Euthara (43 page)

“Of course, a mistake. It’s as your mother says.” The King now had his head laying in the table.

“Thanks for clearing that up Mother.” Opellissa bowed slightly and gave her mother a smile. Deatra grabbed one of her sister's hands and squeezed.

“Of course, dear. Now, Prince Hunter what can I do for you?” The Queen turned her gaze back to Jon and smiled.

“Excuse me your Highness, but do you know what has been happening recently here on Euthara? I don’t mean that the wrong way. I’m just merely curious if you know the full extent of what’s going on.” Jon was watching the King out of the corner of his eye and saw him peek a look up briefly before returning his head to the table.

The Queen arched an eyebrow. “I have an idea. Nothing more than that, as my husband runs the day to day affairs of the planet.”

“Care to tell me what you think is going on?” Jon watched her carefully as she settled back in her chair.

“Certainly. From what I understand, you’ve taken one of our port cities in some type of rebellion. I still don’t have any idea why you would have done such a thing. You attempted to keep Deatra from visiting us which my husband managed to talk you out of. There was some type of attack on the planet where we fought them back. Then you lost a ship while engaged at the edge of our solar system where we stepped in and managed to rescue most of the ships.” The Queen picked up a cup from the small table next to her and took a sip from it before returning it. “That’s pretty much what I know.”

Jon almost laughed at the twisted version of events. However, he kept his face calm and neutral. “Well, that’s certainly not how I would see the events myself.”

“As I said, I know very little. So, why don’t you tell me your views on the current situation.”

“For starters, your daughter didn’t want to visit the palace. Your husband threatened her on order for her come and visit, I think disowned and removed from the royal line were in there somewhere. So she relented and went for a visit where she was kept against her will.”

“Interesting.” The Queen glanced over at the King and arched an eyebrow.

“He had my Duke, I was only trying to secure his safety. I knew he wouldn’t do something stupid while I had our daughter, his bond mate, as our guest.” The King sat back up and crossed his arms as he stared at Jon his eyes never looking elsewhere.

“I thought there was something going on, even though Deatra never said anything to me. She seemed uneasy during her stay. I’m glad she’s back where she wants to be and can see she’s very happy.” The Queen looked up at Deatra and gave her daughter a smile. “You are happy, right Deatra?”

“Of course, mother, I love Jon, and through my bond, that love grows daily. It’s hard to be away from him for any amount of time.” Deatra’s eyes locked on Jon’s back and her mother noticing the look nodded.

Jon didn’t miss a beat as he picked back up where he left off. His gaze fell on the King as he continued. “As for my bond with Deatra the king believes I've somehow forced the issue or bewitched her in some way.”

“Really? Again he must have made a mistake. Right husband, even you can see the effect of a true bond.” She glanced back at the King and frowned.

“Then there’s the whole fact he doesn’t like the idea I’m bonded to four women, two of them your daughters. He stated it was impossible.”

That got her attention and the Queen sat forward. “Did you just say 'four women'?”

“Yes ma’am.”

The Queen reached up and tugged on her lower lip as she sat back. Then after a second looked back up at Jon. “You know what this means?”

“Something to do with The Prophecy.” Jon's face got a ‘here we go again look’.

The Queen looked back past Jon to Deatra and Opellissa. “Is this true?”

Both of them nodded.

“Great!” A big smile broke out on the Queen’s face. “Am I to assume the other two women in the room are the other two ladies?” The Queen’s eyes flicked to Nefeit and Kelly. Her face lit up when her gaze fell to Kelly’s swollen belly. “Are you not Captain Hawkins’ widow?”

“Yes your highness.” Kelly gave a slight bow with her head.

“You’re pregnant?”

“Yes your highness, twins.” Kelly’s face flushed a bit now that she was under scrutiny.

“Oh, drop the ‘your highness’ crap. Call me Antasta or ma’am if you’d like. You are, after all, one of the family now. So, are these children your late husband’s or the Prince’s?”

“My late husband’s ma’am.” Kelly shifted slightly as she started to get a bit uncomfortable with all the attention from the Queen.

