Niora For'rtiassa was laying in real grass under the fake blue sky. She heard children running and playing with incredible toys they received from Overlord's crew, some were climbing trees or just talking and joking.
She breathed air so clear and thick that every breath she took was like a priceless gift. Two days ago her race have almost died. After they established a colony and actually could start to repair their ships after they reached that system the first Jarta-vuri ships attacked.
They destroyed five of our ships and like always vanished. She remembered the shock and fear she felt. They never could fight Jarta-vuri the Furry Potatoes like called them her Lord. They only could run. No one ever discovered what happened with the ones who tried to fight them or who had to. She was afraid of them for as long as she could remember.
She looked at her hand still couldn't believe she have all her fingers. Seven springs ago heavy airlock doors cut off her small and ring fingers at her left hand when she ran away from the compartment that was about to open into the vacuum of space and she made it. Losing only her fingers and not life like twelve others who were too far away was a small price of survival.
She hugged her hand almost like being afraid that it is all dream. But she has them all back now, all her scars were gone and Human doctors told her she once again looks cute.
She was a veteran scout, drilled in all combat techniques her foster father was able to teach her before he become too weak to train her anymore. She was now the rightful inheritor of Cion, after all, stupid traitors were kicked out to their doom by Father. She was the best warrior outside of Vyrn's caste and even amongst them.
But for Humans, she was just a cute girl. She was angry at first but then she observed how two marines fought hand-to-hand as practice. After that, she decided she rather be called a cute girl than fight any one of them.
Also, her Father was once again young. Not just in spirit but he was rejuvenated and had a body like in his prime, mind working as youngling but with all his knowlage, memories and experience so he will once again put everything into her training and to be honest she doubted she can win any mock fight against him. He was once again the proud head of clan Bram and he was magnificent as well as the strongest Cion that ever lived.
She pondered this thought for while and shook her head in denial- something that Humans did as well with the same meaning. But Father was not as magnificent as her Lord. Speaking of which- Lord Thuel no matter what he claims is God, and that's out of discusion for her. And She will serve him no matter what he would ask her to do.
She talked with one of the marines- a towering human warrior. She always was tall for Suř even taller than Vyrn caste females and she was, she focused... 175cm in the Human system, but that marine was something else. No Cion could even dream of being this big as he was 200cm and as he called it nothing special between marines.
She asked him how they know Cions needed their help so desperately. He looked away as if wanted to hide away his face and told her they didn't know. Terran Commonwealth Navy has chosen the system they were in for their exercises- a simple task that would be most probably gradually altered to test the most talented commanders in various situations. However, they encountered Cions and later potatoes so in some way the test was even more successful than expected.
She learnt also why Humans called Jarta-vuri potatoes, why that term was diminishing and even saw a real Terran potato, after that he showed her a '3d projection'- another miracle of Human technology, of Jarta-vuri. She had to admit Humans were right, Jarta-vuri really looked like potatoes.
However, it was hard to speak with marine since he almost all time unwittingly patted her head.
She felt someone was observing her. Just on her right side was sitting with her legs crossed Lady Elisabeth. She immediately wanted to kneel but felt her hand on top of her head so her kneeling ended on both her knees while she sat on the ground.
Niora's heart almost jumped out of her chest. How she did do that? How she can be this silent and strong? Even her stepfather would be unable to hold her with one hand. Lady Elisabeth didn't pay much attention to her confusion and laughed with her pure laughter.
"Niora For'rtiassa im not here officially. Don't mind my presence. I'm here to just talk. I checked your medical data and wanted to talk about it with you. It's nothing bad I promise."
"Yes, my Lady."
"And you don't have to be this official. Anyway. When our medics healed you, they also rejuvenated you."
"Yes my Laa... Yes." Niora hesitated only to see Elisabeth's sight. But she couldn't understand what exactly happened back then.
"Basically that means you were 23 years old, in your calendar that would be 35. After the procedure, your body is now 17 years old. So again that would be about 23 on your calendar. Do you understand?"
