by Saxon Andrew
“Who is that?”
“That is the former Searcher you had in your fleet.”
“What does it mean, ‘I should know?’”
“I was sent here by King Talben to infiltrate your fleet and assist him in conquering your kingdom.”
Wesley was shocked, “How is that possible? I discovered you three years before June died.”
“I’m sorry, your Highness, but he’s been making plans to take your kingdom for more than ten years. He actually used a subordinate to put the plan in Maranda’s mind. He determined that he couldn’t force her into a marriage. It had to be her idea.”
“BC, why did you assist him?”
“I didn’t want to see billions die. His plan would have taken control and there would be little loss of life.”
“You mentioned brutality on Wesley’s planets. That was being done by Talben’s men?”
“Yes, Scotty. It would have made the transition easier. I know you have cause to doubt my honesty now. But I’ve seen that you are the only one I can follow and keep my principles.”
Carrie looked at Scotty, “What are you going to do? If you have that Searcher in your fleet you can conquer us.”
Scotty smiled at Carrie and said, “You, out of everyone, should remember.”
Carrie furrowed her brow. Michael said, “He promised your father’s safety until this issue is resolved. Obviously, our target is not your father, but King Talben. Until he is resolved, we are sworn to protect your father, and his subjects are included in that promise.”
Carrie looked at Scotty and he nodded. “I learned something. I made a promise when I didn’t have all the facts. I won’t make that mistake again. However, Michael is right. This issue won’t be resolved until I deal with Talben. That means your father is safe until that happens.”
“And then?”
Wesley looked at Scotty, “When the Zord entered my mind and examined my memory, I asked them why they were your citizens. The big one showed me. You could have destroyed the ships I sent to their planet. Why didn’t you?”
“If I removed your fleet, I thought anarchy would break out on your planets. I was given false information by BC.”
“I am so sorry, Your Majesty.”
“You are going to have to work to make up for that, BC. However, you are forgiven. You were doing what you thought would save life. I understand your reasons.” Scotty looked back at Wesley, “I do not condone loss of life when it can be avoided.”
“I saw your bravery defending the Zord against those animals. I’m ashamed that I have not protected my own subjects. I’ve just stayed mired down in my sorrow.” Wesley looked at Carrie and then said, “Can you protect us from Talben?”
“BC, you know what he has to use against us. What do you think?”
“You can defeat him.”
“But?”
“There will be huge loss of life on Wesley’s planets. Talben’s fleet is much larger than King Varner’s. Plus, he has ten of the ancient Ultraships that can jump in close to a planet.”
“Are they kept together in one place?”
“No, they are scattered around his kingdom. He also knows the risk of a facing a Searcher.”
“What do you think he will do if we attack?”
“He’ll send those Ultraships to ten of King Varner’s planets, and threaten to kill every inhabitant if he doesn’t surrender. It was that tactic that made me decide to help him. I can’t get all ten before they kill a planet.”
“Then we have to make him come to us.”
“How do we do that?”
Scotty looked at Wesley and said, “You’ve got to make a call to him and tell him that you were kidnapped and taken to the Zord’s planet. The creatures read your mind and then came and took Miranda and her son. You have got to act distraught. Tell him you are planning an attack on the planet and should he assist you in the rescue.”
“Why would he do that?”
“He won’t. He thinks the Searcher was destroyed. If you leave here with your fleet, he will come to seize control of your capital. Tell him you’ll leave a few ships in the outer system and take the bulk of your fleet to rescue his daughter and grandson.”
“What makes you so sure he won’t go to rescue them with me?”
“He won’t take his ships where he might face something that destroyed a Searcher. No, those that lust after power are consumed by it. He’ll weep for the loss of his daughter and grandson, but he’ll do nothing to save them. Not when he can conquer your kingdom so easily.”
“You could just as easily conquer us if we leave.”
Scotty shrugged.
Carrie said, “You don’t care if we refuse your help. You’re hoping we do, don’t you?”
Again, Scott shrugged.
Carrie turned to Wesley, “He will not conquer us, Father. We should follow his plan.”
Wesley and Scotty were both shocked by her statement. Carrie looked at Scotty, “You believe in the old principles of the Ancient Realm. You made a promise to protect us. If you violate that promise, you turn your back on honor. The Zord would not choose someone with such a lack of honor. You will defend us because you have to.”
Wesley looked at Scotty and said, “That’s why you did not run from the giant animals. You would have lost your honor.”
Michael said, “He is placing the Zord in jeopardy to keep his promise to you.”
“Why do you say that?”
Scotty said, “Because you are going to have to take your fleet to their system. I’m certain the good King has informers in high places in your fleet. He’ll know if you don’t go. I trust you to not harm my citizens.”
Wesley looked at Scotty, “I would never harm them after having seen them. However, what would you do if I did?”
“This planet would be blasted into rubble along with every other planet in your kingdom. It would be a lesson to those that consider breaking their promise to me and endanger those I serve.”
Michael looked at Scotty, “Are you serious?”
