The Fight for Creation: Book 02 - Scout Warrior (32 page)

The armor immediately appeared. He smiled and thought, “Full invisibility.” Sam looked down and didn’t see himself. “Well allllriggghttt.” He spent the next hour going through the various systems. He shortened the time by thinking, “Tutorial.”

A program immediately started running going over all the various systems his new armor had. He finished and said, “Command Frequency.” He heard a click, “All pilots will pull up the tutorial in their new armor and go through it before moving their ships. You will then go through the tutorial in your new wrist units detailing how the new ships function. Notify Eyes when you’ve completed the assignments.”

Sam had the new wrist unit in his hand and saw the Crimson Crown on the face. He sighed and put the wrist unit on and thought, “Tutorial.” The wrist unit began a recording of all the functions that were now included in the unit and band. For the first time in three months Sam was able to put his sorrow away. He knew the only way for him to survive was to stay busy. He did just that, but his sleep was always troubled; until he discovered the function in the wrist unit that would put the wearer into deep sleep and awaken them at a set time. He discovered later that his was the only wrist unit with that function. “Thank you, Sprigly.”

• • •

Jixie finally had enough. She knew the Senior intended to drag this out until Sam would give up. She interrupted the Senior, “I’m very flattered by your praise, but I respectfully say that it is time we could use on other tasks. I respectfully decline the elevation in status.”

The Senior broke the connection and said, “How dare you show such disrespect to this gathering!”

Jixie kept her head lowered and said, “It is out of respect for the gathering that I interject my thoughts. If I am not accepting the elevation, then all the time taken for these praises is not being used wisely.”

The Senior started to punish Jixie when an Elder in the High Caste said, “I appreciate your courtesy, Jixie. You are due this praise, but if you are not accepting the elevation, I do have better things to do with this time.”

The Senior stopped and saw the four High Caste members all saw her behavior as courteous. He expected her to interrupt him and was going to use that as a means of punishing her by not allowing her to go out. He looked at Jixie and said, “Why do you refuse this elevation?”

“I believe it is your attempt to force me to stay here and not continue my study elsewhere. I am not deserving of it and I think everyone wonders how a hatching can be elevated to an Elder. I’ve not even started my study and though I’ve helped you clarify some issues, that doesn’t qualify me to be an Elder. I am honored at the recognition, but I am not prepared at this point in my development to fulfill the duties of an Elder. Perhaps when I’m older and more experienced, I can do what you ask. However, out of respect for the people, I must decline.”

Mille was as proud of Jixie as she could possibly be. She had handled the situation with charm and grace. Mille looked at the Senior and saw him look away from Jixie and nod. She looked and saw Trex advancing through the crowd. What was this?

Trex walked up to Jixie and she said, “Hi, Trex; I’m sorry I was short earlier. Jixie looked around, “Where’s Jinx?”

Trex looked at Jixie and said, “Her harmonics have been removed from me and we can finally be together. With that statement Trex hit Jixie with the full power of his harmonics. Jixie felt them hit her and she fell to her knees. Mille now knew just how devious and treacherous the Senior had become. If Jixie had Trex’s harmonics, she could never move far from him without horrific pain. She screamed, “What are you doing!?!”

Trex continued to hit Jixie with the full force of his harmonics and Jixie remained on the ground twitching under their force. The Senior smiled.

• • •

Sam returned from a fight with another nasty civilization and was tired. He was burned out from the constant fighting and his sorrow from missing Jixie had taken a toll. It had been almost eight months and still no word. He went to Castle Gardner and was undetected in his ship. He went downstairs and Greg said, “Still nothing?” Sam shook his head. “I wish there was something I could do to help?”

“You could assume the title.”

Greg winced, “I wish there was something else I could do?”

Sam saw his expression and started laughing. He thought about it and laughed harder. Greg said, “What’s so funny?”

Sam finally collected himself and said, “Why are you so adamant about not accepting the title? You’d have to do it if something happened to me.”

Greg blew out a big breath, “I don’t like the lifestyle.”

“What!”

