Do you think hes being honest?
Talben turned to his most trusted advisor, Petlu, and said, I think so.
What makes you think that?
That daughter of his yelling for him not to go; insisting she was already dead. I think he really intends to take his fleet and try to rescue my daughter and grandson. I didnt think he cared about either of them. Apparently, I was wrong.
Are you going to help him?
Talben leaned to the right in his chair and had a look of disdain, Do you think Im crazy? Something in that system killed a Searcher Class ship. Im not risking my ships.
Even to save your daughter?
Talben shrugged, Well have a state funeral and Ill accuse Varner of causing her death. Then well take his kingdom.
Petlu didnt say anything. Talben looked at him and said, Spit it out. You have something spinning around in that head of yours.
Why wait?
What do you mean?
Well, if Varner takes his fleet out of the Capitals system, he leaves himself wide open to an invasion. If you insist on him providing half the ground forces for his rescue attempt, hell have to take them from the capital. Hes leaving tomorrow. Theres not enough time to gather the troops from his other planets. There should be very little to prevent our taking control.
Talben listened to the proposal and was about to respond when his communicator vibrated. The call was coming in on a top secret frequency. Hold on just a moment. Let me see whats going on here. Talben hit his connect and saw Commodore Ntwer.
Im sorry to interrupt you, Your Majesty, but I need your wisdom.
Go ahead, Admiral.
Ntwer smiled. He had a secret promotion in Talbens Bluepointe Navy. The Admiral has given me the assignment of selecting ships to defend the Capital while the King is gone.
Talben looked at Petlu and asked, Why did he choose you? Does he suspect you of being one of us?
I think the Admiral remembers my defense of the fleet at Gronkin. Ntwer thought a moment, If he suspected me, would he leave me in command?
How many ships are you going to have?
He left it totally up to me. He asked that I not take too many from any one squadron, but to select our best ships.
Standby. Talben placed his console on mute and looked at Petlu, Is this something to worry about?
Petlu shook his head, This is a great gift. We have thirty seven ships in his fleet with loyalty to you. Have him select thirty six of them and send one ship with Varner to keep us informed of whats happening. If there is anything there than can destroy ships, only his will be destroyed. Those ships left behind will prevent any of Varners ships from his colonies from interfering with our take over. Our Ultras can carry 30,000 troops to Varners capital. Hell come back to a world controlled by us with our ships in charge of the system. Well threaten to destroy his colonies and kill his daughter if he doesnt turn himself over to us.
Talben thought about Petlus plan. What if this is a trap? What if they know Ntwer is one of us?
Your Majesty, would you leave an enemy behind to defend your family? No, this is an opportunity youll not get again.
Talben put his fingers up to his lips and thought about what Petlu was saying. He glanced at the flashing communication panel and reached over and pressed a button, Ntwer, you know the ships loyal to us. Select all but one of them to stay with you. Petlu will send you your instructions after the King leaves the system.
Ntwer bowed his head and disappeared from the panel. Can you get everything set up fast enough to make this happen?
Yes, just make sure Varner takes his troops.
Talben reached for his communication panel.
Wesley Varner looked away from his console and said, Talben wants me to provide half of the ground forces needed to make the rescue. He said he was going to send thirty thousand. If I sent that many, Ill only have six thousand left on the planet.
Scotty looked at Varner and wished Jingo was here. Anglo, bring Jingo back.
Jingo appeared and looked around, You need to give me some warning.
Everything ok back home?
Yes. Maranda found out that her father had her first husband killed. Shes asking the Zord to kill her.
Carrie looked shocked, She loved her first husband. She still has his picture in her room. Serves her right.
Michael looked at Carrie and she saw his expression, She killed my mother.
No, her father made that happen. She is what he made her to be. I suspect she was different when she was with her first husband.
Scotty explained what was going on and what he expected Talben to do. Jingo sat a minute and thought about what could be done. Jingo looked at Wesley, Have troop transports land and unload their troops into the garrisons at your spaceport. Lock down all communications and search your troops for any communication devices.
What are you going to do?
Anglo, I need your help.
Tell me what you need.
King Varner is going to bring fifteen transports with two thousand troops in each. They will disembark and enter the fifteen garrisons next to the space port. As they enter the garrison, I want them teleported back onto the ship that brought them. I want the troops unloaded in the garrison closest to the landing pads to remain overnight. Jingo turned to Wesley, Take those transports and park them out in the forests to the west of here. Have them ready to move by midday.
Anything else?
Yes, Anglo. In the morning, when each ship arrives to take the troops, the ones in the first garrison will embark on the first ship. You will then teleport them to the second garrison. When the second ship lands, you will do the same thing. We will embark those same two thousand troops on every ship. King Varner, have your officers mix them up so the groups look different going on each ship.
Wesley began shaking his head and reached for his console.
Scotty hit his com, Jessica?
Yes, Your Majesty?
I need you to be here in the morning. Bring Kreeg with you, and I need you to fly him around King Varners fleet.
What are you trying to accomplish?
We know the Commodore selected to provide defense of the planet is one of Talbens lackeys. I need Zreeg to confirm that the ships remaining behind are all Talbens. I also need to find which ship in the fleet leaving for our world is also one of Talbens men.
Your Majesty, why dont you just allow me to teleport Talben to the Zord?
The idea has merit, Anglo, however, the ten Ultraships would hold worlds hostage against his return. Can you get all ten before any of them could kill a planet?
No, I cannot.
Well take care of him after we insure the safety of King Varners citizens.
Wesley looked at Carrie and saw her thoughts. She liked and respected the green-clad archers. She especially liked the one named Michael. There was something about him that was different. He thought about it, and then it came to him. Like his daughter, he was also pure of heart. He also knew he was a dynamic warrior. This young Emperor respected his opinion. That spoke volumes about what kind of man he was. Wesley watched Scotty and the Cainth issue instructions for the next day and felt small. He had a title; that blonde haired warrior had a heart.
Finally, Scotty said, Jingo, have we missed anything?
No, I dont think so. Anglo, as soon as the fleet leaves for the null band, teleport Jessica back to the communities. Jessica, can you handle all the issues with those ships?
Certainly. You and BC are the only ones that would pose a problem.
Scotty stood and said, Jingo, Im going to leave you in charge. Scotty turned to Wesley and said, If you desire us to help, you must make sure your officers understand that Jingos orders are law. Will there be a problem making that happen?