Saxon Andrew: Death of an Empire

“I will.”

The new Distributor kept its eye on the Fourth and saw it nod just before the screen went dark. Good, it knew it had a debt to pay. It turned and set the scanner on the universe being harvested and set the alarm. Next time it would know instantly when those ships returned. It had no doubt about their returning. The question of where they were going afterwards had to be answered.

He notified the production planets to start construction on the final three models. Perhaps the first of the three would prove efficient. It could only hope.

Trey sat in the small clearing in front of Grang’s house and stared at the Robbins Memorial five miles away. It was lighted at night and was beautiful to see. The white marble gleamed and Trey thought about all that had happened since that terrible night on Bristone. He looked up at the stars and remembered lying between his parents as they stared at the sky with billions of stars from horizon to horizon. This universe didn’t have as many and the view was not as breathtaking as the one from Bristone. He wished he could go back and see them again but knew that Bristone was dead and no longer had an atmosphere. He felt his anger begin to grow but looked at the Memorial and felt it fade. Soon it would be time to be angry but not just yet.

“Do you want to discuss Greyson’s idea?”

“Hi, Cassie. Yes, now is a good time.”

“Tell me what you sense.”

“The short term danger level doesn’t go up but the long term does.”

“Do you know why?”

“Yes.”

“You do?”

“The danger is not to us.”

“You’re right.”

Trey didn’t say anything and felt Cassie in his mind. It always brought him peace to have her with him. “I find myself tempted to forget the possible fallout from jumping to the Eight Leg’s former universe.”

“You’re just angry about the loss of your family.”

“How can I not be? They were sacrificed to save those cowards.”

“You know that’s not true. You’re placing the blame on the wrong place.”

Trey remained silent and finally took a deep breath and let it out slowly, “If the spores weren’t rushed into production, would that vision have been needed?”

“The vision happened years before. Everyone was held captive to that vision’s reality; even the Algeans.”

“But if my Parents had not searched for them, the vision would not have been needed.”

“It would have happened at another time but it would have happened.”

“You and I are what necessitated that event.”

“I’m glad you finally see that I am to blame as well.”

“What would have happened if we were released and they were still alive?”

“Both of us and them would have died through the feedback.”

Trey looked at the stars and remained silent. After an hour Cassie said, “I’ve seen four possible futures surrounding this decision and I feel that you should use Greyson’s suggestion.”

“What have you seen?”

“Your fear that the Invader’s Creator would go there is valid but happens in only one of those visions.”

“What about the others?”

“They still go there but don’t find anything.”

Trey sat up straight, “If they don’t find them there, where?”

“Where they should have been all along; they will become the bait.”

“How long after the event will that happen?”

“It won’t take place until after we confront them. Then it’s up to them.”

“Thank you my love. It won’t be long.”

“You have no idea how I’m counting the seconds.”

“Yes I do.”

Cassie smiled, “I know. I just love to hear you say it.”

Emperor Valrico was meeting with the Command Team in the conference room on the top floor of the Capital Building on New Hope. He had asked for a plan on the next incursion into the Invader’s universe and looked forward to the coming campaign. The new ships were ready to launch against them and he looked forward to killing all the Black Ships still there.

Paul Blake looked around the table, “Where’s Trey?”

Jingo said, “I don’t know. I was sure he would be here.”

“Let’s go ahead and start and we can fill him in when he arrives.”

Timmy nodded and Paul continued, “We have more than two hundred thousand ships that are powered and ready to go. Our probes have given us the locations of the main concentrations of the Black Ships and we can assign the necessary ships to attack. The fleet is ready and anxious to pay them back for what they did to Bristone.”

Timmy nodded, “As we all are. That sounds like a good plan.”

Trey suddenly appeared to the side of the huge conference table and bowed, “I’m sorry I’m late. I had to check on several issues before I could come.”

Timmy said, “Please rise and join us. We’ve just started our planning for the next attack.”

Trey sat down and said, “There will only be three ships in the next attack.”

The attendees stared at Trey and Timmy frowned, “All the members of the Command Team will suggest what we should do and I will decide how many ships are going to be used.”

Trey didn’t say anything but just leaned back in his chair and stared at Timmy.

Weed stood and said, “With all honor and respect to you, Your Majesty, I would humbly suggest that any plan this group could formulate would not be as good as what Trey thinks should be done.”

“Do you know his plan?”

“No, I do not.”

“Then how can you suggest that idea?”

“Because he is a second generation psychic and none of us here can match his powers or vision of the path we must follow.”

Paul stared at Trey and saw that he was not going to offer his plan, “You’re ready now, aren’t you?”

Trey jerked his head toward Paul and saw his expression. He stared at Paul with a stern expression and then nodded.

Paul turned to Timmy and said, “I hereby renounce my overall command of the Empire’s Military and ask that my position be given to Scotty Robbins.”

Grang and Jingo looked at each other and knew the time had come. They both looked at Timmy and wondered how this confrontation was going to play out.

Timmy stared at Paul and looked at Virze. She took a deep breath and nodded. Timmy looked at Trey and said, “Is it time for me to step down as well, Trey?”

Treys expression softened and he shook his head, “No, it isn’t. That time will eventually come and I know you feel it, but now is not the time. I am not here to force you to follow my dictates. However, you will have to decide now if you will hand over the power of our military to me and do what I ask without question.”

Seed asked, “What happens if we don’t.”

“We will probably survive but the three galaxies of the Stars Realm will be destroyed. Quite frankly, they may be destroyed anyway if they don’t wise up but that will be their decision, not mine. That’s why I’m not pressuring you to follow my plans; I don’t really care if they live or die. My first loyalty is to the Empire.”

Timmy looked at Trey and knew he was deadly serious. He looked around the table and saw that all those at the table trusted Trey more than him. He thought back to when Scotty punished him with the crown for not following his orders and knew that it was a punishment. This moment proved it. He looked at Trey and knew what must be done. “Scotty Robbins the third, you are hereby given the Crown’s authorization to lead us in our fight against the Invaders. Your orders will be followed as if they are my own.”

Trey looked at Timmy and knew how hard that decision was. He felt bad for having precipitated the confrontation and had hoped the Emperor would continue on his own path. But he knew the forces operating at this moment would never allow that to happen. Trey rose and bowed, “I thank you for your trust, Your Majesty.”