The Surge and the Storm replied. They headed back to the Gale and had the Obipherion High Guard Com Center recall all the ships searching the corridor.
“Captain?” Marshel asked. “I have an idea. Why don’t we ping it, retrieve it, and teleport it out of the constellation?”
Each captain nodded at the suggestion. Marshel pinged the bomb, it responded, and the Surge retrieved the bomb with one of its gunships. The Gale arrived, transferred it into its cargo bay, and left the constellation. It made several jumps and placed the device many parsecs away. They attached a bomb to the bomb, launched it, and returned to the Abdomanon Constellation. The gamma bomb went off and they experienced very little effects from the explosion. The Court of Primes praised everyone for the successful mission. Rena was brought to Obipherion – her native home. She would not cooperate with the interrogation process. They sent her to the secluded prison barge, Peripheis.
…
Boone, Finn, and Liana sat in their beach chairs near the ocean and their company. Their friends were enjoying the crashing waves and warm breezes. The three of them were content to chat and watch Mace, Lorin, Terra, Pryce, Phia, Jess and her husband, Ulius, Leake, and their father, Starlight Leader - Commander Bridges. It was late afternoon and everyone was enjoying the day, walking, swimming, sunning, and relaxing. They were also awaiting news from Prime Pierce.
The hundred-yard path from their home to the beach had sprung up unwanted vegetation. Liana seldom used the path in their absence but Finn and Boone already made plans to open the path and restore it. They were surprised the beach chairs were still usable.
“Boone?” Liana asked. “I see that you and Lorin, Ms. Ta'mian, the prime’s daughter,” she said, pointing out she was royalty, “are very close.”
“Mom! Are you match-making? I haven’t been home one day!” He saw his dad laughing. Liana smiled.
“I just noticed it. That’s all, Boone.”
“I love Lorin,” he said. Liana and Finn gazed at him. They were amazed and wondered what he was getting at. “But, we’re not meant for each other.” They all laughed.
“Boone?” his father asked. “I want to hear about all of your, uh, experiences. Every one of them!”
“Dad, some of them are boring but some of them are unbelievable.”
Liana said, “You’re both going to stay? Here?” They nodded. “Then we’ll have the time. I’m so glad you’re both safe.”
Finn asked, “Boone? What are you going to do once you’re exonerated? Do you have plans?”
Boone smirked and nodded, no. “I have no idea. I would love to sit right here for about a month! I mean, not even move from this chair!” They laughed.
Liana was very happy as she watched and listened to father and son chat. Her hopes and dreams and prayers were becoming a reality. She no longer considered her family as father, son, and mom. She considered her family as husband, wife, and son.
As they chatted and watched their friends, a visitor strolled up the sandy grassy path. He came and stood behind them.
“Hello,” he said. They looked and quickly stood.
“Prime Pierce!” Liana exclaimed.
Everyone saw the prime, Liana, Finn, and Boone standing. They all stopped what they were doing and ran over to them. The prime greeted everyone and they all sat down together. He had news.
“Boone, Mace,” he uttered. “I have much to discuss with you two. The Court has issued its findings concerning the two of you.” He tried not to smile. Boone and Mace became concerned as did everyone else. “You are aware you violated several Kovan laws and High Guard laws? All within two days of Emancipation Day!”
Everyone laughed. It was true and Boone and Mace nodded at the reminder. Boone couldn’t count his mistakes and violations, though they were all a result of his false accusations. Still, he broke laws.
“The biggest concern the Court had is not that you shot down the diplomat but you left afterward! They also struggled with the fact you two violated the highest code the High Guard has.” The prime studied their reaction.
“Highest code?” Mace asked.
“What’s that?” Boone asked.
“I must admit, though, the Court is astonished you would return the dead pilot from the debris field. And those two O'bipherion scientists!”
“Prime,” he replied. “I couldn’t leave them! I also couldn’t leave that family.” Boone couldn’t speak of the family any further. Everyone saw his concern and emotion.
