The other captains acknowledged and they saw the Ambulas rise out of the crevice. On their holograms, the enormous ship lifted from the long crevice very slowly. They watched as deck after deck appeared from the horizon of the planet. With the Oberis sitting on the edge of the crevice, the Ambulas towered over the smaller ship. Captain Eisen waited until he saw the fiftieth floor then gave the order.
From their positions, all four battlecruisers fired their forward lasers, each one striking the length of the Ambulas in four different places. Rena and her crew saw portions of the Ambulas begin to glow brightly. At first, small panels of the ship glowed red then as the laser heated metal at temperatures beyond measure, the red glow turned into larger bright hot whites and then explosions. The explosions were small but as the lasers penetrated deeper into the ship, larger explosions occurred.
Rena and her crew could do nothing as she saw her Ambulas break apart into large portions of wrecked metal. She and her crew cried uncontrollably as shock and horror overcame them. Amidst their sorrow and tears, a message came through the COM.
“This is Captain Eisen. Do you copy, Oberis?”
Rena quickly answered the COM and started shouting and ranting, spewing curses and accusing the High Guard but when Captain Eisen spoke again, his words captivated her.
“We can rescue your people, Rena - Rena Chorea Koshenasen, from the city, Theiseonic. Time is wasting. Do you want our help?”
…
Lorin, Pryce, Terra, Investigator Maclin, and Prime Pierce questioned two other officers besides Officer Kio’tak. Kio’tak, upon hearing a device was recovered that detailed the surreptitious events against Boone Nova and the Guardian King, decided deception was futile. He cooperated fully. What Kio’tak did not know was that it was all a ploy devised by Lorin. The device had not yet been discovered. Lorin fully expected it to be discovered and waited with great expectation and assured the prime and the investigator her plan would work.
On Kio’tak’s personal COM, specific communiqués were discovered to be suspect. His cooperation was enough for the prime to fully support Lorin and her friends. One of the communiqués Kio’tak sent was to a Pereon diplomat. The name was Le’Jept Braconna.
Upon that discovery, they immediately went to the COM Center located in the High Guard Command Center and summoned him.
While Lorin escorted the primes to the COM Center, the Night Star orbited the planet. Boone and Mace sat in the forward cockpit seats.
“Mom,” Boone said. “We found it! We’ve got it!”
“Son! Thank the Father of the Heavens! He has answered my prayers.”
“Our prayers, Mom.”
Finn looked at Boone and realized he was becoming like his mother – faithful and loyal to the Father. He never thought his son would be one to pray. He himself had said a prayer on his way to Blessens. His heart was falling under conviction as he watched mother and son rejoice over answered prayer. He wanted to have a part in it.
“Mom, Jess said you know what to do. OK?”
“Yes, son. I’ll do it now. Boone?” she asked. “Is your dad there? Is he OK?”
Finn stood and stepped into the view of the hologram. She wiped a tear and smiled at him.
“Liana, I’m here. Liana, there is someone here that needs a lot of forgiveness. He’s very ashamed, right now.”
“Oh?” she asked.
“I know he doesn’t deserve it but I think he wants to talk later.”
“Well,” Liana answered, “Please tell him there is a lot of forgiveness and love to go around for everyone.” She wiped another tear. “Is he anyone I know?”
Finn nodded and said, “Yeah, he’s me, Liana. I’d like to,” Finn wiped a tear. Everyone in the cockpit was in tears. “I’d like to bring our son home.”
Liana covered her mouth as she gasped. Then she said, “I will be waiting, Finn. I must call Lorin, now, and you must call Jess. It’s not over yet.”
Finn nodded and closed the hologram. Boone hugged his dad. Then Boone and Finn went into the cargo bay and suited up. Once inside their space suits, they took the designation device for the Guardian King and launched out of the cargo bay. The timing had to be perfect. Jess was in her flyer guarding the Night Star. When she saw Boone and Finn exchange the Kenos Verisian’s designation device with the device for the Guardian King, she sent a message to Starlight Leader while Liana sent a message to Lorin. Lorin was in the Royal COM Center waiting for her signal. Both Lorin and Starlight Leader acknowledged Jess’s signal.
In the Royal COM Center, Prime Jale was furious. He lashed out at Prime Pierce and the others.
