Epilogue
**
I disconnect from the Earth/1 Web and blink my eyes. I’m damn tired, but I think I’ve gotten all the kinks out of the snarl that greeted me this morning. The Space Force logistics group was prepared for a one-universe war, not a multi-universe one. It was FUBAR, all right. Now, I hope, as I get up off the leather couch and stretch, it’s less so.
Accepting the juice that my aide’s offering me, I gulp it down thirstily. The orange juice must be fresh-squeezed, with all the little pulp bits in it; nothing but the best for Archonal staffers. I used to feel sort of guilty about it, but now that my butt’s been worked about completely off, I don’t mind these perks in the least. The last three days, around the clock, have been horrendous, both physically in terms of work, and mentally, in terms of all that’s happened.
"How are you feeling, Sera Erin?" Yannan’s haggard face, usually so perky and bright-eyed, shocks me. I wonder if I look that bad, I think to myself, as I force a smile. I reach over and stroke a finger down his cheek.
"Fine. Fine and dandy. How ‘bout you?"
He laughs quietly. "Fine, of course."
Taking me by the elbow, he steers me out of the command and control center and down a corridor in the Archonal Palace. This place has hundreds of corridors, rooms, and windows… "Is it true, Sera?"
"Is what true, darlin’?" I look him steadily in the eyes.
Yannan takes a deep breath. "That…those things…" He sighs. "I read some of the reports, only because it’s my job to assist you. But some of them…"
"We’re up against the wall, Yannan. These bugs are bad-assed motherfu—um, they’re really bad. And yes, the Overlords have had losses. Bad ones. That’s not secret." I smile at his confusion over my choice of words. He’s not used to American cussing. I guess I should have picked Glitch or something to use instead.
"But…but…how can it be? I mean, the Overlords are…I thought they were…you know, invincible. No better predator for the Universe…and now…" His voice shakes.
I bite back the sarcastic comments I was about to make, realizing that he’s been born and bred, literally, believing that the Draka would always be on top, always be around to protect him. His world’s turned upside down, I think. Be gentle with the boy. "Yannan, it’s complicated. Yes, the Overlords are very powerful. But this is a new threat, and we’re still learning how to deal with it. They’ll overcome it in the end, I’m sure."
"Really?" His eyes plead for some assurance.
I impulsively reach out and hug him close. "Yes, darlin’…yes." I hope. I surely hope so, I think, as he wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. I can feel him shivering, and inside, I’m shaking, too. Never thought it would come to this, where I’d be on the same side completely as the people who enslaved my planet…and me… Better a slave than a snack, though. Be practical.
He turns his head and begins nibbling on my earlobe. "Sera Erin…"
For a change, the idea of bedding a man doesn’t make me yawn. "Come on. I know a place we can be together and not be a public frisky spectacle, you horny little devil…" I take him by the hand and lead him down the hallway, grinning. Get our minds off the current bad news, and relax tense muscles, I think. Plus, he’s a friend, and fun in bed. He returns my grin as we enter an oak-paneled library.
**
"Gods above…you’ve been learning a thing or two from Muhmis, haven’t you?" He sighs, and stretches out full-length along the couch. I smirk and stand up.
"Oh, a little bit here and there. You didn’t seem to mind!"
Yannan smiles. "You’re usually not so…assertive. Not that I minded, at all."
I toss him a box of tissues. "Be civilized, and let’s clean up a bit. All the Overlords, anyway, will know what we’ve been up to, but I’m sure they’ve been doing a fair share of it themselves." Finishing my own little cleaning operation, I jump back into my briefs and pants; I’ve got my bra on when the door opens.
Seeing Alexis and Gwen enter, both Yannan and I drop to our knees, bowing low. With the added tensions of the war, it’s not wise to forget protocol. I saw a serf get both her arms broken by an annoyed Centurion the other day, simply because she bumped into him. They’ve become more aware of their personal space, and I think the boundaries have expanded. I know their nerves are on edge, too.
I can’t help but blush, though, when I hear Alexis chuckle. "Look what we have here…a naked pretty buck and a partially-clothed wench. Whatever could they have been doing, Gwen?"
"That’s obvious, from their scents. Mmmm…fine scents they are, too. Wish I had the time…" Gwen reaches down and strokes fingers through my hair. "Have to make the time, soon. Up, serfs."
We obey, rising to stand close together, hands clasped in front of us, eyes carefully cast down. "Your will, Muhmis?"
"Yannan, run along, there’s a good buck. Erin, finish getting dressed, so you won’t get a terminal blush going, and join us at the table." Gwen and Alexis walk towards the large table on the other side of the room, and Yannan scrambles to gather his clothes together as I shrug into my tunic. I pause and catch him before he scampers out of the room, planting a solid kiss on his lips. "Thanks, friend."
It’s his turn to blush. "Thanks, too…friend of mine." He closes the door softly behind him and I hurry over to the table where the two Draka sit, talking quietly.
"Uhmas the Archon, Muhmis…" I hesitate, not sure if I should sit near them, or on the floor by Gwen’s legs, or where… Gwen makes a small gesture, and I sit opposite her, with Alexis sitting on my left at the head of the ironwood table. My God, I’m sitting at the top of the table, next to two Archons?? What in the world is going on?
