by L M Lacee
Esther looked stunned when Peyton mentioned her. Darby paused the comm as Esther asked Peyton. ‘Why?’
Peyton took a moment to have a drink of water and answered. ‘Because you all don’t bullshit, you say it like it is and they like you and trust you three.’
They, Esther knew, meant the Warriors. Peyton drank some more, then said. ‘Also, the women like and trust you. You will see why in a moment, but believe me when I say they will need your calm guidance.’
She swept them all with a look of regret as she said. ‘I am going to tell them all something they will not understand and may fear more than moving to an unknown Universe will ever do. They are going to feel they cannot approach me for a while and may even feel betrayed. I hope not, but if they do, they will have all of you to go to and trust in.’
Esther grunted, not liking that one bit, but she would not say so in front of the others. With a quick look at Brenda and Helen who gave her a small nod. She knew like her they would wait to see what this thing was, then take steps. No one, absolutely no one, had the right to feel anything but gratitude and loyalty to these young women, without them they would not be here.
She, Brenda and Helen knew what extremes Peyton had gone to, to make this happen. So she and her friends would remind people of that, when and if it was needed. Esther felt something in her soul settle and her heart beat with purpose again. She now knew what part she, Brenda and Helen were to play in this brand-new adventure.
With a smile, she told Peyton. ‘Well, hurry up, there is food for my men waiting.’
Peyton grinned in return, then nodded to Darby and said to her waiting audience. ‘Now, I have some revelations that will take a shift in your understanding of Divinity and may stretch your belief in how the Universes were created. So here we go, an Entity known as the Star Child created the Universes, Indorino included. Every civilization in the Universe of Indorino has knowledge of the Star Child within their histories. This is amazing if you think of all the languages and different cultures there are. Anyway, throughout all their histories the name Star Child is a constant, as is my other title of Star Daughter, which is a chosen or ordained position. All of this, I understand, means very little to the women of Earth and a great deal more to the Warriors. So please read the information on your tablets about the Star Child and Star Daughter and who they are. It will help give you an understanding of the impact to your lives having these Entities in your everyday life will be. For now, let me explain what happened to me. A little while ago I made a deal with an Entity or Entities known as the Star Child for our freedom and a new home. I will tell you here and now making this deal was no hardship and I am finding it amazing. Again I urge you to read up on what and who these beings are and if you have difficulty understanding what is written about them, ask a Warrior. They are well versed in the histories of the Star Child and Star Daughter… thank you Darby. Apparently Darby has downloaded the histories to your tablets already.
So now that is out of the way, let’s get down to business we are currently on our way to the Solar System of Maikonia. There are nine planets which are ours to make our homes on. At present our system is shielded by the Star Child. We have between two and five of Earth years or sooner to establish ourselves in the Universe with trading and our army. I believe we will have retrieved all our Warriors and brought them back home by then. Another thing I should probably mention is that the Star Daughter has been tasked with bringing the Star Child’s ethics back to the Universe of Indorino. As well as uniting the worlds in peace. We will protect all those that cannot protect themselves, as you can see this is where establishing the army is a good thing. So when we are ready, we will open the doors wide and the Indorino Universe will know we are there.’
Peyton sighed as they listened to more laughter while she explained to Hawk. ‘Yes, I know Commander Roeah, there are no doors. It is a saying, a metaphor for what is going to happen… Oh, I am pleased you understand.’ She paused and took another drink of water then resumed.
‘We are going to be establishing a military world, if you are wondering why, look around you. Our males and some of our females are Warriors and they will always be Warriors, regardless of what else they do. When new people arrive to live and work on our worlds, they more than likely will be a type of military personnel. I understand the dismay some of you may have, and I swear we will try to accommodate those concerns but there is no getting around this. We are young, new and ripe for the plucking in this Universe, if we do not establish what and who we are from the get go. In simple terms, we will be hamburger, another metaphor.’ She quickly said for the Warriors.
