"Send word to the five planets that I demand all their pregnant women be sent to me, and any refusal will be considered a declaration of war against the Mother Planet," Eya instructed her council, a quiet, older man with no family but a high status and steady character. George had never been fond of him as part of his councilship, which made him perfect for Eya's purposes. While she didn't want or need council, she did need an errand boy, and the man did quite fine for that.
"Are you sure you wish to do this, my Queen? While the Mother Planet is strong and we are a bit more advanced, I council you to reconsider-"
"Did I ask for your advice?" Eya snapped, her council bowing his head in respect.
"Indeed not, my Queen."
"Exactly. I am aware of our strength and I am aware of the lengths I am willing to go to finish what must be ended. Now, send the message!" Eya instructed, watching the man hurry off before she settled back.
Within hours, responses started to come back from the houses. Questions were sent her way, some willing to send their women but asking for answers. Others simply agreed to the terms, uninterested in war. Four of the houses, nonetheless, agreed to the terms with little interest in their women or their fates. Except one: House Porter.
The moment the rejection was received, Eya sent a summons to the king, her anger seething at the defiance, especially from the weakest of all the planets. What did King Julius think he could even achieve by defying her? Perhaps he could defy an order, but he couldn't defy a summons from the Mother Planet. With it, her instructions to bring the women still remained, along with insistence that he bring them with him.
Within twenty-four hours, King Julius arrived with a small fleet of ships following closely behind. He banked his ship at the stellar docks and once the doors opened, women in chains were escorted off the ship. He followed behind with James by his side, barking orders at his soldiers to treat them gently as they made their way to the palace and throne room to meet with the queen.
Anger boiled within him as they approached the throne, his gaze continually bouncing back to the women shaking and whimpering with the understanding of their fate. All these women, so many with husbands and families, suddenly ripped away and brought here.
"These women," he shouted towards the throne room as they approached, his anger rising with each step, "just lambs to the slaughter? Innocent women with families and homes! This isn't how you rule!"
"That is the queen's business," one of her guards snapped as he helped escort the group. "And I would advise you not to get involved with her business, if I were you."
"Or what?" Julius sneered. "You think I'm scared of your queen? I ascended to the throne by birthright. Remind me, how did your queen get to rule the biggest planet in the galaxy? Ah yes! That's right. She married into the family and got lucky when someone assassinated the king. I wouldn't be surprised if she killed the man herself."
"Watch your tongue!" The guard snapped, spinning around to face Julius as the group came to a halt. He licked the corner of his lip where a cut still sat fresh. "You should be scared of her."
"Oh should I? She only has the size of this planet backing her and that will only last so long," Julius snarled.
The guard stepped closer, James stepping up to meet him and block his path. Instantly, more guards entered the fray, reaching for their blasters to defend their fellow man. Soldiers met them, tension rising with each man a hair trigger away from being set off.
"The queen is ready to see King Julius," Eya's councilman announced, breaking the moment as both sets of men stepped away from each other and opened a path for Julius to enter the throne room.
"You boys got lucky today," Julius spoke under his breath. "The gods clearly need you for something because you nearly lost your lives today."
"You're lucky the queen saved you. One minute longer and there would be a hole in your chest. We outnumber you, eight-to-one. I think the odds are on our side. Remember that," the guard returned.
The conversation was cut short as the doors to the throne room swung open and the king and his entourage were forced to continue forward. Julius strode inside, eyes narrowing as the very air itself felt charged and off. His hand fell to his weapon and he clutched it tightly, his men following suit.
"Welcome, King Julius. I'm glad you decided to come around and see sense." Eya lounged on the throne, a sadistic smile painting her lips as she watched his entrance.
"Just because I'm here doesn't mean anything. I came to try and avoid unnecessary bloodshed for both our people?"
"Both our people?" Eya laughed, her breath coming out in an amused scoff. She looked to her own guards and gestured them towards the door. "Men, leave."
"But my Queen, are you sure?" her council asked, eyeing the king with distrust and suspicion.
"His men are no threat to me. Now all of you leave." Her men and council left, leaving her to face the king that glared at her. His hand tightened around his blaster a little more in offense to her words. Her smile widened and she stood, opening her arms in an almost welcoming gesture.
"Please, sit down. I brought chairs today," she insisted, her tone seeming to change to something far more inviting. She gestured to the seats along the wall. Julius nodded to his men to go ahead but kept standing himself as he faced Eya.
"What is the purpose of taking the pregnant women off my planet like this," Julius demanded, turning to follow Eya as she walked around him.
"That is between me and them."
"No. That is the problem. These are the women under my protection and what happens to them is between me and them. I will not hand over my women to be slaughtered or just vanish without a trace," he corrected, crossing the room to her throne and placing a foot on it. He leaned onto his knee, resting his arm as he watched her with a brow raise.
"You disrespect me, King Julius," Eya commented, looking him over. "You put your boot on my throne and show me no respect. Would you have treated my husband in such a way?"
"Not at all. This throne was his birthright, and he would not have made such a ridiculous request for my pregnant women. He belongs on this throne, not some common wife who now leads the most powerful army in the galaxy. It sickens me," Julius bit out.
"I would watch your mouth if I were you. If you carry on, you'll be lucky to ever leave this planet, do you understand?"