A SPARTAN'S WAR

Ne'Veha squeezed Sadi's hand as they made their way down the stone like corridor following the dragon. "Sadi… Sadi I feel… I feel very different." She said softly.

Sadi watched the huge dragon in front of them guide them down the corridor. "As do I. I have… I have been here many times and I have never felt like this before. I am anxious but…"

"… feeling so very alert and focused." Ne'Veha said.

"Yes." Sadi agreed looking at her. "I can almost feel each and every dragon within the mountain. I have never been able to do that before."

"I have never felt it at all before now." Ne'Veha spoke wistfully. "It is… it is wondrous!"

They were gripping each other's hands tightly when they entered the small lounge area and saw Syrilth's huge body. The lounge overlooked the massive flying chamber in the center of the ship as all of them did and Sadi and Ne'Veha could see dozens of hatchlings taking instruction from different adult dragons. Sadi and Ne'Veha did not hesitate in the least and they moved right up to Syrilth.

"Syrilth." Sadi spoke with genuine warmth as she reached up and laid her palm on Syrilth's smooth scales snout. "It is always a pleasure to see you."

Syrilth's ruby eyes beamed as she felt Sadi's warm hand and then Ne'Veha's as they greeted her. It is always an honor and privilege to have the beloved wives and mates to Talon Guardian Androcles here. She told them. Both of you have grown so much in so short a time.

Sadi chuckled and glanced at Ne'Veha. "Some would debate that with you." She stated.

Syrilth snorted and her ruby eyes did a fair impression of rolling in her head. You speak of the fools who attempt to besmirch you Sadi and the SirsanGai of Androcles. They will fail in the end.

"Let's hope so." Ne'Veha said with a smile.

Sadi looked around slowly. "Syrilth… why did you ask us here?" She questioned. "Do you have something to pass onto Andro when he returns?"

Syrilth looked at her and shook her massive head. It would be more fair to say that your beloved Saradasaar wanted me to pass something on to you. To both of you.

Sadi looked quickly at Ne'Veha and then back to Syrilth. "Ok now you have us stumped." She spoke. "We have been wondering all morning what it is you needed from us."

Can you not feel it? Syrilth asked.

"Feel… feel what?" Ne'Veha asked softly as she looked at her.

You do feel it don't you? Syrilth asked them again. I can see it within your eyes and your hearts. How he knows these things is beyond me… but he was right.

"Who was right Syrilth?" Sadi asked hesitantly.

Have you not wondered why you feel differently this morning? Syrilth asked. Why as you came closer to Dragon Mountain your awareness and focus grew so much stronger than it has before?

Sadi glanced at Ne'Veha again quickly. "We have wondered this yes." She answered. "What… Syrilth what is going on? What has Andro done?"

Syrilth gazed at them for a long moment before answering. It is… I will show you why this is. She stated finally. And you will know the truth of what your husband and mate has known for many weeks and months.

"Now you are beginning to scare me." Ne'Veha stated.

Be not afraid SirsanGai of Androcles. Syrilth spoke. This is a moment of great joy and happiness.

"Syrilth what…" Sadi began to ask her but her jungle green eyes grew wide and she gasped loudly. "Ohhh…"

Now it is time to lower all of your shields and allow yourselves to come forth. Syrilth spoke softly. Reach out with everything you are and meet those who were meant for you from the day they were hatched.

Sadi and Ne'Veha turned at the sound of the secondary door off the lounge opening and they watched with wide eyes as the light green scaled dragon and the dark tanned scaled dragon moved into the lounge quickly. They looked to be very young adolescent dragons, no more than perhaps eight months old, though you would not be able to tell that from the size of their lean muscular bodies. And both of them had finally dropped the pretense of hiding what they knew would happen as they had for the last four months. The power within Mindvoice was there now, surging outward as the sons of Vollenth and Viera dropped their shields completely and let their Bonded Ones know they existed.

Syrilth had never witnessed a natural Bonding of two minds before and for her it was just as new and beautiful as the first sunrise after being hatched. She watched as Caydren, the larger of the two brothers by perhaps half a meter in height and length moved without question or pause to stand in front of Sadi. His dark tan scales gleamed with heath and power, his ten foot height and fifteen foot length imposing to all but Sadi as she stared at him in wonder. His wings unfurled slowly and began to shiver as he reached for Sadi within Mindvoice. Cinol did almost exactly the same to Ne'Veha, moving right up in front of her and extending his large head down to just in front of her shocked face.

