The Fight for Creation: Book 01 - Life Warrior (23 page)

Jon shook his head, “I don’t know. If you come up with a reason, please let us know.”

“Hey, you three are the geniuses here.”

Jon leaned over and nudged her with his shoulder, “I’m not so sure about that.”

She pushed him away and said, “Hey, I’m just a lieutenant that was promoted before her time.”

Jon said, “It appears your time has come.”

Molly didn’t know what to say.

• • •

Juliette turned eighteen and she called Pride to join her. “It’s time for me to go home.”

Pride said, “Are you sure about this?”

Juliette sighed and nodded. She arrived in her room and called her mother. Cassandra came rushing in and hugged her tightly. “I’ve missed you so much. Are you alright?”

“I am. You need to tell me what William Dodd has on you.”

Cassandra stepped back and Juliette saw her anguish. “I can’t do that Juliette.”

“Why?”

“I just can’t. I was stupid and didn’t think things through. I let my emotions get the best of me and I made an agreement with his son to have you marry James if he helped me.”

“James is a beast, Mother.”

“I know. I was incredibly stupid. But William has the recordings of my conversations with his son and he’s going to give them to the Queen if I don’t keep the agreement.” Cassandra looked at Juliette, “You don’t have to go through with this.”

Juliette shook her head, “I have no choice. I can’t let you be executed. Tell Dodd that I agree and we’ll have the ceremony after the Royal Reception.”

“Juliette, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle James.” Juliette hugged Cassandra and could not think of anything but Jon.

• • •

Molly went to the assembly room and found her warriors in ranks. She started to speak but saw something on Major Umdel’s armor. She walked forward and looked at a small yellow circle with a green flag in the center. “Major, what is this?”

“Sir, we’ve been looking to have a unit name and one of the warriors did some research; we voted for this to be out unit insignia.”

“What is it?”

“On your home world they played a sport thousands of years ago called golf. It was a very serious sport.”

“I’ve read about it, Major.”

“Well, there was a piece of land that they played the sport on that was considered the most beautiful place on the planet and only the best golfers were allowed to play there. It was called the Masters.”

Molly had to fight to hold back her tears. Umdel said, “We agree that it is our mission to make every planet we fight to free a place of beauty. We are now Molly’s Masters.”

Molly looked over Umdels head and saw every Warrior in the battalion had the small yellow circle on the left side of their armor. Umdel saluted her and Molly returned his salute. “I came here to tell all of you that I am proud of your accomplishment. You have made the Realm…” She paused and continued, “And me very proud of you.” She saluted her warriors and they yelled, “Molly’s Masters.”

Molly smiled and said, “Dismissed. Go and enjoy your liberty.”

Molly turned to go and Major Umdel said, “Sir.” Molly turned around and he said, “Thank you for saving so many of us.”

Molly smiled and said, “That’s my job.” She turned and went to her quarters and cried. She wasn’t worthy. She was in over her head. She tried to think of Jeremy’s face but she couldn’t remember. She stayed in her room until the tears stopped. She finally sat up and washed her face. She sat down on the bed and heard a knock on the door. She got up and opened it. Jon was standing there, “Get a bag packed.”

“Why?”

“I’m taking you home with me for a little R and R.”

“No, that’s alright. I’ll be fine here.”

Jon smiled, “Get a bag packed, Colonel. We’ll be gone for four days so pack accordingly. I’ll meet you in the landing bay in thirty minutes.” Jon walked away and Molly started to run after him but he was gone. She sighed and closed her door. After ten minutes she began packing. He had her records so he had to know all of her family had been killed in a Megat attack on Alwin. She had nowhere to go. He was just being nice. She put her bag down and almost decided not to go, but then she stood and left her room. She found Jon waiting for her in the landing bay. It was only after he took the shuttle out that she remembered that he lived at Castle Gardner. Oh no. She didn’t know all the rules of high society. This was going to be a nightmare.

Jon entered the coordinates and said, “We’re not allowed to jump straight in to the planet. We’re going to enter the system at the outer planet check point and move in from there. Have you ever been to Ross?”

“No.”

“I’m sure you’ll find it entertaining. Is there anything you’d like to see?”

