“Al has already sent them to Fly Girl.”
“Those two sure do communicate with each other a lot.”
“They’re kindred spirits and have a lot in common. Stem we are preparing to enter the Gresh’s home system. Is there anything you want to suggest before we port?”
“I would suggest that if they fire any missiles or projectiles at your ships that you destroy them so that they can see just how strong your defenses are.”
“Good idea; teleporting in 3,2,1, go”
The two small red ships entered the Gresh home system and found more than two hundred thousand missiles homing in on them. “Stem, did you know that we were going to get this kind of welcome?”
“Yes, I took a look at the system prior to your arrival but I didn’t want to spoil the surprise by telling you in advance.”
Fly Girl said, “Good choice; no one likes a party pooper.”
Matt and Angel laughed and proceeded to destroy the incoming barrage before any of them could come close. Immediately more than five hundred ships rushed toward them; all five hundred disappeared in an instant. The Grand Warlord on the planet watched the battle on his monitor and stood and clinched his fists as the five hundred ships disappeared. “Send a thousand at the intruders,” he screamed. A thousand ships accelerated at the two small ships and disappeared.
The Warlord sat down and watched as half of his remaining ten thousand ships turned toward the two small red ships and after a brief moment disappeared. He had watched the recordings from the action these strange ships had done at the planet his forces had conquered. He knew with deadly certainty that his forces were no match for these two small ships much less the ones that were the size of a small moon. He pushed a button on his chair and said, “All ships, move away from the intruders. Do not fire on them.”
The remaining Gresh ships turned and moved rapidly away from the incoming small, red glowing ships. The Grand Warlord then heard over his communication speakers, “You made a wise decision to spare the remainder of your fleet. I imagine that there would be a line of planets fighting for the opportunity to eliminate your species if you lost them all.”
The Warlord though a moment and he had to agree that the speaker was probably right. The remaining ships would still not be enough if the worlds he had attacked all joined forces against him. For the first time in his life he felt the fear he had sown on the other planets. “What do you want?”
“Nothing really; I just wanted to have an uninterrupted conversation with you and your ships were not cooperating.”
The Warlord’s fear doubled. These two small ships acted like destroying most of his fleet meant nothing to them. On the way in system the two small ships paused at one of the larger planets and the voice said, “I am going to have a brief demonstration for your benefit. Please look at the moon that is approaching our position.” The Warlord pushed a button and saw on his display the small red ships next to one of the moons circling the large tenth planet. Suddenly a bright red beam shot out from one of the small ships and the moon blew up into dust. “Warlord, we only used a tenth of our beams power. The dust will be pulled down to the planet’s surface and should not be a navigation hazard for your ships in the future.”
The Warlord along with every Gresh on the planet and the fleet saw death approaching their world. Finally the two small ships stopped just above the planet and parked directly above the fortress where the Warlord was sitting. “Are you ready to have our conversation, Warlord?”
“What do you want?”
Matt looked at his display showing the large humanoid being sitting on a throne. He was easily as big as a Glod Warrior and had a face similar to humans. His skin was ebony black and his head was bald. His eyes were deep set and his pupils were black. Matt could see the tension on his face, “I desire some agreements from you that I can count on you keeping.”
“What agreements do you desire?”
“I want you to agree to stop your attacks on other planets and to recall all of your forces occupying any planets you have conquered. I also hope you will open a dialogue with those conquests and attempt to repair the damage you’ve caused.”
The Warlord was stunned speechless. The voice said, “Would you like me to repeat my requests?”
The Warlord said, “You say these are requests. Are you saying that I have a choice in this matter?”
“Well, not really. We have agreed to defend the planets you have attacked from your future aggression and I’m telling you that if any of your ships attack them from this moment forward that they will suffer the same fate as the moon we just visited. We are also going to remove any of your forces remaining on the other planets, by force if necessary, if they are not recalled immediately. Unfortunately, that also probably means the same fate as your moon for them. You should also know that my people possess more than five million of the ships you see here above your planet and more than two million of the larger ships you’ve recorded.”
“Are you going to rule us now?”
“No, we are not. My Realm will not impose its will on any civilization, however, we believe in the sanctity of life. We will come to the aid of those who are not able to defend themselves against outside aggression. You will be left to govern yourself as you choose.”
“Now that you have destroyed most of my ships, we will probably be attacked and destroyed.”
“We did not destroy your ships, Warlord. We sent them where they could not interfere in our conversation. They should be back in four of your planet’s rotations. We will kill those that attack innocent people but we would not kill someone defending their own world and that includes your planet, Warlord.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“If you really want to know the answer, I invite you to come to Hugon five of your rotations from now and we will answer any of your questions; I will guarantee your personal safety if you choose to come. I would also tell you that the planets you’ve attacked are not the enemy you should fear, nor is it us. You are free to live as you choose; however, we will not allow you to kill innocent people to force your will on them.”
The two small ships turned and moved away from the planet. Once they were a thousand miles from the planet’s surface they disappeared. The Warlord sat in his chair and felt his fear. Four days later when the ships returned that he thought destroyed he called in his military commander.
“Prepare a ship. We are going to Hugon.”
“They will kill you on sight if you go.”
“No they won’t. I think those that came meant their promise. I’ll be safer there than anywhere else in this universe. I want to hear what they have to say.”
“Your orders will be followed, Warlord.”
“Matt, the Gresh Warlord has just entered the Hugon system.”
“Thanks, Angel. I really didn’t expect him to come. Would you escort him in to the planet and assign two Red Warriors to take him to the meeting site.”
“I think it would be safer to just teleport his ship in and have the Warriors then teleport him to the site. I’m not sure the population would allow him to be escorted to the meeting.”
“Good idea, would you handle the details; I need to inform those here that he will be attending.”
“Consider it done. Would you mind if I attend. I’m interested in seeing what happens when he shows up?”
“Make sure one of the Defender Ships takes over for you.”
“I’ve already set it up.”
“Then perhaps you should come with the Warriors escorting him. Make sure Wings keeps an eye on you to screen you if necessary.”
“Will do; I’ll inform the Warlord of our arrangements.”
“On board the Gresh Battle ship the Warlord was looking at the huge Red ships around the planet. He was starting to have second thoughts about going when his communications console came on. “Welcome to our get together, Warlord.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m one of the commanders of the two ships that came to visit five rotations ago. We have guaranteed your safety so I want to make sure nothing happens while you are in our care. I need you to follow our plans to make sure of that.”
