and said, “Cynthia, when my powers were released every Keeper in this garrison was stunned and knocked out. Those closest to the Human camp were actually so damaged that they will not be able to participate in the coming fight. I really do sense that they will not regain consciousness for at least three more hours. Go get the Realm’s Citizens prepared to leave, please.”
Cynthia started to protest, but then reluctantly nodded her agreement, peeled away from Jake, and headed toward the Glod colony.
Junior broke out of universal drive in the Realm and commed Fleet Command, “I need Valerie Gardner’s com code.”
“We need confirmation about who you are.”
“Oh forget it.” Junior hit another frequency, “Sprig, I need Valerie’s com code.”
“Junior, what are you doing back? What happened?”
“I don’t have time, Sprig. Connect me with Valerie now!”
Sprig reached forward and pushed a button. He also hit another button bringing Twig and Edison into the conversation.
Valerie saw her com blink, “Sprig, why are you calling me?”
“He’s not, Your Majesty, I am.”
“Who are you?”
“My name is Junior and I am the ship that took Jake Talant to the other universe.”
Valerie’s heart went into her throat, “What’s wrong? Is he all right?”
“Yes, his powers have been released. But he’s refusing to leave until we bring transports to take the three colonies off that planet.”
“Junior, you were ordered to teleport him away when he released his powers.”
“I know that, but evidently none of you managed to get Jake to agree. He blocked every effort to cover him with a teleport screen,”
Edison said, “He did what?”
“He blocked the screen from forming. You’re wasting time. He says we have a ten hour window to get them out before the Keepers’ ships arrive. He is going to hold off the garrison on the planet.”
“Junior, where is Cynthia?”
“She decided to stay and assist him in the fight, Your Majesty.”
Edison hit his board, “Fleet command, I want three Delta-size transports readied to leave our universe.”
“Edison, Jake also said to set the teleport screens on the transports to only move the DNA of Human, Glod, and Cainth.”
Edison said, “That is going to take some time.”
“I’ll take one transport, Edison.”
“I’ll take the second.”
“Thank you Sprig and Twig. Newton and I will handle the third. How long until those ships are ready?”
Admiral Zergl, who had joined the conversation, looked at his board. We have to bring a much bigger teleport system on board and connect it. It’s going to take at least six hours to get the screen working.”
Valerie said, “That’s cutting it close. Admiral, have we managed to cover any of our Warriors in the telepathy coating?”
“About fifty of them have the new armor.”
“Get them on a ship and move them to the Keepers’ planet. We have to support Jake and Cynthia quickly.”
“It will take at least four hours to power up the armor and load all the weapons.”
“Then you had better start moving, Admiral.”
Zergl disappeared from the conference screen.
Valerie dreaded the next question, but had to ask, “So Jake found his initiator, Junior?”
“Yes and no, Your Majesty.”
Valerie leaned back in her chair, “What do you mean by that?”
“Jake touched every woman in the human colony with no results.”
Valerie was puzzled, “Then how were his powers released?”
“A Keeper touched Jake; it released his powers. Evidently it took the combined mental connection of the entire Keepers species to break through that shell of his.”
Valerie was stunned; then she understood. “That’s why his psychic self keep bringing Keepers to wherever he was! It’s why the Searcher died. That colony of humans was the only place where Keepers regularly made contact with Humans without killing them. It makes sense now.” Then it hit her; Jake did not find the love of his life. She jumped up from her chair, “Junior, where are you?”
Joe Gardner, who had joined the conversation, said, “No you’re not, Valerie.”
Valerie ignored him, “Junior, answer me.”
Junior struggled, but knew he had to answer the Queen of the Stars Realm. “You have my coordinates.”
“Valerie, you can’t go there!”
“Valerie appeared on Junior’s bridge and said as she stepped through the silver screen. “Joe, you’re in charge until I return. Remember when you said you would never question me again?”
Joe looked at his Sister on his com and slowly nodded. “Don’t start, now.” Valerie sat in a chair and said, “Well, what are you waiting for?”
“Your Majesty, it is not safe there.”
“Do you intend to go back?”
“I have to, Your Majesty.”
“Maybe it’s because you left some friends there.” Junior said nothing, “Well so have I, so quit wasting time.”
“Is everyone going to accuse me of that all day?”
“Only if you keep doing it.”
Junior hit the drive and the ship disappeared from the Realm’s universe.
Joe watched Valerie’s face disappear from his com, contacted Admiral Zergl, and ordered him to speed up getting the Warriors ready.
Junior arrived back in the Keepers’ colony next to the moon. Valerie looked at her display and saw the Keepers’ ship on the moon’s surface, “Junior, is that what I think it is?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I think we killed it when I fired three penetrators up their drive ports.”
“Junior, we’re alone now; please dispense with the “Your Majesty” and call me Valerie. Did you share this information with Joe or Admiral Zergl?”
“No, I had too much happening too fast. I’ll launch a probe and send it back with the video and informationabout what I did.”
“Joe and Edison thought that might be a weakness in their design.”
“It is, Valerie, but using it is going to be difficult. If their drives are operating, the penetrator will explode before it can enter the tube. The weak point is located at the very front end of the drive.” Junior paused, then said, “Valerie, I am very uncomfortable with you being here. If we face any trouble I am taking you out of here.”
“Not without Jake, you won’t.”
“Sorry, but I will. You are too important to the Realm to risk.”
“Junior, my value is nothing compared to what Jake means to our success. I’m here because he broke a promise to me and I hope I can convince him to keep it.”
“Valerie, you won’t. We will either save those Humans on the planet or Jake will die trying to prevent their deaths.”
“Where is he?”
“He’s currently on the planet blowing up exits from the Keepers’ garrison.”
“Oh, my ancient ancestors! Take me there.”
“I’ll take you to where you can communicate with him, but I will not place you in danger.”
Valerie started to protest, but then decided that she did not want to force Junior to choose between being tried for treason for disobeying a direct order from the Queen or keeping her safe. She suspected he would take the treason charge. “Take me there.”
