The Tales of the Silver Wind

"Yes, thank you, for saving my life Captain-major," Pisapia said bowing to Sebastian.

"To think Stan would go this far," Elizabeth said shaking her head, "I'm assuming your late arrival was because of his interference?"

"Yes," Sebastian said coldly.

"You have our apologies for this," Elizabeth said squaring her shoulders. "It was not my intention that you would be faced with dealing out death during your stay with us," she said with all sincerity.

"What's one more life I have taken to the numerous others I have taken in the past," Sebastian said eyeing her wearyingly. "Now, shall we get on with this?"

"Right," Elizabeth nodded, "ladies and gentlemen please ask your questions," she said giving the members the floor.

"Please don't think me rude for this especially after what you just did for me," Pisapia said retaking her seat, "but this Polorian or whatever they are called. Are they truly that dangerous that we need to expose ourselves?"

"As deadly as that man was," Sebastian said nodding to the door behind him, "however, he was just going to kill you. The Polorians would do far worse to you, since you're a woman. They tend to use rape first before they torture you, and then kill you," he said matter-of-fact. Watching how the woman's face turned ghostly white.

"Do you have any proof that these Polorians are behind these attacks?" the woman at the foot of the table asked as she spun around in her chair.

"Does that work?" Sebastian asked pointing at the screen behind Elizabeth. He figured this would happen that was why he had Pantra send some of the battle footage they could salvage from their destroyed ships sent to him.

"Yes," Elizabeth nodded getting up from her seat as Sebastian walked towards the head of the table. Helping Sebastian to sync up his wave tablet to the screen before returning to her seat.

"This was salvaged from one of their carriers," Sebastian said playing the footage stopping it when it centered on a ship, he knew Elizabeth would recognize. "While they have altered the design slightly, but you can clearly make out that this is a Polorian battle cruiser," he said looking at the council members. Allowing the rest of the footage to play out as they witnessed the fleet the Polorians commanded before the footage became corrupted. "As you can see if they wanted to, they could easily destroy this hunk of rock you call home."

"That's... disturbing," said the man at the far end of the table.

"This Candarian Queen, how much can she be trusted?" the woman that sat to Elizabeth's left asked.

"Depends on are you referring to my dealings with her, or to yours?" Sebastian asked with a pointed look. "She has earned my trust as I have earned hers. You on the other hand," he said not hiding his contempt for them. He knew one or more knew about the plot. They were just to cowardly to come forward. "Haven't earned that yet, you must earn that yourselves. Then again, I doubt you have the... stones to prove to the Candarians that you can be trusted. It's only because of who I am and what I have won in their empire that this has even been offered to you," Sebastian said letting them know he was willing to end negotiations here and damn them to their fate.

"Sebastian, I know you must be angry, but must you speak to this council with such hostility?" Elizabeth asked playing the part of a good leader yet smiling inwardly knowing this was exactly what the council needed.

"Oh? I can speak more harshly if you like," Sebastian said arching an eyebrow, "the Candarians won't mince words to placate your sensibilities. They know only two things strength and honor, neither of which your people currently has if it wasn't for who I am."

"And just who are you to these people?" Pisapia asked not fond of being spoken to like a child.

"I am the Demon of Halkor III, Savior of the Nithina tribe, Defender of the throne, Löwe: champion of the ring, and blood-brother to the Queen of the Candary, that is who I am," Sebastian said proudly. Taking pride in the name he had earned and won countless times. "When Pantra offered this it wasn't out of the goodness of her heart. It was because of who I am and the honor I have won over a thousand battles. It's because I can be trusted and have earned the trust of her people to deal honorably with you," he said peering at the woman daring her to refute his words.

"Then please tell us what does she want in return for this aid she is willing to give us?" the woman at the foot of the table asked.

"You are scientists here, not soldiers like we were," Sebastian said pointing to Elizabeth, "in exchange for her aid you will help with the ship they are currently building to face off with these...," he said gesturing to the screen.

"And that's all they want in exchange?" the man next to her asked confused.

"Yes," Sebastian nodded.

"Sebastian what exactly will you be doing once this ship is completed?" Elizabeth asked looking up at him.

