Timmy Valrico reclined in a chair with the download headband on his forehead. Tesa was in a chair beside him sharing his download. Timmy opened his eyes and said, “Wow! That was amazing.”
Tesa was shaking her head. “Those Algean ships are huge. There’s no way they should have lost to the Holy Realm.”
“But they did, Tesa. The Realm had the best engineers.”
“Only because the Algeans were stunted in their development. You know who really had the best engineers.”
Timmy shrugged then heard a knock on the door. She looked at Timmy who ran to a display and saw it was Scotty with that new woman. He went up two flights of stairs and released the door. “What brings you to the deep woods?”
“We need to see if you can help us. Hi, Tesa.”
Tesa jumped up and ran and hugged Scotty, “Hi, yourself. It’s good to see you.”
Scotty helped Julie down the narrow steps and said, “Timmy, Tesa, this is Julie. Julie, this is Timmy and Tesa.”
Julie said, “I’ve heard a lot about you two on the way here. I’m impressed with your knowledge.”
The two teenagers smiled and Timmy came forward and shook her hand while Tesa just walked up and hugged Julie. Julie hugged her back and Tesa smiled, “You are as beautiful as everyone says you are.”
Julie blushed, “Thank you very much.”
Timmy turned to Scotty, “What kind of help do you need?”
“We want to know about that ship that was parked at the forest edge in the northern lands.”
Timmy smiled, “I’m way ahead of you on that one. I looked it up the next day, but I don’t think I have anything that will help you.”
“Why not?”
“The Dukes built that particular lander for over fifteen hundred years. They were all changed about every thirty years. There are so many different layouts, for the interior, scanners, weapons, and power generation, that I can’t tell you what you’ll be dealing with. The outside body remained consistent, but the interior was different from model to model. The Dukes were never satisfied with any design and constantly made changes.”
“Timmy, we don’t think the Dukes built that particular shuttle. We think it was manufactured in the Holy Stars Realm.”
Timmy’s eyes grew wide, “Are you sure?”
“Why, would that make a difference?”
“A huge difference. A gigiantic difference. A difference so big you can’t see over it.”
“Timmy, Timmy, Timmy; slow down!”
“What makes you think it was built in the Realm?”
“We know the serial number and the first two letters are SR.”
“Are you certain?”
Scotty looked at Julie and she said, “Yes. I’ve seen it my whole life.”
Timmy grew animated, “You have got to give me a ride if you capture it.”
Julie shook her head, “It doesn’t fly anymore. I think the power reactor is just about exhausted.”
“If it was built in the Realm, the reactor is not exhausted. The emergency reactor probably is, but the main reactor is self-generating.”
Scotty looked at Timmy with obvious confusion on his face. Timmy sat down in front of a display and took out a microphone. He looked at Julie and said, “Do you remember the entire model number?”
Julie said “SR101059.”
“Were there any numbers after that number?”
Julie closed her eyes and said, “There were smaller numbers under those. I think they were 12148.”
Timmy turned to the microphone and said, “Stars Realm Large Shuttle. Model number 101059 dash 12148.”
A picture of a ship appeared on the screen that matched the ship parked near the tree line. Julie looked at it and said, “That looks exactly like it.”
Timmy said, ‘That’s because it’s the same ship. I notice the Dukes painted over the SR on the rear fins, but that is the ship in that field. Hold on a moment and let me see what I can find out.” Timmy went over to the recliner and put the headband on.
A voice said, “Download commencing.”
Sixty seconds later Timmy opened his eyes and looked at Scotty. Tesa saw his expression and said, “Tim, are you sure?”
Timmy looked at Scotty and said, “That ship has a working star drive.”
Scotty looked at Julie and remembered her dream. Julie looked troubled. Scotty turned back to Timmy and said, “Tell me what you know.”
“That ship was built before the Realm converted their ships to teleportation drives. Once teleportation became the primary mode of travel around the universe, it was faster, easier, and safer, most of these shuttles were converted to teleportation consoles.”
‘Ok, but teleportation no longer works.”
“Scotty, the Realm used the most economical and efficient means to convert these shuttles. They took a teleportation console and bolted it down on top of the old null drive console. The button that energized the new teleportation board was connected directly to the power switch for the main reactor on the old console. You press the power button on the teleportation board and it tripped the switch on the old board. Very simple, very efficient. They simply ran the connections from the new board to power lines coming out of the console. When the Realm caused all teleportation devices to fail just before its departure, the connection to the main reactor switch was disabled on the teleport board.”
“What are you saying, Timmy?”
Tesa said, “If you remove the teleportation console, the old null drive console under it will still operate. It is powered by a red generator which was the most powerful reactor ever created.”
Scotty looked at Julie and said, “We’ve got to move our attack up.”
“Why?”
“If the beams stop operating in that ship, the Magrum may take it apart. We can’t take that risk.”
Julie’s heart went in her throat.
“Timmy, I need you to find out how to remove the teleportation console. If you could download the pilot’s manual for that shuttle, it would be a plus.”
“What do you have in mind, Scotty?”
“You and Tesa are going to fly it out of there.”
Timmy and Tesa jumped up and yelled, “Whooo hooo! Let’s get started. Wait til Nathan hears this.”
Julie followed Scotty out of the learning center and said, “Are you serious about taking those two children with us?”
Scotty stopped and thought, “Zreeg, are you up there?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Share with Julie the memory you have of one of your warriors being hit by the beam from that ship next to the field.”
Julie watched the event in her mind, “What are you trying to show me?”
“Zreeg, show her the beam from the weapon carried by the big guard and then the beam from the ship.”
Zreeg switched from one vision to the other several times and Julie saw it, “The beam on the ship is weaker than the guard’s blaster.”
“It won’t last much longer, and if the Yellow Skins decide to explore the electronics of that ship, they’ll start at the control board.”
Julie felt her fear. If that ship had its protective screens operational along with its scanners and weapons, no one on the planet would be safe. Scotty yelled, “Tell Jingo we attack in two days.”
Zreeg flew off at high speed.
“Scotty, how many archers have Zeckas?”
“About four hundred, and that will have to do. If we can’t do anything but steal that ship, then so be it.”
Julie ran through the forest with Scotty fearing for her parents, “Scotty, we have to try and save the prisoners.” Scotty didn’t respond, and Julie worried that it might be because he didn’t want to scare her.
Jingo met them as they came out of the forest and said, “What’s going on?”
Scotty said, “Zreeg, give him what we discovered at the learning center.”
