Sins of an Empire

By Christian Clason and Andrew Gray

War of the Zealot Empire #2 - Telemechus has waited ten long years since he returned to the Zealot Empire. Now, he has a chance to return to a place where he feels alive, where he has true friends and a better destiny. It is now his destiny to rebuild friendships of old, which have faded over the years. He has one heart and not much to lose when he goes head over heels for a new love. But the Matriarchs, the goddesses of his people and the last females, are in danger and there are few options to save them. With the oppression of terran values among the Empire, there are fewer options for Tiberius, who finds himself not only questioning his previously neutral views about the world and about a particularly interesting girl. Even Medelthian views are pulled into question as the civil war arises another civil war within the Zealot Empire, tearing between the zealots with the fall of the Prophet; a cross between terran friends and foes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312096264

Book preview

Sins of an Empire

Sins of an Empire

Book 2 of War of the Zealot Empire

Characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictional and based on fictitious ideas.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

All rights reserved, including rights to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.

©2014 Andrew Gray & Christian Clason

ISBN: 978-1-312-09626-4

Chapter 1 ~ The Search Begins

The Medelthian Civil War spread across the land like an untamed fire. For ten years, more and more provinces slip into the chaos. Either siding with the Medelthian army or joining the growing support of Eric Doomhunter and Dragon Heart. It wore thin, then grew again, multiplying over the last few years of the decade.

For Telemechus, standing beside the others of the Zealot Empire, it felt like an eternity of lies. Everything about living here was mellow and anticlimactic. There were no real challenges. Nobody expressed emotions or made drama. There was nobody to love, and nobody to love oneself. Everything was about the suppression of these real life things, but he remembered them as the only things that made him feel alive.

He still remembered his old friends, the love he left behind, and the two men he sent to live with elves. Corvus and Tullius were two brave and loyal soldiers. They fought to the near end, when all fell into place. They almost died, but he sent them with the retreating armies of Lasirrasen Isle to be healed. He had not seen them since; there was no way he could get there.

Telemechus had refused replacements for Corvus and Tullius, time and time again recruits would be sent his way, only to be rejected. His squad remained at eighteen strong. He was a Superior General now, and leading his armies against the Medelthian Army with an insatiable vengeance. He would never forget that day that the Medelthian Army let innocents burn.

He was good at hiding his motives from the Prophet, and the Matriarchs. The Prophet questioned why he did not attack the rebels that were also fighting the main zealot armies, and Telemechus always explained that it was because they did not attack him. The rebels tended to leave the yellow and green armored zealots in peace, but ripped Vesuvius’ Honor Guard apart whenever they encountered them. It made Vesuvius livid, every single time.

Vesuvius brought the issue up to the Prophet, time and again, but the Prophet only saw Telemechus’ good record in battle. With only himself and eighteen men, there was no stopping him. Yet, Vesuvius and Tiberius both required many more soldiers with the best equipment available. Telemechus rarely even asked for upgrades, but took them when they were offered by the Prophet.

Telemechus and his eighteen were out on patrol, scouting ahead of the main army. Telemechus heard rumors of a force of ten thousand Medelthians were somewhere nearby, and he wanted to scout it out for himself. If it was true, then it was something to report back, unless it was the rebels, who would be thankful to him for not reporting them to the Prophet.

The term ‘Medelthian’ was used in earnest by the Empire now, to distinguish between the army and the rebels, despite them all being Terrans. Now it was the Medelthian Army, and the Rebellion. While Telemechus was for the rabble, he could not let the Prophet, Vesuvius or Tiberius know this. He would be stamped a traitor.

Suddenly, a loud beeping went off on his suit, alerting him of a distress beacon.

::What the?:: he cycled through the encrypted distress signal, and his eyes widened. It was his own, but he did not activate his distress beacon, and it was two miles east. It took him a moment, but only a moment to realize why he was picking up his own distress signal. Eleji! He turned to his squad mates. ::We’re taking a detour, we head east. Let’s get moving, full sprint.:: He ran east, and the squad followed without hesitation or question.

