Daughter of Ethos Read online

  Apparently in the Indorino Universe where the Coalition came from, planets like that were legal and sanctioned by the council of planets. Once she knew about these planets, she had researched them and discovered that there were some pleasure planets that were not legal. She had set some of her cyber-hackers to finding out if these planets were being sent women as well, she really hoped they were not.

  Then she remembered how angry Peyton had become when she found out about the planets, she told her that it could be a fate worse than death for women to live the remainder of their lives without hope and in servitude. Darby shivered whenever she thought about her or any woman ending up like that, and hoped Peyton’s idea to get them away from Earth, whatever it was this time, would work.

  This morning she had run from the house without telling any of them what she was up to. Although she had left a note saying she had gone to enact a plan which she guaranteed would work. Leaving the three women behind, dividing their time between hope and worry.

  FIVE:

  Since Melody, Darby and Heather along with the first wave of scientists had arrived at Runnerdale, Peyton had researched and planned one strategy after another to get them and the women she was responsible for, off Earth. Her first plan had died a natural death when she realized there were far more women than the few she originally thought to leave with.

  Almost daily, she made trips to the state department in the hopes of seeing someone from any agency or even someone from the Coalition, to plead her and her people’s case. Unfortunately, she had been thwarted by one official after another but Peyton was relentless in her determination to get them on a ship and off Earth and refused to believe her chances of making that happen was slim to none.

  Two weeks previously, she had discovered that Ambassadors from the Coalition and Earth’s representatives where to be at the state capital, in the hope she would be able to speak to one of them. She had arrived early in the morning, only to spend the day being shuffled from one person or department to another. Late that afternoon frustrated and disappointed, Peyton had sat in an empty hallway looking blankly off into space.

  Thinking that she did not want to go home again and see the disappointed looks on her friend’s faces, especially Darby’s, who was slipping further into despair as the weeks passed. She sat there and thought about all the people she had seen, and everything she had done. Trying to see what more she could do, maybe she was missing something.

  A secretary for some obscure official had finally taken pity on her when she had walked passed Peyton for the fifth time. She sat down next to the woebegone woman and took her unresisting hand in hers and asked sympathetically. ‘Now, what has you so upset dear?’

  Peyton had sighed and told her. ‘I need to help my friends.’

  She had nodded pulled her tablet out and asked. ‘What is your name?’

  When Peyton had told her who she was, the woman had run a quick search, then she had sighed and tut-tutted. ‘Come with me. We need to have a little talk.’

  Peyton followed the gray haired, well-dressed woman, into what appeared to be her office, once there she sat Peyton down and proceeded to explain the facts of life to her. There was no way, the secretary told her bluntly, that Peyton and her friends were ever going to get off the world, they were just not wanted. It was their DNA samples, they were subpar.

  The same samples Peyton had originally submitted on behalf of herself and her friends and the other scientists. Samples that Darby and Heather had tinkered with, in the hopes of stopping the Coalition from finding out that Darby and the other scientists were not in fact dead. Unfortunately, it seemed their plan had worked too well. The secretary explained Peyton and her friends just like all the other thousands of women on the data base, were undesired by any planet. It was sad she had informed her, but there were standards to be observed.

  Apparently their genes were not malleable enough, or in plain speech they were worthless! Shaking her head, the woman had explained, the stark truth was they would have to remain on Earth.

  Peyton’s mind had reeled at the information, she had promised the women she could get them away from Earth safely. Now because of her decision to alter the samples, she had instead killed all their chances. What could she tell them now?

  Sometimes, her grandmother told her, she was far too clever for her own good, it looked like this time she had been proved right.

  The secretary, seeing Peyton’s pale face had tried to reassure her, by telling her everything would be alright. She and her friends, along with the other women would all become useful once more, when the world restructured. Occupations would be found for her and her friends and if they were lucky enough, they could become donors to the clone breeding program. Which was to be started within the next year or so? She enthusiastically explained that DNA did not matter for clones as they were created by combining donated eggs and sperm. Basically it was a soup of DNA.

  When explaining this later to Darby and Heather, Peyton was assured that the woman was an idiot, as cloning did not work like that. Darby had sighed and said some people knew nothing, which is why the world was where it was now. Heather had wanted to go and explain biology, in her words, to the stupid woman. Appalled, Melody had wanted to go shoot the woman for betraying women everywhere. Peyton had sympathized with her, saying, she was glad she had not carried her gun that day, because she was fairly sure, she would have shot the woman right there in the office.

  To say Peyton had been struck speechless by the woman’s explanation was an understatement, sadly it was not because of the decision made by the Government for her and all the women with unwanted DNA. It was more that a woman was actually touting the advantages of producing eggs for their world to sell.

