deserve it and would not have been able to harm them.” Scotty looked at the smaller Zord and said, “I asked myself what my mother would have done, and I knew she would have tried to help you. She insisted that all life was important and she lived that belief every day.” Scotty looked up at the huge father and said, “I had to try.”
“Now that you’ve had time to think about it, would you still do the same thing?”
“Yes, especially now.”
“What’s so special now?”
“I know you’re intelligent. You are more important as a result of that knowledge.”
“Why should that make a difference?”
“Because you can choose whether or not to save or take life; those Torg can only kill. They can’t make the choice. I took that risk not knowing if your son would realize I was attempting to help him.”
“My family has been arguing about you for two cycles. We didn’t learn about your actions until my son attacked another warrior after he had killed one of your species. I threatened to punish him for his behavior, and he threatened to leave our family if we killed any more of you. I made him show me his mind and I saw what you did. I showed it to my family and we have been unable to decide whether he is insane, and if not, what to do about you.”
“I think our leaders should talk with you about what should be done.”
The giant creature stared at Scotty and looked down at his son. He looked back at Scotty and said, “We will come to your community clearing in four days at midnight. We will see if you can be trusted.
The giant Zord lifted and flew into the night. The smaller one said, “I never thanked you for my life. Thank you.”
Scotty looked up at the Zord and said, “Make it count for something.”
The Zord flapped its wings and lifted. Just before it disappeared they heard, “I’ve started that process tonight.”
Jingo looked at Scotty and said, “How come you never told me about the Zord!?”
“What would you have thought if I had?”
“Like that Zord’s father, I wouldn’t have believed you. I probably would have thought it was just a dream.”
Scotty smiled, “It’s a dream within a dream, Jingo. First we must try to make it a reality. Let’s go talk with Samuel.”
“He’ll never believe you.”
“True, but he’ll believe you.”
Jingo sighed and said, “I might as well bring father with us.”
“We need to tell him first.” Scotty paused, “Why did you get so quiet and calm during the meeting with the Zord?”
Jingo shook his head, “That’s what happens to my race when we pump secretions out of our war gland.”
“War gland?”
“Yes, you have something similar called an adrenal something or other. When we find ourselves in a situation that demands combat, our war gland secretes a fluid that focuses us on the situation and attenuates our dexterity. Our four arms almost take on a life of their own. Needless to say, I became quite focused when I saw that Zord six feet away.”
“Ever had it happen before?”
“Nope, this was the first time, and I see why my species are natural warriors. I rather enjoyed the experience. I want to experience it again. Fear is good.”
Scotty looked up the hill and said, “I suspect you will, my brother. The journey begins tonight.”
“What journey?”
Scotty smiled, looked up, and said, “Why, my dream of course. Let’s go see your father.”
Chapter Three
Jing Dorg looked at Scotty and Jingo and said, “You did what?!?”
Scotty said, “We met two Zord tonight and set up a meeting with their leaders in four days at midnight. We’ve discovered they are intelligent creatures.”
Jing just stared at Scotty and said nothing. It was obvious he thought Scotty had gone insane.
Jingo looked at his father and said, “By the oath of Dorg-Ross, he’s telling the truth. I was there and witnessed it.”
Jing now knew something had happened. No Cainth would ever lie using that sacred name. His demeanor changed to anger, “You endangered my son by meeting with Zord?”
“He wouldn’t let me go alone, Clan Leader.”
Jing looked at his son and Jingo said, “Where he goes, I go. I promised his mother to always take care of him. I will not violate that oath.”
“You are the next Clan Leader. You exhibited great stupidity meeting a Zord.”
Scotty said, “Actually, I didn’t tell him I was meeting a Zord. He thought I was meeting a female until we walked up on them.”
Jing started swearing at the top of his voice while looking up at the sky, turning in small circles venting his anger. All the children within the sound of his voice ran to their mothers and hid. Even the adults ran for cover. It wasn’t a good thing to be near Jing when he was this angry.
Scotty looked at Jingo and raised his eyebrows. Jingo said, “Give him a moment. He needs to get some steam released.”
Jing settled down after thirty minutes of swearing. Jingo left five minutes after Jing’s tirade began and brought back a piece of paper.
“What are you doing, Jingo?”
“I’m going to write some of these down. They’re great. I might need them in the future.” He sat down and started writing. Scotty would hear, “That’s a good one. Wow, I’d have never thought of that one. Oooo, that’s a doozy.”
Jing finally wound down and looked at the two. “Tell me how this happened.”
The three sat down next to the fire and Scotty told him about saving the Zord from a Torg and setting its broken wing. Jing listened and said, “You brought water to that killer for two weeks.” He looked at Jingo and asked, “Why weren’t you keeping your oath? Where were you during this time?”
Jingo looked very uncomfortable, and saw his father was not going to let him avoid the question. “Uh, I was helping Jesa gather pods.”
Scotty and Jing looked at Jingo and both of them burst out laughing. Jingo was embarrassed and said, “Let it go, please. Just let it go.”
Jing turned around quickly and saw Jesa staring around the corner of a building in the now deserted square. He smiled and said, “She worries about you, son. You have made a good choice. Not many would stay when I’m this angry.” Jing motioned Jesa to join the conversation. She looked around and pointed to herself and mouthed, “Me?” Jing nodded.
Jesa walked slowly forward ready to turn and run. Jing motioned for her to sit beside Jingo. Scotty saw his friend’s face light up as she approached. Jing said, “It appears you two are an item. Do you love my son, Jesa?”
Jingo looked like he was going to die. He hadn’t even come close to letting Jesa know his feelings, and here she was being embarrassed by his father. He wished he could just disappear. He knew she had others she liked more than him.
Jesa looked at Jing and said, “I don’t believe you have the right to ask that question, Clan Leader.”
Jingo was miserable until Jesa’s next statement.
“However, I will answer it. I’ve loved him since the day I first saw him. He has always been the one I’ve wanted to spend my life with.”
