by Saxon Andrew
“My name is Vring and I’ll be showing you around our world. You’ll spend the night at our main nesting site and I’ll bring you back tomorrow.” Vring furled his wings and lifted off the ground. Cassie forgot her home sickness and held on to the saddle tightly. Her heart was beating furiously and she never felt more alive than this moment; this was the perfect way to start her life on Bristone.
Chapter Ten
Root took his time teleporting out of his home galaxy to the Milky Way. He needed the time to completely meld with his new hybrid-mind. He finally completed the process and decided that there was no reason to delay any longer.
He arrived in the Milky Way, expanded his senses, and examined the giant galaxy. He remembered the planet he was searching to find was not near the central black hole. The focused the DEC part of his brain away from the galaxy’s core and saw thousands of industrialized planets. He focused on them at an incredible speed and examined each one carefully. Algeans have an amazing ability to look out for light years and see what’s out there. But this new hybrid-brain made that ability pale in comparison. The small vessel he was in didn’t have any coordinates from the Milky Way and he kept his focus on the examination of civilized planets. Finally, he found one that had a brilliant energy signature around it. He focused closer and saw one of the industrialized planets was glowing brightly, with some kind of protective energy field surrounding it. He teleported to the planet and saw it wasn’t what he was searching to find. He quickly determined there were a thousand-planets with that field around them.
Ummmm. He began looking at each one and, four-days later, he found what he was looking for; the giant castle on the planet’s surface was the giveaway. He set the coordinates in his teleportation drive to arrive a safe distance out from the planet and pressed the jump button.
• • •
Lt. Bo Pusser’s alarms went off and he activated his armor as he jumped his Prime out to the location of the scanned vessel that had just emerged a hundred-thousand-miles out from Ross. He arrived and shouted over a communicator that broadcasted over more than a million frequencies, “YOU HAVE ENTERED RESTRICTED SPACE! YOU WILL LEAVE IMMEDIATELY OR YOU WILL BE FIRED ON!!”
Ordinarily, Bo wouldn’t have issued a warning; he would have just opened fire destroying the small vessel; but this small ship was unarmed and didn’t pose a danger. It didn’t even have a force field.
Root heard the pilot and responded over the ship’s electronic communicator, “I have come here to request an audience with Queen Danielle Gardner.”
“Sorry, the Queen doesn’t accept visitors.”
Root thought hard about using telepathy and used the creature part of his mind to scan the space around Ross. There were no other creatures anywhere near the planet. He focused his mind and sent a tight thought to the pilot, “My name is Root. I humbly ask you to inquire if the Queen will speak with me.”
Bo’s eyes flew wide open…an Algean was piloting that small vessel. He didn’t have a clue on how to deal with this situation. No one had heard anything from the Algeans for years. He struggled with what to do and, finally, decided. He turned the frequency control to one he never dreamed he’s ever use. Bypassing his commanding officer might be questioned but he decided the risk had to be taken. “Stand by!” he said over his communicator and then he pressed the frequency.
“Why are you contacting us, Lt. Pusser?”
“I have a situation that I felt was important enough to contact you directly.”
“What issue is that?”
“I have intercepted a small personal ship that teleported in a few moments ago. The ship is being flown by an Algean and he is requesting to speak with Queen Danielle.”
“Are you positive it’s an Algean?”
“I am. He used telepathy to contact me.”
• • •
Danielle was sitting on the bridge, while Tag was questioning her, “I still don’t understand why you cut your hair.”
“Tag, it’s gotten so long that putting a space helmet on is almost impossible. It was this length when you first met me, don’t you like it?”
“You’re still beautiful, I just like the way it fell around me when I hug you goodnight.”
“It’s still shoulder length and makes a good ponytail.”
“Why did you really cut it, Danielle?”
“I guess it takes me back to when I first met you. It makes me feel younger.”
Tag smiled, “Then, I love it.”
“WE HAVE AN ISSUE!” they heard Grace suddenly announce over the wall speaker.
