Ashes of the Realm - Greyson's Revenge (30 page)

The Fleet Master thought about the Master’s observation, “That would have to mean they knew we were there and followed us to the current conquest.”

“That is true.”

“Do we have the resources to reevaluate those we have not yet invaded?”

“Unfortunately, we do not if we intend to complete this conquest in a timely fashion.”

The Fleet Master stood straight and waited for his death sentence. Then he heard, “We will finish with the current Universe and then we will use all our assets to search the eight we were surveying. They are a nuisance but they have not really hurt our numbers enough to really matter. Complete your conquest and make the plan needed to search for the worlds that made those ships.”

The Fleet Master bowed and backed out of the chamber.

“I’m surprised you didn’t replace him.”

“I’ve not seen anything else he could have done. Do you?”

“Well, no, but failure is often punished.”

“That’s true but we usually have evidence of poor decision making. This Fleet Master has tried some ingenious methods. A new Master would have to go in and relearn all that he knows. That would be inefficient. Do any of you see it differently?”

No one spoke. There were ten Masters but nine of them knew who really had the power.

Scotty walked into his home and saw Julie sitting on the couch crying. He sat down beside her and put his arm around her. She leaned over and put her head on his chest. Scotty was quiet for a few minutes and sighed, “How is Carol taking it?”

“She’s bearing up. She knew the dangers and wasn’t shocked by what happened. She has had so many losses in her life. Now her second husband is gone. It breaks my heart.”

“We’ll take care of them, Julie.”

“The Riders have already taken them into their family. They will watch over them and ensure they’re ok. I just hate that we’ve lost so many brave ships and warriors.” Julie sat up, “I’m sorry. I know what this does to you.”

“You’re right but it gives me strength to see your heart. You are the reason I will not give up.”

Julie put her head back on Scotty’s chest and closed her eyes.

Nineteen year old Carter Reese waited while his partner was being moved into a Zeta Searcher. He was on Greyson’s bridge with the head band on while he downloaded all of the actions by the Zetas in the other universe. Timmy looked at him and said, “He’s so young, Greyson.”

“You were three months younger than him when you became my partner.”

Timmy looked up, “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I wonder why his ship was selected?”

“His ship isn’t what led to that decision. He is the reason for the selection.”

Timmy looked at the young man again, “What’s so special about him?”

“He’s smarter than you are, Tim.”

“You’re kidding me?”

“No, he posted the highest scores on all our tests for potential Searchers. He’s something special.”

Timmy grunted and waited for the young man to finish the downloads. We’ll just see.

An hour later the young man sat up and removed the headband, “That was interesting.” He looked at Timmy and smiled, “That captor ball strategy was amazing.”

Timmy said, “It was Greyson’s idea.”

“Even so, the two of you made it work. You’re the one that made it happen.”

Timmy didn’t really want to like him but found it was hard not to with the openness of the young Searcher, “Do you see anything we can do?”

“Well, I was thinking you might use a stealth probe to bait a trap for them.”

“What do you mean?”

“They can see us because we’re moving which makes the difference in light measurable. As long as we remain stationary, they shouldn’t be able to read our presence. I’ve seen that they are now coming in a half light year from the position of our ships. Why don’t we send a probe in with a self destruct circuit? As it moves toward one of their ships, we’ll be waiting a half light year away for one of their ships to emerge. They usually send enough to surround us so we should be close enough to greet one with a captor ball.”

Timmy stared at Carter and smiled, “Welcome to the family. You can come with us to try that tactic.”

“Really, that would be great. I’m sure Pyle will love to be present.”

Timmy hit his com, “Jenna, Virze, do you have a minute?”

“Sure, what’s up?”

Timmy explained the plan and Virze and Jenna were excited at the prospect. Timmy said, “We’ll spread out a half light year out from the probe and our chances of hitting one of their ships will go up.”

Greyson said, “I’ll give you your coordinates when we arrive.”

Jenna said, “Gilene, who is that new Searcher?”

“He comes from Rehoben’s Fleet. According to my databanks, he’s scored the highest scores on the Searcher tests.”

