Striker (21 page)

Glancing at Alpha actually hurt. The split in his skin seeped so much that Zeus wondered where all the fluid was coming from. Mayra worked quickly next to them, starting a line of fluids to keep Dargon, and therefore Alpha, hydrated.

"There is more blood than I anticipated, but I believe it is because he carries twins." With the line in place, she began to quickly and efficiently wipe down Dargon's chest.

Dargon's eyes remained closed, his chest rising and falling steadily. The pressure on his hand let him know Dargon was awake, easing some of his worries. Alpha continued to be a bundle of pain in the back of Zeus’s mind.

Mayra gently ran a clean cloth around the split on Alpha. "Oh, here we go."

His breath caught and held. The skin around the split moved and undulated, pushing together and then pulling apart again. The knot of static from Alpha grew louder in his mind as something very dark, small, and round peeked from the opening. More fluid seeped out and suddenly the rounded protrusion was expelled, revealing the full length of the miniature body.

The kit was tiny, smaller than Zeus’s own thumb and yet, there before him, were arms and legs with nubby little fingers. Another of what Zeus considered a 'push' and the feet were free. Unexpectedly, the kit rolled over onto his back.

His
back.

"A boy," Zeus barely forced the words past a throat tight with emotion, but those in the corridor heard, for a loud and mighty cheer when up.

He stared, mesmerized by his youngling, who had Dargon's teardrop-shaped ears, a slender tail, Zeus’s alabaster skin, and what appeared to be stripes of dark green scales. With the kit's size and the amount of blood, Zeus was fairly certain he was mistaken about the scales, though. The youngling's facial features were delicate—perfect—as he scrunched his nose, and his tiny mouth yawned open into a small O. He had never seen anything so wonderfully beautiful in all of his life.

"I need to cut the umbilical cord."

Zeus had forgotten they were not alone. Mayra waited for him to nod his acceptance before approaching with clippers. Dargon opened his eyes, distracting Zeus enough to cut off his warning hiss. He put on his most charming smile, although with the riot of warm, rich emotions currently sitting in his chest, the grin splitting his face was only the tip of what roiled beneath the surface.

"Is he—" Dargon licked his lips and blinked slowly.

"Here." Mayra handed Zeus a small cup of ice and he moved carefully into a position to be able to feed a couple to Dargon.

"He is beautiful." Belatedly, he realized Mayra had cut and pinched off the cut cord while Dargon distracted him. Sneaky male!

The corner of Dargon's lips tipped up as if he read Zeus’s expression, or maybe heard the thought in his mind. "Guilty," he whispered as his eyelids drooped down.

Liquid began to escape from Alpha again. Mayra used a clean cloth to catch the fluid. "One last time."

Another small nub protruded as Alpha's body moved and pushed. Zeus held his breath as he watched the second youngling come forth, feet first. His cheeks began to ache as he grinned harder at the sight of his second youngling, a male, began to move and stretch; only the hind end of him had emerged. The little tail moved sluggishly, the feet kicked as if he panicked. Then the strangest thing happened. The first kit suddenly rolled until he touched his twin. The contact instantly calmed his sibling. When Alpha finally pushed the kit completely out, the youngling slid right into his brother's embrace.

Zeus did not know how long he watched as the twins worked to get the second born turned around until he lay in the firstborn's embrace, cheek to cheek. Both had to be exhausted. Their pale skin was translucent, the quick pulse discernible to the naked eye. Were they too tired to make the journey to Dargon's pouch? His eyes measured the distance, a new worry building.

He must have telegraphed his thoughts, for Dargon answered. "This is why my immobility is important. If I pick them up and place them into the pouch, they will die within hours. The struggle is necessary for them to kick-start their bodily functions. It is no different than hatchlings. If you break the shell for them and ease their way, you have weakened them and doomed them to die. The journey will strengthen the kits. Have faith."

The sound of a throat clearing politely came from the doorway. Warlord Sohm'lan stood there waiting, a silent reminder that Zeus had other, urgent responsibilities to attend to.

"Go on. We will not be going anywhere soon." Dargon chuffed weakly at his own joke.

Zeus pressed a soft kiss against Dargon's lips. "Promise to call for me if you need anything."

