Grai's Game (First Wave) (15 page)

“But I honestly do not believe we will be discovered. Small towns like this go extinct all the time
now; no one will notice that this one is no longer empty.” Grai said, his excitement contagious.

“How many people do you have now?” Dread asked, wondering how many people they had ready to fill the town. Dread had no doubt that this was the place of peace that Grai had wanted for his people.

“Including the hybrids, gifted and survivors of other planets we have four thousand, two hundred and two people around the world. Mostly mirroring Banatar’s locations. Two thousand, two hundred and fifty must stay at their current stations or have chosen to stay. That leaves only one thousand, nine hundred and fifty-two that would inhabit the town.” Grai said honestly.

“So there is plenty of sustainable space for another six thousand people…” Balduen said
, quickly doing the math.

“Yes! Plenty of space for our children to lead somewhat normal lives with schools and playgrounds. A friendly and welcoming
local population with the potential to become allies. These are good, strong people, with honor, who see what had happened in their town and around the country and know something is wrong.”

“It would not be the first time that we have made human allies. They are mixed throughout our people all over the world. They know the truth and fight with us to save their own. Most of them just need to understand the truth of what is being done to realize that the fight belongs to all of us.” Grai explained, still believing in the overall good of humanity even after dealing with so many of those easily bought by his father. 

“That doesn’t include the additional tracking and emergency deployment teams we need in order to better monitor and fight their forces on the planet and the next round of dark ones that Dagog sends.” Traze said without looking up from his comm that he was typing on.

“So we need a lot more people here than what we have…” Ivint said with a frown. This whole situation was much more complicated than he had ever imagined it could be. The details were mind boggling.

“Yes, we do. With Gibly’s people stationed with our emergency deployment
teams, we can quickly respond to their attacks on the humans and track the dark ones. Like Gibly said, they can also help patrol the perimeter of the town to make sure that the dark ones are detected before they can do harm.”

“The Tezarian’s are beast bonded warriors, like us, and they can see the dark ones. Like the Sibiox, they can work with the people
Banatar, and I already have in place. Additional support, strength in numbers and the ability to finally make a dent in this war.” Grai told them, praying that he was swaying them to the idea. He needed them; his people needed them, and even if they didn’t want to admit it yet, they needed him and his people as well.

“I like!!! More my people come!” Gibly said standing up and prancing around the mountain displayed on the map on the
table-top screen.

Grai smiled at the adorable
cat; the animal was his biggest cheerleader right now and from the look on Ivint’s face, he needed all the help he could get.

“We currently have over a hundred of my people coming. Once I explain the situation, more will welcome the chance to fight by your side. With Kalai gone and your people still reeling from the change in leadership, now is the best time to strike. To make a dent in their numbers and their hold on this planet and its people.” Dread said, sickened at the thought of more innocent lives being lost like the ones in the village.

The fight became his own the moment; he saw those women and children, and he knew Viper and Drago agreed. It would not be the first time his people assisted other species for a good cause.

Ivint sighed when everyone turned to look at him. He knew they were waiting for him to make a decision, a commitment he had no authority to make without consulting the rest of the council. But one his people would be bound to honor, with or without their pre-approval.

“Give me more details about this town.” Ivint said, leaning back in his chair with a calmness he didn’t feel.

“Barracks disguised as eight unit apartment complexes have been built along the perimeter. Each unit will house four, two
man teams that will patrol their area of the border in different shifts.” Grai said pointing the locations out on the map.

“While the townspeople are mostly remaining in their homes close to or already in town, we’ve renovated the outer lying
empty homes and built additional ones under the cover of the forest. Those are for our families and our children.”

“
So they can be themselves, learn their gifts without fear of being seen. Yet still be able to interact with other children, go to school and lead somewhat normal lives.” Traze said, never realizing, until now, the sacrifices Grai had made in order to give him that kind of life. A real childhood. He owed his big brother a serious thank you. And he owed it to their people to try to give their children the same opportunity.

“Family homes?” Balduen asked leaning forward to look more closely at the map. Dare had already made it damn clear to him that she wasn’t leaving her planet and abandoning the rest of humanity, she would continue to fight. He needed to find a safe place for her and their
son, and this town was looking more promising every moment that passed.

“A real community.
A heavily protected one. Where those who can’t or won’t fight can have normal jobs and lives. Teachers for our children, adoptive parents, shop keepers, mechanics, scientists, medical personnel, bakers, engineers…” Cristali added with excitement before realizing she had spoken and sat back down at her work center, blushing furiously.

Ivint grinned at the blushing woman. It was the most he had ever heard her speak at
one time, and his heightened senses couldn’t help but pick up on the hope that was emotionally bleeding from her. In that moment, it dawned on him what this town represented to Grai and his people and even to the humans.

