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—-
I STOOD ON THE BRIDGE of the last standing flagship of the Phelb Armada, the Truth bringer. I hated their sanctimonious names and their bullshit rules, but I had to admit it felt good to be a Major instead of the Lieutenant rank I would have been stuck in for another four or five centuries.
I learned that the man who wanted to be my husband would only live about eighty or so years, while I would continue for several centuries. He was only twenty now, younger than my twenty-five, but I hadn’t dismissed his marriage proposal yet.
Standing at a proper Vandorian parade rest, I watched as the viewscreen on the main citadel display flickered to life and displayed the image of the bridge of Shadow of Eternity. I recognized the new ranks on Mallory’s shoulders and I nodded solemnly. “Admiral Valentine.” I said softly, then turned my eyes slightly. Destota was leaning back against the railing on the bridge, displaying new scars on his face from his torture that made him look only more brutish. His eyes smoldered with anger and resentment, arms crossed tightly across his broad chest. My heart hitched. “Colonel Valentine.”
“We offered a fairly simply term, Venlent.” Mallory snarled. “And we’d be happy to add you to the body count.”
“Admiral, we need to discuss something else.” I said trying my hardest not to snap back at her. “In my time with the Phelbs I have learned something of great importance.”
“Was that before, or after you started eating out of their hand, Venlent?” Destota asked. He was not the dramatics type, and his voice was calm, cold enough to make the vacuum of space shiver.
“Colonel, I...”
“I want to hear the words, and I want to hear them quickly.” Destota replied.
“The Gilbaglians are assaulting the Phelbs from the other side of their space.” I blurted out.
“Well that sounds like a personal problem.” Destota replied. “They were our allies; only makes sense they’re attacking the ones that started this whole damned war. Destroyed one of their planets, as far as I remember.”
Wrathe stepped into view and Destota’s eyes hardened. “Colonel Valentine, that is not the case.”
“Sure.” Destota said, leaning forward. “You must be Wrathe’s son.”
“I am.” He bowed his head. “And you are Destota Valentine, destroyer of worlds.”
“What a quaint title.” Destota chuckled. “Now, what are you talking about?”
“The Gilbaglians began attacking us almost ten years ago.” Wrathe said, his brows drawn together in a deep frown. “We were not looking for Vandor when we found you.”
Destota’s smirk dropped, and he took a step towards the screen. “I don’t understand. Peter said that he had fled your world and the Marauders because of evidence he had found...” His voice trailed off.
“Colonel Valentine,” Davon held out his hands in a gesture he had used on me. “I assure you, once we found you, our intention was to wipe your people out. This, I will not deny. And yes, Mr. Stevins found evidence of Godlike Aliens that would have shattered our civilization into a thousand warring factions. However,” He paced a bit, and this was something I noticed him doing frequently. “I am not lying to you, sir, nor would my people assume that the power of the Vandorian fleet could be matched by anything we can currently project.” He stopped. “But please, allow me to forward an audio clip from a Gilbaglian ship to one of our battleships.”
Destota and Mallory nodded. I pushed the button on the console behind me to transmit the audio clip.
—-
