Copani Story

[Scarlett O'Hara]

The Appians had whisked Mai away with cloaks, to the discreet midtown store. Actually for Draksan customers, they had known by association with D’Nel, that ceremonial robes were available in stock. Finding one large enough to fit him convincingly would be the problem. However, the shop owner took one look at him and clapped his hands joyfully “I have just the thing, Ambassador.” Mai had tried his ambassadorial charade and succeeded. A short time later, they were cloaked and headed to the next destination.

It was a tourist park and filled with offworlders of dozens of description, size and color. Luckily, Ch’Chock’pi’s insistent rain had departed for the day and the sun was brilliant, though the temperature and humidity were stifling. The Appians remained cloaked and took up defensive positions before clearing the WarMaster Command Sergeant to appear. The Sokoto warrior walked slowly, snacking on a caramel covered p’picau fruit (a sweet habit he had learned from a Draksan friend) and appeared to be a normal tourist. His black jumpsuit was not sufficient to draw attention. His special friend was visible half way across the park. The distinctive color was brilliant in the sunlight. The petite size was smaller than most adults visiting the park. The friend glanced up and smiled, rushing to meet the large Sokoto. The friend jumped excitedly, wrapping legs around Mai’swaist and arms around neck. They drew attention from everyone. Luckily, most smiled indulgently seeing the large Sokoto with the small alien “child”.

“We must talk quickly. Listen closely!” Mai sat on the damp bench and “thought” his thoughts. It wasn’t necessary to speak to his friend, though in return the friend spoke to him. The distinctive clicks and pops sounded birdlike to most visitors glancing at them. The meeting was concluded in less than an hour, with details worked out to the minute. A quick hug and the two departed in opposite directions. Most visitors spotted the petite alien skipping along and thought a child had wandered away from its parents. It was not skipping, however. It was just the odd way in which its species ran.

The Appians cloaked Mai and whisked him away again. The stopover at the special barracks resulted in a refreshing nap, a bath and a few stiff drinks of Noeq’L - the thick amber brandy preferred by Sokoto, and a light dinner. Mai’s barely-green eyes crinkled as he stared at his reflection, once he was dressing as a member of the Sokoto diplomatic corps. He took the fingerbone from his right ear lobe, looked at it, remembering the first person he had killed in battle. The fingerbone had not been out of his earlobe since that day. Respectively, he locked it away in his personal safe, and replaced it with a gaudy gemstone preferred by Sokoto ambassadors. He tried unsuccessfully to contain his vestigial hair, and to dress it as an ambassador would. But the thick, nearly ankle length hair was coarse and refused to braid. His option, of course, was to cut it much shorter as preferred in the role he had to portray but the idea was repulsive. Other Sokoto warriors would judge his life’s success based on the length. Frustrated, he stormed to the door of his barracks and yelled “P’AYLIE!”

“P’AYLIE!” he yelled louder and heard her small footsteps rushing to his door. Her face was distraught, as if he had scared her prematurely. Inviting her in for privacy, he said “I can’t do anything with this!” and held up the thick hair. Her eyebrows flexed in confusion. Her bright blue eyes blinked over and spotted the muslin wrap that usually flowed around the tuft, tightly containing it. Clearly she didn’t understand the significance and he explained, describing it as best as he could remember.

“Ahhh. I understand, sir.” She boldly turned him so that his back was to her and she reached around him for the brush. Quickly her hands brushed it and separated it into three equal parts, deftly braiding it tightly. He handed her the bright ribbon which was to tie it into a large loop. “I wish I had beautiful thick hair such as yours.” she said humbly. His pale green eyes watched her in the mirror and wondered what was wrong with her curly blond hair. “My hair is too fine and blows easily. I can’t do anything with it!” When her task was done, she smiled brightly. He looked at his reflection and profile, and laughed so deeply that the walls seem to rumble. Her smile faded quickly as her small hands tried to adjust it.

His large hands captured her small ones and squeezed “P’Aylie, you did excellent! I am not laughing at your work but at my ridiculous reflection. How could a Sokoto go through this routine daily and walk about looking like...a pompous ass!” The Draksan giggled.

“I think you look wonderful, WarMaster Command Sergeant. The robes are very beautiful and hopefully no one will notice that the scrollwork is Draksan letters. His large head snapped around and looked at his reflection. He cursed and snatched the robe up, staring closely at the needlework around the neck and down the front closure and cuffs.

“I thought it was flowers.” he said, his ruddy complexion growing darker with embarrassment. P’Aylie had stepped up to the commpanel and pulled up the last communique from Cadet Yhanna. Scanning quickly, she sighed deeply. He looked over her shoulder and a large blast of air expelled from his lungs, which he didn’t realize he was holding his breath. “We’re in luck! The Draksan delegation is vacationing on Draksa. Hopefully, no one else will look that closely.” He cursed himself strongly for not checking every detail of the plan more closely. Something as insignificant as needlework could have put his entire crew into jeopardy!

P’Aylie turned, as if to leave his room, but instead she took his curved chieftan’s sword from the wall mount and handed it to him using both hands. “Security would confiscate that!” Mai said.

“No sir. According to the Sokoto treaty into the Empire, it clearly states that ceremonial arms are to be honored at all occasions. I have the exact paragraph and sub-paragraph if you need it. I researched it today, just in case I could spot something to help us.” She smiled warmly and forced the sharp sword into his hands. He chuckled and grabbed the scabbard from the other wall mount and strapped it over his shoulder and chest. Slowly he inserted the sword. “In close contact, it will be quieter than any energy weapons that Yhanna gets into the party.” The Sokoto’s eyes grew wide in surprise. It didn’t seem natural for P’Aylie to know such a violent thing as the relative benefits of weapons. He reminded himself not to judge on such a thing as gender. Such a discrimination was Sonjon, not Sokoto.

 

[Scarlett O'Hara]

Time had arrived and the Appians appeared at his barracks’ door. He quietly gave his last minute instructions to P’Aylie as they walked quickly to the exit. She watched from inside the security door as Mai climbed into the limousine, pulling bright robes in after his feet. A smile crossed her face and then faded quickly. She had wished she could see Yhanna’s joke but this was not for merriment practical joking. But quite serious.

The limousine driver pulled up to the appointed house and got out. The cloaked Appians followed discreetly. The driver soon reappeared with the tall statuesque Sonjon female on his arm. Gentlemanly, he held the door and helped her into the limousine, gathering her long following robes in behind her. As soon as the door closed, Mai erupted into a fit of laughter. It filled the car and the female could hear the Appian jaws clicking around them. A frown crossed her face which quickly turned into a pout.

The limousine was stuck in the traffic. Only one access route over the bridge was open and security was tight. They didn’t appear too early or too late but in the middle of the guest arrivals. Mai’s laughter erupted everytime he looked at his “date”. He simply had to get this out of his system prior to arriving at the palace. The beautiful woman gently laid her head on his shoulder and let her hand rest in the middle of his massive chest, lightly fingering the scabbard and sword hilt. The WarMaster Command Sergeant slapped her hand away and got a deep masculine laugh for his reward. He flashed a large Sokoto grin as his eyes drifted over the female again. “Yhanna, no one would believe me if I told them!” Several more clicking Appian sounds were heard to which Yhanna issued a deep Sonjon curse. “I don’t understand how this disguise will get you through the security net, however.”

“I have two older sisters, sir. Trust me when I say that Sonjon men are cowards in front of overly large pregnant women.” Yhanna pulled the robes aside and showed them the large swollen abdomen. He patted it and groaned “If they scan this thing, we’re dead.” Mai’s smile faded quickly as he realized what was inside.

“You idiot! You’re smuggling weapons inside a fake abdomen?” Yhanna smiled through the heavy makeup.

“Trust me, sir.” and lowered his head back to Mai’s shoulder. “Remember to call me lots of endearments.” he teased.

“Like hell I will!” Mai snarled and pushed him away. “Weapons inside the belly pack. Ridiculous.” Yhanna wondered if the Appian sounds were laughs or contemptuous. Mai growled "Can you possibly explain where this idea came from? And what makes you think it will possibly fool people?" He stared at Yhanna realizing his makeup and wig were expertly done. He did appear to be female!

"Drama club. I played this part last year on a dare from my roommate. I knew I succeeded when guys from the audience asked me for dates at the end of the play. Imagine their horror when I pulled off the wig and shrugged out of the fake breasts and belly." Yhanna smiled and batted his realistic looking eyelashes.

"Yes, I can imagine the horror, Cadet." Mai suppressed another laugh for a few seconds and erupted again. "I'm living it!"

Arriving at the palace, the central most building on the island, the vehicle security was tightly checked and allowed through. As their limousine pulled up, guards opened the door and Mai unfolded gracefully. “Please gentlemen, my Lady is....well...a little sick tonight. Handle her gently.” He noticed the guards eyeing his curved chieftan’s sword. He reached inside and softly pulled his Lady from the limousine. As one guard eyed her closely, her beautifully bright ceremonial robes pulled open. He stepped back at the sight of her very pregnant condition straining the sems of the evening gown. As the Lady stepped forward, she moaned softly and leaned against the Sokoto Ambassador. The other guard snarled upon seeing that the Lady was a Sonjon, and apparently had bred with a Sokoto. His disgust threatened to spill over in a gag. He simply could not tolerate getting any closer to such filth. He turned his attention to the next limousine.

Unfortunately, the other guard was more observant and stood firmly with his handheld scanner. It immediately noted the sword and he demanded its surrender. The Ambassador was outraged that he would be asked to surrender his weapon of honor. A scene threatened to erupt and extra guards were seen coming. The pregnant lady moaned and leaned against the Ambassador and spoke softly to him. The Ambassador straightened and whipped off the scabbard and sword, thrusting it to the guard. “Take the damned thing if it means getting my Lady inside and off her feet!” The extra guards backed off. The main guard took the weapon and let the arrogant strutting Ambassador and his “Lady” through. As Yhanna had predicted, most of Sonjon backed away, others repulsed with racial regards concerning a Sonjon woman with a Sokoto mate. The couple walked slowly, with her resting heavily against his side. People looked away and moved aside to keep from being touched by the couple. To onlookers who chanced a quick curiosity stare, they saw an attentive male whispering gently to his pregnant mate. Some looked away, some wondered, but moved on quickly to more palatable subjects. Mai whispered lovingly “If this works, Darling, consider yourself with a field promotion to Lieutenant.”

The slowly moving pregnant woman whispered back “If this works, My Love, I think its worth a promotion to at least Commander, don’t you think?”

Others overheard the Ambassador moan, obviously growing tired of his demanding mate. Most of the other Ambassadors and representatives wondered why anyone would bring their mate to this! Everyone else had brought their very attractive, and trim, mistresses.

 

[Scarlett O'Hara]

“Ambassador Doi-Mae! How very good of you to come.” the oily haired Sonjon feigned excitement and bowed slightly. Mai knew who he was, of course, by the deep pock marks clustering his pale skin. But he also knew his clan enemy, Doi-Mae Orugian, and how he would react. Dramatically, Mai twirled so that his robes flared. The thick ridge over his eyes flexed several times, as if he was having trouble remembering the person in front of him.

