Chapter 37

SPARTA’S WRATH
THE WILDS

Androcles Leonidas leaned against the archway leading from the main room of their quarters into their bed chambers and simply let his eyes gaze upon them as he had so often in the past. He wore only a pair of fresh, dark gray fatigue pants and his combat boots while his upper body was bare. The lush, muscular bodies of his wives and mates were mixed together on the single, exceptionally oversized bed, their limbs thrown over one another haphazardly in every way. The two large sheets barely covered all of them, leaving parts of their bodies in full view and his azure eyes hungrily eyed Lu’ria’s large breasts and the curve of Carisia’s hips before moving to stare at Ne’Veha’s exquisitely shaped and utterly perfect ass.

Androcles had not been able to help himself last night and for the first time in a very long while, he had utterly immersed himself in the smells and womanly delights of all his wives and mates. Well ... not all of them just yet he thought. Caliria was still missing, but she would be back among them soon enough and then they would be complete. As was usually the case, Sadi had been the first and last, he had reached for during their tryst, but he had partaken of each one of them more than once and relished in their screams of delight and passion. He had loved each of them with all that he was, sometimes two at a time and holding nothing back from them, until they knew his love and desire for them was absolute. Their scents were like a fog of an addicting drug as they swirled around him and he soaked in their essence for hours.

Smiling to himself now, even proud of himself in fact, Andro turned and moved back into the main room and allowed the doors to slide silently shut. They were not needed for anything now or in the near future and he intended that they sleep for as long as they desired. Andro didn’t hear the soft groan of delight as Ne’Veha rolled over slowly once the door was closed and pressed against Sadi’s back, burying her face into the back of her neck and within her golden blond hair.

“Carians ... he is gone.” She gasped softly into Sadi’s ear. “It is safe.”

Sehri lifted her head from where it rested on Sadi’s abdomen and looked at the door. “Are we sure he won’t come back?” She stammered.

Sadi was the one who laughed gently as she lifted her head and glanced at the door. “I think we are safe.”

“Phraktos ... he is a beast.” Lu’ria commented with a blissful smile.

Carisia couldn’t help the contented smile that she sported on her face as her head rested on Lu’ria’s shoulder. “Yes ... but he is our beast.”

“Yes, he is.” Lu’ria added.

“We certainly did not see that coming.” Sadi said with another smile as she stretched her arms above her head and basked in the joyful soreness she felt. That they all felt she knew, for Androcles had each of them multiple times last night and their cries of bliss had filled the room. Her arm slipped around Ne’Veha’s shoulder and she waited until Ne’Veha’s head came to rest on her breast before she tightened her grip.

“It was different this time though Sadi.” Ne’Veha spoke. “He was ... he was so happy and joyful and eager.”

Sadi nodded her head in agreement. “I think ... I think it is because he is truly happy that this business is done. That those who hurt his family have been dealt with.”

“I could see it in his eyes KertaGai. Whenever he kissed one of us, or just gazed at one of us. I have never ... no man has ever looked at me like that. Just seeing the desire and love for us in his eyes made me...” Lu’ria spoke softly.

“Yes ... I saw it too. I think we all saw it. He was so ... he held nothing back from us. Any of us. It was glorious.” Sadi said wistfully. “I believe we will begin to see a new husband and mate now. And I am so happy that we are all here to see and feel it. And we will be complete when Caliria is back in our arms.”

“Will it always be so ... so intense when we are together like this?” Sehri asked as she returned her head to Sadi’s stomach. “I know I have asked that question before but I could not tell where one of us began and the other ended. It was so sinful and decadent. There were lips and tongues everywhere...” She smiled and closed her eyes. “Carians ... I loved it!”

“Luckily for us ... yes ... I think now it will be. And it will be even more decadent and sinful when our Inamarno returns to us and joins us.” Sadi answered with a playful laugh as they all chuckled. “Do any of you regret what he makes you feel?”

“Regret?” Lu’ria blurted. “The only thing that I regret is that I can not keep my wits about me long enough for it to last even more. His scent, his resonance and aura, it drives me...”

“Utterly insane.” Sadi spoke knowingly.

“Gods ... yes.” Ne’Veha muttered.

