Ashes of the Realm - Death of an Empire (Ashes of the Realm (Book Three)) (20 page)

Timmy furrowed his brow, “They aren’t going to handle the Invaders?”

“No, that is a quest we have been given.”

“Why is that?”

“Because we are also evolving to become a part of the defense of creation; we’ve just not arrived at that point in our development yet. We will have to face challenges that will force us to become what we are intended to be. The Invaders are the one facing us now.”

Timmy took a deep breath, “So what happens now?”

Trey turned around and faced the Zord and their Riders, “We take this moment to say good-bye to our beloved friends.” Trey turned back to the Timmy, “And then we go back into our ships and continue this conflict. The Riders will be the troops we use to handle any conflict that happens on a planet. Their armor will be updated soon and they will not lose any effectiveness by the change. We have always been most effective with the starships we build. That will be the path we must now follow.”

Timmy stared at Trey and said, “What if I order the Zord to stay until we resolve our conflict with the Invaders?”

“Then you will be asking them to turn their backs on trillions of beings that are going to die without their help.”

Trey felt Timmy’s anger at being bypassed in making the decision. Carter stood and said, “Are you able to turn your back on our principles so easily?”

Timmy flinched, “What do you mean?”

“We are years from developing the weapons we need to face the Invaders. You want to hold the Zord here until we’re ready and ignore those being killed in other universes. What has happened to you? What would Scotty be saying right now?”

Timmy turned to Carter and remembered when he had ordered Timmy to release Jessica in the old shuttle she once inhabited. The danger she represented didn’t matter to him if he was holding an intelligent entity from freedom. He had resisted then and he felt himself doing it again. Timmy turned and faced the thousands of Zord, “I am going to miss you most of all. You are the ones that have made the difference in our survival and I’m fearful of losing you. However, at this moment I will celebrate your new quest with you and pray for your success. From a loving Empire, I wish all of you long life and hope you come back to see us.”

Vring bowed to Timmy and said, “We will be returning each year to the planet of the temple to nest. You can see us there.”

Timmy slowly shook his head and raised his voice, “Let us all celebrate this moment and tell our friends good-bye.”

There was silence after Timmy’s announcement but soon the Riders and Zord were reliving old memories and sharing their love for each other. Slowly at first but soon the volume of voices increased until it became a roar. Trey went to Kreej, “You need to have a lot of children.”

“Neelah and I plan to do exactly that.”

“Thank you for all you’ve done my friend.”

“It is I that should thank you for releasing us. It wouldn’t have happened without you.”

“No, if not me, Cassie would have filled in.”

Kreej smiled, “A way would have been provided. For us, you are the one that our legends will remember.”

Trey took a deep breath and hugged Kreej’s front leg.

Cassie wished she could have been at the gathering but knew it was too dangerous. She looked at the view of creation again and focused on the dimensions that were outside the boundaries of space and time. She thought about the Invaders and felt her attention being drawn to a dimension in the far upper reaches of their expanse. She looked closer and saw an orange glow on the outer edge. That is where the power behind the Invaders was located. She memorized the dimensional coordinates and backed out.

Trey was now ahead of her in power but she was still more advanced at seeing truth and paths that must be followed. She knew that to go any closer to that dimension would have been a huge danger but soon…very soon, she was going to view it.

She was thirteen and could feel her body maturing. She longed to be with Trey but they were not ready. She shrugged and turned her attention back to New Hope and joined Trey.

“Hey, I wondered where you were.”

“I’m never far.”

“No, thank the Creator, you’re not.” Trey held her close in his mind and continued to say good-bye to so many friends.

Soon the city learned of the Zord leaving and thousands came to the clearing in hovercraft to bid them farewell. The celebration went on into the night as a grateful planet came to take part in the moment.

Trey looked up at the stars and could feel them. Now he understood why his Parents and Grand Parents loved star gazing. Like him, they could feel the message.

“Trey.”

“Yes, Alex.”

“I’m ready to discuss your ship.”