  Further disappointment set in when she found out that their Government was willing to pay a reward for the harvesting of eggs. She had slumped in the office chair, despair riding her high unable to think clearly as rage she had not felt for years filled her heart. The secretary not realizing how close to death she was, softly placed a hand on Peyton’s shoulder oblivious it seemed, to the warning look in her eyes or the flinch she gave at her touch. With sympathy lacing her tone, the woman offered Peyton the office for a few minutes, so she could gather her composure before she left.

  Alone, Peyton looked around the sparsely furnished room as slowly her analytical mind came back on line. With her thoughts racing from one idea to another, she desperately searched for a solution, a way out of this nightmare for her and her friends. When no answers magically appeared, she pulled herself together and took a breath, placing her hands on the desk in preparation to stand, she woke the computer.

  Glee, bubbled through her system when she realized she had an opportunity to at least get some kind of reward for her efforts. With a few quick strokes on the screen, she downloaded the list of unwanted women and anything else that was on the computer to her computer.

  With a solemn wave to the secretary, Peyton hastily left the building and the capital, only stopping long enough to stare at the newly constructed port as well as the shuttles and large Warriors disembarking from them

  She then caught the mag transport home, a long tube that was guided on one rail by a magnetic force and was capable of carrying more than two thousand passengers in one trip. The mag trains crisscrossed the land from cities to towns, Runnerdale was too small to warrant a terminal. So she had to catch a land vehicle from a town several kilometers to her home.

  It had been hard returning that day to her friends, to once more tell them she had failed. The meal that night was sombre and quiet, disappointment hung heavily over each of them. No one had wanted to look at the information she had downloaded. In fact Peyton after cleaning the kitchen, had excused herself and retired to bed. The others she assumed did the same as the house was quiet until morning.

  For three days they went about their business, no one talked of Peyton’s visit to the state department or about leaving Earth. They just worked at what they thou
ght needed doing and each night they ate their meal, then went to bed early. As the days passed and the sharp feelings of disappointment waned, they got together and started to suggest alternative ideas for leaving Earth.

  Some were wild and extravagant, much to Darby’s delight. It seemed the more outrageous the plans were the more she became fascinated. It was amusing to Peyton and worrying for Heather; she was not the only one who noticed Darby’s state of mind. Melody kept an eye on all her new family.

  Most of the plans involved finding a safe place for the women to hide until they could secure passage to a new planet. There were so many that needed help, Peyton despaired of ever finding a solution, but she tried every day to come up with one that would work. She would broach the idea she had thought up the night before as she struggled to sleep, to the others when they sat down to breakfast. Then would listen as Melody, Heather or Darby punched holes in it, demolishing any hope of it working.

  Two weeks to the day of her disastrous visit, Peyton woke bright and early after an interesting night and knew she had a plan that would work. So before any of her friends could ask, she was out of the house and once more on her way to the city.

  SIX:

  Late that same day as Peyton hurried home after her secret mission. Darby took her place with Heather and Melody at the table and squeezed her eyes shut while she remembered everything they had done so far to prepare for leaving. Regardless of what she thought late at night, they just had to leave, their world was not going to get any better and as much as she wished she was that type of person. She knew she was not a revolutionist, walking around with a gun in her hands and taking someone’s life was beyond her. She also knew the ratio of humans on Earth would never be balanced again, at least not in her lifetime, unless the Coalition had a way of reversing the effects of the Virus which seemed increasingly unlikely.

  Because as Heather had stated on more than one occasion. If they were capable of eradicating the Virus, why had they not done so already? She, like Darby believed there was no cure and maybe that was the reason the Coalition had in delaying the arrival of other species on Earth.

  Sometimes like now when despair rode her hard, she let hope play around in her mind that a cure was possible, but she knew she had to stop thinking that way. Nothing was right on Earth and as far as she could see, would never be again, at least not for the foreseeable future. Anyway Darby analyzed it, their world as they had known it was coming to an end. Secretly she knew she was just balancing on the edge of sanity, if it wasn't for the other three women in her life and the constant workload. She would be unable to hold it together as well as she was doing.

  She could feel herself starting to panic now, her heart rate sped up and she couldn’t seem to get enough air into her lungs. Her breaths started to come in quick little pants as her muscles tried to seize. She hurriedly stood as her fight-or-flight instincts warred with each other. Then a smooth warm hand covered hers, she opened her eyes and saw Heather’s hand holding hers in a gentle clasp, thereby anchoring her in the here and now.

  She drew in a deep breath dragging her thoughts from the dark hole that they wanted to slip into, some days she swore it was becoming harder to keep herself from falling in. She acknowledged the look from Heather and the pat of comfort from Melody, knowing she had to keep trying for these special women who had crept into her heart and soul. The same ones who fought every day to keep her balanced and give her hope, her friends, her sisters, her family.

  And there were all the women counting on her, the same ones waiting for the word to say they were leaving, and especially for herself. She had a semi-normal life now and as tenuous as it was; it was hers and she would keep on fighting to live it.

