Goige hung his head, “You are right. Now I understand the hatred they showed when they invaded.”
Life stepped forward and looked out at the assembly. “No you don’t. Our hatred was misplaced.”
Goige looked up, “What do you mean?”
“The tremendous danger my race was feeling was not coming from you but from those creatures we were just shown. We thought it was you that was going to totally eradicate my people but it wasn’t just you. We also felt those creatures and we could feel that they were coming soon. We thought it was only you but that was a mistake. They will be here in six cycles, or years as this speaker uses the term. I sense that everyone in this room will be dead within ten of those years if nothing changes.”
Angel looked at Matt and he nodded at her.
Life then said something that changed everything, “I can sense that these strange beings that came to us and forced peace between us are being truthful. They are a good people and one that we should attempt to learn what they know. I also sense that they want to use my people to help them in their war against the coming horde. We will agree to do so but only if your eight worlds are brought under the protection of their Realm.”
Goige looked at the former warlord with a puzzled expression and asked, “Why would you want to save us?”
“Like them, we revere life. We made an error thinking you were going to eradicate us. We were more heavy handed with you than we should have been and I am truly sorry for our actions against you. I hope that by being in their mist they can save you from yourselves. I sense that you are worth saving.”
Matt looked at the gathering, “I do not have the authority to make these decisions. I will ask my leaders and will let you know what they decide.”
The meeting ended and the Leaders of the eight planets came on stage and talked with Life. It appeared many years of mistrust were now over for the nine worlds.
Matt looked at Angel and thought, “Looks like a trip to see our Royal Family is in order. Are you up to going with me?”
Angel thought to herself, “I will follow you all my life,” then thought back to him. “I’ll have to dress for the occasion. When do we go?”
“We’ll go immediately. You have an hour to get ready. However, with your beauty, you don’t need to do much.”
“Why, Magic, I never thought you noticed.”
“It’s like trying to ignore a super nova; it’s just not possible.”
Angel felt her heart grow. “Now I know; he does care for me.” She held that feeling close as she took Life back to his ship before boarding fly Girl.
Chapter 4
“Well, it looks like he is coming to see us.”
The King looked up, “Why?”
“It seems our Searcher has uncovered an entire planet of super psychics that have the temperament to join our armed forces. It also appears that they can raise the Alphas.”
The King was genuinely surprised.
“That’s not all love. It appears this race of psychics have determined that the Eight Legs will be coming in six years.”
The King sat straight up in his chair. “Do you think they are accurate?”
The Queen thought for a moment, “I believe they are. Unlike us they have a whole planet to focus on the danger so cumulatively they are probably not far from the truth.”
“My sense of danger has been growing. I suspect that if their timetable is accurate then it matches closely with the progression of what we sense.”
The Queen looked the King directly in the eye and said, “The Searcher saw the truth in the situation even when a seed from Sprig and Twig missed it. He was able to prevent punishing an innocent race for other’s actions. I sense that his power is growing faster than a normal latent psychic.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“I’m not sure. There’s also something about his ship that seems different from any I’ve sensed.”
“Are we going to meet with him?”
The Queen closed her eyes and thought for several minutes. “No.”
“Are you sure, My Love?”
“I do not want to diminish what he could possibly become. I’m concerned that our first contact when he was an applicant may have slowed his development.”
“Usually the reverse happens.”
“I don’t think so in his case. We should let him meet with Anglo and give him the approval he needs to move forward.”
“Are we going to tell him about his genetics?”
The Queen smiled, “And spoil the fun of him finding out on his own. I don’t think so.”
Aladdin and Wings teleported into the Ross System and before Matt could ask for permission to approach Ross his com activated and a young man wearing the Royal Colors said, “Welcome, Searcher; your meeting has been approved and scheduled in thirty minutes. It will be held in the map room of Castle Gardner. The coordinates have been sent to your display. We will be expecting you and your fellow Searcher.”
Matt looked at Angel on his display and saw her surprise. “We will be there momentarily.” He then looked at Angel, “I guess we don’t have enough time to change.”
“Speak for yourself. Give me five minutes and then we’ll go.”
Matt waited and hummed a song he had in his head that he knew he had never heard before. ““Don’t play with the spaceship.” Now where did that come from?” Angel thought to him, “I’m ready. I’ll port in five seconds.”
“Count it down, girl.”
Matt hit his port control and reappeared in a huge room that had every wall covered with maps of galaxies. He turned and saw Angel behind him and lost his breath; she was stunning. The green dress could not have fit any better if it had been painted on her and her hair was beautiful. “How do I look, Magic?”
Matt could only stare. He finally got his breath and said, “Stunning. You are more beautiful than I have ever seen you.”
Angel smiled but they were interrupted by a young man that entered the room and walked forward to greet them. “Welcome to Castle Gardner, Searchers. I am Samuel Anglo Gardner and I am here to represent the King and Queen.”
Angel bowed, “I am Angelica Dodd and it is my pleasure to meet you.”
Matt also bowed, “I am Matthew Gardner and I am also pleased to meet you.”
The young man looked at Matt and said, “We have a similar name. Are we related?”
“Oh no, Your Majesty, I along with millions of others are named after the Royal Family. I just happen to have the same last name.”
“Who were your parents?”
“I don’t know. They were killed in a ship accident when I was a baby and I was raised in a state institution on Cross.”
The young man looked at Matt for a long moment and then turned to Angel. “I must say that you are one of the most impressive Searchers I have ever met.” He then looked at Matt and said, “Your companion is quite lovely.”
“That adjective doesn’t really do her justice.”
Anglo smiled and said, “You’re right but I must preserve the family’s reputation by not being too forward.”
Angel smiled and said, “Thank both of you.” All she could think was that Matt had not denied her being his companion.
“I am one of the Royal Couple’s distant grand children. We assist them in handling most of the Realm’s issues. Tell me what you need.”
“I have found a race that is composed of strong psychics. They possess the temperament to be a part of the Realm and I believe that they are capable of flying the Alphas. They have agreed to assist us in our efforts against the Eight Legs but they say they will only do it if we allow the eight planets that were planning to attack them to join the Realm.”
“What are your thoughts concerning the matter?”
“I think those eight planets have had an epiphany about the consequences of aggression by having to endure an invasion and are open to embracing the values of our Realm.”
“So you would accept them into the Realm?”