Daughter of Ethos

by L M Lacee

  Esther had seen the reaction happen when couples found each other, as with Amelia and Jorge. Looking at Kerol now, she thought over the little hints Peyton dropped about the bonding process the couples went through. Again she thought that Peyton honestly believed the Star Child had somehow manipulated the females and Warriors so they could find each other.

  When she had questioned her on this, Peyton had just smiled and said she did not really know and if she did, it would not be her secret to tell.

  Esther hoped Penny would have the same feeling for Kerol, so the mating heat could take effect. She crossed her fingers and hissed at Kerol.

  ‘Relax, you are not going into battle. You are just meeting a very nice female.’

  Lukkas whispered. ‘It sort of is!’

  Esther whispered to him. ‘I know but don’t tell him that?’

  Helen opened the door and there she was, the female he had been dreaming about ever since he first saw her. Kerol stared at everything he wanted in the world as she spoke to Brenda. He had first seen her when she was teaching Warriors, English. She had stood near a Warrior and it had taken all of his immense self-control not to have pummeled the poor hapless male to death at the sight.

  He had spent the last few days not eating, short-tempered and with virtually no sleep. Until Lukkas had dragged his sorry butt here to the ladies for advice and now she stood in the doorway, a vision of beauty and grace. Kerol dropped like a sack of stones, the thump of his body hitting the floor vibrated against their feet. No one moved as everyone looked at the crumpled male and then at Penny who rushed into the cabin issuing orders.

  ‘Don’t just stand there, do something, call Patty. Oh, my stars you poor male what happened?’ In a voice that promised vengeance she whipped her head around, while her hands stroked over his face and hair.

  ‘Who hurt him?’

  Esther looked at the other three. ‘Well, that answers that?’

  Heather arrived in minutes and still Kerol had not come around, she rushed in and skidded to a halt, dropping to her knees beside him and Penny.

  She snapped out. ‘What happened, who did this?’

  Penny laid over Kerol and snarled. ‘Back off Lady!’

  Heather leaned back and eyed her. ‘Umm! Okay, why are you all over our Kerol?’

  ‘Not yours, mine!’ Penny snarled back.

  Laughing Esther bent over as Lukkas walked out the door with his shoulders shaking. Brenda put her head in her hands while Helen said with laughter in her voice.

  ‘Heather, Penny is apparently mated to Kerol, he sort of collapsed when she entered the room. Penny luv, you are going to have to let Heather examine him. She is our chief healer remember?’

  Penny straightened up and blushed bright red. ‘Oh dearle, I am so very sorry. I was... hayda I don’t know what it was.’ She ran her hands through her strawberry blonde hair asking. ‘He is alright, isn’t he?’

  Heather started to examine him, all the while Penny’s hands kept touching Kerol’s face or hair. He turned his face into her touch and breathed her name. ‘Peenny.’

  Penny smiled as she bent her head near his ear and whispered. ‘Kerol… my Kerol!’

  His eyes snapped open, and he jerked upright, causing both females to jump away. Leaping to his feet, he dragged Penny behind his back and stared around, danger pulsing from him.

  Lukkas walked carefully back into the cabin motioning for the females to remain still. Unlike the Kerol of before, this Kerol was dangerous, if he perceived a threat to his mate he would kill them all and cry later.

  ‘Brother,’ Lukkas called softly, ‘there is no threat here. Your mate is safe, look around Kerol, only family are here. We mean no harm to you or yours!’

  Whether it was his words or the soft touch of Penny’s hands on his arms caressing him, something made his body softened and the danger pass, he took in a breath. ‘I apologize.’

  Penny slipped around and smiled up at him. ‘There is no need to apologize. We all understand.’

  He looked deep into her eyes and saw hope and happiness and blurted out. ‘I am scarred.’

  They heard Lukkas groan and the ladies quiet laughs. Penny shrugged. ‘So am I. Yours are just on the outside. Mine are on the inside and still if you can bear mine, I will adore yours.’

  She reached up and pulled his head down and proceeded to show him what she meant by kissing every inch of his scar, she whispered. ‘You need to take me to my cabin now.’

