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In This Time We Fight

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lady saule		#21	[-]
Posts: 93 (02/08/09 17:43:44) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	CHAPTER TWENTY ONE Hope's stomach churned again. "Not now," she thought. She was in the middle of a staff meeting, now was not the time to get sick. "You okay?" Mags asked her, "You're looking awfully pale." "Yeah," Hope swallowed hard against the contents of her stomach. "I think I have a stomach virus or something." "You sure?" Mags grinned. "Yeah, I'm sure," Hope responded. "Here, eat these crackers," Mags pushed a package toward her. "It helped me when I had morning sickness." "I don't have morning sickness," Hope protested. "You sure?" Ann said as she leaned back and rubbed her swelling belly. "Eat the crackers," Mags said, "It'll help settle your stomach, even if it's a virus." Hope took one of the salted squares and nibbled on it before she continued. "The farms are about half way through the harvest and they're already reporting raids on the fields." "Happens every year," Ann commented. "I know. But, I've never had so many pregnant women before. Now I know that the Spartans are more than willing to handle the situation but," Hope paused and stuffed another cracker into her mouth. "I'm worried about how the farmers are going to react to them." "I think that things will be fine," Ann told her, "we have months before the babies are due. We'll be fine. And besides, we've never had anything but good results when the women meet the Spartans." "True, but I'm still worried that one of you might get injured," Hope continued. "Trust me," Mags smiled, "Kairos won't let anything happen to me. I know that he wasn't around much with his last son, but this time he's acting like a mother hen." The other pregnant women chuckled and more than a few nodded their heads in agreement. "Right, well moving on," Hope shuffled some of the papers in front of her, "I have received the latest report from Lana and Derrick." "Any problems?" Ann asked. "A few. The wiring of their buildings is taking longer than we thought. And Lana says that they are also losing some of their livestock." "Is she asking for our help?" one of the younger officers asked. "Not at this point," Hope began. "You're not planning on arming them, are you?" another officer asked. "No, I'm not. Nor has Lana even hinted at that. So far her own men have been able to handle it and their losses have been small." "Well maybe they can buy replacements when they sell that beautiful cloth,' Ann suggested. "Yeah. I want to get some of that beautiful blue that Derrick wears," Mags said. "I want something made for little Kairos here." Mags patted her own belly. "You're really naming him Kairos?" Ann asked. "Well, maybe. I don't know a whole lot of boy's names." Mags comment received several nods from the other women. "Hey, Hope, do you think that your grandmother can get us a book with boy's names?" Ann asked. "I'll ask her. Knowing her, she'll be delighted," Hope laughed. "I think that we've covered everything, so everyone is dismissed. Ann and Mags held back after the others had left. "Are you sure that you're alright?" Ann asked. "I have an appointment with the doctor in," Hope looked at her watch, "about thirty minutes." "Well, good luck." "Thanks." "So, Major," the doctor said as she walked into the examination room, "you think that you have a stomach virus." "Yes," Hope said flatly. "Well, you're not running a fever. Have you been vomiting?" "A little." "Nausea?" "Some." "How long?" "Oh, uh," Hope said as she thought about it, "a couple of days now." "Does it last all day?" "Usually the vomiting is in the morning. But the nausea lasts all day." "Any other symptoms?" "Well, I am tired," Hope admitted, "But we've all been putting in long hours." "I see. Well, Major, I'm pretty sure that I know what it is. But I want to run some tests, just to be sure." "For a stomach virus?" "Oh, trust me, Major, if I'm right, you don't have a virus. I think you're pregnant." The doctor noticed the stunned look on Hope's face. "Please, Major, don't tell me that you haven't thought about it. When was your last cycle." Hope's mouth dropped open as she thought about it for a moment. Then a smile broke out as she placed a hand on her stomach. She had been so busy that she hadn't noticed that she was indeed late. Could it be? "Do the tests, doc," Hope told her. "When will we know?" "The exam we can do now. But it will take a couple of days before the blood tests get back." "Just a couple of days," Hope mumbled to herself as she walked back to her office . She was still a little shocked. Could it really be true. Should she tell Leonidas now or wait until the tests confirmed it? "Just a few days for what?" Ann interrupted Hope's thoughts. Ann, Mags, and Leonidas were standing there looking at her. "Nothing really," Hope lied. In that instant, she decided to wait. When she told Leonidas, she wanted to wait until they were alone. "Okay," Ann replied, but she didn't sound convinced, "We were just coming to find you. We got a report that a large band of men are moving toward a local farm." "Get everyone together," Hope ordered. "They're getting ready as we speak," Mags told her. "Everyone will be ready when we get there," Leonidas told her. "Then let's get going," Hope said. "Are you sure that you're alright?" Leonidas asked as they walked side-by-side to the trucks. 