“You want to give them what has been taken from them with the terror attacks, betrayal of the governments they trusted and
collapse of their societies.” Ivint said with a smile and new appreciation for the man seated across from him.

As Grai once said to Gibly that he was glad they were friends as he would hate to be his enemy, Ivint now felt the exact same way about Grai. The man was a force to be reckoned with.

“Yes.” Grai said with a huge grin, glad that Ivint understood.

“What is it that you want to give back to them?” Balduen asked curiously, looking from Ivint to Grai trying to figure out what wasn’t being said.

Cristali looked up from the screens and turned to the room before speaking. “The one thing this has taken from all of us is hope. Hope that we will ever be free, to live, to work… to exist without fear. It’s the one thing we have in common with the humans. The Relian’s have taken their hope. They are powerless to stop the things being done to them by the people they trusted the most… their own.”

“Every person we save is a person with a renewed hope for the future. A new purpose to help make things better. Right
now, the people feel so defeated and helpless; they no longer vote; they no longer seek to find jobs that aren’t there and sit at home wallowing in their own pity instead of fighting for real change.”

“We can’t do this without them. Or without all of you. The task is too great, their forces too strong and the planet too large.
And if we don’t do something, they will be destroyed just like my own people. I know because I watched it happen on my planet the exact same way it is unfolding here.”

“My story is not unique, as all of you know. My planet not the only victim of these animals. It will happen here. Unless we can stop it. I’m sorry…” Cristali told them, uncaring that the tears rolled down her face before fleeing the room.

Nodding at Grai, Traze stood and followed her out of the room. Ivint assumed he left to comfort the woman whose emotionally spoken words were very compelling. The entire argument so far was very persuasive. He stared silently at Grai, waiting for him to continue along with the rest of the room.

“This town would be our main joint command center for planet operations. A leader from each of your forces stationed here with our people, helping to plan and direct our joint forces.”

“And a sanctuary, for those like Cristali and others of our people who cannot fight but deserve to have a life. As normal of one as we can give them.”

“We’ve renovated the old steel mill and turned it into what appears to be nothing more than a business office. It will house
our offices, main monitoring stations and be a main portal station like we have here for different stations around the world to allow for additional support to be quickly sent to wherever they are needed.” Grai said, still hoping that at some point Ivint would agree to join forces with them.

“My people come! We help!” Gibly said, twitching his tail as if itching to explore the new town already.

“My thanks to you and your people my brave friend.” Grai said with a genuine smile and pet for the amazing little cat.

“You also have the support of the Tezarian people.
Having been in constant contact with our leaders, they have assured me that they will send; however, many more warriors you believe are needed. Our people are very optimistic about the potential impact we can make on the Relian’s under these new circumstances.” Dread said, unwilling to say that his leaders were also curious how this was going to work with the ex-Relian heir leading the force against his own brother and his people.

However,
they were very hopeful that this was the first opportunity any world has ever had to make a major dent in the Relian Empire.

Again, all eyes turned to Ivint, waiting to see what he would say. Ivint could feel the excitement echoing off everyone in the room and couldn’t deny that he also felt hope and excitement.

Chapter Fourteen

Ivint leaned forward and silently viewed the map and the areas that had already been designated for family homes, schools, stores and the potential defenses for the town.
It was a good idea.

“So you’re saying everyone will need to work many jobs in order to fill the need for people to defend it?” Banatar asked, wondering if they would end up with just a bigger and more exhausting area to try
to defend.

“Not at all. We have enough people between our forces right now to easily defend it without exhausting them. That’s without endangering teams that are embedded in other locations. We can’t lessen the security that they do have.”

“With most of your locations already compromised, most of your people need to move anyway. They could just as easily move here.” Grai explained to Banatar, who nodded his head in understanding.

“So the ten thousand estimate is the maximum number of people that can inhabit the town, not the number it will take to secure it and defend it.”
Banatar said looking at Ivint with a smile. He was impressed with the idea. And like the Tezarian’s, he was much more hopeful than ever before about their chances to finally defeat the Relian’s.

No one said anything when Traze and Cristali came back into the room and stood silently behind the Tezarian’s at the table. Grai looked at his brother questioningly to ensure they were both ok. At Traze’s slight nod, he continued.

“That is correct. The majority of positions available right now are unnecessary, but can be filled if there is someone who wishes to fill it. Such as a bakery. We don’t need a bakery; we can easily continue shipping bread products from our other facilities to the town.” Grai said, before Cristali interrupted.

