TK turned and looked at Trey. He just didnt sound like a twelve year old. He was already years ahead of most adults. She shook her head and wished he had been given the time to enjoy his youth.
Paul heard her thoughts and said, This is his youth, Tommie. Just wait until hes grown.
TK turned and stared at Trey and decided that she was not going to challenge his future decisions. He was possibly going to give her a chance to kill the murderers of her parents. For that reason alone she could hardly wait for him to grow up. Revenge was a feeling she was very familiar with.
Trey was reclining against a log in a clearing looking up at the stars. The fire was smoldering with red hot coals which allowed him to see the heavens with a sky ablaze with millions of points of light. He sighed and knew that most of the planets circling those stars had been killed by the invaders. The orange pods didnt leave anything living to enjoy the view he was taking in. He looked over at the vast field next to the clearing and saw the second Flock of Grangs Division preparing to join him in another universe. He could hear the thoughts of the thousands of Flyers and felt their excitement at the coming fight. He looked back up at the stars and felt the immensity of the universe. He was such an insignificant speck against the scope of creation. He looked back at the Flyers and knew that their efforts were a wasted effort if an answer to the Invaders was not found. Why was he pushing sending the Flocks to fight?
Cassie.
I can see youre troubled.
I am. Why do we go out to fight when it could all just be a wasted effort if we lose to the Invaders?
The Invaders are just one part of the imbalance in Creation, Trey. They are the most dangerous enemy but they are not the only species that feeds on the death of others. What happens if we win?
Trey thought about that question and said, We would be compelled to go out and follow our principles.
Should we put those principles on hold until the end is determined?
Trey sighed, No, I guess not.
Its more than just guessing. If we can make life more bearable for just one civilization, then it would be worth the effort. A tool has been forged by the Creative Force and its ready to be used. To withhold it from those that need it would be wrong.
I thought this tool was created to defeat the Invaders.
No, you are the tool created to make that happen. The Flyers are for making creation a safer place to live.
Trey straightened up, Are you saying the Flyers wont be in the battle against the Invaders.
Trey waited for an answer and finally Cassie said, They may be used against their ships but they will not confront the power behind the Invaders.
You mean I will be facing them alone.
No, Trey. Ill be there with you.
Thats not really reassuring, Cassie.
There will be others helping.
Who?
Look inside yourself and ask that question.
Trey played with the question and smiled, Youre right. I didnt see it.
Now you do.
I wish you were her, Cassie.
I am, my Love, I am.
Trey smiled and felt her in his heart.
Trey leaned back and closed his eyes, When do we build it?
Soon.
The former Distributor looked around his new quarters and was impressed. He was just promoted to the number four position on the Council. The supplies had finally passed the previous level of inventory and the quality was outstanding. The First Three of the Council ordered him to keep close watch on the new Distributor and make sure the supplies continued to be as good moving forward. He checked his board and saw that the new Distributor was looking at former records of the universes that had been destroyed. Ummmhe keyed his board and transferred all the records to his console.
The new Distributor saw the records disappear and knew that he was being watched by a member of the council. He had noticed a remark by one of the former Ten Masters that two galaxies were missing from one of the universes that was destroyed. He was going to take a closer look but the information was taken. He turned his board to the new universe being attacked and worried that the Council Member observing him might take action to punish him for not doing what was desired. He waited and after nothing happened, he put the missing galaxies out of his mind. It wasnt worth being punished over. This was his first mistake and was not going to be his last.
Jingos and Ron stood outside a twenty story building that was damaged during the attack on the surrounding city. There were huge fires burning in the streets a half mile to the North and explosions could be heard from the South. It appears the dictator of this planet is being held by our Flyers. Do you want to take part in the questioning?
Ron looked to the East and could see hundreds of flyers circling a large military base. They were invisible to the naked eye but his armor allowed him to see them. No, I think one of us needs to take charge of the cleanup. It appears these beings dont surrender.
They dont and I suspect there wont be much questioning to do.
Ron gave a slight shake of his head, I wish there was some way to get them to see the error of their ways.
Jingos looked to the East and saw a ship come charging in firing green beams. It was blown out of the sky by a well placed penetrator. I dont think they have the capacity to see anything different. The slave camps are pretty much a testimony to how they view other species. They didnt even have food to feed them.
Call them what they are; theyre execution camps.
Jingos heard a voice come in over his com, Sir, the spaceport defenses are starting to fire on the city. It appears they are attempting to hit the camps on the south side. Theyve burned through the first row of buildings between them and the camps.
Jingos looked at Ron, This is Major Kune, take out the spaceport.
Sir, whoever is left after this exercise will need the spaceport?
Then theyll have to build another one. Take it out.
Jingos and Ron looked to the East and saw a huge fireball erupt from the port. Ill go with you, Sir. Theres not much cleaning up left to do after the destruction of the port.
Jingos turned and walked into the building. Ron raised his hand blaster and hit a sniper on the roof of the building across the street and followed Jingos through the front door. The ships arriving with food would be arriving within three hours. The Wasps were providing the transportation and delivery. A full grown Wasp could lift eight hundred pounds. Theyd get it distributed in time to save the bulk of the starving masses. He chuckled at a joke one of the Wasp Commanders had shared with him. Imagine; an insect with a sense of humor.
Alex watched the display and paid close attention to the rate of transfer. Vring and Weed were controlling the probe and were moving it slowly into the core of the star. After thirty minutes the probe melted.
Were close.
Alex announced, Yes we are. This is unbelievable; the energy stored in that probe was greater than any ship weve built.
Trey watched the screen and said, I think you have your answer now.
Weed turned and said, We didnt absorb the star.
Why do you need to?
Kreej looked at Trey, That was our bellwether for this project.
Did you want to absorb a star or the energy of a star?
Whats the difference?
Trey looked at Weed and smiled, I recently saw a Blue Giant Star in another universe that has a mass of more than eight hundred G-Type Stars. You could just absorb the energy from the outer corona and gather more than youd get from a G.