'You look like something is bothering you." "I'm fine," Hope assured him. "Something came up, that's all. I'll know more in a couple of days." "Well, let me know if I can do anything." "I will," Hope looked up at him, "I will." Just as Leonidas had said, everyone was armed and ready when Hope and the others got to the trucks. A few minutes later, they were moving. Once outside the city limits, the trucks picked up speed. Hope could feel the tension and anticipation. The Spartans had not really seen a battle since their arrival; only a few skirmishes here and there. She sensed that they wanted to have a full scale battle; to do what they had always trained to do. The road project had helped release some of the pent up energy. But not enough, judging by the number of injuries the Spartans had given each other in their practice sessions. More than one Spartan had been embarrassed by the worry of the women over the injuries. "We should be there any time now," Hope told Leonidas. He merely nodded. Hope could sense that he, also, wanted the action of the battle. "You miss fighting, don't you?" she asked. "Normally we would spend the summer months in battle against one state-city or another," he answered. "Has it been so bad? Living in relative peace, that is?" Leonidas looked at her for a moment, then he smiled and took her hand. "No, not at all. You have made it worthwhile." "We're here," the driver interrupted. "Good," Hope said, "let's do this." The farmers rushed to meet them as soon as everyone had assembled. "I'm so glad you're here," the leader told them. "My scouts have just told me that there's more than one group headed this way." "More than one?" Hope asked. "Yes. She said that there's a large group that almost here. Then about a mile or so behind then is another smaller group." "Seems that they've heard about you guys," Ann teased Leonidas. "They had to send out for re-enforcements." Hope sent her a look, but Leonidas laughed. "So it would seem," he agreed. "But that's not all," the leader continued. "Just a few minutes ago, another scout arrived. There's still another group coming in from the west." "From the west?" Hope asked as she and Ann exchanged looks. "Where is this scout?" "Julie, comes tell these people what you saw," the leader called out. A young red haired woman walked over to the group. "Ma'am?" she asked. "You saw a small group of men coming in from the west?" Ann asked. "Yes, ma'am. But you know the funny thing? That group doesn't look like the others." "How do they look?" Leonidas asked. "Well, ah, . . . ah," Julie stammered as she looked up at Leonidas, who was towering over her. "It's the way that they're dressed. These men are in cloth shirts. Bright blue shirts." "Derek?" Ann asked Hope. "You don't think that he's turned on us, do you?" "He doesn't strike me as a traitor," Leonidas observed. "You know these men?" the farm leader asked "We've been working with them on a treaty and a trade agreement," Hope admitted. "And this is how they honor that treaty?" "We don't know that they are going to attack," Leonidas stated. "They, themselves, have been raided. Either way, we will know soon. Spartans, take your position." The Spartans moved quickly to form their famous phalanx. Ann and the other women also moved to join them, but each was stopped by a Spartan. "You should stay behind the phalanx, Ann," Stephanos told her. "I will fight beside you," Ann said stubbornly. No," Stephanos said firmly, "I can not do my job if you are at my side. My attention will not be with my brother Spartans but on protecting you. You are, after all, carrying my child." Hope and Leonidas looked at each other. "Stephanos is correct," Leonidas told her. "The others are telling their women the same thing. We will form the first line. You and the women need the form the second line, in case these men should get through us or around us." "But, . . ." Hope started. "We know that you women are fierce and capable fighters, but many of you are carrying children. You must protect those babies." "You are right. We must protect the babies. Ladies, form behind the phalanx and stand ready." The women weren't happy, but formed the second line of defense behind the Spartans. The farmers stood ready behind the women soldiers. When the men finally attacked, they plowed into a solid, unmovable wall of muscle and metal. The men tried several times to rush the Spartan phalanx only to suffer loses. Finally, they stopped. They didn't move off but looked as if they were planning their next move. "Are they going to do something?" one of the women asked. "Probably," another answered. "Quiet," Leonidas ordered, "Stay prepared for the next attack." A few minutes later, the men attacked again. The majority of the men attacked the Spartans still trying to break through the phalanx. However, a smaller group attacked from the side where they were met by the women. "Where did they all come from?" One of the women called out. "Quiet," Hope yelled back, "Pay attention to what you're doing." Hope butted back one attacker with her shield and then swung her sword at him, cutting him across the arm. The man pulled back slightly; looked at his arm; growled in anger and pain; and lunged at Hope again. Hope tried to withstand his charge, but she was knocked to the ground. The man, standing over her, started to raise his club when he suddenly looked stunned. Someone had struck him from behind. As he turned to face his attacker, Hope saw a flash of blue. "Don't hurt my sister," she heard. As she scrambled to her feet, Hope saw Jacob standing there hitting the man with what looked like a rake handle. Now the fight had become more personal. Now her younger brother was in the fight trying his best to protect her. "That's my sister," she heard him yell again as he took another swing at the man. As the man moved on Jacob, Hope swung back into action. "That's my brother, you brute," Hope screamed and hacked at the attacker with her sword. "Don't you even think about hurting him." If the man had looked stunned before, he certainly was shocked now. He had expected to fight against the women but having to battle a man like himself was too much for him. Much to Hope's relief, the man turned and ran. In fact, all of the men had retreated. Hope grabbed Jacob, gave him a hug, then pushed him away to get a good look at him. "Are you alright?" she asked. "I'm okay," Jacob told her. "I'm a soldier now, Hope. Did you see?" "Yes, I did," Hope smiled, "You were wonderful." "We all saw you there, Jacob," Mags said as she walked up. "Mags! I have not seen you in a long time," Jacob grinned. "It has been way too long, little man, I mean soldier," Mags gave him a quick salute then a huge hug. "It seems that your allies have proved most useful," Leonidas said as he and Derrick approached the group. "Leonidas," Jacob puffed out his chest, "I am a soldier now, Leonidas, I am a solider." "Indeed," Leonidas told him, "You fought fiercely." "We want to thank you, Derrick," Hope turned and offered her hand to Derrick. "We are friends," Derrick told her, "We help our friends." "Major, the men are coming back," a soldier called out and pointed to the crest of a small hill. "Places everyone," Hope yelled. "Wait, Hope," Derrick placed his hand gently on Hope's arm. "I think that they might be friends." "They're carrying a white flag," Mags said in wonder.