"I think we will simply rest. We are both very tired."

He stroked Dargon's cheek with the back of his knuckles. Every fiber of his being longed to stay and watch over his family. He wanted to be done with duty, the damned Terrens, the bugs, and the looming threat of invasion.

"We will guard your mates, Zeus." He glanced up. Amlyn's body was still well-camouflaged by the fauna, with her face barely discernible. The assassin who had once attempted to take his life stared back at him with calm surety. In that moment, he knew she would protect his family with her very life.

"Leave," Dargon urged. "We will be fine here."

He glanced at Alpha. The ripped section seemed to be pressed together and on the mend. Sohm'lan had not moved. Zeus was acutely aware of him waiting. "I will check back soon." He gave another quick kiss, and carefully scooted off the sleeping platform.

After entering the corridor, he closed the door behind him. The hallway still had too many Monticore, and now Abechan, too. He had forgotten he had requested updates. The Monticore saluted smartly, their joy for the new members of the family plain to see on their faces.

Abechan bowed. "Prince Zeus, I hear congratulations are in order. I wish I had better news for you."

"Thank you, Abechan. What news has come from Air Defense?"

"The last two ships were shot down, but not destroyed. Air Defense returned to the capital. The majority of the military personnel are stationed on the orbital space station. Those who were planet-side have been reassigned to Haven for the protection of the city. From what the scans tell us, the Terren ships carry an alarming number of V'Saar, as well as human, military personnel. The last communication said an army from both ships marched toward each other. Air Defense suspect they will join forces and head toward Haven."

"And we are in the way?"

"Yes. The only pass through the mountains is right behind us. Air Defense cannot spare any craft or personnel to help us at the moment. They do not have the ground troops to spare. The planetary shields are in place and will keep more Terren forces from coming planet-side. The Feteine were able to bring down the devices that locked down communication. Haven contacted Galactic Patrol. Once they arrive, Air Defense will send us reinforcements. Until then, we are on our own."

"What about our shuttles? How long will it take to transport people to the capital?" Zeus’s thoughts sped, making plans, tossing away futile ideas; he almost did not hear Sohm'lan answer. "What?"

"The landing caused the restraints to break, freeing one of the shuttles, and they collided. Only one shuttle has been cleared by Otho for flight. He is working on the second one now."

"So we can only shuttle five people at a time to the capital?"

Abechan nodded. "Two to three trips per hour, on my calculations"

"Do we have an anticipated arrival time for the bugs and Terrens?"

"The computer estimates three to five hours, depending on how fast the humans can navigate the jungle and whether the V'Saar leave them behind to make their own way. We have some two hundred Fal'Amorics aboard. We will not be able to wait for the shuttle to carry them all to the city," Sohm'lan replied.

Zeus grunted in agreement. "Then we will transport those unable to walk first. With luck, Otho will repair the second shuttle soon. Everyone else will have to go through the pass on foot. Ready the Monticore to guide them. Prepare the Oethra 7 for evacuation."

"And what about you?" Sohm'lan asked, his blue eyes pinning Zeus in place.

"I cannot leave until Dargon can move. I will ask for a handful of skilled males to help me block the pass. The ship carries two battle mechs, so I will need pilots and about a dozen others."

"Prince—"

"I will stay until every last person is gone." Zeus gave Sohm'lan a hard stare. He considered Sohm'lan family. Having trained Zeus, he had to have known that Zeus would not budge. He would not leave anyone behind, family or not.

"I will make it so." Warlord Sohm'lan turned and began issuing orders, the crowd dispersing to begin their assigned tasks.

Zeus pressed his palm against the cool metal of the door to Dargon's quarters, imagining he could feel the life forces of the four most beloved people in his life. His love for his meme and father, for his brothers and sister, would always be fierce and unwavering. He never believed until then that he could love anyone more. The day he committed himself to Alpha and Dargon was the day they rose above all others. Now, they had added two more souls to their small circle. He could not have been more afraid, because if he failed, if he faltered in his duty, their lives would be the price.

Murmuring a soft prayer of protection, Zeus forced himself to turn and walk away. Many things had to be accomplished before he could return to them. Four Monticore fell into step around, him with Abechan keeping pace.