‘We are going to have an established military, and that means Warriors. I am sure you already know this, but there is only a fraction of the males here that should be. Some will join us as we travel to our worlds, others will arrive after us and still more are lost for now. Our primary objective for the immediate future is to find them and bring them all home.’
Cheers erupted throughout the ships as the women of Earth agreed and chanted over and over. ‘Bring them home… Bring them home.’
Heather told the Warriors in the room. ‘They mean it; you are ours now, part of what makes our home and families. So when one is missing, we will all feel it, until they are returned.’
Peyton continued when the noise had decreased in volume. ‘This is one of several promises I made to the Warriors. As is the hope that matches between male and females will happen and believe me when I tell you it is only a hope.’
Silence greeted her words and instantly her voice took on a soft, warm, almost dreamy tone as she said.
‘We all hope that love will come to us, that we find that special someone who is just for us, so we can have a family. We all want to believe the heart of someone special will beat in time with ours, and most of all, that we will never be alone again. I was told a long time ago, that we walk this life in search of our other half, because what is life without love and hope. This I realize is something all species have in common.’
Peyton stopped talking as she heard sighs and a few sobs come through the comms. A few breaths later and her voice returned to normal as she continued. ‘As I said, it is just a hope, a dream you will find the other part of your soul. Now onto other things that until now have been a dream. As you can imagine, our new home will not be like what we are used to. The grass may be colored differently, the skies will differ from Earth’s. The Warriors tell me that the time line may be different to what we are used to. This means a year could be longer or shorter than three hundred and sixty-five days, and there may be more hours in a day than twenty-four. We have many, many changes to adjust to. It is what we are capable of, all of us have reasons for being on this journey. They are as varied as we are, that is what will make this work. We all want to make a new life and are hungry for change, for more experiences other than just survival, we want determination over our own lives.
Ladies, on your tablets you will learn about the Warriors and other races. Warriors on your tablets you will learn about the humans, please read the information so each of us will have a better understanding of who makes up our society. Do not fear, we understand we will stumble and fall but we have each other, so the pain of mistakes will be lessened. I would like this to be the last time we refer to each other with a division. From now on we will be known as citizens of Maikonia, granted that may be teamed up with Warriors of Maikonia or humans of Maikonia… you get the idea.
As we develop our own identity, we will probably find a better description, but for now we go with those.
Thankfully, with the help of our Warriors, we were able to download an enormous amount of data on other races and species we may encounter. As you are aware, I am speaking in English. Darby Kline and her specialists assure me they will have a working translator shortly, because as you all know coalition general is the language spoken and written in the Indorino Universe. Coalition General, I am assured is surprisingly not so different from English
. So we should be able to grasp it in no time, some more easily than others, I am sure.
Which brings me to another point, ladies please remember that when you are speaking to the Warriors, you need to make sure they understand what you are saying. They are so damn polite, they won’t tell you they have no idea what you said or meant. They are a literal race of beings, and we all know what that means. Well okay, some of us do… Oh please, Commander Roeah, you know what I am saying is true.’
‘It is because they are Warriors,’ Esther said, ‘they say and mean the same thing, honest like a sword going through a body, sharp and to the point.’
Horrified at the images her description provoked, Peyton swallowed and said. ‘Well, that was graphic but probably accurate.’
More laughter as Darby had not paused the comm ensued. The new Warriors who had arrived with the ships and had not mixed with the humans as much as the others stared at Peyton in confusion. She winked at them, saying. ‘You will get used to us.’
They looked at Hawk, who gave a small smile as he said. ‘Truly, you will.’
‘That’s the spirit!’ Helen called from where she sat with Brenda they both now had tea.
Peyton wondered if they had laced their cups with something, they both seemed exceedingly happy.
