Ashes of the Realm - Greyson's Revenge (28 page)

“How can that be?”

“The new Armor will teleport its energy to operate. If needed it will take it from the ship it attacks. If it can’t get it from the ship, it’ll draw it from the closest star. Once the force field around a ship is removed, it will take its energy from the reactors on the ship or reactors we’ll be building around the Empire. Unlike the Zeta’s that have three reactors, the Armor will be able to draw from thousands. That development will make them a weapon that is almost unimaginable. If we can get them through the Invader’s force fields, they will give better than they get. I don’t mean to say that they won’t be in danger. They will. But they can make a difference in the coming invasion.”

“Kreej and I get the first one.”

“Robby, you will not be involved in this fighting.”

“Yes, I will, father. That’s why you named Timmy and Virze as your successors. You really don’t know why you did that but there are forces operating here that are beyond our understanding. I can sense that I must be first. Dani will be second.”

Julie looked at Scotty and he saw her fear, “Son, I am not prepared to do that.”

Vring said, “You have no choice, White Hair. I’ve seen his mind. You will do it or we will fall to the Invaders.”

“Why do you say that!?!”

“Because we can’t go after them in their dimension; your son is what we must use to enable us to make that happen.”

Robby said, “I didn’t see that Vring. I just sense that any other decision leads us to more danger.”

Scotty looked at Julie and she realized that Robby was developing a talent for sensing danger, just like the ancient rulers of the Realm. Julie took a deep breath and said, “Then we need to bring Dani back here.”

“Not yet, Mom. We’re not ready. The new armor is also not ready. When the time is right, she will come.”

Alex said, “I don’t understand how your child knows these things but he’s right. The armor is years off from completion. The modifications are going to require delicate circuit boards that we have not yet designed. It will be take time to make the changes.”

“What about the ships to confront this enemy?”

Bleath said, “Grace, we now know the power we need for a beam to penetrate their force fields to hit the Invader’s Ships. We don’t need ships as small as an Ultra. We will develop ships that are four thousand feet long. They will use the new energy technology we’ll put in the armor as well as the current force field technology. The new ships will be able to use both. We will start their construction immediately and will add the new developments when they are completed. I suspect we will need at least half a million of them.”

“How many crew members will be needed?”

“Fifty or sixty, Your Majesty.”

Alex asked, “How many planets are able to begin their construction?”

Grang said, “More than eight hundred are currently at the necessary industrial capacity. We should have more than two hundred a year added to their number with an additional four hundred a year after three years.”

Scotty, Julie, and Jingo stared at Grang. “What?”

Jingo said, “How do you know that?”

“I pay attention and listen to what’s being said. You should try it sometime.”

Julie excused herself from the bridge and went to the bath room where she almost laughed herself into spasms.

Scotty tried his hardest not to smile but had to leave and join Julie.

Jingo looked at Grang and grunted.

Timmy started laughing and found he couldn’t stop. Jingo just sat and shook his head.

Greyson said, “Alex, what is going to be our role in this?”

“You are going to have your stealth capabilities enhanced. They you will go to the universe being invaded and delay their return to our universe.”

“How are we going to do that?”

“I have several billion hornets stored here and you are going to feed them a steady supply. You won’t be able to take on more than one of them at a time but you should be able to get their attention.”

“Aren’t you worried that they’ll increase the strength of their force fields?”

“They will. But not five or six times the current level. The Video from Niles showed us that half the strength of a Zeta beam will open a hole. You’ll start at that level and gradually increase the strength as they improve their fields. They will have to take all those ships off line to modify them. It should delay them coming back. It will also focus them on that universe. I would recommend that you only penetrate one ship out of five you attack. That should make their changes in force field strength minimal.”

Greyson said, “That sounds like fun.”

“All we want if for you to keep them occupied.”

“What about them recognizing us as being from here?”

“The Zeta’s look nothing like a standard Searcher; the only thing you have in common is that you are white. Use the red generators for your outer screen and you’ll appear red.”