He was quick on his feet. He ran through this forest before, probably a million times. But none of those times were quite as desperate as this. This time, he was looking for a small woman with a particularly messy mop of hair and a fluffy tail.

He came to a halt when he saw that they were on top of the distress signal. There was nobody here though, but somebody was here before.

He snatched the beacon up off the ground, out of a tangle of moss, and inspected it. He half expected it to be an ambush, the other zealots had already gone prone and made themselves smaller targets. He looked around, scanning the surrounding areas. His visor did not pick up anything, aside from footprints of small children heading further east. Judging by the build up of moss, the device had been sitting here for quite some time. The children must have began playing with it.

Cyrus, one of the squad members, spoke up, ::General?::

Telemechus looked to him, ::Yes Cyrus?::

Cyrus paused a moment, and then spoke up, ::Are we going on another off record assignment?::

Telemechus looked at him, then down at the device that he gave to Eleji, ten years ago. There was never a moment he did not think about that night of dancing. It was a memory that brought peace of mind to him.

Eleji trotted over to the other zealots, looking for Telemechus, Hey...which one of you is Telemechus.

Telemechus came up behind her, and tapped her shoulder, he smiled down at her, his helmet tucked under one arm. Behind you Eleji, his smile was warm and inviting. The fire that the elves were dancing around could be seen in his reflective eyes.

What kind of dances do zealots do at your home planet? What kind of music do you guys usually listen to? When do you guys have parties? Do you just like hold a party on a planet? Or do you just have them in spaceships? Do you have a mothership or something? I’ve never seen a zealot ship, other than the dropships. Where do you guys live? In all those little ships? Or do you actually have a mother ship? Ooh, do you ever have individual parties where you only have your friends around, or do you have to invite everybody since you’re all on the same spaceship? Do you have tea at your parties? Or do you have punch and cookies? I like punch and cookies! Don’t you like punch and cookies? I like them for dinner. Tabika doesn’t know when I sneak them in for dinner. She hides them all the time because she thinks she’s sneaky so I won’t ruin my appetite. But I get to them anyways! Ever had somebody do that to you? she asked, eagerly.

He shook his head with a smile and a chuckle, mesmerized by her childishness, Again with the twenty questions... He took her hand and squeezed it. Care to dance with me?

Her ears twitched as she looked at the dance floor. They laid back against her head as she shrunk back a little, I...I don’t dance.

He smiled and squeezed her hand, Neither do I, but tonight is not a night for formalities, tonight is the last night of celebration, last words, and fond memories. So let us dance, what do you say my friend?

She looked from the dance floor to him, I know how to dance. I...they’re too big...I’ll get crushed.

He looked to them and nodded, We can dance off to the side, too.

Her ears twitched, I’m not sure.

He smiled and took her away from the circle and just out of sight of the people, but they could still hear the music. He smiled down at her, she came right underneath his chin, if he held her right close to him. How’s that? he asked.

Her ears laid back as she looked up at him. Her big eyes shined in the light and her heart raced.

Is that better? he asked, but he made no intimate moves towards her, aside from holding her hand.

Eleji looked a little afraid. She was not used to anything like this. Normally people simply patted her on the head and told her to stay out of the way. They told her to be a good girl and stay out of trouble. Nobody wanted her to dance with them, maybe for them to be silly, but not with them.

He could sense her fear, it was a zealot trait, he could hear her heart racing from his acute hearing. He smiled warmly at her, You are my best friend, and I want to share these last few hours with you, and only you. His heart started to race a little too, he hoped this would not be the last time he saw her.

She followed his feet, but her heart still raced with some fear and confusion. She was unused to dancing with somebody, so it felt even more strange when he pulled her close. She had hardly hugged him before, so it felt strange to actually be this close, touching chest to chest.

He nestled her head underneath his chin, and moved with her, swaying back and forth to the beat of the music. He did not follow the steps the elves were doing. Instead he followed his own steps and rhythm. His own slow and steady pace. It turned into a moment of just the two of them, and no others to bother them. She fit perfectly under his chin, and against him.

