Esio paced back and forth in the conference room. The same room where the previous Mother Queen’s portrait hung. The only portrait in the room that had an entrance to the secret tunnels. Esio waited patiently however it was starting to run thin when his advisor Jaca, was taking longer than expected. A few minutes later, the hatch on the portrait clicked allowing the life-size painting door to open. Esio got excited when he saw him holding a small gray box. “You found it? Was it where I said it was?” Esio asked.

  Jaca nodded his head yes as he dusted off the cobwebs and dust bunnies from his robes. “Yes, sir I did however that wasn’t all I found in that back room.” Esio’s advisor handed him the gray box and continued to explain. “Sir, the room I found that the missing data box was surrounded by dozens of crates. “

  “Crates? I’m not aware of any recent cargo shipments.” Esio frowned.

  “I don’t think these crates came from a normal shipment sir. They were all filled with Essence Stones... The missing data boxes were sitting in the middle of the stacked crates. I accidentally bumped into one of them and it fell to the ground. Hundreds of those evil blue metallic stones scattered everywhere. Good thing the power of those things do not affect me.”

  Esio placed his hand on Jaca’s shoulder and said, “Great job, old man. I don’t think I would have gotten anywhere without your help. Whoever did this was trying to make sure no one with the Star gene would be able to retrieve these files. Come, let’s go somewhere in private to watch these.”

  The two discreetly exited the conference room then headed to the carrier port station. There Esio and Jaca got into a two-seater hovering vehicle. Powered by an anti-gravity mechanism, it allowed the vehicle to hover about a meter off the ground. The two were silent for most of the trip. The Councilman, eager to get to the destination and his advisor, lost in thought worrying about the girls. It was nearly noon before Esio made a left turn onto a dirt road. A large ranch style beach house appeared from the thick brush of the surrounding trees. It faced the open ocean in complete solitude. Jaca gasped when Esio pulled into the driveway. “I haven’t been here since...”

  Esio turned to his friend, giving him a small smile. “I know, I miss her too. We’re doing this for her, you know. These queens will not fuck up my mother’s legacy. She dedicated her life to serving the people and bringing peace throughout the galaxy. Her work will not go in vain...” Throughout the years, the Councilman kept up with his family’s property’s. The beach house was just one of them. Before the previous Mother Queen passed away, Esio took it upon himself to collect certain items like jewelry and heirlooms. There was one particular thing Esio held close to him. An item that not even Jaca knows about… Esio’s mother was no fool to the possibility of a forced reform. She kept files, documents, and recordings from the other queens. Secret cameras and microphones were strategically placed in certain areas, so she knew what was to come. It was essential to the previous Mother Queen she knew who she could trust. Days before her death, she told Esio everything hoping to prepare him. She had her son transfer loads of information onto a disk disguised as a pendant. A small 3D golden star that dangled from a chain necklace. It split opened in half from the middle to reveal its true importance.

  Esio carefully pulled the disk out and placed it inside the computer. Next, he turned to Jaca and extended his arm, “Hand me the files you got from the back tunnels.” He asked.

  As he placed the files in Esio’s hand, it hit Jaca that the rumors were true about the Mother Queen's extracurricular activities. “Sir, those are your mother’s recordings, aren’t they?” The Councilman decided to answer his advisor with a look. “She was truly revolutionary and very smart. When did you figure out that she kept tabs on all of us?”

  “I didn’t. She told me the day before she passed. She never turned off her feed, however. For the past few days, I’ve been looking through our records, and there are some files missing in the archives. The same files you found in the back were removed from the Records Hall. How do I know that? My mother’s little spy cameras... I need to know what they removed and who then the why. I believe you and I both know the ‘why’ by now.”

  As the two laid out all the documents and records they had on hand, Esio and Jaca made themselves at home. They removed all the white sheets that covered the furniture and chairs. The pantry was still fully stocked with perishables, but it was the fishing poles that leaned nearby the front door that made it feel cozy. They knew they were going to be responsible for making their food as long as they stayed there. Esio told Jaca to pack up what he could and meet him down by the shoreline. Grabbing the fishing poles, Esio decided then they were going to be there at the beach house for a while. There was a lot to comb through...

  As Jaca prepared dinner, Esio announced he thought he had found something. A wave of relief went through Jaca however he was also worried. He watched his Councilman review video recordings for hours. He never, not once, stopped to take a break... “Sir, I have prepared dinner for us. Please eat something...” He placed the plate of grilled fresh fish with steamed vegetables on the desk next to him. “Sir, are you prepared for this? I mean, who all might be involved.”