lady saule		#22	[-]
Posts: 96 (03/22/09 19:06:42) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO The farm leader joined the Spartans and the soldiers as they watched the approaching men. The man that seemed to lead the group was indeed carrying a white flag. "I don't believe this," the farm leader said. "You don't believe what?" Hope asked. "That men fought to protect you and your farm? Or that, just possibly, these men don't mean you harm?" "I am ashamed to admit it, but both, Major," she admitted. "All my life, I have been taught not to trust men. Now, I know that the Spartans are different, but to see men actually helping us? I never thought that I'd live to see the day." "We are not so different," Derrick told her. "While not all men are like us," Derrick indicated the men that had come with him, "we only want to live in peace. And I think that you will find that more and more men are starting to think like us." "Major, they're getting closer," a soldier called out. "What do you want to do." "Stand ready, but do nothing," Hope told everyone, "If there's trouble, let them start it." "My king?" Stephanos asked. "Stand ready. But do nothing. Yet," Leonidas told him. The few minutes that it took for the small band of men to reach the Spartans, seemed to stretch on for hours. The farmers grumbled softly as they stood behind the line of Spartans and soldiers. Finally, Hope, Leonidas, Derrick and the farm leader walked out to meet the man. "I am William, son of Philip," the male leader said as they reached him. "I would like to talk to you about a treaty." "Well, I'll be," the farm leader said. "William and his people have visited us several times," Derrick explained. "We are a small band. We are poor and our women and children are hungry and suffering," William began. "We are tired of moving about, hoping to find enough to feed us. We have seen the riches that Derrick's band has and we want the same." "What?" The farm leader asked. "Derrick and his people have built a small permanent village not far from here. They grow their own food and raise their own animals. And they produce the fabric that you see them wearing," Hope explained. "We are doing well, thanks to Hope and Leonidas," Derrick said. "We will be having a bountiful harvest this year. We have lost a cow and a couple of pigs, but we will still be able to survive well this winter." "You mean that you don't raid?" "We haven't raided for some time now. We don't need to. My mother has taught us how to do everything." "And this is what we want," William told them. "A place of permanence, where we can raise our families." "Where are your families?" Hope asked him. "They are with Derrick's mother," William answered. "We were there when we heard about the raiders. Derrick immediately left to help you. My men and I decided to come also." "It was a big risk," Leonidas told him. "We knew that. If we helped you, we could have been attacked by the raiders and you both. If you decide not to help us, we will be alone and on our own his winter. We could still be attacked by the raiders. They do not care who they steal from." "You will not be alone," Derrick said and placed a hand on William's misshaped shoulder. "You will come and live at our village." "Thank you," William smiled and waved to his men. On his signal, his men lowered their weapons and for the first time looked relieved. "Derrick," Hope said, "let us know whatever you need. I'll see that you get it." "We're going to need a few more buildings," Derrick told her. "I'll see about getting more lumber then." "You mean that you're actually going to help them?"the farm leader asked. "That's exactly what I mean," Hope stated. "We've been helping Derrick all summer and have never had any trouble. Now, they've even come to our aid. I call that friends." "Mama, mama," a young girl came running up to the group waving a camera. "Candy, what are you doing here?" "I wanted to film the battle so I could how everyone how the Spartans fought. I want to show you something." "Not now, Candy. Go back to the house." "But mama, you need to see this," the girl shoved the camera in front of her mother and started the film. The farm leader watched wide eyed. "Oh my. I never thought." She then turned to William and offered her hand. "I owe you an apology. My daughter caught on film what we did not see. You fighting the raiders." William looked at her outstretched hand for only a moment before he took it and smiled. "I have known Major Mitchell for years," the leader continued. "She vouches for Derrick so I guess that this is okay." "Thank you," William said, "Thank you all." "Well, now what do we do?" the farm leader asked. "We will go home," Derrick told her, "Our families are expecting us. And we have much to do to settle William's people in." "Do you have enough supplies?" Hope asked. "We have our tents," William answered. "Our women can put them up, while we hunt." "Too bad that you lost so much of your livestock," Mags said. "Yes," Derrick agreed, "A roast pig would have been a good meal for everyone." "Pig? You lost pigs?" one of the farmers asked. "Yes. Three of the five that we had," Derrick told her. "Were they males or females?" she asked. "All females. Why?" Derrick asked. No one answered him right away. Instead a couple of the farmers talked amongst themselves. Derrick and the others watched as the farmers nodded, pointed and made hand gestures. Finally the leader approached them. "We talked it over and we want you to have three of our pigs." "Thank you. That is most kind of you," Derrick said. "Well, it's the least we can do. You came to help us. You didn't know us and didn't expect to be received well. But you came and you fought. So please accept them with our thanks." "Thank you again. Do you