Jenna frowned, “Higher than mine?”

“Only twenty points.”

Jenna wasn’t sure what to think about that. She knew she had only beat Timmy by twelve but she was proud of being the smartest. Now she had lost her title. Then she thought, He’s thirty two points better than Timmy. “Gilene, do you have a picture of him?”

Jenna looked at her display and saw a handsome young man smiling. “How old is he?”

“Nineteen.”

Jenna continued to stare at the picture as Timmy laid out their plan.

“Your Majesty, do you have some free time?”

“Hi, Jingo, you sound like something’s bothering you.”

“I need to share some information that the new Searcher has uncovered.”

“Meet me at home.”

“I’m on my way.”

Jingo sat down after giving Julie a hug. Robby came in and joined them at the table. Scotty saw something was wrong, “What’s going on, Jingo?”

“Carter viewed the down loads of all of our encounters with the Invaders and he saw something we’ve missed that bothered him. He brought it to my attention and I believe he’s right. I know why the Invaders are conquering universes, I think.”

“Why?”

“First, I want you to look at some pictures that Niles and Toland took of the planet where the Invaders were harvesting an orange colored pod.” Jingo took a picture out of a file and handed it to Scotty. “I want you to notice that the inhabitants being used to harvest the pods are dark brown in color.”

“Ok, so?”

“Now look at this close up of a female with a new born on her back. She is working in the fields growing normal crops.”

Scotty looked at the picture and saw the female was a much lighter shade of brown. The new born was pale and almost appeared white. Jingo handed him more photos and Scotty said, “It appears the ones harvesting normal crops are a much lighter shade of skin color.”

“They are, Scotty. Carter said he wondered what would possess that worker to take off his breathing mask and inhale the fumes from that pod. We moved the recorded video in close and saw that the worker’s face was orange and he was constantly trembling. We looked at the other workers on the ladders and most of them were shaking from one degree to another.”

Robby said, “The harvesters are addicted to the pods.”

Scotty looked at him quickly and then Jingo handed him another picture. “We missed this when we viewed it the first time.”

Scotty looked at the picture and saw in the trees next to the field a huge indentation in the ground with thousands of dead bodies in it.

Julie put her hand on her throat and saw that many of the bodies were small children. Scotty looked at her and saw her horror. He looked back at Jingo and said, “The pods are killing the inhabitants.”

Jingo nodded, “I’ve discussed this with Timmy, Jenna, and Carter and they think that the pods release spores that the inhabitants inhale. The Invaders use the population to harvest and replace those that die with the ones growing crops to feed the workers. Eventually, they won’t need any crops because most of them will be dead. The planet will have enough spores in the atmosphere to render it virtually uninhabitable.”

Robby said, “They have to constantly replace conquered planets to continue their harvesting.”

Jingo nodded, “These creatures only attack planets with life that is intelligent enough to farm. Now I want to show you one other photo.” Jingo handed Scotty a picture that showed the seas covered with dead fish. “Those spores kill everything.”

Scotty’s expression hardened. Jingo recognized his expression and said, “That is what awaits us if we don’t defeat these creatures.”

Scotty looked at Jingo, “What are we doing about this?”

“So far, our best scientists have examined the pod that Niles sent to us but have come up empty handed.”

Robby said, “But?”

Jingo looked at him and said, “Carter wants to be released from the attacks in the other universe to see if he can find someone that can help us.”

Julie said, “Who would that be?”

Robby smiled. “He wants to find an Algean.”

Jingo looked shocked, “How do you know that?”

“It takes a plant to know a plant. Dani and I are going to help him find one.”

Scotty looked at his son, “Why do you need to go?”

“Because it’s time for Dani and I and we are telepathic. With the Zord’s help we’ll be able to hear it.”

Julie stared at Robby, “What do you mean it’s time for you and Dani?”

“We were born to be together. I’ve been waiting for the event that would signal the time has come for us to release ourselves. This is the event.”

Scotty looked at Julie and then said, “You will be like the Gardners.”

“I don’t know, Dad. I do know we will be more than we currently are. It’s time.”

