“So what happens now?”
“We’re going to take the planet and free the slaves. Would you like to help us?”
“Don’t leave us out.”
“Gilene, what are you doing here. You were ordered to stay away.”
We’re all here and now we know the truth about what happened long ago. Jongo just confirmed our belief. If you’re going to correct the wrongs we’ve done, we want to help.”
“Are you willing to swear your loyalty to an Emperor that upholds the principles of the former Realm?”
“We are.”
“Then prove it. We need to bring the military on this planet under control and prevent the fleet from coming to support them.”
Varner said, “Kelly, you handle the fleet. The rest of us will go where you need us. Greyson, it’s good to see you again.”
“Thanks. It’s good to have my family back. Jess, we have four new ships to help us.”
“We can use them, here are your assignments. Keep the ground troops contained and under control. I’m assigning two riders to each of you. They’ll teleport in, momentarily.”
Mallory and fifty Riders teleported into the throne room and spread out. The Riders were wearing their Zeckas and were not seen by the guards. They scattered and moved out into the large room where they could observe everyone present. Mallory turned off her Zecka and three guards started raising their blasters when they saw Mallory appear; they were burned instantly. Mallory looked around and said. “Unless you all want to die, lay down your weapons and sit down with your hands behind your heads.” She looked at her Uncle and Cousins, “That includes you as well.”
A guard in the back swung his blaster up and his head flew off his shoulders. The guards saw what happened and threw their blasters to the floor and sat down with their hands behind their heads. They saw the blasters move away by an invisible force.
Jeramiah Jongo remained standing and said with sarcasm in his tone, “Just what do you think you’re going to do? You’ll be killed by our guards in a few moments.”
Mallory looked at Jeramiah and smiled, “Do you want to bet your life on that?”
“Before I allow another tyrant to take the throne, I might just take that bet.”
Mallory stared at him and said, “Uncle, we are currently bringing the military and the fleet under our control. Once that is done we are releasing the slaves and taking them to centers where they can be fed and given proper health care. We are no longer in the business of world conquest.”
Jeramiah stared at Mallory, “Your family is nothing but liars. Why should I believe you?”
“Quite frankly, you shouldn’t. I know you question why I did nothing about the slaves and I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t know what was going on. However, now I do and my new friends will not tolerate what my father has been doing. We are going to end it today. Now, if you want to see if I’m lying you will need to sit down and watch. However, I don’t know how much you knew about what was going on and I don’t trust you either. So decide. I will not ask you again.”
Jeramiah stared at Mallory and saw she was serious. He looked at his children and nodded. They sat down on the floor and put their hands behind their heads. As soon as he sat down he felt someone behind him take his hands and bind them. He looked and didn’t see anything. What was going on here?
Mallory spoke into her com, “I have the throne room. Initiate the next steps.”
The ones sitting on the floor heard, “We’re on it. The fleet has been brought under control.”
Mallory went to the communications board next to the throne and keyed the board, “I know that many of you are frightened by what’s happening around you. You have watched as my father has brought millions of captured slaves to our world and forced them into hard labor. I have just recently learned that he has been dishonest about who they are. He has been invading innocent civilizations and forcing his heavy handed rule on them. That ends today. Our core principles since the founding of our Province has always been to detest slavery and all its forms. Somewhere along the way, we lost ourselves. It started when we attacked the Stars Realm thousands of years ago. I am the successor to my Father and I command that we return to those values. You’ve all heard how he was going to kill you. I give you my oath that I will protect and defend you against all enemies that seek to destroy your peace. I ask that you stay in your homes until this is over. It will not be safe in the streets.”
Jeramiah listened to Mallory and said, “Do you think you can do what you just said?”
Mallory looked at him, “I will or die trying. It’s time the ruler put the well being of their subjects ahead of his own.”
Jeramiah saw she meant it. Maybe things were going to be changed. He looked at his two sons and daughter and said, “Wait and see.”
James Silvey watched the four hundred thousand slaves milling around in the huge holding compound. He had been made a guard six months earlier and was stunned at the brutal way the other guards had brutalized them. He tried to treat them with kindness when he could and his fellow guards had beaten him twice for not using their tactics. Colonel Grame threatened to make him join them if he didn’t toughen up.
He listened to the broadcast of King Jongo’s command to destroy the planet and was shocked at his total disregard for his subjects. The guards around him were angry and frightened as they stared at the sky waiting for death to come. When Princess Mallory came on the com and said that her father was captured and was going to be tried for treason, there was a huge sigh of relief. Then they heard, “All guards currently assigned to the slave compounds will turn off their weapons and gather at the compound entrance. You will have ten minutes to comply.”
James turned off his blaster and walked away from the fence and turned toward the entrance. He noticed that no one else was joining him. Most of the guards were talking among themselves wondering what was going on. Several noticed him headed toward the entrance but turned back to their arguments. Colonel Grame went on the com and said, “Hold you posts. We need some hostages to make sure no one tries to blame us for any wrong doing.”
James continued to walk toward the entrance and Col. Grame stepped away from the fence and moved in front of him, “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I’m following the orders of my Queen, Sir.”
“She’s not your Queen yet.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because we haven’t had our say in her selection and until we do, you will keep your post.”
“Sir, I respectfully decline to disobey my Queen.” James stepped around Grame and continued moving toward the entrance.
Grame sneered and raised his blaster, “You’ve always been too soft.”
Grame was hit by a white spark that flew in almost faster than the eye could see. His arms burned off and then the rest of his body was consumed by flames. The guards heard on their coms, “You will not be asked again. Move to the entrance or die.”
James continued walking toward the entrance. Many of the guards raised their blasters to fire but all were burned. The guards saw the small bright sparks flying in from over head and they began raising their blasters to fire at whatever was hitting them. James continued his walk to the entrance as two thousand sparks flew in and killed the guards lining the fence. He arrived at the entrance and laid his inactive weapon on the ground. He looked around and smelled burning flesh. There was no one else at the entrance but him, so he walked up to the gate where there were thousands of slaves gathered. Some of them started yelling at him but a woman screamed at them, “This is the only one that showed us kindness.” The slaves grew silent. “He’s been giving my daughter and son his meals. He’s never hurt any of us and I know he hates what’s been done.” She looked at James, “Am I right?”
James said, “Yes, you are.” James reached up and punched the code into the gate and opened it. “I don’t know what you can do on a world away from your homelands, but I will never help anyone harm another being.”
A loud voice rang out over a loud speaker, “We know you are ready to escape this camp, however, we want you to go where you can be fed and cared for. You are now free and we will help you recover from your imprisonment. Officer, will you please show our friends how to get to the barracks next to the Medical Center.”
James looked at the slaves and said, “If you will follow me, I’ll show you where to go.” A young boy and girl
