A SPARTAN'S WAR

AUSTROVA

VANARI GUEST HOUSE

"Are you sure about this Regent Re Mydala?" Deni asked as they sat in the large main room.

Coren nodded. "There can be no other reason." He stated. "I've known Ardan for the better part of a thousand years; I know what he is capable of. When it comes to politics and advancing his goals he can be ruthless."

"Selling our people into slavery father? Ardan?" Arduri asked from the spot on the couch to Deni's left. Lisisa sat on his right.

"Yes… selling them into slavery." He stated. "If it ultimately gets him to the position he wants then yes... it is exactly something he would do."

"Does the First Regent know?" Arduri asked.

Coren shook his head. "Not yet. I came here first. Alrerin Sha Harael is a fine man but he follows too closely the letter of the law as First Regent. Ardan's actions will directly affect the status of the Lycavorian people however Denali Leonidas. All of these years I have believed one thing and I have been blind to what my own people are doing right under my own nose. It makes me sick to my stomach!"

"There are those among our people that have still wronged the Vanari Coren Re Mydala." Dutkne spoke from the side.

Coren nodded. "Yes. But it is a tiny fraction of your people and ones who do not adhere to the values I have come to realize that the majority of your people do. I have hated your kind for so long it has blinded me to the truth!" He hissed angrily. "And it may well have doomed my people!"

"No!" Arduri exclaimed coming to her feet now. "Deni… there must be something we can do!"

"The security teams that we brought have strict rules Duri." Denali answered using the nickname he had come to start calling her. "They are to insure your father's safety… not actively take part in espionage against the Vanari. That is not something Andro would allow."

"It is not espionage if I authorize it." Coren spoke. "We… we must stop Ardan and those who are working with him or he will lead my people to ruin Denali Leonidas. If he somehow becomes First Regent he could very well alter the balance of power within the Beta Quadrant and he would most certainly use the information we unwittingly gave to him to bolster his position against the Protectorate specifically and Lycavorians generally."

Denali looked at him for a long moment. "Does the Vanari Empire pose a military threat to the Protectorate?" Deni asked looking at Dutkne.

Dutkne shook his head. "Meaning no offense Coren… but no." He answered. "They have an equal number of ships, but my people drill and train harder everyday. They have few combat experienced officers. Their ground forces are slightly larger in size, but aside from their Vanari Commandos, many of them have never seen combat in any form. Certainly never against one of us."

Coren looked at him. "That makes a difference?" He asked.

Dutkne nodded his head. "We may have learned how to curb the more feral instincts of our species Coren, but in battle we have also learned how to harness those same instincts."

The communications panel next to the couch chimed and Lisisa reached for it. "Yes?"

"Princess… the Rothryn Praetor and his son are here requesting an audience with Prince Denali." The voice of the Durcunusaan trooper spoke.

Lisisa looked quickly at Deni with surprise in her eyes. "Deni?" She asked.

Denali looked at Dutkne. "This is unexpected." He spoke.

"There is already a relationship established with Coren." Dutkne thought quickly. "It would not look odd if he is here. You can't refuse him as the leader of his people. It would be seen as a major slight."

Deni looked at Lisisa and nodded. She touched the panel. "You may show them in Commander." She spoke getting to her feet.

"Why would the Rothryn want to meet with you?" Coren asked.

Deni looked at him. "The Rothryn are Lycavorian Coren." He answered. "The only difference between us is that they can't shift. You must have noticed the similarities through the years?"

Coren nodded with wide eyes. "Of course… but we never thought… are you sure?"

Lisisa nodded. "Eliani can confirm it when she arrives with Andro, but we are reasonably sure that is the case. It would explain a lot of things really."

"The dislike between the Rothryn and the Protectorate?" Coren asked looking at Dutkne.

Dutkne nodded. "We suspected for many years but never had opportunity or reason to confirm this. They were not exactly happy to see us the few times we have run across each other in the past."

