The Fight for Creation: Book 02 - Scout Warrior (15 page)

“Then go home and visit your mother.”

“How did you know about her?”

“Jennifer mentioned to Robby that you were going to visit; I saw it in his mind when we linked. Now would be a good time.”

“How long?”

“Four days. Please come back.”

Jixie looked at Sam and saw him staring at her. “I have to, Sam.”

“Why?”

“I’ve sworn to take care of Jennifer.” Sam smiled and nodded. “And you.”

Sam reached over and pulled Jixie into his arms and kissed her. He broke the kiss, stood, and walked down the hill.

Jixie was dazed and felt her heart beating wildly. She watched him walk away and felt something deep inside her heart. “Now I’m beginning to see what it is.”

Jixie called her ship, stepped inside, and stared at Sam as he entered the main building. She looked up and the small ship disappeared.

Sam went to his office and contacted Dort, Gon, Robby, and Jennifer. They immediately teleported in and he told them what he had done.

Dort looked at Sam and shook his head, “You know the Cats won’t allow this.”

“They’ll allow it or I’ll resign my commission and title.”

Robby shook his head, “You can’t do that, Sam.”

Sam looked at Robby with an expression that none of them had ever seen, “The Cats are out of touch with what’s happening. They’ll allow it or they’ll lose this war.”

Gon sat down and pulled off a boot and started rubbing the dirt off it. Sam looked at him and said, “What are you doing?”

“I’m getting all the dirt off. When I turn them in they should be clean.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll not stay here without you, Sam and don’t even think about stopping me. You’re right. We’re losing.”

Dort sat and pulled off a boot. Jennifer sat and pulled a boot. Robby didn’t have a chair so he unlaced his boot and kicked it off. “Robby, your father will kill you if you even think about this.”

“He’ll support it or he’ll not have a son, Sam.”

“Well, all of you should think about this and come back in the morning.”

Dort said, “I’m not going anywhere, Sam. This is where they’ll come and this is where I intend to wait on them.”

Sam shook his head and sighed. Jennifer said, “I’ll have some cots teleported to us.” She looked at Sam, “You know Jixie would do this for us.”

Sam nodded and smiled.

• • •

The next morning Sam’s wrist unit buzzed. Sam had not been able to sleep and he glanced at the frequency. He pressed the unit and said, “Good morning, Your Majesty.”

The others in the room heard Sam and started standing up.

“Sam, I understand an issue has arisen and we need to discuss it.”

“By we, do you mean just us?”

“No, the Cats and Zord will be part of the conversation.”

“Where would you like for this discussion to take place, Your Majesty?” Sam saw Jon flinch at his use of the honorific and Sam knew this was not going to be informal.

“The only room large enough for the ones attending is the Throne Room on Bristone.”

“When should we come?”

“We?”

“Yes, my officers will be coming with me.”

“Why?”

“Because if you allow the Cats to interfere in my unit’s structure, we will all resign our commissions and titles.” Jon stared at Sam. Sam said, “What time should we arrive, Your Majesty?”

“In two hours.”

“We’ll be there.”

The display went dark.

“Go get cleaned up. They’re not coming here. We’re going to them.”

Jennifer said, “Where would that be?”

“Bristone.”

“Oh boy! I’ve always wanted to see the Castle.”

“Be here in an hour and fifty minutes from now.”

• • •

Jon knew his brother and he saw that Sam was not bluffing. What was bothering him about the Cats? He decided to discuss this with Maranda.

• • •

Sam and his officers arrived in the throne room and waited in a side wing. Gon looked around and said, “I’ve never seen so many Cats in one place.”

Sam saw there were about thirty of the huge felines gathered against the wall in front of the two thrones. There were two Zord with them. Robby said, “Oh crap.”

Sam looked over and saw Robby’s father enter the room and sit down in a chair to the right of the King’s throne. “You don’t have to do this, Robby.”

“Sam, is this worth doing?”

“It is.”

“That’s all I need to know.”

The King and Queen entered and everyone stood and bowed. Jon and Maranda sat down and every one stood up. Jon looked at Sam and said, “Please come forward.”

