Chapter 1

Making my rounds,I peer down through the viewers above the females. TheChilten keep promising me results, but so far, none of the rumors have been proven valid. I am convinced they are missing something, but they assure me that's not the case. WhenI started this little endeavor, I was sure the answer to all my problems lay in the rooms below, but things never come easily to one's searching.

Theweight of what is happening to my people and the means I am willing to go to fix it weigh heavily on my shoulders. If my mother could only see how far we … I have fallen. I know she would be extremely disappointed in me, but I can't allow her or the others' deaths to be in vain. In her mind, these females and their lives were as precious as her own, and at one time I would have agreed.

However, the moment she came up missing, my entire world shifted. She was the rock that held me and my family together. WhenI found her … that image still makes bile come up in my throat. The things they did to her, the horror she must have experienced sends chills through my body. She was a proud female, but I know at some point she must have begged them for death. The shape I found her in will haunt me for the rest of my days.

Ishake the image away and am preparing to leave when my personal comm unit goes off, requesting a secure line. AsI am the only one who has permission to be in this particular section of the research facility, I go ahead and open the communication.

"CommanderZoD, this is GeneralKumax of the Korgon ship, Eradicator. I heard through several channels that you are acquiring rare females for your research center?"

"Depends on how rare and who gave you the information."

"I happened upon Qyinn on SybrusOne. He let it slip that he was in pursuit of DaR's son, SiN. He mentioned that SiN approached you with the sale of a human female and with the guarantee of delivery the credits were given without the product being received. Qyinn said the sale ended up being an ambush and several of his comrades were killed in the process. Since that purchase fell through, I was wondering if you are still interested in one of these human females?"

"Is she in decent health? I do not need anything sickly."

"According to the cryo unit, the female is still in the green. We had two originally, but we lost one to hibernation sickness. We have found out quickly that their bodies are fragile and don't hold up well to extended space travel. Are you willing to take this female off my hands, or should I take her to the PleasurePlanet? They are also requesting humans."

"I will take her, bring her to the side entrance. I will have one of the Chilten meet you there."

"Are you willing to purchase the female without seeing her first?"

"As long as she is alive, I have no thoughts, nor cares, about her appearance. Send me the credit request and I will transfer the funds."

"One last question, Commander. Would you prefer we start the awakening sequence?"

"Yes, I have no use for a non-functioning subject. If she dies before we retrieve her, the deal is off."

"Acknowledged."

Disconnecting, I reach over to the main Holo screen and type in the new instructions for the incoming female. AsI hit the last key, my comm goes off again. Frustrated with the constant interruptions, I mumble. "I am a popular male this rising."

"ZoD here."

"Commander, this is Qyinn. We ran into a few problems trying to obtain SiN. His father and several brothers showed up as we had him surrounded, but we didn't come away empty-handed. He had a human female with him, and we were able to acquire her while he was distracted. Unfortunately, she doesn't seem to be as healthy as the one he promised you originally. Do you want us to dispose of her, or bring her to the facility?"

"Transport her here. It's possible she will at least make it through some of the primary testing before expiring. I have a few females I want you to return to their homes, as they have proved to not be what I needed. TheChilten are in the process of wiping their memories, so they will be available shortly after you arrive."

Idon't wait for him to say anything else before I disconnect. This process bothers me more than it should. The sacrifice of a few to save my entire race and planet should not be questioned. However, there are times I can feel my mother's disapproval bearing down upon me.

Whenmy comm goes off again, I almost take it off and throw it against the wall. "What?"

"Good rising to you also, Father."

Islide down the wall weary all of a sudden. "Forgive me, Raya."

"I thought you would be pleased to know there were no attacks last rising, and the darkness was quiet. It seems the Waldrin have not figured out a way to get around or through the new barricades and we were able to get the harvest in without any casualties. Several have noticed your absence, though. How much longer will you be away?"

"The research is not going as quickly as I hoped. There will be two new arrivals this rising, but I don't know if I will stay to see the results. I too am weary of being away. You have done well in my absence, but I expected no less. You are my daughter, after all."

"I am not allowed to fail for that exact same reason, Father. I will be returning to the conservatory to oversee the replanting of several items that are getting low in the storage rooms, according to Elexa. She is already rationing some of the meats and things for the communal kitchens, so while things are quiet. I thought this would be the best time to proceed. Onyx is patrolling, I expect him to return anytime. Zllera is still slumbering, but I will make sure she has arrived for training before going below."

"It sounds like you are ruling with a firm hand. Before long, my younglings will no longer need me."

"Rubbish, you would simply haunt us from the beyond. I am only trying to ease your mind. We all know how important the research is that you are pursuing. For my own sanity, I wish for your hasty return. After all, these monsters you call my siblings are your problem, not mine."

Herteasing and protective ways make me smile. As my oldest, Raya has always been overly protective of the younger ones. WhatI wouldn't do to go back to simpler times when they were all small enough to crawl up in my lap again.

"Raya, one way or another, I will return in the next few risings. If things don't turn quickly. I am going to return the research vessels to their homes and terminate the experiments. If the Chilten don't have enough samples to work with yet, then they never will. I will contact you later this rising."

"Be safe, Father."

Theline goes quiet, and the silence seems overwhelming. Rarely, since gaining Commander status, do I leave Zodiqua. Our planet is harsh, but it's still home. WhenI won the commander trials. I was on top of the world. I was convinced that simply having that title alone would help fix our sector. My plans involved transforming the further reaches of our universe into a hub for travel and commerce. Instead, it's become a refuge for criminals and the unwanted in our universe. HowI have failed so many.

Abuzzer going off pulls me out of my dark thoughts.