The dawn arose on Kè Lavi. It symbolized new beginnings. After three months Alpha Micha Bailey found her self the master of a company with the power to span a galaxy. It might appear small, but it came with the weight of an empire and the will of an unstoppable force, otherwise know as the emperor.

  Micha had not been lax in those three months. Supplies had had to be garnered, training programs initiated, weapons and armour acquired, legally, and warriors found that suited the alpha’s needs. Many were passed over for other choices that did not always make sense to those who had watched the rise of the new pack.

  Medical supplies were acquired to start the hospital on its way, then a deal to purchase the ingredients necessary to build their own stock was put in place. Micha refused to be without medical care if ever a stand off was to present itself. Fields capable of growing what they were able to use were built and fiercely protected. This was something that the whole planet depended on.

  Other supplies were purchased in bulk based on need. Runningwind saw to it that the pack was able to run under any circumstance and Micha trusted him to do so. Holten built from scratch a communication network that had no need to rely on the one currently in place; it too was jealously guarded, even from the emperor. Max worked in tandem with Holten and established an information highway that was wholly protected as it was unknown; at least for the time being.

  Training was a volatile situation that had taken time and was still being ironed out. It was, however, proving fruitful. Games of soccer were constant; warriors and nonwarriors alike taught the skills, both for pleasure and training. The knowledge imparted proved invaluable for those learning to manage larger scale fields of battle. Teams learned to work as a unit and adapt to sudden changes of command. To up the challenge, commands came through team leaders, who received them from their commanders. It made the games a fascination of physical prowess and adept minds.

  Dance was added. Finding teachers skilled enough to teach stubborn warriors had not been as difficult as originally thought. While protests had pointed out fruitlessly the useless nature of dance, Micha’s team had spent six weeks learning and then challenged any who thought they knew better to come at them. Eight warriors decimated any teams that took them on. Dance was learned and Micha’s warriors were better for it.

  Micha had also discovered alternative forms of battle that were less commonly known because they were difficult to learn. Interest peaked she sought out these camps and brokered deals to forge elite warriors capable beyond what even Rennick was able. Three groups agreed. One similar to ninja who stayed to no one race and was only whispered in the darkest places and known only as Kohkyuto.

  The second was a group that once dreamed with the Bodhidharma. A teacher form far off plane that taught them the art of the staff and told them of the immortal the teachings embody. They had been told that such knowledge was to be use in protection of others and the self and that in as much as was possible in a dimension so readily at war, lives were to be preserved when at all possible. A philosophy the Bodhi took will all seriousness. The understanding that Micha felt the same resonated and they agreed to teach field medics the art for the preservation of life.

  The third also had connection to a world Micha once knew. Their secrets they were not willing to share so readily, but the art of Krav Maga was familiar to her. Anyone wanting to learn were made welcome; especially healers who were focused on just that. Rennick wholly approved and even stepped up to improve his own skills; so did Holten, Desohta and Ipino.

  Many new races descended upon Kè Lavi in the hopes of proving themselves. Some such races were notable in their very refusal to bow to most existing powers and had come from great distances and far away galaxies. Spurred on by dreams with an alpha that she did not remember, they came to uphold the sanctity of life and freedom. Most notable were a lion people.

  They were born of the lioness goddess Bastet. She made them a battle ready people; willing to learn to use what ever steered them to victory; they proved a hardy race. The father of their people had also been a god of protection, the weather, knives, and lotus flowers. As such the lotus was a symbol on all their gear, and none of an age were ever found without a bladed at hand. A fact they made clear by offering one made from a star to Micha on arrival.

  Never had she been so grateful for so large a planet or the fact that there were planets close to hand should more be needed.

  Ni’yell handed over a report, which she refused to read. Instead she arched a brow.

  “Another three ships are in orbit with a gift for you from a galaxy too far out of reach to even know how they heard of you. They call themselves Dàolù Shǒuhùzhě

  Three trained prides of Qilin and instructors to teach us to use and train them for a sum of two thousand handlers and their servants and families and two thousand legendary beasts.”

  “And?” she requested.

  “They are war beasts with empathic abilities. They hope the offering will stem your fury should they misstep.”

  Micha grunted. “I make no promises, but they are free to land their leaders. we will discuss terms, but not today. Gather the team leaders and commanders and let the CARVER commander know that we will meet to discuss the first mission briefs and decide who will go where. We will need to strike hard and fast. Fortunately, we have what we need to achieve victory. Lets get to work.”

