A SPARTAN'S WAR

EARTH

SPARTA

FEBRUARY 3RD 2575

OFFICES OF SENATOR ICHO

"…not a good idea Ulana." Icho spoke to the image of Ulana within the holographic COM unit on his desk.

"Why not?" Ulana asked. "I have been having the rallies all across my district on Apo Prime and they have been well received."

Icho shook his head. "This is not Apo Prime." He stated. "The Spartan lore and history our people have embraced starts here in Sparta. It is strongest here. Openly trying to denounce anyone within the Royal Family within Sparta or Gytheio will only backfire on you."

"There are many who call Sparta home now." Ulana spoke.

Icho nodded. "And for the most part they live here because they have adopted the Spartan legacy as well."

"It is already planned." Ulana stated smugly. "I can not back out. I have two ships full of supporters arriving from Apo Prime who will attend the rallies as well."

"You are going to cause more problems with these rallies than you realize." Icho spoke. "What we are trying to do takes time and patience."

"And this is how I will approach what we are trying to do." Ulana told him. "That blond wolf bitch Sadi holds the title I should have! She has the man I should have! She is a common tart and I will show her what place she holds in the grand scheme soon enough!"

Icho cut his eyes to his senior aide quickly and then looked back at Ulana. "Very well. As long as you know what you are doing Ulana?"

"Trust me Icho. I am an Alpha female and I will have Androcles coming to me before all is said and done." Ulana told him.

"Keep me informed of what you are doing. We still need to coordinate our actions to keep pressure on them from all different sides." Ulana said.

Ulana nodded her head in the transmission. "Of course." She said.

Icho reached forward and tapped the console and her image disappeared. He turned his head to look at Aleus. "She is becoming more of a nuisance than I first imagined Aleus." He spoke.

"It is hard to believe she clings to this misbegotten idea that she will somehow win back the Prince." Aleus spoke.

Icho nodded as he rose to his feet and moved to the wet bar. He poured himself a large glass of Spartan wine and held it out to his aide. Aleus moved forward and took it and then Icho poured another for himself. "Ulana is her own worst enemy." He said. "Her father spoiled her to no end as his only daughter. She believes everyone owes her something. And she believes Androcles belongs to her."

Aleus nodded as he settled into the chair. "Is it possible she could succeed?" He asked.

Icho moved back to his desk. "No. Not if all the data you gathered is correct."

"I had our people double check all of it Senator." Aleus spoke. "It can not be refuted."

Icho nodded as he sat down. "Then Ulana will fail miserably at what she is attempting to do. There will be some who convert to her side and begin to ask questions but the vast majority will not be fooled by her no matter what information she presents."

"Her actions could lead to a confrontation with the Princess." Aleus spoke. "Perhaps we could use that?"

Icho shook his head. "If it does come to blows, the Princess will be within her realm to beat her down. Even kill her depending on what Ulana attempts. No… Ulana is on her own if she wishes to butt heads with Sadi Leonidas. We will help as much as we are able but she will act on her own accord and fall if need be."

Aleus nodded. "As you wish."

"Silele is moving forward?" Icho asked.

Aleus nodded. "She is a member of the Defense Committee. She and Ulana both will be in the session today. Silele will lead the questioning of this Marci person from the Krypteria."

Icho nodded. "Good. Insure Nomean keeps our lines to Laustinos open but secure. Any information that we obtain must be sent to him immediately. Do we know where he is?"

Aleus shook his head. "We assume somewhere within Kavalian space, but we have no real location to go by."

Icho nodded. "He will make contact soon enough." He said. "He is thorough if nothing else."

"Do you trust him Senator?" Aleus asked.

Icho nodded. "It is he who brought me into the fold remember." He answered. "The goal he set for beginning these actions was in my opinion foolhardy. Trying to insure things went according to a plan that gave him Dysea in the end was ignorant, but the man is brilliant. If the Kavalians had not failed in killing Martin Leonidas, our position would be much better. As it is… the longer he stays away the better our chances. His son is no politician and his Aunt and others can only protect him for so long. As long as we continue along the plan we established three years ago we will be protected and our actions will not lead back to us if we are careful Aleus. Make sure everyone knows that."

Aleus nodded. "I have Senator. On several occasions."

Icho smiled. "No doubt." He said. "Now… what is the status of those within the fleet who sympathize with us?"

