  Melody shot the female standing next to the housekeeper, in the leg, they all screamed and the housekeeper dropped to her knees next to the screaming female, crying. ‘Miggie! Oh, Miggie!’

  Peyton’s voice whipped across all their senses and made them cringe. ‘Enough! Stand housekeeper.’

  With one more look at the prone female she stood with her head up and her eyes filled with hatred as Peyton demanded. ‘One more chance housekeeper, what happened to the people of the planet?’

  ‘They were hunted!’ She snarled the answer at Peyton who calmly asked. ‘Did you hunt housekeeper?’

  She nodded her head angrily. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Did everyone here hunt?’

  Tears ran down the housekeeper's face for her friend or from anger, Peyton was unable to tell and truthfully did not care. Her own anger was barely held in check. Finally, the female answered. ‘I cannot say, Star Daughter.’

  Peyton’s eyes traveled the group and saw nothing but fear on their faces and hatred in their eyes. Knowing she was not going to learn anything more from the female or by asking questions of the others, she asked Netta. ‘Captain Netta could you take some Warriors take them to the cells below please?’

  ‘As you wish Madam.’

  Netta signaled five of her Warriors and they surrounded the shaken prisoners. She then motioned with her blaster to the remaining staff who were standing and said with contempt as she pointed her blaster to the two lying on the floor.

  ‘Help them up. I realize it is a concept you are unfamiliar with, but you get my plan here.’

  When none of the Warriors offered to help them, the staff struggled with their bound hands to lift the wounded people up. Finally, two males managed to lift the unconscious male between them and the housekeeper helped the female with the bleeding leg to stand. They all shuffled toward the door with Netta and the Warriors surrounding them.

  ‘Commander Melody, if you would, please.’ Peyton asked as she opened the tablet to the report Darby had Netta deliver to her. Melody and Kerol, watched by the remaining Warriors advanced on the other prisoners.

  The two males previously shot, had ceased to bleed but the pain while not gone had diminished to a tolerable level. While the interrogation of their housekeeper had taken place, they had remained silent and watchful the males fearfully, the females in shock.

  Melody and Kerol must have looked intimidating, or they were just terrified of Melody. Whichever it was, they stood as soon as they came close to them and scuttled over to the chairs that Kerol indicated at the table.

  Darby knew the exact moment Peyton read the report and understood what she was reading, the air seemed to get sucked from the room, Warriors dropped to their knees as Melody and Kerol found themselves on the floor on their hands and knees as they fought to pull air into their lungs. The seated prisoners started hyperventilating behind their gags. Darby kept herself sitting upright by clinging to the table as she wheezed and croaked out. ‘Star Daughter, please?’

  Deep wells of black space with flames looked back at her from Peyton’s pale face. ‘Peyton hon’, you are glowing!’ Darby could barely get the words out but the silliness of her statement, seemed to be enough.

  The pressure was instantly released but Peyton’s eyes remained those of the Star Daughters, she did however smile and say. ‘Thank you.’

  The prisoners panted hard behind their gags as, everyone gasped for air, minutes later, Melody Kerol and the Warriors managed to regain their feet. Fear lived in the hearts of all within the Star Daughter’s sight.

  When Melody and Kerol moved to where Darby was sitting, she showed them the report. Kerol stilled when he read it as his hands clenched into fists, Melody hung her head and clenched her own hands in anger.

  At a signal from Peyton, Janet cut away the re-tied bonds and gags from the prisoners. She watched them for a minute with eyes that belonged to the Star Daughter, and then demanded. ‘Who will speak for you?’

  ‘I will.’ Sether Jenerika stated without even conferring with the others.

  ‘Explain to me Sether Jenerika. Why I do not have you killed where you sit?’

  ‘May we have something to drink?’

  ‘No!’

  ‘I think…’

  ‘Shoot him!’

  Melody drew her blaster at the command. Sether held his hands up as the others all drew in sharp breaths.

  ‘No... No... Star Daughter, stay your anult woue’s hand.’

  Melody re-holstered her blaster and smiled as she asked Kerol. ‘Was that an insult?’

  ‘Yes,’

  Darby told her. ‘It means attack dog.’

  ‘Huh! As insults go, that was mild.’

  Peyton ignored her sisters as they smirked at the male, then cautioned him. ‘Be very careful, Sether Jenerika, my patience has run out.’

