Jon turned his attention back to the screen. The Eutharan vessel commanded by Captain Mequa fired one their forward batteries. The shot went just over their bow and missed them by a few feet. Jon knew for certain Mequa was one of two things, he was either very dedicated to his job or insane.
"Condition Red, bring forward batteries online prepare to return fire," Prasuh yelled.
"Belay that," Jon said as he stared at the image of Mequa on the main viewer.
"Admiral, they fired on us," Prasuh started to say.
"Admiral that was a warning shot, I'm ordering you to heave to and prepare to be boarded," Mequa said.
"I have a question for you Captain," Jon said as he slowly stepped down towards the planning table.
Mequa frowned, "And what is that Admiral?"
"How many people are on your vessel?" Jon asked.
"Why?" Mequa asked.
Jon put his hands behind his back as he stared at the screen, "I need to know how many people are on you vessel so when I destroy it. I can make sure we recover them all."
Mequa sat back, "Admiral, there is only one of you and six of us. You won't survive a conflict."
Jon glance back at Deatra, she was watching the display. Her stance told him she had recovered from the initial shock. He turned back to the viewer, "Captain, you forget I have the Princess Deatra on board. If you destroy this vessel, you kill her. Not to mention firing on a vessel carrying royalty, me included. Is an act of treason and punishable by death. How many of the other captains will be willing to support you in your hot headedness?"
Mequa leaned forward, "I'm in command here not you, they will do as I say. How do I know that Princess Deatra is really on board and that's not an imposture?"
Jon smiled, "Good, I'm glad you're so sure of yourself. I have been transmitting this conversation to the other vessels and the Home world. You should be hearing from them shortly. I have follow Eutharan protocol, declared my vessel as carrying royalty, and requested an escort to port. You have ignored that and chose to fire on this vessel."
"A warning shot, nothing more," Mequa said.
"Doesn't matter, you still fired on this vessel and endangered Princess Deatra, Princess Samantha, Princess Terri and last but not least me, Prince Jonathan. When I land on Eutharan I want you to report to me at once," Jon said slowly walking back up towards the command chair.
"You don't command here," Mequa said.
Jon spun around, "We'll see about that, I know your laws. Captain you're relieved of duty and to be confined to quarters until we reach Eutharan port. You will then report to me at the Royal Palace in a timely fashion. I want to speak to the second in command of your vessel now."
"You don't have the authority..." Mequa began.
"Under your laws I do have the authority," Jon said dismissively.
Two Eutharan marines stepped up behind him and escorted him off screen, the whole time Mequa was shouting about how the King and Queen would hear about this.
Another, younger Eutharan, stepped into view, "Royal Lieutenant Commander Janus If'akeus, Sire. We stand ready for your orders."
Jon nodded, "What is the status of the other vessels?"
Janus looked off screen for a second, "They stand ready to escort you to Port Station Bequesed."
Jon turned and stepped up to the command chair and sat down, "Good, you're promoted to Captain of the..."
"Queen's Guard," Janus said.
"Queen's Guard, thank you. Please log that as my temporary order until it can be reviewed. I leave it to you to fill in the gaps in command with temporary assignments until this can all be official. Once I reach the palace I'll send word and if you can have Captain Mequa sent to me under guard I would appreciate it. I am also expecting another vessel in about a day, I would appreciate it if they could be escorted to the Marudas," Jon said.
"As you wish, if you'll allow us we will lead the way to the Station," Janus said.
"Thank you Captain, Marudas out," Jon said.
Deatra smiled, he had handled this well. Everything she had taught him of their customs and laws he had used. This will be an interesting time and welcome home, because if she didn't miss her guess her father and mother already knows what happened here. Now they knew they were dealing with someone who knew the laws and not a complete outsider. She also knew Jon had no idea that her parents were behind the sudden change from the Eutharan vessels. The reason for the change was his quoting of the rules and laws.
Jon and Deatra stood at the ramp to their shuttle. Sam and Kayla with Oojoung stood with them. Jon was waiting word from Terri's flight group that they were clear for launch.
"I don't know why we can't go with you," Sam moaned.
Jon kneeled down, "You'll come down later after I know everything is safe. We don't know what's going to happen when we arrive."
"But," Sam started.
"Sam, I need to know you're safe for now. A million things could happen or go wrong when we arrive. Please just wait here and I'll send for you as soon as I know everything is safe. I have to make sure the guards are stationed correctly," Jon said as he rubbed her head.
"Ok, but I don't like it. I'm worried about you and momma Deatra," Sam said as she swatted at Jon's hand.
