Callor was the biggest province in the world and contained most of the arable land and natural resources. Soon after the news was released, boundaries were drawn, Clan Thelan stood obstinately firm. Callor, due to its vast size and resources, was an economic world leader. Rura Thelan was still the Prime of Muria, a smaller province located nearby with limited resources. Halid's starvation had caused a mass migration. The Murian people sought out less desirable positions to get out of the food-starved area. Multiple Matriarchs that had opposed the Allied Houses hijacked incoming food, raw resources and medicine shipments meant for other clans and the public. The province was strangled further when Sedai shut off automated infrastructure, Clan Allari shutdown all forms of hospitals, clinics and recalled the staff back to Callor and cooperating territories.
Pleas came from the six clans involved in the action against the Quills. Aid requests in the form of food and medical supplies were sent to the Murian clans involved in the attacks. Afterward, Halid took action against the party that assisted the Six of Muria. Vida Halid had become a Calloran folk hero through her passive method of warfare with them. The combined efforts of Sedai, Halid and Allari were close to bringing them to their knees. Quill did not hold delayed migration against any individual, housing was a concern as billions poured into various provinces. In fact, it seemed like it was understood that this would eventually come to an end. It was admirable to see those in agriculture persist in Muria since they were directly rebelling locally against the Six Clans. Criticism of the Allied Houses existed among other houses around the Globe, but none dared to attack.
"At least too many innocents will not be involved in the famine with direct home deliveries." Nora said as she dismounted her Dron, she stroked the Horse's black and white man affectionately.
"It was not hard to implement with the existing logistics network we set up. The Murians now have jobs. Although, I still think we should shift to using the Droid's in the enemy province." Astra said, from the top of her Dron. Sirona exhaled loudly and rolled her eyes.
"Do you ever stop worrying?" Sirona said with a sigh as she dismounted her own Dron. She tightened her hair tie. She looked around the Halid farm. It was hard getting used to it. She had gotten used to her new identity here in the past two years. Her strawberry blonde hair cascaded in a long braid.
"You are supposed to be relaxing. She's right. We are going to have to go back soon," Astra said. "I can handle some of these affairs. It is not really all that hard," Astra continued. She had begun managing the logistics network, helping Cerez run it. She had already long finished her schooling alongside Sirona. Fiona and Ivy had finished up their education. Kelly was a huge shocker and finished hers alongside the twins. She was currently studying beside Solina and Amrita back in the capital. She knew that her Mother missed her. Kelly was currently only eight years old with a mind exceeding her age. She felt bad for her sister, she should be playing. Kelly made her choice. She had been acting up due to boredom, she was like Mother.
"Look to the north, on the Horizon. I think Dad is back?" Sirona said. Dirt and stones from the transport paths in the distance hung suspended in the air as the strong magnetic polarity of both the transport and the underground cord left thick scores of debris under the chassis of the large silver transport. The sun reflected off the transport as it drew closer. She was still a child, her heart thumped with excitement. He had been gone for two weeks visiting the Allari in the Capital alongside Ava. Sirona pulled on her Dron's lead to start to pull him towards the stable. "Come on, Romo. Let's go back to your stable. There's fruit in it for you." Sirona said affectionately. She pulled the reluctant to leave creature along.
"So, are you going to tell him or just keep living with it?" Astra asked, looking at her Mother who was staring at the transports on the Horizon. Nora bit her lip. She had ten children to think about. "I think it is only fair now that we have all completed the necessary education. We are supposed to have a fair say?" Astra said. Her mother's eyes remained on the horizon. Astra sighed. "After years of being voted down, we want to go back and reclaim our lives. It is nice here, Mother. But I want to go home. Kelly has been safe." Astra said.
"I will tell them tonight," Nora said as she inspected the Dron in front of her. She pulled on the reins. "Let's put these back in the stables." Nora said. Astra looked at her mother. She had hardened over the years, it was like she was deeply sad. She was skeptical that her mother would be aggressive enough.
"We will tell them." Astra said as she jumped off her Dron, skillfully. The wind picked up her loose hair. The late afternoon sun made her hazelnut-colored curls gleam. She had confidence about her, of a firstborn heir. "You need to be a strong Mother. You are a woman. I know it was different for you, but we cannot let them continue to dominate you." Astra grabbed the reins and pulled the strong mare into the stables.
Astra followed her Mother as she retreated into the stable. The stable was constructed out of natural materials and the wood, and straw in the stables gave off a pleasant natural non-synthetic odor. "Do you think Cerez will do it too? I am so glad they are breeding that stinky Alphem response. But it only works if they opt for it", Sirona said with a laugh. Astra locked up her mare in her stable and fed the Dron an Apple as her mother and sister talked. She laughed.
"Imagine getting angry or territorial and erupting in that stench. Did Dad really do that around the workers when they would get too curious about you?" Sirona questioned. "Huh, Astra. Do you smell that?" Sirona asked, lifting her head. Her eyes widened. Astra checked herself, sniffing in the air puzzled. She smelled her own armpits. "Um, Mom. I think that it is that time." Sirona said, noticing the stain on her sister's clothing. Nora smelled the air. A sense of doom filled her. It was faint. She was accustomed to her own. It smelled saccharine. Everyone in the clan Halid had taken the mRNA shots. Astra had a look of horror on her face.
"Astra, go on ahead. There should be feminine hygiene products in the closet in the hall." Nora said in the calmest voice she could maintain. She looked at Sirona, thanking the universe that she had not yet shown the signs of puberty like Astra had. It was normal for a Terran to have early onset as they matured faster. Astra had progressively started to look like a young woman, whereas her older sister was still very much a little girl in frame and body size. Sirona was a full head shorter than her sister. She tried to keep up. Sirona's head hung.