Finally, he laughed loudly and said drunkenly “Who are you? All you Sonjon look alike to me! Or rather....nearly all” and laughed again, pulling his Lady close to his side. His Lady laughed elegantly, which irritated all the Sonjon within hearing distance. A few more words were exchanged before the Sokoto, in his drunken state, spilled a little brandy on the poor man’s clothing.

For two hours, WarMaster Command Sergeant Mai and Cadet Yhanna would have to play the game. They had to play the game until Sonjon Glory would be in place and open fire on the targets. Discreetly, Mai checked his small timer and wanted to sigh. Time seem to be creeping in this palace. Meanwhile, they had to identify everyone they could, with Yhanna whispering which ones he had seen in the offices at BL’Hala headquarters. Though his information was probably minor officials since he was a junior member and worked in less secure areas of the terrorist headquarters. No one seem to want to stay in close proximity to the boisterous and abnoxious Sokoto ambassador and his Sonjon whore, thus they were able to mix widely and freely.

Royal servers mingled, serving drinks and delicacies. “Oh no!” Yhanna whispered. “N’Fan has arrived.” Mai nodded and leaned in as if to whisper to his Lady, telling him how they would avoid being in close proximity to him. N’Fan had worked closely with both Mai and Yhanna. Surely, he would recognize them! For the final hour they had to casually avoid him without seeming to avoid him. But rather than scurry about nervously, Mai took the opposite approach - he became louder and more abnoxious. He knew N’Fan, who thought himself superior to nearly everyone, especially someone like Doi-Mae. It seem to work. N’Fan seem to be the one avoiding the couple by moving off as he saw the brightly colored robes of the couple getting closer to him.

Mai checked his timer again and heard Yhanna moan loudly. He thought it was part of the pregnant woman act. “Damn! Another 15 minutes before....” Mai sighed softly hearing a deeper moan from Yhanna. Looking up, he saw the real pain crossing Yhanna's face. “What the hell is wrong?” he asked.

Yhanna had reached through the outer robes, grabbing at the swollen belly pack. “It’s burning. Get it out!” his voice was louder than intended, with people close to them giving a disgusted look in their direction.

“Stop it!” Mai snapped softly. “This isn’t fun....” but then he heard it - the soft increasing sound of an energy weapon powering up slowly. Immediately he knew what had happened. In all the moving they had done, and with things packed so tightly inside pouch, something had rubbed and slipped the safety into off. Another move was forcing something else against the trigger of it, not with enough force to power it quickly and discharge. But just enough contact to make the power build slowly, generating enough heat to begin burning Yhanna. Quickly looking around, Mai saw the exit to the privacy rooms. He had watched couples disappearing, not discreetly, down the hallway all evening. Wrapping his arm around Yhanna, he pulled him and charged hard through the crowd. “Move out of my way!” he demanded rudely.

Yhanna was trying to contain his pain, but it was intense. His cries were getting more frantic and his hands were trying to dig at the pouch. “Don’t touch it anymore!” Mai demanded firmly. “You could cause it to power up correctly and discharge!” Yhanna clenched his hands into fists, his nails biting and drawing blood. Mai pushed and pulled him through the crowd and hit the hallway at nearly a dead run. He pushed open every door, disgusted with what he saw before moving on. Finally, an empty room. Before the door settled into place, Yhanna was pulling the dress and pouch off. Mai locked the door and then began ripping at Yhanna’s clothes as well.

He grabbed the pouch as Yhanna released it and carefully handled it, seeing quickly the glowing heat tip of one of the weapons. Slowly, he worked pulling item by item away until the pressure on the trigger was released. It powered down immediately. “Gods rot it!” Yhanna cursed in his normally deep rich voice, snatching one of the sheets from the bed. Mai rushed to his aid, and knew it was bad. The burn was mid abdomen, and the stench of burn flesh was thick. Mai was astounded that the young man had been able to withstand the excruciating pain as long as he had!

“I’ll be right back.” Mai said and rushed from the room. Yhanna collapsed onto the bed, pulling his legs in tightly, taking deep breaths. He used all the techniques learned from his Seehk training to focus, to control the pain. But his skills weren’t working this time. The door whipped open and Yhanna glanced to see Mai rushing to him. A Charitim was with him. “A Healer.” Mai said softly and glanced at his timer, then rush to the small bath attached to the room. They had 10 minutes before Sonjon Glory would begin firing. Yhanna had to be on his feet and moving within 7 for them to be in place.

The Charitim ran his hands, all fourteen fingers, around and over the burning wound. Then placed his fingertips, like suction cups, on key pain trigger points. Mai returned and Yhanna felt the cold pressed gently against the burning pain. But only for a few seconds. Either the cold water or the Charitim was taking the pain from him. Yhanna stared up at the petite blue alien, through thick tears in his eyes. All he could think about was that a WarMaster was going to see that he was weak and crying. The Charitim smiled back into the Sonjon’s eyes and as if speaking aloud, spoke directly to his mind “Even Sokoto cry in pain. Even a WarMaster.” Yhanna tried to smile, but he knew it was a lie. Warriors never cry!

"Breath more slowly, and deeper." the Charitim spoke directly into Yhanna's mind. "Slowly. Deeply." It seem to chant repeatedly. Yhanna stared at It's face and head - perfectly round, hairless with 4 ridges crossing from ear to ear. The small hands moved and flitted all around him and he eventually let the being lull him almost to sleep.

"No more time!" Mai said into Yhanna's ear. "I'm sorry, Son, but you have to bear the pain for a while longer." The warrior slapped a weapon into each of his hands and stood him straight. Quickly, he slipped the thick robes back onto Yhanna, fastening them across the front of him so no one could see the ripped clothing and missing abdomen. Yhanna moaned, the pain was back almost as soon as the Charitim's fingers were removed from him. "You must do this, Ian Yhanna!" Mai said in a fatherly voice. "I refuse to lose you now. You're too valuable to me." Yhanna looked up into his pale green eyes and wondered what the Sokoto had said. He looked down, realizing he was dressed again, and seeing the two weapons in his hands. He couldn't feel them, he could only feel the intense burning pain that threaten to consume him.

Somehow, his feet began to move as his hands and the weapons pulled instinctively up inside the large flowing sleeves of the robes. Yhanna wished the Charitim could touch him still and take the pain again. He couldn't remember what he was supposed to do but he followed the WarMaster, who had donned his own robes and had the remainder of the weapons secreted within. Nodding to the Charitim, Mai thought "Thank you, SpiritSoars. Now go the way I told you." He knew the Charitim heard.

"FireIce is waiting with our siblings. I will see you again at the rendezvous." the Charitim clicked and popped to the WarMaster. Yhanna thought a bird was loose in the room and looked about, dazed from his pain. "Pardon me for saying, but this Sonjon will not make it. Perhaps you should leave....."

Mai cast the Charitim a glance so full of steel, his thoughts screamed at the alien. "He has gotten me this far, I will not abandon him!"

It clicked and popped and whistled in return "My apology Mai. I understand. We will see you both at the rendezvous!" The blue alien led the way from the room and turned left, quickly skipping away.

Mai turned right, keeping himself immediately in front of Yhanna. Whenever the young man seem to falter, he would growl "Ian! Focus on me!" and somehow the Sonjon cadet would straighten and try to smile, playing his part again.

 

[Scarlett O'Hara]

“Where the hell is he?” P’Aylie grumbled again as she paced back and forth in front of the Tactical Holo Display. The other officers and cadets looked at each other and then at the time display. The Sonjon Glory was 4 minutes behind schedule for arriving in orbit. “I will personally have a word with Flight Lieutenant L’Mot Phan when I debrief him.” Several cadets rolled their eyes, inferring that she was intending to behave as the WarMaster would have behaved.

“We’ve got him. Incoming message.” someone said shrilly from behind P’Aylie. The THD displayed the young Draksan male, who was acting captain of the starship.

His message was succinct, and quickly given, though he appeared nervous. The message ended. P’Aylie let out a deep breath and checked the time, noticing her heart was threatening to beat through her chest wall. The Sonjon Glory slid elegantly into position over The Holy City as P’Aylie slid into the command seat. Her fingers gripped one arm of the chair while the other she held close in. She was hurting worst than at any time since leaving the hospital. But she had refused further pain medication when Mai told her about commanding this mission in his place. She didn‘t want anything to cloud her decision making skills or response times.

Mai nervously checked his timer again. He had propped Yhanna against the wall, using his own body in front to hold him upright. To those casting curious stares, he appeared to be whispering sweetly to his mate. “Hold on, Ian. Damn! Where are they?” he thought repeatedly. He looked at Yhanna, his normally tanned face was nearly white. A clammy sweat was across his face, his eyes were dull, and Mai could feel his body shivering, even though all the layers of robes between them. Mai doubted that Yhanna would be any help from this point on. He would probably be more of a burden. Several times, he had thought about them leaving and being satisfied with the damage caused from space, but they would never have this chance again. If Ian and he were to die, they were going to take some of these bastards with them!

Mai’s eyes had been searching and waiting for the first flash of bright light outside the palace. So did the Charitim. “Ian, its time!” Mai snapped harshly, seeing the cadet straighten, his eyes seem to focus slightly. The rumbling hit next, shaking and crashing decorations and crystal and china to the floor and topping furniture. More flashes and the second rumble was nearly on top of the first, the third quickly followed. It all happened within a few seconds - bright flashes of lights popping along the horizon from the palace’s views; sounds of explosions; the screaming of panic; the heavily armed blue aliens rushing in from the kitchen area; the crowd first not moving then surging towards exits; Mai and Yhanna moving slowly through the scattering crowds, looking for their top targets. The Charitim were nearly all in place, their weapons sizzled as targets were noted and taken. As telepaths, they had “hidden” as kitchen chefs and cleaning staff, all the while “listening” to Mai. He had carefully noted each target, fixing a strong physically image in his mind so that the Charitim would know who to take down, who to seize, who to pass over. Yhanna, as expected, was in far too much pain to focus and be helpful at this stage, though he had done everything beautifully to the point of the weapon malfunction.

Mai, with Yhanna trailing close behind and focused on the Sokoto’s large looping hairstyle and colorful robes, moved towards the top two targets. Perhaps a better description was the targets moved towards them. Mai was near the exit which led to the underground bunker of the palace. Only the most important officials would even know about the bunker...or so he reasoned. His top most targets were heading straight for him. N’Fan, however, was nowhere in sight. Their number one target had vanished! The man that Yhanna had identified as the Director of Computing for BL’Hala was closest to him. Mai fired the weapon set to stun. They needed him alive. The man’s face seemed incredulous that someone would block his egress but looked down stupidly before falling into a stunned heap. A Charitim was there immediately, scooping up the limp body and carrying him back towards the kitchen.