They became silent as the Durcunusaan trooper led Dyack and Kelelm into the main room where they came up surprised that Coren and Dutkne were present.

"Forgive me." Dyack spoke. "I wasn't aware you already had guests." He stated.

"Praetor Dyack… it's a pleasure." Denali spoke moving closer to him. "What brings you here?"

Dyack glanced at Coren and Dutkne before looking back at Denali. "I was hoping to discuss something of a private nature Prince Denali." He spoke finally. "I can return at a later time if you are busy?"

Deni shook his head completely out of his realm now. "No… please stay. What can I do for you?"

Dyack met his eyes. "It is of a private nature as I said." He stated calmly but with a tinge of anger in his voice.

Kelelm heard this and also knew from the expression on Deni's face that he was lost. He stepped forward quickly. "You are not use to diplomatic missions are you?" He asked with a smile.

Deni met his eyes. "No. No… I am not." He answered honestly.

Kelelm nodded. "Neither was I." He stated with a smile. Though he was considerably older than Denali he knew just what he was talking about. He was also a shrewd negotiator and from the looks on their faces he could decipher what it was they were talking about. "I assume that Regent Re Mydala is not here visiting his daughter?"

"We were discussing private matters as well!" Coren hissed.

"Papa!" Arduri exclaimed moving closer to him and placing her hands on his arms. He had changed in these last weeks. Slowly she could see a different man emerging from the distrustful and angry man he had been these last years. Perhaps his eyes had truly been opened with all that had happened.

Coren looked quickly to where she touched him and he could not hide the emotions that poured through him when he felt her hands on his arm. "Arduri." He said softly looking into her stunning green eyes.

Dyack knew immediately what his son was doing and he saw an opening that could provide benefits to all of them if he played his cards right. He stepped forward closer to Denali. "I can infer from the presence of Regent Re Mydala and Director General Dutkne that you were discussing security measures and more than likely how to end the selling of Vanari females into slavery."

They all looked at him with wide eyes and it was Kelelm who chuckled. "We are not without eyes and ears." He said.

"You… you know?" Deni asked in shock.

Dyack nodded. "The OSG approached us many years ago about buying Vanari females." He answered. He held up his hand when Coren began to speak. "Do not worry Regent Re Mydala, I told them exactly where to stick their offer. They were not happy to say the least. We do not believe in slavery of any kind among my people. After they departed, we did a very small investigation and came to the conclusion that someone within your government was assisting the OSG. Something that I think you may have just come to realize." He said looking at Coren.

Coren met his eyes and nodded his head after a long moment. "It seems many more know of this than my own people." He said.

Dyack moved closer. "Do not regret not believing members of your own people capable of such thing Regent Re Mydala. I have a similar issue among my own people…" He looked at Denali. "Which is why I have come here now."

Deni canted his head. "Really?"

"Perhaps there is something we can do for you." Dyack said. "And in exchange… we would want something in return."

Denali held up his hands. "Whoa! Stop right there!" He snapped. "No way I'm making the call on this!" He moved to the COM panel. "Prince Denali to ARCHDEMON. Secure… three nine Lisisa, four one Arduri."

"COMs secure!" The voice answered. "This is Lieutenant Hopla sire! Senior COM Duty Officer."

"Initiate a secure QCR COM with my brother on Earth Lieutenant." Deni spoke firmly. "Find him! Interrupt him if you have too. I need to speak with him right now!"

"Stand by Milord. Prince Androcles's schedule is still forwarded to us in daily reports." The voice answered. "It is 0730 on Earth Milord. He is still on Cranae Island. I'll initiate the COM center there and connect you. Stand by."

"… Is wrong Deni?" The deep voice echoed as the holo transmission engaged and the room they were in flickered suddenly and the figure of Andro appeared sitting on the couch in the private area of his villa. He was shirtless, for it was still early and he wore just his white pants and held a mug of their mother's coffee in his hand, a data pad in the other. "Have you broken something already fervon?"

