“We could kill her.” Dzor’s statement is cold and serious, though he’s holding himself back, saying it only to Angelica and Jessica as they walk towards the hangar once more. “She is weak now. Slow.”

  Angelica retorts as she walks, “Don’t you dare, Jor. And, be careful where you say that.”

  He snorts, grumbling, “I’m just remarking. It could be done.” He adds even more quietly, “And, we probably should.”

  Jessica offers gently, “Mina said recently that the genome testing is going well. I… think Hancock did the right thing. M-My humble opinion, of course.”

  The large grodrrn snorts again. “She should not be trusted.”

  Admiral Long replies gently, “I know, Dzor. Appeasement has never really gone well in human history, but this is different. If we fight to the last when we have this ADMITTEDLY strange truce, we’ll just be running again… IF we get away. I want to just finish this chapter and move onto the next story. HOPEFULLY, it involves pursuing a new home… Finally.”

  Jessica and Angelica smile at each other. Dzor grumbles, “Remember, Azure Queen is half grodrrn. She’s pondering killing us every day.”

  “Maybe. But, a distress call will go out, and the horde will be here in moments.”

  Dzor retorts, “And if I was still Fievegal, we would have a stalemate.”

  Angelica chuckles. “I see you miss our daily games of chess.”

  “More like daily cheating.”

  “I’m still waiting on how I was cheating, Dzor.”

  “Still trying to figure it out.”

  Both Angelica and Jessica laugh, and Jessica jokes warmly, “Now you know why I don’t play with her.”

  The three reach the hangar, where the current weekly status meetings are taking place. Jardzen and Helmdraavv Khla are both waiting with Mrff already, while Chief Grey and Senior Chief Tachibana talk to a pair of Void Queens while Mr. Right, Dr. Caldaren, and Dr. Coulson prepare some readouts on a computer.

  The Azure Queen appears at the docking tube still connected where the invasion occurred. She’s walking with Hancock, but also, surprisingly Doctor Lopez. Lopez is wearing her EVA uniform, even though the Queen is maintaining a neutral atmosphere where she invites Hancock. However, it’s well known that the squirrelly scientist wears it to hide her face and where she’s looking.

  Those three approach the makeshift table, and the Void Queens prepare a comfortable seat for the Azure Queen and her enlarged body. Angelica glances at the four grodrrns present, ensuring none of them are tensing.

  It seems, though, that everyone is getting at least hospitable towards each other between the various factions present.

  Hancock stands at the table next to the Queen, and Chief Grey says dryly, “Your Highness.”

  Hancock smirks and retorts, “Very funny, Chief.”

  Admiral Long says welcomingly, “Thank you all for coming together. Azure Queen, your Highness, I hope this isn’t too inconvenient for you.”

  The Azure Queen waves her hand dismissively, and Zeeannssii steps forward. “I have served as the sample source, and I wish to volunteer for next stage.”

  Doctor Coulson replies wearily as he rubs sleeplessness from his eyes. “I appreciate Void Queen Zeeannssii’s enthusiasm, but we’ve only just identified all of the base proteins. Fortunately, we’ve been able to identify many similarities and contrasts between her, Syretia, and the Azure Queen, which has helped immensely. The chimera factors have proven strangely simple and robust, though it would be difficult to elaborate on fully at a meeting like this.”

  Long asks directly, “Do you think a cure is possible, Doctor?”

  Caldaren and Coulson both nod. Coulson replies, “I’m not our primary genetic expert, but we’re looking for a gene all Void Queens hopefully share. Given Zarakyssn chimerism potential, we don’t think it’ll be as simple as an extra chromosome like Down syndrome, but if it’s genetic, it could be tied to why they all have albinism.”

  Baskylla Jardzen Khla asks inquisitively, “Would samples from Zarakyssn soldiers be of use?”

  Coulson replies, “Some, I suspect. First looks at their DNA, though, seems to indicate the soldiers and workers all have minimal chimera potential. They’re missing the additional chromosomal adaptations seen in Queens. Useful to eliminate chimeric DNA, but not much different than the Azure Queen’s. Y-Yarjen.”

  Khla nods, and one of the more senior Void Queens with the Azure Queen states, “If it was simple, the Horde would have already solved the issue.”

  Coulson replies respectfully, “Of course, you’re right, Your Highness.”

  The Azure Queen grumbles, and the translator fills in, “Do not waste time withholding information. Speak.”

  Coulson glances at Hancock and Long, and Hancock nods. The doctor replies gently, “We’re coming at it with fresh eyes, Your Highness. We have the luxury of assuming nothing about the Horde. Given what the Fievegal did to the grodrrns, we’re looking at everything.”