Jingo got a faraway look, and then they saw his fear, “We’ll need the kids.”
“I know. Someone will have to stay behind and bring them in behind us. We need to get them covered with a Zecka. It won’t have to be a warrior’s suit, but we need them to be hidden.”
“Do we still have the old toolbox?”
“Samuel has it. I’m going to see him now.”
Jingo grabbed Scotty’s arm, “If we are going to take the ship, we are going to free the prisoners as well.”
Scotty stopped walking toward Samuel’s house and looked at Jingo, “Can we do both?”
“Now that Julie is an archer, yes. That will make all the difference.”
“Make the plan, Jingo. The main priority is the ship. We’re all lost if we fail there.”
Jingo nodded and yelled for Bleg, “Go to the learning center and tell the kids they have one day to learn what they need. Rush them here by tomorrow night.” Jingo ran to Kess’ home to get her started on two Zeckas for Timmy and Tesa.
Scotty looked up at Zreeg, “You know those that have been fitted with Zeckas. Go and bring their flyers here in two days. Hurry.”
Zreeg disappeared from overhead as he accelerated north.
Scotty looked at Julie and said, “Go explain everything to Jing and ask him to get the millwrights working on arrows.” Julie nodded and ran away. Scotty ran down the hill toward the Human community and remembered Julie’s dream. There was a possibility they were going to have a ship with a working star drive. Now her dream didn’t seem so farfetched. It troubled him, but that was something for later.
The next day the clearing was filled with four hundred and twenty Zord. Their riders were standing in front of them with eight quivers of arrows. As they waited for Scotty and Jingo to arrive, teenage Humans and Cainth were scrambling up the Zord’s harness to attach the quivers. The quivers were not covered with Zeckas but for this campaign, it wasn’t necessary. Bleath was there at Jingo’s request, and he waited as he listened to the thoughts of the riders. He noticed Vring and Zreeg were together talking about their responsibilities and he knew they would do all they could to keep White and Red Hair out of danger. He sighed and knew that was going to be difficult, if not impossible, knowing the courage of White Hair. He knew they would do what they could.
Scotty, Jingo, and Julie came out of Jing’s home followed by Jing and Samuel. Jingo looked over and said, “Where are Timmy and Tesa?”
Vring looked out into the forest and said, “They’ll arrive in an hour.”
“I need them at the ship three nights from now. Bleath, can you make that happen?”
Bleath looked down and said, “Six flyers have been sent north to wait for them halfway to the northern lands. They’ll arrive on time.”
Scotty looked up, “Bleath, we have struggled with how to save the prisoners. There are five thousand or so of them. Do you have enough flyers to transport them?”
“We have double that number if needed.”
Scotty nodded and Jingo said, “I want all the Zord to take the plan from my mind and transfer it to their riders. Bleath, you need to listen so you see where we need you.”
After five minutes the warriors of all three species agreed that the plan was a good one. Jingo looked around, “Does anyone have a question?”
Michael Blake said, “I want a backup in the event I miss.”
Jingo looked at Michael and smiled, “You won’t miss, Michael.”
Michael stared at Jingo and smiled, “No, I guess I won’t.”
Scotty knelt, and all the communities gathered to watch them go knelt with him, “Great Creator, watch over our brave Flyers and Archers and bring success to our righteous cause. We give honor and respect to the Zeckas fighting with us. We thank you for allowing us to fight for you.”
Scotty stood and said, “Have Jeek and Nathan left?”
“More than six hours ago.”
“Did they get what they needed from the learning center?”
“They had it downloaded last night.”
“Thank you, Samuel.” Scotty looked around and said, “Riders, you know the plan. It’s time to put it in motion.” Scotty grabbed the harness and scrambled up to Vring’s shoulders. He looked over and saw Zreeg lift Julie to his back. He thought, “Zreeg, stay close.”
“I will, White Hair.” Vring lifted followed by the other riders.
“Bleath, are the meals ready for our flyers?”
“It has been delivered at the halfway point and is being protected by the six flyers waiting there.”
Scotty looked over at Jingo flying to his left side and Jingo smiled, leaned back, and went to sleep. Scotty shook his head. I wish I could do that! He looked over at Julie and saw she had also turned around and fallen asleep. All three had been working nonstop getting ready, and he felt his fatigue. He thought about it and leaned back. Maybe I can. He thought about the stars and found sleep in fifteen minutes. The flyers moved through the sky heading north.
Three days later, Jeek and Nathan flew in at mid-morning. The two knew the ship’s scanners were not turned on and they flew in at high altitude to avoid being seen. They circled the fields first and saw the ship’s guard sitting outside leaning back against the hull. The open door sheltered him from the sun and he was fanning himself with a handheld fan. Jeek nodded at Nathan, and they descended to the clearing behind the forest. Jeek led the way with Nathan right behind. The ship was four hundred yards ahead and as they approached, Jeek went left and Nathan right. Nathan went to the forest’s edge and notched an arrow. He was responsible for protecting Jeek if he was discovered. He kept the bowgun to his cheek and saw him come around the side of the ship. Nathan knew the only way he could see Jeek was through his mask. The holes were small, but where the color shifting leaped across the holes allowed him to see other Zeckas. Jeek was getting close to the open door when Nathan heard the guard say, “Leaving so soon?”
Nathan saw Jeek freeze and back up against the ship’s hull.
“Those ancient engineers were good. I broke every bit I have. I’m going to have to go make some new ones.”
“Sorry about that. Are you coming back today?”
“I won’t have them ready until morning. Probably won’t finish until mid-afternoon tomorrow.” The engineer stretched his arms out and Jeek had to lean back to avoid being touched. “I don’t know how you stand it in there during the day. It’s hotter than six fires. It’s cooler in the fields.”
The guard looked out at the workers, “Yeah, they get the wind. Without the climate handler, the metal just absorbs the heat.” The guard looked at the engineer’s toolbox and said, “Are you going to lug that thing back to the workshop?”
The engineer sighed, “I suppose so. I have one more bolt to remove and it shouldn’t take long once I start.”
“Are you going to use those tools before you come back?”
“No, I guess not.”
“Then just leave them inside.”
The engineer thought about it and said, “That’s a good idea.” He picked up the heavy toolbox, shoved it inside the open door, and pushed it to the right. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“No, I’m off tomorrow. Hagf will be here. I’ll tell him you left your tools.”
“Thanks. Enjoy your time off.”
“Oh, I will.”
The engineer walked out into the fields toward the hills on the other side without looking back.
