Varner sent a message warning the other Searchers that their Stealth mode no longer worked when he saw that the beams had knocked down the screen and overloaded the collection panels. The teleport system was bypassed to expel the additional energy flooding the system. James saw the needles on his board race across the dial and then Varner exploded into fragments that were disintegrated by the hellish beams.
The Ship Master looked at the site of the explosion and regretted that nothing remained to examine. They were still no closer to finding out where these ships were coming from. Well now they could find them and destroy them. He smiled anticipating his next kill.
Greyson and Timmy received the message that was suddenly cut off. Timmy was silent and Greyson said, Varner is gone and they just killed Kelly as well. Hes not responding to my calls.
Im so sorry Greyson.
They died like we all hope to go; fighting the good fight. Im going to miss them greatly.
Timmy took a deep breath and let it out slowly, They can see us in stealth mode, Greyson. That changes things.
Yes, but I suspect its not as bad as you think.
Im not sure I understand.
If you thought they couldnt see you, would you teleport away if several of their ships showed up?
No, probably not; Id hang around to see what was going on.
Which Im sure Varner and Kelly did when they were killed; we can still teleport out before they can emerge into normal space.
What are you thinking about doing?
We have some Captor balls in our inventory and I want to try something.
Timmy looked at his panel, We have three.
Well, I can see where the Invader ships are going to emerge into normal space. What if I teleport those balls to the location of their arrival set to detonate in three seconds. If the balls are close to the center of their emergence, they should be inside their force fields.
Timmy thought about it, You dont want them in the center. The ship wont enter if theres an object occupying the same space.
I know, theyll just emerge close by. The result would be the same. Are you open for a little pay back?
You know I am. Just dont be foolish.
I wont.
The Ship Master ordered the five ships to jump away to see if another of those ships showed up to investigate. He hoped for another opportunity to fight his ship. Then he heard, Im reading another one of those disturbances. The coordinates follow.
The Ship Master sneered and sent instructions to the other four ships. They waited for a minute and then jumped.
Here they come, Timmy. Greyson teleported away leaving three, large round, objects behind.
The Ship Master watched his display as he emerged into normal space and didnt see a disturbance. What was that thing next to his ship? That was his last thought. The explosion blew through the middle of the Giant Black Ship and touched off its reactors. Three of the attackers were blown into dust. The three survivors watched the explosions rip through space and felt their ships shudder from the blast wave. The Master of the three ships slammed his arms against his chair arm. Those demons baited a trap and sprung it. Three main battleships destroyed after only killing one small ship. Now it was dangerous to jump in close to one of those strange ships. He opened his communications panel and sent a record of what happened. This would have to be figured out by the Fleet Master. He knew he wasnt going to jump his ship in close to one of the disturbances. No, half a light year is about as close as Im going to come.
Timmy and Greyson watched the explosions from two hundred thousand miles away. Timmy shook his head, We should go home and notify the Emperor of our losses.
Ive also got to tell my family about Varner and Kelly. I guess weve just been lucky so far.
Timmy sighed, Things are getting dangerous, Greyson. Lets go get some more Captor Balls.
Unfortunately, there are only twenty left in the Defense Facility. We need to use them sparingly. Greyson was silent for a moment, Timmy, how do you think theyre able to see us?
The same way I would if I knew there were ships that my scanners wouldnt detect. Id program a scanner to measure the difference in light. Light and energy is bent around us and there is a minute difference in the arrival time of the light slowed by our stealth screen. They scan for that small difference and that tells them where we are.
Is there anything we can do about it?
Yes. What do you think is going to happen when ten more of their ships are destroyed when they jump in on us?
Greyson chuckled, I suspect they are going to be very reluctant to come close.
I want to see if Varners destruction probe was able to teleport out before he was destroyed. We need to get a read on just how powerful their main beams are.
Im headed to deep space and then to the Defense Facility. Im also telling the others about what we did and see if they want to join us.
The Fleet Master stood in front of the ten Ruling Masters and feared for his life. More than five hundred battleships had been destroyed by the invisible ships and only two of them had been killed. He worried that his life was forfeit. He watched as the Masters reviewed their findings and then Zyl looked at him, You have been very inefficient in handling those ships.
Yes, Master.
You have nothing to say?
Ive done my best. Ive tried to trap them but they can escape before my ships emerge into normal space. I have done all I can think of to do. I understand your doubt about my command abilities. It has been troubling trying to find where they are coming from.
Perhaps they are not from that Universe but one that we have already surveyed.
Nothing in any of our ships databanks matches up to them.
Perhaps they hid when the universe was being surveyed.
The Fleet Master thought about the Masters observation, That would have to mean they knew we were there and followed us to the current conquest.
That is true.
Do we have the resources to reevaluate those we have not yet invaded?
Unfortunately, we do not if we intend to complete this conquest in a timely fashion.
The Fleet Master stood straight and waited for his death sentence. Then he heard, We will finish with the current Universe and then we will use all our assets to search the eight we were surveying. They are a nuisance but they have not really hurt our numbers enough to really matter. Complete your conquest and make the plan needed to search for the worlds that made those ships.
The Fleet Master bowed and backed out of the chamber.
Im surprised you didnt replace him.
Ive not seen anything else he could have done. Do you?
Well, no, but failure is often punished.
Thats true but we usually have evidence of poor decision making. This Fleet Master has tried some ingenious methods. A new Master would have to go in and relearn all that he knows. That would be inefficient. Do any of you see it differently?
No one spoke. There were ten Masters but nine of them knew who really had the power.
Scotty walked into his home and saw Julie sitting on the couch crying. He sat down beside her and put his arm around her. She leaned over and put her head on his chest. Scotty was quiet for a few minutes and sighed, How is Carol taking it?
Shes bearing up. She knew the dangers and wasnt shocked by what happened. She has had so many losses in her life. Now her second husband is gone. It breaks my heart.
Well take care of them, Julie.
The Riders have already taken them into their family. They will watch over them and ensure theyre ok. I just hate that weve lost so many brave ships and warriors. Julie sat up, Im sorry. I know what this does to you.
Youre right but it gives me strength to see your heart. You are the reason I will not give up.