Aleus looked at the data pad. "Six are in a position to give us good information. Another five that can provide rumor and gossip based information. They are not high enough in rank to provide what the others can."

"Rumor and gossip is good for our plans." Icho said. "Any within the Prince's Strike Wing."

Aleus shook his head. "His immediate Strike Wing were all handpicked by the Captain of the SCIMITAR and others. We have one of the six within his overall Combined Fleet Unit, but not on his ship."

"How difficult would that be to change?" Icho asked.

"I could find out." Aleus said. "I have a contact in Fleet Personnel."

"Do that Aleus." Icho said. "Now let's talk about the two proposals we will bring before the Senate Financial Committee about our young Prince. You are certain about your facts?"

Aleus nodded. "They are irrefutable Senator."

Icho nodded his head. "Good. It will be enjoyable to see him sweat and brought down to our level. And it will be the first crack in the armor of the Leonidas family."

SPARTA

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

CHEILONOS BOULEVARD

The Governor's office of Sparta was located on the south end of Cheilonos Boulevard and had occupied the same building for the last four hundred and nineteen years. While the exterior of the four story building remained the same architectural style as just after The Great Fire, the interior of the building was as modern as it could possibly be. From the day Tarifa had become wolf she had fully embraced everything about the culture and traditions of Sparta. Even her elven father, War Master Tareif, and her mother and siblings had embraced the life almost completely. Tarifa had risen to a position that no non-pureblood wolf had ever occupied before as Governor of Sparta. Her closeness with Martin and their adventures before had played some part, but not all, in the fact that over ninety percent of the men and women who called Sparta home voted for her in the Special election held after Andro appointed her Governor. Tarifa's own energy and grasp of Lycavorian and Spartan history that was held so dear was the main reason so many Lycavorian Spartans voted for her without question. She and Aihola had given their mate six proud Spartan children over the past twenty-six years, and all of them were true Spartans at heart no matter that three of them were part Drow. Tarifa commanded respect and attention wherever she went because of her surreal beauty but also because of her intelligence and manner. She was not a woman to be trifled with as many had discovered through the years in different and painful ways and the fact that the King of the Lycavorian Union considered her a beloved sister also gave her quite a lot of political clout. Clout that she used to make things better for all of the people of Sparta as well as Earth.

Tarifa looked across her desk at Deia and Gorgo. "I still don't understand why you did not let me just refuse her a permit." She spoke as she handed the pad to her senior aide and the female elf turned to exit the office.

"It is better to confront these issues head on." Deia spoke. "Ulana's concerns with Sadi would have only grown more prominent if we denied her the right to hold her ridiculous rallies here in Sparta."

"She brought in nearly three hundred men and women from Apo Prime." Tarifa spoke with a grin. "Fucking Peaceniks Martin once called them."

Deia chuckled loudly. "He does have such a way with words doesn't he?" She said with a smile.

"The fact that she had them brought her tells us that she knows her rallies will not attract many people within Sparta. She brought them as a way to make herself seem more important." Gorgo spoke. "That they are not citizens of Sparta or Earth will be made a very prominent news item when the rallies are reported on."

"Are we so sure?" Tarifa asked. "The Netnews Channels that will be covering the rally are not known to support Martin or his policies."

Deia nodded. "No… this is true." She said. "But we are going to fight misinformation with good information. Sadi and the others have agreed to do an interview. One that we hope will offset any lies that Ulana spews at her rally. It will air on thirty-seven channels live the day after her rally."

Tarifa looked at her with a smile. "How exactly did you manage that?" She asked.

"It wasn't easy believe me." Deia replied. "Sadi and Ne'Veha are wary of the Netnews people. More so than Carisia or Lu'ria because the Netnews reporters will not attempt to go after either of them."

Tarifa nodded her head. "A wise move considering that most Drow would take great offense at such a move. Not to mention that Lu'ria's mother is a Senator and representative of Earth." She looked at Deia and Gorgo as she sipped her tea. "Ulana is not the reason you are here though is it?" She asked.

Deia shook her head. "No." She spoke. "We've come to warn you. It's very possible that Icho will attempt to somehow use your past relationship with Martin against him and by default against you."

"My past relationship?" Tarifa asked. "I assume you are referring to the few weeks that we were lovers right after he returned to Earth?"

Gorgo nodded her head. "Icho is just the type to try and use this fact against you."

