Surra was sitting in the cockpit alone with Jayce. They were eating lunch together while the others were on break doing the same. Surra was on the lookout for Iya’s black or red flare. She was hoping to see the black flare go off and everything went smoothly. The cockpit in the war carrier was high above the trees. Surra could a little bit of the large river Iya and others had to cross. She picked her salad back up and sat down facing Jayce. Every so often she would turn towards the window waiting for the signal. The wait was a little nerve racking for her, so she started some small talk with Jayce. “How did the terminals go earlier today?” Surra didn’t know what else to ask.

Jayce looked up at her with a mouthful of grilled meat that he ripped from a leg. He quickly scarfed down the food and said, “It went fine… changing the terminals are easy. It’s what Jamel was telling me before we left that is puzzling me.”

Surra became interested and scooted closer to Jayce, “What did Jamel tell you?”

“He said, the dead guy’s name our mystery traitor is using is Proctor. I don’t know if that’s a joke or if the rumors about him were true.” Jayce looked over at Surra and she nudge her head forward waiting for him to elaborate. “Proctor was the guy that made all the terminals. He wrote the programming and everything. My father didn’t like him because he low key supported the Saijerians, like Gerok.” Surra was following Jayce’s story now. She too also has heard rumors of high class Sagens being traitors to the Sagen way of life.

“So, what does that mean? The Proctor guy made the computer virus or something?”

Jayce shrugged his shoulders, “Maybe… but this mystery person is super smart. Smart enough to learn programming only the engineers can put together. Stuff that takes years to learn and understand… This person managed to do all this shit right under our noses and now we have to replace the whole mainframe.”

“I know that’s the creepy part, they did this without being noticed. We don’t even know how they could have been working on this.”

“Right… Only they can decode the virus and turn it off too. I’ve never seen a program written like that before. I must honestly admit, this traitor knows more about the terminals than I did. When they rebuilt new ones, I made sure to be apart in how it worked.” Jayce sat back upset that he allowed something on this level to get out of hand. “It’s my fault, I should have put passcodes on everything. We’ve never had this problem before… I mean why do they hate Sage so much? If we don’t fix this…”

“It’s not your fault Jayce. They hate us because they want things their way. We will fix this, and everything will go back to normal…”

“Well, there is one person who would hang around Proctor quite a bit…”

Surra cut her eyes at Jayce because she knew the name, he was getting ready to drop. “You better not say Cashius…”

“Listen! Hear me out… I overheard my father talking one day about how he didn’t like Proctor hanging around any of the star children. He said Proctor was at Cashius’s mom’s house the day she passed away. After that they became ‘friends. Come on now… My gut is screaming at me Surra. What if we made a mistake letting him become the Star Lord?”

Surra shook her head dismissing the thought, “Jayce everyone knows you don’t like Cashius. If you’re ever going to accuse the Star Lord of treason than you better have hard facts. I mean hard facts! He’s the most powerful man in all the living universe… Fact’s babe, not an accusation.”

Jayce put his head down and nodded, “You’re right… I really hate that guy.”

Surra laughed and leaned in to give Jayce a kiss, “You’re cute when you’re mad…” As she leaned in just before their lips touched, they heard a loud pop.

Jayce jumped back surprised by the noise, “What was that?”

Surra jumped and looked outside the window. When she saw the color of the flare was red, her whole demeanor changed. “It was the flare… they’re in trouble. Shit!” She quickly ran over to the control panel of the war carrier and pushed the emergency button. The loud sirens went off and red lights flashed from the walls. Surra got on to the intercom and said, “Our commander is in trouble and needs our aid… I want everyone in full armor and strapped with your weapons within five minutes! The first wave meet me outside, front and center. The second wave wait for my word in the deck!”

Surra was looking through the binoculars trying to see if she could spot Iya and others. She couldn’t see much through the trees. Jayce ran up behind Surra a little freaked out. “What’s going on?! What you mean Iya’s in trouble?”

Surra turned around to Jayce and grabbed him by the side of his arms. “Listen to me babe… I need you go get all the Third borns and bring them here. The cockpit is the safest place for you guys to be right now. Your lives are our responsibility, and I don’t want to have to worry. Please! I’ll make the announcement over the intercoms, and you collect them than come straight back here! Do you understand?”

Jayce nodded yes to Surra, “I can help! Let me fight with you!”

Surra snapped at Jayce with worrisome at her love, “No! I don’t what I would do if I lost you plus Iya will kill me herself. Please listen to me… this is the best thing you can do right now. To guarantee your teams safety.”

Jayce nodded his head again, agreeing to the plan. They kissed one another and he dashed towards the elevator. By the time Surra had got outside majority of the Sagen troops were lining up in formation. She kept looking around to see if she could see Iya or someone who went to the meeting. A soldier on the far left screamed out, “There! There they are!”

