Saxon Andrew - Juliette's dream

“Greyson?”

“Yes; go ahead.”

“We’re on the way. Has anything happened?”

“No, the planet has tried to surrender to me. It appears the ship that attacked our fleet threatened them with invasion. They think I’m the one that made the threat.”

A new voice came on the channel, “So my fleet was attacked so someone else could take this planet?”

“That is what I believe happened, Your Majesty.”

“Stand by.”

Greyson knew something bad was going to happen. Daulun was not happy. He looked at the planet again and remembered the world where he was built. It was radioactive dust now, but it was once a beautiful planet very much like this one. He hoped the planet would continue to look beautiful, but he was beginning to fear for its life.

“Scotty, the Searcher in this system has no pilot on board.”

“How can you tell?”

“The voice is pure electronic. There is no variance in the tone.”

“What do you think that means?”

“The Ruler must not trust any anyone with the power of these ships.”

A small bubble left BC’s tail and disappeared. It reappeared next to the Searcher at the planet and it attached to the ship’s rear fin.

Three Searchers arrived at the jump limit and began moving in-system. Greyson mentally sighed and knew trouble was on the way. After six hours the four ships were together above the planet. “Have you scanned the planet?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It is beginning to develop, and cities are located on every continent. There isn’t any high technology, and it appears to not have much of a military. As I said earlier, the planet’s President has been offering to surrender to me. He says they are incapable of defending themselves and will follow whatever directions we choose to give them.”

Daulun looked at the data and his eyes narrowed. “Do you think the ship that attacked my fleet is here?”

“I haven’t been able to detect any ships in this system.”

“If it were a Searcher, would you detect it?”

“Probably not, Your Majesty.”

“Destroy the planet.”

“Your Majesty, it would be an easy conquest.”

“I’m not accustomed to repeating myself.”

Greyson knew he had no choice. He powered his main beam and fired at the planet. It exploded and blew apart.

Scotty jumped up out of his chair and yelled, “NO!!”

BC felt rage build, but managed to get it under control. “There’s nothing we can do, Scotty. It’s over.” Then they heard over their speakers, “I don’t know if the ship that attacked my fleet is here, but let this be a warning to you. If you interfere with my ships again, we will destroy any planet you attempt to defend or invade. There will be no exceptions.”

Daulun looked at his display hoping for an attack, but nothing appeared. After five minutes he said, “Take me back to New Ulmerton.”

“Should I stay and see if that ship returns, Your Majesty?”

Daulun thought a moment and said, “No. They’ll see from outside the jump limit that it was destroyed. We have other worlds to conquer. I think they’ll get my message.” The four white ships moved out to the jump limit and jumped away.

Scotty sat in his chair in shock. BC remained silent and waited. After an hour, Scotty looked up and said, “We have to warn the kingdoms about this.”

“Fortunately, I don’t think they learned about the two kingdoms. That man is a demon.”

“He’s what the Provinces would have become if they had won against the Realm. They subjugate and enslave the worlds they conquer.” Scotty paused, “Is there anything we can do?”

“I thought about going to their home world while they were here, but I’m sure the other two Searchers were there. What will we do if they attack another member of the Empire?”

“You saw what will happen if we attempt to defend them. We’ll have to watch them invade.”

“Anglo is going to take this personally.”

“Why?”

“He gave his oath to the Baron that he would be back to free them.”

Scotty was silent and then said, “BC, our only hope is that Grace will help us. I feel helpless for the first time in my life. I just don’t know what we can do.”

BC was silent for ten minutes. “Scotty, if they attack another planet in the Empire they will learn about Bristone.”

“I know. We need to find another planet for the Zord as soon as that happens.”

“And for us as well.”

“I know, BC. I know.”

Scotty, Julie, Grang, Jingo, Nathan, Samuel, Jing, Bleath, and Vring were gathered in the central clearing at the Human community. Anglo, BC, and Jess listened in via their coms. Anglo said, “I can destroy New Ulmerton, Your Majesty. I can teleport in and hit it with my main beam.”

Nathan quickly said, “Anglo, more than two thirds of the population there are captured slaves. You’ll kill them if you destroy the planet.”

“It might be worth the price to eliminate this abomination.”

Scotty shook his head, “That would violate our most sacred principle. Those millions enslaved on the planet cannot defend themselves. We must find another way.”

Julie took a deep breath and said, “We must slow their searches for new worlds to conquer. Haldale was out on the far edge of the Kingdom, and it will take some time before they can arrive at another planet. Thank the creator this region of the galaxy has billions of stars.”

“Bleath, we may have to move to another planet if they find another member of the Empire.”

“We are very reluctant to do that, Your Majesty.”

“So are we, but you will do it. If they find us here, they will kill all of us with one beam. We can move early if we find the right planet. I hope we can find a way to counter their advantage, but we don’t have it yet.”

Grang said, “You just have to get their attention in terms they understand.”

Everyone looked at the huge Magrum. That was more than he had ever said at a meeting. “What do you mean?”

“So you can’t destroy the planet, does that mean you can’t hit them where it hurts?”

Scotty thought a moment and said, “Perhaps you have a good point. Anglo, did you scan the planet?”

“Yes, I did.”

Scotty looked over at Grang, “Still bored?”

Grang smiled, “As long as we just sit around and do nothing, yes.”

Scotty smiled, “I think it’s time we quit sitting around.”

Jingo said, “Count me in.”

BC said, “Now you’re talking.”

Scotty looked up at the stars overhead and smiled. Some things were worth dying for. The evil king was going to learn that his worst nightmare was about to arrive at his doorstep. Let’s see how he likes being on the receiving end of a beam. Things were going to get hot. Scotty looked at Grang and saw him smiling.

The End

Excerpt from Greyson’s Revenge

Book Two; Ashes of the Realm

B C appeared above the huge building facility and fired his main beam into it. The entire structure exploded and blew debris in all directions. BC scanned the four Gammas above the planet and saw two of them accelerate toward him. BC watched them as they approached and said, “Ah, here come the cowards that attack defenseless planets. You should be proud of your courageous deeds. You truly uphold the highest principles of the Keepers.” Just as they fired BC disappeared.

Greyson remained above the Castle and heard what BC said. He tried to let it go but felt it cut through his consciousness. He thought about what Daulun was doing and saw that the other Searcher was right. He was killing and subjugating planets just like the Keepers. He wasn’t consuming the populations but making them slaves wasn’t much different. He felt his shame and remained silent. Then he heard, “Mallory has been taken.”