Jeek watched the guard closely. He stood up and walked three steps out into the field and looked up at the sky. Jeek went quickly forward, sat down on the edge of the door, then silently rolled backward into the ship. The guard walked away from Nathan and looked at the sky from the other end of the ship. Nathan noticed he had erased Jeek’s foot prints in the loose sand. Thank the Creator the guard dragged his feet. The guard returned to his chair and fought falling asleep.
Nathan lowered his bowgun and returned to the clearing behind the forest and waited. His little brother was due soon. He was not going to allow anything to harm him. Nathan Valrico was determined that Timmy would arrive on board that ship safely.
Timmy and Tesa arrived six hours after the Riders reached the halfway point in their journey north. Scotty greeted them and asked, “Do you have what you need?”
“I’d feel better if we had a heavier hammer. These will have to do.”
“Hurry up and eat and get on your way. We can’t start our operation until you are ready to move the ship, so don’t waste time.”
“We won’t. We’ll just grab a few pods and eat on the way.”
“Good enough. We’ll be right behind you.”
It was getting dark and the guard at the ship was getting impatient. Hagf had better not be late again. He looked across the rapidly darkening field and saw a large shape moving his way. He raised the rifle, then saw it was Hagf, “What took you so long?”
“One of my son’s smart mouthed me.”
“Where did you bury him?
“I didn’t. I threw his remains into the trees.”
“The engineer left his toolbox just inside the door, don’t trip over it.”
“He didn’t finish?”
“No, broke all his bits trying to get through the bolts.”
“Figures. They built them tough.”
“Didn’t they?”
“See you day after tomorrow.”
Hagf waved his hand, entered the ship, hit the green button, and pushed the lever on the wall upward. He sniffed and thought he smelled something when the sword took off his head. Jeek stopped the door eighteen inches short of closing and turned off the lights in the ship’s landing bay. Jeek dragged the guard’s body back into the bay and used some material he had gathered to remove most of the blood. No reason to shock the teens. They needed to be focused. He pulled his Zecka down and collapsed to the floor, “Boy, it gets hot in here!”
Timmy and Tesa arrived in the clearing and Nathan met them. He said, “Do you have what you need?”
“Yes.”
“Then follow me.” The three started moving quickly through the trees. Nathan heard a noise and motioned the teens to be still. He looked ahead and saw a giant Torg. He couldn’t allow it to scream. The Magrum knew that there would be some kind of prey to cause it. He raised his bowgun, and though he didn’t have a straight on shot he hit the Torg directly in the ear, dropping it. He took two steps forward and saw six more to the right. He dropped five in less than ten seconds, and the small Torg ran away. He turned and motioned the teens forward. They arrived at the port and Nathan helped them up to the cargo hold’s edge. Jeek helped them in, closed the port the rest of the way, and turned on the lights.
“Follow me to the bridge.” The three arrived at the bridge and Timmy said, “They’ve been attempting to remove the console. Seven of the eight bolts are out.”
Tesa asked, “What about the eighth?”
Timmy sighed, “They have been drilling them out and the top of the bolt is smooth. Our driver won’t work.”
Timmy turned to Jeek and said, “We can’t remove this last bolt. We don’t have a power driver.”
Jeek shook his head. What else can go wrong? This could stop the whole operation. Then he thought, “The engineer left his toolbox on board.”
Timmy said ‘Take me to it!”
Jeek ran to the landing bay and Timmy dumped the contents of the box on the floor. He grinned and lifted two tools. “A power drill and a heavy hammer; let’s go!”
They rushed back to the bridge, and after an hour the final bolt fell out. “Help me, Jeek!”
Jeek and Tesa rushed forward and gripped the console. Jeek said, “On three. One, two, three.”
The teleport console broke loose and there, in new condition, was the null board. Timmy reached forward and pushed the red button on the top corner. The lights grew brighter, the air conditioning turned on, and the engine lights illuminated. Timmy looked at Jeek and said, “We’re ready to go. Tesa, get in the pilot’s chair and get ready to get us out of here!” Tesa ran and jumped into the main chair in front of the multiple displays. The small Cainth female looked tiny in the chair, but her four arms were moving over four different boards. “Anti-gravity is active, Tim. We can leave quietly as soon as you tell me.
Jeek said, “We’re ready.”
Jeek’s Flyer took off and Nathan joined it as they flew toward the four hundred Zord circling to the south. Vring said, “They’re ready to go.”
“That fast?!?”
“It seems you were right. They were one bolt away from removing the top panel. We couldn’t have cut it any closer.”
“Tell the flyers we’re headed to the compound.”
“They’re off and flying.”
Scotty, Jingo, and Julie flew toward the compound. Julie saw the wired prison she had spent her life in far below and felt her hatred for the Yellow Skinned Magrums. The compound was in a cleared section of land between two hills. The workers would walk out of the field and enter the large fenced in area. Beyond one end of the compound was the entrance to the Magrum’s bunker. The other end faced into deep forest where the Torg lay in wait. There was one guard with a blaster outside the bunker in a section that was cut back under the hill. He was the problem.
There was no way to move the prisoners without the guard burning them with his blaster. There was no way to shoot the guard from overhead. The shot had to be made from ground level. Three hundred archers dropped off their Zord at the edge of the forest bordering the hill next to the compound. They moved silently forward into the deep brush two hundred yards from the back wall of the prison. They formed a V and moved forward, killing any Torg they encountered.
Scotty and Julie landed in the clearing between the compound and the forest. Scotty stepped into the tree line to hit any Torg that attempted to enter the clearing. He then moved down the clearing until he could see over the top of the compound. There were two guards below the top of the hill surrounding the compound that would see the guard fall. They were on the two ends of the horseshoe-shaped hill and had a clear view of the bunker’s entrance. They had to be eliminated simultaneously with the guard. Scotty powered his bowgun and decided to hit the one on the right first. He was standing and appeared to be more animated than the one on the left. Vring and Zreeg lifted and circled overhead waiting.
Julie quietly walked toward the back wall of the compound. She saw many of the workers standing around talking. She had to find someone that wouldn’t get too excited when she spoke to them. She moved along the wall until she saw Greven. Greven was a little slow mentally and was a huge talker. He was at the back wall looking out into the distant forest. Julie walked to within six feet of him, and thought about how to communicate without scaring him. She saw Greven take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“You have always taken very deep breaths, Greven.”
The Spjeck looked around and tried to see who had said that.
“Matter of fact, I once put a pillow over your head to stop your snoring.”
