The Fight for Creation: Book 02 - Scout Warrior (28 page)

“I will.”

The Colonel spoke into his wrist unit and the rush to the hill was instant as the warriors ran from their barracks to the small hill. In less than four minutes, ten thousand warriors surrounded the hill. Jixie looked at them and saw their wonder at being able to see the legendary Duke. She saw in their minds that they would tell their future children about this moment. Sam watched them arrive and smiled. This was the heart of the Realm. He started talking to them and afterwards the Warriors were committed to doing everything in their power to make sure the Duke would respect their contributions in the Fight for Creation. Sam and Jixie lifted in their ship and the warriors around the hill stayed watching the ship as it rose into the night sky. The Colonel looked at his warriors and said, “He is what we all strive to become. Never forget this moment.”

None of them did.

• • •

Sam flew Jixie’s Dream directly to Castle Gardner and saw the lights of the city extending to the horizon. Sam hovered the ship a mile above the giant castle. The four Algean Attack Craft holding formation next to his ship wondered what he was doing. Sam said over his radio, “Please show the colors.”

The Algean smiled and the four attack craft burst into brilliant strobe lights that flashed beams colored Crimson and Gold. The brilliant beams lit up the night sky and the citizens in the city and all the millions of vehicles flying over the city saw them and the rush was immediate. Duke Robbins was home and he was going to address the citizens. The five ships remained high over the castle for an hour before they went to the Castle. The first million citizens arrived in less than thirty minutes. An announcement went out that the Duke was going to address the citizens of Ross at midnight.

• • •

Sam landed Jixie’s Dream on the spire and Greg was waiting for him. He saw Sam step out of the ship and then Jixie appeared. Greg rushed forward and hugged Jixie, “I’m so glad to see you’ve come home.”

Jixie smiled and said, “It’s really good to be here, Greg.”

Sam said, “Greg, is the platform available?”

Greg looked at Sam and said, “When do you need it?”

“At midnight.”

Greg smiled and said, “I’ll have it here by eleven.”

“Thank you, Greg. Do you have the dress Molly wore at her first reception?”

“We have it.”

“Please take Jixie and have her fitted.”

Greg smiled and said, “If you’ll come with me.”

Jixie looked at Sam and wondered what he was doing, but she was swept up by the staff that had rushed in to get her dressed for the event. She went with them and wished she was still with Sam.

• • •

At midnight Castle Gardner was illuminated and could be seen from space. The lights shining on the tallest spire were incredibly bright. Sam waited and Jixie walked into the throne room and Sam was amazed. She was absolutely beautiful and Jixie saw his love on his face. “What are you doing, Sam?”

“I’m introducing you to Ross.” Jixie looked troubled and Sam said, “It’s time they met you.”

Jixie nodded and Sam took her hand and led her through the portal to the main spire. He walked up the steps to a platform that slowly rose in the air above the spire and the huge crowd erupted into cheers. The emerald dress Jixie had on was brilliant and millions wondered who she was. The sky was packed with vehicles and millions of citizens were on the ground. The enormous gathering roared their approval. Sam waved and Jixie stood behind him, feeling the huge crowd’s emotions. After ten minutes Sam raised both hands and lowered them toward the ground. The giant roar diminished and after a few moments, silence dominated the vast multitude.

Sam went to a microphone and said, “I announced my arrival so that I would have the opportunity to speak to you before anyone else arrived and took up space that is rightfully yours. I have greeted you several times over the years and you have always grounded me on who I am and what I should be. At one point recently, I lost myself and was in danger of forgetting who I am. It was you that brought me back from that terrible moment. I want to take this moment to say thank you for your support and love. I wouldn’t have made it without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

The crowd erupted in an even louder roar and Sam let them express themselves. After fifteen minutes, Sam raised his hands and the crowd grew silent again. Sam pulled Jixie forward and said, “I know you’re wondering who this is standing with me.” The crowds found a close by monitor and saw the beautiful blonde woman standing on the platform with the Duke. “Her name is Jixie and she doesn’t have a last name. I intend to correct that. I have asked her to marry me and she has accepted. Please say hello to the Duchess Robbins.”