Alexis looks me over slowly. "Got the blood redirected to your brain, now, little human?"
"Yes, Uhmas the Archon." I meet his gaze, half-shocked at my impudence but not backing down, either. I’m too tired.
He raises an eyebrow, but refrains from correcting me. Something odd is going on here, I think to myself. I glance over to Gwen; she’s watching me, with a slightly amused look on her face. Her leaf-green eyes meet mine, and I seem to lose myself in them for a long moment. Shaking myself a little, I look away, over the rows of books lining the walls.
"We wanted to talk with you, Erin. I have to do something I’ve rarely done in my life." Gwen stands, and my stomach lurches uneasily. She’s not selling or giving me to…oh, no, anything but that; he scares the living Jesus out of me. My hands begin to shake, and I fold them together in my lap. Gwen walks around her seated grandson, and stands in front of me.
"Look here, wench." Her voice is cool, remote. I raise my eyes to her, silently pleading for some sort of reassurance. I don’t get any. Her eyes seem luminous, capturing me with their gaze, their power. Even Alexis doesn’t command this sort of presence, this unconscious assumption of command, of dominance, of control, I think.
"M-m-muhmis…"
"I was wrong, Erin. I apologize. I made a mistake, you and Schalk DeLange tried to warn me, but I was foolish. I was…sentimental. A mistake."
My jaw drops open.
Gwen cups my chin, closing my mouth, and strokes a finger across my lips. "You’ve proven yourself loyal to the Race, and loyal to me. I appreciate that. Rolf was apparently playing some sort of little political game of his own, hoping to set Alexis and I against each other. We are against each other politically, a lot of the time. But he forgot one thing."
I swallow, willing my heart to slow down and try to beat only 300 times a minute instead of what feels like one thousand times a minute. Muhmis’ voice lowers into a growl, the threat behind the sound quite clear.
"He forgot one thing." She looks away, eyes narrowing, and is quiet for a moment, except for the growl that’s rumbling from deep inside her chest. Her hand tightens on my chin, and I wince. "Hmm… sorry, didn’t mean to squeeze…" Gwen smiles down at me.
"What’d he forget, Muhmis?"
"Blood’s thicker than water." She tilts my chin up, kissing me deeply. "As far apart as my grandson and I are politically, we’re still family. And we don’t appreciate anyone trying to play games with us like Rolf was trying to do…"
Alexis smiles, and I shiver. "Yes. But now Rolf is no longer a bother to either of us. And I wanted to thank you, Erin, as I thanked Schalk, for helping us figure out what was going on. You saved us from a lot of… trouble. As if we need any more right now."
Gwen lets go of my chin, and I rub it; she forgot her strength there for a moment, and I wonder if I’ll have a bruise. The import of what these two Draka are telling me stuns me mentally, though. I mean, a personal apology from one Archon, and a thank-you from another, all in the space of five minutes… Gathering my thoughts with an almost physical effort, I murmur, "I live to serve, Uhmas, Muhmis…"
Returning to her seat across the table from me, Gwen smiles again. "You do more than just serve, Erin, and you know that. You’ve earned your place, a very unique one indeed, among humans serving the Race."
"Indeed," nods Alexis. "And we have more work for you, Erin. Delegate your remaining tasks, and meet us on the bridge of the DEFS Merlin in thirty minutes, with any belongings you may want to bring with you. You’re going to war, at your Muhmis’ side. An honor never before granted to a human, I might add, since the Final War."
My face must show my confusion. "But…"
"Other humans will follow their owners into battle now, but you’re the first ordered there, by my decree. Serve well, as well as you have in the past, and you’ll leave a legacy for other humans to emulate. You’ll be entered onto the roll of the ship as an aide, not just as a serf. You’re a Janissary now, my girl. Serve your Muhmis well." He stands, and so does Gwen. I follow, more slowly.
A Janissary? Me? "Your will, Uhmas the Archon. I’m…honored."
He chuckles. "More like stunned, but that’s all right. You’re not born and bred to enjoy warfare, are you?" Alexis leans closer to me. "Take care of my grandmother, wench. Or you’ll answer to me." His eyes glint with amusement at his grandmother’s immediate reaction:
Gwen laughs. "Alexis, I don’t need anyone to ‘take care’ of me. Tantie-ma Marya did that, over 500 years ago. I think I can take care of myself, and then some. Come, Erin, let’s get the packing done and on-board." She walks around the table, briefly hugging her grandson, and then takes me by the hand. "Time to go to war, my wench. Time indeed, to bring vengeance upon those who would try to take my universe from me."
We walk from the room, Alexis following, still smiling at his joke. I feel detached, like I’ve stepped to one side of a stream in flood, and I’m watching everything go by me in a hurry. I focus on the warmth of Muhmis’ hand…the hand of my lover, the woman who just apologized to me, and told me without telling me that she’s broken-hearted now…the hand of the person who says she owns me, the tiny voice in my head whispers. I shake my head irritably, and squeeze the long-fingered, tanned hand in mine. Gwen gently returns the pressure, and we move down the hallway, into the unknown territory of the heart and universe.