“How long do I have before I must go?”
“I am here to tell you to go now.”
The Red Being looked at the messenger and said, “I will prepare my ship and go.”
“I think that is wise.”
“There was nothing you could do, Father?”
“Not without endangering myself, Son.”
“I hope they enjoy the show.”
“I’m sure they’ll be watching.”
“Like they are now?”
“Exactly.”
“Brother, one of them is coming.”
Matt jumped up from his chair, “What should I do?”
“Take your ship and meet him at the barrier.”
“Should I bring all of the ships?”
“No, just the one; they can probably see through the barrier enough to see what happens. We should keep our numbers hidden as long as possible.”
“How many ships do they have?”
“Many, as you saw in your visit to their home.”
“Where should I go to meet the one coming?”
“You’ll see it.”
Matt felt the contact disappear, “Melanie, we have to go; the conflict is about to begin.”
“I’m going to leave AG with Kalara. Give me a moment to say goodbye.”
“I’ll meet you on the ship.” Matt hit his bracelet and appeared on the small ship’s bridge. He sat down in his chair and felt the ship power up. He looked at his display panel and thought, “Where is the demon?” He saw the orange ship moving through the space between universes and could see that it was moving at a rather deliberate speed. “Melanie, we need to go.”
Melanie appeared on the bridge and took her chair, “I just didn’t want to leave her. I’m sorry.”
Matt reached across and took her hand, “I understand. Are you ready?”
“Yes, is that the one coming on the display?”
“Yes, do you have any suggestions?”
“I sense the ship is telling me to power the links between our chairs; I’ve never done that before.”
“Then I guess it’s time, love.”
Melanie thought a moment and then put her hand in the indentation on her left chair arm. The ship emitted a low frequency that rapidly built and grew higher in tone until it passed the range of human hearing. As the tone rose the ship grew brighter until it radiated blue light bright enough to be seen on the planet’s surface. Matt looked at the oncoming Demon ship and thought, “Go to meet him.”
The ship disappeared from the orbit above Ross and reappeared out at the border of the universe. They saw the blue field ahead of them and followed it as the universe expanded. “It should be here shortly.”
“Do you know how to use the weapons on this ship, Magic?”
“There’s only one weapon, Melanie. I use my mind to activate it. You have control of the defensive screen.”
“I have it at full power. Are you going to activate the device the spiders put in?”
“No, if this ship can’t handle one of the Demon’s small ships then we are all doomed. I don’t want to show it to them on first contact.”
“What’s your plan?”
“We’ll see if it can break through the field. If it does, we’ll fire on it.”
“Are you going to try and communicate first?”
“What would I say?”
“Perhaps ask it to go away.”
“I think that in this particular conflict we should face these beings in the interest of all life.”
“And go against all that we hold to be true. Will we be the ones to start this war?”
Matt shrugged, “Ok, let’s see what happens. However, we will not use telepathy to communicate; I’ve seen what happens when you allow them in your mind.”
“I’ll use the ship’s system. I don’t want to ever feel them in my mind again.
The orange energy ship came closer and saw blue barrier around the universe approaching as the universe expanded. Just before it made contact with the blue field the Red being heard, “Would it do any good to just ask you to leave and not come back?”
The Red Being stopped his ship and backed away from the approaching blue field maintaining a hundred thousand mile separation. “That depends.”
“Depends on what?”
“On whether or not you remove this barrier and allow this universe to go back into its normal dimension.”
“Let’s just assume we did that; are you saying that you would then leave this universe alone and not send the species you develop to kill life into it.”
The Red Being flinched, “So you are the one that detonated the recording machine.”
“Of course, weren’t you able to see us do it?”
“Uh, actually no; but we knew whoever did it was in this universe.”
“You haven’t answered my question.”
“We will leave you alone.”
“If you will leave us alone, why don’t you just leave us here? It seems you want us to remove our barrier so you can attack us.”
“If we want to attack you we will. You cannot stand up to us.”
“Perhaps you’re right; however, I must warn you that should you attempt to cross that blue barrier I will be forced to take action to prevent your entering. I’ve seen what you do to species that you create. If you have such little regard for them I’m certain that you will have even less for any others.”
“I will destroy you if you do anything to inhibit my movements.”
“Just like all the other millions of civilizations that you have sent your created species against.”
“Your destruction will be much worse than those suffered; that I promise.”
Melanie broke in, “You have murdered them because you fear what might come from them.”
The red being jerked, “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes I do; I can see it now. Your species is frightened that another species would develop and would be powerful enough to destroy you. It is that paranoia that drives you. Before you continue to make threats that you are uncertain about, I would recommend that you turn around and leave. If you try to come through our field, we will kill you.”
The Demon felt fear, “Many have thought they could and are now all dead.”
“I notice you haven’t moved toward us since we began this conversation; you are uncertain about our power or you would have just ignored us. Your actions give you away. Are you the one who designed the eight legged creatures?”
