by Saxon Andrew
“They can instantly return to the place they launched their attack.”
• • •
Michael smiled at the memory and the fine control that was required was eventually developed and the drive was now installed in every new ship that came off the assembly lines. All of the older ships were being modified and most of them were done.
The first ship to have the new Light Drive installed was his. Angelo and Langley were amazed and Jan was overwhelmed at what the new drive could do. Jay and Josey got the second drive and Josey hugged her husband at what he had helped accomplish. She and Budge were married a year after he and Jan tied the knot.
Michael thought about his wedding and smiled. It was originally planned to take place in a small church that had been built in the ruins of Boston. The city was coming back but the engineers insisted that they be allowed to build a small church at the site of the old North Church. Lukas and Salud cried at their choice and Chris told him that they couldn’t have chosen a better place for the ceremony. However, things got out of hand quickly. The ones asking to attend from around the Alliance quickly overwhelmed any capacity of the small church. It was finally decided that only Michael and Jan’s immediate families along with the Rulers of the galaxies that were members in the Alliance would be allowed inside to directly witness the ceremony. Jan refused to move it to a larger venue and Michael supported her in the decision. However, that didn’t prevent anyone else that wanted to be present from showing up and watching it on giant monitors outside. Things almost came unhinged when Allison insisted the surviving members of the family that took her from Earth to Eden be included. Lukas defused the situation when he pointed out that without their actions, half of Michael’s family wouldn’t exist. The whole thing blew over like a small speed bump and the ceremony went off as planned.
Michael leaned back in his chair and thought about how a man’s new bride at his wedding is always the most beautiful image he’ll ever see. He knew Jan was beautiful but that day, she took his breath away. It was all he could do to say his lines and not mess them up. He still held that memory etched into his mind in a way he’d never forget. Their daughter, who was born eighteen months later had her mother’s beauty. Their son looked like him and his grandfather. Lukas and Stoney doted over him constantly.
Everyone was present. Jinks and Sarah got in due to his former Rank. Salud and Lukas along with Eve and her family were present. Budge got in because Michael insisted that wherever he went, his bodyguards went with him. Josey insisted on an escort and since Jay insisted on going alone, it was allowed. Stoney had to hold Kathy the entire ceremony as she cried the entire time. The thousands that skipped in to be present covered an immense area around the Church and more monitors were hastily brought in at the last minute.
But for Michael, there was only Jan.
• • •
Michael thought about his father. He was hiding something. He confronted him about it and remembered the conversation.
“What are you hiding, Dad.”
“What makes you think I am?”
“You won’t take off that thought blocker.”
“Oh, so you want to violate my privacy.”
“No, it’s just…you wouldn’t wear it unless there was a reason. I know you’re not telling me something.”
Chris stared at his son and sighed, “How much do I love you?”
“I know how much you love me, don’t question me on that!”
“Then if I were hiding something, do you not trust that I’d be doing it because of that love?”
He remembered staring at his father for a very long moment and Chris didn’t break eye contact. “Is it that important?”
“It is.”
Michael nodded and shook his head slightly, “If there comes a time where you can tell me, will you?”
“You can count on it son.”
“Then I’m not going to press you, or Allison, about this.”
“Thank you, Michael.”
• • •
Michael kept his promise. But he knew Averel knew what it was. She had a block in her mind and that wasn’t like her. He didn’t promise not to pressure her but he might as well have been trying to stop a tsunami as to get it out of her. She finally told him to get his father’s permission and she’d tell him. That put an end to that. He still had nagging doubts about what it was. He sighed and put it aside. The Monster Warships were arriving in the Pandora Cluster and it was time to move forward. The final confrontation was going to commence and he turned his thoughts on how to fight the war. He looked up and saw Jan walk in. He smiled and stood to greet her, “Keep your seat!” Michael was surprised at her tone. They never argued and this wasn’t like her. He slowly sat down and Jan walked forward and put both hands on his desk and leaned in, “So! I hear you’ve started interviewing candidates to fly with you!”
Michael’s expression showed his discomfort as he thought, “Uh oh.” He was silent for a moment as she leaned in closer. Michael moved one shoulder and said, “I thought you would want to stay with the children?”
“You can stay and I’ll take the ship out.”
“Now you know that’s not possible; I’m commanding the attack.”
“You can do it remotely from home.”
“That’s not possible.”
“Neither is you going without me!”
“Jan, if this doesn’t turn out well…”
“Then our children will be raised by the most loving grandparents on the planet and they will not be less for it. Where thou go, I will follow. Or do your vows mean so little to you.”
“I wondered why you had that one added.”
Jan tried to remain angry but she smiled mischievously, “That was good planning, wasn’t it?” Her frown returned, “You will not go without me!”
“Ok.”
Jan stared at him and her head went back. “That simple, huh?” Michael shrugged. “So you don’t care if I’m put in danger?!”