“Boone, the Court took your ‘actions’ into account.”
“Huh,” Boone muttered. “I once told them they don’t care about the people. I said they’ve lost their compassion. Maybe they listened.”
“I listened. You know Prime Ta'mian cares. They were very moved by what you did. I think it went a long way in curbing their judgment.”
“Judgement?” Finn asked. “They’ve judged them? You’re not here to arrest them. Right?”
The prime shook his head, no. “Not like you think.” Then he smiled. Everyone became concerned again as they wondered. “The court has orders, Boone, Mace, and I have to agree with their findings. You should, too. What they said is very true. You should appreciate the truth. Right?”
“What is it?” Mace blared. Then he softened his tone. “Sir. Sorry,” he chuckled. “You haven’t told us, Sir! What are the highest laws?” The prime smirked and seemed to drag the announcement out as long as he could. Finn bowed his head; he knew the laws.
“Well,” Liana said. “The truth is we have all seen what the Father can do when we follow him. That’s the real truth - God’s Word is true and real and is full of life. In your case, Boone, it is vindication, deliverance.”
“Agreed! Uh, Amen!” Finn exclaimed. “Is that the right word?” Everyone laughed.
The prime continued, “Boone? Mace? Who were you on the run from that day? The day the Amity went down?”
Boone and Mace glanced at each other. Mace said, “The High Guard.”
“And that day, who were you?”
“Who were we?” Boone asked. “Uh, you mean Kovan cadets? Or junior officers?”
The prime pointed at Boone and raised his brow. “Not just junior officers, Boone but junior officers in?” he waited for an answer.
Mace muttered, “The High Guard.”
The prime nodded his head and smiled. He waited for the two men to realize the impact of the statement. Boone and Mace looked at each other.
Finn said, “Boone, Mace, he is saying the two of you are High Guard officers – still. Right now, you ‘are’ High Guard officers. You left your posts.”
Boone and Mace glared at the realization. Everyone was glaring and wondering where the conversation was going. They all studied the prime as he began to speak again.
“Guys, you destroyed the Amity on Emancipation Day. You were High Guard junior officers then, you’re still High Guard junior officers, now. These past eight years you’ve been abandoning your duty, our highest code. You’re guilty of that.” Everyone was disturbed by the information. They worried about Boone and Mace. “What do you think the Court should do?”
Boone and Mace bowed their heads. It was an admission of guilt and an indication they understood. Finn placed his hand on Boone’s back as Liana took his hand and squeezed. She was worried and began praying a silent prayer.
Boone muttered, “We should get what we deserve, Prime. It’s my fault, not Mace’s. I did a very foolish thing that day. I suppose if I had reported back after the Amity went down, I would still have suffered a great injustice because of the infiltration. But, I didn’t. It’s my mistake.”
The prime smiled and replied, “They told me you would say that. Boone, I will tell them they were right about you. You admitted it. They also considered the great things you’ve done. They also admitted, and this is key in their decision, the infiltration that took place that day was their fault. Agreed?” Everyone nodded. “Here is what the Court has judged, Boone Nova, Mace Starling. You
either serve out your judgment in the confines of the Detention Center in Peos Tower for four years or…”
As the prime paused, he watched everyone’s reaction. Boone, Mace, Pryce, Phia, and a few others were astonished but Finn, Liana, Lorin, and Terra were smiling. Boone saw Lorin smiling and wondered.
“Or?” Boone asked.
“Or,” the prime answered. “You serve out your time as junior officers in the High Guard.”
Boone jumped to his feet in astonishment. Mace did, too. Boone exclaimed, “What! I can’t be in the High Guard! I’ve hated the High Guard for all these years!”
“Boone?” Liana said. “You’d rather be locked up?”
Finn was laughing and Boone noticed. He glared at his father. “Boone!” Finn said. “Don’t you see what they’re doing? They want you to keep working for them!”
Lorin said, “Boone, this is kind of ironic. You’ve hated the High Guard and now, you’ll have to serve them.”