Danielle looked up, “What’s going on, Grace?”
“A Prime Pilot just contacted me on an emergency frequency notifying me that he intercepted a small ship that teleported in to our system. He says there’s an Algean on board requesting to speak with you.”
“What kind of ship?” Tag asked.
“It’s a small personal starship, normally used by a single family.”
“Are you sure it’s an Algean?”
“Lt. Pusser says it used telepathy to contact him. He reports there’s absolutely no doubt it’s an Algean.”
Danielle glanced at Tag as she ordered, “Grace, launch a sliver and tell Sprigly I need him here immediately! Tell him what’s going on and get him moving. Also contact the Prime Pilot and tell him to have the Algean to stand by until we figure this out. Tell him to tell the Algean to cease using telepathy until we get back to him.”
She was still staring at Tag and he lifted a shoulder, “No, I didn’t see this coming. I have no idea about what to do about this.”
“What do your senses tell you?”
“Nothing, Danielle. I have no sense on what to do about this.”
Danielle felt a small fear begin to form in the pit of her stomach, “Then this must be a Creational Event.”
• • •
The sliver arrived in the Communication Center and Seedel downloaded the data. As she read it, her leaves turned crimson in shock, “SPRIGLY!!!”
“WHAT, WHAT?”
“An Algean has appeared at Ross and Danielle has ordered you to get to the Kosiev immediately!!”
“WHAT IS IT DOING THERE!?!”
“Asking to communicate with her. I’m going with you!”
“Teleport to my ship. Make sure you get a replacement in the communication center!”
Seedel looked at Captain Sarala and thought forcefully, “YOU HAVE THE CONTROL CENTER!”, just before she disappeared. Captain Sagala looked at the message and immediately contacted the Emperor. James quickly contacted Sprigly, “I want to know what’s going on!!”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I make that determination, Your Majesty.” The contact abruptly ended and James knew Sprigly had jumped into the Realm’s Universe. What was going on?
• • •
Rose stood up at the end of class and Cassie sprung up right behind her. Rose was furious about her parents agreeing to accept Cassie into her family. She had too much to do to put up with a provincial kid that stuck to her like a hawk on a rabbit. But she had no choice. This was certainly going to put a damper on her privacy and plans. Now she had to keep things hidden from someone else and her ability to communicate with JP was also compromised. This was maddening. To make matters worse, Cassie was placed in the same classes she was taking. Now she had to baby sit the brat at school.
“Rose, you’re only a little more than a year older,” JP thought to her.
“That year makes a huge difference, JP. We need to discuss what we saw in the transfer and I have no privacy to do it. Every time I gaze off into space she wants to know what I’m thinking…I’m about over this!!”
“Just be patient, things will settle down.” He reassured her.
“Easy for you to say; you’re not a fulltime babysitter.”
Rose walked out of class with Cassie trailing along behind her. Suddenly, she noticed her little shadow wasn’t with her. She turned around and spotted Cassie surrounded by
three-older-classmates. She walked back and heard Alexandra Robbins, a distant cousin of the Emperor, say, “You don’t belong in class with us! You’re nothing but trash from Ross; You should go to the Dean and demand to be moved!”
“Is there a problem?” Rose asked.
Alexandra jerked her head around to Rose and sneered, “You don’t belong either. Both of you should get out!”
Rose saw Cassie was getting angry and smiled, “You’re probably right about me, I don’t have your pedigree. I’m reasonably certain you’d probably win a dog show, because you’re a real bitch.” Alexandra’s face turned bright red and Cassie burst out laughing. Alexandra turned to Cassie with a dangerous expression as Rose commented, “It might interest you to know that Cassie is the adopted daughter of Tag and Danielle Gardner, making her a Princess of the Stars Realm. Emperor Robbins put her in this school at their personal request.”