Greven said, “Juliette?”
“It’s me, Greven.”
“I thought you were killed!”
“No, I was saved by friends. I need you to help me, Greven.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m here outside the compound. I need you to go get Champ and bring him here. Please do it as fast as possible. Just don’t make it obvious.”
“Why, Juliette?”
“Greven, you have always asked too many questions, and now is not the time for them. Do you understand?!?”
Greven heard the urgency in her voice and started to ask another question but caught himself, then moved out into the compound. Juliette waited and shook her head. She should have found someone else. Greven just didn’t command attention and he might not have understood what she wanted. Then she saw Greven carrying Champ over his shoulder with him to the back wall. They stopped with Champ calling Greven some foul names. Greven looked out of the compound and said, “Here he is.”
Julie said, “Champ!”
Champ stopped cursing in mid-word. Then he heard, “Champ, you have to help me.”
Champ listened, looked out of the compound seeing nothing, then looked at Greven and said, “Juliette?”
Greven said, “I told you.”
“Yes, Champ. I need you to help me.”
“I thought you were dead. Where are you? I can’t see you.”
“Champ, will you please hold your questions until later? I need you to do some things for me. It’s important you do them quickly.”
“What do you want?”
“I want you to get everyone in the compound to lie down on the floor. I also want you to get everyone to remain absolutely silent starting thirty minutes from now, and maintain that silence no matter what they see. Can you get that message to everyone?”
“What’s going on, Julie?”
“You’re going to be taken to freedom tonight, Champ, if you’ll help me.”
Champ’s eyes grew big, he looked at Greven who had a huge smile, then turned and ran back into the compound and gathered the other leaders.
The guard leaned back in his chair and watched the workers milling around. He often found a sense of order in their motions. The same groups always gathered. Often the different species would gather together. Tonight, they were really active with all different types of groups getting together. He started to go and see what was going on, but saw a couple of them fighting. He shook his head. Such stupid beasts; they were probably betting on the outcome. At least the noise helped keep him awake. They would settle down shortly and all he’d hear would be the roar of the Torg.
Champ was back at the fence and said, “Why do we need to lie down?”
“You’ll see, Champ.”
“I’m walking back into the center of the compound, Julie. When I lie down, everyone is going to follow my lead.”
Champ walked away. Julie stepped back from the rear fence and waited. Champ lay down and everyone went down with him. Julie raised the bowgun and saw the guard leaning back in his chair a hundred and fifty yards away. She saw his puzzled expression as he brought his chair down. She had to fire between two fence squares that were only four inches on a side. She smiled and fired the arrow.
The guard saw everyone lying down at one time and wondered what was going on. This was irregular. He brought his chair down and the arrow went through his right eye. He was dead before he fell off the chair. She said “Now, Jingo!” Things happened fast after that arrow hit the guard. Scotty released two arrows and hit the two guards on each side of the compound. They fell within two seconds of the first guard. Cezee came flying in with Jingo hanging on the tip of his tail. Cezee flared his wings and stopped with his tail only five feet off the ground. Jingo dropped off, ran under the overhang, and pulled the breaker on the wires that electrified the fence of the compound. Jingo picked up the blaster and used its sling to throw it over his shoulder.
Vring landed at the rear of the compound, gripped the rear fence, and pulled it away from the supports. The fence resisted but gave way as Vring pulled it. He held it before it could crash down.
Juliette turned off her color shifting and the prisoners saw her. Her parents rushed up to hug her, but Juliette held out her arm and whispered. “Later, we have things to do.” The prisoners were looking at the rear of the compound and there was nothing between them and the forest. Julie said, “Come with me.” She turned to go and no one followed her. She turned back and said in a voice they could hear, “There will be no Torg to harm you tonight. We have eliminated them. If you want your freedom, you’ll find it this way.” She turned and started walking toward the forest.
Champ watched her go and stared at the back wall lying on the ground. He decided. He ran and caught up with her. Julie’s parents were right behind him. Greven looked at the others, watching them leave, and said, “I think I’ve picked my last pod.” Then he turned and ran after Champ. The others in the compound watched them walk away and then, as if someone had given a signal, they all scampered after Julie.
There were fifteen guards on the hill overlooking the compound. Two of them had blasters and were located next to each other at the bend of the horseshoe shaped hill. The hundred Zord Riders were circling above the guards waiting for the signal to attack. Julie released the arrow and Zreeg said, “Now!”
Michael Blake had his bowgun raised and he fired it at the first guard and followed it with another at the second guard holding a blaster. Both guards dropped dead with an arrow through their heads. Two riders swooped down on their Zord and grabbed the guards and their blasters and flew out over the forest. The other thirteen guards with standard rifles were hit at least five times each and fell where they stood. They were also picked up and carried over the forest and dropped for the Torg’s enjoyment.
Michael sent word the guards were eliminated and continued to fly over the Magrum’s bunker. There were exits scattered around the hill, and the flyers scanned the area looking for anyone that stuck their head out.
Jingo waited as Cezee came in and dropped his tail into the compound. He jumped and grabbed it and started climbing. Cezee took off, leveled out, and Jingo scampered up to his bindings. “Take me to the ship.” He tied the blaster to his harness and saw the ship straight ahead.
Cezee flew over the ship and thought to Jeek, “Get out of here. Try to be as quiet as possible.”
Jeek said, “Time to go. Try to leave quietly.”
Tesa hit the antigravity switch and pushed the ship up with a small thruster. The ship rose quickly and cleared the trees. She pointed the nose away from the compound and hit the small thruster on the rear. The ship shot over the horizon in less than five seconds.
Jingo watched it go, but saw a brief strobe of light on the hills behind him. “That should bring rain.”
A Magrum saw a flash on his display in the control center of the bunker and tried to remember if it was cloudy outside that afternoon. No. “Is a storm coming?” The community always conserved power, but he decided to turn on the cameras. He looked at the display showing the sky and didn’t see any clouds. “What was it?” He turned on one of the external cameras on top of the hill and swung it around the bunker. The ship was gone. He brought the focus in closer and jumped out of his chair. It wasn’t there. He hit the alarm button, swung the camera around toward the compound, and immediately saw the prisoners were gone. He raised the view and saw the last of them entering the forest at the edge of the clearing. Grang came running in with his ever-present blaster, “What’s happening?”
The sentry pointed to the three displays and Grang saw the ship was missing. “How did this happen?”
“I have no idea, but the workers are escaping into the forest.”
“How did they get out?”
