Daughter of Ethos

by L M Lacee

  Peyton grinned and held her hand out to secure the deal. Hawk had told her that traders completed deals with handshakes which were binding, more so than written contracts although they still used them.

  Peyton grinned as she said. ‘Twenty-five percent has a nice sound to it. Congratulations Rose, you are the new sole traders for Maikonia.’

  Rose smiled as they shook hands. Peyton asked. ‘You will draw up the contract?’

  ‘Oh, you would trust me to do that?’

  ‘Yes why not? This way you can make sure you put in all the clauses.’

  ‘What clauses?’ She asked suspiciously.

  ‘Clauses, like bonuses if you are off planet and housing as well as trading offices, stuff like that.’

  ‘I can do that.’

  ‘Good, you want to make sure you have everything in writing. What about your brother and sister whose name is?’

  ‘Miko and they trust me to negotiate for them.’

  ‘Alright Rose, have you a tablet?’

  ‘Yes healer…’

  ‘Please, just call her Heather. There will be no disrespect taken, we do not stand on ceremony around here.’

  ‘Oh, what do I call you?’

  ‘Peyton or Madam Peyton and on occasion, Star Daughter or Star Child!’

  At her bemused look, Peyton smiled. ‘You will figure it out. So tablet.’

  Rose tapped it open and started to take notes as Peyton spoke. ‘So, we are at twenty-five percent for you and your brother and sister. You will be the only trading house for Maikonia, at present you have two partners, please take on employees if you need them. We can negotiate their income and benefits later. I would prefer you select employees from our people but if you have to go outside of them, please notify me first. You will be my chief trader.’

  Rose lifted her head from the tablet slowly as the honor of being the most powerful trader on Maikonia registered. Peyton asked. ‘What… you will be, right?’

  Swallowing Rose inclined her head and faintly replied. ‘Yes, I will.’

  ‘Your brother Frand will be our pilot trader and Miko is I assume a trader.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘You get a clothing allowance, and we will provide you with housing and offices as I said. Also, cargo ships and a cruiser for trading.’

  ‘Peyton, you do not know us?’

  Peyton looked at the female across from her and softly said. ‘So chief trader Rose of Maikonia, tell me about the Leesungha young?’

  Rose sipped her tea as she marshalled her thoughts into order. ‘I am the eldest next is Frand, Miko is the youngest. We are all of age, and we are all…’

  ‘Wait!’ Peyton held her hand up. ‘Where is Miko?’

  Rose smiled. ‘She is safe with my Parta Savo and Unta Teelu.’

  ‘Good, now what do traders consider of age?’

  ‘Thirty yentas. Miko reached maturity four

  luneras ago.’

  ‘Thank you, continue, please.’

  ‘As I told you our papa, he has passed through the gates to trader paradise, only our darma.’ At Peyton’s raised eyebrows she smiled and told her. ‘That is trader for mother.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘As I said our darma remains alive, she is of the Undinly family. Our darma wishes us all to join with members of her extended family, papa he did not. We are all like my papa and have refused to join with her family. I wish to travel and trade. Frand loves being a pilot like Parta Savo, Miko…’ She sighed. ‘Miko wishes to remain on a world, she does not like space, she finds it very difficult and unfortunately this is not our darma’s people’s way. They will not allow us to follow our own desires. If we stayed with them, we would be under their rules, their control. So we left, Miko went to our parta and unta’s ship and Frand and I traveled to trade. With the credits we already had saved, Frand obtained the ship you saw, and we were on our way to our sixth trade when we met with Inferr. I need to tell you, Peyton. We needed to trade to have enough credits so we could request the trader’s guild to name us as our own house. Then they cannot force us to join with our darma’s family house and live a life we do not want. So this is the type of trading people you have.’

  Peyton smiled at the worried female. ‘Rose, did you look at the people on this ship? Look at me we are all your type of people.’

  ‘Wait, Peyton, you do not care that my darma and her family will be most displeased. The guild gave us only four luneras to succeed, and that was up over a weken ago.’

