by Saxon Andrew
Sprigly sighed, “There had to be a change in leadership.”
“Weed and Seed have been replaced?”
“I don’t want to believe it but I can’t come up with anything else that makes sense. They would not have attacked the Cainth and Glod. If they did…then something serious took place that defies my understanding. We’ll have to wait and see.”
“Thanks for the upgrades. Those current Algean Warships are potent.”
“But they should be far ahead of what I’ve seen, Alex. It looks like they just…”
“Stopped developing them?”
“Something like that. They should be far ahead of us, knowing the skills of our scientists. I believe you can hold your own with them.”
“Let us pray you are correct in that assessment.”
Sprigly nodded, “You’re sounding increasingly like the first Alex.”
“We share the same memories and software. I think age is what’s making the biggest difference.”
“Did you detect any other warships around Earth other than the Algean Vessels.”
“No, I didn’t and I find that odd. The Realm always had its own fleet in the past.” Sprigly was silent and Alex asked, “What are you thinking?”
“The Realm could never build a warship that could take on an Algean Ship. I suspect they’ve just turned over everything to my species.”
“That isn’t good strategy?”
“No, it’s not. Especially since we’ve seen that not all evil civilizations have been removed. The Realm is at risk.”
“But none of those we’ve seen can match the Algean warships.”
Sprigly tilted right, “But you and I both know we’ve not come close to seeing all of them out there. We’ll find out what’s going on and decide on what to do.”
“I miss all of the old heroes.”
“That’s the problem with species that have short lifespans. If Tag and Danielle had not had their lifespans changed by Atlas, they would also be a memory in history.”
“Who are today’s heroes, Sprigly?”
Sprigly’s branches lowered slightly and he shook slightly before saying, “I think all of them are on this ship, Alex. I know Creation brought Tag and Danielle together many thousands of years ago and they have made a huge difference in making the universe a better place.”
“But…”
Sprigly interrupted him, “Where are the new heroes Creation is giving us today? I’ve not seen any in all our voyages and all the wars we’ve fought. The psychic talents of the Gardners now appear to be unique to them. Even their descendants with those talents have disappeared.”
“You don’t know that for certain, Sprigly.”
“I know that if any existed, they would be ruling the Realm instead of the power-crazed humans now in charge. They remind me of the Dukes.”
“Do you ever tire of existence?”
“Why do you ask, Alex?”
“It just seems that my entire existence revolves around war and death. I don’t know anything else and it’s starting to wear on me.”
“My species is genetically evolved to search for new possibilities and to focus on those things and lose track of time in the discoveries. I’m still considered an adolescent. Are you thinking about…”
“No! If Tag and Danielle are alive, I will stay with them and protect them.”
“That is a worthy mission my friend. I am also committed to their welfare.”
“Thanks, Sprigly.”
“For what?”
“I know I complain about you and your constant questions but I do consider you my best friend.”
“Thanks, Alex. Brighten up, we’ll probably be attacked when we show up at the Golden Grove.”
“You think?”
“I’m starting to increasingly lean that way.”
“Have you done anything to increase my speed?”
“You don’t need it. Teleportation is the fastest way to travel.”
“I guess. I do miss flying through space at high-speed.”
“What do you think about those two-Cainth on board?”
“They’re a surly lot.”
“Name one you’ve ever known that wasn’t. Even Dorg was grumpy.”
Alex laughed, “Yes, he was.”
“Tag just contacted Danielle informing her that he and Kogo are returning. Better do a system check and make sure all of your modifications are operating correctly.”
“Talk to you later.”
Sprigly nodded and headed toward the bridge. He didn’t want to admit it but he was starting to feel his age as well.
• • •
Everyone was sitting in their chairs and Tag said, “Alex, are you ready?”
“I am. I recommend that I arrive outside the Algean Galaxy and look around before moving in.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
• • •
Kogo looked at Dela and whispered, “The Gardners fought a war with the civilization on the planet we just left.”
“What happened?”
“They won the fight and helped the Hallan develop their technology to fight off any future attacks. The Hallan almost worship them for saving them from conquest.”
“Do they do anything wrong?”
Kogo shrugged, “I don’t know but it appears they do what’s right. I guess that’s as close as you can get to never being wrong.”
• • •
“I’m detecting a single Algean Ship ahead of us.”
“What kind of ship, Alex?”
“It appears to be a small unarmed shuttle, Tag. I’ve detected one life-form on board.”
“See if you can contact it.”
“I think using our communicator this close to the Algean Galaxy would not be a good thing.”
“Pull up beside it and open the landing bay door,” Danielle suggested.
“Good idea,” Sprigly said.
“Why is that?” Dela asked.
“Whoever is on that ship knows it has nothing to defend itself and the occupant will have to be curious about who and what we are.”
Danielle looked at Sprigly, “Can you contact the occupant telepathically and invite them on board without being heard?”