This time there was no stopping them. The crowd started dancing and screaming. The Duke was getting married. Jixie looked out at the crowd and felt their happiness. She raised her hand and waved and the noise doubled. Sam looked at her and said, “They know, Jixie.”

Jixie smiled and hugged Sam. The noise grew even louder and Sam said, “The wedding is going to be somewhat large, my love.”

“As long as they are here there will be plenty of love, Sam.”

Sam smiled and kissed her. The volume of the crowd was as loud as it could go but it still grew. The news went out, Duke Robbins was getting married. The mayhem that message caused was unbelievable. The mad rush to attend roared out of control.

• • •

Dort linked with Gon, “Are you going to go?”

“Did you see him?”

“Yes.”

“He’s alive again, Dort. I can’t say no.” Dort looked angry but then started to smile. “What?”

“She’ll keep him safe. I’ll forgive her…this time.”

Gon smiled, “Hey, no tricks.”

“You know me.”

“Like I said, no tricks, this is a serious occasion.”

Dort just smiled.

• • •

Two weeks before the wedding, the bridal shower ended and the huge number of ladies began leaving the outer conference center on the castle grounds. Dort, Gon, Robby, and Sam were standing outside waiting for it to end when suddenly, screams erupted and ladies began sliding out of the building, down the sidewalk and into the grass. Sam was shocked and then everyone turned to Dort. “What?”

Sam tilted his head and Gon said, “I told him no tricks.”

Dort took off running with Sam right behind him. Jixie stood up from the grass and said, “That was amazing. Let’s do it again.” The ladies rushed around the building and the rest of the afternoon was spent sliding out of the building. The reporters covering the event sent the images throughout the Realm and everyone was amazed at the smile the Duchess had as she slid out of the building. Jixie won more hearts that day. She was going to be Royalty but she didn’t mind laughing at herself. At the end, the three tossed Dort and he slid out of the building laughing the whole way. The three looked at each other and did a belly side out of the building into the grass. Sam hit the grass and rolled just as Jixie came sliding into his arms. The picture of that moment still hangs in the Throne Room at Castle Gardner.

• • •

Sam and Jixie sat in the family room at Castle Gardner with Jon and Miranda. The day had finally slowed down and the children had been put to bed. Jon looked at Sam and Jixie and said, “Your wedding has gotten out of control.”

Sam looked at Jon and saw Maranda nodding. “I’m not sure what you mean?”

Jon lifted his wrist unit and said, “Do you want the citizens of Ross there?”

“Yes.”

Do you want the warriors that fought in your regiment?”

“Of course.”

“All members of the Royalty are required to attend; they have to be there.”

“Yeah, so.”

“That’s more than ten billion, Sam. And the planetary leaders of the Realm’s main allies are also demanding to attend.”

Sam looked at Jixie and back to Jon, “How many should be there, Jon?”

“We had to use the Algeans to put the list together and it totals more than a trillion.”

“WHAT!?!”

Maranda said, “It’s out of control. Even if you excluded the citizens of Ross, it would be unmanageable.”

“Why?”

“Sam, you really don’t know how much the Realm loves you. Our allies would be devastated if they couldn’t have someone there. The Royals have been offered millions for their passes to attend. And the requests have continued to pour in at more than six million a day. This is unprecedented.”

Sam sighed, “So what do we do, Jon?”

“I really don’t know.”

Jixie looked at Sam and said, “Pride, do you have a moment?”

“I’ll always make time for you, Your Highness.”

“Will you come here for a moment?”

Jon looked at Sam and he shrugged.

Pride appeared and Jixie said, “You have the mental ability to connect with large numbers of individuals. How many are you able to contact?”

“I really don’t know.”

“Is there a limit?”

“I really never have tried to determine the limit.”

Jon said, “What are you thinking, Jixie?”

“We’ll get married in an isolated place with just Sam, me, and the one leading the ceremony. Pride will be present and send the ceremony directly to the minds of everyone in the Realm. They will all be able to see it up close.”

Jon looked at Pride, “Is what she’s suggesting possible?”