All the while, all she could think of was how afraid she was. How she might be in the way. How she might be doing wrong. She expected somebody to tug gently at her ear and tell her, Nuh uh. Come play over here, Eleji. That’s a good girl!

Eleji...relax...I will never treat you as a pet. You are my best friend, and I will treat you with the respect you deserve. I’ve looked out for you this far, and I will look after you for the next few hours, until I set sail for war. Let us enjoy one another’s company, for as long as the night remains, and the sun stays asleep. Telemechus said with a soft and gentle voice. It was hard to believe that he was a creature of such violent potential. He held her with such a delicate touch. As if she were the rarest of all flowers in the world.  He swayed back and forth with her gently, to the thrum of the drums, and the chants of the people.

The music began to slow down and lovers took to each other’s arms. Some cried as they buried their faces into shoulders. Chants rose softly over the music, not too loudly. It was an abrupt change from the the excited chanting and rigorous dancing.

The zealots at the tables didn’t know what to make of the crying, but they knew the anxiety before a battle. They looked to each other with raised mugs and nodded, clinking them together. Death for them was inevitable, they all knew that. They were a band of brothers, they were what these people would call family. They were more than just a squad, and they would fight to survive, and fight to make sure they all survived.

Telemechus hummed to the quiet music, completely on tune, as he danced with Eleji pulled close to him. His eyes were closed, and he wondered what she was thinking, was she worried about him? Was she trying not to step on his toes? He wondered everything in between those two things.

Eleji was quiet as she laid her cheek against his chest. She wondered what he meant, what she meant to him, and what he thought of her. She knew he had a boundless amount of love for Tabika, he made it clear in his constant worry for her. And yet, it seemed like there was something he was trying to tell her here. This was too intimate a moment for friends.

Telemechus realized something, he did not know what he would do if he rescued Tabika. He did not feel the fire in his heart anymore for her. He naturally wanted her back, but the feeling was mute. He realized right here, right now, the feeling of closeness he had towards Eleji was closer than he ever felt to Tabika. His desires for Tabika were lustful, but with Eleji, that was present to an extent. Yet, it was far deeper than that, he made a friend with Eleji, but the bond had grown past that for him. However, he noted her level of maturity, she would reject him if he claimed he had stronger feelings for her. Or would she? he thought to himself. He could not risk another flop, he did not want two people telling him he knew nothing, but as he thought things through in his head, he realized just how much he had learned in his time with terrans. He learned what real love was. He learned what hurt was and how much deeper emotions cut than the knife. He felt empathy, compassion, kindness, and integrity. He reflected these aspects on the outside. He learned how to read people, and know when they were sad, happy, scared, and conflicted. Not only could he read people, but he could feel what they felt, as if they transferred it to him.

Eleji turned her head up, looking up into his eyes. It was strange that his reptilian eyes, a gaze that people were made to be afraid of with propaganda, seemed so much more pleasing and kind than any sa’me’s eyes ever did to her. It made her heart race even more, but she did not understand it. She interpreted this sudden rush as fear, a different kind of fear.

Telemechus looked down at her, gazing passionately into her eyes with his forest green reptilian eyes. They looked like gems, catching every hint of night light. He stroked her cheek gently and sighed, his passionate gaze took one of concern. Eleji? Tomorrow, I don’t want you on one of those boats. I want you to stay here, where it’s safe. I couldn’t stand to see you hurt, and where I am going it will be dangerous, and horrific. He sighed as he pushed the hair out of her eyes to see her face better. You’re better off here, where I can come back to you, and I can know you’re in a safe place. He put his hand back down to her tiny waist. Her lips parted a moment, then closed. I promise to come back to you, someway, somehow, he said with determination in his eyes.

Her lips opened again, but not a sound came out. She was a bit speechless. She was not sure how to respond to this. Even if she wanted this to go a little farther, or if he did, she was not sure she could let it.  She knew there were feelings from Tabika, even if she never said anything about it.

She finally cleared her throat so her voice could pull through, I’m not a fighter. I won’t be going. I have a place to stay while I am here. Her ears perked up at him.