Gilene said, “I need a partner. I don’t want to miss out on the fun.”

Jingo said, “I know one that is only twelve but she’s perfect.”

“Who?”

“Jenna Talben. She’s young but she is way beyond most adults. She’s brilliant and has been involved in the day to day ruling of Ashley’s Kingdom.” Grang nodded at Jingo’s suggestion.

“Do you think her parents will allow her to be a partner?”

“Take June with you to ask.”

Gilene thought about it. She was little more than a child. Why were the strongest warriors in the Empire in agreement about her selection? “Grang, I want you to go with me and will you ask June to go with us?”

“You might prefer Jingo.”

“No, I want you.”

“Why.”

“You don’t offer your opinion very often but when you do, people have a way of listening.”

Grang shrugged.

“I’m teleporting you on board.”

“I’m all yours.”

Jingo shook his head and Grang disappeared.

Scotty and Julie returned to the bridge and Julie asked, “Where’s Grang.”

“Gilene took him to pick up June to see if Ashley will allow Jenna to be her partner.”

Scotty and Julie looked at each other and Jingo saw their concern.

“Hey, you know she’s not being challenged. It’s time we brought her into the Empire’s inner circle.”

Julie slowly shook her head, “I just don’t see Ashley allowing it.”

Jingo smiled, “I’ve taken the Princess on several trips. She makes it impossible to say no.” Scotty and Julie didn’t look convinced. “Gilene is taking June with her.”

Julie said, “Oh my ancient ancestors. Convincing June is another issue but if she can be persuaded, we may have the youngest Searcher ever.”

“She’s only young in years, Julie. That girl has Warrior written all over her. She will be a formidable adversary.”

Scotty shrugged, “She is talented. Even the Zord find her interesting.”

Vring said, “I don’t like arguing with her. I never win.”

Julie smiled, “Perhaps this is something that we are being pushed to make happen. Let’s see what takes place.”

Jingo smiled, “I hope Gilene is ready.”

June and Grang stood in front of Ashley Talben as she yelled, “Absolutely not. There’s no way I’ll allow her to Partner with a Searcher.”

June and Grang said nothing. They had made the request and knew what Ashley’s reaction would be.

“June how could you come here and suggest I send her out to put herself in danger? Are you out of your mind? Glen, tell them.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not!?!”

“Because I happen to agree with them.” Ashley looked at Glen and he saw her turn her anger toward him.

Before she could say anything they heard, “So you want to protect me from becoming all that I could possibly become.”

Ashley turned and saw Jenna standing next to June. “This doesn’t concern you.”

“It has everything to do with me. You aren’t willing to make the difficult decisions and sacrifices that will ensure our Kingdom’s survival. Further, you are willing to stunt my development all because you don’t have the courage to make a hard decision. You’re being outrageously selfish.”

Gilene listened in to the conversation from orbit and thought, “Oh boy. This is one little explosion waiting to go off.”

Ashley stared at Jenna and shook her head. Jenna said, “I am bored to tears. I’ve exhausted all the material in our learning centers and I find nothing challenging in court life. I know more about the Military Database than any general officer in your armed forces. There is nothing here that even remotely interests me. Life has become one boring moment after another. Now I have a chance to partner with one of the most advanced ships ever created and you are afraid I’ll be harmed. What if those Invaders attack? Will I be safe here? Or would I be safer on the most powerful ship ever created? If you could help in the fight against that invasion, would you not go because you’re afraid of being harmed? Look at what Aunt June did to save us. Do you think I’m not just as brave? You’re being selfish and putting your emotions ahead of what’s best for our subjects. Why don’t you admit the truth?”

Ashley sat down on her throne.

“Once this conflict is over, do you think I won’t be a stronger and wiser person for having taken part. Even if I die, I would rather be fighting than wasting my time being bored here. Just think about all I can learn from this experience.”