“I should have been included in the investigation! I will not tolerate this investigation any further without full disclosure concerning everyone involved!”
“Here is the information, Prime,” Lorin replied in a soft compliant tone.
Lorin took over the COM Center and carried out her pre-planned scheme to thwart any other possible infiltrators or saboteurs. A host of officers and workers watched intently. Lorin had several COM channels prepared to open which would explain Boone’s innocence. She had an officer replay the holographic video of the three High Guard officers being questioned. Prime Jale witnessed Officer Kio’tak and two other officers confess to many crimes. While Prime Jale watched and fumed over the fact that Boone Nova appeared innocent, Lorin read his hatred and his anger. She then instructed another officer to open another separate channel – a channel to the Court of Primes. Lorin’s timing was perfect. While the officer summoned the Court of Primes, a message echoed over the COM. Everyone heard it.
“Prime Pierce!” an officer exclaimed. “Starlight Leader has issued an EAA!”
“What?” he asked. Prime Jale glared at the officer while trying to listen to the interrogation. “He’s issued an Emergency Airborne Alert? Why? Open COM!”
“This is Starlight Leader, Command. This is an emergency. I have a ship in orbit, requesting assistance. I have ordered all other ships to land.”
“A ship in orbit? Why must everyone land?” Prime Jale asked. “What ship? Hostile?”
Prime Pierce exclaimed, “Prime Jale, this is my COM Center! I will manage it. Please?”
Everyone in the COM Center was watching Lorin, Prime Pierce, and Prime Jale. Prime Jale nodded. Then, on the main hologram which was a very large central hologram, everyone saw three other primes and Giban, the primes’ appointed moderator appear. Prime Pierce, Prime Jale, and the others were shocked by Lorin’s craftiness and assertiveness.
“Primes?” Giban asked. “What is happening? Why this special meeting? All eyes are on the Sim-Sa Gale and the Ambulas, right now. We are infiltrating the Pirate Queen’s base of operations.”
Lorin answered, “Sir, Primes, I’ve summoned you all to be witnesses to another victory for the High Guard concerning our dilemmas with infiltration from insurrectionists and the queen’s efforts. We have in custody three insurrectionists who have confessed to crimes associated with the Amity Solace and supplanting Boone Nova and the Guardian King.”
With gazes of astonishment, Prime Jale and Prime Pierce both asked, “The Guardian King?”
Prime Jale exclaimed, “The Guardian King disappeared eight years ago. We hunted for it. Where is it?”
Through the hologram, Prime Jaku from Arkitrosis felt compelled to ask, “The Guardian King? Is this about the Night Star?”
Lorin answered, “Yes, Prime. We are receiving vital information which will prove Boone and Mace and the Guardian King did not attack the Amity Solace and kill our Pereon diplomat, Yulee Braconna.”
“Oh?” Prime Rosen from Peridius asked.
Starlight Leader reported again, “This is Starlight Leader, Command. This is an emergency. I have a ship in orbit, requesting assistance. I have ordered all other ships to land.”
As everyone listened and watched the holograms, Prime Pierce answered, “What ship? Starlight Leader, what ship?”
“Sir,” Starlight Leader replied. “The Guar
dian King! It’s the Guardian King! It is requesting assistance!”
Lorin quickly added, “Primes, I ask you all to witness, first-hand, live reports from the Guardian King itself.”
Prime Pierce ordered, “Open the COM. Guardian King? Who is this?”
“Sir, this is Boone Nova and Mace Starling. We surrender.”
“Surrender?” Giban interrupted. He took over the conversation for all the primes. “Primes! If I may conduct this session, please?” They nodded to him; Prime Jale nodded but reluctantly. He was upset and confused. “Continue, Mr. Nova. Open your hologram, please.” Boone did and everyone saw everyone else. “What is your report, Mr. Nova?”
“Sir, I am sending unfiltered data from the Guardian King and the Amity which will confirm.”
“What! From the Amity!” Prime Jale blasted. “Impossible! You destroyed the Amity! What’s going on?”
Lorin replied, “We have discovered the designation devices for the Guardian King and the Amity Solace.”
“No!” Prime Jale shouted. “That is impossible! How? Uh, never mind. I don’t believe you!”