Deatra smiled, "We'll be ok, Jon just wants to make sure there's no surprises waiting for us."
"Ok, but hurry. I want to see the city. I seen pictures of it and it's supposed to be a beautiful place," Sam said. She quickly gave them both hugs and turned to Kayla. "Come on lets go play hide and seek with Oojoung and dogs."
Oojoung moaned, "No hide and seekings. You cheat and Oojoung can't find you."
Sam huffed and blew air from her mouth, which made her hair fly up, "We don't cheat Oojoung. You just don't look hard enough."
In reality Oojoung like to let them win, he always knew where they were at all times, even when playing hide and seek. But he also knew Sam liked to think she was tricking him and he didn't mind. The dogs also kept a close eye on them and as long as they were with the girls he had no problem letting them out of his sight.
"Ok, you hide Oojoung do the seekings," Oojoung said.
The two girls giggled and ran off with Zeus and Hera close behind. Oojoung turned and smiled at Jon and gave him a small wink before her turned to chase after them.
"Poor Oojoung, I don't know how he can deal with both the girls all the time," Jon said.
"Love," Deatra said as she watched them disappear around the corner.
Jon wrapped his arms around Deatra from behind, "Love?"
Deatra nodded, "Oojoung loves those girls more than life itself. That's why he lets them get away with picking on him. He would do anything to keep them safe."
Jon turned Deatra towards the shuttle and walked her inside, "That's good to know, I don't know what I would do if anything happened to Sam or Kayla."
"Yes, Rick, Ellie and Dr. Wilson's trust in you is with out a doubt. They will not let anyone else watch Kayla. I have also watched your love for her to grow," Deatra turned to face Jon.
"She's like my own daughter and Oojoung is like a brother I have never had. He has my complete trust," Jon said as he stared in to Deatra's eyes.
Deatra leaned up, kissed him briefly, and pulled back, "I love you too, I have watched you grow. You're a lot stronger since your little side trip."
"My time with Ian and his various officers have taught me a lot. There's times to push and times not to push. Not everything can be solved by who has the biggest guns. Although, big guns sometimes help," Jon said grinning.
Deatra laughed.
'Admiral, ' Terri's voice said over the shuttles com.
"This is Admiral Hunter, go ahead Death's Hand," Jon said letting Deatra go.
'Admiral we have clearance to the palace landing port. We can proceed at your leisure, ' Terri voice said.
Jon nodded to himself, "We will be lifting off as soon as everyone is a board. Please stand by to escort us at Landing Bay three."
'Roger that Admiral, Death's Hand standing by at Landing Bay three, ' Terri's voice replied.
"Admiral Hunter out," Jon walked to the cockpit. "Lieutenant, have all personnel board the shuttle and prepare for immediate departure. Send word to the Atlantis she is to start her patrols. Have the Marudas stand off the station out of their weapons range and prepare to receive our incoming vessel."
The lieutenant looked up from his console, "Yes Admiral."
Jon walked back and took a seat next to where Deatra had sat down, as their guards began to board the vessel.
The shuttle vibrated as it lifted off, Jon turned to Deatra, "What should I expect when we arrive."
"Contempt," Deatra said watching Jon face for a reaction. They had talked about this many times. But, now certain things have changed.
"Contempt?" Jon said.
"Yes, Mequa is a highly decorated officer in the Royal Navy. While what you did was right. Some will view you as no one with no power. Some will even be jealous of you," Deatra said as she took his hand.
"Mequa I can understand, but jealousy?" Jon said.
"Certainly, you have done what many of them had hoped for," Deatra said with a glint in her eye.
Jon raised an eyebrow.
Deatra poked him in the side, "Sometimes Admiral Hunter, Prince Hunter; Leader of the ADF. You are too slow for your own good."
"No, I know what you're talking about," Jon smiled. "I just like to push your buttons sometimes."
Deatra lightly slapped him, "That's not nice."
Jon smiled, "I know but you like it."
Deatra leaned over and kissed him.
"So how safe will we be?" Jon said breaking the kiss.
"In the palace, no one will dare lay a finger on us. Anywhere else, I have no idea. Me I should be safe just about anywhere. It's not me people will have a hard time accepting," Deatra said.
"Ok so, I'll stay in the room and you deal with everything," Jon said smiling.
"You'll do no such thing, if you show any weakness they will have you for dinner," Deatra said.
Jon let go of her hand and raised his hands, "Hey, on Earth we knew who wore the pants in the family..."
