by Saxon Andrew
“Don’t lose him, Alex!”
“I thought we had him and somehow he saw it. He’s jumping again…”
Tag sat in his chair and threw random numbers at his stardrive. He’d say, “Three,” and the ship would jump three-universes. “Eight,” and the ship would jump eight-universes. The psychic ships would arrive within a second of his entry into another universe, just in time to see him jump again. Two-hour’s later, Tag thought, “Start jumping until I tell you to stop.”
Tag’s ship appeared to flicker as it jumped at an ever-increasing rate. The Psychic Warships would appear a second behind him…then two-seconds…and finally when the time reached three-seconds, Tag thought, “STOP! Jump one universe and immediately come back here.”
Tag sat in his ship as the three-psychic-ships appeared, detected the residue of his universal drive, and instantly jumped out.
DAMN IT!!”
“What, Alex!”
“We were chasing him so fast that we didn’t even notice his ship when we jumped out of the last universe. He was calmly sitting there watching us blow right past him.”
The Kosiev jumped back and saw Tag’s ship disappearing in the distance. “Now we’re back at chasing him again in open space, Daniele. What do you want to do?”
“Can we catch him, Alex?”
“If we had thousands of psychic ships, we might. I don’t really think we’ve challenged him, except for when we nearly caught him. He won’t let that happen again.”
Danielle sighed and thought, “Ok, Tag, you’ve proven your point.”
“I’ll meet you back at Ross.”
“I expected you to gloat.”
“No, Danielle. It was closer than you imagine, and I need to tighten up my escape routes. If you had more ships, you probably would have done it.”
“I’m glad you saw that. The OAs will have a lot more ships than we had to chase you.”
“They will, however, they won’t be as good as the Psychic Ships.”
“See you at home, Tag.” Danielle sighed, “Rose, what do you think?”
“I think Dad is sneakier than you, Mom.”
Danielle laughed, as she leaned forward, “You think?” Danielle chuckled all the way back to the Castle.
• • •
“Why are we staying here,” Janie asked as they moved through a devastated planetary system.
“This was the main planet of the advanced civilization that was able to destroy the OA warships. I need a place away from the planet where they supplied their warships.”
“Wouldn’t they do that in orbit above the planet, Sir?”
“Probably. But I’m hoping they had other sites scattered around this system.”
“Detecting advanced alloys on a moon at the next planet.”
“Thank you, Computer. Move the ship to that location.” The Nightmare arrived above the moon and Eddie said, “Bong, go and take a look at what the computer detected.”
Bong left the ship and Eddie focused on what the DEC was seeing on the moon’s surface. After a few moments, he said, “BINGO!”
“What is it?” Janie asked.
“It’s a storage depot for the missiles they developed. Most of it is underground but the small building on the surface is where the missiles were brought up and delivered. Computer, I’m taking the ship down and landing it next to that building. I want the exact coordinates of that site to twenty-four-digits!”
“Isn’t that a little extreme, Sir?” Janie asked.
“No! Tag is going to teleport to this exact spot from across creation. We’ll teleport him on board and leave his ship behind.” Eddie thought for a moment and said, “Computer, make that forty-eight digits.”
“Ed!”
“Yes, Bong.”
“This facility is set up to self-destruct.”
“Why is it still here, then?”
“I don’t think anyone was here when this civilization was attacked.”
Eddie thought about the situation and heard Bobby come on the PA system, “Ask Bong how the self-destruct operates?”
“I heard you, Bobby. It’s a single button with a plastic cover over it.”
“Sir, teleport me in to where Bong is located and let me put a telepathic switch over that button.”
“Who are you going to code it to, Bobby?”
“He’ll code it to me, Ed.”
“But…”
“I’m the best one to do this, if it comes down to having to use it; I can activate it and run.”
Eddie looked at Janie and saw her shrug. He turned to Bobby, “Ok, I’m teleporting you down inside that moon, code the switch to Bong. Make sure it works before you install it.”