“Yeah,” Terra added. “Looks like you’re getting your just reward!” She laughed but Boone and Mace could only smirk.
“I can’t believe this,” Mace muttered. “Sir? How long? And what will we do? Wait! Will we be officers? Our judgment is to be officers? That’s not a judgment, it’s a reward.”
The prime nodded. “Yes, Mace. You are being rewarded. The Court could not justify punishing you for, well, you both stopped Cumi Bak-Suna and her gamma bomb, you rescued Prime Ta'mian and Lorin, You rescued that teleportation device, they were amazed you even returned it, and the list kept going on and on. They are right about your High Guard status. They will dismiss your crime because of the infiltration but you’re still in the High Guard.”
Lorin added, “Boone, Mace, this is a blessing.”
“I agree,” Liana added. “I think the Lord has something for you to do. The Court included!”
Everyone chuckled as the prime stood to his feet. They all shook hands with him. As he headed for his transport he said, “Boone, Mace, report to me in fifteen days. We’ll have an assignment for you.” The prime slowly walked away laughing as Boone and Mace stood in awe, gawking at the order.
Boone looked at Mace and said, “Now, I’ve really messed up our lives!” Mace smiled then Boone chuckled. The two hugged each other and were relieved they would not be confined for their crimes.
Boone said, “I have no idea where they will send us but,” he looked at his mom, “someone will have to pray for us.” Everyone chuckled.
“You do it!” Liana barked amusingly. Then everyone laughed. Everyone but Terra.
Terra said, “I want to talk to you, Boone, Mace, and Pryce. Maybe later?”
“Sure,” Boone said. “About?”
She paused because of the crowd. She wanted a private conversation and as everyone looked on, a tear surfaced. Lorin’s emotions rose and she too had a tear. Lorin stepped over to her and placed her arm around her.
She said, “Terra, and I as well feel like we are all about to say goodbye to one another.”
Boone stepped over to Terra and they hugged one another. Her eyes were filled with tears. As he hugged her he noticed the small scar on her neck. The little cuts on her face had cleared up but the scar would serve as a permanent reminder of how she suffered the day she was attacked by Kwelling. He felt responsible for that. One side of her head was still somewhat bare because of the burns but in stubbornness, she refused to have her hair cut. He realized she was an important part of his team as much as Jona, Pryce, and Mace were. He shed a tear as well. He let go of her.
She said, “I don’t know what to do. I need to report back but I’m not ready to say goodbye right now. I just can’t do it.” She looked at Pryce. He placed his arm around her. “When I first met all of you, I practically hated each one of you. Now, I can’t stand the thought of not having you all in my life. Someone needs to tell me what to do.”
Pryce asked, “Do you still want to be a High Guard Investigator?”
She answered, “I think I want to stay with the four of you. What’s going to happen?”
Boone answered, “We are all going to take a nice long vacation! I think we deserve that!”
Lorin said, “Terra, I’m sure you can be reassigned here. I think you can help the Kovan Investigation Command. They have a lot of investigating to do, now that we’ve discovered infiltration in the COM Center. You can all stay here and work together for a while.” They all slowly nodded, thinking about the idea. “Boone and Mace will surely serve Kova for a while, I’ll be returning to Obipherion and Phia will likely finisher her training. Right, Phia?”
Everyone looked at her. Phia’s expression was one of sadness. Lorin read it. Phia was surprised by Lorin’s suggestion. She had every intention of following Boone.
Lorin added, “Abdom Center is only a few days away… Boone.” Then she smiled at Boone and Phia.
“What?” Boone asked. “Why are you saying that to me?”
Liana answered, “Boone, everyone can see it. I’m sure the Kovan High Guard will allow you to visit her.”
Liana smiled at him as did everyone. Phia blushed as Boone sat down in his beach chair. He was blushing, too. He waved at them in disgust, dismissing their suggestion. He glanced at Phia, she was smiling at him. Boone did consider it.
