Trey heard the door slam shut behind him and thought about seeing if he could teleport out but then he heard music. There was a gentle melody filling the air and it grew louder as he walked up the wide hallway. He looked up at the ceiling and saw that it was more than a thousand feet high. He knew that this structure existed outside the normal space/time of a universe and that it was controlled by different laws. He continued walking and the music grew louder. He noticed that each of the giant columns had a large torch burning that cast light in bright circles ahead of him. He knew he should be worried but just couldn’t bring himself to feel it. He stopped, turned off his armor, and continued walking up the long passage. He saw another doorway in the distance that had bright light emanating from it. Time ceased to exist and he had no idea how long it took him to arrive at the door. He stopped, reached down, and took off his shoes. He stepped through the door and saw a room about fifty yards wide by thirty yards deep. Sitting on some pillows next to the far wall was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She smiled and motioned him forward. Trey walked up to her and sat down on one of the large cushions.
“I see you finally found me.”
“I really didn’t know I was looking for you.”
“You just didn’t allow yourself to see it.”
Trey looked around the room, “Why am I here?”
“Why to find yourself.”
“I didn’t know I was lost.”
The woman smiled and Trey was amazed at her bright green eyes that seemed to stare into his soul, “That is the first step to finding who you are.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m really not a who or a what. This body you see is not real.” She looked at Trey and said, “Did you know that this planet was the first place where life appeared?”
Trey tilted his head, “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
“Life began somewhere and you happen to be where it first appeared.”
Trey suddenly knew who he was communicating with, “How long ago?”
“The number is too big to express in terms you could grasp. It was from here that it spread and became what you know today. This was the first universe. Now life is being threatened and you are the one selected to defend it.”
Trey lowered his head, “Did my parents have to die for me to exist?”
“Why do you think they’re dead?”
Trey looked up suddenly, “They are no longer with me.”
“Neither is Cassandra but you can feel her, even now.”
Trey nodded and thought about what the woman was saying, “Why did you want me here?”
“I want to show you my children and I have a gift.”
“I’m ready.” Suddenly Trey’s mind was filled with a view of all creation. He could see it in its entirety and he saw the evil moving to consume it. He felt the heartbreak of the woman in front of him and he sensed the trillions being killed. He collapsed unconscious.
The woman reached forward and ran her fingers through Trey’s hair and stroked his head. She leaned down, kissed his cheek, sent him a thought, and then she disappeared.
Grang and Jingo saw the building disappear leaving Trey lying in the dirt unconscious. They rushed forward and lifted his head. Cassie immediately felt him and started trying to get him to respond. Kreej felt Trey’s mind and suddenly felt something happen inside him. It felt like he was opening a door into his mind that had been closed. He looked at where the building had stood and bowed. Grang and Jingo’s attention was on Trey and they didn’t see Kreej’s bow. The Empire was going to be turned upside down and at that moment no one knew it but Kreej and an unconscious Trey.
Trey awoke and remembered his vision. He felt Cassie calling him and he thought to her, “I’m ok.”
“What happened in there?”
“I can’t show you until we’re released. I hope you’ll trust me on this issue.”
Cassie looked at Trey’s thoughts and saw that she didn’t have access to the memory of what had happened inside the temple, “Just answer this question, is that temple what was pulling you to that universe?”
“Yes, it was.”
“Did it help you?”
“More than you know and you’ll understand when our time comes.”
“You’re different, Trey. Your mind is not like it was the last time I talked with you.”
Trey paused and looked at the spot where the temple had been, “I know.”
“Do you still love me?”
Cassie waited and felt an unimaginable fear that she had lost him; Trey smiled and sent her his emotions. She was overwhelmed and felt her heart burst with happiness, “I love you more now than ever before. You are my heart Cassandra Reese. You will always be my heart.”
Trey looked at Kreej and saw his heart. He walked over and Kreej lowered his head, “I’m going to miss you.”
Kreej slowly shook his head, “You will be our Ruler.”
“I know. It’s just life is going to be different.”
“You know what we are going to be doing and we have no choice but to do it.”
“Gather the Flyers at New Hope and we’ll meet you there.”
Jingo and Grang watched the two communicating telepathically and wondered what was being said. Trey stood and looked at his two adopted Fathers and reached out to pull them close, “Contact your Flocks and have them report to New Hope. I’ll let TK know to be there as well.”
Grang looked at Jingo and said to Trey, “What happened in there? You were only inside that door for less than a second.”
“It was much longer than a second, Father. I have been given something that I’ll never forget as long as I live.”
Jingo shook his head, “I don’t understand.”
“I’ve witnessed the heart of Creation. Everything is connected and we all have a role in the great scheme of things.” Trey looked at them with his eyes bright, “Some of us are expected to make a difference.”
“Are we done in this Universe?”
“The work isn’t done but the workers are going to change.”
Trey mounted Kreej and lifted for their last flight.
Timmy, Virze, and the other members of the Command Team stood on a platform that overlooked the vast field where the thirty five thousand Flyers were gathered in orderly ranks. Timmy wasn’t sure what was going on but Vring had formally requested a meeting with the Flocks and had suggested that it was critical that he come. Carter leaned over and whispered, “Do you know what this is about?”
Timmy shook his head, “I have no idea. The Commander’s of the Flocks also have no idea why this meeting was requested.”
“Does Trey know?”
Timmy looked around and didn’t see Trey, “I suspect he does and this might be something he’s behind.”
The thirty thousand Riders were standing beside their Zord and all of them looked bewildered. Something was going on that was causing a change in their relationship with their partners. Timmy looked at Jingo, “Do you know what’s happening?”
“No, I don’t, Your Majesty. However, whatever it is, it’s related to Trey entering that temple.”
“What temple?”