Deni chuckled upon seeing his brother and watched as Andro looked up and saw who was with him in the transmission. His coffee mug stopped as it was rising and he set the pad to the side.

"Not exactly." Deni answered.

Andro glanced at Coren. "Is it Caliria? Is something wrong with Inamarno?" He asked quickly.

Coren shook his head just as quickly, seeing the genuine concern in his face and hearing it in his voice. "No Androcles." He stated quickly. "There is nothing wrong." He paused for a moment. "You should contact her… I know… I know she misses all of you terribly."

"Part of her returning with you was to discover what it was she wanted sir." Andro answered. "Contacting her will only make matters worse as much as I want to see and talk to her."

Coren nodded. "I understand." He said.

Andro rose to his feet now and his azure eyes fell upon Dyack and Kelelm. "Fervon… I assume that if the Praetor of the Rothryn people and his oldest son are present, there is probably something you have not told me."

Dyack looked at the image of the young man before him. Even within the transmission he exuded power and confidence. The black flaming bird tattooed to his abdomen only enhanced that persona, as well as the odd shaped symbol on his upper right chest that looked as if it had been burned into his skin. It was oddly shaped like one of the razor like talons he had seen on the dragons that had arrived with Denali Leonidas. Three small scars dotted his upper left chest which Dyack recognized immediately as some kind of weapons fire. He sighed an internal sigh, thankful that he was going to speak to a young man who knew about combat. A young man who could speak from experience unlike his own son Anroth who thought he was better than fellow officers even though he had never tasted combat.

"Andro… things have become more complicated than we first thought." Deni spoke moving around next to Dyack and drawing his thoughts away from his internal observations. "Coren believes… and to be honest most of the evidence is supporting his theory… that Ardan is at the top or very close to the top of the conspiracy within the Vanari government in selling their people. He also believes Ardan is making a play for leadership of the Vanari Empire."

Andro's eyes went to Lisisa. "Arande… you concur with Deni?" He asked.

Lisisa stepped up beside Deni and nodded knowing that Andro only asked because they were so closely tied together. "Yes."

"Arduri? Coren?" He asked.

Arduri nodded and Coren shook his head. "As much as it pains me to admit. Yes."

Andro saw Dyack's son lean close to his father and whisper something. He turned his head back to them. "Something Praetor Dyack?" He asked.

Dyack shook his head quickly. "No Prince Leonidas… Kelelm was simply telling me what Arande means. I am not as well versed in the Ancient Language as some of my children, a situation I will remedy as soon as I am able."

Andro's head canted slightly. "Forn echta vada allsknes nimerd of the Lycavorians?" Andro asked him surprised. (You speak the ancient language?)

Kelelm nodded his head. "The… the dialect you use is slightly different than what we have been taught… but amazingly it is almost identical. It is rarely spoken among our people now; it is too difficult to learn. Our history teachers refer to it as the Ancient Language. They never knew its origins. You are saying it is the language of your people."

Andro nodded slowly. "Spoken over fifty thousand years ago and lost during our long years as slaves to the High Coven. Lost except for those Lycavorians born and raised in Sparta, It is rapidly making a comeback here in the Union… but you are correct… it is difficult to learn. It requires commitment and interest."

Kelelm smiled as he looked at his father. "Another sign that what we believe is true father." He said.

Dyack nodded. "Indeed it is."

"Very interesting." Andro said looking at the man. "That would imply that my brother was very correct in his initial assessment of you and your people Praetor Dyack." Andro said softly.

"You… you have me at a disadvantage Prince Androcles." Dyack spoke. "I do not know what your brother reported to you after our dinner. It was cut rather short once we witnessed your display."

"You saw that?" Andro asked.

Dyack nodded his head. "An impressive feat to say the least." He said.

"He told me that in his opinion and given everything he has seen and smelled that the Rothryn people are not so different from my own." Andro spoke. "And in fact we may even be gentically related after some fashion."