"Will I smell too?" Sirona asked. She felt like Astra was beating her out in everything. She basically had her own line of business already. She tied with her for the right of being the Heir. Now she had this beautiful natural perfume about her. She was growing quicker than her and had already moved on to more mature dresses.
"You might, you do take after me. It might smell sweet, but it stinks. Kind of like the Alphem response. It can be just as embarrassing, it can cause problems too. I think we'll need to talk about it now that your sister has passed her own personal milestone in life? Do not feel envy. You graduated first. Do you know how jealous Astra was?" Nora consoled her daughter.
"Jealous of what?" Liem said, his nose crinkling. He looked around puzzled. Nora noticed the change in his pupils and preening.
"Jealous of the mRNA injection you will be getting tonight," Nora said. Liem looked at Nora puzzled. His face quickly changed upon realizing what had happened.
"Can we talk in our room?" Nora said as she put her hands on her hips.
"I see. Yes. Let's do that right away." Liem said. Apparently, the day she feared had come. He understood. He blushed at his actions. "I thought you had changed something. I am sorry. I would never." Liem said as he psychologically grasped what had just happened. Nora had her own trauma about this that the kids did not even know about. The world was a cruel place. Now that there had been a huge population boom of women, her daughters would have to learn the horrors that women and men faced.
"You going to get rid of the Alphem stank Dad?" Sirona said as she ran up and hugged her Father.
"As your Mother says, it is better to cover all bases," Liem said. He walked up to Nora and pulled her into a hug.
"Where is Ava?" Nora asked, still angry with him.
"She is with Clan Allari. I figured it would be easier," Liem said. Nora gave him a puzzled look. Her brows knitted.
"The building is ready. We can pack up. Setton is taking care of Hope, Sage and Rex. We figured you girls were long ready. Though I do love what the sun and fresh air have done," Liem said. Nora looked so much healthier. Her body had recovered from the years of pregnancy. The sun had darkened the freckles, she was slightly tanned. Her russet hair was thick and healthy. The sun had made it lighter from the sunshine and full of luster from nutrients and clean, not recycled water. Nora squealed in surprise and hugged him.
"Is it really safe?" Sirona said. Her life here had been great, but she missed her family and her cousins. They had moved home after the building was rebuilt the first time. It was bombed a month after they moved home. They were now going to live independently of the Labs and Factory. She did not know the ins and outs. What was torture was all the precautions she took. She could only do her entertainment program from a generic set that had not been updated. Van had started his own career and was making more engaging content than her. His followers exceeded her own.
"It is safe. Rura Thelan was assassinated by her own people. They have surrendered." Liem said. Their original home had been repaired as a decoy. Solina had offered a plot of land on the other side of the range and had formed a beach area for them. After the land was cleared, they too built their home in the volcanic range. It was to be equipped with a new weapon and a power plant.
"Perhaps you should all get the shot tonight. I will go talk to Astra and get her to start packing up." Nora said. Nora felt relief. She did not have to go through the dread confrontation tonight. I was going to be nice to finally have four additional votes. However, she did not know how Kelly would swing when she went home. Her daughter was kind of terrifying, she loved her immensely and could understand what it felt like to be so different. Kelly was almost like the next evolutionary step. She was going to grow up with looks to match her intelligence. She missed her daughter.
"Nora, wait." Liem said. A rift had grown between them. Liem followed behind her swiftly and almost desperately.
"What?" Nora asked almost impatiently.
"My Mother offered me the position of Clan head," Liem said. Nora stood silently and turned around. Her eyes flooded with tears.
"So now you have everything you ever wanted?" Nora asked. Liem faltered, it turned out that he did not. He had lost something.
"It was not what I wanted. I wanted to take it from her and make her regret what she did." Liem said honestly. "When she gave it to me, and admitted, I should have been able to be her heir the whole time. I felt nothing. Her validation meant nothing." Liem continued. "I wish I had focused on the right things. All I could think about when she asked me was getting Ava out of there as fast as possible." Liem paused briefly. "I just wanted to go back to you. Back to our family, I am done. I just want to be their father. I just want to be with you." Liem said, his eyes watering. "It should only have been that from the very beginning," Liem admitted.
"It should have been. I did not get to confront my Father about killing my Mother and Sister. I avoided him and it. I avoided my family. Then I was here. In the beginning, I was very scared, and you were the only thing I could trust in this world. What hurt me so much was losing that trust when you pulled away and started making all those decisions on your own. I felt used," Nora said.
"I know it was not my intention to use you as a weapon," Liem said with a choking noise in his throat. He was afraid of this, he had to try before they drifted even further apart. "I am so sorry," Liem said. Tears streamed from his eyes. "What can I do?" Liem stepped forward closer to her, attempting to close the gap. Nora stepped back. Liem sighed. His hands shook. He felt light-headed from the rejection.
"Step down and give me your vote unconditionally," Nora said. "If you can do that, perhaps when we are in a good place in our relationship we can vote", Nora started to explain when she was interrupted.
"Agreed. You will not need to give it back. I will always vote on your side or for you." Liem said, tears dripping from his eyes. "It should have always been yours. I was just so lost after I went back home. It was not your fault." Liem cried. Nora took him into an embrace, looking at his hunched over crying form. It had been a year since they were this intimate. Her scent flooded his nose, the blend of soaps calmed him. His arms wrapped around her. A warm breeze fluttered into the barn, the Dron grunted impatiently as the two beings beside it stood motionless for a while.
Note from the Author: Thank you so much for reading this book. I hope you enjoyed it.