Yhanna stumbled against Mai’s back, causing the second stun shot to fire off course and hit one of the mistresses. Mai calmly grabbed Yhanna, steadied and fired again - hitting the second closest target, the Director of Medical Research and Development, one of N‘Fan‘s top underlings. A Charitim scooped up the body and was gone. Yhanna saw and wondered how such a small person could lift over their shoulders and skip away with a body far more massive than their own. “Why are they skipping?” Yhanna asked softly, his voice lost in the screams and confusion around Mai. Mai reached down and grabbed Yhanna’s arms, wrapping them around his chest. But the cadet would not let go of his weapons and simply braced his wrists to hold on. Mai was dragging him at this point.

The Charitim seem to be everywhere, shooting and scooping up a few of the bodies, and skipping off towards the kitchen. Mai’s eyes darted furiously, looking for N’Fan, and still he was not to be seen. A whistling shot missed Mai’s cheek by millimetes. Luckily, Yhanna’s head rested on the other shoulder or he would have been instantly killed. The Sokoto roared with pent up frustration as he pivoted to fire back towards the shot fired at him. Because of the way Yhanna slumped in the turn, it had pinned Mai’s left arm which carried the stun weapon. Mai saw the man, Rumara - Director of Farm Management, take a steady aim to fire again. Mai lifted his right weapon, set to kill, but a guest was pushed headlong into him. Mai’s weapon was jostled, and the shot went centimeters off course, ripping through an unknown. Rumara seemed dumbfounded that his own shot had missed and hit a nearby woman. But he snarled and aimed quickly again.

Mai heard a roar of pain in his ear and in his peripheral vision saw Yhanna hands come up. He felt the young Sonjon’s weight shift and initially Mai thought his weapons were simply firing haphazardly. But his line of sight instinctively followed the energy pulses. Mai gasped in surprise to see N’Fan’s face and part of his torso as he was being pushed towards them and the bunker entrance. Yhanna shots took out both the nearby bodyguards and N’Fan looked up and around fearfully, trying to grab a nearby woman for cover. But Yhanna’s right hand steadied, he groaned in horrific pain from the concentration and fired. His body then collapsed fully against Mai’s back. As he stumbled and tried to grab Yhanna, his eyes went to N’Fan but didn’t see him any longer. He mentally screamed to the Charitim to look for a body and several converged on the location, looking about madly, pushing the larger Sonjon out of their way. One Charitim shook its head and stuped, then quickly held an ear aloft. It nodded negatively for any other body. Mai knew in his gut that Yhanna had somehow seen N’Fan, and knew they needed him alive or dead. The young man in one final burst of cognizance, did what he was trained to do. If he had only been steadier of hand or eyesight, he would have hit his mark perfectly.

Yhanna’s weight was suddenly gone from Mai. The Sokoto growled and turned to pull his cadet up but felt overwhelming relief to see the Charitim, FireIce, lifting Yhanna across its petite shoulders and skipping off towards the kitchen. Mai grabbed his weapons and turned, looking for more key targets.

Moments later, he had to use his knees as ballast to remain standing through the new rounds of blasts. The building seem to rocking as if on a storm-tossed sea. Mai knew Sonjon Glory, according to the predetermined schedule, was beginning to take out the secondary targets. All of these targets were closer to the palace or on palace grounds. It was time to leave! Mai was not willing to lose any of his team members to get a couple more Sonjon. His mind screamed the command to leave for the rendezvous point, pushed himself through the crowd, and headed towards the kitchen. He smiled wondering why these aristocrats didn’t think to exit through the kitchen, though personally he was glad they had not!

 

[Scarlett O'Hara]

Mai was nearly to the kitchen door, fighting across screaming aristocrats and keeping his eyes moving in front of him for any targets which presented themselves easily, when strong hands gripped his arms, pinning them to his sides. The fingers knew the exact nerve pathways in a Sokoto arm, and pinched down so tightly that Mai’s arm, forearm, hand and, finally, fingers numbed. It had taken only very few seconds to render the Sokoto warrior numb to the point of dropping his weapons. While the large hands held him, he tried to use his feet to flail back or to lunge and swing the body over the top of himself. But the person knew all the martial arts moves, countering them perfectly.

The thought occurred to Mai that he was about to lose his first battle and his hair would be cut off by half. If I survive at all. Surprisingly, he didn’t feel fear, only a resolution that everyone can be bested given the right time and circumstances. He actually laughed when he realized that his first thought had been about his hair. How vane! But then his mate had always told him he was too arrogant and vane and his day would come. Though, he thought she surely meant by her outsmarting him, not a physical opponent. Other hands suddenly rifled through his robes, freeing all other weapons from him. He refused to let his mind panic, or scream out in tones necessary for the Charitim to come back for him. FireIce would have been the one to lead the charge back. Mai had no intention of FireIce dying. He had been the reason the infant Charitim almost died at birth, he would not be the reason It died now.

The Sonjon guards in simple grayish silk jumpsuits were ordered “OFF!” Whoever held his arms, surprisingly, pushed him further down the large hallway towards the kitchen. Nearly halfway down the open space, the opponent made the first mistake - he released his grip on the nerve pathways. Mai didn’t make any sudden movements while he discreetly tensed and relaxed his fingers, getting full feeling back to his hands. His eyes were sweeping the hallway for anything he could use as a weapon. “Don’t think you can defeat me, Sokoto.” the voice was now a few inches further behind. Mai wanted to smile. Sonjon had very definite requirements for personal body space, especially around aliens. The man had unconsciously allowed more space between their bodies, space Mai could use to pivot when the time was right.

Then Mai saw them. The only two things in the long hallway. Nearest him was a heavy tray for serving, and further down was a long handled cleaning sweep propped against the wall. They will have to suffice. The WarMaster Command Sergeant was cognizant of his speed and stride, never varying them. As they approached the serving tray sitting on a small shelf in the wall, Mai waited until he was at arm’s length and in one fluid moment, he reached, turned and swung, connecting squarely with......only an arm of a much bigger opponent! Mai exhaled in shock. He had never met anyone, other than a Sokoto, who was bigger than he. Some Appians were as large, but none bigger. D’Nel was nearly as tall but not as bulky. This Sonjon, was the largest man he had ever seen - regardless of species. He simply smiled down at Mai. As agile as an artic jh’himsh’shee from Endisia IV, the Sonjon leaped. But Mai had recovered quickly, half turning and lunging towards the long-handle metal sweep.

The ruddy fingertips of Mai’s heavily tattooed hands were millimeters from the metal, when his legs were grasped and jerked back mightily. Using the move to his own advantage, Mai didn’t resist. He allowed his muscles to flow smoothly, tightened his feet and with strength borne of desperation, he levered his body straight into the Sonjon’s chest. His flying mass was enough to knock the breath from the lungs and knock them both to the floor. Pushing his advantage, Mai quickly scampered up, bracing his knees along the neck. Sonjon necks were weak, too long with no exoskeletan like Sokoto. Mai grunted and twisted his body, locking his knees. The Sonjon groaned but his hands quickly popped upward, landing against those sensitive spots of a Sokoto male. Mai gritted his teeth, but tightened his knees and rolled over, twisting easily. He heard the bones popping and the Sonjon growled. There was a momentary weakness in the Sonjon, but then Mai had pain still ripping through him as well. Together, they seem to relax for only a moment and started again. With his knees still locked, Mai tried to twist again, but the Sonjon relaxed and rolled along with him, his legs rising to grip Mai around the neck. The Sonjon was strong enough to jerk Mai off balance, though not strong enough to break a Sokoto neck.

Mai also forced himself to relax and roll along with the backward pull, knowing the momentum would carry him back to where he needed to be. Though he didn’t see the metal handle, his fingers felt and grasped it. He twisted hard, bringing the metal handle around and gouged upward. His attempt wanted an eye or other soft tissue spot. There was a blur of motion, and the Sonjon brought both hands around like a club, knocking the metal spike across the hallway. Without braking his body, the Sonjon spun completely around and then crashed down onto Mai, using his braced elbow as a spike into Mai’s windpipe. The Sokoto warrior felt his air supply cut out but simply thrust his body up. It took three times before he had sufficient leverage to dislodge the Sonjon’s elbow.

The huge Sonjon laughed “I haven’t had this much fun in years, Sokoto.” and leaned down to offer a hand-up to the warrior. Mai seemingly reached to take it but rolled and grabbed the spike again. His muscles were so damned tired, he knew he was greatly weakened but then the Sonjon had to be weaker as well, Mai reasoned. He sprang upward, thrusting the end straight at the soft chest cavity over the heart. The Sonjon parried easily but stepped into a perfect across-the-chest strike. Mai put his entire mass into it and heard the whack of the spike. He also heard, as did the muscular Sonjon, several ribs break. The Sonjon gasped, obviously a broken shard of rib had punctured a lung. But Mai continued his attack. Summoning every bit of strength he had remaining. Several hard blows and the Sonjon fell to his knees. Mai raised the metal and plan to push it down hard into the soft exposed jugular vein in this side of the monster’s neck.

A sizzle of energy roared down the hallway, snapping the metal out of Mai’s hand before the tip reached the soft neck. Mai had felt the energy whiz past him from behind, from the direction of the kitchen and turned. FireIce was holding his weapon and several of its siblings rushed by It towards the Sonjon. Two immediately grabbed his head, applying their special force to disenable him. The other two quickly snapped restraints where the most pain would be inflicted. Mai’s lips formed the word ‘why’ though his mind was already screaming it. FireIce looked as if it would cry but clicked and popped its answer with confidence. “That is Paladan, GodParent. Head of the Secret Police, and N‘Fan‘s brother. We need him alive!” FireIce was by his side immediately, as if its small body would carry a Sokoto. Mai accepted a little help but only after the other four had dragged Paladan ahead.

 

[Scarlett O'Hara]

The screaming aristocrats were running for limousines or pleasure boats. But security protocols for the party had required all boats back to the mainland after offloading of their passengers early in the evening. With Sonjon Glory’s attack on the three bridges spanning from the mainland, and with the destruction of the air tower and field, there was no way for the trapped aristocrats to leave the island.

Yet, Mai and his people, manuevered across the palace grounds quickly, slipping through the large hole in the security field, provided by Flt. Lieutenant L‘Mot Phan from Sonjon Glory. They knew where their 3 rescue boats were securely hidden. The Charitim boats had come in from a larger Sonjon launch on the outer banks of the island. The waters were rougher, and the coastline cragged, but their escape was guaranteed if they could reach the boats. FireIce stayed closed to the weakened Mai. They were assuring all their people were evacuated. “GO, GO, GO!” Mai shouted and watched the first one roar from the small inlet. It bounced crazily over the rough waves and disappeared into the dark. Twenty counts later, the second boat roared to life and followed in its wake. Mai climbed wearily into the third, nearly falling on top of petite FireIce who was trying to give him extra support. The two disappeared below.

Ian Yhanna was heavily sedated while a Sonjon specialist and a Charitim Healer worked with his deep burn. Seeing his WarMaster Command Sergeant, Yhanna smiled a lop-sided grin, his eyes barely focused “We did it, sir!”

“Yes, son, you did it! You observed, picked up the imminent arrangements for a high level party. Discreetly worked your way into the process. If you had not accomplished this, we would not have known about the party until after the event was long over. You did well, Ian. Very well!” Besides him, FireIce said in thickly accented Sonjon, almost softly like a bird “Well done, Sonjon.” Mai leaned over and whispered to Yhanna the names of the prisoners secured on the first two launchs.

