I turned my head toward approaching Dara men with smiles on their tanned faces. “We found him.” Quickly they handed me a data map with coordinates.

The blond spoke fast with a labored breath. “One of their ships surfaced less than an hour away.” My gaze went back down to the readout.

“It’s an unknown ship with the markings of Fuath’s house.”

I stared out into the ocean. Yes, it’s him. I can feel it.

If I miss the birth of my first child or if anything happens to them, I’ll kill you with my own hands. Consequences be damned.

***

There is a tendency to share with my Oma. For the longest time, he was all that remained of my family. The only one who could still answer questions about my First and Second Father. Or time as a child I couldn’t remember. I fought the urge to tell him the good news. As promised I relented and allowed him a life worthy of a Volardi outside of the personal force field. His health still declined despite the promises from the doctors. I couldn’t fix his sickness. I could make his final days if not pleasant, then at least less miserable.

There are two loved ones in my life and soon a third. The possibility of losing one was almost too great to consider. Two or more was insanity.

Yet, I couldn’t help but want to lengthen his life. The personal medical field was gone, yet I still had the one around his room.

I allowed myself a quick smile. A ‘compromise’ as Peter would say. And you will say more things. I will take you back.

As the ship sped toward the location, I addressed the six members of my personal guard. I heard on other planets they inspect the soldiers, but I had no need. Gerlari oversaw that. As King I could inspect, but I would not insult him or them. Some like Gerlari grew up with me since I was a child. Everyone on this ship knew how to prepare for battle. To suggest otherwise was an insult from one warrior to another.

“I’ll lead the charge,” I said. I hefted a Vibro-Blade the length of my arm. “The Ryba have stolen our Volardi future. He is of Earth, but he carries Volardi blood within. We will find him. If anyone stands in the way, kill them quickly and without mercy. However, Fuath is mine alone to slay.”

Mass killing was frowned by the Emperor except for cases like the Gloom. We protected our client races. Even with our benevolence, there were races that gladly took our technology. Then they expected us to step aside.

Madness.

Three sharp bell dings took me out of my thoughts. “Sire,” the craft is submerging.” I shook my head. Did they really expect to escape?

“It’s speeding away.”