Carrie was flabbergasted by the two sword throws. Not only the amazing speed, but the accuracy was impossible. She watched the young man go back and pull his sword from the guard and bring him into the center of the room. Can we count on you behaving yourself?
The guard looked at Wesley and nodded. Yes.
Then sit down. The guard sat on the floor and saw the big yellow creature closely watching him.
Scotty smiled and said, Im sorry we were interrupted, but yes, those creatures are our citizens.
How can an animal be a citizen?
Meaning no disrespect, you are technically an animal yourself.
Wesley paused and said, Yes, but Im intelligent.
Scotty smiled, Most of us here arent really sure of that. However, you are taking a trip with us to discuss your actions with those youve injured.
Carrie said, If you take him, I go, too.
No! You will stay here.
No, I wont, Father. You promised mother never to leave me.
That promise doesnt apply to this situation.
Yes, it does.
Scotty smiled and tilted his head, We take promises very seriously. She will go with us, and I give you my promise she will come to no harm.
Carrie looked at Scotty defiantly and said, Will you also promise my father his safety?
Scotty shook his head, No. His accusers will determine his fate. Anglo?
The six disappeared from the throne room leaving the guard to contact the admiral.
The group appeared in a clearing where Wesley and Carrie found themselves surrounded by hundreds of the giant flying creatures. They were huge, and Carrie grabbed her fathers arm and held tight.
Scotty looked up and said so the King could hear, This is the one that sent the hunters to your home.
The largest flying creature looked at him, and Wesley heard in his mind, Why have you been killing my family?
Wesley was stunned. He looked at Scotty and his disbelief was obvious. Scotty said, I believe you should answer his question.
Wesley looked up at the Zord and said, I didnt.
White Hair, I thought you said this was the one that sent the murderers.
Scotty turned to Wesley and said, The lodges said you were paid to allow the hunters to come here.
Wesleys face turned red. Carrie looked at him and said, Jimmy?
Wesley nodded.
Bleath looked at Scotty, This one did not know about the hunters. He thought they were only tourists visiting. He possesses no knowledge of how many of us have been killed.
Scotty looked at Wesley, Then why did you send ships to attack the planet?
Wesley said, My stepson told me that some of our tourists were being attacked. I sent the ships to protect them.
Scotty looked up at Bleath and said, Show them.
Bleath showed them the visions of thousands of Zord being systematically hunted and killed. They heard the Zord tell a hunter that they were intelligent, then saw the hunter laugh and kill the messenger. They saw the giant heads mounted on trees outside the lodges and the revelry at every Zord killed. Carrie felt the sorrow of the giant creatures for the loved ones lost and the rage of being unable to stop the killing.
Wesley sat down on the ground. Bleath said, Return them where you found them. We have no quarrel with them.
Scotty looked at the King and said, Lets give him some time to collect himself.
Carrie was angry. Then she saw the young man that had threatened her. She went up to him and said, Thank you for not killing me.
Michael smiled, Youre quite welcome. We were blaming the wrong ones for what happened here.
These creatures are intelligent.
Yes, and they are honorable in their dealings with others. A giant Zord swooped in and Michael started climbing its harness. What are you doing?
Michael looked down at the princess and smiled, Give her a leg up, Vetah. The giant Zord lowered his front leg and held it in front of Carrie. She looked up quizzically and Michael said, Sit down.
She looked at the giant claw, hesitated momentarily, then sat down on it. Vetah lifted her to his back and she sat behind Michael. Hold on, my Lady. Vetah lifted and Carrie grabbed Michaels waist. The Zord rose quickly and flew out over the giant forest. Carrie closed her eyes, but slowly reopened them and saw the ground far below. She felt the wind blowing through her hair and the motion of the giant creatures muscles under her. The forest and the light-colored smoke made the view below beautiful. She held on tight and felt the strength of the man in front of her. She looked up at the first stars as the Zord rose higher. This was unlike any experience she had ever had, and she lost herself in the moment. She heard, Strong Bow, your companions father is waiting for her.
Take us back, Vetah.
Carrie felt the big wings begin working, and the giant Zord flew like an arrow over the forest. Carrie felt the rush of the wind and the power of the giant flyer. All too soon she felt them descending to the mountain below. Michael dropped off and helped Carrie down.
Carrie looked up into the archers eyes and said, That is an experience I will never forget. Thank you, again.
Michael smiled and kissed her hand, Please come back and well do it again, my Lady.
She smiled at his gallantry and walked over to her father.
He looked at the Zord she had just climbed off and shook his head at her. I was perfectly safe. The gentleman I flew with would never allow me to come to harm. Their King gave his oath.
Wesley spun around and looked at Scotty, Are you a King?
Scotty smiled, Actually my title is Emperor. It appears that is the title Ive been given.
Are you planning to take my throne?
That depends.
On what?
Its my understanding that youre brutal to your subjects. We dont hold to that kind of treatment. However, that is an issue we will deal with at a later date. Scotty turned to Bleath, Is there a three year old mature enough to listen to others thoughts that can go and find the ones responsible for your deaths?
Bleath looked at the edge of the clearing and a fifteen foot long Zord scampered up. White hair, this is Kreej. He will go with you.
Carrie watched the young Zord actually trembling at the opportunity to go with the blond haired archer. These creatures have emotions very similar to ours, she thought.
Scotty smiled at Kreej, Thank you for coming with us. It could be dangerous, but we need to conceal your presence. A full grown Flyer would not fit in the throne room.
I am honored to work with you, White Hair. All of my brothers and sisters would give a wing for the opportunity. Theyre going to be so jealous.
Scotty laughed and smiled at the young Zord.
So, you think you can just waltz into my throne room and take over?
Scotty looked at Wesley, If I were in your shoes, I would be begging for us to come.
Why is that?
Its obvious to me that someone has been deliberately deceiving you about what was happening on this world. They have also collected fees that were not given to you. If it were me, I would really like to find out the truth of what those funds are being used for. Of course, that may not bother you.
Wesley stared at Scotty and then looked at Carrie. Carrie nodded. Wesley looked back at Scotty, I will agree for the moment that we will work together to get to the bottom of this. I will guarantee your safety while this is happening.
Scotty shook his head, We will handle our own safety. Im not going to trust you have the control you think you do. However, I will not open hostilities with you during this investigation.
Wesley looked at Scotty with a hard stare. Scotty continued, You might be interested in knowing we have two Searcher Class vessels at my disposal. I really wouldnt think it would be a good idea to see which of us has the biggest stick here.