A/N: A short one for you.
And, it's probably time for the legal requirements to be met once again. Just know that I don't own the Uncanny X-men or any Marvel Comic characters. I make no money from this story and never will. However, I do wholly and completely own my original characters, which are fictional and based on no one – any resemblance is coincidental.
Chapter 16
"Archangel! Thank the gods!" The Turzent Emperor's face revealed great relief. "You are safe and well?"
"I am, Ztar." Warren gave the man a cheery smile.
"When I got word you were missing…"
The man needn't say more. Warren knew how concerned he would have been. Despite Ztar and Jharda being a couple, Ztar still loved him fiercely – the recent trip back to Sat'rey proved that. "I'm sorry about causing you and Gtar-Cro so much worry. Thanks, though, for your efforts to locate me. It's reassuring to know the two of you are watching my back."
Ztar leaned close to his PI, looming larger on Warren's screen. "Where are you? What happened? Do you need anything?"
"I'm safely on Earth. I have met some new friends. They prevented an Etagllot operative from kidnapping me from my aerie. And there's nothing I need right now." Warren answered the rapid-fire questions with amusement.
"Charles Xavier told me that much. Sensors detected no ship entering Earth System, Archangel. It wasn't until the Hydeera signature was observed entering Earth atmosphere that we knew anything was happening and by then it was too late. Our worst fears may be coming true. If the Etagllot have cloaking technology, then you are in grave danger. Gtar-Cro is no longer certain he can protect you, the mutants of Earth, or any other planets the Etagllot may harvest for test subjects."
Warren played with the idea of sharing everything with Ztar, but Ettwanae had requested discretion. She feared the consequences if too many people became aware Eshaaru still roamed the galaxy. Having the Shozen and Etagllot searching for them was threat enough.
"Ztar, there are things I cannot reveal right now, but cloaked ships may not be as widespread as you fear."
Ztar looked stunned. "How do you know this? Who are you with?"
"Tell Gtar-Cro not to worry about a fleet of stealth vessels, okay? At least not the kind involved with my disappearance."
"Were there two ships involved? If so, then we were completely blind to one. Whose ship did we detect – your rescuer's or the Etagllot? I have many questions, Archangel, as will Gtar-Cro."
"Understood, but I am not at liberty to share more, Ztar. Please, trust me. Just as I'm going to trust you to not be snooping around trying to find me while I'm gone."
Concern instantly filled the Turzent's face. "Gone? Where are you going?"
"On a little quest. There a chance, albeit small, that I can be free of the nannites, and I'm taking it. I have no idea how long I will be away, but I promised Charles I would stay in touch regularly to put everyone's mind at ease."
"You're leaving Earth?" Warren nodded. "To where?"
"Wherever the clues lead."
"But the Etagllot threat! I can't protect you if I don't know where you are." A flicker of perhaps mild panic in Ztar's eyes came through the comlink transmission.
"I'm in good hands, Ztar. Do not worry."
"Impossible. Worrying about you is something I cannot turn off. Archangel, please, let me send an escort ship. Allow me that much reassurance."
Warren shook his head. "Sorry, but I must decline."
"Who are you with? At least tell me that."
Ztar displayed all the signs of increasing alarm and that was something Warren wanted to avoid. The Turzent may do things out of attempts to protect Warren that Warren rather he not. The man needed something concrete as reassurance. Should he? Warren trusted Ztar unequivocally. Yet Ettwanae asked him not to reveal her. Warren hadn't promised; he had simply acknowledged her request. "If you know, how will that change anything, Ztar?"
That threw the man and Ztar was obviously at a loss for a few moments. Warren understood, though. Simply having a name to hold onto can be reassuring – it is the nameless things we fear most.
"Give me something, Archangel. Some reason to believe you will be well and safe. That I should attempt to hold my worry at a lower level."
Warren made his decision. "Esserru."
Ztar blinked and his mouth dropped open. "Esserru?" he repeated almost in a whisper.
"Yes, or more accurately, Eshaaru."
Disbelief mixed with shock mixed with wonder on the Turzent face and in the deep brown eyes. "You are with Esserru?"
Warren nodded. "With one, Ztar, and two very non-Eshaaru shipmates."
"By the gods! They still walk among us?"
"In a way, Ztar, but that's all I can say. You will need to trust me on everything else. No one can know about this, Ztar. Promise me."
"I- I promise you. I will not share it." Awe had a firm grip on the Turzent.
"Not with Gtar-Cro, Jharda, Sukja – no one, Ztar. Do you understand?" Warren was firm in tone.
"I understand. Esserru?" Ztar shook his head in an apparent attempt to digest the revelation. "You are Esserru? I was right?"
"No, I am not. Just look like them, as I've told you before." Warren held tightly to the conviction. "But I think they may be able to help me get rid of the nannites."
Ztar was quiet for many moments. "I hope with all my being they can do that."
"Me, too. I must go now, Ztar. I'll comm you occasionally to touch base, but Charles will be my primary contact. My PI will be on standby between comms."