“Yes, I am. Did you kill them?”
“Did you find their bodies?”
“They are here in your universe; your question gives you away. I will take care of them as well.”
Matt felt his rage build; this was the one that caused all the deaths, “We are through communicating. Do as you want; you’ve been warned.”
The Demon could see a bright blue glow behind the blue field and assumed that is where the being that was communicating was located. He jumped around the universe to the other side and started forward but saw the bright blue glow in front of him. He stopped and jumped to another place and saw the blue glow again. He made a series of fast jumps and every time the blue glow appeared in front of him. “Quit wasting time and go kill that insolent being.”
The Demon jumped. The Elders had been listening in and now there was nothing to do but go into that universe. He set the field around his ship to match the universe’s energy and moved forward and hit the blue field… and bounced off. He strengthened the field and moved forward again and bounced back. He moved away from the blue field and then flew faster into the blue colored field and penetrated a small distance before being pushed back. “If you come at this barrier again I will fire on you. I will not allow you to experiment with how to get through.”
“Go to full speed and hit that field, now.”
The Demon shook his head and backed away and flew full speed toward the barrier. Just before he hit it a bright blue bolt of light c
ame through the barrier and hit his ship causing a massive explosion. When the light from the blast diminished, the orange ship was hanging still and flickering. It had been reduced to little more than the room the Demon occupied. He hit the jump button and disappeared. He reappeared in the dark galaxy and called for help. Several support creatures ran up and lifted him out of his ship and dropped him into a cocoon in his lab. He stayed conscious long enough to remember the blue light that struck his ship and demolished every layer down to the last one protecting the command cabin. His skin burned from the exposure to the bright light and resulting explosion; the pain was incredible. He felt the cocoon turn on its healing lenses and he closed his eyes in blessed relief from the pain and slipped into unconsciousness.”
“Your son was not very effective.”
“He did what he could.”
“Why didn’t he take one of the bigger ships?”
“He and I thought you wanted him to take his.”
“I did; he still could have asked and I might have allowed it.”
The Red Being said nothing.
“Now we know where our enemy is located. We will go and kill them with all our ships.”
“All of them?”
“Yes, we will take no chances of failure. I will notify everyone that we will be going in three nems. Make sure you are ready.”
“I will have my ships ready.
“Melanie, why did you pull the punch on that ship?”
“He was sent here to see what we are capable of doing and I didn’t want to give them anything. It still almost totally destroyed his ship.”
“Yes it did; I’m surprised at how much effect our shot had at one hundredth power.”
“That was a small ship, Magic. I’m certain they have larger vessels.”
“I think it’s time to gather the crews. It won’t be long before they return.”
“I’ll send the word out.”
“Thanks, take us to the psychic ships; we’ll wait there for everyone to come.”
“Tommy, we have been ordered to report to our psychic ship.”
“I’m ready when you are.”
“I’m worried about the Kosiev; it knows I’m going into battle without it. I can sense its unease.”
“I’m sure it knows what’s happening. It just doesn’t want to lose you again. I really think this ship loves you almost as much as I do.”
“Maybe more; it might not listen to reason like you would. I’ve powered it down and ordered it to wait for my return. I hope it listens.”
“Me, too; I don’t want to see it hurt by the Demons; that orange energy could destroy it.”
“I know. I’m sure it will stay.”
Tommy and Cassandra teleported away from the Kosievs’ bridge to their new ship and left the bridge deactivated….until a light came on in the sensor array. The array aligned itself to the edge of the universe where the psychic ships were gathered and remained locked on that region of space. The weapons console suddenly lit up and began running self tests on the ship’s systems. The Kosiev disappeared.
“Citizens of the Stars Realm, our war with the Demons has begun today. We have fought off one of their ships but we know that their fleet will be coming soon. Please think about our brave warriors who are confronting the enemy and wish them success. We will keep you informed about what happens. If we lose, please make plans to try and hide from them. Use the teleport systems and do all you can to survive; we are doing all we can to protect you.”
Matt sent a thought to the Reg, “Brother, can you tell me how the Demons will enter our universe?”
“They will have to use all their ships at one location to break thru the psychic barrier we have made. That is where you will have to hold them off. If you can destroy enough of their ships, they will delay their entry until a later date. You must not let them break thru the corridor they attack.”
“Are we strong enough to win?”
“We don’t know; all of our visions stop at this moment in time. We believe that the future from this point forward is undetermined. It can go either way.”
“Do you have any suggestions as to how we should meet them?”
“No, you are the warriors.”
“Thank you, Brother for helping us.”
“It is something we had to do.”
