Scotty looked at Jingo and said, “Go and see.”
Jingo turned and walked away. Hundreds followed him down the path and when they arrived, there was an arrow in the center of every column. Jingo looked at the distant Zord in the clearing and looked back at the arrows. He walked back up the hill and said, “Ok, it’s his job.”
Scotty started laughing and Jingo said, “What!?”
“That is the least I’ve ever heard you say.”
The three communities roared their laughter. Even Jing smiled. Jingo shook his head, “Frapped if you do, frapped if you don’t. There’s just no winning. Every time I open my mouth someone has something to say. Have they ever considered what I’m saying may be important?!? Noooooo. But are they quick to criticize? Yessssss.”
Scotty looked at Grang and he said, “Your friend talks a lot.”
Vring nearly fell off his back legs laughing, and Julie held on to Scotty to keep from falling.
Scotty smiled at Grang, “You have no idea.”
The cats arrived at the Zord’s lands two days after they left. They discovered the huge Torg herds living close to the forest, and the leader stopped the migration. There would be food for his family for many years.
Four weeks later Scotty, Julie, and Grang sat on Anglo’s bridge watching the main display. The three communities were placed on the sites of the former hunting lodges. The ground had been cleared for a radius of a mile, and each of the three communities were settling in.
The three communities were also growing to like their new home. The native Zord had started arriving and began teaching them which things on the planet were edible and which were not. The communities were thriving, and many stopped carrying their bowguns within the borders of their town. Julie looked at Grang and said, “You have no idea how much I hated you.”
Grang looked at her and said, “Yes, I do. The Zord shared your feelings about me during that initial gathering. You were right to feel that way.”
Julie stared at him and said, “I believe you. Now, I expect you to watch out for my husband.”
“It will be my honor, your Highness.”
Julie smiled and looked at Scotty. “He’s not the same Magrum I knew.”
“And I’m not the same after seeing his thoughts. One must see their crimes from the perspective of the victim to understand their mistakes.”
“Uh oh. You’re planning something?”
“Yes, I am, and you have a role now that you must accept.”
“What is that?”
“You will rule in my absence.”
“Scotty, the communities will never accept that!”
“They will and they have. You’ve not noticed that most will stumble in their haste to do the slightest thing you ask?”
“Well, they do that out of respect to you.”
Grang said, “That’s not true. I’ve listened to them, and they love you. You have earned your place in their hearts, and they trust you with their lives.”
Julie stared at the big Magrum and Scotty said, “I am not going to make a pronouncement. You will assume your role and do what is necessary in my absence. The leaders of each community will support you. I expect you to do what you think is necessary. Will you do that for me?”
Julie took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I’ll try.”
“That’s all I ask, my love.”
“Where are you going?”
“I have an issue with the former King of this planet. He hasn’t sent any more ships, but I know he’s planning a welcome for us when we go visiting. He should be confronted by his victims.”
“When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow. I’m taking Jingo, Michael, and Grang.”
“That’s all?!?”
“Well, Anglo and BC will also be in attendance.”
“Good. I’m not as worried now.” Julie paused and said, “Whose bowgun is that standing in the corner?”
Grang said, “It is mine, your Highness.”
“Grang, that bowgun is set on a ten power setting. What’s the velocity?”
“Fifty six hundred feet per second.”
Julie looked at Scotty and he said, “He fires it easier that I do mine. He wanted one at fifteen but we aren’t able to make one that strong yet. The chambers keep blowing out. We’re reluctant to keep wasting the compressors.”
Julie looked at Grang in his Zecka and saw how big he was. He was one powerful Magrum. “Have you discussed how you’re going to handle it with Jingo?”
“Yes. He said we should just crash the King’s party and show up unannounced.”
“That’s Jingo’s style.”
“I tend to support the idea. If we let them know we’re coming, there will be huge loss of life. I’m sure we’ll have to destroy their ships. Those ships are more important than the King.”
“Why are you taking Michael?”
“BC says he is also a latent psychic. We should include him in most of our major operations. He’s smart; you even might say brilliant. His bowgun prowess is as good as any of us. He also believes in our core principles. He won’t act rashly. I also sense he should go with us. I’m not sure where that feeling is coming from.”
“Just be careful, Scotty.”
“You know me.”
“That’s why I’m asking you.”
Scotty sighed and Grang smiled. He had decided that his mission to protect Madeline’s son was worthy of his debt. He also found he liked this new Emperor. Maybe he could be killed while defending him. He longed for the peace of death.
King Wesley Varner sat on his throne and checked with his fleet commander, “Anything on your scanners?”
“Nothing, Your Majesty.”
“They should have come by now.”
“I agree. Perhaps they are going to just leave us alone?”
“Would you?”
“No, I wouldn’t. I would have been here weeks ago. I wouldn’t want extra defenses added while I waited.”
“Well, maybe we’re wrong and they’re not coming.”
The King heard a voice, “No, both of you are quite right.”
The King looked around the throne room and didn’t see anyone. He slowly reached for the blaster leaning against his throne and an arrow came out of nowhere and pinned his sleeve to the huge throne. “Now, reaching for a blaster is not a way to make guests feel welcome. A man in a light green uniform appeared ten feet in front of him. A giant Magrum appeared next to his throne, walked forward, and removed the blaster.
Wesley sat back in his chair and saw a Cainth appear to the right holding a drawn bowgun pointed at him. “You might inform your Admiral that you will be indisposed for a while.”
Wesley looked at his display and said, “They are here in the throne room. Do not rush in here. They have some kind of gun pointed at me.”
“A what?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
Scotty’s com beeped, “There’s someone hiding behind the throne.”
Michael still had his Zecka shifting colors and he eased around the throne and saw a young woman holding a blaster. He raised his bowgun and said, “I would never endanger a female; especially one as beautiful as you. However, if you don’t drop that blaster, I am going to be forced to end your life. I beg you not to make me live with that memory.”