  The other Void Queen that escorted the Azure Queen growls, “That sounds like an accusation, Sister.”

  The first one hisses, “You know nothing of the Horde, human. Do not think-...”

  The Azure Queen halts them both with a hand gesture. She retorts, “The human is right. The Horde was content with killing us, Sisters. While I doubt it was anything as sinister as the Fievegal, we can’t assume the Horde tried very hard to fix you. After all, you’re competition.” She smirks at Hancock, who doesn’t say anything. The Void Queens are both silent, though.

  Dr. Coulson adds, “My colleague is working on a sequencer that should help speed up the process.”

  Dr. Caldaren nods. “Thankfully, Zarakyssn DNA reflects certain frequencies rather clearly, making it easy to identify the unique proteins, once we knew what we were looking for. It’s actually based on similar technology that the grodrrns use to ENSURE sterility in females, ironically. And, please don’t tense up. I’m a professional.”

  As usual, Dr. Caldaren is the only one to laugh at his apparent joke, and he clears his throat.

  After an awkward silence, the Azure Queen states coolly, “I suppose it is my turn, then, yes?” She waves her hand, and nothing happens. Hancock clears his throat, saying, “Doc…”

  Lopez jumps, startled into action. “Y-YES!” She walks briskly around the table to the computer, hooking her laptop up quickly. Fortunately, she still has the window open, though dozens of other programs are cluttering the view, and she minimizes them quickly.

  What the computer shows, now, is a ship of strange design. It shows some similarities to the providence, but multiplied. It has four distinct drydocks, judging by the arms, protruding from the axes perpendicular to the presumed flight-line. It has several massive-looking engines similar to grodrrn design. And, its overall design looks similar to the former starliners.

  Lopez is silent, and Hancock states to the group, “The Azure Queen is offering us a gift for the Princess.”

  This stuns the hardened grodrrns, the unexpecting humans, and Zeeannssii and Mmnnorrynn -who are currently out of the loop-. Hancock adds, “It’s a world ship that’s nearly completed construction, and it doesn’t leave orbit if we can’t solve the Void Queen problem. It can be combat-crewed with a skeleton crew of two thousand, but many of those functions will be automated by Doctor Lopez’s program as much as possible. It can house a hundred fifty thousand individuals, averaged on our current logistics. Full hydroponics are being established, and bio-compatible lifeforms are being provided for ecosystems.”

  Long stammers, “I-... I can’t… This… Is this… real?”

  The Azure Queen snorts, and the Void Queens look almost defeated. Hancock knows that they’re not excited about the relative kindness the Queen is showing the fleet, but Hancock fully believes that she’s not as heartless as she’s cultivated around most people. She’s not generally kind, and she’s still arguably a war criminal, but he also knows she cares deeply for the Princess, if nothing else. Giving the Princess not only her own little kingdom, but the defenses to keep her safe, is a relatively practical decision.

  Mrff, the oldest grodrrn present, asks condescendingly, “Why do this? What do you gain?”

  The Azure Queen glares at him, but she doesn’t snarl or growl. The Void Queens have tensed up, immediately perturbed, but no one attacks. Mrff’s question isn’t completely unreasonable, but it was asked pretty bluntly.

  The Azure Queen finally replies coldly, “I do not owe anyone kindness. I do not owe anyone understanding. I am the Apex. Hancock has given me a gift I value. This ‘gift’ to you is for my daughter. I expect she will rule your fleet within a mere handful of cycles.”

  Dzor accuses, “The ship is trapped. It is rigged with tracking and countermeasures to our own defense.”

  The Azure Queen chuckles, beginning to scrape her teeth. Hancock has begun to suspect she does it intentionally to draw attention to them, reminding everyone that she’s ready to kill anyone or anything that threatens her or challenges her authority. While she probably would have a much more difficult time now, it’s something of her poker tell as far as what she’s thinking. She replies coldly, “For such a suspicious species, the grodrrns were slaves to a single grodrrn’s womb for millenia.”

  Mrff and Dzor tighten their stances, but Khla manages to raise a hand this time, calming Mrff instantly, and Dzor responds as well. The younger Jardzen replies, “We understand you weaponize the truth, Azure Queen. We are wise enough to know that an easy target is the most dangerous one. So is the easiest prize.”

  The first of the senior Void Queens growls, “You ungrateful reptilian wretch-...”

  “He is right, Sister.” The Azure Queen replies as she licks her teeth to clean any debris off. “The ship is rigged with many systems useful to me and my sisters. You will have my daughter onboard, afterall. My Zhi.” She glares at Mrff specifically, and everyone is silent. She has a point.

