Chapter 11
~ Carolyn ~
Wandering through the slipshod mining operation, Carolyn nodded her approval. Igor walked at her side, like always. “The drones have done well.”
“I agree. They have located gemstone, Sylaniam crystals, to power our generators and seven minerals that will assist in the restoration of our vessel.”
“We’re only twelve days into our twenty-day window. I’m pleased that they chose a continent far from where the Krylon had their mining operation. We’re unlikely to be discovered here.”
“If you’re in the mood for a devious suggestion, I have one to make.”
“You never have to ask permission to speak your mind to me.” Sliding her hand down to cover the warm, luminescent bulge near his left hip, she murmured, “You’re carrying my young. That affords you privileges others might not enjoy.”
Moving closer, his hands landed on her waist. Leaning down, he smoothed his face against her cheek. It was a sweet, affectionate moment that ended all too quickly.
“Remember the moon we mentioned before?”
“The one our people sometimes use to make repairs?”
“We chose it because the high concentration of cromite makes us difficult to detect when we descend into one of the larger craters.”
“That’s the kind of cleverness I’ve come to expect from our people.”
“I think we should leave at the end of our twenty-day window, deposit our cargo along with a small contingent of drones, and make another run after the Krylon ship passes.”
“I agree. We need resources to trade once we’re accepted into the Galactic Council.”
“If we’re accepted, you mean, my beautiful queen.”
They walked out to the hanging rock looking out on the vastness of a barely touched pristine wilderness. The endless bounty of trees, wildlife, and rivers were covered with a soft orange light for as far as the eye could see. It was a breathtaking sight, and evidence of what could be theirs for the taking.
“I won’t accept no for an answer. I plan to rally the three princes to our cause with flattery and promises of alliance. I’ll take our most humanoid drones and a few of our young. We’ll play on their sympathies, forcing them to see us as people.”
“For the first time in my life, I have hope of a better life for our people. You’re the reason for such optimism. You’re everything we could have wished for in a queen.” Standing behind her, he wrapped his hands around her stomach. His massive wings fluttered briefly in the wind, then came down around them, sheltering them from the cool breeze. It was a protective gesture that always provoked an emotional response from her.
Choking back her emotions, she spoke, “I have many plans, and the will to force them to fruition. You once told me that I’d come into my own, if only I set my mind to it. Don’t for a moment pretend I’m the one saving you. We both know you’re the one who saved me when I was drifting aimlessly with no clear purpose or goal. You’re my inspiration, and my reason for being.”
“You’re holding something back from me, my queen.”
“The very moment we’re recognized by the Galactic Council, I plan to throw a beacon into orbit around their world. The Krylons must not value it very highly, or they would have claimed it.”
“This world is a paradise. To think of our people settling such a place fills me with hope that our young may yet lead normal lives.”
“My plans are just for our ears right now. I’ll not risk any of our drones slipping up when they speak to the council members. The older council members will be very experienced at getting information, and God knows our drones are innocent in such things.”
“That you trust me above all others is humbling, my queen.”
“On my world, it’s said that every queen needs a king.”
“You belong to the many, not to the one.”
“What if we settled this world of wealth and privilege? Do you not think human women would jump at the chance to come here?”
“I think our males would be confused.”
“You were confused, until I chose you. So, it will be with them.”
“You have more plans?”
“I’ll ask the males to divide themselves into family units of three to five warriors each. When this world is settled, I’ll go to Earth and secure a female for each unit.”
His sound of absolute amazement drove home how strange the concept was to him, as a drone. “I think our drones cannot even imagine such a luxury. To have their own home with a shared female will please them greatly.”
“Then you’ll be my king?”
“You have my heart. I’d touch no other but you.”
Turning in his arms, she touched the bulge housing their young. “How many?”
“I have told you a hundred times. We’ll have three hatchlings.”
“All of them will be strong and masculine like their father, yes?”
“They will look just like me when they are fully grown. This I have told you as well.”
“I know. I just enjoy hearing you say it. I can hardly wait to see the eggs, much less wait three whole months for them to hatch.”
“You’ll have your hatchlings soon enough, my queen.”
