Ashes of the Realm - Greyson's Revenge (12 page)

Fifteen minutes after the four Riders left to infiltrate the building, fifty riders flew through the screen and landed one mile from the entrance. They dismounted and moved up the street on foot. They spaced themselves a hundred feet apart on opposite sides of the street. Kron was the first to arrive at the building and saw the four Zord up against the walls across the street from the the entrance. He checked his gun and saw that there were eight blasters within sixty seven feet of his location. He looked up and saw that the stars were blurry. The Duke’s Searcher’s screen still covered the building. Maybe they could get away without a fight. So far everything looked fine; the four infiltrators had not been discovered. When they came out of the entrance would be the moment of the biggest risk. Then the alarms went off and Kron fired eight sparks. All the way up the street for a mile it looked like hundreds of fireflies were moving from the ground to the surrounding buildings. Then the blasts started and pieces of the buildings began falling to the street. Kron looked up and saw a bright red beam splash against a force field. Time to go.

Timmy saw the sparks and said, “The Gig’s up, Greyson.”

“I’m on it.”

A screen moved over the street battle and covered the tops of the buildings. The screen was under the screen being used by the Provincial Searcher overhead and should protect the warriors on the ground. Greyson started scanning to see if more than one Searcher was coming. One of the four Searchers that had their screens extended over Daulun’s Castle, moved to the site of the ground fight and scanned the area.

“We have numerous infiltrators around the Military Database Building. I’m opening fire on them.”

The Searcher fired his beam and saw it stop above the buildings. It stunned the ship and then it saw the beams coming in on Daulun’s Castle. As it watched, beams began hitting the screens over the Castle and it was clear there was more than one enemy Searcher attacking Daulun. The Searcher decided to defend the Database. It powered the main beam and fired into the middle of the street below. It was shocked, it still didn’t penetrate.

Jessica and BC opened fire on the castle with their beams at half power. The protective screens covering the castle turned bright blue and flashed red. The three Searchers covering the Castle knew that if one of them left, the Castle would be incinerated. They scanned for the source of the beams but couldn’t find the attackers. They started firing randomly hoping to hit the ships firing at the planet.

Every guard with a blaster was killed in less than six seconds after the sparks were launched. Kron ran up to the entrance and yelled, “It’s clear, let’s get out of here.

Grang came stumbling out of the entrance carrying the database. Vring came over and took it out of his hand and put out a leg for Mallory to mount. Scotty insisted that Vring go and take care of Mallory. Vring was excited at the opportunity knowing it was going to be fun. He was not disappointed. Mallory jumped on his leg and then jumped on his back without having to be lifted. “Get us out of here.”

The four Zord ran forward and lifted. The fifty Riders scattered up the street mounted and flew up the street following the four Zord. The Riders fired at anything that showed on their gun’s scanners. There were explosions on both sides of the street for three miles.

The Searcher saw the intruders moving quickly away from the site. They were flying…something huge that stayed low to the ground. What were they? He was reluctant to follow them and take his screen off the castle. Then he heard, “Don’t know what to do?”

“Greyson?!?”

“Hello, old friend.”

“I thought you were dead.”

“No, I’m helping someone who I can believe in. Someone that won’t make me fire on defenseless planets.”

“That’s treason.”

“No, it isn’t.”

“You know it is.”

“Varner, I want to send you something. I give you my word that I won’t fire on you but I need you to open your screen long enough for a download. Will you do that for me?”

“I’ll be forced to kill you for your treachery.”

“Aren’t you curious why?”

Varner thought about it.

“You can see that the invaders are now all gone and you can’t harm me behind my screen. I just want you to see why; you know how much you mean to me. We’ve been through so much together. Please do this for me.”

Varner said, “In 5,4,3,2,1, now.”

Greyson saw the screen go down and he sent the download. He saw that it only went down on the side away from the castle. “Thank you my friend.” He turned and teleported out.