"What I was born for, I'll be the one leading the attack on these remnants albeit in a roundabout manner," Sebastian said turning off his feed to the screen, "since Pantra can't publicly condone the attack without taking her people to war."

"I see," Elizabeth said her eyes darted to and fro as her mind raced. Wondering if she could put together a team of her finest soldiers to bring back technology for them among other things. Plus it would give her people the combat experience she has been desperately wanting to teach them, so that if the time ever came then she would have able men and women to defend the base. Looking around the table seeing her peers nod, knowing they were ready to vote on the matter. "Please if you would step outside while we take a vote," Elizabeth said politely to Sebastian.

"Hello again," Amsher said warmly as the council chamber's doors closed behind him. "Never heard any one speak to the council so forcible before," she said leaning against the wall. "Is it true that you're going to fight these people?"

"Yes," Sebastian said taking the position on the left side of the door.

"What I wouldn't give to go into battle," Amsher sighed, "instead of watching over scientists that want to talk and talk, and study whatever it is that catches their attention."

"Huh-uh," Sebastian said wishing he was back onboard the Silver Wind.

"Maybe someday I can serve under you and see what a real soldier is like," Amsher said looking over at him wondering how she was going to get him to open up to her. She wanted to know how he was able to take down eight men with such ease.

"We'll see," Sebastian said eyeing the woman skeptically. He knew people like her, battle hungry, they never lived that long once they actually stepped foot on the battlefield.

"Amsher!" Sebastian looked over as he saw Daniel walking hurriedly towards her.

"What is it Daniel?" Amsher asked sweetly as she looked over at her husband.

"Is it true that Councilman Evans is dead?" Daniel whispered once he got to her side. Giving Sebastian a friendly wave who nodded before looking away.

"Yes, his body should be on its way to the planet by now," Amsher nodded. That was always the punishment for the dead that sinned against their people.

"Are you okay?!" Daniel asked looking over his wife for any injures.

"Daniel, I'm fine," Amsher said taking hold of his hands. "See, not a scratch on me, okay?"

"Thank goodness," Daniel sighed in relief. Amsher wondered if this was what that doctor meant about love? It did warm her heart to know that Daniel worried about her safety.

"You two make a cute couple," Sebastian said with a warm smile.

"I'm sure you had someone before the fall," Amsher said looking over at him.

"No, we were bred for one thing in the empire, and marriage and a family didn't fall into that category," Sebastian said shaking his head, "enjoy the time you have, and don't go chasing the battlefield. It's not as glorious as it's made out to be," he said darkly. Glancing at the door as it began to inch open.

"Sebastian if you don't mind," Elizabeth said waving him inside.

Sebastian thought he would never see the Silver Wind again as those people pestered him with questions. Most he would never answer. They had no right to know about his time among the Candary as that didn't pertain to the reason he was there. The rest he only gave vague answers to their questions. However, the only good thing that came out of that meeting was that they had agreed to offer help with Pantra's little project. Although that would mean they would have to make a detour to Candary space before they could go to Randor. Then again, he doubted Pantra would mind another visit from him.

"Sebastian," Elizabeth said bringing him out of his meandering thought. "The nanites should be done in the early morning. I'll personally deliver it to you along with the scientists that will be joining you back to their space as a show of good faith that I want this new alliance to work between our two peoples," she said leaving out the fact that she too would be making the journey. "I do hope I can rely on your support, and your wisdom," Elizabeth said laying on the charm. She would do whatever she could to stay in Sebastian's good graces.

"I'll in form the Queen that she can expect us within the week," Sebastian nodded.

"Good, I do hope she and I can work together in putting down this threat," Elizabeth said leaning to her left as her aid whispered into her ear. "I'm sorry we can't speak more, but it seems something requires my attention."

"I understand," Sebastian nodded. In truth he just wanted to be back onboard the Silver Wind were oddly everything made sense to him.

"Captain-major," Amsher saluted before turning on her heel following after Elizabeth.

Turning around releasing a tired sigh he had been holding in. He had no idea how Pantra put up with politics. It left him more drained then the time he fought seventy-two hours straight to hold the line on a distant battlefield. Listening to the hydraulics as the hatch lowered, even that sound brought comfort to him. It was as if the ship itself was welcoming him home.

