Chapter 4: Capture

Bill - Lion clan
Twitty - Grey Tabby clan
Glenna - Bengal clan
Mikos - Chartreux clan
Commander of star cruiser - Wire hair clan
General Roth - Leopard clan
Theta - Cheetah clan
Cornelius - one of Bill’s Uncles
Niaco – Bill’s brother’s mate

Bill looked at the General for a few moments. “Yeah, you and everybody else within the realm still have a shred of decency. Remember, Roth, I am not my brother; we tried it his way and look what it got us. No, this time we do it my way! As you well know, that will involve a hell of a lot of blood!”

The General’s face was concerned for a moment then he began to smile broadly. “Good! It’s about time we returned to the kingdom we were during your father’s reign! Lord knows none of this political crap would have been going on. Don’t get me wrong, I loved your brother and faithfully served him and the crown. It was just that his policies came at a time when the kingdom was still unstable after your father passed.”

“I know, old friend. I miss him fiercely also,” Bill said, a moment of sadness showing on his face. “I remember when I was younger, the battles the kingdom had, to try and tame the savage planets. I intend to reunite all the worlds like he had. This kingdom was great in his day and I intend to make it that way again! I also intend to not let the planets be lost to the madness of isolation again!”

General Roth sighed, and then his face brightened. “I was right! You are much like your father, with a touch of your brother in you.”

Bill’s head snapped around to stare at the General, “I fail to see where you think I am a touch like my brother!”

Smiling, the General said, “Had it been your father no matter what, he’d have ripped the chest of both those you employed to shreds. No, I think you are a lot like your father, but I also think you are far more intelligent. It appears that you do not allow the feline side of our makeup to completely rule your thinking.”

“I thank you for the compliment, Roth.” Here Bill stared at the General’s face for a moment. “At least I think it’s a compliment. I hope I don’t regret not correcting you later, Roth!” Then with a sigh, Bill shook his head. “I have a long and difficult road ahead. I am afraid I am going to be leaning on your experience more than I had at first thought.”

The General’s face was suddenly shining with pride. “I live to serve the crown and the king. I have been serving this royal family a long time and hope to continue for some time still. As always, it is a great honor to serve.”

A huge smile lit up Bill’s face as a thought came to him. “You know, there haven’t been any knights in the realm in a long time.” The general’s face showed a sudden sadness at the thought. “I think that after I am crowned I should correct that. What do you think, General?”

General Roth thought for a moment, “I think that would be a splendid idea! As you said, it has been far too long since there were any. Do you have any candidates in mind, sir?”

Bill got a serious look on his face, thinking for a moment then he turned to the General. “As a matter of fact, I do, actually only four at the moment.”

“Only four,” The general asked, a suspicious look coming to his face.

“Oh yes!” Bill said, a perplexing look on his face. “Though at the moment, I only know the location of one of them. I believe with their help, we could avert the collapse of the realm.”

The General was nodding his assent but was still looking at Bill with suspicion. “Yes, I agree if such as you said exist. So just pray tell, who are these amazing four individuals?”

“Why, General Roth,” Bill said, a wide smile coming to his face. “I thought it was obvious!”

“Forgive me, sir, I must be getting old. May I have the names of these amazing four that I may contact them?” Roth said, still a little suspicious.

“I believe you remember my father’s old elite guard?” Bill said.

“Yes, sir, considering I was a member of them!” The general said slowly.

“I intend to knight all four of you! As of right now, you are the only ones I consider to be of trustworthy character,” Bill said as he turned, realizing the General was no longer following him.

General Roth stood stock still, a look of disbelief on his face. “Sir! This is an honor that I cannot accept. I don’t think any of the others will, neither. To be a knight of the crown...” Roth was unable to move, the shock of Bill’s words still ringing through his mind.

Sighing, Bill walked back to Roth. “You four are the only ones that I feel I can truly trust. Well, the Lieutenant Colonel and my mates, plus you four. That’s not much of a résumé for success. I need all of you if I am going to stay alive and reunite the realm.”

Both Glenna and Twitty, who had remained quiet and on guard, were now smiling. “Was there any doubt of our loyalty?” Glenna said, appearing to be hurt.

“Really, Bill, after what I have been through protecting you? You insult me and my sister mate! If you would like to see a test of her or my resolve, then I suggest you try to stop us!” Twitty said as they both began to stalk toward Bill.

