Celesta reports, “Gabe, I’m detecting over a dozen ships approaching from the Paladonian system, and from my best determination they are Rooke and Tof ships.”
Benton sighs, asking, “Iurie, about this colony you’re trying to protect, you know that even if you defeat this wave they’ll just keep coming back.”
Iurie groans, saying, “We are tired of running, tired of hiding. We simply want to be left in peace.”
Celesta, reviews the data, reporting, “Gabe these rogue colonies are against Caleb’s prime laws. They worship Caleb, and that is against one of his prime laws.”
Iurie scowls, responding, “We do not worship Caleb as a god. We accept that he is the man who is responsible for our very existence, and we have dedicated our lives to follow his ways, and if that means we must die, then so be it.”
Benton, ever so bluntly states, “Look Iurie, Caleb hasn’t stopped your people from doing what they are doing, but you know your people freak everyone out. Even Caleb couldn’t understand why you would sacrifice so much to be like him.”
Iurie annoyed, says, “Caleb created this following way back in the early days of the Tof colony when he saved thousands from one of the Tof secret police kill squads. He proved that he cared for us and that we were important to him. My ancestry dates back to that very fishing village itself. He gave us all-purpose. My family taught me from the very beginning that we are only here because Caleb saved us, and we have a debt to pay back. That debt is greater than any one of us.”
Benton unconcerned, replies, “Ok kid look, I don’t get what your people think and to be honest, I don’t really care much either, but you’re gonna have to move that colony.” Benton pauses, thinking. Cale will probably kill me for this, but I believe the greater good for everyone is if these people get as far away as they can. “Finally, he says, “Look, Caleb has a few hidden colonies out in the Triangulum galaxy. He’ll be pissed that I told you about em, but I think your people will be safe there.”
Iurie mutes his holocom while he discusses Benton’s proposal with members of his crew. After a few minutes he speaks, “The journey to the Triangulum galaxy is a long a difficult one. It will take us many years to reach that galaxy, but if what you say is true, and Caleb did seed the worlds out there with other humans, then perhaps we will be welcomed.”
Benton, unconcerned replies, asking, “Yeah, great kid, how long will it take you to pack up this colony and move it out?”
Iurie thinks for a moment and answers, “It will take us many weeks to prepare for this long journey.”
Celesta then responds, “That fleet will be here in a few days, and I’m detecting more ships coming from Earth. These are more than likely Black guard vessels. They will probably be under the belief that you still pose a threat to the timeline.”
Gabe rubs his hands across his face, saying, “Ok Iurie I’ll babysit you and your people until you get your asses headed out into deep space.”
Iurie smiles, bowing his low responding, “We thank you great leader.” Iurie cuts the com.
Gabe rubs his hands over his head in frustration, saying to Celesta, “Celesta, contact both fleets as soon as they are in range, tell em to back off, or I’ll start blasting them to bits. The nut-jobs are under my protection.”
Celesta becomes curious, asking, “Sunshine, why didn’t you ask him how he knew to use that cloaking frequency to hide from me?”
Benton exhales, saying, “Celesta, there was an in-depth investigation, and it was believed that these nut-jobs were behind it, but we found out that the Tof may have actually been behind it. Regardless of who was responsible, we know that a lot of your systems were exposed to them, and I’m sorry Celesta, but we can’t put a finger on who is to blame.”
Celesta although a machine has a sense of human emotions as she states, “So Sunshine, you’re telling me all my private business could be in the hands of either the Tof, the Rooke’s or these nut-jobs as you are so fond of calling them?”
Benton sighs, saying, “Sorry Celesta, but yeah, that’s a definite possibility.”
Celesta unamused, replies, “Well, if all that happened was my bloomers getting exposed I guess we got lucky, at least I didn’t hurt anyone. If I had been used to hurt someone I’d have a hard time accepting that.”
Benton, cautiously answers, “Yeah, lucky thing.” Benton is fully aware of all the information on how Celesta was used to kill hundreds of Bentonians, and is very thankful that Caleb had the foresight to hide this information from her.
For almost a month, the followers of Caleb pack and load their people possessions, and their entire lives, all into several transports, as Benton stands guard. The Black guard learns the truth of the Rooke and Tof’s treachery, and assist in protecting the colony with Benton.
Finally, the followers take the coordinates of the human colonies and head out across the void. Benton finally returns home, after almost a year. As a reward for his hard work and dedication to his duty, he is unfortunately rewarded with the news that Catherine has left him returning to Whitefeather. For over one hundred years and several children, their marriage survived, unfortunately Benton dedication to duty has once again left him alone.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CLOSING DOORS
The year is fifteen hundred, one hundred, and fifty years since Benton’s return. Benton, now alone has recently become ever more difficult to deal with. His mind becomes ever more damaged from living so long. Aware of his deteriorating condition he is brought by force to the moon of the First ones by the Black guard.
Benton shackled and bound screams, “Why don’t you just let me die. You know you want me dead you big ugly lizard.”
Allie stares deeply at Benton and says to all telepathically, “I do not do this for you Gabriel, I do this for father. I will heal your mind, but in time, you may need to return to me again and again. Each time the process will take longer to restore your mind, and each time it will only last for a few centuries until I can no longer keep the madness from you.”
