Oh shit.

***

Chapter Six

MATROS

“You promised,” I growled to nobody. My hands gripped the royal throne’s armrests. If it were wood or coral, I would have broken it for sure. Knuckles turned while under the shifting blues of my holographic display. I picked the ‘calm’ setting. Either the environmental controls were nonfunctional or unable to deal with my levels.

I stood up and stomped over to the large, yellow-white triangular shell on the wall. The swirls along the bottom and the open end at the top, reminded me of a waterspout. My shoulders rose as I stared. Lesser men – not in control of their emotions – would have smashed it.

I frowned at the visual even if I couldn’t do such a thing. Beyond its incalculable worth, it was a symbol of my Augo culture and our bonds to this world. Didn’t mean I appreciated its mocking existence. My gaze went to each three points, almost as if to prove my Oma correct.

Soturi, Dara, and Femeni.

Or as they say on their planet: Alpha, Beta, Omega.

My eyes closed when I heard the familiar force field crackle. I spent several more seconds to calm my heart rate. I was never one of those men who were cruel to our Femeni or as the Earthlings would say – Omegas. Nineteen out of Twenty were gone. Soon they would take the rest of the Volardi with them.

I repeated the next lines several more times in my head.

Don’t be disrespectful. Find the correct words.

I re-opened my eyes and swiveled on one foot. I hoped my anger washed away amid the current of concentration.

I spoke first as was custom. “A message arrived today.” My lips pressed together before I continued. “From the Royal re-population program.” I stared down into his purple eyes. Perhaps inviting him to deny it and hoping he wouldn’t. Fine wrinkles deepened for an instant. I believe I saw a hint of a smile before the default subservient look returned.

“They are quick,” he said. “Are they not?

“Quick? Is that all you have to say?”

“I hope they pick you.”

Even though I would never strike a Femeni, least of all my Oma, my hands balled into fists. After several seconds, I unfolded one and fisted my palm several times in quick succession. “You swore you would stop trying to convince me.”

“Technically, my King, I said the next day you would not hear me give further attempts to convince you.” His purple force field covered arms went out as to invite a retort. “I have no further arguments to give… as is our agreement.”

“You submitted my name without permission.”

“As your Oma, it’s my duty to protect my son. There are enemies across the waters and beneath the waves. All seek to do us harm. Is there anything in the sacred scrolls that state, I should stop protecting you past the Age of Ascension?”

My voice rose, “You know there isn’t.”