large numbers away, the Demons will immediately see us and attack in force. Our only hope will be the crews of the crystal ships and I still don’t know the power of those ships.”
“Why have none of them fully developed?”
“I don’t know, Tag. There are many unknowns here and I suspect that those ships are a life form.” Matt paused a moment, then shook his head,” I don’t even have a guess. I hope a large number will be created, but with the difficulty we’re having finding the crews, I suspect it won’t be as many as I would like to have. At least Edison has set up a system where we can send possible candidates to new ships in one tenth the time it has taken in the past.”
Sprig looked around the room and said, “This meeting is adjourned. I see nothing more that can be done that we are not already doing.”
The red being looked at his board and saw nothing that could have sent the scan.
“You’re not alone. Even the Elders have come up with nothing.”
“What are we going to do?”
“They are operating on the assumption that there are two advisories we must find and destroy. One they believe exists in normal space and one that is not in the dimensional plane. Two thirds of us are being assigned to scan universes for civilizations that have universal drives. The others will continue to search for the missing universe.”
“So you are being sent to search?”
“Yes, and you will continue to search for the missing universe.”
“I’d rather be out searching.”
The first being paused, “You are being watched by the Elders and I don’t think they will let you go too far from their sight.”
“Why?”
“That missing tool issue, they think you haven’t been completely open about it.”
“Of course I’ve told them all I know.”
“Even so, you will be searching for the missing universe. I hope you find it.” The first being paused again, “For your sake.”
All the second being could think about was a blue ship.
Chapter 11
Four years flew by and four hundred and ninety nine crystals had appeared and their crews found. One of the crews was remarkable. Al was taking a searcher to see which ship they would set off and as they passed the rows of crystals, two of them glowed. “Matt, we have an issue.”
“What?”
“One Searcher just caused two ships to glow. “Standby.”
Matt teleported to Al’s bridge, “Show me.”
Al flew by and first one ship glowed and then a second.”
Matt thought furiously and contacted Sprig and explained what had happened.
“Either that Searcher belongs in both ships, which we both know is not possible, or Al is setting off a ship.”
“Fly Girl.”
“Yes, Matt.”
Would you mind doing something for me?”
“What?”
“Please leave Junior at the outer system and go with Al as he takes a Searcher by the Crystals.”
Fly Girl told her child to remain until she returned and then teleported in next to Al. “Hi, honey.”
“Hello, love.” They flew by the ships and one of them had a golden glow but another burst into golden light and began changing shape.
“What’s happening, Matt?”
“It looks like you and Fly Girl are among the chosen.”
“You mean we will share a ship?”
“It certainly looks that way.”
“What about my being on your ship?”
“It appears that space is meant for something else.”
“How are we going to care for Junior if we’re both on one ship?”
“I suspect he will be better protected if you are in one of the strongest ships in our universe.”
“You make a good point.”
The last crew of the four hundred and ninety nine needed was found and then a single crystal appeared. Time was growing short and finally one crew member for it was found. He was also a relative of Melanie’s and was a latent psychic.
Matt called a meeting of the Royal Family and asked for help. “All of the other ships are near completion but not finished. It appears all the crews must be found before they complete their development. I have searched every possible place and have not found the last crewmember for the last ship. All of our military has been checked and all of our civil staff.”
“Do you have any idea of what their race they might be?”
“They’re Human and they must possess strong psychic abilities.”
Danielle looked quickly at Matt, “How do you know that?”
“Because the other crew member is a latent psychic with an extremely high power reading; in all other similar situations it was a strong psychic that was the other member.”
Melanie stood, “We have scanned every possible descendent of the three psychic family lines and have come up with nothing. I’m afraid that if we don’t find that last crew member we will be defenseless against the Demons.”
Matt looked around the room, “Please think about who it could possibly be and if you think of anything contact me. We don’t have much longer.”
Danielle left the meeting and sat in her room and thought about what Matt had said, “What’s wrong, Dear?”
“The last chosen crew member and who it might be.”
“Well, I hope they turn up soon. My sense tells me there is huge danger for all of us. It is impossible to escape beings that can see every place in existence.”
Danielle continued to think and finally decided after struggling with her conscience. She entered coordinates into her bracelet and punched the button. She walked up to a small house with a red garden in front and knocked on the door. A pretty young woman with blonde hair and green eyes came to the door. They looked at each other and Danielle said, “May I come in?”
The young woman stepped aside and Danielle walked in and sat down on a sofa. The house was very clean and everything appeared to have a place. “Why have you come here?”
“I really tried not to disturb your privacy but I’m afraid that I have no choice.”
“Why?”
“Because I fear you are one of the chosen and if you are and don’t take part in the coming fight, our universe and everyone in it is doomed to destruction.”
“I’m afraid I haven’t been keeping up with current events. Tell me what you mean.”
Danielle told her about the war with the Captors, Eight Legs, and finally about the Red Demons. “They are an ancient race and our only hope is the ships the Reg have provided. However, if the last crew member is not found in time they will not finish their development.”
“What makes you think I’m the one you’re looking for?”
“Because you know my talent.”
“Are you sure?”
