Nothing causes advances in technology like war. Theyve been at peace since they left and weve known nothing but conflict. Our new ships will destroy a Zeta-A; I suspect we can hold our own with them.
Youre not telling me everything. There has to be another reason.
Trey took a deep breath and saw that Cassie was listening. He needed Grace and Alex working together. He decided that now was the time, Grace, the Stars Realm has been discarded as a tool for the Creative Force.
What!!
Youve seen the vision of Creation?
Yes.
Creation is under attack from civilizations that are destroying every planet they encounter. Entire universes are being destroyed by at least two species we know about. Why does psychic power appear every time a huge conflict happens?
Grace was silent.
Its the Creative Force attempting to bring balance back to her creation. Its an attempt to save the lives of her children. Where has the most powerful psychic beings been located?
You know theyre in that dimension.
And what are they doing to bring balance back by helping those civilizations that are being slaughtered every moment?
Jessica said, The Stars Realm was born in conflict and fought for thousands of years to survive.
Yes it did and that was when it was most alive and vibrant. But Grace, it was at peace for four times longer than it was at war. Thirteen thousand years of peace and the result of that peace was the division of the Realm into Provinces followed by the self-destruction of the Realm; they are selfish, self serving, and uncaring about anyone other than themselves. Please, show me where Im wrong.
I cant, but are we any different?
We will be joining the Zord, if we survive the Invaders, and take on aggressive species wherever we find them. We will not lose our way and we know what our role must be. One thing I can promise you; we will never turn our backs on those were responsible for protecting. I understand the Stars Realm was not responsible for protecting us from each other; that was a lesson we had to learn. But they were responsible for insuring our safety from forces outside our universe. They turned their backs and dropped the ball.
Weed said, Grace, we will fire on an Algean Ship if its a danger to our Empire. Im ashamed of my species for not caring about those left here. It is now my duty to do what must be done to make the Empire into a force to follow our higher principles.
Alex, you know your twin is still with the Gardners in the Realm?
As you said earlier; Ill fire a beam into his backside if he doesnt behave.
Grace laughed, I renounce my oath to the Stars Realm and I hereby swear my total allegiance to the Bristone Empire. I will make a difference in this struggle.
Trey what did you mean earlier about Grace and I being in this ship you want built?
Alex, one computer will not be fast enough to control the flight and weapons of the Robbins. Its going to take two and I need two computers that can work together at high speed. You and Grace are the best choice for the ship.
Im not sure what you mean by high speed?
The energy systems are going to be controlled by psychic power. I have the design of a circuit that will use a psychic aura to direct the energy being used on the ship. The circuits will operate at the speed of telepathy which we all know is instantaneous.
But were not psychic, Trey.
I know that, Grace, but you can still operate the ships systems just like you do now only they will function a thousand times faster.
Where is all this psychic power coming from?
It will be there once the ship is completed.
That ship is going to take more than five years to complete.
Five years, six months, and four days from tomorrow.
How do you know that?
Seed, Ive had a vision.
Greyson said, Trey, thats your eighteenth birthday.
Trey thought a moment and smiled, Youre absolutely right. Thatll be a great present. However, while the ship is being built, I need you and Weed getting the hundreds of thousands of ships in our fleet updated with the new power source. Once the first three are completed, Im taking them to trial against the Invaders.
Oh no youre not!
Weed and Seed saw an immediate change in Treys expression and wondered what happened.
Why do you say that, Cassie?
Run that decision up against your long term sense of danger.
Trey ran the possibilities through his mind, We will prove successful in the trial but it would lead to a much higher level of danger afterwards.
Thats how I see it. It will bring the one were after out too early.
We have to finish the ship first.
Yes.
Thanks Love. Trey looked at the Algeans, Change of plans. Were going to update our ships and send them out into the universes weve been visiting to deal with aggressive species. Well take on the Invaders after the Robbins is built.
Trey, what changed your mind?
Who can change your mind, Weed? The tall Algean turned toward his mate and Trey said, Exactly.
Who is she?
Its not time for her, yet. Please be patient; I do trust you now but she has a path to follow and I dont want her distracted from her course.
I will honor your wish, Sire.
Thank you. Will you go with me to see the Emperor about building my ship and updating the fleet?
We will go wherever you need us.
Grace and I will also do the same.
Alex.
Yes, Jessica.
I was originally built to be a shuttle on the Alexander Kosiev. I find that I happen to care about the Alexander Kosiev here more than I do the one that left me behind. I will swear my allegiance to the Empire. You can count on me doing whats necessary to protect the Empire.
I am also swearing my loyalty as well.
Trey smiled, I wondered if you would be able to make that change, BC.
Its a no brainer, Trey. Ive often felt my sorrow over the last two thousand years at Cynthia leaving me behind but it just dawned on me that if our roles were reversed; I would have gone back and brought her with me. They had stealth technology better than anything left in the Provinces and she could have done it. The Realm turned its back on me as well as all of you. I know with no doubt whatsoever that if I was left behind now; all of you would come for me. I know it to the bottom of my consciousness. I stand with the Empire.
Trey, theres something you should know.
What is that, Grace?
I will support the Emperor but if it comes down to his decisions or yours
Lets just hope that never happens.
All of those present knew that Grace was speaking for them. They felt the power of this young boy and knew that power was growing. He gave them something they needed, unity. The bond forged at that moment was something that was going to be critical to the Empires survival.
Chapter Fourteen
Commodore Maddy Dorg sat in her command chair and looked down on the planet her squadron was moving toward. The HMS Jing Dorg was still a hundred thousand miles out from the planets atmosphere and the five huge defense satellites began firing high powered lasers at the six ships that had suddenly appeared near the planets closest moon. Whats the energy status?
The lasers are being absorbed and stored, Sir. They do not represent a threat.
How long until the ships moving in system arrive?
The first two thousand that jumped in will arrive in two hours.
Maddy leaned back and thought about the four thousand ships that had ignored her request to lower their force fields and remain outside the moons orbit. They were all expanding clouds of debris and she found no pleasure in their destruction. How many are here now?