have some ropes that we can borrow so that we can lead them to our village?" "We can drive them over in one of our trucks," a young farmer told him. "If there's a road, that is." "There's a road," Mags told them, "Derrick helped us build it." "Good. Then give us a few minutes and we'll be ready." "We'll give you a lift, Derrick," Hope said. "It might be a little crowded, but it'll be a lot quicker. "I've ridden in a truck," Derrick told her. "I've been in a car before," Jacob injected, "It's fun." "Again. Thank you." "Get all your people together," Hope told him. "We'll be going as soon as the animals are loaded. "You shouldn't have any more problems for a while," Hope told the farm leader as Derrick, Jacob and William left.. "I imagine that the raiders were startled when they found that they were fighting against so many." "I have a feeling that you're right," the farm leader agreed. "This has been quite a day. I never thought that I would see men fighting on our side." "I know what you mean," Hope admitted, "It is kind of earth shaking. But just imagine what this could lead to. Not having to fight to protect ourselves and our property." "Do you really think that this could spread beyond these two small bands?" "I do. Derrick's group got started because of his mother, one of us. William's group saw them and began to want the same thing for their families. As other bands see this, they will want to settle down and live in peace also. It'll take a while but I do think that this will change." "I hope you're right. It would be wonderful." The farm leader placed her arm around her daughter's shoulder and walked away. About fifty feet away, she looked back over her shoulder and smiled. "If this keeps up, I'll soon be out of work," Leonidas said as he stood behind Hope. "Oh, I don't think that you have to worry," Hope said and smiled up at him. "It's only the two bands right now. There's still plenty of men ready to fight." "Ummmm," was Leonidas's only reply as he turned and walked away. "Hey, I'm sure we can always find something for you to do," Hope called out after him. "Yeah. I can think of a couple of things," Mags joined in. "Don't start, Mags," Hope tried to keep from laughing but failed. "And you either, Leonidas," Hope yelled out when she noticed his broad shoulders shaking from laughter. "Major, we've got the animals loaded. We even threw in a milk cow. They just might need it," a farmer told Hope. "That's very generous. Are you sure that you can spare it?" "We can spare her. We're ready to pull out anytime you are." "Okay, let's get it done, then," Hope said. "Jacob," she called out to her brother, "Would you like to ride up front with me?" "No thanks. Leonidas already asked me that. But I want to ride with all the other soldiers." he yelled back as he stood in line to climb in a truck. "He's growing up," Mags told her. "That he is, Mags. That he is."
lady saule		#23	[-]
Posts: 97 (09/06/09 17:14:08) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	CHAPTER TWENTY THREE 　 The sun was beginning to set, when Leonidas walked home. He was glad to be outside after being cooped up in his office all day. He promised himself that he would set up a sparing match the next day. He was getting soft, as were his men. Life, here, was certainly different from Sparta. Not that he wasn't enjoying parts of it. He just missed being outside more. But in many ways he was freer when he was a Spartan king. Now, he was surrounded by paperwork and reports. How did Hope stand it? Reports from the other outposts told of minor raids. But as word of the Spartan's fighting abilities spread, even those raids were becoming fewer and fewer. He had only been joking when he had said that he would soon be out of work but now he wondered if it weren't true. If things continued as they were, the Spartans wouldn't be needed. Then what? They were fighting men. What did they know of peace ? They weren't suited to be farmers or merchants. Logically he knew it would be years before there would be anything near peace. But still, he couldn't help but feel a little useless. And that just added to his mood. Leonidas was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't realize that he was almost hone until Charlie came running up to him. "Leo." she called out as she almost danced around him. "Guess what? I have all of next week off from school." "You do?" Leonidas responded and ruffled Charlie's hair. "What is the occasion?" "Fall break. Mom says that once upon a time, kids only went to school for nine months and took the summer off. But we get vacations every couple of months. Isn't that great?" "I think that you're right. This way is better," Leonidas liked Charlie. She always seemed to be able to brighten his mood. "So tell me what you learned today." Charlie's smile almost split her face in two. "We learned about the babies," she said proudly. "So you learned where babies come from." "No silly, I ready know that. A woman goes to the special clinic, I forget what it's called," she told him seriously, "and the doctors put the sperm in her. Then the baby grows and she goes to the hospital and has a little baby girl." "I see," Leonidas told her. "But that's not the exciting news!" "Then what is?" "Instead of baby girls, they're having baby boys," Charlie was almost jumping up and down with excitement. Leonidas knelt down in front of her and gently took her shoulder to calm her down. "That sometimes happens" he told her. "Yeah, but these aren't the scary type baby boys. They look like us. Like you and me. We saw pictures of them. Some of them are a couple of months old now and they're so cute." "A couple of months old, you say?" Leonidas was startled. He had seen Ann and Mags just that morning. They were still pregnant. He had