Silence ruled the channel. Everyone looked at each other waiting for the others to speak first. Finally, Tgon- Gee said, “It’s easy to look at an aura and say that the one that possesses it must be obeyed. It becomes extremely difficult to do that when they decide something differently from the total consensus of your brothers; however, the Glod will welcome the new members into our group and try our best to embrace them as brothers. We know that when there is a difference, Queen Danielle will make the right decision. We pledged our loyalty and our support of you and we keep our pledges.”
Danielle said, “Tgon-Gee, you are now my Prime Lord and will speak with my voice in all issues. You have earned that trust with your actions today. Leila, will you please put that in a formal document and send it out.”
Leila answered from off screen, “Yes, your majesty.” Danielle looked off screen at Leila and frowned but Leila kept a straight face. Danielle just couldn’t get used to being called Majesty.
Terl looked at his Clan Leaders and said, “We will also do as you say. I can’t say we trust auras like the Glod, but you have not been wrong. How can we believe you are now? We will also follow your lead.”
Director Nicole looked uncomfortable and said, “Danielle, you are one of our own. I just have great difficulty saying yes. These races tried to kill all of my people and I’m responsible for their welfare. Please help me understand why we must do this?”
“First, the Cainth were the main instrument of the Alliance trying to make that happen. Do you trust them now?”
Director Nicole looked uneasy and said, “That’s different. I do trust them now but these others are the head of the beast.”
“Actually, they are not. The Alliance had ten worlds that ruled them. They were the head and the head was insane.” Danielle paused and then said, “Tag, show them the video. They need to know.” Tag looked at her and Danielle could sense his stubbornness rising. She thought at him, “Now I ask you, do you trust me to make the right decision or are you going to assume the total responsibility for what comes from keeping this information secret.”
Everyone on the channel saw the change of emotions on Tags face. They also knew that he was going to refuse but somehow his wife had communicated with him. How had she done that?
“I’m going to share some information with you and I am not going to reveal how I received it. I want you to understand that this is fact and perhaps you might want to consider it while making your decision.” Tag then started the recording Atlas had made in the Plant Races Galaxy. Everyone on the channel watched as the Planets defenders were destroyed and then the planet harvested. “The race you see being attacked here is called the Pydres. They had, like us, fought among themselves which accounts for their weapons but they united against this attack. This attack is taking place in a galaxy beyond the horse head nebula.” Then everyone saw the rape of the planet. They watched the inhabitants eaten alive and herded into camps and then stunned and transported up to the huge fleet. “There are more than 100,000 ships in the attacking fleet,” Tag said. When the huge transports arrived and started receiving all the life on the planet, the revulsion of all could be seen on the display monitors.
“Who are those attackers?” Misty asked.
“Wait, there’s more you should see first.” The onlookers then saw video of world after world stripped bare with only buildings left behind. Hundreds of worlds flashed on the screen. “I’m told that these hundreds you see are but a tiny percent of all the worlds killed by these creatures. I don’t know the name of the race attacking the planet; what I do know is that they are basically plant life, they do not communicate with anyone but themselves and nothing has stood against them and remained alive. For lack of a better name, I’m going to call them Algeans because they resemble algae in their basic composition.”
“Why have you shown us this?” Terl asked.
“Because according to the one who took these recordings; they have just about totally consumed most of the life and natural resources in that Galaxy. That means they will have to move to new food sources,” Danielle answered. “We have been told their warships number in the millions and they don’t stop coming when confronted by resistance. The former members of the Alliance are not our enemy. You are looking at our enemy in these recordings and we are going to need every one of us to someday face this threat.”
“It might also interest you that the inhabitants you saw escaping from the planet in ships are currently on the Planet Ross where they were brought to safety,” Tag said.
Tgon-Gee said, “There appears to be much that you have not shared with us, why?”
“I have been of the opinion that this threat could be centuries in our future. I also cannot tell you how I was given this information or how those inhabitants were saved. I felt that by showing you this it would cause more questions than I could answer. However, Danielle disagrees with me on this issue and I find I must yield to her judgment. We are also sending Admiral Dorg to contact a race that is about to be attacked by these creatures to see if we can assist them.”
“I understand why you did not tell us but now we know. So you intended to wait centuries before we confront this menace? How much stronger will they be then?” Then Tgon-Gee turned to Terl and asked, “Do you want to wait for this to come to our door?”
Terl said, “Absolutely not!”
“Wait a moment,” Danielle said. “We have more than 800 allies waiting to join us. Before we go knocking on their door, I want to make sure that we are prepared. Are any of you still against these new races joining us?”
Director Nicole said, “I asked you to help me understand why and you have. We need these new allies. Are you going to share this with them?”
Danielle concentrated and everyone could see the struggle on her face. “They have to see it before they decide to join us. They all have to understand what they are signing up for and that we are united against this menace; our future course is one of preparing to deal with it and that they support what we do to prevail. Tgon- Gee, will you set up the meeting with the representatives and have this recording available for transmission to all worlds, even our own. Tag, will you bring a representative from the Pydres, they will be the newest member if they choose to join us.”
Tag asked, “Is everyone in agreement; is there anyone who disagrees with this new direction we are choosing this day?” There was silence until Terl said, “Make the meeting quickly; I don’t want to delay getting ready.” Everyone else echoed his sentiment.
State Leader Sten stood before the representatives of the former alliance members and wondered why the Star Realm had asked for this meeting. He sounded the tone and said, “This is Queen Danielle’s Mate. He wishes to address us before we apply for membership. He has also requested that this meeting be broadcast to all of our worlds. We have notified everyone of the time for this meeting and I believe most of the member worlds are watching. I now turn this meeting over to him.”
“Good Day, I am Queen Danielle’s husband and I am the leader of the Stars Realm military. I have requested to speak to you before you are allowed to join our Realm because our races feel it is important that you know what you’ll be getting into if you choose to join our company. I will play a video first for all of you to see and then I will tell you what it shows.”
The video began and all the billions that lived in the Alliance learned about the voracious race that was a killer of worlds. Tag spared nothing and slowed down the pace showing the hundreds of destroyed worlds with the derelict buildings left standing on bare ground. Finally, the video stopped and Tag looked out at an assembly of races that were shocked silent. “That race you see devouring the planet is in a galaxy a long way from here. They have almost totally stripped the galaxy they occupy of all life and they will soon be leaving to find new food sources. They are in our future. If they are not stopped, eventually, they won’t be because they will grow beyond any hope of success. Our Queen has decided that to wait will doom us. We have to try and stop them now. This is now the goal of my brothers and me. If you join us, you will be promising to give all you have and all you’re capable of giving to support us in this effort. I can’t stand by and let my children’s children face that.” He pointed to an image of a plant creature eating one of the planets inhabitants alive. “If you are willing to pledge your loyalty, your strength, and total commitment to defend your fellow brothers, then we will accept your pledge on my Home Planet in seven rotations at mid day. I will leave the coordinates with State Leader Sten. We genuinely felt that all of you should know what course we’re traveling before you made your choice. Thank you for allowing me to address you.” Tag turned and left the platform.
Epilogue:
Six months later
