Månen’s Order

Månen’s Order

Lianne Willowmoon

“Isn’t she marvelous, Captain Dahgan? She was designed to be an exact replica of the female of the Cavirq species.”

Dahgan stared for a moment in astonishment at the creation. Walking around the unique piece of machinery, he shook his head at her beauty. She was perfect in every way imaginable. “So, this will be sent to infiltrate the planet of Cavriem in the Black Sector and prepare us for the battle that is to come?”

Jevil smiled and nodded. “She is built to record and send back data for 168 hours total running time. Which is exactly seven days. At which, we call the internal machine and she will self-destruct. Away from civilization, of course, to avoid it being seen.”

Dahgan chuckled with an intense rage laced through the sound. “My god, this may just work. Which, in all honesty, makes me madder than this whole situation did to begin with. When does she launch?”

“This afternoon. She has been tested and all of her functions work at 100% capability. She is FLAWLESS.” Jevil laughed and stood back a bit, proudly smiling. “She is probably my best work, if I do say so myself. Top of the line developments and engineering rolled into a beautiful, mechanical creature.”

Dahgan smiled to him as he ran his hand over the pale green skin. Her scales on her shoulders and her chest were rough like that of a fish. The gills along her ribs were soft and sponge-like. She stood at only 5 foot tall. She was beautiful… just as he had imagined a Cavirq female being to be. Cavirq females hardly ever grew above 5’2”. The males were shorter… usually only reaching 4’9”.

Dahgan had studied the species in cadet training but had always been fascinated by them. Once the peace treaty between the two species was broken and war had been anticipated, he had felt troubled. He didn’t wish to see the Cavirq colonies obliterated by the Qan'ul fleet. However, as a Captain of the Supernova Squadron, he had to follow orders. He had attempted to object to the mission; he had even volunteered himself to visit with the Cavirq colonies to try and create a new peace treaty. They had denied every request he made.

Jevil looked at him and sighed, hanging his head. “Look, Trep… I know this isn’t the mission you wanted. If it were up to me, I would have sent you on the treaty mission.”

Dahgan peered over the prototype at Jevil and dipped his head slightly. “I know you would have, Jevil. However, that is not to be. They denied my final request this morning.”

Jevil glanced up at him and cleared his throat. “Sorry, Trep.” He looked at the robot and smiled quirkily. “Maybe, and this is just a thought… if this robot showed the commanders and the Embassy that the Cavirq are a peaceful species, they might pay more attention to you? I have engineered all the footage to come to you before it goes anywhere else. A last resort, an attempt anyway, to keep us from war.”

Dahgan blinked and chuckled. “Have I mentioned recently how much I respect your ability to twist and turn even the worst moment into something positive?”

“No, but I will take that as such.” He laughed and walked over, tapping him on the shoulder. “What is meant to be will be, and rumor has it that we can’t stop it. We can, however, make every attempt possible to stop it in the hopes of a different future. At least, until we cease to exist. It is our purpose, after all. To advance ourselves and fight against the odds.”

Jevil walked out and left Dahgan staring, dumbfounded by his logic, at the prototype. He pulled up a chair and sat down, rubbing his face. Deeply disturbed that the Embassy of Migrant Affairs, Red Sector, wasn’t willing to try for peace a second time. It wasn’t like them to not at least make the attempt to keep a treaty with a species that up until the treaty was broken, kept to themselves and never interfered with Red Sector’s work. Even when most of the Black Sector had their noses up in the Red Sector’s business, they hadn’t been. He hung his head and rubbed his temples. Perhaps he should quit trying to figure it out. His head was telling him it was pointless, and he needed sleep. A nap before the launch sounded like a perfect idea.

Dahgan wondered down the halls of the space station, Vèniri HG2tG-42, in a daze. Several lower crew men saluted him as they walked by, to which he nodded. Sleep deprivation was really hitting him hard. He had lost numerous hours of rest coming up with plans, and requests for this mission. After the letter came this morning with the final appeal denied, he figured his body was now telling him he had done his best and rest was inevitable. He wandered into his quarters and stretched out on his bed. It wasn’t long before he was drifting.