  The Azure Queen adds as she receives a drink from a new Void Queen that just approached, “Fortunately for you, gold is almost worthless to us, so the entire ship is shielded in adequate gold to prevent curious minds.” She adds as she lifts the drink to her mouth, “If she dies, I can also vaporize you all at once."

  Long replies confidently, but still surprised, "I assure you, we won't allow anything to happen to the Princess. And, I… I can’t express…”

  “Enough. I hate grovelling. I need no assurances from you. I had them built into the ship. You will go forth, conquer, and survive.”

  Angelica is caught off guard by being silenced, but she smiles and bows. “Of course. Thank you.”

  “Now, time for a trade.” The Azure Queen nods one of the Void Queens in the back over, and she approaches with a strange, specialized case. She places it on the table and slides it to the Azure Queen. The chimeric ruler opens it, turning it to face the others.

  Spaceman Long is the first to gasp, and Senior Chief Tachibana asks quietly, “What is it?”

  Jessica whispers, “Cave Queen eggs…”

  The Azure Queen’s teeth appear in a smirk. “Astute eyes…” The others look more closely, and are surprised to find out that it’s true. Inside what appears to be a tinted block of ice or glass are around 15 or so round, jelly-candy like eggs with squiggling shapes inside.

  The Azure Queen remarks, “The Nizzkurezz will bottleneck its genetics without help, won’t they?”

  Admiral Long asks, “Y-... How do… Why…?”

  The large ruler replies casually, “The Zarakyssn Horde is content with eradicating other forms of life if they don’t serve enough purpose. However, some of us are wise enough to know that a wise predator does not hunt its prey to extinction.” She looks at Hancock, who watches quietly.

  Dzor asks gruffly, “What do you want?”

  “I told you. A trade. You will give me one for one. I’m not a fool, of course. Only males. Only creatures partially as sentimental as humans are the Nizzkurezz.”

  Senior Chief Tachibana retorts, “You can’t!”

  The Azure Queen glares at her, but the human woman grumbles, “You can’t keep trophies like this.”

  “I CAN do anything I want, human. And, I am not offering. I am ordering. If you do not want the Nizzkurezz in your fleet to go extinct due to genetic strain, you will either have to attempt to induce chimerism in them like the grodrrns, or you will have to find other living genetic material. These embryos are only in stasis. Though, I can provide genetic material of preserved corpses as well.”

  “They’re living beings!”

  “They would be extinct if not for me. And, they would go extinct when your ‘Cave Queen’ and her offspring perish.”

  Zeeannssii offers, “Male Nizzkurezz aren’t sentient, humans. They’ll never know the difference.”

  “That doesn’t make it right!”

  The Azure Queen waves her hand, and the Void Queen collects the case while the chimera replies coldly, “So be it. I might instead enjoy this outcome instead.”

  “Rookie,” states a gruff soldier’s voice. Chief Grey finally speaks up, and he asks bluntly, “What do you think? You’ve seen the Queen’s slaves firsthand. You’re our almighty savior.”

  Hancock sighs, “I’m not about to make social decisions if I can avoid it, Chief. If we’re asking my honest opinion, keeping some embryos in stasis in a vault somewhere isn’t a bad idea. We probably should consider asking if she’ll accept embryos of us for posterity of our species, assuming she doesn’t already have any.” He asks the Azure Queen, “What about un-hatched eggs? The Cave Queen is pretty close to needing to lay again anyways.”

  The Azure Queen smirks. “A trade is a trade, Hancock. They need only be alive. Fresh may even prove better.”

  Hancock nods. He asks Senior Chief Tachibana, “Would that be more acceptable, Senior Chief?”

  She’s quiet for a long time, but replies softly, “Yes, Sir.”

  Admiral Long sighs, “Morally, I have to disapprove of keeping living beings in stasis for scientific reasons, but I know logically, it’s the right choice. Especially with how dangerous our journey is.” She looks directly at the Azure Queen. “Azure Queen. If we can establish roots; a stable colony, a stable society, I beg you, please let us barter for the freedom of the races within your possession. They deserve to live; innocent children most of all.” Long adds a little softly, “I realize you’ve said multiple times that my words mean very little to you, but still, I ask.”

  Hancock states to the Azure Queen, “I agree with her. This is the right solution for now, but when we have somewhere to put everyone, I would ask you free them to our care.”

  The Azure Queen looks at Hancock with a curious expression, but she isn’t smirking or angry. She does cock her head, asking, “Do you know how many races are in my possession?”