not received any reports from the other bases of children being born. He knew his men; if sons had been born to them, they would have been bragging about it. Something was not right here. "Charlie," Eve called out from the doorway. "Let Leonidas get his stuff put away before you start attacking him." "I was just telling him about the baby boys," Charlie called back. "Leonidas released the little girl and stood up. He watched in silence as Eve walked toward him smiling. "I'm confused," he told Eve. "About what?" Eve asked as she came up next to Leonidas. "How are there baby boys a couple of months old when none of the female soldiers have given birth?" Eve looked at his face carefully, "You know how we produce children, don't you?" "Hope has explained it to me, but I admit that I do not understand everything." "But you understand the basic idea?" "Yes. But I didn't think that the men of your world could have clean sperm." "They can't. I mean, they don't." "Then where did you get the sperm from?" The question was to the point. Eve knew that Leonidas had already begun to figure it out. She also knew that he hadn't known that Spartan sperm had been taken. "They used Spartan sperm," she admitted. "I was unaware that any of my men giving sperm," Leonidas's voice was low and hard. "Charlie, honey," Eve turned to her daughter, "Why don't you go play with Sheba in the back yard for a while?" "Why?" "Mommy needs to talk to Leonidas for a few minutes. Grown up stuff.." "Oh alright," Charlie pouted. "Come on, Sheba." Eve waited until Charlie was in the backyard before she continued. "I'm not going to lie to you, Leonidas. The sperm was probably taken while you were drugged." "So what you're saying is that the sperm was stolen from us." "Well, that's one way of looking at it. But I doubt that the doctors though of it as stealing." "I wonder if they would have thought so, if it were reversed," Leonidas told her. "What they took was part of us." "I'm sorry." "Did Hope know about this?" "I can't say for certain," Eve told him, "but probably." "That would explain why she was so certain that the babies her women carry would be healthy and normal." "I don't know," Eve said. She noticed the hard set of his jaw an the stone cold look in his eyes. She knew that he was angry. "Are you okay?" she asked him. "I'll be fine," he told her. "Give my apologies to Charlie but I need to be alone for a while." "I understand," Eve told him and watched as he walked toward the house that he had come to think of as home. 　　 Hope sat in one of the chairs in the doctor's office nervously looking around. Hope had gotten the call that the test results were in just before she would have normally left the office. So when Leonidas stuck his head in, she told him that she had a few things to finish up and that he should go on home. She wouldn't be long. There must have been a hundred times over the past few days that she had started to tell him. But each time she stopped. What if she wasn't pregnant, why build up hopes only to have them dashed to pieces. Each time, she told herself that it would be better to wait until she was certain. That time was only moments away. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Major," the doctor said as she entered the room carrying Hope's file. "How have you been feeling?" "Nervous," Hope admitted. "That's understandable. This is a big event in a woman's life." "Please, doctor, just tell me. Yes or no," Hope told her, unable to wait any longer. "Yes. You're pregnant, about ten weeks. Congratulations." "A baby!" Hope smiled as she looked down and placed a hand on her stomach. "What's next?" "Next week, we'll run the usual tests. You'll know the sex of the baby then. But for now, everything looks fine. Watch your salt and caffeine. No alcohol, of course. I want you to start on prenatal vitamins. Other than that, you know the routine." "Thank you again, doctor," Hope said as she rose to leave. 　 It was just getting dark when Even saw Hope walking by. "Hope!" she called out and hurried to meet Hope. "Oh, hi, Eve," Hope waved. "I just want to warn you," Eve began, "Leonidas found out about the first batch of baby boys. And he's not happy." "How did he find out?" Hope asked. "Charlie. She was so excited that she couldn't wait to tell him," Eve paused for a moment before she continued. "I didn't know that you hadn't told him." "What did you tell him?" "The truth, as I know it. I wasn't going to lie to him, Hope." "No. Of course not. I should have explained it to him long ago. I just didn't know how. How mad is he?" "I honestly don't know, Hope. He looked like he was made of stone. Just be careful in there." "Don't worry. Leonidas would never hit me." Hope assured her. "Although, I may wish that he had." 　 The house was silent; the living room lit by only one lamp when Hope entered. Leonidas was sitting on the couch, staring at the opposite wall. Hope would have given anything not to have the conversation that was coming. But that was not to be and she knew it. "Do you want to talk?" she asked. "How long have you known?" he asked, his gaze still on the wall. "For a while," she admitted. "This is why you were so certain that the male babies would be normal. You already knew." "Yes." "Why didn't you tell me about these babies?" Hope stood quietly before him for several minutes before she answered. "What was I supposed to say? Oh by the way, while you were drugged, we extracted some sperm from you; impregnated some women; and we now have some successful, normal pregnancies?" Leonidas turned to face Hope. His gaze stone hard. "How many of these children are mine?" "I don't know," Hope told him. "I honestly don't know how many, if any, are yours," Hope told him. Tears stung her eyes, but she held them