Ian smiled. But his eyes grew larger as more and more Charitim gathered next to Mai. “I think I have a concussion, physician. I am seeing 8 Charitim now.”

Mai laughed “Yes, physician, check his eyesight. He should be seeing 11 Charitim.” FireIce clicked and popped a response to Mai who answered easily in the Charitim’s own language. The two laughed and FireIce hugged the massive chest of the Sokoto.

“Eleven Charitim? I saw them firing weapons at the party. But I thought they were all Healers.” said Yhanna, his warm brown eyes flicking from Charitim to Charitim. He wondered to himself “I wonder how they tell each other apart?”

Suddenly the one hugging Mai squawked, its skull crest ridges were puckering tightly, and it flew to Ian’s bedside. Then looking back at Mai, said angrily with its thick Sonjon language skill “He does not see any differences in us, GodParent. Just like a Sonjon to base everyone by race!”

Mai’s ruddy face darkened “And you, FireIce, still judge all Sonjon to be the same! When will we be able to see past racial stereotypes? If Ian Yhanna was like the scum who hosted this party, he would not have led us to them.” The large Sokoto turned and disappeared into a small cabin next door as the boat jumped and skipped through the crashing waves of the rough sea.

Mai was shivering, his massive hands wrapped tightly around a mug of m’caa. FireIce entered and stood close by “I am sorry, GodParent. But his thoughts angered me. He honestly doesn’t not see the difference in us. He sees not that I have four crest ridges, or that my sibling CloudCrystal has only two. He sees not that UnityMaster has a oval head or that mine is smaller than SoulSteps. He angered me. But I apologize to you, GodParent. I know you care for this Sonjon.” With its words spoken, the Charitim seem to grow even smaller in the presence of the Sokoto.

Mai didn’t answer. He simply sat wearily on the bunk and drank his m’caa. Finally, with a deep sigh, he said painfully “I don’t think the alliance will work. Most seem unable to see past race stereotyping. No matter what we go through together, we still see each other as something different from ourselves. The further most thing is true. We are more alike than skin color or shape would have us believe. We will succeed together or we will all die together. That is the truth of the matter!” He drained the rest of the m’caa and refilled his mug. FireIce stood silently, not knowing what to say to its GodParent.

 

[Scarlett O'Hara]

Many hours later, the prisoners were secured further down in the Command Center bunker. Yhanna was resting comfortably in the hospital wing, being attended by the Sonjon physician and the Charitim healer. FireIce sat quietly by the man’s bed, awaiting his return to the conscious world. Finally the physicians left and it was the two of them. FireIce waited and dozed.

“What are you doing here?” asked Ian, vaguely recognizing the small greenish-blue person asleep in the chair next to him. The noise awakened the petite Charitim who smiled at seeing Yhanna awake.

“You are awake. Good. In honor of my GodParent’s respect for you, I was waiting to speak with you.” FireIce stretched and yawned, then quickly stood next to the bed. Despite its best resolve, it smiled at the warm brown eyes of Ian Yhanna, who remarkably smiled back.

“I think you are the one who carried me to the boat?” Ian half asked and half stated. Seeing it nod, he continued “Thank you.” added simply taking in the differences of this Charitim versus the Healer who had earlier worked with him. He realized he could tell subtle differences in them. “You have 4 crest ridges, your eyes are pale blue, the others have dark blue eyes. Your ear flaps are more ruffled than the others.” The Charitim’s complexion darkened in shyness. It had been wrong about this Sonjon.

“Yes, my Parent says I get my ruffled ears from my cogenetor parent.” He saw Yhanna’s eyes squinch in curiosity and laugh. “In my species, Sonjon, we each carry both sexes within us. Each of us can be a birth Parent, or a cogenetor by producing a child in another Charitim. As cogenetor, we bare no responsibility for the child.”

Yhanna groaned “Too much information, Charitim. I don’t need to know the specifics.” FireIce laughed and Yhanna did as well, quickly stopping as the pain winced through him. “Don’t make me laugh, Charitim. It hurts.”

“My apologies and my name is FireIce.” It stated simply.

“Just FireIce? No surname?”

FireIce thought through the question, and realized the Sonjon was asking for its ancestral pedigree. “I am known as FireIce the First, from DestinyPath XVI, by StarShine XXXIII.”

“Long name!” Ian smiled, adjusting the way he was lying. He was now in a better position to see the Charitim. He was surprised when the petite Being hopped up on the bed and sat cross-legged next to him. With his normal Sonjon need for larger body space, he initially pulled back but then adjusted himself back into the comfortable position. “FireIce the First. Hum.....” he stared at the soft eyes that were tilted high on the outsides. “First ever named FireIce, I presume?” His deep chuckle escaped.

FireIce giggled happily but sat straighter. “Yes. Thanks to my GodParent, Mai.” Seeing the shock on the Sonjon’s face, FireIce elaborated. “Mai was a young soldier and assigned by the Sonjon military to guard an older Charitim Ambassador, my Parent DestinyPath. They were onboard a small shuttle bound for an out-of-the-way planet where a secret meeting was being held. They were attacked by unknowns and crashed landed on a moon of a gas giant. Luckily, the moon had a breathable atmosphere or they would have died immediately.” FireIce saw that he had the undivided attention of the handsome tall Sonjon and wiggled closer, its voice slipping into its storytelling mode.

“My Parent was critically injured and the shuttle was ruptured, allowing the driving ice rain into the interior. Mai was able to reconnoiter the frozen vicinty and found a series of small caves. He carried my Parent to the cave and then went back to the shuttle. He launched a coded distress call and then stripped the shuttle of anything that would burn, as well as all the weapons and the meager rations. When he returned to my Parent, he found that DestinyPath was pregnant and had gone into premature labor. He used an energy weapon at low power to heat the rocky interior.” The mention of an energy weapon on low power was enough to make Ian Yhanna cringe at the memory of his burning. His hand automatically went to his heavily bandaged abdomen.

FireIce seeing the movement, moved on in the story. “Mai had to deliver me, though he did not know anything about Charitim physiology. He was quite....unnerved, to say the least.” Yhanna laughed and made a face that he understood. Thinking about the muscular Sokoto discovering the Charitim Ambassador had both sexes in one body must have been more than unnerving! FireIce laughed at overhearing the strong emotion of Ian’s thoughts.

“My Parent was even more weak after the birth and Mai had to stuff my smallness inside his uniform, right next to his skin, to keep me warm on the frozen world. He thought surely my Parent would die as it slipped into a coma before the end of the first day on the iceworld. But Mai was not going to let me die, and he used my Parent as a source of food for me, allowing me to suckle at It. Over the course of days, he used all the power of the energy weapons to heat the cave, and finally burned what he had pulled from the shuttle. Mai has told me that he thought we would all die on that forsaken world. But the Draksans intercepted the distress call. Vacationing on his homeworld, a Sonjon Captain was asked to take a Draksan long range shuttle and render assistance. It took the Draksan time to locate our bio-signs because the caves were dampening the signals. Mai had pulled my Parent into a tight embrace and still they were slowly freezing with me tucked tightly between them. When he heard the crunch of steps on the ice outside the cave, he grabbed for a weapon but threw it aside, realizing it had no power left in the cell. Imagine his surprise, and embarrassment, when the Draksan found him cuddled with a Charitim. As he pulled me from between them, the Draksan male said “I didn’t know you had been isolated here long enough to reproduce with a Charitim.” Yhanna laughed and so did FireIce.

“Mai tells me that he cursed a stream of Sokoto warrior curses at the tall Draksan with quicksilver blue eyes. But the Draksan just laughed and got them all to safety. With everyone in medbay, the Draksan searched the system. He was able to pick up weapons signal residue and deduce who had shot my Parent’s shuttle out of space. He showed the information to the young Sokoto Mai."

"As they finally broke orbit, Mai was looking at the frozen moon, seeing its true beauty for the first time. It had massive volcanoes which spewed frozen ice instead of molten lava. It was the quaking he had felt for days inside the cave. So, with the life of my Parent in the balance, Mai named.....”

“The WarMaster named you FireIce for the moon volcanoes! Very poetic.” Yhanna grinned. “And your parent died?” his voice was softer as he asked out of respect.

“Oh no. DestinyPath finally recovered but was unable to have more children.” FireIce said gaily.

“I’m terribly sorry.”

“Why? I was the eleventh child of DestinyPath. It needed no more children, Sonjon!” FireIce laughed at seeing the shock on Ian’s face. “But that experience is what locked the friendship of my Parent, Mai, and.....the Draksan so tightly. Do you know how beautiful your eyes are, Ian?” FireIce felt a fluttering inside.

 

[Tisiphone]

Jax was completing the duty rosters with the mechanics working on making sure no more malfunctions occurred in any of the Demons as Zak spoke with Oncanon about his own fighter. Jax noticed one of the mechanics had stayed across the hangar bay and was watching the Boro'Ank intently. The Boro'Con gasped slightly as the male moved into the light, recognition dawning on the young officer. He wasn't positive but slipped away before the mechanic noticed Jax. He caught up to Zak down the corridor, just before they reached the Observation Deck. "Boro'Ank sir, I wonder if I might have a moment of your time?"

"Jax," Zak said, slightly startled at the interruption of his thoughts. "Of course."

"Privately sir?"

Zak nodded and led the way back to the Command Center. He checked on their course then indicated for Jax to begin.

"Sir, I need to know...what happened to us? Lia and I both agree that you know we were innocent, yet why were we kept in stasis for so long?" Jax asked.

Zak sighed and leaned back in the stiff chair. He knew this would come one day and was surprised that Aglianan had not asked him herself. "I have to admit that I don't know everything, but I'll tell you what I can," he finally replied after a long pause. Zak explained that the trial itself was a sham, which is why it was kept secret and there had been no records. VinZian Ravinian had indeed been a traitor, but he was not in it alone. Boro'Ches Destian, the head judge at their tribunal had actually been the one giving the orders to Ravinian and his two Boro'Cons, who also presided at the tribunal were a part of their organization to sell Copani military equipment to the Sonjons.

"We knew Ravinian was answering to someone higher up, but the information was buried too deeply," Jax interjected. "With the judges themselves being traiters, no wonder we were found guilty so quickly. Not to mention how badly our defender needed to grow a spine," he snarled.

"More than you know, son," Zak agreed. The judges had threatened the defender with his life if he tried the case to the best of his ability. When Jax made a comment about the gung ho prosecutor as well, Zak shook his head. "Believe it or not, it was the prosecutor who ended up blowing the case wide open. Unfortunately it was too late for you and your squadron since it was after the trial and you'd already been put into stasis."