  “Yes, I reached out to Cassandra. The only Ancient that was willing to come down to help us. The rest were ordered to stay where they were for safety reasons. She volunteered and stepped in for Arkaminus.” Esio said without looking away from his computer. Jaca nodded then proceeded to walk away when a slight breeze brushed over the warm plate of food. It snapped Esio out of his trance, realizing he was giving his only help, the cold shoulder. The only person he could trust on Stella. “Hey, grab your plate and let’s talk about what I found. Maybe you’ll catch something I missed.”

  Jaca nodded yes and followed his Councilman’s suggestion. The day was quickly coming to an end as Esio investigating had finally come to an end. “So, tell me what you got sir.”

  “Alright...” The Councilman said as he scooted up his chair. “Let’s start from the beginning. On the day of the attack on Stella, all the queens were scheduled to be here. They were supposed to convene in the sanctuary, but only seven showed up. At the time, I didn’t think anything of it until I discovered the data feed of that day and the day before went missing. Once I got out of the Medic Hall, a guard was instructed to have me report to the queens immediately. That’s when I also found out you had been arrested...”

  “What are you saying sir?” Jaca said while taking a sip of his wine.

  “I’m saying all of this is connected, my friend. After doing some digging, the day I awoke was also the day unauthorized shipment arrived and guess what was in them?”

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  Jaca’s eyes widened in shock, “The crates I found in the back tunnels...”

  “Exactly.” Esio replied, shaking his head in agreement. “That’s not all what I found out. On that day three out of the five queens were completely MIA and nowhere to be found. I looked in or around the Grand Hall of Matres. They weren’t here on Stella at all... The remaining two, however, thought they met in secret, but thanks to my mother’s extra surveillance I was able to hear everything.” The Councilman replaced a disk with another then pressed play.

  Jaca scooted closer to the screen as he tried to adjust his eyes to the poor photoaged. “Is that Queen Nira and the newly appointed Mother Queen Trina?”

  Esio again shook his head in agreement, “Just listen. This is what the Highest One Cassandra needs to hear...”

  When he pressed play, the Mother Queen was first to speak. In her ceremonial robes, she did a quick check of her surroundings. They stopped in the middle of the infamous Universal Rose Garden. Roses from all over the galaxy were collected and brought back to Stella in honor of the Star Counsel. “You can’t be here, Nira. We both agreed I would contact you when we were ready.”

  “I understand my Mother Queen.” Queen Nira bowed to her superior. “I’m just here to gather the rest of my belongings. Also, to inform you we have not found a way to remove the Star gene. I told you once before that only Arkaminus has such power.”

  The Mother Queen, who was at least a foot and half shorter than her counterpart, quickly raised her hand interrupting. “I do understand, Nira. I wished I had found a way to do this without going this route. Working with the rebels is just as bad as working with the Barbarians.”

  Queen Nira nodded once more, “Yes, Mother I agree with you, however this is the only way none of this will come back to us. If we want the real clean slate to occur, then we must allow the rebels to do what we’ve hired them to do. If we want our plan to completely get rid of the Star Children, then we must follow what’s in place.”

  The Mother Queen frowned then huffed before she replied. “Fine. It is my divine duty to start this Star Children program over. The idea of the Angels of Death was a mistake. The previous Mother used those girls as a weapon. As a result, for the last two hundred odd years we’ve done nothing but try to keep our honor and reputation. After this whole ordeal is over, we will be the ones deciding who gets the Star gene. That way we can mode all the galaxies as the Star Counsel sees fit. The age of those Ancient fucks and controlling our every move is over.”

  Once more, Queen Nira took a bow. “Of course, my Mother Queen. That process is already in place. It’s Councilman Esio, the others worry about. He’s the only one who knows the Angels’ whereabouts because he controls their assignments. Sakiya and Kahree have not returned home to Stella and will not until they are ordered to return home.”

  “Let me handle Esio, Nira. I will allow him to think he’s doing something productive. I’ll instruct him in secret to send the Angels to search for Arkaminus. It’ll give me some time to figure this out. We will end them once and for all...” said the Mother Queen in a calm and casual way.

  Jaca slowly turned his attention to the Councilman. “I’m so sorry sir. I don’t know what to say...”

