Why?
They scanned us from more than fifty light years. I want to make sure about them following teleport signals.
Toland scrambled to enter the last coordinates as Niles punched the second jump.
They are now three light years away.
Continue the pursuit. The Commander was troubled. He had never encountered a ship that did not leave a trace of their jumps. That small ship could be from an advance civilization that had been missed in the survey of this universe. Do not lose them!
Sir, I dont think they can trace a teleport.
Why do you say that?
Because they scan before they chase us. Ive picked up their scan on the last three jumps. They wouldnt scan if they could read a trace.
That is at least one good piece of news.
Lets do this; after the next jump, if I detect a scan, immediately take the last jump and see if they can see us.
Thirty light years, Sire.
Ive detected a scan, hit it. Niles punched the last jump.
The huge black ship emerged into normal space and the Sensor Being worked the controls on his panel. He looked up at the Commander and said, They are no longer on my board, Sire.
The Commander felt his rage and drew his side arm and shot the Sensor Being. Get me someone here that can follow orders!
Niles and Toland watched their boards closely. Toland had released the probe and was preparing to face the giant ship. After two minutes Toland looked up, I have not detected a scan. It looks like we lost them.
Niles recalled the probe into storage, hit his teleport board, and teleported another hundred thousand light years at a ninety degree angle to their last jump. Toland watched what he was doing and said, Youre right. Weve been moving on the same line. Thats my fault.
Dont worry about it. Leave one of our stealth probes here to see if anything shows up.
The Commander stared at the new Sensor Controller and heard, They have been on the same track for all their jumps. Im moving the ship eighty light years.
The Commander nodded and the ship jumped. The Sensor Being stared at his board and said, Nothing appears on my board, Sire. They may have jumped again during the delay of my arrival.
The Commander whipped out his side arm again and saw the Sensor Being stand and stare at him with no fear. Ummm, this was one brave controller. He could be counted on during a fight to keep his composure. He lowered his gun and said, I want random jumps. Find that ship and get a message out to Command with a recording of what just happened.
He leaned back in his chair and felt his excitement grow. Maybe there was an enemy that would challenge his ship. It had been so long since there had been anything to generate any excitement. He hoped his ship would be the one to find that ship.
The probe attached to the black ship dropped off when the Force field was dropped to send the message and make a scan. It waited for the black ship to disappear and then teleported four hundred thousand miles into open space and jumped back to the Empire.
Well, what now?
I think we need to pull the probe back in and go take a look at that galaxy being invaded to see what the Invaders tactics are. Program a hundred quick teleports into the board at different points in that galaxy and have the final one jump us into deep space where we can take a look at what weve found.
Are you just putting off the fight?
No! Im gathering as much information as possible to help the Empire. Theres no rush to have the confrontation as long as we can collect information about these creatures.
I know youre right. I just want to get it over with. The waiting is starting to make me jumpy.
I know, Toland. Lets do our duty.
Thats why youre in command. Youve always kept a clear head.
Niles looked at his board, Ok, starting run in 3, 2, 1 now.
Grace, I understand that you have an issue you want to discuss.
I do, Your Majesty. I think we need to think about using armor for our Riders.
Youre talking about the armor that was used by the Red Warriors?
Yes, I am.
Before I respond, tell me why you want to move in that direction.
Youve just held the funeral for the Riders and Zord that were killed in defending Priven. We wouldnt have lost them if they had been wearing armor. We are also going to face a highly advanced civilization in the future and well need every advantage we can get.
Will that armor stand up to the beams of the Invaders? The Keepers were able to kill our warriors in spite of their armor. The only real advantage of it would be in our universe against the planets that are still aggressive. I dont think thats reason enough to release that technology here.
It would have saved those lost Flyers.
I know but sometimes a price must be paid for your actions. If we are able to sweep all opposition before us because of superior technology, it would only be a matter of time until resentment would rear its ugly head. We must persuade others to our values; not force them to it. Unless the armor is effective against the Invaders, I dont want to use it against the planets in our universe. Will it be effective?
I dont have enough information to know.
Im like Alex on this issue Grace. Once that technology is released, it will be impossible to put back into the bottle. Im uneasy about the Zeta Ships but we need them to face the coming invasion. I can also accept it because there can only be twenty of them. After this is over, Im going to recommend that we put them back under Alexs care. According to the defense database, once a person has armor; they cannot have it removed.
Then its a control issue with you.
Scotty thought about it and said, Yes, I guess it is.
Then only give armor to the Searchers Partners. I know youve screened them with the Zord and every other mechanism available to you.
Why are you so adamant about this, Grace?
If Virze had armor, she could have teleported down and saved those brave warriors. She could have also removed the cannon from the top of that building and they would still be alive. I think its better to have more options available than less. You just dont know what we might have to face and Ive seen what armor can do in the hands of the right warriors.
Scotty didnt want to give in. He struggled but then said, Grace, have you allowed Bleath or Vring to take a look at the armors technology?
No, Your Majesty.
Have them look at it. Then Ill make a decision.
What do you expect them to do?
Why see if it can be used against the invaders. Id wait until the probe arrives from Niles first. It could make a difference in their analysis.
Grace reluctantly said, Yes, Your Majesty.
Niles watched the video of the Invaders Black Ships attacking numerous planets. The giant ships would come in system sweeping away all the forces sent against it. Nothing survived the beams of the black ships. Once at the planet, it was called upon to surrender. Any delay was met with a devastating bombardment from orbit. Once all resistence had been annihilated, giant troop carriers left orbit for the surface. Thousands of large, orange colored beings spread out and took control of the inhabitants. Any that resisted were killed. The black ships detected their presence but didnt stop their attack. In every instance another black ship was called in to confront the small ship. Each time a huge ship appeared the small ship jumped away.
We need to go to another universe and see what it looks like when they complete their invasion.
Toland looked at his scanner, I have a coordinate from the track one of their ships left.
So you agree with me?
I do. What are they trying to do? There must be a reason for their attacking these universes. We need to find out.