A very wide smile appeared on Bill’s face as he held up his fur-covered paws. “I would never doubt either of you!” Bill purred toward both his mates.

Twitty and Glenna both smiled as they began to lick Bill’s face, both of them also purring. “It is good, mate; it wouldn’t do to have you injured and unable to perform your husbandly duties!” Twitty said as she rubbed her face against Bill’s.

“Yes, I, for one, would have to do battle with my sister mate for the honor of being with you first! Do not get hurt or killed; it would greatly displease the both of us! Then I think that we might also have to hurt you!” Glenna said as she smiled at Twitty in all seriousness.

Bill’s eyes went wide; it had been a long time since he’d been home. He’d forgotten just how fierce a Xendran female felt about her mate. The mere fact that she would kill another or die trying to steal her mate. In his case, he had two mates, not unknown to be practiced by the royal family. Snapping his fingers, he remembered he had to find his brother’s wife.

Turning, he looked at Roth, “I just remembered, Roth. Is my brother’s wife, Niaco, still alive? I must talk to her before I ascend the throne.”

“I figured as much. Yes, sir, she is very much alive. Though she hasn’t all the power that your brother had, she is still trying to hold the realm ‘til you ascend,” Roth told him.

“Good, I...” Bill started.

“Mate,” both Twitty and Glenna said as they fell to their knees before him.

Glenna looked at Twitty, who nodded, then Glenna continued. “We both know it is the custom to take your brother’s wife into the family. We both knew her briefly, and we consider it an honor to welcome her into our group. Whether or not you take her as a mate, she will be welcome!”

Bill’s eyes opened wide; now THIS was an extremely pleasant surprise! Though he was going to ask her to join the family for protection, at the moment, he had no real designs to take her as a mate. He also had met her, though she was a pleasant female, she was by no means the type that he wanted as a life mate.

“I thank you both; this will make things far easier when it comes time to ascend the throne. Though I wish to see her as soon as possible, I think we need to go after the traitors first. Is the third castle still under scan and observation?” Bill asked Roth.

A thin but grim smile crossed his lips as he replied, “Yes, sir, as of yet, it appears that they are still waiting.”

Bill thought for a moment; it was obvious that his Uncles had access to the royal batteries. Scratching his chin, Bill thought they might have seriously upgraded their shields also. Turning to the General, Bill told him, “I want you to bring out the devastator!”

Both Twitty and Glenna gasped. Though they had never seen it, they had heard of its power. Roth’s face went almost ashen white. “Sir, the last time your father used it he leveled an entire city!”

“Good! Perhaps my damn uncle will know that I am serious! How many troops do you have now that we can trust?” Bill asked.

Sighing, the General pulled out a comp and looked. “Not many, I am afraid. At last count, there were only ten thousand.”

“Yes, you’re right, that’s not a lot with the campaign that we are about to start. I am not really a fan of subterfuge. It always leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It appears, though, that ‘til we can fatten the ranks, we may have to resort to it, though I am hoping that it is only for a short while!” Bill spit out.

They were moving out of the city towards a little-known bunker when Bill’s communicator went off. Snatching it up, Bill clicked it on, “report, Lieutenant Colonel!”

“Sir! I have successfully cleared central command. I am in the process of filling the spots that were left open.” Growling angrily, the Lieutenant Colonel continued, “it was almost half of all duty shifts. Sir, those that were taken prisoner? Suggestions?”

Here Bill smiled. It was time to see just how devoted this officer was. “Were they in on the plot to kill me,” growled Bill.

The Lieutenant Colonel hissed and spat out, “Yes sir, all but one of them! I had all but the leader taken to the cells.”

“Let me see him,” Bill said. He then hissed when he saw the older male Major on the screen. “This was one of the reasons I made you a higher officer. Execute him!” Bill hissed.

The Lieutenant Colonel smiled a twisted smile and nodded. Turning, he punched his fist through the male’s chest, grabbing the male’s beating heart and yanking it violently out. Bill smiled when the male screamed then dropped to the floor dead. “Done, sir, with pleasure!

Bill smiled. His sense about the young officer had been right. “The rest, execute them also. The one that wasn’t involved, if there weren’t any killing intentions toward me then release them. If they were ordered to, then promote them but have them swear loyalty and know that to break it means an instant death sentence!”