“Look for yourself. My cameras don’t show anyone out there. But the guards are all missing, and Grelo is lying dead at the entrance.”
Grang ran from the control room for the central shaft.
Jingo joined Scotty and Michael circling the bunker. Jingo sent a message to them that the ship emitted a bright light when it left. “I suspect they saw it.”
Scotty said, “Vring, spread the Riders out and have each of them assigned a section of the hill to defend. The archers in the woods will handle any that come out of the main entrance.”
“Where are you going to be?”
“Why, Vring and I will take the center section.”
Jingo said, “Is it because that’s where the one you have a blood feud with is usually located?”
“Maybe. Go to your sections.”
The archers protecting the prisoners had gotten them halfway to the clearing, then fifty of them at the rear turned and went back toward the compound. They waited, and suddenly Magrum began pouring out of the bunker entrance running toward the front of the compound. One fumbled with the keys to open the lock as hundreds backed up behind him. The archers called for a hundred to join them, then the reinforcements turned and moved back toward the compound. Julie continued her walk through the forest. The remaining hundred and fifty archers spaced themselves around the prisoners and killed any Torg that approached them.
The Magrum finally removed the lock and the large yellow creatures rushed through the compound and out the rear. They had advanced fifty yards when suddenly, fifty of them fell to the ground with arrows in their upper bodies. The charging mass behind them began tripping and falling over the ones in front. Fifty more Magrum were hit two seconds later before they knew the danger in front. The hundreds raised their rifles and fired into the forest.
“Everyone down!” Zreeg warned.
The archers hit the ground, crawled fifty yards deeper into the forest, and stood behind trees. They would load an arrow and fire at the howling mass of approaching Magrums. Dead Magrums littered the clearing in front of the forest.
Scotty heard the loud howl and rifle shots of the Magrums, “Vring; stay over the center section of the hill, but circle over the compound.”
Vring didn’t want to do it, but he flew over the center section and turned to come back. That’s when he saw the huge Magrum raising his blaster on top of the hill. One moment the spot was empty and the next the Magrum was there. Scotty saw him at the same moment and knew he was going to hit the forest with his blaster and cut down everything in the front trees.
“Go, Vring!” Vring accelerated at an unbelievable velocity and Scotty raised his bowgun and knew he was going to have the most difficult shot of his life. He didn’t want to kill the huge Magrum but the on rushing speed coupled with the tiny target was an impossible shot. He fired the arrow and prayed.
Grang lined the front edge of the forest up in his sights and heard a strange noise. The arrow whistled in and struck the hole in the end of the blaster’s barrel and cut it all the way to the collection chamber where the lens that focused the blaster’s beam was shattered. The bolt blew out the end of the blaster and the flash blinded Grang. He fell on the ground and was groping for the blaster when he was yanked off the ground and lifted by something that held him tightly bound. He felt around and unimaginable fear gripped him. He was bound by claws that were bigger than his body. He struggled, but couldn’t move. The flash on the hill blinded those archers that had the misfortune to step out to fire an arrow, so they got down on all fours and scrambled back into the forest until they could regain their night vision.
Magrum warriors started popping out of doors on top of the hill by the hundreds. Jingo looked at the huge numbers and thought, “This is not good.” Then he heard, “All right everyone, clear the area. Get out of there now!!!”
Timmy and Tesa had taken the ship south from the pitched battle. Tesa turned and went straight up twenty thousand feet to see what was happening at the bunker.
Timmy sat in the second chair beside Tesa and focused the scanner. They saw the charging of the Magrum into the clearing and scanned the hill, discovering more than 10,000 Magrum were collecting ammunition for their rifles and heading toward the exit. “Tesa, the archers don’t have anywhere near enough arrows to stop them.”
“Timmy, the screen is on line and my board just notified me that the second red generator came on line. I thought this shuttle only had one.”
Timmy looked at Tesa and she saw his amazement on his face. “Tesa, we are sitting in history. I’ll tell you about it later, but I downloaded the defense and weapons program for this ship. Transfer them from your board to mine.”
“How do I do that, Tim?”
“Bottom right corner. Do you see the purple slide? It should be on the left; push it to the right.”
Tesa pushed the slide and she saw Timmy’s display panel change dramatically. “All right!” Timmy looked at his scanner and said, “Tesa, we can’t be harmed by the Magrum’s weapons, even their blasters, so don’t get nervous. I want you to come in low over the trees in front of the clearing and slowly fly toward the bunker. When you’re three hundred yards away from it, stop and hover. Do you think you can handle that flight?”
Tesa smiled, “I have an auto-hover control that allows me to remain stationary and use a joy stick to move in any direction I choose. That’s easy.”
“Ok, here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to expand our screen so nothing can hit the woods where the archers are. I also scan several large energy sources in that bunker. I’m going to hit that bunker with a full beam, and who knows what’s going to happen. Are you ready?”
Tesa extended her upper right hand and Timmy reached out and squeezed it. “Here we go.”
Cezee banked hard right and the other Flyers turned left and right and flew away from the hill. Scotty had turned back to the compound at high altitude and saw the black ship come in over the front edge of the forest, hitting the clearing with a bright red beam. The beam then traveled the length of the clearing through the compound and arrived at the bunker, where its intensity quadrupled in size. The entire hill melted, then erupted in a huge explosion. The ship had extended a screen between it and the forest, and the huge blast stopped before it hit the pinned archers.
The former bunker was gone. Half the field behind it was blasted into a glass surface.
The former prisoners had reached the edge of the clearing when they heard the giant blast. They turned and saw the fireball as it rose high into the night sky, illuminating everything. Nighttime turned to daytime for a full minute. The prisoners turned back to Julie with wonder on their faces, and she motioned them into the clearing. As they walked out of the woods they saw archers step out with them. They had turned off the color shifting and the prisoners saw many fanning out between them and the woods. They knew that these beings with the bowguns had protected them on their walk. Suddenly they heard a loud screech, and Vring came zooming in with Scotty on his back. The size of the creature the Human was riding frightened them, and many turned to run in the woods when they heard, “Friends, these are the ones that saved you. You have nothing to fear.” The prisoners turned and saw more than a hundred of the huge creatures start landing in the clearing. Every one of them had a green suited rider on its back. They stopped in amazement and Julie shouted, “The Magrum are gone! They will never enslave anyone again. These friends are taking you to freedom and peace. They are here to save you, and you have nothing to fear. They are here to protect you, and you owe them your lives.”
