Earth's Last Days: The Invasion

Keith sat in his quarters; he had a lot of his people squeezed into the small space with him. He wanted to discuss the issue of the aliens destroying Earth. He wanted to rally the troops to fight back and take revenge for what they had done to his people and to his home. He didn't care that it was against their will. They still did it.

"They are responsible for destroying the planet," Keith growled, looking around at all the faces of his people. He had called all of them there. Only Iris wasn't called. She was mated to the alien fleet commander, so her opinion no longer counted as far as Keith was concerned.

"Iris found out that they didn't do it willingly. Someone named Tosh was using some sort of serum that let him control his people," A man stated from the corner. His name was James. "She said a girl named Aleigha told her about it."

"That name sounds familiar. I wonder if she has a sister named Niki?" someone else asked. It was a young man by the name of Robert. He looked about sixteen. "That would be so cool if it's Aleigha Walker." His grin was ear to ear.

Keith turned to Robert. "The Aleigha on this ship has a sister named Niki. They said that Niki was the one who killed Tosh and that she was the true leader of the people. All the people. Even the aliens. Niki gave the leadership to Vorik," Keith told him, then frowned. "How do you know Aleigha Walker and that she has a sister named Niki?"

Robert smiled widely. "She's famous. She competed in weapons tournaments and won all of them. They say her sister Niki is even better. She's hot, too," he said, grinning. "I used to watch the tournaments all the time, just to see her fight."

Keith made a face filled with disgust. "She was in the meeting when the alien leader told us the cause of the Earth's destruction. She stuck up for him, sided with him, and acted like she was angry that I was pissed. Humans shouldn't side with any of them. Not even one!" he yelled.

A young girl in the back stepped forward. She pulled her raven black hair up out of her face. "I know the sisters," she said evenly to Keith, narrowing her emerald-green eyes. "I also know neither of them would stick up for someone like that if they weren't deserving of it. I trust their judgment. Besides, they saw things with the aliens that we didn't. They have a lot more information than we do."

"They destroyed our planet!" Keith spit out. He wasn't listening. He hated the aliens for destroying the planet.

"They also saved us from dying with it. They didn't have to evacuate us with those living in the domes. They could have left us all behind to die, but they didn't," she countered, folding her arms across her chest in agitation. Keith was pissing her off.

Robert looked at the girl, smiling, then turned to Keith. "I agree with Jess; if the sisters are sticking up for the aliens, then they know something that we don't."

Jess turned her emerald eyes on Robert. "Are you saying that because you think they're hot, or do you really believe that?" she asked.

Robert smiled widely. "I believe it because you say it. I've known you since I came to the mountain city. You've always seen what's right and wrong. I've never known you to be wrong about anything. Ever. So if you believe it, I believe it too."

Jess smiled. "The sisters and I think the same way. Do you know how I know that?" she asked him.

"No," he shrugged. "How do you know that?" he asked, still smiling widely.

The door to Keith's quarters buzzed, not giving Jess time to answer.

Keith got up and pressed the button to answer the door. The same guard that brought him to the council room was standing at the doorway.

"Council Leader Vorik wishes to speak with you," the guard stated. "He's waiting in the council room. I am here to take you there unless you remember where it is."

The guard's eyes went to the group in his room, then back to Keith. He didn't say anything; he just waited for Keith's response.

"I'll go with you," Keith stated, ushering everyone out of his room.

Jess stopped at the guard. "I'm coming too. I want to find out where Aleigha and Niki Walker are," she told the guard, smiling.

He only nodded, then led them down the long corridor to the council chambers.

*** *** ***

Keith sat in the council room. Jess was sitting near him, looking around the room. The guard stood at the door, waiting to escort them back to their quarters after Council Leader Vorik had finished with them.

Council Leader Vorik entered from a back room with Fleet Commander Lerian beside him. As they entered, their eyes first went to Keith, then Jess.

"I'm Council Leader Vorik; this is Fleet Commander Lerian. I do not believe we've met," Vorick told her, smiling. Despite Keith's obvious agitation, Vorik smiled as he greeted the girl with him.

While Keith grumbled in his chair, Jess looked between Council Leader Vorik and Fleet Commander Lerian. She smiled widely. "Sorry to barge in on your meeting, but I just found out that Aleigha and Niki Walker are here. I really need to see them. I'm pretty sure they will want to see me, too," she told him.

Fleet Commander Lerian pressed a button and then spoke into a small device. "I need Niki and Aleigha Walker to be brought to the council chambers; their sons can be brought with them, as well as their mates if they choose."

