Chapter 25: Alone.
A new fleet of six ships were entering the atmosphere as all those on the ground watched. They looked different from the battered and old grounded fleet. It was a majestic sight. Two were larger than the entire grounded fleet. The other four appeared to be a newer version of the battlecruisers. There were more orbiting the planet. Their dark forms could be seen in the clear skies.
The young Queen-in-waiting entwined her fingers against her hand. Two of them stood in front of the males.
"Miriya, Mama came for me. Look!" She pointed excitedly at one of the two ships. "That will be my ship!"
She, in her black leather uniform, smiled at her young charge. "Yes, my little Queen."
The ships started to commence landing procedures. Several flocks of native wild birds started flying away from the scheduled landing site. Everyone waited in anticipation. Everyone was wearing their best uniforms or outfits for the old transport ship. They had busied themselves preening to look good for the arrival of a Primary Queen. The young Queen-in-waiting had spent time at her battlecruiser preparing to look as pretty as her Miriya. Her Commander , in his most unusual mood, styled their hairs and was rewarded with praise from the young Queen-in-waiting instead of the usual screaming or wailing.
As a hybrid, she was tentative of meeting more of their kind. She was always different and there were still others in their own fleet who thought of feeding on her. She was expecting the same thing to happen. Then groups of smaller crafts, which looked like backwards Iratus with an extremely sharp point, started flying out from the two ships in formation creating a shrill sharp screech as they went over the group. It was the announcement of the Primary's arrival.
A large group of similarly dressed officers were walking towards them. A familiar female figure was walking in front of them. It was the regal one. The one she first met many moons ago before the destruction of the Old City. Her young charge held her hand tightly.
Well done, you kept the promise made to me. A soft touch on her mind. It was the approaching Queen.
A promise is a promise.
You have been given a Wraith officer uniform. By which Commander? Another soft touch on her mind.
Wraith? She queried.
Our race are now termed Wraiths in the galaxy now. Because of the first Queen's ability to project illusions to frighten them. The name was such a compliment that we kept it.
The Queen approached her young charge and smiled softly. Her young charge let go of her hand and wrapped her arms around the Queen sobbing. The Queen picked her up and held the sobbing one.
My daughter really likes you. She wants to keep you by her side. Oh and she told me which Commander likes you. Apparently, he grabbed your throat on the first meeting. The Queen comforted the child in her arms.
Surviving on his ship taught me a lot. However, I am too different. She answered the truthfully as the Queen walked towards the Commanders.
Apparently not. The Queen carrying her child, walked up to her Commander.
He bowed his head. He gets command of the first escort ship. The young Queen-in-Waiting smiled as her mother scrutinised his crew
Commander, I trust that your crew will be rather fast learners on this new cruiser. She looked at his old battlecruiser with disdain.
As my Queen wishes. Her Commander bowed again.
The Queen met the Other Commanders and designated their new posts. A reward for bringing her daughter to her. No one was disappointed. Even Vapour from the old ship was now promoted to a Commander. Guide, whose mind was of the exploding star, was now an official Lead cleverman on the hive ship. He deserved it, after all, he was very brilliant. The inseparable duo were now group leaders of clevermen. She could only make out that their foremother was Gryphon. Whoever she was. She could sense the excitement from the group and the satisfied telepathic babble. They had new ships to go to. Except for her.
The Queen walked past her. Your reward awaits. Follow me.
She followed the Queen and her former young charge to the Hive ship while intermittently looking back at those of the former fleet. Even the five other children were animatedly discussing their designated ship. Everyone were absorbed with their discussions. She was alone in the crowd. She was forgotten by the crew she served with. Except for her former young charge who kept turning to check if she was there. The Queen's entourage started gathering behind them and the familiar faces. disappeared in a sea of black coats and uniformed looking faces.
Alone.
Author's note: Update 2016 A sequel is in progress. Wraith: Paths of Origins. Too many chapters might bore the readers.