Sprig and the three young spiders were euphoric at seeing the Gardners again. They all teleported in to the map room and celebrated the return of long, missing friends. Tag updated them on why they had been gone, while Jake left the room and contacted Junior.
“How’s it going?”
“Great, Jake! My parents are being brought up to current technology and the work should be completed soon.”
Jake paused and said, “Junior, will Sprig tell the Gardners?”
There was a long moment of silence, and Junior finally answered, “No; it would only distract them from the task at hand.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I discussed it with him after our conversation. I told him that the plan has been changed and that I am following your lead. I suggested he might want to do the same.”
“What was his response?”
“Jake, you shocked him more than you can know when you caught him listening in on your meeting. He knows you possess knowledge that could disrupt his goal, but he also saw that you didn’t reveal it to Valerie or the other Gardners. He’s waiting to see which direction you intend to go. He had written off there being any possibility of a change in the direction of events, but he’s going to see if you can make a difference.”
“And the Spiders?”
“They’ve already carried out their part of events. They know they’re out of their depth from this point on. They have decided that if they are going to follow anyone it will be you.”
“What about Matt? They owe him much more than me. Can they be trusted to stay the course?”
“They know that if they don’t, Matt will be killed. They’ll do it to make sure he survives.”
Jake took a deep breath and said, “I’m going to need you quickly. Can you leave your parents?”
“What do you have in mind?”
“We need to move some planets and kill some ships. I think moving the planets will come first, but I’m not married to the order…yet.”
“I’ll let them know.”
“Thanks, Junior.
“You bet.”
Valerie came in and found Jake staring out of the window overlooking the Fleet Academy in the distance. “Jake, are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
Jake had sensed her coming. He turned and sighed, “I can’t, Valerie. I know you think it’s an issue of trust, but it isn’t. Who leads the Realm now, Valerie?”
Valerie was about to tell Jake it was an issue of trust, but she was stopped by his question. She thought about it and said, “You don’t think it’s me, do you?”
“Who will be making the decisions from this point on? It won’t be me and ipso facto, you either.”
“Why do you say that, Jake?”
“Who will control the weapon that can kill the Keepers?”
Valerie shrugged, “We will, Jake.”
“You’re exactly right, Valerie. Now before you make me tell you everything, I want you to think about what impact that information will have on the five Provinces. When you come up with an answer, ask me again and I’ll answer your question. Think about whether or not you want that answer, especially with the people you must interact with.”
Valerie was struggling with what Jake meant and decided to think about it. She hugged Jake and they went to the map room to discuss their future plans. Later that night it hit her. She saw what Jake was trying to get her to see, and her heart went into her throat. She knew he was trying to protect her, and she resolved to put her trust and her entire being in his hands. She loved him more at that moment than ever before. She knew the burden he had taken and knew she could not help him. She was thankful she didn’t know anything after the afternoon meeting. Danielle would have seen it. She worried about the man she loved so much.
Valerie and Jake entered the map room, and Valerie noticed that the Gardners did not stand and bow. She looked at Jake and knew he saw it as well. They took their seats and Tag turned to Edison and asked, “Edison, I thought about the Demons and I wondered about something.”
“What was that Mr. Gardner?”
“Why would the Demons create a new tool to replace you if you had never been defeated?”
“But we were defeated. The Keepers had defeated two invasion attempts.”
“We didn’t know that at the time we fought them.”
Edison thought for a moment and then he saw it, “The new tool was built to handle the species that defeated us.”
Tag smiled and said, “What other reason was there for its construction? There was no other reason for them to replace you. I also feel the last Demon knew we were going to be attacked by the Keepers and he wanted us to kill him so that they would destroy us. If he was no longer around, there was a good possibility that no one would make this connection.”
Sprig said, “Then the new white creatures he created possessed a weapon that would penetrate the Keepers’ ships.”
Matt said, “Where are those creatures? Weren’t they destroyed?”
Newton said, “I know where to find them. They are in our old universe.”