Alexandra’s face turned pale as Cassie nodded. Rose moved to within an inch of Alexandra’s face, “I won’t need them to handle you. If you are impolite to Cassie again, you won’t be pretty enough to win a pig show. You got that! Treat me like you want, I could care less. But you better back off Cassie!” Rose flipped Alexandra’s hair off her shoulder, as she turned around, “I imagine the Queen won’t take kindly to your behavior. Come on Cassie!”
Cassie turned to follow Rose but stopped and went back to Alexandra. She wound up and hit her square in the jaw with a solid right-hand cross and dropped her like a bad-habit. Alexandra fell to the floor and her two-friends left her lying there.
Rose smiled, “Nice punch!”
“The twit deserved it. I appreciate your taking up for me but I think I can handle my own problems.”
“Cassie, you’re just so…”
“Small?” Cassie interrupted. Rose shrugged and nodded. “I was undernourished during the time of the mobs on Ross. I hope I’ll eventually catch up on my growth.”
“What was that like, Cassie?”
“No one had enough to eat, Rose. It was a constant fight to find something to keep us alive. You learned to fight or you died. That big mouth Alexandra is soft. She’s all mouth.”
“What about your parents? What happened to them?”
Cassie’s expression changed and she lowered her eyes before looking at Rose, “They were murdered by the Government’s Red Warriors at Castle Gardner. They were protesting the dismantling of the Castle’s defenses and they were vaporized by a blaster beam.”
Rose stopped and looked at Cassie, “Why wasn’t I told about this?”
Cassie shrugged, “Rose, everyone has a horror story to tell. Mine isn’t that different from millions of others. I’m not that special.”
Rose hesitated and responded, “My life hasn’t been a horror story.”
“Then consider yourself extremely fortunate, Rose. However, from observing your reactions when I’m around, I think you see your life as being a horror story now.”
Rose’s eyes widened, “I’m sorry, Cassie. I’ve been terribly rude to you.”
“It’s ok, Rose, I’ve invaded your home without your consent and changed your life drastically. I know that must be hard to take. I’m sorry I’ve made things difficult for you.”
Rose sighed and began to see Cassie differently, “You now have my full permission to join my family and things will change.”
“Thank you. By-the-way, why are you hiding your psychic abilities?” Rose’s eyes and mouth flew wide open and Cassie quickly said, “No one else knows; I’ve not told anyone.”
“And how do you know!?”
“Rose, I just spent a lot of time around two of the most powerful psychics in creation. They exhibit certain behaviors when they’re using their talents. It’s especially clear when they’re using telepathy. Their eyes aren’t focused on what’s around them, for example. I often see you talking with JP telepathically. He’s also developing psychic skills but not as quickly as you.”
“Cassie, it is absolutely imperative that what you know remains a secret, even from your parents.”
“Just tell me why I should do that.”
“The survival of our universe depends on it. If Tag and Danielle learn about me too soon...” Rose hesitated.
“All is lost?” Cassie asked. Rose inhaled deeply and nodded. “I’ll keep your secret, Rose. Just don’t keep me in the dark about what’s happening.”
“Do you swear?” Rose pressed.
Cassie nodded, “On my dead Parents’ graves. I’ve seen your heart and I see it’s good.”
Rose reached out and hugged her tightly, “I’ve so needed someone I can talk with about this.”
“What about JP?”
“He can’t know what’s going on until a critical moment arrives.”
Cassie smiled, “Perhaps I’m sent here to help you deal with this.” Rose tilted her head while studying Cassie closely and wondered if she could possibly be right. They walked into their next class and it appeared the revelation of Cassie being the Gardner’s daughter arrived before they did; even the instructor treated them differently.
• • •
Sprigly and Seedel teleported directly from their ship to the Kosiev’s bridge, “What’s happening?!” Sprigly asked the second he appeared.
“Relax, the Algean is waiting in its ship a hundred-thousand-miles out from Ross,” Tag replied. “Do you see a problem with bringing it here?”
“There are several things that could happen that aren’t good.”
“Such as?” Danielle inquired.