Scotty looked at Michael with a hard expression, “The reason the Holy Realm left was because they didn’t have the courage to make the hard decisions that should have been made.” Scotty looked at Wesley, “I have no desire to conquer your kingdom. You can keep your domain and do with it as you please. I will only accept those that act honorably and stand by our core beliefs, even when it’s most difficult. I will ignore you unless you threaten those that are part of our community.”
Wesley and Carrie looked at Scotty, and Wesley knew he was being honest. “Are you planning to create another Realm?”
Scotty smiled, “Yes, and unlike the last one, we will only accept those that beg to be a part of it. Only those that live by our principles will be allowed to join us. You’ve seen the Zord’s mind. They’re a part of our community because they live their honor every day. I’ve seen very little honor in most of those I’ve encountered in your kingdom.”
Wesley lowered his head, “I lost my honor when I ignored what was happening to my subjects.”
“There is no greater dishonor than to turn your back on those you are supposed to be serving.”
Wesley looked up, “I may not have actually killed the Zord, but their deaths happened on my watch. The Zord are wrong. I am to blame for what happened.”
Scotty stared at Wesley and said, “Now you’re seeing things as a ruler should. There might still be hope for you.” Wesley took a deep breath and Scotty said, “Make the call.”
“Before I do, do I get those two back when this is over?”
“Have you lost more than the Zord?”
Wesley hung his head, “No.” He looked over at his communication panel and said, “Do you have any suggestions before I contact Talben?”
“Yes, Carrie needs to be yelling at you to not make the attempt.”
Carrie was startled, “Why?”
“Because Talben knows you don’t like his daughter. If you act any other way he will be susp
icious. You also need to tell Carrie to stay behind and handle things in your absence.”
“Why would I do that?”
“He’ll have a hostage to use against you.”
Wesley shook his head, “How did you know my daughter didn’t like her?”
Scotty looked at Carrie, “Because she has a pure heart. Of all those present, she is one that will keep her promises. She would see through that bitch of a queen faster than the Zord. You should have listened to her.”
Wesley looked at Carrie and said, “I wish I had.” He turned to his communication panel. Carrie had tears in her eyes. She went to Michael and put her head on his chest and waited for her father to make contact with a very evil person.
Michael felt his heat beat faster and he embraced her, “Everything will work out, Carrie.”
She looked up at him and said, “As long as you’re here, I believe it will.”
Scotty looked away and smiled.
Grang saw Scotty’s smile and wondered what he was doing. He shook his head and wondered who would get his next arrow.
Jingo sat on the ground with the two prisoners sitting in front of him. Maranda and Jimmy knew the huge creatures surrounding them could read their minds and know they were responsible for the hunting lodges. Jimmy had soiled his pants and the smell was getting bad. That’s why Jingo had moved away from them.
Bleath looked at Jingo and said, “We should administer justice to these two criminals.”
Jingo looked up and said, “What were my instructions from Scotty? You can read my mind.”
The giant Zord was impatient, but he knew White Hair had said to wait until he arrived. He could taste his desire for revenge. Then he thought about Grang and found himself bothered by the memory of how White Hair had spared him. Bleath felt shame. He looked out at the barely restrained warriors and said, “Your Royal Ruler has decreed that we wait. We will do so even if these two die of old age.”
The warriors felt the power of Bleath’s thought and settled back on their four legs and waited. Maranda and Jimmy hoped he would take his time.
Kreej walked over to Maranda and said, “I am sorry for causing you to come to harm. It was not my intention to do so.”
Maranda looked at the young Zord, “It’s a little late for apologies!”
Zreeg took a deep breath and said, “Yes, I suppose it is. I just think it’s ironic that you suffered the same crime as your current husband.” Kreej turned and started walking away.
Maranda whipped around and said, “What do you mean the same crime?”
Kreej turned back and said, “I looked in the mind of that guard who was assigned to protect you. You know, the big one next to the throne?”
“Yes?”
“Your father had him place an explosive device in your former husband’s ship. He also got your son here to suggest a way for you to get him a kingdom. I just find it, I don’t know, unbelievable at the terrible things your family does to each other. Your son has also heard your father say he was going to kill your youngest sister if she didn’t toughen up.”
Jimmy was hearing the conversation and he started backing away from his mother. She reached over and grabbed his shirt and pulled him close to her. “Did this one know about my first husband’s death?”
Kreej said, “Only after it was done. Your father told him to appreciate what he had done to advance him in the line of succession.”
Maranda looked Jimmy in the eye, “You knew?!?”
Jimmy pushed her hand from him and scuttled ten feet away, “He was always punishing me. He had nothing good to say about me. He constantly ridiculed me among my friends.”
Maranda looked at Jimmy and said, “He loved you more than life itself. He did those things to teach you how to be a man. You’re no better than your grandfather.” Maranda put her head in her hands and wept for what she had become. She looked at Bleath and said, “Please don’t delay. Kill me now.”
The Zord gathered around her looked in her mind. They saw the source of her evil. The father was the one to blame. Bleath looked into Kreej’s mind and saw the guard’s memory. He sent that memory to Maranda. “Here is what happened.”