Moments later, everyone turned their attention to the sunny beach and ocean waves. Boone, Finn, Liana, and Phia sat together and chatted. Following the sunset, they all filed into the house and had a big meal together. They were very glad and excited the truth had finally come out and Boone’s family was back together.
After the meal, they contacted Jona. He explained to everyone how he discovered the Ambulas and captured the Pirate Queen. He had high praises for Boone and expressed great joy for what he had done for him – ordering him to infiltrate the queen’s network. Jona had plans to get to Kova as soon as possible so he could help Boone and Mace with their High Guard duties.
Everyone left and returned to their homes – Pryce, Terra, and Mace left with Ulius, Leake, and their father, having been invited to their spacious home. They had rooms for everyone.
Mace would leave Kova the next day and visit his parents who lived on Nava Kova. He would be gone until he had to report to the Kovan High Guard.
Phia was invited to stay with Boone’s family until her next phase of training began. She had a few days before she had to leave for Abdom Center and her battlecruiser training. Boone resigned to the fact Phia cared deeply for him. Her love and concern were a mystery and it touched his heart and stirred his emotions. He searched his heart and admitted he would deeply miss her once she left.
Boone strolled the beach alone that night and thought about his life. He looked up at the starry host and still longed to venture out into the constellation. While gazing up, he realized how complex yet beautiful everything was. He knew the Creator had done wonderful and beautiful things. As he reflected on his personal life, he realized what beautiful things the Father had done for him. Amidst his many trials and sorrows, the Father guided him safely home. Deliverance was his and he greatly rejoiced in it.
Then he recalled some of the many things Dr. Zay’Geis had told him. “He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.” He chuckled at the thought and nodded his head. “It was true!” Zay’Geis even rebuked him once, “How do you explain coming through these things alive, Boone? At least in one piece? Do you really think you’re that good or that capable? No, Boone, you are not that good or capable or lucky. No one is. It was the Father. He saw you through it all.”
Boone sighed and realized just how much the Father had done for him. It prompted a tear – a tear of disappointment in himself and also a realization of how good the Father was.
He recalled how even the 5th prime encouraged him. “He will deal with the trouble, you follow Him, and He will be with you.” Boone smiled while remembering his friend and his word
s.
As he considered his deliverance from his own foolish mistakes and all the evil and hurtful attacks he endured, it was his mom’s input that really brought about the change in him. He thought about the handful of verses she uploaded into the database of the Guardian King. The contemplation made him chuckle. They were her favorite verses and Boone had read each one, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord. Give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good.”
He was overjoyed the truth finally came out and he was no longer wanted or hunted. He felt overwhelmed, overwhelmed by the fact God was there in every one of his trials and sorrows.
Amidst the memories and heartfelt acknowledgment of his God, Boone thought about his future. He decided his future was best left in the hands of the Father. He didn’t know what was in store for him but the desire to roam the corridors of the constellation still burned within him. He wondered if that desire was placed deep inside his heart by the Father long ago. He enjoyed the thought.
His focus from that day forward was to always speak the truth and be truthful to others. He thought a life of integrity is far better than any other virtue and its reward was a peace that no trial or sorrow could take away.
A Special Thanks
Thank you for taking the time to read my novel. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it.
In this adventure, Boone had a very difficult time navigating a host of various trials – being lied about and being lied to are just plain demoralizing and hurtful. It can cause great pain and heartache.
On the other hand, exercising faith and trusting the Lord during these trials and issues can result in the opposite – vindication and blessing. God sees it and though it seems He is silent, He is not.
Boone also struggled with another discouraging circumstance – depression. He had a difficult time understanding why God would allow such difficulties, anxieties, and stress. He tried to blame himself, endure his trials alone, and he wanted to flee from them. We know that response is never a good thing. If it weren’t for Boone’s friends who supported and comforted him, he may have fallen under the pressure. Boone finally turned to the scriptures and prayer and found deliverance. He learned to trust in God.
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