“My species is incredibly quick and strong. It could cause a lot of damage in a short time frame. I also wonder how you’re going to move it here.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tag, that ship it’s in won’t be able to move through the Coronado Field. That means you’ll probably have to move it here on a Prime. It could overcome the pilot and use the ship to attack Ross.”
Danielle started pacing in front of her chair with her head down and, after a moment, she turned to Sprigly, “Then, you will take a Prime out and bring it here.”
Sprigly’s branches turned red, “WHAT?”
“I’m going with you!” Seedel announced loudly.
Sprigly looked at her, “That won’t be necessary. Our species doesn’t attack each other.”
“Tell that to my dead parent’s, Sprigly. I’m going with you!!”
Danielle tilted her head slightly, “She makes a good point. The two of you should be able to handle it, right?”
Sprigly turned to Danielle and raised his branches, “I guess so.”
Tag smiled, “Well then, hie thyself hence and retrieve yon Algean, Sir Sprigly.”
“Cute, Tag!” Sprigly snapped.
“I can sometimes pull it off. A Prime is awaiting your presence in the landing bay. Take the steed and go on your quest.”
“You don’t seem worried about this, Tag.”
“Hey, it’s just one Algean, Sprigly.”
Sprigly and Seedel disappeared from the bridge. “Tag, one Algean is still dangerous,” Danielle commented.
“I know, Danielle. But we have two of them.”
“I guess.”
• • •
Sprigly and Seedel boarded the Prime and Sprigly thought, “How can Tag be joking at a time like this?”
“Do you sense a problem?”
“I don’t know what to think, Seedel. Who sent this one here? The Senior Elder has to know Danielle won’t do anything to help his galaxy.”
“Maybe the Senior Elder didn’t send him,” Seedel suggested.
“Get real! No Algean would come here without the Senior’s approval.”
“But Sprigly, it told the Pilot that it wanted to speak with Danielle. It didn’t say it was delivering a message.”
Sprigly lifted the Prime off the landing bay and moved it toward the bay door. His branches turned slightly brown and he glanced at Seedel, “You’re right. That really doesn’t make sense.”
> Seedel moved next to him, “We’ll soon see. I don’t think it would be a good idea to take him to the Gardners without questioning him first.”
“That’s why we’re here.” Sprigly flew the Prime through the Coronado Field, entered the Algean’s coordinates into his drive, and pressed the teleport button.
• • •
Root sat on the small ship and focused on his twin in orbit above the Kelt Planet. He saw a gathering cloud of creatures forming in the distance. Root thought, “They sense something is different in us.” His twin silently agreed.
“What are they going to do?” the Algean-half asked.
“Come here and find out.”
“Can we handle this? If they move to the planet, every surviving Kelt on the surface will die.”
“Don’t know.”
Root saw another warship arrive beside the one holding position beside his vessel and thought, “Contact me if something happens.” His twin agreed. Root shook his branches. Being in two-different bodies and minds simultaneously took some getting used to. He forced the images from above Kelt out of his mind and focused on the new ship that just arrived.
Sprigly used his electronic vocalizer to announce over the frequency, “Why did you come here?”
The voice surprised Root, “You must be Sprigly.”
“I am. Who sent you here?”
“You do get straight to the point; no one sent me. I came because I felt the need.”
Sprigly glanced at Seedel and then responded, “I am teleporting you on board my ship. We will continue this conversation here.”
Root suddenly appeared on the Prime’s small bridge and saw the female of his species, “My name is Root, who are you?”
“My name is Seedel. I am a direct Seed from Weed and Seed.”
Sprigly interrupted angrily, “She is the adolescent the Senior Elder was trying to kill to prevent his treachery from being revealed.”
Root shook his branches slightly, “That is a rather embarrassing moment in our history.”
Seedel’s branches lowered in anger, “Embarrassing? You see it as simply embarrassing!? How would you describe the assassination of my parents?”
Root raised his branches, “I was talking about the effort to kill you. Assassinating Weed and Seed, now that is a dark blotch in our history. However, all of us have dark moments in our past.”