Hearing a noise, he sat up in his bed with a start. Something had fallen off a shelf and he frantically looked around to see what had knocked it off. After a moment, he noticed there was a spot in the corner that seemed… blurry? How could that be? He rubbed his eyes and glanced at it a second time.

“What in the bloody hell?”

Getting up slowly so he could keep his eyes on the spot, he wondered over to the corner and reached out unhurried. In the back of his mind, he knew he was crazy and that any minute, someone would walk in and see him reaching oddly for a trashcan. Questioning his own sanity, he blinked and screamed as something grabbed his hand.

“Hybrintque newoerpl dahiumty zavormialohra!”

He stopped and blinked. “I don’t speak your language, I am afraid. I don’t understand you.”

The invisible hand yanked him down to one knee and grabbed his temples, holding him for a minute. It was a gentle caress, more than a forceful one. He stared into the blurry corner as the slight pressure released. In front of his eyes, the burry spot dulled into a beautiful Cavirq woman.

She stared at him her long silver hair flowing around her shoulders. “I read you. I pick up words you understand?”

He chuckled and sat down on the floor, covering his mouth. “Yeah, I understand you now. How did you get here? Why are you here?”

She struggled a moment before she spoke. “I come. I see you. Picture on treaty ask? I know you help.”

He nodded. “Indeed, I have tried, but they won’t let me.”

She mouthed a few words and nodded. “I try too. My parental unit… hmm, father? He is very leery of Qan'ul kind.”

He chuckled. “I know the feeling.” She looked at him puzzled as he shook his head. “Never mind. I want to help. We can do this together maybe?”

She smiled happily at Dahgan. “That is Månen wish. Please.”

“Is that you name? Månen?”

“You are Dag.”

He laughed. “Most call me either Dahgan or Trep.”

“Trep. I like.” She reached out and caresses his face gently, running her long tendril of a finger across his cheeks and nose. “You are greinal.”

“What?”

She shook her head. “You are…hmm, virile? How you say?”

Dahgan laughed. “You think I am handsome?”

She giggled. “Yes, Månen do.”

“Well, I… yeah, you are quite beautiful yourself. Here, lets get you up out of the cold corner.”

He extended his hand and she placed hers gently on his palm. He helped her to her feet and, to his amazement, she was taller than the books had said. She had to be at least 5’7”. Her skin wasn’t a pale green, but a pale aqua instead and felt like silk across his own. Her eyes were like sapphires and her lips matched the stunning gaze in her eyes. Her hair reached her waistline and was like curled strands of pure silver. He was blown away by how breathtaking she was.

She let go and stepped around him, wandering over and looking into the fish tank by his bed. It had a variety of marine life from different planets in the Red Sector. He watched as she attempted to touch them and stepped back confused when the glass prevented her from it. Leaning against the wall, he just observed her as she went from place to place, examining his quarters. It was fascinating to him; like watching a child who was just learning things.

She played with his stone collection. He took great pride in it. It was a stone from every planet he had ever been to. There was a grand total of 56 of them. It was impressive for a captain in his late thirties. Most captains never get to 25. He had made it a mission to visit as many as he could, even if it meant keeping him moving. He had volunteered for so many missions just to get to set his feet on a new planet. The goal he set for himself was to reach 100 before his retirement. He was over half way there. She picked up the stones and glanced over them. Some of them caught her curious glances more than others. There was one though, and he had several of that particular one for a reason, that really caught her attention.

“This is lopwetri.” He raised his eyebrow as Månen stopped, shaking her head. “Shiny. It shiny, pretty.”

He nodded. “It is called Dapris Lamentra. It is from the planet Stara X4Q in the Black Sector.”

She smiled and rolled the small, marble-sized ball around in her hand, giggling. Her giggle intrigued him. It was somewhere between a chaotic laugh and a deranged serial killer’s chuckle. But it fit her personality. Not saying he thought she was a deranged psychopath or anything, but it was fitting because it was different. SHE was different.

“I can have? Please?”

He nodded, and she smiled, holding it in her hands. A faint glow surrounded her, and he stood up, watching curiously. When she opened her hands, the glow died out and there were now two perfect halves. They were wrapped in a beautiful spiderweb weaved casings, with a silver strand necklace. She walked over and smiled at him. As he looked at them, the necklaces were made from strands of her own hair. He watched as she showed him the two pieces, both having a rune now engraved into the flat side.

