Glenn looked around, What do you mean?
Maranda discovered from her son that your Father was planning an accident to kill you and your family. She requested the opportunity to come here and attempt to save you.
Why wouldnt King Varner allow her the opportunity?
She made the request of the Zord. Because of her, thousands of them were murdered. She is to be executed after she saves you. They delayed it so she could come here.
Ashley grabbed Glenn, Oh, no! Glenn held Ashley tight and wondered if he had misjudged Ashleys older sister.
I have opened the corridor to the bridge. You may find the trip more enjoyable if you come in and sit down.
A door slid up into the ceiling, and the couple left the cargo bay with their baby.
Petlu had a screen watching the shuttle accelerate toward the sun. Soon it was lost in the bright atomic fire. Its too close to escape the stars gravity, Your Majesty.
Talben smiled as Maranda was escorted into the throne room by a guard. Talben nodded and the guard left. Very nicely done. Sit down and relax. Talben hit a button on his console and a young girl came in with a tray of drinks and food. She came next to the throne and Talben hit her in the face, knocking her away from his throne. The tray scattered the food and soaked the young girl in red stain. You call this food for a King?
Maranda jumped up and felt her rage almost explode, but caught herself. Scotty, watching from the back of the room, loaded an arrow when he saw Petlu move behind Maranda and pull a blaster from his belt. Maranda lifted the little girl, who was crying. Maranda took a deep breath and composed herself, Would you like me to take this one out and dispose of her? Such a stupid child.
Talben laughed out loud, No. Just make sure she doesnt make the same mistake again. I had to burn the last one.
Maranda walked the stunned child to the door and motioned two housekeepers in. They cleaned up the mess and another child brought a different tray. Now, thats better.
Maranda looked and saw it had the same items that were on the last tray. Her father enjoyed hitting children. She took a goblet and sat down.
A tone from his communications panel took Talbens attention. He smiled and looked at Petlu. Petlu came around in front of Maranda and pointed his blaster at her. Talben said, My child, you have made it so easy for me to dispose of you. Before I do, I want to thank you for eliminating that weak sister of yours. She cant be from my loins. I also want to show you what Im going to do to your husbands capital. Talben pushed a button, Ntwer, how far out are your ships?
Were holding station fifty thousand miles out. The planetary defenses cant hit us here.
Well take care of them momentarily. Talben hit another button and he said, Are your ships ready?
Waiting for the command, Your Majesty.
Go now and destroy that city.
Talben turned from his board, looked at Maranda, then nodded to Petlu. Maranda had picked up one of the knives from the dropped tray and was close enough to have stabbed her father. She was getting ready to do just that when she looked into the eyes of the little girl that had been struck by her Father. She wondered how many little girls would die if she attacked him. Suddenly she knew she had lost her opportunity. She stared at her Father and saw Petlu smile broadly just before an arrow went into his forehead. Petlu had a stunned expression, then dropped like a bag of concrete. She heard, Now, Anglo, and her father disappeared.
She turned and saw the blond hair warrior standing behind her. Maranda shook her head, You didnt trust me to wait?
When you picked up that knife, you caused me to worry. Why didnt you strike?
Maranda slowly shook her head, I wondered how many little girls would die if I did. I couldnt do it.
Scotty raised his com, Anglo, send them.
Suddenly, Ashley and her family were there. Maranda ran up to Ashley and hugged her tightly. Im so sorry I had to deceive you.
Jess told us.
Scotty said, Now is the time, Your Majesty.
Maranda jerked at the title, then walked to the throne. She hit a switch and began, I am sorry to announce that King Talben has been killed in an attack against King Varners capital. He planned a sneak attack against our ally and was killed during the battle. I am the next in succession to the throne. I am calling off our attack and will see if we can make amends for my Fathers actions. I request you to pray for our Kingdom, and know that we are protecting you. Maranda hit a button and said, Dillem, please report to the throne room. She hit another switch and said, Admiral Chandze, please report to the throne room. She hit the button again, General Nejick, please report to the throne room.
Ashley recognized those officers as Marandas closest friends. She looked at Glenn and began to worry. Maranda picked up Jenna and tickled her again.
After twenty minutes, the three had arrived and Maranda said, Everyone sit down.
The three officers looked at each other and sat. Maranda shook her head, Youre worried about why Ive called you here.
The officers looked at each other and Dillem said, Maranda, you arent the same person we grew up with. Youve become very much like your father.
Maranda took a shallow breath and nodded, Youre right. However, I have just notified our armed forces that Dillem will be responsible for the safety of the Royal Family. My Admiral and General friends here will assume the overall command of our armies and navies.
The three looked at each other in confusion. Maranda continued, I am going to announce that I am abdicating the throne and that Ashley will be the new Queen of our Kingdom.
Ashley shook her head, What are you doing, Maranda?
I am charging you to follow her commands and protect her at all costs. Her heart is good, and you can trust her to be honest with you. Will you pledge to do that for me?
The three nodded, and bowed to Ashley.
Ashley ran to Maranda, You are not going to go back to that planet!
Maranda looked in her sisters eyes and said, I must. It is what I deserve for being twisted and poisoned by our father. She looked at Dillem and said, I would appreciate it if you would round up Richard and ship him out to Highler. I think farming would suit him well. Youll probably find him out somewhere killing small animals. Do not ever allow him to leave that world. His soul is black. Hell attempt a coup when he gets older. I expect you to prevent that.
Dillem nodded, You may depend on me to handle him.
Maranda looked hard at Dillem and he nodded. Good. Knowing Dillem, Richard would arrive as fertilizer. Ashley would never make that kind of decision, yet. Once she begins protecting her citizens, she will do whats necessary. All good mothers protect their family.
Ashley held on to Maranda, You cant go. I wont let you go.
Maranda felt her tears, and pushed Ashley back to arms length, Oh, Ashley. You are so much like I once was. But I am accountable for my crimes. I had Wesleys wife killed. I built lodges that killed thousands of a gentle species of flying creatures. Our father killed Lem to make me into someone just like him. He succeeded and I feel the pain of those Ive harmed. The only way to find my way back to honor is to accept my punishment. Just promise me you will rule the Kingdom with your heart.
Ashley was crying. She looked at Maranda and nodded. Glenn came and took Ashley in his arms. Glenn, I expect you to help her stay true to herself.
Glenn looked at Maranda and said, I will, Your Majesty.
Maranda shook her head, I am no longer Royalty; Ashley is now Queen.
Glenn said, You will always be Royalty in my mind.
Maranda handed Jenna to Ashley and hugged Glenn, Take care of my sister.
Glenn nodded as Ashley wailed in his arms.
Maranda stepped back and looked at the back of the room, where she knew the archer was hiding. Scotty hit his com and Maranda disappeared from the room.