“It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen a pregnant woman, and, I must say, it’s exhilarating.” The Queen shifted her attention back to Jon as she got a serious look on her face. “What are your intentions with the children?”

Jon arched an eyebrow. This woman was anything but the way he expected her to be, and it was quite refreshing. “I plan on adopting them as my own and raising them.”

The Queen clapped her hands together as she smiled. “Great! I’m to be a Grandmother, how exciting.” She leaned in close to the screen and eyed Jon. “I do expect more children you know.”

“Of course your Highness. Without a doubt,” Jon said as he was put on the spot.

Nefeit, Deatra and Opellissa all shared a look as they smiled.

“This is all so exciting, we’re going to be grandparents. Isn’t it exciting Har’ve?” The Queen was looking at her husband with excitement and joy written all over her face. “Kids will once again run the halls of the palace.”

“Of course dear.” The King’s monotone voice and steady stare told Jon that his troubles were far from over.

“Please continue, Prince Hunter.” The Queen was still smiling and almost bouncing with joy.

Jon frowned as he almost hated to continue now that she was so happy. “Well.” Jon glanced back to the women in the room and Deatra nodded at him. He turned back around and settled his gaze back on the Queen. She had lost the joyous look as she watched Jon, her brow furrowed. “You know my sister is the Matriarch of the Ga’sahde and I’m the House Primus I assume.”

“That I didn’t know.” The Queen sat back and set her hands in her lap. “The Ga’sahde are here?”

“Yes, though they’re not welcome according to the King. He's demanded they pull their ships from the solar system. I've refused to have them do so and, in fact, was the one who ordered them to restore the station. There were a few at the funeral, they have tattooed or painted faces and wore dark blue or dark red cloaks.” Jon shifted a bit and interlaced his fingers in front of him. “As a matter of fact, things got really nasty when Eutharan forces engaged my sister, the Matriarch of the Ga’sahde, over Deatra’s private grounds that I claimed as an embassy.

“The paper work documenting our application, completed with the help of Deatra, was filed before our arrival. The King however claims to have never received said paperwork. Even though a look at the data base shows it was filed and accepted before we landed.

“She was shot down then hunted down until captured. You could say we had a small air and ground war during the time my sister was missing. It escalated into the taking of Euroth because he wasn’t willing to back down, and, of course, I wasn’t either. I can’t say either of us was correct in the resulting pissing contest we had. But what I can tell you is that Euroth is almost completely restored and the people there are happy.

“Later I learn of my sisters location and sent a very special Buranis to retrieve her. In the resulting conflict my sister and my friend were both almost killed. Though I’m happy to say they’re both recovering well, and my sister has already resumed her duties.” Jon watched the King arch an eyebrow and then grit his teeth as he learned he hadn’t succeeded in killing Terri.

“Har’ve, why would you want the Ga’sahde to leave? We have a treaty with them and they will help us in our time of need. It doesn’t make sense. Why attack their leader, who I might add is a Princess, and then take her captive?” The Queen had a look as if she was trying to understand what was going on as she watched her husband on her screen.

The King sat there and crossed his arms and fumed in rage. He reminded Jon of a little kid not getting his way. There was something off about that man.

“Har’ve C’loth, you will answer me right this instant!” The Queen was pointing at her screen as she raised her voice.

The King slowly turned his head and looked at his wife. “The Ga’sahde are nothing but meddling fools and I do not want them here. Period.”

The Queen gasped at the King’s response. “We have a treaty and they have done nothing but help us. History shows us the Ga’sahde helped keep balance. We should be open to their help. We’re dying and they might be able to help us.”

“You have no idea,” Jon mutterd under his breath.

The King’s head snapped to Jon as did the Queen’s.

“We can hash that out later,” Jon said. “The attack that your forces turned away at Euthara were actually my forces. The few ships you have remaining in service refused to help and it was left up to my people to turn them away. These Crystari were targeting some type of ground installation, that I now have control of.”

The Queen frowned as the King glared at Jon. The King sat there helpless as his world fell apart around him. The one thing he knew were that certain people would have to die to secure his position again.