  ‘Oh, Rose no, look at who you have made an agreement with. We are renegades, rebels, castques and some of our people have run from their home planets. Others from a fate they did not want. Our Warriors have done both. This is what we are doing right now, I am so very glad you are here with us.’

  Rose sighed then nodded. ‘Alright, we are where we are meant to be, our papa always said that.’

  ‘Good, so now that is out of the way, a serious question.’

  ‘Yes Peyton.’

  ‘When you were in medical, what did you see?’

  ‘Very old equipment. I would assume the whole ship is the same.’

  ‘I am sure the other ships in our fleet are as old. If we had the credits, could you update and replace our equipment?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Alright open your tablet to Trina’s entry.’

  As she did Peyton explained. ‘On that list is everything we appropriated from a recent excursion.’

  At her look of suspicion, Peyton said. ‘Nothing like that, it was compensation for the hiding of our Warriors. We did not steal it. We are not thsieons!’

  ‘I am sorry, it was wrong of me to even have those suspicions.’ Rose sighed. ‘I have met many peoples who have no scruples, and it has made me suspicious of everyone. Forgive my assumptions I did not truly think you were.’

  Peyton smiled. ‘Alright, Rose we are good people and I am sorry your experiences have soured you but trust us, trust yourself. You know in your trader heart who to trust and who not to. I know your papa taught you well. Do not forget those lessons. They will help you soar.’

  Rose brushed at her eyes. ‘How do you know that about my papa?’

  ‘I have met his daughter, a brave loyal fighter who is a wonderful female, and a person I hope will become my friend.’

  Rose sat back in her seat as she smiled in delight. ‘Oh, I have never had a friend before; traders do not socialize for anything other than trading.’

  ‘Well those days are over, sometimes that is all we do here. So back to business, could you go through the goods and see if there is anything of value there please?’

  ‘I can.’

  ‘Wonderful, I need you to obtain for me one specific piece of equipment, if you could look for it right away. I have the credits for it. Truthfully I would like more than one but if one is all we can afford right now, that will be okay. What I want is this.’ She showed her a pic on her tablet of the item she wanted purchased immediately.

  Rose smiled as she told her. ‘Oh I know where I can get this.’ She looked at Peyton and worried her bottom lip with her teeth, then said. ‘Peyton these are very experimental and very expensive but I may know of another that is very similar and not as costly.’

  ‘Will they work as well as this one?’

  ‘Better probably.’

  ‘That is wonderful. Rose I would ask that you do not talk of this to anyone please, this is between you and me only.’

  ‘I understand, I will do as you say.’

  ‘Thank you. So this is what we will do, you will draw up the contract and I will introduce you to a female named Darby. Together you both can make sure there is everything we will both be happy with in it. Then we will contact your relations. Miko needs to come home to be with her sister and brother and when she and your family are here. We will contact your darma and her family and then you may notify the trader’s guild you need your own house. If they give you any problems. I will speak to them.’

  Rose
grinned as she said. ‘No need, Parta Savo and Unta Teelu are members of the guild. All will be well now we are secure as traders for a world.’

  ‘Well, that is good. I want the contract all signed and sealed before we notify your darma. So comm` your parta first, have him meet us as soon possible please.’

  ‘I will do that now.’

  ‘Have you been assigned a cabin?’

  ‘No, I came from medical.’

  ‘Wait then, please?’ Peyton tapped her new link and amazingly it actually worked. So far she had been through seven links. Darby had been unable to find the fault on her last link which annoyed her so much she had given it to Peyton for her to dismantle. It was possible she told her that she may find the fault. Peyton was honestly happy with that reasoning she had her trusty screwdriver all ready to go to work when she got a free minute. Willian was already up and dressed for the day when he answered her summons.

  ‘Greetings, Madam Peyton. How can I help you?’

  ‘Greetings, Willian, how are you this morn?’

  ‘Well, thank you, Madam.’

  ‘You are up early?’

  ‘It is 0600 Madam!’

  ‘It is? Amazing how time has flown. I have comm’d you because I need a cabin for trader Rose and her sister Miko and a connecting one for her brother. So would it be possible for you to tell me who I talk to about that?’