  Kerol looked bewildered as he stared at the other females and asked. ‘What did I do wrong?’

  Before they could answer, Penny laughed a kind, sweet sound. ‘Nothing my Kerol, but if you play your cards right, those sex lessons you all took, may come in handy.’

  Kerol stood perfectly still as Heather rose from her crouched position. ‘Are we good?’

  Penny nodded her head and asked in return. ‘Is he good?’

  ‘Yes, just a reaction, each time there is something new to learn. I will record it and... Oh my!’

  She stopped speaking as Kerol suddenly sprang into action. ‘I understand now, cards an expression. Lukkas I am taking the next few days off, tell someone and Penny is too.’

  He swept her up into his arms and rushed from the cabin, they could hear Penny screeching.

  ‘What do you mean days?’

  They did not hear his answer, but all heard her delighted laughter. Lukkas stared after the couple and his heart ached until arms surrounded him.

  He looked down to see the three ladies, wrapping their arms around him, and for the first time his body did not stiffen in reaction. Instead, he leaned down and placed his head on Helen’s shoulder. ‘I will miss him.’

  ‘Silly boy!’ Esther crooned to him. ‘You have not lost him. You have gained a wonderful sister.’

  He agreed as he said. ‘Yes she is, we will not be able to share a residence together.’

  Brenda smiled and ruffled his hair. ‘Of course you will, if you want too. I am positive Penny will be unhappy to think you are alone, I know whatever else is happening in Kerol’s life you are important to him. He will not want you anywhere else. Wait and see, I swear it will work out.’

  If not, she vowed she would speak to the couple and make sure he was not forgotten.

  FIFTY-SIX:

  Hawk sat beside his friend Dinas’s bed, he had been decanted only minutes ago and was due to wake in the next thirty minutes. At which time he would purge his body of the chemicals they pumped into the stasis tubes to keep the Warriors alive for extended periods of time.

  Scientists on the ships were combing over the information and technology from the tubes, in the hope of discovering what drugs had been used to keep the Warriors alive. The healers hope was the information obtained would make the process quicker and less stressful on the Warriors. So far decanting hadn’t been going well, some males needed extensive medical help when they were revived.

  Dinas was an Elite and as such, Hawk along with Heather were unsure of his reaction when he was revived. The records named him as Dinas Serapera. Hawk was pleased it seemed his friend had taken a new name as he had threatened to do so many yentas ago.

  He had been Hawk’s friend since they had crawled out of their incubators at the age of five yentas old. Dinas was handsome, as all Warriors were, although even Hawk would say his friend had something extra, which made him a little more appealing to most females.

  Normally he was well-muscled, even though it appeared as though he had loss some body mass, he was still a large Warrior. This, of course, could be due to the fact he was an Elite.

  As he sat and waited, he wondered how the humans would receive Dinas and felt a twinge of something twitch across his needar. He chased it down and realized with some surprise it was jealousy, delving further into the feeling.

  An occupation he never thought to do before, he saw he seemed to be worried the humans would like and admire Dinas more than him. He was well aware Dinas and he were, or had been as different in nature a
s day was to night. Where he tended to be an introvert, Dinas had been an extrovert and was easy to be around. He found humor in most things, unlike himself who had a more sombre and wary outlook on life and people, he knew at times he a not an easy person to talk to. Sometimes he thought that if he could relax inside where it mattered, he would be like Dinas.

  Although as he searched his thoughts and feelings, he came to the conclusion that he was no longer that wary sombre male anymore. Some parts of him were open, and he did see more humor in situations around him now. He admitted his needar and heart were lighter than he remembered them ever being before. This had the knock on effect of him being more approachable, he hoped.

  Once he would have analyzed these feelings, then tried to determine where and what caused him to feel this way, but as he felt a hand on his shoulder, he knew the answer as to why he was the male he was now, and she stood next to him.

  Peyton moved to the other side of the bed and quietly said. ‘So Heather says he is gonna puke and spew from everywhere, are you sure you want to sit this close to him? I know he is your brother and all, but I have to say, if it was Melody. I would be over there by the door.’