Sprigly looked at the monitor and thought, “We’ve detected your ship and are wondering where you’re going.”
“Who are you?”
“I’ll introduce myself if you’ll bring your vessel into the landing bay.”
“I’ll only do that if you assure me you’ll allow me to leave before you move any closer to the galaxy.”
Sprigly looked at Danielle and she nodded, “I will not force you to take any action you deem inappropriate.”
“Even if the Elders order you?”
“I can’t follow orders I’m not given. Come aboard and we’ll discuss it.”
“Who are you?”
“Like I said, I’ll tell you when you come on board.”
“I’m not coming without knowing who you are.”
Sprigly shook his branches, “My name is Sprigly.”
“NOT THE SPRIGLY?!”
“And you are?”
“Are you telling me you are the Sprigly that left with the Gardners?”
“And you are?”
“Seedel.”
“Are you one of Seed’s hatchings?”
“I’m coming on board.”
“Sprigly, you and Kogo meet her in the landing bay. Alex, get us away from that galaxy.”
“I assure you, Danielle, the Algeans cannot detect us.”
“Can they detect that ship? What happens when it disappears?”
“I’m losing my touch. I’ll teleport out as soon as it’s on board.”
• • •
The small ship landed in the giant bay and Sprigly and Kogo walked to the port. A bright green female Algean stepped out of the port and looked at them. She shook her branches and said, “Is this the Alexander Kosiev?”
“It is. And this is Kogo, one o
f our crewmembers.”
“And you are Sprigly?”
“I am.”
“My mother and father thought highly of you.”
“Thought?”
“They’re no longer alive.”
“Come with me to the bridge. I want you to meet someone.”
“You need to get out of here. I suspect my ship has been targeted for destruction.”
“Already handled. Come with me.”
They arrived on the bridge and Seedel suddenly stopped and turned to Sprigly, “You didn’t tell me the Queen and the King were on board!”
Danielle smiled, “Please sit down and join us.”
Seedel looked at Danielle and said, “You haven’t changed at all from my parent’s memories of you.”
Danielle pointed at a chair next to her and Tag stood up and went to another console, “Come sit down and tell me how they’re doing.”
Seedel went to the chair and settled into it, “My parents died before I hatched.”
Danielle’s eyes narrowed and she glanced at Tag before saying, “How did that happen?”
“A little over two-thousand-years ago, Twig decided that she could no longer live without Sprig and released the bonds that held her mind together. Her death rocked the Galaxy and my Parents were invited to speak at her burial. On the way to the Planet of Heroes, their ship blew up when a reactor failed.”
“That’s not possible!”
Everyone turned to Sprigly and Danielle asked, “Why not?”
“Because every system on our ships have redundancy far beyond what’s normal. If a reactor had a bad reading, it would automatically be shut down and another would come on line. Also, no vessel transporting our Senior Elders would ever be allowed to launch without being thoroughly checked out first. That reactor couldn’t have failed; it had to be booby-trapped. Your parents were killed.”
Seedel nodded, “I suspected as much but had no proof.”
“The Elders had to see your suspicions.”
“They did and assured me nothing sinister took place.”
“How long ago did you hatch?”
“Three-hundred years ago. I’ve remained in the ground until a year ago.”
“Where were you going?” Tag asked.
“The Elders sent me out for my initial exploratory mission.”
“It’s normal procedure to send out two for their initial mission. Why were you sent out alone?” Sprigly asked.
“Why do you think?”
“How many hatchings did Weed and Seed have?” Sprigly asked.
“They planted the normal number but most of them didn’t survive. As far as I know, I’m the only one to be sent out, so far.”
Sprigly looked at Danielle, “The Elders must be worried that she has memories from her parents that would shed light on their assassination. I suspect once she was outside scanning range, her ship would have an unfortunate accident.”
“Ten Algean Warships have teleported in to where she entered the landing bay.”
“How do you know that, Alex?”
“The new scanner Sprigly installed allows me to see far beyond the Algean range. I’m moving again but I wanted to confirm something was going on.”
Sprigly looked at Seedel, “That’s why you suggested we move when you exited your ship?”
“The Elder that sent me out on my mission was highly impatient for me to leave. I suspected they were up to something.”
“And you still left?”
Seedel looked at Tag, “An adolescent has no choice but to obey the Elders. I knew that I was sent out alone so no one else would have to die with me.”
Sprig looked at her, “And you have not been paired with another adolescent?”
“The Elders did not find a…suitable match for me.”
Danielle dropped her head as a tear appeared under her right eye, “Weed and Seed also paid a price for our absence. We were so stupid staying away so long.”
“There’s something else you should know.” Seedel paused and said, “You know how whatever is said on the Holy Planet is heard by everyone.” Danielle nodded and wiped her eyes. “A representative from the Realm’s assembly came to the Elders twelve-days ago and told them that you have been seen on Earth. He wanted to know if he could count on the continued support of our species.”
“And?” Tag asked.
