Daughter Of Ethos: 0.5 - 1 - 2

by L M Lacee

  My time is nearly gone and I think I have given you as much explanation as I can. Just know that the plan is sound and can be accomplished, if you all work together. Do not forget you have the Star Daughter to guide you and she has the ability to speak to stars, moons and planets, who will help lead you to a new life. If you are willing to trust in her. Now, I must go, I know I leave you ladies in good hands. Trust in the Warriors and the first Star Daughter in over two Megaannus.’

  Each of the Warrior’s eyes filled with wonder as the Entity known as Sunshoona smiled and told the women.

  ‘The Warriors will explain what this means or our Daughter will. For now, just remember to help each other, there is a wonderful adventure waiting for you. Your future awaits you. Our Star Daughter has all the information that is required for you to reach the solar system. The answers you seek are waiting to be found. I wish you good fortunes.’

  With that she faded away, no one was left in any doubt that what they had seen and heard was true or that she was gone. Especially when Peyton slid onto a chair and let her head thump on the table. Heather rushed to examine her as Darby sat staring at her tablet and Melody sat staring at the wall.

  Finally, Melody took in a calming breath, then clapped her hands together, startling everyone in the room, grinning she said. ‘Well, I think this deserves coffee and cake. What do you guys say are up for some Earth tea and the best damn chocolate cake you have ever had?’

  Hesitantly, they all nodded, and with a firm hand under Darby’s elbow and a nod to Heather, she made them help her. No one spoke as the women made the tea and placed plates and cups on the table. The males just sat and watched Peyton, who kept her eyes closed as she thought hard about the explanation she would make to her friends.

  Five minutes later, when all the men were munching on chocolate cake and they seemed to relax their guard. Darby finally asked. ‘Why didn’t you tell us Peyton?’

  Everyone listening could hear the hurt under her words as Peyton lowered her cup and reached over and hugged her. ‘I wanted to and was going to last night and then again tonight before the Warriors arrived. Except every time I tried, she would hold my words and not let me, which I have to say was exceedingly annoying.

  Look, when she first approached me, I was so worried I had made her up and that I had finally crossed the line into crazy town. For heaven’s sake, who would believe that I had been not only visited by the freaking sun but had spoken to her? Then an Entity, known as the Star Child, had talked with me for hours, truthfully I didn't, not really, I kept hoping I had not imagined it all.’

  She sighed deeply and pleaded softly. ‘How could I ask you to believe me, when until tonight, I held only a small hope that I was not delusional? Then, of course, Commander Roeah and his squad showed up.’ She shrugged and shook her head, then scrubbed her hands through her hair, messing it up as she did. She lifted her face and turned slightly to the sisters of her heart, as Sunshoona had called them and knew she had made a mistake. Not one of the women noticed or even remembered they had an audience.

  Peyton whispered. ‘The worse thing about this, is I realize none of you would have thought I was nuts or any more nuts than usual. You would have believed me because we chose each other and are a family. That is stronger than anything, even our anger and sorrow, and for that I am sorry I didn’t trust in our family enough.’

  Letting out a breath, she pleaded with them. ‘Please forgive me I know I have failed you, I didn’t return the faith you have always shown me, and I should have. I swear for however long we have each other, I will never do that again.’

  Darby looked from her to the other two, who nodded and then at Peyton again. ‘Done.’

  Heather sighed as she said. ‘Agreed.’

  Melody said. ‘Warriors.’

  All of them looked at the waiting males, and Peyton gave them a small smile. ‘We are sorry, we did not intend to ignore you.’

  A little shocked and not at being ignored, the Warriors realized the females meant their apology.

  Hawk said. ‘It is of no import, Star Daughter.’

  Peyton frowned as she said. ‘I beg to differ, it was rude, and we will endeavor not to let it happen again. This is going to be difficult; there will be mistakes made on both sides, cultural differences and how we talk and act toward each other is important. However, the biggest problem we will have is conversing, if you and we cannot talk to each other honestly and openly. It will make our partnership harder, not impossible just harder. I feel this is not something you are familiar with, which is okay, we will do the majority of it for you until you guys figure it out.’