“This ... this was meant to be.” Lu’ria spoke softly. “All of us being together with him. Loving each other as well as Andro. Making each other sing while his aura dances all around us.”

Sadi closed her eyes and smiled to herself. This was certainly not what she had imagined the first night she had seen him as an eight-month-old infant all those years ago. Sharing her life and pleasure with five other women and Androcles. Sehri was right. It was decadent and sinful. And it was exactly how the gods of fate and destiny intended it to be.

“Hmmmm ... now that he is gone though, we can actually get some sleep.” Carisia spoke as she snuggled closer to Lu’ria. “I can hardly move I am so worn out.”

“I will be fidgeting for a full day.” Ne’Veha added letting her hand drop to caress her ass cheek as she laid there.

Lu’ria laughed gently. “You are the one who told him to do it SirsanGai.” She said as they all giggled.

“Begged him was more like it!” Carisia laughed.

Ne’Veha grinned broadly. “And it was certainly divine!” She stated.

“Pomai.” Sehri hissed at her playfully from across Sadi’s flat, powerfully built abdomen. Now that she was fully wolf, Sehri had noticed right away that her body had become leaner and even more muscular. While Sadi was the largest among them while in wolf form, Sehri matched Ne’Veha and Lu’ria in size easily when running in her wolf form. The wolf metabolism within her now that it was fully active was exceptional and just the few short training classes she had with Lu’ria had begun to hone her figure into one of lean, lush and powerful firmness. Now that Carisia was back among them her training would become even more strenuous and exhaustive she knew, but the payoffs were beyond anything Sehri had ever imagined. Sehri had never anticipated herself being so happy and knowing that it would continue forever made her beyond joyful. Ne’Veha smiled broadly at her before lowering her head and they shared a deep kiss of love and affection.

They all laughed even more as they cuddled closer together and allowed sleep to finally take them into its peaceful embrace. They knew Androcles would see to it that they were not disturbed in any way. The last thing they felt before drifting off into a fully contented sleep was Andro’s staggering wolf and Etheric aura pulse all of them with his love. Even Sehri, new wolf that she was, even she felt the glorious nature of his wolf aura and Carisia basked in the aura of his Etheric resonance which swirled around her tightly and did the same to her that his wolf aura did to the others.

It was something that none of them could live without.

“ ... enter orbit of Austrova in just under twelve hours.” Sa’sur was speaking from her Ready Room on the SCIMITAR. Andro sat behind the large desk in his own Ready Room as he sipped the large mug of his mother’s coffee, his booted feet resting on top of the desk. “When we completed our last jump to get here, I ordered half our force to remain under Shroud. There is no telling how many of these OSG assholes might be about. Better to keep our full numbers hidden. No need to let them know we are here to clean up the trash.”

Andro nodded his head. “Agreed.” He stated as he sipped his coffee. “Have you had a chance to go over the plan Denali put together?”

Sa’sur nodded her head. “It’s very sound. I would make only a few minor adjustments to the overall operational concept, mainly with disposition of forces. He’s nearly as methodic as you and Resumar, though obviously not as reckless.” She looked up from the pad and glanced at Andro in the holotransmission. He grinned at her for he knew she would never have allowed him to assault Moran’s ship as they had.

At least not without her at his side.

Sa’sur saw the look in his eyes however and became serious. They had worked together and been friends for far too long for him to hide much from her and she knew something was up. “You are worried about something though?”

“They have returned to Austrova.” Andro told her. “Deni pulled them to the Protectorate homeworld for a few weeks because he feared whoever is aligned with the OSG in the Vanari government would try to remove them and make it look like rogue Lycavorians. Those among my people who are working with them. Caliria and Arduri have begun to change slightly and Inamarno let this slip by accident when confronted with this Franklin midaeus. Deni pulled them off Austrova with Coren to protect them.”

“Change slightly?” Sa’sur asked. “I didn’t think the virus in your blood could change a Vanari.”

Andro nodded his head. “It won’t.” He answered. “Not like elves or humans anyway. But it will alter their genetic makeup in such a way that there will be changes. Eyes. Fangs. Eli tried to explain it to me but like father ... it gave me a headache.”

“It worked obviously.” Sa’sur said.

