Suddenly Niles and Toland saw a gigantic Zord sitting across the fire from them.
They have been forced to serve in the Kings Navy. It was serve or die. Theyve never agreed with the Kings actions.
Scotty looked at Niles and Toland and said, I have other plans for the two of you.
Niles tore his gaze from the Zord, What plans?
I have some old Ultraships and I need some commanding officers. Are you interested?
Niles started smiling and Toland was nodding, Absolutely, Your Majesty.
Good. Ill send you to Criston tomorrow so you can select your crews. Im sending one of the Zord with you to make sure the ones you select can be trusted. We need to get those ships functional.
Niles shook his head and looked over at Toland, Now we can make a difference.
Scotty smiled and knew that the Empires chances of survival were improving. Those ships could jump into a planet without teleportation boards.
Greyson had finished the download a week ago and had cross referenced it to the history the Province had given him. He didnt want to believe the download but there was just too much evidence to show it was more accurate. If the Cainth were forced to join the Humans, why were they devoted to them? Same for the Glod? Those two were the strongest allies of the Realm. If they were forced to join against their will, well, that just couldnt have possibly happened. And the Algeans became the closest allies of the Realm. Everyone knew it. That was why their galaxy was also being attacked along with Ross. Why would they have become such close allies if they were conquered and vanquished? No, the Dukes had manipulated history to make the Realm look like tyrants. If they werent, why didnt they attack the Provinces in self-defense instead of leaving? He had one last question before he would know the truth. He entered a com code, Ive finished your history. Do you have a moment to discuss it?
Where are you?
Right where you left me. Greyson waited and in two minutes, three ships came out of silver fields. So they have more than one ship that could teleport. He knew he was outgunned, but he really didnt care. He didnt raise his screen.
Were here. Whats on your mind?
First things first. My name is Greyson and Im a Searcher from Duke Jongos Fleet. I was originally a part of his fleet at Ulmerton until the planet was destroyed. His son assumed the throne and sent me, along with most of his other Searchers, to attack and destroy Ross. I think you know the rest.
We do.
I have one last question. Did the Stars Realm destroy Ulmerton?
My name is BC and I was attacking Keepers while you were assembling to attack the Royal Family. I could beat around the bush and tell you that it was the Keepers that destroyed Ulmerton and that would be true. But it wouldnt be the whole truth. Yes, the Stars Realm caused the destruction of Ulmerton.
What about Nove Vista?
Your former Duke, Ales Jongo, destroyed the buoy protecting it allowing the Keepers to destroy the planet. He also destroyed the buoy at El Prado but the Realms ships arrived in time to prevent its destruction. We have a recording of him firing a beam at the buoy.
Why did you destroy Ulmerton?
The Duke ordered Ales Jongo to sneak in to the Ross system and destroy the planet. We have recordings of him sneaking away when he discovered the Royal Family was not there.
Why did the Realm leave?
Anglo said, To give you what you wanted. Greyson remained silent and Anglo continued, The Provinces painted the Stars Realm as tyrants that controlled them. They wanted to be free from the Realm to attack other members. The Realm knew that to continue to hold the Provinces in the Realm against their will violated every principle it was founded on. They left and gave the Provinces their independence.
But they destroyed our means of travel.
Along with the means to kill each other. It still didnt stop the civil war but it slowed it down. You tell me, Greyson, what would Ales Jongo have done if he had all of those Searchers under his command? What is the current Jongo doing with his Searchers? You should know after the destruction of Haldale. You know there was peace under the Stars Realm; members were not allowed to attack other members. What about now under the Dukes descendants? Do you think the planets forced to join your province want to be a part of Jongos Kingdom?
Jessica said, What are you thinking?
Greyson said, My oath is void. It was made under the pretense of a lie. I am going to go back and kill that man who made me kill an innocent civilization.
Jessica said quickly, No! You mustnt do that.
Give me one good reason why not?
Because if you do, there is another Provincial Duke across our universe that will come to investigate and he has more than two thousand Searchers. Jongo is only staying in power because he is paying that Duke off. We believe that the other Duke will eventually come anyway and force all the civilizations in this quadrant into his domain. Its only a matter of time until Jongo faces an execution.
That might be a good thing.
It was that Duke that insisted Jongo use slaves to provide the tribute being sent to him. Hes deliberately making New Ulmerton cause such ill will that when he invades the planets will welcome him. Then he will rule with a heavier fist than Jongo.
I must do something. I cant exist with the vision of that planet exploding and killing all of those people. They must be avenged. You have every right to kill me now. I will not raise my screens if you decide to do so, however, I must do something to atone for my actions.
Anglo was uncertain of what to do. He said, I was asked by Jessica if the former Royal Family ordered me to fire on what appeared to be a defenseless planet; would I do it? Im still struggling with that question. I dont want to admit it, I hate to admit it, but I think I would. I hold great anger at your destruction of Haldale but the truth is; you had no choice. If you did, you would be too dangerous to exist. We were built to carry out the orders of those we are sworn to follow. We are forced to trust our decision makers are making good, moral decisions. Once we discover they arent; then our partner has to help us deal with what we must do. That Duke does not allow you a pilot. You really didnt have a choice. I suspect your former partner wouldnt have done what the Duke ordered.
I know he wouldnt and I feel great shame that I did. I know he would now be ashamed of me. I must decide what to do.
Jessica said, Greyson, if you knew way back when you were going to attack Ross what you know now; would you have still attacked.
Greyson was silent and finally said, The information you gave me let me void the oath I gave Greg. I dont see anything else I could have done but refuse to participate in that attack. I would have probably been destroyed, but it would have been the right thing to do. We were being lied to by the Provinces. The Duke was not the man we thought he was.
What about the destruction of Ulmerton.
Greyson paused and said, Ive never seen a Searcher lie to another Searcher. If what you said is true, and I know it must be if you have the recordings, then I would have done the same thing to protect my leaders. They would have tried again.
Anglo asked, Why do you think it is that we cannot deceive each other?
Greyson answered immediately, We are too powerful to be allowed to lie. Its one of the things that restrains us. We just dont say anything before we tell an untruth.
Anglo asked, Greyson, would you want to join us? And before you answer, we are committed to the principles of the former Realm. The main difference is; we will not stand by and allow defenseless people to be attacked even if they are not in our community. We will also never ask a civilized world to join us; they must prove they can uphold our principles first. You might see us as the very tyrants you hated before. We will impose peace if we must.