“Good, because I’ll want more, after you release them.”
Making his sound of amazement again, he whispered, “You can keep a male busy, my sweet queen.”
“I’m just kidding. You’ll have time enough to rest between each spawning.”
“As if I could keep my hands off you. My breed was designed for continuous spawning. It keeps us in peak operating condition.”
“Now isn’t that convenient?”
Talon’s voice broke into their conversation, “If the two of you are finished mating in public, I have an update on the gemstone mining that you might find interesting.”
Carolyn gasped. “How long have you been standing there?”
The drone preened a bit. “Long enough to know most of your secrets, my queen. In fact, I’ll choose my family unit right now, before all the good males are taken. And I wish my female to have fiery red hair like the queen of the Sylon home world.”
“Keep your trap shut and I’ll try to manage it.”
“Done. Would you like to hear my report?”
Nodding, she waited for him to speak.
“Since I’m not currently spawning royal hatchlings, I suppose I must wait to be given permission to speak.”
Snorting a laugh, she shook her head. “You remind me so much of my sister, it isn’t even funny. I guess you know my whole sordid plan. Give me your report before I take you over my knee, and give you the thrashing you so richly deserve.”
“We’ve found a vein of the highly prized magnolite. It appears to be a sizable amount. I suggest we concentrate our efforts on harvesting that find, as it’s exponentially more valuable than anything else we’ve scanned.”
Flipping his wings again, Igor spoke, “That is sound advice, my queen.”
“I concur. Talon, I have something else to discuss with you.”
“Yes, my queen.”
“Our drones have no concept of a personal monetary system.”
“This is true, we have no need for such as every drone is provided the same allotment of clothing and supplies by the… oh, I see where you’re going with this conversation.”
“Human brides will expect their homes to look different and credits so they can shop to individualize their homes and purchase clothing that suits their taste. Encourage the males to gather up the odd extra gemstone they run across and create a personal stock. Reserve one hour each day for the drones to collect gemstone for their personal needs. The magnolite will be reserved to purchase things for our first settlement such as building supplies, security systems, and equipment for breaking ground on our new home world.”
“Shall I sketch out a new social order for our drones?”
“That would be exceedingly helpful. We can’t keep a lid on this for long, can we?”
“We must, at least until the Galactic Council recognizes us. Even if we’re not accepted into the council, recognition grants us the right to live peacefully in this sector and trade with other worlds using their standardized credit system.”
“See it done, Talon.”
“Yes, my ambitious queen.”
Laughing, she shot him an indulgent smile. “Stop taking liberties with my title.”
“All the drones do it behind your back. Most call you the warrior queen, because you fought to be our queen. Others refer to you as the victorious queen, for much the same reason. Some of my other favorites are beauteous queen, gentle queen, and bewitching queen of seduction.” Cutting his eyes towards Igor, he smirked.
“You call me this?”
Igor shrugged. “You’re by bewitchingly beautiful queen of seduction. Calling you anything else would hardly do you justice.”
“You’ve been a naughty boy, Igor.”
His antenna twisted around in her direction. “Boy is the human word for young male?”
Pressing her lips together to keep from laughing, she waited for him to lose it.
Instead, he leaned over and rubbed his face against her cheek. “Perhaps I’ll rip those thin shreds of fabric from your pale human body, and lick you until you pull on my antenna and beg me to stop.”
“That’s not much of a punishment. I love it when you do that. You’re getting pretty good with the pleasure wand as well.” Running a hand up one antenna, she smiled at his serious expression.
“Right here, right now, in front of everyone.” He was clearly not amused.
Swallowing hard, she did an abrupt about face. Dropping her hand to his chest, she purred sweetly in his ear, “I apologize, my king. You’re strong and masculine, and I wish you to do all your licking in private.”
Talon made an exasperated noise. “It’s like I’m not even standing here.” Stomping off in a huff, they heard him screeching orders to the other drones.
“He’s a little tightly wound, that one.”
“Stop talking about other males when all I want to do is put my mouth on you.”
Staring into his dark eyes, she realized that’s all she wanted as well.