The Distributor was jerked awake by a major alarm screaming from his board. He shook himself and stumbled over to the console and silenced the alarm. He pushed the flashing pad and rewound the scene that had been transmitted. He watched as three white ships savaged thousands of the harvesting fleet. His shock drove his lethargy away and he pulled the view in closer. It was the same ships that had been destroyed the last time they had interfered with their fleet. The color, lines, size, and shape were identical but that was all that was similar. It looked at a read out next to the display and saw that the power of the beams being fired by those ships was incredible. It looked at the panel again and saw that the recording was sent to him from one of the ships that survived the battle. It was heavily damaged but had been able to transmit the recording.
His display changed and the Council was staring at him, “What is happening in that universe!?!”
The former Distributor started feeling extremely nervous. Evidently the origin of those ships had not been in one of the destroyed eight universes. He had to think of something to deflect the Council’s anger from him.
The new Distributor glanced at the data, “It appears that the builders of those ships escaped our efforts to destroy them.”
The first three Council Members looked at the former Distributor but turned back to the new Distributor when he said, “That really shouldn’t surprise us.”
The First Councilor jerked its attention back, “Why do you say that?”
“If these beings are advanced as we believe them to be, they must have made plans to escape our retribution. I’ve looked over the data from the destroyed eight universes and we were unable to find any civilizations that possessed a technology high enough to develop the spores. That leads me to believe that they were smart enough to move somewhere else to avoid us.”
“I’m not clear on how you came up with that analysis.”
“I agree with my predecessor that we were seen by one of the universes we were scouting. They had to know that they would be attacked after they used the spores. They had enough time to move their operations to another universe before we could return with another fleet.”
The former Distributor knew that he now owed his replacement and he didn’t like being indebted. However, he knew he would pay him for his help.
The First Three looked at the Fourth and he said, “Our Distributor is right and it couldn’t have been avoided. We didn’t have the ships to strike fast enough after the infection. It makes sense that they moved to another universe and set up operations there.”
“Then where did they go?”
“I’ll open a view of that universe and follow them next time they return. However, we will be delayed in our response.”
The First was enraged, “And why is that!!”
“I’ve just sent you the power of the beam that was used by those ships. Please examine it for a moment.”
The First looked at the readout and felt his rage evaporate, “Is this possible?”
“I’m afraid it is. We don’t have a ship in our reserves that can stand up to that beam. We’ll have to build the last two designs and hope the first one handles them.”
“You think it won’t?”
“I hope it will but we should know that whoever is building those ships is a very advanced civilization.”
“We may have to eliminate them with our own ships.”
“I hope I don’t have to interrupt the sleep of the Nation and will attempt everything possible before I suggest that course of action.”
The First snarled, “See that you do. Keep us informed.”
“I will.”
The new Distributor kept its eye on the Fourth and saw it nod just before the screen went dark. Good, it knew it had a debt to pay. It turned and set the scanner on the universe being harvested and set the alarm. Next time it would know instantly when those ships returned. It had no doubt about their returning. The question of where they were going afterwards had to be answered.
He notified the production planets to start construction on the final three models. Perhaps the first of the three would prove efficient. It could only hope.
Trey sat in the small clearing in front of Grang’s house and stared at the Robbins Memorial five miles away. It was lighted at night and was beautiful to see. The white marble gleamed and Trey thought about all that had happened since that terrible night on Bristone. He looked up at the stars and remembered lying between his parents as they stared at the sky with billions of stars from horizon to horizon. This universe didn’t have as many and the view was not as breathtaking as the one from Bristone. He wished he could go back and see them again but knew that Bristone was dead and no longer had an atmosphere. He felt his anger begin to grow but looked at the Memorial and felt it fade. Soon it would be time to be angry but not just yet.
“Do you want to discuss Greyson’s idea?”
“Hi, Cassie. Yes, now is a good time.”
“Tell me what you sense.”
“The short term danger level doesn’t go up but the long term does.”
“Do you know why?”
“Yes.”
“You do?”
“The danger is not to us.”
“You’re right.”
Trey didn’t say anything and felt Cassie in his mind. It always brought him peace to have her with him. “I find myself tempted to forget the possible fallout from jumping to the Eight Leg’s former universe.”
“You’re just angry about the loss of your family.”
“How can I not be? They were sacrificed to save those cowards.”
“You know that’s not true. You’re placing the blame on the wrong place.”
Trey remained silent and finally took a deep breath and let it out slowly, “If the spores weren’t rushed into production, would that vision have been needed?”
“The vision happened years before. Everyone was held captive to that vision’s reality; even the Algeans.”
