Saxon Andrew: Juliette's dream

“Are you all right?”

“Yes. Fifty seven guards attacked the throne room, but they’re all gone now. The crews of the Ultras are being held prisoner at the Garrisons, and King Talben has been sent to the Zord.”

Wesley stared at his daughter, “And Maranda?”

“She abdicated the throne to Ashley and went back to the Zord for her sentence to be carried out.”

Wesley lowered his head, “I’m not feeling good about that, Carrie.”

“I know; she was much more than I thought.”

“What about our friends?”

“They’re here waiting for you.”

“I’ll be down momentarily. I’m having the fleet sent back to their planets.”

“We’ll be here.”

Wesley arrived an hour later and found the four archers in the throne room. “I thank you for defending my world.”

Scotty looked at him and smiled, “We keep our promises. Now we have fulfilled our commitment, and the issue has been resolved.”

Wesley looked at Scotty and said, “You are no longer bound to protect us.”

“No, we aren’t.”

“What are you going to do with the Ultras?”

Scotty didn’t answer.

Wesley looked at Carrie and Michael and said, “I see that my daughter and the one she has chosen are going to be married. Does that marriage link our worlds?”

Scotty shook his head.

“Then I hereby abdicate the throne and name my daughter as the ruler of this kingdom. Does that link our worlds?”

“Father, what are you doing?”

“Be quiet. Does it?”

Scotty looked at Michael and Carrie, “Yes, it does.”

Carrie looked at Wesley with panic and asked, “Why wouldn’t you accept us with my Father as the ruler?”

Scotty looked at Wesley. Wesley said, “Because the Zord were killed on my watch. Our citizens were brutalized by Talben’s minions on my watch. Maranda and Talben manipulated me on my watch. I am responsible for my actions, and I no longer deserve my title.”

“Father, you’re wrong.”

Wesley took Carrie in his arms, “No, I’m not. Maranda just went to her death sentence with her head held high, accepting the punishment for her crimes. My punishment is also clear. I am not worthy of ruling our subjects. I have lost my honor.”

“But you can recover it.”

“I’m sorry my beautiful little girl. Honor is not something that can be taken; it can only be given away.” Wesley looked at Carrie and smiled, “But you, my wonderful child, would never have lost your honor. These warriors know you can be trusted to keep your promises and uphold their beliefs.”

Scotty looked at Wesley and smiled, “You do understand. Your kingdom will come under our protection. You will keep the Ultras for your defense. We will send a Zord to assist you in examining the crews for those that can be trusted. They will train other crews.” Scotty looked at Carrie, “We will only accept your Kingdom into our assembly when all your worlds demonstrate their acceptance of our principles. The Zord will make that determination when the time comes.” Carrie nodded.

Scotty turned to Michael, “Are you willing to stay here?”

Michael looked at Carrie and smiled, “Home is where the heart is, Your Majesty.”

Scotty smiled and hugged his lifelong friend, “It most certainly is. You know Vetah will miss you greatly.”

“He has a position here in the court to make sure our people can be trusted. He has not decided to start a family. We can use his help. Those Ultra crews will be the first task.”

“That’s your first good decision. Make many more.”

Carrie and Michael bowed, “We will, Your Majesty.”

Scotty smiled and said, “Anglo. Take us home.”

Jingo looked down on Bristone from Anglo’s bridge, “It seems our company is growing.”

“It’s a start. I’m pretty certain that Ashley Talben will be joining us before too long.”

Jingo thought a moment, “I kinda miss the Torg. They were so much easier.”

Scotty laughed out loud.

Scotty and Jingo arrived to a find Julie and Jesa running into the clearing at full speed. Julie slowed enough to grab Scotty, but Jesa took Jingo to the ground. Scotty kissed his wife and held her tight. That’s when Bleath turned off his color shifting. “Uh oh.”

Julie looked up at Bleath and said, “He’s been waiting for you.”

Scotty gave Julie a hug and walked over to the giant Zord, “Hello, Great Flyer. Is there something you need?”

The Human female has returned and is asking for her flight.”

“Yes, I know.”

“We are unable to carry out her sentence at this moment.”

“Why not?”

“In order for us to execute another being, there must be ten Elders present.”

“What about Talben?”

“We had ten at that moment.”

Scotty stared at Bleath and wondered what he was trying to communicate. “Where is the tenth Elder?”

“He had to go home to handle issues in his flock.”

“When do you anticipate he will return?”

“We are uncertain. However, we recommend that you bring the female here and make her work for the community until we can carry out her sentence.”

“What do you mean, work?”

“Are there not tasks that need to be done than many are unwilling to do?”

Scotty was just not certain what Bleath was doing. Then he saw Bleath staring at Samuel’s house. Samuel was out front, swearing at the teens that were cleaning his entrance. Even Scotty heard him, “Don’t you brats know anything? No, no, no; not that way! Give me that brush!”

Scotty looked at Bleath, but the huge Zord continued to stare at Samuel. “Bleath, is Samuel’s flyer anywhere around here?”

Bleath said, “As fate might have it, yes. He just arrived overhead to bring me a message.”

Scotty controlled his laughter while Julie wondered what was going on.

“What about Vring or Zreeg? Is either of them close by?”

“They are taking flying lessons overhead, Your Majesty.”

“Please ask them to come down.” Scotty took Julie’s hand and walked up to Samuel, “Sam, I need you to go with me to the Zord’s place of worship.”

“Can’t you see I’m busy?”

“Samuel, your Emperor commands you to stop what you’re doing and come with him.”

Samuel looked up and saw Scotty was serious. “At once, Your Majesty. How are we going to get there?”

“We’re going to fly.”

“I’m sorry, but Blraet isn’t here.”

“Yes he is, Samuel. He’s waiting for us in the clearing. Let’s go.”

Julie looked at Scotty and he said, “I’ll be back. There’s an issue than must be handled. I’ll explain later.”

Julie reached up and kissed him, “Don’t take too long.”

Scotty and Samuel walked down to the clearing and mounted their Zord. Bleath lifted, and they flew toward the mountains.

Maranda was sitting with her head bowed when she heard the scream of the giant Zord leader. She kept her head bowed as she heard him land. She also heard two other Zord land. Good, the other Elder had arrived and she could receive her sentence. Then she heard the blond haired archer say, “You might as well stand up.”

Maranda looked up and saw two men standing over her. “Why?”

“Because the tenth Elder will not available for another moon. We are going to have to begin your punishment by making you work until he shows up.”

“What do you mean, ‘work’?”

“You are going to stay with Samuel until the Zord are ready.”

Samuel said, “She’s going to what?!? You know I live alone. She will not stay with me!”

Scotty looked at Samuel, “This is a prisoner of the Zord, who cannot implement their sentence. They have requested that she be made a worker for our leaders until they are ready. You are the leader of the Human community; she is Human. She will stay with you and you will make her work to better your community. Are you saying you do not respect our brothers’ wishes?”