Tarifa snorted very unladylike and then laughed. "Let the fool try." She stated firmly with no hint of back up in her. "Our relationship is a matter of history Gorgo. You both know this. It has not mattered to anyone before. Why should it matter now?"

Deia looked at Gorgo quickly and then turned back to Tarifa. "Androcles believes… and many of us agree… that Icho is working in some fashion for the Kavalians."

Tarifa's sapphire colored eyes opened slightly wider and she leaned back in her chair. "But you have no proof." She said.

Deia nodded. "Not yet. We can not openly order an investigation against him without some sort of evidence. Evidence which we do not have." She explained. "That would look like we are holding a grudge against him because of his vote in the Senate."

"I take it he is one of those who voted against Spartan Law and the Declaration of War against the KFI?" Tarifa asked.

Deia nodded. "Yes."

"What does this have to do with me?" Tarifa asked. "I am only the Governor of Sparta. I have no say in the overall politics of the Union."

"Your words carry far more weight than you might think Tarifa." Gorgo told her. "You are perhaps the most respected living female elf behind Dysea and For'mya."

Tarifa grinned. "So I am in good company." She stated remembering briefly the close relationship she had shared with Dysea so long ago, as well as the friendship she now had with both of them.

Deia looked at her. "You and Martin have fought for the same things Tarifa. You always have. Ever since those first days. Your minds operate in the same fashion. You…"

Tarifa held up her hand stopping Deia's words. "Deia… you do not need to shower me with praise in order to ask me what you want to ask me." She said. "You should know me better than that by now."

Gorgo chuckled now and she looked at Deia. "Now it is I who will tell you I told you so." She said.

Deia laughed softly in agreement and looked at Tarifa. "As Prime Minister I can not have an investigation started on Icho." She stated. "But as Governor of Sparta you can. Discretely of course."

Tarifa smiled knowingly at the two women. "So you wish me to ask Nya Istel to have the Drow begin an investigation of him?"

"Aihola is Vice President of Earth and Queen of the Drow." Deia said. "Icho maintains two residences here on Earth and he has several business dealings with companies located in Eden City. I also know that Aihola has started similar investigations at Martin's behest in the past. Anything at all that might be helpful in determining what Icho is up to would be greatly appreciated."

"I take it Androcles does not know about this?" Tarifa said.

Deia chuckled. "No. My mandri is still very naïve when it comes to politics. The three of us are not. His solution to the problem would be…" Deia shrugged. "Questionable at best."

Tarifa nodded. "His solution would be just to eliminate Icho and call it a day." She stated knowingly. "Sort of like his father."

"Now you see why we came to you." Deia said. "Icho knows we can not come after him in any way without some sort of evidence that he has done something wrong. You however… you are not so limited."

Tarifa nodded. "Consider it done." She stated. "Aihola and I are having lunch together and I will speak with her then. What does Panos say?" She asked.

Gorgo grinned. "Panos is doing what I expect an old Spartan to do." She said. "We most likely do not want to know."

Tarifa laughed once more. "Oh I do know that feeling." She said. She had spent nearly a decade as Panos's Lieutenant Governor and she knew well the trouble he used to get into. She looked at Deia. "I assume then that you are fully back to work?"

Deia nodded her head. "For the most part." She answered. "Though I am letting Panos handle most of it. To think he was in front of me all these years and I never noticed it. He is the wisest and most devious politician I have ever met. Excluding myself of course." She said with a smile. "And trust me… I've dealt with some very devious politicians in my time."

"It comes from his time on the Spartan Senate." Gorgo spoke. "Even back then they would toss each other to the wolves if they could get away with it. And they were not as polite about how they did it back then. Leonidas hated it."

"Well I for one am glad he is on my side." Deia said.

"Why don't you and Gorgo join Aihola and I for lunch?" Tarifa asked.

Deia looked at her. "That could cause some rumblings." She said.

"Let the Netnews rumble." Tarifa snorted. "You are Martin's Aunt and mother and Aihola and I are like his sisters. We both feel that way towards him. Neither of us had an older brother… well Nya Istel did… but Martin has taken Tari's place in her heart now. Why should we be denied the enjoyment of family?"

"Where?" Gorgo asked.

"Where else?" Tarifa asked with a smile. "Gallais's Retreat."

EARTH

DRAGON MOUNTAIN

Once known as the island of Sardinia and now home to Dragon Mountain.