Iya, Kal and Cliff came running out of the forest first, screaming for the Medics. Biff had Amos draped over his back holding his arms around his neck. Marcus was helping to hold him up on Biff’s back. They had to take Amos’s armor off and wrapped the shirt over his wound. More soldiers down the line also started yelling for the Medics. Four soldiers with white undergarments under their armor came running outside of the carrier. Two were carrying cots and the other two carried boxes filled with medical supplies. They didn’t stop running until they reached Biff and Marcus. They gently pulled Amos down to the doubled-up cots and lifted him quickly and swiftly. All four ran together to get Amos back to the carrier. Kal and Marcus followed behind the Medics as they went inside to the clinic.

Iya ran over to Surra out of breath but happy to see the first wave of her soldiers ready to go. Surra saw how Iya was covered in blood. “What happened? Should we prepare for an attack?”

Iya was still trying to catch her breath before replying, “The fucking Silvas had no intention for a truce. They ambushed us all as soon as they got there. The Silva leader killed the Tre leader plus he’s working with Gerok. His army should be here in two hours, maybe sooner.”

Surra looked up at the forest trying to see through the trees, “How many guys does this Silva have?”

Biff and Cliff walked up to Surra and Iya. Biff was wiping Amos’s blood from his hands and neck, “The Silvas have the largest army between all of us. Probably about thirty thousand or so… How many people do you have?”

The brothers looked over at Iya and she replied, “About twenty thousand…”

Cliff inhaled deeply like he was shocked, “That’s not enough! We’re going to need more men!”

Iya wiped the sweat off her forehead and looked over at Cliff, “Trust me… We have plenty. For every three Silva soldiers is one of ours. We’re elite, raised in combat since we were children. Those men Silva had were not soldiers, they were volunteers. I stood right in the line of fire looking directly at Andre and not one of his men could hit me. They’re not soldiers, they’re workers who were promised all of Ren. Silva will regret he didn’t take this offer while it was on the table. He almost killed Amos with a bitch move…”

Iya turned to Surra with one more final question. “My brother and the other Third borns they’re…”

“Safe… Of course, Commander you know I got this.” Surra grinned at Iya knowing that would give her some relief.

“I didn’t have to ask…” Iya grinned back at Surra and patted her on the shoulder.

Kal came running down the ramp with his shoulder wrapped up. He looked like he was stitched up and ready to get out in the battlefield. He approached Iya and the others holding a thick circular metallic gray steel shield. “Iya remember when I told you I went to the market to see what I could find for today. Well, I came across this thick metal. I noticed when Silva slashed Amos, his blade cut through his armor. The slash was enough to cut him deep almost like he had on no armor at all…” Kal handed Iya the shield and noticed how light it was, “It’s super lightweight for how big it is, and the best protection is we have against Bova steel.”

Cliff walked up and grabbed the shield from Iya looking on the inside for a signature. “You went to my cousin Dale. He’s really good at folding metals… Silvas sword had to come from his blacksmith market. This shield was made by him too. Bova steel is one of the strongest steels out there known to people. These shields will definitely defend you from any metals weapons out there.”

Kal quickly agreed, “Exactly so Dale had made a lot of them for an order that flopped years ago. Convenient right? He said he made over five thousand within a month time period. I bought them all just for the extra protection. I know shields aren’t our thing, but these bad boys will save lives.” Cliff and Biff nodded agreeing with Kal.

Iya grabbed the shield back from Cliff and said, “We have enough for the front to cover the archers. Quickly pass them out down the line. Make it be known we’re using these. Get the soldiers in guard formation.” She looked up at the Bova brothers, “Once this is all over, we’re going to need an armor upgrade with Bova steel.”

Biff agreed flattered, “It would be my pleasure… We want to help. Amos is my friend and the Sagens are allies to Bova Country.” Biff gave Iya a serious look like he meant business.

Iya smirked and replied, “You can help by staying alive. We still have to talk to the Tre family…”

The soldiers passed the shields down the line one by one until everyone in the first two rows got one. Moments later, a soldier yelled out, “Enemy spotted! Coming through the trees… there’s multiple headed our way!”

