Andrew Saxon - Finding keepers

“Then the death of our Searcher is the opening of hostilities?”

Valerie sighed, “Yes, and there are going to be many more that die.”

“And you think this young lad is going to make a difference?”

“Without him we are lost, Father. He is our only hope, and if he fails then the Stars Realm is doomed.”

“I’m having extreme difficulty believing that. Our military is quite strong and we have millions of ships.”

“Listen to what information comes out in the meeting and then tell me you don’t believe it. We stand no better chance than that dead Searcher did.”

The King reflected a moment and said, “We’ll see.”

Meanwhile Jake remained motionless on the chair downstairs.

Einstein teleported in to Edison’s command center and said, “I have uncovered some disturbing news.”

Edison looked up from his terminal, “What is that?”

“These creatures are a product of our invasion. They are much more dangerous to intelligent life than we ever hoped to be. It appears we caused it to happen.”

Edison lowered his body and said, “Give me what you’ve discovered.”

Einstein pressed a button on a device on one of his legs, “You have it. I hope you know how to present this.”

Edison hoped so, too.

Cynthia said, “Ouch, that hurts!”

The Algean working on a device on her head said, “Oh, be still. These connections are absolutely critical if this is going to work.”

“Just what is this device?”

“It is a direct link to a ship’s computer.”

“Why do I need a link? I’ll just use telepathy to link.”

The Algean made another adjustment, “That’s the other thing; it blocks telepathy.”

Cynthia looked at the Algean and thought that this was not going to be good, “Are you changing my ship’s interface?”

“No, you are going to take command of a new ship. Now be quiet so I can finish,”

Cynthia thought, “Oh, this is not good.”

Jake opened his eyes and saw Valerie sitting in a chair next to him. “How long have you been here?”

Valerie smiled, “Only fifteen minutes. The library notified me when you were about to complete your download.”

“How long have I been here?”

“About thirty six hours. You need to start getting ready for the meeting that will be starting in four hours.”

Jake sat up and felt dizzy, so he laid back down. “That was some history lesson. I only asked for the early history, but it seems I have been given everything up to the present.”

Valerie smiled, “That’s my fault. I changed the protocol after you started.”

“Why did you do that?”

“Why do you think, Jake?”

Jake sighed, “It changed me, Your Highness. I’m not the same after seeing all that has happened.”

“Jake, please call me Valerie when we’re not in the public arena. I count you as a friend. I changed it because I felt you needed to know all that has happened in the Realm in order to appreciate what you are going to be risking your life to save. I also wanted you to see what happens when your psychic powers are released.”

“You mean what would happen to me emotionally.”

Valerie looked down, “Yes.”

“I will be bonded with that person for life, won’t I?”

Valerie nodded.

“Why does this bother you so much, Valerie?”

Valerie looked Jake in the eyes, then looked back down, “I was hoping that you would end up with me.”

Jake was shocked, “What do you mean? I’m nowhere close to being in your league. I’m not even playing in your league. Why, by all creation, would someone like you even be remotely interested in me?”

Valerie looked up and said, “Jake, I am the strongest psychic in the Royal Family. They all know that I am so far ahead of everyone else that I am for all intents and purposes making the critical decisions for the Realm. The reason I am not actually ruling the Realm is due to my age. The Realm would have great difficulty accepting a ruler as young as me. However, I have not felt anyone in the Realm that even remotely touches my heart. As soon as I saw you on Cynthia’s ship, I felt you. I could sense who you are. I felt the pain that has made you what and who you are. I knew a super psychic was coming and I have been searching desperately for you; partly because I know how important you are to the Realms survival, but also in the hopes that I might be your initiator. I am not your initiator. There is someone else destined to be your love, and what a great love the two of you will share. I envy whoever it is, even now. So the role I am left with is to be your friend, and I do hope you will be mine as well.”

Jake stared at her and shook his head, “You say such remarkable things for someone so young.”

Valerie shook her head,

“Being telepathic, I have already lived ten lifetimes. You grow up fast when you’re in the minds of adults even before you’re born. Trust me on this one, Jake; I am not a child.”

“I believe you, Val. I would consider it an honor to be your friend, and I am amazed that you see things in me that I don’t. I hope I can live up to your expectations.”

Valerie removed the headset from Jake’s head, “Well, now that you’ve seen the Realm’s history, what do you think?”

“Where are Atlas and Diana?”

“We know that once the Realm developed universal drives, they went to the Captor’s universe to try and get their captured brothers to see reason. The Captors’ red screen protected them against the heat of the newly created universe. They’ve been gone for four thousand years. They cannot, and will not, help us in the coming conflict.

“Where are the Gardners?”

Valerie smiled, “That question has been asked for the last ten thousand years; no one knows.”

“Then where is the Alexander Kosiev?”

“We’ve been asking that for eleven thousand years.”

The Map room was crowded. Jake saw three spiders at the main table with two Algeans. There were two Cainth and one Glod sitting together, and he saw they were getting animated in their discussion. He glanced at the front of the table and saw several species he didn’t recognize, along with three high-ranking military officers. One of them was a Vgrig. “That must be Admiral Zergl,” he thought. This meeting has some high powered individuals in attendance. He sat down in a chair away from the table next to Cynthia, and noticed that she was nervous. “What’s bothering you?”

“You, Jake! I don’t know how I got sucked up into this.”

“Probably because my power selected you to find me,” he snickered.

“That’s not even funny. That is probably exactly what caused me to be here. Oh, I don’t have a good feeling about this. This is not good.”

Jake looked at her, “Remember: as long as you’re with me, you’re safe.”

Cynthia looked at him with a smirk, “Do you think I wouldn’t be sacrificed to save you. If someone has to go, I’ll be the closest candidate. I just don’t really understand the forces at work here.”

“Welcome to my world, Cyn. I have no idea what’s going on. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.” Suddenly everyone stood and bowed. Jake and Cynthia jumped up and followed their lead.

The King of the Stars Realm, David Bolt Gardner, entered the room with his Queen, Elizabeth Andrews Gardner. Following them in were the two children of the Royal Couple, Joseph Spring and Valerie Rose Gardner. Jake saw Valerie and was astounded at how beautiful she was in the blue and rose colored dress she was wearing. She was going to be amazing as she grew older; she was already so beautiful. Valerie saw Jake looking at her, and smiled and winked at him. She then took her seat next to her father.

King David sat down and said, “Please be seated.” After everyone had taken their places, he looked at one of the Algeans, “Who is going to make the first presentation?”