Greven stepped out of the crowd and ran up to Vring and grabbed his front leg and hugged it. Every prisoner heard him say. “Thank you so much. I hated picking those pods.”
Everyone burst out laughing. Julie looked at Greven and knew that one of the heroes of this night was the slow Spejek. It was he that made it all possible. She walked up to Greven and hugged him. Scotty came off Vring and said, “Now, we have to move you to our home. We’re excited about your joining our communities.” He looked at Julie and knew it was not going to be easy to persuade them to mount a Zord. He looked out at the clearing, pulled his visor down, and didn’t see any in the clearing. “Vring, where are the Flyers?”
“They are not needed, White Hair.”
Scotty heard a noise and turned to see the big black ship landing in the clearing. The landing bay door opened and Timmy stepped out and said, “Taxi, anyone?”
Scotty started laughing as Julie ran up and hugged him tightly, took his hand, and led him to a man and a woman. The woman had the same color hair as Julie. “Mom, Dad, this is the man that is responsible for saving us. He’s also going to be my husband.”
Scotty was shocked. Then he smiled, “It is my pleasure to meet you. I love your daughter very much. It was also her bravery that made all this possible.”
The two rushed forward and hugged the daughter they thought lost, then hugged Scotty. Vring looked down on the four Humans and smiled. Then he remembered Julie’s dream. He didn’t know what to think about that.
Timmy and Tesa came running up to Scotty and said, “It will take three trips, but we’ll transport all of them to the two communities. They should all arrive in less than three hours.”
Scotty shook his head, amazed at the speed the ship would have to travel. Then they heard a sound and turned to Vring, who still had Grang held tightly in his left front claws. Scotty’s eyes narrowed, and Julie saw his immediate anger. Vring looked at Scotty and knew the long flight back with the Magrum in his claws was going to be hard. Vring thought, “White Hair, you must go back with the first group to see they are welcomed. I will bring this one to you in four days. You can then decide his fate.”
Scotty walked up and stared at the obviously frightened Magrum. Scotty looked in Grang’s eyes and the Magrum could see danger. He didn’t move, fearing the Human would order the beast to crush him.
Vring said, “You know I’m right, White Hair.”
Jingo walked up and said, Cezee and I will make sure he arrives.”
Scotty looked at Jingo, “Why don’t you go back and I’ll fly.”
Jingo lowered his head and looked at Scotty over his eyebrow, “Oh, you think I’m better at getting the communities to work together?”
Vring said, “He’ll still be talking to them when you fly in.”
Jingo jerked his head up at Vring, and Scotty saw Cezee look off in different directions like he wasn’t paying attention. Julie burst out laughing and Jingo said, “What’s so funny?”
Scotty tried to control himself, but he started jerking with his restrained laughter. “Ok, Jingo. You bring him in,” he managed to get out.
“Maybe I should go back instead.”
With that Scotty grabbed his ribs and laughed hard, ‘Stop, stop, you’re killing me!”
Jingo looked at the group and said, “What?!?”
They all lost control, and Julie ended up on the ground holding her ribs.
“I don’t get it.”
Even Cezee had to fly away to hide his laughter.
Jingo looked at Joe and Grace Larson, and they looked at each other and said, “We don’t get it either.”
Scotty joined Julie on the ground laughing.
Vring looked up in the trees when Jingo looked at him.
Julie saw Vring look away, screamed, then laughed so hard it hurt.
Vring glanced down and shrugged.
Scotty couldn’t breathe.
The archers at the trees were using the trunks to hold them up, they were laughing so hard.
The former prisoners looked around and wondered what was so funny.
Jingo couldn’t figure it out either.
Scotty was sitting on his favorite hill with Julie. They sat in silence, enjoying the majesty of the universe. Scotty sighed and looked at Julie, “The kids really have taken to that ship.”
Julie looked at Scotty, “I had no idea it had those kinds of weapons.”
“Neither did the Magrum, thank the Creator.”
Julie’s expression turned serious, “What are you going to do with Grang?”
Scotty lowered his head, “I don’t know.”
Julie snuggled in next to him and didn’t say anything. After a long time, Scotty sighed, “I think I’m going to let our leaders decide his fate.”
Julie didn’t say anything. She knew that decision could change as soon as Jingo arrived tomorrow and Scotty saw his mother’s murderer.
“Julie, I’m worried about that dream you had. This ship has null drive capability and powerful beams. It can take us to other worlds. I wish I understood what was happening in the dream.”
Julie put her finger on his lips and said, “Scotty, I know your heart. You just pointed your weapon at the Magrum to save my friends and family. I know whatever you’re doing it is being done for a reason that has to be right. Now remember, this moment is what’s important. Hold me and love me.”
Scotty hugged her tight and said, “Juliette Larson, would you do me the honor of marrying me?”
Julie sat upright and smiled, “I married you when I was five years old. I have always been yours. You only recently arrived to make it official. I will marry you and count myself the luckiest woman in this universe we stare at every night.”
Scotty smiled and said, “You’re starting to get as longwinded as Jingo.”
She punched him in the ribs, then started chuckling at the memory of the clearing. As she remembered, she started laughing harder. Scotty caught the infectious laughter and began laughing with her. The stars overhead knew it wouldn’t be long. He was coming soon.
The next day Julie found Scotty and pulled him aside. Scotty looked at her expression and said, “What’s wrong?”
“I just went in the ship and Timmy showed me the bridge. That is not the ship in my dreams.”
Scotty looked at her with a puzzled expression. Julie said, “That means that if my dream is real, it won’t happen soon. We have to find another ship before it can happen.”
Scotty thought a moment and smiled, “Yeah, I think you’re right.” Where would we possibly find another ship with interstellar capability? Then it hit him and he froze. Julie saw him and said, “What?”
“Julie, I know where we’ll find another ship, and it frightens me.”
“Tell me.”
“No. This is something I must work out alone. Please be patient with me.”
Julie looked at his troubled eyes and said, “I won’t pressure you; but only if you promise to tell me before you do anything.”
“I give you my word I will, my love.”
“Fair enough.”
They heard a loud screech overhead, and three horns began blowing. Everyone in the communities knew that Jingo was bringing the killer of Scotty’s mother, so everyone stayed close, anticipating the arrival. Scotty was amazed at how fast the communities arrived; even the former prisoners came quickly. Scotty also noticed that Jingo was not alone. The mid-level clouds were being blown by huge wings. The Zord were here in large numbers.
