by Saxon Andrew
The Distributor forced himself to show no outward fear and said, “It was your command that required me to only send the needed number of ships to harvest a universe. You ordered me to invade with the entire fleet but then withdraw those ships not needed to manage the harvest. The current universe being attacked has one third the normal number of galaxies and after the initial attacks, I followed your command and began withdrawing the appropriate number of ships to reserve. I have no way of knowing if any of the spores are on their hulls. I choose not to run a risk in using them in any future harvestings.” The Distributor saw the Second deflate immediately as the other three on the Council stared at him. The Distributor smiled and said, “Unless you think I should use them.”
The First continued to stare at the Second as he said, “No, you’re right in that choice. Does that mean we must rebuild our entire infrastructure again?”
“It does.”
“What are you going to do about the old fleets?”
“I think we should destroy them all including the reserve fleets and quarantine those locations. A completely different universe should be used for our new facilities. I have been waiting for your guidance before I take that step.”
The first looked at the other Councilors and saw them nod, “You will carry out that plan. How do you plan to make up for lost production?”
The Distributor knew he was at another danger point but he pushed a button and sent the four Council Members a listing of priorities, “I will build eight fleets that we will use to harvest new universes. I will start the first ships harvesting before I build any of the advanced models we normally hold in reserve. We will no longer scout before we attack. We have not encountered any universe that can stand up to our technology. We scouted to pick the optimum universe to invade for fast and efficient conquest and that worked when our supply exceeded our needs. However, it is my belief that by scouting our future invasions, one of them was warned and the spore is a product of that knowledge. Once our supply is back to normal, we’ll eliminate as many fleets as needed to maintain optimal levels.”
“What about those eight universes that were scouted?”
The Distributor looked at the First and said, “I will carry out your orders on what you want me to do with them.”
The First leaned into the display and snarled, “Destroy them all.”
The Distributor smiled, “It will be my pleasure.”
The Distributor watched his display closely and saw three of the Council Members staring at the Second just before the picture went black. It leaned back and took a deep breath and felt his shaking start. It appeared there was going to soon be an open couch on the Council. It knew the real reason it couldn’t use the reserve fleets was because he had taken one of the next generation of battleships and used it to destroy a planet in the new harvesting. Returning it to the reserve fleets was an error that would have gotten him killed. He had rushed and brought other ships back following the Second’s orders, which he had previously ignored, once he learned of the spore. He knew those fleets were contaminated when he brought those ships back but it was the only way to save him from certain death. It was a good thing the Second had issued that order several thousand cycles ago. It turned to its board and sent the self destruct signal to the old facilities and fleets. Four hundred planets exploded and more than eight million ships and crews ceased to exist. Now it could begin the construction of the fleets and processing centers. It was angry about the long time he was going to have to remain awake to build the new structures but he looked forward to destroying eight universes. He never tired of seeing death and destruction of other species and this was worth staying awake to view. It would provide many pleasant dreams when he returned to his couch.
Chapter Five
Dani jerked wide awake from a nightmare that had her trembling, “Robby!!”
“What’s wrong!?!”
“I need you here, now!!”
Scotty teleported to Dani’s room on Bristone and reached for her. He saw her shaking and crying out of control, “What’s wrong. Tell me what’s wrong!”
Dani was breathing short breaths as she held on to Robby with all her strength. Robby wrapped her in his arms and said, “Shhhh, everything’s alright. I’m here now.” He rocked her slowly in his arms and she began to slow her breathing.
After twenty minutes Dani’s breathing slowed to a point where she was able to say with a quivering voice, “Everyone is going to die, Robby. Everyone.”
Robby fought hard not to over react but felt his heart rate increase, “What do you mean?”
“I’ve had a vision and everyone living in this universe is going to die.”
“Show me, Dani.”
Dani let him into her mind and he saw the vision she had just experienced. As Scotty watched, he felt his anxiety level skyrocket, “Are you sure this is a vision?” Dani leaned back and looked at him; he sighed and shook his head, “I was hoping I saw it wrong. We need to tell my parents.”
Both of them suddenly started trembling. Dani wailed, “We can’t tell anyone!”
Robby was stunned; his sense of danger went off the scale when he thought about warning Scotty and Julie. The danger level was lower when he thought about saying nothing. “Oh, Robby, everyone is going to die.”
Robby saw the vision of Bristone burning. The atmosphere had been blown away by one of the giant Black Ships and the continents were cracked down to the planet’s core, causing molten rock to spew miles above the dead planet’s surface. He saw that all of the Empire’s planets were burning just like Bristone. He knew from the vision that no planet with an intelligent species on it in this universe was still alive and that trillions had died in agony. He also saw that he and Dani were on Bristone’s surface talking with his parents when the beam was fired. He heard the warning from Anglo and looked up at the night sky just before the Invader fired that terrible beam.