Reach for me my sister! Caydren spoke with a trembling voice to Sadi as she stared at him with wide eyes. I have… we have waited so long for this day!

Neither Sadi or Ne'Veha hesitated in the least and they dropped all attempts of shielding themselves from the dragons before them. The gasps of incredible happiness and amazement sounded from both of them, Ne'Veha dropping to her knees in overwhelming wonder as Cinol's young mind merged with hers seamlessly. Sadi remained standing barely, her hands reaching up instinctively to touch both sides of Caydren's snout with horribly trembling hands and then the essence of who he was surged through her as Cinol's did with Ne'Veha. Even from the deck where she was on her knees Ne'Veha looked up with wide dark brown eyes and brought her palms to Cinol's muzzle above her.

Syrilth could only watch in wonder, their wings and tails twitching madly as four minds became two. It was an experience she would never forget as she too could feel their minds merging and sharing all that they were with each other. Among the dragons of the Union Sadi Leonidas was considered nearly on a par with Aricia Blue Eyes in terms of reverence and even power. Ne'Veha Leonidas was an elf and now mate to Talon Guardian Androcles and her power was growing by the day. Caydren and Cinol had been waiting for this day since returning to Earth from Kranek. The moment they entered this world both Arzoal and Andro had known they were meant for Sadi and Ne'Veha. They had safeguarded this information until Caydren and Cinol returned to Earth and Andro and Arzoal had met briefly with Syrilth before Arzoal left to decide what to do. Arzoal had charged Syrilth to train the hatchlings hard, schooling them so that they would be prepared sooner than most for they were intended for the wives and mates of a Talon Guardian. The ability was there because of their father Vollenth and Arzoal had no doubts they could handle it. She had been right as Caydren and Cinol absorbed all she had taught them and yeaned for more. Their thirst for knowledge was unmatched for hatchlings their age and Syrilth knew it was because of what their father had discovered when finally free of Yuri Moran's touch.

Syrilth settled to the floor of the lounge as Bessyn slip through the doorway and watched with wonder for a moment before turning to her.

Elder Syrilth? He spoke softly.

Syrilth turned her head. Bessyn… have liquid and fruit brought here. They will need it soon.

Then it was a success? He asked.

Can you not see my friend? Syrilth spoke her ruby eyes gazing at the two pairs before her. Spread the word Bessyn. Allow our kind within the Mountain to sing their praise and joy for what is happening.

Bessyn nodded his large head. I will Elder Syrilth. I will.

Syrilth watched as he departed quickly and her eyes went back to Sadi and Ne'Veha. Their faces glowed in enchantment as they absorbed the essences of their Bonded Brothers and Caydren and Cinol in turn absorbed their essences. Merging as they were, their combined Mindvoice resonances had grown five fold and with a simple thought Syrilth sent the order to the control center deep within Dragon Mountain, to the elf commanding officer, to increase the output of the exterior Mindvoice dampeners. She was answered immediately with a another simple thought and her ordered was acted on instantly. The Mindvoice dampeners that had been constructed encircling the island of Sardinia and surrounded Dragon Mountain increased their power levels. The control center was staffed exclusively by elves or Lycavorians and their sole purpose was to insure the safety and security of Dragon Mountain, especially since Aikiro's breach of the mountain those months ago. Anyone who was not a Tier Six Etheric user would now no longer be able to feel the hundreds of dragon minds from the Mountain. At least for the time being. It was a unique step to insure privacy for Sadi and Ne'Veha and no doubt Syrilth would be receiving a visit from the Director of the School of Mages or his representative because she had done this. Syrilth knew they hated to be left out of what was happening inside Dragon Mountain and while they could request to come here at any time, they were always escorted. Neither Martin nor Andro trusted them in the least, and Helen and Arzoal trusted them only slightly more than they did.

Since Helen had stepped down as DoSM, the man she had left in charge was somewhat overbearing and arrogant. He felt he needed to be informed of everything that happened in regards to Etheric use. And he was particularly interested in everything that occurred within Dragon Mountain. To his great chagrin, he had to announce his intent to come to the mountain or send his agents and Arzoal never informed him of what occurred within the mountain which pissed him off mightily. Syrilth only continued this action since she was the senior Dragon Elder on Earth when Arzoal was not present and she had a particular distained for the man. He held no respect for the dragons it seemed. Syrilth had no doubts someone would be contacting her soon enough.