The community had been working to clear the land around the central clearing. It was now five times larger, and the Zord began landing outside the circle of the three communities. Soon it was filled with Humans, Cainth, the former slaves, and Zord. Bleath joined Jing and Samuel in the center.
Scotty took Julie’s hand and led her to sit beside Jesa and the baby. Cezee landed, and Jingo jumped off and joined Scotty and his family. Cezee lifted and joined the other Zord. Julie stood and gave him a hug as he walked up.
Jingo whispered, “Sure, now you’re being nicey, nicey.”
Julie started laughing again and Jingo said, “What is so funny?!?”
“Nothing Jingo; nothing.”
Jingo reached for Maddy and leaned down and kissed Jesa.
Vring came in last, still holding Grang in his claws. He touched down and put Grang on his feet in front of Jing, Samuel, and Bleath.
Grang had trouble standing after being held tight for such a long time. He struggled to stay on his feet. He looked around and saw he was in big trouble; that there was no escape from the surrounding crowds. Most of the males carried swords, and an archer was standing close by with a raised bowgun. He had seen how deadly they were at the bunker. He knew he didn’t have long to live.
Samuel and Jing looked at the tall Magrum and felt their rage build. Jing moved forward, but Samuel put an arm out and restrained him. Samuel looked up at Bleath, “Do you possess the memory of this one’s attack?”
“Yes.”
“Will you share it with us and him?”
Everyone saw the black ship land just outside the community, and the Magrum emerge from the door. They saw Grang run forward with his blaster and start shooting the fleeing Humans and Cainth. Then they saw him turn and fire on Madeline as she tried to help two small children up while carrying a third. The four of them were burned into nothingness.
Julie looked at Scotty and could feel rage take him. She put her hand on his bowgun as he started to rise. He stopped and looked at her, saw her shaking her head, and sat back down. The community was also feeling their anger grow by the second. When they saw Grang burn the community’s houses, laughing the entire time, they looked at the Magrum and he knew he was dead.
Samuel looked at Grang, “You are going to be killed momentarily, however, we need to decide the most appropriate way to make you suffer for your crimes.”
Bleath looked down, “We can make it happen very, very slowly if you will give us the honor of the kill.”
Scotty stared at Grang and saw the fear and desperation he was experiencing. He saw Grang take a deep breath and stand tall. It was clear he knew there was no hope.
Many began arguing about how to kill the Magrum. The suggestions were very descriptive, and the gathering grew excited at seeing this murderer punished. Jingo looked at Scotty and saw his friend with his head lowered. He felt Scotty’s pain and wished this would end so he could get on with his life. He knew he was living the loss of Madeline all over again. He almost stood and shot Grang to end this horror. Suddenly Scotty shouted, “We will not kill him!!”
Silence slammed down on the communities like a dropped anvil. Even the Zord quit communicating. Scotty stood and walked up to Grang, “You murdered my mother. She was the heart of us all and there has not been anyone who was more loved. I feel my rage and I want to tear you into pieces with my bare hands.” Grang looked into Scotty’s eyes and felt his rage. Scotty took a deep breath and turned to face the gathering, “But…I asked myself, what would my mother do if she were still alive?”
Scotty lowered his head, paused, then said, “Samuel, I want you to think about the three teens you killed before we made our alliance with the Zord. They refused to take the oath because of their hatred of them. You told me that they were a poison to the community and their hatred would infect us if they were allowed to live.” Scotty turned and looked at the gathering as he said, “Now look inside yourselves and see what you find. All you feel is rage and hatred for this yellow creature. If you give in to that hatred, you will never be the same.”
Scotty looked back at Grang and said, “You deserve to die. I know it and you know it. But if we kill you out of rage, we lose ourselves.” He turned to Jing and Samuel and said, “He will not be killed. My mother would never allow it, and neither will I.”
The thousands remained silent. Bleath looked at the savior of his species and said, “What do you wish done with him?”
“I want him flown back to his bunker with a shovel, a bowgun, and a quiver of arrows. We will protect him from the Torg until he can dig his way into the remains of the hill. Then he will be left to survive. He will only be fed until he enters the bunker. There he will be left.”
Jing and Samuel looked at Scotty and lowered their heads. Jing looked up, walked up to Grang, and drew his short swords. Scotty saw him fighting his desire to slash the Magrum into pieces. He stared at Grang for a long moment, then turned to Scotty and knelt. Samuel came forward and knelt beside Jing. Scotty looked at them and wondered what was going on. Bleath came down on all fours and lowered his head beside the two leaders.
Jing said, “We were once ruled by a Holy Realm that had a Royal Family that cared for us, protected us, and gave us a great existence. They lived with principles that we have made our own. One of those is to defend those that cannot defend themselves. I pledge my community to obey and follow you, Scotty Robbins.”
Samuel said, “We will also follow you.”
Bleath said, “You are our ruler. We will go where you need us. Your requests will be our commands.”
Jing said, “You are now the Royalty of our peoples. We are no longer four communities. We are one united by one ruler. You are our King.”
Scotty stood dumbfounded. He looked at Jingo, and he knelt. Jesa and Julie joined him. Everyone in the clearing knelt and lowered their heads. The Zord all lowered their heads to the ground. Scotty said, “I’m not worthy of this title. The three of you are more worthy than me.”
Jing said, “No, we are not. Even the murderer of your mother did not sway you from the Holy Principles. We know you are stronger than any of us. You have proven it today. You will accept this responsibility and protect us from our enemies and from ourselves. Only you can do it.”
Scotty said, “Please rise.”
The huge gathering stood and Scotty looked at Grang, “Your chances of survival are not good. However, you will determine your future.”
Scotty looked at Bleath and said, “Will you insure his safe arrival and protect him until he enters the hill?”
Bleath said, “We will do so, Your Majesty.”
Julie saw Scotty flinch at the honorific. He looked back at her, then turned to Bleath, “Thank you, my great friend.”
The Community rushed forward to congratulate Scotty. Bleath grabbed Grang in his claws and lifted with him. Jingo brought a bowgun, a quiver, and a shovel and gave it to Cezee. Cezee looked at Jingo and lifted. Jingo turned and saw the community’s happiness, and knew the price Scotty must have paid to release the Magrum. He looked over at the ship parked at the edge of the clearing and thought about what had just happened. Something was born today. He didn’t know what was going to come out of it, but he knew there wasn’t anyone else he would trust with the power given to Scotty. He also knew about Julie’s dream. Cezee had shared it with him. He had passed it off…but now? Perhaps Scotty was right about the Holy Realm. What could be created; could be recreated. He smiled, “Now that would be a fun venture.”
