until we know if they are going to be able to stand up to those huge ships.”
“What about the Zetas that are still at the Defense Facility?”
“We’re going to hold them in storage until the trial is done. If it’s successful, the nine of us will transfer into them after their hulls have been redesigned and then we’ll update the ships we’re currently using. We’ve found more than enough Searchers in Rehoben’s Fleet that have demonstrated that they will follow the values of our Empire. Rehoben has allowed them to leave his fleet and join us. I think Rehoben is ready to swear loyalty to the Empire and is moving his kingdom toward that end. I must say that he has greatly impressed me with his organizational skills and his firm commitment to our vision.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen that as well. Kreej has confirmed it and the Emperor is watching his kingdom closely.”
“How about you and Timmy?”
“We are going to be married soon. I love him so much, Grace.”
“You two are made for each other. You should take the next step.”
Virze stared at the display showing the stars at the former location of the Invader’s ship. “We don’t need to wait. We don’t know how much time we’ll have if this trial is a failure.”
“I didn’t want to say that but you’re right to think that way.”
“Let’s go home. Alex was right. It looks like we will have some time before they return.”
“You might want to think about that.”
“What do you mean?”
“If the trial is a success, I suspect the Invaders will start looking for the place the Ultra came from. Either way, you should make your plans quickly.”
“Take me home, Grace. We’ve put it off long enough.”
Virze hit her com, “Timmy, are you at Bristone?”
“Yes, I am, Love.”
“Please marry me now.”
“I’m so glad you’re ready. We’ve put it off too long.”
“I’m on my way.”
The large white ship disappeared.
Scotty, Julie, Robby, Grang, and Jingo sat at a table looking at Niles and Toland. Scotty said, “I don’t want to send you against one of their ships but we have to know where we stand.”
Niles looked at Toland and said, “We’ve known this day would eventually come, Your Majesty. We’ve been preparing for a long time.”
“Even so, if it looks like you’re in real danger, I want you to jump away.”
Toland shook his head, “I’m sorry to disagree with you, Your Majesty. We have to see if they can destroy our ship. We must stay and take on anything they can throw at us. I think we have to see if we can be destroyed and running will only endanger the ships that come after us.”
Niles nodded, “I agree and we’ve prepared for the worst. If we survive, then we’ll be as thankful as anyone but we must find out. We owe it to the Empire to give it our best effort.”
“I don’t want to lose the two of you.”
“And we don’t want to die but we must see what the Invader’s capabilities are.”
Scotty shook his head, “I just don’t like sending someone out to fight with no hope of survival.”
“All of us will possibly face that moment someday. There is always hope, even now; just not a lot of it.” Niles looked at Scotty, “Would you go, if you were the only one capable of facing this enemy, to fight for the Empire? If you say you wouldn’t, Toland and I will reconsider.”
Julie said, “I wouldn’t let him go.”
Niles shook his head, “That is not an answer. Would you go?”
Scotty looked at Julie and slowly shook his head, “You wouldn’t be able to stop me, Julie. Both of us know it.” He then looked at Niles, “Make this count for something. My prayer is you come back.”
Toland smiled, “Oh, we’ll make it count. We’ve been looking forward to a good fight that means something. We owe a huge debt for the planets we allowed to be invaded by Daulun. This is the first part of repaying it. Maybe now we can save them from another enemy.”
Grang looked at them and said, “Do you need anyone else to assist you.”
Scotty looked at Grang, “Now is not your time, Brother.”
Niles shook his head, “No, the ship is built for two. We do appreciate your offer.”
Grang looked at Scotty and then at Niles and grunted.
“Vring, is the probe ready?”
“Yes it is. We’ve attached it to the Bristone and it will detach once we arrive in the other universe and the Bristone encounters one of the Invader’s Ships.”
Scotty looked around the room and asked, “Does anyone else have anything to add.”
Robby said, “They have to go. Our survival depends on it.” Everyone looked at the ten year old. “I can’t explain how I know it but we are in much greater danger if they don’t. It’s imperative that they go.”
Scotty looked at his son and wondered what he knew.
Niles said, “We’ve changed the color of the Bristone to green. It will not match any ship here in color. They should experience a lot of difficulty matching it to any ship they may have recorded when they were here. The rear engines were also changed along with the lines of the hull. Even if they come here looking, they shouldn’t find anything to match.”
Julie sighed and asked, “When are you leaving?”
Niles looked at Toland, “In the morning. We want to take a last look at the stars tonight.”
Jingo smiled, “Do you mind if we join you?”
“Not at all.”
Scotty stood up, “Then we’ll have a going away party tonight. We’ll have a blast.”
Toland smiled, “We hope to have one tomorrow as well.”
Kreej was lying down outside the fire in the middle of the clearing watching the huge party. Robby was leaning back against Kreej looking up at the stars. “Kreej, do you think they’ve thought the attack through?”
“They have.”
Robby took a deep breath, “It was wise of them not to mention it to the others.”
“I know. I admire their bravery. They’re afraid but they aren’t being affected by it. They needed this gathering tonight to prove their commitment is worth the price.”
Robby looked at Niles and Toland across the circle and slowly shook his head. Kreej thought to him, “You’re starting to miss Dani.”
“I am. Most of the time I can just focus on things happening around me but when things slow down, my thoughts turn to her.”
“She’ll be there when the time is right.”
Robby turned his head and looked at the Zord, “Have you seen something?”
“I saw it years ago. The two of you are connected. I think you and she are doing the right thing by avoiding contact. The connection has strengthened since she left. I think the decision not to make mental contact is making the connection stronger.”
“Then I’ll continue to abstain. Now that she’s not here, I don’t feel as bad about being around her.” Robby looked back up at the stars and smiled, “I’ve seen the vision of when you were very young asking Mom if she was Dad’s mate. You were really small back then.”
Kreej smiled, “Yes, I was. I decided at that moment that I was going to be your flyer.”
“Was the wait worth it?”
“Oh yes. Just as yours will be for Dani.”
Robby smiled and saw Dani Valrico’s face in the stars overhead.
Niles felt the reactors power up and watched as his panel began illuminating. He punched the diagnostics button and the display began displaying the status of Bristone’s systems. He glanced over at Toland and saw he was balancing the reactors output. “Are you ready for this?”
“I am.”
“I’ve rethought our engagement plan.”
Toland raised his head, “In what way?”
