I continued toward the residence shared by Lyrica and I. Was it a sign? Was it even fair to her? I couldn't give her a child, at least, not yet. But I couldn't even imagine a life without her. I knew she was the only one I wanted or ever would want. Perhaps I should ask her. How would I do it? I realized I had already passed the point where I knew I was going to ask. Do I go all romantic and set up a beautiful evening? Do I do the one knee approach? I would need a ring for certain. I could see myself kneeling and placing a ring on her finger. I could even picture the question I would ask. Lyrica Jayne, will you marry...

  The door of the residence I was approaching slammed open, and a blur in a pink t-shirt slammed into my chest, sending me rolling backwards through the yard. Lyrica was squeezing me like a vice, her voice, joyously falling on my ears.

  "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!"

  I never actually got to ask. I guess being a telepath can be a bit awkward. I seemed to have been projecting. I looked up with a huge grin on my face to see several people standing outside their quarters. I think a lot of people had heard that projection.

  Chapter 12

  "You want to what?" Paige looked at me with eyebrow raised.

  "I need to go back to Cerr…"

  "I heard you," she glared at me. "I'm just not sure how you have the nerve to even suggest it. You kick started the war back up last time you went over there."

  "That wasn't exactly my fault," I returned.

  "I'm sure it was your fault. Do you know how I'm sure it's your fault? Because everywhere you go, something always happens. Once or twice, coincidence. But every time?"

  "There are lots of places I go where nothing happens."

  "Where?"

  "I'd have to think a little but I know there's…"

  "Nope," she said, "There's nowhere."

  "Twenty five million more allies," I changed the subject.

  "That many? Really?"

  "That's why its somethin' I gotta do, personally."

  She rubbed her face with both hands, "Is my hair turning grey? I feel like you've turned my hair grey. Always something with you."

  "That's not all," I said with a grin.

  "Oh dear," she groaned. "What else?"

  "Lyrica is going with me."

  "You're shitting me!" she exclaimed. "Look! You've made me curse."

  "I told her we could honeymoon anywhere she wanted and she picked Cerres."

  "How do you expect me to approve both Soullords going off world at the s… Did you say, honeymoon?"

  "Yes, yes I did."

  Her eyes lit up and her mouth dropped open.

  This was the first time she had stopped talking since I had walked into her office. It lasted almost thirty seconds.

  "Oh my god," she finally said. "When did this happen?"

  "Last night."

  "Congratulations to the both of you. I know she's been planning this for years."

  "Years?"

  "Years," she nodded. "But I still have an issue with both Soullords off planet at the same time."

  "We have people watching the other side. When someone moves, we'll know and get back on the double. That's another thing we need to talk about."

  "What?"

  "There are rumors of the next to come at us and he's big."

  "How big?"

  "Over a hundred million."

  "We can't stand up to that."

  "They're limited to one Gate at a time for large groups but I'm afraid we'll see a lot of random attacks all over the place through smaller gates. He'll be limited by the fact he can only use so many at a time. We can thank Merlin for that. He destroyed the other facility and they are limited to one, now."

  "That's still a lot to face."

  "It is," I said. "If the rumors are true, this may be the last one, one way or the other."

  "We need more Mages."

  "That we do," I said. "We're makin' Mageguards as fast as we can. There's another group set to ascend today."

  "And what news of the Academy on Cerres?"

  "Didn't hear anything from Sam or Darrell," I said. "I did hear from Rictor."

  "Do I want to know? He's as crazy as you are."

  "It seems he invaded another world and is establishing an Academy there."

  "What?"

  "He would like some trainers if you please."

  "Why didn't you lead with this? This is Soulguard business."

  "Where would the fun be in that? I had you convinced we needed another expedition before even hearin' that part," I grinned.

  "Sometimes I want to just pick you up and shake you," she mumbled.

  "I had an instructor or two at the Academy who told me the same thing."

  I saw the flash of sorrow that flowed across her aura as she remembered Nora Kestril. They'd become pretty good friends after I had departed. Her death at First Kansas saddened us both.

  "Nora threatened to do it several times, even after you left the Academy for Knoxville. I offered to help."

  "Whatever do you mean?"

  She leaned back in her chair, "Do you realize that you have more people in service to you than a lot of countries? All sworn to you, alone? You've become more of an ally to the Soulguard than a part of it."

  "I've always been Soulguard," I stated in my defense.

  "I know," she said, "What I'm trying to say is there will be a day when you may need to be the ruler of your people instead of a Soulguard."

  "I don't see where they have to be different things."

  "You will," she said with a grim smile, "That's when you know what your future is going to be. Right now, you fight. You're more powerful than anyone I know. What happens when the fighting is done?"

  "I never thought that far in advance, Paige," I answered. "I never expected to live through the first part."

  "Then you need to start thinking about it," she said. "A soldier may live in the moment but a leader has to plan for the future."

  "They'd probably be better off if I don't make it through this war."

  "What do you mean by that?"

  "I saw the changes in their Souls when they were Marked," I said. "There's no turnin' back from that, now. They're different, changed, and they'll never be the same as they were again. The people they are, now, couldn't accept returning to what they were. And the longer they remain this way, the more the changes take hold."