"No. I somehow feel younger and..." she hesitated and then showed her hand with Her grown back finger "...and I... I once again have all my fingers. Also, all scars or burns are gone."
"Yes. That's a side effect you can say. I will not explain you procedure you went through but imagine it as rebuilding your body into a younger version. That's probably more visible at your father than you."
She vigorously nodded her head.
"Yes. He is as young as I am. So you are saying I'm physically 17? So in two days, I will again have my 18th birthday?"
"Yes and no. According to Commonwealth law, you are still 23 years old Niora. You are also completely healthy and we have even managed to cure your genetic infertility."
Her smile froze and disappeared replaced with absolute shock. She looked at her with her eyes wide open and motionless.
"You did what?"
"That's why I'm here. I think someone forgot to tell you. Like anyone."
Niora slowly nodded her head.
"But that means I... I..."
"Is this wrong?"
"Im not sure. I must inform my Father."
"About what?" Murrnal Bram appeared silently out of nowhere startling both of them. Elisabeth cursed herself for deactivating her sensor implants. Cions were moving silently like... Well like cats. Niora For'rtiassa was close to panic.
"My Father! Lady Elisabeth informed me that I was completely healed."
"I'm aware of that."
"But did you know they... They... I..." she didn't know how to say that. Her father was waiting patiently. Her face burned red a bit: "I can have children now father."
His jaw dropped and glanced at Elisabeth who was still sitting on the ground. She confirmed with a nod.
"Then it means my daughter you are no longer Suř! I must think what to do now."
Elisabeth didn't like the sound of that. It sounded too familiar for her and she had to clarify that at once.
"What do you need to think about? Finding her boyfriend or something?"
Murrnal Bram looked at her surprised if she understood their expressions correctly and responded:
"What? No. I and my family serve Lord Thuel. She belongs to him."
Elisabeth's jaw must have dropped. She sent a search request to Freya and received the answer in less than five seconds so she could close her mouth before it will look stupid. Of course. Cions were polygamic and strongly so. The strongest male could take many females and the strongest females could pick the strongest males. Like forcing her way into the relationship with a male of her liking and she had to be accepted. In some twisted way that made sense.
Humans were not strictly poli or monogamic- as always with Humans 'that depends'. On culture, religion, moral codes... Humans are always complicated in that matter and always have been.
Fa'enni only on paper were monogamic- females were jealous of their partners but males were rarely loyal. However, overall in the Commonwealth monogamy was still dominating for more practical reasons.
"What do you mean she belongs to him? She is free to choose her partner."
Elisabeth looked with pity and so well-known feeling at Niora For'rtiassa but Niora suddenly was studying the tops of trees while beeing all- not only on the face, beetroot red.
Elisabeth smirked, still drilling holes in Niora with her eyes. Well, well, well you too fell for him? She thought.
Bram smiled showing his large fangs:
"See Lady Elisabeth? I don't think she sees that as the problem."
"Indeed Murrnal Bram, I can see it clearly now." She replied amused. "However I don't think saying that straight like that is a good idea."
Niora For'rtiassa and Murrnal Bram looked at her frightened. And Bram quickly started apologising:
"Lady Elisabeth you are the most beautiful woman I meet and I know there must be some relationship between you and my Lord but we beg your pardon for our insolence if we offended you or our Lord in any way."
She started laughing.
"Me and Thuel? In relationship? Hahaha in my dreams maybe and for sure. No, don't worry. Our relationship is different we are friends. He also is my Prince and my Lord now."
She showed them her bracelet with the Royal Family Crest medallion. "But trust me. I'm not even shade of Lady Luna's beauty. The woman who Lord Thuel love."
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Both Cions looked at themselves with utter surprise. If Lady Elisabeth thinks she is not beautiful how staggering must Lady Luna be?
Thuel was heading toward the recreation area when he bumped into giggling Johan.
"Sup my bro?" Smiled Thuel but then he saw that spark in his eye of Johan. "Why are laughing at me?"
