Dahlia's Deception (The Annihilation Series) (29 page)

“Is your memory that poor?”

“What do you mean?’

“At the current rate, you probably won’t have the field worked out in time to prevent the invasion from happening.” Danielle frowned and then quickly gave a quick nod, “So?”

“Do you remember how long they attacked us before they broke it off?” Danielle thought for a moment and then her expression changed to shock. Tag smiled, “Now, you see it.”

“We can’t stay there?”

Ken nodded, “They would only focus on going after us and ignore everything else around them.”

Danielle looked at Tag, “We’re trapped; there’s nothing we can do to save her.”

Tag nodded, “And my sense of danger goes off the scale when I think about attempting it.”

“We never should have taken them there.”

“In hindsight, I must agree. But you can’t beat yourself up over this; hindsight is always 20-20.”

“But I’m supposed to possess the ability to see it before it happens.”

Pixie shook her head, “Do you see where the plan is moving?” Danielle shook her head. “There are some things outside your ability to see. This is one of them. We are forced to do what we know is right. Now let’s try another sequence with the emitters.”

Danielle wanted to scream…but she turned and said, “Alex, send us another combination.”

“Just make sure the field doesn’t lose its integrity as you enter it.”

“I trust you and Grace to lock the panel if you see that start to happen.”

“I just hope we can react fast enough to make that happen.”

Danielle shook her head and began moving the emitter controls.

• • •

Grace sent a thought to Alex where she wouldn’t be heard, “Can’t two of them go and take another psychic ship to retrieve the Princess?”

“They haven’t thought of it and I’m extremely reluctant to suggest it.”

“Why?”

“It is their psychic auras that power the three ships maintaining the fields. I’m not sure about this but I think the field would have already collapsed if all of them weren’t present to keep it powered.”

“I sensed that as well.”

“The Princess is there because she needs to be there.”

“So you’ve bought into this plan theory?”

“Grace, you’ve seen the Realm’s history since Matt and Melanie Gardner fought the Demons. Tell me you don’t believe it as well.”

“I can’t do that in good conscience; however, I still have my doubts.”

“Just as we all do. We need to stay out of this until we’re forced to act.”

“Alex, you are so wise. I’m glad we’re here together.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way, Grace.”

• • •

The Beast Master looked at the Rageon Ruler on his monitor, “You are making a bad decision.”

“Why would that concern you? I would think you would celebrate if my Species was destroyed.”

The Beast stared at the Rageon and then shook his head, “I probably would have if things hadn’t changed. Now, I’ve seen you send your ships to defend my people and fight with my forces to protect me. I don’t hate you as much as I once did.”

The Rageon shook his head slowly, “I just won’t attack another civilization for selfish reasons again.”

“Something happened at that invisible planet, didn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“I was made to see my extreme arrogance and stupidity.” The Rageon looked at the Beast, “If you knew it was that other place that sent the invisible ships to defend you, would you still invade them?”

“Did they send them?”

“I believe they did.”

The Beast was silent for a long moment and then looked at the Rageon with sorrow on his face, “I guess I’d hate doing it; but I have to say I would.”

“Why?”

“They weren’t helping me because they like me; they did it to defend themselves from the Invaders. If the Invaders hadn’t appeared, they would still be destroying my production planets.”

“Why do you think they were doing that?”

“To defend themselves from me; I’m really not that stupid.”

“I know that.”

“I couldn’t tell by the way you taunted me.”

“I rather enjoyed doing it. However, don’t you see the zero sum game you’re playing?”

“Even if I agreed it was; I’d still do it; my species are conquerors. That is not something I can just choose to change.”

“Have you tried?”

The Beast looked at the Rageon and smiled, “I wouldn’t even try.”

The Rageon smiled, “Then I guess I have to say you’re dumb.”

Just before the display went dark the Beast lowered his head and said, “This time, I think you may be right.”