Now Syrilth simply basked in the joy of the Bonding as she sat with them in the lounge and watched their minds dance together within Mindvoice, their bonds forming and growing before her very eyes.

SOLMAR

NORTHWEST OF SPACEPORT

TRAKEN MOUNTAIN RANGE

Andro lowered the macrobinos and let his azure eyes scan the settlement far below them. He rested on the mountain ridge some two thousand feet above the settlement and northwest of the spaceport on the west edge of the settlement. Elynth and Ryner rested within the treeline of the plateau they were on, Dantio and Cletus on either side of him and Dorian. The remainder of the Omega Team 62 were spread out along the ridge, everyone watching some portion of the city.

"This isn't good." Dorian spoke softly.

Andro shook his head. "No it isn't." He echoed his brother.

"They're moving fast." Dantio said his eyes glued to his binos. "Looks like they are gathering all of the civilians in one place. The Amphitheater on the south edge of the city. Lots of guards too."

"They are burning bodies on the east edge of the settlement." Vari hissed softly.

Andro lifted his binos and shifted to that location. He could see the black smoke and the Kavalian soldiers almost callously tossing more bodies onto the three piles that were burning. "Nubous ronnus!" He cursed knowing that the Kavalians were denying the Bontawillians their death rights by doing what they were doing.

"Looks like a Command Post on the peak opposite of the settlement Andro." Cletus said. "I can just make out anti-air placements."

Andro shifted his focus again. "Nice location." He stated. "High enough to see into three of the six settlements from one location." He lowered the binos. "Our people won't be there. It makes it too much of a target. Emios?"

The Omega Team member was on the far end of the line and inspecting the west side of the settlement. "I can't be sure but I think… yes! The elven females from the PDC Substations! Four o'clock!"

Andro and Dorian immediately shifted their view and zoomed in on the western edge of the settlement. This is where the Admin offices of the settlement were according to Dantio, as well as the secondary gate that was used for entry into the settlement itself. Each settlement was surrounded by a six meter high steel fabricated wall that was two feet thick. It was a standard prefab wall that all new colonies surrounded themselves with in order to protect against natural predators and other concerns when settling a world. Andro watched as four elven females were roughly pushed through the double doors of a two story structure inside the wall.

"What is that building Dantio?" Dorian asked.

"The armory." Dantio answered remembering the layout of the settlement from their time within the walls. "It holds the un-issued weapons and portable turrets for the wall. Best place to house high value prisoners as well. Triple Max vault with state of the art locking system."

"Those are Puma Bane troops delivering the females." Vari spoke. "They are giving them up. I thought standard practice for them was to keep whatever spoils they found. Especially any females."

Andro nodded. "That is what we have heard." He said studying the faces of the Puma Bane troops. None of them looked happy even from this distance of two thousand eight hundred meters away. "They don't look happy."

Dantio turned his head quickly and looked at Andro. "Someone made them turn them over Andro." He said. "They would not have given them up willingly."

Andro nodded. "Which means someone besides the Puma Bane assholes is in charge."

Dorian shifted his glasses at vehicle movement. "Fervon… two o'clock! Coming down the side road near the armory. Looks like three SID75 Scout Cars. Command type."

Andro shifted his binos once more. "Dantio? Cletus?"

"Got them." Dantio replied.

"I see them." Cletus answered a second later. "Nubou they are moving fast. Armored Scout Cars already."

"I don't see any CHAOS tanks." Dantio said.

"Terrain is not suited for them except for static defense." Andro said. He was watching as the Kavalians stopped in front of the armory building and half a dozen exited the three vehicles. "Hello." He said quickly. "I think we are seeing the head cheese here. Look at the shoulders, can you zoom and see what rank he is? I don't have the angle."

Dorian adjusted his binos. "Standard field uniform. Can't be sure but the color looks almost gold."

"Gold on black." Vari added. "Nice catch Milord. Definitely a General."

Andro turned his head back to look at Haridl. "What do you have for gold on black Haridl?" He asked.

She quickly paged through her data pad and finally stopped. "Got it. Gold on black. Standard rank for Shock General Third Tier. Equivalent of our Ground Division Commanders." She answered.

Andro met her eyes. "A specialized division then?"

Haridl nodded. "Special Operations it would seem."

"Interesting. We didn't know they operated such units separate from Field Commands." Andro stated turning back. "It appears that is not the case."

