“I’m sure he does.”
“I believe that before the invaders bring their entire force to the Hugon system then will send some ships to investigate first. Perhaps an ambush is in order to trial these new devices.”
Matt looked at Melanie, “Are you certain they will send ships first?”
Melanie thought a moment, “Yes; probably no more than one or two.” Matt stared at her and she said, “It only makes sense. Why would they delay killing billions to fly ten hours inside the system’s jump limit and then have to fly ten hours out; especially when they don’t see any life in the system. I suspect they believe that the planet must have had a natural disaster which destroyed it. Would you divert all your forces for that?”
Matt shrugged and then looked at Robert, “I am going to send two ships to Rank’s lab. I’ll also have twelve Red Warriors also come to be set up with what he has developed.”
“I will notify him, Your Grace.”
“Thank you, Director.”
Robert bowed and teleported back to Earth.
“Matt.”
“Yes, Melanie.”
“Are you going to have Al and Fly girl armed with whatever weapons they’ve developed?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because I assume you are going to want to watch this particular attack.”
“Am I that transparent?”
“Yeah, but I want to be there, too; so we need both ships armed in case we’re needed to support the ships actually carrying out our plan.”
“We will remain behind our red screens so we should be safe, however, I order you not to take part in the action without direct orders; is that clear?”
Melanie smiled, “Why absolutely, Your Grace.”
Matt chuckled and smiled, “Oh boy; make sure Fly Girl gets your armor coated on Glod while we’re on Earth.”
“I will.”
Chapter 15
Newly promoted Col. Brez sat in the landing bay on the Searcher class ship War’s End. The bay was only twenty yards long by 15 yards wide but it was enough room for twelve warriors to fit with all their armor. Six of the warriors were going to teleport out shortly to the Quilleron Sword after the planning session was complete. Brez looked at his men and said, “We have been given some prototypes to trial against the Eight Legs. The two ships we’re on will fly through the Hugon system if the invaders send ships to investigate this system. We will not be using our invisibility screen and should be easily seen by the invaders. We think that they won’t pass up the chance for a free meal and will also want to take a look at any ship in this system. Once they land on our hulls, four of us will teleport out to the surface of the ship surrounding the green ship. We believe that they will not penetrate the iron tree coating on the surface but we will not take any chances. The two remaining on board will move under the place where they land and be prepared to repel boarders if they breach the hull. The four on the outside will engage the boarders with the weapons we have been provided. We expect there to be eight Eight Legs on each ship so be prepared to handle at least two. We believe that they cannot penetrate our armor with its new coating; however, I don’t want any of you allowing them close enough to see if I’m right. Use your marble guns first. We need to determine if the balls of stone tree will penetrate the green armor they wear; any questions?”
“What happens if they breach the ship and take control?”
Brez hesitated and then said, “Teleport out and the ship will be destroyed.”
Juck raised one of his four arms, “Why have we been given these swords.”
“They are made from the heart of a stone tree’s trunk which is the hardest part of the tree and sharpened to match the finest blades in the Realm. We didn’t just want to leave you with only one weapon if it failed.”
Juck smiled, “I just like that they are the same size as my short swords.”
Brez shook his head, “Guns first, Juck; swords only if we are forced to it.”
Juck smiled, “Yes, Team Leader. I’ll just hold them in my extra hands.”
The Vrig Searcher stuck his head in the landing bay, “Just received word that the invaders are leaving the planet. If ships are coming they will probably be arriving at our jump limit within eight hours.”
Brez looked at the Vgrig Searcher and said, “Aye, Aye, Sir. We’ll be ready in four hours.”
The Vgrig smiled and returned Brez’s salute then left the landing bay. “You heard the Searcher, get your gear ready and those of you going to the other ship test your teleport systems to make sure you land on whatever section of the hull the invaders hit.”
Juck said, “Attention!” The eleven Red Warriors came to attention and saluted.
Brez stood, returned their salutes, and said, “Dismissed, go to your stations.”
Matt and Melanie were watching the feed being sent from the probe and Melanie said, “Two ships have accelerated past the mother ship and are moving toward the jump limit. All the others are reentering the mother ship. I think those will be coming here.”
“Boy, you’re good. Have you checked your armor?”
“I’m wearing it now. It’s not as shiny as before but I can live without the shine and polish.”
“I’ve seen that.”
“Oh, now you’re being cute. I have the hat on under my helmet.’
“I knew you would. Has Fly Girl gotten a feel for the guns on her hull?”
“Yeah, she was able to hit a barrel she teleported out from a distance of six miles. From the range we’re looking at in this action she could probably write her name on the Eight Legs with that gun.”
“I’ll take War’s End; you take the other. Remember, we can’t intervene too quickly; the Red Warriors must be given a chance to trial their weapons.”
“I know; I do fear we will lose some of them. Let’s hope I’m wrong.”
“Melanie, let’s take our positions and get ready.”
“On my way.”
The two small Eight Leg attack ships came out of jump and looked inward toward the inner planets. The first pilot thought, “Let’s get this over with; we’re supposed to see if there is any indication as to what happened to the fourth planet in this system. I think our data says it’s missing. There should be some kind of evidence if the planet was destroyed.”
“I don’t see any intelligent life, do you?”
“No, we just need to hurry and get this over with so we can go have a meal on the next planet we attack. We should get to the orbit in ten hours so get comfortable and let’s go see what happened.”
“Alright Searchers, lift from the moon when the two green ships are six hours inside the jump limit. Make it look like you don’t see them and move toward the moon on the other side of the planet. I’ll keep you informed as to what they are doing.”
“We don’t have them on any sensors, Your Grace.”
“That’s why we are following them in system. We’ll keep you informed.”
“Do you see what I see, First Pilot?”
“Yes, I do; those two small ships just lifted off that moon and are moving toward a moon on the other side of the sixth planet.”
“I see seven intelligent life forms on each ship. Do we have permission to harvest in this system?”
“We weren’t told we couldn’t; however, if we take too long in our mission someone will be sent to check on us.”
“What do you think we should do?”
The First Pilot could feel his appetite for those two ships. “Perhaps the ones on those ships will know what happened to the missing planet. I think it is justified to harvest those ships.”
“Should we notify the Sensor Male of our plan?”
“By the time one of us goes to the jump limit, leaves to tell him, and then comes back; those ships might be gone. We will consume them quickly and then go look for the planet.”
“I agree, I’ll take the ship on the planet side.”
“That is agreeable, go to full speed and notify your children.”