Wesley stood, “You trust her to just give herself up to die?”
Maranda looked at Wesley, “I killed June. I must pay for my sins. You may not believe this, but I know you are a good man. I’ve tried to hate you because of your weakness but that was the poison my father put in me. I destroyed your happiness and I deserve to die. I will die for my crimes. That is the only way I can prove to you that I am truly sorry for what I did. You never deserved what happened. You and Carrie should have been left to your lives.”
Carrie watched her and lowered her head, “She means it.”
“BC, are you on the channel?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You’ll need to bring Kreej, have him scan Wesley’s fleet, and give him the ones that are Talben’s lackeys. Once that’s done, we’ll send Kreej back home and await the arrival of the Ultras.”
“Who’s, going to watch King Varner’s Fleet to make sure he doesn’t attack Bristone?”
Scotty looked at Carrie and Wesley and said, “No one.” Scotty continued staring at Wesley, “You know what you have to do. Now all of you should get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day. You need not worry about Maranda. She will pay for her crimes. Anglo will teleport Jess into your landing bay tonight.”
The next morning the fleet assembled above the planet, and Ntwer watched as the troops were moved to the fifteen ships. “That’s a lot of soldiers.” Finally, they were all on board and the Fleet moved out toward the jump limit. Wesley waited until they were close, then he hit his console and contacted Talben, “Your Majesty, I have managed to save your daughter.”
“You’ve what?!?” Talben said in shock.
“I sent some of my elite scouts and they were able to make an escape with her. They were unable to find Jimmy. I am still going to try and rescue him. Is your fleet ready to join me?”
“We will arrive a few hours after you. Go ahead and start in-system; we’ll catch up.”
“Thank you. Maranda refuses to return to Criston. She was abducted from my capital and says she will feel safer under your protection. I am going to send her to you, if that meets with your approval. She’ll arrive in a shuttle shortly.”
“That’s fine. I’ll make sure she’s safe.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Ntwer watched a large black shuttle leave the King’s ship and jump away from the fleet. King Varner appeared on his display, “Commodore Ntwer. I’m depending on you to protect our people. Are you sure you have enough ships?”
“We have plenty, Your Majesty. Good luck and come home safe.”
“Thank you, Commodore.”
BC asked Kreej, “Were you able to determine which ships are Talben’s?”
“All of those with the Commodore are loyal to Talben. The Bendriz is also one of Talben’s. It’s leaving with King Varner”
“Have you notified Varner?”
“Yes, he also knows the names of ninety sailors on his other ships that are Talben’s.”
“Ok, your task is done. Anglo?”
“Yes?”
“Send Kreej back home.”
“Good-bye, BC.” The Zord disappeared from BC’s cargo bay.
Scotty looked around the throne room and made a decision, “Anglo?”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“I want to jump over to Talben’s planet and go to his throne room. Can you scan a place to send me?”
“Standby.”
Jingo and Grang stood up. Jingo said, “What are you doing?”
“I have to make sure the King attacks. I’m not certain Maranda will cooperate.”
Grang said, “I’m going with you.”
“No, you’re not. Your duty is here. Once the Ultras arrive, this room is going to be attacked. You three will hold this room against any attempts to enter.”
Grang didn’t like what he was hearing.
“Anglo, how many are in Talben’s throne room?”
“Just two.”
“I suspected the King would not trust many in his presence. I can handle two. All of you know it. So settle down and do your jobs.”
Jingo sat down on the King’s throne, “Ok, if you go and get yourself killed, who succeeds you?”
“As of this moment, Michael and Carrie.”
Both of them said, “What?!?”
“I trust your hearts. Anglo, let’s go before Maranda arrives.” Scotty stepped into a silver screen and disappeared.
Michael looked at Jingo, “I’m not qualified to take his place. You should be the one.”
Jingo smiled and looked around the throne he was sitting on, “Ya know, I could get used to this chair….but Scotty is right: I’m too much the warrior to be our leader. You are the perfect choice. Right, Grang?”
Grang gave a low growl, “No one can take his place. One can follow him; but he cannot be replaced.”
Jingo tilted his head and said, “Wow, you’re right!”
Michael and Carrie just stared at each other.
“Anglo, you need to get back to Criston and make sure BC eliminates Talben’s ships.”
“Scotty, I could handle all those ships alone. BC could do it with every scanner turned off. You’ve never seen the power of a Gamma Ship. Talben can send a thousand Ultras and BC could kill them all.”
“It’s a shame we have to destroy them. They are valuable ships in a universe without teleportation.”
“BC?”
“Yeah, Anglo?”