Dyack nodded his head slowly. "There is a legend among my people if you will indulge me. A Prophecy if you will." He said stepping forward. "That one day we would be reunited with those of our own kind that we were taken from so long ago. It is a legend… a myth really. Very few of my people believe it anymore. I thought it was simply a myth… at least I thought it was, until I witnessed what I did. The Prophecy of the Ancient Ones said we would one day be reunited as a whole with our brothers and sisters. And that they would return what the Ancient Ones took from us."

"What did they take?" The female voice asked and they watched Andro turn and hold out his hand.

Dyack and Kelelm watched as Sadi came into the transmission now, Andro drawing her close and sharing a soft nibbling kiss. He held her close to him, dressed as she was in her usual robe, and looked back to Dyack. Dyack and his son were both quite taken by her almost surreal beauty and grace and Dyack was stunned at how her demeanor mirrored that of Sehri. A very confident woman not only in her movements but also her station.

"My wife, mate and Anome Praetor Dyack. Sadi Leonidas." Andro spoke.

Dyack and Kelelm bowed their heads out of respect immediately. "Princess Sadi." Dyack spoke softly.

"Gentlemen." Sadi spoke turning her eyes to Coren immediately. "Regent Re Mydala? How is Inamarno?"

Coren nodded and smiled. "She is fine. She misses you. All of you." He threw that out once more.

Sadi smiled warmly at this news and nodded to him. "Perhaps I will contact her." She said. "I do not want to confuse her more than she already is however."

Coren nodded. "I understand." He told her. "But… I know she would enjoy talking to you."

Sadi turned back to Dyack. "You said these ancient ones took something from you." She said. "What did they take?"

"It is said they took our ability to shift as you can." Dyack answered. "Our scientists have determined that our original homeworld was environmentally unsuitable to being able to shift our forms and somehow this ability was taken from us so that we could settle the planet. We have recovered artifacts that seem to support this that appear to have been left intentionally. So that we would find them. Unfortunately we have only the study of the Lycavorians within the Protectorate and information that our scientists have gathered through the many years to base our data on but that is the general feeling among many of them. It appears we have made the mistake of distancing ourselves from the Protectorate when we should have been embracing them. It is not an idea that is widely propagated among my people however due to other factions within my government. In fact very few of the Rothryn people believe it anymore."

"Yet you do?" Sadi asked.

Dyack met her gaze evenly. "Let's just say that what I have seen these last days is rapidly making me think that perhaps there is something very truthful to the old legend. My youngest daughter Sehri believes it deeply… and I trust her completely."

"Sehri?" Sadi asked softly.

Dyack nodded his head after glancing at Kelelm in surprise. "Yes. How did you…? Sehri is my youngest of three daughters and two sons. Kelelm here is the oldest of my children." He answered. "The Ancient Ones in our history scrolls are remarkably similar to these Pralors that you mentioned during your recent news briefing Prince Leonidas. If there is a chance that perhaps they are one and the same. It could mean a great deal to us as well."

"The ability to admit that you believe something when most others do not is an admirable trait Praetor Dyack." Sadi said after a long moment.

Dyack nodded his head to her. "My wife and mate has reminded me of that through the years." He said. "Until now I always was skeptical."

Sadi smiled at him as she turned and settled to the couch and took the coffee mug from Andro's hand. Dyack and Kelelm were quick to take note that she was not going to be leaving the transmission and this action only proved to them that Union females were allowed far more freedoms when it came to politics than Rothryn women. It was then they saw another set of long legs enter the transmission and then Ne'Veha's elven figure entered the transmission. She didn't acknowledge the men and only sat on the couch next to Sadi and shared a soft kiss with her as she sipped from the mug of tea. Dyack and Kelelm had only heard of the elven species so far and seeing Ne'Veha caught them by surprise. They heard more soft voices and watched as two more females entered the room, a stunning dark skinned female elf with shimmering, pure white hair and an exotic looking raven haired female who, though shorter than all of them others, looked to be in superb physical condition. The dark skinned elf stepped up to Andro and they shared a similar kiss as to the one he had shared with Sadi. Then she too moved to the couch and curled up close to the raven haired female.

