Annihilation: The Power of a Queen (17 page)

Kosiev had continued talking, “With that discovery, we started to wonder about whether a ship could do the same thing. Our standard ships were just too small to put those eighty one square foot power cells on, they will only bend so far, so we took an old dreadnaught and covered it and flew it to the sun for a week while it’s power cells charged and then went to Earth Orbit and jumped out of the system. The screens on these new ships are another order of magnitude stronger than the one they replace. They’re twenty feet thick and can be expanded to forty miles and not lose their integrity. The leakage for our sensors extends almost a light week from our ships. These ships don’t even have to be in a system to see what’s going on.” Kosiev thought for a minute and said, “I don’t know if 200 dreadnaughts could crack its screen.”

“Could ten of them ramming the ship injure it?” Tag asked.

Kosiev looked startled at the question and said, “You know the screens will stop things like missiles and other objects of similar size and energy weapons just won’t come close to getting thru. I’m not sure about that much mass hitting. I’ll get the engineers to investigate how much the screen can handle.”

“We’ve seen that they will suicide if all else fails. I suspect that we would do the same if our backs were to the wall. How close can we jump into the Glod Home World?”

“Since their sun is much larger than ours and their world occupies an orbit further out, we should be able to jump in right to their planets orbit.”

Tag thought for a long time and then said, “Then her ship will jump directly to the planet. The others will come in the old fashioned way. Their process toward their planet should keep the Glod on their toes. Are you moving your flag to one of the new ships?”

“It’s already been done. The Washington is going to be part of your remote controlled fleet. She whispered to me that she wanted to make sure you were taken care of. You don’t think I would let you go without me being there. You heard the Director; I’m responsible for her safety. If you are planning to leave in the morning, I’m going to transfer to the Atlas immediately.”

Tag and Danielle looked at each other and Danielle said, “What is your new ships name?”

Kosiev looked at them and said, “She’s named Atlas.”

Danielle said, “Could you do me a favor and call it the Zeus.”

Kosiev looked at them and said, “Why.”

“Let’s just say it’s my intuition that it will be a lucky name for her that way.”

“Is that an order?”

“Yes Admiral it is,” Tag said. “I never question her intuition. Would you?”

“Absolutely not, Mr. Gardner; Kelly, contact ship registry and change the ships name to Zeus; besides wasn’t he the head honcho.”

“Tag and Danielle heard Atlas say in their mind, “Thank you for that.”

Danielle thought back, “Now you have another god to travel with.” They both laughed at that.

Kosiev said, “Now if you two will excuse me, I have some work to get ready for our on time departure.”

The next morning Kosiev welcomed Tag and Danielle aboard and ordered the fleet ready for jump. The ships sorted themselves out into formation and reported in their readiness for the non-space jump to the Glod system. Kosiev looked at Tag and said, “I have also brought along a body guard for the two of you.” Danielle looked at him quizzically and he said, “I’ve ordered a company of Naval Marines to accompany you to the planet.”

“Admiral, they can go with us to the surface but they will remain on board the shuttle unless my husband calls for them.”

Kosiev started to protest but Tag cut him off, “Admiral, these soldiers will be jump trained so they can use their jump armor to jump to anywhere in the city we’ll be. We have got to show trust to our new ally. I agree with her; they stay in the shuttle.”

Kelly turned and said, “All ships report in ready for jump, Admiral.”

Kosiev shrugged and looked at Captain Mikado and said, “Execute jump.” The fleet disappeared from Earth’s solar system and almost instantly reappeared in the Glod Home World’s system. The fleet fine tuned its formation and began moving toward the planet. Kosiev turned on the general command channel and ordered the fleet to continue in system. He also ordered all the ultra class battleships to keep their star drive on and be prepared to jump to the planet if he issued an emergency order. “Captain Mikado turned and said, “The welcoming party has cleared you to enter the system, Admiral.”

Kosiev looked at them and said, “Are you ready?” They both nodded and he said, “Execute jump.”

On the Glod Home World Tgon-Gee and his fleet leader was watching the Earth Fleet move in toward the planet. Suddenly they saw one of the big Earth Ships vanish and reappear close to their world. “Holy groad,” the fleet admiral said. “It’s impossible to jump that close and I’ve never seen that class of ship before.”

