A SPARTAN'S WAR

EARTH

CRANAE ISLAND

They were sleeping soundly, Sadi on her back with Ne'Veha snuggled against her on one side and Carisia pressed to her other side with Lu'ria spooning Carisia from behind. The single sheet was disheveled, but it managed to cover most of their bodies from the coolness of the morning air. Carisia was the beneficiary of the body heat from both Sadi and Lu'ria which added to her warmth. The patio doors were open slightly and Andro was awake and holding a large mug of his mother's coffee in his hand, the dragon medical scanner on his left arm active as he swept it over first Elynth and then Anthar and Majeir. The morning sun was above the horizon in the distance and basking everything it touched in warmth now. Sadi very slowly extracted herself from Ne'Veha and Carisia's embrace and when she reached the foot of their bed she saw Ne'Veha move closer to Carisia and Lu'ria to regain the heat that Sadi's body had given her. With a smile of love and affection Sadi got to her feet and reached for the thin robe on the back of the chair. She moved to the patio door padding silently and stopped when she could see him. The tremors of his conversation with Jomann had woken her and he would tell them what they discussed later she knew.

He had taken to wearing his body armor most of the time now and while the Mark IV ArmorPly conformed to his muscular body like a glove, he preferred to wear only his white pants and a loose shirt when he was here at the villa. He had not slept very well these last few days Sadi knew, the events and circumstances of everything that was happening keeping him very busy. Today was the first day where he would start without an early morning meeting and he was using it to do one of the things he enjoyed most Sadi knew, and that was to take care of Elynth and the other dragons that were now part of their family. Witnessing what they had in the Senate Convocation Building had stunned all of them. No one except Sadi and his other mates had known he had grown so much with his power and abilities, but even they were shocked at what they had seen. He had kept it secret from all his siblings and everyone else except for Denali. Now it was out in the open because he had become angry at the Kavalian ambassador's attitude toward the rape of his mother For'mya. Sadi had seen many Netnews reports on what had happened in the chamber that day and all of them eventually came back to what he had done. Sadi knew he was not yet fully comfortable with the Etheric power within him. The brief excerpts from the Ancient Pralor Tomes that she had seen in his thoughts had spoken of his responsibilities with this power. What he needed to do. How he needed to act. Androcles, Sadi knew, was not a man of inaction but the fact he had this power within him forced him to think about everything he did now and it caused him to hesitate in his decisions sometimes. That is what he did not like. He was learning to deal with it, as he did with everything, but it was frustrating for him at times.

Andro had told them of his discussion with Shiria and Deia and what they were going to do. He never kept anything from them and that was part of the reason they all loved him so. Though Sadi Leonidas knew that deep within him, he would choose her over all of them because they were Anomes, it was not something he or she would do willingly. He was like his father in so many ways, and loving each of them just as intensely as the other was part of his strength. Part of the reason that Sadi and all of them were so drawn to him. No other man could ever do to her, to all of them, what Andro did. He missed Caliria she knew, they all did. She was part of them now no matter the struggles she had within herself. Sadi had no doubts she would eventually realize she belonged with them. With Caliria part of them now, adding to them, Sadi had detected something a few days ago while they were in the Senate chamber. It was very faint, almost undetectable, but her own power and the influence of his aura in the chamber on all of them had caused them to feel it. Almost like another mind had joined with theirs for the briefest of moments. Sadi knew if they had felt it, then Andro had felt it as well, but it was not something he would bring up. She and the others had discussed it, for the presence had been female in nature and feeling that presence even for that brief instant had caused all of them to shiver in delight.

His resonance is much more calm and focused this morning. Lu'ria's voice filtered into her mind and Sadi turned to see their Drow Mistress move up next to her.

Lu'ria's glorious ebony body was still completely nude, her shimmering white hair falling far past her shoulders. They had explored each other's bodies intimately since coming together, Lu'ria's smooth ebony skin a delight for all of the to delve into, and to them having clothes on when it was just them was silly unless it was very cold. Since becoming wolf her body had taken on a much more muscular definition and as a proud Drow female she already reeked of sexuality. Her new figure had led to many nights of blissful pleasure even when Andro was not among them. She could be dominant or she could be submissive in their bed but no matter what she was always willing to give pleasure just as easily as receive it. Lu'ria sipped from the large mug of coffee before holding it out to Sadi as she pressed her ebony body against Sadi's side. They always had a large coffee machine in their quarters that was ready to brew on a moment's notice. With the exception of SirsanGai, all of them had developed a great like for Aricia's coffee. Ne'Veha still preferred the tea her grandmother had got her hooked on, which they now had plenty of at the villa.