  “I’m fine, trust me. Honestly, this was the best way to find out... We need to get this straight to Cassandra.” Esio stood up and grabbed a map then circled an island that was nearby. When he returned to his advisor, static came through from a radio transmitter. A hologram image of the message tried to appear, but Esio chose not to answer it. “Jaca, I’m running out of time. You’re going to have to be the one.” He quickly folded the map and tucked it into the gray metal box. He knew who was trying to contact him.

  Again, static came through the transmitter. “Esio... I know you’re there. Pick up the call, please.” A female voice came through the small radio that sat next to the computer. Again, a blink light which indicated a hologram message was there to play, but it stayed unanswered.

  “Sir, I can’t be the only one to leave. I don't even know where to go.” Jaca stood still as he watched his Councilman circle around the house gathering items.

  Esio turned around then grabbed Jaca by the arms. “You have to go, my friend! You’re the only chance we have to end all of this. The guards will be here within a few minutes. They must have tracked the vehicle.”

  The advisor took a few breaths then scanned over the map that was given to him. “I don’t see anything on the map sir. Where am I headed?”

  “The island is there trust me. Otris Island was removed from the Stellan maps decades ago. You’ll see why once you get there. Take the boat, it’ll be faster.”

  Jaca tucked the gray metal box in a small sack that hung over his shoulder. “I don’t need a boat sir, but thanks for the offer.”

  Esio was shocked by his casual response. “What do you mean? The creatures within the water, man. Plus, the waves, it’s dangerous.”

  Jaca placed his hand on Esio’s shoulder. “Sir, you forget. I’m from the water planet, Aquantris. I can literally hold my breath for hours if needed; I’ll be fine. I promise...”

  A wave of relief went over the Councilman’s face. “That’s right, the ‘best swimmers in all the galaxy.” Esio extended his arm. “Thank you, Jaca. You were always loyal to me like a brother. You are my brother, Jaca... After you give the files to Cassandra, go to Temrack and find the girls. They’re going to need you. I hope we see each other again.” Moments later, the two could hear other vehicles approaching. The dirt and rocks kicked up under the hovering vehicles causing a loud clinging noise. “Go! They can’t see you leave! Go, Jaca, I’ll be fine.”

  With one last nod, Jaca dashed down the beach. He unbuttoned his Stellan advisor robes and threw them on the beach near the shore. Just as Jaca dove into the open ocean, the Stellan guards surrounded Esio’s family beach house.

  “Esio, dammit! Answer the call!” The female voice once again came through the transmitter.

  Finally picking it up, Esio replied. “You know, I was expecting this from Nira. She’s had it out for Arkaminus since the war on Takeaway. But you Trina, that fucking ‘clean slate’ idea is pathetic. It’s really fucked up of you to kill your own people; your own kind.”

  “They are not my people!” The newly appointed Mother Queen screamed through the transmitter. “Your mother and the queens before us ruin our reputation. With your help, they turned those brats in killing machines which turned our constituents against us. Hundreds of innocent people and creatures died at their hands just to make a point. It has to stop somewhere, Esio. Unfortunately, it stops with me.”

  Peeking outside to see how many uninvited visitors had arrived. There were at least two dozen patrol vehicles spawl around the house. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into, Trina. Those rebel bastards will destroy you and everyone on Stella.”

  “You don’t think I know that! I’m not a fucking fool, Esio! Everything will go back to the way it was intended. Once we use the Angels' essence of the Star Lord to destroy Arkaminus, we will destroy them too. I’m sorry my love but this has to happen...”

  Esio threw the transmitter against the wall before storming towards the front door. The guards all raised their weapons at once when he opened the door. The Councilman casually walked outside smiling and his heads in the air. “All this for one man, guys? It’s a bit much don’t you think?”

  “Keep your hand raised, Councilman!” The captain raised his laser gun shoulder length.

  “David...” Esio continued walking around staring at the guards that once called him captain. Now he was on the other side of the fence... The one who was ‘rebelling’. “Do what you must do. I will find a way to stop her and the other queens involved."

  With one flick of his hand, the captain ordered the guards to take the Councilman into custody. After roughing him up a bit, they pushed him into the back of one of the vehicles. Three guards came from inside the house shaking their hands. The captain leaned into the patrol car and asked, “Where’s your advisor Jaca?”

  Esio gave the captain a big smile then replied, “Hopefully on his way to saving us all...”