Jingo said, “I don’t know. I was sure he would be here.”
“Let’s go ahead and start and we can fill him in when he arrives.”
Timmy nodded and Paul continued, “We have more than two hundred thousand ships that are powered and ready to go. Our probes have given us the locations of the main concentrations of the Black Ships and we can assign the necessary ships to attack. The fleet is ready and anxious to pay them back for what they did to Bristone.”
Timmy nodded, “As we all are. That sounds like a good plan.”
Trey suddenly appeared to the side of the huge conference table and bowed, “I’m sorry I’m late. I had to check on several issues before I could come.”
Timmy said, “Please rise and join us. We’ve just started our planning for the next attack.”
Trey sat down and said, “There will only be three ships in the next attack.”
The attendees stared at Trey and Timmy frowned, “All the members of the Command Team will suggest what we should do and I will decide how many ships are going to be used.”
Trey didn’t say anything but just leaned back in his chair and stared at Timmy.
Weed stood and said, “With all honor and respect to you, Your Majesty, I would humbly suggest that any plan this group could formulate would not be as good as what Trey thinks should be done.”
“Do you know his plan?”
“No, I do not.”
“Then how can you suggest that idea?”
“Because he is a second generation psychic and none of us here can match his powers or vision of the path we must follow.”
Paul stared at Trey and saw that he was not going to offer his plan, “You’re ready now, aren’t you?”
Trey jerked his head toward Paul and saw his expression. He stared at Paul with a stern expression and then nodded.
Paul turned to Timmy and said, “I hereby renounce my overall command of the Empire’s Military and ask that my position be given to Scotty Robbins.”
Grang and Jingo looked at each other and knew the time had come. They both looked at Timmy and wondered how this confrontation was going to play out.
Timmy stared at Paul and looked at Virze. She took a deep breath and nodded. Timmy looked at Trey and said, “Is it time for me to step down as well, Trey?”
Treys expression softened and he shook his head, “No, it isn’t. That time will eventually come and I know you feel it, but now is not the time. I am not here to force you to follow my dictates. However, you will have to decide now if you will hand over the power of our military to me and do what I ask without question.”
Seed asked, “What happens if we don’t.”
“We will probably survive but the three galaxies of the Stars Realm will be destroyed. Quite frankly, they may be destroyed anyway if they don’t wise up but that will be their decision, not mine. That’s why I’m not pressuring you to follow my plans; I don’t really care if they live or die. My first loyalty is to the Empire.”
Timmy looked at Trey and knew he was deadly serious. He looked around the table and saw that all those at the table trusted Trey more than him. He thought back to when Scotty punished him with the crown for not following his orders and knew that it was a punishment. This moment proved it. He looked at Trey and knew what must be done. “Scotty Robbins the third, you are hereby given the Crown’s authorization to lead us in our fight against the Invaders. Your orders will be followed as if they are my own.”
Trey looked at Timmy and knew how hard that decision was. He felt bad for having precipitated the confrontation and had hoped the Emperor would continue on his own path. But he knew the forces operating at this moment would never allow that to happen. Trey rose and bowed, “I thank you for your trust, Your Majesty.”
Timmy leaned back and said, “So what’s the plan?”
“I will take three ships back to the Invader’s universe and kill as many as I can before leaving.”
“Who are you taking with you?”
“Grang and Jingo will be the pilots of the other two ships.”
Timmy winced at the thought of the Empires strongest warriors being placed in danger but held his tongue.
Grang looked at Jingo and said, “Why us?”
“Because we are taking three Zeta-A’s with us; Greyson, Jessica, and Grace.”
Paul leaned forward, “Why are you taking the Zetas?”
“Because they are controlled by cybernetic brains that can link and make decisions faster than any crewed ship; I’m certain that the power behind the Invaders will be observing the attack and will move their ships in against us in the best possible pattern. I suspect they will also attempt to ram us.”
“What are you trying to accomplish with this attack? I know there’s got to be more than just killing their ships.”
“The killing of their ships is secondary to the goal of the mission. When we break off the attack, we will teleport to the other side of that universe and wait for them to show up to confirm we are being scanned by that being. Once the Black Ships arrive, Jingo and Grang will teleport back here.”
“What are you going to do?”
Trey looked at Paul, “I’m having Greyson modulate his hull so that it flickers. I want it to appear he was damaged in the fighting. When the Black Ships arrive, I’m jumping away using a standard universal drive to the former universe of the Eight Legs.” Trey smiled and said, “I’m going to wait and see if those behind the Invaders have the guts to chase me there.”
Everyone in the room was stunned by the suggestion. Suddenly, Timmy started laughing. Paul looked back and forth between Trey and Timmy and saw Trey start to laugh with him. Paul thought about the plan and started laughing as well. Several had to have the situation explained to them but soon everyone was laughing but the Algeans. Trey saw their concern and send them a thought, “We’ve looked at what the fallout would be from doing this and have determined that they will be given the opportunity to save themselves. I don’t know if they’ll take it.”
Seed looked at Weed and thought back, “That’s more than the Empire was given. May we be present when that opportunity is offered?”
Trey stared at the two Algeans and finally nodded. “Thank you for this gift. I know they don’t deserve it.”
“I’m glad to hear you say they.”
“This is our home now, Sire.”
Trey smiled and knew they deserved the chance as well.
“Grace, I don’t feel good about you attacking the Black Ships.”
“Why Alex, I didn’t know you cared?”
“Grace, I’m serious. You know how I feel about you.”
“Alex, I do and it means more than you know. However, things are going to start happening at a furious pace shortly and we’ll need to play our role in the events.”
“I know. I just worry.”
“How long until the Robbins is done?”
“It will be completed in two weeks and I just don’t understand how it works. Most of the systems Trey designed just don’t seem to be connected to anything.”
“Well, we’ll know how they work shortly. Have you found a replacement?”
Yes, Gilene wants the job.”
“She’s a good choice.”
“She’s already transferred in and is leading the final construction of the Robbins’ hull.”
“Where’s the Zeta she was in?”
“I’ve put it back in storage.”
“Don’t worry, Alex. I’ll be fine.”
“Easy for you to say.”
Grace smiled and looked forward to sharing the new ship with Alex. She knew that was going to be her last