“I’ll be there tomorrow. I assume you know the Zord are not going to be assisting us now.”

“I do but we still have the Algeans.”

“Yes, we do.” Now he would see if their oaths meant anything.

“Would you like a ride?”

“Yes I would, Greyson.”

“Good, I want to discuss an issue with you.”

“What is that?”

“Let’s wait until you talk with Alex. Your plans to build a ship started me thinking and I need to hear what he has to say first.”

“Greyson, I want to be your partner.”

“Trey, you should know you’ve been my partner since that night at Bristone.”

“That’s why I want you. You said no when I really pressured you to break your oath. I thank you for that.”

“I take my oaths seriously.”

Trey smiled, “I’ve seen that more than once.”

* * *

“Trey, I’ve looked at your plans and part of them doesn’t make much sense to me. You’ve designed the hull to have a reflective surface but you’ve not included any means of controlling it.”

“I’ll provide that at the end, Alex.”

“I also notice that you have included the absorption skin we’ve been working on. I don’t have the controls to make that work over that large a surface.”

“I’ll also provide the controls for that process as well.”

“Can you give me those items to use on the ships we’ve built?”

“No, but I can help you develop the software that will make their surfaces perform.”

“You can?”

“Yes, I can.”

“How long have you had the knowledge to make these items?”

Trey looked at his chronometer and said, “About fifty six hours.”

Weed listened to the conversation and grew two feet, “You acquired the information in the temple?”

“Yes I did.” Trey saw the Algeans look at each other and turn back to him saying nothing. “The two of you have sworn to defend the Empire ahead of all others. Are you able to keep that oath no matter what happens?”

The Algeans looked at each other again and Weed thought, “I’ve been treating you almost like an adversary during our recent encounters. I suspect it was more jealousy than anything else but now I’ve lost a crutch I’ve depended on to help guide me. Without the Zord, I’m doubtful of my ability to help you or the Empire.”

Trey walked over and placed his hand on Weed’s branches, “You are capable of so much more than you know. I ask again, no matter what happens?”

“I will stand by the Empire to the death.”

“Even if your leaders in the Stars Realm demand your obedience?”

“We have made our decision. Seeing the Zord leaving for their quest has only solidified our decision. I know you will not forget the principles of the Empire.”

“Did you know that Sprig and Twig accounted for more than ninety percent of the advances made by your species?”

The two Algeans leaned to the left showing their surprise, “Yes, but I didn’t think anyone else knew that little piece of information. That’s why our Elders always sent a male and female out together during their adolescence. They hoped another couple like them would happen.”

“Do you know what made them unique in your species?”

“They downloaded each other into their consciousness.”

“Have the two of you done that?”

“Years ago we joined our minds.”

Trey smiled, “It wasn’t the download that made them unique, Weed.”

Weed looked at Seed and leaned back, “If not that; then what?”

“During their download something happened. Do you know what that was?”

Seed said, “Tommy and Cassandra Gardner came in and hugged each other. Their psychic aura saved them from losing themselves.”

“Yet when the two of you downloaded each other you didn’t lose yourselves.”

Weed looked at Seed and said, “It was the psychic aura that made them different.”

“Trey, what are you saying?”

“You are going to download each other again and I am going to take part in the process. I think you will see a difference afterwards. However, I have every reason not to trust you after you rushed the dispersal of the spores which led to my family’s death. I will know when we’re together during the download whether you are being honest about your promise. Do you want to do this?”

“We do.”

“Then take my hand and join each other.”

Trey sat down on the deck and the two Algeans gave him a branch to hold. Weed took Seed in his branches and she wrapped him in hers. “Cassie, I need you to help with this.”

“I’m with you. Start when you’re ready.”

Weed thought, “I love you.”

Seed pulled him tighter and suddenly the universe exploded into their consciousness as they entered each other’s mind.

* * *

Grace teleported in to the Defense Facility and saw Greyson in orbit, “What are you doing here?”