"They must be landing the majority of their forces on the far side of that peak where their headquarters is set up." Emios said. "Nothing in the air just yet."

"That won't last." Andro said. "As soon as they establish their anti-air defenses their PROTOSS gunships will be up and shuttling troops all over."

Haridl remained on her stomach and inched her way up next to Dantio between Dorian and Andro. "You think they will have Robaran there?" She asked.

Andro glanced at her. "That is my guess." He said. "If this officer is getting involved it is most likely because he is trying to determine what Robaran and the others were doing here. And how you managed to kill so many of his Puma Bane troops before falling."

Haridl looked at him. "So he suspects something?"

Andro shrugged. "It's possible." He answered. "We won't know for sure until tonight."

"What happens tonight?" Dantio asked looking at him.

"Tonight we are going to do a little close quarters recon." Andro said. "And send the Kavalians a message."

Dorian looked at his brother. "What message?"

Andro met his eyes. "That they made a mistake coming here." He answered.

EARTH

EDEN CITY

HOME OF SELENE AND LYNWE

Selene glanced up from the daily report she received every day as Prime Minister of Earth to let her steel blue eyes settle on Lynwe as she exited the bedroom and came into the kitchen of their spacious but very modest three bedroom home on the southern edge of Eden City. To look at it from the outside you would never know that the Prime Minister of Earth and one of Earth's most senior Generals called it home. They maintained a suite at Eden Towers within the center of the city but rarely stayed there when both of them were together. They preferred the warmth and familiarity of the home where they had raised five children together with Joarl and Layna. Three houses to the left is where Joarl and Layna now called home. Though their split had made the Netnews, it was nothing but friendly and loving. The four of them had decided this was for the best. Selene would never love anyone more than Lynwe and vice versa. They had been through too much together, shared more than many couples, and this is what they had all decided was best. Joarl and Layna still spent much time here, as they did in their home only a few meters down the quiet street. Their five children from Joarl called all three of them mother, as did Cihera, their adopted Drow daughter. They were as close knit a family as you would find. All of their children were now grown and out of their homes, but all of them remained within Eden City in some role or another.

Selene let her eyes drink in Lynwe's firm six foot one ebony body. Lynwe had let her hair grow very long over the last year and the shimmering white mane fell to just above her powerful ass cheeks. Her body spoke of power and grace; her large breasts still incredibly firm and nearly twice the size of Selene's. A point of delight that Selene often reminded her of. Her long legs ended at that powerful and firm ass; taut ass cheeks that Selene had gripped on many occasions in blissful pleasure as Lynwe made love to her. No matter what had happened over the past twenty-seven years, their love for each other had remained a stalwart anchor of their relationship. Only Tarifa and Aihola had been together longer among their many friends. It was Lynwe's and Selene's relationship, as well as Tarifa and Aihola's that had defined the new Drow. Yes… they were still dominant in most ways… but now it was not uncommon to see a Drow female and her lover walking hand in hand along the streets as equals in every way. The Mistress/Slave role came into play only within the privacy of their homes and beds. Aihola and Lynwe had shown the Drow what they could have all those years ago and now Mistress and Slave were only terms of endearment.

Lynwe had the largest equipment that Selene had ever had inside her, and she knew how to use it so well. Lynwe once considered her anatomical trans gender a curse of High Coven experimentation. It wasn't until Tarifa and Aihola had shown her otherwise that Lynwe came to accept herself and shed the persona of self hatred. When she met Selene, she had been in the process of a similar wave of self hatred and it was Lynwe who had saved her life. That they were both now fully turned vampires was another stepping stone that had brought them closer together. They shared an emotional and Etheric bond now that could never be broken or intruded upon. This was part of the reason they had ended their physical relationship with Joarl and Layna. While both Selene and Lynwe thoroughly enjoyed being with them in a physical way, they always found themselves drawing back to each other. They had taken two other female lovers into their bed since parting with Joarl and Layna ten years ago, but none of them had lasted for more than a few months. Their sex life was still very active however, both of them craving each other emotionally as well as physically. In Selene's eyes she had the best of both worlds and for Lynwe… well… Selene was the epitome of beautiful. That would never change. There might be someone out there for them, but neither Selene nor Lynwe were busy searching. They were completely content with their love for each other.

Lynwe poured herself a mug of coffee, Aricia's blend, as she was one of the few Drow who actually preferred coffee to tea. She added cream and then moved to the table where she leaned over to a smiling Selene and shared a deep kiss of love and devotion. Lynwe pulled out the chair next to her and settled into it. They never sat across from one another at their table wanting to be able to rub shoulders or lean close for a kiss at any moment.