When the laughing in the room and around the ships finished. Peyton continued. ‘Well, as you know, we are in a flotilla of ships. The four very large ones are Warships, the next six are Battleships. Then there are six transporters, four cargo ships and between one or two hundred, one man fighter jets... Yes, I know Melody; they don’t look like jets... just go with it. We are carrying just over seventy thousand women and children, with just under ten thousand Warriors with more to come. I would like to remind you all about water. I am sure you are aware water on board a ship is at a premium, as you can imagine there are no shops to go buy more from. Our water is reclaimed and filtered, I am told even for advanced society’s water on ships is a delicate balance of acquiring and using it. So please use the sonic showers, remember that water is precious and we should manage well enough. Oh yeah, another thing, shoes. You must wear the ship shoes that are provided, you will have noticed the replicators have several styles to choose from, please one pair per person. The replicators need material to replicate from, so remember they are not an inexhaustible resource.
All children and babies must wear the shoes as well. The reason for this is the ships make their own gravity. If for any reason this falters, goes out or goes down whatever they call it. You will fly all over the place and hurt yourselves. Now, if this happens and you are wearing the shoes, they will automatically engage and hold you to the floor or walls. Again, you get the idea. Of course you can still walk around you just won’t fly or roll or thump. When the gravity is reinstated, they will automatically disengage, it is that easy. So keep them on and hope it doesn’t happen when you are in the shower… what Heather, oh, they are gravity fed… I knew you meant the showers. Commander Roeah just told me that there is an anti-gravity section on level twelve, if you would like to see what it is like not to have gravity. I am so going to try that… yes Melody with you.
So now comes the time to unveil a little more information about the worlds we are to inhabit. One of the nine is a planet called Huntaway. This planet will be dedicated to the Warriors. Are you happy Melody, I hadn’t forgotten I was going to tell them first?’
She looked at the stunned Warriors with a smile and said. ‘Well, I named it Huntaway but you of course can name it whatever you want, it is yours after all.’
When they said nothing she became a little nervous. With a look at Melody, who nodded encouragement, she cleared her throat and said. ‘Anyway, it is teeming with beasts for hunting, this is a planet for the Warriors and anyone else wishing to test themselves against wild beasts and the environment. Which I am told is unpredictable at best. The terrain is mountainous with large rivers, and there are lakes surrounded by forests and that is the nice part of the planet. Apparently there are also jungles with dangerous beasts hiding in them. So lots of hunting that will test the skills of our Warriors and hopefully produce meat for our tables.’
She watched as absolute stillness came over the Warriors; she had to assume it was the same everywhere. Melody said quietly. ‘I think you broke them.’
Kerol looked at her, his eyes wide and bright. ‘Star Daughter, you gave us a planet to hunt on?’
Hawk cleared his throat, his voice rough as he asked. ‘Is that correct, Madam Peyton?’
Peyton smiled softly. ‘It is, the planet is of medium size, with three small moons which all have beasts for hunting. I was told they are overfed with no predators and have run wild, culling themselves when they can be bothered. The planet and moons are teaming with edible beasts called Cabu. Ladies, this is a type of cow. There is an animal called a Roment, which apparently resembles a hog. There is also something called a Humera, which is like venison. I have no idea how many other kinds of beasts there are, but I am assured that all the beasts are edible, so good for us.’
Every Warrior dropped to one knee and placed an arm over their hearts in a salute. Peyton looked at her friends and asked. ‘Was it something I said?’
Hawk rose and took her hand in his and brought it to his forehead in benediction. It was the first time he had ever touch her. ‘Star Daughter… Madam Peyton, you have given us freedom and now a world to hunt on. When we agreed to leave everything we knew, to hopefully realize a life we had only ever dreamed of, we never believed we could hunt. We are honored that you would know what it means to a Warrior to test himself in a hunt. To give us a planet from the nine, for all who wish to do so. This Madam, is far more than we believed we would have.’
‘As well as moons.’ Darby was sure to remind him.
Hawk inclined his head. ‘As well as the moons, now we can finally have Warrior tests as we should. We... I thank you. Our loyalty is yours forever.’
Each Warrior roared their agreement across twenty ships and all the one manned fighters. The cheer was long enough to bring tears to everyone’s eyes.
Peyton smiled as she handed a cloth to Melody, who growled as she pushed her hand away saying. ‘On my last nerve, Star girl.’