  Hancock replies, “Doesn’t matter. We’ll start with the ones we can take care of, and we’ll work on colonizing worlds habitable to the others if need be. The Cave Queens are the obvious first, but the rest deserve a chance as well.”

  The Azure Queen takes a drink, stating plainly, “Let us get past our current obstacles, Hancock, and then we will discuss such arrangements. What of Gree’ato?”

  “H-Here… s-sister…” The timid female grodrrn approaches from the Polonia side of the hangar, escorted by Pwalkynn, Fisher, and Rena Coulson. She looks like she’s weakened, being supported by Pwalkynn and Fisher as she walks wearily.

  Admiral Long asks quickly, “What happened!? Is she okay!?”

  The Azure Queen starts laughing, and everyone looks at her. Dzor whispers to Long, “She’s embarrassed.”

  Long glances at her shoulder, but doesn’t face him fully. She looks at the young grodrrn with blue striping, and Gree’ato takes a seat next to the Azure Queen. The Azure Queen states bluntly, “Speak, Gree’ato. Tell us what atrocities the humans have afflicted upon you.”

  The grodrrn exhales deeply, groaning softly. “I-... I am… I…”

  The Void Queens seem to be hanging on her words, though the Azure Queen seems to already be privvy to whatever it is. The humans are nervous, and the grodrrns shift their footing once more, ready to spring into action.

  However, Rena breaks the tension when she says, “Another success. Miss Gree’ato is now a threat to the Saurmynnyka-loyal Fievegal.”

  The Zarakyssns hum together, which confuses the translating computer. They crowd Gree’ato, and the Azure Queen looks at Long this time. She nods respectfully, and Long bows. She didn’t have a lot to do with it, but just as she gets the immediate credit for such an accomplishment, she also would have been the most immediate in danger if something bad had happened to what speculation suggests is the Azure Queen’s true half-sister.

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  The Azure Queen teases the young grodrrn, “Worry not, Gree. I was only joking that time. We will determine how to handle this later. Perhaps someone present.”

  This statement causes a noticeable awkward pause, and Admiral Long breaks the silence when she sees what Dzor means. “The Azure Queen is right. We should verify you are fully healthy before we leave, but we have time for now.” She looks at the Azure Queen, “Your Highness, do you mind if we begin learning operations on the new ship?”

  “Do as you please. Know that I will not hesitate to destroy it if you attempt to betray me.”

  “Of course. But, if we’re to use it, we should ensure we know how to before we leave.”

  The Azure Queen finishes her drink, “Then, I believe this is all for now.” She rises to her feet, tended to by the Void Queens that have been all but swarming her since she arrived.

  Admiral Long watches her leave with a fairly content smile. In spite of the Azure Queen’s terrifying nature, she’s been rather docile since the fight with Hancock, which is plenty more than the Admiral can ask for.

  They have a new ship that finally offsets the population, they have an answer to the Cave Queen’s limited gene pool, and they have a stable plan for once to get out from under the Zarakyssn Horde and the Fievegal.

  She asks, “Please wait, A-Azure Queen.”

  The hybrid conqueror turns, and the Void Queens hum impatiently. Long quickly asks, “What of the rest of our fleet? Will… Will you reconnect them with us?”

  The Azure Queen narrows her eyes. “You are lucky I didn’t destroy those ships. You hid the worst of your race among their populations. I can be no more clear, I am not your ally. I will not be giving those threats to our daughter any chance to harm her. If I sense them on her ship, I will come in force and purge them.”

  Long hesitates, but she nods. “I understand.”

  “Good. As for finding them, I have no idea where they are. I had no need for them.”

  Long nods again, and the Queen continues on her way.

  Long looks at Dr. Lopez. The scientist fidgets solemnly with her hands. She shakes her head slowly. "If someone on the Providence finds the locator… But…"

  Long nods. "Got it. Keep your ears open, please. Jardzens, is there a way to locate the fleet?"

  Mrff snorts, while Khla scratches his neck scales. Dzor replies bluntly, "You just spent two years dodging every method we have."

  Long is silent.

  Hancock, having watched the Queen exit the hangar, finally says softly, "I don't think she knows either. She found Zikanna through the bond."

  "Syretia's daughter?" asks Rena in surprise. The young officer nods, "Yeah. It's not easy, from what I've gathered, but the Azure Queen is a specialist to the Horde. I… can try to press her to help…"

  Long replies, "Be careful, Lieutenant. If it can be done, we'll do it. If she won't help, don't die trying to change her mind."

  "Understood, Admiral."