“I will, Sir.”
“Bong?”
“Yes, Janie.”
“How many missiles are stored inside that moon?”
“Not that many missiles are stored here. But the number of warheads number more than half-a-billion.”
Eddie snorted. Janie turned to him, “Sir?”
“That tells me why they put them out here away from the planet. Those warheads must be very volatile, and they weren’t willing to risk having them located close to their planet. Their warships would load the missiles in orbit above the planet and then come here to pick up the warheads. I suspect this moon will go up in a rather dramatic fashion if that switch is used.”
“Got it done, Sir!”
“That was fast!”
“It’s just a simple switch, Sir.”
Eddie leaned back in his chair, “Teleport Captain Cor back on board, computer. Bong, I need you to really make an extensive search of the facilities on that moon. I’ll record what you see in our database and determine if there’s anything else we can use.”
“Start the recording, Ed,” Bong replied. “I do notice one thing.”
“What is that?”
“There are elevator shafts that can lower ships into the interior of the moon to be rearmed. The lights on the control panels are still on, so they must be working.”
Eddie thought for a moment, “Is there one close to the structure on the surface?”
“The largest one I’ve seen so far is located there.”
Bobby appeared on the bridge and Eddie turned to him, “Do you have another telepathic switch?”
“I do; I actually have several hundred.”
“I’m sending you back down to put a switch on the control panel that operates the elevator shaft next to the structure. I want it coded to Bong, as well. MAKE SURE THE TWO-SWITCHES HAVE DIFFERENT FREQUENCIES!”
“Why do you need that, Ed?”
“Bong, I may not need it. But I want to have it in the event something happens that requires us to send something down that shaft and I don’t want you to activate the self-destruct mechanism sending something below the surface.”
Bobby spoke up, “Computer, teleport me to my lab in the rear of the ship and, once I have the switch, teleport me to Bong’s location.”
Bobby disappeared, and Janie turned to Eddie, “You’re serious about the King being picked up here.”
“I am.”
“And if the OAs follow him here…there will probably be a large number of them.”
“I guess.”
“Can we get close enough to activate the teleport system to move him on board the Nightmare, if the OAs number in the thousands? The Nightmare is not a small vessel, Sir.”
“I’ll check out the range of the system when we go back to Kelen. However, I really don’t see that being the issue.”
“What is the issue, Sir?”
“Whether or not the King can get a large enough lead to get here before he’s followed. He may not make it through them and this will be wasted effort. However, I’m betting on Thomas Gardner. He’s really much more than I initially thought.”
“Ed, we have the switch installed. You can teleport Bobby on board and I’ll complete my scan.”
“Computer, bring Captain Cor back on board.” Ed
die looked at Janie, “Both you and Bobby are captains; who has seniority?”
Bobby appeared on the bridge, as Janie smiled, “I do, Sir. My scores at the academy were slightly higher.”
Bobby heard her response and chuckled, “Bragging again, are you?”
“No, the Admiral asked me who had seniority. I simply answered his question.”
Bobby turned to Eddie, “Sir, she didn’t beat me by a small margin; she earned her rank fairly.”
“Ed!”
“Yes, Bong.”
“I’ve found something of interest.”
“What is it?”
“A dead OA.”
Eddie jumped up out of his chair, “WHAT?”
“Look at my thoughts, Ed.”
Ed focused and saw what Bong was seeing. The large OA stretched out on a huge table was clearly dead. There was a ten-inch hole in the middle of it. “Bong, look around that lab and see if you can find the weapon that killed it!”
“There are no weapons in this room. I looked around the moment I saw the dead OA.”
“Computer, teleport that creature where Bong is located to our landing bay. Bong, you need to get back on board.”
• • •
Bong instantly arrived on the Nightmare’s bridge. Bobby appeared an instant later. Eddie took the controls and lifted the ship off the moon’s surface. “Sir, there is an OA probe close to the main planet.”
