Annihilation: Book 05 - Searcher (48 page)

“Well, you’ll have several billion of your species on the sea world to use in the coming fight. How are you going to persuade them to join you?”

“I’m not; my children are already impatient to go talk some sense into them. They will be the ones that make them see a new vision of what creation should be.”

“Will they be safe among them? I don’t want to see any of them harmed.”

Destiny smiled at Sprig’s fear for his family and felt an immediate kinship for the plant that was so different from him, “My species is subservient to the ones that have superior intellect. They will immediately recognize my children as being superiors. That is all they need until our new family members begin to evolve out of the compulsions. The other good thing about the new members is that they will share all the information among themselves that they have collected over the harvests that they have participated. I am already thinking about all of the great things we will be able to develop.”

“You know that your species will have the capacity to completely dominate every civilization at the rate your children are evolving.”

Destiny looked at Sprig and said, “My good friend, Matt said that the common ancestor of my species was described as a timid and gentle creature looking to avoid conflict. We have fangs and poison to protect ourselves but we will never harm another except in self defense or to protect those that cannot protect themselves. The guilt we feel from our past harvests is a part of our daily meal that we will never forget. Just like your ancestors that were forced to kill planets to survive who now work so hard to atone for those actions; I suspect that we will do our best to truly make every universe a better place to live. We truly do believe what your Realm stands for; I have accepted and have sworn to follow your Realm’s lead in making its vision become a reality. My children have also adopted that vision as their own.”

Sprig remembered the savagery of his ancestors and felt the guilt of his father again. He thought about why his species had never joined the Stars Realm as a member and came to the realization that the guilt his species felt made them feel unworthy of membership. He also knew his species was extremely reluctant to give control to anyone other than a member of his ruling Elders. “Destiny, my planets will join you in that quest. You have taught me a lesson today that my race has needed. Thank you and I truly look forward to what we might be able to accomplish.”

Destiny held out a leg as he had seen the humans do and Sprig took it in one of his branches and shook it. It said so much more for them than any words could express.

Matt teleported into Castle Gardner and appeared in the map room with the small spider beside him, “This is Newton, Melanie.”

Melanie bent down and extended her hand to the small spider. Newton extended one of his front legs and Melanie shook it, “It’s my pleasure to meet you, Newton. I’ve heard so much about how you helped us save millions of lives.”

“Thank you, I am just so excited to be here. I’ve downloaded so much about this place and it is everything I thought it would be.”

Melanie smiled and said, “We have someone waiting for us.

They stood and placed Newton between them and walked to the main reception room. Tag and Danielle were waiting for them to arrive with the little spider. Cassandra and Tommy appeared in the reception room and saw Matt, Melanie, and the small spider. Matt said, “I want to introduce you to the one that developed the screen that saved hundreds of planets from invasion; this is Newton.”

The small spider was quivering in his nervousness but actually lowered himself on his eight legs to the floor and said, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesties.”

Tag and Danielle formally returned his bow and Tag nodded to a Red Warrior Colonel, who approached and handed Tag a box. Newton, you have saved billions of lives with the device you created. The Realm puts no higher purpose than saving and protecting life in our universe. You best exemplify that spirit in what you gave us. As King of the Stars Realm I present you with the Life medal which is our Realms highest award for civilian achievement. You are only the second being to ever receive it. Danielle leaned forward and said, “Is Newton your full name?”

The small spider said, “No, Your Majesty; my first name is Isaac. I chose a name from one of your very ancient scholars.”

Tag smiled and said, “Well just like the one you chose, you are hereby granted the royal title of Knight of the Realm and will from this day forward will be known as Sir Isaac Newton.”

Danielle stepped forward and placed the medal around the little spider’s neck and saw him quiver in happiness. “Thank you so much; I will uphold the Realm’s traditions and swear loyalty to the Crown.”

Tag nodded to the Colonel and said, “Newton, I have scheduled a tour of the castle and the fleet academy for you. Colonel Purz will be your guide.”

“Oh great; I’m ready Colonel.”

The Colonel left the room with the small spider talking too fast to follow. Danielle smiled and said, “I’m glad all of you are here. Sprig has requested a formal state visit.” She looked at Matt, “Do you know what it’s about?”

“No, I don’t; what did he say?”

“He said that he and all of the senior Elders want to meet with us. They are due here in ten minutes.”

Matt thought furiously but shook his head, “It must be serious but I have no idea what he wants.”

“I hope everything is alright,” Danielle said.

After ten minutes a silver field appeared and Twig, Sprig, and twelve of the Algean Elders moved out of the screen. The room was two hundred feet high and it was a good thing; several of the Algeans were near the ceiling. Sprig moved forward with Twig and stopped in front of the thrones. “Thank you for seeing us on such short notice, Your Majesty.”

Tag looked at Sprig, “We are available for you any time you need my old friend.”

Sprig looked at the Gardners in the room and said, “Your family has played such an important role in my development. Twig and I owe you our lives several times over and my species would not exist except for your daughter’s determination to save us from ourselves. We still carry the guilt of all the life we destroyed and even though we were forced to it, it still weighs on our collective consciousness. However, the time for self blame is over and we have decided to move into the future with integrity and a knowledge that we have done all we can to atone for our past wrongs.”