  "Doctor Coulson, keep up the good work. You and your team are carrying our fate right now, and that can't be overstated."

  Dr. Coulson scoffs, joking, "No pressure, though, am I right?"

  "Sorry, you're right. But seriously, keep your team's spirits up. We're safe enough right now, and I have faith in you."

  "Thank you Admiral. If you'll excuse us."

  "Of course."

  The science team leaves the area, and Long turns to Hancock, "Anything we can do, Hancock?"

  He replies, "Uh… I think… If you notice anything glaring on the world ship, let me know. The Void Queens are smart and they don't care for us, but they're obsessed with protecting the Princess. If there's anything you see that would benefit HER in some way, let me know."

  Long smiles, "Roger that, Lieutenant. We'll keep our eyes open."

  He nods, "Lopez has the full plans, which has technical manuals. A lot of the systems are designed off of our current systems, though, so it should be pretty simple."

  Long replies. "Thank goodness. Hancock, you've given us hope continuously. Thank you."

  He chuckles, "I'm doing my best, Admiral."

  She smiles and nods.

  As Hancock excuses himself, Chief Grey catches up to him privately. "Rookie."

  "Chief."

  "Give it to me straight, Rookie. Are you being controlled?"

  Hancock sighs. "Surprisingly, no, Chief. Some… decisions kinda seemed to fall on me, but… The Princess…. I can't describe it. She's… I…" He sighs. "She’s enough.”

  Chief Grey scoffs. “I get it. But… Are you sure… this is what YOU want?”

  Hancock is quiet a moment. However, as he thinks about it, the answer doesn’t change. “Yes. It’s… Something I realized the first time I held the egg followed what you pointed out when Dzilika hatched. HOPE. The mere fact that the Princess exists is hope; hope that we can all get along. Hope that I can do something right.”

  “You’ve done more than just ‘right’, Rookie. But, if you end up swallowing a bullet…”

  “I won’t, Chief. Seriously. This is… It’s good. I’m good.”

  Grey sighs and pats his shoulder. “We’ve come a long way from Earth, eh Rookie?”

  Hancock chuckles, “Hell yes, Chief.” The young officer looks up at the ceiling, remarking softly, “Seems like it gets further and further every day.”

  “Amen to that.”

  Hancock walks with Lopez for a little bit, though he seems to be headed back to the Queen’s space station to head to the surface.

  It’s a strange feeling of tranquility for the Polonia and its crew as everything once again becomes routine for a change.

  And, it’s a strange notion pondering the value of routine after so long clinging to survival.

  ***

  The day finally arrives. Two years, two months, and thirteen days after the Azure Queen captured the Polonia, Void Queen Zeeannssii’s body produced an ovum. After intense studies, the science teams have confirmed that the egg possesses mitochondrial information virtually identical to Syretia’s, just with Zeeannssii’s RNA instead.

  It seems the Void Queen albinism is actually closer to the cause than the sterility is. While not quite the same as Earth-creature albinism, the damaged proteins for the Void Queens prevents them from absorbing certain nutrients, which in turn, trickled all the way down to some of their biological functions. Healing the genetic damage as a whole will take time, but targeting the repair to Zeeannssii’s secondary circulatory system, which is admittedly under-developed due to her living most of her life under her congenital disease, helped start her ovulation cycle as a proof of concept. Once the first ovum was released, they can now attempt to clone Zeeannssii to see if the mitochondria is stable.

  Everyone is watching the moment of truth. Hancock is sitting on the grass of the world ship’s park, while Princess Rezzanna plays with simple toys on the grass between him and Gree’ato. Hancock’s chimeric daughter doesn’t understand what he and Gree’ato are watching while she plays, but she’s having fun, which is all he cares about. Her name is derived from his sister’s name, Roseanna, making Rezzanna a blue rose.

  The moment the ovum splits, though, tangible tension from others in the park can be felt relieving.

  There aren’t cheers like the grodrrns watching Dzilika hatch. The Void Queens, primarily watching over Rezzanna, are silent in stunned disbelief. They’ve been told what it’s supposed to mean, but only two weeks separate this moment from the truth. Though the first child of Zeeannssii will be a clone, it’ll still prove that she produced a capable egg.

  Gree’ato murmurs softly, “I’m so happy…”

  Hancock looks at her, and he smiles gently. “Me too.”

  “Do… Do you regret anything, Hancock?”

  Hancock looks at Rezzanna, who is enacting adventures between a pair of simple dolls Hancock and Lopez made for her.

  The human soldier replies sincerely, “No. Do you?”

