I think this universe needs peace. Its clear that the former Realm is light years better than what followed. If you can accept me after what Ive done, I will swear to follow the orders of your leaders.
You will have to accept a partner.
That is the one thing I really want most of all.
Jessica said, We will not give you teleportation until youve proven yourself.
Thats fine. I do a good job as a guard.
Jessica said, Ill go get Scotty. She disappeared.
How did you get teleportation boards?
Greyson, that is a question I cant answer.
I understand. I was hoping that you might be in contact with the old Realm and that it might be returning.
No, that is not going to happen.
Well, one could hope.
Jessica reappeared and Greyson heard, Jessica tells me that youre interested in joining us?
I am, Your Majesty, if youll have me.
I will but only under several conditions.
What are they?
If you ever think you are being ordered to fire on a defenseless planet or ship you have the right to refuse. I insist that you must have agreement from your partner, when you choose one, and even then I grant you the right to delay until I can authorize that order. You must also agree to not attack any defenseless planet or ship based on your own judgment. You must have your partners agreement. Can you accept these conditions?
I can and give you my sworn oath to protect you and your subjects against all enemies. If I had any doubts about this decision, you have just removed them.
I also have a young man I would like for you to consider as a partner. Hes only eighteen but I think he will surprise you at what he can offer you.
I will certainly consider him, Your Majesty.
Greyson, the choice is entirely yours. Do not feel pressured to accept him. It is much more important to me that you have a partner whose opinion you can trust.
Thank you, Your Majesty. Whats this persons name?
Timmy Valrico. His brother is going to marry the former Princess of New Ulmerton. Timmy is considered to be the smartest person in our empire and he is gaga over ships such as you. I will have him meet you and not tell him he is being considered.
That would be wise.
BC said, If Greyson doesnt want him Ill take him right now.
Greyson said, Hey, let me meet him first.
Anglo, Jessica, and Scotty all laughed. Scotty said, I think youll find a partner, BC. Just be patient.
Did you see this coming?
No, I didnt Grace. I sense something is bothering you.
Its nothing.
Are you sure?
Yes, its not anything that I can do anything about. What do you think about whats happened so far?
I left a probe in that other Dukes Province. I dont think its going to be a long time before he comes to absorb this quadrant into his realm.
I notice you didnt tell them about the other quadrant.
That problem will have to be faced many years from now. The other Duke will be here first.
Lets hope our friends have a chance to get ready.
Canton, our plan isnt going to work without Mallory. I may have to find another way.
Whoever took her did it for a reason. I suspect she is still alive, we just have to find her.
And just how do you propose we do that. I cant send my searchers away from this planet. It would leave me wide open to an attack. If they could take her, they could take me.
Can you spare one of them?
Why do you ask?
I could go and try to find her.
Daulun thought about the offer and decided he didnt want this ambitious officer to have that much power while he was King. Canton saw him thinking about it and hoped he could get his hands on one of those ships. Then he wouldnt need this weak King. He could go and create his own empire. A third of the fleet was loyal to him and his father. All they needed was just one of these ships.
No, I just dont see me being able to protect our planet without the five remaining.
Where did the sixth one go?
He was reported accelerating at maximum power toward the attackers. He probably overloaded his reactors and burned up. Theres no trace of him remaining.
You have to admire his loyalty?
Theyre built that way.
Have you thought about possibly allowing the attackers to destroy the planet?
Dauluns head snapped around, Thats a dangerous remark to make, Canton!
Well, think about it for a moment. You know that Crimeron is just as developed as New Ulmerton and one of your best castles is there. You could rule the Realm from there just as easily as from here.
What are you saying?
If you took the five remaining Searchers to find your daughter and left the fleet here to defend the planet, you know those attackers could get through the fleet as easily as you could. If they destroy New Ulmerton, there wont be any family members left to challenge your choice for succession. All of your family issues will be solved.
What happens if the ones attacking us dont destroy the planet?
Perhaps you might have to do it yourself.
Daulun thought the idea had merit. He had promised Cantons father that he would make sure he was the successor. It there were no remaining relatives, he could name whomever he chose. Canton is smart and a lot more cunning than I am. Well, a few billion would have to die but most of them were slaves. Canton, I will think about your idea. Ill let you know later.
Yes, Your Majesty. Would you like me to choose the most advanced ships in the fleet to move to Crimeron now? If we start moving them a few at a time, they wont be noticed.
That is an excellent idea. Please make that happen. You might also tell your father to move there as quickly as possible.
Canton bowed and said, Yes, Your Majesty. The fact the King was going to allow him to move ships meant he was going to do as he suggested. Canton was surprised again by his Fathers wisdom. He feared he would be tried for treason but Daulun went for the idea. Now he had to make sure most of his supporters and their ships were moved away from the planet and Jongos followers remained behind.
Kreej said, Jessica, that Duke is more evil than we know.
Jessica was next to New Ulmertons closest moon in stealth mode listening to any plans the Duke was formulating. Why do you say that?
He is going to take all of his Searchers and move to another planet. Hes hoping we come and destroy New Ulmerton. If we dont do it, hes going to come back and do it himself.
Why?!
To remove the other members of his family from possible succession in order to name that officer Canton to the throne. The idea was proposed by that officer.
Jessica thought about what Kreej said, Keep listening in. Well go back when BC comes to relieve us. The Emperor should know about this development.
Scotty, Jingo, Nathan, Grang, Mallory, Timmy and Tesa were sitting in the learning center discussing tactics to steal the military data base from New Ulmerton. Timmy had a video of the building that housed the system and he was using a laser pointer to indicate the defenses.
I just dont see how youre going to get out with the database without heavy losses. There are more than two hundred troops armed with blasters protecting that building. Its also under the protective screen of two Searchers in orbit overhead. You wont be able to teleport in through that screen. Youll have to teleport more than four miles away and work your way to the building. That also means if youre successful, youll have to carry the system that same distance to get away and all without the Searchers overhead getting wind of what youre doing. If one blaster is fired they will know somethings happening and open fire on you.
Scotty leaned back in his chair, Timmy, how much will that system weigh?