Iya turned in the direction of the soldier who gave the heads up. “Here we go…” She quickly ran to the front of the line, standing in front of her brothers and sisters in arms. She started pacing back and forth, getting excited while jumping up and down. “Listen to me my brothers and sisters! They have come to kill us not take us as prisoners! We will show them the same mercy! Stop at nothing until the last Silva drops…” Iya ran in between the line to where it split the archers and soldiers with shields. “Soldiers with shields stay in the front! Archers stay behind them… When the enemy starts coming through the trees release your arrows, stay shoulder to shoulder. Only open when they’re ready to fire! On my command we charge…”

Iya’s soldiers lined up horizontally, shoulder to shoulder. The first five thousand stood in front with shields and the back row held theirs high. The first row completed the wall of protection as they waited for the Silvas. The screams of the Silva soldiers got louder as they ran through the forest after getting off their boats. The first few soldiers that came out of the forest were immediately shot down with Sagen arrows. It continued for a bit until more and more soldiers burst out of the trees. Arrows started firing back towards the Sagens bouncing off the shields. The line was strong, and the Silvas were not able to get through.

As hundreds of Silva’s soldiers dashed out of the tree line, the enemy archers stopped in fear of hitting their own. The Sagens archers worked as quickly as could taking them down, but they were coming out too fast. Iya yelled out, “Ready your swords! Get ready to charge! Surra!”

Surra ran past Iya heading back to their war carrier to ready the second wave. “I’m on it!” They will stay back and make sure the first wave doesn’t get flanked.

Iya ran back up front of the line. She pulled her machete sword from the sleeve strapped across her back. Kal came up running and stood beside her. Marcus came up beside them twirling both of his swords smiling at the enemy as they ran towards them. Iya drove her sword high into the air and screamed, “Charge!” Iya’s army ran behind her in full strength and met the Silva Army a quarter of the way. The open field allowed a lot of space for combat, it was the only place without trees in the grand forest they were in.

Limbs were flying everywhere as the Sagens chopped their way through. The roaring screams of the battle echoed for miles. The Sagens kept their formation as they stood close behind Iya, Kal and Marcus. Striking with long spears or their swords. Iya and others took on multiple enemies tearing through them. Beheading enemies left and right and knocking down their shields. Iya picked up one the fallen shields and used it push back the Silvas. She pushed through the crowd, she stabbed enemies from above. Jabbing them in the necks or face.

The Silva soldiers were sloppy and unorganized. They went down easily from careless mistakes and no fighting style, no strategy. To the Fourth born Sagens, this is what they were lived for. Fighting was all they knew… Kal had Iya’s back the whole time. They sliced through the enemy easily although their enemies weapon’s were ‘stronger’. The Silvas didn’t know how to weld the power in their weapons. Iya and Kal was looking for Andre, they knew he would be prowling around on his horse. Sure enough, Andre was in the back watching his army get plowed down.

Andre was furious at his men. He started kicking them from his horse to continue to move forward. When he caught sight of Kal, he saw it as his opportunity to finish what he started. Gerok gave Andre specific instructions to take out the Sagen military leaders, except for the commander. Andre kicked his horse on the side and yelled at his soldiers to attack the Sagen captain. Marcus stood behind Kal as they both heard the yelling. “Kill the Captain! Get him! Get the Captain!”

Soldiers broke the line to surround Kal and Marcus who were back-to-back. The Silvas started striking them with spears and swinging their swords wildly. Kal grabbed a Silva soldier and used him as a shield as several spears thrusted forward into the soldier. He then kicked the dead soldier back into the crowd, swinging his sword at the wooden handles. He managed to break several spears in half before they could pierce into his armor. Marcus did the same as they became surrounded. They both fought hard circling around blocking attacks and killed Silva’s soldiers.

The second wave of Sagen soldiers were ordered to release arrows over the Sagens to push back the enemy. Once that freed up some room to see, the Sagen soldiers came running to Kal and Marcus’s aid. They quickly dismounted the circle that was forming around them, stabbing and beheading any soldier that surrounded them.

Andre became even more furious when he saw the second wave of Sagens soldiers in the back. They released many arrows in the back towards the tree line, slowing down the Silva Army. Many started to retreat but didn’t know where to because the Sagens were slashing them down in the front line and being shot down in the back. Andre didn’t know what to do besides scream retreat. Before he could get the words out, he realized he didn’t see Iya anywhere. The commander had disappeared into the crowd. His focus was taking out Kal so much he forgot about his real threat…

Andre started to panic when he couldn’t find Iya. He moved his head quickly in circles back and forth trying to see where she had gone. When he did find her and made eye contact it was already too late. Iya picked up a Bova metal spear and pointed directly at Andre. While he was searching for her, she was planning her attack. Quickly moving around his men taking them out as she went. Iya knew she only had one shot at getting Andre being this close in the middle of the battlef.

She held up the spear high above her shoulder and pulled it back as far as her arm would allow. When Andre spotted her in the crowd, she had already thrust the spear in his direction. His eyes got widen and he screamed, “NO!” As the spear landed in the middle of his chest, knocking him down off his horse. The Silva soldiers who witnessed Silva’s death quickly got scared and started running away.

