Saxon Andrew - Escape to Earth-The Legacy of a Conqueror

Chris looked up and fought to pull himself together. The tactical display on his combat helmet showed countless ships that were burning in space in the middle of a giant debris field. Chris forced himself to look grim and activated his communicator, “If you refuse to follow my directives I will destroy every warship in the Fellowship if I have to.” He paused and said, “The Droken have suffered the most from this demonstration and have lost the most ships. It is unfortunate that they were the example for the rest of you to learn what awaits you if you violate our rules. We will defend the Droken from attack until they are able to defend themselves. If any of you attack them, I will remove your ability to wage war!”

Chris stared into the monitor and heard the Droken Ruler think, “Thank you! I hope you understand that I chose to prosecute you to gain political status. It was not done because I disliked you.”

“I understand. Take care of your citizens.”

“I will.”

Chris pressed his communicator, “All ships, return to your assigned posts.” Chris looked at Audrey quietly weeping and said, “Barbie, get us out of here.”

“Where do you want to go?”

“Take us to Eden. There’s been too much death for one day.”

Audrey looked up and wiped her tears, “That will be the last time I cry for anyone that threatens us. Barbie, change course. I have a better place to go.”

Chris looked at her with his eyebrows coming together. “Where is that?”

“Take us to the beach on Barbados. Do you have Chris’s surfboard stored below?”

“I do.”

She looked at Chris and saw a small smile appear, “I think our conqueror needs a few waves to make him feel better.”

“Changing course.”

Chris shook his head and loved her more at that moment than he could describe. He shook his head and pressed a button, “Do any of you know how to surf?’

“I love it!”

Allison said, “Waver has been trying to teach us but we’re not in his league.”

“When we arrive at Earth, go and get your boards and meet me on the beach. I’ll teach you how to use a pod to do it properly.”

“Allllll Riiight!!” Audrey smiled and looked forward to meeting the members of the kindergarten. She knew they would help Chris deal with what just happened.

Lukas looked at Loree, “Why did you allow those ships to get close to Chris?”

“The Fellowship needed to have a recording of what our small ships can do as well. They should also fear them. If they weren’t involved in the battle, they may not jump high enough if we have to send one of them to enforce our directives.”

Lukas tilted his head and nodded, “That’s good thinking.”

Loree smiled, “Those pods around his ship are really good! They did things that I didn’t know were possible.”

“They are the best we have. You’re seeing the future of our fleets.”

“How is that?”

“All of them are sixteen years old.”

Hawk turned around, “Get out of here!”

Lukas smiled, “Could you have done what they did, Captain?”

Hawk turned around and shook his head, “I intend to learn some of their moves.”

“And you think you can do them with this battleship?”

“We’ll see, Sir.”

Loree looked at Lukas and he saw her nod. This pilot must really be good.

Lukas and Salud found Chris on the beach. They walked out on the sand and pulled up a chair on each side of him. Salud looked around, “Where’s Audrey?”

“She’s dealing with a case of morning sickness. She won’t be able to go out with me much longer.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I know what it feels like.”

Chris looked at her and smiled, “I imagine you do.”

Lukas leaned back and said, “You can’t beat yourself up over this.”

“I know.”

“I’m serious, Chris.”

“Do you have an idea of how many died?”

“More than a half a million.” Chris sighed and looked out at the waves. “There’s something you need to know.” Chris turned back to him. “When the attack began, hundreds of Fellowship planets were moving their ships outside the gravity limit to join in the attack. Once they saw what was happening, they called it off.”

Salud said, “Our Probes have also learned from recorded conversations that more than two hundred members of the Fellowship were organizing fleets to go out and attack primitive planets. Half a million died but ten times that number would have died later if it didn’t happen.”

Chris stared at them for a while and then said, “Killing people in this galaxy just doesn’t feel good. My ultimate task is to defend them.”

“Perhaps you won’t have to ever do this again. This had to happen!”

Chris looked at Lukas, “I know. If I had to do it over, I’d do it the same way.”

“Our Allies heard the mental conversation you had with the Droken.” Chris’s eyes narrowed. “Willow was on board my battleship and she played it over the loud speakers on the four ships. They know you tried everything possible to stop it. They also realized afterwards that it had to be done. I think they are now happy that they aren’t having to make those decisions.”

“Did they agree with my decision to defend the Droken from attack?”

“They have contacted the Droken Ruler and have informed the other members of the Fellowship that his planet is now a protected territory of our new Alliance. Anyone that violates his space will be severely dealt with. They have also opened a trade agreement with him. He has notified the Fellowship that he is withdrawing his membership.”

Chris smiled for the first time since the battle, “That makes it worth doing. I learned at the last moment that he isn’t an evil being. He was wise to see that the battle had to happen and he accepted responsibility for it. I actually ended up liking him.”

“Good.”

“I’ve been sitting here thinking about what I’m going to do next.”

“And?”

“I think you’re right about there being a long period of peace before hostilities break out. How long will it be before Loree gets her battleships?”

“Probably about a year before all fifty are completed. At that point, the Allies will be producing them in large numbers. It’s going to take that long to get the converters built along with the electrical systems used on them.”

Chris nodded at the four teenagers being dragged through the waves by their pods, “I’m taking the kindergarten out to take a look at the three galaxies. I need to see what’s going on. Once Loree can go out and take over the scouting, I’m going to stay here and focus on learning the capabilities of our new armor as well as organizing our fleets.”

Salud said, “I think that’s a good plan.”

“There’s one piece of it you might not like.”

“What is that?”

“Eve has contacted me telepathically and wants me to convince you to give her a training pod.” Salud and Lukas stared at Chris in silence and he said, “She tells me that you have told her no.”

“SHE’S ONLY SIX YEARS OLD!!”

“Chris raised his hands, “Hey, don’t kill the messenger!” They calmed down and Chris said, “I was nine years old before my telepathy developed. She’s far ahead of where I was at the same age. She’s listening to us right now.”

Salud’s eyes narrowed and she said, “THE ANSWER IS STILL NO!” Salud looked at Chris staring at her and said, “WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT!”

“Do you think it was any easier for Stoney and Mom to allow me to go and Eve is far ahead of where I was when they did it? It wasn’t so hard to allow someone else’s child to do it but you’re not willing to allow your own to do what is necessary for her development.” Salud stared daggers at Chris and he shrugged, “I’m just saying.”