“Scotty wants to keep some of those Ultras. Do you think you can make that happen?”
“Sure, as long as the crews aren’t all suicidal.”
Scotty thought a moment and said, “If you can make that happen, do it. However, do not endanger the population.”
“I won’t.”
“BC, I’m serious.”
“Trust me; I’m a Gamma.”
“I’m the showoff, Scotty. He’s quite capable.”
Scotty tilted his head and thought, “I hope you’re right.”
Chapter Thirteen
Talben looked at Petlu, “What do you think about this development?”
Petlu shrugged, “It shouldn’t change your plans. It just means you have to find another way to eliminate her.”
“I know. It’s a shame those flying creatures didn’t do it for me.” Talben paused, “Why is she coming here?”
“It’s probably like Varner said; she doesn’t feel safe there.”
“Have you set up the little surprise for that wimpy daughter?”
“We’ll handle that after we take Varner’s kingdom. We’ll arrange a ship accident when we send her to our new planets as an ambassador.”
“Works for me. Make sure that husband and baby are with her.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
Jess arrived at the jump limit and accelerated toward Brandon. “We’ll arrive in three hours, Maranda. You might notify Ashley to meet us at the spaceport.”
“I will, but only when we’re thirty minutes out.”
“That’s cutting it close.”
“My Father will stop her if we try it sooner. I’m sure she’s being watched.”
“You’re the boss, but I think I know another way.”
“How?”
“Anglo, are you still here?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Can you find Maranda’s youngest sister and family?”
“I’ve been watching them for an hour.”
“Jess, I don’t want you to teleport them in unless you are absolutely certain they will be harmed if you don’t.”
“Why not?”
“I need to persuade my Father that I killed her. It will help me get close to him.”
“Anglo, keep them locked on your board.”
“I will.”
Ntwer received the signal and pushed his com, “We will move in on Criston; all ships form up on me.” The thirty six ships at the jump limit began accelerating in-system toward the planet.”
Wesley watched
his scanner with Admiral Redmit, “Have they sent a signal?”
“Not yet, Your Majesty. We’re five hours in-system so if they are going to attack as you suspect, it shouldn’t be long.”
“Why do you think that?”
““We are expecting his fleet to arrive to assist us. He might be waiting for us to turn around before he sends it, now that I think about it.”
Let’s see if you’re right. Turn the fleet around.”
The three hundred ships received the order and began reversing their course. “There it is, Your Majesty. A message just went out from the Bendriz.”
“Notify the four ships. Are those ninety traitors under surveillance?”
“We have two security officers in the room with all of them.”
Wesley hit a com key. Four ship commanders and a hundred and eighty security officers heard a buzz in their earpieces. “On my command, carry out your orders. NOW!!”
Four ships that were surrounding the Bendriz opened fire, hitting the ship in her reactors and weapon magazines. The ship was blown apart so fast that one moment it was there and the next nothing remained but expanding gas. On ninety ships two security agents pulled their blasters and fired on the sailors loyal to Talben. On one ship, it was the Executive Officer. Once their orders were completed, they notified Redmit.
“All lights are solid, Your Majesty.”
Wesley hit his com, “Officers and sailors of the fleet.” Wesley told them what was happening, and the fleet began to feel the rage of betrayal. When he finished, Wesley ordered, “Get us back home!”
Maranda sent a com to her sister, “Ashley, I need you to come help me deliver some presents to Father.”
“Oh! Maranda; are you back! I’ve missed you so much.”
“I know, I know. Bring Glenn and the baby with you. I want it to be a surprise.”
“What kind of presents?”
“Well, I have all the defense diagrams of Varner’s ships. I’m sure he’ll be happy about those.”
Maranda felt Ashley’s smile disappear. “We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Thank you, Ashley.”
“Your Majesty, you might want to hear this.”
Talben looked up from his display. Petlu played Maranda’s request.
“Should I stop them from going?”
“No, I want those diagrams. Just get them out of here quickly. I should get a signal from Varner’s fleet soon.”
Jess landed on a pad and opened the cargo door. Five minutes later, Maranda saw Ashley, Glenn, and Jenna coming toward the ship. Jenna was eighteen months old and insisted on walking. Ashley came up to Maranda and hugged her tightly. Glenn stood back. It was clear he didn’t like the treachery of giving Varner’s diagrams to Talben.
“Come in and help me carry a few things. Maranda picked up Jenna, gave her a kiss, and tickled her. Jenna screamed with delight and ducked her head into her shoulders. Maranda handed her to Ashley and said, “Ashley, no matter what happens, you know I love you and I always will.”