Telemechus knew that if he took it any further, he would lose the moment, as he did with Tabika. He would not push further, but he breathed a sigh of relief, he was still holding her close, and he realized he had stopped dancing with her. He was standing with her, his arms wrapped around her. He sighed with relief that she was not going with them to war. I will miss you, and our runs, he spoke softly to her.

You’re coming back though...aren’t you? she laid her ears back down.

He started to tremble as he held her, the first time he ever did before a battle. I... he felt a lump in his throat, For the first time in my life, I don’t know.

One ear rose and she tilted her head curiously. She blinked at him thoughtfully. You said you were coming back, she said, softly.

He nodded, his tail curling with anxiety, I...yes...I will return, in some way, or manner, you will see me again.

Her tail twitched, sensing his anxiety, But... She was not sure what to argue though. She was not sure what was going to happen the next day. For all she knew, she would never see Tabika again. If she stayed here, she might, because her family was here. But what if the family moved back to Medelthia? Then she would be stuck here alone.

He did not know what to do to put her at ease, until he reached into his pocket, and retrieved a distress communicator, and gave it to her. This is my distress beacon...if you press that, I will find you. He also realized that if she pressed that, and he was in the room with any zealot that wasn’t in his squad, he would be branded a traitor, but he left that detail out.

Okay... she tucked it into the pocket of her pants and patted it.

He nodded with a smile, I will see you again, remember that.

Her tail twitched and swung around her. It brushed against his leg, a gentle brush of fluff. Okay, she nodded.

He hugged her this time, We’ll be reunited, I’ll make sure.

Cyrus spoke again, ::General?::

Telemechus shook himself out of his memories and looked back up. ::I have a promise to fulfil, whether she pressed it or not.::

Tyrus shook his head, ::Never a dull moment in this squad.::

Quintius chuckled, ::We’re going to be judged again...old habits die hard. Lead the way General.::

Telemechus nodded and marched the squad in the direction the children’s footprints went. It led along half a mile away from where the distress signal was left. They eventually had to come to a halt when the trail ended. The footsteps vanished as if they were lifted right off their feet or they climbed up into the trees.

The trail went cold at the edge of the forest. Telemechus figured whatever made the tracks took to the trees. Medelthian forests were dangerous and untamed places. Yet, he had a promise to keep. He did not even know if the direction he was heading in was the right one. It probably was not. Yet he pressed forward, into the forest, the squad keeping close together.

There was a rumbling growl that came from above. The zealots crouched and raised their rifles up. They knew how to traverse forests, and they did not need an army to do it. They were the only squad in the empire where all squad members had earned names. They knew how to survive. But, they were not ready for the massive army of sa’me, vicious rogues, sitting in the trees above them.

None of them is the little sa’me girl I’m looking for, Telemechus thought, as he scanned to see which would attack first. There were times like this, where they did not hope to have a chance. Telemechus knew sa’me all too well. They were faster, more agile, flexible, and dexterous. The squad would not have a legitimate chance. They were not that far from the tree line, ::We head back to the tree line, let’s go!:: Telemechus ordered, and all of them booked it for the edge of the forest, back the way they came.

The creatures darted after them, leaping from branch to branch. They moved with the stealth of wild cats. They even roared like giant feline beasts. Every once in awhile, one dropped down to snatch at them with long untamed claws, but missed as the zealots ran as fast as they could. It was always an advantage that the sa’me were no taller than zealots.

The tree line came ever closer as they ran. They dodged branches, hopped over logs, and avoided claws as they sprinted. There must have been hundreds behind them. They were vicious little things, and Telemechus knew full well of their power. One does not go on runs with a sa’me and not remember their speed and agility. Nor did one forget how beautiful and sweet they could be, with docile manners and a cute smile. Eleji... he thought to himself and stopped on his heels, and turned around, socking a sa’me square across the jaw. The other zealots turned around and began firing stun shots at the sa’me.

The sudden change of prey vs. predator dynamic threw off the sa’me, no matter how many there were. They were confused and yet their territorial instincts kept them there. They paced the trees, hopping back and forth as they moved constantly, but they kept a distance now. They were no longer predators chasing out some unwanted creatures, they were fighters fending off predators.

