| |
General Grendel stood on the deck of Captain Romo's ship.
They watched as the Hive space station came into view. The Hive was nearly destroyed. Parts of the station were gone and smoke and debris floated in its wake.
General Grendel said, "Did you contact Marlena?"
"Yes," Captain Romo said. "They are fine, but the Hive sustained heavy losses. We are still out of range, but the fleet is already on board. We have to evacuate."
General Grendel looked at the remains of the Hive. It was depressing, but he was a soldier and was used to devastating losses. But losing their homeland was especially sad.
"Should we go after the remainder of the Vvong?" Captain Romo asked.
"No, I think I know where they're going. This was strategic. They wanted to cripple us because they are going to Earth. That was the reason they didn't destroy us. They only wanted us crippled," General Grendel said.
Captain Romo spoke. "I don't understand. They could have destroyed us."
Yaddle was sitting on the bridge next to an empty chair. "I know, General."
General Grendel nodded.
Yaddle explained. "The Vvong sees us a small threat, but not large enough to destroy us. They are amassing their forces to take back Earth."
General Grendel said, "So, we need to get there as soon as we can. Our fleet is intact. We can help in Earth defenses."
Captain Romo said, "General, we can contact Commander Marlena Grendel now."
"Commander?" General Grendel said.
A Holo figure of Marlena appeared before them on the large screen on the bridge.
"General Grendel, I hear you."
"Is... Is she okay?" He didn't want to sound desperate, but Marlena knew who he was talking about.
"Yes, I have her. She cannot speak yet. She is being sedated for now."
"What?" General Grendel said. "Is she better?"
"Yes, she became lucid after I came and found her."
"Where is she now?" he asked.
"She’s being transferred to the hospital ship, Reliant," Marlena said, "but she will be out for a while. The Queen wants to see you."
The General felt raw and relieved at the same time. He wanted to see his wife. But duties always called him, and now his daughter Marlena was included. He had to go.
"Yes, Commander. Where do I meet the Queen?" General Grendel asked.
"She is on the flagship, Equinox. I have to supervise the evacuation. I will be busy for a while. I will see you on the hospital ship."
"Do you have enough personnel to help you?" he said.
"Yes, father, I will be safe. The Hive is somewhat functional, but we have to leave as soon as possible," Marlena said.
"You better be safe, or I will have to go down there myself," General Grendel said.
Marlena smiled. "Okay. I still have a lot to do. Don't forget your appointment."
***
GENERAL GRENDEL TOOK a transport ship over to the flagship, Equinox.
The battle cruiser was easily larger than his old ship, the Sentinel. The Equinox truly was the flagship. It took a very long time to build and complete this vessel. It was a quarter the size of the Hive.
The transport connected to the ship. General Grendel was greeted by a junior officer.
He saluted the General. "It is nice to have you onboard. The captain is busy with the Queen. Please follow me."
They walked along a corridor with magical globes along the ceiling. The design of the walls and the ground was more lavish than on regular battleships. They moved toward an elevator and walked inside.
The junior officer punched the controls. After a few mini-cycles, the elevator stopped. They exited, then took several turns and stopped at another double doorway. The person waiting for them at the entrance was Eastros.
"Eastros, I didn't know you were so close to the Queen, being such a recluse."
"We have always been friends, General. I need to talk to you."
Eastros walked to the doorway on the right. Inside was a bedroom, and lying on the bed was the Queen while another woman stood next to her. The woman moved toward General Grendel.
"Hello. I think we’ve met before. I'm Captain Shirel. I will take leave of you, General Grendel."
"Thank you, Captain Shirel. You have a fine ship."
"That she is, General."
Captain Shirel took her leave and General Grendel stepped toward the Princess. The junior officer and Eastros stayed in the other room.
"Hello, Genera," the Queen said in a whisper.
"You don't have to see me now. You need your rest," he said.
"I'm dying. Come closer to me," the Queen said.
He moved next to her and took a seat closer to her bed. "Yes, your highness" he said.
"We don't have much time. I want to elect you to the head of the Council. And I need you to know about the Vvong," she said.
The Queen started to cough. Her beautiful face looked ashen and too white. She stopped coughing, and the General gave her a cup of water that was on the table next to the bed.
She took the cup in her hands and drank. "I'm sorry I have to thrust this upon you. But Eastros is not young anymore, and he agrees on this. Take the box."
A box suddenly appeared. It was covered in black velvet. He took it in his hand and opened the top. Inside, within the folds, was a gold necklace and a glowing crystal. It was the symbol of her office and crown.
"I cannot take this. I'm not royalty."
"You're the only person we have. You will be known from now on as Duke Grendel, Head of the Council of the Magical Races. Take the necklace and put it on. Eastros, please come inside."
Eastros entered and closed the doors behind him. He looked sad as he moved to the other side of the bed. He nodded to the Queen.
"Eastros, the time is dire, and you know our secrets. Please tell Duke Grendel."
Grendel was shocked at all this development. He was pushed to be a General and now suddenly he was a Duke. He felt awed, and also a little confused.
"The stories of the Vvong were not all correct. The Vvong are us."
"Wait, I don't understand. We cannot be the Vvong. They're monstrous creatures," the new Duke Grendel said.
"You are right. The Vvong are monstrous creatures. But they didn't start as insectile beings. The first Vvong was an experiment. We didn't sanction these experiments. It was Morgana, the sorceress. She seduced people and some of the magical races to come to her side. Morgana changed and transformed herself to a powerful beast and she morphed her loyal members into monstrous creatures."
Duke Grendel was dumbfounded. His world had changed in an instant, and everything he thought he knew was not wrong. He was not sure what to say.
Eastros had a mug in his hand. "Grendel, drink this."
Duke Grendel took a sip. It was a strong Dwarven spirit that burnt his throat and made him feel a little light-headed.
"Why are you telling me this now?"
The Queen grabbed his hand. "You have to go to Earth and stop the Vvong. They want to capture Merlin and use him to bring Morgana back from the spirit world. This cannot be allowed to happen."
Duke Grendel said, "Morgana and Merlin are still alive? And Morgana is in the spirit world? This is so unbelievable."
Eastros said, "It is true, Grendel. You have to bring us together. We have suffered a great loss today. We need to have the crowning ceremony done at once."
"What?" Duke Grendel said. "Can't this wait. We need to leave the Hive."
"Yes. But we will have the ceremony before we leave."
Duke Grendel bowed and walked out of the room.
He was shaken to the core.
