Star Warden 3: CC. Chapter 12

 Prodigal Son

Sam took a deep breath of fresh air. Enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of the Elder tree. The party atmosphere was nice but it did get stuffy. Luckily he had a good excuse with the ritual to slip away. Then the Elder Tree and the Enchantress gave him a secret pathway letting him travel without exiting into the party itself. Giving him time to himself to prepare for the battle ahead.

Gloriana was going to be harder than Monmouth Castle. Originally even he thought it would be nigh on impossible. No cloaking device and no element of surprise this time. They had Balthazar and Caspar but he held no illusions that the Dark Lord would not prepare this time for a dragon attack. He was also attacking a much larger target than just a town and nearby castle. Gloriana would be a hard-fought battle until he downloaded the Alpha.

This time however they had a vector of attack previously denied to them. There would be an attack on Daimos's forces in space by the Templars and their allies in the Imperial Navy of the Centauri Empire. The largest interstellar human nation in the Cirrus galaxy. Located mainly near the western rim. Alpha Centauri was to be humanity's first interstellar colony and while that did not come to pass. Those people named their new home after that very star to honor their ancestors' original plan. 

Combined with Templar forces on the ground with aid from all the warriors the Free Realms could muster. They now had a much better chance at holding off the Domain's forces until Sentinel came online. It made Sam more confident in the success of the mission. But it would be a hard fight either way. Even harder if Daimos did catch wind of the true plan and intervened in person.

But the reward was the liberation of Aetherium. The freedom for all the people trapped under the Dark Lord's tyranny here. A beacon of light in Domain's space and a base of operation for the liberation of the rest of the galaxy. A safe haven for him and his children. His children. His eyes began to well up.

He would be a father one day. A father of kids who would be involved in the future stages of this war. To give them a safe haven for a while, with the war out of sight and out of mind for them until their time came. That was a bigger reward than any physical gift someone could give him. His children's smiles were the only thing he truly desired now.

A sound alerted him to another presence. It was Connor walking out of the tree. “Enjoying the view?”

“It is strangely quiet. But I think it adds to the beauty of it all. Despite all that Daimos did he couldn't kill the best parts of this world.” 

“Thank you. If I am not disturbing you there was something I wish to discuss.”

“Shoot.”

“Shoot what?”

“Never mind. Human figure of speech. What did you want to say?”

“Sir Bailey, what made you trust my brother when he told you the truth.”

“Glad to see you are acknowledging him as family.”

“Do not push it,” Connor stated sternly.

“I understand. To answer your question his actions did that. If he was not truly repentant his actions would give it away. But he proved that my father's trust and faith were well placed. For my father would not have let him anywhere near me if he couldn't be trusted.”

“Unless he only worked hard to get in everyone's good graces.” Bitterness was apparent in Connor's voice.

“A fair argument. But I counter with this: did he ask for a pardon?"

“No, he has not.”

“If he was only after forgiveness then the first thing to do was to ask for a pardon. But he hasn't. He didn't even beg you for forgiveness during your conversation with him. Unless something has changed?”

“No, nothing has changed. I have seen him hard at work helping where he could. Fighting hard to protect King Oberon and not once did he complain.”

Connor sighed coming to terms with everything he said. “Yet, I wish not to forgive him. He should not be rewarded for doing his duty. It is undeserving.”

“Yes it is. But so are a great many things,” said Sam. “You know I met someone like who named Sir Gareth. He had problems with forgiving himself and I told him. Forgiveness isn't given to those who earned or deserve it. It is given so people are motivated to change. Some abuse that generosity but many accept it and improve themselves.” 

Connor sighed again deep in thought. His mind pulled in many directions as he tried to figure out a response. One came into his mind. “Why? Why not just return home?”

“Pride,” Sam said. “It is what he told me. He didn't want to come back and admit he was wrong or beg for forgiveness. At first, he tried to be just a common sailor and make his own way. But to quote a pirate from Earth. 'In an honest service, there is thin commons, low wages, and hard labor.' It's not surprising with all his pride he would quickly join the pirates despite being coerced.”

“Coerced,” Connor said in surprise. “He claims he was forced into becoming a pirate?”

“He told me that the pirates forced him into work as they were short of hands. Once they had no more use for them. They asked who wanted to stay. Daniel said yes wanting the power and riches the pirates had. The rest of his old crew was marooned.”

“That's a silly reason.”

“Pride is often silly. Just like the prodigal son.”

“The who?”

“A story about a son who took his early inheritance. Wasted it and came back to his father ready to become a servant as punishment. But his father welcomed him back with open arms and forgave him.”

“This son didn't kill anyone did he?”

“No, but that's not the point. The point is forgiveness. He made a mistake, he let his greed ruin him. Humbled. He came home ready to face the worst.”

“Which he should have,” Connor interjected loudly. “How does one abandoned their family. Abandon all their responsibilities! Become a murderous thief in the skies and just expect to come home with open arms. That does not either fix or erase the past transgressions!”

Sam stayed silent and nodded. Connor's face was gripped by anger. All of his feelings clear on his face. No longer calm or composed. Connor the Captain had taken a back seat. It was the younger brother in front of him. The younger brother who just wanted to know why he felt abandoned.