::Let’s move, keep your eyes on the trees and behind us.:: Telemechus commanded. The squad nodded and followed him quickly. They could hear the rustling leaves as the sa’me followed, but they kept a distance now, wary of the zealots’ weapons.

Telemechus looked at the distress beacon again. It was old and worn from sitting out in the weather for countless weeks. Even the screen had faded over time. But if the beacon was here and with no one to hold it, where was Eleji? And better yet, why was she back on the mainland?

Chapter 2 ~ Call to Arms

They came out of the forest and came face to face with a scouting group. They were not a group from the army, this crew was dressed in attire that did not fit uniform standards, but held a sort of uniformity that showed who they were. They were assassins, best at scouting, and even better at killing. The pale skin of lean arms that drew the bows gave away that they were indeed elves, which was rare, even now.

Most of the elves were back in their own cultures. The rebellion lived on through a series of smaller groups of elves who led thousands upon thousands of oppressed humans, pashers and dwarves who thought it was high time they took matters into their own hands.

It was five long minutes before anybody said anything, and the elves would not speak first. They did not even strike. They just kept their bows at the ready. They seemed to be waiting for something.

Telemechus stood at the front of the squad and walked right up to them, keeping his rifle lowered. ::I’m looking for a docile sa’me...she would be about early twenties, thick blond hair, soft tan skin, a frail looking creature, not like the feral ones in the forest. Goes by the name Eleji. Seen anyone like that?::

The elves were silent, but they lowered their bows. Their heads turned as a figure came strolling from an edge of the forest. Telemechus turned around to see what they were looking at. He could not tell who it was from this distance. When the figure stepped into the light, he was surprised to see Dragon Heart.

Was wondering when I’d see your face around this neck of the woods, she said, with a wry chuckle.

Telemechus chuckled and leaned on his rifle. ::It’s only been a decade. I’ve been rather busy pushing the Medelthian Armies all over the island. I stumbled across a distress beacon that was my own. The one I gave to Eleji before I left for the failed rescue attempt for Tabika. I found the beacon, but no Eleji. A promise is a promise, I told her I would find her if she pressed the beacon. How has the war been treating you Dragon Heart? How is Eric?::

Eric is fine, she shook herself, But that isn’t why I’ve been looking forward to our conversation. The elves motioned, some sort of silent hand language they used to avoid spies from knowing their secrets. And this isn’t the place to discuss it, she added, nodding to the assassins.

Telemechus nodded. ::Where then shall we go to have this, conversation?::

She cleared her throat, I believe you know of the way I am thinking. You and I know this alone. If you have access to a safe place: sleep.

Telemechus looked around, he didn’t know of any settlements for miles, ::I don’t know where a safe place to sleep would be.::

This certainly isn’t, she said, I have to be going. The Rebellion’s troops will not be rising in the east, if you catch my drift. And I have a family to tend to.

::Wait,:: he said as he gestured for her to stop, ::Let us come with you.::

You have friends among the elves, she said, motioning to the assassins. Of anybody in Medelthia, these were the most dangerous people, and thus the most important people to befriend for any zealot. But, not all of the Rebellion see and know zealots as friends or possible allies. Even Corvus and Tullius are not seen by the Rebel Army, she explained, It would not be safe for any of you.

Telemechus smiled under his helmet, and sighed with relief, ::Tullius and Corvus are alive? Good, I have always wondered about them. I may need their help in finding Eleji.::

Eleji... she tapped a finger to her chin, thoughtfully, That name is familiar.

A blond haired sa’me, soft tan skin, dainty and delicate looking, yet beautiful. Sound familiar? She was a good friend of Tabika’s, he explained.

The docile sa’me that Tabika rescued? I remember her, Dragon Heart said, nodding. She shook her head, I don’t recall what happened to her. She vanished at some point...years ago.

