Chief Radvar (The Chieftains of the Majuri Book 1) Read online

  “Major Haygood, it’s nice to see you,” he said giving a long look at the clock. “To what do we owe your early arrival?” He knew she wanted to know what was happening. Everyone did but she was the only one that would arrive early and push to be told what was going on. Often, her over the top tactics worked for her. “Walk with me,” he instructed her. He carried his coffee and she stopped to get a mug of it too. He raised his brow as he stood waiting on her. She hurried, but damn it she needed her coffee. They walked through the halls to the greenhouse. No one would be in there this time of day and it was a quiet and lovely place to talk.

  “I watched the news last night,” she informed.

  “I’m sure even those that didn’t have heard by now. Our government should have issued a statement, but they are waiting to see how the talks with the second group of aliens turns out. The reptiles are called the Dramites, the other group look much like us and they are the Majuri. They are offering protection in exchange for somethings of value. They say those things will be stipulated later once they have had time to assess what we have that they might need. No one wants to give up something and not know what the hell it will be. They’re cold bastards to sit by and watch that attack doing nothing,” he declared.

  She agreed but had they interceded they wouldn’t have gotten what they want and she’d bet it was something of great value and the Majuri already had their eyes on the prize. What were the odds that two alien ships would come here at the same time both wanting something? Pretty small and she didn’t believe in coincidences especially not one of this magnitude. Had the Majuri followed or chased the Dramites here? Or had the Dramites followed the Majuri here? They wouldn’t tell and it didn’t really matter because it wouldn’t change the situation.

  “It will be something we would never give up willingly,” she whispered.

  Her dad had a serious look on his face. “I have no doubt that’s true. I just don’t know how we can fight against their protective armor and their ability to move around in a flash. We would have had that technology years ago if it wasn’t for all the fighting and the problems with overpopulation. The money went there instead of the program for particle beam transportation. That’s got to be what they’re using. The Majuri have also offered some technology and it’s got the negotiators drooling. I can’t say what they’ll do,” he admitted. “I’m worried about what they agree to if they offer enough tech.”

  She was worried too. Being a soldier was something she loved but there were times she felt frustrated at the deals the politicians made and left the soldiers and the regular folk to clean up. It was hard to imagine what the big bad aliens wanted unless it was some type of fuel for their ship. The reptile’s, they seemed to think humans were a great snack.

  “Can’t we fight those lizards ourselves?” she asked.

  “They have armor and some kind of protective field our weapons won’t get through. The Majuri are arrogant bastards. They agreed to tell us next time the Dramites go back to the surface, show us their weak points and even transport a squad of humans to the spot so we’ll understand what we’re dealing with if that’s what we want to do,” he explained.

  “I want on that team,” she said.

  “Of course you do. They suggested not using anyone that will be missed. They think you’ll all die,” he admitted. “How can I send my children to a certain death?”

  “Who are you sending?” she asked.

  “You, of course, then Jade and Junior. Two of your cousins and your uncle Mike. That makes six because Dramites go in squads of six. You’ll be on call and you’d better get your best sword and knife ready. We’ll be getting a video of Majuri fighting the aliens for you to study. Shay?” he asked.

  “Yes, Dad?”

  “You had all better come back or your mom will kill me.”

  She would at that. Her parents had met in the military when her mom had served with him. Junior’s mom had been military too and she’d died in battle. Her dad had met her mom and knew immediately she was the only woman that could ever heal him and his little boy. Junior had won her over, she loved children. Because his first wife had died, he’d been allowed to have two more children. Twins had been a surprise to both of them and raising girls had been hard on her dad. At a loss, he had just handled them the same way he had managed his son. Being born with one minute between them and a world of difference in the way they looked and behaved, they were still both kickass warriors, thanks to their dad.

  They had a close connection like most twins but they liked their privacy, even from each other at times. Jade wasn’t stationed on the moon, she was down below at the Earth One headquarters. She was using her sharp mind and her diplomacy to make things better for all of them. It was a rare thing in the Haygood family but Jade had a political bent. There was no point in denying what she was good at and her talents didn’t go to waste at the Earth One headquarters like they would have on the Moon Base where most of the family was.

  “I need some of my swords since I only brought two of my collections with me.” Fighting of any kind was not only her job and her passion, it was her hobby. She had a collection of swords from throughout Earth history. It was her only hobby and she wasn’t vain so most of her money went into that and saving for a house that she hoped to buy someday. That would be sometime after thirty when she found the one. The one would be that perfect man that she couldn’t live without. She assumed since she was such a badass, that he would be a nurturer. Didn’t a couple need someone to cook, clean, and kiss the baby’s boo boos? That would be his job and she would earn the major portion of the bacon.

  She guessed he would be a scholar or a chef, maybe even a doctor or nurse. He would be the softness that was needed to counter her hard manner. It was him the children would whisper secrets to and he would go to school to deal with what was needed there. When she could, she would go but he would have the responsibilities of home and hearth. A silly smile came over her face when she imagined what he might be like. It was only rarely she smiled unless she was delivering pain to someone but that wasn’t because she liked to hurt others. Not at all, it was the joy of the battle. Adrenaline shot through her and a calm came over her. She was a different person during the fight than she was any other time.