Julie stood at the edge of the crowd and knew. Her dream was coming. She saw the real expression of love and admiration the gathering felt for Scotty, and wondered what she had done to deserve him. That dream was real. Where did it come from, and why to her? He had also dreamed of her. They were connected for a reason, and she had no idea why. What could it be? She looked up at the daylight sky and knew the stars were there waiting just out of sight. Maybe they knew. Perhaps the answer was at the planet in her dream. She looked down and thought about what awaited them. She looked up at Scotty and walked forward, slipped under Scotty’s left arm, and hugged him while he shook everyone’s hand. He looked down at her with a troubled look and she smiled, “The dream is our destiny. We must embrace it and know it’s good.” He looked puzzled, but then smiled, and continued shaking the hands of those around him.
Vring remained at the edge of the clearing and decided, “If he goes, I go.”
Scotty, Julie, and Jingo were sitting on the shuttle’s bridge with Timmy and Tesa. Timmy looked at them and said, “I’ve been doing a little homework on the origin of this ship.”
Scotty looked around, “And?”
“This ship is a piece of the Holy Realm’s history, and was present when many important events happened. It is a one-of-a-kind ship in this universe.”
Julie furrowed her brow and asked, “What are you trying to tell us?”
“This is going to take a while. If I say something that isn’t clear, stop me. OK?”
Everyone nodded.
“I researched everything I could find out about this class of shuttle before your attack on the Magrum. This class of ship was first built when the Realm was new. This particular shuttle was manufactured by the Algeans specifically for the Alexander Kosiev.”
Timmy saw the shock on everyone’s face. “I know! You want to know how I made that determination. There were only fifty shuttles manufactured with two red generators. They were all assigned to the Kosiev. It’s important to understand that when the Algeans built something, it was superior to anything else. Those fifty shuttles were manufactured as powerful as the Searcher Class ships.”
“Timmy, how can that be possible? The Searchers were the most powerful ships ever created.”
“That’s right, Jingo. However, please remember that the Algeans also built those. The Kosiev had just defeated the Captors, and the red generators were starting to be designed into the newly designed Searchers.”
“Is this ship that old?
“Yes it is, Julie. The Kosiev had launched all of its shuttles to stop a Captor energy ball from striking our home world, Earth.”
“I remember learning about that as a child.”
“We all learned at age six about the Captor war, Scotty. The Kosiev did not have any shuttles, and Cassandra requested the Algeans build replacements when they had time to do so. Obviously the construction of the Searchers took priority, and it wasn’t done before the Kosiev went into the star and Cassandra and Tommy went into hiding. The shuttles were built after the Realm had more Searcher Class ships than Searchers to fly them. They were built to a higher standard than any of the other shuttles of that time.” Timmy paused and then continued, “They were given standard null drives and two red generators. The ship’s hull was covered in the new flexible Coronado Power Cells. Only three were used to build the entire vessel, and they were connected to the red generators.”
“Why weren’t they given teleportation ability?”
Timmy shook his head, “I really don’t know, Julie. I have speculated that they held off adding teleportation until the Kosiev was resurrected from the star. I suspect they wanted the newest system available at that time. Whatever the reason, those shuttles remained on their planet waiting for the Kosiev to make an appearance.”
Scotty said, “The Eight Leg invasion brought the Kosiev back to the Realm.”
“Yes it did. However, remember that the Kosievs’ landing bay was used to gather iron trees and stone trees. The shuttles remained where they were throughout the war with the Eight Legs.”
Timmy stopped talking and Scotty saw something was not being said, “Timmy, you need to tell all of it.”
“I’m just not sure if I should.”
“Let us be the judge of that.”
Timmy looked at Tesa and she nodded. He took a deep breath and continued, “After the defeat of the Eight Legs and the Red Demons that created them, the Algeans knew that the Alexander Kosiev had become intelligent. It was considered a mechanical life form. The Algeans decided the shuttles needed to be a useful tool for the giant ship and they modified them.”
“How?”
“I’ll tell you in a few moments, Jingo. Just try to be patient. They determined that the shuttles would actually be the tools the Kosiev would use to perform many tasks. They also upgraded the weapons and force fields accordingly. Those fifty shuttles were designed to be a fleet of warships for the Kosiev to use to fight the enemies of the Realm. However, the Kosiev and the Gardners disappeared and no one knew where they went for more than 12,000 years. They came back during the war with the Keepers. It was at that time that the shuttles were given to the Kosiev with brand new teleportation boards on top of the null drive boards.”
Timmy grew quiet again and Scotty asked, “How did that shuttle get to this planet?”
“This is all speculation, Scotty. I don’t have anything to prove it, but it feels right. That shuttle brought the last probe to El Prado. That probe would automatically teleport the planet if a universal drive was detected. It landed on the planet and the pilot took the devices to control it to the Duke. The Duke made him wait until he had time to learn its functions. Less than two weeks later, all teleportation devices failed and the Realm left our universe. The pilot was trapped here on the planet and held prisoner until the Duke could determine what was happening. He was later executed by a mob.”
Tesa said, “The shuttle had no jump capability with the loss of the teleportation board, and the connection to its red generators was inoperative. The Duke had the shuttle painted in his colors and grounded.”
Timmy nodded, “However, enter the Searcher. He threatened the Duke, and he sent that shuttle to pick up the Searcher’s family and then to arrest his brother. It was then that the Searcher systematically started destroying the planet. The pilot of the shuttle was a Magrum. The Magrum were the Duke’s bully boys and did the dirty work to insure his directives were followed. The pilot flew quickly to Belcheer and landed outside the city. He had commed ahead, and fifty other Magrums joined him on the ship and made their escape into the northern wilderness. They turned the power off and hid under the overhang of that hill.”
The group was silent. Timmy said, “Once the Searcher killed himself, the Magrum used this ship to capture slaves and force them to work the fields to feed them. Whenever the scanners showed a raider approaching the planet, they turned the power off and hid. That’s how things remained until we showed up.”
Julie looked at Tesa, “There’s something else, isn’t there?”
“Yes, there is. The Algeans put a cybernetic computer in the fifty shuttles. You may recognize it as the computers that operated the Searcher Class ships. It is not currently connected to the ship, but it is drawing power from the red generators and we think it has never been completely shut down. There is a control on the main panel that will connect it to the ship’s systems. We don’t know what to do. It will take control of this ship if we connect it, and we don’t know what it will do.”