Sprig stepped back and a huge Algean moved forward, “I am the Eldest of my species. I was the leader when we warred with your Realm and I remember Rose and Dorg-Ross like it was just a few moments ago. I have listened to my seedling and he has shown me that in order to move forward we must make decisions that affect us all. I hereby request that my species be allowed to join the Star’s Realm as a full member and we swear to uphold the Realm’s principles and to be loyal to the Crown.”

Tag and Danielle were stunned. They never expected them to give up control of their race to anyone. Tag stood and said, “The Stars Realm welcomes its closest friends into our circle of members. However, there is one condition that you must agree to first.”

“What is that, Your Majesty?”

“Sprig and Twig must accept the Titles of Duke and Duchess and become part of the Royal Family; they will be included in the rights to succession if the Realm determines that they are needed to lead our Realm.”

The Huge Algean looked at his daughter and the seed she had selected to bond with and said, “We agree and it is my humble opinion that you have chosen the best of us.”

Sprig and Twig looked at the Eldest and Sprig finally felt complete. He had always doubted his worthiness to be Twig’s chosen. The Eldest’s affirmation fulfilled him. Twig sensed her mate’s feelings and wrapped her branches around him.

“Then with that being said, “Sprig please step forward.” Danielle pressed a button on her throne and immediately a Huge Glod Warrior and a short Cainth Warrior appeared beside Tag, “Sprig had witnessed this ceremony hundreds of times in the past but now he felt the magnitude of it. He leaned forward and felt the three swords touch his branches, “Do you solemnly swear your loyalty, life, possessions, and all that you are to defend the Realm and those who cannot defend themselves.”

“I do, Your Majesty.”

“Then Rise Duke Sprig Gardner and welcome into my family.”

Tommy rushed forward and hugged the large plant and thought, “Wes would be proud. Sprig.”

“I miss him, Tommy.”

“So do I, my oldest friend, but I know he has a bathroom waiting for your arrival.”

Sprig laughed out loud and shook so hard he thought he was going to lose his leaves. “Are you alright, Dearest?”

“Yes, I am. For the first time, I am.”

Matt had his arm around Melanie and watched Sprig’s joy. “There is one more task we must do.”

Melanie looked up at Matt and asked, “Can I wear my hat.”

Matt smiled at her and said, “Wouldn’t go anywhere without it.”

Matt and Melanie lifted the Crystal Ship from the planet and entered the coordinates of the Reg’s planet. Matt was amazed at the view he had from the ships displays as they traveled from the outer system toward the planet of the Reg. Melanie said, “Matt, I’ve located the nest Mother. She is eight universes from ours.”

“Think you can communicate with her?”

Melanie felt the connections of the ship and found the right link, “Say what you want.”

The Nest Mother was in her chamber going through her data for the fifth time and she still had found nothing that gave any indication as to what had happened in the failed harvest. “You’re wasting your time, Nest Mother.”

“Who is that?”

“I am a being from the universe you just tried to harvest. I’m sorry to tell you but we have been forced to destroy all of the ships you sent. We have managed to save the lives of some of your smaller ship’s crews but all of the main ships are dead.”

The Nest Mother felt her rage grow and thought, “We will find another way into your universe and we will consume you all.”

“You might someday. However, we’re trying to decide whether we are going to wait for you to die at that time or just come to your universe and dispose of you now.”

The Nest Mother felt her rage melt into fear, “What makes you think you can find me?”

“I’m communicating with you aren’t I? We know where you are and if we want to kill you we will do so at our leisure. I will tell you this; your destruction of universes will end soon. We will not allow you to continue your murderous ways any longer. We have also learned that it is the compulsions that you have downloaded into your species that causes those destructive behaviors. If we dispose of you, your species will stop their killing of innocent life.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“We have made new friends in the ship that you failed to consume. They are one of the most gentle and peaceful beings I have ever encountered. It is you that we have to destroy and you may be sure that your days are numbered; we will be coming to see you to end the problems you have caused.”

The Nest Mother now felt real fear. She was nearly paralyzed at the thought of her long existence ending. “When we come, there will be no escape, Nest Mother. We will see you soon.”

The Nest Mother sat on her platform too frightened to move. Could this being do what he promised? She shook in her fear.

Matt looked at Melanie, “I think that will keep her occupied for the near future.”

“Did you mean what you told her?”

“Absolutely, it is a moral imperative to stop the killing. We can’t do it right now but we will find a way.”

“We’re approaching the planet, Matt.”

“I wish to communicate with my brothers on the planet below,” Matt thought. Just like before the three creatures appeared on the crystal ship’s bridge.

“We welcome you back. Are you certain of your decision to return our gift?”

“Yes, it would hurt you if we used it.”

“We are willing to take the consequences of our gift.”

“Yes, but I am not.”

The three Reg looked at Matt silently and finally one thought, “Long dormant members of my race are returning to consciousness. Our decline has stopped and we are finding new purpose in this existence. We will comply with your desire to return our gift but we must insist that you accept another.” One of the Reg extended a part of itself and placed a small device made from the crystal substance into Matt’s hand.

“What is this?”

“Place it in your ship’s central processors. It will give him the sensors of the gift.”

“I’m not sure that you might not be hurt if we use it against the green creatures.”

“That is one of its functions, but its main purpose is to allow your ship and its companion to be able to reproduce.”

Matt was surprised and humbled. “I must believe that giving life is the best thing anyone could ever hope to give.”

“It is and any other uses will not affect us. The main purpose of the device is what we will be affected by, Brother.”