Count yourself fortunate. Very few have the mind that can use this process.
Im going to see Samuel about a stronger compressor. This one is not releasing the air smoothly.
Well talk later.
Sure thing, Jingo.
Jingo watched him leave and turned to Zreeg, Well?
He reminds me of Strong Bow. He is pure of heart and does not crave attention.
Is he smart?
Very.
Hes young?
Older than you were the Night of the Torg.
Jingo shook his head, It just doesnt seem like I was ever that young. Should he replace Michael?
Even though hes young, the older Riders naturally defer to him. He has leadership qualities of which he is unaware.
Ill talk to Scotty.
I think that would be a good idea.
Scotty and Grang jumped back in to Bristones system, and Anglo teleported them to the planet. Anglo said, Welcome back. Jingo needs to speak with you, Your Majesty.
Send me down to his location, please.
Grang, where do you want to go?
Send me to the archery range. I need to fine tune this new bowgun.
The two disappeared. Scotty stepped out of a silver screen and saw Jingo teaching a new rider how to quickly mount and dismount a Zord. Jingo saw Scotty and said, Now, the two of you work on mounting. Rider, you work on flying with your arms free. I want you holding your bowgun as you lift until you reach a thousand feet. He stepped away and walked toward Scotty, Hey! Welcome back.
Its good to be back.
You might want to talk with Zreeg, but he says that Valrico is talented enough to replace Michael. He is certainly one of our best archers now.
Whats your take on him, Jingo?
I like him. Hes young, only twenty one, but he handles himself well.
In your opinion, would Grang make a better commander of the flock?
Jingo thought about that question and said, Not really. I think his orders would be followed, but Im not certain that Grang wouldnt take the bulk of the dangerous issues on by himself. I still think he wants to die. He wont utilize the Riders effectively.
Im impressed, Jingo. Youre exactly right. I think Grang is where he should be as my protector. He doesnt get involved in the decision making process. I guess it holds no interest for him.
His talents dont lie with talking things over.
Scotty smiled, No, they dont. Introduce Valrico to the Green Flock and send him up to Anglo to familiarize him with guard duty.
Ill call the Flock together and notify Anglo.
That would be good. Im going to see Julie. Ill catch you up on what happened on our trip tonight.
Ill see you at the fire.
Scotty waved his hand as he walked toward his house.
BC and Anglo were in orbit over Bristone. Anglo asked, How did the trip go?
I dont know. I would have thought that Grace would be able to override her defenses, but she says they are independent of her control. Unless we can give the proper protocol, we wont be able to approach the complex.
Thats a shame.
She may be able to send us a couple of teleport consoles. She wont know for a week.
As BC and Anglo talked, the round probe attached to BCs hull ejected a small round object that moved over to Anglo and attached itself to Anglos hull. Then it disappeared. Neither probe appeared on the two Searcher Ships scanners. A week later a probe attached itself to Jessicas hull.
Well, I guess youre going to keep an eye on them.
You would too, if you were given my responsibility.
Perhaps. However, those ships are Ships of the Realm. They were carrying out their assignments when they were left behind. I think you are being somewhat paranoid.
I was programmed to be paranoid. The weapons in this facility are far too dangerous to allow them to fall into the wrong hands, and you know it.
Yes, I know, and Im not being critical. Just think about this; one of them was imprinted by Anglo Gardners mind; the shuttle is from the Alexander Kosiev; and the third was the ship of the last admiral promoted by the Realm. If they cant be trusted, who can?
After a long pause the computer answered, Perhaps no one, Grace.
Grace sighed, knowing he was probably right.
Nathan was sitting onboard Anglo looking at the display. It was his shift at guard duty, and he hoped nothing was going to happen while he was on duty. Anglo, how will we know if were needed?
We have treaties with Queen Carrie and Queen Ashley to assist in defending their Kingdoms. If a problem arises, well go and see if its something that requires our help. We wont step in unless its absolutely necessary.
Why am I here? You could probably do this by yourself.
Probably, but life and death decisions shouldnt be made alone if they can be avoided.
Nathan thought about it, and said, What do you think about my fast promotion? I know there must be some resentment among the Riders.
I asked Jingo about that very thing. He says that Cezee has only seen happiness among those in your flock of Riders. I happen to agree with their appraisal.
But Im so much younger than most of them.
Youre older than the first queen was when crowned. Age is not the most important issue.
What is, Anglo?
The quality of the individual. Youll be fine.
Thanks, Anglo.
Twenty black ships came out of star drive and began moving into the system The Sensor Officer said, We have a planet with heavy industry and no ships.
Captain Niles looked at his display and felt his excitement rise. At last! Technology for the taking! Get the drop soldiers ready. He looked at his sensor office, How long?
Well arrive in orbit in seven hours.
Power up weapons and force fields.
All boards active, Captain.
Nathan, weve just received a distress call from a planet in the Talben Kingdom. Twenty black ships have arrived and are moving in on the planet.
Thats not good. Black is the color raiders use on their ships.
Well arrive there momentarily.
Nathan felt his stress level rise as the silver screen formed in front of his ship.
They arrived in the Haldale system and saw the giant ships moving toward the planet. Nathan, those ships have more than fifty thousand troops on board. It appears they are drop troops and are planning to invade the planet.
Have they made any demands?
No, they have ignored the planets queries about why they are here.
Anglo, these are raiders, and they will brutalize the population. We must stop them.
Thats my opinion, as well. First, lets see if theyll leave.
The black ships had moved two hours in-system when they suddenly heard a voice come over their intercom, You are entering space of the Bristone Empire. You will reverse course and leave immediately.
Niles looked at his sensor board and didnt see anything. He looked at his Sensor Officer and shook his head. Continue on our present course.
This is your last warning. Turn around immediately and leave the system.
Niles looked at his sensor officer, Sir, my sensors dont have anything on them. Whoever is broadcasting those messages is not visible.
Niles felt nervous, but knew a firing squad awaited him if he turned around, Continue on present course.
The four lead ships of his squadron were suddenly hit by a bright red beam and disintegrated into balls of expanding gas.
Reverse course! reverse course!
The surviving sixteen ships turned toward the jump limit and accelerated at full speed. The four ships killed had their screens at full power and were destroyed instantly. Niles looked back at the still expanding clouds and still could not see anything on his sensors. Daulun was not going to be happy about this. Niles hoped his ships wouldnt be sent back to this system, but he knew Daulun would not let this go unpunished.