Allie Immediately rips into Benton’s mind. She restructures his emotions, as she is able to heal all the pain he has suffered while still leaving him enough to maintain who he is. We as humans learn from our pain. Allie removes the majority of his pain, which was amplified by Catherine leaving him, and restores happier memories. She maintains this process for several hours, as it is a delicate and precise operation.
Finally, after hours of Allie rebuilding Benton's mind she stops as Benton, sweating, and drained, looks up at Allie, saying, “Allie even though you’re as ugly as sin, I still love you.”
Allie annoyed, states, “And you’re still fat.” Allie looks over Benton, who is weak and can barely sit up, stating, “Gabriel, the time is fast approaching when you must leave the Paladonians, but you may need to return at least one more time for me to restore your mind again.”
Benton, exhausted shakes off the effects of his mind probe. He sits back, stating, “Celesta has plotted a time rift in null space, which should get me through the years, and back to my time.”
Allie responds, “We have also studied the different rifts and although you should be able to travel hundreds of years, the rifts are still unstable and unpredictable, they may dissipate from time to time. The unstable rifts complied with the effects of being in null space will once again cause damage to your mind, and you will need to return much sooner. The Black guard will be installing a recall device, which will allow Celesta the ability to override your commands brining you back here should you become unstable again.”
Benton confused, asks, “What do you mean being in null space will damage my mind?”
A Black guard member steps forward, he is a Sephillo. He turns to Allie and bows. He respectfully turns to Benton, stating, “We recently began construction of a safe house for Allie within the confines of null space. As such, we have been mapping the different time rifts in and around this area of null space. General Benton, we have been able to discover multiple
side effects of prolonged exposure to these time rifts, one being an increase detrition of the mental synapses within the human mind. This is already an issue that you have been suffering from, and we predict that it may even amplify the detrition of your already damaged mind.”
Benton annoyed, states, “So, just because you think it might happen, I’m supposed to let you have full access to Celesta, just in case I go crazy. Sorry bub, but I’m not really feeling that, especially after what happened last time you Black guard folks had knowledge of Celesta. Hell, you dweebs nearly got her destroyed.”
Allie, sternly responds, “Only I shall have knowledge of the workings of the override commands Fatso, and no one alive can get that from my mind.”
Benton smirks, adding, “No one alive as of today.”
Allie, then points out, “You have once more created turmoil within the Paladonian moons. We have the Tof hiding more advanced technology in their outer colonies, as well as the Rookes building up their military once more. I feel your departure will be a welcome relief from the stress you often create.”
Benton unconcerned states, “If it was up to me, I’d turn both those worlds back to the Stone Age, but Caleb wouldn’t let me.”
Allie reluctantly states, “As much as it pains me to say so, I do agree with you, but father feels that the antagonistic nature of both of these worlds will one day add to the betterment of the Paladonian people as a whole, nevertheless, I disagree with father about this. One day I see the Paladonian people at each other’s throats, and it will be the Tof and Rooke’s behind it. Even now, we have recently repelled several intrusions into our world from both Tof and Rooke spies. Each faction sent them to steal future tech, which we have contained. I fear that once you are gone, we will have no choice but to isolate ourselves from the rest of the Paladonian’s”
Benton curious, asks, “So what about the Flower stone? You know that you can’t deny passage to the damn thing. Caleb promised all descendants of the original survivors the right of long life.”
Allie, aggravated by this states, “The Flower stone’s gift of long life is one of much conflict amongst the people of Paladonian moons. Close to twenty million have been gifted with this long life and it will increase to over a hundred million by the time the Paladonian people expose themselves to Earth, and once more a few selected Earthers will also be allowed access to the stone. The human race is far too young to deal with this privilege, and eventually this may cause another reason for a war amongst your race. Nevertheless, I will ensure the birthright continues, but notwithstanding of that and that alone, we will no longer be part of the Paladonian people. We will however be keeping the restrictions on future weapons technology that Caleb has asked us to keep. And until the day Carla can finally steps in and unite the human race by defeating the Meli, on that day, will we be once more called Paladonian.”
Benton unconcerned, says, “Blah, blah, blah, you sure know how to talk for such an ugly lady.”
Allie, able to read Benton’s true thoughts responds, “Fatso, I’m still linked to your mind, and I know you will miss me. I can assure you, that I will enjoy my time from you to its fullest.”
Benton laughs, as he leaves, heading back to Celesta.
Several weeks later, Benton prepares in secrecy to head out into the null space-time rifts. He spends his final days with his children, grandchildren, as well as multiple great grandchildren, and even makes several visits to Catherine, as he tries to continue a positive relationship. Over the hundred plus years of their marriage, Benton has become a grandfather multiple times over. His overall relationship with Catherine has made for a strong bond between the Bentonian moon and the Whitefeather moon.
During one of Gabriel’s final meetings with Catherine, she senses Benton’s distant nature and that mixed with his current actions by spending time with the family, makes her ask, “Gabriel what are you doing?”