Syrilth waited patiently as her ruby red eyes watched the STRIKER DT power down on one of the eight landing pads now built around Dragon Mountain. Through everything that had happened in the last quarter century, the one thing that Syrilth had never imagined was having the position she now did. She was the youngest Dragon Elder on the Council at only three thousand and fourteen years of age, but her experiences and the many hundreds of years she had spent doing nothing but safeguarding her brothers and sisters had earned her untold respect in the eyes of every living dragon. Giving her a seat of the Dragon Elder Council was the very least Arzoal and the others could think to do, for while there were many who were older than her, none of them had forsaken everything about themselves to protect others as Syrilth had. None of them had endured the pain and humiliation she had endured being forced to bond with vile Maraud as he was now called in order to keep her siblings alive. Whatever sins she may have committed while protecting her siblings had long been forgiven. Now Syrilth was honored and trusted and respected. Her sister Tharua was the Bonded One of Eliani Leonidas and her younger brother Roluth was Bonded to not one, but two beautiful women who held the fates of so many in their hands. The youngest of her siblings who had so far hatched was now the Bonded One to Lu'ria of the Drow and Majeir carried a Princess of the Union with dignity, honor and love. It seemed the moment that Aricia Blue Eyes, Isheeni and the others had freed them, Syrilth and her siblings were thrust into a position of importance for all time.

Syrilth watched with patience yes… but inside she was bursting with excitement. Arzoal had tasked her with one mission when she left. A mission of great importance and honor since it directly affected Talon Guardian Androcles. Through the years Syrilth had garnered an almost reverent respect for Martin Leonidas and his son Androcles. For Torma and Elynth. Their brave actions on Alba Tau were already burned into the history scrolls and minds of every living and breathing dragon. What they had done that long and bloody night, refusing to surrender the bodies of their fellow riders and dragons to the Evolli even though hopelessly outnumbered and injured themselves, this single act had raised the four of them to almost mystical proportions among the dragons across the Union. No matter where they went now, no matter what they encountered, any breathing dragon would know they were Talon Guardians and they would honor that most reverent of positions in dragon society.

Syrilth saw the ramp lock into a down position and she watched Sadi and Ne'Veha making their way down the metal deck plates. She watched them stop at the bottom of the ramp and look at the side of the mountain that was formerly City Ship 41. Now buried within the mountainous terrain of Sardinia, City Ship 41 was not only home to all the dragons on Earth, but also a place of quiet learning and study to those that were bound to dragons. Avi had configured the bio-mechanical nature of the ship into such a shape as to allow the dragons who called it home to feel as natural as possible. The main chamber itself was massive in size and easily able to accommodate the lessons in flying that were given to all the hatchlings. There were hundreds of cave like structures now, some part of the ship and some even part of the actual mountain Avi had landed within. The caves of Dragons and their hatchlings. Families of dragons. Dozens of them. Their numbers grew each year and Syrilth and the other Dragon Elders could not be happier. It was not uncommon now to see dragons filling the skies of Earth and moving along the wide streets of Sparta and other cities with their Bonded Ones just as they did on Elear. Syrilth's ruby eyes blinked knowing that Sadi and Ne'Veha could feel it. Sadi was nearly the equal of Androcles in terms of power Syrilth could feel, and Ne'Veha was a burning light that was growing in leaps and bounds daily. As were Carisia and Lu'ria.

Syrilth turned her massive head to the light green scaled male dragon who waited quietly beside her. A Dragon Council Sentinel, one of the newest members of that revered group whose sole duty was to protect the Dragon Elder Council at all costs.

Bessyn… will you escort them to the private chamber on deck three. Syrilth told him.

The male dragon nodded. They can feel them Elder Syrilth. They don't know what it is but they can feel them even through the shielding.

Syrilth nodded. Yes they can. But they are Talon Guardian Androcles's wives and mates. Would you expect anything less?

Bessyn looked at her and gave her what passed for a dragon smile. No I would not Elder Syrilth. I will bring them to you straight away.

Syrilth blinked and nodded her huge head. Quickly Bessyn… now that they have come… the shielding will not work for very long. Both of them have grown too strong and without the Elder Mother or Androcles here to reinforce it, the shielding will not remain active for more than a few minutes.

Bessyn nodded and turned his massive body heading out of the small view platform while Syrilth made her way in the opposite direction.