“Sam, can you go anywhere on Ross without being mobbed?”

“I can disguise myself.”

“Which would only last for a few moments; you’re not free. Now you live in this splendid prison just as happy as a worm in the mud. I couldn’t bear it. I go out frequently and have many of your citizens ask me when you’re coming back. I answer and they thank me and go their way. I can take Greg and Jill out and play in the various parks around Ross and be totally ignored. If I accepted the title, all that would end. I understand my duty and will do it if forced. However, I am not one that inspires the people. I’m not a warrior; I failed the training. I’m just an ordinary person.”

Sam stared at Greg and said, “You are one of the finest men I have ever known and I know a lot of high ranking Royalty. Your strong will and determination is what would garner the people’s love. You would rule them in a loving manner and they would see it. You sell yourself far too short my friend. You would actually be better for the job because you are here. I’m a ruler in absences. I couldn’t be out there fighting without knowing you’re here taking care of my citizens. You are the most important person in my life.”

Greg Smiled, “I think Jixie holds that honor.”

Sam sighed, “Just like me, she’s not here. You are what helps me continue to live. Without your support, I’d be lost.”

“Sam, Sandra and I love you. You are exactly where you belong and so are we. You might as well accept that along with your inadequacy with the bow.”

Sam started laughing again, “You had to go there. We were all mushy and then you shot an arrow through the moment.”

Greg smiled, “I know, Sam. I know.”

“What do you know?”

Sam and Greg whipped around and saw Jixie looking at them with a huge smile. Sam sprung from his chair and ran and took her in his arms, “I thought I had lost you.”

“I told you I would not leave you again.”

Greg said, “Uhh, hello…you’ve been gone eight months. If that’s not leaving, what is?”

Jixie looked at Sam and said, “He starting to get a little grouchy. Have you noticed?”

“I have, but I try to give him a little leeway what with him losing in our last archery contest and all.”

Greg said, “In the morning! I’ll enjoy my revenge.”

Sam said, “Bring a towel to cry in.”

Greg smiled and said, “It really is good to have you back, Your Highness.”

“Greg, if you call me anything but Jixie in our personal quarters, I’m going to take you on with the bow.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want that, Jixie. Jixie it is.” Greg smiled and left.

Sam pulled Jixie tight, “I’ve missed you so much.”

“A lot happened, Sam. Some of it was not good. We have a new Senior.”

Sam showed his shock, “What happened?”

“Let’s sit down. There are some things you need to know.” They went to the family room and sat down in front of the fireplace. Jixie snuggled closer to Sam and told him what had happened after she had declined the elevation.

“I’m not sure I understand about harmonics.”

“You do remember that I left there because the one I wanted was bonded to another?”

Sam nodded.

“Our people are different and it’s probably due to our long lives. When two of us are attracted to each other, they send gentle harmonic frequencies to the one they want. If the two accept each other’s harmonics, over time they will be bonded.”

“What does bonded mean?”

“They cannot exist away from each other. They will also eventually have children.”

“So what happened when…”

“Trex.”

“When this Trex hit you with his harmonics?”

“Sam, what Trex did was very close to what your culture calls rape. It is never acceptable to send powerful harmonics to anyone. The two must grow slowly together. Trex hitting me with the full power or his harmonics would bond me to him with no say in whether I wanted it or not. It was a complete violation of our conventions.”

“Well I’m glad you were able to fight them off.”

“I wasn’t able to fight them off, Sam. The Senior knew that if Trex did that to me I could never leave and he would have won.”

“Then how are you able to be here now?”

Jixie looked into the fireplace and relived the event as she told Sam.

• • •

Jixie lay on the ground twitching and the Four High Caste members came forward and grabbed Trex. He stopped sending harmonics and looked at their angry expressions and said, “I thought this is what you wanted?”

The oldest Elder in the group said, “Where did you get that idea?”

“The Senior removed my harmonics from Jinx and told me I was to bond with Jixie as forcefully as possible.”

The four looked at the Senior, “Is this true?”

“She is too important to allow her to leave. We must have her here.”

“Why?”