“He walked through a door into a temple and the building disappeared leaving him unconscious in the dust. Something happened to him and it has also affected the Zord.”
“How do you know the Zord were affected?”
“Kreej was different after the event. Something had changed in his demeanor. I don’t know how to explain it but something happened.” Jingo looked out over the assembled Zord and said, “Can’t you feel it? There’s something different about them.”
Timmy turned and looked at the huge gathering and saw that the Zord were not talking with their Riders. They were all focused on the Reviewing Stand as if they were waiting for something to happen. He looked at Virze and saw she felt it as well. “It looks like we’re waiting on Trey to arrive.”
Trey was high overhead on Vring, “I know how you feel about this, Vring.”
“I feel like I’m being disloyal to White Hair. It pains my heart to know he would be hurt by our decision.”
“You have not gone against your promise to do this.”
“How can you say that? I’m going to break an oath I took.”
“No you’re not; how can you even think that? Your Father promised to defend White Hair and his people until that mountain on El Prado fell to the ground. Are you saying you won’t come to our defense?”
“Well, of course not.”
“Then you have not broken a promise. Take me down to the clearing in front of the Emperor.”
“Trey, White Hair is so proud of you. I know your parents are as well.”
“I know. Let’s go get this over with.”
Vring screamed and everyone looked up to see the huge Zord diving for the Clearing. Every Zord on the plain lowered their head and bowed to the incoming Flyer. The Riders saw their mounts bow and bowed as well. Timmy saw their response to Trey’s arrival and wondered if the time had come for Trey to assume the throne.
Vring landed and Trey dismounted and looked up at the leaders of the Empire, “I thank you for coming here today, Your Majesty. There has been a fundamental change in our relationship with our Zord friends and they have asked me to inform you what that means.”
Timmy stood and walked up to the podium and looked down at Trey, “What do you mean a fundamental change?”
Cassie sat in her room and watched Trey. She had not been able to determine what was going on and wondered what he was talking about. She sensed that his mind was now more powerful than hers and his psychic abilities had been tremendously magnified. She closed her eyes and listened to what he was going to say.
Trey turned and used his telepathy to say, “Please rise, Flyers.”
The thirty thousand Zord and Riders stood straight and the Zord stood on their back legs and towered over the assembly. Carter looked out and the view was overwhelming. Something big was about to happen.
Trey faced the Zord and bowed deeply to them. He held that posture until all the attendee’s on the Reviewing Stand and the Riders also bowed. Vring watched and felt his heart fill with respect and admiration for the beings his Flocks had chosen to join so many years ago. He thought, “Please rise.”
Trey stood up and smiled. He looked at Kreej standing next to Vring and felt his love. He shook his head, took a deep breath, and turned to face the Emperor. “Your Majesty, the Zord are going to leave us today.”
The immediate shouting was loud and the loudest were the Riders standing beside their partners. Trey watched as each Zord told their Rider to be quiet and listen. After ten minutes silence ruled the gathering. Paul stood by TK and felt his heart fill with love for his nephew. He took TK’s hand and squeezed it. She turned and saw his feelings. She was shocked at Trey’s announcement but looked in Paul’s mind and saw that he knew this was something wonderful. She relaxed and moved closer to him. He put his arms around her and pulled her close.
Timmy looked at Trey, “Have we done something to offend them?”
Trey shook his head, “No, we haven’t. They have been given another quest and they have no choice but to accept it.” Trey turned and faced the Flyers, “The Zord are a creation of the force that brought life to creation. They have been evolving to prepare them for a war that they must win. They have now reached the point where they are ready to begin that struggle.” Trey turned back to the Reviewing Stand and smiled, “I am going to share a vision with you that I was blessed to be given. I am going to show you Creation from the eyes of the Creator.” Trey sent the vision of all Creation to those assembled and he saw the impact it had on the gathering. The thousands present stood in awe and were speechless. They saw all the universes and dimensions in one giant vista. The magnitude was almost more than could be visualized. They also saw the suffering and destruction that was happening all across that vast vista. They could feel the sorrow and mourning over the trillions that were being killed by aggressive species that preyed on helpless civilizations. They could feel the deaths of not only intelligent creatures but the animals and plants that were being destroyed by ruthless attackers that destroyed planets. The attackers were numerous and were growing in numbers.
Trey waited until he sensed that everyone was back to the present moment. “Creation is being attacked by evil forces that are killing numbers beyond our ability to count. Balance is going to be lost unless those forces can be stopped. The Zord are the ones that will fight to bring balance.”
Grang yelled from the stand, “How can they stand up to those forces? They aren’t strong enough to take on most of those beings we just saw. Even the Heramu killed more than a hundred Flyers.”
“The Heramu no longer exist.” Everyone took a quick breath. “Kreej and I have destroyed every one of their ships and planets after we left the temple.”
Grang was struck silent. Jingo said, “How did you do that?”
“The Zord have been evolving into beings that are Creation’s immune system. Just as when our bodies are attacked by a disease, our immune system creates antibodies called white cells that attack the invading disease. It has taken billions of years for Creation to create and release its defenses against the evil infecting the universes. The Zord have now been activated and are fully functional.”
Trey looked around and no one said anything. He turned to Vring, “Would you please show this assembly what I’m trying to communicate?”
Vring looked down at Trey and nodded. He spread his wings to their full expanse and suddenly he turned bright blue and appeared to be a blazing ball of blue fire. The huge Review Stand lifted and hung suspended ten feet off the ground. After a minute it was lowered back to the ground and Vring changed to normal color and folded his wings.
Trey said, “The Zord are psychic beings and they have now been released. Their power is on a level beyond what we can comprehend and they are going out into the universes to fight the growing evil. They are compelled to do this and it is their reason for existing. We will have to face our enemies without their help.”
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.”