Tgon-gee looked at him and said, “Admiral, these Humans are just full of surprises and wonders. Be thankful we’re on the same side now. Tell the welcome staff that we don’t have as much time as I thought.”

The shuttle landed on the roof of the central government building and Danielle, Tag, and Kosiev exited the shuttle where they were greeted by Tgon-Gee, the fifty members of the Guidance Peers and the chosen representatives from the other 16 royal families. They went to a formal luncheon and were formally introduced. Tgon-Gee noticed that all of the Peers were almost mesmerized by the aura the two Humans possessed; especially the male human. He also saw that Danielle was captivating them with her charm and total lack of self importance. Each person she met was greeted warmly and treated as an equal. Even the representatives from the royal families who tried not to be impressed were genuinely drawn to this Human Female. Finally, Tgon-Gee said, “We will continue our welcoming ceremonies after our Queen has addressed the people assembled outside. We will walk down the Quilleron Path to the Solar Arch where she will enter the temple grounds and say hello to her new subjects.”

With that he led them out of the Central Government Building and out the front entrance. There were thousands of massed Glods lining the azure colored street that led to a huge Arch that dominated the central area of the buildings. “Won’t you join us Admiral?”

Kosiev said, “No I’ll watch from here,” and then he moved to the side and turned on his com.

As they walked along the path with Tgon-Gee in the center of Tag and Danielle a huge roar arose from the crowd as the Glod citizens got their first glimpse of their new queen. When they arrived fifty yards from the two arches at the entrance of the temple Tag put his arm in front of Tgon-Gee and Danielle and said, “Stop and stay where you are.”

Danielle felt a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, “What’s wrong, Tag?”

Tag was standing listening to his senses tell him of danger. “We’re going to be attacked momentarily and I can’t defend both of you. Tgon-Gee, move away from us into the crowd.” Tgon-Gee was confused and he didn’t move. Then Danielle said, “Your Queen orders you to go now!” He bowed and stepped off the path wondering what was happening.

Danielle looked around and couldn’t see what had Tag worried; then she saw. On both sides of the path Glod warriors were removing their white coverlet to expose their traditional armor and were stepping in to surround them. Tag looked at their leader and said, “That is as close as you get; don’t come any closer.”

The Circle of Glod Warriors turned out and faced the multitude and drew their weapons. In a loud voice the leader of the group yelled to the crowd. “I challenge these Aliens to the Quilleron Rite. I, Hakn-Yee, leader of my families make this challenge.”

Kosiev said into his com, Naval Marines jump now to my location, Ultra Ships jump in system now.”

Suddenly the company of naval marines landed at the front of the Central Building in full battle armor with blasters raised.

Danielle raised her voice and yelled to Kosiev, “Stay there! That is an order!” Kosiev reluctantly obeyed but ordered the Marines to be prepared to attack. The multitude grew deathly silent. Then Danielle turned to Tgon-Gee and said, “What is the challenge that this warrior is directing at me?”

Tgon-Gee looked at the Glod warrior and said, “We have an ancient rite that allows only the leaders of our constituent nations to challenge the selection of a new monarch. It has not been used for more than 1,800 solar rotations.” Then he turned to the Warrior and said, “Hakn, I will kill you for this outrage.”

“Maybe you will, but at least I will have my challenge before you do.”

Tag had not moved from where he was standing in front of Danielle. He stood there seemingly relaxed with his eyes closed. Then he said, “Hakn has chosen the five warriors to perform the challenge.” Hakn was stunned, how could this off worlder know this? Tag opened his eyes and said, “He has selected you,” and he pointed to a large glod warrior in front of him, “and he has chosen you three,” and he pointed out three warriors behind them, “and he has also selected you,” and as he pointed at the fifth selection, he walked in front of the fifth Warrior that was at the head of the group and stared up at him directly in the eye. He said to that warrior, “Do you agree with him that she is unworthy of being your queen?”

The huge Glod warrior looked down at Tag and said, “I do.”

Tag said to Danielle, “Come here and stand in front of this warrior.” Danielle walked and stood directly in front of the big Glod and also looked him in the eye. Tag said to the warrior and to Hakn, “As I understand it, you are not going to attack her but her chosen champion. If the Champion fails, she will not be selected as your queen. Is that right?”

