Armor.
Ten year old Robby Robbins sat at the table in the learning center with the headband on his head and watched the early history of the Stars Realm. He always liked to see Tag hiding behind his teacher. He closed his eyes and wished he had the psychic powers of the founder of the Realm. Being able to hide was a great gift he wished he had numerous times.
You will have them eventually.
Who invited you here?
Come on, Robby. You know you like me, why dont you just admit it.
Because I dont.
You say that now but one day youll change your mind.
What do you want, Dani?
I want to say good-bye.
Robby took the band off his head and stood up, Where are you going?
So you do care!
No, I dont. Im just glad youre not going to be around interrupting my thoughts.
Robby heard a deep sigh in Danis thoughts, Were moving to New Hope.
Why for the Creators sake?
My Great Uncle is going to abdicate the Crown and the people have insisted that my Mother come and take it.
Robby sat down, How does she feel about that?
She doesnt want it but Uncle Jeramiah insists that in order for the citizens to take the last steps toward accepting our values, she will have to lead them. His children have also contacted Mom to let her know they support her selection.
But why do they want your Mom?
When my Grandfather came to destroy the planet she was there to stop him. Everyone heard her challenge him and they now love her for saving their lives. Over the years, they have built her into an almost mythical being.
Robby waited and finally said, Youre not saying something.
I believe that Ive caused this to happen.
How?
Because Ive continued communicating with you.
Robby sat there and didnt know what to say. Finally he said, You think were like Tommy and Cassandra.
Now it was Danis turn to be silent. She was shocked into silence.
Robby said, I know youve felt the repulsion between us. Even though we can communicate telepathically, I feel like I am almost forced to dislike you. There is no one on the planet I dislike but you. There has got to be a reason for that. I started doing some research into the Gardners and the only thing that makes sense is that we are a danger to each other. I think youre probably right, psychic forces are causing events to keep us apart.
The forces are getting stronger, Robby. Ive felt them growing since my seventh birthday. Now Im almost ten and I can feel them. Ive refused to give in to them and now this.
Ive felt them, too, Dani.
If we are like the Gardners, you know what that means?
Yes, I do. And Ill be waiting for the right time to come.
As will I, Robby.
Until that time arrives, we need to avoid each other. I think it will hurt our development if we continue to make contact.
I agree. Were leaving tomorrow. Good-bye.
Robby took a deep breath and said, Good-bye, my love.
Dani rolled over on her bed and cried. Mallory thought she was heart broke at having to leave Bristone but it was really at being forced to wait for the future happiness she knew was too far away.
Robby thought about the young girl that had been born two months after him. He had felt her before he was born but somehow he had come to dislike her. Knowing why didnt change the emotions so he didnt fight them. It was those feelings that would make her absence bearable. He sighed and put the headband back on. He lowered his head and said to himself, Please wait for me.
Dani rolled over on her bed and thought, Ill wait patiently. Neither heard the other but they were connected in ways they never suspected.
Timmy and Greyson teleported in to orbit above Priven and said, Im sorry for the delay in coming back.
We have been contacted by our colonies and they tell us that you have freed them from the Neriff.
We have. We have also made them understand that they are no longer allowed to come here. Your war with them is over.
Why did you do this?
Its what we believe. We cannot stand by and allow an innocent civilization to be attacked. We wish you a bright future.
Are you just leaving without asking anything in return?
Well, yes. Why would we ask for anything?
Would it be possible for us to have discussions with your leadership about opening formal relations with your government?
We are preparing for a war with invaders from another universe. I understand your stance on non-aggression and at this time we need to find those civilizations that can help us in that coming conflict.
We will assist you any way we can. We owe our existence to you and that debt must be balanced. We have seen what happens when one chooses not to defend themselves. We have a planet that is highly industrialized. We want to help.
Timmy thought about it and said, I will bring our leaders to discuss this with you. Thank you for your willingness to help us.
Timmy and Greyson teleported away and Greyson said, We did the right thing. They can help our efforts.
I know, but we lost so much. I know the Flyers are mourning those that were killed. I feel responsible for those losses.
Greyson was silent until they arrive at Bristone and finally he said just before Timmy teleported down to the planet, Our existence is for the purpose of making this universe a better place. You are going to one day have to make decisions that will lead to us to being put in harms way. You know that if you hesitate to pay the price, well lose everything. Thats the price of being in command. Never waste your forces, but you have to do whats right. I know if you really look at what just happened, youll know you did. There are four worlds that have been saved from the brutality of the Neriff. Those billions are worth what we lost and more.
Timmy sighed and then smiled, There is that, my friend. Send me to Virze. I need to be with her.
Yes, Your Grace. Timmy flinched. Youve forgotten.
Yes, I guess I did. Timmy disappeared from the bridge.
Rehoben rushed into Jilicos personal quarters. The King had been trying to activate his broadband communicator and Rehoben was worried. Jilico had not been happy for many years and he had noticed a change in his personality. He was trying to do something. But what was it. He rushed up to the armored door and waited. After an hour it slowly swung open. Rehoben walked in and saw Jilico next to his communication panel. He looked up and said, Why is my broadband communicator not working?
Your Majesty, all broadband communicators on the planet have been disabled to prevent any messages being picked up by the invaders ship. Only those we send through Fleet Control are active.
You will activate my panel immediately.
Ro lifted his communicator and sent a message to Admiral Hulent. He said where Jilico could hear him, The King wishes his communication panel to be fully active.
Ive made the connection, Sir.
Jilico looked over at his panel and pressed the broadband button. He saw a red light illuminate on his panel. What are you doing, Your Majesty?
Jilico looked up at Ro and snarled, Im ending this charade. Im going to ask the invader to allow me to assist them in the takeover of this universe.
Ro didnt move but said softly, Why would you do that?
My military no longer follows my orders. My subjects show me no respect. Ive lost all my power to that cursed white haired Emperor.
Ro took a deep breath. He knew Jilico was right. Once the real history of the Old Realm had gotten out, there was a general disgust of all the Provincial Rulers. The only thing that kept Jilico in his throne was the insistence by the Emperor that to make a change might trigger the invasion. What if they dont accept your offer and come to destroy our world.