  Without another word, Ny’yell was gone. Micha stared at the missions board. Their first day and already there were ten missions from the emperor alone. Sieges that had waited too long as it was. That he had given the task to her and not the others was some high praise indeed. Just one of the mission was going to require a large number of soldiers; many of which were untested.

  Behind her leaders poured in one by one. Some new with new ways of fighting, others more established. It was going to be a long day of planning but she intended to have the hottest fires set upon before the new day began. It was a tall order, but that goal was not going to change.

  Turing she faced the people around the table as Ni’yell joined her. She considered the tasks against the skill in the room and started.

  “Underdogs Inc. is in business. Just started their days and already we have ten mission that need attention. With wave of her hand the first mission popped up on the interactive map that Max and Holten had created.

  “Kai Vor is under threat but they do not know from what. Something is killing everything it touches. An assessment is needed to decide the fate of that world vs the rest of the galaxy. I’d like to save as many as possible this needs to happen fast. I need scouts out in the next hour. Soldiers no more than four hours later. Assume a mass extinction. That means we need healers off and on planet.”

  “What do we know?” a sage query was uttered.

  “Whatever it is turns the soil acidic. Nothing so far has reversed that effect. Already the planet has begun evac of all non warriors and most scientists. From touch to poison happens in less the twenty-four hours. There are no signs of anything that moves once the soils liquifies,” Ni’yell supplied.

  “There is a parasite that does that, but it is not indigenous to this galaxy and transport is…”

  Macha agreed, but was not dismissing it. It was not the first time such tactics were used. “If,” she started. “That is the cause, and right now its as good as any, someone put it there. I want to know who was there in the last…” she double checked the report. “Last two years. Get whatever information is available to the scientists on Kai Vor. Scouts are to search for any vessel hanging around. Do not interfere. I want them investigated. Same with anyone offering aid. We cannot assume the attack came from something the Kai did specifically.”

  “If it is a parasite, there is little that can be done but evac the planet,” the old sage spoke again.”

  Micha sighed. What was it that earth used to turn acid into alkaline…? Lime, and backing soda, but the was not going to be enough. They were going to need some major solution of calcium gluconate gel. “I wonder if we can get our hands on one million tons lime, two million tons of backing soda and three million gallons of calcium gluconate gel to start?”

  No one spoke.

  “When planting Lime is used to balance acid soil. So is baking soda and for more extreme acidic spills the melt flesh, calcium gluconate gel is often used. I admit we will need a great deal and after it will take a great deal of work but we might yet save the planet…maybe. Let’s investigate it.”

  “Since we know the parasite best, we will take this mission,” the sage sighed. “Our scouts will be on the way in the hour.”

  “Speak with Rennick, Desohta and Ipino for soldiers, field medics and supplies.

  The sage bowed and left.

  The next two mission were less complex but just as essential. One was a band of pirates that were raiding any vessel they were able to catch and taking anything of value; not included was the life those ships carried. A halt needed to be directed with great force. The second was an assassination. A noble thought to hide evil deeds from the emperor, but failed. His cruelty was inexcusable and required a message that no one was going to fail to understand.

  Both were simple. Excise the dead branches and salvage the plant before any further rot set in.

  Nox 4785-A was a complete cluster grenade before they even got started. If this mission was a living being it was a victim tied to a bomb that was about to take out a city that had been packed with more bombs. She hated it on sight. Arguments ensued on how to deal with a whole nebula of space eels that essential ate through almost everything it encountered. As of late those eels were expanding the nebula.

  While everyone argued, Micha accessed the database of creatures that might enjoy a healthy meal and discovered that there was a culture of people known as Sedna’s Children. Their ships lived in harmony with pods of space whales that fed off the eel like creatures and there was just such a pod in the vicinity.

  “The Sedna’s Children,” Micha spoke softly into the chaotic arguments. “We do not need to exterminate the eels, just contain them better. Space whales enjoy feeding on them. Set up a science team and see if the nearest pod will allow the team to remain long enough to determine how frequently the whale pods need to be there,” she shrugged. “Then we arrange for all the pods to know the location and times to amass and for how long. We arrange to have a few pods nearby in case of an outbreak and let them police the irritation for us.”

  “I’ll get right on it,” a bull of a man named Dirk replied and left the room.

  “Try to remember we are not looking at mass destruction as our first option, but our absolute last.” Micha eyed her leaders.

  Ni’yell held out a file that immediately appeared upon the same screen. “Contact with Chancellor Reigius home planet has been lost. The chancellor Reigius has requested we determine the fate of Ughniyat Al-Tanhadat.”

