“True, you can only act upon what you know.”
Jingo shrugged.
Scotty said, “This is Jingo and he’s the greatest warrior in the two communities. He is also my best friend.” Scotty turned to Jingo and said, “This is Juliette Larson.”
Jingo bowed and said, “It is my pleasure to meet you.”
Julie smiled and said, “You can call me Julie.”
Scotty smiled, “I’ll bet you’re wondering why we kidnapped you?”
“I do, but I can never thank you enough. You are an answer to prayers.”
Jingo looked at Scotty and saw he felt it, too. This was a mission worth doing. Her feelings were obvious and her smile was joyous.
Scotty nodded and said, “We are going to free all of the slaves being held by the Yellow Creatures. In order to make that happen, we need information about them. We were hoping you could help us.”
“I’ll tell you all I know. The Magrum are evil and their brutality is unmatched by anyone.”
Jingo said, “So they are called Magrum. We’re concerned about that ship they have next to the fields.”
Julie shrugged, “It doesn’t fly anymore. Its weapons are functional, though.”
“When did it stop flying?”
“I was ten years old when they tried to take it for another raid, but it wouldn’t lift. I heard their engineer say that the generator was low on power and that they would need to conserve it if they wanted to use the weapons.”
Scotty thought about what Julie said. Jingo asked, “How do they conserve its power?”
Julie thought a moment and said, “They no longer use the climate controls. On hot days they leave the doors open so the one inside manning the weapons doesn’t suffer from the heat. On really hot days, the weapon operator will sit outside the ship next to the door.”
Julie thought and said, “I have seen the Evil Duke’s symbol on the tail, but the model number on the front is odd.”
“What do you mean?”
“The model number is SR101059. I think the ship wasn’t built by the Duke.”
Scotty said, “You’re right.” He looked at Jingo and said, “Do you think Timmy can find out about it?”
Jingo tilted his head to the left and said, “If anyone can, Timmy would be the one.”
“Or Tesa.”
Jingo nodded, “Yes, or Tesa.
Scotty turned back to Julie and asked, “How many of them are there?”
“Not as many as you would think. There are about fifteen thousand that managed to live through their parents’ upbringing.”
Vring who had been listening in asked, “Upbringing?”
Julie shook her head, “Those creatures have a violent temper. I’ve seen the adults kill many of their children for no apparent reason. One was killed for asking a simple question. Not many of them make it through their childhood.”
Vring looked at Cezee, and they both knew these beings deserved death for harming children.
“Where do they live? I didn’t see any buildings.”
Julie shook her head, “Jingo, they are dug in behind the hills next to the fields. They keep us in an enclosed compound in front of their homes.”
“How many guards watch you at night?”
“One, just outside the compound, and fifteen or more on the hill.”
“Why don’t you try to escape?”
“The reason that guard didn’t go into those woods was because everyone is familiar with the Torg. They come close to the back of the compound at night. Many of them charge the compound after dark. The fence is electrified, but they still try to get at us. Besides, where would we go? The dead lands surround us. We are in a trap that has no exit.”
Scotty looked up at the stars and said, “How many of those blasters do they have?”
“I’ve only seen three in the last five years. Two of them are at the field every day, and one at the entrance to their community. I was told that they once had twenty or more, but that was long ago.”
“What do the other guards use? I saw them holding some kind of weapon.”
‘It looks like an ancient, I think it’s called, rifle. It fires a piece of metal at high velocity and is very accurate for about five hundred yards. They can only fire them once every four seconds or so. I think they have to reload after each shot.”
Jingo looked at Scotty and said, “You were right. She’s worth the risk.” He turned to Julie and said, “We’ll continue this later, but we should eat before it gets too dark. Thank you for helping us.”
Julie smiled, “If you are going to free my parents, I’ll do anything you ask.”
Scotty smiled. She still had parents. He envied her. They brought their food pouches down and prepared a meal as they listened to the Zord feed close by.
Julie kept stealing glances at Scotty, wondering.
After eating Jingo said, “You have the first watch. I’m taking a nap.”
“Go ahead.” Scotty walked out to the clearing, sat down next to a tree, and leaned back on its trunk. He looked up at the stars and felt their pull.
Julie walked up and said, “Do you mind if I join you?”
“No, have a seat.”
Julie looked up at the stars and said, “So many, so close, yet so far.”
Scotty looked at her quickly, “Where did you hear that?”
Julie looked at him and said, “I heard it in my mind when I was just a child. It is so true.” She looked up again and said, “We were once all together. Now we’re isolated from each other. It’s such a tragedy.”
Scotty looked at the sky and said, “Yes it is. Maybe we can do something about it.”
She looked at him and thought. “Can it be true? How can it be true?” She moved next to him, lifted his arm, snuggled under it and fell asleep.
Scotty was shocked when she came next to him but he had to admit, she felt nice under his arm. Jingo looked at them through barely open eyes as he pretended to sleep. Scotty didn’t show his normal discomfort around this female. He was staring at the stars and he wouldn’t do that if he was on edge. Could this female be the one for him? He needs love in his life. Jingo closed his eyes and feel asleep seeing his baby girl’s face.
Vring listened in on their thoughts and decided that the female’s thoughts would remain private. He saw no way for her dream to become reality. He thought a moment and realized he also never thought the eggs could be defended either. He paused and thought “Naaahhh. Never happen.”
The group mounted the next morning and Julie heard the other Zord ask, “Hey, Vring; do you want me to carry the extra passenger on the next leg of the trip?”
Julie didn’t want to change. She heard, “Get outta here. She weighs less than my claws. Besides, Jingo will talk her to death.”
“Hey, I heard that!”
“No kidding. Sorry, gotta go.”
Vring lifted and Cezee rose right behind him.
Scotty was shaking and Julie asked, “Are you ok?”
“Yes, I’m trying to not let Jingo see me laughing. That Cainth can talk.”
Julie started chuckling, “I’ve seen that.”
“Scotty?”
“Yes, Vring?”
“Jingo just asked me a question and I didn’t know how to answer him.”
“What was that?”
“He seems to think that Red Hair is going to have to come back with us when we move against the Yellow Skins.”
Scotty said, “I am not going to allow her to be placed in danger. Why would he think that?”
“Hold on, I’ll ask.”