Once one Silva started running a lot of them started running in fear. The second wave of the Sagen soldiers picked off a lot of them as the run for the forest for cover. Iya walked over to Andre as he held the spear that was sticking out of his chest. He was coughing up blood when they approached him. Andre started laughing as more blood poured out of his mouth. He barely could speak, “Gerok will win. He’s everywhere and you can’t stop him...” Andre looked up at Kal as he approached, “Especially you…” He coughed more and spit blood at Kal’s feet. Kal grabbed the spear and twisted it further deep into Andre’s chest, making him scream out in agony before passing.

Iya walked up behind Kal and looked over his shoulder, “You should have let the bastard finished. He could have told us more about their plans.”

Kal stared at Andre’s lifeless body, “He wasn’t going to tell us shit.”

Iya and her soldiers started walking back towards the war carrier. They were stepping over mounds of dead enemy soldiers. Biff and Cliff waited for their return when they heard the war cries get silent. When Iya and others returned, there was someone waiting for them. They were standing next to the Bova brothers, watching them walk back. When Iya saw there were more soldiers waiting for them at her war carrier, she quickly dashed towards the visitors.

The Bova brothers put up their hands in defense of the young visitors. Iya was still amped up from the battle. The adrenaline was still in control and needed to focus in order to calm down. Biff met Iya halfway when she approached them. She recognized the black attire from the Tre when they met in the Dusan desert. The young Tre man looked like former Tre leader, Eric. His eyes were softer, and his demeanor was peaceful. He and his men didn’t even come armed, that was the first thing Iya noticed. Biff looked down at Iya as he watched her put her machete in its sleeve, “Iya, we have some visitors and they come in peace.”

Iya looked around Biff’s huge body to get a better look, “Is that Eric Tre’s son?”

Biff nodded his head yes at Iya, “He has come to talk about the truce and what happened with Eric. He said he only came to talk, not fight.”

Iya nodded at Biff and patted him on the arm as she walked by. “I got this, thanks Biff.” She walked up to the young Tre and greeted him with a bow. The young man returned the same and said, “I am Joshua, son of the former Tre leader Eric. I know the attack of my father was not the Sagen’s fault. I am here to finish what my father started. To talk about peaceful solutions of dealing with remaining Silvas and fixing our terminals. Andre’s toxic ways finally caught up to him. He has always been the problem for many years. We Tre are not fighters; we enjoy making our wines and exotic foods for people to enjoy.” Joshua turned and looked behind him to the group of people who came with him. “I even brought my wife, Scarlett. She’s a Silva and is carrying our first child. My father died before knowing the news. He will never know he was going to be a grandfather. Now I feel like it’s our mission to help bring peace to our planet Ren.”

Iya nodded and smiled at Joshua. She was happy not every was touched by corruption. “I’m Princess Iya and Commander of the Sagen Army. All we wanted to do was fix the terminals but as you can see there is a lot more to the plot. I am glad that you want peace for your people and others on Ren, I know you can make that happen. Our jobs and purpose to ensure peace for all living creatures under the Star Lord and the Council.” Iya walked up to Joshua and placed her hand on his shoulder. “You’re be a great father and a great Tre leader. May your union between the families finally end the feud. We have faith that this will change…”

“You all are truly, the Guardians of the Stars… The Stars chose you, the Sagens, to protect and fight for us. You fight to save lives and I believe no one else could do what you all do. My people and I will forever be grateful to the Sagens.” Joshua bowed to Iya as well as the group that came with him. “We will be waiting for your arrival in Tre Country, thank you again Commander.”

Iya and the others watched as Joshua and his people got back on their horses. Iya watched the young Tre leader leave but was a little taken back by the name. Kal walked up behind her, watching them as leave. Iya didn’t turn around when she spoke to him, “’The Guardian of the Stars’? Where did that come from?”

Kal laughed and replied, “I kind of like it… we are guardians after all. We handled the real threat for all the people on Ren. We sacrifice our lives for everyone else’s. Because of us, Joshua gets to raise his child with his wife, hopefully in peace. We don’t get the same luxuries…” Kal leaned down and whispered in Iya’s ear, “I would love to call you my wife. One day perhaps, in secret…”

Iya quickly looked over her shoulder, “Kal…” He smiled when their eyes met before walking back to the war carrier. He was right about the luxuries they don’t have but what if they could have some, Iya thought. Before they left for Tre Country there were still some things that had to wrapped up in Bova Country first. Iya had something special planned for her and Kal. A day of bloodshed and nearly losing your life, was a good motivator. They were already ‘bending’ the rules, might as well break them. They might as well enjoy their affair fully, Iya thought.