Jake looked at the beautiful young girl and did not want to believe her, but something inside him told him she was right. Then he could hear her thoughts. He looked at her and thought, “Does this mean that I am now telepathic?”
Valerie jerked, then thought back, “Yes. We have to get you to your initiator. We know that high levels of stress will cause your psychic skills to manifest themselves.”
Cynthia was telepathic, and she was amazed. Then she asked, “How do you do that, Your Highness? I mean, how do you find this initiator?”
“We wait for something to happen that is totally unexpected, then we follow up.”
Jake thought, “What do you mean, unexpected?”
Valerie smiled, “It wouldn’t be unexpected if I knew what it was, but this much I can tell you: it won’t be long.”
Chapter Four
The probe teleported into the mainframe at Fleet Control and immediately downloaded its information. A loud siren went off, along with bright flashing red lights. The Spider in command that day pressed a button and announced, “We have the destruction of a Searcher. All command staff report in immediately. The Spider then toggled a switch and said, “It’s starting; both of you come here now.”
A silver screen appeared and two more spiders stepped out. “What’s happened, Newton?”
“We’ve had a Gamma ship destroyed.”
The two spiders were shocked, “How is that possible? Those ships are the most powerful ships we’ve ever created.”
“I don’t know, Edison, but from what I’ve initially seen from the escape probe it wasn’t even able to fire its weapons before it was killed.”
The third spider asked, “Do you think this is what the Royal Family has been sensing?”
“It has to be, Einstein. Any ship that can destroy a Gamma is a real threat. We at least know what universe the ship was located in when it was destroyed.”
Edison sat down at a control board, “Do we know anything about that universe?”
“There’s nothing in the Realm’s data on explored universes.”
“Have you looked at our data?” Einstein asked.
Newton leaned right, indicating he had not, “I was hoping you and I would do that while Einstein assimilates the information the probe brought back and try to get our analysis organized.”
“I’m on it.”
“Have you notified the Royal Family?” Edison asked.
“I just sent a message to the King.”
Edison thought a moment, “We’d better have our information ready quickly. According to the Castle, we are going to be attacked soon.”
Newton looked at Edison’s control panel, “You’d better call in the Algeans to help organize the information from the probe.”
“Already done; they have the data downloaded to them and they are going to work on the information gathered from the planet the Searcher was scanning.”
Newton rose and moved toward the teleport screen, “I’m going to try and determine how those ships were able to see the Gamma through its invisibility screen. I’m going with Einstein to see what we have in our records. “
Edison looked up, “Just got word the Royal Family wants a meeting in two days to see what we know. Get to work, and link the Algeans in to your computer.” Edison was worried; a Gamma had been destroyed.
Valerie got a faraway look and put her cup down on the table. She appeared to be listening to something for a moment, then looked at Jake and Cynthia, “Well, it looks like it’s starting. Cynthia, take us to Ross. We are going to attend a meeting at Castle Gardner that will be held in two days. While we’re waiting, report to fleet command and have them go over your ship’s systems.” Valerie looked at Jake, walked up and gave him a hug, and kissed his cheek. “I know you doubt that you can help us, but I know in my heart that you will make the difference in our survival. I am so thankful I’ve had this time with you. Please don’t forget me.”
Jake was astounded. What did she mean? He was a nobody and this woman child was one day going to rule the Realm. He looked at her and said, “You’re too beautiful to ever forget.”
Valerie smiled and Cynthia felt a pang of jealously. Then she said, “Why am I going to this meeting?”
Valerie looked at Cynthia and said, “Because wherever Jake has to go, you are going to take him.”
“Why?”
“Because his psychic self led him to you. You captured him because you were selected to do so; at least that’s what we think. Either way, the two of you will be traveling partners for the foreseeable future.”
Cynthia didn’t know what to think about that. She just knew that it couldn’t be good.
Einstein entered the command chamber and thought to Newton, “I’ve found that universe in our data banks.”
Newton looked up, “And?”
“The information was suppressed by the Demons. A family was sent to harvest it about twenty million years ago and was destroyed by the creatures there. We sent a follow up family and they were also decimated by those creatures. We never went back. It seems the Demons implemented a compulsion for us to stay away.”
Newton leaned a little lower and said, “Then my belief that we were undefeated until the war with the Realm is not accurate.”
“It appears that way. The records from the survivors of the failed follow up show the creatures using a kind of invisible beam that destroyed anything it hit, including the green substance used on our ships. We don’t know what produces that beam, but it is not energy as we know it.”
“Take what you know to the Algeans and see what they can determine. I’m doing an analysis of their ships. They do not show up on our scans. I’ll let you know what I find out.”
“Better hurry; we only have forty five hours left to get ready for the meeting.”
“I know; now get out of here so I can concentrate.”
Jake and Valerie teleported down to the castle and Valerie took him to a room on the eighth floor. “This is where you will be staying until the meeting. You might want to visit the library and catch up on the actual facts about the Stars Realm while you’re waiting. The meeting is scheduled for the day after tomorrow.”
