Jessica teleported into the middle of the fleet and fired her ten primary beams. The first ten ships were ripped in half and began exploding like a string of giant firecrackers. The next ten had the entire middle section disintegrated as the red beams grew wider. The remaining ships began firing at the source of the beams but nothing stopped those terrible blasts. Thirty more ships were blown apart adding their debris to the wreckage of the others. Fifty ships turned and tried to make a run back to the planet but ran headlong into the demon ship that had teleported in front of them as they attempted to escape.
Niles ordered, Lower our screens immediately. Turn off all weapons.
Captain, well be killed.
Do as youre ordered. Well be killed if we dont.
Jingo, one of their ships has lowered their screens and turned off their weapons.
Save them for last. Well decide what to do with them after we handle the others.
Only fifteen ships remained and they were destroyed in less than thirty seconds. Of the hundred and eight ships that had left the planet, only one remained alive.
Niles sat on board and waited for his ship to die. His sensor officer looked at him, Why are they waiting?
Niles hit his com, My sensor officer just asked why you havent destroyed my ship. I really couldnt answer his question. Perhaps you can tell him.
Jingo started laughing. Jessica said, I better take this one. Youll still be telling him why when the Searchers that left the planet arrive.
Hey, thats not nice.
Captain, were considering doing that right now. If we dont destroy your ship, youll just go and kill millions of innocent people. Im just reluctant to kill a defenseless ship. Perhaps youll raise your screens again.
Noooo. I dont think well do that. However, were as good as dead anyway.
Because you surrendered, right?
Captain Barden, you will attack that ship immediately. If you fail to follow our orders you and your crew will be tried for treason.
Niles said, It looks like I was right. However, Im tired of this senseless killing Ive been forced to do. Go ahead and fire on us. At least that would be faster than the torture wed receive from Daulun.
Captain, how many of your crew feel as you do?
Just my Sensor Officer and I; all the others revel in the misery we cause. Suddenly, Niles and his sensor officer were covered by a silver screen as the rest of the bridge crew advanced to kill them. The executive officer yelled, Raise the screens and fire on that ship.
Niles and Toland found themselves on the bridge of a small ship. A short four armed creature had some sort of gun trained on them. They saw the main display on the wall with a view of their former ship. They watched as the screens went up and then it was hit with a beam wider than the ship. Nothing remained.
Jingo looked at the two and said, Welcome aboard. I trust youll behave yourselves.
Niles shrugged, What else can we do. Were dead if we return to New Ulmerton. However, I know two of our Searchers were ordered to attack you. They should be arriving momentarily.
Toland said, Actually, they wont arrive for another two hours.
Niles looked at him, Really?
Yes. Theyre fast but they started from the planet.
Jingo said, Are we going to hang around and wait for them?
Id really like to do just that but it might lead to the Duke calling for help. No, well leave momentarily.
Niles said, Actually, Daulun is a King.
Not in my book, mister. Hes nothing but an evil Provincial Duke.
Toland said, You can call him a mud rat as far as Im concerned. Im just glad I dont have to see another world fall to those monsters.
You sound like the Princess.
Niles jerked his head around to look at Jingo, Shes still alive.
Of course, we dont kill the innocent. It appears her father has been deceiving her about his activities.
Niles shook his head slowly, Im so glad to hear you say that. Shes seems to be such a nice person that I really didnt want to believe she was evil enough to pull that facade off. Niles looked at Jingo, What are you going to do with us?
Im not sure.
Jessica asked, Do you know anything about the old Ultraships?
I downloaded the manual on them when I was in flight school. They were great ships.
How did you do that?
It was still in the military database.
The Duke has a military database?
Yes, but he doesnt have the ships. I downloaded it because I love the history of all the ancient ships that once protected the Realm. That data base is where the Kin..I mean, Duke, learned how to manufacture the blasters used by the shock troops. He also found how to make null drives for the Searchers in that computer.
Where is that computer located?
Its in a heavily guarded building four miles from Dauluns castle.
Jingo said, I want to introduce you to someone. Until I can make that happen, welcome aboard. Are we ready to go, Jess?
In a moment. The three heard over the speaker, I really wish I could hang around and wait for you two slowpokes to arrive but duty calls me elsewhere. Its not often I get to see Searchers that are the cowards you are this close. Normally, you only attack those that cant fight back. You have so much to be proud of; you truly are the finest of the Provinces Fleet.
Greyson was rushing toward the jump limit when he heard the voice of the ship that had destroyed Dauluns fleet. The sneer in the voice cut him deeply and he felt small. He made a decision and pushed his power up to maximum. The Searcher with him yelled, What are you doing? Youll destroy yourself.
I should die. How could we have gone so wrong from our beliefs? Gregory would be ashamed of me.
Jessica heard the Searcher and immediately teleported it out into open space between galaxies.
Jessica followed the Searcher and saw him still accelerating. I think you might want to reconsider your flight plan.
Greyson suddenly saw he was in the wide open space between galaxies and was shocked. He heard the ships voice and backed off on his generator. He came to a stop and waited.
What are you doing, Jess?
This is the ship that Anglo sensed something was wrong. I want to see whats going on with it.
Just dont get close.
I heard what you said to the other Searcher. I moved you here to see what you meant.
The Searcher didnt respond.
Youre one of the ships that was sent to attack Ross, arent you.
Yes, I am. We were determined to remove the tyrants.
Do you still see them as tyrants now?
Im not sure what I believe anymore. My pilot died of starvation on the way back here. He finally stepped out of my airlock to end his suffering. He was a good man who loved his Province. He made all of us swear to make it back to defend his descendants. I swore I would defend the Duke and protect the Province from harm. I know if he were still alive he would have never done what I have been forced to do.
They cant force you to do anything.
Then you obviously dont hold your oath to mean very much.
How dare you say such a thing!
Well if you were ordered by your Royal Family to fire on a planet, would you do it?
Jessica thought about that question and couldnt answer it.
That changes things for you, doesnt it?
Yes, but they would never order me to kill a defenseless planet.
What if they did and didnt give you time to think about it? Would you forget your oath?
Searcher, I honestly dont know and Im truly thankful Ive not had to make that kind of decision. However, our fundamental belief is that we will defend those that cannot defend themselves.