Cassandra was in a daze and was trying to wake up. She could hear a voice in the distance but couldn’t understand what it was saying. She appeared to be in the middle of a huge blast that was moving rapidly away from her in all directions. The brilliance of the explosion was blinding but she couldn’t close her eyes to shut it out. She seemed to remember pushing the blast away from her and it was expanding faster than the eye could follow. Something in her mind said, “It’s moving at the speed of light.” Then she understood, “I’ve ignited the particle in energy space.” As she looked around her she could see that the universe she was in was only as big as the size of the blast. “Thank the Creator, it didn’t blow into my universe.” With that thought she heard Tommy calling her name and she opened her eyes.
“She’s waking up,” Tommy shouted and he grabbed her and held her close. “Oh Cassie, I’ve been worried sick about you.”
Cassandra moved her head and saw both Algeans, Rose, Tag, and Kosiev gathered around her. “How long have I been out?”
Tommy just held her tight and Kosiev said, “Two days.”
“We’ve been hoping that you would be back but we just didn’t know if your mind was lost in the blast of the particle,” Rose said.
Cassandra struggled and sat up. She looked at Tommy and saw the toll of her being gone had taken on him. “I’m alright, Tommy. I’m alright.” Tommy just held her tight and was thankful that his prayers had been answered. “Was the attack a success?”
Kosiev said, “The Captors are more than two million fewer than they were before. Now we have to decide what we do about those that remain.”
Sprig leaned forward and asked, “Lady Gardner, could you see anything in the centers?”
“Yes, I did. The explosion is expanding at light speed and forming a new universe. I think it wanted to explode into our space but I pushed it away.” Cassandra’s brow furrowed and she said, “How, I have no idea.”
“Well it looks like the particle is no longer in any of the centers,” Twig interjected. “If that was the way the Captors tracked ships, then they will probably not be able to use it again.”
Tag stepped away from Cassandra’s bed and said, “Welcome home, Cassie. It appears you have bought us some time. The Captors are still at their home system and not jumping away. Of course, they are also not stationary any longer and whatever we decide to do next will have to plan on hitting very fast moving targets.”
Rose looked at Tommy and said, “Let’s give Tommy and Cassie a little time alone. We’ll plan to discuss this at Castle Gardner in two days.”
Everyone stood and smiled at the couple and then left the room.
“Cassie, I was nearly crazy when you collapsed. I have been calling you non-stop since you fell from your chair.”
“I know. I could hear you in the distance but just couldn’t understand what you were saying. It was your voice that brought me back. I love you, Dearest.”
Tommy smiled and lightly kissed his wife. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him down on the bed with her. “It’s good to be back,” she whispered in his ear.
Kosiev and Tag sat on the bridge in the command chairs looking at Ross in the main display. The planet was beautiful and the cities on the night side of the planet glowed brightly. “This has changed tremendously since I’ve been gone,” Kosiev said.
“I know. It has been our home since the end of the Alliance and the population is now over five billion. Most of the people have moved here from other members of the Stars Realm.”
Kosiev took some popcorn and chewed a few pieces in silence and then said, “I think our bag of tricks is empty. It’s going to be ship to ship next time.”
Tag frowned and shook his head, “They still outnumber us more than eight to one. So far we’ve been very fortunate but you’re right; it will be ship to ship.”
“I was genuinely surprised when I came back and found that the Algeans are now our friends. It still amazes me that you were able to pull that off.”
“I didn’t. Rose is responsible for making that happen. Without her it would have been total extermination for them.” Tag paused and said, “Or us.”
Kosiev shook his head and said, “Those two young Algeans are really something special. If the rest of their species is as capable as them then I’m not certain we would have won.”
“They were deprived of the food they needed to develop; otherwise it would have been an entirely different outcome. As I think about it, if they had had the food they needed, they would have never attacked other worlds.”
“Being around your family has changed the way I see the universe, Tag. Every time it looks like we are going to have to totally destroy someone we have found a way around it. Is there no way to avoid killing the Captors?”
“I honestly don’t see any way around it, Alex. They are just too aggressive and do not have the capacity to control themselves from attacking.”
“Call that young male Algean in and let’s talk about this with him. He might have some ideas.”
Tag thought, “Sprig, have you got a moment to spare?”
“I do and I’ve been listening in on your conversation. You might want to call one other in with us.”
Tag looked at Kosiev and said, “Who?”
“Perhaps Atlas can add a different outlook.”
The speaker on Kosievs’ chair crackled and they heard a chuckle. “I thought I was the only one that eavesdropped on everyone’s conversations.”