“This is you. This is me. Always together, yes?”

He nodded as she placed one around his neck. He felt his head swimming and closed his eyes for a second. When he opened them, he suddenly noticed they weren’t on the ship. “Wait, what did you do? Where is this?”

Månen looked around and ran for a set of vines, pulling them back. “Home. Home, Trep.”

He watched as she waved to him through the vines. Glancing around and pinching his arm to make sure he wasn’t dreaming, he walked slowly through the vines to a small waterfall. There was a cave to the right underneath it that had vines over it, pulled back on one side. He stepped out in awe of what lay before him. Was he on Cavriem?

“How did we get here?”

She stopped and smiled, pointing to the necklace. “You stone… will find me where I am. It will bring you.” He stopped and looked down as the stone glowed.

He blinked and stared at the now empty room. It was dark and boding. He put his hands over his head and growled for a moment, getting his bearings. Sitting up in bed, he ran a hand through his hair. “My god, what a damn dream!”

He shook his head and stood up to go to the bathroom when a dizziness came over him. A moment went by when he noticed that the room seemed to tremble… as if the room weren’t really there. After a moment, he realized that the sleep deprivation had really been too much on him. He washed his face and patted it dry on the towel in his left back pocket. It was a present from someone. He couldn’t remember who, but they said never to go anywhere without it because of its many uses… and he hadn’t. Tucking it safely back into his pocket, he started to leave his quarters. He needed to eat and get to the launch.

Grabbing a snack bag and a protein shake off the out of the cooler before opening the door to his quarters, he stuffed down the dried caprara fruit slices. He didn’t particularly love the taste. But they were packed with all the nutrients he would need for one day. The station gets them shipped in from a planet on the other side of the Red Sector especially for this reason. They could survive off of one of these fruits a day for months before the body would give in. That made them useful for keeping their crew healthy during missions. The station’s cooks dried them to preserve them, making them last that much longer. The best way to describe them was a mix between a dragon fruit and a grapefruit. Much sourer though. A lot sourer. It was kind that they treated them with sweet gum oil.

Walking down to the launch bay, he saw Jevil placing the mechanical Cavirq into the capsule. He looked over the machine and something hit him. Was that how they actually looked? Or was the girl in his dream more of a reality. Shaking off the thought, as dreams were just that, he watched as the pod was fired toward the planet of Cavriem. He drank some of his protein shake and felt his heart drop.

“This species of innocent beings is in danger only because we can’t come to an agreement to be a peaceful damn species ourselves. This whole thing is absurd.”

“How so?”

He glanced over and shook his head as the station Admiral came over to him. “Really? I think if you really thought back to the six attempts I have made for a new treaty negotiation, you would know why.”

He stared at the launch bay as everyone was cleaning up after the launch. “I read the briefs. I read the whole “it’s my duty” bullshit as well. I want to know why you think that this is absurd.”

“They have been nothing but respectful and peaceful for how long? And WE made the damn mistake! Pardon the free speech, SIR, but I think that since we started this war that we should be attempting to stop it rather than progress it!” The Admiral laughed. Dahgan quickly averted his stare to meet the Admiral’s face… which was full of sheer happiness. “I don’t recall saying anything funny, Admiral Griea.”

Griea turned and nodded. “Indeed, you didn’t. That isn’t why I was laughing.” He looked back to the window and sighed. “I was laughing at the fact that you didn’t put a single ounce of that passion into your pleas. They were boring. And not exactly truthful, if you don’t mind me being so bold.”

Dahgan scoffed and laughed lightly. “Not TRUTHFUL? What exactly did I lie about?”

“It wasn’t that you LIED, so to speak, but that you didn’t give the whole reason that you were interested in SAVING the Cavirq species.”

He started to object and then stopped. “What? Should I have admitted that I am in love with the culture and my desires are to visit there?”

“And…”

“And what?”

“Admit it. You love the culture and want to visit… but your true desire lies with wanting to inhabit Cavriem.”