“
Your women are finding mates. Finally. Your women make up the majority of both Grai and Banatar’s people. Although the strongest women I have had the pleasure to come to know, not all of them want to continue to fight.”

“
What seems unnecessary to you at the moment, will allow them to still feel a sense of purpose if they choose not to fight any longer. Without making them feel like they are no longer useful.”

“That doesn’t include the thousands you have not found yet. Who will need a safe place to
go. Who may not be able to fight or know how to fight. Do you make them feel less because they can’t? Or give them a sense of accomplishment by giving them the ability to work and assist the cause in other ways?”

“I can tell you that without being able to do what I do here, I would have ended my life long ago. It gives me a sense of purpose, a reason to continue breathing with all of my people gone.
I can still help destroy them, feel needed and wanted. You have no idea how important that is to those of us who have been… affected by them.” Cristali added, her voice shaking from emotion.

Ivint looked at the woman with respect and nodded his head at her before replying.

“You are correct Cristali. Not all the women want to fight, nor should they have to, mated or not. And I can tell you from experience that a loaf of freshly baked bread can do more for the lagging spirits of a warrior than you can imagine.”

“
It reminds us of home, the people we love and why we fight. No one is unnecessary, and everyone deserves the chance to choose their fate. Thank you for reminding us of that.” Ivint said gently, smiling at the brave woman.

She had
a point that they all needed to stop and consider. The more men they could bring to fight, the less the women, the future of his people, would have to fight.

The jobs available in the town, the
options available to those they have and those they haven’t found yet would be invaluable in helping them heal. To give them a purpose, a way to feel like they are helping without them being in constant danger. Ivint looked with renewed respect at Grai.

The man and his plans within plans were more cleverly thought out than what was seen on the surface. The jobs, the town itself, all of it planned with the needs of all of his people. All of their people in mind. Ivint mentally corrected himself.

Looking at the time on his comm, Ivint shook his head. The time was flying by, and still they seemed to be waiting… to see what would happen next. Always on the defensive. He was tired of waiting for the next attack. He was tired of playing this game under someone else’s rules. The warrior in him demanded things change for the sake of his people. All of them. It was time to make a change in this war. A drastic one.

“All of you, go and spend some time with your mates or grabbing some sleep. Meet
back here in eight hours. Grai, can you take us on a tour of the town then?” Ivint asked him to the huge grins of Reven, Balduen and the Tezarian’s.

Grai was stunned for a moment before quickly recovering. “Yes! Of course. The port station is already operational
and security is in place. We can easily get there.”

“Then go and be ready to leave when you get back here. Cristali and Lagor, please stay. The rest of you go. Get some sleep, see your friends and mates.” Ivint said before turning his attention to the map of the town o
n the table, dismissing everyone.

Balduen and Grai looked at the time before heading out of the door together. Once outside Balduen turned to him for a moment as if to speak. Grai waited, giving Balduen a chance to speak his mind.

Shaking his head as if changing his mind, Balduen began to turn around to head down the hallway before stopping. With a heavy sigh, Balduen turned back to face Grai. Without a word, he held out his arm.

Grai stared at Balduen’s extended arm for a moment in surprise, before clasping his forearm in a warrior’s hold. A sign of respect from one warrior to another. It was a way of saying that you held enough respect for them to fight by their side. It told Grai more than words ever could.

Balduen clasped Grai’s forearm for a moment, staring hard into his eyes as if to verify he was worthy of his respect. Grai held his gaze, unwilling to look away as he had nothing to hide, nothing to fear from him.

Balduen nodded his head as if satisfied with what he had seen in his eyes, let go of Grai’s arm and turned to walk down the hallway to his mate.

Grai had been so surprised by Balduen’s actions that he hadn’t realized the door was open, and the others had watched the exchange.

Reven just grinned and moved past the still startled Grai, squeezing his shoulder in support as he passed. Dread and Viper just
smiled before heading down the hallway. Traze and Risk spared him a glance before sticking their heads back into their comms and heading to the room they were sharing.

Grai turned to see Ivint’s smile, before the door finally closed automatically. Grai lowered his head for a moment and
allowed the joy to course through him. For the first time in hundreds of years, he finally felt hope. Hope for his family, people, for his brothers. For himself.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he thought of what the Zendarian spiritual leader, Ratoka had once told him. He had said that his mother was watching, helping him and his brothers when she could, and refusing to fully leave for the realm of her God until she knew that her sons were safe.

In this moment, he knew it had to be true. There was no other explanation for why any of these people would help them. Or give them a chance to prove they are their mother’s sons and not their father’s.

“Thank you mother.” Grai whispered hoarsely, allowing his love for his mother to bleed through him for a moment before pulling himself together. Taking a deep breath, he headed down the empty hallway to his mate, hoping to spend breakfast together.