Andro looked at his brother once more, tearing his eyes from his mates and wives. He bowed his head slightly. "Forgive our attire Praetor Dyack, but it is still morning here and as you can see, our species and the elves are somewhat open about our sexuality. "Deni… you would not have initiated this transmission unless you needed something." He said. "Speak at me fervon."

Deni took a deep breath. "Andro… I need you to authorize our people here on Austrova to be allowed to conduct espionage duties. We need to find out what Ardan and the others within the Protectorate are up to. Right now… right now they are several steps ahead of us and we got some serious catching up to do."

Andro met his eyes. "You realize what you are asking me to do fervon?" He asked softly. "Father would not approve of such a thing. It exposes us to too much backlash if anything should happen. Armetus would not approve either."

"Marci would though." Deni answered quickly. "Coren has agreed to this fervon. If we don't discover what is going on, when you come here in seven weeks Ardan and the SBR are going to ambush you."

"What do you mean?" Andro asked.

"If what Coren says is true and we all agree that it is…" Deni said. "Instead of you telling them we are ending the trade agreements because of their refusal to be open minded and fair in their dealings with us, they'll end them because members of the Protectorate are selling Vanari females and it only proves what Coren has been saying for decades."

"The merger of the Union and the Protectorate will only be seen as a way to gain further power to continue the slavery practice." Lisisa continued.

Dutkne stepped forward seeing the confusion on Andro's face. "Andro, essentially Ardan will declare all Lycavorians slavers and there will be no peace or corporation between us going forward. Financially it will hurt the Vanari short term, but Ardan's plans probably already are set to include opening their trade to species the Vanari don't usually associate with. This will increase his ability to sell Vanari females and further weaken the Vanari as a whole. It will also impact us because we do not associate with these species for primarily the same reasons as the Vanari. Financially we would need to find someone to replace the Vanari as a trading partner. That could take years."

"So it is a matter of money most of all?" Andro said with some disgust.

Dutkne nodded. "I'm afraid so."

"We could find buyers for your products here in the Union." Andro spoke.

"Yes… but it would take time and resources to get those trade goods known and then shipped to Union space." Dutkne spoke.

Coren nodded. "As it would for the Vanari to do something similar with the species here in the Beta Quadrant."

"Money!" Andro hissed angrily. "It always comes down to nubous money!"

Dyack looked at Kelelm after this display and he saw his son smile.

Androcles looked up. "I will speak with Marci. As it stands right now… you have my authorization."

Deni nodded. "We'll be careful fervon." He said.

"You'd better brother. You have a habit of breaking things that aren't meant to be broken." Andro said.

"And where exactly did I acquire that skill I wonder?" Deni asked with a crooked grin.

Dyack stepped forward once more. "Prince Androcles… I believe I can offer a way to get the information you need and have it not be such a large risk." He spoke.

Andro met his eyes in the transmission. "In return for what?"

"A sample of your brother's DNA. A sample of your DNA and a sample of your father and mother." Dyack spoke. "This would be kept in the strictest of confidence and only used to verify information that we have believed for centuries."

"DNA?" Andro asked.

It was Sadi who looked up from talking with Ne'Veha. "Why exactly would you need DNA?" She asked.

"As I said… it would be used to verify information that we already have." He replied. "We have what we believe to be remains of several Ancient Ones in Cryo Storage. These Pralors you called them. If we could compare your DNA with the samples we have collected from the remains it could go a long way to prove that the myth is not a myth at all."

"My DNA would be no different than any citizen of the Protectorate." Andro spoke.

