CHAPTER TWENTY
COMMANDER CERIK HADE
It was one hell of a battle and invasion. I had never seen anything like it, and I was glad that it was over. We had come out victorious one more time over the opposition. But we all knew they were not done with us. As long as they continued to hate our ways and wanted to revert to breeding with only Draqua, they would continue to fight us. We would be ready for them just as we always had been. But I had cut off the head of the snake for now. Ephane was a massive threat to us because he used to be one of us and knew the ins and outs of the structures and systems we used. So having him gone was a major victory for us as far as the intelligence that the opposition had. I was grateful for that. I thought this as I stood on a platform outside the King’s palace as the King gave a speech regarding the victory.
“I give this honor to Commander Cerik Hade for his courage and quick thinking. He has twice saved us all from extinction!” the King said.
The crowd cheered, and I stepped over to him. He lay a large medallion on my neck. It was an honorary medal and was only given out every five years or so. It was a very rare honor, and a Draqua had to do something extraordinary to be given it.
“Thank you, King Hydros,” I said with a nod.
“I now name this commander… Captain Cerik Hade!” the King shouted.
I looked at him with shock. I was not expecting this promotion at this ceremony. I nodded in gratitude and saluted the King. Then I looked at the side of the platform where Maria stood. She smiled at me. I could see the pride she had for me in her eyes. It was all the honor that I needed. I only wanted to please her. After the ceremony, there was a grand celebration in the village. It had been a week since the invasion, and we had waited in order to make sure the threat was truly over. It was. So now we had the ceremony and celebrations. It felt good to be the honorable guest of the celebration. All were in gratitude to me, and it felt good to have my antics acknowledged as crazy as they were.
As I walked around with Hiwa in hand, I saw Maria sitting with Amelia and some of the other females. She was adapting well to Draqua life. She was helping with the food preparations to feed the young offspring. I liked seeing her happy, and she had a big smile on her face. It filled me with joy. I continued to walk around the celebrations. I saw Hekan standing with a drink in his hand. He raised his cup to me in cheers. I responded with the same, but I knew I owed him more. I walked over to him.
“Hekan,” I said.
“Commander… I mean, Captain. Apologies; I will have to get used to that,” he said.
“No apology needed. It is I that owe you the apologies,” I said swallowing my pride.
“Is that so?” he said arching a brow at me.
“I was an ass when it came to seeing you with Maria. I really thought there was something between you two and that set me off,” I said.
“I think I know better than to take the human of a commander, especially one as crazy as you,” he said playfully.
“Yes, you have a point there,” I said with a grin. “Maria told me why she confided in you about the thought that she might have the virus. I am glad that you were there for her. She needed someone, and you are a true friend for not taking advantage of her confiding in you.”
“I appreciate the acknowledgment,” he said.
“Thank you,” I said.
“And I hear she is with offspring, so congratulations. And it seems she truly was not infected with that damn virus.”
“Thank you. No, she was not, and I am extremely happy to know she is with child.”
“Yes, good news,” he said.
“And what about you, Hekan? Have you been matched to a human female yet?”
“No, but I am hoping there is some daring mission that will send me to Earth to get one at some point,” he laughed.
“No, you don’t. Trust me. Just wait for one to come here to Kelon.”
“Yes, but until then, I will fill my nights with random lustful encounters,” he said, eyeing a human female across the way. “Excuse me.”
“You are excused, warrior. Have fun, celebrate,” I said. Then I continued to walk around making the rounds. It was a good night. After all the eating and drinking, I again met up with my love Maria. We made our way back to my hut, our hut, and enjoyed each other’s company in the bed. It was the perfect ending to a perfect celebration.
A week later, I was called into a meeting in the healer’s hut. When I arrived Jrarka, Ravinn, and the King were there as well as several official Draqua.
“What is going on here? I was summoned?” I said.
“Yes, good, we are all here,” the King said. “Go on, Jrarka.”
“Yes, my King. I have summoned you here with good news. My team and I have thoroughly examined the virus. We know how it is made. What’s more, we know how to make a vaccine. We have already made a batch.”
“This is great news,” the King said. “Congratulations, Jrarka!”
Everyone clapped. Then the King looked at me. “Well, Captain. What is the best way to deal with this news?”
“I think we let it be known. We spread the word far and wide that we have the vaccine to the opposition virus. Let us send a message to all of our moon bases across the galaxy in a way that we know the messages will be intercepted by the opposition. Once they know that we have a vaccine, then they are less likely to try to use the virus again.”
“I like that idea. I will let you see that it is done, Captain,” the King said.
“Of course. I will get right on it.”
“All are dismissed,” the King said. I followed the King out onto the platform and quietly spoke to him.
“King Hydros, a word?”
“Yes?”
“Have you thought about my request?” I asked.
“Oh yes, your human is with child, and you want to move your marriage up to a sooner date.”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Since we the village owe you so much, I do not see any problem with granting that to you. How about in ten days?”
“Yes, that will do. Thank you, King,” I said with a nod.
“You are welcome. Now go see to your assignment,” he said.
I flew off the platform and went to the long-range communications building in the military barracks and got to work. When I was done, it was dinner time. I went to my hut; Maria was not there. I flew down to the village and found her helping in the kitchens. I stood by in silence watching her. She did not know that I was there. I watched her move with precision as she worked. Her long brown hair was in a braid. Her sheer dress showed her ample cleavage in the tied cloth across her chest. Her shapely hips and thighs were visible under the sheer cloth of the yellow dress. She was exquisite and glowing. Finally, she looked up, and our eyes met. A feeling of warmth flowed through me. She was the best damn human female on Kelon, and I deserved her. I was the best damn hero in this village and needed a real woman like her. She walked over to me.
“What are you smiling about?” she asked.
“I am smiling at you. You are so beautiful, and I am a lucky Draqua to have you,” I said grabbing her hand.
“Good answer,” she said. I laughed.
“Do you want to eat dinner here in the communal?” she asked.
“Yes, why not? We are already here. But I have come to tell you news,” I said.
“Yes? I am listening, my alien lover,” she said playfully.
“In ten days you won’t have to call me that anymore. You can call me husband,” I said.
“Do you mean…”
“Yes, I just spoke with the King. He has granted us to move the wedding to ten days,” I said.
“Aag!” she shouted and threw her arms around me. Everyone turned to look at her scream.
“We are getting married in ten days!” I shouted.
The villagers erupted in cheers. Everyone shouted congratulations. Maria and I laughed. The tone of celebration was once again filling the night. We sat down to a boisterous dinner of seafood and Hiwa. The male Draqua congratulated me and the females fussed over Maria. It was a good time. I knew that I was the luckiest Draqua. It was very unreal that it had all worked out the way it had. When I first went to Earth searching for a human female, I was mostly thinking of the entire mission. Never did I think that the female I found would be my life’s mission. I truly was lucky that I landed my ship in that desert on Earth and found her. She was swimming in a pool of water with hardly anything on. I remember it fondly. Now she was going to be my official wife, mate, and mother of my offspring. I could not ask for anything else. The fact that I was promoted to captain and fought well in battle was only a bonus to life with Maria Covallos.