Dahgan looked away and stopped, considering what he said for a moment. “Yes. It has been a dream for a while now to retire there. I have never told anyone that… so, that leads to the question of, how did you know?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Captain Dahgan, I have known you for 15 years. I see what you have studied, both through cadet school and beyond. Your intentions, although not announced, haven’t gone unnoticed. Submit another request, with more intent and passion and I will pitch it one last time to the Embassy.”

Dahgan nodded. “Understood, Sir. And… I am sorry about the attitude. I hope you don’t take it offensively. It wasn’t meant that way.”

He turned to walk out, laughing. “I will let it slide this time, Captain. Hold your tongue from here on out, understand me?”

“YES, SIR!”

Dahgan waited till he left the room and smiled. Heading back to his cabin, he started writing the brief for the seventh time. Lucky number seven… at least he hoped it was. This time, not taking the political route, but the more personal route. He made sure to mention that he had studied the environment, the ecology, the government and political organization, the species itself … everything that could be studied, he had. He was prepared to not only to make peace with the Cavirq society, but to live there as a Qan'ul diplomat between the Red and Black Sectors.

As he finished it, re-reading it several times to make sure it sounded heart felt, he sighed and sealed it into a brown official post envelope. He left his quarters and made his way to the Admiral’s, dropping the letter in the box outside the door. He smiled and turned swiftly to the alarms going off. All captains and crew were being asked to report to their designated ships for inspection. Odd, they only do inspections when…

“Damn it! They are sending us to invade Cavriem!”

***

An hour later, Captain Dahgan sat behind the controls of the Vanquisher, the entire team of the Supernova Squadron behind him. Headed to Cavriem. His thoughts running wild, flashing back to that brief. His first in command, Lieutenant Kiall, looked up at him and nudged his arm.

“Hey, are you alright?” Kiall looked around to notice that everyone was seeing what he was. Dahgan wasn’t himself and there was something different about him.

Dahgan shook his head, sitting forward in his chair. “No, Kiall, I don’t think I am. I don’t plan on attacking Cavriem.”

Kiall stopped and turned his head. “Excuse me? The Admiral…”

Dahgan laughed and nodded. “Yes, he ordered us to invade and you know what? I don’t give a damn. This is MY ship. We aren’t attacking. We are going to talk to them. Ensign Evyh, lower the power on our weapons and shields. I want the entire fleet to follow suit. We are to APPEAR as friendly as possible. Ensign Oleka, please send a message to the other ships in the fleet to stand back until further order. Prepare the pod, I am…”

A blast shook them, sending a few of the crew that were standing to the ground. Dahgan rubbed his head, groaning, where it had been slammed into the side of his chair. Pulling back, he saw an odd substance on his head. Shaking his head a bit confused, he was alerted to the alarms blaring. Everyone started to reorient themselves into position. Another blast sent them into a frenzy.

“Will someone tell me what the hell is happening???” Dahgan screamed, sending everyone on edge.

“It appears that we have an unidentified ship in the vicinity that is firing on us! It doesn’t appear to be Cavirq or Qan'ul, Sir.” Oleka started hitting buttons and cleared his throat. “Sir, we have an incoming message.”

“Who is it from?” Dahgan stood, straightening his face and staring at the screen.

Oleka turned his head and stared. “Unknown… I am not getting a transmission from… anywhere.”

Dahgan steadied himself and nodded. “Proceed.”

Oleka nodded and turned back to his screen, hitting a few buttons and raising the power on the transmission. Within a moment, the screen blinked and Captain Dahgan came face to face with a Strevohnian male. Dahgan, awe struck momentarily as he had thought that this species had been obliterated; in shock, he attempted to greet the Captain.

“My name is Captain Dahgan of the Supernova Squadron’s Vanquisher. Who am I speaking with?”

The Strevohnian looked off screen and nodded, a few words in an unknown language spoken. A moment later, he addressed Dahgan in Qan'ul. “My apologies for a long space of response. We are updating systems to translate into Qan'ul understanding. I am Slibrash, Captain of the Magni-85. You have entered territory you are not permissioned to be in. Please leave now.”

Dahgan nodded. “I was not aware that the planet of Cavriem was under your control, Captain.”

“This is unauthorized space. Leave now.” Slibrash stared. It made Dahgan very uncomfortable.