"Just look at this!" Johan sent him the log via a neural link. After five minutes Thuel sighed while Johan was still grinning.
"Elisabeth still has a massive crush on you!"
"Indeed. She is a very fine and very good-looking woman. And it turns out im the owner of a very nice-looking and cute Catgirl! I am a rather fortunate man it seems."
"I have that recorded. If we ever need melt through reinforced plasteel and we're out of explosives im going to play it for them!"
Thuel laughed
"Oh, you sneaky bastard. But in six hours we will reach the Alinti system so we must prepare. I still didn't get any word from my parents. That's strange."
"Well, it turns out they were too busy rolling on the ground and laughing so now they are busy preparing habitats for Cions on Ra-Danna. The entire continent will be their temporary home."
"Why do you know about it and I don't?"
"Since I'm your chief of operation? And now you know. Get used to it Admiral. I got word from Father since it's official Navy business only a few minutes ago."
"Ooooohhhh..."
"Inded"
Thuel opened door to the recreation area and they both take a short walk toward the place where Elisabeth, Niora and Murrnal were standing. The first thing Thuel saw was Freya's avatar who must have joined them. The second thing he saw was how Bram's black mane is shaking from laughter.
When Thuel and Johan approached this little gathering third thing he saw was Elisabeth sitting on the ground with a crimson red face hidden behind her hands which looked amazing from under her loose long blond hair and Niora who was in exactly the same position. Niora also was red on her face which contrasted with her black hair and fur on her ears. Her black tail was curled and its tip was delicately moving.
"Hello everyone!" Jovially started Johan.
"What happened here?" And Thuel asked with a smile.
Both women yelped in embarrassment. Bram started laughing even harder but Thuel looked puzzled at Johan who asked this time.
"Freya? What's going on?"
"Admiral Thuel, vice admiral Johan. Vice Admiral Elisabeth and Niora For'rtiassa insisted during arguing with Murrnal Bram that you would never see them as women but only as friends or military assets. He told them that's impossible and Elisabeth ordered me to find just one piece of evidence where you are seeing her or Niora as women. So I just showed them this."
Freya played them a short video despite incoherent murmurs and begging of both girls. It was him and Johan talking on their way somewhere. But they both know exactly what they will hear at the moment when Thuel on the video said: "Indeed. She is a very fine and very good looking woman. And it turns out im the owner of very nice looking and cute Catgirl! Im rather fortunate man it seems." sounded once again and both women turned their backs at them in embarrassment. Niora's tail was nervously moving.
Johan joined Murrnal in laughter while Thuel in his usual sincerity just stated with an absolutely serious voice:
"What?! I really think you are both cute."
Admiral Felix Strong was laughing on his bridge. Prince is or so innocent or so cunning that he could only gain his respect. He had to soon talk with Thuel about Cions. Their medical data is absolutely fascinating and require extensive research.
For once DNA poses much better self-preserving properties than Human DNA, Fa'enni with their basic lifespan of 40 years are not even participating in this race. On the other hand, their immune system is much worse than a human which indicates they may hail from a garden or maybe a harsh world. With such frail immune systems, hell or deathworlds are out of the discussion.
However, one very concerning thing was found in their DNA- It has some markers common on Earth. Further study must be conducted and it would be great if we could locate their home world and take some samples. Admiral shrugged- there are good chances it's taken by potatoes so we could kick them out.
Galaxy is vast and mostly uncharted so It will take millennia to map every star or even find their home world. For millennia so-called Galaxy Federation claimed about 1% of all stars in the Galaxy, they were afraid to expand. The reason for that was Huluk Empire which was a very aggressive and strange race. For sake of being left alone and stay in their 'perfect stability' they were exterminating any race they could find.
When the first time Fa'enni contacted humanity they warned us about 'devourers' and we took this seriously. So we did what we did best for millennia and we prepared for war. But when we eventually found Huluk about 60 years ago we were superior in any aspect. Our ships were bigger, better armed, having much better armour and shields. Huluk despite being around for aeons didn't improved their technology. For the entire millennia, they changed nothing in their "perfect society" when we found them.