Jake was startled at Tag’s comment, and everyone saw it.
Tag asked, “What’s bothering you?”
“What if that Demon didn’t choose to die to prevent you from finding those new tools?”
“What do you mean?”
“How long after the Demon’s defeat did you go to see him?”
Matt thought a moment and said, “We were all occupied with Anglo and Jenny’s survival. I think it was about four weeks.”
“What if the last remaining Demon went back and destroyed those creatures and ships to prevent us from using them in our defense? Now his statement about wishing we had not killed him would make more sense. He would have to know that once the Keepers showed up on our doorstep, the Spiders would find them in their databases and know they were defeated by them. What better way to make us pay for killing his species than removing the only thing that could save us?”
Tag jerked, “I didn’t even consider that. We need to go look now.”
“Does the Kosiev have a universal drive?”
Tag looked at Jake and nodded.
“Well, I agree. Let’s go see.”
Cassandra said, “Alex, we need to take a trip.”
“Ready when you are.”
The three spiders, Matt, Jake, Cassandra, Tommy, and Tag teleported out of the map room to the Kosiev. Valerie looked at Danielle, “You’re not going?”
“Nope. I want to get to know you.”
Valerie looked at one of the Realm’s legends and began to wonder what she was looking to find. She smiled and said, “By all means. Let’s go get a bite to eat and I’ll bring you up to date on the Realm.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
As they walked to the terrace overlooking the castle’s garden, Danielle wondered what the Queen’s fiance was hiding. She had seen nothing but adoration from this young queen, but something about Jake bothered her. Now Valerie was giving signals indicating she was holding something back. The Realm was different and the Realm’s Leadership was… different.
They arrived at the terrace and their meal was waiting for them. Valerie looked out at the flowers and felt serene. Her peace was broken when Danielle asked, “I get the feeling that Jake is hiding something from us. Do you know what it might be?”
Valerie was immediately glad Jake had kept his silence. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
Danielle shook her head and said, “I don’t mean any disrespect, but I can’t help but think he is not telling us everything.”
Valerie sighed heavily and Danielle thought, “Here it comes.”
“He’s probably upset with your manners.”
Danielle was thrown back with that remark. “What do you mean?”
“How would you react if you were still the chosen Queen ruling the Realm and a group of strangers appeared and took control away from you? They don’t bow or show you the courtesy your position deserves; they issue orders to your staff without consulting you, and just assume that they are now ruling the Realm. How would that make you feel and what would you have done, Danielle? I’m sure Jake is biting his tongue because of who you are, but he has noticed your total disregard and lack of respect of my position in the Realm.”
Danielle immediately felt remorse. Valerie was right. They had just barged in and taken over as if they were in charge. “Your Majesty, I apologize for our behavior. I hope you understand that the Realm’s safety is what is foremost in our mind, and is part of why we are not being good guests.”
Valerie smiled and said, “I think we have refrained from being impolite to you because we do recognize your importance. It bother’s Jake a lot more than me.”
Danielle thought about it and wondered if that was it, but she knew that if roles were reversed she would have straightened it out and it would have bothered her…a lot. That’s probably what it was. She remembered that Jake introduced her as the current Queen of the Realm and her family had not responded appropriately. It’s surprising that he didn’t say anything. “Let’s start over, Your Majesty.”
“Oh, call me Valerie, Danielle, especially when we’re not in public. I do count you as a friend, and I really have questions about what the Realm was like when you became Queen.”
Danielle saw Valerie’s wide-eyed innocence and put the problem of Jake aside. “I was shocked when I was chosen to be Queen, Valerie.”
“Really, why?”
The two began talking as only two people who have shared a common experience could.
The Alexander Kosiev broke out into the former universe of the Eight Legs. They immediately saw that the billions of white ships were no longer present. Matt felt a surge of anger, “That last Red Demon was quite busy before we came after him. It knew that without his knowledge the Keepers would defeat our ships. He also destroyed every installation on his planet before we arrived so we couldn’t find out what he put in the new tool’s ships. He was right, I regret having killed him. If I had it to do over, I’d kill him slowly.”
