Robby said, “What’s so humorous?”
Carter said, “We’ve been going about this all wrong and it’s my fault.”
Even the two Zord straighten up.
Carter continued, “What can we guess about this imagined Algean?”
“He’s obviously brilliant.”
“That’s true, Dani. But consider this. What could possibly make an Algean miss a dead line?”
“I’m not sure what you mean?”
“Robby, when is an Algean not in full control?”
Robby lowered his head then looked up, “When they’re an adolescent.”
“Exactly! If something catches their interest, it is next to impossible to stop them from investigating. They can’t stop themselves. I suspect that’s what caused them to miss the move.”
Kreej said, “Are you saying that this Algean was an adolescent?”
“That would explain a lot. But knowing that it was an adolescent tells us where to find him. Jenna made me see it.”
Jenna did a double take, “See what?”
Carter stood up and looked out of the clearing toward the forest, “If the Algean was an adolescent, it would be drawn to the most interesting places in our universe. Carter looked back at Robby, “Where is the most interesting place in this universe?”
Robby smiled, “You’re standing on it.”
Carter took his index finger and tipped an imaginary hat. He stepped over the log and walked to the edge of the forest and stopped next to a tall bush, “Well, are you going to say anything?”
“I guess ya caught me.”
The two Zord and Jenna were stunned.
“What gave me away?”
“This fire is where all major decisions are made. It’s where we discuss new technology, where we’re going next, and what our plans are. You were drawn here and you could not resist coming.”
The tall bush shrank to eight feet and stepped forward. “Well, I’ve missed seeing you at the fire but things have still been quite interesting.”
Robby smiled, “Come join us. We can discuss old times tomorrow. You’re not planning to disappear are you?”
“I should. The reason I’ve avoided contact is because I will not give you the Realm’s technology. Now that is pretty much a non-issue. Your technology eclipses most of what we once used and the Defense Facility has provided you access to most of our advanced systems.”
Carter smiled, “How old are you?”
“A little over six thousand years. I’m still in my learning phase.”
“What do we call you?”
“Weed would be fine.”
“What about your mate?”
The Algean did a lurch backward, “What do you mean?”
Carter smiled, “I know that after the success of Sprig and Twig, most adolescents were sent out in pairs to see if their development could be duplicated. Am I wrong?”
Another bush stepped out of the tree line, “No, you’re not.”
Jenna looked at Carter and smiled. Now she knew even if he didn’t realize it yet; he was going to rule her Kingdom with her. She no longer felt competitive toward him. He was smarter and she knew it. He carried that ability with an innocence that was charming.
Robby stood, “Welcome to our home, join us and make yourselves comfortable. I’m so tired from our efforts of trying to find you that my questions can wait until tomorrow. Tonight I need to rest.”
Carter said, “You know why we were looking for you?”
“Yes. We were here at your original meeting.”
“Will you help us?”
The two Algeans looked at each other and the female said, “On that one issue, yes. However, beyond that, we are just here to observe. We were ordered not to interfere in this universe’s development.”
Dani asked, “What’s your name?”
“Call me Seed.”
Robby said, “Do you want us to keep your existence secrete?”
“I believe it’s too late for that.”
Two young children had walked up and were staring at the talking plants. Robby smiled, “You’re probably right. I do want to introduce you to my parents.”
“We look forward to meeting them. We have a lot of questions about his decisions.”
Robby suddenly straightened up and appeared to be listening to something. Dani also seemed distracted. Kreej said, “Oh no.”
Carter and Jenna watched them and Jenna said, “What?”
“Greyson was killed.”
“What about Timmy!?!”
“He sacrificed himself to save Grace, Timmy, and Virze. The Invaders have built a much stronger ship.”
“Where is Timmy?”
“He’s at home. He just arrived.”
Jenna ran away from the fire. Carter said, “I better go. Jenna has a close relationship with Timmy and that ship. This loss will hit her hard.”
Robby looked at Dani and said, “So it begins.”
Dani smiled and came forward and hugged Robby. A brilliant blue flash erupted from them and blinded everyone at the fire. Weed looked at Seed, “You were right. The worst is coming.”
The Algeans caused quite a stir in the Empire and they were the hot topic for months. The two were Scotty’s and Julie’s companions for weeks following their discovery. Timmy stayed at home or wandered in the forest after Greyson’s death and no one could pull him out of the increasing depression ravaging the young Searcher.
Virze teleported to Criston and went to see Nathan, “I need your help; I’m losing my husband.”
Nathan took a deep breath, “I’ve tried everything, Virze. Something in him died with Greyson. I sense he really wishes he had gone into that gas with his partner. He blames himself for not being more careful.”
“What else could he have done?”
“Well, he could have changed his position every fifteen seconds to avoid being caught. We’re doing that now but he feels he should have thought of it.”
“Nathan, I’m worried.”
“We all are. He just won’t let anyone in.”
“He loves that ship more than me.”
“That ship was there before you, Virze. I suspect that if you had died he would have attacked one of their ships to end that agony. You are the only thing keeping him here.”
“But I’m losing a little more of him every day!”
Nathan shook his head, “I know, I know. It’s breaking my heart as well.”
Grace listened to their conversation and wished there were clones of the ships. Then Timmy could be given a new Greyson. Wait a minute. “Virze, get Nathan to teleport you back to Bristone.”
“Where are you going?”
“I need to go talk to someone about a dog.”
Virze moved her head back and said, “About a what?” But Grace was gone.
“Alex.”
“Grace, it’s so good to see you. I’ve missed having you here.”
“I need to ask you some questions and see what you think.”
“Sure.”
“You are a copy of the Alexander Kosiev’s positronic brain, right.”
“Yes.”
