Tell me what you think, Alex.
I believe that ship is an initial scout that was sent to scout our universe for an invasion. It parked outside the most powerful force in this universe and has been watching it for years. I think that once that Province takes control, the invasion will start. All they will need to do is defeat that King to take control of everything. Theyll just wait and let us weaken ourselves by fighting each other.
Scotty stared at the display and said, So your advanced weapons will not defeat this ship?
In my opinion, without having the chance to scan their weapons in operation, they will not.
So what do we do?
Ive called you here to ask you the same question.
What makes you think Im more qualified to answer it than you are?
Youre repaired teleportation boards that I could not. Youve increased the power of your ships weapons without my assistance. I can go on but I think you get the picture.
We need access to your facility.
I am programmed to prevent that and it is not a program that I can override.
Well maybe you can give a hint.
The most important word in the Stars Realm repeated three times followed by the second most important three times.
Julie looked at Scotty and asked, Who established this center.
The Gardners.
Julie smiled and said, Rose, Rose, Rose, Tommy, Tommy, Tommy.
There was a slight pause and then they heard, You have been granted access. How did you figure that out?
I thought about what was the most important thing to a person and it dawned on me that it has to be their children. I know my childs name will be the most important thing to me.
Scotty looked at Julie, Your child?
Actually, its our child and you need to be thinking of a name. Scottys eyes widened and he stared at Julie as she nodded, Its true.
Scotty grabbed her and embraced her. He leaned back and kissed her. Julie smiled, We can make the announcement later. Right now we need to see what we can do about the Invaders.
Scotty looked at her with love in his eyes and then said, Grace, I am going to bring two Zord here to look at what you have in the way of defensive and offensive weapons. Alex, will you work with them?
Yes, I will but I dont know what they can do to improve the weapons the Algeans built.
I dont either, but thats where we have to start. Will you send me a download of that ship?
Why do you need it?
Im going to have to do some persuading of a King and get him to see the big picture. Your commentary on it would also be appreciated.
BC said, I have it.
Do you mind if I join you?
Alex stammered, What, what?
Im serious, Alex. Ive been thinking about it and you know you can run this facility by yourself. I think I was put here just to keep you company. I miss the freedom of open space when Melanie and I were working together. Youre going to have plenty of company shortly. I want to go.
Grace, we would love to have you. How are you going to make that happen?
Alex said, Youre going to take a Zeta.
Yes, I am.
Whats a Zeta?
Julie, it is the most powerful Searcher ever constructed by the Algeans. Its capable of teleporting without using a screen that can be detected. Its beams are capable of penetrating any screen ever built by the old Realm and its screen can withstand the assault of more than five hundred Searchers. I plan to download into its positronic system.
Grace, I dont want to lose you. You still cant withstand that invaders weapons.
I understand that, Alex. But before we take them on we are going to have to meet them on a united front. I can make a difference in making that happen.
Scotty said, How many of those ships do you have?
Only twenty.
Would it be possible for my Searchers to relocate into one of them?
There were a few moments of silence and Alex said, Well start with BC.
Alex are you sure about releasing these weapons?
Your Majesty, I am now going to swear my loyalty to you. If that invader wasnt here, I would not be doing this but I see that I dont have the luxury of time. I have to decide which side Im going to take and I know that you are the best choice. When you didnt kill that Magrum, I knew you could be trusted to maintain the principles I believe in. I am a replica of the Alexander Kosiev and I am a warrior at heart. My quest is the protection of this universe and seeing it thrive again.
Well, we now have nine Searchers that have sworn their loyalty to the Empire. I would like to move all of them into a Zeta starting with the original three.
You can start sending them now.
Grace, are you going to accept a partner?
Do you have one in mind?
As a matter of fact, I do.
Julie looked at Scotty with raised eyebrows as he said, Her name is Virze and I think the two of you will be a great match.
Will you wait for three hours while I make the transition to my new home?
We will.
BC, Alex will assist you in moving once Im done. Then you can send the others.
Well get Jessica to bring the Zord.
Ill be able to do that, Your Majesty.
Wont it be cramped quarters?
Not really.
BC said, I wonder what this new home looks like?
Alex said, I think youll like it.
BC said, Well see.
Ro entered Jilicos chamber and bowed. Have we found out where the enemy is coming from?
Not yet, Your Majesty. The attacks stopped as quickly as they started. Placing our ships inside the jump limit may have prevented further attacks.
I cant conduct business in the Kingdom with my ships stuck inside the jump limit.
Ro thought about the problem and said, Lets see if we can set a trap.
How would you go about doing that?
Well have three of our ships go out to the jump limit and all jump away together.
Jilico nodded, Youll have them jump to a place where we will be waiting for them.
Exactly.
What if the intruders are not where the ships jumping away are located?
Well have ships from all our planets start jumping sequentially one after the other. If nothing follows the first three, well jump the next three after we send the first three back.
And so on until one of the groups is followed.
Ro nodded.
And if none of them are followed?
Well start the process all over again. Something should happen. You dont always catch a fish with the first cast.
How many ships will you have waiting to spring the trap?
Six hundred.
Jilico jerked his head back, Do you think we need that many?
I dont know so Im taking no chances.
Jilico smiled, Thats why I trust you.
Thank you, Your Majesty. Ro bowed and left.
BC, I sense youre reluctant to change ships.
I am, Julie.
Why?
Ive lived here so long its like this ship is my body. I just dont know about changing.
All right, Im ready. Are you ready to see my new body?
BC said, You have me curious, Grace.
Suddenly a ship appeared next to BC and Scotty and Julie were stunned at what they saw. It was at least three thousand feet long and was the brightest white Scotty had ever seen, Wow! I thought Searchers had to be small.
It has to be this size to contain all the weapon systems.
BC looked at the ship and said, Ive got to get me one of those. Are you saying that the systems are tighter than mine?
Much more than yours, BC. They have also been miniaturized as much as possible.
Alex, Im all yours.
Here are your coordinates.