The five walked forward and knelt to the King. “Please rise.” They stood and Jon looked at Sam, “I understand that you have issued a command that the Cats may not come and examine the creature they’ve been trying to find.”

“I have, Your Majesty.”

“Please tell me why you’ve done that?”

“I don’t want her to leave.”

Jon stared at Sam, looked at the Cats, and then looked at Sam, “Why not?’

“She is a critical part of our success as a unit and she’s here because of her decision to come and fight with us. She will not reveal any details about her origins and if forced, she’ll leave.”

Pride stood in the back, “Your Majesty, may I speak?”

Jon stared at the Cat and nodded.

Pride came forward and said, “You don’t know the danger that creature represents. It is the most dangerous force in this creation.”

Sam looked at the Cat, “Dangerous to whom?”

The Cat said, “We don’t know and we need to find out.”

Sam said, “In this instance, you won’t.”

Everyone in the room saw the Cat’s anger growing. The hair on the back of its shoulders stood up and the snarl was clear, “We will find out!”

Sam stared at the Cat and said, “Or what?”

Four of the Cats in back of the room snarled.

Jon looked at Sam, “They have the right to examine that being, Sam.”

“If you allow them to do so, I will resign my commission and title, Your Majesty.”

Robby stepped forward and said, “I will as well.”

Robby’s father stood and said, “YOU WILL NOT!”

Robby looked at his father, “You are going to have to make a decision right now, Father. Either you have done a proper job of preparing me to make good decisions and keep the welfare of the Realm as my highest priority, or you have failed. I will do this and I would have hoped you would support me on something I take this serious.”

• • •

In a side wing, Admiral Gardner and his daughter sat and watched the proceedings. Lyla looked at her father, “Why did you bring me here?”

“To show you what you aren’t.”

Lyla looked forward and watched Sam stand in front of the Giant Cat unafraid of the giant beast. She would have run.

• • •

“You think this is that serious?”

“I know Duke Robbins does and I know the one that’s in question here. The safety of the Realm is my duty. I will resign and abdicate.”

Robert stared at his son and saw he meant it. He also saw something else. He saw his character coming through. Robert stepped down from his chair and went and stood by Robby. “Your Majesty, I will also resign my title.”

Jon saw things were getting out of hand. This was a confrontation he knew the Cats would not back away from.

Pride looked at the Duke and raised his head. After a moment, he looked at Sam and said, “You will allow our examination or…”

Sam went up to within inches of Pride’s face and said, “Or what! You’ll refuse to guide us. What else do you have to threaten us with?”

Jon said, “Duke Robbins, why are you so against this?”

Sam continued to stare into Pride’s face and said, “Because the Cats have lost their way.”

Silence slammed down on the room. Pride raised his head and roared; the volume vibrated the room. Vremel rushed forward and came between Pride and Sam, “Why would you ever say such a horrible thing about our Mother’s representatives?”

“Because our Mother is not well and she is also not seeing everything.”

Pride roared, “I SHOULD KILL YOU!”

Sam walked around the Zord and stood in Pride’s face, “Before you do that, ask our Mother what she thinks about the civilization we just saved from the Swarm.” Pride stared at him and Sam yelled, “ASK HER!”

Pride raised his head for a moment and then looked at Sam. He didn’t say anything. Sam said, “What did she say?”

Pride remained silent. Jon said, “You will answer that question!”

Pride looked at Jon and then turned back to Sam, “She says the civilization is one of the most beautiful things she has ever brought into existence.”

Sam glared at the Cat and said, “Now ask her why she and you did not see they were going to be destroyed. If they’re one of her most beautiful creations, how could she allow them to be eradicated by the Swarm?”

The Cat raised his head and after a long pause he looked down. “She doesn’t know. She didn’t see it.”

Everyone in the room was stunned speechless. Even Vremel fell to all fours.

• • •

Lyla saw Sam stare the Cat down and was amazed at his bravery. She looked at Thom and he said, “You can go now.”

“I want to see what happens.”

Thom looked at her and said, “You walked away from that young man to chase shallow and superficial men that have no depth. You’re an idiot. You’ve lost him and you need to know that you’re just like the ones you’re chasing. I wanted you to see what real Royalty looks like. Maybe you’ll learn something. Now go!”