“I am on a peace mission with Cavriem. My issue is not with you. Please don’t make it be. Allow me to do my job and then we will leave peacefully. I am here to talk to the people of the Cavirq nation.” Dahgan stood his ground. He was determined that he wasn’t leaving till a treaty was settled.

“LEAVE NOW.” Slibrash started to get a hint of annoyance in his voice.

Dahgan stared back just as hard, taking a step toward the screen menacingly. “I don’t think that you are understanding me, Captain. I have no intention of leaving until my job is complete within CAVRIEM AIR SPACE, NOT STREVONHIAN AIR SPACE. BACK DOWN!”

Slibrash growled. “Very well… suit yourself.”

The screen went black and Dahgan stopped cold. “Ensign Evyh, prepare us for battle. I have a bad feeling these bastards aren’t backing down.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Dahgan looked to Kiall and shook his head. “Be prepared to take the helm. I have to make it to that planet. If this starts going downhill, we need to make an evacuation plan… and fast.”

Kiall scoffed. “Shouldn’t we just back off and contact the Embassy for instructions? They can deal with these rogue Strevohnians and get us permission to be here, after all. We could go about this peacefully.”

“The Embassy has made it clear they aren’t willing to do this. This is MY SHIP, this is MY RULING. I refuse to let this go because then the Cavirq society will be endangered by the Strevohnian leaders as well as the Qan'ul! Do you not see that this peaceful mission will not be a peaceful one unless someone takes action! Besides, we have no time!”

Kiall stopped and took a second to think before he nodded. “You are right. By the time we get the permission we need, our fleet as well as Cavriem will be in danger of elimination. We need to at least warn the Embassy that the Strevohnian leaders are trying to take over the airspace in the Black Sector though. They will at least send backup to control them.”

“Do it, Kiall.” Kiall nodded and went to send the message as Dahgan turned and announced to the bridge. “Prepare for battle! Charge weapons and raises the shields. Send messages to the others in the fleet and get them prepared. How many Strevohnian ships are in the Sector?”

Oleka started scanning and running information. “Using the signals from the Captain’s vessel, Sir, I am counting at least 20 bouncing signals. I would say a fleet of at least 21, if not more. However, they are cloaking themselves well enough for them to be out of sight.”

Dahgan sighed. This wasn’t going to end well at all. They had came for peace and walked into a war. He stopped to ponder as the crew was preparing; if the Strevohnian leaders were taking over, could it be possible that the Cavriem people weren’t responsible for the ending of the treaty with the Red Sector after all? If he could somehow find proof and get it back to the Red Sector…

An alarm went off and a blast to the hull jarred them. It was starting. Dahgan started shouting orders, blasting lasers at Strevohnian ship. He watched on the screen as it hit their shields, causing a slight crackling across them. Ordering the lasers to keep going, hoping the Vanquisher could break the Strevohnian ships shields before their Captain figured out how to stop them. A few more shots, the crackling got stronger and more wide-spread. Another blast at the hull of the Vanquisher sent them back in space a bit, clicking against another ship in his fleet.

“FIRE ALL WEAPONS!” Dahgan screamed, hitting a few buttons on a control pad. “This is Captain Dahgan of the Vanquisher, Red Sector Fleet of the space station Vèniri HG2tG-42! We are under attack by a rebel force of Strevohnian ships! They have demanded we leave under penalty of war without having Black Sector permits to be in Cavriem airspace! Please be advised we are under attack and need assistance immediately! We are here under a peace mission with the Cavirq people! Once again, we are here on a PEACE MISSION and are under attack!”

Another hit to the ships shields sent the lights and the electrical system into a frenzy, making the bridge a flashing zone. He ran over to the system and yanked a panel back, revealing wiring. Taking a blade from his pocket, he took a breath and studied the wiring for a few seconds. He needed to act fast. Black, green, red, blue and yellow. He cut the blue and the red and wired them together. The ships systems all came back online, including the shields and the bridge started cheering.

“So glad that I spent my child hood hijacking ships for fun. Learning to take control of all the systems and convert them to back up power is coming in handy now.”

