Niles nodded, I agree and weve prepared for the worst. If we survive, then well be as thankful as anyone but we must find out. We owe it to the Empire to give it our best effort.
I dont want to lose the two of you.
And we dont want to die but we must see what the Invaders capabilities are.
Scotty shook his head, I just dont like sending someone out to fight with no hope of survival.
All of us will possibly face that moment someday. There is always hope, even now; just not a lot of it. Niles looked at Scotty, Would you go, if you were the only one capable of facing this enemy, to fight for the Empire? If you say you wouldnt, Toland and I will reconsider.
Julie said, I wouldnt let him go.
Niles shook his head, That is not an answer. Would you go?
Scotty looked at Julie and slowly shook his head, You wouldnt be able to stop me, Julie. Both of us know it. He then looked at Niles, Make this count for something. My prayer is you come back.
Toland smiled, Oh, well make it count. Weve been looking forward to a good fight that means something. We owe a huge debt for the planets we allowed to be invaded by Daulun. This is the first part of repaying it. Maybe now we can save them from another enemy.
Grang looked at them and said, Do you need anyone else to assist you.
Scotty looked at Grang, Now is not your time, Brother.
Niles shook his head, No, the ship is built for two. We do appreciate your offer.
Grang looked at Scotty and then at Niles and grunted.
Vring, is the probe ready?
Yes it is. Weve attached it to the Bristone and it will detach once we arrive in the other universe and the Bristone encounters one of the Invaders Ships.
Scotty looked around the room and asked, Does anyone else have anything to add.
Robby said, They have to go. Our survival depends on it. Everyone looked at the ten year old. I cant explain how I know it but we are in much greater danger if they dont. Its imperative that they go.
Scotty looked at his son and wondered what he knew.
Niles said, Weve changed the color of the Bristone to green. It will not match any ship here in color. They should experience a lot of difficulty matching it to any ship they may have recorded when they were here. The rear engines were also changed along with the lines of the hull. Even if they come here looking, they shouldnt find anything to match.
Julie sighed and asked, When are you leaving?
Niles looked at Toland, In the morning. We want to take a last look at the stars tonight.
Jingo smiled, Do you mind if we join you?
Not at all.
Scotty stood up, Then well have a going away party tonight. Well have a blast.
Toland smiled, We hope to have one tomorrow as well.
Kreej was lying down outside the fire in the middle of the clearing watching the huge party. Robby was leaning back against Kreej looking up at the stars. Kreej, do you think theyve thought the attack through?
They have.
Robby took a deep breath, It was wise of them not to mention it to the others.
I know. I admire their bravery. Theyre afraid but they arent being affected by it. They needed this gathering tonight to prove their commitment is worth the price.
Robby looked at Niles and Toland across the circle and slowly shook his head. Kreej thought to him, Youre starting to miss Dani.
I am. Most of the time I can just focus on things happening around me but when things slow down, my thoughts turn to her.
Shell be there when the time is right.
Robby turned his head and looked at the Zord, Have you seen something?
I saw it years ago. The two of you are connected. I think you and she are doing the right thing by avoiding contact. The connection has strengthened since she left. I think the decision not to make mental contact is making the connection stronger.
Then Ill continue to abstain. Now that shes not here, I dont feel as bad about being around her. Robby looked back up at the stars and smiled, Ive seen the vision of when you were very young asking Mom if she was Dads mate. You were really small back then.
Kreej smiled, Yes, I was. I decided at that moment that I was going to be your flyer.
Was the wait worth it?
Oh yes. Just as yours will be for Dani.
Robby smiled and saw Dani Valricos face in the stars overhead.
Niles felt the reactors power up and watched as his panel began illuminating. He punched the diagnostics button and the display began displaying the status of Bristones systems. He glanced over at Toland and saw he was balancing the reactors output. Are you ready for this?
I am.
Ive rethought our engagement plan.
Toland raised his head, In what way?
We need to see if we can escape first.
You know we cant jump out.
Yes, but we need to see it they can track teleportation. If we wait until the shooting starts we may not get the chance.
How do you want to do it?
Program in six jumps. A light year, three light years, ten light years, thirty, sixty and finally a hundred. Well jump each time we detect their arrival. Im hoping well lose them on the first one.
And if we dont?
We release the probe and face them after the last jump.
Toland turned back to his board and took a deep breath, I think thats a good plan, Sir. The ship is at optimum; ready to go?
Im taking the ship; get the weapons ready.
Im ahead of you.
Universal jump in 4,3,2,1, now.
Scotty sat on board BC and watched the Bristone disappear. He lowered his head and remembered when the two former New Ulmerton Sailors had joined his fleet. BC said, Whats bothering you?
Scotty sighed and looked at the display, They wont be coming back.
How do you know that?
Because they realize they cant without leading the Invaders here.
BC thought about it and knew he was right.
The Invader Battleship hung in space doing a full active scan of the galaxy in front of it. The Commander watched the readout on his display and was thankful for something to do other than just watch a universe and do nothing. It had been such a long time since he was allowed to fight his ship. He welcomed the chance to get back into action.
Sire, I have a ship that just jumped into normal space seventy light years from our current location.
The Commander jerked his attention to his combat display and saw the small ship. Isnt that where we arrived?
The Sensor Being stared at his readout, I cant tell from this range but its close. I suspect they scanned our arrival and came to investigate.
Did they come from this universe?
I cant tell. The track is too far away to read.
The Commander hit a pad on his panel and said, Power all weapons, expand the force field, and lock in an approach trajectory. The huge black ship turned on its axis and prepared to attack.
Niles saw the ball galaxy off in the distance. Toland looked at his board and said, How do you want to go about finding one of their ships?
Just sit here. We know theres nothing within range of our scanners. Lets see if theirs are good enough to see us.
Niles reached forward and put his finger on the teleport board. He waited and kept his eye on his scans. He heard Toland say, Disturbance breaking in normal space a hundred miles off the port side. Niles pressed the board.
Sire, the ship just moved a light year away.
Follow them. How did they move so fast?
Im not sure. They left no reading.
What!?!
Whatever method they used to escape, it didnt register on my board.
Dont lose them!
Niles looked at Toland and yelled, Change the last teleport to a hundred thousand light years in deep space.