Seedel said, “You probably aren’t aware but after my parents died, the leader of the Assembly came to the new Elder and made an offer for his support.”
“What was that?” Sprigly asked.
“He told the Elder that if he would agree to use his fleets to do his bidding that he would remove the restriction preventing my species from defending the worlds in our galaxy. He also agreed to free us from any taxes or other requirements imposed on the other members of the Realm.”
Danielle nodded, “So the Elder agreed to continue to do the Realm’s bidding even if we showed up again.”
“He did. The Assembly also passed a law making it illegal for the Stars Realm to ever be ruled by a Royal again.”
Dela’s eyes narrowed, “I find it highly suspicious that we arrive here and find this, this, whatever it is, there waiting for us to find it.”
Seedel looked at Dela and said to Sprigly, “Is she always like this?”
“Our Species attacked their planets and killed most of their populations.”
“Really? How long ago?”
“Two-thousand-years ago.”
“I was still a seed at that time. The Assembly probably ordered the attack to make sure our Elders would do as they ordered.”
Seedel looked at Dela and explained, “I don’t understand the coincidence and the odds of it happening at random is pretty high against it. I do understand your being suspicious.”
Dela rolled her eyes and then looked at Danielle, “Are Algeans always like this?”
“Yes, they pretty much ignore anything that places them in jeopardy in the face of facts. However, this is not a coincidence and we’ve seen events like this throughout our lives.”
Sprigly turned toward her, “Are you suggesting this is a creation-event?”
Danielle turned and said, “Tag?”
“It is. It’s been a long time since one took place but it appears Seedel has a role to play in coming events.”
Seedel tilted slightly, “What are you talking about, Tag?”
“Get Sprigly to explain it. However, I don’t think going to the Algeans is called for, now.”
Danielle’s eyes narrowed, “You think Bristone.”
“I do.”
Kogo shook his head, “The two of you are driving me insane. What are you talking about.”
Danielle chuckled at Kogo’s reaction and smiled, “I should have explained a few things to you before now. Tag and I both have psychic talents that differ from each other. I can see truth in any situation and I also have a sense of things that must be done. Tag has the ability to look at different possibilities and see which one poses the least danger for us to do. He sees the safest one for us to take and he’s kept us alive for thousands of years with that talent. He is also a consummate warrior that has never been defeated. Part of the reason for that is he can avoid situations that would lead to defeat. He senses that going to the Algean Galaxy now would endanger us. We both decided that a visit to the Bristone Empire was also needed and he sees that now is a good time to make that trip. I sense he’s right about that. Does that clear things up?”
Kogo sighed heavily, “I guess. Sprigly, how do you live with this?”
“You get used to it after a few thousand-years.”
Dela shook her head, “I thought we might be useful but I see we’re out of our depth. You should take us back.”
Tag shook his head, “You will also play a role in what’s coming.”
“What?”
“You’re not here by accident, either. Why did you suggest going with us?”
Dela stared at him and thought about i
t. After a moment, she shrugged and looked at Kogo, “I don’t know. I just felt compelled to do it.”
“I imagine Seedel also felt compelled to leave, when she did as well.”
Seedel looked at Tag and shook her branches, “I felt it was time to leave.”
Danielle looked at Tag, “Are you thinking what I’m feeling?”
“It’s not clear, yet. What are you seeing, Danielle?”
“Tag, the only time Creation Events happen is when an evil force threatens all life in our Creation. But I’ve not seen any evidence of that sort of danger.”
Tag nodded, “I think things will be clearer as we move forward. Alex, take us to Bristone.”
“I’ll approach cautiously.” Tag nodded and stared out of the forward viewport.
Chapter Four
“Elder, the ship with the adolescent has disappeared.”
“WHAT?”
“She disappeared from our scan before she moved far enough away where the warships could remove her.”
“Explain to me how that could happen. Her vessel was not equipped to avoid detection.”
“We are at a loss to explain it, Elder.”
“There have been too many unexplained disappearances lately.”
“One of our scientists has suggested that if the rumor of the Gardners appearance is true, they may be responsible for the disappearances.”
The Elder stared at the Leader of his Fleets and inquired, “And no other vessel was detected in the space she disappeared.”
“No, Great Elder.”
“Do you think it’s possible the Gardners have a ship capable of avoiding our scanners?”
“Legend has it that the Gardners are on the Alexander Kosiev.”
“I thought that vessel was destroyed by the Demons.”
“The original was destroyed along with Cassandra Gardner but there was a clone of the vessel’s software made before it died and the Gardners took it as their own. It was housed in a Psychic Ship, Great Elder.”
“That isn’t good and if that adolescent has her parent’s memory of our confrontations, it would cause us severe problems.”
“None have shown up before she launched. The Second Elder checked her mind thoroughly before she left.”
“That doesn’t mean they aren’t there.”
“I know.”
“She must be found.”
“How do we do that if she is in an undetectable ship?”