by Saxon Andrew
“For what purpose? I intend to put myself up as a sacrifice to prevent them from finding the rest of you.”
“Do you honestly think they won’t see us if they come here?”
“They won’t if you choose not to be here when they arrive.”
“What do you mean?”
“Simply move to that large spiral galaxy moving toward ours. Stay there until the invasion plays itself out. If the Invaders take this galaxy, stay in the other galaxy.”
“We should prevent their planned invasion.”
“I’m not sure we can. They’re much more advanced than the species here and they have a weapon that is dangerous to us. Our counterparts in the other galaxy are much older, more advanced than us, and as far as I can tell, more powerful. If we reveal there are more of us than just me, you place all of you in danger.”
“Why don’t you run as well?”
“I’m the one they detected when I saw their conduits moving from galaxy to galaxy in the cluster furthest from us.”
“You know it’s forbidden to look outside our galaxy for this very reason.”
“It was only a matter of time until they came here. They would arrive during our lifetimes.”
“You should be exiled for what you’ve done.”
“If you leave, I will be.”
“So you’re just going to allow them to invade without resistance?”
“Have you not looked at what’s been done by this planet I’m staying near? They’ve advanced at an incredible rate technologically and I do hope they are at least able to make it a fight.”
The Leader said, “What do we choose?”
“There is no reason for us to be put in danger.” Voices began shouting agreement and the Leader said, “So the consensus is to leave until this issue is resolved!?” Silence slammed down and finally a single voice said, “It is.”
The Leader looked at the Sentinel, “What about the Fellowship and their disputes?”
“I will handle them.”
“Can you do it alone?”
“Any of us could.”
The Leader continued focusing on the lone Sentinel, “We will leave at once. Inform us of the outcome.”
“If you don’t hear from me, I’d recommend you not return.”
Pat listened and heard nothing. The Sentinels had fled the Milky Way. Good, they’d only get in the way. He thought for a moment and said, “All members of the Fellowship. Our galaxy is currently under attack from a highly advanced species in a distant galaxy. The Welken, Myot, Johan, and the Primitive Planet are currently working to try and prevent their successful taking of our home. You may attack each other and do whatever you choose among yourselves but I will punish any of you that interfere in the efforts to save your worthless lives.” Pat looked at Earth and saw the fleets were arriving from the massive disruption and he thought about what could be done to delay the arrival of the Invaders. Suddenly he noticed it was quiet. Peaceful silence was bliss. His species could talk incessantly not really saying anything. This silence was worth dying for. So was this planet.
• • •
Lukas sat in Fleet Operations and watched the recordings being sent by Admiral Barber’s Scout Squadron. The Invaders had a high-speed missile that they used in the void. It was also clear their beams would require more than half the reactors to withstand them. It appeared the only real advantages Earth had was its ships were faster and the rotary shells would penetrate their force fields. Something was going to have to be done about those missiles.
“Lukas, this other species in that galaxy is perplexing.”
“Why is that, Salud?”
“They appear to be working together against common foes. Will they join the Orange Ships in attacking our galaxy?”
“I have no idea. Their ship did not chase our battleship into the domain of the Orange Ships. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re working together.”
“But they did contact them and give them our ship’s location.”
“That’s something we just don’t know enough about to make a solid judgment. When Trevor and Amanda arrive, try to get them to come by here before they go home.” Salud nodded and looked at Jinks as he entered the huge room. Lukas shouted as he went over to the tactical monitor, “Looks like you had a blast!”
Jinks shook his head, “You and your puns. I’ll be over in a few minutes.” Salud stood up and lifted her wrist unit. She knew Lukas wanted more ships with the void cannon installed on them. Right now, Willow had the only working model. Everyone in the cavernous room stopped what they were doing as Pat made the announcement to the Fellowship Civilizations. That should draw a bruise on someone. Salud shook her head, where were the other Sentinels?
• • •
Lukas looked at his panel, “Sir, the Welken and Johan Rulers wish to speak with you.”
“Put them through.” They appeared on Lukas’ panel and the Welken Royal said, “I suppose you heard the Sentinel?”
“I did.”
“We’ve been receiving numerous calls from the civilizations in the Fellowship wanting to know what is going on. It would help if we had something to show them.”
Lukas looked at his secondary screen and turned back to them, “I’m sending you the information one of our Scout Squadrons collected in the other galaxy. I’m including what caused the massive disruption in the void outside the Myot Civilization.”
“You did that?”
“We did. The Invaders were about to start sending their ships and we were forced to blow up the conduit they were coming through.”
“Did that stop them?”
“For the moment.”
“Please send it to us. We’re all wondering what’s going on.”
Lukas reached over and pressed several buttons, “They’re on the way.”
The Royal smiled, “Thank you.”
