Chapter 17

ARC ROYAL

FIFTEEN HOURS POST ONTEROM

“ ... woke up about an hour ago.” Anja told Martin as they looked through the clear plexi window into one of three private rooms within the Medical Bay on the ROYAL. They could see Jacina and Aricia in the room with the second Pralor female Recia. “She kind of lost it for a moment, but thankfully Jacina was with us and was able to calm her quickly.”

Martin looked at her. “So she knows what happen to her?” He asked.

Duewa nodded as she stepped up on Martin’s other side. “Yes.” She answered. “She is a Botanical Biological Research Scientist who was concentrating on improving the growth and acclimation hormones of different plant sources to Onterom.”

Martin shook his head. “Come again?”

Duewa chuckled. “An advanced plant doctor.” She said as Anja laughed softly.

“Ah ... ok.” Martin said with a grin.

“Jacina was able to sooth her within Mindvoice.” Anja said. “She did it without shielding and it was very impressive.” Anja looked at him. “She’s a Tier Six Marty.”

Martin nodded his head as he looked at the woman lying in the bed. She looked worn and still somewhat pale and sick, but her long auburn red hair was healthy and given more time she would turn out to be a very beautiful woman just as Jacina had when she was fully recovered. “I’m guessing most Pralors will be Tier Six ... they use Mindvoice even more than we do.” He looked back to Anja. “She’s fully clean?” He asked.

Anja nodded. “No trace of the Svorag virus left in her blood work.” She replied. “We’ll test her every other day just to make sure like we will with Jacina ... but there’s no reason to think it will come back.”

Martin looked at her. “Red ... could you have ... would you have been able to... ?”

“I really don’t know Lover.” Anja answered him softly knowing why he was asking the question. “It’s possible ... but there is no way to be sure if the serum we developed would work on a fully turned Svorag. And neither Duewa, Radra nor I have any desire to try and vaccinate a Svorag. If it fails and it gets loose on the ship ... it could infect a quarter of the crew in hours. In days the entire ship would be infected. And given that we have discovered they probably keep at least a small portion of their memories and knowledge ... it’s too much of a risk. You want Svorag running around who know how to operate this ship?”

Martin nodded and looked back through the window. “No. I was just checking is all?” He said.

Anja took his arm in her hands and stepped closer to him looking up into his face. “You did the right thing Lover.” She said gently. “Maybe in the future we’ll discover it will work on fully turned Svorag and maybe we will design and implement a delivery system. Right now ... we just don’t know.”

“I want a two member security detail on her twenty-four seven.” Martin said finally. “At least for a few days and until we are sure that this virus thing is fully gone.”

“Is she confined to Medical?” Duewa asked.

Martin shook his head. “No. Not at all. We haven’t limited Jacina because you and Aricia are sure she is clean. This one ... Recia right?”

Duewa nodded. “Yes.”

“Recia is free to go wherever any other guest on this ship would be allowed to go. I don’t want her to feel like she is a prisoner in any way.” Martin said. “I just want someone with her all the time. For her safety as well as ours.”

“I’ll have Thoti assign someone to her.” Duewa spoke.

Martin nodded his head. “Good enough for me.” He said turning to look at Anja. “Now tell me about this information you have discovered.”

Duewa touched his arm and nodded to Anja. “I will let her know and give her a final exam before we release her.” She said. She and Anja had already been through the small bit of information that they had found and Anja would be able to explain it to Martin in a way he understood without all the medical terminology.

Anja motioned to him with her hand. “Follow me.” She said moving for the main office that had been set up in the Medical Bay. The crew quickly determined that Duewa had become second only to Anja when it came to medical decisions on the ship and among their small fleet of two ships. To make this obvious to anyone who didn’t know, they added a desk and high backed chairs to the office, giving Duewa her own set of Hadarian computer terminals to work with. Their desks were in the shape of a capital L, allowing them to exchange information and talk to one another easily enough. Anja led him into the office and moved behind her desk as he pulled a chair over. Anja slipped into the high backed chair and the small hover jets in the legs came alive as they sensed her weight. Anja Leonidas was known for darting back and forth in her chair when she was deeply involved in something on her computers and it was almost funny to watch as she scooted back and forth between terminals or the three consoles that surrounded her desk. “Duewa and I have only begun to scratch the surface of this information ... that was an excellent idea by the way.”