What did he do wrong? What did he do to deserve this? Where was his older brother to help him? All those questions running through his young mind.

Connor looked away from Sam composing himself once more. “Apologies. I should not have made that outburst.”

“None needed. Your anger is earned but it won't help you in the long run. I can't make you forgive him. But forgiveness would be a good first step to repair your relationship with him.”

“You've never had much anger have you,” Connor asked.

Sam laughed. “Anger. I've had a lot of anger. I was angry when my mom died. Angry at Daimos. Angry at the Army for beating the Navy in the game. I've just learned when to let it go. I suggest you do the same.”

“I think I need to have a talk with my brother before the battle tomorrow. I can't say how it will go.”

“Trust me,” Sam interrupted. “It will go fine. He wants to make up for his mistakes as much as you want him to.”

“You are far too kind. I think I just want someone to yell at.” Connor made a self-deprecating chuckle. “Thank you for taking an interest. I don't think I would have done so otherwise.” He then turned to unfold his wings flying down into the lower levels of the tree.

What passed between Daniel and Connor in the time before the battle is unknown to the Warden. But it led to the two being paired up as part of the mission to rescue Queen Titania. If all of them were alive he would dwell on his stepfather and uncle then. For now, they could work together and that was progress.

The Elder Tree was quiet for the rest of the day with activity starting up again only a few minutes after midnight. Sam spent the entire night embracing Kaguya tightly in bed. His newly born fatherly instincts were screaming that she has to stay behind. But he clamped down on those instincts, for that was not an option. 

He was in the middle of his final suit checks when a voice called his name. By the sound of it; the owner of the voice was a tall one. He was not incorrect as an eight-foot-tall individual in sleek silver armor covered in a white cloak appeared before him. His helm covered his face but long braided hair poured down the back past the shoulders. 

“Samuel Christopher Bailey, I presume?”

“That would be me.”

“I am Mazha Rham of the White Star Council.”

“A Tuatha in the flesh?”

“Not so much as in the flesh anymore. But I am indeed a Tuatha."

“Well good to meet you. But isn't it a little risky for you to come down here yourself?”

“It is indeed. However, I decided to give you your gift in person. It is not the armor but this should give you an advantage.” From his cloak, a Talisman was produced. It was blue with red bars at its side. A flat black screen with a white star above it.

“Let it not be said that we leave our allies in the dark,” said the Tuatha.

Merlin was transferred over to the new Talisman. The Familiar was overjoyed at his new state. Likening it to one leaving a dark room into an open field in a virtual sense. There were programs beyond counting and in a stronger state than the Enchantress's old device. Sam's first act was to re-create the buckler with the Templar standard emblazon upon it.

“I don't mean to sound ungrateful. But is there anything to do to speed up the armor?”

“The armor can be completed quickly,” said the Tuatha. “But some of the features require implants to your body. Which we do not have the time to give you.”

“Once again time bites me in the behind.” Sam chuckled. “Well, then I got another reason to win this fight as quickly as possible. Anything else I need to know about the plan before I go?

“We have arranged one last surprise. But it does not involve your part of the plan. Hopefully, it delays or distracts the Dark Lord long enough.”

“Gotcha. Well as King Henry V said. 'Once more unto the breach, dear friends.'”

Sam placed Dawnbringer in its scabbard. Checked his weapons, armor, and programs. Then joined the Spring Rangers. Kaguya was already there putting on a big smile. That smile caused his worries to calm in Sam's mind. They were still there but he reminded himself she could take care of herself. He would also be there to take any brunt of the fighting and would be aided by other Templars.

It was also imperative that Daimos not even get a whiff of anything suspicious Regardless of the lack of hard evidence. He would air on the side of caution and use any means necessary to ensure the children were dead. Even if it required wiping out all life on the planet just to get rid of her in the process.

After all he did the same to the Asahina bloodline. Methodically hunting down any one of the blood from legitimized cadet branches to illegitimate children. Leaving only Kaguya and Reiko as the last living members. Better protection through secrecy in this case.

Pushing aside those thoughts he smiled back and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Then he turned to the Rangers.

“I'm not much for speeches. So I'll keep it short and sweet. No matter what happens to you this night. You will be remembered. Not because of a big action you take tonight or because you may die in battle tonight. But because you choose to be here at the 11^th hour. Because you choose to not go quietly into the night. You choose to stand and fight against the evil that took your homes, friends, and family. And it will be you who sends Daimos off this world and back into the Abyss. Every last one of you has my eternal respect.”

Sam donned his helm and drew Dawnbringer. “Now then.” He raised the sword and with a word caused it to glow. Spreading an inspiring aura to all the Rangers. “Who wants to live forever!”

The Rangers raised their weapons and cheered. Scaring away the shadows of doubt and fear in their hearts. They marched with songs on their lips. The song of freedom for them and for those who would come after. The roots began to close behind them as they reached closer to their destination. There would be no retreat, no stepping back. It was either freedom or death.

Chapter 13

Chapter 11