Scotty looked at Varner and wished Jingo was here. “Anglo, bring Jingo back.”
Jingo appeared and looked around, “You need to give me some warning.”
“Everything ok back home?”
“Yes. Maranda found out that her father had her first husband killed. She’s asking the Zord to kill her.”
Carrie looked shocked, “She loved her first husband. She still has his picture in her room. Serves her right.”
Michael looked at Carrie and she saw his expression, “She killed my mother.”
“No, her father made that happen. She is what he made her to be. I suspect she was different when she was with her first husband.”
Scotty explained what was going on and what he expected Talben to do. Jingo sat a minute and thought about what could be done. Jingo looked at Wesley, “Have troop transports land and unload their troops into the garrisons at your spaceport. Lock down all communications and search your troops for any communication devices.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Anglo, I need your help.”
“Tell me what you need.”
“King Varner is going to bring fifteen transports with two thousand troops in each. They will disembark and enter the fifteen garrisons next to the space port. As they enter the garrison, I want them teleported back onto the ship that brought them. I want the troops unloaded in the garrison closest to the landing pads to remain overnight.” Jingo turned to Wesley, “Take those transports and park them out in the forests to the west of here. Have them ready to move by midday.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes, Anglo. In the morning, when each ship arrives to take the troops, the ones in the first garrison will embark on the first ship. You will then teleport them to the second garrison. When the second ship lands, you will do the same thing. We will embark those same two thousand troops on every ship. King Varner, have your officers mix them up so the groups look different going on each ship.”
Wesley began shaking his head and reached for his console.
Scotty hit his com, “Jessica?”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“I need you to be here in the morning. Bring Kreeg with you, and I need you to fly him around King Varner’s fleet.”
“What are you trying to accomplish?”
“We know the Commodore selected to provide defense of the planet is one of Talben’s lackeys. I need Zreeg to confirm that the ships remaining behind are all Talben’s. I also need to find which ship in the fleet leaving for our world is also one of Talben’s men.”
“Your Majesty, why don’t you just allow me to teleport Talben to the Zord?”
“The idea has merit, Anglo, however, the ten Ultraships would hold worlds hostage against his return. Can you get all ten before any of them could kill a planet?”
“No, I cannot.”
“We’ll take care of him after we insure the safety of King Varner’s citizens.
Wesley looked at Carrie and saw her thoughts. She liked and respected the green-clad archers. She especially liked the one named Michael. There was something about him that was different. He thought about it, and then it came to him. Like his daughter, he was also pure of heart. He also knew he was a dynamic warrior. This young Emperor respected his opinion. That spoke volumes about what kind of man he was. Wesley watched Scotty and the Cainth issue instructions for the next day and felt small. He had a title; that blonde haired warrior had a heart.
Finally, Scotty said, “Jingo, have we missed anything?”
“No, I don’t think so. Anglo, as soon as the fleet leaves for the null band, teleport Jessica back to the communities. Jessica, can you handle all the issues with those ships?”
“Certainly. You and BC are the only ones that would pose a problem.”
Scotty stood and said, “Jingo, I’m going to leave you in charge.” Scotty turned to Wesley and said, “If you desire us to help, you must make sure your officers understand that Jingo’s orders are law. Will there be a problem making that happen?”
“No, I’ll bring them in momentarily and introduce them to him.”
Scotty raised his com and saw Grang walk up to him. He lowered his com and said, “You aren’t going with me.”
Grang said, “Yes, I am.”
Scotty put his hand on Grang’s shoulder and said, “The future of these worlds lies in the hands of that young woman.”
Everyone in the room turned and looked at Carrie, who was confused about what Scotty was saying. Grang looked at her and then back to Scotty, “Brother, I need you to make sure she is not harmed. She is this world’s Madeline. I will be safe with the Zord. You know that. There are those here in the palace that will attempt to harm her. I trust the three of you to make sure she is not harmed.”
Wesley interjected, “How do you know there are traitors here?”
“Your ex-wife has chosen all of the personnel here, has she not?”
Wesley thought about it, and Carrie said, “Yes, she has.”
“She didn’t teleport those ten guards here with her when we returned. They were already present. It will be her they attempt to kill. They do not fear Wesley.”
Wesley hung his head.
Scotty walked over to Wesley and stood in front of him, “Perhaps you’ll handle that situation when this is over.”
Wesley looked up and everyone saw his determination, “I’ll handle that before this situation is resolved. Tell Jessica I’m going to need the names of those in my fleet that are loyal to Talben.”
“Did you hear that, Jess?”
“Yes. If I gather them I expect you to use them.”
Wesley almost had a snarl, “Just give me the names.”
Grang looked at Wesley, and then at Carrie. He looked at Scotty and said, “I am sworn to follow your orders. She will not be harmed.”
Scotty looked up at the huge Magrum and smiled. He looked at Michael and Jingo and said, “You three are the ones that I trust with my life.” He looked at Carrie and said, “You have chosen well.” Scotty hit his com, “Send me, Anglo.”
Wesley looked at Carrie and asked, “What did he mean, ‘chosen well’?”
Carrie walked over and put her arms around Michael, “Will you have me?”
Michael smiled, “Only as long as there are stars in the sky. You do make the universe a more beautiful place in which to live.” She stood on her toes and he kissed her.
Wesley grew angry. He hadn’t sanctioned this pairing. Then he saw the first real smile on Carrie’s face since her mother had died. He thought about it and said, “The wedding will be after this affair is concluded.”
Carrie ran over and jumped in his lap, “Thank you. A million times, thank you. He is the one I’ve been waiting on. I know it in my heart.”
Grang looked at Jingo and shrugged. Jingo laughed out loud and slapped the big Magrum on his back, “Let’s look around this place and see where uninvited guests might try to crash our little soiree.”
Wesley got on the board and started talking to his Admirals and Generals. He only spoke with those that had proven their loyalty. After four hours they arrived and met the two archers. Grang had turned his Zecka on and watched the gathering closely for any hint of danger.
Scotty arrived at the clearing and Julie was waiting for him. He raised his eyebrows and Julie said, “I made Anglo promise to take me wherever you are when you returned.” Scotty smiled and hugged and kissed her deeply. Maranda saw Scotty appear and watched as he greeted Julie. She remembered when she and Lem would meet each other the same way. She waited for the blond-haired archer to come closer.
Scotty held Julie’s hand and walked toward Bleath. “How’re the communities?”