"Abechan, I would like for you to stay in contact with Air Defense. Relay our plans. Keep a finger on what is going on so we do not send the Fal'Amoric into a more dangerous situation. Is there any word on my brothers or Meme?"

"No, sir. Air Defense said the battle is being fiercely fought. I will include them in my updates."

Zeus searched his pockets, found his com-link and fitted it to his ear. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

Abechan split away without another word. Zeus entered the shuttle bay amid a flurry of activity. Sohm'lan stood to the side, head bent down, speaking with Athena, who was the de facto leader of the Fal'Amorics. The Ursid brothers unlocked the travel cages holding the two battle mechs. Otho crawled over the obviously damaged shuttle. Gaex recorded the list of items Otho called out, so that with a brief, expert glance, Zeus would know which parts would be needed to make repairs.

Hadon, Zeus’s bodyguard, assisted the Ursids until he noticed Zeus come on deck. After speaking quickly to Al'haska, he made his way across the floor, dodging people. Anger rolled off of Hadon, his brow scrunched into harsh lines below his domed skull. His long, silky fur fluffed with agitation. Zeus stopped and waited for the explosion of words.

"I am not going to let you send me away. If you stay, then so do I, and nothing you say or do—"

Zeus grinned as Hadon's tirade caught the attention of half of the people on the dock. He shook all four fists at Zeus.

"I did not plan to." Hadon's rant stopped mid-sentence, his bushy brows raised even further. "I would be appreciative if you would stay and guard Dargon and Alpha."

"Of course." Hadon's reply was quick and automatic.

The Ursid brothers approached. Zeus gave them a calculating glance. The rotund, bear-like males were rather fond of Hadon. He imagined they would not appreciate Hadon being kept behind when an unknown danger approached.

"Hear me out first." The shuttle bay echoed with noise of the hydraulic lift system catching on the shuttle, beginning to haul it down the ramp. Zeus waited for the noise to die down, because he refused to yell.

"As I understand it, we will not receive help from Haven for some time. I am keeping a small number here to ensure those who are not fit to walk the distance to the capital have time to be shuttled out. Dargon will be the last, since we cannot move him as yet. The size of the Terren-V'Saar force headed this way is too large: I cannot defeat their number. I can only hope to hold them off until help arrives. Even then, Hadon, you have to know we will probably be fighting a losing battle. Staying could be a death sentence."

Hadon's gaze stayed steady and unwavering. "I will remain with House Vondorian."

At his announcement, Al'haska and his brother lightly bumped Hadon with their round bellies. "Then we stay as well," Al'haska rumbled in reply.

Hadon pursed his lips, his facial fur ruffling when he blew out a forceful breath. "As if it would do any good to argue," he murmured.

"Eh'monak and I are the only two aboard who are certified to operate the battle mechs. Learning would take more than an hour's instruction."

"I would be grateful for your assistance. I wondered about the turret under the ship. Could it be used with the ship as-is?" Zeus asked, relieved the brothers would stay.

Al'haska contemplated the question. "Not if we have men outside of the ship. Upon firing the gun, the concussion alone would incapacitate any on the ground. Some would come away deaf."

Zeus sighed. "A last-resort weapon, then. Thank you." He noticed Athena and Sohm'lan heading toward him. "Excuse me."

Before he could formally greet Athena, she talked over him. "How do you expect me to go when you stay? When mother and father separated us, I did my duty. I went with father and in doing so, I lost all of my family. The cost is too high."

"Athena ...”

"No, Zeus, I will not leave you again."

"I will be fine."

"No! Do you think I did not hear what you told Hadon? That staying could mean death? I know what is coming. You will send nearly every last warrior to protect us and keep a mere handful for yourself. You cannot fight such odds alone!"

"The people need you to lead them." He held Athena's shimmering gaze. "I will do my very best to make it out of this situation alive but you must do your duty, again, just as I must do mine." He could see her warring emotions, her face so easy for him to read.

The Fal'Amorics incapable of making the journey to the capitol on foot began to file into the bay. The pod of Orions assisted weakest among them down the ramp to the waiting shuttle. The sight was a reminder that he stayed to make sure the infirm were able to escape.