  “Call Steve and he’ll have it taken care of,” her dad said as he patted her back and walked off. She felt loved and treasured because he had taken this time just for her. No one understood better than she did about the demands on his time. Someday after he retired she hoped to work her way up to the position he held. Shay knew that would make him proud.

  She hurried back to her room and called Eli. He was good with a sword and could help her warm up. It was only a matter of time before she’d be called and she wanted to be at her best. Once they were in the gym, she would push all other thoughts out of her mind and concentrate on the battle. For now, she would wonder about the Dramites and the Majuri hoping things would turn out for the best.

  “Hey, Eli?”

  “Yes, is this Shay?”

  “It is. I need you to cross swords with me. If you’re on duty, call Steve and he’ll spring you. This is important.”

  “I’ll give him a call and meet you at the gym in thirty. I want to know all about it.”

  It was a relief that Eli would be able to help her. Shay hoped the others in her family that were going would be able to practice too. It wasn’t like sword play was common and it wasn’t easy to find a sword or someone to practice with these days. Most fighting was done at a distance using planes and remote devices. Most soldiers received hand to hand combat training, but few got to use it in the field and most didn’t keep their training current. It was a case of don’t use it, you’ll lose it.

  Eli came in the gym with a big smile as she was unwrapping her swords. She’d brought one for him as well. He only crossed swords with her because he didn’t have a sword and couldn’t afford one of his own. All of his money was spent on the ladies. Everyone thought Eli and she
sweated up the sheets regularly but it wasn’t true. They were very close, maybe even best friends and had been so since officer training academy. While she’d moved up faster and he was only a captain but that was nothing to sneeze at either. He was a good soldier and an excellent leader for his squad.

  She tossed him one of the broadswords. They were heavy and she’d found the pair in Scotland at an estate sale. She lovingly cleaned them, the hilts turned out to be encrusted with jewels. That was probably done later, once the use of swords had gone out of style and they were used more often for decoration than defense. She tossed Eli a pair of gloves, she wore a pair also. Jewels often had ragged edges and could be hard on the hands. They would fight carefully, both swords were incredibly sharp.

  They started slow as she got a feeling for where Eli was. She was more proficient than he was and they would go slow since she had no desire to injure him. This was only a chance to warm up and get a little practice. Once they were done, she would work through complex moves for hours until she felt ready. Hopefully, they wouldn’t be needed before her other swords made it here. Sweat dripped off them both before she told Eli he was through for the day.

  “They plan to have you battle those creatures one on one?” he asked.

  She shot him a dazzling smile. “It will be glorious.”

  “You are crazy. I’ve argued when others said it but now I see it’s true.”

  “All good soldiers are a little bit crazy. How else do you deal with the possibility of dying every time you go into battle?”

  Eli watched her practice for a while and then he waved as he passed through the door. She practiced until she could barely lift the sword and then she went home. She took a hot shower which helped ease her stiff and sore muscles and then she had a feast. She fixed a medium rare steak with a loaded baked potato. Since she had worked off so much energy, she splurged with a piece of frozen cheesecake she saved for a special occasion. When she went on a mission, especially like the one coming up, she never knew if she’d make it back. That made today as special an occasion as any.

  There was a knock on the door and she went to answer it. She didn’t get much company and she wasn’t expecting anyone so she had no idea who it might be. She opened the door, and Jade jumped on her wrapping her arms around her.

  “Hey Twin,” she said.

  “Hey, back at ya,” she answered.

  She looked at her sister and once again wished she looked like her. Light blonde hair that was almost white, deep sapphire blue eyes, and a pale milky complexion made her sister the most beautiful woman on Earth. She felt scruffy beside her even though men seemed to favor them equally when they went out. They were about the same height, just short of average. She was a little curvier, but not by much. They were both firm and toned although she was in slightly better shape.

  “You’ve turned into a crème puff. It’s the life of a pencil pusher,” she teased Jade.

  Everyone was always surprised that their names didn’t rhyme or start with the same letter but they’d been named after famous actresses at the time they were born. Jaden Noir and Shayna Noir were both actresses and also sisters but not twins. Neither of them liked their names and they only liked the shortened version a bit better. Their mother often called them by their given names when she was annoyed or disappointed which seemed to be often. She wanted them settled down because she feared they would be injured or killed in battle. Once she’d married their dad, she had taken an assignment that was behind the lines and she had stayed there ever since.

  It was likely she was just wanting grandkids but Junior was older and no closer to committing to someone than they were. She never seemed to worry about him settling down. She often commented that women married at younger ages than men. Women who went into battle didn’t, but neither sister wanted to bring that fact up.

  “So did you see the news feed from last night?” Jade asked.

  “Yes, it was grisly. People screamed especially the ones they dragged off to eat later,” Shay said a shudder running over her.

  “Steve had the swords loaded on the shuttle Junior and I came up in. Junior will be helping carry them here,” Jade mentioned.