• • •

The Rageon Ruler sat on his throne and thought for an hour about what the Beast said. He looked over at his panel and pushed a button. The Fleet Admiral appeared, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“How many of our warships are fighting in the other domains?’

“About half of them.”

“Admiral, I have some suspicions about the discovery of the Invader’s portal projector. Do you see any reason; any possible reason; why a small warship would have a portal projector on board?”

“I’ve looked at the information on that projector and it wasn’t powerful enough to create a portal for that warship.”

“What does that indicate to you?”

“The Invaders wanted us to have it. I’ve also noticed that they have backed off on their attacks.”

The Rageon Ruler stared at the Admiral and then said, “Recall all of our ships to our domain and organize them for massive attacks when the other four domains energize their portals.”

“I really think that is a wise decision, Your Majesty.”

The Admiral’s expression was easy to read, “I know you think we should take as many of our population as possible and flee with them.”

“If they leave, we’ll be left to face the Invaders alone.”

“No, we won’t be alone…but we will be in dire trouble.” The Admiral nodded and disappeared from the display.

P
ing looked at Dahlia and saw she was thinking about something. She was eight months pregnant and she was finally showing a large midsection. He stared at her and thought she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. She looked up from the stream and smiled, “It won’t be long.”

“No, she’ll be coming shortly.”

“That is what I’m talking about.”

“What’s bothering you?”

“I was just thinking that maybe we can save some of our people by having them board our battleships and scatter out into space. Maybe, just maybe, our ships won’t be detectable by whatever device the Gardners are going to launch.”

Ping pressed his wrist unit, “Dean.”

“Yes.”

“How many people would you be able to put on board a battleship.”

There was a pause and Dean said, “I’m going to assume you would want the brackets removed.”

“That’s correct.”

“The three landing bays would hold about twenty thousand each; however, they would be really pressed up against each other.”

“That’s almost sixty percent of the planet’s population.”

“How would you feed them?”

“We’ll worry about that after we see what’s coming.”

“I think we could load the Mites with food and fill every inch of space available.”

“Tell Tess what we’re thinking and see what she thinks.”

“I’ll get back to you.”

Ping looked at Dahlia, “Do you sense this is necessary?”

“I do; why do you ask?”

“I sense immense danger in doing it.”

“Look at the level if we don’t do it.”

Ping winced, “You’re right; we have to make this happen.”

“Do you know why, Ping?”

“I have no idea. I just know it has to be done.’

“I guess we’ll have an answer if Tess says no.”

“You know she won’t.”

“I just wish I understood what’s happening; I’m lost.”

Ping took her in his arms and held her until Dean called and said the ships were being emptied of brackets.

• • •

“Sprigly, I want you to come to our ship at the appropriate time.”

“Thank you for the offer; when do you think that’s going to happen?”

“It won’t be much longer. The Four are bringing thousands of Battleships to the planets that are manufacturing the portal projectors. Tess has decided that when the number of battleships above those planets are down to less than a hundred, those selected to escape on the Nemite Battleships will start boarding. They will only be taking what they’re wearing so it shouldn’t take long. They’ve practiced the process several times so they should be fine.”

“Where are they going?”

“Tess thinks they should scatter to all the areas not currently conquered by the Five.”

“What do you think, Ping?”

Ping sighed heavily, “No matter where they choose to run, I still get a dire sense of danger. Dahlia and I are out of our element and are more spectators than participants at this moment.”

“When is she due?”

“About three weeks.”

“So she could have the baby at any moment?”

Ping shrugged, “I guess; she says three weeks and somehow I think she’s right. At least I really hope she’s right.”

“Why?”

“I believe we have less than three weeks before everything goes to hell in a hand basket.”

“Perhaps I should move up to Pare now?”

“I think that would be a good idea.”

“Do you think the Gardners will act?”

“I honestly don’t know; they’re too busy to come save Victoria, so that tells me they’re having issues. Like I said, “I’m more of an observer now.”