“Jan, we’ve never argued in the past and you must know I don’t like the possibility of our children losing both parents or I wouldn’t have considered going with another pilot. However, I know you and, now that I understand that insertion in our vows, there’s no sense in arguing. You knew this moment would come and you planned accordingly.”
Jan smiled, leaned forward quickly and kissed him, “I did.”
“Well sit down and let’s discuss how we go about winning this thing.”
Jan came around the huge desk and sat on his lap. Michael shook his head, “How am I supposed to work the controls.”
“I’ll do it. What do you want to look at first?”
Michael laughed and said, “Let’s look at what assets we have to use against them.”
Jan pressed the controls and the huge screen showed the fleets each galaxy had along with the ship types in each. Jan turned and kissed Michael before looking at the monitor. Michael looked at the back of her head and said, “I want to see what we believe the Legends have to use against us.” Jan changed the screen, turned and kissed him again. “Now show me the defenses around our main planets.”
Jan reached for the controls and stopped. She turned and saw Michael smiling, “You haven’t had time to look at this one.” Michael continued smiling and Jan sighed, “Maybe I should sit in another chair.” Michael wrapped her up in his arms and spun the chair. They got back to the monitor later.
• • •
The Legend looked at the telepath on his display and decided that he just didn’t like it. He knew the being could hear his thoughts but didn’t care. “You shouldn’t worry about liking my species; no one does.”
“Other than your own.”
The purple colored telepath laughed, “No, we don’t even like each other either but we know necessity forces us to work together.”
“Then how does your species ever procreate?”
“Raging hormones will make one do things they would never do otherwise.”
&n
bsp; “I imagine that process would be interesting.”
“You have no idea. No one walks away without an injury.”
The Legend felt his disgust and looked away from the screen, “Why have you contacted me?”
“I’ve been asked by my leaders to inquire how much longer you’re going to delay your invasion.”
“You know we’re been building up our fleets to take on the enemy.”
“You can do that for the rest of eternity. At what point do you think you’ll be ready? Your fleets are almost more than you can support now. Do you plan to overwhelm your ability to provide them resources? How many is too many?”
“What are you insinuating?”
“You passed the point of being ready two years ago. Now you’re working to collapse your capability to feed your ships.”
“Why are you telling me this? I’m just one of many.”
“You’re the Senior Elder. I think all the others are waiting for you to make the decision.”
The Legend knew it was right. It remembered the Legend that went insane and his fear of that happening to him still held a high level of fear. “That won’t happen to you. You have enough warships to defend you. The other one didn’t.”
“I will not send my ships away and be left undefended.”
“Go with them and stay out of the battle. It’s time to make your move.”
“And you’re certain none of my tools will turn on me once I’m away from my planet?”
“My kind will kill any of them that even think about rebellion the moment the idea enters their mind. I can continue to bring more of my species in to command your largest warships but I don’t know how many of your tools you want to die to feed us. The daily toll now is quite high.”
The Legend felt disgust again but knew bargains with a demon carried a price. “I’ll notify the others to start provisioning their ships and be prepared to launch within twenty days.”
“Thank you, Great One.”
“You don’t mean it!”
“What?”
“Calling me ‘Great One.”
“Of course I do. I await your instructions.” The Legend wished he could see into that creatures mind but he didn’t have to do it to know it had just lied.
• • •
Hengel sat in his scout hiding behind a dark matter cloud and saw his computer logging the light reflecting out of the giant galaxy he was hanging above. He saw a message appearing on his monitor. He looked at the thoughts the young female scout intercepted and smiled, “Good work, Angalee.” He pressed a button on his panel and instantly appeared above Earth, “Michael.”
“Yes, Hengel.”
“They Legends are starting to form their fleets up to invade.”
“Do you know where they’re going?”
“Not yet. I should have that information by tomorrow.”
“Thanks, I’m issuing a war warning immediately. I need that information before I can make final plans.”
“You aren’t going to meet them in their cluster?”
“I may but I prefer to catch them away from their planets if I can make it happen.”
“I’ll go back and see if I can get you that piece of information.”
“Thanks, Hengel. By the way, I really miss Averel.”
“Our child is more than anyone else can handle. She’s forced to stay with him until he matures a little.”
“I know you’re proud of him.”
“I am but he can be a real pill to deal with. See you later.”
Michael shook his head. The Goran High Leader had told him that Goran children were never as problematic as Hengel and Averel’s baby. He wondered why but had too much to do to get ready for what was coming to really give time to think about it.
Hensel smiled. He wasn’t that bad. “Hensel! Stay out of the Commander’s mind!”
“Yes, Mother! You might want to contact him and tell him that the Legends are going to M-87.”
Averel sighed and knew that her baby was the payback for all of her previous sins. She looked at her seven year old, “Are you sure about that?”
“I am, Mother.”
“And you weren’t seen?”
“No, Mother.”