He sighed sadly, ::Well, that doesn’t help me...any idea at all where I should start looking?::

The more time we spend here talking, we risk discovery, she said, looking around warily. She motioned to the assassins and they nodded. They scattered, headed in different directions to scout the surrounding area. But if I were to start looking for her, I’d start asking Corvus, she said.

Where is Corvus, still on the elven island? he asked her.

She nodded, As far as I know. He is there with his children.

::Children?! He has children? How? Zealots can’t...well...there’s never been any record of it not being possible.:: He pondered this deeply for a minute. ::So he would be hard pressed to leave I’d take it. Hmm...it never occurred to me to contact him.::

Our conversation must end now, she said, looking around suspiciously, Find yourself a safe place for slumber. And I’ll see you tonight. She turned and hurried off at a clip trot.

Telemechus nodded, ::I will.:: He headed off in a different direction, with the trail cold he would have to contact Corvus. He only hoped Corvus would remember him. He had to prepare himself, Corvus may have changed his mentality. He may have gone soft and grown weak in his time as a civilian. He hoped that Corvus would respond when called, even though he supposedly had a family.

Corvus did indeed have a family, and a wonderful house of his own. He had three little daughters, zealot hybrids between an elf and a zealot. His mate for life was an elven woman named Ardaline. Her hair was a silky blond, her skin a beautiful white, and her figure was slim and fit. She was one of the regular soldiers in the army of the elves. She was bullheaded like Corvus, and blunt, and at times very cold and calculating. Yet, Corvus had gotten beneath her facade of a tough woman, and found the tender loving woman that she truly was.

The two of them were upstairs, tangled in the bed sheets. She wanted another child, and Corvus was all too happy to oblige. The room was filled with moans and swoons as Corvus made love to her. By how drenched in sweat the sheets were, and how tangled Ardaline’s hair was, they had been at it for hours.

She kissed his neck sensually as she gyrated against his hips. Her soft body rubbed against him, from her legs to her supple breasts. Her soft voice moaning in his ear was the best part. The sound was erotic on its own.

He purred and chirped with delight, almost like an ancient raptor from ages long past. He scooted down and licked her breasts, they were swollen large and heavy with milk from previous pregnancies. Corvus never let them settle for the past ten years. He went back up to her lips and kissed her deeply, all while he thrusted into her.

She grunted and moaned with every thrust, taken with him and his powerful body. Her skin trembled as his hand caressed her. His other hand was holding her back into an arch, giving him leverage to plunge at the depth he knew would send her over the edge.

He purred and trilled, as he pleasured her, slamming into her hard and fast. His hands caressed her soft warm body and his tongue licked her neck. His tail was wrapped around her middle, keeping her in place and giving him far more thrusting leverage and power than a normal humanoid was capable of.

Tullius was in his own home, in his lab. He had fashioned his own computer system from what was left of the crashed dropship, and other scout crafts that had wandered too close to the magical barrier of the small island. He worked night and day on methods, and genetic testing.

He was trying to figure out how he could get zealots to use and wield magic. He spent a great deal of time switching between his computer, and the lab, testing energies and researching how magic and the human body interacted. It was one of those late nights again. His mate for life was upstairs sleeping, while he worked. He only needed to sleep for an hour or two a day. His mate’s name was Khali, a brown haired etherian woman. She was a tiny thing, only 5’1" very lithe and petite, yet sharp in the mind and wit. She often helped him on his project, but she needed eight hours of sleep, unlike him. They had one daughter, and Khali said it was enough. Giving birth to a baby with claws once was all she would ever do.

Eventually, his little girl came puttering down the stairs, rubbing her little eyes, as she searched through weary eyes for a glass of water or milk. She always came down around this time, wanting something to drink. Daddy, whacha doin’? the girl yawned.

He tore his eyes away from his work and turned around in his chair, he pulled his seven year old daughter into his lap. I’m working on making our kind able to use magic, using your genetics. You thirsty for something Theresa? Theresa was a hybrid, not just half and half, but a new species entirely. She had the reptilian body of a zealot, but the head and longer pointed ears of an etherian, and humanoid feet. She was a stunning and beautiful creature, even at age seven. Her hair was a wavy brown, and her skin was a slight tinge of yellow and softly scaled. Her eyes were a reptilian yellow. Shall I get you something to drink? he smiled.

