Page 3 of The Omega's Unexpected Bounty
“How many days brother?” In my side vision, Balo grinned softly. Long wet black hair with a purple stripe to the right hung down to the same color specks on his bare chest. His black mustache and beard rose while he continued to whisper. “Surely, you haven’t forgotten the number, Graden? Every day it reduces by one.”
My shoulders rose from his whispered question, but I gave no answer. Blood gave me the same dark hair and experiences changed our appearances. Did he grow the facial hair like the warriors of old, so he wouldn’t look like me, or did I keep my face smoother and hair short to highlight the differences? Over twenty rotations filled with hate blurred the answer.
He wanted a response and many other things. Instead, my Vibro-Blade sunk deep into the sparring dummy’s green flesh. I programmed it to resemble our old reptilian foes and the closest thing we have to monsters – The Gloom. Scaly flesh stretched over thick muscles while its claws sliced at the air. A long snout opened wide, and a mouth full of serrated teeth roared before it leaped. My long blade sunk into the green neck. I pressed the button on the hilt while it was still in the air, and the room filled with low vibration. My eyes closed as the Vibro-Blade’s force field separated simulated flesh.
I stepped back as its head shot up toward the ceiling, twisted in the air, landed, then wobbled back and forth on the ground.
From behind, Balo let out a vaguely impressive murmur. “Why fight a dead race? There are others you could pick.”
“Our own kind as you’ve discussed with father?”
“They aren’t always your allies. If you need another species, the Ryba then? The weapon works underwater.”
“The attacks were years ago. They’re our friends now.”
“Foolish brother,” whispered Balo. “You curry favor with our first father and playing warrior with simulacrums. This is why you’re alone.”
I wiped the blade clean of green blood or what looked like it. On the floor, my sparring dummy’s head and body melted into grey merged then transformed back into its default bloated white shape. “Volardi are warriors,” I said. “This keeps me in practice. As for currying favor, one doesn’t need to when you act like a proper Volardi.”
“Says the one without a mate.” Deep purple – almost black – eyes lingered on me. “Pastthe Age of Ascension.”
I concentrated on controlling my breathing, yet my lips pursed into a frown.
“So, tell me Graden, how many days?”
“Till what?” I knew the answer, but any break in his game infuriated him. Instead of a frown, I saw a wider smile. “TillI’mking. I suppose one could ask until you find a mate or have an heir, but it hasn’t happened. Therefore, we go with the most likely outcome.” He mimed sitting on the throne. “Me, in control of this kingdom. Only then can we fix the problems you’re too blind to see.”
A deep and tired male voice drew out. The same one which terrified us as children when we fought. “And what problems would that be?”
Balo and I both spoke in unison. “First Father.”
A tanned and still very muscled bare-chested man walk down the steps into my dojo. Age faded the two spotted rows of flecks on his chest. As with most people on Augo, he still had his sinewy muscles from the daily swims in the ocean. His hair was gone in the middle with only a thin stripe of white on both sides. The traditional purple band of hair common to our Soturi sex had already disappeared. Three Soturi in the room but only Balo and I had them on our right side.
Thin lines around my first father’s eyes and mouth deepened as he frowned. “What is itthistime?”
“Merely the future,” said Balo.
I handed my Vibro-Blade to the sparring dummy who took it silently then walked to the corner.
“My brother concerns me,” said Balo. “Past the Age of Ascension and without a mate. It’s been over twenty years since we found the Earthlings. Both them and our people provided another generation and yet...”
“You know as well as I do,” I said quickly, “it’s mostly lottery.”
“Leave the future of our kingdom by chance. What anexcellentruler.”
“You aren’t a ruler yet–”
“Enough,” shouted our father. “You both speak as if I’m gone. In this time, I am the king, and you both are my children undermyrule. One of you will be on the throne and the other will not. However, both can serve.”
“Normally,” said Balo, “it would be the firstborn. I love my brother.”
My lips pressed together, and I forced myself quiet.
“He deserves a mate like I have. If we joined the Separatists.”
“Augo,” shouted my father, “stays united for now.”
“They,” said Balo. “are using every resource available to repopulate our people.”