Maranda saw her husband in his ship getting ready to lead the attack on one of the captured planets. He was sitting in his chair holding a picture of Maranda. He hugged it to his chest and placed it on his console. She heard the Guard say as he left the bridge, “Lift off in ten megrons.” She then saw a bag come into her vision and the guard take out a round, white device and drop it behind the ship’s reactor panel. She watched as the guard exited the ship and hit his com. Her father appeared and the guard said, “It’s done.”
“Good. You will be rewarded.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Maranda came back to the present and felt her heart shatter. He killed Lem! Oh my god, what have I become?”
Bleath listened to her thoughts and then said, “Kreej, why did you show her those things?”
“Great Flyer, I saw a sweet girl in her youth. She was deliberately twisted and broken by her father. She deserved to see what she is before she dies. It will help her accept the death she now feels she so richly deserves. I did it as a blessing.”
Bleath thought about what Kreej said. Perhaps this new generation is becoming something to honor. This young one shows great promise. He looked back at Maranda and felt her misery. He didn’t know whether to be glad she was tormented or not. The White Hair was going to have to answer this issue.
King Talben turned off his communication panel and leaned back on his throne.
“Do you think he’s being honest?”
Talben turned to his most trusted advisor, Petlu, and said, “I think so.”
“What makes you think that?”
“That daughter of his yelling for him not to go; insisting she was already dead. I think he really intends to take his fleet and try to rescue my daughter and grandson. I didn’t think he cared about either of them. Apparently, I was wrong.”
“Are you going to help him?”
Talben leaned to the right in his chair and had a look of disdain, “Do you think I’m crazy? Something in that system killed a Searcher Class ship. I’m not risking my ships.”
“Even to save your daughter?”
Talben shrugged, “We’ll have a state funeral and I’ll accuse Varner of causing her death. Then we’ll take his kingdom.”
Petlu didn’t say anything. Talben looked at him and said, “Spit it out. You have something spinning around in that head of yours.”
“Why wait?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, if Varner takes his fleet out of the Capital’s system, he leaves himself wide open to an invasion. If you insist on him providing half the ground forces for his rescue attempt, he’ll have to take them from the capital. He’s leaving tomorrow. There’s not enough time to gather the troops from his other planets. There should be very little to prevent our taking control.”
Talben listened to the proposal and was about to respond when his communicator vibrated. The call was coming in on a top secret frequency. “Hold on just a moment. Let me see what’s going on here.” Talben hit his connect and saw Commodore Ntwer.
“I’m sorry to interrupt you, Your Majesty, but I need your wisdom.”
“Go ahead, Admiral.”
Ntwer smiled. He had a secret promotion in Talben’s Bluepointe Navy. “The Admiral has given me the assignment of selecting ships to defend the Capital while the King is gone.”
Talben looked at Petlu and asked, “Why did he choose you? Does he suspect you of being one of us?”
“I think the Admiral remembers my defense of the fleet at Gronkin.” Ntwer thought a moment, “If he suspected me, would he leave me in command?”
“How many ships are you going to have?”
“He left it totally up to me. He asked that I not take too many from any one squadron, but to select our best ships.”
“Standby.” Talben p
laced his console on mute and looked at Petlu, “Is this something to worry about?”
Petlu shook his head, “This is a great gift. We have thirty seven ships in his fleet with loyalty to you. Have him select thirty six of them and send one ship with Varner to keep us informed of what’s happening. If there is anything there than can destroy ships, only his will be destroyed. Those ships left behind will prevent any of Varner’s ships from his colonies from interfering with our take over. Our Ultra’s can carry 30,000 troops to Varner’s capital. He’ll come back to a world controlled by us with our ships in charge of the system. We’ll threaten to destroy his colonies and kill his daughter if he doesn’t turn himself over to us.”
Talben thought about Petlu’s plan. “What if this is a trap? What if they know Ntwer is one of us?”
“Your Majesty, would you leave an enemy behind to defend your family? No, this is an opportunity you’ll not get again.”
Talben put his fingers up to his lips and thought about what Petlu was saying. He glanced at the flashing communication panel and reached over and pressed a button, “Ntwer, you know the ships loyal to us. Select all but one of them to stay with you. Petlu will send you your instructions after the King leaves the system.”
Ntwer bowed his head and disappeared from the panel. “Can you get everything set up fast enough to make this happen?”
“Yes, just make sure Varner takes his troops.”
Talben reached for his communication panel.
Wesley Varner looked away from his console and said, “Talben wants me to provide half of the ground forces needed to make the rescue. He said he was going to send thirty thousand. If I sent that many, I’ll only have six thousand left on the planet.”
Scotty looked at Varner and wished Jingo was here. “Anglo, bring Jingo back.”
Jingo appeared and looked around, “You need to give me some warning.”
“Everything ok back home?”
“Yes. Maranda found out that her father had her first husband killed. She’s asking the Zord to kill her.”
Carrie looked shocked, “She loved her first husband. She still has his picture in her room. Serves her right.”
Michael looked at Carrie and she saw his expression, “She killed my mother.”