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  Alpha spoke up and Zeus repeated his words. "Has Orla crossed the grid?"

  "We believe her to be quarantined to a planet near the Milky Way breach."

  Believing Orla trapped and actually having her cornered were two separate things in Zeus’s mind.

  Atizen continued. "The planet is close enough that if the grid dropped, she would attempt to escape to this side of the boundary. Of course, we would pursue, but if the grid reactivated after we crossed, then we would be trapped. Separated from our queen. Orla would pick up those stranded to reinforce her numbers before she found a place to build her hive."

  Zeus blurted, "You would abandon your ties, your loyalties, to your queen so quickly?"

  "We are V'Saar, we need our—a queen. If that scenario were to happen, Orla would be heralded the victor. That alone would ensure that the drones tied to Queen Isolt would change their allegiance. The strongest queen has more warriors, drones, and resources, but if Orla's scouts were pushed back across the grid, and the problems with the connectivity corrected, Queen Isolt would handle Orla herself."

  Alpha grew very still. Zeus had not realized how much Alpha moved about until he stopped. He put a voice to what Alpha thought. "If the grid came down, if one of the keys became lost, then no one would be the victor and the two queens would continue to fight over territory."

  "Queen Isolt signed a treaty, and made a vow to the Alpha-Zetamite." Atizen spat, making chittering noises that Zeus took as sounds of displeasure.

  Azaes spoke up. "But you did not sign a treaty or give a vow, Atizen. You, who are second only to your queen, would lose your station if Isolt were to fail in the war with Orla."

  "We should have pursued and destroyed all, not allowed ourselves to be locked behind a wall like rabid dogs. We are better and stronger and more numerous. The first time she was backed into a corner, she bargained. We do not entreaty, we conquer!" Atizen's head thrashed about as he spoke. Unexpectedly, he launched himself from the pool's edge towards Zeus.

  Too shocked to react immediately, not that he had much to defend himself with, since all of his weapons had been left at the shuttle, Zeus could only watch in horror as Atizen flew through the air towards him. The Monticore, though, did not hesitate, swarming him and Azaes, bearing the two of them to the ground under a press of bodies.

  From the stone floor, Zeus watched Star Eater leap, intercepting Atizen, and land them both in the turquoise pool. Star Eater straddled Atizen's back, both his hands wrapped around the spindly neck.

  "Atizen, first born of Queen Isolt, you have broken the laws of emissary and used the position in subterfuge. I, Star Eater, judge of this tribunal, declare you guilty. For the attempted murder of Zeus Vondorian and Alpha-Zetamite, for conspiring to murder the Bespoken, for conspiring to break the treaty and bring down the grid, I find you guilty."

  The hand around Atizen's throat began to glow red. Atizen screeched and thrashed in the water, but could not throw off Star Eater. Zeus knew Atizen did not have long when the hard exoskeleton caught fire. Before he counted to ten, Atizen dissipated into nothing more than a fine oily ash, floating in the surface of the pool.

  The danger was not yet passed. The Monticore moved cautiously off of Zeus and Azaes. The Feteine prodded the two unresisting V'Saar to the pool's edge. The bugs kept their legs and tail tucked submissively beneath their bodies.

  One of the remaining two immediately began to speak when they reached the water's edge. "Our queen holds a treaty with you, Star Eater. She does not want to break it; she only wants to send us to seek assistance in heading off Orla's attempt to cross the grid. Yes, she covets the galaxies on this side of the wall, but she would not attempt the wrath of the Alpha-Zetamite again. The words I speak are true." The water remained placid.

  Star Eater walked to the edge of the pool in front of the V'Saar and gazed at them. "We will consider the request. You will be shown to a secure room for the time being."

  He waved his hand and four of the Feteine led the V'Saar out of the dome, leaving the Feteines Europa and Laeretes behind. Star Eater climbed out of the water and sat on the river stone tiles, seemingly exhausted.

  "We would like to give our most sincere apologies, Star Eater. We thought ... We did not know ... We thought only Terrens could be duplicitous and ..." Europa seemed to run out of words.

