Wesley showed his shock and said, We will discuss this after we find out who caused the Zord to be attacked. How do you want to do this?
We will all go back to your throne room and you will question anyone you might think knows about it. My brave friend here will hear their thoughts and tell us what they know.
Fair enough.
One more thing.
Yes?
No one comes in armed. We will protect you and your daughter from any harm. Im not the trusting sort when it comes to blasters.
Carrie looked at Scotty, So you are guaranteeing my fathers safety now?
Scotty smiled, Until this issue is resolved, yes.
Carrie looked at her father and said, I believe they keep their promises, and he makes a good point about who is behind this.
Wesley nodded and said, Well, lets do it.
Scotty lifted his com, BC, anything happening back at the farm?
As a matter of fact, there is. It seems the Kings wife has assumed the throne and is ordering the military not to come here for a rescue attempt. Her son is attempting to replace the Kings admiral.
Scotty saw the anger on Wesleys face and said, Everyone turn on their Zecka. I suspect the Queen is using force to make the change. Anglo, send us back, but put each of us in a place where we can cover the room.
You will arrive in 5,4,3,2,1
The group teleported into the throne room, with Wesley and Carrie appearing ten yards in front of the throne. The woman on the throne almost fell off it when she saw them appear. Wesley looked at her and said, Im gone less than two hours and youre attempting to replace me?
The woman looked around the room at the guards and then leaned back on the throne and smiled, Why no, Darling. I was just worried about you.
Is that why you ordered our fleet not to try a rescue attempt?
The womans smile vanished.
Carrie looked at the black haired beauty and said, Whats wrong, Maranda? Arent you happy weve returned?
Wesley walked up and stood in front of Maranda. She slowly stood up and looked at the ten guards in the room. Wesley took his seat and hit his communication panel, Admiral?
The display came on and a very distraught officer looked at the King in relief. Thank the Creator youve returned! Bixler is here attempting to take command of the fleet.
Put him on the panel.
A young, dark haired man with a very thin face appeared. He looked shocked to see the King. Yes, uh Yes, Your Majesty?
I require your presence.
The Admiral appeared on the display and said, He will be there momentarily, Your Majesty.
Wesley looked at his wife and said, Why did you attempt to take power in my absence?
Well, someone had to step in and make sure everything remained stable. We were told by Admiral Redmit that you had been kidnapped by the ones that destroyed our tourist lodges. I assumed you were already dead.
Carrie moved next to the throne and stood on her fathers right side. She glanced around the room and could not see the archers, even though she knew they were there. Wesley said, Give me a moment. He hit his panel and began asking the Kingdoms nobility on the forty five planets if everything was under control. He noticed that eight of them were shocked when he appeared on their panels. All the others didnt know anything was wrong. He looked at Carrie, noted that she had watched the display with him, and knew she would remember the ones that were surprised.
Jimmy Bixler entered the throne room and moved to his mothers side. She gave him a hard look and he nodded. Wesley saw their communication and said, I want to know who has been selling hunting permits on the planet of the giant flying creatures.
Maranda looked at Wesley and said, I dont know what youre talking about.
She nudged Jimmy and he said, Me, either.
I am going to go to the agency that issues them and I believe the one who sold them will tell the truth after gentle persuasion. I do not tolerate disobedience.
Maranda asked, What are you going to do with the ones responsible?
Find out what they have done with the funds collected and see if they were being used for treasonous actions. If they were, Im going to execute the traitors.
Maranda stared at Wesley, then turned to the guard standing next to the throne. She nodded and the guards in the room raised their blasters. I was hoping to keep this simple, but you had to come back alive. Now you leave me no choice. You and that witch of a daughter are going to have to die.
All ten guards were hit with an arrow in the middle of their foreheads. The one next to the throne was driven eight feet beyond the throne with the force of the arrow that hit him. Maranda and Jimmy looked at the guards and couldnt move.
Youve found the ones responsible.
Maranda looked around but couldnt determine where the voice was originating. Scotty turned off his Zecka and appeared next to the throne with Wesley. Kreej, tell us what you saw.
The womans father is planning to overthrow the one on the throne. It was he that built the lodges and provided the small ships to chase us. The funds were being used to convince those that went there to assist him in his plan. It appears only those who possess great wealth could afford to go.
Maranda looked around and said, If you harm us, my father will destroy this world.
Wesley looked at Maranda and said, I thought you actually cared for me. When your father suggested a marriage to unify our kingdoms, I only agreed because you said you loved me. How long has this plan been going on?
Maranda said, Its a recent development.
Kreej might not have said what he did if he had more experience. But the very young often tell the truth not knowing the consequences of their actions. Zreeg said, Thats not true. Your father planned all along to get him to marry you. Thats why he had his first wife killed.
Marandas mouth fell open and Jimmy started whimpering. The transformation that came over Wesley was sudden. He stood from the throne, What do you mean, Had her killed?.
Kreej was silent. Scotty stood in front of Wesley and pushed him back toward the throne. Michael came forward and grabbed Carrie before she could grab one of the guards blasters. She was weeping, and Michael pulled her close. Scotty said, Kreej, tell us what happened.
Maranda and Jimmy saw the giant creature appear behind them. Their fear doubled. Kreeg said, This female developed the plan. She wanted a kingdom for her son. Her father bought into the idea. In order for it to work, the kings current wife had to be removed. They found her in a shopping center and pushed her over the ledge as she was looking at the flowers being put out on the main floor ten stories down. The guard that was next to the throne pulled the rails out of the floor to make it appear it was an accident. The one called Ketchum was in on the plan. I think he was her assigned body guard.
Scotty saw the Wesleys barely restrained rage. Jingo?
Right here.
Take Kreej and these two back to the clearing. Have them wait for me. Anglo, do it now!
The four disappeared from the throne room. Wesley turned his rage toward Scotty. Grang appeared and grabbed the King and snatched him back to his throne. Scotty yelled, You better think long and hard before you kill millions of your subjects.
Wesleys eyes were slits in his face. Michael said, Help him, Carrie!
Carrie ran and fell into her fathers arms weeping uncontrollably. Wesley looked at her and his rage turned to sorrow for his daughter. He took her in his arms and rocked her back and forth as they wept together.