“It was a sound move by Deni ... whatever they were planning they could not execute because of their location. Attacking them on Lorent would have opened a world of hurt that they don’t need right now. It appears as if the OSG obviously does not have as long a reach as they like to think nor do they have as much support among the Lycavorians there or they would have acted while they were on Lorent. Now that they are back on Austrova however ... I’m not so sure. They seem to be very prevalent on Austrova.”

“Which I find odd considering that the Vanari don’t trust them anymore than they do us.” Sa’sur said. “Or so they say.”

“It is odd, isn’t it?” Andro said. “It makes me wonder just how many of the Vanari Board of Regents is working with or know of the ties to the OSG and what they are doing.”

“You think they would do something so blatant as attacking Deni, Arduri and the others on the Vanari homeworld? That would mean Coren as well. Going after a member of their Board of Regents is no small affair from what I understand.” Sa’sur asked.

“To save their asses and whatever profits they are making ... yes. To keep the truth about what they are doing from the whole of the Vanari people ... yes.” Andro answered her. “And so does Coren. Inamarno’s father has more steel in his backbone than even I first thought. Now that the fear of whatever plagued him is gone, he sees what is going on. An attack against Deni and the others by Lycavorians from the Protectorate would only reinforce the mentality that many of the Vanari have about my people. A mentality the Board of Regents has been nurturing for centuries.” Andro dropped his feet and leaned forward across his desk. “Sa’sur, I want you to assume command and control when you arrive. Denali is not comfortable being in charge of so many. He is a superior small unit tactician and that is where his specialties lie. He knows it and he acknowledges it.”

“You are sure? I don’t want to step on Denali’s command.” Sa’sur asked. “I won’t screw around with fools Andro. You know that.” Sa’sur asked.

Andro nodded his head. “Yes ... Deni even eluded to it the last time I spoke to him. I have it on excellent information that General Vengal and General Vistr are pushing father very hard to allow Deni to be transferred to their command. They want to groom him to take command of all the Union’s Special Operations units so that Vistr can concentrate on his CFFG and Vengal can direct all his focus on the Durcunusaan. I agree with them. Lisisa and Arduri are both small unit operators and this only enhances his status and knowledge.”

Sa’sur nodded her head in acknowledgement. “Very nice.” She said.

“I like Deni’s plan as well.” Andro continued. “It’s simple enough, yet broad in scope. It will allow us to hit as many bases as we can in the first few hours. Dutkne says they have more than enough forces to do it alone but with our ships now added into the mix we can do more far more damage.”

“I understand there was some disagreement with Denali’s plan within the Protectorate ranks at first.” Sa’sur said.

Andro nodded. “A senior General did not like the way we do things.” He told her. “In essence, he says we are trigger happy.”

Sa’sur snorted loudly in disgust and shook her head. “Nubou him!” She spat. “No offense against the Protectorate, but we’ve been getting by just fine without them for thousands of years thank you very much. We’ve been fighting for our very existence since the Black Day. Have they even fought anything bigger than a pirate engagement? We’ve been doing this for a whole lot longer than they have Andro. This is what we excelled at!”

Andro chuckled and nodded his head. “My sentiments exactly. And no, they haven’t. Which is why Dutkne and their overall military leader gave this man the boot very quickly.” He said. “They are keeping him under surveillance. According to Dutkne there are far more of our people working with the Vanari slavers and OSG than he first thought. Not as many as he had first thought but far more than he hoped. When we move ... we’ll roll them up as well.”

“You realize that doing this might not change anyone’s minds about us?” Sa’sur said. “I don’t question our actions ... you know how I feel about slavery and such ... but even when we do this ... it may well backfire.”

Andro nodded. “I know. It’s a risk I’m willing to take.” He replied. “Given how many of these Lycanari there are on Lorent ... that tells me that many every day Vanari do not feel as their government feels.”

“Are Deni and the others in danger Andro?” Sa’sur asked bluntly.

Andro nodded his head. “More so than when they first arrived I believe.” He said. “When you get there Sa’sur I also want you to cut loose the other Durcunusaan teams to Deni covertly. He’ll know what to do with them. And give Paga one of the Drow Scout units. Inamarno is still a threat to the OSG and others within the Vanari government because of what she knows and what she can do and I will see to it that she is protected. Whoever is running things and is in charge is going to come after them sooner or later and I think they will try before I get there.”