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  “What do we have for ships in the area?” Micha scanned a document to her right.

  “None. Recommend sending Alpha One with a team that can infiltrated if required,” a woman with long tail like tendrils that coiled in an intricate braid stated.

  Micha considered Mitah to be highly capable. That was not the issue. The issue is the duration of the investigation. She tapped the page. “Mitah will be in charge of piloting. Max will also go…” she continued to gnaw on the mission. There was something more that was needed. “There will also be an infil team and two scientists.”

  Ni’yell made notes and waited.

  “Next on the docket is an investigation of a galaxy that is within our borders. The Alpha Psion has been a slow developing galaxy,” Micha brought it up on the display. “Something has changed. There is a new galaxy that appears to be on collision course. It is imperative that we find out what the fallout risks are, if it possible redirect the moving galaxy. The imperial court is concerned about the creation of unstable space and at worst a black hole.

  “Who do we have that we can send with a science vessel?”

  Micha kept her finger on the pulse of each mission. She was not going, but the itch to ‘get it done’ was strong. After some disagreement about who to send, she sighed. “Rennick has two teams that are ready for their first mission, does he not?”

  “He does,” Ni’yell acknowledged.

  “This is mainly a science led investigation. Our people are going as a safety gap?

  The woman with the unusual braided appendage spoke out. “He is not the only one with teams that are ready,” the bite in her tone caught Micha’s attention.

  “Your point?”

  “Shut it Sean,” the man next to her growled.

  “No, what’s the point of training people if they do not get to prove themselves?” Sean snapped.

  “You’re not wrong,” Micha stated. “At least not completely. Rennick’s not the one that trains the new teams. He assesses them, determines whether more training is required. The next time you want to scream nepotism make sure your facts are right. Oh,” she snapped her fingers. “I forgot. This is Sean’s war pack. Please, come stand here and lead.”

  Sean’ head appendage spun through a variety of colours and settled on a blush.

  Micha stepped away from the head of the table. With one finger she pointed at the place she vacated. No one moved. Then Sean squared her shoulders and stepped forward. She took over the brief and organized two teams to join the science vessel.

  “And where do they stay?” Micha queried.

  “The science team…” Sean started

  “Is small. It will not hold two teams.” Micha pointed to the document in front of Sean.

  “Then we send one of our own ships.”

  Micha nodded. “Food? Supplies? Armor?”

  “That is…” Sean searched the documents for the answers she sought.

  “Runningwind and Ipino,” Ni’yell stated.

  Sean spun and snarled at Ni’yell. “I know that.”

  Before she knew what hit her, Sean was face down, an arm pinned under her the other pinned to her back by the weight of the Shawling. The more she struggled the tighter the hold he had.

  Tharn Tir Sean

  Around her the meeting continued. Once she quite struggling, she found herself outside the meeting room. The shawling turned and entered, shutting the door quietly. The meaning was hard to miss, but she had no intention of just being excluded. Stepping towards the door, she reached for the handle.

  “I wouldn’t,” a deep voice rumbled.

  “That’s why you’re our here and not in there,” Sean snapped.

  “I see,” Mikael murmured. “Going in there after very clearly being told not to is not a good idea. Micha tolerates a lot, but even she has her limits. Whatever you did will not be fixed by challenging her again.”

  “Who the fuck…”

  Mikael struggled to stand from the chair he was in. “I am Mikael, prince of the empire,” with a bow he nearly toppled to the ground, but was caught by a young boy at his side. The boy gave a flurry of hand signals to which the prince finally relented and sat back down. The boy fussed over the prince for a short time than began pushing the chair towards the door. When Sean did not move the boy growled.

  He intended to enter the meeting, but she was banned? What kind of joke was this? In the blink of an eye, Sean was shifted out of the way and the boy was back behind the chair. She was quicker and stood in the doorway. The prince looked bored. Placing two fingers to his lips he gave a sharp whistle and was immediately responded to by imperial soldiers.

  What no one saw was the Shawling standing in the shadows. When she started to protest his access to the meeting, Ni’yell had had enough.

  “Not only do you disrespect Alpha,” the Shawling growled. “But now you threaten her guests and family?” the disdain in his voice was obvious. “I’ve already made you submit once today.”

  “Disrespect? Me?” Sean was furious. “That woman thinks she owns this place. Everything to her favorites,” she sneered.

  “Even if the were all true,” the prince smirked. “As the alpha of this pack…”

  “She’s no alpha!” Sean howled.

