“I’m always surprised by his insight. The two on the planet are really frightened. They think that our King here found out they were going to execute him when he returned.”
Daulun whipped his head around at the young Zord and yelled, “Liar. They are my strongest and most loyal supporters.”
Greyson said, “Show him.”
Daulun saw the throne room as Canton rushed in. He heard the conversation and his face turned deep red. “Order the troops down! Send them down!”
Greyson said, “I think that does it. All of them have arrived and are in orbit. I’ve opened a channel. Order them yourself.”
Daulun yelled, “The Pelos are traitors. Attack the planet and destroy them! They have ordered the fleet to kill you. Put your screens up and attack!”
Greyson shut off the channel as the transports turned on their screens and thousands of drop troops fell from the ships toward the ground. Following the drop troops, thousands of small carriers with heavily armored troops dropped toward the castle. The fleet came roaring in and fired on the seven hundred transports. The warships beams were stronger than the troop transports and after a pitched battle that lasted two hours, all seven hundred were destroyed. The fleet lost three hundred ships when the transports started ramming them when they saw no chance of escape.
Daulun watched with a hard smile on his face as the ground troops began landing and fighting their way through the troops on the ground. Thousands were being killed as the battle swarmed around the castle. The remaining five hundred ships overhead attempted to support the ground troops but the fight was too close to the castle and the troops were too mingled to fire. They watched helplessly as the drop troops rushed the walls.
The defenders fell back and every inch of ground gained by the attackers was deadly. Beams and explosions were everywhere and troops were dying by the thousands on both sides until the palace wall was breached. Then the killing accelerated into frenzy. The fleet Admiral watched on his display as the shock troops rushed into the throne room and blasted everyone into dust. Daulun smiled as he saw Canton and his father killed. Then he heard the Admiral say, “They will pay for this.” The fleet fired a nuke into the castle and the city went up in a blinding flash. Greyson dimmed the scanners and then fired on the ships in the fleet. Every ship was vaporized and nothing remained in orbit over Crimeron.
Greyson said, “Now I can let it go.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Our values prevent us from attacking those that are unable to defend themselves. We wondered how we could remove the evil of those soldiers that attacked and enslaved so many planets. Those scum reveled in the misery they caused. My Emperor suggested that I allow you to do it for us. I thank you for making that happen. All of the soldiers and shock troops were in the castle at the end of the battle and they are now gone. Crimeron lost a major city but they are now free of the evil that ruled here.”
“The fleet couldn’t defend themselves against you.”
“That’s true but they destroyed an innocent city. They had to be stopped.”
Daulun stared at the display. He saw that he had lost control and now there was nothing. Well, at least he had one thing, “I held up my end of my promise. Now keep yours.”
Greyson said, “My Emperor promised to send you to one of the Provincial Capitals. We will send you there now.”
Daulun smiled as his bindings were removed by Kreej. Then he saw the planet on his display. That’s not a Provincial Capital.”
“Ah, but it is.”
“What planet is that?”
Greyson laughed, “Welcome to El Prado. The current rulers will welcome you momentarily.” Daulun disappeared in a silver screen and reappeared in the branches near the top of a giant Ging Tree.
He looked at the ground far below and saw two giant creatures that looked like cats. The cats were sniffing the air and then they looked up and saw him clinging to a branch two hundred feet overhead. The largest cat sunk his claws into the trunk and began climbing to remove the invader from their territory. Daulun cursed and screamed for twenty minutes as the cat climbed two hundred feet. Greyson and Kreej both made a record of the death that Daulun so richly deserved. Greyson said, “This is for Haldale.” Both of them watched the long fall of Daulun’s body as the cat threw him clear of the tree. Daulun screamed all the way to the ground. The giant female on the ground caught him in her mouth and savagely shook him before she swallowed him.
Kreej thought about what had happened and decided that Greyson’s revenge was something he would share with the flock. It was always good to remove evil from existence. The extended time for Daulun to think about his death was always good for those whose crimes were punishable by death; maybe even better than the long fall that the flocks used to punish criminals. This death was a long one. Greyson teleported away and felt his spirit finally at peace.
Jeramiah Jongo sat at the fire in the clearing just outside the Human community on Bristone. Emperor Robbins and his wife were sitting across from him staring into the flames. Two weeks had passed and miraculous things had happened on New Ulmerton. The former slaves were recuperating nicely and most were scheduled to be transported back to their home worlds. The Military had been brought under control and most of the former troops were now doing the work of the former slaves under the watchful eyes of the Zord and their Riders. They learned quickly that to even think about rebellion would end their life. The Zord were watching the former soldiers determining which of them could be possibly be salvaged. Jeramiah was surprised to find that the vast majority were repulsed by the treatment of the slaves but were forced to their brutality. There were a small percentage of them that enjoyed causing misery and they were all moved to one camp.
Jeremiah knew that the former soldiers were going to have to play the role of slaves until the other Province could be faced. The Ambassador from that Province was due in a week and he was going to have to put on the show of his life.
“Your Majesty, we have enlisted the aid of Carrie and Ashley to send ambassadors to the planets that Daulun conquered. We have told them about Daulun’s demise and that a good government was not in power on New Ulmerton. They, unfortunately, do not want to have any dealings with New Ulmerton under any circumstances. I was wondering what you plan to do with them.”
Jeramiah sighed, “I can’t really blame them for feeling that way. Daulun is a name that will go down in history as an evil tyrant.” He looked at Scotty, “I understand that you have promised protection to two other kingdoms.”
“We have.”
“Are they planets that you rule?”
“Not yet. We will not accept any new members until they prove they will live by our values. Queen Carrie’s kingdom is close to being accepted. They have pleaded for membership and the Zord have confirmed the leaders of their worlds are committed.”
“May I request your protection and possible membership in your Empire for those planets we conquered and for us when we can prove our commitment to your satisfaction?”
“You have lost all the worlds that you’ve conquered and we will assist them in reconstruction. You’re alone now.”
“Not really. We have you and the other two kingdoms to trade with and I think we can eventually win back the good will of those worlds we mistreated. I do know that without your help, we stand no chance against the other Province. My world had the most modern factories and up-to-date ship building facilities in this sector. We can assist you in preparing for the coming conflict.”
Scotty stared at Jeramiah and then looked at Julie, “What do you think?”
“I think you should be there when this Ambassador arrives to help King Jongo in the meetings. I also think that if it comes down to it, you should move New Ulmerton to protect it after the meeting.”
Scotty and Jeramiah did a double take at the suggestion. “Are you able to move a planet?” Scotty looked at Jeramiah and nodded. “Well, I could certainly use some help. I’m not sure what we’re going to do when our shipments of raw materials stop. I suspect that will trigger the invasion.”
“We’re going to assist you with that. We are going to send you what you need from the kingdoms and all of the former worlds you conquered have agreed to continue providing their share. With all of us chipping in, no one