“Prime?” Lorin asked. “Are you part of this conspiracy? Do you now object?”
Prime Jale screamed, “Do not accuse me!”
Giban shouted, Order! Ms. Ta'mian!”
She remained calm. “Sirs, I am wondering why Prime Jale objects to the truth coming to light. Aren’t you?”
Giban looked at Prime Jale. Prime Jale cowered then motioned with his hand for Boone to proceed. Giban said, “Continue, Mr. Nova.”
Boone sent the data from the Guardian King and the Amity. Then, within the large hologram, everyone witnessed the events of that day. Inside a holographic model of the Kova star system, they saw the planet with the three ships, the Amity, the Taurus 7, and the Guardian King in orbit. The location of each ship was seen by all as the confrontation unfolded. The section of data they reviewed was when the Amity Solace was chasing the Taurus 7 and the Guardian King was approaching the skirmish.
Guardian King: Taurus 7? Mr. Bray? This is Guardian King! Are you all OK?
Taurus 7: Finn? Is that you? They are firing at us! We’ve been hit! What do we do? Kovan ordered us to land.
Guardian King: It’s Boone, Mr. Bray. Stand by! Kova Command! Emergency! Do you copy? Taurus 7 is under attack! Respond!
Kova Command: This is Kova Command. Guardian King? Commander Finn? We are tracking you. You’re supposed to be grounded. What’s your status? You’re cutting it close. Two hours until midnight! You have grounding orders.
Guardian King: Haven’t you been tracking Taurus 7 and a Pereon starliner chasing a…
Kova Command: You’re not Commander Finn. Who is this?
Guardian King: Answer the question! That Pereon starliner is…
Kova Command: This is an order, Guardian King. Do not engage that starliner. It is a diplomatic vessel and it is on business concerning the declaration! You are ordered to…
Guardian King: It’s firing upon…
Amity Solace: This is Pereon starliner, Amity Solace! I am Pereon diplomat, Yulee Braconna, under-secretary to the defense minister! The Taurus 7 is firing upon us, trying to stop the signing of our planet terms agreement! Help!
Guardian King: What did he say? I can’t believe it. Kova Defense, that’s not true! They are lying.
Kova Command: Guardian King! You are ordered to disengage!
Guardian King: Taurus!”
Everyone in the Command Center saw the confusing skirmish on the large hologram. They saw the Amity chasing the Taurus 7 in orbit over the planet, Kova. The Night Star was approaching the two ships at a high rate of speed. What they saw did not match up with what the Amity was broadcasting. Giban and the primes were very angry. They continued to listen.
Guardian King: Taurus! You are one minute from Kovan orbit. Fly directly at me!
Taurus 7: OK.
Guardian King: Break off on my mark! Now.
Kova Command: This is Kova Defense! Guardian King! You are ordered to let the Amity pass! You are in danger of…
Guardian King: Can’t you guys hear what I’m saying?
Kova Command: We are launching ships, Guardian King!
Amity Solace: Help! The Taurus and the Guardian King is firing upon us! What is this? Help! Kova Defense!
Guardian King: Boone, who do we follow? I say we follow Jess! Me, too! But, if we save that diplomat, we can turn him in! The truth will come out! Right? And won’t the Bray’s make it down alright? No! We are directly above the Tahonic. Boone! Let’s follow Jess. Hope they make it.
Taurus 7: Boone? I don’t think we’re gonna make it.
Guardian King: Ha, of course, you are. I’ll talk you through it. Cut your engines! Now!
Taurus 7: OK.
Kova Command: This is Kova Defense! Guardian King? Where is the Amity?
Guardian King: I told you! It was firing upon us! It’s… it’s gone! Destroyed! Can’t you verify?
Giban and the primes were shocked by the information. Lorin walked closer to the hologram.
She said, “Sir, Primes, as you may know, the Amity Solace and the Taurus 7 crashed into the ocean. We found the designation devices for the Guardian King and the Amity Solace and we are willing to turn them over to the proper authorities.”
“Proper authorities?” Giban asked. “What do you mean by that?”
“Sir, we don’t know who to trust. We want to investigate further and discover who was involved in the miscommunication here in the Kovan Com Center that day. Of course, with the permission of the primes.”