"But if we need to reach you…" Concern once again swept across Ztar's handsome features and tugged at something deep within Warren.
"I'll be fine, Ztar. Really. We need to remain unobservable."
At first, the man appeared to be ready to protest further, but ultimately held any objections. Then Ztar's expression changed to one of excitement. "Before you go, I have news to share. Jharda and I are expecting a child!"
Warren's heart jumped with joy, immediately followed by renewed guilt. Joy that all he had worked for, sacrificed, and dreamed of for the Turzent ruler was coming true. Ztar had healed, found his empress, and now he was going to have an heir. Guilt that he had allowed himself to be seduced by the Emperor during his last visit to Sat'rey while Jharda carried Ztar's child. He squelched the shame and let his happiness show.
"Congratulations! I'm incredibly happy for you both."
Ztar nodded. "Thank you." Then Ztar's face took a softer appearance. "If you need anything in your journey, call me. I will be there with whatever is required. I love you, Archangel. I always will."
The last few words and the longing behind them created warmth were Warren just as soon they didn't. 'Jesus!' He shifted uncomfortably. "You're welcome, Ztar. You deserve all the good things coming your way. And thanks for the offer of assistance. I will take you up on that if the need arises."
As he ended the comm, Warren felt he'd made the right decision to tell Ztar about the Eshaaru. It would put the Turzent's mind more at ease given Ztar's belief in the power and righteousness of the legendary race. One less worried friend for Warren to fret about, or that was the hope at least.
###
During a whirlwind 48 hours, Warren had broken the news to Xavier, Ztar, his attorneys, key business heads, Worthington Industries and his charitable Foundation's Board presidents, and estate heads of staff. News spread fast as did the warnings of the ramifications. No one was happy. The Boards were questioning his commitment. Lawyers lamented that yet again Charles Xavier would be acting with power of attorney for Warren – a position they warned he could abuse. One of the WI directors voiced concerned that Warren was hiding something dire, that someday he'd not return from one of his mystifying absences, and about the future of the company. Countless reassurances and promises later, Warren believed himself temporarily extricated from business and personal life on Earth without irreparable collateral damage. Everyone would manage without him for a while…they'd done it before.
He also had to pack, but only the basics, including blue jeans, custom-tailored t-shirts and sweaters, and sneakers. A quick drop-off with Volu earlier of two other essentials – bulk supply of ground coffee and a French press – completed his short list. In the rush, a nagging feeling whispered he was forgetting things, but dismissed it knowing he could get nearly anything within the Empire. With one last look around the expansive master suite, he was ready to depart.
Already having said good-bye to staff, he stepped out onto the large balcony off his bedroom and took to the air, a bag dangling from each shoulder. A hundred feet or so above the mansion, he hovered and gazed down at it, warm feelings washing over him. 'Back soon I hope,' he thought to the home he loved. So many wonderful memories. The not so wonderful he chose to forget.
###
Ztar was worried. Archangel would be out wandering the galaxy with the Etagllot after him. The thwarted kidnapping proved just how much that group still wanted his beloved Human and how dangerous that organization was. The fact that Archangel was with Eshaaru gave Ztar some reassurance, as did the knowledge the race was still alive, yet it raised all sorts of new questions.
The Emperor made his decision quickly. He'd honor Archangel's request to keep the Eshaaru secret, but he would not sit idly by. There was something going on beyond the obvious. He was back to wondering why the Etagllot wanted the nannites so desperately. What were they up to? Instinct told Ztar the big picture was far more complex than simply developing new technologies for the highest bidder.
He leaned back and rummaged through the odd bits of seemingly disconnected information. He still had no answer if one or two ships were involved in the recent kidnapping attempt. The mystery ship at Hydeera may have been the Eshaaru ship, but Archangel hadn't confirmed. There were the scattered reports Gtar-Cro uncovered of a stealth ship or ships elsewhere within the Empire. Then there were his suspicions that the illicit scientists were developing a super race. Apparent manipulations of Par-Sen and Commonwealth political agenda. Rumblings within the Commonwealth that the collective may begin breaking apart, but the reasons were mystifying. An assassin who was potentially both a telepath and a telekinetic. Occasional unexplained deaths that hinted of telekinetic murder – Gtar-Cro's second, Raminjen, being a prime example. Dozens of other odd snippets from reports on their quiet war against the Etagllot and other security briefings.
In spite of the exercise, no great revelations came. The Turzent ruler continued to feel he was missing something – a key piece to the puzzle. "What is it?" he asked aloud of no one. Reaching over, he activated the comm for General Gtar-Cro. A meeting with his head of military intelligence was in order.
###
A/N: Would love to hear from you right about now. My motivation needs a little boost as the darkness of wintertime is beginning to settle into my bones and energy levels wane. Wondering if the increased frequency of postings is a good thing or if you rather I keep it to a couple uploads a week. Unless I hear otherwise, I'll keep posting as I finish final editing.
Preview: The group reunites in preparation to begin their quest. However, a major oversight becomes evident. Volu has only three bedrooms…