  The boy took a menacing step forward, but was halted by the firm hand of the prince.

  “There is no one who is going to change her mind about Alpha. What she has done is issue a challenge. That can only be met by one person.”

  Micha

  Micha nodded at a solution to the current problem. “It’s a good idea and Sedna’s Children are a good way to repopulate Twardowski’s corridor. If the spider connection holds true. We don’t want to lose Pan’s web nebula or the spiders that reside within. Their silk is too precious a commodity for one and two the spiders seem almost like miniature stars.

  “That leaves WX-38845-9,” Micha perused the document in her hand as the correct image appeared. “This corridor is a cross between a corridor and a galaxy. something or someone has taken to causing damage on both sides of the border. Nothing is left untouched and the damage to the hulls of ships is… no one knows what to make of the pockmarking.”

  “Sounds like acid damage,” a young voice offered. “Is it possible that it is connected to whatever is happening in Kai Vor?”

  Micha considered the young man. He, too, had the unusual appendages on his scalp and there were others. He seemed to be about the same age as Neicha if only the body was considered. That was not always an accurate measuring tool. With a flick of her wrist Kai Vor appeared next to the corridor they had been discussing. “Computer, show route to Kai Vor from WX-38845-9.”

  The map shifted to show Kai Vor at one end and WX-38845-9 at the other.

  “Access ship repair manifest along that route. There are several places where repairs can be made. Look for same or similar type damage occurring same period as the issue Kai Vor started.”

  “Accessing,” came the reply. Several long minutes passed before the computer mapped out dots that showed similar damage. “One ship,” the computer continued. “Required repairs from similar damage to the inside of the ship as well as to the hull.”

  “Where is that ship now?”

  “It is docked at Centurion Prime due to the level of emergency; the Maahes, also known as Miysis depending on gender, had to allow them shelter until it is repaired.”

  “Computer inform Max of this and have Holten send a message to lock the ship. Tell Holten that I require a meeting with the Mustashar Al-dam Al-awwal. Inform me the instant they are available.”

  “Confirmed. Message is being sent as we speak.”

  Micha looked at the young man whose idea it had been. “Well done. Had you not caught that we might not have found it right away. We’d have found it, but the cost might have been much worse. What’s your name?

  “Tharn Tir Naphal. Everyone calls me Phal,” Phal teal eyes gleamed under the praise. The soft purple hue of his skin seemed to darken around the appendages, ears, and eyes. A sign of pleasure. She looked at the others that were like him and noted similar deepening of colour. Though none had the same colour skin some were alike enough to possibly be family.

  “Phal, ever speak with a Maahes or a Miysis?”

  “No, alpha.”

  “Well, you’ll get the chance to. You will be coming with me to Centurion Prime.”

  An older man, who might have been the one to try and quiet Sean, radiated pleasure. Similar not only in skin colouring, but in body type and facial features, Micha assume the older man was of some relation.

  “I trust you are old enough to journey that far?” Micha smiled warmly.

  “My Cha’e Tzach would also need to come as I have not completed my first bond with an empathic creature.”

  Ni’yell chose that moment to reappear. When he went to speak, she held up a hand for his silence.

  “Is the bonding sacred? Do you require anything that is not currently onplanet?

  “We’ve only just arrived,” Phal replied. “The creatures we normally bond with are still in stasis and will be for a couple years.”

  “Is that the only creature that can be bonded?”

  Phal looked to the older man.

  “There is no law against another creature, although it is rare,” stated the older man.

  “Then,” Micha smiled warmly. “Perhaps the gods smile warmly on us as there is one such creature in orbit,” she looked at the older man. “Perhaps your…elders? …should also attend. Computer have the Dàolù Shǒuhùzhě landed their leaders?”

  “’Landing confirmed. Twenty Dàolù Shǒuhùzhě and one hundred Qilin.”

  “Please have a meeting arranged at their convenience for today.”

  “Desohta is with them; the Qilin are apparently pregnant females. Your healer is ensuring all is well. Also, the Mustashar Al-dam Al-awwal has made contact and is ready for you.”

  “I will speak to the Mustashar Al-dam Al-awwal first. Please clear the room. Phal, you stay. Is your Cha’e Tzach here?”

  “She was removed by your second in command,” the older man stated with a sigh. “I will act as Cha’e Tzach for Phal. He has earned this.”

  Micha nodded. “Let Phal do what he must and turn to you if there is need. Phal needs to appear in charge if he is to be taken seriously.”