“That means they will have to move within the next day or two.” Sa’sur said.

Andro nodded in agreement. “They still think I won’t be there for another few weeks so perhaps not, but I’m willing to bet they have sources that know I am on the move and I believe it will happen quickly now that they are back on Austrova. If they were planning to do it before they went to Lorent then all the pieces are still in place. That is why I advanced our schedule as I did. Now that Moran and Dante are dealt with, which happened a lot sooner than I had ever hoped for, we can begin moving.”

“We were due some luck Andro.” Sa’sur said softly.

Andro nodded. “Yes, we were. Imagine the surprise of the Vanari when we pop in and say hi.”

“How soon before you begin jump prep?” Sa’sur asked with a smile and shake of her head knowing Andro was loving this game more than he let on to anyone.

“Armen says we can be ready to go by the end of the day today.” Andro replied. “Our first jump is scheduled for zero nine hundred tomorrow. The second at fourteen hundred. We should be there by tomorrow evening. Armen says we could do it in one jump but he still wants to work the kinks out of the main engines before really spooling them up.”

“Bastard!” Sa’sur hissed at him. “I just spent the last three days jumping through hoops as we traveled here. Do you know what a pain in the ass it is to keep three hundred and thirty-four ships in order while you are jumping a gazillion light years every nine hours?”

“Sa’sur ... I have faith in you!” Andro exclaimed. “And I did get your husband and his ship transferred to your command. That has to count for something?”

“And you are damn lucky you did that. At least he can sate my blood when something screwy takes place.” Sa’sur stated playfully.

“We have to wait for Elynth and Anthar to return with Marux anyway. They found him ... barely alive and half starved. It took some talking for him to believe she wasn’t there to kill him but without Dante’s twisted mind and Xaxon’s influence clouding his judgment I think he sees more clearly now.” Andro said.

“Are you sure keeping him on SPARTA’S WRATH is such a good idea?” Sa’sur asked.

“He is safer here.” Andro answered her. “The Elder Mother is with my father and Elder Syrilth already has too much to worry about on Earth. She and Uncle Ben’s people are working on getting the adolescent dragons with father back to Earth so they can adjust properly. No ... I will keep him here and we will help him to recover.”

“Well ... I won’t argue with you about that.” Sa’sur said.

“Has anyone contacted you since you entered the Quadrant?” Andro asked her.

“A Vanari ship met us just outside of their space within an hour of completing the jump.” Sa’sur answered. “It’s travelling with us now. It had a member of their Board of Regents on it. She transferred over quickly with a few military people ... but she is a stuck up, arrogant upaee. At least that is how she comes across to most of us. She started out trying to tell me how to fly my ship as we entered Vanari space! Their military people just stood there and shook their heads.”

Andro nodded his head. “That sounds like what Coren described they would do. He said to expect more of the same. At least until I arrive ... and then they will turn all nice and happy to see us. It is an interesting signal from their military however. We may be able to use that in the future. Perhaps they do not agree on everything that the Board of Regents is doing.”

“To save their trade contracts ... no doubt.” Sa’sur said. “You still plan on sticking to that I hope?”

Andro nodded his head. “The Union can replace whatever the Vanari provide to the Protectorate right now. If they force my hand then I will do exactly what Denali told them I would do. Dutkne is already working on setting up a travel corridor that will bypass Vanari space all together.”

“And the Rothryn?” Sa’sur asked.

Andro sat back in his chair. “Sehri’s mother and I had a long talk just before she left with you. She will talk with him when she arrives.” He said. “And I will speak with Praetor Dyack when we get there and insure he knows the truth. I believe he was given the wrong information intentionally by this Circle Shaman that traveled with Sehri and not her sisters. This Shaman Harira person ... she is more than she wants everyone to think she is and this Rothryn Science Academy concerns me.”

Sa’sur nodded. “I read the report. You are thinking the same thing I am then I take it?”

Andro nodded. “They are not training those who show exceptional Etheric skills to better use them ... they are controlling them. Perhaps forcing them to do the bidding of whoever is in charge of this Academy. Lady Aleatia has said they have almost absolute power in this area and even the government under Dyack really has no say in what they do.”

