was a former capital of a Province. That makes it a prime target for any starships that are raiding for bounty. Every planet that rediscovers star drives will automatically choose this planet as one to be visited. We’ve lost thousands to their attacks since the Realm departed, and they will continue to come. I need a central location where I can defend all of us together. The Zord’s home world looks very much like our forests here, but without the wastelands. It was listed in the Realm’s old charts as having no technology. It won’t be a target for raiders. There are no Torg, Northern Mountain Cats, or any other major predators to endanger us. We will have a time of peace where we can grow and prosper without the ever present fear of invasion.”
Kess looked at Scotty, “I will go with you. I just hate to leave my home.”
“You won’t. We’ll move it with you.”
“What?”
“We can teleport it to our new location. All you have to do is just be inside when we move it.”
Jing stepped forward and looked at the communities, “The next one to show disrespect to our King’s decisions will deal with my swords. Is that clear?”
Scotty looked out at the gathering, “I say this with love in my heart for all of you. If we are to survive in this dangerous universe we live in, I cannot have you second guessing my choices. If you cannot follow me with unquestioning loyalty, then you should remain here and fight it out with the Torg and the Cats to see who ultimately wins. I must know you will follow me even when you doubt me.”
Melissa Withers stepped out of the crowd and said where everyone could hear, “My son was killed for his pride and hate. Jing took his head, but I knew in my heart he deserved it.” She turned toward the gathering and said, “Do you doubt in any measure that King Robbins would not adhere to those principles no matter what the situation? If you do, then you should stay behind. You are no better than my son.” She turned and joined the archers in the center. “I follow the King.”
The entire community bowed and knelt. Scotty allowed them to remain for a full two minutes before he said, “Rise.” The gathering stood and Scotty said, “I am naming two Generals of our archers. Jingo will take half of our flyers and Michael Blake the other half. They will learn how to use the new arrows and be responsible for teaching our communities how to use the bowgun and ride the Zord. We have thousands of them crying for a rider and we’ve been remiss in making that happen. However!! You will not don the Zecka or ride the Zord unless you vow to uphold our beliefs. Once we are in our new home, those who desire to join our Flyers may tell Jingo and Michael if you want to be a rider. They will test you to see if you are worthy to join us. It will be the Riders that defend us and uphold our beliefs. Do not even think about joining us unless your heart is pure and your bravery is as strong as those before you. We are also going to name our new association the Bristone Empire. Bristone is the name of the Zord’s planet and will be the center of our new civilization. Now we can begin to develop modern cities for our citizens.”
Scotty turned to Jing and Samuel and said, “Gather the things your communities want to take and put them beside your homes. You will have two days to make that happen. Once you’ve completed that task, go and gather as much food as you can carry. Bring seed pods to plant on our new world. We will be joining the Zord seven days from now.”
Jing faced the communities and said, “We will obey and follow our new Emperor without question.”
The community scattered in silence. thinking about leaving the world they knew.
Julie looked at Scotty, “If you had explained why you made the decision, you wouldn’t have had the dissention.”
“Julie, I am not going to be able to explain every decision I make. Most of the time there won’t be enough time to explain my rationale. I must be able to know if I issue orders, they will be followed.”
Julie looked up at Scotty and nodded, “You’re right, of course. I didn’t think it through.” She smiled, “I need to go prepare our home. Pick a good spot with a view of the stars.”
Scotty felt his love reaffirmed, “I’ll go help you, love. Vring, I’m sending you back to the three mountains. You need to assist your people in getting ready to leave. Tell Bleath we will start them moving in four days.”
“Thank you, White Hair. I’ll see you then. And thank you for the honor of using our name.”
Vring disappeared. Julie looked up at Scotty, “Boy, Anglo really keeps his scanners on you.”
“Thank the Creator he does.” They walked hand in hand to their home.
Thousands of the Zord had left for their home world. Scotty watched as parents carried their young hatchlings with them through the teleport screen. The remainder would be gone within another day. Vring was standing beside Scotty and watched the exodus with him. “White Hair?”
“Yes, Vring?”
“I believe there is one you should visit before we leave.”
Scotty looked up at Vring, and Vring said, “Grang.”
Scotty’s brow grew tight and he felt his rage start, “Give me one good reason why.”
“You need to see what happens when you make decisions. You’ve never gone to see him. I think you should.”
“There’s not enough time to get there before you leave.”
“Are you really going to stand here and say that? You can go wherever it suits you instantly.”
Scotty thought, then hit his com, “Anglo, send Vring and me to the Magrum’s bunker.”
Scotty climbed the giant Zord, then they found themselves high over the blasted bunker. Vring had become quite adept at coming out of a teleport field, and he instantly caught the air in his wings and began circling. Scotty looked below and saw the huge Magrum sitting in the field, pulling weeds out of a small clearing. He looked and also saw one of the biggest Torg he had ever seen sitting next to Grang.
Vring said, “Grang saved that Torg when it was a few hours old. It appears to have adopted Grang.”
Scotty looked and saw hundreds of decayed carcasses of Torg scattered around the giant field. Suddenly, a giant grey cat charged out of the woods. Scotty looked at Grang, who lifted his bowgun and fired it before the cat had moved more than fifty yards into the field. The arrow struck the cat in its nose, killing it instantly when it penetrated to its brainstem and severed it. Scotty was amazed at the speed the Magrum exhibited. Vring said, “You and Jingo are slightly faster. No others can match his speed.”
They continued to watch as Grang walked to the cat and placed his hand on its head.
“What’s he saying, Vring?”
“Great Grey Warrior, I am sorry for your death. I pray that in the life after this one we may be friends. Forgive me for taking your life.”
Scotty watched as three grey cats walked out of the woods and stared at Grang. Grang knelt and bowed as the three cats pulled the one killed into the woods.
“Vring, what’s going on with the cats?”
“They have decided to kill Grang, but only in a fair fight. They recognize him as a worthy opponent. It seems they may only send one of their number after him once every seven rotations.”
“How long has this been going on?”
“About six months.”
“Take me down.”
“We need to let that Torg see us, White Hair.”
Grang looked up and saw the circling Zord. Bravo stood, roared, and started pawing the ground. “Settle down, Bravo. Go home.” The giant Torg stared at Grang, then looked up in the sky. It turned and walked over the hill of the former bunker.
Scotty shook his head at a Torg that followed instructions. Scotty dismounted Vring and held his bowgun in his left hand. Grang placed his bowgun on the ground, along with his quiver. He stepped back and assumed a kneeling position with his head bowed.
Scotty just didn’t know what to make of him. Grang said, “Have you come to end my misery?”
Scotty could not stop the rage he felt. He thought this Magrum would be long dead by now, yet here he was. Grang said, “You had every right to have killed me two cycles ago. My crime was unforgiveable, and you should have ended my life.”
Scotty stared at Grang and said through clenched teeth, “What do you mean, unforgiveable?”
Grang looked up, and Scotty saw misery on his face, “Your flying friends put the images of my crime in my mind. They also shared the memories that all of you had of your mother. They filled me with the suffering and horror I caused our slaves by killing their loved ones. Those memories haunt me every night. Madeline was the