Yes please, daddy, she said, swinging her legs wildly.

He chuckled and kissed her head. All right, up we get. He slid out of his chair, and held her in his arms, as he headed into the kitchen. He set her down and pulled out a glass from the cabinet, heading over to the faucet and pouring her a glass. He turned the faucet off and handed the glass to her. There you go dear. Theresa only slept for a few hours at a time, getting roughly about five to six hours of sleep a night. But she happily took her glass with her as she trotted back to bed.

He watched her go back up the stairs, when he heard the door to her room close he headed back into the lab to type away at his computer. He tacked at the keys, running formulas through the system again and again.

Corvus had a firm grip on Ardaline, and slammed her insides deeply, just like she loved. He could feel her tremble and quiver, she was as close to a peak as he was. He grunted and groaned as he picked up a heavier pace.

Oh Ardaline! Yes! he grunted, slamming her insides.

She swooned and screamed with delight, her back arched, ready to climax. Her swoons and moans were mixed with Yes, Oh Yeah and his name. The noises grew louder and more intense, and right when it was all about to come to a head, a beep caught Corvus off guard.

What the? the communicator beeped on the nightstand, causing Corvus to pause before he peaked. It whirred and vibrated with a recognizable pattern and tone. No way... He pulled out of Ardaline and grabbed the communicator. General Telemechus?! Are you alive?

::Corvus! I am very much alive, and I need your help,:: Telemechus’ voice replied over the communicator.

Corvus sat on the edge of the bed, I’m kind of busy, Tel-err, General...

Corvus! Ardaline moaned with irritation. He recognized the irritation as get back here before I break something!

Shh! Corvus said as he covered the communicator, Sweetie, just a minute. She growled with irritation but remained quiet a little longer.

::Who is that with you?:: Telemechus asked with concern and confusion.

Corvus grew nervous, It’s no one, I’m not doing anyone...I mean...can you call back later?

He heard her growl so loudly that she sounded like she was right behind him. She spun off the bed to the other side and grabbed her plasma blaster. She cocked and aimed the thing so fast, he did not have time to think about saving his own scales before she blew three shots through his communicator, effectively burning his fingers.

Corvus jumped, SHIT! Ardaline! He looked up at her and smirked, You sexy thing! He pounced on her and got back to work. He had to work his way back in, as she was infuriated. Her cheeks were bright pink, which he thought was adorable on her. But, in this state of mind, she would no longer just swoon and moan, she would wrestle and the more activity would give him a boost. Yet, he still had to work his way back into her, something he learned a long time ago was the rules about breaking coitus and trying to rejoin a mate in bed.

He smirked and knew he had the strength to overpower her, but he wrestled with her in bed. His cock fully throbbing and erect, brushing against her as they tossed and turned in bed. He would force her into submission eventually, but he knew how to get her begging for him to penetrate her.

Tullius tacked and typed fast, hammering the keys and checking the figures. His tail twitched back and forth anxiously, flicking with his thought process. He was close, very close. He discovered that zealot clones could not harbor potential for magic. But hybrids could. Zealots that mated with other species, did not create half breeds, they created a new hybrid species altogether.

The communicator beeped, at once Tullius picked it up without taking his eyes off the screen. Welcome back to the land of the living General, how can I be of service?

::Perfect! Corvus seems occupied...:: Telemechus stated.

Yeah, he’s been occupied for the past...decade really, he replied with a slight smirk, What did you need?

::Eleji, it’s time to find her, do you know where she is?:: he asked, with a bit of worry in his voice.

Eleji? Hmm...oh, well I believe she left right around the time Corvus explained to her that he thought he and myself were the only squad members left alive. She left shortly after I believe. I don’t know what happened to her.

::So another dead end? All I got from that was that she’s not on the island anymore,:: he sounded disappointed, and worried.

I’m afraid so General, he sighed, I wish I could be of more help, but I don’t know where she could have gone.