“Religious fanatics.” Sa’sur said. “Gods ... they are the worse.”

Andro turned when the door to his Ready Room opened and Jomann led Yuri and Pa’cour in. His Durcunusaan Captain and now closest friend was the only one outside of his wives and family that would dare simply walk in here unannounced. He turned back to Sa’sur.

“Sa’sur ... advise when you have established orbit.” He said. “I’ll keep you up to date on our status and if all goes well we should see you sometime tomorrow evening.”

Sa’sur nodded. “Understood. SCIMITAR out.”

Andro got to his feet and came around in front of his desk to stand in front of Yuri and Pa’cour. “You are departing?” He spoke.

Yuri nodded her head. “We need to get back to Veyerai and finish the refit of the INQUISITOR. Removing Robert’s stench is not as easy as I had hoped it would be.” She said with a touch of disgust in her voice. “And you are getting ready to leave.”

“Carisia? Onera?” Andro asked.

“We said our goodbyes last night.” Yuri told him. “Onera is typically Akruxian when it comes to goodbyes and she is too excited about what she will experience out here among the stars with you and the others.”

“Yuri...” Andro began.

“No.” Yuri told him. Andro watched as she took Pa’cour’s hand in her own and squeezed tightly. “Pa’cour and I made this decision knowing full well what it means Androcles. She needs to learn how to control what she can do. The only place she can do that is here among you and the others.”

“We will take good care of her.” Andro said. “And you have access to a QCR now. Do not be afraid to use it Yuri.”

Yuri’s head canted to the side. “That was not expected Androcles. Your QCRs are some of your most secret and guarded military advances.”

Andro smiled. “Yes ... but I don’t think you will be selling it in The Wilds. Not that any of those fools could figure out how to work it anyway.” He stated.

Pa’cour chuckled softly and nodded. “True enough.” He said.

“We need to remain in touch and while the standard sub space channels are sufficient enough, the QCR is quicker and real time. I’d like you to keep me apprised of how Professor Lidene is coming with the weapons systems as well.” Andro told her.

“It’s slow going but he is fairly certain he can come up with a few things now that the Drones are assisting.” Yuri said.

“If you need something that you can not obtain and that your contacts within the Union could get for you, my Aunt Deia has already suggested you contact her.” Andro told her.

Yuri looked at him stunned. “Deia?” She gasped.

“You and Pa’cour brought her sister home to her Yuri and allowed her to finally say goodbye. What you did after they died Pa’cour ... to honor them ... that can never be repaid.” Andro told them. “Regardless of what you think you may know ... that one action earned you and Pa’cour more trust than you will ever truly understand. And it allowed my tenna Deia to know you have fully turned the corner in your life.”

Yuri looked up into Pa’cour’s face which was usually stoic but she saw the hint of deep respect in his dark eyes now. “We thank you.” He spoke.

Andro nodded his head. “I imagine that you will also be working on what you had to see my father about?”

Yuri’s dark eyes grew a little wider. “You...”

“Know what it is all about?” Andro said. “No.”

“Then...”

“I know my father well enough to know that it must not be good if he has not contacted me about it.” Andro said. “And if you felt the need to only speak with him, then it probably has something to do with what you found in your mother’s files. About me. Or how I would react to something in those files. Which is to say ... not well.”

“I wouldn’t jump to conclusions Androcles.” Yuri said.

“I’m not.” He stated. “I’m merely deducing things given what I know. Which is nothing to be honest.”

Yuri felt a sense of relief wash over her but she hid it well. “When the time comes I’m sure he will tell you.” She said.

Andro chuckled. “I am not so sure ... my father can be a closed mouth bastard when he wants to be. You should know that. That is something you and he had decided to deal with on your own so I will not concern myself with it. I trust you both to know what you are doing.” He moved back to his desk and took the data pad from the surface. He turned back to them and held it out to Pa’cour. “I am having two dozen more Worker Drones transferred to you. With the extra power core from SPARTA’S WRATH powering their production line, we are building them as quickly as possible to aid our own engineers. Use them to help refit the ships you have with the new engine specs and the shield modifications that Carisia gave to you. Pontal and my grandfather are already working on doing the same with the High Coven fleet. You will need both going into the future. Treat them...”