Ashley furrowed her brow and Maranda said, “You and Glen go pick out the things from those boxes that you think Father will like.”
The three walked over to the boxes and started opening one. Maranda stepped out of the shuttle and hit a lever on the hull. The cargo door quickly closed and the ship lifted.
Maranda heard on her com, “Just what do you think you’re doing?”
“Oh, hi Petlu. My sister is such a wimp. She should never be in the succession for the throne. I’ve sent that shuttle on a one-way trip to the sun. I’ve hated her so long. I hope this isn’t something you wouldn’t want done. If you like I’ll call the shuttle back.”
Talben quickly shook his head. Petlu said, “That won’t be necessary. We’re expecting you in the throne room.”
Talben looked at Petlu, “Please tell me you recorded that?”
Petlu smiled, “But of course.”
Talben laughed, “This is great. One eliminated along with her family, and we’ll kill the other for treason. They’ve made it too easy.”
Petlu smiled.
Ashley and Glenn felt the ship lift and began trying to raise the door. “What has she done?”
“Calm yourselves. Maranda came here to save your lives.”
Glenn looked around, “What do you mean?”
“Maranda discovered from her son that your Father was planning an accident to kill you and your family. She requested the opportunity to come here and attempt to save you.”
“Why wouldn’t King Varner allow her the opportunity?”
“She made the request of the Zord. Because of her, thousands of them were murdered. She is to be executed after she saves you. They delayed it so she could come here.”
Ashley grabbed Glenn, “Oh, no!” Glenn held Ashley tight and wondered if he had misjudged Ashley’s older sister.
“I have opened the corridor to the bridge. You may find the trip more enjoyable if you come in and sit down.”
A door slid up into the ceiling, and the couple left the cargo bay with their baby.
Petlu had a screen watching the shuttle accelerate toward the sun. Soon it was lost in the bright atomic fire. “It’s too close to escape the star’s gravity, Your Majesty.”
Talben smiled as Maranda was escorted into the throne room by a guard. Talben nodded and the guard left. “Very nicely done. Sit down and relax.” Talben hit a button on his console and a young girl came in with a tray of drinks and food. She came next to the throne and Talben hit her in the face, knocking her away from his throne. The tray scattered the food and soaked the young girl in red stain. “You call this food for a King?”
Maranda jumped up and felt her rage almost explode, but caught herself. Scotty, watching from the back of the room, loaded an arrow when he saw Petlu move behind Maranda and pull a blaster from his belt. Maranda lifted the little girl, who was crying. Maranda took a deep breath and composed herself, “Would you like me to take this one out and dispose of her? Such a stupid child.”
Talben laughed out loud, “No. Just make sure she doesn’t make the same mistake again. I had to burn the last one.”
Maranda walked the stunned child to the door and motioned two housekeepers in. They cleaned up the mess and another child brought a different tray. “Now, that’s better.”
Maranda looked and saw it had the same items that were on the last tray. Her father enjoyed hitting children. She took a goblet and sat down.
A tone from his communications panel took Talben’s attention. He smiled and looked at Petlu. Petlu came around in front of Maranda and pointed his blaster at her. Talben said, “My child, you have made it so easy for me to dispose of you. Before I do, I want to thank you for eliminating that weak sister of yours. She can’t be from my loins. I also want to show you what I’m going to do to your husband’s capital.” Talben pushed a button, “Ntwer, how far out are your ships?”
“We’re holding station fifty thousand miles out. The planetary defenses can’t hit us here.”
“We’ll take care of them momentarily.” Talben hit another button and he said, “Are your ships ready?”
“Waiting for the command, Your Majesty.”
“Go now and destroy that city.”
Talben turned from his board, looked at Maranda, then nodded to Petlu. Maranda had picked up one of the knives from the dropped tray and was close enough to have stabbed her father. She was getting ready to do just that when she looked into the eyes of the little girl that had been struck by her Father. She wondered how many little girls would die if she attacked him. Suddenly she knew she had lost her opportunity. She stared at her Father and saw Petlu smile broadly just before an arrow went into his forehead. Petlu had a stunned expression, then dropped like a bag of concrete. She heard, “Now, Anglo,” and her father disappeared.
She turned and saw the blond hair warrior standing behind her. Maranda shook her head, “You didn’t trust me to wait?”
“When you picked up t
hat knife, you caused me to worry. Why didn’t you strike?”
Maranda slowly shook her head, “I wondered how many little girls would die if I did. I couldn’t do it.”
Ashes of the Realm - Juliette's Dream Page 26