Benton beams, as he looks at her, saying, “Catherine, I know I was a lousy husband, and a terrible father. I know I can never make up for that. I guess I wasn’t made to be a man tied down, but I hope you’ll always know that you were very special to me.”
Catherine, quickly becoming upset, asks, “You’re leaving again, and this time you’re not coming back?”
Benton shakes his head reluctantly, saying, “Not in your lifetime, or any of my children’s. I’m sorry Catherine, but I have to do this.”
Catherine, visibly upset states, “I know all too well what it is you must do, but why do you have to do it now? You will live for hundreds of years; can’t it wait?”
Benton sits beside Catherine placing his arm around her and says, “You are the only reason I’ve stayed as long as I have. I found a way to get back to my time years ago, but I couldn’t just pick up and leave you.”
Catherine leans into Benton sobbing, she asks, “Why did you stay so long for, I left you?”
Benton smiles, as he holds Catherine ever so tightly, saying, “You didn’t leave me Catherine. I pushed you away, and that was my fault. You are the best thing to ever come in my life, and if ever I could come back and do this all over again, I would do it just for you.”
The two embrace for several minutes, as they watch their family gather.
The next morning, Benton returns to Celesta quietly preparing for his meeting with the council on the moon of the First ones. The ship leaves orbit and prepares to travel to the moon of the First ones when Celesta reports, “Gabe, I’m detecting a radioactive anomaly in the shift drive room, I believe that it may be an explosive device.”
Benton concerned asks, “How could a bomb get planted on the ship?”
Celesta confused replies, “Sunshine, I don’t know how it got there, just that it wasn’t there before, and now that I’m doing a more detailed scan I can tell it’s tied itself directly into the shift drive power core.”
Benton hastily grabs his shift cloak, and races down to the shift drive room. He quietly moves down the corridor, until he sees an automated drone attaching itself to the power core. He contacts Celesta and asks, “Celesta can you see the drone?”
Celesta perplexed replies, “No Gabe, all I see is a radioactive source. It appears to be shielded from a more detailed scan.”
Benton groans, saying, “It looks like whoever made this must have had detailed info on your internal scanners and made this so you couldn’t easily detect it.”
The drone stops, as it detects Benton and activates its weapons systems. It quickly moves towards Benton, as it begins to power up its radioactive payload.
Celesta reports, “Gabe, whatever that thing is it just activated a buildup of which I’m sure is a thermonuclear in nature.”
Benton wraps himself in the shift cloak, shifting just far enough away from the drone, so as not to be considered a threat to it, nevertheless, keeping it in visual sight. He hurriedly measures the drone and realizes that it has no weaponry on its back. He calls out to Celesta, saying, “Celesta I’m going to grab this thing and shift it directly out of the ship. The second I do, I want you to shift us right into null space.”
Celesta alarmed, says, “Gabe that is very dangerous, you could be killed.”
Benton impatiently yells, “Just do it!” With that Benton shifts behind the Drone and grabs onto it, shifting it straight out into deep space. Benton’s cloak only allows for a moment of protection in deep space, and quickly shifts back to Celesta. The moment after Benton shifts back too Celesta, he passes out from the strain of the space jump. Celesta follows Benton’s orders, shifting directly into null space just as the drone reaches critical and explodes.
Several minutes later, in the chamber of the council leaders, word has reached them all of the Celesta exploding while shifting. The council is all in shock. All but a few that is, as a very old Amiel, the council leader from the moon of the First ones glares at everyone, yelling at the rest of the Council, “This was an obvious assassination of Council leader Benton.” He immediately stares at the Rooke and Tof re
presentatives and angrily says, “From this day forward our world is off limits to all.”
Durand stands up and yells, “You cannot deny our children their right to the Flower stone.”
Amiel scuffs, stating, “We will allow direct descendants only passage to the Flower stone. Now be gone all of you. We will begin closing off our world within the hour.”
The council members are in shock as hundreds of armed guards enter the room. Amiel just stares at them, saying, “You have less than an hour until we seal off our world.”
The council members race outward to their ships as they see a blue energy field begin to encircle the moon. With an hour, the field envelops the moon as the final council members leave.
Elsewhere, well within null space, Benton wakes. Exhausted and fatigued, he rolls over, asking, “Celesta, are we alive?”
Celesta is programed to be almost human, as she responds, “God, I hope so, because I know you’re not going where I’m going.”
Benton laughs, asking, “Ok, that’s funny, so where are we?”
Celesta replies, “We have just entered the time rift. We are currently riding well within this wave, and from my best analysis a single day in here, is equivalent to five years out in real time, this is by far the strongest rift I’ve encountered. We will be back to your timeline in just a little more than one hundred and fifty days.”
Benton recalling what he was told by the Black guard says, “Celesta, the Black guard installed an override within your system to take control should I become unstable again. If that happens, you may need to confine me until you can get to the moon of the First ones.”
Celesta, happily responds, “No problem Sunshine, you know how much I love to send you to your room.”
Benton smirks, saying, “I love you too Celesta.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
NEW BEGINNINGS
The Ocoda Chronicles Book 5 Paladonians Page 16