The crew laughed at him and went back to work, firing on the Strevohnian ship. Within minutes, the other ships in the sector came into view. His fleet moved to engage them. He watched in slow motion as the war between a total of 59 fleet ships, 25 Strevohnian and 34 Qan'ul started sending weapon fire out at each other. He watched as the Vanquisher sent out four missiles aimed at the Strevohnian flag ship. As they hit, one by one, the vessels defenses failed, and the ship exploded… rocking the entire Sector with a sonic boom. As it slammed into the Vanquisher, Dahgan hit the floor; his head hitting a panel on the way down.

He turned over on his back and laid there for what seemed like hours as time slowed. He turned his head to the side and watched at the fleet took out the intruder ships one at a time. Each one creating another sonic boom. As the last ship blew, the lights within the bridge of the Vanquisher failed and everything went black…

***

The sounds… fire crackling, metal smashing and crumpling… the screams, oh god the screams! Alarms blaring. Footsteps running. Air from space smooshing around them. Explosions and weapon fire. Panels slamming into the floor.

Captain! Captain Dahgan! Captain!!!

Dahgan groaned. His entire body felt as if it had been pulverized by missiles. Attempting to turn over to his stomach, he started coughing. He stopped and smelled the smoke and ash, letting his eyes adjust. The world around him sprang to life as he focused.

“What the hell happened? Where am I?”

No answer came as he lifted his head. The purple tinted trees and blue flowers around him made him feel as if he were in a dream. He started to sit up, staring at the sky that was a mix of black, grey and orange. He felt his heart drop as he realized that was what was left of the battle… a mix of smoke and burning ships. Pieces of the burning wreckage was falling to the land at random. He stood up, feeling like hell. Looking around him, he saw the bridge of the Vanquisher behind him. Or what was left of it. Then he spotted Kiall in the wreckage.

“Kiall!” He took off flying to him, hobbling with the now bum leg working hard to carry him. He fell to his knees at his side and wiped the blood from his face. “Kiall, oh god, please… wake up!”

Kiall groaned and opened his eyes. “Hey, Captain… I think we won.”

Dahgan chuckled and nodded. “Not that it matters now. How are you feeling? Are there any other survivors?”

“Much like a ship exploded with me inside… oh, wait… it did.” He smiled and chuckled. “I think we are the only two, Captain. I am hurting, but I think I will make it. Where are we?”

Dahgan smiled. “If my studies were for any purpose, it is this. We are on Cavriem. At least I know how to survive here, right?”

Kiall chuckled and coughed. “I consider myself to be in good hands then. Help me up to my feet, Captain.”

He helped him stand and steady himself before he laughed. “One thing. Don’t call me Captain here. Call me Dahgan.”

Kiall nodded. “Okay then. Where to, Dahgan?”

Dahgan looked for others, concluding that Kiall had been right. Out of the 467 people aboard the fleet’s ships… they were the only two who made it that they knew of. He sighed as he felt his heart hurt for all those who lost their lives before they moved on.

***

For two hours, they found themselves wandering along the planet’s forest areas. The forest was humble, murky, and budding. Its canopy was claimed by plairian, lavaeal, and hyndea trees, who allowed adequate light to pass down for a collection of shrubs to flourish in the soft, rich soils below. Thin creepers drooped from every tree, and a potpourri of flowers, which claimed quiet corners, spruced up the otherwise brown lower level. A mishmash of animal noises, most of which were foraging beasts in the deeper parts, brightened up the forest, and drowned out the occasional sounds of breaking twigs beneath the feet of larger animals. Dahgan had found them drinkable water and they had washed their wounds, binding them with a first aid kit they found in the wreckage. Suddenly, something caught his attention.

Dahgan stopped and ran over to the bank along the small waterway. “Oh my! Those are darlong purushas plants!”

Kiall stared at him and blinked, amused. “Excuse me? You found what?”

“One of the rarest plant species in the black sector! The darlong purushas are amazing!” Dahgan got down on his knees to examine the plant.

“We are seriously stopping to what… smell the flowers?” Kiall wasn’t impressed.