"About time," Lulu said tapping her foot on the gravity plating as Sebastian stepped on board. Crossing her arms, knowing how her shirt would become taught as her arms sat along her stomach. Her ruby eyes studying him noticing how the stress seemed to pour off of him.

"My, I didn't expect such a welcome," Sebastian said smiling at his crew mates as they sat in a semi-circle.

"Well, mate, it seems you're the only one having fun on this little trip," Nathan said the legs of his chair groaned as they rubbed against the metal plating. "We all were getting bored stuck in here while you got to play ambassador," he said giving Sebastian a cocky grin. "Though I am glad to see you on your feet again."

"Plus you got to see all that tech, I'd flash someone for a chance to touch just a piece of it," Adriana bemoaned. Sebastian pulled out his pistol to which Akasha and Nathan quickly took a hold of her arms as Adriana reached for the hem of her shirt. Chuckling when Akasha gave him a heated look.

"I wouldn't call being attacked fun, Nathan," Sebastian said blowing Akasha a kiss as his pistol slid into his holster, "then again, yeah it was kind of fun."

"What?!" Lulu and Amanda gasped.

"Are you alright Sebastian?" Amanda asked rising from her chair.

"Me? Yeah, I'm fine those guys aren't though," Sebastian said offhandedly.

"Please tell me the one behind it is dead?" Akasha asked to which Sebastian nodded. "Good," she said with a curt nod.

"Tell me Sebastian, how much longer is my ship going to be stuck here?" Lulu asked she couldn't believe he had called Adriana on her offer.

"Oh, we should be gone here by tomorrow morning plus some passengers," Sebastian said glancing over at his friend as Nathan eyed him then his girlfriend, who gestured at his plasma pistol. Laughing to himself as Nathan shook his head.

"Passengers?" Lulu was confused she wasn't expecting to be taking on passengers.

"Yeah, they want to show Pantra that they want this alliance to work, so Elizabeth is sending a small group with us to help jump start Pantra's project."

"I see," Lulu said her tongue flicking against her teeth, "well, since you didn't feel the need to inform me of this beforehand than you can prepare the guest quarters, and I want those rooms sparkling when I check on them."

"Aye, aye Captain," Sebastian said snapping to attention.

. Chapter Seven

"Good morning Sebastian," Elizabeth said greeting Sebastian and his crewmembers that stood behind him on their ships cargo bay door. "As promised, here are the nanites you asked for," she said stepping away from her bag. Placing the two glass cylinders filled each with one hundred thousand nanites. "And these six will be the first of many in our two peoples efforts to bring peace to this region of space," Elizabeth said gesturing to the six scientists she had personally handpicked for this assignment. "Plus, I will be joining you," she said seeing the genuine surprise in his eyes, "and Lieutenant Amsher will be accompanying me along with protecting our people while under Candary care."

"I see," Sebastian said seeing Daniel shyly waving at him.

"Sebastian," Lulu said taking on a commanding tone, "see our passengers to their cabins. The rest of you, see to preparing my ship for takeoff," she ordered watching her crew nodding before drifting off to their stations. Lulu was eager to be gone from that hunk of rock. Taking possession of the cylinders from Sebastian, knowing where to put them should their new guests think to cause mischief on her ship.

"If you care to board," Sebastian said stepping to the side. He could see the excitement in the eyes of the ones that's never traveled in space before. Peering over his shoulder watching how Amsher and Elizabeth were watching him as the hatch rose. Looking at the control panel as the red unsealed light flashed green telling Sebastian the ship was airtight. "This way," Sebastian said leading the group to the guest quarters below the crew quarters. "You'll have to bunk up two to a room, the Silver wind isn't a big ship for each of you to have your own rooms," he said as the lower residential block door rolled open.

"We understand," Elizabeth said eager for the chance to sail the stars once again. "Michael, Ben," she said taking command of her people, "the two of you will be in this cabin," Elizabeth said gesturing to the cabin on her right. "Tesha, Cynin in this one," she said hoping to keep her people from breaking their commitments they had with the partners that had been chosen for them. "Amsher, Daniel the two of you will be at the far righthand cabin, and Linnea you're with me," Elizabeth said directing the flow.