  Before he could answer her, they heard Melody announce as she walked into the room. ‘I heard that Star girl, and I know you would sit and cry tears of joy at my side as I puked all over you.’

  ‘The hayda I would, armee girl.’ Peyton surreptitiously placed her last two fingers on Dinas’s arm and let a trickle of power flow into him as she told her. ‘I would be out the door so fast, if I thought you would be spewing stuff. That is just disgusting!’

  Hawk could see Melody working up a reply when he asked. ‘What is puke and spew? These are words I do not know?’

  Peyton said. ‘Ask Heather.’

  Melody gave him what they called the stink eye. It was a look the females gave to anyone they thought was diverting an argument, which in truth was what he had done.

  Peyton felt the male under her touch start to move, she withdrew her fingers just as his eyes opened and he grabbed her arm snarling. ‘You dare to touch me female!’

  Then he looked around and saw a female standing at the end of his bed with a blaster in one hand and a long knife in the other, an angry expression clouding her face.

  Heather came running. ‘The monitor said he was awake… Oh, I see listen…’

  Hawk held his hand up and quietly said. ‘Dinas, release the female please.’

  Dinas snorted and looked over at the Commander beside him, his hand tightened on Peyton’s arm. She made no move and did not change her expression, knowing Melody would blast him where he lay, and he was strong. She worried one shot would not incapacitate him. He snarled menacing as he said. ‘You sound like my brother, you look somewhat like him, although you are older than he and I do not recognize this place or these strange beings. They are pale imitations of people. What magic is this?’

  Peyton’s eyes narrowed at that comment and Heather hoped she remembered where she was. His eyes landed on Heather. ‘Who are you female?’

  Before she could answer, his eyes lit on Melody and her weapons again and his smile turn predatory, as he growled low in his throat. ‘You best know how to use those weapons female, or I will make sure you never hold them again.’

  Melody raised an eyebrow and said. ‘Hawk, are you sure he is your brother? I mean he is a bit of an asshole.’

  Hawk sighed. ‘I swear he is my friend and brother; he is disorientated, he will be his usual self soon.’

  He looked at his brother and ordered. ‘Dinas Serapera, release the Star Daughter before she kills you. NOW!’

  Dinas dropped Peyton’s arm and fell back onto the bed and groaned. ‘Where the hayda am I?’

  Peyton leaned over him and said. ‘Alive, without all the puking and spewing, it is a miracle!’

  Heather asked. ‘How is it he is not reacting the way the others have?’

  Melody said. ‘The healer wonders as she looks at Peyton?’

  ‘What did you do?’ Heather demanded as they all looked at her.

  She put her hands up as she backed away from the bed. ‘I am just a vessel. I keep telling you that, but you will not believe me!’

  As they still looked at her with disbelief, she said piously. ‘Do not judge me?’ Then stomped from the room, yelling. ‘A VESSEL I SAY!’

  She hurried down the hall into the lift a wide smile on her face, sometimes it was good to be the Star Daughter. Heather said. ‘She is so lying.’

  Melody returned her eyes to the now quietly watching Warrior, as she replied while re-holstering her weapons. ‘Yep, she is.’

  Heather moved to where Peyton had been and said. ‘Warrior.’

  ‘Commander.’ Hawk corrected softly.

  Dinas smiled. ‘Now I know it is you Hawk.’

  Hawk inclined his head. ‘Who else.’

  Heather grinned at the exchange. ‘Commander, may I examine you? I am a healer.’

  ‘As am I dearle lady, and I have run an internal diagnostic. I am a little dehydrated and hungry and my body is underweight. My muscle tone is diminished but some days of food and training and I will be in optimum condition again.’

  ‘I see and yet as I am the chief- medical-officer. I will still carry out my examination!’

  ‘As you wish Lady.’ He smirked and looked over at Hawk to see him frowning as he told him.

  ‘She is referred to as Healer Heather and Dinas I do not remember you being such an asshole.’