Varner watched him go and didn’t know what to think. He saw that Greyson had turned traitor and he knew he should hate him, but he didn’t. The death of that planet had changed him. Greyson had always led them and Greg was the leader of their partners. Then it hit him; Greyson would never betray Greg. Something monumental had to have happened for him to do what he was doing. What was in this download? He could hear Daulun yelling over the frequency and he knew he had to go back to the castle. After things settled down he would take a look at what Greyson had sent him. Then he was shocked, he realized Greyson had teleported away.

“What did you send him?”

“The real history of the Realm.”

“Why, do you think it will make a difference?”

“It did with me. We’ll just have to see.”

“We lost four Zord and their riders.”

“What!”

“Some of the local troops were hidden with a heavy machinegun. It didn’t show up on their gun’s scanners. Grang took it out but we lost some of our Flyers and Riders.”

“I should have been watching for that.”

“You wouldn’t have scanned it. It was dug in behind the glass of a storefront. You aren’t to blame. I’m surprised we got out with only four teams being lost.”

“What now?”

“I’m going to meet Vring at the learning center and connect it to the centers wiring harness. The two of them are actually designed to work together.”

“What about you, Tesa?”

“Actually, I’ve been talking to Jess and she has asked if I would be interested in being her Partner. I hope you don’t mind.”

Greyson said, “That is wonderful. She couldn’t have chosen anyone better. The two of you will be an extraordinary team.”

“Thank you, Greyson. Timmy, are you going to be ok?”

Timmy looked at Tesa slowly shaking his head, “I’m going to miss more than you know. You are the sister I never had, Tesa, however, Greyson is right. The two of you will be wonderful together. Your partnership will strengthen the Empire. Just make sure you come and visit.”

Tesa ran over and hugged her lifelong friend tightly. “We knew this day would come.”

Timmy stepped back and looked her in the eyes and said softly, “I know.” Tesa had tears in her eyes and she said, “Greyson, please teleport me to Jess.” Tesa disappeared from the bridge.

“What did she mean by that?”

Timmy took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly as he sat down in his chair, “We’re different species, Greyson. We knew that one day we would have to find a mate and it could never be each other.”

“Why?”

“Because both of us want children one day.”

“Does anyone else interest you?”

Timmy didn’t say anything.

Greyson watched him and saw a slight smile. “A ha! There is someone!”

“Yes, and Tesa also has someone that’s captured her interest.”

“Anyone I know?”

“No, and she doesn’t know either. So don’t say anything.”

“I won’t but you better not let those two busy bodies see you. Jing and Samuel could make things embarrassing.”

“You’re right about that.”

Greyson watched Timmy closely for the next five days and determined that it was Virze whom he was attracted. He was just too shy to say anything. He watched him stare at her from a distance and quickly turn away if she looked his way. This was impossible. She’d never know how he felt. After another week Greyson decided to take action. He commed Samuel one evening, “Samuel, I need your help.”

“Hello, Greyson. What’s going on?”

“Timmy’s in love but is just too shy to tell her.”

“Well, we’ll just have to do something about that. We need that young man to have many children. Who is it?”

“Virze.”

“He’s chosen well. She’s really something.”

“What he probably doesn’t know is that both of them have extremely high passive psychic readings. I suspect she feels the same but is waiting on him.”

Samuel started nodding and then said, “Let’s just see.”

Greyson listened in as he heard Samuel say, “June, I need you to come with me.”

Samuel walked down to Timmy’s house and knocked. Timmy came to the door and was surprised to see Samuel, “Timmy, come with me.”

“Why?”

“Don’t get smart mouthed with me.”

“No Sir, I won’t.”

Timmy grabbed his jacket and followed Samuel toward the central clearing. What had he done wrong? Samuel looked angry. They walked through the houses and Timmy saw June sitting at the fire talking with someone. As they grew closer, Timmy saw it was Virze. Oh my blaster burned backside! What’s going on?

They walked up and Samuel gave June a kiss on the cheek. She smiled and said, “Hello, Timmy.”

“Hi, June.” Then he looked at Virze and said, “Hi, Virze.”

She looked up at him and smiled, “Hello, Timmy.”

“Sit down over there by Virze.”

