and Julie. Robby was on board Greyson with Timmy. “I’ve gathered all of us here with Alex so we can decide what we need to do about the Orange Beings coming to invade our universe. I think all of us have had time to view the information send back by Niles and Toland. Does anyone want to start the discussion?”
Alex said, “It appears we need to relook our weapons mix.”
Scotty said, “Why is that?”
“What happens if the invaders refuse to fire on our ships once they learn we are using their beams to destroy them? I think we should hold that weapon until the last possible moment when they send their biggest fleet here.”
“What do we use in the mean time?”
“Grace, we now know that a Zeta Beam will penetrate their force field for a moment. It won’t hit the ship but it opens a door to send other weapons through.”
“Are you referring to the ancient penetrators that had small missiles inside them?”
“No, Timmy. I’m referring to sending a Flyer through the opening.”
Scotty said, “What! That doesn’t make sense, Alex. The Zord can’t fly in the vacuum of space.”
“You’re forgetting the Rider as well, Your Majesty. Let me explain. Bleath, you and Vring may join in anytime.”
“We will but we’d rather you explain our proposal.”
Alex paused and continued, “Grace tells me that you are reluctant to use armor for our Riders.”
“I am. I’m not certain that we need to release that technology in this universe. It’s just too dangerous.”
“But you’re ok with building Searchers.”
“Uhhh, I think we have to have them for our defense.”
“Is it also because you trust their use with a good partner assisting them?”
“Yesssss, I think the checks and balances with the two make them safer.”
“How do you Searcher Vessels feel about that?”
Greyson said, “Even a good partner will not always prevent us being used for evil purposes. We need look no further than the Provincial Dukes that lied to us and led us into an evil enterprise.”
Scotty said, “That’s true, but once you saw the truth you were able to make a good decision.”
“After hundreds of worlds had been enslaved and forty million killed on Haldale, Your Majesty. Even we can be dangerous if the right circumstances cause us to be led astray.”
Scotty thought about what Greyson was saying, “Alex, are you telling me that we should allow armor to be introduced in this conflict?”
“I’m just saying that there are no absolutes in any weapon turned loose in this universe. What is the one thing that prevents them from being used for evil?”
“I think making sure that they never fall into the wrong hands.”
“Then consider this; who would you trust with an all powerful weapon system.”
Robby said, “That’s easy.”
Scotty said, “Who?”
“The Zord.”
Scotty smiled, “You’re right, son. I would trust the Zord to do the right thing in any circumstance.”
Bleath said, “You can’t say that, Your Majesty.”
“Why not?”
“Remember, we were planning a long and painful death for Grang. You stopped us. I was also planning to attack your community before Samuel killed those three teenagers. Sometimes we are also blind to events.”
“Then who, Alex?”
“The Flyers. The Zord and their Riders can always be trusted to do the right thing. The two of them together are just as effective as a Searcher and their partner. You know how every Rider is screened and trialed to make sure they truly believe in the values of our Empire.”
“Alex, I notice you said, ‘Our’.”
“I did. I am now accepting your authority over my facility. I’ve seen that you are even more careful with how my technology would be used than I am. I’ve learned I can trust you. I’ve also seen that your chosen successors will also follow your vision.”
Timmy looked at his display and saw Virze nod. He smiled and felt his love for his wife.
“So what are you suggesting?”
Vring said, “We are going to armor the Flyers.” No one said anything. Vring waited and said, “We have looked at the armor chamber and discovered that it can be modified to armor a Zord as well as any other species. The DNA protocols have to be changed but that is not hard to accomplish. We have also made modifications so that it won’t be so painful to make the process work.”
“How will that help us against the Invaders?”
“There is a ten foot hold in their force field when a Zeta beam hits it. We’ll teleport a Flyer through that hole and the Zord and Rider will teleport in to the giant ship’s hull and attack the ship.”
Jingo said, “With what? Claws and sparks won’t do damage to those ships.”
Robby said, “Jingo, armor can hold enough weapons in the outer skin to fight for a year. With the wing span of a Zord being close to two hundred feet, some pretty big missiles can be loaded in. Once they’re inside the force field they can launch a devastating barrage ahead of them. Once an armored rider gets to the ship’s hull, the amount of destruction possible is staggering.”
Scotty looked at Robby then said, “They will still have beams available to hit the Flyer.”
Bleath said, “Yes, but the Flyer will not appear on their scanners. Remember that armor directs all energy around it. It’s hard to target something you can’t see.”
Vring said, “White Hair, I know the real reason you did not want to armor only the Riders.”
Scotty remained silent.
“You didn’t want to leave us out of the fight. You knew we are warriors and you couldn’t bring yourself to force us to only stay on our planet.”
Scotty saw Grang looking at him and he said, “You’re right.”
“Well, now our Flyers will remain a team. Rider and Zord will fight together in a just cause and it will be a glorious battle.”
Scotty shook his head, “Alex, how can they be effective in space combat? The Invaders are so far ahead of us technologically.”
“Your Majesty, the armor developed by the old Realm was the most dangerous weapon ever devised. Searchers must stay in orbit and are limited in what they can do on the ground. Our old Red Warriors were what truly made the Stars Realm formidable. With the modifications being made by the Zord, the new armor will make that old armor as obsolete as null drives. The Flyers will be more powerful than a Zeta Searcher.”
“How can that be?”
“The new Armor will teleport its energy to operate. If needed it will take it from the ship it attacks. If it can’t get it from the ship, it’ll draw it from the closest star. Once the force field around a ship is removed, it will take its energy from the reactors on the ship or reactors we’ll be building around the Empire. Unlike the Zeta’s that have three reactors, the Armor will be able to draw from thousands. That development will make them a weapon that is almost unimaginable. If we can get them through the Invader’s force fields, they will give better than they get. I don’t mean to say that they won’t be in danger. They will. But they can make a difference in the coming invasion.”
“Kreej and I get the first one.”
“Robby, you will not be involved in this fighting.”
“Yes, I will, father. That’s why you named Timmy and Virze as your successors. You really don’t know why you did that but there are forces operating here that are beyond our understanding. I can sense that I must be first. Dani will be second.”
Julie looked at Scotty and he saw her fear, “Son, I am not prepared to do that.”
Vring said, “You have no choice, White Hair. I’ve seen his mind. You will do it or we will fall to the Invaders.”
“Why do you say that!?!”
“Because we can’t go after them in their dimension; your son is what we must use to enable us to make that