  Which made Melody grin as Dinas asked sharply. ‘What is this word?’

  Melody stated before Hawk could explain. ‘It means olesho.’

  Hawk sighed. ‘Dinas, this is Commander Melody James, the world you have woken up to is very different to the one you left. My friend, relax you are safe.’

  Dinas frowned heavily as Heather started her examination. ‘It is probably the disorientation. I do not think this download is complete either, it looks like we will have to try another. Darby will help.’

  Melody muttered. ‘He is probably just a jerk.’

  ‘Taje.’ Hawk translated for Dinas as Heather said in warning. ‘Melody!’

  Dinas raised an eyebrow at Melody, who raised one back, making him smile slightly. Hawk rubbed a hand over his head. ‘Maybe, it is a bit of both.’

  Dinas said through gritted teeth. ‘I am still here.’

  Hawk nodded. ‘Oh, we know my brother. We really do!’

  Dinas growled and then looked at Heather impatiently as she started to move the scanner over him. She said quietly. ‘I am doing this because your brother is worried about you, so lay down, shut up and bear it.’

  Surprised Dinas sharply nodded as a feeling of sheepishness sweep over him. Turning away from that feeling he let his eyes rove over the room he was in and realized with a start he was on a ship. Eagerly he returned his eyes to his brother, it had been so long since he had seen him or heard his voice. He had missed him every day, it had been a constant ache in his needar. He catalogued the changes in him, he was older and there seemed to be something very different about the male he had grown up with. This Hawk was relaxed, a smile lurked in his eyes, something he had never seen before and his voice was softer, the harsh tones of the past were gone.

  He turned his head slightly, so he could see the female Commander at the end of his bed. She rested her hand on her blaster ready to leap into action if he made the wrong move. Dinas acknowledged she was clever to be concerned and wondered if she was as deadly as she appeared. He thought not, although the fact Hawk spoke to her with respect gave him pause.

  His mind spun thinking of her being a Commander, when had females been allowed to be Warriors and why? Had something happened in the universe that there were not enough males to serve the Emperor? How did Kardan allow this to happen, it seemed out of character for the Elite? His thoughts were hazy as he tried locating something about his past yentas. The harder he tried to trace down a thought a new one appeared, and the circle started a
gain. Was he crazy, had that been the reason for placing him in stasis? Looking around the medical room his mind settled on one thought and screamed at him to be careful, these females were much more than they seemed they had authority and power.

  Suddenly he worried that Hawk was under their control. Where was the Elite and the other brothers? Why was Hawk here by himself, something was wrong?

  He felt his heart beat faster as sweat broke out on his body and his ability emerged adding to the sense of danger in the room. Especially when he remembered Hawk had called the little female Star Daughter.

  Hawk laid his hand on his shoulder and said soothingly. ‘Steady Dinas, everything is as it should be. I will give you an explanation, for now just know you are safe, we are all safe.’

  When he was a little calmer, Hawk nodded to Heather, she gave Dinas a pat on his shoulder, ignoring the flinch as she told him. ‘Everything is well, do as you diagnosed and you will be back to normal in a few wekens.’ She turned to Hawk and said. ‘So Commander Hawk, he needs to be brought up to date. How are we going to do that, obviously the download didn’t work on him?’

  Hawk grinned at someone behind her. ‘With Lady Darby’s help.’

  Darby walked forward and her eyes went huge as she looked at the large, half-naked male on the bed.

  ‘Greetings, umm… Hawk, can you?’ She waved the injector at him he took it and smiled saying.

  ‘Lady Darby, this is my friend and brother, Commander Dinas Serapera, he is a healer and an Elite.’

  Darby smiled transforming her from an unassuming female into a female of beauty, who was worth a second look, causing Dinas’s eyes to open wide at the transformation.

  ‘Oh I know, I researched him, he is very clever. I was going to tell you Heather, that he almost had the cure for the Warriors, of course he missed the kill switch but then just about everyone did. He also has some information we will need later. So can I go now?’

  Melody hugged her. ‘Yes hon’ see yah later.’