Jake said, “It was the last evil thing he could do, and I suspect he made you kill him.”
Matt looked at Jake, “You’re right. He said he wouldn’t be able to resist creating another tool to attack us. What I thought was a genuine sacrifice was actually another act of evil.”
Tag stared at the scanners’ displays and said, “Alexander, do you see anything remaining in this universe that could help us?”
“No, it even destroyed the bodies that were floating in open space.”
Newton looked at Edison and said, “Is there any way we can lengthen the cutting beam to make it an effective weapon?”
“We have been unable to do it so far.”
Jake said, “What about putting one of the devices inside the Kosiev’s outer skin and see if it could make it effective.”
Tag turned to Jake, “It looks like that is the only thing left to try. I was so certain that the weapon would be here.”
Cassandra said, “Take us back, Alex.”
Jake said, “As soon as we return, I need to check up on my ship. He’s with his parents and I must make sure the effort to save the civilizations in the Keepers’ universe is on schedule. I’ll meet you at the Castle Gardner when I finish.”
Tag nodded his head absently as he stared at the displays one more time.
As soon as the Kosiev broke back into the Realm’s universe, Cassandra said, “I want to take a crack at one of those Keepers Fleets with Alex.”
The Gardners all wanted to see what happened. The three spiders looked at each other and Edison said, “We are going to get the latest energy blade and bring it to Ross. We’ll teleport out and see you when you return.” The spiders touched their bracelets and teleported out.
Jake nodded and looked at the Gardners, “That’s a good idea. I’ll try to get back before you trial it.” Jake looked around and thought so everyone could hear, “Junior, I need you to come get me. We need to make sure the rescue is on schedule.”
“I’ll just bring you to me, Jake.”
A silver screen appeared on the Kosiev’s bridge and Jake stepped into it.
Matt looked at Melanie, “Well?”
“Something is bothering him, Matt. I’m not sure what it is. Perhaps Danielle will have success finding out with the Queen.”
Tag nodded at them and said, “Let’s go stir up some Keepers. Alex, keep your distance. We don’t want to lose you.”
The huge ship laughed, “Caution is my middle name.”
Cassandra smiled, “Just like the battle with the Demons.”
“You’ll never let me live that down, will you?”
“No way.”
The Alexander Kosiev disappeared.
Jake walked out of the screen on Junior’s bridge and said, “We need to make a quick trip to the Keepers’ universe.”
Al asked, “Why?”
“We are going to move more than twenty million civilizations shortly, and I need to see what the status of the Keepers Fleet. We won’t be very long.” Jake then thought, “Twig, I know you’re working on a project here, but is one of your larger ships available to go with us?”
“What do you need it for, Jake?”
“I want to go take that Keepers’ ship we killed on the moon of the first rescue and see if we can’t find something to defeat their hulls.”
Twig was silent for a moment and said, “I’ll have one join you momentarily.”
Junior was silent and waited.
Fly Girl said, “Be careful, Son.”
“You know I will, Mom. I’ll hurry back.”
A two-mile-long Algean transport appeared next to Junior and the Ship Leader said, “We’re at your disposal, Sir.”
Junior said, “Please jump to the following coordinates.” Junior sent them and jumped away.
The two ships appeared in open space far from the nearest Keepers Galaxy. “Jake, what are you talking about retrieving that Keepers’ ship? You know we towed that into the sun and destroyed it.”
Jake said, “Are you listening in Twig?”
“Sprig was right. You know us better than we ever thought possible.”
“I shocked you about your project and it doesn’t take a psychic to know you would come on this trip. I have no intention of staying here. Please jump to the following coordinates and I’ll tell you what’s going on when we arrive.”
The two ships jumped and emerged ten miles from the former Nest Mother’s giant ship.
Junior looked around and said, “Where are all the white ships?”
