Many of the Neriff troops tried to surrender but the rage of the Flyers at their losses was too much. Sparks flew by the thousands and within ten hours the fight was over. The local population began coming out to find that there were no Neriff left alive on the planet. The celebrations began but the Flyers had teleported out to mourn the loss of their comrades.
“Grace, if we had stayed at the Capital instead of going around the planet we could have saved those Riders.”
“I know. I shouldn’t have delayed assisting them.”
“No, WE shouldn’t have delayed. I’m also accountable for this.”
“I keep seeing those two heroes falling to their death.”
“What have we learned?”
“It’s time to do away with the Zeckas.”
“What!”
“I’ll discuss this with Emperor Robbins.”
“Discuss what, Grace?”
“Armor.”
Ten year old Robby Robbins sat at the table in the learning center with the headband on his head and watched the early history of the Stars Realm. He always liked to see Tag hiding behind his teacher. He closed his eyes and wished he had the psychic powers of the founder of the Realm. Being able to hide was a great gift he wished he had numerous times.
“You will have them eventually.”
“Who invited you here?”
“Come on, Robby. You know you like me, why don’t you just admit it.”
“Because I don’t.”
“You say that now but one day you’ll change your mind.”
“What do you want, Dani?”
“I want to say good-bye.”
Robby took the band off his head and stood up, “Where are you going?”
“So you do care!”
“No, I don’t. I’m just glad you’re not going to be around interrupting my thoughts.”
Robby heard a deep sigh in Dani’s thoughts, “We’re moving to New Hope.”
“Why for the Creator’s sake?”
“My Great Uncle is going to abdicate the Crown and the people have insisted that my Mother come and take it.”
Robby sat down, “How does she feel about that?”
“She doesn’t want it but Uncle Jeramiah insists that in order for the citizens to take the last steps toward accepting our values, she will have to lead them. His children have also contacted Mom to let her know they support her selection.”
“But why do they want your Mom?”
“When my Grandfather came to destroy the planet she was there to stop him. Everyone heard her challenge him and they now love her for saving their lives. Over the years, they have built her into an almost mythical being.”
Robby waited and finally said, “You’re not saying something.”
“I believe that I’ve caused this to happen.”
“How?”
“Because I’ve continued communicating with you.”
Robby sat there and didn’t know what to say. Finally he said, “You think we’re like Tommy and Cassandra.”
Now it was Dani’s turn to be silent. She was shocked into silence.
Robby said, “I know you’ve felt the repulsion between us. Even though we can communicate telepathically, I feel like I am almost forced to dislike you. There is no one on the planet I dislike but you. There has got to be a reason for that. I started doing some research into the Gardners and the only thing that makes sense is that we are a danger to each other. I think you’re probably right, psychic forces are causing events to keep us apart.”
“The forces are getting stronger, Robby. I’ve felt them growing since my seventh birthday. Now I’m almost ten and I can feel them. I’ve refused to give in to them and now this.”
“I’ve felt them, too, Dani.”
“If we are like the Gardners, you know what that means?”
“Yes, I do. And I’ll be waiting for the right time to come.”
“As will I, Robby.”
“Until that time arrives, we need to avoid each other. I think it will hurt our development if we continue to make contact.”
“I agree. We’re leaving tomorrow. Good-bye.”
Robby took a deep breath and said, “Good-bye, my love.”
Dani rolled over on her bed and cried. Mallory thought she was heart broke at having to leave Bristone but it was really at being forced to wait for the future happiness she knew was too far away.”
Robby thought about the young girl that had been born two months after him. He had felt her before he was born but somehow he had come to dislike her. Knowing why didn’t change the emotions so he didn’t fight them. It was those feelings that would make her absence bearable. He sighed and put the headband back on. He lowered his head and said to himself, “Please wait for me.”
Dani rolled over on her bed and thought, “I’ll wait patiently.” Neither heard the other but they were connected in ways they never suspected.
Timmy and Greyson teleported in to orbit above Priven and said, “I’m sorry for the delay in coming back.”
“We have been contacted by our colonies and they tell us that you have freed them from the Neriff.”
“We have. We have also made them understand that they are no longer allowed to come here. Your war with them is over.”
“Why did you do this?”
“It’s what we believe. We cannot stand by and allow an innocent civilization to be attacked. We wish you a bright future.”
“Are you just leaving without asking anything in return?”
“Well, yes. Why would we ask for anything?”
“Would it be possible for us to have discussions with your leadership about opening formal relations with your government?”
“We are preparing for a war with invaders from another universe. I understand your stance on non- aggression and at this time we need to find those civilizations that can help us in that coming conflict.”
“We will assist you any way we can. We owe our existence to you and that debt must be balanced. We have seen what happens when one chooses not to defend themselves. We have a planet that is highly industrialized. We want to help.”
Timmy thought about it and said, “I will bring our leaders to discuss this with you. Thank you for your willingness to help us.”
Timmy and Greyson teleported away and Greyson said, “We did the right thing. They can help our efforts.”
“I know, but we lost so much. I know the Flyers are mourning those that were killed. I feel responsible for those losses.”
Greyson was silent until they arrive at Bristone and finally he said just before Timmy teleported down to the planet, “Our existence is for the purpose of making this universe a better place. You are going to one day have to make decisions that will lead to us to being put in harm’s way. You know that if you hesitate to pay the price, we’ll lose everything. That’s the price of being in command. Never waste your forces, but you have to do what’s right. I know if you really look at what just happened, you’ll know you did. There are four worlds that have been saved from the brutality of the Neriff. Those billions are worth what we lost and more.”