Dani put her head on his chest and continued to cry. This was a psychic vision and it was going to happen; there was no avoiding it and nothing could stop it. He looked at it again and felt fear and anger in equal measure. He looked down at Dani and took a deep breath. There was a reason for this; there had to be. He had to find it. He knew that even if he found it, life in this universe was ending soon and he couldn’t warn anyone about what was coming.
He held Dani through the night and couldn’t get the vision out of his mind. He knew Dani was suffering from what she saw but he didn’t have the words to comfort her. He was shocked beyond words and fought to control his anger at a Creator that would allow the death of so many worlds. Finally, Dani took a deep breath, got up, went to the kitchen and filled a bowl with ice cream. Scotty followed her and she said, “Ice cream always makes me feel better. We need to think this thing through and we can’t if we allow our fear to overwhelm us.”
Robby filled a bowl with cookies and then put the ice cream on top. Dani furrowed her brow and he said, “Cookies always makes it better.” She reached over and put a layer of cookies on top of her bowl.
They ate in silence and Dani said, “Why are we being warned?”
Robby shook his head and chewed the cookies for a moment, “We can’t prevent what we’ve seen.” Dani nodded. “That means something must be done to reduce the damage of this vision. Otherwise, there would be no reason for seeing it.”
“There’s one other reason.”
“What is that?”
“This has to happen to prevent a larger harm.”
“What could be worse than this?”
“I don’t know but I sense that is the reason.”
Robby pondered her idea and said, “We have always said that psychics appear at a time when creation is out of balance. When evil is threatening the balance, psychics appear. Do you think our universe is a pawn in the larger game?”
Dani looked at Robby and nodded, “Picture the Creative Force as a parent and the universes are its children. These Orange Creatures are killing the children of this
Force. We are shocked and angered at what’s going to happen here but how many other universes have died at the hands of the Invaders. If we have to die to stop them, we will. If we attempt to change the future, I sense we will still be destroyed but greater harm will follow. The Invaders may not be stopped.”
“So why have we been warned?”
“I don’t know but we can’t tell anyone. Do you understand that?”
Robby nodded.”
“I’m serious, Robby. Your parents are going to die. Can you stand by and watch that happen?”
Robby took a deep breath, “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know.”
“We are there with them, Robby.”
“I think that is the reason for this vision, Dani.”
Dani tilted her head, “Why do you say that?”
“We know it’s coming; we have armor and can teleport out. This warning gives us enough time to react before we’re hit. This vision is to save us.”
Dani looked him in the eyes and nodded, “Then if we are going to be saved, there must be others that can also survive.” She thought a few moments and sighed, “Here’s what we’ll do. We can’t do anything to prevent this but we can determine what we can do to minimize it by making sure we look at every future decision and determine the level of danger. If it’s high, we can’t do it. Will you agree to do this?”
“That means we can’t offer any choices. It may impact what’s coming in a very bad way.”
Dani looked at Robby and he saw a small smile, “What?”
“I suspect that it’s not us that are being saved.”
Robby stared at her, “I don’t see any other possibilities.”
“It could be our children.”
“But we don’t have any children.”
Dani stared at him and Robby wondered what she meant. Then he understood, “Not right now, right.”
Dani reached and hugged his neck, “No, not at this moment. Give it a few months.”
Robby hugged her and kissed his wife. He looked inside and knew she was right. He focused on her and could feel the child.
Dani signed and said, “I’ve wondered why Timmy and Virze were made the new rulers of the Empire instead of us. Now I know.”
Robby thought about it and slowly nodded, “You have always been better at this than me. Timmy’s decisions won’t be influenced by prior knowledge. We need to move to New Hope and see where he’s going to lead us.”
“I sense someone else is going to bring some of us salvation.”
Robby furrowed his brow, “Who?”
“Carter Reese.”
Robby thought a moment and weighed her observation, “Carter it is.”
Carter and Jenna sat onboard Pyle and looked at the orange planet below. “Carter why are we here?”
“I’m thinking about what’s going to happen to us when the Invaders build their new ships. I’m looking at some alternatives to try and minimize their chances of finding us.”
Jenna heard Cassandra in the nursery and left the bridge to get her. She returned with the toddler rubbing her eyes. She looked at Carter and held out her little arms as she ran across the bridge to her father. He lifted her up and spun her around as he sat back down in his chair. Cassie stared at the planet on the screen and frowned, “You don’t like it do you little one?”
Cassie looked at Carter and shook her head.
“What do you think about my plan?”
The three year old smiled and nodded. She wrapped her arms around his neck and giggled. Carter looked at Jenna and saw her wondering what had just happened. “We need to go see the Emperor.”
Jenna came over and took Cassie and sat in her chair. Cassie looked her in the eyes and had a very peaceful expression. Jenna looked back at Carter and didn’t know what to think. Did Cassie know what he was going to do? Cassie looked at her and nodded again.
Greyson commed Robby, “Pyle just notified me that Carter is on his way to see the Emperor for a formal discussion.”
Robby started to call Dani when he heard her thought, “Grace just told me. We need to be at that meeting.”
Robby checked Greyson’s board, “He’s been scheduled to meet with Timmy this afternoon.”