"Yes, sir," came the response from the small speaker on the panel.

After nearly ten minutes, the council room door slid open, and Aleigha, Niki, and two Ramesians walked in. Each girl was carrying an infant. It was Aleigha who noticed her first. "Jess?" she said in shock. She quickly handed her infant to one of the Ramesians and rushed to the younger girl, hugging her tightly. Tears suddenly streaming down her face.

Everyone watched them, curious as to what was happening.

Niki had handed her child to the other Ramesian and rushed to the girl also. Everyone watched with interest as the three girls sobbed, the two older girls hugging the younger girl tightly.

Guard Commander Drevick smiled, his eyes going from one girl to the next. His eyes suddenly went wide as he realized who the younger girl was. "Perhaps we should take your sister to the tavern for pizza so you can speak," he told them.

Trei studied the three girls. "You're right. They're sisters. They all look exactly alike; only the age changes with the face."

Niki nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Let's go to the tavern." She took the infant from the Ramesian who was holding it. She turned to Jess. "This is Drake, he's my son." She turned to Trei, smiling widely. "That's my mate, Trei." She said proudly.

Aleigha took her son from the other Ramesian. "This is my son Finn." Then, pulling Drevick closer. "This is my mate Drevick." She said, introducing him to Jess. "Everyone, this is our little sister Jess. We thought she was in the house when it was targeted. We thought she was dead."

Jess wiped tears from her eyes. "I left the house to watch your tournament. I was on my way home to sneak back in, but before I got there, the house was destroyed."

Keith looked between the three girls. His eyes went to Niki. "You killed the previous leader? I'm told you're the true leader of everyone on this ship."

Niki rolled her eyes. Looked at Vorik, then back at Keith. "I gave the leadership to Vorik. He was the one I saw who cared about all our people, not just his own. All of us. He fought, risking his own life to save us all."

"So he can be challenged?" Keith asked, smiling. He wanted the confirmation.

"I can be challenged. He's the one doing the job, but it's me you would have to challenge," Niki shot back, anger flashing through her eyes.

Everyone watched in silence. The guard was posturing, ready to protect their leader, and so was everyone else.

Keith raised one brow. Aleigha handed her child to Drevick, pulling a device out of her boot and snapping it open. The ominous sound of the bladed staff echoed through the room as it snapped, locking into place and fully extended. Aleigha held her staff out to Niki, who handed her child to her mate and then took the staff. "If you challenge my sister, she isn't the only one you have to deal with," Aleigha warned him as Niki stepped closer to Keith. The staff held ready.

Keith's eyes went to the bladed staff. Its razor-sharp blades shone in the light that shone above them. His face paled.

Niki stepped forward, bringing the blade to Keith's neck. "I will not let anyone disrupt the peace aboard this ship. I understand your anger. Even your hatred, but we know things that you don't. If you choose to disrupt the peace on this ship, I will have you executed. In fact, I will be the one to do it," Niki hissed. "I know how you feel. Not getting all the information, I felt as you do. Things changed when the last leader lost the challenge with me. We found out things that you could never fathom. Your anger and hatred are misplaced. Those who are responsible are dead. We are all just trying to pick up the pieces. Disrupt that, and I will end you!" she warned.

Jess smiled at her oldest sister. Aleigha stepped forward. Eyeing Keith, she folded her arms over her chest. "I bet you're trying to rally others to fight with you. You seem the type. Don't get your people killed because of you. And before you ask. It's me you have to worry about."

"She's right, he is," Jess spoke quietly to Vorik, who was beside her. "I suggest having him watched or guarded or whatever it is you do." It was quiet enough that only Vorik heard her.

Niki beat him to the punch. "I think my sister, Aleigha, is correct. Knowing that she is always correct, I believe I will order you guarded at all times. I will not risk the lives aboard this ship. No one's. Not human, not Ramesian, and not Kreq. Do one thing. Just one thing, and you'll be put in the cells," Niki warned.

Trei looked over at his mate with pride. Guard Commander Drevick nodded to Niki. "As the guard commander, I will have at least two guards at his door starting now. If he chooses to go somewhere on the ship, he will go with his guards."

Niki smiled at Keith; it was more of a sneer than a smile. "I may have given the leadership to Vorik, but I do have a say in what happens. I don't use that 'say' very often, but in this case, you're giving me a reason. I will protect everyone on this ship, no matter who or what race they are."