  Zeus pushed his way through the Monticore. "Arrogant, careless, murderers? Those can be traits of any culture, species, or race. Terrens do not hold a monopoly on the market. They do not have the resources or intimate knowledge to abduct a race spread out across the galaxies—galaxies they have been restricted from—without assistance from many others. Dire DeNoss, Quell Hounds, and T'Sali allied with a V'Saar. They boarded and attempted to overtake our ship, searching for the family of the Bespoken." Zeus glanced around at the glowing hex-shaped crystals along the dome wall.

  "It is time the Feteine and the Qrxzl come to realize that humans are not the only race with bad seeds. The Qrxzl proved their arrogance today, and would have murdered me on hearsay and supposition simply because I resemble a Terren. A snap judgment made by a whole people."

  Europa and Laeretes both bowed low to Zeus. "Our humblest apologies. Many lessons can be learned from today."

  Zeus was too tired to be annoyed at their placating statement. "Agreed."

  The obelisks pulsed and spoke. "Prince Zeus Vondorian of Atlainticia, you came to the Qrxzl seeking help."

  With all else happening, he had forgotten his original purpose. "In light of what has happened today, I must insist everything I reveal be kept among those present until we speak personally to the galactic imperials. A recording of this proceeding can be hand-delivered to them if I and those with me perish. My only request is that the recording be hand-delivered and not transmitted. Electronic communication to and from Valespia is currently being blocked by a psi-tracker."

  He waited as, one by one, the hex-shaped crystals agreed to his terms before he continued. "The vessel Oethra 7 carries a Fal'Amoric royal family. The galactic crown princes sent an armada to rescue the Fal'Amorics from captivity. The royal family was the last to be liberated and ever since, the Oethra 7 has been pursued. At first, we believed the Terrens wanted the family back, but now I am unsure. The Terrens destroyed the prison planet holding the Fal'Amorics. Some believe they attempted to cover their tracks: imprisoning and experimenting on the Fal'Amoric breaks their treaty with the Council of Neighn. Now, I wonder if the destruction of the planet was an attempt to destroy the Fal'Amoric instead of the evidence of the Terren's activities. But if they desired to destroy them, then why attempt to recapture? It is possible there are other factions aside from the Terrens and the V'Saar. We know at least one of the Terren companies has allied with the V'Saar. It still does not explain the destruction of the planet, unless the Terren companies are fighting among themselves and a rival company destroyed the planet as a strike against their enemy."

  He paused to think for a moment. The puzzle of the Fal'Amoric had been nagging at him since he first became aware of the details. The number of people gathered and imprisoned was impressive, even if it was vile. One did not destroy, on a whim, a project costing more credits than Zeus could imagine.

  Star Eater sighed tiredly. "If Atizen decided the new queen was a more desirable leader, then keeping Isolt on the other side of the grid would benefit his new queen. Isolt would be imprisoned behind the grid while the new queen built her empire in complete freedom. Find a planet to build her hive on, start producing offspring to create her army, and when ready—strike. She would unleash her horde upon the galaxies. But in order for her to accomplish that, she must be able to control the grid to keep Isolt imprisoned. If she acquired the Bespoken, she would hold the key."

  Zeus thought carefully about what he would say next. "We recently came by information that the Terrens are currently on their way to Valespia. I do not know if they are going to attack, if they are looking for the Fal'Amoric, or if they are seeking to entreaty wit
h the galactic emperors. In light of the new information, I highly doubt the last one is the reason for them crossing the galaxies illegally. Now, it appears they may not be alone, but in the company of the V'Saar.

  "At this time, we cannot warn Haven, because something is interfering with communications, and now there are hints of a traitor among the emperor's circle. We came to ask the Feteine to accompany us. Not knowing how to contact them, we sought assistance from the Qrxzl."

  Star Eater sighed and leaned back on his hands, his vibrant red hair falling to cascade behind him, brushing the stone floor as he gazed up at the domed ceiling. "And instead of hearing your plea, the Qrxzl accused you of being human, and of subjugating those who attended with you." Star Eater's gaze fell on those surrounding Zeus. "Europa, Laeretes, what say you? Did someone send Zeus into a well-thought-out trap?"

  "Possibly," Europa replied, gazing at him across the pool.

