Dante's Move

Dante gave him a 'Go to Hell' look.

Anything Mattheus proposed would not benefit anyone but the fish himself.

Mattheus laughed. "Don't give me that look. Hear me out first."

Dante looked away. He was a captive audience. What could he do other than listen? It wasn't as if he could stick his fingers in his ears and go 'la la la' to drown out Mattheus' voice.

Mattheus rocked back on his heels and gave Dante a steady gaze.

"You know that the Insectoids have TWICE as many warriors as the Avians." He held up two fingers. "In fact, only the bats have more military power than the insects do."

"But why is it that the birds have always been able to bully and push the bugs around?" He tilted his head in question.

He turned away and looked out the tiny window that had been barred from the outside.

"How is it possible that the birds can go around and tell everyone they're somehow more special than the bugs?"

He turned back to Dante. "And what I don't understand is why everyone believes that crap from their bung hole? Because they have feathers? Because they can fly?"

Mattheus leaned towards Dante with a warning glint.

"They are even starting to tell everyone that they're better than mammals, specifically you bats, and that you have been holding onto the top spot of the galaxy for just a little bit too long."

"Now think about it. Why is that possible, and what are their objectives?"

Dante said nothing.

Mattheus wasn't saying anything that was new or that he hadn't already known. He had been fighting this prejudice all his life because his mother was an insectoid. The real question was what Mattheus wanted from him.

"What are you trying to gain from all this?" Dante finally spat.

In order to negotiate, he needed all the cards on the table.

Mattheus pointed to Dante.

"You are half insectoid, half bat. The birds are trashing both sides of your parentage. They also hired mercenaries to threaten your mother's world and the Avgo Event."

He narrowed his gaze. "You are supposed to be the Crown Prince, but it hadn't even been a week, and you got replaced yet again. Aren't you just a little bit pissed?"

"Whether I am or not, it's really got nothing to do with you." Dante said with derision.

"Ahhh, but maybe it does. I'm a mercenary. I work for hire. You could easily hire me and I can whack all those people upside the head for you. Reinstate you back on your golden throne."

"And wait for them to pay you one penny more than I did, so you can turn back around and whack me upside the head? No thanks." Dante sniffed. "Even mercenaries have to have a little bit of honor."

"There's nothing wrong with my honor. If it makes you feel any better, I didn't kidnap you. I actually paid a nice fat sum to take you off the hands of the Corsican Vampires who were paid by the birds to kidnap you."

"I'm going to ask one more time." Dante growled deep within his throat. "What is it that you want?"

Mattheus smiled. "I just want a bit of return on my investment."

Dante gritted his teeth. "What's your price?"

"Slow your roll," he chuckled. "I haven't finished the negotiations yet."

"Hurry it up. I need to go poop." Dante said even though he didn't feel like doing anything of the sort. If it would make this asinine fish get to the point, he wouldn't mind throwing some shit at the man.

Mattheus cracked a big smile.

"The Insectoids have been waiting for a leader to take control and pull them out of their funk. They are looking at you to retake the throne and take charge of the Insectoids, but that means you have to fight on their side against the birds."

"You want me to upset the balance between the bugs, the bats, and the birds?"

"The balance has already shifted, man!" Mattheus ground out. "If you don't do something now, the birds will take over and we'll all be fucked."

"I want you to take over and keep the galaxy moving merrily along. I don't want birds taking over!" Mattheus scowled.

"And what do you get out of this?" Dante asked again.

"In return for my help, I want you to depose the current king of Emporia." Mattheus narrowed his eyes with rage. "I want my throne back."

Dante stared at Mattheus Cordera who had once been the successor child king of the merfolk on Emporia, at least up until his Uncle Mortimer Cordera had sent hitmen after him and nearly killed him in the attempt.

Mattheus had wandered the galaxy after that assassination attempt, surviving as best he could among the thieves of the galaxy. It was quite amazing that he was now a high-ranking member of one of the largest space pirates.

Dante sighed. He didn't blame Mattheus for trying to regain his throne but there was one important bug in the soup.

The king of Emporia, Mortimer Cordera, was Royal Consort Fatima's oldest brother.

And Royal Consort Fatima was the mermaid who gave birth to the Royal Twins, Jason and Jared.

"Your Uncle is also Jason and Jared's Uncle. I can't do anything until I talk to Consort Mother Fatima and the twins." Dante said.

Mattheus smiled.

The fact that Dante was even starting the negotiations was a good sign that they would be able to work something out. Everyone knew Dante was as good as his word.

Satisfied, Mattheus threw a small packet at Dante.

"Here you go. Key codes to unlock the cells and to start up the transport pod. Take the one that's marked with a big yellow happy face."

Mattheus gave a big grin.

"I painted it myself so you wouldn't accidentally take one that wouldn't make it more than half way across space before giving up the ghost and stranding you out there in the middle of nowhere."

"Happy yellow face…" Dante muttered. What a clown.

"Yep. The happy yellow face transport pod is juiced with enough power to take you back to Erenveil. It also identifies you as a friendly so while you are still in pirate space, the space pirates will leave you alone."

He waved a hand.

"Leave now. I'll be in touch later to lay out plans on how to get your Crown Prince throne back."

He turned away and headed for the entrance.

"Oh, one more thing." Mattheus inclined his head. "Jason and Jared are in the cell next to you. Please take them off my hands." He laughed. "I don't need two more mouths to feed."

Dante took hold of the packet that Mattheus had thrown him. With a grim set to his mouth, he opened it.

Once he accepted this offer from Mattheus, things were going to change drastically, and it looked like it would be a very bloody change. This was intergalactic war they could no longer forestall.

But at this moment, he had to get back to Erenveil with the twins. He could not remain here in god-knows where.

As he pulled out the key cards, he made his way out of the wide open cell door. Mattheus had left it open for him.

He needed to get to his brothers, but first, he needed to talk to his Baby.

'Candace.' Dante called out in his mind.

'Dante???' He heard her desperate voice and smiled gently as she began peppering him with questions.

'Dante where are you? Are you okay? I've been trying to contact you for hours and hours! What happened to you? Are you hurt???'

'I am unhurt. Listen carefully Love. I don't have time to explain everything now but tell Slate to take you away from Erenveil. Go now!'

'Haaaahhh.' Candace was gasping, as if she was crying.

'The royal maids have taken over my room. They are getting me dressed to attend a wedding with Lucas! I tried escaping but there are guards everywhere, and anyway, I don't know how to drive a pod to escape!'

'Call Slate. Tell him I said he needs to take you and run away somewhere safe. DO NOT go through with that wedding, whatever you do.'

'Okay Dante.' Candace sounded much calmer. 'Let me contact Slate.'

'Do it now. We will talk again very soon My Love, when you are safely in space with Slate.'