  A three-D image of a man, who appeared to be as solidly built as Ipino, but as tall as Ni’yell stood in an outfit out of Earth’s Egyptian past. He was dressed like a Pharoh minus the mask. Fathers decorated his mane and the markings on his chest spoke of valor and honor. His jade green eyes examined the room’s occupants.

  “You have asked for first blood. I will hear your reason and determine if your prey is so dishonored.”

  “My young warrior, spotted the hunt. It is his rite of first blood.”

  The Maahes turned to Phal. “Tell me warrior why have you been dishonored.”

  “Sir,” Phal almost shouted before a hand on his shoulder calmed him. “We were tasked with saving a planet from something truly terrifying. We believe that it is a parasite the turnings everything into acid. There is a corrido that is having the same trouble, but on a smaller scale. The damage to the ships and people involved is no small matter, but we believe…I know,” he spoke with conviction. “That my prey knew what damaged their ship and might have done it intentionally.”

  “I will see your evidence.”

  Micha flicked her wrist and the data was displayed. When the Maahes asked questions, Phal answered to the best of his ability.

  “Hm,” growled the Mustashar Al-dam Al-awwal. “This explains much. There was damage to our station we were unable to understand. How is this dealt with?”

  “We don’t have the knowledge of where the parasite originates, but some acids can be rendered biteless with a treatment lime, baking soda and calcium gluconate gel. We can send you the recipe we are using at the moment. Lack of oxygen does nothing to stop it,” Phal stated.

  “You are new to the hunt?”

  Phal nodded. “I have hunted for food, but this is my first true hunt.”

  The thick mane barely moved as the Maahes stood straight and set his right fist over his left palm and set both over his heart. “Hunter, your heart has been heard and the hunt remains yours. Your prey, however is ours also. I would ask that a young hunter from our side be allowed to join you in first blood.”

  “I would be honored to hunt with you.”

  The Maahes laughed; a deep, from the toes, shake the body laugh. “Good. How long will it take you to arrive?”

  Phal looked at Micha. “Five to six days. Unfortunately, I sent my fastest ship out already. It would dishonor his hunt to bring him back.”

  “We will await your arrival,” the lion-man intoned. “For the hunt will be glorious.”

  Connection cut, Micha relaxed and smiled warmly. “Be proud, a race of hunters saw you today and decided you are a worthy hunter. That is no small feat. Their standards are high. Even the emperor’s first meeting did not end with a promise of a good hunt and that meeting brokered peace.”

  “The Dàolù Shǒuhùzhě await you outside,” the computer butt in. “Shall they be allowed in?”

  “Have the elders arrived?” Phal queried in his excitement.

  “They have.”

  “Let the leaders of both peoples in so we may discuss the future,” Micha winked at Phal.

  Slowly the room filled. An eruption at the door was met by Ni’yell and the man who had stood for Phal. Micha dismissed the issue and greeted the elderly man in front of her by returning the bow he gave her. His delight was palpable.

  “I am Tao Ying, Alpha. It is my honor to have the opportunity to speak with you.”

  “Please, call me Micha.”

  “You honor me,” Tao Ying’s face light with joy. “First a litter of Qilin that are healthy and now we meet the Hépíng Línghún de Chíyǒuzhě.”

  “May I ask what that means?” Micha motioned to a seat and together they got comfortable.

  “There is a prophecy that spoke of a day one of our own will cause great dishonor and the shame will cover us all. At the center of that shame is the Hépíng Línghún de Chíyǒuzhě, which translates to wielder of a peaceful soul. Those that came with me came because I saw in a vision how you were to be touched because of that shame. We came to try to mitigate the destruction that might followed, but we also came to be touched by the very change you enact by existing.”

  Micha winced. “I do not feel very peaceful.”

  “Sometimes, we must enact our nature to stem a greater violence. Sometimes, we simply need to rediscover our center. It changes as easily as the tide and without that center we are worse than rudderless,” the wizened face showed his experience. “I can see that there has been much upheaval. I can also see you have begun to re-center your soul. Whoever aids you is very skilled.”

  Micha’s eyes and smile warmed at the thought of Medic.

  “Ho, ho. So that is how it is. Perhaps you might introduce me. There are things I might yet learn.”

  A blush crossed Micha’s cheeks but she nodded. “Medic is all about the art of healing and self-defence. I would be delighted to introduce you.”

  “Elder?” a young voice cut in. “Shall we begin?”

  Keeper of the path

  Chancellor of first blood

  Wise guide/teacher

  Wielder of a peaceful soul