back. "You have to try and understand, Leonidas, we were only -" "Don't, Hope," Leonidas interrupted, "don't try to explain. I already know what you're going to say. You feel that it was alright to kidnap us, hold us here, get us to help you, get us to ... ," he paused a moment, afraid of what you was about to say. "Now I find out that you have stolen our sperm, our very essence, from us. Nothing you can say will make it right." "I'm sorry," Hope told him again. "I'm truly sorry." "It's no good. I'm tired. I don't want to hear it." "But we need to talk," she told him. "No. We do not need to talk," Leonidas said firmly. "I can't think of anything that you can say that will make me feel better about this." "But, I need to - " "Hope, I said that there's nothing else to say, except, that tomorrow, my men and I are moving back to Whitehorse Base." "You're leaving?" Hope couldn't believe what she heard. "Yes, we are. I've already spoken to your President. She has assured me that within two weeks there will be enough energy to send us back to where we belong." "You belong here," Hope told him, fighting to keep her heartbreak from showing. She loved him, she realized. She had for some time and now he was leaving. She was losing him. Leonidas stood up and started toward the hall way but stopped and turn to look at Hope. "You know, I was beginning to feel that we belonged here. But not now. Not anymore." Hope stood there, frozen to that spot, and watched as Leonidas closed the door on the guest room. This wasn't how she had thought the evening would go. Now if she told him that she was pregnant with his baby, he would just accuse her of lying. And she couldn't really blame him for that. 　 Leonidas lay on top of the bed and listened as Hope moved around in the other room. A couple of times he thought that he heard her crying. He almost got up to go comfort her but he forced himself to stay where he was. He knew that if he did that, he would forgive her. And if he forgave her, that would mean that he forgave her society and he wasn't ready for that. He felt betrayed. Hope had barely slept when the alarm went off. She slapped it silent and stumbled to the bathroom. She moaned when she saw her own reflection. Her eyes were nearly swollen shut from crying. She splashed cold water on her face hoping to reduce some of the swelling. She hoped to talk to Leonidas before they left the house, but the door to his room was open and the room empty, He had already gone. Her heart ached again. Hope was on autopilot as she dressed and waked to the base. Ann and Mags were waiting for her as Hope arrived. "They're leaving," Ann sobbed, tears staining her cheeks. "I know," Hope told her. "But why?" Mags asked. "Leonidas found out about the baby boys," Hope told them. "And?" Mags asked. "He feels that we have robbed them," Hope replied. "They don't see this as we do. Leonidas took it personally." "Can't you talk to him?" Ann pleaded. "You know, get him to change his mind?" "No. I tried to talk to him last night. He didn't want to hear a single word I had to say." "Isn't there anyone that can talk him out of this?" Ann asked. "No one. Well . . . ," Hope paused as an idea occurred to her, "maybe the President can talk to him." "Well hurry. Get her on the line. Leonidas wants to leave within the hour," Mags told her. Hope picked up the phone, "Get me President Peters's office." The five minutes that it took to get President Peters on the phone seemed an eternity. "Major Mitchell," the President's voice came over the handset, "How good to hear from you." "We need to favor from you, Madame President." "And what can I do for you?" "It's the Spartans, ma'am. King Leonidas has found out about the baby boys. He feels that we have betrayed his trust and stolen from him. He wants to leave and return to ancient Greece." "I know this, Major. I spoke to him last night, but how can I help you?" "Madame President, can you talk him out of leaving? My troops have grown very fond of the Spartans. They've become a valuable part of our community." "I see, Major," the President said, "I understand how you feel. But I have to tell you what I've told the others. I cannot, and will not, do anything to stop the Spartans from leaving. In fact, I think that it's for the best that they do leave." "How can you say that?" Hope asked, not believing what she just heard. "It's simple, Major. They have served their purpose. We now know how to fight like them and we have a fresh supply of healthy sperm. And with the male babies, we will continue to have it. Besides, I have noticed signs that they been disrupting our society. With them gone, things will return to normal." "Is there nothing that I can say to change your mind?" "Nothing, Major. Now is there anything else?" "No, ma'am. Nothing." "Well then, it's been nice speaking to you. Goodbye, Major." Hope put the phone down and sank into her chair. "Well?" Ann asked. "President Peters will not help. She thinks that it is a good idea that the Spartans leave." "What?" Ann and Mags said in unison. "It seems that the Spartans are upsetting our society." "Upsetting her plans is more like it," Ann said angrily. "I'm sorry that I ever voted for her," Ann said, "a mistake I won't repeat. "Ma'am." Hope's aide knocked on the door, "the bus is about to leave." Everyone rushed out to see the Spartans boarding the bus. More than one Spartan looked back at the woman who had become his partner. Their training firmly in place, they continued to board in silence. All of the women were crying as they waited for the bus to pull out. Hope had watched in silence as she saw Leonidas's tall straight frame standing beside the bus. He never looked her way. And as the bus drove off, she left as if her heart was being ripped from her body.