Sadi nodded as she took the mug from her. Taking care of Elynth and the others has always done this for him. She answered as she sipped the hot, rich coffee. It will help to center him again.

He does not like having the lives of so many hinge on his commands and orders. Lu'ria said. My father and Am'uur saw that when they met. My father says it is a strength and that it will keep him on a path of moral righteousness.

Sadi looked at her. Lu'ria's father, her entire family really, had taken an immediate liking to Andro and all of them. Lu'ria was much ballyhooed within the Drow culture now, a celebrity of sorts, for she had four equally stunning women who referred to her as their Drow Mistress and she was the first pureblood Drow who had ever been changed into a wolf. Her body in wolf form was covered in a lustrous coat of soft, pure white hair and she was very nearly as large as Sadi while Ne'Veha was slightly smaller than them. Your father and Am'uur have left? She asked.

Lu'ria nodded. They took a ten member team. Most of them fought beside the King here on Earth. She looked at Sadi with those glittering amber colored eyes. Those who betrayed my people will pay for their actions. She said.

Sadi nodded. As well they should. She spoke.

The Krypteria had discovered that two very powerful merchants within The Wilds had been the ones who sold the information to the KFI about the location and routines of any of the Drow outposts that had been struck. In a move that was totally unexpected from Androcles, but which ended up garnering him almost as fierce a loyalty among the Drow as his father, he ordered the assassinations of these two men to be carried out by the Drow in retribution. He was not about to let them escape after helping to facilitate the rape and butchering of Drow females and small children among those the Kavalians killed with the help of these men. Aihola had approved of the mission and left it to Lu'ria's father and brother to execute the mission with her blessings.

What happens now Sadi? Lu'ria asked her.

His actions have bought us the time we need. Sadi answered. Now it is a matter of being able to consolidate what we have, reinforcing our strengths, addressing our weaknesses and ramping up our production.

So we will be remaining here on Earth? Lu'ria asked.

Sadi shrugged. There is no telling what he has planned. She answered. The part of his mind that formulates tactics and ideas is not one I will delve into. I tried once and it very nearly drove me crazy with his calculations and scenarios. I could keep nothing straight. I gave up finally. She said with a smile.

Lu'ria laughed softly. There have been many great military leaders in the history of Earth. Humans mostly, but no one ever wanted to analyze their minds either.

They both turned when they felt Ne'Veha and Carisia wake. As was usually the norm for Ne'Veha, she reached for the table console and turned on the Netnews. It was a running joke between them that she could not function without getting her daily dose of news. As she sat lotus style on the bed, Carisia settled next to her with a mug of coffee and one of tea. Ne'Veha kissed her softly in thanks and they both began watching. Sadi and Lu'ria grinned at one another but those grins vanished quickly as they felt Ne'Veha and Carisia's hearts begin to beat faster.

"SirsanGai?" Sadi called moving back into the room fully. "What is it?"

"That fool Senator Icho." Ne'Veha answered motioning to the monitor built into the wall. "He is giving a Netnews conference in Sparta."

Sadi and Lu'ria moved back into the room near the bed and turned to watch the monitor as Ne'Veha turned up the volume. They could see Ulana in the background as well as half a dozen other Senators.

"… Saying that you are one of those who voted against the implementation of Spartan Law and going to war with the Kavalian Federation Senator?" A reporter asked.

"Of course I did!" Icho answered. "War is not what is needed now. What we need to do is talk with the KFI. Find out what their issues are with us and address them accordingly. It is irresponsible for King Leonidas to leave the Prince in command while he gallivants across the stars doing something that none of us are aware of. This is what I have been saying for years. We need to think of reorganizing the Union government. Prime Minister Deia has been in power for too long and we have no need for a King. Especially one who has spoken publicly about how he does not want the job!"