Martin grinned letting her sweet honey scent filter over him. “I do have my moments you know.” He said.

Anja chuckled. “Occasionally ... yes you do.” She told him.

Martin smiled and shook his head at her playful jab. They had done this even before Anja finally became his wife and mate, though on a much lesser scale. It was their way of showing their deep affection for each other. It was also a source of constant humor for everyone around them as well since the only people with enough courage to speak to Martin without a trace of reverence for his position as King were his wives and mates and Danny. Martin also knew that if they argued, not only was it entertaining for those who witnessed it; it was also very fun to make up later in their bed. Hadarian she may have been, but growing up first around humans and then becoming his wife and mate had made Anja quite adventurous. She was a ball of fire in their bed when she was wound up. Anja looked at him and her jade green eyes narrowed at the look in his eyes as he gazed at her.

“Are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?” She demanded.

Martin smiled. “Only pleasant thoughts.” He told her.

“God Marty ... you are such a perv!” Anja exclaimed with a large amount of humor and just a touch of lust in her voice.

Martin laughed. “Only for you and my ladies Red. Only for you and my ladies.”

“I hope so!” Anja declared. “You are such an inventive pervert!”

Martin chuckled again and leaned forward closer to her. “What do you have Red?” He asked her finally getting back to their original topic.

Anja typed quickly on the control panel and then turned the left monitor to face Martin as he sat in the chair to the left side of her. “Lorendo ... that fat little fuck ... he wasn’t erasing the computers cores as we first thought Marty. He was downloading them. Right where you wanted him too ... along with the entire core of his P9.” She looked at him. “How did you know?”

“A hint from something Avi said and my gut telling me that whatever was here they wouldn’t just toss away.” Martin answered.

“Beautiful call Lover.” She told him. She turned back to the screen. “The source file encryption is pretty extensive but Avi was able to sift through the three layers and then crack it. He is opening the files as we go ... but there are hundreds of folders and entries and he has to do each one individually.”

Martin watched as the list of files scrolled past him on the screen. He wasn’t as computer illiterate as most people thought and in fact had earned a degree in Advanced Programming from the Apo Prime University in secret. It was this knowledge and his continued association with Avi that allowed him to become quite the computer guru according to Tina and Endith. He reached up and touched the screen. “These files date back almost twenty-five thousand years Anja.” He said looking at Anja. “Lorendo said they had been dealing with them for only twenty thousand years.”

Anja nodded her head. “That’s the first thing we noticed. We started with the oldest files first.” She said. “Then there is this.” She touched the panel and his screen changed to one of genetic code and different images of cells.

Martin leaned back. “Red ... what am I looking at?”

Anja slid over next to him in her chair. “This ... my handsome and ever so well equipped husband and mate...” She spoke leaning into his side with a smile. “This is the source genetic code for the Svorag virus.”

Martin looked at her. “Wait ... the source code? Like the original code for a computer software program?”

Anja nodded. “Works in pretty much the same way yes.” She answered. “It’s the original genetic code for the virus. The genetic source that every mutation has derived from. This virus has mutated a total of four times if what I’m looking at is accurate based on the type I found in Jacina and Recia. I could go into much greater detail but I know you hate that ... so the bottom line is this. Lorendo made this virus.”

Martin’s head snapped around. “Say what?” He almost shouted.

Anja nodded her head. “Oh yeah. Every mutation we have seen in these files so far has been tested against the original strand Marty. The only way to have the original strand is if you made it or you found it. And testing each mutation against the original strand of the virus is sincerely damning proof.”

“He couldn’t have found it?” Martin asked her. “How do you find something like this?”

“No ... he didn’t find it. Not that little power mad bastard. No ... he made this.” She snarled. Anja leaned over and tapped her control panel twice more causing the image on the monitor to change in front of them. This time it showed some sort of written material. Short blurbs in what appeared to be a log of some sort. Martin’s eyes grew wider as he read. “Read this.”

“Nubou lae!” Martin hissed.

Anja nodded. “Yeah ... that’s what I said too.” Anja told him.