“How do I get to the library?”
Valerie smiled, “Right here beside your door is a panel with all of the main rooms in the castle. Simply press where you want to go and walk through your doorway. To come back here, just press the button that says living quarters on any panel in the castle. The system has recorded you and will send you back to this room.”
Jake shook his head, “This is some place you live in.”
Valerie nodded, “It grows on you, and can really spoil you when you travel. See you later, Jake.”
Jake nodded as Valerie pressed a button, walked through the silver screen in the doorway, and disappeared. Jake thought a moment, then pressed the library button, stepped through the silver screen, and emerged into a huge room. He saw that there were headsets on many of the tables and he walked over to one and put it on. He immediately heard a voice, “What would you like to view?”
Jake thought, then said, “The early history of the Stars Realm before Sprig was king.”
The headset responded, “Would you like the information downloaded or simply read?”
Jake wasn’t sure what downloaded was, but he figured it would have to be faster than having it read. “Downloaded.”
“Please sit down in one of the chairs to commence download.”
Jake sat down in a chair at the table. It immediately moved to a reclining position, then his brain came alive with images and information at a rate that was incredible. He lost track of time.
Upstairs the King of the Stars Realm thought to Valerie, “You have removed the protocols on the library?”
“Only for him, Father.”
“That is information that may not be a good thing to have known.”
“He is going to need every advantage we can give him, and he needs to know what he’ll be fighting f
or in the upcoming confrontation. He needs to know what we are.”
“You still see us being attacked, Daughter?”
“Yes, and it won’t be long before it starts.”
“Then the death of our Searcher is the opening of hostilities?”
Valerie sighed, “Yes, and there are going to be many more that die.”
“And you think this young lad is going to make a difference?”
“Without him we are lost, Father. He is our only hope, and if he fails then the Stars Realm is doomed.”
“I’m having extreme difficulty believing that. Our military is quite strong and we have millions of ships.”
“Listen to what information comes out in the meeting and then tell me you don’t believe it. We stand no better chance than that dead Searcher did.”
The King reflected a moment and said, “We’ll see.”
Meanwhile Jake remained motionless on the chair downstairs.
Einstein teleported in to Edison’s command center and said, “I have uncovered some disturbing news.”
Edison looked up from his terminal, “What is that?”
“These creatures are a product of our invasion. They are much more dangerous to intelligent life than we ever hoped to be. It appears we caused it to happen.”
Edison lowered his body and said, “Give me what you’ve discovered.”
Einstein pressed a button on a device on one of his legs, “You have it. I hope you know how to present this.”
Edison hoped so, too.
Cynthia said, “Ouch, that hurts!”
The Algean working on a device on her head said, “Oh, be still. These connections are absolutely critical if this is going to work.”
“Just what is this device?”
“It is a direct link to a ship’s computer.”
“Why do I need a link? I’ll just use telepathy to link.”
The Algean made another adjustment, “That’s the other thing; it blocks telepathy.”
Cynthia looked at the Algean and thought that this was not going to be good, “Are you changing my ship’s interface?”
“No, you are going to take command of a new ship. Now be quiet so I can finish,”
Cynthia thought, “Oh, this is not good.”
Jake opened his eyes and saw Valerie sitting in a chair next to him. “How long have you been here?”
Valerie smiled, “Only fifteen minutes. The library notified me when you were about to complete your download.”
“How long have I been here?”
“About thirty six hours. You need to start getting ready for the meeting that will be starting in four hours.”
Jake sat up and felt dizzy, so he laid back down. “That was some history lesson. I only asked for the early history, but it seems I have been given everything up to the present.”
Valerie smiled, “That’s my fault. I changed the protocol after you started.”
“Why did you do that?”
“Why do you think, Jake?”
Jake sighed, “It changed me, Your Highness. I’m not the same after seeing all that has happened.”
“Jake, please call me Valerie when we’re not in the public arena. I count you as a friend. I changed it because I felt you needed to know all that has happened in the Realm in order to appreciate what you are going to be risking your life to save. I also wanted you to see what happens when your psychic powers are released.”
“You mean what would happen to me emotionally.”
Valerie looked down, “Yes.”
“I will be bonded with that person for life, won’t I?”
Valerie nodded.
“Why does this bother you so much, Valerie?”
Valerie looked Jake in the eyes, then looked back down, “I was hoping that you would end up with me.”
Jake was shocked, “What do you mean? I’m nowhere close to being in your league. I’m not even playing in your league. Why, by all creation, would someone like you even be remotely interested in me?”