Military trials for treason were completely closed and secret, which meant it had been easy to keep the trial from being common knowledge. The prosecutor had been bothered by the ease in which he'd won the case. The judges had denied motions that should have been allowed, suppressed testimony, the obvious mistakes of the defender. But the kicker had been later when he'd entered his encryption code to check a fact on the case that had been nagging at him that he found there were no records. None whatsoever regarding the charges, trial or sentencing. He'd gone to the current Boro'Ank of the military at that time and found he knew nothing about the trial but there had been rumors of an entire squadron, previously assigned to a covert ops mission, going missing. Coupled with the fact that the defender had been found dead, although they had never been able to prove if it was suicide or murder, they arrested Ravinian and gone after the judges. Destian and his two officers had fled Copani space for Sonjon space. They had sent another Boro'Ches after the traitors, only for him to find them too late. A Draksan assassin had already found and killed them. Since they were no longer in a position to supply military weapons and equipment to the Sonjon, they had no further use for them. Zak did not tell Jax that the assassin was most likely P'Mela.

"That doesn't explain why we were kept in stasis," Jax said in frustration.

"Because Destian and the other two were the only ones who knew where your stasis pods had been taken. Apparently they questioned Ravinian extensivly, tested him and even gave him drugs to force him to give your location, but he just did not know," Zak explained. "So he was placed in permanent stasis for his crimes. Believe me son, the military has been searching for your squadron for many years now. I feel that whoever they paid to keep them, since there will never be any more money paid to them, managed to somehow incorporate your pods in with those who volunteered for this mission. I couldn't believe it when I found Aglanian's pod," he shook his head in amazement.

"What about Ravinian, where is he?" Jax asked.

"He's still on Copan in the same place your pods were loaded onto this ship with the others."

"And you are certain of this? There is no way he also was slipped aboard?" Jax insisted.

Zak frowned at the younger Copani's tone. "Jax, what's going on? Is there something you're not telling me?"

"It's just...earlier in the maintenance bay, I could have sworn I saw that bastard!" Jax spat angrily.

"Jax..." they both heard Jax's Comm unit signal and Aglianan's voice. "YOU! Ravinian, what the Helcathia are you doing here?"

Jax reached for his unit to acknowledge Lia but Zak grabbed his wrist at the same time they both realized what was happening.

 

[Tisiphone]

Aglianan had some free time and wandered down to the Observation Deck. She could not stare out of the porthole for very long as the ship in full jump mode made the stars go by so quickly, the sight made her nauseus after more than a few minutes. She closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the bulkhead, smiling at the memory the stars brought to her. "Daddy, fly me to the stars! Please?" she heard her ten year old self say.

Mos and Aglianan had been lying on their backs looking up into the heavens. Mos had been describing star patterns to his insatiably curious daughter when she made her request. The Copani frowned, looking over at his little girl with concern. "Lia, why do you want to go to the stars?" He rolled over to his side and stroked her face. "It's not because I told you that's where your mommy lives, is it?"

"Silly Daddy!" Lia giggled and hugged him. "No, I know my mommy didn't want me. I want to go cause that's where YOU work. And I'm gonna be the second bestest pilot ever, next to you, when I grow up. I want to be with you forever."

Mos held Lia against him tightly, whispering, "I promise not to ever leave you voluntarily, baby girl." He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks to Horvath that Lia had not suffered for not having a mother. The little Copani was unaware that Mos, from the time he first held her as a newborn, had sworn to make sure she knew that she was loved. He'd had to leave her on his estate from time to time with his staff, but made sure all his assignments were close to home over the years of her life. He spent every available moment with his daughter, taking as much leave time as possible.

"So you'll fly me to the stars?" she grinned slyly at him.

"Brat! You know just how to manipulate me, don't you?" Mos laughed. He took her back to the house and tucked her into bed for the night, promising he'd take her in the morning. When the sun was barely up, he felt a pressure on his chest and looked up into the eyes of his little girl.

"It's morning, Daddy! Can we go now? Can we? Please?" she begged, bouncing up and down on his chest. Mos kept his promise and took her aboard his smaller ship. That was the first of many flying lessons he gave his little girl, marvelling at how fast she learned and how intently she focussed on every thing he taught her.

Aglianan felt more than heard someone behind her and opened her eyes. The reflection from the porthole nearly caused her to scream, but she managed to control her impulse long enough to touch her comm badge, unseen, and call out Jax's name as if she simply thought it was he behind her. "YOU! Ravinian, what the Helcathia are you doing here?" Lia prayed that Jax would not acknowledge her signal and was listening.

"Ontanon, located Boro'Sug Aglianan," Zak signalled through his own comm unit, as he and Jax listened to the Boro'Con's.

"The Boro'Sug is located on the Observation Deck. Shall I contact her for you?" Ontanon's even tones came back.

"NO!" Zak shouted. "Scan Obs for other life signs," he ordered instead.

"One other crew member standing in close proximity to the Boro'Sug. Comm unit indicates Mechanic Third Class Oni Sleipnir. Hold...DNA comparision does not match those on file for Mechanic Oni. Scanning records for..."

"Nevermind Ontanon. We already know who it is," Zak replied.

Ravinian held up an object and pressed it against Aglianan's head. "Do you know what this is?"

"A laser torch? How original," Lia replied dryly.

"I thought so, thank you," VinZian chuckled. "Handy things, laser torches. It can drill a precision hole through metal or slice off a defective bolt. Just think what it would do to your lovely face if I pressed this button. Oh and I'll take your weapon for good measure as well."

Aglianan clenched her fists in silent rage, furious at herself for being caught so unaware. However, never in her worst nightmare had she thought there was any possibility that VinZian could be aboard this ship. "What do you want?" she asked tersely.

 

[Tisiphone]

"Why are we in jump? Where are we going?" he asked.

"We're going to Copan."

"Why?"

"It was the Boro'Ank's decision. I'm afraid you would have to ask him," she replied, her voice calm now.

"So our illustrious Boro'Ank does not confide in his Boro'Sug?" Ravinian sneered. "How did you get such a promotion anyway? Are you sleeping with him?"

"Have sex with a superior office in the Copani way?" she blinked innocently. "No, I only made that mistake once," she finished sarcastically. She sent a silent apology to Zak, unknowing that he was hearing the conversation with Jax. "And believe me, you weren't that good that I would risk my career a second time."


"For Horvath's sake, Lia. Don't antagonize him," Jax groaned. "We have to get to the Observation Deck."

"If we try and take Ravinian out there, he'll see us coming and Aglianan will be killed before we can get near him," Zak reasoned, ignoring Lia's remark about him. "We need to know what he wants." They heard a gasp of pain from Lia and both tensed to find out what was going on next.

"You and I are going to take a casual walk to Docking Bay Three. I've outfitted a Demon with a special cloak so that not even your precious Boro'Ank would be able to find it," Ravinian said furiously. "If anyone tries to stop us, I will not only kill you but them also. If I go down, I'm taking as many with me as I can."

"What happens when we get to this Demon of yours? The ship is in full jump, even if you did manage to get the doors open, the vacuum would tear the Demon and us apart," Aglianan informed him calmly.

"You're the Boro'Sug, you are going to use your override command to bring the ship out of jump long enough for us to escape," he replied smugly.

"Docking Bay Three. If we hurry, we can be there before them and stop Ravinian," Jax said, already running through the door. Zak was right with him, both intent on reaching the Bay to give them enough time to get into position.

Ravinian walked behind and to one side of Aglianan, keeping his head as low as possible and still able to watch around them. He knew that there were around 200 Copani aboard the ship that would love nothing more than to kill him. Most of Aglianan's squadron might not recognize him, but enough would and every one of them would be out for his blood.

As they met other crew members, Aglianan was careful not to give Ravinian away. She had no desire to see anyone killed and could feel his nervousness growing. When she heard her name called, she stifled a groan that it was a member of her own squadron. "Aglianan, I wonder if I might have a moment to request a change in the flight training duty roster," Eunest smiled.

Zak and Jax had reached the hangar deck just as they heard Eunest's voice on Jax's unit. Zak turned to go back but Jax stepped in front of him. "Sir please. Eunest is one of us. There is no way Lia would endanger her. And you'd never make it in time. Even if you did, Ravinian would kill them both before you could stop him," Jax whispered, using basically the same argument Zak had previously used.

Aglianan felt VinZian tense beside her and felt him press the laser torch against her back, slightly increasing the pressure. She made sure she kept her tone even and her face holding no more than an expression of amiability. "Ah Eunest," Lia nodded. "Of course, I'd be happy to. There's something I need to take care of at the moment. Meet me in my office in an hour."

Zak and Jax both held their breaths as they listened and both sagged in relief when they heard the pilot acknowledge the Boro'Sug's order and move off. Once they were inside the docking bay, it was just a matter of waiting.

"You handled that well, my dear," VinZian whispered. "You may save lives here yet. Let's move."

The doors opened and Ravinian looked around carefully. There were two maintenance droids working at the far end, but all of the Copani mechanics were at the mess hall for their lunch. He'd timed this well, better than he had hoped since he had been unsure he'd find the Boro'Sug alone soon enough. He pointed to the Demon and kept a tight grip on her arm as he shoved her towards the ship he'd refitted. "As soon as we're inside, you will use your override to bring us out of jump," he ordered. He kept an eye on the two droids as they crossed the cavernous room, growing more tense by the second. The feeling that this had been too easy would not go away.

Aglianan's comm unit beeped, indicating Jax was finally acknowledging her signal. She knew this was his way of letting her know he was ready to make his move, even though he dared not speak. She ducked down just as Zak and Jax both stepped into view. She knocked her weapon out of Ravinian's hands as she rolled, kicking up with both feet. He knew the laser torch would never reach the two males, but he still had a tight grip on the makeshift weapon. "Don't come any closer," he ordered.

"Toss the torch aside, Ravinian, it's over," Zak commanded.

While the traitor's attention was on the Boro'Ank, Lia rolled further away. "You will not take me again," Ravinian snarled.

Lia saw the torch flare and Ravinian jump towards her. She rolled to a crouch, just as she heard the powering up of energy weapons. A searing pain hit her in her lower back as she heard the anguished scream of the traitor over Jax's weapon discharge.

Jax fired just as Ravinian pressed the switch on the torch. He hit his nemesis in the chest but was too late to keep the laser from hitting Aglianan as she tried to get away. His shot spun Ravinian around and Jax kept firing until the torch dropped from Ravinian's hand. Slowly, the traitor fell to his knees before he pitched forward. Jax ran to Lia, ripping her uniform in the back to see how badly she was hit.

"Medical emergency to Hangar Bay Three," Zak ordered through his comm unit. He kicked the torch across the floor and knelt down next to Ravinian. The Boro'Ank felt for a pulse but found the Copani was dead. It was a sad day when Copani killed Copani, but he knew that if he'd had a better angle, it would have been his shot that would have felled the criminal.

Lia groaned as she felt Jax's hand on her back. "F'ank that hurts," she swore.

"Just lie still until the medics get here," Jax ordered her, keeping her from turning over.

Lia motioned for him to come closer and she whispered, "Please don't tell me Zak was around to listen in on that whole conversation?" she asked, the dread apparent in her voice.

"Ok, I won't tell you. Now shut up and take it easy," Jax admonished.

