Scotty was sitting on his favorite hill with Julie. They sat in silence, enjoying the majesty of the universe. Scotty sighed and looked at Julie, “The kids really have taken to that ship.”
Julie looked at Scotty, “I had no idea it had those kinds of weapons.”
“Neither did the Magrum, thank the Creator.”
Julie’s expression turned serious, “What are you going to do with Grang?”
Scotty lowered his head, “I don’t know.”
Julie snuggled in next to him and didn’t say anything. After a long time, Scotty sighed, “I think I’m going to let our leaders decide his fate.”
Julie didn’t say anything. She knew that decision could change as soon as Jingo arrived tomorrow and Scotty saw his mother’s murderer.
“Julie, I’m worried about that dream you had. This ship has null drive capability and powerful beams. It can take us to other worlds. I wish I understood what was happening in the dream.”
Julie put her finger on his lips and said, “Scotty, I know your heart. You just pointed your weapon at the Magrum to save my friends and family. I know whatever you’re doing it is being done for a reason that has to be right. Now remember, this moment is what’s important. Hold me and love me.”
Scotty hugged her tight and said, “Juliette Larson, would you do me the honor of marrying me?”
Julie sat upright and smiled, “I married you when I was five years old. I have always been yours. You only recently arrived to make it official. I will marry you and count myself the luckiest woman in this universe we stare at every night.”
Scotty smiled and said, “You’re starting to get as longwinded as Jingo.”
She punched him in the ribs, then started chuckling at the memory of the clearing. As she remembered, she started laughing harder. Scotty caught the infectious laughter and began laughing with her. The stars overhead knew it wouldn’t be long. He was coming soon.
The next day Julie found Scotty and pulled him aside. Scotty looked at her expression and said, “What’s wrong?”
“I just went in the ship and Timmy showed me the bridge. That is not the ship in my dreams.”
Scotty looked at her with a puzzled expression. Julie said, “That means that if my dream is real, it won’t happen soon. We have to find another ship before it can happen.”
Scotty thought a moment and smiled, “Yeah, I think you’re right.” Where would we possibly find another ship with interstellar capability? Then it hit him and he froze. Julie saw him and said, “What?”
“Julie, I know where we’ll find another ship, and it frightens me.”
“Tell me.”
“No. This is something I must work out alone. Please be patient with me.”
Julie looked at his troubled eyes and said, “I won’t pressure you; but only if you promise to tell me before you do anything.”
“I give you my word I will, my love.”
“Fair enough.”
They heard a loud screech overhead, and three horns began blowing. Everyone in the communities knew that Jingo was bringing the killer of Scotty’s mother, so everyone stayed close, anticipating the arrival. Scotty was amazed at how fast the communities arrived; even the former prisoners came quickly. Scotty also noticed that Jingo was not alone. The mid-level clouds were being blown by huge wings. The Zord were here in large numbers.
The community had been working to clear the land around the central clearing. It was now five times larger, and the Zord began landing outside the circle of the three communities. Soon it was filled with Humans, Cainth, the former slaves, and Zord. Bleath joined Jing and Samuel in the center.
Scotty took Julie’s hand and led her to sit beside Jesa and the baby. Cezee landed, and Jingo jumped off and joined Scotty and his family. Cezee lifted and joined the other Zord. Julie stood and gave him a hug as he walked up.
Jingo whispered, “Sure, now you’re being nicey, nicey.”
Julie started laughing again and Jingo said, “What is so funny?!?”
“Nothing Jingo; nothing.”
Jingo reached for Maddy and leaned down and kissed Jesa.
Vring came in last, still holding Grang in his claws. He touched down and put Grang on his feet in front of Jing, Samuel, and Bleath.
Grang had trouble standing after being held tight for such a long time. He struggled to stay on his feet. He looked around and saw he was in big trouble; that there was no escape from the surrounding crowds. Most of the males carried swords, and an archer was standing close by with a raised bowgun. He had seen how deadly they were at the bunker. He knew he didn’t have long to live.
Samuel and Jing looked at the tall Magrum and felt their rage build. Jing moved forward, but Samuel put an arm out and restrained him. Samuel looked up at Bleath, “Do you possess the memory of this one’s attack?”
“Yes.”
“Will you share it with us and him?”
Everyone saw the black ship land just outside the community, and the Magrum emerge from the door. They saw Grang run forward with his blaster and start shooting the fleeing Humans and Cainth. Then they saw him turn and fire on Madeline as she tried to help two small children up while carrying a third. The four of them were burned into nothingness.
Julie looked at Scotty and could feel rage take him. She put her hand on his bowgun as he started to rise. He stopped and looked at her, saw her shaking her head, and sat back down. The community was also feeling their anger grow by the second. When they saw Grang burn the community’s houses, laughing the entire time, they looked at the Magrum and he knew he was dead.
Samuel looked at Grang, “You are going to be killed momentarily, however, we need to decide the most appropriate way to make you suffer for your crimes.”
Bleath looked down, “We can make it happen very, very slowly if you will give us the honor of the kill.”
Scotty stared at Grang and saw the fear and desperation he was experiencing. He saw Grang take a deep breath and stand tall. It was clear he knew there was no hope.
Many began arguing about how to kill the Magrum. The suggestions were very descriptive, and the gathering grew excited at seeing this murderer punished. Jingo looked at Scotty and saw his friend with his head lowered. He felt Scotty’s pain and wished this would end so he could get on with his life. He knew he was living the loss of Madeline all over again. He almost stood and shot Grang to end this horror. Suddenly Scotty shouted, “We will not kill him!!”
Silence slammed down on the communities like a dropped anvil. Even the Zord quit communicating. Scotty stood and walked up to Grang, “You murdered my mother. She was the heart of us all and there has not been anyone who was more loved. I feel my rage and I want to tear you into pieces with my bare hands.” Grang looked into Scotty’s eyes and felt his rage. Scotty took a deep breath and turned to face the gathering, “But…I asked myself, what would my mother do if she were still alive?”
Scotty lowered his head, paused, then said, “Samuel, I want you to think about the three teens you killed before we made our alliance with the Zord. They refused to take the oath because of their hatred of them. You told me that they were a poison to the community and their hatred would infect us if they were allowed to live.” Scotty turned and looked at the gathering as he said, “Now look inside yourselves and see what you find. All you feel is rage and hatred for this yellow creature. If you give in to that hatred, you will never be the same.”
Scotty looked back at Grang and said, “You deserve to die. I know it and you know it. But if we kill you out of rage, we lose ourselves.” He turned to Jing and Samuel and said, “He will not be killed. My mother would never allow it, and neither will I.”
The thousands remained silent. Bleath looked at the savior of his species and said, “What do you wish done with him?”
“I want him flown back to his bunker with a shovel, a bowgun, and a quiver of arrows. We will protect him from the Torg until he can dig his way into the remains of the hill. Then he will be left to survive. He will only be fed until he enters the bunker. There he will be left.”
Jing and Samuel looked at Scotty and lowered their heads. Jing looked up, walked up to Grang, and drew his short swords. Scotty saw him fighting his desire to slash the Magrum into pieces. He stared at Grang for a long