  Gree’ato, similarly a prisoner of the Azure Queen at one time, replies softly, “Only that my Chulm’chn doesn’t get along with Sister Azure.”

  Hancock nods. “I understand.” After a moment, he asks, “I wonder if you know, Gree’ato. Do you know why she names all of the Void Queens, but not herself?”

  Gree’ato is quiet for a moment. Maybe she never thought about it herself. She replies softly, “I don’t. I only suspect because she has always treated the Void Queens like daughters, while no one extended her that luxury.” She looks at Hancock, replying softly, “I think she was secretly happy that you wanted to name Rezzanna. After your sister, no less.”

  Hancock nods. “It felt fitting. I’m glad she accepted.”

  “You have… I wish I could be as special to her as you are, Hancock…”

  He chuckles, “Please. She speaks highly of me, but, I’m just a human. Paper skin, stinky sweat, and lots of whining.”

  Gree’ato whispers, “I do not agree with all of my sisters, Hancock. If Sister Azure values you, there must be true value.”

  “If you say so. I’m just glad we’re ALL alive. That’s the truth.”

  She smiles, nodding in agreement. She asks softly, “You’re going to try to convince her to come with you, aren’t you?”

  Hancock chuckles again. “Is it that obvious?” He grins at her, asking, “Should I not?”

  Gree’ato looks down at her hands, replying softly, “I hope you succeed. She treats me well, but… I want to see her live a long and happy life. She would not have on her own path.”

  Hancock nods. “Thank you. I’ll convince her.”

  “I wish you much luck, Hancock.”

  If only he could succeed.

  ***

  Hancock awakens in his bed. The room feels a little alien to him, but only because he hasn’t spent much time in it recently. However, he recognizes his surroundings quickly.

  Motion stirs on his chest, and he looks down. A cute alien Princess, a hybrid between human, grodrrn, and Zarakyssn, is peacefully sleeping on his chest. A bottle of honey-like liquid is laying on the bed. Unlike the nectarock, this is a much thicker, nutrient rich food the Zarakyssns provide to their larva.

  Hancock looks around. Other than Rezzanna, the two are alone in his stateroom. His heart starts racing. He remembers talking to the Azure Queen. He can’t remember what she said, though.

  He extracts himself from under Rezzanna, laying her on the bed and tucking her in. He opens his door, flinching when a Void Queen is present. He sighs, whispering, “Thank goodness. Do you mind babysitting Rezzanna?” The Void Queen replies softly, “Of course.”

  “Great! Thank you. Where is the Azure Queen?”

  It’s the Void Queen’s turn to flinch, and she looks ahead, saying nothing.

  “Where is she?” asks Hancock.

  “She is in her castle, Hancock.”

  “Okay…” He walks towards the hangar, doing a double-take when something feels off. He walks fairly quickly, but everything feels eerie. The ship is making more noise than it had been, but maybe a different set of the air conditioning units or maybe the water purifiers are running. Perhaps repairs are taking place, or testing for preventative maintenance.

  It feels like there are fewer people, though. But, that’s to be expected. They’ve been moving people to the world ship for a while, getting ready to pilot it once the Void Queens can be cured.

  A few passing spacers salute Hancock, and he has just enough presence of mind to return salutes. It doesn’t register to him right away.

  He keeps walking, still feeling strange, but unable to define the gut feeling he’s having.

  Not until he passes a window. He gets several yards past it before he halts. He suddenly walks back to the window, looking outside.

  The world ship is there, in space, without any tethers. There is nothing around it. It is rolling slowly, which maintains a portion of artificial gravity with minimal power input once the rotation is established.

  But of course, space trials are necessary. That’s obvious. It’s a necessity.

  And yet, his gut feeling won’t go away.

  Hancock picks up the pace, jogging to the hangar. Spacers salute him. He’s not sure when the last time he was saluted was. Was it before they met the Azure Queen?

  He’s almost in a run by the time he reaches the hangar, having to dodge workers more than once. But, he has tunnel vision.

  The hangar door has been repaired, and no longer has an umbilicus connected to it.

  Hancock looks around. He jogs to the nearby service window, ignoring the marines watching him.

  He stumbles back.

  The space station is nowhere in sight.

  He jumps when someone touches him, and he whirls.

  It’s Senior Chief Tachibana. She asks, “Sir?”

  “Wh-Where are we?”

  “Sir, we’re… We’re in dead space right now. I believe we’re plotting-...”

  “Tell me this is a space trial.”

  She hesitates, unsure how to answer.

  “Tell me, Senior Chief. What’s going on?”