They did not have long to wait as the medics hurried into the Bay and to their injured Boro'Sug. They placed her on the stretcher and took her to Medical, with Jax following. Zak ordered Ontanon to have the droids clean up the area and take the corpse away. He looked around the Bay, just moments earlier the scene of such violence. He felt fortunate that he had not lost Eunest when she had encounted VinZian and left the Bay behind, but not the memories. His mind focussed on what needed to be done, among them, finding out what happened to Oni Sleipnir and have the head mechanic go over the Demon Ravinian had tampered with. He did not want to think about replacing Aglianan if she did not make it.

 

[Scarlett O'Hara]

Mai had just completed his early morning shower and was dressing in the daily uniform - black jumpsuit. His door burst open. He swirled to see the petit Sonjon female cadet standing in his doorway. Her eyes were swollen red and her face covered in tears. “Look at what they’ve done!” she cried and rushed to him, holding a datapad in front of her.

Gently, the WarMaster Command Sergeant sat her in a chair and took the datapad. As he read, he felt like someone had crushed the air from his lungs. “Have you shown this to anyone?” he asked quietly. The Sonjon cadet cried louder and shook her head “no”. He was full of fury but gently patted the young woman on the shoulder “I need you to gather yourself, Cadet, and go back to your communication station. Send out a general warning to all member worlds and tell them to raise their planetary defense shields. No Sonjon vessel is to be allowed entry. Sign it...WarMaster General P'Mela LeonDocTchi.” Mai started to exit the room and then said, almost as an afterthought "Once the message is sent, please contact my homeworld. I would like to know if my family and home are....." He couldn't finish the sentence, and he quickly exited the room.

Walking through the bunker, he saw P’Aylie smiling as she talked with some of the subordinates. Everyone was still overjoyed at the success of their mission against the palace. That was about to come to a terrifying conclusion. “P’Aylie! In my office, please.” he gruffily demanded as he continued walking towards his office. She smiled at him and followed.

P’Aylie entered the Sokoto’s office to see him standing at the window. He was staring out at the gloomy rain of the early morning hours of Ch’Chock’pi. “Yes, sir?” she asked as she closed his door.

Without turning to face her, the Sokoto warrior said “Please have a seat.” Several long moments passed before he moved or said anything. “There is no good way to say this. So I will just say it.” He turned to face her and the blond Draksan saw his cheeks covered by trails of tears. “We have intercepted and decoded a message sent to N’Fan this morning. Just 6 hours after our attack on the Sonjon Palace grounds, four Alae, the 68th, the 102nd, the 129th, and the 204th, came out of cloak right on top of Draksa. The Draksan planetary defense grid was only on stand-by, so the Draksans did not have time to activate before the four Alae took out all defense platforms. Then...two starships broke rank and approached the planet. Using the same method as they used against the Command Headquarters building, they opened fire on specific planetary targets.”

P’Aylie gasped and she snapped angrily “They attacked General Tchi’s and Admiral Ghar’s homes, didn’t they!?” Her lips were quivering in anger as she fluidly stood from the chair. Her small hands were clenched into fists.

Mai swallowed hard, additional tears crept down his ruddy cheeks. “Admiral Ghar has no family or assets left on Draksa. He has been.....” Mai stopped himself, swallowed and continued “The Sonjon starships have completely destroyed the LeonDocTchi ancestral estate and all clan members present, as well as.....I’m terribly sorry, P’Aylie, but they also destroyed your family’s residence. There are no known survivors at this time.”

Mai grabbed the shocked Draksan as the news hit her and she crumpled. Her screams of agony ripped through him. As soon as he was able to sit her in the large chair, he calmly pulled his dagger from the desk. Reaching behind him, he pulled the nearly floor length vestigial hair around and cut half the length from it. As far as he was concerned, this was his defeat as well. He had not foreseen the retribution aimed at the Draksans. In their defense, the Draksan militia had tried to scramble several squadrons of fighters, but the starships had easily picked them out of the air. Mai cursed himself for not sending some warning to all planets to raise their defense grids, a situation he would remedy in a few moments.

The revolution was truly underway.

It would be several days before a transmission could reach P'Mela and D'Nel out near the rim of neutral space.

 

[Cnaeus Valerius]

Two transmissions, one from Draksa and one from Ch'chock'pi, streaked through the medium that existed alongside normal space and time. The laws of physics were different in this place and the pulses of energy traveled at speeds that would have been impossible in normal space. It still took a considerable time before the transmissions reached their destination.

It was a dark place and cold one too. Pocketed asteroids traveled through lazy orbits where once there had been mighty gas giant planets. The yellow star that once bathed the system with light was now little more than an angry red ember with a bitter glow that gave no warmth.

Amid the decay of the dying system there was life. Under the cold gaze of the red star powerful shapes floated serenely along their orbits. Waiting.

Sensitive devices pulled the faint pulses of energy back into normal space and relayed their messages to those who waited. Within hours mighty drive engines came on line and glowed like the eyes of countless predators hiding among the rocks.

The waiting was over...

 

[Zack Ryan]

“Ontanan, take Ravinian’s body to the stasis chamber and put it in the scanner.” Just as Copani fetuses begin cognitive thinking before birth, their brains stay in a suspended state after death for several hours. The brains neural pathways may be tapped after death, if done soon enough and it is not injured, and knowledge can be gained from their memories.

He went then to the Medical section to check on Aglianan and to talk to Jax. Upon arriving he found all of her subordinate officers there, waiting. When he entered the room all there turned and bowed, all being aware by now of their current mission. Zak acknowledged them and then asked her condition.

Jax approached and said, simply, “the burn was not fatal, but was deep in one spot. The Meds are not sure whether her Menoch Sac was damaged. It was singed and may be more damaged than possibly can be repaired. The other thing is her spinal cord. It was also singed and the fluid may have been overheated.”

Zak turned away at that. If her fluid had been overheated it was possible that she might never function again below the Menoch Sac, the end of whatever career she might have had and, knowing her, just possibly her own life. Jax had continued speaking.

“They will not know for sure until she comes out of the Medfac, in about 6 ships hours. Until then I would suggest that everyone be sent back to their duties.”

Zak turned to him and said quietly so that Jax alone would hear, “You will assume her duties temporarily, and the announcement will be made shortly. Understand, this is only temporary, I fully expect her to recover fully.”

Jax said quietly also while a slight smile formed, “She had better Boro'Ank, I hate command duty.” Zak also smiled and turned back to the Med Stasis Chamber, looking down at his former lover. He moved his mind into her body, slowly moving through her injuries. He smiled enigmatically as he finished, not saying anything to anyone, but feeling slightly better that at least one injury was not serious and would just take a short time to heal.

“Ontanan, have you finished the recording?”

“Yes Boro'Ank, it is completed.”

“Good, dump the body in a garbage chute, let his ashes be mixed with the rest of the waste.”

“But Boro'Ank, is that not against tradition?”

“Yes Ontanan, but he is not worthy of the traditional method. In fact, transport his body openly to the squadron deck and make sure it is noticed when his body is dumped into the garbage chute.”

“Yes, Boro'Ank, I will attend to that right away,” and Ontanan turned and returned to the stasis chamber to carry out his instructions.

 

[Scarlett O'Hara]

"Lord N'Fan, the Draksans are resisting!" The young assistant's voice was shrill with emotions as he rushed into N'Fan's BL'Hala office. Quickly, the young man pushed the datacrystal into the display and watched as the newest message shimmered into mid-air display. Lord N'Fan watched, his eyes filled with hatred and fury. As if his leader were incapable of translating for himself, the assistant gushed "They are resisting the ground troops, refusing to go in at curfew, and they are refusing to give us any information about the terrorists!"

N'Fan pushed out of his chair and slapped his assistant with such force that the young man crumpled backwards, completely shocked and wondering what he had done wrong. N'Fan stopped the display and then squared his shoulders. "The Draksans will come to heel soon enough, idiot! Now what is the situation on the Sokoto?" N'Fan crushed the datacrystal under the heel of his elegant shoe.

The young man caressed the sting of his face and stuttered a response "We have checked, sir. There are just under a 1000 Sokoto on Ch'Chock'pi but almost half are women or children. Clearly the surveillance recordings recovered from the palace shows we're are looking for a male!"

N'Fan's eyes flared again and his voice was barely contained, "Of course we're looking for a male Sokoto, moron! But bring in all the Sokoto for questioning. No doubt a woman or child will recognize the man." He wondered how he had been so unlucky to have only sniveling idiots surrounding him.

"I think he knew where all the surveillance cameras were. I've reviewed all the recordings that were recovered, my Lord, and he is quite obviously keeping his face from any type of coverage." the assistant wondered how much detail he should reveal before angering the Emperor's cousin again.

N'Fan looked at him with contempt clearly written on his expression "Of course he knew where security was located! He knew everything else, didn't he?"

The assistant stuttered slowly "Shall we release the Sokoto ambassador, sir? I mean, we have cleared him of the charges. He is not the man in the recording."

The growl that issued from N'Fan bore no resemblence to a humanoid sound. As he began to shuffle documents around for signature, he barely sneered the remark "No. Kill him. He may not have been the terrorist but I think he knows who was. I detected a momentary flash of recognition in his eyes when I showed him the pictures. Clearly he is not cooperating."

"One more thing, sir." the young assistant swallowed several times and shuffled nervously from foot to foot. "About the Draksans...."

"What about the filth?"

"Draksa is a self-contained planet, sir. They import very little. How do you propose that we make them come to reason?"

N'Fan sat wearily back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. The headache he suffered was only getting worse because no one could think for themselves. Frustrated at the quality of his assistants, he sat quietly for long moments. When he answered, his voice was so quiet, the assistant wasn't sure if he heard the instructions correctly. "We can't starve them into submission if they are well fed. Have the Alae start laser-burning all the crops from space. They also have the means to bomb the main water oases. Foul the water and the soil and the Draksans will beg our forgiveness. And anyone who is out after curfew, kill them!"

As the assistant nodded, he quickly headed for the door. N'Fan added "And check on the progress of the Alae heading for Sokoto. I want that planet leveled as well." The assistant nodded but N'Fan was concentrating on adding his flamboyant signature to the paperwork beneath his manicured hands.

 

[Scarlett O'Hara]

Originally posted by Scarlett O'Hara
...Surl added “Isn’t it Draksan tradition for the father to name the baby before its born?”

P’Mela chuckled and answered good-naturedly “Yes. It is our tradition. The father tells the mother, but no one else knows until the naming ceremony. I just hope D'Nel picks something nice and not too....too....”

“Larger than life?” Surl completed the sentence, his multiples jaws clicking and popping rapidly. P’Mela laughed and nodded.

After leaving Surl in the galley, P'Mela slowly walked back to her quarters, stopping only to look into the medical bay. Enna was sitting at the computer display near D'Nel's bed. The Appian immediately reached for her weapon until she saw who was at the door. She nodded slightly out of respect, then sat and refocused on her work. To P'Mela it looked like D'Nel was only sleeping lightly. She decided against going further into the room.

As she entered her softly lit quarters, she smiled at the overly feminine room which was, not so slowly, undergoing a metamorphosis. D’Nel’s things seem to be pushing her things aside to make room for themselves.