Several snickers and chuckles came from behind them.
Deatra stared at him with a puzzled look, "Wore the pants in the family? What's that mean?"
Jon laughed, "Ask Terri when you get time, I'm sure she'll fill you in on all the details."
"Admiral, we will be over the crown city in 30 seconds if you'd like to look," the pilot said.
Jon looked over at Deatra, she smiled, "Go look it is very pretty."
Jon gave her a smooch on the cheek before he got up and walked into the cockpit.
Jon sat down in the chair that the co-pilot vacated for him. He could see Terri's flight group in a protective formation and outside of them was a Eutharan flight group. He listened to the com chatter for a few seconds before he actually looked out the window at the ground.
The ground was covered by a lush forest, lakes of clear water dotted the landscape in various places. He couldn't see any roads or signs of civilization yet. The trees reminded him of the Red Woods of Earth only taller. The canopy was as thick as the Amazon forests, but there didn't seem to be any life visible; at least not at this distance.
Jon turned to the pilot, "Where are we?"
"This is the Royal Preserve," Deatra said stepping up beside Jon. "There," Deatra pointed. "That's the Royal Palace."
A large wall loomed in the distance, marking the edge of the massive forest. In the distance, Jon could make out the buildings of the city. They shined in the light of the sun as if someone had just polished them.
As they got closer, he could start making out shapes. Most of the building resembled Earth skyscrapers. Some of them floated above the main city, in a state of constant motion; never still.
"Amazing," Jon whispered.
Deatra nodded, "Those floating buildings are owned by the Sky Merchants guild. They travel from city to city all year around, staying for a month or two. They have some of the best wares you can buy on Eutharan."
"I remember you talking about them, but I never imagined..." Jon said.
"Most people are stunned the first time they see them, even after hearing about them," Deatra said.
A sudden tone filled the cockpit. "Deatra go strap in NOW!" Jon said.
"Death's Hand this is Royal Shuttle 01 on approach to the palace. We have been targeted by an unknown source, taking evasive maneuvers," the pilot said.
Jon reached out and activated the console in front of him. He started scanning the area looking for the source as the pilot started his maneuvers. But it was too late, a missile leapt from the tree line and headed for them.
"Six seconds to impact," Jon said. "Bringing, defenses online."
'Intercepting missile, ' Terri's voice said. 'Squad raze the launch point and scan are for other hostiles.'
'Roger that Death's Hand leader, ' another voice answered.
The fighters took off towards the launch point as Terri maneuvered her fighter to intercept the incoming missile. The gatling guns poured a stream of bullet at the missile as it arced towards the shuttle. None of them hit the incoming missile and at the last second Terri swerved into its path.
The missile struck the fighter under the left engine. Terri lost control as the engine went offline and her fighter started a flat spin. 'Mayday, Mayday; this is Death's Hand Leader. I'm going down just south of the royal palace, ' Terri's voice said.
"Death's Hand Leader, this is Marudas flight ops. We're launching SAR teams to your location," a voice said.
'Marudas Control I'm in an uncontrolled decent and I can't reach the ejection lever. We're going in hard and I think my co-pilot is hurt. If he isn't we both will be... ' Terri's voice was cut off and was replaced by static.
"Marudas Control this is Royal Shuttle 01, I have no visual on a crash sight," Jon said.
Fire balls erupted from the tree line as the rest of Terri's squadron razed the ground. The Eutharan security flight closed ranks and contacted the shuttle, "Royal Shuttle 01, this is Grey Leader please keep formation we will finish your escort to the palace."
"Negative, we will await SAR teams," Jon said.
"My prince," a voice said. "We must get you to the palace and safety."
Jon looked over at his pilot who just shrugged, "Ok, but I want up to date reports. That was Princess Terri Hunter's fighter that went down."
Jon's pilot set a course to follow their protectors as Jon spoke to Terri's squad, "Death's Hand you're to stay on station here and protect the SAR teams. I want regular updates."
'Yes Admiral, we don't detect any more hostiles, ' a male voice replied.
"Royal Shuttle 01, this is Eutharan port control we are dispatching addition SAR teams. Please have your teams coordinate through us," a voice said.
"You heard them people, coordinate through them. I want my sister found and her fighter recovered," Jon said.
Jon sat back and crossed his arms, inside he fumed; someone was going to pay for this little attack. She had better be ok, or god help these people he would unleash hell on them and make them loath the day they heard his name.
Thanks to all my fans for making this possible, remember feedback is welcome.
Thanks to my editor BoB_McC
Siath