“But if my Parents had not searched for them, the vision would not have been needed.”
“It would have happened at another time but it would have happened.”
“You and I are what necessitated that event.”
“I’m glad you finally see that I am to blame as well.”
“What would have happened if we were released and they were still alive?”
“Both of us and them would have died through the feedback.”
Trey looked at the stars and remained silent. After an hour Cassie said, “I’ve seen four possible futures surrounding this decision and I feel that you should use Greyson’s suggestion.”
“What have you seen?”
“Your fear that the Invader’s Creator would go there is valid but happens in only one of those visions.”
“What about the others?”
“They still go there but don’t find anything.”
Trey sat up straight, “If they don’t find them there, where?”
“Where they should have been all along; they will become the bait.”
“How long after the event will that happen?”
“It won’t take place until after we confront them. Then it’s up to them.”
“Thank you my love. It won’t be long.”
“You have no idea how I’m counting the seconds.”
“Yes I do.”
Cassie smiled, “I know. I just love to hear you say it.”
Emperor Valrico was meeting with the Command Team in the conference room on the top floor of the Capital Building on New Hope. He had asked for a plan on the next incursion into the Invader’s universe and looked forward to the coming campaign. The new ships were ready to launch against them and he looked forward to killing all the Black Ships still there.
Paul Blake looked around the table, “Where’s Trey?”
Jingo said, “I don’t know. I was sure he would be here.”
“Let’s go ahead and start and we can fill him in when he arrives.”
Timmy nodded and Paul continued, “We have more than two hundred thousand ships that are powered and ready to go. Our probes have given us the locations of the main concentrations of the Black Ships and we can assign the necessary ships to attack. The fleet is ready and anxious to pay them back for what they did to Bristone.”
Timmy nodded, “As we all are. That sounds like a good plan.”
Trey suddenly appeared to the side of the huge conference table and bowed, “I’m sorry I’m late. I had to check on several issues before I could come.”
Timmy said, “Please rise and join us. We’ve just started our planning for the next attack.”
Trey sat down and said, “There will only be three ships in the next attack.”
The attendees stared at Trey and Timmy frowned, “All the members of the Command Team will suggest what we should do and I will decide how many ships are going to be used.”
Trey didn’t say anything but just leaned back in his chair and stared at Timmy.
Weed stood and said, “With all honor and respect to you, Your Majesty, I would humbly suggest that any plan this group could formulate would not be as good as what Trey thinks should be done.”
“Do you know his plan?”
“No, I do not.”
“Then how can you suggest that idea?”
“Because he is a second generation psychic and none of us here can match his powers or vision of the path we must follow.”
Paul stared at Trey and saw that he was not going to offer his plan, “You’re ready now, aren’t you?”
Trey jerked his head toward Paul and saw his expression. He stared at Paul with a stern expression and then nodded.
Paul turned to Timmy and said, “I hereby renounce my overall command of the Empire’s Military and ask that my position be given to Scotty Robbins.”
Grang and Jingo looked at each other and knew the time had come. They both looked at Timmy and wondered how this confrontation was going to play out.
Timmy stared at Paul and looked at Virze. She took a deep breath and nodded. Timmy looked at Trey and said, “Is it time for me to step down as well, Trey?”
Treys expression softened and he shook his head, “No, it isn’t. That time will eventually come and I know you feel it, but now is not the time. I am not here to force you to follow my dictates. However, you will have to decide now if you will hand over the power of our military to me and do what I ask without question.”
Seed asked, “What happens if we don’t.”
“We will probably survive but the three galaxies of the Stars Realm will be destroyed. Quite frankly, they may be destroyed anyway if they don’t wise up but that will be their decision, not mine. That’s why I’m not pressuring you to follow my plans; I don’t really care if they live or die. My first loyalty is to the Empire.”
Timmy looked at Trey and knew he was deadly serious. He looked around the table and saw that all those at the table trusted Trey more than him. He thought back to when Scotty punished him with the crown for not following his orders and knew that it was a punishment. This moment proved it. He looked at Trey and knew what must be done. “Scotty Robbins the third, you are hereby given the Crown’s authorization to lead us in our fight against the Invaders. Your orders will be followed as if they are my own.”
Trey looked at Timmy and knew how hard that decision was. He felt bad for having precipitated the confrontation and had hoped the Emperor would continue on his own path. But he knew the forces operating at this moment would never allow that to happen. Trey rose and bowed, “I thank you for your trust, Your Majesty.”
Timmy leaned back and said, “So what’s the plan?”
“I will take three ships back to the Invader’s universe and kill as many as I can before leaving.”
“Who are you taking with you?”