Stepping through the etched doors to the bathing room, P'Mela checked the completion of the newest "surprise" for D'Nel. At nearly 28 centimeters taller than she, he frequently hit his head on the shower faucet which had been designed, many years earlier, for her convenience. Since his injury on Chahan, she had ordered the maintenance droids to raise the water outlet to accommodate his height. The repairs had been completed while she had been on the Aurora Shell. Satisfied that the repairs would suit him, she quickly retreated to the bedroom.

Dropping her soft robe onto the floor next to the bed, she slid between the russet silk sheets, and pulled up the woven blanket that highlighted the alien bed. When she had purchased the overly large bed on a small world named AjyrÀ, she never thought it would feel so empty! The seller had explained that the framework was made from petrified Dream Trees, covered in a sheer coat of molten copper which emphasized the nuance of bark and shapes. Once hardened, the copper was aged and burnished. The overall effect was something that appeared carved into ethereal shapes. The seller’s “sales technique” had promised her that every good wish and dream would be drawn to the bed. P’Mela remembered laughing at his unscientific sales approach. Many times since, she had reason to wonder if, just perhaps, the seller had known more.

As she lay there in the softly lit room, looking out of the viewport at Makmadi, which lazily moved in Te’Zsing’s silent path, P’Mela began to relax. Turning half way onto her stomach, her arm and leg over a pillow, she buried her face into the silk covered pillows and fell into sleep.

He should have been ill at ease with the baby, but he cradled the bundle contentedly against his chest, as the three of them rested. His long fingers, adept with weapons, idly checked baby fingers and ears, and caressed the shape of the small face. Their connection was so natural, not to mention the undeniable resemblance. Just as the infant’s mouth began to suckle with purpose, P’Mela said “You’re very good with babies!” He laughed and said “Not that good!” and pushed the hungry child into her arms. A quick loosening of her chemise, and the baby’s puckered mouth locked with amazing strength around her nipple. She could feel the gentle release of her milk, as the baby boy satisfied his hunger.

The room was cool and the air moved in a softly rushed eddy.

 

[Cnaeus Valerius]

I entered the cabin P’Mela and I shared and found her sleeping. Te’Zsing had offered to wake her and let her I know I had been released from sick bay, but I told him to let her sleep. The computer agreed, but I think he only did so in the hopes I would not mention the programming experiments to P’Mela.

P’Mela was sleeping on her side when I knelt beside the bed to wake her. I reached out to gently touch her bare shoulder but then drew my hand back. The twin arcs defined by the long eyelashes of her closed eyes were complemented by the barest hint of a smile touching her lips. The light blanket she slept under clung to her creating soft outlines of the flowing curves of her body. She sighed peacefully; beautiful even while she slept.

I reached out again, but this time to lightly run the tip one finger along the outer edge of her ear down to her earlobe. The slight tickling sensation caused her to stir. Her eyelids fluttered open and in the dim cabin lighting our eyes met. I smiled and P’Mela sat up to throw her arms around me. Amid the familiar scent of her shampoo I hugged her back.

“I thought I was dreaming at first…” P’Mela whispered in my ear as I held her in my arms. We parted enough for a kiss that quickly became lost in another close embrace. I kissed her cheek, her neck, her shoulder, and P’Mela spoke in an excited rush of words. “So much has happened while you were asleep!”

“It felt like I slept a lifetime…” I ran the fingers of one hand gently through her hair and kissed her on the lips as I cradled the back of her head in my palm. P’Mela relaxed her muscles completely, transferring her weight to my arms. She brought one of her arms between us to reach up and caress my face.

“Your dreams were troubled. I could tell.” The reflected light from the planet beneath us was dimmed automatically by the light filters in the viewports, but the light still had faint bluish cast to it. P’Mela looked up at me, her features clearly defined but with a dreamlike quality to them. I kissed her again to make sure I was awake. “We have encountered an Auroran starship that you have to see to believe.”

“A very well spoken people, the Aurorans, but I think I will wait until morning to see their ship…if that’s okay with you…” I spoke quietly into her ear and kissed her again. She pulled back slightly to look up at me with her eyes wide and glinting excitedly in the faint light.

“You have never seen a ship like this D’Nel! It is…it is…I can’t even find the words.” She sighed as together we sank back into the pillows.

“Take your time…we have all night…” I slid my hand under her chemise as she laughed quietly but deeply.

“Oh…I’ve missed you…” P’Mela leaned forward to kiss me and then she looked down at my chest while running the fingertips of one hand slowly down my spine. We were close enough that I could feel her heart beating rapidly against my ribs. “But first…first we need to discuss the conditions I gave you…”

“Yes, we do…but first,” I echoed her words with a smile and she looked up at me again. I felt her tense in my arms. Her wide eyes called to me, speaking of words that could remain unspoken until morning, of a night filled with passion, of…I pushed the thoughts and images from my mind. “First I need to tell you about a…special project…I am working on for the Empire. If after I tell you and you do not wish to change your conditions then I will agree to them. I don’t want to lose you…or our family.”

P’Mela seemed to melt into me as the tension left her. The expression on her face was a mix of relief and curiosity. In soft tones I told her everything about the plans for the revolution. I told her of the secret alliances formed among key worlds…even with a few of the Sonjon. I told her everything…almost everything…I realized there was still one thing left to-

P’Mela had been staring at me in silence as the enormity of what I was telling her sunk in, but before I could say any more she suddenly pushed back from me. She moved herself too far away to hold any longer but still within arm’s reach.

“D’Nel…it is treason!”

 

[Zack Ryan]

“Hello Nuereen”

“Hello my brother, how are you this day?”

“I am fine sister, how is father holding up”

“Since we told him you are presently on your way his spirits are high, when he is aware, and he seems somewhat stronger.”

“Stronger? What do the doctors say about this?”

“Only that the news of your impending arrival has made it so that he feels he must stay alive until you arrive and relieve him of his duties.”

“I am moving at maximum speed, directly across neutral space to Copan.”

“Is that not a dangerous way to get here Zak’Nia?”

“Not if I do not stop. I shall be there soon Nuereen.”

“As you see fit my brother. Be safe and we shall see you ….”

“Greetings my son.”

“Greetings Mother. I am on my way, and should arrive soon”

“I know Zak’Nia; I just wish to tell you how much this means to me, and to your father.”

“I know mother, and I travel as fast as I can.”

“Farewell Zak’Nia, I will await your arrival.”

“Farewell mother, Nuereen.”

Eunest stirred and broke him out of his reverie. He looked down at her sleeping form and smiled. He had been happy these past days, until Ravinian had attacked Aglianan, but her future would be known by now. He got out of the bed quietly and dressed hurriedly. When he entered the Medical facility he found the same people still there waiting that he had left the day before.

He questioned Jax with his eyes and received a shrug for his answer. Then realizing he had locked down the Medfac so that he would be the first, possibly the only one, who would know the extent of her permanent injuries, if any. Walking up to the Medfac he looked down at Aglianan, then pressed a number of keys, including the unlock code. The display showed that the Spinal Fluid had not been affected by the heat and she would be up and walking normally as soon as the nerves had recovered from the shock of the blast.

Her Menoch Sac was something else though. It had been permanently damaged. How much so the Medfac could not determine and it would be necessary to have a full diagnostic examination when they reached their destination. Zak called Jax over and showed him the results, telling him to inform the remainder of the crew.

As he walked back towards his quarters Ontanon called to him. “Sir, we have received a burst message from Te’Zsing. It is on your command deck console. There is one strange thing sir; it comes from a spot almost directly ahead of us, just inside the Son’Jon Empire, adjacent to Auroran space.”

Almost distractedly, Zak responded, “Thank you Ontanon, I shall be right there.”

Knowing he needed to read the burst message, he quickened his pace and finally arrived at his quarters, entering as Eunest was stretching. She looked up at him and smiled, saying playfully, “It certainly pays to be the Boro’Ank’s lover! I get to sleep as late as I want when I want.” Zak smiled widely at that, knowing she had never been late to duty and that today was her rest day. They both burst out laughing at that and she rose, her body perfectly proportioned to her above average height.

He told her about Aglianan and she became distant for a moment, thanking Horvath it was not her. Her skin color tinged just then and she lowered her eyes as Zak asked her what was wrong.”

“As you told me of Aglianan I secretly thanked Horvath for not letting that happen to me. It is a shameful thing I have done and I must go to the Prayer House to ask forgiveness from Horvath for my flawed thinking.”

Zak, understanding her reasons and necessity for doing this, only nodded at her and told her to shower first, then go to the Prayer House. After she left he showered and thought about what Ontanon had said. He finished quickly, anxious to see the burst message now that he knew P'Mela was within reach.

 

[Cnaeus Valerius]

“How can you be so casual about planning to overthrow our government?” P’Mela tugged one of the straps of her chemise firmly into place on her shoulder. Hurt and betrayal smoldered together in her blue eyes.

“No love,” I reached forward and placed my hand on top of one of hers. She tensed but did not pull away. “There was nothing casual or hasty about this decision.”

“You did not trust me with it though or you would have told me sooner…” P’Mela slid past, the silk of her clothing brushing lightly against me, to rise from the bed and moved to the viewport. Against the backlight of the planet below the graceful curves of her body slumped against the bulkhead. Her voice was very quiet when she spoke again. “We are going to have a child…how could you not know me well enough to trust me with this?”

“No…no…” I rose from the bed and embraced her from behind. I lowered my head and with my cheek next to hers looked out at the swirling white clouds against the deep blue of the oceans. “This is not an easy thing to tell someone – especially someone you love. I thought it would be easier after a time. Once you saw how corrupt and evil the government had become. I was wrong though. The longer I waited the harder it was to say.”

“Surely we can change things from within.” P’Mela leaned back against my chest after shaking her head mournfully as she stared at the planet. “There must be another way other than civil war…”

“Too many of those within are morally bankrupt. You know it’s true P’Mela.” I tightened my embrace slightly. “That was one of the reasons you gave for leaving the capitol and going back to Draksa to raise our child.”

“That wasn’t fair D’Nel!” P’Mela’s voice was stern but still hushed as she slipped away from my arms and sat back down on the end of the bed. The right strap of her chemise slid from her shoulder again as she looked up at me with the sort of regal anger only a Draksan woman can embody. My heart leapt with pride and I stifled a smile. “Just because I don’t think the capitol is a place to raise a child does not mean I support a revolution!”

“Perhaps you’re right – that wasn’t fair of me.” I sat down beside her, taking her hands in mine. “You know in your heart I am right though P’Mela. I know it is difficult for you. You have been gone for so long this must be a shock…”

“A shock? A shock?” P’Mela tugged the chemise strap back into to place and lay down with her back to me. Her long hair spilled across her shoulder and hid her face. “Everything I have fought for all this time…all the missions…all the death…has been for nothing. Worse than nothing – for a lie! You think that is a shock? There are not words for it D’Nel…”

“P’Mela my love, we will bring them to justice. You’ll see.” I laid down next to her, close but not touching. I ran the back of my fingers down her spine and back up again before placing my hand on her shoulder. I kissed her head. “Once we have done that it won’t have been for a lie.”