Chapter 13
“Attention all Psychic Ships. We are going to organize into five groups of a hundred ships in each group. The command vessels for the groups will be as follows: the center will be commanded by Tommy and Cassandra Gardner; the right of Cassandra will be Rose and Chris Gardner; the left of Cassandra will be Thomas and Danielle Gardner; the left end of our formation will be Anglo and Jenny Gardner; Melanie and I will have the right end of our formation. The command ships will place themselves behind their hundred ships and move to support wherever needed. I want your fields extended to their maximum power and each ship will overlap their screens. If we lose a ship, then extend your screens to cover the gap. I know that the power will be reduced but we cannot allow breaks in our formation. Once your fields are extended, I will lock all of you into Melanie’s board and she will jump our formation to stay in front of the Demons. You do not need to focus on where we move; we will handle that for all of us. Are there any questions?”
“Yes, how do Fly Girl and I move into our ship?”
“I don’t know, Al. Perhaps if you just move next to it and make contact it might make the move for you.” Matt watched as Al and Fly Girl approached their ship and moved slowly forward and touched the ship’s hull.
“We’re in; we’re teleporting our ships to a safe location.” The two Alpha ships disappeared.
Matt thought privately to Al and Fly Girl, “Where is Junior?”
“He’s with Stem and Petal’s seed. They are going to Atlas and Diana to start their training.”
“I hope Atlas and Diana are up for the effort. Those two should be a handful.”
“You have no idea; junior has already exhausted our libraries.”
“How do the two of you like being in one ship?”
“Matt, this is the greatest feeling I’ve ever had; I love being this close to Fly Girl.”
“Me, too, Matt, this is wonderful.”
“Take this time to familiarize yourself with your new ship.”
“Already on it.”
“Good, Al; I’ll see you after the battle.”
“Count on it.”
“Jenny, do you feel like I forced you into being with me?”
“Oh, Anglo, don’t be ridiculous.”
“No, I mean it. I pressured you a lot.”
“Silly, I was already trying to figure out how to get your attention before anyone said anything. I couldn’t be happier.”
“Thanks, Jenny; I love you.”
“We have time before the Demons come; let’s make good use of it.”
“Oh, Jenny, come here.”
“Rose.”
“Yes, Chris.”
“I feel so unworthy of having you.”
“Why, because I’ve been a queen?”
“That’s part of it. You’re just so beautiful and your mind is extraordinary. I am so thankful you chose to be with me.”
“Chris, that decision was made millions of years ago. You are what completes me and don’t sell yourself short; you are a powerful psychic generator.”
“I’m still not sure what that is, Rose.”
“I am able to use psychic abilities to a very high level; you understand that don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Well you have more psychic power than I do. When we are linked, I can use your power to make my abilities more than ten thousand times stronger. You are the power that will make this ship deadly. You are probably more important than I am in the coming battle. Without you, I wouldn’t be strong enough alone to survive.”
“Then we need each other, Love.”
“More than you will ever know. I’ve needed you my whole life a
nd I didn’t know it. Now my life is complete. No matter how this turns out, the time we’ve been together has been the best of my life.”
“And mine, too.”
“We just have to make sure we win. I want to enjoy this for a very long time.”
Tag looked at his board and then said to Danielle, “We are practically one person now.”
“Yes, Love, isn’t it great?”
“Yes but there is something you must do during the upcoming battle.”
Danielle could hear his concern, “What is that?”
“Part of my talents revolves around being able to see places where we won’t be in the line of fire. When you see a dark shadow around us, you must move the ship into it. Time will also slow down and we’ll be moving much faster than the ships around us. I’ll be busy with the weapons and I have to depend on you to keep us safe. Can you do what I’m asking?”
“Yes, I’ll make sure we move toward the psychic shadows you see. You just make sure you use your weapons effectively.”
“I only have one weapon that is some kind of beam. I’m sure I’ll be able to target the enemy. You keep us moving.”
“I will. I still look forward to retirement.”
“Are our ships ready?”
“Yes, they are.”
“Is everyone prepared?”
“Everyone but the one healing from the first contact.”
“Why is he not here?”
“He is still unconscious; evidently the blast did more damage to him than we thought. His skin has regenerated but evidently his brain was shocked severely by the blast. He is unable to fly any kind of ship.”
“I was going to make him lead the attack. Losing a tool is unforgivable. Could we put him in a ship and push it at the barrier ahead of us?”
“It would be a waste of a good ship and he’ll just get in the way.”
“Ummmmm, perhaps you’re right. He would probably just slow us down, the incompetent fool. When he wakes you should eliminate him; he’s your son.”
“He is your grandson.”
“Don’t remind me; he’s an embarrassment.”
The Demon lay in his cocoon listening to the conversation. He was conscious but had disconnected the dial from the neural reader so no one could see. He was angry to the point where he almost came out and attacked his family. Then he calmed down; there was no such thing as family in his species. He thought about that as he remembered the feelings of the two in the blue ship that had nearly killed him. He saw that both of them would gladly give their lives for the other. Why would they do that? He decided to watch what happened and decide what to do after the battle was over. He knew his ship was no match for the blue ship and this was a battle he was happy to witness from the sidelines.
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