“Fine. Just a few settling-in issues. Nothing serious.”
“Good. Hello, Bleath. Have you decided what justice you wish to impose on these two?”
“Before we discuss that, I want to share what we’ve discovered in your absence.” Bleath showed him Kreej’s revelation to Maranda and her reaction. “This is what her mind is like now.”
Scotty drew back from the misery and overriding hatred he felt, “That’s enough, Bleath.” Scotty looked over at Maranda and saw her staring at him. She did not display any fear, unlike that weasely son of hers, and she stared straight into his eyes.
Julie looked at her and recoiled at what she saw. Scotty looked at her and motioned her over to Bleath. Julie walked away wondering what had made this woman into what she saw.
Scotty walked up to Maranda and she said, “I have seen in the minds of the Zord that you are their Supreme Ruler.” Scotty nodded. “I know they can look in my mind and see whatever is there. I wish to ask one favor before I die.” Scotty started to get angry but she said, “I know I don’t deserve it. However, I have seen that one of your beliefs is that you will protect those that can’t protect themselves.”
Scotty stared at Maranda then said, “That only applies to those that are innocent of wrong.”
“I know that. I know there is no defense for my actions.”
“What is it you want?”
“I have to kill my father.”
Scotty leaned back and Maranda continued, “My father told this piece of crud son of mine that he was going to kill my youngest sister if she didn’t toughen up. Now that I have been removed from the succession, he will move quickly to eliminate her.”
Scotty stared at Maranda, not certain of what she was saying.
“My youngest sister has a loving heart. She is like I once was before my Father bent me to his will. She doesn’t stand a chance against him. It will be an arranged accident.”
Maranda stood and walked up to the Giant Zord and knelt in front of him, “Look in my mind Great Flyer. I will submit myself to your justice. I swear on the soul of my dead Love; I will return to face you for my crimes. I humbly beg for the chance to save one that is innocent and good. I know I don’t deserve anything from you for all the horrors I’ve committed. I pray you’ll give me a chance to save Ashley. Please.”
“What about your son?”
“He is just as responsible as I am. He has nothing good in him. I will not ask for his life. He deserves to lose it ten times over for his lust for power. He, like I, deserve our punishments.”
Bleath looked at Scotty. “Bleath, it is your decision. I will support whatever you decide.”
Bleath gave a screech and a huge warrior ran forward, grabbed Jimmy in his claws, and lifted into the sky. Hundreds of Zord lifted and followed the rising warrior. Jimmy could be heard screaming until the flock disappeared. “He will be flown over the identical path he used to chase one of our females. He will be dropped from very high up on the spot where he killed her.”
Bleath looked down at Maranda and said, “You are troubling. I know you are responsible for the lodges. I also know that it was your father that twisted your spirit and made you what you are. He used the death of your mate to cause your change. I see your sister in your mind and I agree; she is like you once were. I cannot allow an innocent child to die; even if it means you live.”
“Great Flyer, I may lose my life trying to save her but if I live, I will come back to take my flight with your warriors.”
Bleath looked at Scotty and said, “There are some things that should be allowed. She means what she is saying. We will delay her judgment. The one we want for our justice is the father. She will need your help to save her sister.”
Scotty looked at Maranda, “And she will have it.”
Maranda ran forward and threw herself at Scotty’s feet, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
Julie looked down at the weeping woman, then looked Scotty in the eye. Scotty saw what she was saying without her having to speak. “Maranda, come with me.”
Maranda stood, composed herself, and followed Scotty out of the clearing. Scotty hit his com, “Anglo, send us back to Varner’s throne room.”
Julie watched them disappear and felt the despair of the black haired beauty named Maranda.
Maranda and Scotty appeared in the throne room, and Wesley and Carrie jumped up and started toward her. Scotty said, “You will go back and sit down now!!” Jingo and Michael stepped in front of the two and stopped them from moving forward. Maranda stood in the center of the room with her head down. Wesley snarled, “Where’s that worthless son?”
Maranda looked at him and said, “He’s dead.”
Carrie and Wesley were stunned into silence.
“The giant Zord carried him out over the forest and retraced the route he had followed to chase and kill a Zord Female. The warrior carrying him dropped him from high altitude over the spot where he killed her. He had plenty of time to think about his evil deeds before he landed. It will be my time shortly to make that flight with the Zord.”
Carrie stared at Maranda with hate in her eyes, “Why are you still alive?”
Maranda looked at Carrie and said, “My Father is planning to kill Ashley.”
Carrie turned pale and even Wesley fell back in his chair.
“My evil Father told that worthless son of mine that if Ashley didn’t toughen up he was going to have to arrange an accident. Now that I’ve gone missing, Ashley will be next in the line of succession. My Father will prefer my youngest brother, who we all know is rotted to the core.”
Scotty looked at Wesley, “She has sworn to return to the Zord after she kills her father. They looked in her mind and know she means it. They believe, as do I, that an innocent person should be saved when possible.”
Maranda looked up at Wesley and Carrie, “My father had Lem killed to use me to set you up. He also put the idea of killing June in my head. I look back at who I was and now see what I’ve become, and I yearn for the long fall to end my suffering. But first, I must try to save Ashley.”
“You’ll never get close to him.”
“I must try, Wesley.”
Scotty said, “She will get close if you help her.”
Wesley stared at Scotty, “How?”
“Contact him now and tell him that you sent some scouts out ahead of the fleet and they were able to find Maranda and save her. They have just jumped in and Maranda has insisted on going home to his protection. You are leaving with your fleet, but will send her home in a shuttle once you reach the jump limit. Those ships being left behind will verify the shuttle being launched.”
“How will that get me close?”
“It’s not my intention to get you close.”
Maranda’s eyes narrowed and her whole body stiffened.
Carrie asked, “If you don’t have any intention of getting her close, why send her?”
“To save Ashley.”
Maranda took a deep breath and sat down on the floor.
“Jess will take Maranda to the planet and she will ask Ashley and her husband…she does have a husband…” Maranda nodded, “…to go to the shuttle and pick up your bags and bring the charts of King Varner’s fleet. Once she’s on board, the shuttle will take off with Ashley and her family.”
Maranda said, “Won’t that cause that shuttle to be attacked?”
“No, you’re going to tell him that you’ve programmed the shuttle to fly into the sun. Tell him you’re disgusted by her weakness and she needed to be eliminated.”
“Jess, I have a change of plans.”
“I’ve been listening.”
“Anglo, pull them out as late as possible.”
“Her screen is as good as a Gamma, Your Majesty. She should be able to fly right up to the corona.”
“He could still try to stop the shuttle.”
“He won’t.”
“How can you know for sure?”