  “Sir… I… I’m not sure…”

  “The last thing I remember was spending another day with the Azure Queen. How the hell did we end up in dead space!?”

  “I… You were dropped off by a handful of Void Queens and instructed to leave, Sir. That was… We thought you had done something or said something. The Void Queens navigated us in a jump away from the planet and erased all of our navigational data. Then, those that weren’t staying left in one of their own shuttles. That’s it. You now know as much as us. Or, me, at least.”

  Hancock stares off into the distance, shocked. Did he say something wrong? Did he do something wrong?

  It hits him, though. Especially given what Gree’ato said. He suspected for the longest that the Azure Queen was plotting something. He’s not sure that it was a betrayal of the Horde nor another assault on the Fievegal, but she was planning something. He knew this, but he never pressed on the issue because he hoped he could instead simply convince her to join the fleet for Rezzanna.

  Hancock asks, “Is she here?”

  “Princess Rezzanna, Sir? To my knowledge…”

  “No. The Azure Queen.”

  Tachibana is silent for a moment. She replies softly, “No… Sh-... Like I said…”

  “Right… You thought I angered her.”

  “If you don’t mind… Did you?”

  Hancock closes his eyes. His heart feels tight and painful. He replies softly, “No. I don’t think I did.” He walks away, lost at first. But, he realizes, he still has a link to the truth. He walks with purpose back to the last place he saw a Void Queen. He finds her still standing outside of his stateroom, obviously able to detect if and when Rezzanna awakens. She notices him coming, but maybe she still doesn’t know what an agitated human looks like.

  Hancock is furious.

  He grips the chest of her outfit, pressing her to the wall. It doesn’t really register to him that she could kill him fairly easily, even if he could kill her almost as easily. She braces herself, but doesn’t fight back, asking nervously, “H-Hancock?”

  “Why did she do it!? Why did she kick us out?”

  The Zarakyssn assassin twitches nervously, replying, “Th-The mission is complete. Humans free to go.”

  “Why like this!?”

  “I don’t-...”

  “Don’t lie to me!”

  A new voice says with a slight humming lisp, “You zreatened to make her weak, Hancock.” The new voice is Zeeannssii, wearing a somewhat human-looking uniform. “She considered killing you.”

  “Bull.”

  “Maybe. But, zat does not change where you are, yes?” She crosses her arms, replying, “If it means anything, she asked me to wish you well.”

  Hancock releases the Void Queen he pinned to the wall, sinking to his knees. “I thought… I thought she could be convinced… She’s going to get herself killed…”

  “You doubt my sister and Queen at your peril, Hancock. She survived wizout you for many years. She will continue to survive.”

  “Then, why are you here?”

  “I volunteered to watch over Sister Rezzanna. Her safety is not so certain. And, I have come to tolerate you humans.”

  Hancock is silent as he stares at the floor.

  “Lieutenant?” Hancock looks up to find Spaceman Long.

  “What?”

  “Admiral Long asked me to see if you were awake, and she’d like you to come speak with her.”

  Hancock sighs. “Sure. Why not.” He climbs to his feet, and he says quietly, “I’ll be back in a bit. Let me know if Rezzanna needs anything.”

  The two Void Queens nod, and Hancock follows Long. She asks softly as they walk, “Are you okay, Sir?”

  He sighs. “Yeah, I guess.”

  They walk quietly for a moment, and she adds, “She didn’t seem upset, Sir.”

  “I know. It’s about whatever’s coming next.”

  “I think we’re headed for a planet the Queen recommended. She gave us a few options that might serve as a new home.”

  Hancock nods. He’s not really listening that attentively. He feels rather empty inside, though he knows he needs to hold onto himself for Rezzanna’s sake. Still, he feels crushed.

  But, he’s still a soldier. He has to focus and hold his own feelings at bay so others can sleep at night. He’s ultimately failed many. He’s succeeded for a few.

  Admiral Long is on the bridge of the Polonia, watching the world ship from her chair. She looks at Hancock, and he only partially realizes he didn’t request permission to enter the bridge. She doesn’t say anything about it, though. She simply says, “Enter,” when Jessica rquests permission.

  The Admiral says to Hancock, “Lieutenant, how are you feeling?”

  “Alive, Admiral. That’s about it right now.”

  She nods. “We’re preparing a stateroom for you and Princess Rezzanna on the world ship. We’ve decided to christen it as the Olwen. We’ll also stage the TEAU missions from Olwen’s main hangar, Hangar One.”

  “Sounds great. When do we launch?”

  “We? Hancock, you’re the commanding-...”

  “Commanding Officer of TEAU. I know. And, I don’t intend to sit out the missions. Assign someone else as Commanding Officer if that’s unacceptable.”

