They can have it. Id rather die than continue with this mockery of my title.
All of your subjects could die with you, Your Majesty. Surely you dont want that to happen.
Rehoben saw the first smile from Jilico since the masquerade had started. Im going to insist that the invaders kill everyone on this planet if they agree to help me. Ill move to another world and continue my monarchy. Jilico lifted the com and said, Im addressing the black ship that is holding station in the dust cloud in the outer system. Your presence was discovered ten years ago and we have been pretending to have a make believe war to delay your attack until weapons could be developed against you. I want to help you conquer this universe. I will assist you and all I ask is that you allow me to continue to rule my Kingdom. You may even destroy this planet if you choose.
Rehoben slowly shook his head. Jilico looked at him and said, What?
Your panel has been connected to all monitors in the Kingdom. They are not broadband so the message will only be heard on those monitors. Ive struggled with the history the Emperor gave us not wanting to believe that the Provincial Rulers were as evil as that history painted them. Now youve proven to me that they were exactly that.
Jilico sneered, You just dont have the guts to make hard decisions.
Rehoben pulled a blaster from his robe and shot Jilicos head off. Thats not the only thing youve been wrong about. He put the blaster back in his robe and pushed his com, Admiral, did you get all of this?
I did, Your Majesty.
Ro flinched, Im not royalty.
You are now. The military and Searchers will only follow your lead. Lead us to a better day, please.
The Kings Family?
Already executed. They were in on this and had left the planet for Mabry. We met then at the port. Were glad you anticipated this happening and we look forward to our future.
Will you notify Emperor Robbins of the change in leadership and request his approval.
I have and he has.
Let us pray our charade is working.
The large orange colored being looked at his Communications Office, Sire, we have a message hitting the force field.
Open it and tell me what it says.
Sire, we have been ordered home. This universe will be taken at a later time. Another one is now ready and we have been ordered to take part in the invasion.
The orange being shook his head and looked at his display. So much wasted time. He had left five years earlier and had returned a year ago to replace the ship that relieved him. Well, by the time this war was over here, this one would be easy. He looked at his panel one last time and ordered, Take us to that universe first. I want to see what were facing.
The Navigator said, Yes, Sire. He noticed the fluctuation of the cosmic rays but said nothing. The giant ship disappeared.
Chapter Twelve
Grace!
Yes, Alex. Whats wrong?
The Invaders ship has left and was not replaced by another ship.
Are you sure?
Yes, I am. The probe sent me the information and also sent me the message they received. My language program has most of their dialogue translated and understands the bulk of what they say. They are going to invade another universe and come back later to take ours.
Alex, were you able to determine what universe they were going to attack.
We got a break. Instead of using their dimensional drive the ships commander went directly to the universe being attacked. The probe sent me the coordinates. Why do you ask?
At some point in time we are going to have to see if our attempt at developing a ship to take on their main battleship is successful. I would rather do that in another universe. Is the Bristone ready to face one of their ships?
I just dont know. The only way to find out is to send it out to confront one.
Will you put a universal drive on the Bristone and activate one of those old stealth probes? Ill see what Emperor Robbins wants to do.
I now have two more of those Ultraships converted to the new technology. Let the Emperor know they are also ready for trial.
Ill let him know. Are you able to convert one of the new Zeta ships to that technology?
I am. I just need one of you to volunteer.
I should be the first, Alex. Ill let you know what the Emperor decides.
Grace, are you planning to go and confront one of those ships?
I want to do it but unfortunately, I would be the wrong choice, Virze.
Why is that?
We only have twenty Zeta Ships in our inventory. We are not set up to build a Zeta in our factory at the Defense Facility. Those twenty are all well ever have. The Zeta is a product of the old Realm and we are going to need thousands of ships to face the Invaders. Were going to have to build a ship of our own design that can handle them. We can build ships like the old Ultras. Thats the kind of ship that will have to confront them first. However, it will have to be much larger to fully use the new technology.
What happens if it fails?
I dont even want to think about that. We have to have a starting point and weve invested ten years in the reflective hulls. Our planets with large manufacturing facilities are ready to begin building them but we cant do it until we know if they are going to be able to stand up to those huge ships.
What about the Zetas that are still at the Defense Facility?
Were going to hold them in storage until the trial is done. If its successful, the nine of us will transfer into them after their hulls have been redesigned and then well update the ships were currently using. Weve found more than enough Searchers in Rehobens Fleet that have demonstrated that they will follow the values of our Empire. Rehoben has allowed them to leave his fleet and join us. I think Rehoben is ready to swear loyalty to the Empire and is moving his kingdom toward that end. I must say that he has greatly impressed me with his organizational skills and his firm commitment to our vision.
Yeah, Ive seen that as well. Kreej has confirmed it and the Emperor is watching his kingdom closely.
How about you and Timmy?
We are going to be married soon. I love him so much, Grace.
You two are made for each other. You should take the next step.
Virze stared at the display showing the stars at the former location of the Invaders ship. We dont need to wait. We dont know how much time well have if this trial is a failure.
I didnt want to say that but youre right to think that way.
Lets go home. Alex was right. It looks like we will have some time before they return.
You might want to think about that.
What do you mean?
If the trial is a success, I suspect the Invaders will start looking for the place the Ultra came from. Either way, you should make your plans quickly.
Take me home, Grace. Weve put it off long enough.
Virze hit her com, Timmy, are you at Bristone?
Yes, I am, Love.
Please marry me now.
Im so glad youre ready. Weve put it off too long.
Im on my way.
The large white ship disappeared.
Scotty, Julie, Robby, Grang, and Jingo sat at a table looking at Niles and Toland. Scotty said, I dont want to send you against one of their ships but we have to know where we stand.
Niles looked at Toland and said, Weve known this day would eventually come, Your Majesty. Weve been preparing for a long time.
Even so, if it looks like youre in real danger, I want you to jump away.
Toland shook his head, Im sorry to disagree with you, Your Majesty. We have to see if they can destroy our ship. We must stay and take on anything they can throw at us. I think we have to see if we can be destroyed and running will only endanger the ships that come after us.