“She possesses the spirit of our former Creator. That is what allowed our view of reality to solidify. We are not complete yet. We are not completely out of harm’s way.”

Mille confronted the Senior, “So doing this to my daughter justifies your behavior?”

“It does.”

The Four High Caste Members looked at each other and said, “You are no longer the Senior.”

“You can’t do this! I know I’m right!”

“Right never justifies what you’ve done. This is an abomination of our conventions and you no longer represent what we are. You will leave and start your study again from the beginning.” The four High Caste Members linked with the Senior and emptied his mind. “You will learn everything again. Perhaps this time you’ll get it right.” The four members turned to Trex and said, “As for you…”

“You don’t have to worry about punishing him.” The gathered people looked and saw Jixie standing. “I’ll handle that.” Jixie wound up and hit Trex dead on the Jaw and launched him into the crowd. He landed heavily and Jixie said, “Whatever good thoughts I had about you are gone. Never, ever, speak to me again.” She reached and snatched him off the ground and stared into his eyes, “You got that!”

Trex nodded and Jixie said, “Elders, I’m reasonably certain that the Senior manipulated him. She should be bonded to Jinx again.”

“I don’t want him.” Trex looked and saw Jinx looking at him with an expression of pure hatred. Trex shook his head and said, “What just happened?”

Jinx’s eyes narrowed and Trex said, “No, really, why are all of you staring at me?”

Jixie looked at Jinx, “It’s not his fault. He’s another victim of the Senior’s treachery.”

The High Caste looked at Jixie, “How were you able to withstand his assault?”

Jixie looked at them and said, “I’m bonded to another.”

“Yes, but you would still be susceptible to his attack.”

• • •

Sam looked at Jixie, “How were you able to prevent him from taking you?”

“I didn’t prevent it, Sam. I was susceptible to his attack…but our daughter wasn’t.” Sam stared at Jixie and then his eyes went wide. “She took his harmonics and cast them aside. She knew who we belong to and she wasn’t having anyone else enter the picture. She is what saved me.”

Sam pulled Jixie close and kissed her with a passion that Jixie felt to her toes. “When are you due?”

“In my creation time passes at a different rate, Sam. I know eight months have passed here but it was only a couple of weeks there. I’m about six months away from having her.”

Sam held Jixie and she said, “Sam, she is going to be the best of both of us.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are the Realm’s greatest warrior. She is going to be the Ultimate Warrior. Unlike me, she will not be limited in the use of her abilities. The evil in this creation has a new force to reckon with and she is going to be a nemesis to them.”

Sam pulled Jixie close and she felt his love. She was so thankful she had decided to learn what love is. Now she would not live without it. She felt the child agree with her.

• • •

Three months later, Jixie sat in front of the fireplace and felt her baby. Sam was off with the fleet fighting another invader and she was at home alone. She thought about her child growing up and all the things she was going to see and do. Then she thought about Sam missing most of it and knew he was going to die of old age long before their daughter really came of age. She thought about what it would be like to live without him and her tears began to fall. She felt something and found an image of a page from the history she had downloaded at the library. Where did this come from? She looked at the page and started reading. She started smiling and said, “You’re right, there is always hope.”

Jixie jumped up and ran to the portal. She said, “Greg, I’ll be back.”

“Where are you going?”

“Visiting.” Jixie arrived at the landing pad and boarded her ship. She looked at the sky in all directions and knew she probably wasn’t going to see what she was looking for. She flew the ship out and had the teleport suppression field turned off as she teleported out into deep space where she closed her eyes and listened. Still nothing. She thought, “I know you’re out there. I need you to communicate with me. Please come.”

She waited for thirty minutes and still sensed nothing. Then she saw an image of the Bristone Memorial and Colony Park. She stared at them and then she understood. She thought, “I know there is a secret you want to keep. If you don’t come, I am going to reveal it to the Realm.” Jixie waited another thirty minutes and still didn’t sense anything. “I don’t want to do this but you leave me no choice.”

Jixie started to teleport away and she heard, “I don’t respond well to threats.”