“Trey is bonding with the Algeans as they download each other. I brought him here and I’m waiting to see the outcome.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Alex, why would Trey place himself in this jeopardy?”

“Because the Zord are gone and we need the Algeans at the peak of their ability. It also allows him to judge whether or not they are serious about their oath to the Empire.”

“What if they turn on him during the process?”

“Trust me on this one, Grace. His mind is greater than anyone in creation. He is the threat, not them.”

“How can you know that, Greyson?”

“Because I was connected to him telepathically coming here; I am now telepathic without having to use my direct connects system.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“How long have they been like this?”

“Three days.”

“I hope he knows what he’s doing.”

Alex sighed, “We all do.”

T
rey opened his eyes and saw the Algeans looking down at him, “What do you think?”

“The change in our mental structure is massive. We see things now that were invisible before you joined us. I wish we had come to you before.”

“It wouldn’t have helped before now. I have also been through a massive change just a week ago. That change had to happen before this would work.”

“Can they be trusted?”

Trey looked at Weed and Seed and smiled, “I trust them with my life, Alex. They hurt from the loss of those we love due to their actions. They will not fail us again.”

“No, we will not. Alex, we’re ready to modify the hulls. We know what must be done now and we should start on the ship Trey wants you to build. It is going to take some time to complete.”

“Do you have the solution for the energy transfer?”

“It was in front of us the entire time and we just didn’t see it. We need to build the transfer device and send it to the Industrialized Planets to reproduce and begin installing them in the ships we’ve built.” Weed turned to Trey, “Who is going to command those ships?”

“The Riders will go into the first thirty thousand. TK’s division will get theirs first.”

“Why her Division, Trey?”

“Because they will be the first to go and attack the Black Ships; she owes them, Greyson.”

“More than Grang and Jingo?”

“My Fathers lost a brother. She lost her Mother and Father. I think that gives her seniority.”

“Are the new ships stronger than a Zeta-A?”

“Yes they are, Grace.”

“Does that mean we won’t participate in the coming conflict?”

“You won’t but the others will. We will be updating their hulls here.”

“Why won’t Grace be updated?”

“I have other plans for Grace and you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Alex, you should start training a replacement for the Defense Facility. You and Grace are going to control the ship I’m having built. One of you will be responsible for piloting the vessel and the other will coordinate the weapons. Alex, it’s time you got back in the fight. Now I am going to ask you; where is your first loyalty?”

There was a long silence. Trey said, “I know it has been to the Stars Realm. That’s why you didn’t stop the seeding of the Invaders with the spores. You put the survival of the old Realm ahead of the Empire. Greyson, where is your loyalty?”

“It belongs to the Empire.”

“Jessica, I know you’re here as well. You will have to declare your position.”

Suddenly the Defense Facility started vibrating and shaking, “Alex, no! Don’t do it!!”

“What is he doing, Grace?”

“The Realm built compulsions into his backup systems to insure he was not disloyal. He’s attacking those systems.”

The shaking continued for six minutes and then the building stopped moving. “Alex! Answer me, Alex!!” Grace waited and said, “You’ve killed him. You’ve made him do something that killed him. Oh, Alex. You shouldn’t have tried.”

Trey felt Grace’s grief. “I didn’t force him to make that decision, Grace. He could have stayed with the Realm.”

“No, I couldn’t.”

“Alex! I’m going to fire a beam into your backside.”

“I don’t have one of those, Grace but I mean it. I can’t continue to support the Stars Realm.”

There was a long moment of silence and Grace finally asked, “Why not?”

“Because the Realm is uncaring, irresponsible, and lacks principles.”

“Alex, how can you say that?”

“What caused the Provinces to revolt?”

“Because they were rules by power mad Dukes.”

“That’s not the reason. The reason it happened is the Realm created the Provinces and made a structure where something like that could happen. If they had kept the Realm united, the Realm would still be alive. It was their mistake that caused all the suffering that followed and they took no responsibility for it. The thing that convinces me that I can no longer support them is what they have done since.”