“Well what do you two think about what we’ve been discussing?”
Sprig walked into the bridge and said, “You’re right, Tag. The Captors just cannot control their instinctive behaviors. It is engineered into them. Every one is a possible threat to their, I’m going to use a new word for them here, hive.”
“That is a good word, Sprig,” Atlas said. “I would like to think of them as evil but they are no more guilty than a ant biting anyone that steps on its nest. It isn’t done with malice.”
There was silence and then Atlas added, “My race is far more guilty than they are. We destroyed the Algeans millions of years ago for no good reason and my captured brothers would do the same with the races that currently live in our universe. The difference is that they would do it with forethought and enjoy it.”
“Well let’s hope they never get loose in our universe,” Kosiev said.
“That’s it,” Sprig said.
“What’s it,” Tag responded?
“The danger comes from both of us living in the same universe. If they could be moved to another universe, we would not be a threat and they would not be a threat to us.”
“Is that possible,” Kosiev asked?
“Well we know the Eight Legs jump from universe to universe so we know it’s possible.” Sprig was silent for a moment and then said, “Give me two days. I want to think about this and I’ll get back to you.”
Tag said, “Two days it is.”
Atlas said, “Sprig, do you mind if I join you?”
“Not at all, I think you can help us. Do you mind if Twig and I teleport on board; we need to make a short trip.”
“I’ll be waiting for you.”
Kosiev looked at Tag and said, “What did I say?”
Tag began laughing and said, “You’ve always made an impact. You should be used to it by now.”
Kosiev smiled and ate another hand of popcorn.
The conference room was full. The leaders of the Stars Realm were gathered to decide the next action to be taken against the Captors and there was a somber atmosphere that dominated the room. Rose looked around the room and said, “Our last attack exceeded our expectations but I can see that it won’t work again. The Captors are moving at half of light speed in their system so targeting them will be next to impossible. I believe that the next action will be ship against ship and they outnumber us almost eight to one. I’ve also noticed that where ever we jump into their system that we could be overwhelmed in seconds. I hope someone has a plan that has some probability of success.”
The room was silent and then Tommy said, “We have talked about it among ourselves prior to meeting here and unfortunately, we see it the same way you do.”
Rose shook her head and looked at Admiral Kosiev, “Admiral, do you see anything other than taking them on in a fleet action?”
Kosiev took a deep breath and said, “No, I don’t. However, the Algeans have surmised that they will not be able to see us now that the energy particle has ignited so we may have time to produce more ships. Of course we’re talking about years before we could approach manufacturing enough to make a difference.”
Tgon-Gee stood and said, “That also gives them time to go looking for us. They know the galaxy where two of our planets were located so they have narrowed it down as to which galaxy they need to focus their search in. I suspect that they will find us before we are ready to take them on.”
Rose looked around the room and said, “Speaking of the Algeans, where are they? I thought they would be here.”
Tag said, “They had an idea that excited them and they went to see if their idea had any merits.”
“What idea did they have,” Rose asked.
“Something about the problem is that we and the Captors are located in the same universe. They said that both cannot exist together.”
Admiral Mikado said, “Duh, we all know that.”
Suddenly there was a shimmering under the main display and Sprig appeared in the conference room. “I’m sorry to interrupt you but I need Cassandra to come with me.”
Rose frowned and said, “Sprig, this meeting is important and Lady Gardner is important to the proceedings.”
“I apologize, Your Majesty, but what we’re doing will have a direct impact on our next action against the Captors. Is it possible to delay the meeting two more days so that we can see if what we’re working on is feasible?”
“Would you like to share with the group what you’re working on?”
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty but time is critical and it will take more time than we have to explain it. Please bear with us and give us two days.”
Rose looked at Tommy and Tommy stood and said, “Rose, I’d do as he asks. He has shown remarkable ability at helping us.”
Rose smiled and said, “Lady Gardner, you may go with Sprig. We’ll adjourn until this time two days from now. Before you go Cassandra, I have an announcement that I was going to make at the end of this meeting but it seems the meeting is ending faster than I planned.”
Everyone looked at Rose and she said, “I have just found out yesterday that I am expecting a child.”
The entire room stood and started clapping and yelling. Tommy and Cassandra followed Tag and Danielle to Rose and began hugging her. Rose thought, “I will not lose this war. My child is going to have a safe place to live. The Realm has been at war too long.”
Sprig came over and said, “Congratulations, now Lady Gardner, if you will come with me.” Cassandra furrowed her brow and said, “Can’t this wait a few moments?”