  "No." Zeus, Mestor, and Azaes replied at the same time. He glanced behind him to see the two had flanked him, each resting a hand on his shoulder. He turned back to address Europa. "Our brother would never put any of us in harm's way." None there knew Canry, but he refused to believe his brother would place all of Atlainticia in danger.

  Europa stared back, unblinking. Zeus did not know if she was thinking or waiting. She had been designed to have facial expressions, yet she did not use them. "Why would you seek our help?"

  Zeus used the secret language to confer with Azaes and Mestor. If they did not agree to share what they knew, then they could walk away now. They could find a safe location for the Fal'Amoric, then devise a plan to help Valespia, and hope they were not too late. The twins shared a glance, and then gave Zeus a barely perceptible nod.

  "We were told that if we did not obtain the help of the Feteine then we would be intercepted, and the Fal'Amoric royal family recaptured. We know the transmissions are being diverted, both to and from Valespia. The Imperial Galactic Patrol does not know their vessels have gone missing; the base is not answering communications from Valespia. Everything occurring up to the attack of Azaes's vessel, The Gorgon, indicates the humans were involved in the search for the Fal'Amoric and the Bespoken. When they could not find him, they attempted to breed and/or engineer one of their own.

  "The V'Saar captured aboard The Gorgon indicated that they, too, searched for the Bespoken, which corroborates what Atizen revealed. There is a strong chance a trap has been set in Valespian space for us."

  Europa turned and glanced at Laeretes in what seemed to be a communication—he hoped. They waited as the two stood absolutely immobile, until he began to wonder if something was wrong with them. He glanced at Star Eater, who had finally stood, not appearing any better than he had after he turned Atizen to ash. Had he become injured in his struggle to subdue Atizen?

  "Prince Zeus Vondorian." Europa's gaze met his when he turned his attention to her. "We—"

  What she said became lost to Zeus when Star Eater swayed dangerously close to the edge of the pool.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Zeus barked orders before he began to run around the edge of the pool toward Star Eater. He would not have the strength to catch or even hold Star Eater if he fell.

  "Madux!" Zeus yelled for the psi-healer.

  With the grace of a large cat, Madux leapt over their heads, landing on his feet in the pool, attempting to catch Star Eater as he toppled forward.

  "Son!" Alpha whispered as the weight of the fall bore Star Eater and Madux into the gel, submerging them completely.

  "Do not touch the water!" Zeus yelled Alpha's command to the Monticore, even though it was already too late for Star Eater and Madux.

  They all huddled along the edge of the turquoise pool as the liquid bubbled and turned dark around the two males below the surface.

  "Qrxzl!" Zeus glanced at the long, red obelisk in the center of the pool. "What is happening?"

  "We believe Atizen stung Star Eater before being vanquished."

  Black sludge began to burp to the surface. The gel-like liquid lifted the dark mass up, expelling the oily substance onto the river stone.

  "He needs to come out, Zeus. Normally, he can withstand the water, but not when weakened. The water will drain him." Alpha's voice sounded frantic with worry.

  Zeus shared Alpha's worry. He knew the liquid in the pool was not water, but something else. He did not know if the presence of the Qrxzl made it seem intelligent, or if the seething surface responded to lies and deceptions because the liquid understood. He needed to do something—now.

  "Release him!" Zeus bellowed. He lost his patience: diplomacy, courtesy, all of it disappeared. "You will release the son of the Alpha-Zetamite right this moment!" Thunder rolled outside the dome, the smell of ozone suddenly thick in the air.

  "He must leave the waters himself. We have no way of assisting him," the Qrxzl quickly replied.

  If the water could damage Star Eater, Zeus did not want to think what it would do to Madux. Anger slid across his skin in a crackling wave. Frustrated that his hands were tied, Zeus sensed that if the pair did not come out of the pool soon, they would lose both Madux and Star Eater.

  "Let. Them. Go. This instant!" Zeus growled through gritted teeth, attempting to force his will on something that was probably cosmos sludge and had no higher understanding. Anything was better than just standing there waiting. At the doorway of the dome a light flashed, bright and brilliant and blinding, followed by a crack so loud Zeus glanced up to see if the dome had split.

