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EARTH DATE: JUNE 29 11:00 AM
Starship Exanthus: Leaving Sol Star System
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DRACE LAY IN HIS DARKENED cabin seething in rage. He shuddered in agony when the Exanthus entered hyper warp. The Zeptos were working to keep him alive, and while they were state of the art, there were some injuries that only the advanced medical class of surgeons waiting to operate on him could deal with. The Karisean would pay for that and for stealing his wife. The full might of the Althaneans’ warrior class would be brought down on that barbarian’s home world. Poor, sweet, naive Havyn. He had to rescue her.
And his Zemyneah, his beautiful exotic Zemyneah. He needed to work on her training, teach her, beyond any shadow of doubt who her master was.
They thought they had defeated him. He sneered at their stupidity. They would learn that Drace Aphelion owned them all.
A quiet chime sounded and Drace looked at the communication station that had been set up so he could access it from his bed. Who was calling him now? He was tempted to ignore it, but then the seal of the Protectors of the Sacred Way lit up the screen. He glared at the seal for a moment debating the ramifications of missing this call. A second quiet chime sounded and he almost snarled. “Soft light.” He said to the computer, then ran a shaky hand through his hair, before touching the symbol to enable the call.
A distinguished looking man, with piercing black eyes, appeared on the screen. “Drace, we were informed of your injuries and that you are returning to Althanea for treatment. Do we need to send in a replacement?”
Drace glared at Auberon Cosmo, the High Elder of the Protectors of the Sacred Way. “As soon as I have received treatment, I will continue my mission. There is no reason to bring in anyone new.”
Auberon’s features tightened, as he stared coldly at Drace through the view screen. “That is for me to decide. What is the status of the experiment?
Drace pressed his lips together and bit back the comment he longed to make. “The experiment was a remarkable success. Subject 459 not only survived but she has gone on to display all the qualities that we hoped to achieve with the genome therapy.”
The man on the other end of the call, leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepling together. “I would like to see Subject 459. Have her brought to your quarters. And Drace, Ash, himself, came to me last night. He has ordered that the Dragon Warrior you have working for you be brought to him. He also expects you to deliver the dragon that Draakon rides.”
Drace could have sworn. Why in the seven hells was Auberon taking such a personal interest in his experiment. “High Elder Auberon, I will of course bring the Dragon Warrior to you, but I do not have access to his creature. As for Subject 459, she is highly erratic currently. Once I have been treated, and have completed the handler bonding with her, then I will of course be happy to introduce her to you.”
Auberon shook his head. “From the medical report that came to me, you are in no condition to complete a bonding with Subject 459. We cannot risk her death at this critical time. I will become her handler. It is critical that this mission succeed. Have the subject brought to your quarters immediately.”
So, that was his game. Drace was not impressed. He would not be so easily replaced and dismissed. “I’m sorry, High Elder Auberon, I cannot do that. It is my duty to protect the experiment, and the mission. Subject 459 is in no condition to be paraded around for someone’s viewing pleasure. She is a highly classified experiment, and her health must be protected if we are to succeed.” Drace clenched his jaw against a wave of pain that had blackness encroaching upon the edges of his vision. “I apologize, High Elder Auberon, but I must rest now. I will contact you after my treatment.” He ended the call.
Collapsing back on his bed, he knew that it was imperative that his Zemyneah slave be recaptured. His men were searching for her whereabouts even now. Soon, he thought. Soon, you will be in my possession and I shall teach you a lesson that you will never forget.