  EIGHTEEN:

  Hawk looked at the females across the table from him and knew his faith and patience were finally being rewarded. Even before Sunshoonas appearance he was half, if not completely ready, to agree to whatever plan these females had devised. Now he knew beyond any doubt, he was about to free his Warriors from under the yoke of their oppression.

  These four incredibly brave females were going to help him do so. They were so very sincere in everything they said, almost too honest and naïve. To think of them out in his Universe alone made his heart shudder in fear. Because he knew with or without his help, these wonderful females would leave this world.

  The Star Daughter was nothing like he had read about in the histories of their Universe, which he had studied almost to the point it was becoming an obsession. He had scoured the pages of records and ancient tomes from many worlds, as well as researching long forgotten data. Trying to find any treaty or law that would allow his Warriors their freedom. Now sitting here opposite him was the one person who could accomplish what he could not, save his Warriors.

  Still, harsh experiences over a lifetime had taught him wisdom, so he knew it would be prudent to be cautious. They were only at the beginning of a possible relationship with these females. The one called Peyton had not completely embraced what it was to be the Star Daughter yet. Although he could feel a spurt of something in his needar or soul as the humans called it, something he had never felt before. He thought it may be hope.

  ‘We are Warriors; we were created to endure, to kill, to guard and protect, nothing more, there is no more.’ Hawk uttered the words and felt the same anger and shame he always did when he stated them.

  This time the reaction he received was not what he or his males were used to.

  ‘Created?’ Heather asked as Darby snorted loudly.

  Melody glared at him and said. ‘Bullshit.’

  Peyton grinned. ‘Well, aren’t you all in for a surprise, time to wake the hell up Warriors? We have a solar system to secure and a Universe to kick ass in.’

  He looked at Kerol who looked just as stunned back at him. Kerol stated. ‘We do not understand.’

  Peyton explained. ‘Oh, okay, so Heather said created because she is a researcher and was surprised, probably because she thought you may not have known.’

  ‘Really, Peyton, it was not that.’

  Peyton shrugged off Heather’s comment as she said. ‘And Darby snorted.’

  ‘I did not!’

  ‘Yeah, you did.’

  ‘No, I did not. It was a sniff of disdain for the comment.’

  Peyton smirked. ‘It was, if you were a horse.’

  Darby growled. ‘How…’

  ‘Enough ladies.’ Melody said sternly as she did, when annoyed.

  Peyton ducked her head. ‘Oh yeah, and Melody said bullshit, which is a cuss word and can express many things. In this instance it meant, you are wrong and what you said could not be further from the truth and I said…’

  Hawk held his hand up. ‘I see.’

  ‘Okay.’ Peyton beamed a smile in his direction; he kept his eyes on her just to make sure she was not going to speak again. He did not know if he was charmed or amused by the Star Daughter. Although he could feel Kerol’s amusement and something he had never felt from his second before about a non-warrior... Admiration.

  He stated. ‘It i
s a reflection of our training and lives that we are unused to this type of communication. In our experience we have found females do not give anything, be it time or conversation freely. There is always a price to pay, so I ask who is to pay this price, you or us? Because I cannot... No, I will not commit my Warriors to something that truly could come back and bite us in the ass, as you Earth people like to say.’

  At their nods of understanding, he continued. ‘Let me explain, if we do this, you realize we would go against the ones that created us. They will retaliate and not just against my Warriors but you as well. What makes your offer so great that we would be willing to do so now?’

  Peyton and the other three women listened to the Commander of the Warriors. Now stationed on Earth, ask his questions and felt relieved on hearing the cautious hope in his voice. Thankfully, they had some answers for his questions.