“I saw it, Captain Roberts. I think Tag is going to be able to use that probe. We’re headed back.”
Bobby teleported to his station in the rear of the ship and took his chair, as the Nightmare jumped out of the destroyed civilization’s universe. Eddie saw Janie staring at the probe on her monitor and Eddie smiled, “Don’t worry; you’ll get your chance.”
Janie turned to him and sighed, “I don’t know if I’m really hoping for that. The OAs are a really dangerous civilization.”
Eddie nodded, “Yes, they are.”
Janie saw his expression and asked, “But?”
“They killed Cali. I will find a way to make them pay.”
Janie nodded and turned back to her console. Eddie was struck by how much she looked like Cali from the side. Eddie turned back to his panel and missed Cali again. It felt like it happened a few moments before and he felt his sorrow take him to a place in his mind he hid to weep. He stayed there all the way back to Kelen.
• • •
Tag parked his ship above Ross and teleported to the Kosiev as the three-psychic-warships arrived and parked in orbit. Danielle stood up and greeted him with a small kiss and then she sat down. Tag saw her tight lips and said, “You still don’t want me to do this?”
Her expression changed as she forced a smile, “I made an agreement, Tag.”
A line appeared between his eyebrows, as he slowly sat on his chair. “Danielle, just tell me that this doesn’t have to be done and I won’t go! Making you feel this way is not something I want to do.”
Danielle’s eyes closed for a moment and then she opened them, “I just can’t deal with you doing this without me.”
“Do you really think this must be done, Danielle?”
Her expression changed slightly, and she nodded, “We must find out if they are vulnerable to psychic energy and if they have a dimensional drive. I just wonder if we’re rushing to find out. It could be centuries before they find us.” Tag opened his mouth to respond and she interrupted him, “I know, I know! We’re putting all our apples in the psychic warship basket. I know all the good reasons to do this, but I find myself searching for reasons to not do it.”
Tag reached across and took her hand, “Because you won’t be with me, right?” Danielle nodded. “Then we’ll both go.”
Danielle’s eyes widened, and her expression showed her surprise, “Are you sure, Tag?!”
“No, but that’s what we are going to do.”
“We need to make some announcements before we go. It could cause a delay.”
“Have you decided?”
“I have.”
“Then get everyone together and make the announcements.” Danielle nodded and hoped her decision wouldn’t cause mayhem.
Chapter Fifteen
Danielle and Tag sat on their thrones in the giant chamber and watched the Senior Leaders of the Realm teleporting in. The Senior Admirals were already present, and Eddie felt uncomfortable among the others. Admiral Thompson extended a hand and smiled, “It’s good to have you with us. I understand you’ve made some remarkable discoveries to help us.”
“Thank you, Admiral. This is the first time I’ve been to Ross.”
Marc swept his arm around the room, “This place can be very intimidating. However, there are good people here and both of us need to relax and know the Realm is in good hands.”
Cassie smiled and extended her hand to Eddie, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Admiral Taylor. My parents have said noting but great things about what you’ve done.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
James and Annette Robbins arrived from Bristone and took a seat in the front row. Sprigly arrived and sat down, as the Algean Elder DEC held position above the castle. JP and Rose teleported in and, after they went to the thrones and hugged Tag and Danielle, they took their seats beside James and Annette. James turned to Rose, “What’s going on?”
“I have no idea. This meeting was just announced this morning.”
Jimmy and Lola appeared, and Rose and Cassie ran over to hug them. They asked what was going on and discovered no one knew. They came and sat down next to Rose and JP.
The final attendees arrived, and Danielle smiled but did not stand. “Everyone remain in your seats. Tag and I have some announcements to make and this meeting will be conducted informally. If anyone wishes to speak, please, don’t hesitate to express your thoughts. Danielle took off her crown and an orderly walked over and took it from her. That simple act made everyone in the chamber extremely nervous; something big was going to happen.