Ashley looked at Glen. He said, “She’s not growing, Ashley. She has nothing to wake up for and I can see her spirit that I love so much is slowly dying. She’s so much more than what we see. We could all die in the coming invasion and she’s right. She can make a difference. Just think about what she’ll become from being involved in the Empire’s fight. Millions of people would give up their life for the opportunity to partner with a Searcher. When it’s time for her to take your place, what do you think the experience would do for her development?”

“But she’s so young.”

“Ashley, she’s already more mature than all of your advisors. How many times have you taken her advice over theirs? You’re just keeping her at that level with no chance to grow. I don’t want to put her in harm’s way but where in this universe is there no risk. We are all in danger wherever we are.” Glen looked at Jenna and said, “Look at your daughter, Ashley. Her face is alive with excitement I haven’t seen for so long.”

Ashley looked at Jenna and saw her almost glowing with anticipation. She also saw her stubbornness in the firm set of her mouth. “June, why did you come here?”

“Because Jenna needs saving just as you did twelve years ago. I don’t want to see the light go out in her eyes.”

Grang said, “Running from the future is worse than waiting on it.”

June looked at Grang and smiled, “You really are more than I ever thought. I am so glad you were saved.”

“Not near as happy as the Zord at saving you, June. You have become the communities’ heart.”

Ashley saw June’s tears and knew. She stood and ran to Jenna and hugged her tightly, “I think just being around those that saved Maranda is worth any danger you may face. I’m so frightened by what could happen but I will consent.”

Ashley saw Jenna’s smile split her face. “Mom, I love you so much.”

Glen walked forward and put his arms around them.

Grang said, “Gilene, are you satisfied with this selection?”

The Talbens looked up as they heard over Grang’s communicator, “More than you can possibly know. The heart of this young woman amazes me. We will learn much from each other.”

Jenna smiled and said, “I’ll be ready in an hour, Gilene. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my world exciting again.”

Ashley squeezed Jenna and released her to run full speed from the throne room yelling at the top of her voice, “Look out universe, here I come.”

Ashley looked at Glen and June, “It’s been so long since I’ve seen Jenna this happy.”

Glen looked at June, “You are so much more than I remember. Thank you again for saving my daughter.”

June walked forward and kissed Glen on the cheek. You’ve been a good father and husband; it is I that owe you.”

Ashley hugged June and cried.

On the next full moons on Bristone June knelt before the Zord. Bleath said, “We are still unable to gather the ten necessary for your sentence.”

June said, “You will never have the ten here, will you?”

Bleath looked at Vring and said, “We would never hurt our communities by allowing that to happen.”

June looked up with tears falling, “But I deserve my sentence.”

“June, what would happen to all the children you have helped grow up into wonderful adults if we took you from them? How many of them come to see you every day and visit with you in the forest? You are paying your sentence with your loving heart. We forgave you years ago. Now it’s time you forgave yourself and allowed your heart to be free.”

“Just like Grang.”

“You are our Grang. Should he be allowed to die?”

June was startled by the question, “No! He’s too important.”

“Just as you are, little one.”

June nodded.

“You no longer need to come on the full moons.”

“You made that requirement up didn’t you?”

“Of course and having ten Elders present was also a farce.”

June laughed. “I should have known.”

“You could only see it when your heart was ready to forgive yourself.”

June felt as alive as Jenna. “Please take me home to Samuel.”

June rushed through the door, jumped at Samuel, and grabbed Samuel around the neck, “I love you, Sam.”

Samuel felt the difference in her and hugged her, “Welcome home to my heart, June. I’ll love you forever.”

June put her head on his chest and sighed, “That’s not long enough, Sam.”

“I know, but that’s all I have to work with.”

June laughed out loud and kissed her husband.

“Grang, we have someone who wants to see you.”

“Who, Your Majesty?”

“Are you at home?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sending them there.”

Grang grunted. He went back to sharpening his swords and heard a knock. He got up and opened the door. His eyes grew wide and he stumbled back into the house.

“So you’re the big, bad, Magrum everyone is afraid of?”