“Oh you crazy man…” P’Mela laughed and reached for my hand. She slid herself back against me and pressed my hand tightly against my chest. There was an odd quality to her laugh that made me look closely at her. In the pale light a single tear shone as it traced its way down her smooth cheek. Her voice barely rose above the gentle flow of air from the ventilation ports. “Hold me D’nel. Just hold me for a little while…”

I kissed her head again, but said nothing. Now was not the time. The viewport gradually turned opaque and the room became nearly dark. P’Mela shook gently with each silent sob but eventually she fell asleep. I was not tired and found myself unable to sleep. I stayed there beside her though, holding her close, and feeling the comforting warmth of body pressed against mine. I felt the unborn child in her womb stir slightly and swore our enemies would all be defeated before the child was born.

 

[Scarlett O'Hara]

The winds blowing off the southern Draksan desert were extremely hot against my face. My hand came up to block my eyes and face from the thick particulate matter swirling in the winds. I wondered if a powerful storm was forming and heading towards the estate. My skin crackled with electromagnetic energy as I felt the lightening begin.

“P’MELA!” I turned as I heard someone call my name. Behind me, the beauty and tranquility of the LeonDocTchi Ancestral Estate was glowing pinkish in the strange storm light. I saw Uncle and Aunt, and dozens of other relatives running and screaming for me. I waved and tried to yell that I loved the storms from the southern desert. But then I saw it....behind them the long-treasured oasis, which was the hub of family life on my estate, exploded. The ancient Sieter firs were waving in the winds one moment and were fireballs the next. I jumped as another lightening strike occurred a moment later, hitting the house and surrounding network of herbal and formal gardens.

“P’MELA!” I heard a man’s voice near me. Crowds of relatives were rushing past me and screaming but only one person called my name. I recognized his voice but couldn’t see him amid the confusion. Another crack of lightening and I wondered what my family had done to raise the ire of the ancient gods. The strike hit the farm’s central cargo building and it erupted into millions of pieces of flying metal. I screamed for my relatives to get down but they continued to run without any direction or purpose. Another crack, far across the fields, sent the hybrid grain crop into flames.

The smell of burnt ozone accosted my nostrils and I fell to my knees in the sand. The world seemed too bright with a strange color as the thunder finally caught up with the lightening. “P’MELA!” he called again. I looked everywhere for him but the swirling confusion of the estate kept me from him.

The thick desert sands choked my throat, sending me smothering into the sand floor, suffocating me as the weight of the atmosphere crushed against me. As I gasped for air, my hands felt along the sand. “P’MELA!” he called again. My eyes tried to open against the grains of sand and I saw D’Nel. He wrapped his body around mine and pushed me back to the desert floor. I thought I heard him say “They are trying to take this place as well.” I screamed back at him “If only I was not so weary. I can’t fight any longer.” I felt his strong arms tighten around me and pull me from the confusion.

When the noise began to fade, I saw Draksa but D’Nel and Surl and thousands of other warriors were there among the ruins. As if choreographed, they all went down on one bent knee, the left fist of each raised in the air. I heard them chant in a strange language. And though I knew I did not know the language, I understood their war chant. They were promising “Avenging Victory“.

“P’MELA!” D’Nel said her name sharply and then stroked her cheek with his fingertips. Shushing her, he held her tighter and said very gently “You’re having a nightmare. It’s only a nightmare.” P’Mela’s labored breathing began to slow as she stared at him in the dim bedroom light, recognizing the details of Te’Zsing’s interior. She shivered against him because the nightmare had felt so real, as if her home and homeworld were exploding around her.

 

[Scarlett O'Hara]

This is a collaborative chapter by Scarlett and Cnaeus Valerius

After P’Mela lapsed into a peaceful slumber, D’Nel slipped her arm from across his hip, gently lifted her hand from his abdomen and tucked it back into her side. Very slowly, he eased from bed and stretched. His muscles were screaming from lack of exercise. First the injury, then surgery and 3 days in a light coma had played havoc with his strength. And he was restless. Telling her about so much of, though not all of his plans, had raised his tension level.

Quietly, he moved to the closet and pulled out his bek’shaya clothes. The skintight but soft stretchy material of the mid-calf pants and sleeveless shirt felt good slipping on. He checked the dimmed comm-panel and, as he knew Surl would be, the Appian was still awake and at work. The computer showed that he was in the science lab below installing the Auroran communication package received earlier in the day. D’Nel checked P’Mela one more time, reassured she was sleeping deeply, and left the cabin.

He found Surl seated ramrod straight at the science table, back to the door, deeply engrossed in protocol adjustments for Sonjon and Appian technologies. D’Nel smiled as he heard the familiar Appian curses. Surl hated the inevitable and miniscule adjustments required by computers when hybridizing technologies.

“I’m restless, sleepless and in need of exercise!” D’Nel announced forcibly, then laughed when he saw Surl jump several inches in complete surprise. The Appian had not heard his approach nor had he felt someone within inches of his back. D’Nel realized it was a common problem for both of them. When not aboard Sonjon vessels, they tended to relax far too much.

Surl clicked rapidly, no doubt in agitation at being caught off guard and answered “The same with me. Suggestions?”

“Bek’shaya practice.” D’Nel answered quickly as he peered over Surl’s shoulder to get the first glimpse of the new Auroran comm-package. “Impressive. Will it work, after your tampering?” he teased his long time friend.

“I see, Warlord, that you need some humility beaten into your pitiful Draksan hide.” Surl managed to say with all seriousness, then let the merest hint of a smile to show.

Those smiles could still get a tiny shiver out of D’Nel. “Let me know when you find someone to beat it into me!” D’Nel answered playfully. Seeing Surl starting to stand, he smiled widely at the Appian and turned to leave. “Fifteen minutes, main cargo bay. I’ll find some deck padding. You retrieve two bek’shaya from the attack shuttle.” Surl nodded and they headed off in almost the same direction, taking an opposite turn at the last moment. D’Nel yelled back “Do we happen to have some protective gear on board?” He heard the dismissive snort by Surl and smiled.

Surl arrived ten minutes later, the two bek’shaya resting comfortably in the curl of his arms. D’Nel had moved cargo aside with anti-gravs and used padding from Te’Zsing’s small gym to form a much softer area for them to impact. Though he ruefully admitted to himself, that he’d be the one falling the most often. Bek’shaya martial arts were more rightfully fitted to a Sokoto or Appian than a Draksan - a point that their Shaya Master had often pointed out to D’Nel’s disappointment. Though the meditation and stretching techniques usually worked well.

As they took facing positions and rested the curve of the bek’shaya into the curve of their right arms, Surl said seriously “I have left the blade protection on and locked. We need to stop our movements before real impact. I must recommend this since you are not yet fully recovered from the.....”

It angered D’Nel to be reminded and he snapped “NO!” and brought his bek’shaya to the opening position. He bowed deeply to Surl and waited. His eyes did sweep across the gleaming metal weapon, noting the crescent shaped blades did have the lock secure. The blades were sharp enough to dismember another with one sweep, and had 4 smaller crescent blades which swept out from the ends to make fine dagger-like claws.

Seeing Surl return the opening bow of honor, D’Nel shifted lightly into the opening defensive stance, elbows tightly in, weapon comfortably balance in both hands, and watched as his large Appian friend shifted into his position. They began with slow smooth movements, parrying easily, the blades barely touching as they swept and swung and thrust. Still the metal striking metal, even dulled by the softer material, manage to send clanking sounds through the cargo space and hard reverberations up through D’Nel’s arms and into his shoulders. Within ten minutes, the painful ripples were being felt down his back and especially in the site of his recent surgery.

They continued, making progressively bolder strikes and D’Nel had begun to sweat. Surl suddenly made a wide stroke, rather flamboyant but unexpected, and swept low which D’Nel tried to jump over the blade. Both of them barefooted, D’Nel’s feet seem to be sweating as well, making the padding slippery. He lost his footing but quickly stuck the bek’shaya out to his side, bracing himself. As he recovered from being off center, he angrily realized that under normal conditions, Surl would have continued to push with aggressive sweeps and thrusts. Yet today, the Appian had pulled back.

Anger flooded through him at his own weakness and he brought the bek’shaya blade tip off the floor and swept upward hard. The tip managed to strike Surl in the lower left jaw and sent him reeling backwards. Calmly, the Appian recovered and began to easily parry again. “Pause!” D’Nel growled from gritted teeth. They both lowered their blades and D’Nel swept his shirt up and over his head, taking a few seconds to wipe the sweat from his face and hands and blade grip. Then tossing the shirt aside, he growled “Resume!” and the two began again.

In his frustration and anger, D’Nel went immediately on the offensive, hitting Surl fully with a continuous barrage of moves. Surl seem to be slowing in his response time. The muscular pain radiated up both arms and across D’Nel’s shoulders and down the full length of his spine, which only served to make him angrier. Thus his bek’shaya movements became more aggressive and focused. A severe pain ripped through his surgery site and he opened his elbow. Surl’s easy swing managed to get full contact with D’Nel’s ribcage, knocking the breath from him. He staggered momentarily and then once again lost his footing. This time, the blade was too far out of position to use as a crutch and he fell hard to the barely softened deck. His quicksilver blue eyes widened in shock as Surl made a sweeping overhead move, pulling the bek’shaya down with lightening speed, and stopped the movement just as quickly when one of the curved claws rested lightly across his throat.

“Have I done something to anger you, Warlord?” Surl asked sadly. He had not understood D’Nel’s overly aggressive movements. Nor had his friend made any visible attempt to stop the impact of his weapon. D’Nel had been attempting to stop but usually Surl had managed to block his movement anyway.

“Of course not!” D’Nel looked up and waited for Surl to release the claw from against his neck. It was a most disconcerting position to be in, he realized. Always before, they were layered in several pounds of thick gauntlet padding and protection. Rationally, he told himself that the blades were indeed shielded with a lock so there was no danger of injury...serious injury anyway.

Surl quickly snapped the bek’shaya away from his friend and offered a hand to the Draksan. “Has P’Mela angered you in some way?” Surl inquired further.

“No!“ D’Nel gripped the powerful Appian hand and pulled himself up, quite painfully. He bowed to Surl and asked to be allowed to resign from the battle. Surl accepted and let his own bek’shaya clank to the floor in order to prop D’Nel up. He had seen the color abruptly run from his friend’s face and another round of intense sweating had begun.

Surl walked D’Nel to the nearest worktable, pushed it against the bulkhead and sat the weakened Draksan on it. Leaving him for a few minutes, Surl hurried to the galley nearby, retrieved several bottles of water and fruit concentrate, and hurried back. D’Nel had gotten up to retrieve his shirt and now sat back on the table, wiping the chilling sweat from his face, chest and arms.

Surl sat on the table next to him, forced an opened bottle of water into his hand. “Drink!” As he saw his friend empty the entire bottle, he asked “At whom or what are you angry, my friend?” His eyes were intense meeting the eyes of D’Nel.