Jon raised his hand to forestall the questions the Queen was about to ask. “The engagement at the edge of the solar system was again my people attempting to help the last of the Invaru. They were seeking sanctuary here from this new threat. Again that task was left up to us and both these engagements cost me and my people many lives.

“As far as the installation, well that’s a whole different matter and something I think should be discussed face to face. I would like permission to come to the palace with my guards and speak in council about what was found. It’s vital that all the council members hear what I have to say.”

“Definitely not!” The King slammed his fist down on his desk. “You’re not welcome here and I’ll not have your guards running all over the place. You’re rebels and have caused quite a stir. You have nothing to say that I care to hear.”

“That's where you and I differ Har’ve, I want to hear what the Prince has to say. He’s made some pretty broad sweeping accusations. If even half of what he says is true then I hesitate to think what the council and people will think.” The Queen frowned at her husband’s actions. “If he thinks he needs to speak in council about this mysterious installation-”

“Not just one your highness, but one of ten different installations spread across the planet.” Jon folded his arms as he watched the King’s face filled with utter hate and rage.

“My apologies, installations, then I suspect what he’s found is of great importance.”

“He’s found nothing!” The King screamed the last word. He looked like a mad man ready to tear Jon a part at the seams.

“Then there’s no reason not to let him speak, is there?” The Queen folded her arms as she glared at her husband’s video.

“ENOUGH!” The King grabbed the edge of his desk and flipped it over and the screen went dark.

The Queen’s face went pale as she gasped. “I’ve never seen him like this.”

“Your highness are you at the palace?”

“No I’m at the retreat right now. I spend a lot of my time here nowadays. I used to be very active in the government and the daily running of the planet, but in the past few years I’ve been needed less and less. So now I spend my time here.”

Jon spun around and looked at Opellissa. “Opellissa gather your women and take three squads of guards to go retrieve your mother. Bring her back here. I fear she’s in danger.”

“He wouldn’t.” The Queen stood up as she spoke.

Jon turned back to face the Queen. “Did you see him? I mean did you see what I saw? Even if he wouldn’t, and I’m over reacting, wouldn’t you like to come visit your daughters? You can leave whenever you like. A state visit if you will.”

“Well I-”

“Good that’s settled.” Jon turned back around and looked at a pale Opellissa. “What are you still doing here? Go now.”

Jon stepped out onto the bridge as the shuttle carrying the Queen took off from her compound. Opellissa's small team had made good time. Jon was still at a loss as to what was going on, though he had a pretty good idea. The Queen coming to the
Atlantis
was not only for her safety but also, Jon hoped, to uncover more facts about what was going on, here on Euthara.

Deatra stepped out of the transport tube and made her way to Jon's side. Her eyes watched the small blips that showed where the shuttles, carrying her mother and sister, were at. She was also a bit worried about her sister being on the mission and out in the open.

Deatra stepped up next to Jon and put her hands behind her back as she spoke, "Jon, it worries me that my sister is out there."

Jon looked over at Deatra and smiled as he spoke, "She can take care of herself."

"Oh, I know she can take care of herself," Deatra said. "That's not what I'm worried about."

Jon gave Deatra a strange look as if he was trying to figure out what she was talking about. He didn't understand what Deatra was worried about. He looked up at the screen and watched the small blips, as they made their way back towards the
Atlantis
. Everything seemed to be going fine. He didn't see any need to worry.

"Sir, there are six Eutharan fighters on an intercept course for the shuttles," the tactical officer said.

Jon paled slightly as six new red blips popped up on the screen. They were closing fast on the two shuttles. Then all at once he knew what Deatra was talking about as his lack of concern over Opellissa's safety was replaced by something else, worry. He had a pretty good idea of their intent and target. "Scramble all alert fighters, and divert all fighters in the air to intercept those hostiles."

Jon's commands were immediately relayed as the level of activity on the bridge rose in response to the threat. He felt kind of stupid that he hadn't sent an escort with Opellissa's shuttle for protection.