“The darlong purushas is a very uncommon, small-sized plant and can be found only in some forests on Cavriem. It blooms once a year, for 4 months. It has narrow, circular leaves, which are usually red and pink to warn off animals. It also grows small flowers, which can be pink, red, white and gold. The smell is a sweet nectar smell; it is used to lure grim beetles which will carry the pollen to and from the flowers while eating the juicy nectar it will produce all season long. These plants grow in small groups, but it's near impossible to control and maintain their growth. They can be dried and used in cooking. As a defense mechanism, the darlong purushas is poisonous for most creatures except the Cavirq. Once pollinated enough at the end of its cycle, the flowers shrivel and turn hard.; they grow fairly large, delicious nuts inside the shriveled flowers that anyone can eat. Unfortunately, most larger animals try at least once to eat the plant before the nuts start growing and wind up becoming very ill or dying. Which is why you hardly see any larger animals on the trails here. On the other hand, the smaller animals survive off these during late hotter months. Aren’t they amazing Kiall?”

Kiall glanced at him and laughed. “Yeah, it is a plant. Never knew you were such a nerd, Dahgan.”

“Book nerd to be precise. Might want to give it a shot every now and again.” Dahgan chuckled at his expressed look of disappointment. “Don’t look so glum, I am just trying to lighten the moment. Let’s keep moving.”

They scoured the hills around the lake to find a patch of Belaries Cones, a fruit similar to Earthen Coconut/grape mixture in flavor. Dahgan knew from his books they were safe to eat. He gathered enough for them a good filling meal and some to snack on till they found a Cavirq colony where they could ask for help.

As they moved, Dahgan was even more amazed at the planet than he was before. The plant life was so much more fruitful and vibrant than any he had ever encountered. The trees were taller, and there were some fruits, vegetation and flowers that were as big as his head. He breathed in the air. It was easier to breathe here because the air had more Carbon Dioxide in the chemical make-up. He made sure to feel of the plants leaves, the smooth fur on the base of the hyndea trees and the spikes on the Hybrid Sandzinias. When they cleared the tree line finally, they stared out over a small glassy lake of bright green with lush vegetation around it. It was surrounded by Cavirq beings.

“Um, these things aren’t going to eat us or anything, right?” Kiall laughed, nervously.

Dahgan shook his head. “No, they are peaceful beings. They should welcome us, especially since we are on a peace treaty mission with them.”

Kiall chuckled. “Leading me to the next question… how are we going to get the information back to the Embassy if they ACCEPT said peace treaty?”

Dahgan stopped cold. He hadn’t considered that as he had a ship before. Now… well, now he didn’t and parts of it scattered the surface of Cavriem. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “I don’t know. I am determined to do it though, one way or another. Maybe the Embassy received the message we were under attack and will send help.”

Kiall nodded. “Possibly. Let’s keep hoping for that for now. They are all staring at the current moment making me extremely uncomfortable. What do we do?”

Dahgan glanced around him and nodded. “You stay here while I attempt to talk to them. And hope they can understand me.”

Kiall glared at him. “HOPE they understand? I thought you were an expert on these things!”

Dahgan laughed. “I am. I just don’t speak their language.” Kiall’s jaw dropped, staying glued to that spot as ordered while he watched Dahgan walk forward, smiling.

He approached slowly, hands up in the air as a sign of non-hostility. The Cavirq colony all stared at Dahgan in wonder. A few of the women walked over and touched his fingers, one even running her hands through his short hair. He had to chuckle. He had never had several women interested in hm at the same time before. This was a first.

“Tremolo grpelodnih afaubieb?”

Dahgan shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

One of the females walked forward and cocked her head to the right, her piercing silver eyes scanning him. Without warning, she reached over and touched his chest. He felt a burning and blinked, grunting.

“What are you doing?” He stopped and shook his head. Did he just SPEAK their language??

She looked at him and backed off, the pain in his chest dying out. “Who are you?”

Kiall stared in amazement as the woman and Dahgan spoke. “I am Captain Trep Dahgan of the Vanquisher. I am from the space station Vèniri HG2tG-42. We originally came here for a peace treaty with Cavriem. We were attacked by Strevohnian war ships claiming to be in their airspace and our ship crashed into your planet.” Another woman walked over and grabbed Kiall on the chest. Within a moment, he was hearing the conversation and could speak with them. “That is Kiall, my first in command. We mean you no harm.”

“Welcome, Qan'ul soldiers. I am Damya. Come, we get you fed and cleaned and talk peace.”