"None of us have seen any member of the Protectorate do what you have done Prince Leonidas and you have said it yourself in your news briefing… your father, you, your brother Denali… you are all descended from the strongest of those you call the Pralors." Dyack spoke.

"You will forgive my hesitation Praetor Dyack… and please do not take this the wrong way… but that is an extraordinary request." Andro spoke.

"Yes… I know it is." Dyack answered.

Sadi returned to her feet and moved up next to Andro reaching out and squeezing his arm to indicate she wanted to speak. It was a simple move but one that Kelelm picked up right away because it is what his wife and mate did all the time. "We have no reason to trust you with such information Praetor Dyack." Sadi spoke calmly making sure to keep her voice neutral. "But we have not had the best things happen to us when this kind of information is in the hands of others besides our own doctors."

"Is your DNA sample not in a public database?" Dyack asked. "In case something may happen to you in war time?"

"No. It is listed in a separate database restricted to the Royal family and only accessible by certain individuals for the purpose you just mentioned." Sadi answered.

"I see." Dyack said looking at Kelelm for a moment. He turned back to Andro in the transmission. "I would be willing to assist regardless Prince Leonidas." He spoke. "To be honest I shouldn't have asked to begin with. You are correct Princess Sadi… you have no reason to trust us."

"Would you be open to a compromise?" Andro asked.

Dyack looked at him. "What did you have in mind?"

"The ARCHDEMON has the samples you wish to view on file." Andro stated. "You could bring your samples to the lab on the ARCHDEMON and do your comparison. You could send whoever you like within reason to assist in the testing."

"You would do this?" Dyack asked surprised.

Andro looked at Sadi and she nodded her head. He turned back to him. "In the interests of future relations… yes."

"There… there would be one thing in the future but I believe that is best discussed when we are face to face." Dyack answered.

"How would you help us?" Andro asked.

"It is simple really." Dyack said. "The OSG has approached us on numerous occasions with the opportunity to purchase Vanari females to harvest their Alkay. We have always refused in the past. We have no interest in slavery of any means as I said earlier. This time we won't."

"How does that help us?" Andro asked.

"It will get us an inside source within the OSG and possibly a direct connection right to Ardan." Coren said with bright eyes. "It's perfect."

Andro turned and looked at Sadi once more. She shrugged her shoulders. "It couldn't hurt." She said.

Andro nodded as he turned back. "Very well Praetor Dyack.

Dyack nodded. "I look forward to meeting you Prince Leonidas… and perhaps one day your father." He said. "Kelelm is my oldest son and he will be in charge of making the contacts with the OSG. We can work out the details with your brother and Regent Re Mydala."

"Deni?" Andro asked.

"Sounds like a plan." Deni said.

"Deni… Lisisa… tnobbaf." Andro said.

Denali and Lisisa nodded. "Avoi." They spoke.

TALBOR SEVEN

PUMA'S PRIDE

Popal watched as the Hadarian female ran the medical scanner over Pusintin as he laid on the bed staring at her intently. Her auburn colored hair was cut shorter than shoulder length but curled around her attractive face and bright dark green eyes. Those eyes were filled with fear at what would happen in the future and had been happening for three days now. They had been taken from Talbor Seven against their will, her husband beaten down severely trying to keep them from being taken. Now her husband and their two children were being held somewhere on this ship while she treated this Lycavorian who commanded Kavalians.