  He shrugged nonchalantly. ‘I am the Emperor’s favorite brother.’ He said this with a sneer then nodding to Kerol he told her. ‘The Warrior here will tell you this is true. If you take our lives, you will force our Emperor into a war you will not win and one the universe may never recover from.’

  ‘I see.’ Peyton said as she tipped her head to the side. ‘One question for you though, truly just a small one for you to answer. Who will he used to fight his war?’

  Sether’s eyes shifted back to the Kerol then to Peyton as he lied. ‘He has Warriors on Jenersar who will fight for their Emperor.’

  ‘Captain Kerol is that true?’

  Kerol gave his head a slight shake in the negative as he blandly looked at the five prisoners. ‘No Madam, there are no Warriors left on Jenersar.’ He mind-sent to her. We still have people sympathetic to us, looking for any sleepers still hidden there.

  Peyton responded with surprise. On Jenersar! They would not have kept them there. Well, I wouldn’t, but then they are very arrogant and stupid.

  Kerol nodded with a smile. Peyton raised her eyebrows and said. ‘As you heard Sether, you have been out of touch for too long. There are no Warriors remaining on Jenersar and none your Emperor can pit against me.’

  ‘You and your woue lie!’

  ‘Why would we?’

  Sether had no comment to that because he knew she did not lie. Only the day before Uthar had reached out to him, explaining the position he was in and demanding he and his family return home. Which they had planned to do in three days.

  When he did not speak, Peyton asked him. ‘I wonder if your brother every came here to hunt, he does not seem the type but one never knows.’

  ‘No, and if you know of Thanikis, you know he is a very powerful member of the Coalition.’

  ‘Duly noted, did he?’

  ‘No, he never did.’

  ‘Did your brother, the Emperor ever visit and hunt on this world?’

  ‘No, my brother never did.’

  ‘His Empress?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Why do you lie Sether?’

  ‘I do not lie!’

  ‘Your brother must be very powerful and honorable for you to protect him as you do?’

  Sether moved a little as he let his eyes travel over her noting the changes to her appearance, almost by rote he stated. ‘He is more powerful than some trumped up pretender of a Star Daughter. Surely it would have behoved the world you come from, to understand our Emperor better. To think he will be taken in by someone who wears the persona of a mythical being is ludicrous. The Star Daughter.’

  Peyton smiled and ignored his infantile attempt to enrage her. Even though he had already seen what she would do and the changes she had undergone, h
e seemed to be very sure she would not kill him or his family. The thought crossed her mind, that maybe he convinced himself, they had been affected by some kind of mind-altering magic or technological wizardry. His next words seemed to say she was right. When he smirked and asked. ‘What planet do you come from, anyway?’

  ‘Maikonia.’

  He raised an eyebrow and mocked. ‘I have never heard of it, another myth perhaps?’

  ‘Did any other member of your family ever hunt on this world?’

  Sether made himself comfortable in his chair, so sure of his position as brother to the Emperor. His whole bearing became one of royalty humoring a servant, knowing she would never understand the way of a superior. ‘No one has hunted here. I do not know what you think you have found or what you assume this planet is used for but whatever it is, you are wrong. We vacation here, this is all we do.’

  ‘Yet we already have heard that there is hunting. Why I wonder, do you insist on hiding that fact?’

  ‘Was that a question?’

  Peyton sighed, then asked. ‘Why are there Raparthen pups here?’

  He shrugged and looked bored even as he felt a bead of sweat roll down his spine. How did she know what race the pups were? Raparthen were almost extinct, he only happened upon them on occasion when he was in the right place at the right time. Which sadly only happened infrequently ‘We trade for them, they work for a period of time. Their parents allow this for remuneration of course.’

  Peyton smiled at the blatant lie. ‘So they are returned to their packs?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘And the Turquall and Sene?’

  ‘Guests, we have them occasionally.’

  ‘I see.’

  Before she could ask anything else, he smiled and said. ‘I think you have been misled, probably by this one.’ He indicated Kerol. ‘Or the renegade Roeah who is always running his own agenda.’ He sneered as he looked around at the Warriors and Darby, his eyes lingering on Melody as he said. ‘You know they are useless for anything other than killing. It was all they were created for, death! If you don’t keep a tight leash on them, you may find your throats slit in the middle of the night or your pretty little scallut.’ He sneered at Melody. ‘Could find herself having to look for another bed partner, one with more…Ahh, height to her.’