ensure the creature does not begin propagating among the human population.
A Queen of Queens
Borak
Eyeing my lovesick scion, I attempt to redirect his attention to the task at hand. “Our mission to root out the Vithacan parasites and their Moltan handlers on Earth is nearing completion. We must ready ourselves to move on to our next assignment. I’m tasking you with ensuring our effects are secured and ready to move within the next three cycles.”
Korak rubs the long deep scar running down the side of his neck thoughtfully before shaking off his melancholy mood. “Our enemies might be ferocious fighters, but they’ve proven to be no match for our warriors.”
I mumble wearily, “We were born and bred for fighting, to be sure.” Shoving aside my electronic tablet, I turn to face my eldest. He’s tall, proud and wears the scarred face of a warrior. Because I am his sire, his dark green scales are larger and more prominent than most of our kind. His horns stand tall and proud, even as his tail twitches around his ankles. Oversized fangs dent each side of his mouth. Unlike the new-bloods, our kind couldn’t hide our fangs if we tried.
His wings draw up and a hint of annoyance tinges his expression when he sees me looking him over. He thinks I look for flaws, but I do not. Instead, pride rises in my chest that our old-blood genetic markers figure so prominently in his appearance and personality. He is strong and worthy of a human mate.
Sliding the laser pistol he was cleaning into its holster on his hip, he comes to his feet. His chin tilts up slightly as he picks back up with our conversation. “We’ll root them out of this entire sector within a couple of solars and return home with queens of our own in tow.”
A feral grin spreads over my face. “I live for the fight, so you’ll hear no complaints fall from my lips about moving the fight against the Moltan to other worlds. The more fighting there is the better, in my opinion.”
His eyes catch mine, and his voice turns stubborn. “And don’t forget the queens, for that is my favorite part of protecting Earth.”
“You’ll have to do more than hover around and stare at the one you desire if you wish to lure her to your side.”
I think that my words are merely stating the obvious, but I suppose my gruff response makes him frown. Turning on my heel, I pull open one of the huge chests we’ve filled with every luxury imaginable, for we have prepared well to lure queens to our clade. Clawing through the contents, I feel Korak move to my side. “You think I should gift her even though we’ve barely spoken to one another?”
“Yes. However, I do not believe the queen you wish to lure will be impressed with pretty baubles. She is a warrior born of a long line of military commanders.”
Finally, my hand lands on what I’m seeking, and I draw out an ornate but sturdy dagger. Holding it out with two hands, I allow him to look it over.
His eyes light up. He’s a warrior after all, and I hold a weapon in my hands. Korak sucks in a deep breath and his voice seems a bit awestruck when he speaks. “It’s a small weapon, meant for the delicate hands of a queen.”
“That it is. I would not part with it unless I knew it was going to a female who will understand its worth. The younger Queen Watson will look kindly upon you for presenting her with a gift that demonstrates respect for her fighting skills.”
He reaches out and gingerly takes the weapon from my hands. Sliding it out of the sheath, he looks over the razor sharp blade. “It is a magnificent weapon and one fit to lure the heart of a warrior queen.”
The moment he slides it back into the sheath, I slap him on the shoulder. “Take it and be gone. Devise fine words to accompany the gift, perhaps a statement of your undying interest in her joining our clade as your mate.”
His eyes jump to mine, and I see him swallow thickly. “I will make the most of this moment, my sire. You have my thanks for your support.”
“Every male wishes to see his young fitted with a worthy queen when he comes of age. Queen Watson will be an outstanding addition to our clade. Now go and seek her out before some other