Pride shook his head and muttered, “How would I know?”

Jixie said, “What if you sent the images to all of the Cats and they sent it out to the Realm?”

Pride tilted his head and said, “Now that might be possible.”

Sam said, “And it would be better than seeing it on a monitor. The mental images would be incredibly clear.” Sam looked at Jon, “That would mean you couldn’t be there.”

“WHAT!”

Maranda said, “He’s right, Jon. If you don’t go because of the issue of everyone being included, no one could complain. They would know this is being done out of respect for the Realm.”

Jon frowned, “We need to find another way.”

Jixie smiled, “You could take my place.”

Jon jerked his head toward her and started chuckling. Finally, he laughed and said, “Not what we want but what we must.”

Sam said, “Something like that.”

“I’ll not go, but Mica will be there.”

Sam nodded, “That’s fair. He could be the ring bearer.”

Jixie said, “If Dort, Gon, Robby, and Jennifer aren’t included I’ll never get back in their good graces.”

Maranda smiled, “Their children will go as well. Gon’s son can hold Jennifer’s baby.”

Sam said, “You are going to have to explain this to them, Jon.”

“I’ll make sure they understand.”

Jixie said, “I will have one guest.”

The three turned to her and she said, “Hey, I’m from outside the Realm. I should be allowed one guest.”

“Who?”

“I’m not saying.”

Sam said, “She’s right. They’ll understand.”

Jon looked at Maranda and said, “Ok. I’ll make the announcement.”

Jixie said, “The brothers first.”

“I know, I know.”

T
he wedding day finally arrived and Sam waited for Jixie to arrive. The children were there and Mica was as proud as a thirteen year old could be. He knew that being there was something extremely important and he loved the uncle whose name he bore. Gon’s son Gren was holding Jennifer’s baby and the child seemed to be engrossed by the moment. Gren’s orange hair fascinated her. Dort’s daughter Delah stood beside the two and took turns holding the baby that had developed a game of going from one to the other.

Jixie was ready to leave when she heard, “You should not be doing this.”

“Hello, Senior. This is something I want to do.”

“You will only be leaving him to begin your study.”

“I’m starting my study here.”

“YOU’RE WHAT?”

“Senior, you know that every adult can choose what they wish to study and where they want to do it. I wish to study here. You might say, it’s part of my development. Besides, I won’t be here very long.”

The Senior was silent for a long moment and said, “How long?”

“I really wish you had answered me honestly when I asked you the same question before we connected. I’ll probably be done within a hundred years or so. I’ll still be just a youngster. Besides, you’ve agreed that it was my coming here that allowed you to expand your vision of reality. I would hope you would want me to continue providing you with details. I’ll let you know how things are progressing.”

“Jixie, you should return home.”

“I will after a little time has passed. It won’t be very long.” Jixie terminated the connection.

“You need to talk with your daughter.”

“She will not be connecting with you again until she finishes her study.”

“She will if asked.”

“The important word is asked. You know no one can be forced to stop their study. You were not acting properly when you connected with her. The only one that can force her to connect with you again is me and I’m telling you now that I will not force that on her. I’m ashamed of your behavior in this. Bullying a hatching is beneath your position.” Jixie’s mother felt the Senior terminate the conversation. She pondered what he was going to do. He would not take this without a response.

The Senior was angry. He had to find a way to force her back. He thought about it for a while and eventually came up with an answer.

• • •

The citizens of the Realm had mixed emotions about the wedding. They were greatly disappointed about no one being allowed to attend but were curious about everyone being present mentally. They waited and then the images started and all their disappointment vanished. They all saw that they were present and the images were unbelievable.

• • •

Sam saw Jixie appear at the alter with a middle aged woman. They moved closer to Sam and Jixie said, “Sam, this is my mother.”

Sam bowed to the woman and said, “I’m so glad you could attend. I love your daughter and I welcome both of you to my family.”

Millie looked at Sam and smiled. She saw his heart and though she had serious reservations about what Jixie was doing, her heart melted when she saw Sam. She saw Jixie looking at her and she said, “Go with your heart, Daughter. I approve of this and know that this is where you should be.”