  Long narrows her eyes at him. “Hancock… I’m not sure what’s going on…”

  “I’m a soldier, Admiral. Time moved our generals to the rear. Officers are still needed at the vanguard, though.”

  She’s not convinced by his cold answer, and she replies, “What happened with the Azure Queen, Hancock? I wasn’t going to ask.”

  He flinches, looking away. “I’ve been told I was making her weak.”

  Long is quiet as she thinks. “I see. That makes enough sense.”

  He sighs. “So, can I please focus on my work, Admiral?”

  She frowns a little in disappointment, but she replies softly, “I suppose. But, don’t forget about Rezzanna. She’s half of the reason we’ve been granted so much good fortune for a change. The Queen’s… ‘hospitality’ was pleasant enough, all things considered and after it was all sorted, but we’ll be striving to find a home.”

  “Understood. So, when are we starting?”

  “The first world is a few months out. Inhabited, so we’ll need to scout it out. Assemble your team as you see fit, and request whatever you feel you’ll need equipment-wise. We’ll get the production lines running. Thankfully, the Void Queens brought a handful of soldiers while Syretia is raising her own.”

  Hancock nods. “As you wish, Admiral.” He turns skeptical, though, asking, “But, didn’t we agree a long time ago not to invade occupied worlds?”

  Long sighs. “Interesting you should ask that.” She withdraws a computer tablet and opens up a file on it. She hands it to him, and he studies the pictures on it. One is a profile picture showing several views of a particularly brutish looking race of beings that reminds Hancock of a gorilla or a werewolf. It seems somewhat bipedal, but also using its ‘hands’ to help it walk. The other being on the page seems to be some sort of transparent or translucent slug-like creature.

  Admiral Long explains, “According to what the Azure Queen told us, the… she described them as some sort of non-solid beings. It didn’t translate well. But, they’re apparently the native denizens of the world we’re headed to. The others you see are invaders, and apparently a very unkind invader at that. The Azure Queen’s notes suggested this world because it meets most of our requirements, and the natives will actually be rather relieved if we can help them. Supposedly. However, there’s also a satellite world to a gas giant that’s also a good contender, and it’s on the way. We may end up testing both as simultaneously as we can. We’ll drop a scouting regiment on the first world, and once they’ve established a stable base camp, we’ll investigate the Nerrissi world. Zeeannssii has mentioned that we should expect a blockade, essentially, but that it should be something within our capacity.”

  “You expect TEAU to be able to fight off a blockade and invade a conquered planet, Admiral?”

  Spaceman Long offers, “The Nerrissi are apparently extremely peaceful, Sir. The Wolgrix didn’t need very many to conquer the world.”

  “What about reinforcements?”

  Admiral Long replies, “Extinct. They attacked the race whose space we were in when Zeeannssii engaged us. The retaliation wiped out the Wolgrix homeworld. According to the Queen’s notes, the Wolgrix have several colonies, but nothing large enough to reinforce this one. Our goal will be to drive them off world. But, of course, only if your scouting teams determine it can be done. We won’t pick a losing fight if we can, but helping the Nerrissi may be beneficial to establishing a colony if they’re willing to accept us. Again, all part of what we hope to learn through reconnaissance.”

  “Understood. I’ll begin preparing teams immediately. Excuse me.”

  He starts to walk away, and Admiral Long asks, “Hancock?”

  He pauses and looks at her. She offers gently, “Stay strong, please.”

  “I will.”

  Hancock returns to his room to find the Void Queen guard trying to calm Rezzanna down, and he takes over, silencing her with little more than his presence. He walks the deck with her, idly looking at the Olwen through the windows.

  Approximately four years ago, Hancock was having wings in a sports bar, unimpressed with news of an anomaly from space. Now, he'll be leading the vanguard to a new world.

  He sighs as he scratches Rezzanna's ribs gently, which is a soft spot for her. She coos, and he murmurs softly, "What would you do, Princess? Anything other than your best?"

  For once, though, Hancock doesn't feel his normal pride in his uniform. He felt dirty when he kidnapped Zeeannssii and disobeyed orders. And yet, it ended up saving everyone. He doesn't want that to be the right answer, but he also has a duty.

  He gave his best and he's stayed alive.

  Come what may, he'll continue to do the same.

  Lieutenant Rex Hancock has one thing to wager against everyone else's safety and well-being.

  So others may live, he's all in.

  ***

  Supernova Blitz

  The Nomad Arc

  Thank you for reading!

  To be continued in:

  The Colonial Ward Arc