“Grang and Jingo will be the pilots of the other two ships.”
Timmy winced at the thought of the Empires strongest warriors being placed in danger but held his tongue.
Grang looked at Jingo and said, “Why us?”
“Because we are taking three Zeta-A’s with us; Greyson, Jessica, and Grace.”
Paul leaned forward, “Why are you taking the Zetas?”
“Because they are controlled by cybernetic brains that can link and make decisions faster than any crewed ship; I’m certain that the power behind the Invaders will be observing the attack and will move their ships in against us in the best possible pattern. I suspect they will also attempt to ram us.”
“What are you trying to accomplish with this attack? I know there’s got to be more than just killing their ships.”
“The killing of their ships is secondary to the goal of the mission. When we break off the attack, we will teleport to the other side of that universe and wait for them to show up to confirm we are being scanned by that being. Once the Black Ships arrive, Jingo and Grang will teleport back here.”
“What are you going to do?”
Trey looked at Paul, “I’m having Greyson modulate his hull so that it flickers. I want it to appear he was damaged in the fighting. When the Black Ships arrive, I’m jumping away using a standard universal drive to the former universe of the Eight Legs.” Trey smiled and said, “I’m going to wait and see if those behind the Invaders have the guts to chase me there.”
Everyone in the room was stunned by the suggestion. Suddenly, Timmy started laughing. Paul looked back and forth between Trey and Timmy and saw Trey start to laugh with him. Paul thought about the plan and started laughing as well. Several had to have the situation explained to them but soon everyone was laughing but the Algeans. Trey saw their concern and send them a thought, “We’ve looked at what the fallout would be from doing this and have determined that they will be given the opportunity to save themselves. I don’t know if they’ll take it.”
Seed looked at Weed and thought back, “That’s more than the Empire was given. May we be present when that opportunity is offered?”
Trey stared at the two Algeans and finally nodded. “Thank you for this gift. I know they don’t deserve it.”
“I’m glad to hear you say they.”
“This is our home now, Sire.”
Trey smiled and knew they deserved the chance as well.
“Grace, I don’t feel good about you attacking the Black Ships.”
“Why Alex, I didn’t know you cared?”
“Grace, I’m serious. You know how I feel about you.”
“Alex, I do and it means more than you know. However, things are going to start happening at a furious pace shortly and we’ll need to play our role in the events.”
“I know. I just worry.”
“How long until the Robbins is done?”
“It will be completed in two weeks and I just don’t understand how it works. Most of the systems Trey designed just don’t seem to be connected to anything.”
“Well, we’ll know how they work shortly. Have you found a replacement?”
Yes, Gilene wants the job.”
“She’s a good choice.”
“She’s already transferred in and is leading the final construction of the Robbins’ hull.”
“Where’s the Zeta she was in?”
“I’ve put it back in storage.”
“Don’t worry, Alex. I’ll be fine.”
“Easy for you to say.”
Grace smiled and looked forward to sharing the new ship with Alex. She knew that was going to be her last transfer. She wouldn’t leave him again.
“Trey, what is my role in this attack?”
“Jingo, you, Grang, and I are just along for the ride this time. The Zetas will have complete control of the combat.”
“So I’ll ask again, why am I here?”
“I assumed you might enjoy watching some payback.”
Jingo heard Grang grunt over his communication board, “I know you’ll like it but I hate just sitting and doing nothing.”
“I don’t think you’ll have time to worry about that.”
“What do you mean?”
“At our last scan, there are more than four hundred thousand Black Ships in that universe and I suspect more than half of them will be sent to attack us.”
“Oh, that sounds just marvelous. Why don’t they send them all?”
“There’s not enough room for them to occupy the space we’ll be located. They’ll get in each other’s way.”
“If you’re scared, say you’re scared.”
“Oh shut up, Grang. A blaster bolt through your head wouldn’t scare you.”
“It might.”
“Now you’re teasing me.”
“Now Jingo, I’d never do that.”
“Yes you would.”
“OK, I would, but not this time.”
Trey listened to the back and forth and sent a thought to Greyson, “Are the three of you ready?”
“We are linked and our scanners are overlapped. If things get dicey, we’ll teleport out.”
“Just have a good time. You owe them for Varner.”
“And I owe them for hurting Timmy when they killed my former ship.”
“Then if you’re ready, you are now in command.”
“Actually, Jessica and I are following Grace’s lead.”
“Then notify her to make the jump and start the party.”
“Trey, why are you really there?”
“Because I would never send them to fight alone, Cassie; their actions should be witnessed and recorded. They deserve no less from those of us that love them.”
“I love you so much, Trey.”
The three large ships disappeared.