Valerie looked up and said, “Jake, I am the strongest psychic in the Royal Family. They all know that I am so far ahead of everyone else that I am for all intents and purposes making the critical decisions for the Realm. The reason I am not actually ruling the Realm is due to my age. The Realm would have great difficulty accepting a ruler as young as me. However, I have not felt anyone in the Realm that even remotely touches my heart. As soon as I saw you on Cynthia’s ship, I felt you. I could sense who you are. I felt the pain that has made you what and who you are. I knew a super psychic was coming and I have been searching desperately for you; partly because I know how important you are to the Realms survival, but also in the hopes that I might be your initiator. I am not your initiator. There is someone else destined to be your love, and what a great love the two of you will share. I envy whoever it is, even now. So the role I am left with is to be your friend, and I do hope you will be mine as well.”
Jake stared at her and shook his head, “You say such remarkable things for someone so young.”
Valerie shook her head,
“Being telepathic, I have already lived ten lifetimes. You grow up fast when you’re in the minds of adults even before you’re born. Trust me on this one, Jake; I am not a child.”
“I believe you, Val. I would consider it an honor to be your friend, and I am amazed that you see things in me that I don’t. I hope I can live up to your expectations.”
Valerie removed the headset from Jake’s head, “Well, now that you’ve seen the Realm’s history, what do you think?”
“Where are Atlas and Diana?”
“We know that once the Realm developed universal drives, they went to the Captor’s universe to try and get their captured brothers to see reason. The Captors’ red screen protected them against the heat of the newly created universe. They’ve been gone for four thousand years. They cannot, and will not, help us in the coming conflict.
“Where are the Gardners?”
Valerie smiled, “That question has been asked for the last ten thousand years; no one knows.”
“Then where is the Alexander Kosiev?”
“We’ve been asking that for eleven thousand years.”
The Map room was crowded. Jake saw three spiders at the main table with two Algeans. There were two Cainth and one Glod sitting together, and he saw they were getting animated in their discussion. He glanced at the front of the table and saw several species he didn’t recognize, along with three high-ranking military officers. One of them was a Vgrig. “That must be Admiral Zergl,” he thought. This meeting has some high powered individuals in attendance. He sat down in a chair away from the table next to Cynthia, and noticed that she was nervous. “What’s bothering you?”
“You, Jake! I don’t know how I got sucked up into this.”
“Probably because my power selected you to find me,” he snickered.
“That’s not even funny. That is probably exactly what caused me to be here. Oh, I don’t have a good feeling about this. This is not good.”
Jake looked at her, “Remember: as long as you’re with me, you’re safe.”
Cynthia looked at him with a smirk, “Do you think I wouldn’t be sacrificed to save you. If someone has to go, I’ll be the closest candidate. I just don’t really understand the forces at work here.”
“Welcome to my world, Cyn. I have no idea what’s going on. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.” Suddenly everyone stood and bowed. Jake and Cynthia jumped up and followed their lead.
The King of the Stars Realm, David Bolt Gardner, entered the room with his Queen, Elizabeth Andrews Gardner. Following them in were the two children of the Royal Couple, Joseph Spring and Valerie Rose Gardner. Jake saw Valerie and was astounded at how beautiful she was in the blue and rose colored dress she was wearing. She was going to be amazing as she grew older; she was already so beautiful. Valerie saw Jake looking at her, and smiled and winked at him. She then took her seat next to her father.
; King David sat down and said, “Please be seated.” After everyone had taken their places, he looked at one of the Algeans, “Who is going to make the first presentation?”
The Algean said, “I am going to start, Your Majesty.”
“Please proceed, Sprig.”
Jake jumped straighter in his chair. “Was this the former King of the Stars Realm?”
Valerie saw him flinch and thought to him, “No, the Algean couple assigned to the castle staff always assumes the name of Sprig and Twig to honor them. The original is now the Elder leading the Algeans.”
Jake looked at Valerie and nodded.
Sprig indicated the other Algean and said, “We have the task of determining how the Searcher was detected by the creatures that destroyed her vessel. We know that no electronic scan would have uncovered the ship and it was also invisible; it bent light around itself. What we have come to consensus about is that the creatures could hear the thoughts the Searcher used to communicate with her ship.”
The room started buzzing, and the King looked at the group sternly and they quieted down. “Our spider friends will have more to say about these creatures, but we know they are telepathic. The white spikes on top of their heads are used to communicate, and we know that telepathy is not bound by the physical laws of the universe. Those who use it can send a thought to someone in another galaxy and be heard instantly. We believe that the ship holding station above the planet could hear thoughts coming from the moon, and was able to locate the place but not see what was causing them. We think that a call was made and three ships arrived to investigate. The three ships traveled in from the jump limit, indicating that the creatures have not discovered how to jump inside the limit.”
Elizabeth asked, “How did you arrive at that conclusion?”
“The Searcher was on the moon running scans for ten hours. That is exactly how far from the moon that the jump limit is located traveling at one-third light speed. We aren’t certain if their ships are faster than that or not, but it is a starting place for determining their capabilities. The three ships kept the moon between the Searcher and their path, making sure they were not detected visually. We are reasonably certain that they detected the Searcher’s thoughts as they approached the moon because they arrived in a perfect triangle above the Searcher.”
Finding keepers a-7 Page 4