  The four Warriors watched as the three females looked over to the one who was the Star Daughter. Hawk Roeah had known when he and his males had stepped into the dwelling who the female behind the invitation was. The one called Peyton with or without the essence of the Star Daughter was a powerful being all on her own. He had no doubt that she would have organized a way to rescue these females regardless of the star’s help.

  Peyton looked each of the Warriors in their eyes, finally settling on the Commander and smiled as she told them. ‘Let me just say here, that the only price either of us will pay is freedom. I understand your hesitation and the reasons behind it. I just want you all to have an open mind about what we are going to reveal.’

  Hawk nodded. ‘We will endeavor to do so.’

  ‘Thank you. So we have three promises that we can make happen immediately.’ Peyton held three fingers up and pointed to one, but before she could say anything, they all heard a loud sigh.

  She demanded of Darby. ‘Why did you sigh?’

  ‘Because you did the finger thing.’

  Melody agreed. ‘I thought we said no to that.’

  Heather frowned at Peyton, saying. ‘We did, but she went with it, anyway.’

  ‘Because it is a good and impactual way of making a statement.’

  ‘It is not, and what did we say about making up words?’ Darby demanded as she drummed her fingers on the table.

  Peyton screwed her face into a frown as she replied. ‘Pretty sure it is a word. Miss. Know it all.’

  ‘That is right, I do know it all, now as you don’t really know if it is a word or not, you should not use it.’

  Heather growled at Peyton, bringing them back to the topic at hand. ‘Seriously, we said no finger counting, we voted on it.’

  Peyton squirmed in her seat. She had forgotten that. ‘Yeah but I forgot, it happens you know.’

  ‘See, and you have not even started yet.’ Darby chortled in triumph.

  Peyton sniffed in disdain or what she hoped was disdain, then said. ‘I wouldn’t have if you had not interrupted me.’

  ‘Ladies, enough!’ Melody said in the voice she had often used with her soldiers.

  They all looked at her and asked. ‘What?’

  With gritted teeth, she indicted the Warriors. ‘You were saying Peyton, without fingers please.’

  Peyton eyed the annoyed Melody and figured she was a hairs-breath away from yelling, never a good thing. Melody had a very loud voice when she was annoyed, hurriedly, she said. ‘Well okay, so what I was saying was firstly, we will provide potential mates.’

  At the men’s in-drawn breaths, she quickly followed that up with. ‘I say potential because the bequeathing of a mate is up to the fates or the Star Child apparently, and the individuals involved. We are however, taking over thirty-thousand females of varying ages and ethnicity with us. I am sure some, if not all of them, will end up being mates for you and your Warriors.’

  Commander Roeah’s eyes narrowed, and his features sharpened into disappointment, as did his Warriors. He made to storm from the house as he felt the flame of hope dwindle in his chest. That was until he heard the voice of Sunshoona drift through his mind.

  Stay your intention, Commander. What our Daughter reveals may please you.

  He did as she asked and sat back in his chair with his arms crossed and thought on what this female Peyton had just stated. He was unaware there would be that many free females left and able to leave.

  He asked. ‘This is certain, thirty-thousand?’

  All four women nodded their heads as Peyton said. ‘Yes, most definitely.’

  Hesitantly his second in command, Kerol asked. ‘They would want to mate with us?’

  Hawk guessed Kerol was asked by Sunshoona to wait as well and to ask this question, why else would he have done so. The taller female of the four, her name he remembered was Melody, an Armee General or in his language Commander. It was plain to see she had commanded. She had the bearing of a Warrior.

  A smile graced her face now as the other females laughed, their laughter was not cruel or condescending. Hawk and Kerol knew what that sounded like. Instead, it sounded friendly and was confirmed by her statement.

  ‘Warriors, we are certain that your males will be every women’s dream of what a husband…’ At their blank expressions, she amended her statement. ‘I sorry, I meant mate. Warriors, you are exactly what our female’s want in a mate.’ Melody left her eyes on Kerol’s face as his finger unconsciously trailed down the scar that ran from below his eye to his jaw. She let him see the honesty in her eyes as she told them. ‘Scars and all.’

