What are you thinking, Brother?
I was just going to try and save the slaves. Now I know those creatures. We will not allow them to harm anyone else.
Jingo looked at Jesa, You know hes right.
Jingo, if they came once, theyll come again. Go and protect our daughter.
Scotty looked at the vision of the Zord again and focused on the one with the blaster. His rage continued to grow.
Circling high overhead, Vring listened to Jesas revelation. He felt Scottys rage and when he looked at Jesas memory of his mothers death he felt an anger that threatened to overwhelm him. He went back to the gathering just as his father finished sharing what had happened at the two-leg communities. Vring landed and shared what he had learned from Jesa. Bleath felt the rage of the warriors. Now this quest was a holy war for the Zord. The warriors lifted to practice their flying. The flock was preparing for war. Nothing on the planet was more dangerous that a Zord warrior. Bleath knew the yellow skins were going to pay a heavy price for their treachery.
Scotty and Jingo were asked to come to Jings home. As they approached his house they saw all of the surviving archers sitting outside waiting. Whats going on, Jingo?
I dont know.
As they walked up to the doorway Michael Blake stood and opened the door for them and lowered his head. Scotty and Jingo went in and found Jing with two seamstresses. Jing said, Gres and Kess have something for you. Jing then stepped outside and left them with the two Cainth females. Take off your clothes.
Jingo immediately started stripping, but Scotty was shy. Whats wrong?
Scotty looked at a naked Jingo, sighed, and took off his clothes.
Gres gave Jingo a light green-colored shirt and he put it on. Scotty was also given a shirt; he took it and pulled it over his head. It was incredibly light and the material was soft on his skin. It felt wonderful. He put on the pants, then took the socks and boots. The boots sole was thick but made from the same material as the shirt and pants. Then Kess looked Scotty over and pulled and tugged on a sleeve. Try to fire a bowgun.
Scotty put an imaginary bowgun in his left hand and lifted it to his cheek. He felt no resistance. He noticed Jingo going through several gyrations shooting from different positions so he did the same. Well?
This is amazing. It feels like a second skin.
We are also amazed at the material. We had to remove two inches of thickness from it to get to the soft material, but it is extremely flexible. Put the gloves on.
Scotty took the gloves and slipped them on. They fit perfectly and seemed to mold to his joints. These are remarkable.
Now pull the hood up.
Scotty reached over his shoulder and pulled the hood up over his head. It covered every inch, and fit tightly to his skull.
Kess nodded in satisfaction, then said, Now, take it off, pull the lining out, and put it back on.
Scotty furrowed his brow and pulled the hood off. He felt inside it and found a lightweight piece of material. He pulled it out and put the hood back on. The material fell over his face but he found he could see through it. There were hundreds of small holes that allowed him to see clearly.
Are you able to see all right?
Yes, how did you do this?
This is magical stuff, Scotty. The color blending will cover the holes.
Why did you make a cape?
Why, to cover your quiver. We refuse to cover arrows with it, so we had to find a way to hide them. The oversized quiver is made into the cape, and only the end of the shafts will be at the edge. Shrug your left shoulder and the arrows can be reached.
Scotty looked over at Jingo and saw him reaching over both shoulders. He tried it and found that she was exactly right. The quiver in the cape was positioned perfectly. Kess then handed him his bowgun, which was covered in the green material. Even the soft stock cover was made from the Zecka. He pulled it to test the weight and was shocked to find it was actually no heavier than it was before the addition of the Zecka covering.
Kess said, Want to see something we discovered by accident?
Jingo looked up and Scotty said, Sure.
Kess touched the material and it started shifting color.
What the..?
This material will shift color when the one touching it thinks about shifting color. Try it.
Scotty saw the colors stop shifting when Kess removed her hand. He thought, Change color. And the colors began shifting on his new clothing.
Kess said, It appears the Zord were right and wrong. This material will shift color if anyone alive touches it.
How do I get it to stop?
Just tell it to stop.
Scotty thought, Stop shifting, and it did.
Jingo said, Im going to miss my swords.
Gres said, Not so fast. She turned around and handed him a belt with the four short swords. The handles and the scabbards were covered in the green material. Kess handed Scotty his belt. He put it on and it was a perfect fit.
Scotty said, You have done a remarkable thing here. Thank you.
The two came up and hugged both of them. Kess said, Just honor them as much as we did making them.
Scotty knelt and said, You know we will.
Gres said, Your brothers are waiting outside to see you.
Scotty nodded at Jingo and they opened the door and stepped outside.
The Riders stood, then knelt in front of them. Michael Blake said, We give honor and respect to the first Zeckas of our brothers. May they bring honor to you through great deeds.
Scotty said, Please rise, my brothers, and enter to begin the making of your Zeckas.
Michael Blake was the first to enter to be measured for his Zecka.
Jing came forward and hugged Jingo, You have always made me proud to be your father.
Jingo hugged him and lowered his head. Jing then hugged Scotty, And you are also my son. We are all proud of the great young man you have become. Please come with me.
They followed him to the clearing and found the entire community waiting with blossoms from the giant trees. As they entered the clearing, the assembly threw flowers along their path. When they reached the center, Samuel raised his hands and everyone bowed to them.
Great creator, we give honor to the Zeckas that adorn our sons. We vow to give honor and only perform honorable actions while you are with us. Thank you for your gift of protection.
The community all rose and rushed forward to congratulate the two archers. Scotty and Jingo were both humbled and happy. The celebration lasted well into the evening. The Zord flying high overhead left to inform the community of what he had seen, and to tell the two flyers their riders were ready.
Chapter Seven
The two Zord flew effortlessly towards the north. They glided most of the time, letting hot thermal columns of air lift them high, then soared forward. Scotty sat on Vrings back, staring at the ground far below. Most of the land had been reclaimed by the forest, but there were vast wastelands to the west. Hey, Vring! Do I see plant life out in the wastelands?
Yes, you do. It appears the death breath has diminished greatly and is now low enough for plants and animals to return. Torg live on it now, unaffected.
The planet is healing itself.
Thats the way it seems. The two flew in silence, then Vring said, You know I had many opportunities to kill you before you fixed my wing.
Scotty sat up straight, What? When?
You have always gone to the hill to stare at stars. I remember seeing you there ten of your years ago.
I always had my bowgun handy.
You werent always as good as you are now. I would watch you practice occasionally.
Why didnt you take me?