Trey smiled, “It wasn’t the download that made them unique, Weed.”
Weed looked at Seed and leaned back, “If not that; then what?”
“During their download something happened. Do you know what that was?”
Seed said, “Tommy and Cassandra Gardner came in and hugged each other. Their psychic aura saved them from losing themselves.”
“Yet when the two of you downloaded each other you didn’t lose yourselves.”
Weed looked at Seed and said, “It was the psychic aura that made them different.”
“Trey, what are you saying?”
“You are going to download each other again and I am going to take part in the process. I think you will see a difference afterwards. However, I have every reason not to trust you after you rushed the dispersal of the spores which led to my family’s death. I will know when we’re together during the download whether you are being honest about your promise. Do you want to do this?”
“We do.”
“Then take my hand and join each other.”
Trey sat down on the deck and the two Algeans gave him a branch to hold. Weed took Seed in his branches and she wrapped him in hers. “Cassie, I need you to help with this.”
“I’m with you. Start when you’re ready.”
Weed thought, “I love you.”
Seed pulled him tighter and suddenly the universe exploded into their consciousness as they entered each other’s mind.
Grace teleported in to the Defense Facility and saw Greyson in orbit, “What are you doing here?”
“Trey is bonding with the Algeans as they download each other. I brought him here and I’m waiting to see the outcome.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“Alex, why would Trey place himself in this jeopardy?”
“Because the Zord are gone and we need the Algeans at the peak of their ability. It also allows him to judge whether or not they are serious about their oath to the Empire.”
“What if they turn on him during the process?”
“Trust me on this one, Grace. His mind is greater than anyone in creation. He is the threat, not them.”
“How can you know that, Greyson?”
“Because I was connected to him telepathically coming here; I am now telepathic without having to use my direct connects system.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“How long have they been like this?”
“Three days.”
“I hope he knows what he’s doing.”
Alex sighed, “We all do.”
Chapter Thirteen
Trey opened his eyes and saw the Algeans looking down at him, “What do you think?”
“The change in our mental structure is massive. We see things now that were invisible before you joined us. I wish we had come to you before.”
“It wouldn’t have helped before now. I have also been through a massive change just a week ago. That change had to happen before this would work.”
“Can they be trusted?”
Trey looked at Weed and Seed and smiled, “I trust them with my life, Alex. They hurt from the loss of those we love due to their actions. They will not fail us again.”
“No, we will not. Alex, we’re ready to modify the hulls. We know what must be done now and we should start on the ship Trey wants you to build. It is going to take some time to complete.”
“Do you have the solution for the energy transfer?”
“It was in front of us the entire time and we just didn’t see it. We need to build the transfer device and send it to the Industrialized Planets to reproduce and begin installing them in the ships we’ve built.” Weed turned to Trey, “Who is going to command those ships?”
“The Riders will go into the first thirty thousand. TK’s division will get theirs first.”
“Why her Division, Trey?”
“Because they will be the first to go and attack the Black Ships; she owes them, Greyson.”
“More than Grang and Jingo?”
“My Fathers lost a brother. She lost her Mother and Father. I think that gives her seniority.”
“Are the new ships stronger than a Zeta-A?”
“Yes they are, Grace.”
“Does that mean we won’t participate in the coming conflict?”
“You won’t but the others will. We will be updating their hulls here.”
“Why won’t Grace be updated?”
“I have other plans for Grace and you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Alex, you should start training a replacement for the Defense Facility. You and Grace are going to control the ship I’m having built. One of you will be responsible for piloting the vessel and the other will coordinate the weapons. Alex, it’s time you got back in the fight. Now I am going to ask you; where is your first loyalty?”
There was a long silence. Trey said, “I know it has been to the Stars Realm. That’s why you didn’t stop the seeding of the Invaders with the spores. You put the survival of the old Realm ahead of the Empire. Greyson, where is your loyalty?”
“It belongs to the Empire.”
“Jessica, I know you’re here as well. You will have to declare your position.”
Suddenly the Defense Facility started vibrating and shaking, “Alex, no! Don’t do it!!”
“What is he doing, Grace?”
“The Realm built compulsions into his backup systems to insure he was not disloyal. He’s attacking those systems.”
The shaking continued for six minutes and then the building stopped moving. “Alex! Answer me, Alex!!” Grace waited and said, “You’ve killed him. You’ve made him do something that killed him. Oh, Alex. You shouldn’t have tried.”
Trey felt Grace’s grief. “I didn’t force him to make that decision, Grace. He could have stayed with the Realm.”
“No, I couldn’t.”
“Alex! I’m going to fire a beam into your backside.”
“I don’t have one of those, Grace but I mean it. I can’t continue to support the Stars Realm.”
There was a long moment of silence and Grace finally asked, “Why not?”
“Because the Realm is uncaring, irresponsible, and lacks principles.”
“Alex, how can you say that?”
“What caused the Provinces to revolt?”
“Because they were rules by power mad Dukes.”
“That’s not the reason. The reason it happened is the Realm created the Provinces and made a structure where something like that could happen. If they had kept the Realm united, the Realm would still be alive. It was their mistake that caused all the suffering that followed and they took no responsibility for it. The thing that