Martin turned to her. “You think Delnash...”

Anja shook her head immediately. “No. There’s no way he could have known any of this and acted as he did. He was adamant several times that he did not authorize Lorendo to use the type of force that he did against us on Onterom. He wouldn’t have let his children come with us Marty and he just isn’t that good of an actor. And you know I’m pretty good at reading people. No ... this is all Lorendo’s baby Martin. Besides ... For’mya would have sensed something off about him right away.”

“You had her... ?” Martin asked.

Anja smiled shyly. “Well...”

“Red ... we don’t do that.” Martin said. “You know that.”

Anja nodded. “Yes I do. I also know that these are Pralors and more than likely they have played a role in all of our species’ advancement Martin. At least in some shape or form. The proof is popping up all around us as we go. And the arrogance in many of them just flat out pisses me off. For’mya didn’t press very hard and she only sifted through his surface thoughts. She was partly empathic before you bit her you big lug. You were just too busy looking at her ass to notice.”

Martin grinned. “Well ... you have to admit ... it is a nice ass.”

Anja smiled brilliantly. “I know.”

“So he didn’t detect it?” Martin asked surprised.

Anja snorted in disgust. “Please ... with the ego trip these people are on he probably thought it was a headache. I don’t think they realize just how powerful we are. Especially you for that matter. And For’mya has gotten every good at detecting things like this without anyone knowing. She is very subtle.”

“Man ... you are devious!” He announced.

Anja laughed. “That’s why you love me so much.” She said cheerfully.

Martin smiled at her and leaned over quickly to silence her laughter with a kiss. Anja gasped and returned the kiss as he pulsed her with his aura and sent shivers of delight through her body. “Yes ... I do.” He said finally as he pulled away.

Anja looked at him dreamily and took his arm in her hands. “What do we do now?” She asked keeping her mind focused. He could so easily distract her.

“Keep digging.” Martin said. “Pull some people you trust to help you and Duewa. No more than three or four and make sure you swear them to secrecy.”

Anja nodded. “Ok. What are you going to do?”

“Talk to Murano.” Martin answered. “I have some questions for him and Delnash’s daughter Kesyla.”

“What questions?” Anja asked.

Martin looked at her intently. “I want to know where the Lycavorian planets in this system are. And I want to know why the Pralors stopped monitoring their progress.”

Anja’s eyes grew wider. “Martin you don’t think...”

“I don’t know.” Martin said. “I hope not ... but now that you have shown me this and after what I have seen of them on Onterom ... I have a very large empty spot in my gut forming and I don’t like it.”

“Marty ... this is only the tip of the ice burg. Something tells me this Lorendo is involved in some really nasty sibfla.” Anja said. “But aside from this we don’t have answers to the rest of the questions we have about this. Why? How? When?”

Martin looked at her. “Then find them Red.” He spoke firmly. “You are the only one who can.”

Anja nodded her head. “Ok.” She said softly. “I will. But we may not like what we find Martin.”

Martin nodded his head. “I have no doubts we won’t like what we find.” He answered. “But we need to be sure before I see that bastard again and dismember him with my bare hands for what he has done.”

Anja nodded. “That would be fitting.” She said in agreement.

“Keep this under wraps Anja.” Martin said. “Outside of those you pick make sure no one else knows. If what I think has happened has indeed happened, we won’t be able to hold our people back. And I wouldn’t want to try.”

“I know Lover.” She said softly. “I’ll be careful.”

Martin nodded and rose to his feet. “I’m going to go see Murano.” He spoke evenly. “I need some answers and only he will give them to me.”

“You trust him that much Marty?” Anja asked.

“He’s a Praetorian.” Martin said. “I can feel the connection he has with me. With Andro. With us. The Praetorians ... they were all connected in some odd way. Yes ... I can trust him.” He answered. “I have to.”

“Martin ... be careful. I can’t say this enough ... but based on what I’ve seen so far, this Lorendo asshole has his fingers in all kinds of dirt.” Anja said. “There’s no telling what he has been involved in or with. And he has gotten away with it because there have been no checks on his work. The Pralors ... their government has no oversight. They trust him completely to be working for their benefit and this proves he is not. At least not entirely.”

