It was an indulgence too. Didn’t I deserve that?

Away from everyone. By myself. Brine around and in the veins, as my First Father would say.

Although my Oma and the only parent I have left would remind me, I’m alone on land too.

There was a time when I didn’t come into the waves alone. A memory of an old video replayed of my mate and I. It was two months after our bonding. My Femeni’s smaller body against my larger Soturi frame. Both of our dark hair shifting in the waves. With my muscles, swimming was no effort.

It was for him.

My lips pressed together while I remembered. Zan was Femeni, but he wanted to prove he could always be at my side.

A large cloud of bubbles left my mouth. It wasn’t for lack of trying. He had a Soturi’s heart.

With every stroke and kick, it was increasingly hard to see around me. Only the faint bio-luminescent pink from a school of swimming pesci provided a hint of light. Even without sight or a mirror, I could sense the frown on my face.

Perhaps it was a combination of annoyance and shame. I couldn’t say why or maybe didn’t want to admit the reason. My Oma survived the plague while my beloved did not. After that, Layt, my Dara and second mate fell to death. The reason was different, but the result was the same. If I had any tears left, they would have washed away in the ocean current around me.

I found a spot of warm water and floated with open eyes. I looked ahead and yet not. Just enough to see if anyone else was down here. The Ryba wouldn’t dare attack so close to my home, yet why take foolish chances? My soldiers and royal staff knew where I was, even if they pretended otherwise.

I breathed in deep only mildly aware of the oxygen converter’s low vibration. There was enough power left.

What shall I do?

The most pressing question of all. A single answer would let me decide what path to take. Even if it’s difficult, at least I would know what to do.

I willed an answer, and none came despite my best efforts. There was a good reason for my questioning. Our empire never experienced anything like this.

Nearly nine-five percent of our Femenis, gone.

Is this how we’re defeated?

We weren’t outmaneuvered politically or defeated on the battlefield. Perhaps that would make it easier. Two warrior races against each other like the weapons of old.

My lips thinned.

They couldn’t defeat us, so they went after our unborn children.

It was an evil smile perhaps but one for the dead. Gloom reptilian corpses as far as their empire went. We may join them soon, but they went first.

Yet, some Femeni like my Oma live.

Those that did were in isolation in case the contagion persisted or mutated. Mine was in a personal force field. The only exception was within his room. Even then, I made sure the medical field encased it.