around him start speeding up, then he sat down on the ground as his pain returned with a vengeance.
Manny jumped on his armor’s jets and arrived at the peak right after Jake sat down. “What did you just do? There’s no way your armor could have moved that fast. Also, according to my sensors, you didn’t miss a shot. Quite frankly, that’s impossible.”
Jake looked up at Manny, “I think the stress of this simulation released a psychic ability. I have no idea how I did it.”
Manny stared at Jake, “Well, your armor training is over. I think there’s nothing we can do to improve on what you’ve just accomplished. How do you feel?”
“If there’s a part of me that doesn’t hurt, I’ve been unable to find it.”
Manny raised his com, “Bring a floater to my location and take Mr. Talant to the corps hospital.” Jake looked up. “Mr. Talant, we can give you something for your pain now. We couldn’t do it before this exercise because it would have affected your reaction times.”
Jake nodded, turned off his armor, then his eyes glazed over and he fell back unconscious. Manny took a reading of the energy used by Jake’s armor and discovered that it was still at a hundred percent. If Manny had not witnessed what Jake had done he would never believe it. This was just not possible.
“How did he do in the exercise, Manny?”
“He appears to have the time dilation ability that the first Gardners’ exhibited. My forces couldn’t touch him, Your Majesty.”
Valerie smiled, “See? I told you he should have armor.”
Manny shook his head, “I’m now of the opinion that he would have made it through my warriors without armor. I hope he’s the kind of person that can be trusted with it. He is now a very dangerous individual.”
Valerie thought a moment, “He needs to be dangerous, Manny. As far as what kind of person he is, I have more respect for him than anyone I’ve ever encountered.”
Manny smiled, “That’s good enough for me.”
“Thanks, Uncle.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Cynthia wanted to scratch her head. The new device to block telepathy was melded into the top three microns of her scalp. It was hidden in her hair and it itched constantly. She reached up to scratch it and the technician said, “Leave it alone. It will stop itching in about an hour.”
Cynthia dropped her hand and fidgeted in her chair. This was going to be a long hour. “How does this work?”
The technician looked up from her console, “Thoughts cannot get through this coating. The links to your ship’s computer are in your hands and will make direct connection when you touch any part of the ship. The energy to communicate is actually lower than the cosmic rays that emanate from the star in the system you’re going to enter. We believe that they will mask your communications. Your computer will also hear you when you speak.”
“What about Talant?”
“He has the same coating on his scalp and will hear you when you talk. You will be on the surface of the moon and he will be able to hear you, and you him. However, you will only hear each other when you speak aboard ship.”
“So we will hear every word we say.”
The technician nodded, “When he is on the ship with you. Once he’s on the planet you will not be able to communicate.”
Cynthia scowled at the tech.
The technician looked at her com, “You’ll be leaving is less than two hours. Mr. Talant should be out of the hospital by then.”
Cynthia narrowed her eyes, “Hospital?”
“They linked his armor in less than an hour, then ran him through the initial training exercise.”
Cynthia was astonished and shook her head, “Poor Jake.”
Valerie was standing by Jake’s bed when he regained consciousness. “I keep waking up to find the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen beside me.”
Valerie smiled, “You’re so gracious, and thank you. It’s time for you to leave.”
Jake sat up, then fell back from dizziness, “I hope I can walk.”
“You’ll be recovering rapidly and back to normal in just a few more hours. I just want to say a few things before you leave.”
Jake looked at Valerie, “Go ahead.”
“Jake, you are going to have to go down to the planet to search for your initiator. While you’re in the local population you are going to see some of them taken by the creatures to be killed. You must not use your armor to try to stop them.”
Jake just stared at Valerie, saying nothing.
“I mean it, Jake. Once you find your initiator, Commander Dodd has been ordered to teleport you and your initiator to the ship and make a grand exit back to the Stars Realm. We cannot risk losing you. Promise me you won’t take any foolish risks; the Realm’s survival depends on you.”
Jake saw Robby standing behind Valerie looking over her shoulder at him. Jake gave a heavy sigh and said, “I promise.” Robby disappeared.
Valerie’s shoulders dropped; she said, “Thank the creator you listen to reason.” She turned to the technician, “Send him to his ship.” Then she turned, leaned down, and kissed him fully on the lips. “I’ve wanted to do that since I met you on Cynthia’s ship. Now come back to the Realm, Jake. Remember, you’re about to meet the love of your life.” She turned and left the room.
Jake watched her leave and knew he had wanted to do the same.
The tech helped Jake stand, then led him to the teleport screen. He looked back at the door Valerie had exited, then turned and stepped into the screen.
The Collective turned its attention to technology. “Did you find the necessary information for universal travel?”
“Yes. It was really quite simple. The Green Creatures were limited to jumping through a single door into other universes.”
“And?”
“All that’s needed to jump in anywhere is a powerful enough generator. We have that in abundance.”
“Are you going to make your deadline?”
“We will have two million ships ready by the original deadline. It is a simple matter to modify our existing drives to incorporate the new one.”
The Collective turned its attention to the military quadrant, “Have you developed a plan for finding the Green Creatures?”
“We are sending one ship to each universe to scan for the enemy. If they are not present, then another will be searched.”
What are your plans for those where they are not present?”
“Why, we will prioritize them for later conquest.”
“And if you encounter a formidable enemy?”
“Scan them for weapons and then develop a counter for them.”
The Collective thought about that statement. “Scan all you want, but do not lead them here. Have the ship go to other universes before coming back to our home. I want the same thing done if you find the Green Creatures. Consider that we will not be in contact with the ships when they leave our universe and issue your instructions accordingly.”
The Quadrants all considered what was said and agreed.
Chapter Six