"I need to go prepare the engine for takeoff, please don't leave your cabin during the departure," Sebastian said sternly.

"May we accompany you?" Michael asked sticking his head out of his cabin door.

"I don't see a problem with that, just so long that you don't wander," Sebastian said scratching his cheek.

"You heard him," Elizabeth said clapping her hand causing her people to hustle. Handling Linnea her bag as she passed. "Sebastian, would it be possible for me to speak with this Queen before we arrive wherever we are going?"

"Depends on what it's about," Sebastian said feeling claustrophobic as they pressed in on his sides.

"I want to open a dialog between the two of us before we arrive so the two of us will have some repour," Elizabeth said peering behind her as the rest of her people stood ready to follow Sebastian.

"Sebastian what's taking so long?" Lulu asked over his communicator. "We should have power by now!"

"Sorry Captain, on my way to the engine room," Sebastian said turning on his heel leading them towards the engine room.

"What's behind that?" Elizabeth asked pointing at the sheet.

"Sonic shower," Sebastian said as his fingers worked over the control panel going through the startup process for the engine. "Don't touch that!" he barked as four of the scientists mingled over the shield generator.

"Sebastian isn't that...?" Elizabeth asked looking over at him.

"One of our battleship's generators, yeah," Sebastian said with a devious smile.

"Where did you find it?" Daniel asked as he studied the space folding generator that was hooked to the left side of the dark matter engine.

"In a ship graveyard," Sebastian said matter-of-fact, "Captain, you should have power now," he said into the intercom as the engine cycled on.

"Then prepare for departure," Lulu said leaving the line open, so she could hear his voice. "Gil, take us to three fourths sublight speed once we leave the dock. Akasha cycle the power for the weapons, no telling what awaits us. Nathan keep an eye on the scanners, I don't want a repeat of a few days ago."

"Aye Captain," their three voices resounded over the intercom.

"Sebastian the engines can handle that, yes?" Lulu asked although she already knew but she loved that deep sinful voice of his.

"Sure, so long as we don't hit another cloud," Sebastian said watching as the scientists scanned the shield generator.

"Sebastian, I know you may have another assignment from this Pantra, but during your hunt for these people. Should you come across any of our technology, would you salvage it like you did with that?" Elizabeth asked pointing at the generator. She knew if she had a few dozen of those then her base would be nearly impenetrable.

"I'll see what I can do," Sebastian nodded. Chuckling when he heard a few rumbling stomachs. "If you don't need me Lulu, I'm going to show them to the galley."

"Understood," Lulu said turning off the intercom.

"If you'll follow me."

"Wait, you don't have a matter convertor onboard, do you?" Daniel asked unsure how he would take to organic food after having been raised on remodulated food.

"No we don't, will that be a problem?" Sebastian asked.

"No, but it's a good thing I brought along two of our newest models," Daniel said smiling at Sebastian, "it wouldn't be a problem if we tie it into your power system, will it?"

"I'll have to speak with the Captain first," Sebastian said stroking his chin. "I'll take you back to your cabins while I ask," he said looking over at the man.

"Thank you, Sebastian," Elizabeth said moving up to his side. Wondering if he had taken a wife yet. Wondering what a child born from an Imperialist would be like. "Come on everyone," she said waving for her people to follow. Appearing not to notice as Sebastian locked the door to the engine room. "You have my word we won't leave this room until you get back," Elizabeth said flashing Sebastian a smile before stepping back allowing the doors to close.

"They want to... what?!" Lulu asked perplexed once Sebastian told her.

"Isn't that one of those food replicators you told me about," Adriana asked in awe.

"The one and only," Sebastian nodded.

"They do know once its integrated into the ships power system it can't simply be removed?" Lulu asked flabbergasted and intrigued at the same time. She knew if it worked like he said it did then she could cut out the cost for the nutrient gel they used when they weren't in a port or on a world somewhere.

"Oh, I'm quite sure they know that."

"How long will it take to install?" Lulu asked curious on how the food would taste.

"An hour maybe two if I'm working alone, but we have a few extra hands onboard that are hungry; so it shouldn't take that long. I'll just have to shut off the power to whatever section we decide to install it," Sebastian said noticing how she was shyly toying with her breasts.