Laughing, Peyton stated to the Warriors. ‘A Warrior deserves to hunt and test themselves against the environment and beasts, but know this my Warriors. I will be quite distraught if you get yourselves killed, so no dying, agreed?’
‘So dramatic.’ Melody mumbled to Netta, who ginned her agreement.
Hawk laughed, actually laughed, taking him from a sombre male to a startling handsome man. It was fascinating to Peyton, who secretly vowed to make him laugh or at least be lighter of heart more often.
He said. ‘All I can promise is we will do our best not to perish.’
Peyton hugged him tightly and whispered, using his first name. Which, if he was honest, startled him more than the hug. Instinct had his body stiffening at her touch. Sadly, it was a natural reaction to any contact, but one he and his males were trying to conquer.
‘Do not die Hawk. I need you… we need you. We cannot do this without you. I cannot do this without you?’
At her words, he pulled back and looked down into her upturned face and saw she was indeed serious. He inclined his head as he whispered. ‘I will endeavor to survive and stay with you Madam.’
Peyton smiled and released him, then cleared her throat and nodded to Darby, who unpaused the comms.
‘Okay then, another planet is ready and waiting to be the jewel of the nine. I see a resort. Many years ago there were places on Earth that catered to the rich and famous, everyone wanted to go there. I am sure you all have seen vids and pictures of them. So think of the French Riviera, Macau and Zürich. In the past these were some of the most luxurious destinations on our world. Reportedly these places had luxury hotels and eating establishments as well as the best stores. There was nothing they could not provide to their guests. This planet I am speaking of coul
d become something like that. The must-go-to destination of the Universe. We can make that happen. We need to name it as we do some of the other worlds. So on your tablet you will find a page for names, the best ones will be voted on before we land.
Now we are fortunate to have a world we can dedicate to horticulture and agriculture, we will feed all the other worlds from this one. Of course other worlds will grow things as well… Yes, Heather like vegetables and fruit, thank you for that. Now from what Commander Hawk and Botanist Nina tell me, we may in the future be traders for exotic items not seen outside of Earth... Not coffee that will have to be discussed. I mean it Darby, do not, we will see, me. Trade the tea we brought with us... no Lukkas, not the chocolate or coffee.’
Laughter ensued, even the Warriors smiled at her vehement tone. ‘The largest planet will be our base or home world known as Maikonia Prime. This planet has always being known as such, so while we can name some others, this one will remain as it is, Maikonia Prime or just Prime, will be dedicated entirely to housing the military. There will be residents and shops but primarily it is a military planet. We will train Warriors, build many ships, and this is where we will invent and develop fresh ways to protect our mates and young. As well as discover new ways to protect and serve the Universe. Missions will be deployed from there. Prime will be the planet that will oversee all the other worlds, it will protect our solar system.
Our worlds will be run on a military structure that will be outlined later. We are, as I have already said, but it is worth stating again, a Warrior society. Our mates will no doubt be Warriors of some type. Now ladies, I would like you to think of what that means to these Warriors. Men who have never had a place to call home or indeed a home world. So we will give these brave Warriors a home to be proud of and a place they will want to come back too. So returning to what I was saying before… yes Heather, I know I forgot… you can hear I am about to make it right… yes, there is tone. Ladies like you, these wonderful males are genuinely searching for that elusive dream we have all read and seen vids about, love and acceptance. Let us hope you are it for them, and they are it for you. So remember when one of these brave men takes his courage in his hands and approaches you, he may be your mate. Now as Heather reminded me. On your tablets are ways for you to tell if a Warrior is your mate or should I say if you are the lucky mate for him. There will be indicators, please learn them so you will recognize them. My wish for us all is that we can find love and friendship in each other. I know you ladies will protect these wonderful men’s hearts and souls, and in return they will give us devotion, love, and undying loyalty. Seriously, what more could either of you want? Yes Lukkas sex... yes, there will be sex... no Willian, I am sure Heather and her healers can hold classes on sex for the ladies… No Lukkas; I don’t think they would want you to go to their classes... No Kerol, you cannot teach the classes. Heather, stop laughing and deal with this... frigging sex maniacs.’