lady saule		#24	[-]
Posts: 98 (09/06/09 21:24:54) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR 　　 It had been almost two weeks since Leonidas had brought his men to Whitehorse Base. In that tine, not one of his men had said a word about their leaving. He knew that they would not, just he knew that they had not wanted to leave their women. He was their king and they would follow him where ever he went. Even into the gates of hell. But his men had changed. In Sparta, they had been willing, even eager, to go into battle knowing that they would die. Now he sensed that they would have preferred to stay with their women. He understood how they felt. More than once, when he had been half asleep, he had reached out for Hope, only to remember that she wasn't there. Only to remember why she wasn't there. "My king," Kairos said after he knocked on Leonidas's door. "You have a visitor." "Who?" Leonidas asked. President Peters had already told him that she had ordered the women not to contact him. So he had no idea of who might be here. "She says that she is a Grandmother, my king. Unless I am mistaken, she was at the cookout on Peace Day." "Do you mean Hope's grandmother?" "Yes, my king. I believe that it is she," Kairos told him. "What does she want?" "She did not say, my king. Should I ask?" "No. No. Show her in," Leonidas stood as the older woman came into his office. "Leonidas," Grandmother Mitchell said cheerfully, as she stood in front of him. "Please sit, madame," Leonidas offered her a chair . "Now tell me how I might be of service." "I came to have a talk with you," she told him. "Before you begin, please understand that I have no intention of changing my mind about leaving," Leonidas said as he took the chair opposite her. "Did Hope send you?" "No. Hope doesn't even know that I am here And neither does President Peters." Grandmother Mitchell held up her hand to stop any comment. "One of the benefits of being a Grandmother is that I don't need anyone's permission to do what I want." "Age does have it's benefits," Leonidas smiled. "Yes, it does, dear boy. But to get down to business, I understand that not only are you leaving, you are planning on returning to Greece tomorrow." "That we are." "Why?" "Why? Dear lady," Leonidas began, "We have been kidnaped; brought here; tricked, more than once; and now we have had our own sperm stolen from us." "Ah, yes. And I could say that we were doing what we had to do to survive." "Yes, you could. But I would remind you that I have already heard that, more than once," Leonidas told her, "And that may have been true at one time. But no longer. For as your President Peters reminded me, we have already served our purpose." "She said that?" Grandmother Mitchell asked angrily, "To you?" "Not in those exact words. But it is the truth. We have trained your female soldiers in fighting with sword and spear. You have all the sperm that you need. What else is there for us to do?" "What about your sons?" "What about them?" he asked. "Who will teach them how to grow to be men?" "Hope and the others will do fine," Leonidas assured her. "Will they? Or will the boys grow up to be second class citizens? Now before you say anything, let me continue." "Please do." "Most of the women want you to stay. We have been calling Peters and asking her to get you to stay. But she hasn't asked you, has she." "No." "And don't you wonder why?" "If what you say is true, why would your President want us to leave?" "Because you have brought change, dear boy. You have brought hope of peace between women and men. Our citizens have seen what you have done. They don't fear men like before." "Yes, but this would be good." "Not for Peters and her bunch. They watch as the women begin to see you as a hero. They see their grip on power slipping and they worry." "About what?" "About you. About the women seeing you as a leader and voting you there." "I have made no moves to claim power." "You don't have to. You are a natural leader. The women see that. Since you and your men have been here, women are finding out how they are suppose to live. And Peters fears this." "What do you want me to do, madame? Forgive those that have done so much to us?" "Forgive those that have harmed you, if you want. But remember that Hope and the others had nothing to do with that. They didn't even know that it had happened until after it had been done. Do not punish the innocent. And do not punish your men also." Grandmother Mitchell paused a moment before she continued. "You love her, don't you?" "I'll get over it." Leonidas admitted. "She loves you also. You really should tell her, you know." Leonidas did not answer her. Instead, he stared thoughtfully out the window. "Then think about this. Without you men staying, your sons will be raised by women. Women who, for the most part, have no understanding of men. Peters will see to it that these boys will be trained to be second class. And I, for one, do not want to see my Great -Grandson being raised that way, without his father." Leonidas snapped his head back around to stare at her. "What did you say?" "Oh, yeah, I knew that would get your attention," she grinned. "I said that I'm going to have a Great-Grandson." "Then . . ." "That's right. You're going to be a father." A smile crossed Leonidas's face as she continued. "You're having a son." "You're sure?" "Oh, yeah. Hope got the test results back yesterday. He's strong and healthy." "Why didn't she tell me?" He wondered. "She was going to tell you the night of your fight. She had just found out." "Is that what she wanted to tell me? I told her that I didn't want to hear anything from her." "She understands. But the question now is, what are you going to do?" "Kairos," Leonidas called out. "Yes, my king," Kairos said as he entered the room. "Grandmother Mitchell is staying for dinner." "I am?" she asked. "You are," Leonidas told her. "Then I accept." "And Kairos, I want everyone in the mess hall. I have something to discuss with them." "Yes, my king." 　　 