“Was it? You could have had it all, had you done things differently. Would you like to know a secret about my people?”

“Does it matter? You’ll tell me anyway.”

“Indeed. We’re a practical empire. We have no desire to hurt others despite what you might believe. Yes, Volardi are first, but it’s… advantageous to have a good relationship with our client races. The humans give us babies and entertainment. The Ryba gave us new technology.”

“Which set my people free.”

“Had you shared, I believe the Emperor would have given you domain over all Ryba. The other kingdoms would have submitted to you. You would have had power both hard and soft on levels you couldn’t dream about. Your people would have sung your name. Every mention of the savior of the Ryba would have been a slap in my face.”

“Now, the credit goes to others. Instead of no Volardi, we will always be a part of the Ryba and they us. An alliance of races instead of the separation you wanted.” His voice lowered. “You don’t kidnap my Femeni, endanger my child, and get the rewards. I’ll give you what was promised and no more. Enjoy your planet of solitude. This will be the last time you’ll see me or anyone.” He pointed to the yellow, shelled creatures off in the distance. “Your subjects await you… King Fuath.”

He didn’t wait for my reply. The top half of the ship reformed and then shot up into the sky.

I turned to the ocean and wished I could have killed them all. Instead, I got a planet of my own. I sat on the sand and watched while waves came in and out. Thoughts of killing him and his offspring filled my mind. Tomorrow I would do the same. Then the day after that, until my days finished.

A yellow armored thing, approached and dug into the sand. My lips pursed as I looked at my ‘subject’. Perhaps it looked at its king.

I leaned down and spoke with a shaky voice. “I won… did I not?”

Nobody answered.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Four

AFTERWARD

NATE

“Hey! Let me go!”

I shouted into the grey shadows of what looked like a futuristic medical laboratory. “My father knows the Governor. You can’t do this!”

They could, but there are two types of folks – even with aliens. Wolves and sheep. I was an Alpha man, and nobody would stomp me down. That includes the Volardi. Most people are prey because they choose to be. That wasn’t me. It’s a tough world out there, and you need to do anything and everything to survive.