We offered them peace but they have chosen war. We learned during the war that They killed so many alien species we probably never will be able to meet. So we exterminated them all.
When we wanted to show off the Fa'enni like little children who painted a picture, we discovered the disgusting habits of the Xhrestl - a race of warlike and bloodthirsty lizards. They killed off almost 80% of Fa'enni so we destroyed their technology and reverted them back to the stone age and quarantined them on their homeworld, They were spared only due to mercy of Fa'enni.
Potatoes chose to pick a fight with Commonwealth, they ignored all conventions and laws. And it looks like they have no idea who they angered. He prepared himself for entering the Alinti system.
"Admiral. Lord Admiral Raven, Vice Admiral MacArthur, Vice Admiral Ardén, Niora For'rtiassa and Murrnal Bram are heading this way and will join you in one minute."
Strong nodded. It was a good idea to respond to system defence stations in a single transmission. However, Prince implants were already sending codes to stations informing the system about his presence on board. A series of reinforced doors to Overlord's Bridge opened and the Prince's group entered.
Murrnal Bram and Niora For'rtiassa were looking in absolute shock and awe around them. This bridge was almost as big as Cion's flagship. They were watching how fifty officers were working at their stations commanding their sections. Admiral saw admiration and fear in their eyes.
"Welcome on the bridge of TCF Overlord. In a few moments, we will translate to point Epsilon of the Alinti system. After IFF we will approach Ra-Danna."
Young Admirals saluted their senior. Both Cions kneeled in their manner with right fists on deck. Strong saluted back and relaxed.
"At ease! I'm not your superior officer anymore."
"But this is your Bridge, sir." Simply stated Thuel. Strong smiled at him and nodded his head in approval.
"True sir. So Mr Bram and Miss For'rtiassa how do you like stay so far? You both can stand up. We don't require all this kneeling, you know?"
Bram responded still kneeling.
"It's our way of showing respect... Sir!" he ended in a typically Human manner. Strong smiled while Niora replayed with a sweet soft voice that lacked only meows and purrs.
"We are grateful for your hospitality Admiral Strong. It's still so hard to believe we survived. The last days were the most beautiful in our lives. All the wonders you have shown us and all you have gifted us are incredible and we can only be grateful."
She looked around, their ship's bridge was simply stunning. Prince told her yesterday that a very long time ago a wise man once told her that 'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic'.
That Human was right she thought as she saw strange swirls of lights displayed around the bridge. She saw many Humans males and females alike working efficiently without even one word. Humans somehow know exactly what each other wants to tell them thanks to implants she was told about before.
They worked on consoles which had just a few real buttons, all that was needed was generated as 3d projection be it keys or displays. A short ping was heard on the bridge and the communication officer announced:
"We entered the system and completed the IFF procedure. We are clear to enter the system, sir!"
Both Cions gasped in awe when strange random-looking lights were gone and they could see stars around them. They were now standing in a gigantic bubble surrounded by a space void. Two massive space stations were guarding entry to the system from this point. Even their appearance was menacing. But for Humans, that was a normal sight.
"Very well. Let's proceed," said Admiral.
"We are approaching standard 25, profile VIP 1." Navigation Officer sounded surprised when he announced they were given the fastest and most prestigious approach vector but suddenly he delicately hit his own head with his own fist. Of course, we got VIP 1. We are carrying Prince home. Suddenly he stiffens.
"Sir! Request from Raven Rock itself to stay on hold. Do not enter the system. I repeat. Do not enter the system!"
Admiral was surprised.
"All engines at 0. Ship stop. Let's wait."
"Incoming transmission from Raven Rock!"
"On screen."
When a holographic giant screen at least 20m long opened in thin air Bram and For'rtiassa were absolutely stunned. The woman who was watching them from the screen was the most beautiful being they ever saw. However, Niora still preferred her Lord. Her long blonde hair looked so similar to Lord Thuel's hair and these eyes...