Lukas panel went dark and he leaned back in his chair. The three allies were continuing to send battleships to Earth to use against the Invaders. Should they be allowed to participate in the fight? Jinks walked over and pulled up a chair. “Jinks, should we allow the Fellowship to take part in the fighting?”
Jinks tilted his head as he said, “I’m going to assume you mean after we modify their ships.” Lukas nodded. “I don’t think they can be trusted, Lukas.” Lukas opened his mouth and Jinks held up his hand, “However, I just saw an image of ten million warships lined up to come here. There’s no way we could have stood up to that number.”
Lukas nodded. “We’ll discuss this among the Leadership Team later. We have close to a third of a million battleships sent to us by the three Allies. Let’s get them modified and discuss it then.”
“Why are they continuing to send them?”
“I think they’re of the opinion that they can handle the Fellowship with the ships we modified and sent them. They’re sending more in hope we can hold off the Invaders.”
“We need to get another Dark Matter Converter out to the Magnetar. We’re not keeping up with the numbers being sent.”
“What about the crews, Jinks?”
“We have more than enough volunteers waiting for a position on Earth but they’re all newbies with no battle experience.”
“Perhaps we need to move some of the experience Pod Pilots into the Battleships.”
“If you’re going to do that, they’ll insist the computers in their Pods be moved into the battleships. It could be replaced in their Pods with a new one that could bond to the new Pilot.”
Lukas stared at Jinks, “Is this something we should do?”
“The battleships are going to be the heavy hitters. I believe we should.”
“Make it happen, Jinks.”
“I’m going to move Chad’s entire fleet into battleships.”
“I think that is an excellent idea. Julie should also be moved.”
Jinks nodded and stood up, “You’ve just given me six months of work. I hope you’re happy!”
“More than you know. See you
later.”
Lukas leaned back in his chair. Something had happened to the Sentinels. He thought about what Pat had told the Fellowship Members and decided the Sentinels had to of left the galaxy. They would never allow the Fellowship free reign to attack each other. For that matter, Pat wouldn’t either. Why did he give them freedom to do just that? He blew out a breath and knew why. Pat wanted them working on technology to take on the Invaders after Earth was destroyed. His announcement along with the recordings he gave to the three Allies would scare them senseless. They would come together to fight them. But they would not be allowed to help in the defense of Earth. Humans were the sacrificial lamb being offered up to give them time to develop tools to fight. That meant he should give them their technology before Earth was attacked.
“When should I send them our technology?”
“Any time you want. You just need to make sure they have it before the end.”
“So you still think there will be an end.”
“They lost ten million warships but that is just a small loss to their total number. That is what will make the difference in the end; there are just too many of them.”
“But they have to move them here.”
“I will concede that point. They are already beginning the process of building another conduit.”
“We know how to stop that.”
“It wasn’t defended last time. You can count on it being protected the next time around.”
Lukas saw Salud walking across the room toward him and he smiled. “We just have to make sure they’re dying for space. We won’t give up ours without making them pay.”
Salud came into his arms and put her head on his chest. He closed his eyes and pulled her close. Pat said, “That will give the other civilizations time to build defenses against them. Time is the best gift you can give them.”
“I’m not in a giving mood. They can worry about themselves. Right now the only thing I’m worried about is in my arms.”
Pat smiled and knew that was the difference maker in what was coming.
The End
Books by Saxon Andrew
The Annihilation Series:
Love Conquers All
The Power of a Queen
A Rose Grows in Weeds
Tommy’s Tale
Searcher
Demon’s Sacrifice
Finding Keepers
Prequel-Psychic Beginnings
Searching for a Hero
Dahlia’s Deception
Ashes of the Realm:
Juliette’s Dream
Greyson’s Revenge
Death of an Empire
The Return of the Realm
Lens of Time:
The Pyramid Builders
Planet Predators
Pray for the Prey
The End of Time
Star Rover-The Worst of Time
Star Rover-Running Out of Time
Lens of Time-Chosen To Die
The Fight for Creation
Life Warrior
Scout Warrior
Ultimate Warrior
Star Chase
The Lost Prince
Nowhere to Run
Nowhere to Hide
Probe Predators
Jesse’s Starship
Mike’s War—
Joshua’s Walls
Nemesis
Revenge is Best Served Hot
The Search for Orion
Trapped in Time
The Time Takers
Taming A Planet
Exinction
Escape to Earth
Running From Fate
Fighting for Space
Coming Soon
Defending Holy Ground
Also an audiobook at Audible.com
Love Conquers All
The Power of a Queen
A Rose Grows in weeds
Tommy’s Tale
The Lost Prince
Copyright © 2015 by Saxon Andrew. All rights reserved. Screen Writers Guild no. VQEA3E380432.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the author or publisher.
First Electronic Edition: March 2015