  They had no sooner sat down on the couch than there was a banging on the door. “Open up,” Junior yelled. His name was Joshua just like their dad so everyone called him Junior. He didn’t seem to mind. He was a carbon copy of their father. The red of his hair was the same fiery color she remembered their dad having in their youth. Their dad had the right job to attract gray hair especially now with the alien complication.

  She hurried and opened the door before everyone that lived on her hall came out to see what was going on. He was carrying a box and the guy behind him carried one too. The guy caught a glimpse of her and Jade and he seemed happier. They walked in and set the boxes on the floor and Junior held the door open.

  “C’mon man, won’t you see if they’ll invite us both to stay?” he whined.

  “Hell, no! These are my sisters,” he explained.

  The guy seemed to realize Junior would be no help and he left reluctantly. Junior pulled open one box and took the swords out. “First come, first served. I like this sword and I know you and Jade will pick the two you always keep with you.”

  “So who else will be going with us?” Junior asked.

  “Uncle Mike, Trevor, and Jules, according to the note Dad sent. We’ll be watching videos in the morning so someone needs to find some popcorn,” Shay said.

  “Well you live here so I guess that’ll be you,” he said with a smirk.

  “Fine, but no extra butter if I get it,” she declared.

  “Spoil sport,” he teased.

  They spoke for about an hour, but they knew they might be needed anytime. They said goodnight and Shay went to her bed while her siblings went to guest quarters. She set her alarm a little early for her popcorn quest. It would make things seem normal even if they weren’t. It seemed like she’d just closed her eyes when the annoying sound of her alarm sank into her sleepy mind.

  She got up, showered, dressed, and headed to the kitchen. She had no problem getting one of the cooks to fix her a big bowl of popcorn. She wasn’t sure why, but the kitchen staff was always super helpful to her. She did help them too whenever she could, maybe that was why. She carried the big bowl of yummy smelling popcorn all the way to the conference room that was set up for them. Jade was already there and they sat down with the popcorn between them snacking on it while they waited.

  Their dad came in first followed by Steve. Junior came in last and looked tired. Probably out whore dogging around. Shay tsked him and he turned red.

  “I’m glad you all made it,” their dad said and he shot a significant look at Junior. He didn’t approve of his only son’s lifestyle. “Once Mike, Trevor, and Jules get here, Steve will get the party started. This video should show us what we’re dealing with.”

  There was a knock on the door and Trevor came in. Five minutes later Jules and Mike made it. “Now that we’re all here Steve will play the video. Steve put it on and it played on the large screen that was mounted on the wall. It looked just like an alien hero versus evil alien movie.

  A group of lizard men came out of nowhere and started attacking what was obviously unarmed civilians. A group of huge and incredible attractive men came out of nowhere and a sword battle began. The lizard men were no match for the heroes even though they did some minor damage. The thing was that humans no longer fought with swords and most soldiers would be no match for them.

  The tape ended when the last lizard died. No one spoke for a few moments and then the general cleared his throat. “I think it’s clear we’ll have our hands full. I have a lot of faith in you guys, but frankly that vid scares me. If I felt I had a choice, I’d keep you here. We have another vid that has pointers on it. I’m sure they think we don’t have anyone that can even out up a good fight.” He nodded to Steve who put on the next video.

  There was an attractive and large a
lien pointing out the weaknesses in the Dramite armor and the spots that were deadly when they were stabbed in them. The underside of the throat was one such place and there was a spot under the ears. The eyes were another spot and if you could get past the armor, they had a soft area on their stomach. Their genitalia was the last spot and the women all groaned.

  “How gross,” Shay said.

  “Yuck!” Jade declared.

  “Nasty,” Jules screeched.

  “You’ll do it if you have to,” said the general with a serious look on his face.

  “Yes we will. We’ll neuter the bastards if we have to,” Shay agreed.

  “So what will we have as far as protective armor?” Jade asked.

  “We have some experimental armor that we’ll go check out right now,” the general said as he rose and motioned them to follow him out the door.

  They went down to the bottom floor where the lab was located. He explained as they went how the lab had been working on a strong polymer that adjusted to fit the warrior. It came in four sizes, small, medium, large, and extra-large. The men needed the extra large and the medium fit the women. They all tried on a set and once it was fastened, it shrank to fit them perfectly. There was even a helmet that came with it leaving only their faces exposed. Unfastening it was the only way to get it to loosen so it could be removed. It was hard enough to withstand almost any direct hits. It was incredible and would be a huge help.

  Their armor went with them when they left. They had their swords, their armor, and they all got ear buds for communication with each other and with headquarters. Each of them already had a survival knife they had carried since they were recruits. The armor even had a fold on one leg that was perfect for hiding the knife but keeping it within easy reach.

  “Get all your equipment together now and keep it with you at all times. We won’t have much time once we are notified of an attack and the Majuri will want you all together for transport,” the general said.

  Everyone knew what was at stake. If they weren’t able to take on these creatures, they would have to give up something they might not be willing to. They were all prepared, bunked near each other, and they were also all asleep when the alarm went off. It was time for action so Shay dressed and had everything in hand in two minutes. She was out the door and to the meeting place waiting for the rest of her team. A minute later they were all assembled and she got her first taste of particle beam travel.