  Peyton said quietly. ‘We will give you children.’

  At their disbelief, she hurried on. ‘We have just on fifteen hundred children, from months old to young teenagers, around fifteen years old. They are of course, all females and will be coming with us. We are hopeful our females and your Warriors will mate so they can give these children both a mother and father as well as a loving home. This is a chance for your people and ours to make family units.’

  The women waited while a discussion broke out between the Warriors, all except the stern Commander who sat unmoving. His eyes and face giving nothing away, Peyton bet there was lots going on behind that bland exterior. Under cover of the Warrior’s conversation, Darby leaned over and asked out the side of her mouth.

  ‘How do you think it is going? They are talking so fast I cannot keep up, damn it.’

  They moved closer to Peyton to hear her answer, but before she could speak, Heather murmured. ‘If they react like this to that news, wait until they hear the next part.’

  Silence descended on the room as four sets of black eyes stared at them. ‘What is the next part?’ The Commander asked, proving they had exceptional hearing.

  Peyton grinned. ‘You are going to love this, we and by we. I mean these two amazing women.’ She flipped her hand toward Heather and Darby. ‘Along with their team of scientists, have been able to isolate the missing element in your physiology that keeps you from mating and reproducing.’ She said gently. ‘That means having sexual relations, and making babies. That was the second point in case you wanted to know.’

  The air in the room seemed to contract and expand, as if the room itself took a breath. Saving the shocked Warriors from having to do so.

  Heather asked her. ‘Why would they need to know that?’

  Peyton grinned as she answered. ‘They may have lost count.’

  Melody grumbled. ‘Ridiculous.’

  Darby stated. ‘No counting.’

  ‘You never said that, you said no fingers.’

  Peyton smirked again in Darby’s direction, causing Melody to ask. ‘Do I have to raise my voice?’

  ‘Rude…’ Peyton mumbled and was cut off from saying anything more. When the Commander and the other three Warriors stood abruptly, causing their chairs to sail out from behind them and crash forcibly against the kitchen walls.

  This had the effect of causing the four women to scramble from their seats at the unexpected violence and dash to the opposite side of the room. When quiet once more settled on the ro
om.

  Hawk Roeah, Commander of the Jenersar Warriors, felt ashamed. The Star Daughter and the Armee female were now standing in front of the other two females. By their expressions and grips they had on the clothes of the two females in front of them, they were very frightened.

  As he looked at each of his Warriors, he could feel their shame as well. Females should never fear a Warrior; females were to be cherished and protected.

  With a hand over his hearts Commander Roeah bowed, followed quickly by the other Warriors. Straightening to his full height, he said. ‘Please forgive us, it was not anger for you. Only amazement that you would have discovered what has eluded us for so long.’

  He once again heard Sunshoona. It would be wise of you, Commander Roeah, not to doubt the Star Daughter again. She will not disappoint.

  Sighing, he pulled his chair back into place as his males did the same. Re-taking his seat, the tension in the room slowly relaxed as he and his males waited for the females to decide to sit again.

  Slowly Peyton and Melody parted, allowing Darby and Heather to re-take their seats. Peyton took a calming breath and let it out as she sat and inclined her head, saying. ‘Apology accepted.’

  Heather took several calming breaths then asked the Commander. ‘I don’t understand, in all this time no one has discovered what we found?’

  Hawk inclined his head. ‘Mayhap, I should have said, it is something we were discouraged to look for and when one is a Jenersar Warrior. Staying alive is more relevant than trying to discover something only alluded to.’

  ‘Now, that I understand.’

  Peyton smiled and said. ‘Darby was going to explain how she and the others were able to discover this information. However, I think unless you are a doctor, sorry healer or scientist such as they are. It would be better to leave that to people you have, who will understand it all.’