  Blinking the spots from his eyes, Zeus prepared to give another angry demand. The gel surged and Madux surfaced, gasping, Star Eater held within the circle of his arms. The viscous liquid pushed Madux to the edge of the pool where the Monticore waited, arms outstretched and ready. They grabbed what they could, hair or clothing, and hauled them both over the edge of the pool. Star Eater lay limp and unmoving on the river stone floor. Many removed their undershirts to wipe away the fluid, although most of the liquid separated itself from Star Eater and Madux and silently slipped back into the pool. At least they were on dry ground now.

  Once it appeared safe, Zeus’s guard allowed him to approach Star Eater. "Lay your hands on him, Zeus, so I may see within him," Alpha said, his voice thick with worry.

  Star Eater's skin felt hot to the touch but Zeus did not know if the temperature was normal or an indication of an oncoming illness.

  "He is my first born, headstrong and obstinate from a young age, always questioning and exploring. But he has always been good at his core. Although, I see he still experiments with his form." The softness in Alpha's voice made Zeus smile.

  There was a jagged tear in Star Eater's tunic on his back. Zeus lifted the cloth to reveal a puncture wound. Yellow pus seeped from the opening.

  A hand gripped Zeus’s shoulder and he glanced up to see Azaes crouched down next to him. "It appears we need to get Star Eater to a safe location. I will wrap up this meeting and we will leave this place. I will be a happy male if I do not have to step foot on this planet ever again."

  Zeus nodded, completely agreeing with his brother. His excitement over meeting the Qrxzl and the Feteine had turned to regret. Azaes rose with another clap to Zeus’s back. The twins moved away, leaving half of the Monticore remaining with Zeus as he tended to Star Eater.

  "Qrxzl, I introduced myself earlier. I am Prince Azaes Vondorian, heir apparent to the emperor from Atlainticia. I will address two items before we make our leave. First, the affront and attack on Prince Zeus and second, addressing whether we can rely on the Feteine and the Qrxzl to back the Valespian throne and assist with the security for the grid."

  Azaes should have been the one to entreat the Qrxzl to begin with. I am obviously not a good ambassador. Zeus thought to himself, keeping the rumination from Alpha.

  He glanced at Madux, who had not gone far. With a discreet gesture, Zeus motioned him closer and revealed the injury. "Is this something you can help with?"

  Madux leaned forward and licked
the wound. Zeus wrinkled his nose in distaste. He had never seen a psi-healer work. He thought psi-healing was about energy exchange and mental manipulation.

  Glancing up to meet Zeus’s gaze, Madux said, "Did you know, when a mother kisses her child, her body is reading the health of the young? From one kiss, her autoimmune system will produce antibodies for the breast milk to pass along to the infant as it suckles, to help maintain the young's health until their immune system is strong."

  Madux lowered the cloth even though more pus formed where he had licked. "The same goes for psi-healing. My body will create what he needs to overcome the infection."

  "So are you going to breastfeed him?" Zeus pressed his lips together to keep from laughing.

  Madux blinked his blue eyes a couple of times before he gave Zeus an incredulous look, even as his high cheekbones began to darken in a blush.

  He grinned at Madux's embarrassment. "I apologize. My jest was inappropriate."

  Madux finally grinned back. "You caught me by surprise. No, I will not feed Star Eater. I tasted simply to trigger my body's function to produce antibodies. Think of it like plugging data into a computer." Zeus doubted the process was that simple, but figured he would be unable to understand if Madux went into greater detail.

  He turned his thoughts inward, checking on Alpha as he caressed Alpha, reaching out for Dargon and finding nothing. In the background, he heard Azaes begin to wrap up the meeting. What solutions were hammered out he could not say, and at this stage, did not really care. He trusted Azaes to take care of it all. Focused on the silent space in his mind usually occupied by Dargon, Zeus became impatient to return to the shuttle to check on him.

  He wondered how his parents coped. He understood they worried over their young, but it was not until right then that he grasped the depth of their concern. He knew he would be apprehensive when his young took their first steps, because it meant they would eventually run through the halls of the palace, careening around corners, running into walls, tackling and playing, and possibly becoming injured. He knew he would worry about the acceptance they would receive from others, about the taunting and shoving, whether their playmates would be malicious or friendly. But he never thought about what would come before all of that. When his meme was pregnant, did his father lie in bed awake at night, afraid he would not be able protect her and their unborn young?