  "And how would it help for you to be removed from the situation?"

  "They'd be free."

  "My understanding is that they don't even understand what freedom is."

  "They do now," I said. "They'll understand it more, the longer this goes on. It's the one good thing to come of this telepathic mark of mine. It shows them everything about me, including a great love of freedom. They'll begin to see it, and then they'll want it. Somehow, I intend to give it to them."

  "That could be a dangerous prospect."

  "Created as slaves," I said. "Even then they chose to rebel rather than remain slaves. Now they are seeing the same thing in reverse. We fight and die rather than be enslaved. It either becomes a circle and they become slaves again, or they and we become equals. I've hated them my entire life but even I can see where this needs to go."

  "Still somewhat uncomfortable about it."

  "I am too."

  Chapter 13

  "How's our little air force?"

  "Growin', Boss," Jacobs answered. "They brought in some more planes. Jack's been spendin' a lot of time here workin' on shields."

  "What've we got?"

  "A whole slew of A-10s," he answered. "They're good with crowd control. More of a straight line crowd control but I'll take what I can get. The AC130s are tried and true crowd pleasers and we got a bunch more of 'em."

  "How hard is it to do the shields?"

  "Not as hard as you'd think, after Jack finished settin' up the hologram projectors."

  "Hologram?"

  "It mounts at the same spot on each plane and projects what needs to be made. Then a Mage puts it together. We got some damn good focus Mages workin' the shields and they go fairly quickly. Not as quick as a Soullord who can see it, but a lot quicker than a Mage without the projector."

  "You guys are makin' me obsolete."

  "Nah, just lettin' you focus on more important things."

  "This is pretty high on the importance scale," I said. "You guys are makin' a massive difference on the field, and its high priority to keep your people safe and shootin' Kresh."

  "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Boss," Jacobs said with a little surprise flowing through his aura. "The boys and girls will be glad to hear it."

  "Your guys are doin' a hell of a job," I said. "We're lucky to have 'em."

  "Thanks, Boss," he said. "So how'd the Archmage take the news of where Lyrica wants to honeymoon?"

  "How'd you hear about that so fast?"

  "Gina's been workin' on Lyrica's detail for the last few weeks. There are a couple of permanent members of the detail. You're probably familiar with 'em. A smart assed ox and a rabid squirrel."

  "Yeah, I'm familiar," I laughed. "They've been there so long, I don't think either of 'em would want to be reassigned."

  "Anyway, Gina's part of the detail that works with Mattie and Trent."

  "Well, Hell," I muttered. "What are your thoughts on your girlfriend travelin' to another world?"

  "What?"

  "I got Paige to approve the trip but I have to take our security details with us."

  "That sucks, Boss," he said. "It means I'm stuck here cause I'm not part of the detail. She'll be thrilled, though."

  "That's just it, buddy," I said, "We're also settin' up a cadre of trainers to send to a third planet. Seems Rictor's gone and invaded another world. He requested trainers for a new Soulguard Academy. I need Mages and Guards for the post and I thought you might be interested."

  "Really?"

  "I hate to lose you from here but you'd be good at it," I said. "I can get you both on the list if you're interested."

  "I'm damn sure interested, Boss," he said. "I'll have to talk with Gina tonight. When is it?"

  "That's the other thing," I said. "Less than a month away. Lyrica and I are gettin' married quicker than we would like but we want to do it before we go and take a week on Cerres while the peace lasts."

  "We'll talk it out tonight, then."

  "If you got any recommendations for me for others, I need 'em as quick as possible. We're sendin' quite a few folks over. If Cerres goes as planned, my bunch will take the Parlais facility and close up the Kresh access to it. I think we'll be able to, even without the other additions to the Clan, but we need to go under the expectations of an underground Academy. We'll know more when we get over there."

  "How bad is their tech level?" he asked. "I know the other worlds have been held back."

  "Not much past medieval tech," I said. "That starts to change as soon as your group arrives. If it's like Cerres, there's a semi-modern facility at the Gate, but we'll be moving out away from there pretty quickly. Rictor will have much more detail for you when you get there. If we successfully take the Parlais facility in Hub, you'll have a base of operations to work out of there."

  "Ok," he said. "There's a guy that got ascended close to the time I did. His name's Alex Campbell. Pretty good with his shield work. Was damn good as a Guard. Might be a good addition."

  "I'll check him out."

  "Then there's a guy that was here a few months back you might wanna check out too. Was some sort of artist before joinin' the Guard. He's got the sort of imagination for makin' new stuff that reminded me of a certain Soullord. Name was Derrick Gallagher. I think Lyrica was the one to handle his ascension. He's good with detailed stuff. He'd make a good trainer."

  I pulled a small notebook from my pocket and started writing names.

  "What do you think Gina's reaction to this will be?"

  "I think it's a big decision. She's got family here but I think she'll still be willin'. This ain't permanent is it?"

  "I surely hope not, Ivan."

  "That doesn't sound as sure as I'd like you to be."

  "They tell me this next guy that's rumored to be lookin at us is a badass. He's one of the oldest generation and has ten times as many Kresh under his command than the last guy."