Jingo said, “Time for what?”

“For us to don our armor and get into the fray. If you check with Alex, I’ll bet he has the armor ready now.”

Scotty stared at his son and wondered what he was becoming. He remembered BC telling him years ago that his children were going to have psychic powers. He knew that he was in the middle of a psychic event and there was nothing he could to prevent it. He looked at Julie and saw that she had arrived at the same conclusion. Her dream was unavoidable. Now this was bearing down on them like an asteroid collision. He looked at Jingo and said, “Bring Carter here now.”

Robby said, “You also need to bring Jenna.”

“Why?”

“Because we are going to double our number searching; Dani will go with her and I will go with Carter. Mom, you need to go tell Mallory that Dani will be joining us.”

“Why me?”

“Because you’re the only one that can convince her to allow Dani to come.”

Scotty sighed and said, “BC, are you listening in?”

“I am, Your Majesty.”

“Take Julie to New Hope and send Anglo to recall Carter and Jenna.”

Robby looked at his parents, “I expected more resistence from you.”

Julie stood and hugged her baby, “We’ve known what you’ll become before you were born. Fighting it will only endanger the Empire. We’re forced to let you find your destiny.”

Scotty looked at Jingo, “Well, my best friend, it looks like we are now rushing down a path we cannot escape.”

Jingo lowered his head, “I’m going to see Tesa and Maddy before I go back. I need to remember what this is all about.”

Scotty extended his hand and shook Jingo’s, “It’s always been about those we love.”

Scotty looked at Robby, “Do you really think there’s an Algean in this universe.”

“Just like Jessica was left behind along with all the Stars Realm’s representatives on the Provincial Planets, one of them had to miss the bus.”

Sixteen year old Dani Valrico sat in her room staring at Robby’s picture and wondered what he looked like now. He had to be handsome with white hair like his father. “Dani.”

Her heart went into her throat, “Yes, Robby!”

“It’s time. Mom is coming to see if your mother will allow you to come.”

“Are you sure?”

“Look at your heart.”

Dani felt it beating faster and tried to feel the familiar revulsion whenever she thought about Robby. It was gone. “You’re right. Are you as excited as I am?”

“More, my Love. More.”

Dani packed a bag and then saw that she could see the space around New Hope. I have some time, Julie hasn’t arrived yet. She hugged the picture to her chest and felt alive. Thirty minutes later she saw BC in orbit. She picked up her bag and walked to her doorway, paused and looked back into the room that had been her prison for six years, then turned and left to go to the throne room.

Robby said, “Kreej, are you ready?”

“I am.”

“Is Dani’s Zord ready?”

“Neelah is here with me.”

“Has Bleath approved your union?”

“It becomes official when we go with you and Dani.”

Robby felt their love and knew they were as excited as he was. The two Zord had been kept apart until this time arrived. “Call Jessica and have her take you to the Defense Facility. Dani and I will join you there later.”

Dani entered the throne room as Mallory and Julie were embroiled in a heated exchange. Mallory saw Dani walk in from the door carrying a travel bag. She stopped yelling in midsentence and Julie turned to see what was going on. Mallory said, “You can go put that bag back where you found it.”

Dani shrugged, “You can also start believing that your dream with Father in it was all false.”

Mallory said, “You disrespectful child.”

“Mother, did your dream come true exactly as you dreamed it?”

Mallory leaned back, “You know it did.”

“What do you think would have happened if you had not been kidnapped by Father?”

Mallory thought about it. Dani saw her confusion, “I’ll tell you. Jilico would have invaded to force your father to get you off the planet and you would have ended up on Bristone anyway. There was nothing you could have done to prevent that dream from happening. If you try to stop me now, then something really dramatic will force you to get me off the planet. If that happens, where would you send me?”

Mallory stared at Dani and then looked at Julie, “I would send you to her if you were in danger here.”

“Which is exactly where I’m going now. You don’t want to get in the way of a psychic event, Mother. People get hurt when they try. You of all people should know that.”

Mallory looked at Julie, “Is this a psychic event?”