• • •

Sam looked at Pride and said, “The being you’re so anxious to interrogate saw that civilization was going to be attacked and felt great sorrow at what was going to happen. She saw what you couldn’t. You are no longer seeing the entire view of what’s happening in creation and evil is growing, not decreasing. I know this being. She will leave if you push her and she’s making a difference in this fight. You stand here and roar at me because you think you know it all. You have all the answers and everyone else is wrong.” Sam sighed and said, “I really wish you did have all the answers. But this time you need to ask yourself one question before you pursue your desire to question my Warrior.”

Pride looked at Sam and said, “What question?”

“Why didn’t you see that gentle, beautiful civilization was going to be destroyed? When you can answer that, I’ll consider allowing you to question her.”

The thirty Cats in the room all lifted their heads at once and then fell to the floor. Sam saw their sorrow. Pride looked at Jon and said, “We withdraw our request, Your Majesty.”

“Why?”

“Because Duke Robbins is right; we’re not in touch with all that is happening and we need to examine that first. Perhaps when we find an answer to that issue we won’t need to question her.”

Sam said, “That’s how I understand it, Pride.”

Pride rose on all fours and said, “Not many would face an angry Cat.”

Sam smiled, “Only someone that was angrier.”

Jon stood, “Pride, you will send any future request for an interrogation through the Crown.”

“We will do it respectfully, Your Majesty. Thank you for granting us this meeting.” Jon nodded and the Cats disappeared from the throne room.

Vremel looked at Sam and said, “Does that also mean we cannot communicate with this being?”

“No, it doesn’t. I think the one that invited us here should come and thank her for accepting the invitation.”

“Why couldn’t the Cats have done that?”

Sam shook his head, “They didn’t want to thank her.”

Vremel shook his head, “They are somewhat pushy.”

“And a blaster is somewhat warm. She’ll be back in three days, Vremel.”

“Where did she go?”

“To visit her family.”

“Do you think she’ll come back?”

Sam sighed, “We can only pray she does.”

Jon said, “Duke Robbins.”

Sam turned around and faced the throne. “Yes, Your Majesty?”

“In the future, if you even think about abdicating your title you will contact me the moment that happens and inform me about what’s happening.”

“I will, Your Majesty.”

Jon stood, took Maranda’s hand, and left the throne room. As they went through the door Maranda said, “You’re not angry?”

“No, Sam just made me and his parents proud. He’s become everything they wanted him to be. If he had discussed this with me, I wouldn’t have believed him about the Cats losing their way. I had to see it to believe it. He did the exactly right thing.”

“They’re proud of both of you, Jon.”

“I know.”

• • •

Robby looked at his father, “Thank you.”

“No, thank you, Son. You’ve shown me what a great man you’ve become. I also ask that you inform me of any future events like this before I’m placed in an awkward position.”

“I will; I promise.” Robby went and pulled Jennifer over, “Father, this is Jennifer Aman.”

Robert looked at Jennifer and said, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Robby said, “How do you know about her?”

“You told your sister about her.” Robert looked back to Jennifer and said, “You’re just as beautiful as Robby said you are.”

Jennifer’s face turned red and she bowed, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Robert looked at Robby, “I expect you to bring her to Earth to show her around.”

“I will. Thank you.”

Robert teleported away and Jennifer turned to Robby, “You haven’t told your parents about me. Are you that ashamed?”

“Jenn, you’ve refused to even admit I’m anyone special. I’d never be that presumptuous.”

“But you’ll tell your sister?”

Robby shrugged, “I tell her pretty much everything.”

“Well, you can tell your parents.”

“What are you saying?”

“It’s like our trainer said the first day of Armor Training. I want one of the very best men to be in my life. There is no one that could stand close to what I see in you. If you really want me, and I don’t see how you could, I’m yours.”

Robby pulled her in an embrace and kissed her.

Dort nudged Gon with his elbow, “It’s about time.”

Gon made a stirring motion, “You just have to let it simmer a while. Kinda like that paste you exploded in the cafeteria.”