It became very quiet in the Command Center except for the usual sound of a ship responding to the EAA order over the COM channels. Prime Ta'mian was smiling and very proud of his daughter. Prime Jale was dumbfounded and subdued. Prime Pierce was relieved that the charade he was conducting was over.
Prime Pierce said, “I’d like to explore this further, Primes, Giban. And I’d like to fully exonerate Boone Nova and Mace Starling.”
Once again, the COM Center was silent as everyone awaited the order to be given. Giban watched each prime to ascertain their position in the matter.
He said, “Prime Pierce, I believe I speak for all the primes. We will discuss this matter alone. In the meantime, charges, wants, and warrants for Boone Nova and Mace Starling are temporarily suspended. They are, however, to remain on Kova and under your authority until we all review this matter privately.”
Prime Pierce nodded as did every one of the primes. Giban pushed a button and the hologram disappeared.
Lorin, Pryce, and Terra immediately began shedding tears of joy and hugging each other. They cried in front of everyone, unashamedly. As they looked around, they saw everyone in the COM Center standing, clapping, and celebrating.
Prime Pierce carefully studied Boone and Mace through the hologram. He said sternly, “Mr. Nova.” Boone and Mace had tears flooding down their faces. “You heard Mr. Giban! Do not leave the planet! In fact, I want to see both of you tomorrow evening. I’ll send the invitation.”
Boone nodded and replied, “Yes, Sir!”
The prime nodded back to him and added, “Mr. Nova. I’m ordering you to,” he sighed, “to go home. You boys go home. OK? And thank you.”
They nodded to each other then Prime Pierce smiled at them. Boone turned the hologram off.
Everyone aboard the Guardian King embraced and cried. Finn became ashamed of himself. He explained to Boone and Mace he had not been the man he should have been. He felt responsible in some way.
…
Kwelling was sitting on the floor across from the display monitor. He continued to keep an eye on it in case ASOP-1243 flashed something of importance. He thought he finally made some progress with the despised robot.
Though he had done very little exercise in his empty cell, his body and mind were exhausted. He longed and fretted for something comfortable to sit on besides the metal slab that slid from the wall or the bed that slid out at bedtime. T
hrough observation, ASOP discovered his least favorite colors and seemed to use those colors most. “How evil!” he thought. Then ASOP-1243 came and hovered in front of Kwelling’s cell.
Then ASOP displayed a video showing Officer Brock, Ander Indrayel, and Luweena Prenna sitting at a table eating.
Kwelling cringed. “Ah! They talked!” He cursed.
Then he saw a video with audio. Kwelling saw and heard Officer Brock list his crimes. He saw and heard Ander Indrayel talk of his crimes as well as Luweena. They could not withstand their incarceration.
Kwelling gasped and moaned with anger. “Ah!” he shouted. “Ah!” He punched the wall and the floor.
Then another video was displayed. He saw a ship jet into space from the docking bay and Sable get sucked into space immediately afterward.
Then ASOP displayed: The rescue attempt to free Jurias Kwelling, Ander Indrayel, and Luweena Prenna has failed. On the planet Kurros, in the Adjelon system, the starship, Ambulas was attacked by High Guard battlecruisers. The Oberis is being hunted and the pirate queen, Rena Chorea Koshenasen, from the city, Theiseonic, on the planet, Obipherion is under attack. Are you prepared to admit to your many crimes and confess to the Court of Primes all you have done?
Jurias gasped and gaped as he considered what had happened. “Koshenasen! They know!” His hope was lost and he feared for Rena. He placed his hands on top of his bowed head and cried. After many tears, he softly answered, “Sure.”
Chapter 24
In front of Liana’s home, a small group of friends stood crying. The tears they shed were tears of joy. They were anxiously waiting for a handful of ships to arrive. There was a small grassy landing pad a hundred yards south of the home but it had not been used in years. In fact, the last time any ship used the landing pad was when Finn left home carrying two travel bags. One was filled with clothes and one was filled with a few coveted items. Liana thought the large freshly mowed yard in front would accommodate the three ships.
Their approach was not unnoticed. The Guardian King led the way, followed by Jess in her flyer and Terra flew a borrowed typical transport shuttle. The three ships landed in succession and everyone exited.
Return of the Guardian King Page 28