Saxon Andrew - Greyson's revenge

The Commander knew that Delo was a nephew of one of the high rulers and was a hothead. He wanted command of the fleet and this was just another example of him disobeying orders. “Get your ship out of there!” He watched as Delo fired and saw the beams stop against…something. Then that terrible white beam hit and Delo and his ship were an expanding vapor ball.

The Commander looked at his Communications Officer and yelled, “You better have a recording of what just happened.”

“I do.”

“His father and Uncle are going to want blood for this.”

Then he heard, “We will gladly give it to them if they return to this planet.”

The Commander looked at his display and knew that whoever it was, they were able to scan through his screen. “Move to maximum speed.” The fleet arrived at the jump limit four hours later and disappeared.

“Thank you for your assistance. We are the Priven and we have been fighting the Neriff for more than ten years. They have enslaved three of our colonies and killed more than forty percent of their populations while forcing them to do slave labor. They would have defeated us if you had not intervened.”

“It was the right thing to do. We do not condone the killing of those that can’t defend themselves nor do we tolerate slavery in any form.”

“They will be back with a much larger fleet. You have only delayed the inevitable. Our ships have been destroyed and our installations above the planet have used up all of their ordinance holding them off. However, we do thank you for the additional time before they destroy us.”

“I notice that your planet is highly industrialized. Shouldn’t you be able to produce the ships necessary to hold them off?”

“They are just too numerous. They have worn us down over the long years of fighting and now there’s not enough time to replace the ships we’ve lost. They destroyed more than four hundred in the current battle.”

“Why didn’t you just take the war to them instead of just waiting to be conquered?”

“We do not attack anyone except in self-defense. To leave our system would violate our beliefs. We were forced to build the warships to defend ourselves but we cannot use them away from our world.”

“Even to defend your colonies?”

There was a long silence and then they heard, “Even to defend our colonies. We have suffered because of that decision but just couldn’t force ourselves to do it. By the time we decided to assist, they were overwhelmed and conquered. We waited until it was too late.”

“Timmy, that fleet’s jump tracks are still there.”

Timmy thought a moment and then commed, “I’ll be back. I need to persuade that fleet not to return.”

“They will not listen.”

“I really hope they don’t.”

Greyson came out of stealth mode and the planet saw the huge ship just before it disappeared.

Greyson teleported to the jump limit, “Do you think we should get permission before we get involved in this?”

“No, I do not.” Timmy concentrated and thought, “Virze, Nathan, James, are you available to assist me.”

“What do you need?”

“I just stopped a fleet from attacking a planet and nuking six of their cities. It appears that the attacker is in the business of slavery and I want to impress upon them that that behavior is not tolerated in this universe.”

“Stand-by.”

“What do you think he’s doing?”

“The same thing I would do.”

“Timmy, what are you up to?”

“I’m defending a planet that could not defend itself. I’m sending you the record of everything that happened, Your Majesty.” Timmy looked at his panel, “Send it, Greyson.”

“Timmy, I hope he understands. We have more than we can handle with the anticipated invasion.”

“Greyson, if we start to ignore our values because we’re too busy, then we really don’t believe in them. Even if he says no, we’re going.”

“Timmy, I’ve sworn to obey him.”

“With the exception that you will not be forced to watch an innocent planet being attacked. That’s why I’m here. To make sure we make a good decision.”

Timmy and Greyson waited and after an hour they heard, “Timmy, I’ve looked at your recording and I think you should return to Bristone and not get involved in this conflict.”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but I must refuse to follow your order.”

“What are you doing, Timmy?!?”

“The right thing, Nathan.”

“Timmy, if you value your position as a Searcher, you will return to Bristone now.”

“I will as soon as I resolve this issue. Once I’ve done that I will submit myself for punishment.”

“I will be joining him, Your Majesty. I believe in him and I know this is not something to turn our backs on.”

“Virze, you will suffer the same punishment.”

“I know, Your Majesty. And I will submit to it willingly. This is something that I can’t ignore. Timmy, I’m joining you.”

There was a long pause and Scotty said, “You will accept my punishment without complaint?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, I will.”

“And you as well, Virze?”

“I will.”

“Greyson, what about you? I’m ordering you to return to Bristone and bring your treasonous partner with you.”

“Your Majesty, I stand by my Partner. You may destroy me when we return.”

“I’m implementing your punishment immediately. Timmy and Virze you are hereby given the Royal Titles of Crown Prince and Princess and will succeed me to the Crown of the Empire. You have stood for our values even when you were faced with giving up everything of value.”

“Your Majesty, I’m not qualified for this.”

“Did you not say you would take your punishment without complaint?”

“Uh…yes.”

“Then be quiet. Nathan and James, you may join them and assist them in resolving the issue. Do whatever it takes to make sure those defenseless planets are not attacked again.”

“Your Majesty, I may need the Flyers help in freeing some of the captured colonies.”

“I’ve already ordered them to prepare before I contacted you, Timmy.”

Timmy frowned, “What if I had followed your command and returned?”

“Then you would not be the brave warrior I know you to be.”

“Thank you.”

“You deserve it Timmy. Now go resolve the problem. This will be a good time to test the Zord force field.”

The Neriff Fleet arrived back at their home world and contacted the Admiralty. The Commander sent the recording of what happened and was told to wait. He took a deep breath and knew he was in trouble. After fifteen minutes his display showed the face of the First Administrator, “So you ran and allowed my nephew to be killed.”

“No, he refused to follow orders and was killed for not doing so.”

“Your cowardice is what caused it. You could have combined and destroyed that intruder. You will be put to death for it.”

“Perhaps you would like to board a warship and allow us to see who the real coward is.”

The First Administrator grew angry and yelled, “You dare to say that to me.”

“I didn’t. I suspect it was that ship that we encountered and I do welcome you to come join us. Like them, I suspect you are too afraid to do it.”

Every warship in the system heard the exchange. There were more than eight thousand ships that had returned with spoils or were preparing to go out and attack new planets. The Fleet Commander heard, “You might want to keep your fleet outside the jump limit and witness what is about to take place. If you move toward the planet, we will treat you the same as the other fleets.”

He looked over at to his right and saw his com was on, “Attention all ships in the tenth fleet. Hold your position outside the jump limit.”