Marley emerged from the ship tired and worn out. His friends were at his back and Omnira was by his side. He stood at the top of the ramp and looked over his people. They stared back at him expectantly. They had lost a few, but the rest stood tall, proud, waiting to hear the result of their hard fought battle.
The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon, painting the sky in beautiful reds and golds. It was a new day on Azaacar in so many different ways. Marley closed his eyes, smiled, and lifted his face to the sky and a cool breeze caressed his tired skin.
He took the pendant he got from Greyson and thrust it high in the air. The moment they saw it, the crowd erupted in raucous cheers and celebration. When word reached trench town the reaction was the same. Vehicles were sent to the village, as well as the worksites that brought everyone to the capital. Food and drink were brought in and all of the Children of Azaacar celebrated the end of tyranny together.
The prisoners were housed in the barracks with their families. They were guarded and tended to until it could be decided what to do with them. Omnira made certain they weren't abused or mistreated. This confused a few on both sides. When questioned, all she would say was, "it's not our way." In truth she felt guilty for killing as many as she did. She just wanted the blood shed to stop. Being the leader she had been for so long, she knew her people were capable of great things. She just wanted this chapter of their lives to close so they can begin a new one.
Over the next several days, Marley made his way to each of the outlying cities with the regent's pendant as proof of his conquest. He refused to wear it though, he knew many would recognize him as the "son" of Lastirk. He didn't want to give the impression that he was just taking over. He was there to secure surrender and eviction, not to announce himself as the new regent. The pendant earned him very little resistance in his travels. What little flickers of defiance he did meet was easily deterred by the massive shadow wolf at his back.
It took a week and a half to gather all of the remaining Rednasi in the capital. The Congress along with the military leaders were gathered in the throne room, which had long since been cleared of all the dead bodies. They were brought before Marley and Omnira, bound at the wrist to remind them of their position in the coming conversation. He stood in front of the throne, aware of the message sitting in it would send. When everyone was in place, he began by tossing the regent's pendant on the floor in front of them.
"For those of you who do not know, my name is Marley. I was a baby when the Rednasi invaded this planet. For reasons that are no longer important, I was taken from my people and raised as the son of Lastrick. Greyson was my brother. They are both dead now. In Rednasi culture, you keep what you kill. Well, I don't want it. I never wanted this throne. Those of you that know me, know that. What I do want, is the immediate and total evacuation of every Rednasi individual on this planet." He paused for effect. "The hard part has been done. They have all been rounded up and most are on this ship. Your job as their leaders is to make this evacuation happen smoothly and swiftly. I want you all gone by midnight tonight. No excuses, no exceptions. Do I make myself clear?"
A mild panic spread through those gathered. Danerg stepped forward out of the crowd. "Master Marley, where are we to go? You know if we return to Rednas like this most of us in this room will be executed." His voice was edged with fear.
Marley shook his head. "DaNerg,old friend, that is no longer my problem. I am finally back with my own people, their safety and security is my only concern. For twenty years you enslaved and oppressed my people. They were less than cattle to you. Some of them have begged me to do the same to you. Others want me to slaughter you all out right.You get to leave here with your lives.That is where my generosity ends. Where you go when you leave here is not my concern."
"But we can contribute here." Danerg pleaded. "We can help build your economy and infrastructure! We can make this planet great. We can be powerful partners."
Omnira snapped. "Partners? You subjugate us for an entire generation, and Now you want us to be equals? Friends? Oh Mr. Overseer, I don't think so. Let's be honest. Any chance of that happening died a long, looong time ago. No sir, you cannot stay here!"
DaNerg opened his mouth as if to make one last plea. He took one look in Marley's eyes and thought better of it. He understood now. Ginipesh had been dead-on back then. The fire he had seen in Marley so long ago had consumed them all. He hung his head and stepped back in line.
The realization of their predicament fell over the crowd like a wet blanket. They had been utterly defeated. Now death awaited them no matter what.
They carried out Marley's orders and packed all their people into the mothership. Many of them had migrated after the initial invasion, so it was tight quarters even on the massive ship. They ended up having to house several families in the aircraft hangar, so the ships that had not been used and destroyed in the battle were left behind. Several transport and light ground vehicles, along with building materials, were also excluded in order to drop weight in favor of the twenty plus year old starcraft engine.
The ship was ready to go by sundown. There were no well wishes or tearful goodbyes. The Rednasi ship was seen off by Marly, Marcus, and a contingent of armed fighters, at the ready, in case they tried to take one last shot at the planet before leaving. They all watched as the ship lifted off its twenty year perch and made its way into the evening sky. Everyone remained tense until the moment the vessel that had brought years of pain and misery finally disappeared among the stars.
Marley let out a breath, he didn't know he had been holding, as his fighters broke formation. Marcus stayed beside him staring up into the clear night sky. "This isn't the last we've heard of them, is it?" He said quietly.
"No my friend, no it's not." Marley said solemnly. "Once the Empire hears of this, they will send another, younger, hungrier fleet to try to take us back. But this time, this time we'll be ready."
Marcus grinned. "Yes sir, we will!" He said with an edge of determination in his voice. "But for now," He turned to Marley with a bright smile on his face. "Tonight we celebrate!" he clapped his hands on Marley's shoulders and shook him a bit, laughing as he walked off to join the festivities, already in progress.
Far to the north, where the wind howled cold and the ice never melted. Alucard raged in his frozen coffin. The bitterness of his defeat eating at his soul like a ravenous wolf. He screamed, cried, and cursed Azaacar's name. He spat and swore his revenge, over and over, until blood ran from his eyes. Just when he resigned himself to sleep for another thousand years, he heard a quiet rapping on his coffin.
He reached out and touched the mind of his visitor. "Who dares to venture into my prison?"
"An ally my Lord," the answer came full of fear and reverence. "My family has worshiped you in secret for generations. I humbly wish to serve you, and if I can, free you."