Martin nodded. “Yeah ... you noticed that too huh?”

“We all did.” Anja said.

“Nothing gets passed you guys.” Martin said with a smile.

Anja laughed at him. “We aren’t men.” She stated. “We aren’t distracted by all the tits and ass. We have the tits and asses.”

“Hey ... I’m not distracted by the tits and ass!” Martin quipped.

Anja canted her head slightly and looked at him. “So you are telling me if I stripped out of my uniform right now ... you wouldn’t jump my bones?” She stated. “Not that I don’t love when you jump my bones mind you.”

Martin’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not fair.” He stated.

Anja chuckled. “You know what I mean Lover.” She said. “Go on ... get out of here and let me get back to work.”

“Let me know if you discover anything important.” Martin said.

Anja nodded her head as she turned back to her computers. “I will.”

Martin turned and headed out of the Medical Bay his thoughts already shifting to his talk with Murano. He lifted his hand and tapped his jaw activating his COM implant. “Avi?”

-Martin-

“Avi ... did you by chance access the history data files aboard SPARTA’S WRATH when you were onboard?” Martin asked.

-You would not inquire if you did not already know the answer King Martin- Avi told him with what Martin swore was a humorous tone.

“Join me in the secure port lounge on deck eleven Avi.” Martin said. “And have Wayonn, Murano, Danny and Helen join us. As well as Delnash’s daughter Kesyla.”

-Understood- Avi answered.

Martin turned the corner into the main corridor and made his way towards the elevator lift. He needed answers and he intended to get them.

KALIS’S LEUGERS FLIGHT

“ ... four planets within this system that can sustain life.” Corsa spoke softly as she pointed to different locations on the star chart. “We are too far at the moment to scan any of them more intensely, but they are as good a location as not.”

They had conducted their last jump more than ten hours ago and once arriving in this sector of space they had docked together once more to balance the passengers of the two ships more. Koguth, Corsa, Mani and Nedoli stood around the star chart, Ceale beside Nedoli and Mataen standing beside Corsa.

“We do not know if that is what Kalis intends.” Mataen spoke. “Landing on one of these planets is a risky proposition at best father.”

Corsa nodded her head agreeing with her husband. “I too think it is a risk we should not take.” She stated. “If the Marshal’s forces somehow find us ... they could easily destroy our ships from orbit and we could very well die on any of these planets.”

“We should not question his motives or his plans.” The voice spoke and they all turned as Mata moved up to the table.

“We are not questioning him.” Mataen spoke.

“Aren’t you?” Mata asked with no hostility in his voice. “You have questioned whether this was such a good idea the moment you discovered I came with him.” Mata moved fully up to the table beside Koguth. “I am Puma Bane yes.” He told them. “However ... I am not like the rest of them you know so well.”

“So you say.” Corsa hissed softly.

“Corsa!” Mani gasped.

“No ... it is her right to disbelieve me.” Mata spoke quickly. “And I understand why ... I do. All I ask is that you do not question Kalis or his motives. He has lived in the shadow of his father, in fear of him for so long. Now that he has finally discovered who he is at his core, he has been more decisive and confident. More in control than I have ever seen him.”

Ceale glanced over to where Kalis was stretched out on the ridiculously uncomfortable web bench along the bulkhead of the ship. His head was resting on a pack of some sort and his arms were tightly wrapped around the lithe form of her daughter in quite the protective manner. Serale was stretched out on his body, very intimately in several places, her head resting on his chest as she slept soundly. They had been that way for nearly seven hours now, neither of them moving more than a few inches in any way. This was not some sort of fling on her daughter’s part or Kalis’s for that matter Ceale was quickly discovering. Serale had told her everything that happened between them, even the part of Kalis refusing when Serale practically begged him to take her on that ship, completely naked in his arms. Ceale’s gut had twisted up when she had seen the first few displays of affection between them, but it had lessened with each one when she thought back to what Serale had told her. Ceale was beginning to see that her daughter’s feelings were sincerely genuine and came from her heart and if what she knew of Lycavorians was any measure, Kalis’s reaction to her was just as genuine. Ceale knew enough Lycavorians to know that what she saw between Kalis and Serale, the way he looked at her, the way he was so protective of her, this was how true Lycavorians viewed their females.