::Well, you gave me one clue, now I just have to search an entire continent with eighteen soldiers,:: he sounded irritated.

Do you...need us to help? Corvus and myself? Tullius was very hesitant to ask. He had a loving mate, and a child, Corvus had a mate who he couldn’t keep out of, and three children. He knew if he went, Corvus would be inclined to go, and there was no telling how long the two of them would be gone for. There was no telling what Corvus’ hard headed mate would do either.

There was a long pause before Telemechus responded, he knew the two of them were integrated. He had to be honest. ::If you say yes, you may not come back, not for a long time.::

Tullius leaned on the back of his chair, arms crossed, and he sighed. I am supposed to do as commanded, but know that I have a family to provide for. Corvus has a family and a mate he is extremely attached to, and she to him. I have a mate I would die to protect, and I know how strong your friendship was with Eleji.

There was a long pause, for about five minutes the two said nothing to each other. Tullius was forever calculating forever tactical, but he knew that Eleji was important to his commander. He pushed the button on the communicator to talk. I’ll get my things packed, let me say my goodbyes to Khali, and my daughter.

::Thank you Tullius,:: Telemechus said with utter gratitude in his voice, ::Come when you are able. Take your time.::

The communicator went silent, Tullius sighed and shook his head, Back into the fires of war I go... He rubbed his chest absentmindedly, as if there was still a six inch hole right in the center of it. He slid off his chair and went upstairs, he went past Theresa’s door and headed into the master bedroom to his sleeping mate, she was in a pink slip, and sleeping peacefully on her front. He sat on the edge of the bed and ran a hand through her wavy hair to rouse her awake. She was a gentle spirit, but was called to action when she needed to be. She would understand, he figured Corvus would have far worse luck. Khali? He said with a whisper, Khali, wake up dear.

She stirred easily, blinking her sleepy eyes as she turned her head to look at him. She smiled sleepily, What is it?

He sighed and turned her over so she was on her back, he brushed the hair out of her beautiful face. My general, Telemechus, he’s very much alive and requires my help. I need to go to him, and I don’t know how long I will be gone for.

She blinked at him and sat up, You’re leaving? She was still so sleepy, she needed a few minutes to comprehend what he was asking her.

He nodded with sad eyes, Yes...I have to...

She sighed and leaned onto his chest, embracing him tightly, I don’t want you to.

Instinctively, his tail pulled her close to him, I don’t want to leave either...but my General, he’s looking for a long lost love of his. He deserves happiness too.

She nuzzled him, At least cuddle me a while before you go. Please?

He nodded and tilted her head up to kiss her soft red lips, I’ll do more than that, if you’re up for it.

She took his hand and slipped it under her slip so he was groping her soft breast. A subtle but loud way of saying yes, he slipped into her embrace as she started taking his clothes off. It took little time, after all the practice she had.

She was not even wearing anything under the lacy shift, not even underwear, it was a simple slip and over the head, then she was bare for the taking. He caressed her soft body with his powerful hands. She was not the most busty woman in the village, but her cup size was perfect for Tullius. He could grip her gently or firmly, and they fit right into his hands. He gave them a firm squeeze as he licked her neck. He wanted to hear her shudder and gasp. When she did, he wanted to tremble with lust as it built up in his cock. But he resisted, instead he licked her neck all the way down to her torso, with his long tongue. Then looked up at her with a wry smirk.

You know what I’m about to do... he said, softly.

She shuddered, already whimpering as she thought of it. She bit her lip, ready to be utterly pleased.

He kissed down to her navel, then scooted down, kissing her crotch and then licking her outer lips. He pleasured her all night, in all sorts of ways. He expressed both tender love, and passionate love. He would give her a night to remember…

Chapter 3 ~ Tortured Mind

A voice sang in the mind. A voice so sick and so perverted, it brought to mind the thousands who died and the hundreds who suffered rape and torture. It felt like a rape of the mind. It was mind bendingly nightmarish, and erotic. It played on the mind’s fears and sickening fantasies, and their own atrocities. The atrocities of this mind were equal to the entity that was attacking it. Both minds dealt in death,