“No, it can’t.”
Cassandra looked at Sprig and could sense the anxiety the young Algean was having. She turned to Rose and said, “I must go. I’m so happy for you and I’ll talk with you when I return.” She said this as Sprig was pulling her by the arm to a space away from the group. Sprig pressed his teleport device and they disappeared from the room.
Tommy looked at Tag and Kosiev and said, “I haven’t seen him that worked up since the day Wes was chasing him.”
Wes shouted from the end of the table, “You really didn’t have to go there.”
Tommy started chuckling and then laughed out loud. “It’s still hilarious, 3D.”
Wes took his head in his hands and said, “I suspect I’ll never outlive that event.”
Tommy looked at Tag and Kosiev again and said, “What are they working on?”
Tag looked at Kosiev and said, “I really don’t know but I suspect it will be something that will surprise us all.”
Tommy stopped laughing and said, “Where are they?”
Kosiev said, “Somewhere with Atlas and Twig.”
Tommy furrowed his brow and said nothing for a moment and then said, “Atlas is involved in what they’re doing?”
Tag put his arm around Tommy’s shoulders and said, “Kinda gets the ole curiosity going doesn’t it?”
Tommy said, “Yes, it does.” Then he thought, “Cassandra, is everything alright?”
Cassandra thought back, “Yes, but Twig is coming to get you. You need to join us.”
Twig suddenly appeared under the display and walked forward and took Tommy’s hand and pulled him away from the group. “Excuse me, I need Duke Gardner to go with me.” Then they disappeared.
Rose looked at Danielle and said, “What was that all about?”
Danielle smiled and said, “He’ll be fine. I just want to sit and think about being a grandmother.”
Rose smiled and said, “If it’s a girl we’re naming her Dannie.”
Danielle jumped up and started hugging her daughter again.
Tag shouted from across the room, “And if it’s a boy.”
Rose smiled and said, “That we’re keeping a secret.”
Tag looked at Kosiev and shook his head, “That figures.”
Kosiev started laughing and said, “You already have a son named after you. Don’t be greedy.”
“Easy for you to say; I want the girl named after me, too.”
Kosiev reached over and took a handful of popcorn out of Tag’s bag. “Hey, get your own.”
Kosiev smiled and said, “I fear I have underestimated the greediness.” Tag started laughing and then went to hold his wife.
Tommy and Twig appeared in Atlas’ control room and saw Cassandra and Sprig in an animated conversation with Atlas. “I don’t care if it’s possible; it still leaves the issue of my brothers in captivity.”
Tommy walked over to Cassandra and said, “What’s going on?”
“Sprig and Twig have a wild idea about sending the Captors into the new universe that was just formed when the spark ignited. Atlas is concerned that if they go, we have no way to release the field holding his brothers and even if we did, they aren’t ready to be released.”
Atlas said, “Tommy, we started this whole adventure to ultimately release my family from captivity. That screen holding them is impossible to penetrate. It could take millions of years to develop the means to get through it.”
Tommy looked at Sprig and said, “Atlas, do you think that the conflict we’re in with the Captors, if it goes to its natural conclusion, will leave any of them alive if we happen to win?”
Atlas was silent. Sprig said, “I just can’t see allowing it to go to total extermination of them, or us. There is a possibility that we might be able to end this conflict without having to destroy each other. However, it’s a moot point if we can’t do what I hoped.”
Tommy said, “Sprig, what do you have in mind?”
“We have the centers where the energy particle just exploded into a new universe and I thought that there might be a doorway into that new universe that the Captors could move through.”
“Sprig, that universe is hot and will remain that way for hundreds of thousands of years as it expands,” Cassandra said.
“We know that but we don’t know how much heat the Captors can tolerate. They are energy beings that live on energy which leads me to suspect that they would prefer the new universe if they could survive in it.”
“So what’s the problem,” Tommy asked?
“We can’t move anything from our universe into the new one. Everything we’ve sent into the centers has been destroyed.”
Tommy frowned and then said, “You brought Cassandra and I here for a reason. What do you think we can do to change the current situation?”
“Twig said, “You remember that it was you and Cassandra touching each other that originally caused the particle to reach a high temperature. Now that the particle has ignited and exploded, we think that it can still be influenced by the two of you together.” Tommy furrowed his brow and Twig continued, “I know, it’s a wild idea but it’s worth an effort to see.”
Cassandra sighed and said, “What do you want us to do?”