  "That ain't soundin' good, Boss," he said, worry creeping into his voice.

  "The last Clan came over with a fear inside 'em. We exploited that fear and ran 'em up through Africa. I got a feelin' this group won't have that fear ingrained in 'em."

  "Then you're just gonna have to put that fear in 'em as fast as you can, Boss."

  "We're gonna do our best to do just that, Ivan," I said. "But we have to make plans for the future, whether we make it or not. There are two worlds that will be under the protection of my Clan. I want them trained to do what we have here. I want Soulguards over there, Source weapons, and technology to stand up and fight back. If we fail here, they're the next in line to continue."

  "You're really worried about this one?"

  "Yeah, there are so many of 'em. We faced the last wave of ten million or so and defeated 'em. But the losses were more than we lost in World War Two. In the span of a few days. If this Hal'For'Radolin comes, he's got a hundred million or more Kresh. This is goin' to get bloody as hell."

  "I heard several countries have begun conscription," he said. "Perhaps with good reason."

  "There's talk of re-initiating the draft here in the US," I said. "People are freakin' out about it but I think we need it. It's one of the big topics in the Presidential Campaigns."

  "Deacons for it or against it?" he asked.

  "He's stayed away from the topic, for the most part. But he's for it. It'll hurt him if he comes out and says it. Too many people want to run and hide. They don't understand that if we fall, there's nowhere left to go. The Kresh will roll over them like they aren't even there. Their best chance is to join us and face 'em with a Source weapon in their hands."

  "Should've said that in that interview," he said.

  "No one wants to hear from me right now," I returned. "Last I heard, the widest spread rumor is they all work for me and I'm the Anti-Christ."

  "You're just hearin' pieces, Boss," he said. "You always pick the worst and latch onto that. Lyrica's right on that subject. Look deeper and see the ones who are arguing the other side of it. It wouldn't be an argument if no one was arguing the other side. I've found that the loudest tend to be the smaller group in something like this. You'll see."

  "I sure hope so," I said. "At least Deacons hasn't been hit with that one yet."

  "Oh, it's comin'," he said. "He'll have to pick a side, just like the subject of the draft. When he does, the fireworks should be quite spectacular."

  "Too bad you'll be on another planet."

  "Aww, man. I hate to miss that particular moment. You'll send reports?"

  "Right up to the moment that Hal'For'Radolin's Kresh hit Hub."

  Jacobs started looking around, "Where's Prada? I knew somethin' was missin'"

  "Her Marine is in town with his bunch of misfits. Goin' out tonight with some of 'em. Somehow they've decided to prove they can drink as much as I can. Not sure if anyone even told 'em about that."

  "Poor bastards," he chuckled. "Where? I might come and join you after they all pass out."

  "That new bar just outside of the base."

  "I know that one," he said. "I gotta meet this Marine that has Prada so tore up."

  "Come on by," I returned. "Lyrica begged off on this one. She said she had no interest in the whole endeavor. She said she's meetin' some friends to discuss the upcoming wedding that she is setting up. She told me to stay out of the way and let her set it up. I'd just mess it up."

  "She's probably right."

  "How hard could it be?"

  "Boy, you're like a babe lost in the woods."

  "What?"

  "Just stay out of her way, you idget."

  "We just gotta find someone to do ceremony…"

  "Just let it go," he said. "You have no idea what's involved."

  "You do?"

  "I was married, before I became a Guard. She and my career didn't coexist and she went on her way."

  "What was the career?"

  "I was a bare-knuckle fighter, quite a few years ago. Made some decent money from it till Demons killed off a whole block. The Guard saved my bacon and I joined right up. But we're off topic. Just show up and do what she directs."

  "Ok, that's what I had in mind."

  "Good, you'll be much better off. I've known you for years. Frankly, I don't know how you tie your own shoes."

  "Jeez, man," I said, "Tell me what you really think."

  He chuckled and I turned toward the door.

  "Alright, time to go," I said. "I'll send for the guys you told me about and I got a few more here to see about."

  "Later, Boss."

  I headed for the door, "And for the record, I keep one of those charts by the bed, so I can tie my shoes. Quite handy."

  I heard him chuckling as I left the room.

  Chapter 14

  Marcus Stratton and Seran Polomo just stared at me.

  "I'm serious, guys," I said. "We really need this."

  "And it has nothing to do with the fact that your future wife wants to go off world for a honeymoon?"

  "The wedding is being sped up so we can do that while we're over there," I answered. "I discovered the need for the trip before I even proposed… sort of."

  "Yeah, I heard about that," Polo, as I liked to refer to him, said.

  "I heard that all of your neighbors heard it, too," Marco chuckled. "Gotta learn to keep your mind muffled."

  "It did simplify the actual proposal," I said. "She heard me practicin' enough on the way home."

  "I would say that was entertaining enough," Polo said.

  "More than likely," I answered.

  "The issue is having both Soullords off planet at the same time."

  "I know, but if you think I could go over there without her again, you don't know her."

  "But it's irresponsible of the two of you to go at the same time. You two are Soulguards. Doesn't that come into it at some point?" Marco asked.

 

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