“No.”

Jon looked at Molly and said, “Alright, what’s bugging you?”

“Jon, I don’t know how to behave properly around high royalty. I’m just a backwoods woman without much exposure to the proper manners to be observed.”

Jon stared at her and said, “You’re really worried about this?”

“I am. I don’t want to embarrass you.”

Jon smiled, “Well, you know how to bow, right?”

“Yes.”

“Well you only have to do it once when you enter a royal’s home. It is permissible when the royal leaves the room to bow if you’re standing. Just follow my lead and I promise not to leave you hung out to dry. Now cheer up and try to force yourself to have a good time.”

Molly sighed, “I’ll try.”

Jon hit the teleport key and the shuttle appeared in space close to a small planet. Six Bristone Warships flashed in and Jon said, “HMS Shuttle from Creator’s Song requesting permission to enter orbit at Ross.”

“Who is onboard?”

“I’m Jon Gee Robbins and my guest is Molly Masters.”

“Welcome back Admiral Robbins. I’m sure your family will be happy to see you. You’re cleared for orbit.”

“Thank you, Captain.”

Jon hit the teleport key again and the shuttle appeared above a planet that was incredible. Molly saw the huge city from space and it covered most of the continent. Jon activated the manual controls and took the shuttle down into the atmosphere. Jon said, “This city is located on the site of the original Cainth invasion.”

“Jon, this city is on the site of the entire continent.”

Jon smiled and moved the shuttle lower until it merged into the traffic lanes at the higher level. He moved across fifteen lanes of heavy commercial craft moving south. Molly looked down and saw they were still several miles above the city. Jon, how many traffic levels are there?”

“More than eight thousand around the center of the city; the council has requested more but the Duke has denied their requests for security reasons.”

“I notice that all of the vehicles are moving aside for you.”

Jon shrugged, “I have a transponder that notifies their computers that they will be shot down if they don’t yield.”

Molly looked at Jon and he had a serious expression. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Why, for the Creator’s sake?”

Jon shrugged and said, “This planet takes royalty seriously.” The shuttle broke out of the lanes of traffic and emerged into a clear section of sky. Jon stopped the shuttle and Molly was about to ask why he had stopped when four sleek small ships came roaring in surrounding them. Molly heard over the ship’s speaker, “Welcome home, Your Grace.”

“Thank you, Stick. I’ll follow you in.”

The five ships turned and moved forward. Jon said, “I could have just gone straight in, but I don’t like ignoring the security protocols.”

Molly looked out of the forward view port and saw they were moving quickly toward the ground and straight ahead was a structure that was absolutely amazing. “Jon, what is that?”

Jon smiled, “That’s Castle Gardner.” Molly looked at him and he said, “Welcome to my humble abode.”

Molly looked at the towering spires and the massive walls, “Oh my god!”

“It’s really something when you see if for the first time.” Jon piloted the shuttle to the huge landing zone on top of the tallest spire and lowered the shuttle to the surface. He got up and went to open the side port. He stepped out and offered his hand to assist Molly. She didn’t need help. She was plenty agile but she decided that she was going to follow his lead. She took his hand and as soon as she touched him she felt her tension disappear. She felt safe. She stepped out of the shuttle and saw a middle aged couple walking quickly toward them. Jon rushed to them and hugged them. He turned and said, “Mom, Dad, this is one of my officers who’ll be visiting with us. Molly this is my mother Sara and my father Robert.”

Sara rushed forward and hugged Molly, “Welcome to our home. Jon never brings anyone to visit and we’re so glad you came.”

Robert came forward and offered his hand. Molly shook it and Robert said, “What the heck.” He wrapped Molly in his arms and hugged her.

Sara said, “Are you hungry?”

“I’m famished, Mom.”

“Well let’s go see what we have in the kitchen.”

Molly followed them to portal and then teleported to the kitchen. Sara made sandwiches while Robert poured some drinks. They sat down at the kitchen table and Molly watched Jon pick up his sandwich with both hands and take a huge bite. Molly smiled and cut hers in half. It was entirely too big to handle with just one hand. It was after Sara showed Molly to the room she was going to use for her visit that Molly realized that she had failed to bow. She said, “Your Majesty, I’m sorry.”