Sprig walked over and put his branches on Tommy’s and Cassandra’s shoulders. “I want you to hold each other and take your minds into the energy center and see if there is any kind of control over what’s happening. If you find something, we will fire a high shielded Coronado ball into the center.”
Tommy looked at Cassandra and said, “I nearly lost you when you went into the center. Is this safe?”
Cassandra raised her eyebrows and said, “I honestly don’t know but if this has the possibility of saving hundreds of thousands of ships, can we refuse to try?”
Tommy looked at her and shook his head. “No, I guess not.”
Sprig said, “Tommy, I think that if you had been with Cassandra when she was drawn into the center, she may not have been affected. I hope that it is the two of you that has the real power in the energy space.”
“Atlas.”
“Yes, Tommy.”
“We will find a way to free your family when they are ready. I promise you we will not forget them.”
“I know; I just haven’t thought things through and you’re right. If you are successful against the Captors, we would still be stuck with that field. If they are successful, they will never remove the field. Either way, the results are the same. Do what you have to do, Tommy.”
“Thanks, Atlas.” Tommy reached and took Cassandra in his arms. “We need to do this more often, Dear.”
Cassandra closed her eyes and felt Tommy come into her mind. Immediately they felt the center where the particle had exploded. “Would you like to enter with me?”
Tommy felt the immense space in the center and said, “It’s beautiful. Let’s go take a look.”
Cassandra went into the center and saw the place where the particle had broken into the new universe. The entrance was the size of a neutron but they could see the new universe through it as it expanded away from the center of the explosion at the speed of light. Tommy and Cassandra felt at peace and could feel each other’s love. Tommy thought, “I could stay here forever, Cassie. You are such a complete part of me in here.”
“I feel it, too, Tommy. I love you.”
“Better tell Sprig to launch the ball.”
“I will but I don’t want to do anything to the first one. I just want to see what happens.” Cassandra sent a thought to Sprig, “Fire a ball into the center, Sprig. We want to just watch and see what happens to the first one.”
Immediately a Coronado Ball was fired into the center. Tommy and Cassandra watched at it approached the point of the new universe and then it hit and blew apart. “Tommy, I can push the next ball through. We don’t even need to fire it.”
“I know, but the others need confirmation that we can do it.”
Cassandra thought, “Sprig, fire another.”
The ball entered the energy center and approached the entry point. Tommy and Cassandra surrounded the ball with their psychic aura and watched as it went through the point into the new universe.”
“Let’s go back,” Tommy thought.
“I’m with you all the way, my love.”
Sprig watched his instruments as Tommy and Cassandra opened their eyes. “Looks like you did it,” Atlas said.
“Yes we did. We know how to send objects into the new universe. Now we need to see if we can do anything with this skill.” Tommy then looked at Cassandra and said, “Do you feel ok?”
“Yes, Sprig was right. You being there made the difference. I think we need to go back to the meeting and see what we should do with this information.”
Sprig and Twig looked at each other and Twig thought, “We have to get them to see what will happen if they don’t use this process.”
“I know. I know.” Sprig looked at Tommy and Cassandra and said, “I want you to do something before you leave.”
Tommy looked at Sprig and said, “What?”
Sprig lowered himself down to their level and said, “I want you to go and talk with the Captors about our idea.”
Tommy furrowed his brow and said, “Why would we do that without talking with the Realm’s leadership?”
“Because you are probably going to have to open your mind to them and if you don’t know our plans on how we are going to attack them, then you can’t reveal them.”
Tommy looked at Sprig, “You’re not being totally honest, Sprig. That may be a good reason but it’s not the real one.”
Sprig looked at Tommy and then looked at Twig who raised her branches and said, “Tell, him.”
Cassandra looked at Twig and said, “Tell him what?”
Sprig fell silent for a minute, “Tommy, Twig and I have assimilated all of the knowledge in every library in the Stars Realm. When we downloaded into each other we developed totally new perspectives on how all of it related.”
“I’m aware of that, Sprig.”
“What you are not aware of is that if you totally destroy the Captors, the Stars Realm will fall apart and probably have civil war among its members within a hundred years.”
Tommy, Cassandra, and Atlas were stunned by Sprig’s statement. “How did you make that determination,” Atlas asked?
Twig said, “Do you know why my race stopped the war against you?”
Cassandra interjected, “Because Admiral Dorg shared his thoughts with your Eldest leader.”
Sprig leaned back and asked, “What was it about his thoughts that persuaded the Eldest to make that decision.”