Danielle turned back to the gathering and said, “The first announcement involves Jimmy and Lola Pickney Gardner.” Jimmy and Lola stood up. “No, keep your seats, please. These announcements are not written in stone and might change before the end of this meeting.” Jimmy’s brow furrowed, and he saw Lola was also bothered by what Danielle said. Danielle smiled at Jimmy and Lola, “I made you our successors to the New Stars Realm Throne in the event something happened to Tag and me. You will no longer be the chosen successors to the throne.”
The silence in the room was deafening. Danielle waited and, finally, Lola said loudly, “WELL, THANK CRATION FOR THAT!!”
Danielle’s smile disappeared, and her face showed her surprise, “I was afraid you’d be angry about this.”
Jimmy was still chuckling at Lola’s remark and he turned to Danielle, “We’ve been struggling with a way to get you to remove this burden from us.”
“Burden?” Tag replied.
“Yes, burden. We were forced to not take part in the war with the Yellow Civilization because of that decision. We’re also not allowed to take part in any combat operations and that has frustrated us more than either of us can express. We’re warriors and our places are fighting for the survival of the Realm. Thank you for doing this.”
“If they are not the chosen successors, who is?” James asked.
Jimmy leaned forward in his chair and looked at James, “I can answer that.”
Everyone in the room stared at Jimmy including Danielle and Tag. Danielle said, “Let’s see if you do. Who will it be?”
Jimmy turned to Danielle, “Someone that is the natural successor to the throne. Rose and JP will be your successors.”
Rose and JP jerked their heads to Jimmy and heard Danielle laugh. They turned to her and she said, “Very good, Jimmy!”
Rose stood up, “We are not…”
Tag interrupted her, “You will do your duty, Rose.”
“But why us?” Rose replied.
Dani
elle raised her shoulders, “There’s several reasons, Rose. Please sit down.” Rose sat down, and Tag saw the King of the Bristone Empire was also upset by the announcement; JP was his successor. “First, Jimmy is right. The normal Royal Succession is the eldest child of the ruling monarch. That is, you, Rose.”
“But…”
“Don’t even think you’re not really our child!” Danielle said firmly. Rose closed her mouth. Danielle continued, “But there’s another reason as well. The Realm is facing a new enemy that we might be fighting centuries from now. Jimmy and Lola have normal lifespans and will be long gone before this war is over.” Danielle paused and chuckled slightly before continuing, “You don’t have the memory of this, but I’m sure you’ve read about it. You abdicated the crown to Tag, when the Realm was confronted by the threat of the Spiders long ago. You insisted the Realm needed someone to lead it until the war was won…or lost. That logic was sound then and it’s sound now.”
Danielle looked out at the gathering, “Do any of you have any issues with Rose being my successor?”
The room was silent, and it was finally broken by Sprigly, “I, for one, am ecstatic to hear this. If something did happen to you and Tag, Rose would be the perfect choice to hold the Realm together.”
Danielle smiled, “Be honest everyone. Do any of you have an issue with this?”
Rose and JP turned around and looked at the gathering. They jerked around when they heard James say loudly, “I HAVE AN ISSUE!”
“What is that?” Danielle asked.
“JP is my successor.”
Danielle stared at James, as Tag said, “And unlike the last time, when the Bristone Empire and the Stars Realm were united by a marriage, this time the Royal Couple will have extended lives and not die leaving the Royals to fight over who would follow them.” Tag paused and then asked, “Or do you not want them united under one rule?”
James stared at Tag for a very long moment, before turning to JP, “What do you think about this?”
JP shrugged, “If I succeed you, I will be King of the Bristone Empire here or there. It will be our children that follow Rose and I that will truly unite both.”
“And with their extended lives, that won’t happen for a very, very, long time, King Robbins,” Danielle said softly. “It will allow both the Realm and Bristone Empire time to grow together into one entity.”