Chapter 1
Logan - 8 Years Later
“What is this about?” Captain Logan Coor of the Drastan Empire asked as he sat next to his fellow warriors in the ready room.
“Not exactly sure, but I bet it has something to do with these humans.”
“Great, what have they done this time?” Logan asked in frustration.
“We’re about to find out.”
All the warriors stood at attention as Commander Estro stepped into the room. Here was the commander every warrior in the Drastan Fleet worked to emulate. This male had worked his way up the ranks, raising three sons, all with strength and honor.
If Logan could have picked a father, it would be Devlon Estro. Unfortunately, his own father was a faithless and shameful male. Ven Coor was a dishonorably discharged lieutenant of the Drastan military, who abandoned his mate and only son to join a ship of marauders going around stealing and killing for money.
His last image of his father was when he was ten. His mother had begged him not to leave.
“Please, Ven. Stay with us,” Elanor pleaded.
Ven laughed. “Stay with you? You’re not even my true mate. I’m tired of settling. I’m tired of taking orders from ineffectual leaders.”
“Father?” Logan said.
Ven spared him a look. “You’re on your own, Logan. Be your own male.” Then he turned and walked away. It filled him with heartbreak but also anger. How dare Ven abandon his mother! He deserved whatever the gods threw at him for being untrue.
His grandfather was nothing like that, full of honor and highly respected. That was why Logan was accepted into warrior training. He had to prove himself once he was in. It meant never saying no to a superior and always taking risks his fellow warriors wouldn’t. It took a lot of hard work, but he slowly built his reputation as someone who could be relied upon to complete a mission and do his duty for his people. He had done what his father told him to do, be his own male—a much better male than Ven had been.
“Warriors, take a seat,” Commander Estro said.
Everyone sat and waited quietly.
“We’re still a ways from being relieved and allowed to resume our return to our own home world. We have made efforts to provide medical help to the humans and extended provisions for food, technology, and weapons to them.”
There was mumbling among the warriors. Many didn’t agree with giving humans more advanced weapons after seeing firsthand what they could do with their own primitive nuclear bombs.
“Settle down, warriors! I understand how many of you feel. But we cannot in good conscience leave humans without a way to defend themselves. They are vulnerable. Relax. The weapons were only replications of their latest achievement before their world was nearly destroyed. No nuclear weapons, just handheld guns with primitive bullets.”
One warrior behind Logan spoke up. “Sir, what do we get back from the humans? Besides a few mates?”
Everyone was silent. Commander Estro and his sons had all mated with human females. They appeared to be happy, but Logan had spent no real time with the females to know if they were suitable. He had only dealt with human males who lied and showed very little loyalty to their own people. He doubted the females were any different.
“I understand those who may question the humans, but we aren’t aiding them in order to get something in return. Our people have always assisted those in need over the centuries. Don’t forget there was a time when Drasta had to be rebuilt and there were others who assisted in that. It is a privilege and an honor to help those who are in need.”
Logan nodded his understanding. Sometimes a warrior had to do things they may not necessarily agree with but did because he believed in the good intentions of his superiors. As his grandfather once told him, each male must follow what he believes is right and will one day have to answer to a higher power for every decision and every action.
“So, make sure your actions are for the good of others,”his grandfather Logar said.
He wasn’t as religious as his mother and grandfather. Logan had seen too much as a warrior and his own experience with his father proved there was more people in the universe that was bad than good. At least, he’d seen worse. His friend nudged him in the side to get him to focus.
“We received reports of shipments sent from our stock ships to the Brooklyn Dome being intercepted. Dome Leader Colonel Winstead believes that local tribes are stealing the supplies. In case there is anyone here not familiar with tribes, when the nuclear weapons were dispersed on Earth, only a hundred in each city were allowed into the domes. The rest of the humans had to find shelter wherever they could. Many survived by living in the underground transit system. The humans in the subway formed groups they calltribes.”
“How many tribes are near the Brooklyn Dome?” Logan asked.
“Unsure. Dome Leader Winstead claims there are three but there could be more. I am going to assign a small team of my best warriors to go to the Brooklyn Dome to investigate these missing supplies.”
“Are we expected to stay in the dome?” Warrior Marque asked.
“Temporarily. I don’t think Dome Leader Winstead is telling us everything. There has to be someone within the dome giving the tribes the arrival dates and times of the shipments.”