Her name was Ceale and they had left Hadaria a decade ago to become part of a Hadarian Group that treated those who were not part of the Union. They had found themselves on Talbor Seven for it was the safest place within The Wilds to try raise their now fourteen year old son Danim and now eighteen year old daughter Serale. Ceale had not really wanted to leave her home on Hadaria, but her husband was adamant about it. She left with him out of the need to keep their family from being broken apart not out of any love for her husband who she had come to dislike over the years. Their marriage had been arranged by their parents for both of them were from strict upbringings. Ceale had never really been off Hadaria before and the exposure to the many different species that frequented Talbor Seven was astounding to her. And wondrous in many ways. She still missed her family on Hadaria and worried for them even more now that the Kavalians had occupied the planet. Ceale had no illusions about Buonau and her ultimate goal. Unlike her husband who adored Buonau, Ceale saw her for what she was and didn't trust the Elder Healer and knew her motives were far more sinister than she led on. Her husband believed she did the right thing in disposing Queen Anja and this had led to an angry disagreement between them for Ceale was a staunch supporter of Queen Anja and Princess Sivana. That argument was the beginning of the end for them and Ceale knew it. It no longer bothered her anymore. Only her children mattered.

Ceale drew the medical scanner over Pusintin's head and then used her right hand to pass it slowly over his midsection and upper body, the soft white glow of her palm clearly visible. When her hand reached his neck she stopped and drew it back, setting the scanner back on the table. She turned her dark green eyes on his cruel face.

"It is done." She spoke. "Your ribs are fully healed, as well as the other broken bones. They will be sore for a few days so I recommend rest. The infection you had is gone, but the damage to your lungs was severe and will require time to fully heal. I suggest you do not exert yourself more than necessary in order to speed the healing process naturally. The lacerations had already begun to heal because of your enhanced regeneration abilities. I finished healing them but you will have scars."

"I'm not concerned about scars." Pusintin spoke.

"If you don't… if you don't mind me asking now… who did this to you?" Ceale asked. "They came very close to killing you. You do know this don't you?"

Pusintin met her eyes and smiled. "They didn't." He said. "That displeases you doesn't it?"

Ceale looked at him. "It's not my place to say." She spoke. "I've done what you asked. I would like you to release me and my family now."

Pusintin shook his head. "I'm bringing you with us doctor." He spoke. "Your skills will be most useful."

Ceale's eyes grew wide. "That… your officer said you would release us when I treated you! You can't do this!" She protested.

"I can do what the fuck I want!" Pusintin snarled as he threw his legs over the side of the bed and got to his feet. "We have many wounded onboard and you will treat them while we continue on our mission!"

"I am not a Kavalian citizen!" Ceale barked. "I am a Union citizen and you can't just take me to…"

Pusintin moved around the end of the bed quickly and slapped her hard across the face, knocking her back and blooding her lips. "Shut your hole woman!" He growled at her. "Be lucky I don't kill you outright! We are at war now and you just became a prisoner!"

"I… I will not help you!" Ceale snapped bravely. She was not one to back down from any man. "You can't force me!"

Pusintin looked at her. "See… that is where you are wrong." He snapped turning to Popal. "They are separated?"

"As you ordered Marshall Pusintin." Popal answered.

Pusintin snapped out with his hand and grabbed a handful of Ceale's short but thick auburn colored hair. She screamed in pain as he yanked savagely and dragged her over to the wall with several monitors on it. "Watch this Hadarian bitch!" He snarled at her. He held her head painfully, jerking it toward the monitor where she saw her husband in a small room by himself and her children in another.

Her eyes grew wide when she saw the door open and a large Kavalian soldier enter. Ceale knew what was about to happen. "NO!" She screamed. "No! Please! No! You can't! No!"

Pusintin jerked her face close to his. "Then you will do what I tell you bitch!" He growled at her. "If you don't… I'll have my men dismember your fool husband and then I'll give your pretty little daughter to my men for some extended sexual fun. Your son I'll just vent out an airlock!"

"No!" Ceale barked. "Please! I'll do… I'll do anything! Don't… don't hurt my children!"

"That's right you will bitch!" He snarled shoving her away and turning to Popal. "Status Popal?" He asked.

Popal moved forward quickly. "We have main power and engines restored Marshall. The crews are working double shifts with the injuries, but they are not complaining. I've had to force some of them to stop before their work began to hurt others. We are hurt Marshall… but everyone is pulling together. You would be proud of them!"

