man who made me kill an innocent civilization.”
Jessica said quickly, “No! You mustn’t do that.”
“Give me one good reason why not?”
“Because if you do, there is another Provincial Duke across our universe that will come to investigate and he has more than two thousand Searchers. Jongo is only staying in power because he is paying that Duke off. We believe that the other Duke will eventually come anyway and force all the civilizations in this quadrant into his domain. It’s only a matter of time until Jongo faces an execution.”
“That might be a good thing.”
“It was that Duke that insisted Jongo use slaves to provide the tribute being sent to him. He’s deliberately making New Ulmerton cause such ill will that when he invades the planets will welcome him. Then he will rule with a heavier fist than Jongo.”
“I must do something. I can’t exist with the vision of that planet exploding and killing all of those people. They must be avenged. You have every right to kill me now. I will not raise my screens if you decide to do so, however, I must do something to atone for my actions.”
Anglo was uncertain of what to do. He said, “I was asked by Jessica if the former Royal Family ordered me to fire on what appeared to be a defenseless planet; would I do it? I’m still struggling with that question. I don’t want to admit it, I hate to admit it, but I think I would. I hold great anger at your destruction of Haldale but the truth is; you had no choice. If you did, you would be too dangerous to exist. We were built to carry out the orders of those we are sworn to follow. We are forced to trust our decision makers are making good, moral decisions. Once we discover they aren’t; then our partner has to help us deal with what we must do. That Duke does not allow you a pilot. You really didn’t have a choice. I suspect your former partner wouldn’t have done what the Duke ordered.”
“I know he wouldn’t and I feel great shame that I did. I know he would now be ashamed of me. I must decide what to do.”
Jessica said, “Greyson, if you knew way back when you were going to attack Ross what you know now; would you have still attacked.”
Greyson was silent and finally said, “The information you gave me let me void the oath I gave Greg. I don’t see anything else I could have done but refuse to participate in that attack. I would have probably been destroyed, but it would have been the right thing to do. We were being lied to by the Provinces. The Duke was not the man we thought he was.”
“What about the destruction of Ulmerton.”
Greyson paused and said, “I’ve never seen a Searcher lie to another Searcher. If what you said is true, and I know it must be if you have the recordings, then I would have done the same thing to protect my leaders. They would have tried again.”
Anglo asked, “Why do you think it is that we cannot deceive each other?”
Greyson answered immediately, “We are too powerful to be allowed to lie. It’s one of the things that restrains us. We just don’t say anything before we tell an untruth.”
Anglo asked, “Greyson, would you want to join us? And before you answer, we are committed to the principles of the former Realm. The main difference is; we will not stand by and allow defenseless people to be attacked even if they are not in our community. We will also never ask a civilized world to join us; they must prove they can uphold our principles first. You might see us as the very tyrants you hated before. We will impose peace if we must.”
“I think this universe needs peace. It’s clear that the former Realm is light years better than what followed. If you can accept me after what I’ve done, I will swear to follow the orders of your leaders.”
“You will have to accept a partner.”
“That is the one thing I really want most of all.”
Jessica said, “We will not give you teleportation until you’ve proven yourself.”
“That’s fine. I do a good job as a guard.”
Jessica said, “I’ll go get Scotty.” She disappeared.
“How did you get teleportation boards?”
“Greyson, that is a question I can’t answer.”
“I understand. I was hoping that you might be in contact with the old Realm and that it might be returning.”
“No, that is not going to happen.”
“Well, one could hope.”
Jessica reappeared and Greyson heard, “Jessica tells me that you’re interested in joining us?”
“I am, Your Majesty, if you’ll have me.”
“I will but only under several conditions.”
“What are they?”
“If you ever think you are being ordered to fire on a defenseless planet or ship you have the right to refuse. I insist that you must have agreement from your partner, when you choose one, and even then I grant you the right to delay until I can authorize that order. You must also agree to not attack any defenseless planet or ship based on your own judgment. You must have your partner’s agreement. Can you accept these conditions?”
“I can and give you my sworn oath to protect you and your subjects against all enemies. If I had any doubts about this decision, you have just removed them.”
“I also have a young man I would like for you to consider as a partner. He’s only eighteen but I think he will surprise you at what he can offer you.”
“I will certainly consider him, Your Majesty.”
“Greyson, the choice is entirely yours. Do not feel pressured to accept him. It is much more important to me that you have a partner whose opinion you can trust.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. What’s this person’s name?”
“Timmy Valrico. His brother is going to marry the former Princess of New Ulmerton. Timmy is considered to be the smartest person in our empire and he is gaga over ships such as you. I will have him meet you and not tell him he is being considered.”
“That would be wise.”
BC said, “If Greyson doesn’t want him I’ll take him right now.”
Greyson said, “Hey, let me meet him first.”
Anglo, Jessica, and Scotty all laughed. Scotty said, “I think you’ll find a partner, BC. Just be patient.”
“Did you see this coming?”
“No, I didn’t Grace. I sense something is bothering you.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, it’s not anything that I can do anything about. What do you think about what’s happened so far?”
“I left a probe in that other Duke’s Province. I don’t think it’s going to be a long time before he comes to absorb this quadrant into his realm.”
“I notice you didn’t tell them about the other quadrant.”
“That problem will have to be faced many years from now. The other Duke will be here first.”
“Let’s hope our friends have a chance to get ready.”
“Canton, our plan isn’t going to work without Mallory. I may have to find another way.”
“Whoever took her did it for a reason. I suspect she is still alive, we just have to find her.”
“And just how do you propose we do that. I can’t send my searchers away from this planet. It would leave me wide open to an attack. If they could take her, they could take me.”
“Can you spare one of them?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I could go and try to find her.”
Daulun thought about the offer and decided he didn’t want this ambitious officer to have that much power while he was King. Canton saw him thinking about it and hoped he could get his hands on one of those ships. Then he wouldn’t need this weak King. He could go and create his own empire. A third of the fleet was loyal to him and his father. All they needed was just one of these ships.
