by L M Lacee
‘For another day, Madam.’ Melody murmured as Hawk said slyly. ‘Maybe another speech.’
‘Fine, we can look at that later, anyway Lady Darby and her team will contact the Raparthen and the Assassins families once we are on board. We have a problem in that the Star Child is angry with the suns above us and has given us only three days to leave the planet. We have to load the sleepers on board as well as everyone else, also everything we want and the sooner the better. Today would be great, but I know that is not possible. Do the best you can, but get our Warriors off this rock first, they are our only true concern.’
A startled Brenda asked. ‘What do you mean, Assassins?’
Hawk said. ‘I will explain it once we are on board Lady Brenda. It is not I think what you believe an Assassin to be.’
‘I bet it is.’ Muttered Melody to Netta who grinned.
Peyton grinned as well, then asked. ‘Helen, can you close out the kitchen and how long do you need?’
‘Yes, we can do it in a half day. They have things I want. If I could have one of Darby’s people to gather all the tech available, that would be great. I will send for my ladies. We should be able to empty the food storage rooms in that time.’
‘There is that much?’ Melody voiced the shock they were all feeling.
Tight-lipped Helen nodded as Brenda said. ‘Yes, that much.’
Helen agreed. ‘It is disgusting, people starving while they had more than enough.’
Brenda and Esther rubbed her back, and they all heard the muffled sob that escaped from her. Peyton reached out and touched her hand, letting a pulse of calmness engulf her, as the Star Child reassured her.
Calm, Chef Helen. Our Daughter will make this right.
‘How?’ Brenda asked. ‘How does she make it right? They poisoned and starved Turquall, and a baby has no birth mother because people thought they had the right to do as they wanted. Because they believed they were more important than everyone else. They slaughtered so many, who makes that right?’
The Star Daughter goes to war.
They all gasped and Brenda moaned. ‘No... No.’
While Helen and Esther looked on pale and shaky.
Ahh! We see why you are distressed Lady Brenda, war is not as you think of it. For us, war has many meanings. We no longer move among our children and their dependents for extended periods of time. Therefore, we have charged our Daughter with bringing justice to this Universe and beyond, and to do that she must be more than she was. She must go to war, to fight for those that cannot fight for themselves, to fight for us.
At times such as today, she will not ask for your counsel and will act as she sees fit. She has told us she will however love you, value you and treat you with courtesy and fairness. Know this, there has never been a Star Daughter such as her. Our Daughter has a large needar. She admires and enjoys every one of you, as we are coming too.
Peyton sat heavily in her chair. Heather raced to her. ‘Helen, she needs…’
‘Coffee.’ Peyton groaned before anyone else spoke, Heather smiled, worry in her eyes. ‘Yes coffee.’ She held her wrist as she asked softly. ‘You okay?’
‘Yeaah, or at least I will be.’ She sighed. ‘Sorry about that, they seem to be a little intense.’
Heather raised an eyebrow at this statement. ‘I suppose that is a word for it.’
Peyton laughed up at her as Esther said. ‘Nice though, I like them.’
‘You would.’ Helen said, coming back in with coffee. ‘Peyton food?’
Peyton shook her head. ‘No, not yet.’
Amused, Melody grinned as she asked Peyton. ‘So, are they really as confused by you as they sound?’
‘You have no idea. They told me there has not been a daughter for many years.’
‘And never one like you.’ Netta commented with a smile.
‘Well, there is that.’ Peyton acknowledged as she reached for her cup of coffee.
‘What about those prisoners in the kitchen, what do you want done with them?’ Helen asked Peyton.
‘They can come in here, Netta and Kerol can you see to that, please.’
Kerol nodded. ‘Yes, Madam.’
‘Alright Melody, if you and the same Warriors could stay with me. Commander Hawk, please take your Warriors and continue evacuating the sleepers and anyone left. How long do you think you need?’
Hawk thought about it. ‘Warriors are going over the planet, making sure we have everyone. They will be finished shortly, the sleepers are taking time because we can only place so many at a time in the lifts and shuttles. We are going to need at least today and tomorrow, maybe longer.’
Peyton rubbed her forehead as she said. ‘I see, what about if we do a direct hole into the basement, then we could lift them out.’
‘I suppose that could work.’
‘Well, I will leave that in your hands.’
A Warrior with a blue eye ring who had short brown hair and was aged somewhere between Kerol and Hawks age. Probably closer to Kerol’s, cleared his throat and said hesitantly. ‘Madam, Commander Hawk.’
Peyton looked at the male and smiled, she had seen him earlier and thought he looked like he should be someone’s brother. He was not as handsome as some other Warriors, although he was worth a double look. Especially with that gentle expression of intelligence in his eyes. Hawk turned to him. ‘Yes, Warrior Matewe, you have something to say.’
Hesitantly, he said. ‘Commander, I... I think it would be better to go through the walls.’
‘They are underground.’ Peyton said with a confused look.
‘Yes, but structurally…’ He said when she held her hand up.
The Warrior stood braced for condemnation or outright punishment, knowing he should not have spoken and awaited 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, I will 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 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 bots, I like them. We should get more of those.’
‘Done.’ She and Helen started talking quietly together.
Heather said. ‘I am helping with the villages if you need me. Then I am go
ing 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.
SIXTY-ONE:
Peyton turned her attention to the prisoners from the kitchen and watched their eyes 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 fear mixed with hate now on their faces. 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 made nice bread, kneading dough with those strong arms and hands 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 topknot. 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 report 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 and whispered. ‘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 here two days ago, they will run if you let them out too early.’
‘You have 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.
Peyton said tonelessly. ‘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.
‘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 could not 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 said. ‘Captain Netta 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 staff, who were standing and said with contempt as she pointed her blaster to the two prisoners 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 lifted 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.
SIXTY-TWO:
‘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 inte
rrogation of their housekeeper had taken place, they had remained silent and watchful, the males fearful, 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 regained 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, his hands fisting in anger. Melody hung her head and clenched her own hands in anger.
At a signal from Peyton, Janet cut away the retied 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.