Pusintin nodded his head. "We hand picked most of them." He stated. "Give me the full rundown."

"We lost half to the task force Marshall. Thirteen ships total. Nine destroyed… four too damaged to salvage. We got most of the survivors off the crippled ships and I have integrated them into our crew in similar positions."

"One ship did all that Popal?" Pusintin asked.

Popal nodded. "It is unlike any Union ship I have ever seen Marshall. It appeared from no where and it's weapons were already firing before it had fully dropped its Shroud. It's weapons were nearly four times as powerful as normal Union ships and they cycled much faster. They had missiles inbound before we had fully recognized what was happening. They launched no fighters, but the volleys they used managed to destroyed our fighters before they even got airborne. It is my fault Marshall… I was… I was taken by…"

Pusintin shook his head quickly. "My brother is a master at ambush Popal… remember that in the future. This was my fault. I underestimated him. Again. I won't make that mistake a third time."

"Third… third time?" Popal looked at him.

"We're going after them Popal." Pusintin growled.

"Marshall?" Popal asked stunned. "We… the Lycavorian Union has declared war on us! Should we not return to Cabelir to begin operations?"

"Operations against what?" Pusintin snapped. "It will take us a minimum of six months to recoup the losses my fucking nephew inflicted. We'll be back by then and I will bring my brother's head to give to Keleru! We can still track the Borellum Acoustic Pulse by its refractor variance?"

Popal met his eyes knowing what he intended. "In order to do that we would need a Borellum Acoustic Pulse Receiver Marshall." He spoke. "There are only three left in existence and…"

Pusintin grinned. "One of them is on Nefoa. Send a coded transmission to Nefoa. I want a full Fleet Group and entire Division ready to depart when we arrive there. We'll get the Pulse Receiver and install it into our sensor array. If they exited their jump anywhere within a thousand light years we'll detect it. If they aren't there anymore, we can track it using the remnant pulse traces."

"It is… it is not at all precise Marshall." Popal risked saying. "We would need to make multiple jumps in order to find…"

Pusintin looked at him. "I intend to find my brother Popal!" He snarled viciously. "I intend to find him and skewer him through with his own fucking sword! And while he is lying their dying I'm going to fuck my mate For'mya in front of him while my men have their way with his other bitches and he hears them howl! Mark my words!"

Popal wisely kept his mouth shut and nodded his head. "I will contact Nefoa and issue the orders." He stated.

"I will join you on the bridge later Popal." Pusintin stated turning his head and looking at Ceale.

Popal knew exactly what his Marshall was going to do and he nodded. "As you order Marshall." He turned quickly and exited the medical bay while Pusintin turn to face Ceale fully. He stepped up to her and glared at her frightened face. "You can begin showing just how respectful you will be right now Hadarian bitch!" He snapped.

"You bastard!" Ceale hissed at him knowing exactly what he meant. "I… I will not! I am… I am married!"

Pusintin reached up and snagged her hair once more pulling viciously on the roots and watching her cry out in agony and try to dig her nails into his arm to stop the terrible pain. "You'll do exactly as I say Hadarian bitch!" Pusintin growled. "Or I will make your daughter service me! Is that what you want? I'm sure she is very tight! And she looks unspoiled. That would be pleasant I'm sure!"

"You… you vile bastard!" Ceale screamed with tears in her eyes.

"Yeah… I've been called that before!" Pusintin snapped. "Get on your knees and show me how much you appreciate me keeping your daughter from becoming the ship whore!" He pressed down on the side on her head forcing her to her knees. "Suck me good bitch! Maybe that will be all I want!"

Ceale whimpered at the pain but reached up to Pusintin's pants. With shaking hands she open his pants and exposed his rapidly stiffening cock. Ceale had never done anything like this before with her husband and it was… all thought of what to do was lost as Pusintin grabbed her head with both hands and violently shoved his hard cock between her lips to the sounds of her whimpering and gags.