  ‘Normally you would talk to Warrior Warri or Jorge, but I can manage that for you now, Madam.’

  ‘Are you sure, you will not be upsetting anyone?’

  ‘No, Madam, I will not. Where is trader Rose?’

  She asked Rose, ‘Where do you want to meet Warrior Willian?’

  ‘In medical please, I wish to check on Frand.’

  ‘In medical please Willian.’

  ‘As you wish Madam. I am on my way.’

  ‘Thank you Willian, make sure you eat please.’

  ‘As you say Madam.’

  He disconnected as she looked at Rose. ‘He will not, can you tell the healer on duty they will make sure he eats?’

  Rose studied the female before her, a small pale female who had hair that was startling white and so long it almost reached the floor. She was not the classical beauty that Rose had seen throughout the galaxy, but she was beautiful. It shined from within and enveloped all those around her, drawing them into her humor, her heart and needar.

  Rose knew that this female cared deeply about her, her family and about a Warrior who was just one of thousands. For the first time since her papa’s death, she felt her heart and needar, that something that made her Rose, relax and become balanced once more. ‘I will Madam.’

  ‘No.’ Peyton cut her off. ‘Please Rose, you were calling me Peyton a min ago, friends and family call me Peyton when we are alone. Apparently Madam is for other times,’ She sighed, ‘and for Warriors who do not remember to call me Peyton.’

  Rose bowed her head as she quickly came to a decision. ‘Thank you Peyton, and you should probably know for Warriors. This title of Madam is a sign of rank as well as respect. They will not call you Peyton easily.’

  Peyton looked at her blankly for a minute then blinked several times before saying. ‘Oh, now why did they not just tell me that, because that makes sense… they should have just told me?’

  Rose smiled at her annoyed tone, returning to the subject of Willian, she told Peyton. ‘I will nag Willian. I am good at that, ask Miko and Frand.’

  FIFTY-FOUR:

  Later that morning, Darby was in the dining room with Esther, Helen, and Brenda. Peyton and Netta entered as Darby called out. ‘Speech time!’

  ‘Already, are you sure?’ Peyton asked with a sigh, she had forgotten she was giving another speech, not that she would let Darby know that.

  ‘Yes, now get ready.’ Esther told her as she followed Darby, Helen, and Brenda out the door.

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’ Peyton grumbled as she turned with Netta and walked slowly to the war room where everyone was waiting.

  ‘Cheer up, it could be worse.’ Netta consoled her cheerfully.

  ‘How?’

  ‘How the hayda would I know. It’s just what you say when someone is miserable.’

  ‘You are no help.’

  ‘And yet I am your Captain!’

  Peyton mumbled. ‘That can be changed.’

  Netta grinned as Melody walked by and sniped. ‘No, it cannot. Stop whining and talk dayam it. I have places to go.’

  Bewildered Peyton asked Netta. ‘We are on a ship where can she go, there is nowhere to go!’

  Netta stared at her for a minute, seeing the concern behind the words and realized that Peyton was worried about the speech. Worried she would say the wrong thing and make everyone who listened scared. It was hard to remember most of the time that she was younger than almost all the females, even Darby was older than her.

  Netta smiled and casually said. ‘If you make this short. I will go to the antigravity room with you, and I will make Darby, Heather and Melody come too.’

  ‘Really, you will!’

  ‘I will.’

  ‘So cool!’ Peyton grinned, she had being trying to go to the antigravity room for days. She had been told how much fun it was to fly and tumble around in mid-air.

  Netta asked with a scowl. ‘What is this word cool, are you making up words, Melody told me about that!’

  ‘No, it is a word, seriously I heard it in a really old vid, Melody and I were watching, it means great.’

  ‘Okay, so cool.’ She grinned. ‘Yeah, I like it.’

  ‘Yes cool.’ Peyton grinned at Netta, she was so funny sometimes and other times a little scary but she did not tell her that, she felt it may hurt her feelings. She was fairly sure Netta had them.