Sara turned and looked at her, “Why, child?”

“I didn’t bow when I arrived.”

Sara waved her hand at her and said, “We don’t allow bowing in our personal quarters. There’s enough of that in the governing levels. I’ll let you know when you have to worry about that.”

Molly smiled, “Thank you for allowing me to see your home.”

Sara smiled and said, “You’re the first person Jon has ever brought here, other than his brothers. We’re happy to have you. Please make yourself at home.”

Sara closed the door and Molly knew that in this home, love was the norm. She was amazed that she had never seen any sense of superiority from Jon. She pulled up information about the Robbins on her wrist unit and began reading about Jon’s family. By the time she finished, she felt very small. This family was something special in the Realm’s Royalty. The only one with more power than the Duke was the Queen. Molly realized that Jon was in line for the Duke’s title and the first in line for the Crown of the Realm. She had never thought of Jon as Royal. By the time they left, she couldn’t see him any other way.

Molly came downstairs and found Jon and his parents sitting in front of a huge fire place. She said, “Oh, excuse me. I’ll come back.”

Sara said, “Don’t be silly. I appreciate different opinions from these two. I could use some female support.”

Molly came in and sat in a chair across from Jon. Sara looked at Robert and he gave a small nod. Sara turned to Jon and said, “Tell me what’s going on with Juliette?”

Jon told her what he suspected and that she was going to marry James Dodd. Sara looked at Molly and said, “What do you think about this, Molly?”

Molly looked at Jon and he nodded. “I don’t think I should say what I think about a member of the Royal Family.”

“This is the only place you can and it not be held against you. I’d really appreciate your opinion. I have thought that she and Jon might be married one day.”

Jon’s expression turned hard but Molly didn’t see it. She said, “Juliette is an idiot.”

Sara laughed and said, “At least we agree on one thing. Why do you think she’s dumb?”

“She’s not dumb. That would give her an excuse for her stupidity. She’s an idiot.”

“Why do you feel that way?”

“She is putting her family ahead of the Realm. If she marries that troll, she will lose control of the Realm to him.”

Robert said, “I don’t think he could take control.”

Molly said, “What happens if they have children? Do you think she might give in to him if he threatens them?”

Robert stared at Molly and then looked at Sara. They looked back at Molly and Sara said, “Go on.”

“Jon says he will not accept the crown. I think he’s betraying all of us that are fighting for the Realm in taking that stance but…”

“Wait a minute. You’ve never said that before.”

Molly turned to Jon and said, “You’ve never asked my opinion on it. However, we are fighting enemies of the Realm risking our lives to ensure its survival. You would refuse the crown and allow those weak and morally challenged people to take control of the Realm I love. Who is better qualified to lead us and make the hard decisions that must be made? If you stepped aside and allowed those two to rule, you wouldn’t be any better than they are.” Molly saw Jon’s expression and said, “I’m sorry. I’ve brought discord to your home.”

Robert said, “The truth never causes discord among those that seek it.”

Jon and Molly looked at Robert and he said, “Molly is absolutely right. You’ve read the Realm’s history, Jon. What’s happened when the rulers were inadequate for the position?”

“Dad, I don’t want the crown.”

“And I don’t want you out there taking on the Dremor and who knows what else. But it must be done because it’s the right thing to do. What you should realize Jon is that Royalty removes what you want and replaces it with what you must. You’re not doing what must be done to protect the Realm from its enemies both foreign and domestic. That man Juliette is going to marry is dark in his soul. Are you willing to put the Realm in his hands?”

Jon took a deep breath and Sara said, “You should ponder this later. We’re going to have a good time showing Molly around Ross. Have you made any plans about where you want to go?”

Jon looked at Sara and forgot the discussion, “No, I haven’t. I thought I’d leave it up to her.”

Sara wagged her index finger at him, “Jon, Jon, Jon; how can you decide what you want to see if you don’t know what there is to see?”

Jon smiled and said, “You make a good point. What would you suggest?”

Sara pulled out a small module and said, “It’s funny you asked. I happen to have a list of things.”

Molly laughed and said, “Just happened…”