“What do you think about it, Searcher?”
“I must confess that I am amazed and wonder why I am a part of this. That ship surprises me more than the promotion they are trying to get me to accept.”
“Unfortunately, Searcher, you, like I, have no choice but to accept the role that has been given us.” Melanie frowned and tilted her head to the right. “I don’t believe in everything being predestined but I do know that the builders of that ship have seen what the future will be. I have rare glimpses of the future but they can truly see what the purpose of that ship is going to be. You and I have no more choice in this than Angel did in dying. We can fight it but events will transpire that will force us to it and others might lose their life before we accept this task. Can you understand that?”
Melanie thought and saw what he was saying, “I do. It’s just a huge shock to even consider that this was put into effect so many millions of years ago. I keep asking myself; why me? What makes me so special?”
“Searcher, I don’t have the answer for that. However, I do know that the reason will become clear but only if you and I accept our destiny.” Matt looked at Sprig and sighed, “I have had another vision, Sprig.”
“What have you seen, Searcher?”
“That ship will not activate in our universe until we eliminate the Eight Legs that invade us.”
Sprig looked at Twig and she thought, “You mean we won’t be able to use it to defend ourselves?”
Matt could hear her fear, “No, we cannot use it here. It is designed to use in other universes. The Reg cannot live with deaths they cause here. They would feel it and it would destroy them. However, it is available for us if we can win this fight. If we can do that without using their ship, then this gift they gave us will not be what causes the death of the invaders. It is critical that we win our own battle. The death of the three Eight Legs I killed was allowed only to show us the purpose of this weapon. Even that hurt the Reg but they stopped its further use which alleviates the destruction they would face if we continued to use it; they are in decline and the struggle they have with not stopping the massive loss of life with the necessary taking of life is slowly killing them. They are also depending on us to save them.”
Anglo said, “But we are no closer to finding a way to stop them.”
“No, we’re not; but I believe bringing this Searcher and I together must happen before the means can be uncovered. I don’t really know why that is true but my sense of danger goes down when I look at working with her and goes off the scale when I refuse.” Matt looked at Melanie and said, “We have no choice, Searcher. Either we act selfishly or keep the oath that we swore to uphold. Given that choice, I have no choice but to work with you and after hearing the history of your family I believe that you will also have no option but to accept your role.”
Melanie looked at the floor and was terrified at the responsibility being thrust on her. She heard in her mind, “You do know that you have no other options, don’t you?”
She straightened up and looked at Matt and said, “I am in the service of the Stars Realm and I will do whatever it takes to preserve it against all forces trying to destroy it. I will accept whatever my superiors deem necessary. I am terrified at this responsibility but you’re right, Your Grace, I have no other choice.”
Anglo Gardner stepped forward and placed a piece of paper on the control board, “Then by the power given me by the Royal Family and the First Family of the Realm, you are hereby promoted to the post of Vice Admiral commanding all armed forces of the Realm. You are charged to defend the Realm and those that cannot defend themselves. Do your willingly accept this post and swear to carry out this charge?”
Melanie paused, looked at Matt, and said, “I do, Your Grace.”
“Then sign here and welcome to our Leadership Council, Admiral Grace.”
Melanie signed and Al said, “This calls for a party.”
“In a moment, Al, there is one more thing to take care of before we celebrate.”
Sprig thought, “What is that?”
Matt looked at Melanie and said, “I want you to change ships.”
“Why, what’s wrong with my ship.”
“Do you want to tell her?”
The speaker on the command chair said, “I was hoping that you would explain, however, I think she should at least be given a choice in the matter.”
“Who is that?” Melanie asked.
“It is the computer on Angel’s ship. She needs a new commander and she has requested that you be offered the position,” Matt said.
Melanie’s eyes widened and she said, “Is she like, Al.”
“Of course not, no one can be like me.”
“Oh shut up you pompous wind bag. I am not telepathic like Al in that I was not given all of the advanced systems Al had built into him but I am somewhat similar.”
Sprig thought, “Fly Girl, when we rebuilt you we did include all of the systems and I can sense that they are now all active since your conversation with Prince Gardner. Perhaps telepathy will eventually develop.”
Melanie had a huge smile, “I would love to work with you.”
“Boy have you got your hands full. Try to keep her in line.”
Oh, be quiet, Al.”
“See, I told you she would be a handful.”
Melanie laughed out loud and Matt felt a moment of happiness seeing her laugh. Matt said, “Stem will be joining you on Fly Girl to help you make the links to her systems. He is currently in the Map Room at Castle Gardner but will come as soon as you move into your new ship.”
Melanie bowed to Matt and said, “Having a ship like this makes all of this worth it, Your Grace.”
“Since we will be working together, I want you to use my first name, Melanie; call me Matt.”
Melanie smiled and said, “Thank you, Matt.”
You’re welcome, Melanie. Now go and gather your belongings. Fly Girl, contact Stem when the two of you are ready.”
“I will. Melanie, would you like me to take you to your previous ship?”
“Would you?”
“My bridge coordinates are on your com. Let’s take a trip.” Melanie disappeared from the bridge.
“Matt, I notice you didn’t tell her to call you, Magic.”
“I’m not ready for that, Al.”
“Well, perhaps later.”
“Perhaps.”
Sprig, General Durk, and Anglo heard Twig’s thought, “I think Prince Gardner needs some time alone.”
Anglo said, “Cousin, if you need us just com us.”
Matt gave a half smile and said, “I will.”
The four disappeared from the bridge.
Sprig looked at Twig and thought, “I also wonder why Searcher Grace pays such an important role. Our scans only show moderate psychic skills. What is it about her that is so important?”
“We will find out in due time, my love, and I think the answer will amaze us.”
“We’ll see.”
Six Weeks passed and Matt and Melanie began working to try and uncover what would kill the invaders. Melanie was on board Aladdin watching the display that had just shown another failed attack on the mother ship. Matt was frustrated, nothing penetrated the ships skin. “We’ve fired Coronado Power Cells, nuclear missiles, our hardest penetrator, negative matter, even a piece of the skin from an old megaship, nothing works.”
Melanie shook her head and said, “We’re missing something. I know it’s right in front of us and we’re missing it.”
“I have the same sense but just can’t quite grasp it.”
Al thought, “Have we learned anything from these attacks?”
“No, we haven’t.”
Melanie looked at Matt and lowered her head. “What’s bothering you, Melanie?”
“I’m missing some information but I’m reluctant to ask for it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tell me how Angel died. I hate to ask but I feel that something about her death is important.”
Matt felt the pain rise but got a grip on his emotions. “Her ship cast a shadow on the moon she was above while observing the Eight Leg’s first invasion. A small Eight Leg ship was on the surface of the moon and saw the shadow. They moved under the shadow and flew up until they hit Angel’s ship. They instantly penetrated the hull and each of them fired one of these at her. They flew through the walls of the ship and hit her.” Matt opened the box next to his chair and took the contents out. Melanie saw a green colored shard and a foot long white colored piece of wood.