“I have an affinity for ships. That one loves me.”
Grena smiled, “He’s right. I can feel it, too.”
“Then both of you go together and let’s see what happens.”
The two disappeared and as they approached the second ship the golden glow broke through the surface and was almost blinding. The crystal began to change shape and Matt recognized the bow starting to form. “Looks like he knew what he was talking about.” Matt thought a moment and then turned to Sprig, “Where is Stem right now?”
“He’s at one of the ship building facilities spending time with his mate. Why do you ask?”
Matt punched his com, “Stem, I’m sending you some coordinates; please teleport to them immediately and please bring your mate with you.”
A silver field appeared and Stem stepped out with Petal at his side. They were immediately teleported to Al as Life and Grena appeared. “Let me tell him, Matt?”
“Go ahead.”
They all heard Stem ask, “What’s going on?”
“We’re trying to see if you will make a good meal for these rock creatures.”
The whole room erupted into laughter. Sprig thought, ‘They never stop.”
Matt laughed and managed to say, “No, thank goodness.”
The third ship gave off a golden glow and started developing.
Sprig and Twig were stunned silent with their laughter stopping abruptly.
Stem asked Al, “Does that mean the ship wants to eat us?”
Al was stunned, “No, Father. I never expected you to be one of the chosen.”
“Chosen what?”
“You and Petal will be one of the universe’s defenders. The third ship has chosen you to be its crew.”
Stem was shocked silent.
Stem and Petal reappeared on the Kosievs’ bridge and Twig and Sprig moved forward and embraced them in their branches. “My children, we are so proud of you.” Sprig then transferred all that had happened over the last two hours.
Stem absorbed it instantly and then turned to Matt. “Well, it looks like Petal and I will be spending more time together.”
Petal leaned over next to him, “I’m excited to get out of the ship building business and spend more time with you. I’ve missed being with you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.”
Matt shook his head in amazement and said, “We need to find Anglo’s other crewmember, but in the mean time I want Tag and Danielle to go by their ship together as well as Cassandra and Tommy. Al, I think you can take all four of them on one trip.”
The four disappeared and everyone watched the display as their respective ships exploded with golden light and began changing shape. Sprig thought, “Matt, what possessed you to bring Stem?”
“I don’t know. I just felt that he should also be checked. Maybe the ship put the thought in my mind.”
Anglo looked gloomy, “I have no idea who could possibly match up with me. I’m clueless.”
“Well, I think we can possibly start searching. However, I want everyone back in the Map Room tomorrow at the same time as today. Please discuss what happened here today and we’ll decide what must be done next.”
The red being was starting to get frustrated. He was looking at hundreds of universes every hour but none of them were the missing one. “We have not found it either.”
“How many are searching?”
“Everyone.”
“Even the Eldest?”
“They are looking hardest of all. They have more fear than those that came later.”
“Surly nothing exists that could be a real threat to us.”
“Don’t even think that around them; their fear is real. I can feel it in them.”
“I have looked at the records and the missing universe was harvested of all intelligent life just eight million years ago. That’s not enough time for them to evolve to a level dangerous to us.”
“Perhaps the ones that moved it came into it from another universe.”
The red being thought about that idea, “That is a possibility. Should we be afraid?”
“If they are as frightened as I sense they are, I must give some weight to their experience. I am worried.”
“Do you think we might have missed it in our rush to search quickly?”
“We are going to keep looking until we find it.”
“I will look carefully from this time forward. You have me worried now.”
“That is probably a good thing.”
“I’ll be hearing from my new tool shortly. Perhaps their search will bear fruit.”
“I hope for your sake they do.”
The second being felt his fear go up.”
Chapter 8
The group was back in the map room and Melanie came down with Angel Gardner and introduced her to the attendees. “Hello everyone, this is A.G.”
Everyone admired their child and all of those with psychic abilities could feel the baby’s power. Melanie then handed Angel to her nurse and she took the baby to the nursery to care for her.
Matt stood and said, “I know some of you that were chosen by a ship yesterday may have misgivings about what that means and the mission you are charged to fulfill. Unfortunately, there is no option about serving aboard them. The Realm will depend on us to protect it and all of you have sworn an oath to defend it with your lives. Does everyone understand this?”
Tag leaned back, “Well, so much for retirement.”
The attendees laughed as Danielle punched him in the ribs.
“There is another issue that has to be resolved and this is something that I have given a lot of thought and feel quite strongly must be done immediately. Melanie and I are abdicating the Realm’s Throne.”
The room burst out as everyone spoke at once, everyone except Danielle. She sat in her chair and nodded at Matt. He smiled at her and waited for the room to settle down. Finally, everyone sat back down and grew quiet. “Danielle, would you explain why this has to be done.”
Danielle stood and looked around the room, “Matt and Melanie are going to be directly fighting the Red Demons. What do you think the Realm will do if they learn that their rulers are in the thick of battle against an enemy that puts all the others to shame especially if he is killed in the conflict? Matt has also been charged to find the other crews for the ships the Reg are building. He cannot rule the Realm and also perform the duties he is charged by the Reg to perform. He has no choice but to abdicate and work to build the fleet we must have to protect us. We should also remember that he is our only contact with the Reg.”
Anglo looked at Danielle, “Then that also eliminates you and Tag from the throne as well.”
Matt answered, “Yes, it does eliminate them. The new King and Queen of the Stars Realm will be Duke Sprig and Duchess Twig Gardner.”
Sprig grew four feet before he could stop himself, “The Realm will never allow it. The Realm must be ruled by a Gardner; I’m not qualified”
Matt looked at Sprig, “Sprig, you are a Gardner.”
Sprig mumbled, “Oh yeah, I forgot about that.”
Danielle stood, “Sprig, they will allow it because Matt was going to abdicate before he learned about the Reg ships. Am I right, Matt?”
Matt smiled at Danielle, “You are incredible at seeing the truth. Yes, I was; everyone please sit down and let me explain why Sprig and Twig must accept the crown.”
