Scotty turned to Jing and Samuel and said, Gather the things your communities want to take and put them beside your homes. You will have two days to make that happen. Once youve completed that task, go and gather as much food as you can carry. Bring seed pods to plant on our new world. We will be joining the Zord seven days from now.
Jing faced the communities and said, We will obey and follow our new Emperor without question.
The community scattered in silence. thinking about leaving the world they knew.
Julie looked at Scotty, If you had explained why you made the decision, you wouldnt have had the dissention.
Julie, I am not going to be able to explain every decision I make. Most of the time there wont be enough time to explain my rationale. I must be able to know if I issue orders, they will be followed.
Julie looked up at Scotty and nodded, Youre right, of course. I didnt think it through. She smiled, I need to go prepare our home. Pick a good spot with a view of the stars.
Scotty felt his love reaffirmed, Ill go help you, love. Vring, Im sending you back to the three mountains. You need to assist your people in getting ready to leave. Tell Bleath we will start them moving in four days.
Thank you, White Hair. Ill see you then. And thank you for the honor of using our name.
Vring disappeared. Julie looked up at Scotty, Boy, Anglo really keeps his scanners on you.
Thank the Creator he does. They walked hand in hand to their home.
Thousands of the Zord had left for their home world. Scotty watched as parents carried their young hatchlings with them through the teleport screen. The remainder would be gone within another day. Vring was standing beside Scotty and watched the exodus with him. White Hair?
Yes, Vring?
I believe there is one you should visit before we leave.
Scotty looked up at Vring, and Vring said, Grang.
Scottys brow grew tight and he felt his rage start, Give me one good reason why.
You need to see what happens when you make decisions. Youve never gone to see him. I think you should.
Theres not enough time to get there before you leave.
Are you really going to stand here and say that? You can go wherever it suits you instantly.
Scotty thought, then hit his com, Anglo, send Vring and me to the Magrums bunker.
Scotty climbed the giant Zord, then they found themselves high over the blasted bunker. Vring had become quite adept at coming out of a teleport field, and he instantly caught the air in his wings and began circling. Scotty looked below and saw the huge Magrum sitting in the field, pulling weeds out of a small clearing. He looked and also saw one of the biggest Torg he had ever seen sitting next to Grang.
Vring said, Grang saved that Torg when it was a few hours old. It appears to have adopted Grang.
Scotty looked and saw hundreds of decayed carcasses of Torg scattered around the giant field. Suddenly, a giant grey cat charged out of the woods. Scotty looked at Grang, who lifted his bowgun and fired it before the cat had moved more than fifty yards into the field. The arrow struck the cat in its nose, killing it instantly when it penetrated to its brainstem and severed it. Scotty was amazed at the speed the Magrum exhibited. Vring said, You and Jingo are slightly faster. No others can match his speed.
They continued to watch as Grang walked to the cat and placed his hand on its head.
Whats he saying, Vring?
Great Grey Warrior, I am sorry for your death. I pray that in the life after this one we may be friends. Forgive me for taking your life.
Scotty watched as three grey cats walked out of the woods and stared at Grang. Grang knelt and bowed as the three cats pulled the one killed into the woods.
Vring, whats going on with the cats?
They have decided to kill Grang, but only in a fair fight. They recognize him as a worthy opponent. It seems they may only send one of their number after him once every seven rotations.
How long has this been going on?
About six months.
Take me down.
We need to let that Torg see us, White Hair.
Grang looked up and saw the circling Zord. Bravo stood, roared, and started pawing the ground. Settle down, Bravo. Go home. The giant Torg stared at Grang, then looked up in the sky. It turned and walked over the hill of the former bunker.
Scotty shook his head at a Torg that followed instructions. Scotty dismounted Vring and held his bowgun in his left hand. Grang placed his bowgun on the ground, along with his quiver. He stepped back and assumed a kneeling position with his head bowed.
Scotty just didnt know what to make of him. Grang said, Have you come to end my misery?
Scotty could not stop the rage he felt. He thought this Magrum would be long dead by now, yet here he was. Grang said, You had every right to have killed me two cycles ago. My crime was unforgiveable, and you should have ended my life.
Scotty stared at Grang and said through clenched teeth, What do you mean, unforgiveable?
Grang looked up, and Scotty saw misery on his face, Your flying friends put the images of my crime in my mind. They also shared the memories that all of you had of your mother. They filled me with the suffering and horror I caused our slaves by killing their loved ones. Those memories haunt me every night. Madeline was the closest thing to the Creator on El Prado, and I ended her life. My misery knows no bounds, and I suffer for my crimes.
Scotty looked at Grang and said, You could always walk into the forest.
Grang looked at Scotty with a look that was unfathomable, To end my life quickly would be a dishonor to the ones I killed. I should suffer, and to shorten it would not be the just thing to do. Only you can end my pain. You have the right to take your vengeance on me and remove some of your suffering. That is something Madeline would allow me. Anything else would be a dishonor to her memory.
Scotty said, Vring, show me his mind. Suddenly Scotty was assaulted by a depth of misery that was overwhelming. Scotty fell to his knees. No one should endure that much pain.
Vring said, We have looked at your communities memories. One of you named Timmy has a memory of one that reminds us of Grang.
Scotty looked up at Vring and said, Who?
He was one named Dorg-Ross.
Scotty bowed his head and looked at the ground. Grang watched him for an hour. Scottys tears fell to the ground as he wept for the mother he had lost too soon. A cat stuck its head out of the woods. Grang snatched his bowgun up and the cat withdrew. White Hair, are you all right?
Yes, I am Vring. For the first time in many cycles, Im all right. Scotty stood and said, Youre coming with me back to my community. You will be given your sentence there.
Grang stood and said, Thank you for this mercy. I dont deserve it.
No, you dont.
Grang gave a shout and the giant Torg came running over the hill. It rushed up to Grang and licked his face. I worry about my friend. If Im not here