"So you are willing to essentially give the Kavalian Federation a pass on killing nearly a thousand Union citizens in the bombing of the Senate Building? Not to mention the brutal killings of nearly three hundred Drow citizens of the Union." The same reporter asked.

"I'm saying we need to address why the KFI did this." Icho spoke. "They had reasons for their actions! Reasons that we gave them. Prince Androcles has convinced everyone we need war to settle this. To get revenge for their actions. What drives the Prince to think this? We know very little about Prince Androcles… he has intentionally avoided most contact with the Netnews over the years. He orders the destruction of the Jump Gates around Hadaria, killing millions. He orders these surprise attacks against Kavalian forces who he says were preparing to invade… also killing millions. And his actions in the Senate Chamber behind me have to be explained. We all saw what he did. Where did these abilities come from? Why do we not know about them? And why has the School of the Mages been left out of the loop?"

"Seven times they have requested that the King's children attend the School and each time they have been rebuffed. Why is this? What is the Leonidas family hiding? What is hidden within the Crown Princess's past? We all know she was an agent for the High Coven! I have learned only recently that it was she who led the assassins to the Royal Palace on Apo Prime all those years ago! The same assassins that almost claimed the life of our Queen For'mya. Now she is Crown Princess of the Union! How is that? These are the things we need to know. These are the questions that need to be answered! We have now been plunged into a war with the Kavalian people while we make friends with those who have been our enemies since The Black Day! Two of our King's sons have taken daughters of our vile enemies as their wives and mates! What are we to fathom from this reversal? I for one would like answers! As would many of those I represent and…"

"It's starting." Sadi said softly. "And that upaee is there with him." She finished her statement with a hiss of revulsion.

"It certainly is." Andro's voice echoed hers and they all turned to see him standing there in the room with them. "He can unquestionably play to a crowd don't you think? And he is asking all the right questions too? How convenient don't you think?"

"The right questions?" Ne'Veha asked looking at him. "What do you mean when you say that Saradasaar?" She asked.

"They are exactly the questions the Kavalians would want the answers to." Andro said as he lifted his mug and sipped his own coffee. "Coincidence?" He asked. "I think not."

"You think Icho is working for the Kavalians?" Sadi gasped.

"Laustinos wasn't working alone that is for sure." Andro answered her. "And the good Senator is in the perfect position to provide Laustinos many different types of information. So yes… I believe the good Senator is working for our enemies."

Sadi looked at him as he moved to the COM panel in their room. "Andro what are you going to do?" She asked.

Andro grinned at her. "I'm going to make a couple of command decisions and then we are going to a Netnews conference my beautiful mates. I suggest you all get dressed." He spoke as he stabbed down on the panel. "Command?"

"Durcunusaan Command Milord. Captain Feknar!"

"Patch me through to Assistant Director Marci." Andro spoke. "Priority One."

"Stand by Milord." The officer spoke. "Patching her through now."

Since the panel was audio only Andro typed several commands and then stepped back.

"Andro?" Marci's voice spoke. "What's wrong?"

"Are you seeing the Netnews Marci?" Andro asked.

"Armetus, Nesa and I are watching it now." She answered.

"Good. Marci… how much funding does Icho's family Engineering Firm get from the Union government?" He asked.

"They just received a proposed contract for a hundred billion a year times five, to develop and build a viable replacement for the M7 TEMPEST." She answered. "We haven't received a signed copy as of yet. Not to my knowledge anyway."

"Really?" Andro asked. "That much?"

"Yes."

"Pull it!" Andro ordered. "All of it! And void the contract." Sadi looked at Lu'ria and the others with a large smile and beaming green eyes.

"Androcles…" Armetus's voice broke in. "We will need to find a company to give that contract too. We need to continue the development of the fighters. Ben will scream if we do not."

"Give it to MENKLA Manufacturing." Andro said. "Sadi's father no longer runs the company so it is not a conflict of interest. They have a larger construction base anyway do they not?"

"Very much so… yes." Armetus answered.

"Then give it to MENKLA." Andro said. "I will be arriving at the Senate Convocation Building in fifteen minutes. Have the voided contracts sent via my data pad."

"Understood." Marci spoke.

Andro looked at Sadi and the others. "Shall we go rock the boat as my father says?" He spoke with a grin.