The twenty thousand troops looked at each other and were paralyzed. Six defense laser batteries began raising their barrels toward the sky and were vaporized. Your time is up; anyone not moving toward the field will be killed. The thousands of troops began running toward the marching field next to the camp. Scattered among the thousands, some were not moving. They were hit with an intense small beam from space and burned into gas. Those that were moving slowly began running with the others. General Weis was furious at the tone of the Searcher and shook his fist at the sky. That was his last act and his staff joined the others running.
They arrived at the field and heard, You will form into your individual units now.
The troops milled around talking among themselves until a white hot beam hit the ground next to the field. The troops fell over each other moving into their companies. Once they were formed up the troops were stunned as three hundred giant beasts appeared surrounding them with a Human on their back. One of the Riders slid to the ground and moved into the ranks of the assembled troops. The troops were shocked at the size of the yellow colored being walking into their ranks. He was easily seven feet tall and massively built. It walked up to an officer and ripped his jacket open and pulled out a hand blaster and shot the officer with it. The yellow creature looked around and said loudly, You were told no weapons. You have ten seconds to remove them.
Thousands of the troops ran out of ranks and threw hand blasters, grenades, and blades into a pile. They quickly ran back into ranks as the yellow creature walked through their ranks pushing soldiers out of his way. He stopped in front of a soldier and stared at him. The soldier looked uncomfortable but looked around wondering what was going on. The yellow creature raised his gun and shot the soldier to the right of the one confronted. It reached around behind the soldier and pulled a hand blaster from his hood. The soldiers eyes grew large and the yellow being said, You just cant trust anyone these days. He slipped it in your jacket when you werent looking. Grang shook his head and turned back toward the mass of soldiers.
The Yellow being then looked over the mass of troops and a four armed being said from the front of their formations, We know those of you that are still holding weapons and, though we enjoy the scavenger hunt to find them, we will kill anyone else still hiding a weapon. There are still four hundred of you thinking you can get away with it. You have ten more seconds and then we will eliminate you.
This time the rush was over quickly. The four armed being said, Grang, there are two of them that just cant take good advice.
The Yellow being grunted. It then went to the back row and grabbed a soldier and snatched a hand blaster out of his belt and shot him with it. He casually carried it forward and threw it on the pile. Suddenly, a hand blaster sailed over the heads of the front ranks into the pile of weapons. The four armed being said, Hey, nice arm there. It then walked in front of the soldiers and said, You will now march to the former compound of the slaves and settle in. That will be your home for the near future. There was a large grumble until a beam hit between two of the companies. You will also remain silent during your walk.
One of the soldiers attempted to run from the ranks and a Zord rushed up and bit him in half. The speed that huge beast moved was incredible. The division moved out with their giant escorts surrounding them.
Scotty sat by the fire in the clearing staring at Daulun squirming against his bindings. He had quit screaming an hour earlier when Scotty had stuffed an old sock in his mouth and taped it shut. He was sitting on an old log with a giant reptile of some sort looking down on him. He had not known fear often but this was the biggest taste he had ever had.
Scotty looked at Kreej, Do you see anything we need to know?
An ambassador from the other province is due to visit in three weeks.
Daulun jerked his head around at Kreej with wide eyes.
Ummmm. Weve got to plan for that. Scotty then looked at Daulun and shook his head, Im struggling with how to administer the appropriate justice for all the horrific acts youve done. I must confess its hard to decide what we should do with you. Now Im going to remove the sock from your mouth. If you start screaming again Im just going to allow Kreej here to eat you.
Would you, Your Majesty? Im really hungry.
Daulun started vigorously shaking his head.
Scotty ripped the tape off his mouth and snatched the sock out. Daulun thought several teeth were going to come with it. Who are you?
Your worst nightmare. I am the Emperor of the planet that you ordered destroyed. More than forty million of my subjects were murdered by you.
Daulun knew he was as good as dead. What are you going to do?
Julie walked up and joined Scotty at the fire. She reached over and took his hand. Scotty took a deep breath and stared at her. Scotty looked at Daulun and said, I want to allow Kreej to have a meal but I am going to offer you an opportunity to live. I really, really, hope you turn it down.
What opportunity?
How many planets have you enslaved?
Daulun started to lie but remembered the beast could read his mind, Two hundred and six.
Scotty smiled and said, We are going to take you to each of those planets and you are going to order all your troops to board their ships and leave to join your forces at Crimeron. The first planet that refuses to follow your commands will be your death warrant.
What if I refuse?
Kreej said, Ill eat you one small piece at a time starting with your fingers.
Scotty said, We can go in and kill all of your outposts but there will be loss of life if were forced to do that.
And if I agree.
Well teleport you to one of the former Provincial Capitals and leave you alone.
Daulun looked at the huge beast and said, Ill do what you ask.
Kreej, I want you to go with the King and make sure he keeps his word. If he doesnt, hes yours.
I really hope he doesnt Your Majesty. Kreej looked at Daulun and said, Please make a mistake. Im really hungry.
Why dont you take him with you to the mountains and well let you know when we need him to go.
Dauluns eyes widened as Kreej grabbed him and lifted into the air. They watched him disappear and Julie said, Youre making the right decision.
I know, my Love. Lets hope he can be persuasive enough to make it work.
Oh, I think Kreej will help his efforts,
Yeah, me, too.
Mallory sat and watched the display on the Thrones arm. Nathan walked in the throne room and said, All of the palace forces have been neutralized.
Mallory looked up and tilted her head. Most of them refused to surrender but several thousand have been sent to the compounds.
Any word on how its going?
The largest base was here with the First Division. They are now in the compound with minimal loss of life.
How many?
Fifty.
Mallory smiled at Nathan, Thats good.
The other bases werent larger than a battalion so they were brought under control rather easily. Five hundred of them didnt require a Searcher to help.
Nathan leaned over and whispered to Mallory, Vring is in the back of the room.
Mallory nodded and turned to Jeramiah Jongo and said, Uncle, we are now in control of New Ulmerton. The fleet is being held inside the jump limit and all of the troops on the planet are incarcerated.