My Fair Lady
Chapter 1
The halls were not as dark as most hives. They glowed with a different type of growth. The light atmosphere and less mist gave a false sense of security. As the old commander strut down the halls he was not fooled by the camouflage. He had been assigned to this ship for 10,000 years now, he was not worried. Turning the corner he entered a large open room where his queen sat in the chair, her back turned to him. Bowing deeply he approached her. Her long red hair tumbled down her bare shoulders. It stood out against the black leather dress she wore that hugged her body closely. She was beautiful, though old. At least in his eyes. He placed his hand on her shoulder gently and she turned to look at him. In her arms she held a small bundle. Pulling the cloth down it revealed the innocent face of a newborn wraith. A female. Deep satisfaction overwhelmed him. How long since a girl had been born among wraith? And here she was, and she was his.
20 years later
Wraith age much slower then humans. 20 years to wraith is a mere 15 to wraith. When they are young, it is faster, but upon reaching their 30th birthday it slows down to 1-100. The queen sat on her throne, but in a rare occasion, she was not the only queen on board. There were 5 to be exact, and more to be coming. A wraith breeding season comes about once every 1000 years if they are peace times. Now happened to be one of those rare occasions. This hive, the one our own aging queen rules is a nursery of sorts. Queens come to give birth. 9 times out of 10, they are male, but a girl had been born, 2 actually. It would have been better if only 1 had, because now a rivalry had been started. While the males are taught to protect their queen at all costs, the females are taught to fight, to destroy all competition, to be ruthless, yet posed. The head queen, A'takamay, her child had first rights, and the best teachers, and best protection, but it did not ensure her protection. One day she would have to face her rival, and that would decide who got to move out of the hive and claim one of their own. Sometimes these battles can continue for thousands of years, that is why one does not usually see young queens.
The males born are raised to be either commanders, or hunters. The drones and soldiers are born from the hive. When males are born the queen lingers only on the hive to give birth then returns to her own hive, their children to be raised but the workers on the nursery. The mothers of the females stay, devoting all their time to the protection and teaching of their daughters. The rival queen, Ka'tesh, stood little chance of her daughter making it, for her opponent was the offspring of a well aged high queen, and a strong power high commander. Ka'tesh was only a subordinate; her mate could hardly be called a commander. You could at least say she was worried.
Today the high commander, Mie'tel, was going to summon his daughter. She had reached her 15th birthday and it was time for her to learn what she needed from her mother. For soon she would meet her rival, it was unavoidable. Reaching her room he stepped in silently to find her standing cooling in the corner, facing a mirror. She did not look like most queens. She had almost a human skin tone. A delicate face and body made her look frail. Her hair was long and auburn, it reached past her shoulders and was pin straight. She had small hands with long, sharp nails, but they were smooth, almost as if they were manicured. Her eyes were an icy blue, and endlessly deep. Often Mie'tel found himself getting lost in her gaze. She was beautiful, and deceivingly strong. It would not be hard to find her a commander. When her father entered she turned and smiled at him. Another difference was her teeth, though still pointed, were not as extreme, or as small. They looked more like vampire teeth.
"Father." She purred slightly, though no respect was given. She stood tall, shoulders back, head up, her eyes flashed defiantly. Her voice was smooth as silk, with a soft flute sound to it. He gave a short bow to her, and ushering with his arm he led her from the room. He often could not find the words to say to her, so instead he followed silently behind, his hands clasped behind him. It didn't talk long until they made it to A'takamay's quarters. His daughter strut in fearlessly, without even a knock, and then the door shut behind her. Sighing Mie'tel turned around, only to be face to face with Ka'tesh. She sneered at him. He peeled his lips back in a disgusted snarl. Ka'tesh had a deep green skin tone, her hair was pitch black and always in a tangled mess. Her eyes were yellow pits as she glared at him. Her awkward body twisting in unnatural movements, the complete opposite of A'takamay.
"You are not allowed in this area." He growled. This was one queen he did not have to respect. He would slit her throat now if it was no imperative she survives to see the fight. She smiled cruelly. Her yellow pointed teeth glistened.
"It won't be long now Mie'tel, until my daughter slits your daughter's throat." She snarled, twisting her head back and forth. Mie'tel held his composure well. Disgust plastered on his face, but his body did not move, no matter how close she got.
"Tell me Ka'tesh, what does little Mia have to go off? Her father's cowardice? You're Strength? I do not think any good traits have been passed on to the twisted runt. If any good traits existed." He stated cooly then grabbed her arm tightly to drag her away. She stared at him in disbelief and ripped her arm free.
"We will see Mie'tel, on the morrow." She snarled and stalked off, vanishing in the darkness. Tomorrow? That was far too early, they still had 10 years to go. What was she planning? He turned and moved down the hall. These halls were dangerous, especially with hormones running high among the females. To an inexperienced male it could be overwhelming. Mie'tel had grown use to the friction in the air, but the young males would be driven crazy. It was not unheard of for them to jump and kill each other, or someone randomly passing by. Quickly he slipped into his quarters. He usually could handle himself, but with so many females, he would rather not set himself up for a confrontation.
A'takamay stood there, observing her daughter, who stood like a statue. She truly had grown beautifully. Though a little on the small side, it would not prove to be much of a disadvantage. Her hidden strengths made up for such. Finally she smiled, satisfied with her evaluation. They had been talking awhile before. Discussing tactics in fighting, and in ruling. They discussed when her mate, her commander, would be chosen, and finally she was taking her in, ready to give her a name.