Sprigly leaned forward, “I’ll see you on Pare,” and the display went dark. Ping knew all the Planter’s ships were on the planet preparing to take on supplies or population. He leaned back in the control room and watched the numerous displays showing the massive exodus from the planet.

Tess walked over and put her hand on Ping’s shoulder, “I don’t know if I’ve ever thanked you for staying here and helping my planet to survive.”

“You don’t need to thank me, Tess. You know why I did it.” Tess nodded, “Where’s Dean?”

“I ordered him to take Victoria to one of the Mites and get off the planet.”

“I imagine that didn’t sit well with him.”

Tess shrugged, “No, it didn’t; but he knows how important Victoria is and he didn’t fight me on it very long.” Tess looked at Ping, “Do you think it’ll be safer on the ships or on the planet?”

“Honestly, I don’t think it’ll be safe anywhere. But doing this is probably worth the effort; one never knows.”

“Do you think this so called Doomsday Device will be as effective as they say?”

“If the Gardners say it will kill everything in this universe, it will.” Ping looked at Tess, “Where are you going to be?”

“I’m staying here with the ghosts of my parents, husband, and daughter. I really have no need to leave.”

Ping nodded and stood up; he hugged Tess and said, “You deserve a good life; if anyone does, you do.”

“I’ll take what’s given to me, Ping.” Suddenly, alarms went off and Tess looked at the displays, “It appears the Four are starting to gather their fleets. You should take Dahlia and go.”

Ping hugged Tess again and thought, “Dahlia?”

“I’m already on board. You should come now.”

Ping looked at Tess and smiled, “You are the best of your people; I admire you so much more than you know.” Tess nodded and Ping disappeared.

• • •

He appeared on the bridge and saw Sprigly in a chair with a panel in front of him and Dahlia in the second command chair. She was getting so large. “What’s going on?”

“There are a million sites where the Four have sent their fleets. They’re lining up so they should be powering up the projectors shortly.”

“Have you seen anything else?”

“If you mean have the Gardners shown up with their device, no.”

Ping went over to Dahlia and knelt down in front of her and took her hands, “Are you ok?”

Dahlia nodded, “I’m fine. I know I should be scared but having you with me makes me believe everything is going to be alright.”

“Dahlia, I don’t know of anything else I can do.”

“You can be here with me, like you promised.”

“You know I’ll never leave you.”

“I believe that is the most important thing at this moment, my love.”

Ping looked up and saw millions of orange portals start glowing. It appeared the four were using their energy to power the projectors. He wondered why the Gardners had not arrived. Was all their sacrifice to save the Realm simply wasted effort?

Sprigly announced, “The ships are lifting off the planet.”

Ping looked at the planet and seeing more than two hundred thousand ships lifting was a site to remember. He looked at Dahlia and said, “Pare, teleport us away from here and out into empty space between two random galaxies.” Ping saw Dahlia looked at the display and knew what she was thinking. “Tess knows you love her; she wants you to be on a ship.”

“I should stay with her. She’s been alone since she lost her family.”

“No she hasn’t; you and Dean have been there with her helping her survive her grief. You’re with her now.”

Dahlia nodded and looked out the viewport at distant points of light. She knew each of those lights were a galaxy millions of light years away.

• • •

Danielle screamed, “They’re powering the portals! We’re too late!” Tag took her in his arms and held her close. Pixie and Jixie watched the display and knew they had failed to make the field operational. Sam and Ken could only stare at the hundreds of thousands of portals starting to glow on the ship’s display. Danielle said, “I guess no one is smart enough to make this work.”

Jixie looked at Danielle, “What did you just say?”

“I said no one is smart enough to make this work.”

Jixie shook her head and looked up, “Senior, are you there?”

“Yes Child, what do you need?”

“We’re trying to make a psychic field permeable from the outside while holding anything inside it from escaping.”

“Open your mind and show me what you’ve done.” Jixie closed her eyes and heard a moment later, “Give me a little bit of time to think about this.”

Jixie fell into her command chair and shook her head. Danielle said, “What’s wrong?”