Carter smiled and said, I have a plan that Im hoping you will agree to implement. I know you may not like it initially but I feel you should hear all of it before you make a decision.
Timmy furrowed his brow, stood up, and looked over Carters shoulder as Weed and Seed entered the throne rooms entrance. They moved forward and stopped behind Carter. Carter turned around, saw them, and looked at them with a furrowed brow. Timmy said, It seems I have more unexpected guests than I thought. He looked over at Robby who shrugged. He looked back at the Algeans, Is there a reason youre here?
We are here to support Carters plan.
Carter looked at the two Algeans and said, I havent discussed my plan with you.
No, but its clear what you want to happen.
Timmy looked at Carter, With whom have you discussed this plan?
Carter looked around the room and said, No one; not even Jenna.
Timmy looked at Jenna and she nodded, I dont know why he asked for this meeting.
Virze said, And you didnt ask?
I knew that I shouldnt. I dont know how but I knew.
Virze looked at Timmy and he sat down. Whats your plan, Carter?
I want you to leave the Empire, Your Majesty.
Timmy was stunned at the suggestion and Virze didnt know what to say either.
Finally Timmy said shaking his head, Why?
To save the Empire.
Robby looked at Dani and nodded. She felt it as well. The danger level was going down.
Carter continued, We know the Orange Creatures are going to come looking for the ones that produced the spores that killed their pods. Its just a matter of time and I suspect we dont have a lot of time remaining before they show up. What will they see when they scan this universe? I also want you to consider that the Creator of these Black Ships will be the one making the scan. If this imagined Creator has the technology of the Red Demons, it will be able to see our entire universe with one scan. There will be no moving planets to hide from it. I ask you again, Your Majesty, if we are scanned, what will it immediately see?
Timmy looked at Virze and then turned back to Carter, It will see hundreds of thousands of ships weve built and the planets building them.
And which planet is the largest builder of those ships?
Timmy took a deep breath and said, New Hope.
We cant hide this planet or the other sixty five high technology worlds building our fleet. Our universe will be their first target and were not ready to take them on. We cant defeat the ships they were using before we dropped the spores on them. The next ship that shows up will be even stronger. Do you see it any other way?
Timmy thought a moment and said, You dont know for certain that they will be able to see our entire universe.
Are you willing to bet the Empire against that? Come on, Timmy, youre too smart to even consider that idea. Youve always been the one to make hard decisions and now its time to make another.
Timmy noticed that Carter had not used his title and was initially angry but then realized he was trying to get him to think. He was reminding him of what a Searchers Partner had to do to survive. He looked at Carter and said, Then how do we hide our planets?
We move them to another universe.
Timmy sat back, Thats never been done. We dont have the technology to do that.
We didnt, but I put Alex and Vring to work on it and theyve modified a probe so that we can do it. They conducted a trial four months ago and it worked flawlessly.
Where would you move us?
I have found a universe that the Invaders have destroyed centuries go. There is nothing there but barren worlds covered in orange dust. I was worried that the Invaders may have gone back to the universes theyve destroyed to collect dust from the pods but I discovered that was not something they would do.
Why not?
Because the dust and pods lose their potency over time; the dust wouldnt deliver the required kick they desire. Only newly grown pods will produce the optimum drug. Going back to those universes would be the very last thing they would do and only if all else failed. Our production planets will not be found there.
We need raw materials to build our ships, Carter.
Once we kill the orange pods on the planets in that universe, we will have millions of worlds that are barren and full of all the raw materials well ever need. Well place an industrialized planet opposite a barren planet in the same solar system and the materials will be closer than they are here.
Virze put her hand on Timmys arm. He looked at her and knew that she was telling him that Carter was smarter than any of them. He looked her in the eye and turned back to Carter, What about our fleet?
The first order of business after moving is to complete the Fleet Academy here on New Hope and train the crews in that universe. The ships will be moved there as well.
How can we leave the Empire without leadership to do this?
Carter shrugged, Youll have to name those to take your place here. Your Majesty, you know that the main activity of the Empire is with the industrialized worlds. Thats where most of your attention is placed and if theyre moved, you must go with them.
Robby looked at Dani and knew she saw the connection from the vision. He wondered why they were on Bristone when the Invaders attacked and now they knew. Robby stood, Your Majesty, Dani and I will stay behind and rule the Empire from Bristone. Its been done before and all the facilities we need are still there.
Timmy stared at Robby, So, you agree with this plan?
Robby took a breath and said, Not only do I agree with it but Dani and I see the Empire destroyed if we dont follow it.
Timmy stared at Robby for a long moment, Is that why youre here?
I wish I could tell you why but we sensed we needed to be here.
Timmy looked at the Algeans, And you as well.
Weed said, We believe that if the industrialized planets are here that the Creator of the Black Ships will come here personally to destroy this universe.
I thought you wanted them to reveal themselves?
We do, but not here.
Dani looked at Robby and thought to him, Now, I understand. Robby looked at her and she thought to him, Ill tell you later.
Carter saw that Timmy was close to going along with his plan but then he asked the question he couldnt answer, Are we going to leave the Defense Facility here? Weve got to have it to develop our ships. You might also consider that if that being sees it, then the gig is up no matter what we do.
Dani stood and said, We will persuade it to go, Your Majesty.
Timmy stared at Dani and said, If you can do that, I will go along with your plan. Let me know if youre successful.
Carter bowed to the Royal Couple and went over to Dani, You know Alex will not leave the universe he is sworn to defend.
Dani put her hand on Carters shoulder, Give me some time. Ill make an offer he cant refuse.
Carter smiled and shook his head, Now thats something I want to hear.
Dani smiled, Sorry Carter, youre too young.
Carter sighed, Well, ok. Wait a minute, Im older than you.
Dani and Robby disappeared but not before Dani said, Had you going, didnt I?
Chapter Six
Robby and Dani stood on the main floor at the Defense Facility. Alex said, Why have you made all the ones working here leave for twelve hours?
Some could have stayed but we needed to make sure none of the Zord remained.
Alex thought about that, Is something wrong?
Dani said, Grace, Greyson, are you listening in?
There was a long silence and then they heard, How did you know we were here. Were in full stealth mode. I know you couldnt see us.