Grandmother Mitchell sat at the head table next to Leonidas as they ate.. She was besieged with questions as all of the men were eager to hear about their women. She answered as many as she could. "Spartans," Leonidas stood to make his speech, " As you can see Grandmother Mitchell has honored us with her presence tonight. She has brought news." "As you all know, the women of this world are having sons, our sons. Some of them created by you and some by their strange ways, but no matter. As Grandmother Mitchell has reminded me, these sons need to taught how to be Spartan men. Before, in Sparta, there were always Spartans to train our sons. But not here. "As she has also reminded me, our women are not the ones that wronged us. As such, it would be wrong to punish them for the deeds of others. Nor is it right to punish you by denying you the sons that you've created." The buzz of male voice became a roar as the Spartans looked around. Leonidas raised his hand and the roar was instantly silenced. "Now, you have a choice to make. If you want to return to Sparta, you may. Likewise, if you want to stay here and raise your children, you may." "We go where you go, my king," a voice came from the back of room. "And I tell you that the choice is yours to make. Stay or go, but make your own choice." "And you, my king?" Kairos asked. "What is your choice?" "For myself, I stay," Leonidas said. A deafening cheer broke out. "Well," Grandmother Mitchell said as Leonidas took his seat, "It seems that I have a phone call to make." "Do not call Hope," Leonidas told her. "I would rather surprise her." "Oh, it wasn't Hope that I planned to call," she told him and smiled wickedly. "I only wish that I could see Peters's face when she hears that you are staying." "You do not like this woman?" Stephanos asked. "Not so much that, as I like you better," she stated and winked at Stephanos. 　　　 "Major," the young soldier saluted as Hope climbed the stairs of the guard tower. "How are things going, soldier?" Hope asked. "All's quiet, ma'am. Just another peaceful night." "That's good. Do you mind a little company, solider?" "No, ma'am," the stunned soldier replied, "I mean, yes ma'am. Your company is fine, ma'am." Hope stood there and stared off into the darkness. She was all cried out, or at least she hoped that she was. She had cried every night for the past two weeks. "Ma'am," the soldier interrupted Hope's musings, "may I ask you a question?" "Of course." "My sister was living with one of the Spartans. How long do you think it'll be before she stops crying?" "I honestly don't know," Hope told her as she fought back a fresh bout of tears. "Where do you think that they're at now? The Spartans, I mean." "They're all dead by now," Hope told her and wiped away a tear. "They're all gone." Suddenly, they heard a loud racket coming from the other side of the base. They both turned toward the noise, but this guard tower was too far away to see anything. "What was that?" the young soldier asked. "Go see. I'll stay here," Hope ordered. "But ma'am," the soldier protested. "Do as you're told, soldier," Hope ordered, then in a softer tone, "I need a little time to compose myself." "Yes, ma'am," the soldier started off, then turned, "I miss them too, ma'am." 　　 The bus stopped in front of the main gate. The guards there immediately recognized it, and once they saw who it carried, they waved it through. Phone calls were placed to the women that lived off base. By the time the bus stopped in front of the main office building, a crowd of eager women had already formed. It was several minutes before the bus door opened and the Spartans filed off to the cheering women. Leonidas smiled as he watched his men reuniting with their women. All was well. This was, indeed, where they needed to be. Now, he needed to find his own woman, his hope. He started to walk to Hope's house, his home as he had come to think of it again, when he ran into Ann. "Leonidas!!" she exclaimed. "I thought that you had gone." "As you can see, I changed my mind." "Where's Stephanos?" "Probably looking for you," Leonidas nodded toward the bus. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm looking for Hope." "She's not at the house," Ann told him. "She's still on the base. She's been here almost every night since you left." "Thank you. I'll go to her office then." Just then Ann spotted the soldier that Hope had sent. "Soldier," Ann shouted, "Aren't you supposed to be on guard duty?" "Ma'am," the soldier saluted, "I was. Major Mitchell ordered me to find out what was going on." "And where is the Major?" Leonidas asked. "She's at my guard tower, sir," the soldier saluted him also. "Good to have you back, sir." she grinned. "Good to be back," Leonidas grinned also as he returned the salute. "Take Leonidas to the Major," Ann ordered. "Yes, ma'am. Come with me, sir." "Ann!" Leonidas heard Stephanos call out. He turned in time to see Ann fling herself into Stephanos's waiting arms. Before he turned away, Leonidas saw Stephanos gently rubbing Ann's swollen stomach. Leonidas wondered how long it would be before he was doing that to Hope. He had missed the birth of his first son, but he was going to be there for this one. "She's up there," the soldier told him when they reached her guard tower. "I'll just wait here." "Thank you," Leonidas said quietly and started up the staircase. "What was it, soldier?" Hope asked, her back to him. "Not much. Just a bunch of lonely Spartans." Hope swirled around in disbelief. "Leonidas?" "Yes, Hope. It' really me." "I though that you were . . . I thought that you were leaving." "I was until your grandmother reminded me that you were not the one that wronged me. She also reminded me of something else." "What's that? Hope asked. Coming closer to Leonidas, she reached out to touch him to reassure herself that he was real. Leonidas pulled her up against him and gently touched her stomach that was just beginning to swell with his son. "She reminded me that a son needs his father. Especially a Spartan," he told her as he lowered his head to kiss her. And just before his mouth touched hers he added, "She also said that I should tell you that I love you." "Damn straight on both counts," she whispered against his lips.

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