Ceale turned quickly and let her eyes settle on Nedoli. She had been fighting the growing feelings she had for the tall and imposing Kavalian, but it was a losing battle she knew. His treatment of her was beyond reproach and completely heartfelt. He doted over her like she was some sort of royal figure and Ceale could not believe he would find her even remotely desirable after all she had endured. Ceale discovered quickly that was not the case at all and no matter how much she tried to persuade herself otherwise, her feelings for him were growing more powerful by the hour. She found his features incredibly handsome, even covered in the soft light brown fur. Pusintin had forced her to perform oral sexual acts with several of his Kavalian officers and Ceale could not help but wonder if he was as large as they were. His entire manner was completely opposite of those men and his affection for her was becoming more and more open as the hours went by. It was an affection that Ceale was rapidly beginning to return for it made her feel like a woman again. Whole and unblemished.

“We should wake him and find out what he intends.” Corsa spoke now. “We have been stationary for too long as it is.”

Mata shook his head. “No.” He stated. “He has been running on pure adrenalin since he embraced what he wanted after Enurrua. Protecting himself and Lady Ceale’s children in the heart of the devil’s realm when the slightest mistake would mean his death as well as theirs takes much determination and planning. He needed this rest. I have seen it within him these last weeks ... none of you have.”

Koguth nodded his head. “Mata is right.” He spoke. “We have lived with this, the knowledge that what we feel and believe could be our end all of our lives ... this is new to Kalis. Hopefully in a short while it will all change for the better.”

Mata looked at all of them. “As for me General Koguth ... if it makes all of you more comfortable I will surrender my weapons to you. You can assign someone to guard me if you wish ... I don’t care. What I have done is my decision ... and that decision was to follow Kalis and return the purpose to my life that it once had. I have trained that boy since he was an infant and I would follow him wherever he goes without question. Believe that if you will ... but it is the truth.”

Mani looked at him and slowly reached up to place a hand on his cheek. “You ... you carry much weight upon your shoulders Mata.” She said softly. “Much pain.”

Mata looked at her and nodded. “I do.” He said. “But I have chosen not to let it destroy me as it has so many others. Following Kalis is only the first step. Getting the information that we have found on this ship to General Pian is the next step and then fighting to free my people from their oppression is the last. Whatever happens in between I will take with the newness of a rebirth I never thought I would be allowed.”

Mani smiled. “Indeed.” She said. “I think we are all at that point in our lives now.” She told him.

Koguth looked at the star chart. “Let us chart different courses to these planets so that we are prepared in case it is Kalis’s plan to go to one of them. We...”

His words ended when the red flashing lights began to blink on and off and an alarm of some sort began to sound throughout the transport. “What...” Koguth began to speak as he turned toward where he knew Kalis and Serale were sleeping. He needn’t have bothered for just as his eyes settled on Kalis, he saw both him and Ceale’s young daughter spring up as if shot from a cannon. Both of them were instantly awake and moving for the cockpit before he could even utter a word.

“What is it?” He snapped turning back to Corsa.

“Proximity alarm!” Corsa answered as her hands flew over the star chart in front of them and Kalis and Serale disappeared into the cockpit. “Someone just hit us with an active sensor scan!”

“A ship?” Nedoli hissed.

“I don’t know!” Corsa exclaimed. “Nothing is showing on the sensors!”

Koguth began marching for the cockpit without a second’s hesitation. “That does not mean something is not there!” He barked.

OMEN THREE

Yuriko Leonidas sat calmly in her command chair on the bridge of OMEN THREE, Filrian standing beside the arm of her chair as they watched the monitor to their right front. They could see the two LEUGERS easily, the two transports docked together as they were. It had taken seven hours to find the two ships, and then only after they had finished their last jump. Once they had located them it had taken OMEN THREE only one jump to reach them with their advanced engines. The Kavalian fleet was in disarray at the moment and Yuriko felt confident they wouldn’t be able to respond to her cousin leaving the Task Force for at least ten more hours. It was more than enough time to make contact with Kalis and get him and his supporters further away from Pusintin and his madness.

“Still no contacts?” Yuriko called out.