She turned and Dahgan glanced to Kiall… who still looked in shock. He chuckled at his first in command. He knew that Kiall wasn’t used to things like this; this was his first experience being on a strange planet. He usually watched the ship while Dahgan went to the surface. Dahgan could tell he was intrigued by the attention and the powers this woman had over his vocal chords.

They followed them to a beautiful shelter. When they went inside, he was greeted with machines everywhere. Deciding that this must be their command center, he cleared his throat and started asking questions.

“Is this where your base is?”

Damya shook her head. “This is science.”

Dahgan chuckled. “This is your science lab. What are we doing here?”

She smiled and touched his head….

***

He woke up and stared at the celling. A million thoughts ran through his head, causing him to contract in pain. Screaming, four Cavirq males held him down. He started yelling, still in Cavirq language, about what was going on. After a moment, his mind calmed and he blinked. His eyes focusing, he looked up and saw Månen.

“Månen? Is that you?” She nodded and released his restraints. He stood up beside her and grabbed the table to steady himself. “What did they do to me and where is Kiall?”

She smiled and rubbed his face. “Kiall is fine. You have returned home to me.”

He froze, chills running down his spine. “What do you mean HOME?”

She smiled and unbuttoned his shirt, removing the half sphere from his neck. He looked at it and shook his head, remembering the dream, but he hadn’t seen the sphere any other time but that. She glanced at his eyes, sensing his confusion. “This is HOME. This ball reminded you it was time you returned. See?”

She took it and touched his head. For a moment, his head swam as if it were in murky water. When his vision cleared, he was looking out from the ball on his body. He watched as she opened a panel on his arm. What the hell?? He had never noticed that before and what was that anyway? What was going on here? He watched as she punched a button and then carried him over to a male Cavirq body in a stasis unit. Placing the orb to the body’s chest, he felt a pull and opened his eyes. His memories settling back into his mind, one at a time.

He had been with the Qan'ul fleet for 18 years. He had spread the message of his people to so many species and planets. He had taught so many of their daily lives, their environment, their way of peace and happiness. He had experienced the life and ways of so many others and brought back that information with him. There was so much he had done, so many people he had become friends with. He had fulfilled his duty and now…

He looked at her and smiled, kissing her deeply. “I remember. What will happen to Kiall?”

“He will be sent back with the message of peace to your Qan'ul Admiral. Alaife will be happy to know you made it safely home.” He stopped and smiled. The admiral was one of them, too. Now that all made sense. Dahgan was sent to do this on purpose, knowing he could settle things and that he was ready to return home. “And the video your Qan'ul machine body recorded of the battle along with it to prove it was a misunderstanding. The Red and Black Sectors will be at peace again. We will take over the colony as planned, Ethern, my love.”

Thinking back at the time he had spent within the machine with the Qan'ul, he was proud of his accomplishments… but was even happier to be home with his mate and people. Perhaps, the information he inserted into the minds of all the planets he had visited in his time would set the record that the Cavirq colonies were peaceful and bring more outsiders to their home. To experience the wonderous world of Cavriem for themselves.

Ethern and Månen went on to rule happily as mates. The new peace order, Månen’s Order, would reign for the next century, insuring the ways and safety of the Cavirq colonies would be intact until the next rulers were born…

Lianne Willowmoon/Elena Blake, USA Today Best Selling Author, is from Surgoinsville Tennessee. She was born and raised in Kingsport Tennessee where she graduated from Dobyns Bennett High School with a major in creative arts. Along with her writing, she enjoys anything outdoors, reading, crafting, jewelry making and horror movies. She is a stay at home mom of two; a daughter who she home schools and a son. She also runs two businesses outside of her writing: a handmade jewelry business (Gothic Nightmare Jewelry and Acc.) and a travelling escape room business (Nightmare Mansion Escapes). Her specialties include the genres of Horror, Paranormal, and Dark Fantasy.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LianneWillowmoon/

https://www.facebook.com/Elena-Blake-Horror-Author-109444314001135

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LWillowmoon

https://twitter.com/BlakeAuthor

Newsletter: https://liannewillowmoon.wixsite.com/mysite

https://liannewillowmoon.wixsite.com/creaturesofchaos