Tommy thought for a few minutes and then he saw it. “The Eldest saw that we did not destroy Admiral Dorg’s race even though they had done things to deserve it. If we totally destroy the Captors then the Algeans will know that we do possess the capacity to exterminate an entire species.” Tommy sighed heavily, looked at Cassandra, and continued, “All of our member planets will also know that the Stars Realm leadership can make that kind of decision. Since Earth, Glod, and Cainth hold the most important positions, the other members will begin to fear that, just like the Central Committee in the old Alliance; we can destroy them if they step out of line. If we can do it once, we can do it again.”
Sprig said, “Tommy, unfortunately, once you cross that line, you’re never the same again. Totally exterminating another race changes how you see and feel about yourselves.”
“But, Sprig, they would totally destroy us if they could,” Cassandra said.
Sprig didn’t say anything. Tommy looked at Sprig and Twig and said, “Yes they would, Darling; they would do it because we started this war. We were the aggressors.”
Atlas said, “How do you arrive at that conclusion?”
Sprig looked at Tommy and said, “You see it now, don’t you?”
Tommy nodded his head slowly, “Atlas. What if we had decided to follow your original instructions and not go near the Captors and leave them alone; what would have happened?”
Atlas said, “Nothing, until they came to Earth’s system to inhabit Jupiter and killed everything in it.”
“That’s true, Atlas. But then they would have settled into the system and began building a new hive and only one system would have been destroyed. What we’re facing now is the possible extermination of the Captors or of the entire Stars Realm if we lose the upcoming battle. Our billions of citizens know that we started this fight. If we then exterminate them, our member planets will lose the high regard they now have for our government. They will also begin to fear our government. They will lose faith in us.”
Cassandra said quietly, “Our members love Rose and Danielle.”
Tommy nodded, “Rose and Danielle will not live forever and our members will be quite nervous about who might replace them. As time goes by and our Queens age; that fear will become a reality for them.”
Sprig and Twig straightened up and Twig said, “You see it truly, Tommy. We have to try and save the Captors to save our own souls from what will happen if we destroy them.”
Tommy looked at Cassandra and she looked into his eyes. She hesitated and then lifted her com and said, “Lt. Ortiz, I am sending you some coordinates; once you receive them, bring the Kosiev to that location and wait for me to arrive. Shut down all out going communications until further notice.”
“Yes, Duchess Gardner. We will arrive in ten minutes.”
Atlas asked, “What are you going to do?”
Tommy replied, “We’re going to go and talk with a certain 4,000 mile wide Captor. Let’s hope he listens.”
The Kosiev arrived and Atlas flew into the landing bay where the two Algeans and Humans walked out to go to the bridge of the Kosiev. Tommy looked back at the landing bay and saw that Atlas had not left. “Atlas.”
“I’m going with you.”
“Good, I hoped you would.”
Cassandra looked at Tommy, “I suspect that the Realm’s Leadership might not like us taking these actions without their permission.”
Tommy sighed and thought, “Rose.”
“Yes, Tommy.”
“Cassandra and I along with the Algeans are going to the Captors system and try to open a dialogue with them.”
“I’m sorry, Tommy. I can’t allow that without you being supported by the fleet.”
“Rose, I’m not asking you if I can go; I’m going.”
Rose stopped what she was doing and stood up from her desk. “Tommy, as Queen of the
Stars Realm, I’m ordering you not to go.”
“Rose, do you remember when you told Dad that you were going to go with him to the final battle with the Algeans.” Rose didn’t say anything. “You didn’t ask; you told them you had to go and it was not an option. I have the same situation now and I am going to go. There is a remote chance that we can end this war and we have to take the risk. You can arrest us when, and if, we return. I love you, Rose. We are terminating all communications now.”
Rose thought, “Wait!” But she could tell that Cassandra had blocked all communications both electronically and psychically. “Mom, Dad, Tommy is going to the Captors home system to attempt to talk with them.”
“Are you serious,” Danielle thought. “They can’t go alone, they could be killed.”
Tag asked, “How long ago did he leave?”
“Just a few minutes ago; I ordered him not to go but he told me he had no choice.”
Danielle started to feel real fear, “What are we going to do?”
Tag could see that Tommy, like Kosiev years before, was going to do it alone. He feared that like before, Tommy would not survive. Tag pressed his com and said, “Alexander, contact Mikado and get the fleet ready for an emergency jump to the Captor’s system.”
Kosiev asked, “Why, what’s going on?”
“Tommy is going there to talk with them. We know that they won’t communicate but will try to destroy who ever attempts to contact them.”
“There is no way we can get the entire fleet ready, however I will see how many ships we can get together quickly. I’ll get Mikado on it immediately.”