Selene gazed at Lynwe's beautiful face for a moment and smiled. "Are you and Tareif still getting together for lunch?" She asked.

Lynwe nodded. "He wants to go over the deployments of Colonel Norris's units now that he has accepted the position with Narice. He will begin pulling his units out of the field next week and transporting them to High Coven space. Tareif and I will decide where to send his Dragoons in order to replace them."

"Lynwe are you…?" Selene began to ask.

Lynwe smiled and shook her head. "What Androcles did was the right thing Selene." She said. "I can't hold an entire species to blame for what a few scientists did to me. I have put that far behind me. I met Narice, talked with her; she is the future for the High Coven Selene. The chance and the leader they need to pull themselves out of their past and into the future."

"And letting Yuri go?" Selene asked.

"If how Andro explained it to us is in fact the truth of it… then I can forgive." Lynwe answered her. "We are still learning about this Etheric ability that many of us have. Even you and I. If Yuri was under the control of this Xaxon person then she is only partially responsible for the things she did. I will… I will reserve judgment until I know how she will live her life now."

Selene sipped her coffee. "I don't know if I could be so forgiving my love." She said.

Lynwe looked at her with sparkling amber colored eyes. "I have concluded that what happen to me… what was done to me… these things were meant to happen because they led me to you." Lynwe spoke. "My talks with Tarifa and Aihola as well as Aricia and Dysea have led me to this."

Selene looked at her with adoring love. "And I bless that day every moment." She said.

Lynwe smiled and kissed her before sipping her own coffee. "What do you and Charles have planned today?"

Selene held up the data pad. "Two meetings this morning with Aihola. A construction contract with Nodon Engineering representatives to build the continent bridge and then we are meeting with Daba and several Drow senators to make final decisions on their new city out west. It appears as if this will be a grand city like those of old. It will take decades to complete, but it will be beautiful." She held out the data pad to her. "This arrived for you in the morning pouch."

Lynwe took the pad and activated it, her amber eyes scanning the contents of the morning report to her. As second in command of Earth's now abundant and increasingly active military, she received reports daily on training and other assets. Lynwe was also in total command of the two Drow Divisions and responsible for the Drow that were still searching different portions of Earth for the Kavalian imposters who they still believed were hiding somewhere. Much of Earth was still largely unsettled because of the massive loss of life after The Great Fire, and there were hundreds of locations that these Kavalian imposters could hide and not be found for months. Lynwe grunted at something and Selene looked up from her own reading.

"What?" She asked.

"A message from Marci to meet with her and Nesa here in Eden City today." Lynwe said. "She is arriving at 1000 hours."

"What for?" Selene asked knowing who Marci was. She had worked closely with the Assistant Director of the Krypteria on several occasions.

"Doesn't say." Lynwe answered. "Only that she needed to meet with me."

"Trouble perhaps?" Selene asked.

"I don't know what about but that she is bringing Nesa doesn't bode for good news." Lynwe said thoughtfully. "The first WASP-Class Transport is almost complete. Perhaps it is about the equipment for our troops."

"Oh… I understand you and Tareif finally selected your last Company Commander for the new division." Selene said.

Lynwe nodded and looked at her with excited eyes. "Yes we did. The first entirely human division since The Great Fire. We are very pleased. They should make a formidable force with their Cataphract Battle Armor. Charles is tickled that humans will finally be able to contribute to the defense of the Union. He has said for years that the Drow and Tareif's Dragoons have pulled the load of protecting Earth for too long without help. The human commanders have been training with the Drow and Dragoons for weeks to establish procedures and such. Tareif and I are very pleased."

Selene laughed. "Yes I know. You should see Charles when he gets to talking about them." She said. "He is like a child in a candy shop!"

Lynwe laughed as well and looked at the clock on the wall. "I should get ready." She spoke. "Meet me for lunch?" She asked looking at Selene.

"That depends." Selene said with a sultry twinkle in her eye. "What's on the menu?"

Lynwe grinned as well and felt the stirring in her groin that Selene could always elicit from her. "I'm sure we could find something appropriate my love. But you are always desert."

Selene cooed and shifted in her seat. "I can hardly wait." She said. "Twelve thirty. And don't be late!"

Lynwe kissed her. "Not a chance."