  When they reached the war room, it was to find Darby fiddling with her newly upgraded comm` unit, as they entered she said sharply. ‘We are ready and waiting for you!’

  ‘So bossy.’ Peyton moaned as she bit into a slice of cake just as Darby frowned at her. Then with a smirk she gave Peyton a quick wave to let her know the screen was live. Peyton quickly swallowed and smiled, ignoring the muffled laughter surrounding her.

  ‘Greetings to you all this morn. This is Peyton again... what do you mean… No, I am not saying that, because comp’ girl it sounds pretentious... No, Lady is not…it is nice and polite, respectful... Aww shut the hayda up Lady Darby... no, that was respectful, better than what I was going to say... No Lukkas, I am not angry at Lady Darby. I apologize... yes to her too.

  Good Stars... So let me start again. Greetings, I would like to talk to you this morn because some things have happened and we should clear them up. You probably already know this, because my stars, can gossip travel fast on ships... Oh, it can so Melody, these guys are the biggest gossips... are too. Annny way! Let’s get some information straight.

  Firstly: We are almost to our destination, another little while and we can all look upon our new home worlds. So very exciting!

  Secondly: We made a stop as all of you already know, to a planet that was hiding our Warriors from us. Thanks to everyone that helped out on the planet we retrieved four thousand sleepers as far as we know all not dead... What now… saying not dead is better than saying not alive... it so is Heather. Fine next time you can say that they are not dead in healer terms, medical doctors... sheesh... Oh yeah! Healers.

  Thirdly: I would very much like to clear up two points here. Misconceptions that have spread like wildfire, we did not raid that planet like raiders. We were given a warning as to what was going to happen to the world. So we took everything of value with us, and yes I do mean the people who lived and worked there. Please make them feel welcome. They have not had a very easy time of it lately, we all know what that is like, right? We are not thieves or thsieon. I am sorry if any of you feel that way but it really was a case of we need it, they would not.

  Fourth point: It was not me who obliterated the planet and system. The Star Child who created the universes did, as I have sa
id repeatedly. I am but a vessel for them. I hope you read your tablets on the existence of the Star Child and what they are responsible for. I know it will not be to everyone's liking and I get that, but seriously, I did say military when I spoke to you the first time.

  Okay Fifth point: Yes Darby, I am going in numbers because I wrote it that way... in my head... yes Willian, I can write notes in my head… no; I am not a cyborg... Willian are you reading science fiction? You are, didn’t I tell you that fiction meant not true... there are cyborgs… really? Yes... yes Commander Hawk. Later Willian, you and I will talk.

  Okay, number five, it is true that my hair grew. It is now below my knees and is very white... Yes, Esther blinding white is a good description and thank you. This was the Star Child’s decision. Granted, I was very angry, which started the change and no I cannot reverse it. Apparently the Star Child likes long white hair on their Star Daughter, mind you they could have done something about my height!’

  Laughter filled the air ways and Peyton grinned with the others as they heard it. Rose and Frand sat in the war room surrounded by the council and several Warriors they had been introduced to at first-meal. A somewhat confusing, combined meal and meeting.

  Rose had called her family beforehand, and they were now underway to meet them. When she had found Frand in medical, he was just being released; she explained to him what had happened and how Peyton had found them. He had been as relieved as she was to find they were off the planet. Heather had offered them both the download before they left, which they had declined.

  Rose had explained to her that apart from the humans and the planet Earth, traders had a very good understanding of who was in their universe. Also, languages were a trader’s gift; they would be speaking English by the end of the day.

  Saying goodbye to Heather, the brother and sister had conversed on their way to Helen’s dining room about the last few wekens. As well as the Warship, they were on and the people and contract between Rose and Peyton. This conversation carried them until they entered the dining room, where the siblings had been greeted warmly and introductions had been made. Then Rose and Frand had sat bemused and intrigued as they listened to the squabbling and business discussed over the meal. They were shocked that the meeting was not interrupted with people asking for orders or to have something confirmed. It was as though the people on this ship all knew that this was the time for these amazing people to relax and talk, and to reconnect.