“Board is clean.” The sensor operator responded. “LSD Drives on both targets are powered down to recalibrating mode. No signs of any weapons. Sensors confirm ninety-two lifesigns. Eighty-eight Kavalian, one Lycavorian and Kavalian combo and three Hadarian.”

Yuriko leaned forward in her chair. “Hadarian?” She asked looking at her husband of over a decade now. “Did you hear of any Hadarians being lost before we left husband?” She asked.

Filrian shook his head. “Not within Union controlled territory.” He replied. “There are a number of Hadarian operated clinics within The Wilds however.”

Yuriko looked at the screen and the two ships on it. “Interesting.” She said softly. “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of Hadarians willing traveling with Kavalians. If the reports from Enurrua are accurate though, father laid a beating on Pusintin something fierce. Maybe he needed Hadarian medical treatment.”

Filrian leaned close to her. “Given your father’s reputation Yuriko ... whatever the reports say ... I would double their assessment. Your father is not the most forgiving of fighters and the reports say he nearly killed him. And your father did give you his authorization code Yuriko.” He said.

Yuriko nodded. “I know. He does have a temper doesn’t he? Especially when it concerns my mothers.” She said. “The Kavalians having Hadarians onboard changes things somewhat. It could show they aren’t really allies.”

Filrian looked at her. “I think it leans more to the explanation that they are allies.” He said. “They can’t possibly think we would allow them to keep prisoners. Kalis would know this if he has changed as your father and even you believe. Why have them if that is the case?”

“Leverage.” Yuriko answered.

Filrian thought about that for a second. “Possible.” He said. “I don’t think so ... but very possible. Only one way to find out.”

Yuriko looked at him with a smile. “Yes ... there is.” She said. She reached behind her back and pulled out her P1 from the small pouch she wore it in. She brought it up and plugged it into the arm of the chair. “COM officer ... prepare to send this command on the frequency specified. Tactical Officer ... hit them with an active scan. Give them a two second pulse just to let them know someone is out here. Let’s see what they do.”

KALIS’S LEUGERS

“Serale?” Kalis gasped as Koguth and the others piled into the cockpit behind them.

Serale shook her head quickly. “Nothing!” She exclaimed. “Sensors are clean!”

Kalis looked up slowly from the sensor screen between them and nodded his head as he gazed out into the stars in front of their ship. “Yes ... it is clean. It is clean because we can’t see them. Not even a flicker on the sensors. Not a whisper.”

Serale looked at him detecting the change in the tone of his voice. “What do you mean?” She asked. “Kalis?”

“There have been rumors for years among the Kavalian High Command that my Uncle has such ships.” Kalis spoke softly. “Ships that you cannot see on sensors or visual sweep Serale my love. Super secret Intelligence platforms. Designed to infiltrate an enemies main defenses and send back information to the Union Command.”

Nedoli and Corsa looked at him as he spoke. “Kalis those ships ... they are only rumors.” Nedoli said. “We have never been able to confirm they exist. The technology needed to build such things is...”

Kalis turned and looked at him. “After what you have seen and heard Nedoli’Juturi ... do you honestly believe my Uncle does not possess this technology? They have had that unique ship that so many say is a myth for over two decades.”

“Kalis is right Nedoli.” Corsa spoke softly looking at him. “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

“What are all of you talking about?” Koguth demanded.

Nedoli looked at his father. “The Lycavorian Ghost ship father.” He stated confidently. “They are said to be the most advanced warships in existence right now. Used primarily as intelligence platforms. Completely invisible to known sensors and even the naked eye. It is said they are able to bend light somehow around the ships. Kavalian Intelligence has never been able to actually confirm they exist though. No one has. But there are many rumors out there that say otherwise.”

“He’s had one shadowing my father’s fleet ever since we left the Alpha Quadrant.” Kalis said softly. Kalis turned and looked at Koguth. “It has to be. It is the reason why we have never been closer than two days from them General. Why he always seems two or three steps ahead of us. This ship has been following us and sending him all our information and he simply adjusts his course to compensate. He’s luring my father further and further away. He ... he knows where he is going General and my father is following the bait like some unschooled pup fresh from his mother’s womb. And when my uncle determines he has him far enough away...”