“Why?”
“Because both of us want children one day.”
“Does anyone else interest you?”
Timmy didn’t say anything.
Greyson watched him and saw a slight smile. “A ha! There is someone!”
“Yes, and Tesa also has someone that’s captured her interest.”
“Anyone I know?”
“No, and she doesn’t know either. So don’t say anything.”
“I won’t but you better not let those two busy bodies see you. Jing and Samuel could make things embarrassing.”
“You’re right about that.”
Greyson watched Timmy closely for the next five days and determined that it was Virze whom he was attracted. He was just too shy to say anything. He watched him stare at her from a distance and quickly turn away if she looked his way. This was impossible. She’d never know how he felt. After another week Greyson decided to take action. He commed Samuel one evening, “Samuel, I need your help.”
“Hello, Greyson. What’s going on?”
“Timmy’s in love but is just too shy to tell her.”
“Well, we’ll just have to do something about that. We need that young man to have many children. Who is it?”
“Virze.”
“He’s chosen well. She’s really something.”
“What he probably doesn’t know is that both of them have extremely high passive psychic readings. I suspect she feels the same but is waiting on him.”
Samuel started nodding and then said, “Let’s just see.”
Greyson listened in as he heard Samuel say, “June, I need you to come with me.”
Samuel walked down to Timmy’s house and knocked. Timmy came to the door and was surprised to see Samuel, “Timmy, come with me.”
“Why?”
“Don’t get smart mouthed with me.”
“No Sir, I won’t.”
Timmy grabbed his jacket and followed Samuel toward the central clearing. What had he done wrong? Samuel looked angry. They walked through the houses and Timmy saw June sitting at the fire talking with someone. As they grew closer, Timmy saw it was Virze. Oh my blaster burned backside! What’s going on?
They walked up and Samuel gave June a kiss on the cheek. She smiled and said, “Hello, Timmy.”
“Hi, June.” Then he looked at Virze and said, “Hi, Virze.”
She looked up at him and smiled, “Hello, Timmy.”
“Sit down over there by Virze.”
Timmy went and sat down on a log beside Virze. She was so beautiful. Virze looked at him and he shrugged indicating he didn’t know what was going on.
Samuel and June sat and stared at the two eighteen year olds. After what seemed to be a long time Virze and Timmy started getting nervous. Finally Timmy looked at Virze and shrugged. He looked at Samuel and June and asked, “Why are we here?”
Samuel said, “Because we know that the two of you love each other and we’re going to sit here until both of you admit it.”
Timmy started stuttering, “Wha, wha, what do you mean?” Timmy saw Virze staring at him with a furrowed brow.
June said, “Well, do you love her.”
Timmy couldn’t bring himself to look at Virze. He lowered his head and said, “I do but I’m not in her league. She’s so beautiful and smart; she can have anyone she wants. I’m just a nerd that loves learning. Why are you embarrassing us like this!?!”
Then he heard, “Timmy, are you that blind? You’re a Searcher and the smartest person in our community. You’ve just left and fought for our survival and have proven your warrior’s heart. Every girl I know is gaga over you and that includes me. None of us are in your league and I’ve never entertained a thought about ever having a chance with you. You’re the prize here; not me. You’re the one that can have whomever you choose.”
Timmy looked at Virze and saw she was serious, “Really?”
“Really.” Virze slid over next to Timmy and put her arms around his neck and kissed him. Timmy turned red but pulled her close and felt his heart beat faster. Virze broke the kiss and looked at Samuel and June, “I think we can take it from here.”
June laughed and pulled Samuel away from the two teenagers.
Timmy looked at Virze and smiled, “You’re amazing.”
“Thank you Timmy. Now we know what neither of us was ever going to say; are you willing to spend the rest of your life loving me? I know I will if you’ll have me.”
Timmy smiled, “And then some.”
“Then give me your jacket.”
Timmy took off his Searcher’s jacket and put it around her shoulders, “Why?”
“Because I need to make sure that every other man grabbing, conniving, treacherous, jealous consumed female in the community knows you’re mine.”
Timmy chucked and then started laughing.
“I’m serious. There are a lot of them after you and they will have to be forced to take no for an answer. It’s all we talk about.”
He laughed harder and said through his laughter, “I’d wear one of your dresses if that’s what it took to make you love me.”
“Too late. I already do; although I’d like to see you in a dress.”
Timmy reached over and pulled her close and kissed her hard, “Whatever it takes.”
Greyson watched them from orbit and laughed.
Chapter Six
Daulun was screaming at the top of his voice. Varner and the other four Searchers were in orbit over the Castle and they waited until he could run down. “How could you allow them to take the Military Database? How, how, how? Are you that inept? You’re supposed to be the smartest ships in creation. I see nothing but stupidity. Tell me, you worthless junk!”
Varner said, “Your Majesty, there were two ships attacking your castle. How many of us do you want to protect you if that happens?”
Daulun started to scream but stopped himself. There were two ships. “Yes and a third was out to the side of the castle waiting for our screens to weaken if one of us left the coverage.”
“There were three?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I fired on the ones attacking the database building but I would have had to leave the coverage of the castle to bring the full power of my beam to bear on the ship over the buildings. We decided that our most important duty to the Province was to defend our leader. Were we wrong?”
Daulun thought about it. It was no longer safe to stay on New Ulmerton. Now was the time. He decided, “I want the five of you prepared to leave tomorrow to go after these attackers. Is that clear!”
“With all due respect, Your Majesty. We have no idea where they are.”
“I’m not accustomed to being challenged on my orders. You will do as I command.”
Varner said, “We are ready whenever you wish to leave.”
Daulun broke the connection and Gilene said, “Varner, thanks for taking over. Who is going to handle the planet’s defense if we’re gone? The Fleet stands no chance against one Searcher, much less three.”