*****

Lagor and Cristali stood beside the table for long minutes while the High Councilor stared at the map on the table.
They waited patiently for him to explain why he wanted them to stay in the room with him. They didn’t have to wait long.

Ivint looked up at the young woman, his stare judging her trustworthiness. Cristali was no
fool; she knew what he was silently asking her.

“My loyalty lies with Grai not only because he saved my life but because in the ninety two years since he saved me, he has proven himself worthy of that loyalty. If he wanted me to lie to
you, I would. Instead, he has told me from the beginning to tell you nothing but the truth. To hide nothing from you, no matter how painful it may be to him and his brothers.”

“He wants no secrets from you. If you choose to see vids of his torture by his father, then you shall. If you choose to see all
the details on every company and person associated with us, then you shall. I will hide nothing from you; you have but to ask.” Cristali said honestly, unflinching at the penetrating stare of the most powerful man on Valendra. She was surprised when Ivint just chuckled.

“I expected no less.
However, I do not wish to see painful details of a past that is his to share and not mine to take from him. I believe he deserves more respect than that or my people wouldn’t be here.”

“What I want is for you to go over every single
thing, there is about this town and its proposed defenses with Lagor and myself. I want Lagor to go through it and determine what technology we have that could be used or modified to enhance the security measures you already have in place.”

“Then you’re going to explain to me about how towns work here on Earth, what challenges we will face, what other plans are in place
, what has already been accomplished and what needs to be done. Are you ok with that?” Ivint asked Cristali with a gentle smile.

Cristali gave him a bright smile. She hadn’t expected the High Councilor to be so kind or
wise, and her opinion of him rose.

“I think we can manage a crash course for you in the next eight hours Sir.” Cristali said, grinning at Lagor’s smile and nod of agreement.

“Good!” Ivint said, clapping his hands together. “Then let’s get started!”

*****

Grai slid silently into the bed beside Tricia, trying his best not to awaken her. The dark circles he had seen under her eyes attested to how tired she was. He was going to talk to Megan and Maggie later about giving her some extra help with Tristan, so she could get more rest.

He knew that she was taking the majority of the responsibility of Tristan’s care on
herself, and it was beginning to take a hefty toll on her. He laid his head on his pillow and let out a heavy sigh as he drew her into his arms and breathed in her scent. Her long, dark hair tickled his nose.

He didn’t deserve her. He knew that. It was the Relian part of him that was selfish enough to keep her, even though he knew she deserved better than he could give her.
However, he didn’t have the strength to let her go. To let his son go.

Grai felt her stirring, before she snuggled deeper into his arms. “When did you get back baby? Was everything ok?” Tricia mumbled sleepily.

“We got back a few hours ago and just finished debrief with the High Councilor. He wants to visit the town later. Go back to sleep with me.” Grai said, unable to hide his excitement. He hoped it would distract Tricia from thinking about Bratan; he didn’t want to disturb her with that news when she needed more sleep.

“That’s wonderful news baby!” Tricia said waking more fully at the news and turning in his arms to face him. It was everything they had hoped for, worked so hard to make happen. He’d sacrificed so much to give this to his
people, and she was happy for him and proud of him at the same time.

“What is wrong?” Tricia asked looking into his swirling gold eyes. He couldn’t hide the concern in them from her. Beast or no beast, they were still mated and
bonded even if she didn’t have the Ator-Ma to prove it, and she knew something was wrong.

“Let’s get some sleep and we can talk about everything later.” Grai said closing his eyes and pulling her head into his
shoulder, so she couldn’t look at him. Or see the guilt in his eyes that he felt at the loss of Bratan and the villagers. There was plenty of time later for her to learn of his failure.

Tricia didn’t have to look at him to feel his guilt, to know that something bad had happened to their friend Bratan and as usual, Grai blamed himself.

Pulling away from him, Tricia leaned up to stare down into his face. The room she kept dimly lit, in order to easily check on Tristan, allowed her to see the stress and worry lines in his handsome face.

“What happened?” She asked, her voice strong and determined. Letting him know that she wasn’t going to let it go until he talked to her.

“You need rest. We have time for this later, my love.” Grai said trying to gently pull her back down beside him.

“No, you need rest! You are the one who never sleeps, so don’t try to lecture me. Now tell me what
happened, and then we can go to sleep.” Tricia sad with even more determination.

She knew if he didn’t talk about it, he would obsess about it for hours… alone. Beating himself up the whole time. She wouldn’t allow it to happen this time. Not when she could help him.

With a heavy sigh, Grai finally explained to her what they had found at the village, minus the horrific details, and the fate of Bratan.