“We’ll just happen to show up.”
“Make sure Trey is with you.”
“You didn’t have to ask. I’m sure he’ll help us.”
Dani looked at her three year old son and he smiled. “You’ve been listening in again.” Trey smiled and laughed out loud.
Robby and Dani entered the throne room and Timmy saw them. He jumped up and ran forward and picked up Trey to swing him around. Trey laughed and hugged Timmy’s neck as he turned circles, “Robby, Dani, it’s so good to see you. I didn’t know you were coming.”
“We just wanted to stop by for a few moments since we were in the neighborhood.”
Timmy handed Trey to Dani and hugged them. “I have a meeting with Carter but I’m free afterwards. Can you wait?”
“Yes we can. Is Junior around?”
“He’ll be here with Virze in just a moment. Ah, here they are.”
Virze came in from the rear of the throne room and Junior ran forward to see Trey. The two then started chasing each other laughing at the top of their voices. “Oh to be that young with that much energy.”
Dani and Robby bowed and Dani said, “You have that right. Were we ever that full of energy?”
Virze hugged Robby and Dani and then gathered up Junior and sat down on her throne. Robby and Dani saw Carter and Jenna enter with Cassie in Jenna’s arms. She squirmed out of Jenna’s arms and ran up to Junior and hugged him. Robby looked at Dani as he noticed that Trey and Cassie looked at each other but didn’t come close to each other. Dani picked up Trey and went to a chair in the right wing of the throne room. Dani saw Trey’s discomfort and felt him start to relax when he was moved away from Cassie.
Robby went to Carter and held out his hand, “It’s good to see you old friend.”
Carter smiled that wonderful smile he always seemed to have and shook Robby’s hand vigorously, “Yes it is and I’m glad you’re here.”
“Why is that?”
“I might need your support for something I’m going to suggest to Timmy.”
Robby shrugged and said, “I’ll do what I can.”
Timmy and Virze remained on their thrones since this was an official meeting and waited for Carter to approach. Cassie ran back to Jenna and stood in front of her between her legs.
Carter turned and walked toward the thrones and bowed. “Welcome, Carter Reese. Please rise and tell us how may we be of service?”
Carter smiled and said, “I have a plan that I’m hoping you will agree to implement. I know you may not like it initially but I feel you should hear all of it before you make a decision.”
Timmy furrowed his brow, stood up, and looked over Carter’s shoulder as Weed and Seed entered the throne room’s entrance. They moved forward and stopped behind Carter. Carter turned around, saw them, and looked at them with a furrowed brow. Timmy said, “It seems I have more unexpected guests than I thought. He looked over at Robby who shrugged. He looked back at the Algeans, “Is there a reason you’re here?”
“We are here to support Carter’s plan.”
Carter looked at the two Algeans and said, “I haven’t discussed my plan with you.”
“No, but it’s clear what you want to happen.”
Timmy looked at Carter, ““With whom have you discussed this plan?”
Carter looked around the room and said, “No one; not even Jenna.”
Timmy looked at Jenna and she nodded, “I don’t know why he asked for this meeting.”
Virze said, “And you didn’t ask?”
“I knew that I shouldn’t. I don’t know how but I knew.”
Virze looked at Timmy and he sat down. “What’s your plan, Carter?”
“I want you to leave the Empire, Your Majesty.”
Timmy was stunned at the suggest
ion and Virze didn’t know what to say either.
Finally Timmy said shaking his head, “Why?”
“To save the Empire.”
Robby looked at Dani and nodded. She felt it as well. The danger level was going down.
Carter continued, “We know the Orange Creatures are going to come looking for the ones that produced the spores that killed their pods. It’s just a matter of time and I suspect we don’t have a lot of time remaining before they show up. What will they see when they scan this universe? I also want you to consider that the Creator of these Black Ships will be the one making the scan. If this imagined Creator has the technology of the Red Demons, it will be able to see our entire universe with one scan. There will be no moving planets to hide from it. I ask you again, Your Majesty, if we are scanned, what will it immediately see?”
Timmy looked at Virze and then turned back to Carter, “It will see hundreds of thousands of ships we’ve built and the planets building them.”
“And which planet is the largest builder of those ships?”
Timmy took a deep breath and said, “New Hope.”
“We can’t hide this planet or the other sixty five high technology worlds building our fleet. Our universe will be their first target and we’re not ready to take them on. We can’t defeat the ships they were using before we dropped the spores on them. The next ship that shows up will be even stronger. Do you see it any other way?”
Timmy thought a moment and said, “You don’t know for certain that they will be able to see our entire universe.”
“Are you willing to bet the Empire against that? Come on, Timmy, you’re too smart to even consider that idea. You’ve always been the one to make hard decisions and now it’s time to make another.”
Timmy noticed that Carter had not used his title and was initially angry but then realized he was trying to get him to think. He was reminding him of what a Searcher’s Partner had to do to survive. He looked at Carter and said, “Then how do we hide our planets?”
“We move them to another universe.”