Averel blew out a breath and lifted her wrist unit. Michael always wore a thought blocker these days. Michael appeared and Averel said, “The Legends are going to M-87.” Michael’s eyes went wide and Averel said, “Contact Hengel and tell him Hensel saw it.”
“MOM!”
“You should have followed his instructions, son.”
“Thanks, Averel. I’ll let him know.”
Hengel received the message and sighed. What was it going to take? He decided to withdraw all the scouts from the Legends’ Cluster. There was no need to run the risk of their taking a scout and learning they were being watched. He had no doubt his son was right. He was just like his mother and could not restrain himself from looking at any and everything that captured his interest. He shook his head and decided that it was senseless to continue fighting this battle. He issued the recall orders and rode the light wave to Earth. They still lived there in the hope that Averel could return to work. It was time they knew when it was a lost cause. He took off his thought blocker and thought, “Love.”
“YES!”
“Calm down!”
“DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR SON HAS DONE?!”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“WHAT!!”
“We’re done fighting it.” There was a long moment of silence and Hengel said, “Could I have prevented you from looking at everyone’s mind around you?”
“Well…”
“Be honest.”
Averel sighed, “Probably not.”
“You know the ‘probably’ doesn’t belong in that answer. I hated it for a long time but I realized something about the time our son was born.”
“What is that?”
“How much good came out of your nosiness as well as how much happiness you gave to others. You were wise in what you revealed. I stood no chance in changing that part of you and our son has inherited that trait from you. I know he’s a good person and we need to allow him to grow naturally. We need to let him be who he is.”
“Father.”
“Yes, Hensel.”
“I’m sorry I’ve disappointed you and mother. I try not to look but I can’t do it. Even with a thought blocker, I still see other’s thoughts.”
Averel jerked her head around toward her son who was sitting in the corner, “You’ve never told us that!”
“I didn’t think it was important.”
“Hengel, can the vampires hear his thoughts and come here?”
“No, Mom, they can’t hear me.”
Both Hengel and Averel were silent. Hengel thought, “Are you sure about that?”
“I am.”
“I mean are you really sure!”
“Yes, Father, I’m certain!”
Hengel thought for a moment and said, “Hensel, I want you to take a look at that Legend that is leading the invasion and see if there’s something I should know.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“I’m sure.”
“Hengel, what are you doing?”
“Be patient with me, Averel!”
Hensel shrugged, “The only thing I didn’t mention was that he’s sending some of his ships to the planet where they first detected a Sentinel.”
“WHAT?!”
‘”Hey, all the Commander wanted to know is where they’re going to attack. That Legend is going to personally take a good look at the planet where the first one was seen.”
Hengel fought for patience and said calmly, “Averel, please inform Michael that they are sending a fleet to where the first Sentinel was detected.”
“Uhhh, Dad, they’re sending five hundred fleets to that planet.”
Hengel fought to not scream and said, “Please tell the Commander, Dear.”
Hengel broke the connection
and Hensel looked at his mother. “Is there something important about where the first Sentinel was seen?”
Averel looked at her seven year old and decided he needed a wakeup call. “Earth is where they saw the first Sentinel, Dear.”
Hensel stared at his mother for a long moment. “They didn’t see it the first time at a planet in M-87.” Averel shook her head. Hensel’s bronze colored brow furrowed and he said, “That means they are coming here and you will be put in danger.”
“Along with your father and you, Hensel.” Averel saw her son blink and in that instant, she saw something come alive behind his eyes. What was it? Hensel stood up and left the room. Averel stared at the door he walked through and refused to believe a seven year old’s eyes could show that much danger. Averel sighed and lifted her wrist unit.
• • •
“Talel, we’re going to have to split our forces.”
“What?”
“The bulk of the Legend Fleets will be going to M-87 and I believe they’ll be going after the Audons that refused to follow the former Legends’ orders. Five hundred of their fleets will be coming to Earth.”
“Why would they go there?!”
“It appears the Head Honcho Legend has some questions about why only one Sentinel was seen here when they know there are many others. It may be of the opinion that they are here hiding from them. Whatever the reason, we’re going to have to defend two galaxies.”
“That means Andromeda and your galaxy will have to take on those coming to Earth and my species will have to join with our forces in M-87.”
“That’s what the geography demands. I’ll be sending some of my forces to join you.”
“You shouldn’t do that, Commander. Your planet is going to be attacked.”
“I have five hundred of their fleets coming here. More than nineteen hundred fleets will be going to M-87. They’ll all be bringing their tools and you can’t handle that many ships without our support.”
“I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but losing Earth will be a much bigger loss than M-87 to our Alliance.”
“I’m aware of that. However, I’m not willing to allow any member to not be defended properly.”
“You should allow the membership to vote on that.”
“There will be no vote. If you are successful against them, then get your backside here. We’ll do the same but we will divide our forces in proportion to the threat facing the members.”