Her voice was so magically melodic it took them unguarded and enchanted them. All present officers including vice admirals kneeled. Cions thought how lucky they are, they already kneeled because she had frozen them in motionless awe. Only two men were standing at this moment. Queen smiled:
"I welcome you all in Alinti Sector. I'm so glad and proud my Son! Soon we will talk."
"I'm glad to see you too Mother! Much sooner than I anticipated."
"I welcome as well my old friend Felix! It's so good to see you again. I was not aware you became a Teacher at the academy."
Admiral smiled. "Pleasure is my Lady Shanti. It's just a recent assignment so it was not made public yet."
All crew eyes were wide open. Their Captain really knows Fa'enni Queen! Queen looked ashamed a bit.
"We had to change your plans my Son and I got to ask you for another favour Admiral Felix. Originally we planned to facilitate Cions on Ra-Danna but at the last minute, we changed our minds. That's why I personally wanted to ask you for a favour. Would you mind taking my Son and his new subjects to the Tiamant system? And if you be that kind could you drop them at 3rd planet Tua'va?"
He quickly checked the data. It was one of ten original Fa'enni systems on the far flank of Fa'enni space toward uncharted stars which made it a border system of the Commonwealth as well.
"It wouldn't be a problem at all Queen."
"Im most gracious my friend. We decided that our Son will take responsibility for defences in that part of the sector. He has proven his worth so as well we can use his talents for Commonwealth benefit rather than allowing him to get lazy in Palace."
"You are right Queen in that manner. I can't stay as much as I wish to and got to make this little errand swift, since I had to pick up the rest of my students and evaluate their work. Will you need anything from Terra? I think ill be there before your couriers."
"I understand and hope you will pay us a wist at Ra-Nael soon. If you head to Terra after your mission and offer your help we have a few packets destined for Sol. Let's meet at Tiamant then. We are en route there as well so we should enter orbit over Tua'va about time you disembark Cions."
"Very well Lady Shanti. Let's meet there."
She smiled and nodded. When the transmission was finished Cions dared to rise their heads and noticed that everyone long time ago was already standing and got back to work. Admiral Strong ordered:
"Ok, people! We are going out from here. Overlord and astrogation, plot me course for Tau'va. Helmsman get us back to point Epsilon!"
"Aye Aye Admiral! We are at standard 25 approaching point Epsilon in 2 minutes Sir!"
Standard 25 means that the ship is accelerating gradually until it will reach 25% light speed. The Astrogation officer confirmed:
"All calculations are correct. We can start blinking!"
Blinking- the very essence and almost purpose of Fleet Carriers most commonly known as combat planetoids. While hyperdrive was known by all truly interstellar races only Humanity had one another means of FTL travel known as tunnel drive or singularity drive as it's officially named. While the most efficient military-grade hyperdrive was able to enter high hyperspace speeds of 200 factor the tunnel drive was working in a very different way.
At the expanse of colossal energy needed it basically changed the ship itself into a massive black hole and ripping out of the fabric of space and time itself in a process that instantly translocate ship over huge swaths of space in a series of blinks. A single blink last the tiniest fraction of a second and was harmless for an area for transiting ship to pass. But entering and exiting the tunnel last much much longer. Almost a full second and that was lethal for anything too close to Fleet Carrier.
The tidal force of such heavy black hole could rip appart smaller stars or make a big one go supernova. That's why Planetoids never used their FTL drives inside planet systems, especially their own systems. Planetoids didn't need hyperdrives of their own- for such big objects they were achieving 35% of light speed. And making a hyperdrive for a such big ship would also shrink the space available inside. Hyperdrives were for small ships which operated as regular battle forces inside star systems while planetoids traversed between entire sectors.
"Enter the tunnel." ordered Admiral Strong.
Stars around them disappeared and once again random lights started dancing around them.
Cions had so many questions but maybe one day they will find or be given answers for. But one thing made them relieved and happy- Queen herself acknowledged them as Lord Thuel's subjects.
Cions are safe now.