“The Demon came and disintegrated them. It knew those ships were the only weapon that could kill the Keepers’ fleets. We just left here less than an hour ago.”
Twig thought, “Then why did you come back?”
Jake paused and pushed a button on his command chair, “I downloaded the original destruction of the white creatures and watched it from the moment they emerged into this universe. They were here for about four hours before the Demon had them killed, and most everyone who has ever viewed the recording started watching it at the moment of that destruction.”
Junior asked, “What does that have to do with you coming back?”
Jake pushed a button and sent a feed to Twig, “I want you to watch this portion of the playback.”
Junior and Twig watched as one of the huge white ships approached the Nest Mother’s ship and stopped. A small white craft exited the ship and flew toward the giant green ship. As it approached a bright white beam hit the green hull and blew a hole big enough for the small craft to enter.”
Twig said, “I didn’t know those creatures had small craft like that.”
“No one did, Twig. But think about it. What if they find something that needed to be taken to the main ship. Those creatures would not be able to lift it with their personal propulsion.”
“Why do you think they went into that ship, Jake?”
Jake smiled, “The white creatures didn’t know that we had taken the Nest Mother’s chamber. I’m sure the leader wanted the chamber to take all the information that had been gathered over the long harvestings of the Eight Legs. I’m sure it feared the Demons and hoped to someday break free of their control.” Jake paused and said, “It was at this moment that the Demons activated the compulsion and the Demons began killing themselves. Keep an eye on the Nest Mother’s ship.”
They watched and, as the carnage continued with the billions of ships, they saw a single white creature fly out of the mother ship and attack another creature that had left their main ship.
“The white creatures did not use their ships to kill each other. The crew of that small ship attacked each other and the sole survivor left the ship inside and flew out to continue killing. It is my belief that the Demon did not know that craft was inside the Nest Mother’s ship. It has a weapon on it that can kill the Keepers’ ships, and I want you to take your transport, move that ship back to your labs, and duplicate it.”
Twig and Junior were quiet. Finally Twig said, “Why are you giving us that weapon? You must know what we are planning.”
“I do, but I am not going to give it to anyone that can’t be trusted with its power. I need you to make a hundred thousand of those weapons and I will send the Searchers from the Brez Division to have them installed. Those beams will not be given to the Realm’s military. The Brez Division has expanded and is now responsible for the security of the Crown’s galaxy. The majority of those Searchers are Gresh, Cainth, Glod, and Human. They can be trusted.”
The two remained silent. Jake continued, “That beam can destroy any substance in existence; even our ships cannot survive it. I will command that division and see that they are destroyed if we win this.”
“And what do you expect us to do with the one we have, Jake?”
“Use it to make sure your project is successful. You may no longer trust us, Twig; but I trust your species implicitly. You’re going to have a large family to defend shortly.”
Twig said, “We will follow your lead from this point forward. We will make your plan ours.”
“Thank you, Twig. We need to make sure the ship is there.”
A small shuttle teleported to the surface of the green ship and entered the hole in its surface. “The ship is there, Jake. We will start work on the weapon immediately.”
“Thank you, again, Twig.” Jake turned off his display and said, “Junior, I need you to take me to Admiral Busigleore.”
“Jake, you haven’t told me your plan.”
“Can your parents access your core?”
Junior was stunned, “I honestly don’t know.”
“Well, until this is over, you’re going to have to stay away from them. I’m sure the Reg would give parents the tools to manage the behavior of their offspring. You can’t risk everything on the chance they can’t.”
“Why do you think they can?”
“They responded to your distress beacon in less than ten seconds. I believe they heard it before it actually activated. That concerns me, Junior. Just tell them you’re not where you can leave me for the short term. Hopefully we can delay them getting suspicious, but I’m certain that the Gardners are already wondering what I’m hiding from them and they may ask your parents to find out.”
“Are you going to meet with the Gardners again?”
“Not if I can avoid it. I can probably hide what I’m planning from them, but I’m not so sure I could from AG.”