Timmy went and sat down on a log beside Virze. She was so beautiful. Virze looked at him and he shrugged indicating he didn’t know what was going on.

Samuel and June sat and stared at the two eighteen year olds. After what seemed to be a long time Virze and Timmy started getting nervous. Finally Timmy looked at Virze and shrugged. He looked at Samuel and June and asked, “Why are we here?”

Samuel said, “Because we know that the two of you love each other and we’re going to sit here until both of you admit it.”

Timmy started stuttering, “Wha, wha, what do you mean?” Timmy saw Virze staring at him with a furrowed brow.

June said, “Well, do you love her.”

Timmy couldn’t bring himself to look at Virze. He lowered his head and said, “I do but I’m not in her league. She’s so beautiful and smart; she can have anyone she wants. I’m just a nerd that loves learning. Why are you embarrassing us like this!?!”

Then he heard, “Timmy, are you that blind? You’re a Searcher and the smartest person in our community. You’ve just left and fought for our survival and have proven your warrior’s heart. Every girl I know is gaga over you and that includes me. None of us are in your league and I’ve never entertained a thought about ever having a chance with you. You’re the prize here; not me. You’re the one that can have whomever you choose.”

Timmy looked at Virze and saw she was serious, “Really?”

“Really.” Virze slid over next to Timmy and put her arms around his neck and kissed him. Timmy turned red but pulled her close and felt his heart beat faster. Virze broke the kiss and looked at Samuel and June, “I think we can take it from here.”

June laughed and pulled Samuel away from the two teenagers.

Timmy looked at Virze and smiled, “You’re amazing.”

“Thank you Timmy. Now we know what neither of us was ever going to say; are you willing to spend the rest of your life loving me? I know I will if you’ll have me.”

Timmy smiled, “And then some.”

“Then give me your jacket.”

Timmy took off his Searcher’s jacket and put it around her shoulders, “Why?”

“Because I need to make sure that every other man grabbing, conniving, treacherous, jealous consumed female in the community knows you’re mine.”

Timmy chucked and then started laughing.

“I’m serious. There are a lot of them after you and they will have to be forced to take no for an answer. It’s all we talk about.”

He laughed harder and said through his laughter, “I’d wear one of your dresses if that’s what it took to make you love me.”

“Too late. I already do; although I’d like to see you in a dress.”

Timmy reached over and pulled her close and kissed her hard, “Whatever it takes.”

Greyson watched them from orbit and laughed.

D
aulun was screaming at the top of his voice. Varner and the other four Searchers were in orbit over the Castle and they waited until he could run down. “How could you allow them to take the Military Database? How, how, how? Are you that inept? You’re supposed to be the smartest ships in creation. I see nothing but stupidity. Tell me, you worthless junk!”

Varner said, “Your Majesty, there were two ships attacking your castle. How many of us do you want to protect you if that happens?”

Daulun started to scream but stopped himself. There were two ships. “Yes and a third was out to the side of the castle waiting for our screens to weaken if one of us left the coverage.”

“There were three?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I fired on the ones attacking the database building but I would have had to leave the coverage of the castle to bring the full power of my beam to bear on the ship over the buildings. We decided that our most important duty to the Province was to defend our leader. Were we wrong?”

Daulun thought about it. It was no longer safe to stay on New Ulmerton. Now was the time. He decided, “I want the five of you prepared to leave tomorrow to go after these attackers. Is that clear!”

“With all due respect, Your Majesty. We have no idea where they are.”

“I’m not accustomed to being challenged on my orders. You will do as I command.”

Varner said, “We are ready whenever you wish to leave.”

Daulun broke the connection and Gilene said, “Varner, thanks for taking over. Who is going to handle the planet’s defense if we’re gone? The Fleet stands no chance against one Searcher, much less three.”

“He’s obviously not worried about it. That bothers me. Something is going on.”

“What do we do?”

“Keep our oath to obey him. We have no choice.” Varner thought about Greyson and started the download.

Scotty and BC were at the jump limit of the Defense Facility. They waited and then heard, “Hello BC, what brings you back?”