“What?” Yuri asked him as she took the pad.

“They are not just machines even though we are building them.” Andro told her. “Like Avi and Armen they can think and learn and process on their own. Treat them as individuals and I think you will find they can do a lot more than you know.”

Yuri nodded her head as she looked at him. “Are you saying they are sentient?”

Andro shrugged his broad shoulders. “I’m saying that Avi and Armen are not simple machines to be used. The Drones appear to be similar in nature. They kept nearly two hundred dragon eggs alive for over five thousand years with no guidance and directions except for their own. That ought to tell you something about what they are capable of.”

“I will see to it.” Yuri said.

Pa’cour looked up from the pad. “You are giving us the specs to your Body Armor.” He asked.

Andro nodded his head. “Neither of you is out of danger and you know it.” He told them. “With Moran and Dante out of the picture ... our enemies will undoubtedly turn their attention not only towards my aunt and Narice ... but also you and Pa’cour. You may not be a Princess of the High Coven any longer Yuri but I have a sense that you and Pa’cour have become even more important in the overall scheme of things.”

“That sense ... your intuition ... it is extremely frightening at times. You do know that don’t you?” Yuri said.

Andro smiled. “It scares the hell out of me too. There will be others, even among the High Coven, who will believe if they take you and Pa’cour out of the equation, they can then move on Narice.”

“I will not allow that.” Yuri hissed.

Andro nodded his head. “I know. That is why I am doing this. And with the way things are developing between Onera, Sheva and Dorian ... well I think you already know about that.”

“We approve Androcles.” Pa’cour said quickly.

“I was hoping you would say that.” Andro spoke. “It happened rather quickly for all of them ... probably because Dorian is like me in many respects but I know my brother and Sheva are very happy it did. And they are not being shy about embracing it.”

Yuri nodded. “As is Onera.” She said. “And I could not ask for a man who will love and cherish her more than your brother Androcles.”

Andro looked at her and smiled a warm smile. It was an expression that made Yuri briefly think of what things would have been like if her mother and father had embraced these people so long ago instead of trying to destroy and enslave them. She had thought a lot about that recently and Yuri knew things would be so very different if they had.

“Things are not working out exactly as you had envisioned, are they?” Andro asked her.

Yuri met his gaze. “Phraktos no!” She blurted out instantly. “I certainly never envisioned things working out as they have! Not once.”

“And do you regret any of it?” Andro asked.

Yuri took a deep breath and looked at Pa’cour with a brilliant smile of love and devotion before turning back to him. “Not one bit.” She answered firmly.

“Then let’s keep building on that.” Andro said.

Yuri reached out and took Pa’cour’s hand in her own. “We intend to.” She said.

Andro motioned for the door. “I will walk you to the landing bay. Since you gave The Tears of Heaven to Carisia ... I have something I would like to give to you in return.”

MANNE
BASE ONE

“ ... is maintaining its course and speed.” Martin spoke to the image of Delnash in the QCR.

Wayonn, Tobia and Valael sat with them at the table, both of them surprised at being included in this transmission as well as the level of sophistication of the QCR. It had been nearly three days since they had arrived and both of them were still in a state of shock at how easily they had been accepted among the Lycavorians and the other species that traveled with Martin Leonidas. Whatever had occurred in the past, the deaths of their comrades on Onterom, whatever anger or distrust that was felt was not directed at them in any way. It was almost as if these men and women knew that Valael and Tobia as well as the military officers and crew of the ship they had arrived on were friends and allies they could rely on.

“Yuriko and her ship are shadowing them pretty close. Closer than I would like really ... but she is certain that they seem to lack the ability or skills to use the more advanced equipment some of those ships had on them.” Martin continued.

Delnash nodded his head in agreement from his office as he looked out the window over the city. He turned to face them as he answered. “I have had some people I trust completely begin going over the data that Anja gathered and they agree with this assessment. The Svorag are adapting ... but it would appear that they still cannot comprehend higher functions. It would be much easier to determine what exactly is happening with the data that Lorendo undoubtedly has access too ... but...”