Hakn said, “I see Tgon-Gee has taught you our traditions.”

Tgon-Gee said, “I have not told them of any of our traditions. I told you they seem to know us better than we know ourselves. Did I also mention that he has the aura of Nim-Qur?”

Hakn said, “You lie to try and protect them.”

The leader of the fifty Peers said from the front of the building, “Hakn, we never lie and his aura is even darker and brighter than Nim-Qur himself.”

Silence reigned in the huge crowd. Nim-Qur was the most deadly Glod that had ever raised a sword. It was he who took the worlds from others to form the Glod Union. He never lost a fight. The tremendous crowd wondered if it were possible to have two such powerful psychics. Some just refused to believe that this Human male was stronger than the mystical Nim-Qur. Hakn was obviously shaken by the announcement from the Peers. “All of you will lie to protect this stranger. I do not lift my challenge.”

The crowd moved back and formed a circle around the people involved. Hakn said, “Give the Human weapons and let the first contest begin.”

Tag felt his anger approaching rage. He could feel his sense of all things around him growing in magnitude and he sensed the warriors confronting him getting ready for the fight. Tag looked at Hakn and said, “If it’s not a violation of your rite, I would prefer to take my weapons from the warriors that have insulted my wife’s integrity. I also would humbly request that the first four I pointed out attack me together.” The fifth warrior he pointed his finger at and said, “Him, I’ll save him for last.”

Hakn roared, “You make a mockery of our beliefs. Teach this Human a lesson, you four attack him now.”

The four selected Glod warriors looked at each other and by silent agreement rushed to the attack.

Tag was amazed at his emotions. These warriors had endangered Danielle and he felt cold rage engulf him. He stood there and felt his psychic talent building almost like it couldn’t wait to destroy these naysayers. Tag watched as the world slowed down around him and come to a stop. He saw the four Glod warriors surrounding him start to move toward him and he saw that the biggest warrior behind him would arrive first aiming a sword slash to take off his head followed closely by the warrior to his right slashing to take off his legs. He knew he could probably kill all four before they had a chance to move but he actually wanted to fight. He turned and moved toward the warrior behind him and the world around him began moving very slowly again. The warrior behind him came forward in slow motion and he ducked under the slash and slammed his fist into the Glod’s midsection doubling him over; he then slammed his palm into the big Glods chin lifting him off the ground. He then grabbed the arm of the big Glod and swung the warrior into the path of the leg cut and saw the second attacker cut both of the big Glods legs off just above the knees. He broke the warriors arm holding the sword and wrenched it from his hand. He then turned and parried a blow from the third warrior just arriving from the left and then turned and stuck his sword into the shoulder of the fourth warrior coming from behind him. He ducked another thrust from the warrior to the left and spun in a crouch and cut one of his legs off; the attacker crumpled and fell to the ground. He then rolled to his left as the two remaining warriors rushed at him. He came out of his roll and jumped a leg cut by one of them rising almost 7 feet in the air in front of the Glod that had cut the legs off the first Glod and kicked him in the face slamming him back into the hardened brick path striking his head against the unyielding surface. He then confronted the warrior with the injured shoulder and parried six sword strikes easily before spinning and slashing violently at the huge Glod warrior. The Glod stood still for a moment as Tag turned toward the warrior that had been slammed hard against the concrete. As he approached the prone warrior the Glod he had slashed toppled over as his head fell off. Everything was still moving so slowly. The mass of Glods expected Tag to kill the warrior lying prone on the brick path. Tag stepped up to him put his hand under the stunned Glods head and said, “I’ll give you a few moments to collect yourself.” He looked at the wounded warrior that had his leg cut off struggling to rise but failing. The warrior that had both of his legs cut off had died from loss of blood. He gently put the Glod’s head down and then he turned and looked at the fifth Glod standing in front of Danielle and the huge crowd of Glod could see the menace in his eyes. He stood, picked up a second sword, and purposefully walked with a sword in each hand toward the fifth warrior standing in front of Danielle. As Tag approached the warrior, everyone could see the danger radiating from this dangerous Human; Danielle held up her hand and stopped him.