  She drew in several more calming breaths and within minutes she was able to reach for her tea, again in control, and enter the discussion the other two were having about Peyton, and where and what she had decided to do this time.

  SEVEN:

  Peyton handed the flash-drive to the small woman dressed in her traditional attire. She was directing entertainment for the Ambassadors on board the Warship tonight. She assured her for the chance to be taken from Earth with her two sisters, she would make sure the Commander named Roeah, who oversaw all the Warriors would receive the drive.

  Peyton knew from the information they had about the Warriors that they were in bondage to the Coalition by way of Ambassador Thanikis Jenerika. She wanted to believe the information she had received the night before about the Commander wanting a way out of servitude, for himself and his Warriors was true. She hoped he would be brave or desperate enough, to accept the drive and would actually look at it.

  She walked away from the port and the very sweet woman, who promised she could deliver the flash-drive with a hopeful heart and her mind in turmoil, praying the advice she had received, bore fruit.

  By the time her mag train arrived at her terminal, she had settled her racing heart and calmed her chaotic thoughts. Peace like she had not felt for years stole over her like a blanket of warmth as she hailed a land vehicle. And the closer she got to her home the more she was positive her plan would work. Divine intervention of a kind, sort of assured her it would.

  Letting her land vehicle go at the corner of her street, she practically skipped down the sidewalk toward her home, feeling her heart lighten with each step. Sweet cheerful laughter filled her mind; the plan had been initiated, and the first steps put in place. She and her new family just had to hope a little longer, soon their whole future could be… No she thought, it would be changed! After all she had help from the most unlikely of sources.

  Until two days ago she would have scoffed at the idea that a star or planet could be sentient but that was two days ago, now she had her eyes and mind blown open and knew differently. Having one’s mind and soul touched by something as vast in size and experience as she had been, changed a person’s perspective forever.

  For the first time in her twenty-five years of life, she felt complete; it was as though a missing part of herself had been found and locked in place. Finally she could see the meaning to her existence, and it was enough to make her giddy with relief.

  Arriving at the front door of the house that had been her home since she was five years old. The same home she and her friends had shared for the last few months was a little surreal. Without their knowledge and consent, Peyton had decided everyone’s future, not just her family but for all the women who depended on her to protect them. She was going to change their lives forever, and as she stood looking at her home, she thought it probably would not be for the last time.

  Sucking in a breath she realized; she did not know how to explain to the three women on the other side of this door why she had done what she had. At least not without sounding like a crazy person. Deciding she would just have to wing it she squared her shoulders and opened the door. Before she could call out that she was home Melody's arms tightened around her in a quick hug of welcome. Then they were racing to the kitchen laughing as they fell into their chairs.

  When her favorite coffee cup was placed in front of her and the others had taken their seats, she sipped her drink in between giving them all an abridged version of her reasoning for implementing her plan without their input. Then she gave them a blow by blow account of the flash-drive hand over, and the name of the woman who would be contacting them shortly.

  Once the three of them got over their shock and disbelief at her audacity for contacting the fearsome Commander, they had all read about.

  They went through what she had written and came to the same conclusion they assumed she did. That he would not believe her, Peyton allowed them to believe this. Even though she had it on good authority that the Commander would be compelled to come to her home. Then they discussed how to get the woman and her sisters to Runnerdale, when they notified them the flash-drive had been delivered, which Peyton informed them the woman said would be around midnight that night.

  She did leave out the visit the previous
night from her new friends, hoping to explain who they were and where they came from, when she had settled it more in her own mind. It was still just so fantastical even to her and she experienced it!

  While the three friends sat and digested the plan, she began humming as she thought over the steps they would have to take, if they were going to colonize uninhabited worlds in another universe. Firstly; for that to happen, they needed women with skills, intelligence and the pioneering spirit. Secondly; they would need to notify the women who were already willing to leave Earth and have them move to Runnerdale as soon as possible. Then Peyton smiled as she remembered the list of women deemed unworthy for export that she had downloaded from the secretary’s computer. She looked up from her tablet and asked. ‘Darby, did you ever look at the information I sent to your computer from that Government office?’

  Darby looked up from her computer and blinked a few times, then shook her head. ‘No, why?’

  ‘Darby, there is a list of a woman we need to contact on there.’

  ‘Oh shoot.’

  She quickly scanned through her computer and started retrieving names, then she seemed to go completely still, no one was sure she was even breathing. When Heather was about to ask if she was all right, Darby started cussing and she cussed very badly, which they had all found out when she first moved in with them.

  ‘Wait Darby, please stop!’ Melody begged as the other two laughed so hard they were holding their stomachs. She looked at them with tears in her eyes, worried now Heather leapt from her chair and encircled the smaller woman’s shoulders. ‘Darby, what has you so upset, tell us, so we can help.’

  ‘I should have looked earlier, there is the new software program they are using and so much more here. I am so sorry!’

  Peyton looked as confused as the other two women as she asked. ‘Why are you sorry?’