The Fight for Creation: Book 02 - Scout Warrior (4 page)

• • •

Vremel teleported to El Prado and found the Cat waiting, “Why have you called me?”

“Have you ever seen a being that looked like this?”

Vremel looked at the image in his mind and said, “No, I haven’t. But let me ask the others. Vremel sent the image out to all of the Zord and asked, “Have any of you ever seen a being like this?”

“I have.”

The Cat leaped to his feet, “Where?”

“It was more than a hundred and sixty years ago. I saw thousands of them on a planet being attacked by the Megat.”

The Cat interrupted, “Where!?!”

“There’s more you should know first. The planet was one of the four that were under siege when the Dremor went to assist the Megat in ending the four planet’s resistence, so they could use their ships against Bristone and Ross.”

Vremel stared at the Cat letting him know to hold his thoughts and said, “What happened?”

“Those small beings killed every Dremor that attacked the planet in less than fifteen minutes. They only used hand blasters to do it.”

“Are you serious?”

“Look at my memory. I went to the surface afterwards and discovered that the beings were little more than children and they considered the Dremor and Megat attack as playing. They were upset that the Dremor and the Megat left and didn’t come back to play. They told me they would miss their playmates.”

Vremel said, “What did you tell them?”

“I told one of them that when they were older I would hope they would come and join us defending Creation against the evil attacking it. Why do you ask?”

“It appears that one of those beings is now here.”

Vremel waited for a long pause staring at the impatient Cat and the Zord finally said, “That is the being I spoke with.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, she has a slight curl in the hair next to her right ear. The beings did not all look alike, but had their own individual appearance, just like humans.”

The Vremel nodded and the Cat said, “How many beings were there?”

“Several million.”

The Zord said, “It appears that only one of them has come.”

The Cat looked at Vremel, “How did you determine that?”

“What are the chances of the only appearance we have of them is the one you spoke with. I see in your memory that you only spoke to that one individual.”

“That is true.”

“From what you said, it might be understood that you were only inviting her to come.”

There was a pause and the Zord said, “I can see how you arrived at that conclusion. They were children, so they may have taken me literally.”

The Cat said, “Several million of them killed a Dremor invasion force?”

The Zord sent the memory and Vremel and the Cat were stunned. “Those creatures move faster than the Dremor.”

“Much faster. They violated every rule of objects moving inside an atmosphere.”

Vremel said, “Vegal, did you sense they were good?”

“They were children, Vremel. The killing of the Dremor was only play for them. Their innocence was pure. However, I’ve seen children pull the legs off animals to see how they operate. not knowing they killed the animal. Their innocence was like that. That particular being said, ‘We can’t leave here until we’re old enough to be responsible.’”

The Cat said, “Well, it looks like that age has arrived.”

“Vegal, were you able to sense anything else about them?”

“They were children, but I sensed an ancient intelligence in them. They were so open, but I felt they were already the most dangerous creatures I had ever encountered.”

The Cat said, “They are not from this creation.”

“They’re not?”

No, they’re from another.”

“Are they from either of the two we know?”

“No, neither Creators know them.”

“Now that’s interesting.”

“We need to go look at that planet.”

Vegal said, “I’ll meet the two of you there.”

The three arrived at the planet and there was no one present. Vremel looked around and the Cat raised its nose and sniffed, “I can sense they were here but have left.”

“Where?”

The Cat looked at the two Zord and said, “Home.”

Vremel said, “One of them didn’t go.”

The Cat said, “That one was invited to stay and play.”

Vegal said, “Did I make a mistake?”

“I really don’t know.”

Vremel looked at the Cat, “And by extension, if you don’t know, neither does our mother?”

The big Cat nodded.

S
am was on his bunk bed at the conclusion of their first training day feeling his pain. He rolled his head to the right and winced. Tgon was sitting on his bed shining his boots. “How can you move? I’m laying here trying to feel my hands and feet.”

“I told you that you weren’t so superior.”

“I’ll be happy with barely adequate. I’m dying here.”

“You’re holding your own, Sam. You’ll adapt in a few days.”

“Easy for you to say; you didn’t work up a sweat.”

“Talk to Dort.”

Dort linked and thought to them, “I can’t talk; my lips are inoperative along with the rest of me. I think I need an ambulance.”

Sam tried not to laugh but couldn’t prevent it and winced with the pain of every breath, “Stop it you’re killing me.”

Tgon continued to shine his boots and said, “There are some blessings from this.”

Sam laughed out loud and felt his body rebel. Dort couldn’t even frown.

• • •

Sam ran every day and lifted the heavy weights with his training unit and found that Tgon was right. His body still hurt at the end of each day, but he was getting stronger and his endurance had gone up considerably during the long, grueling training exercises. He was middle of the pack as far as his performance but Tgon was the best. The four weeks were designed to prepare the aspiring trainees for the final obstacle course. The physical training finally ended and after four long, grueling weeks the final obstacle course was in there in front of them. This was the final test to qualify for Warrior training and the three helped each other over the wall and around the most difficult tasks the course had to offer. They finished ten seconds ahead of the bell. Only ten recruits had completed it in the required time and they were given their next assignments. The three discussed what to do with the four days liberty before they reported and finally decided to all go to Ross and stay with Sam. Sam contacted Gregory and let him know that they were coming. Sam smiled at Gregory’s excitement. His cousin was a good man.

• • •

Sam planned to arrive at night and flew his personal ship in to Ross orbit and was escorted directly to the castle by the Algean defense ships. The teleport suppression field was deactivated long enough for him to teleport in and they arrived five minutes after they left the training facility. They exited the small ship and Gregory and Sandra were waiting on them at the landing pad. Sam stepped out and Gregory’s five year old son ran forward and jumped into Sam’s arms, “Hey, you’re getting almost too big to catch.”

“I’ll never be that big.”

“Just wait. You’ll be too big before you know it.” Gregory junior’s eyes grew wide and he said, “That’s big, Uncle Sam.”

Sam turned around when he saw Gregory’s eyes grow wide as he saw Tgon exiting the ship. “Nah, you’ll be bigger than that.”

Gregory looked in Sam’s eyes and said, “Really!”

“Just keep eating the right foods.”

Sandra came up and gave Sam a hug and said, “We’ve missed you. It’s good to have you home.”

Sam looked at Greg sr. and said, “Have there been any problems?”

“Nothing we couldn’t handle. Come on and let’s eat.”

“Where’s Jill?”

“It’s past her bedtime. She tried to stay awake to meet you, but just couldn’t do it. You can say hello in the morning.”

Sam turned and saw Dort and Tgon staring out at the huge city that stretched to the horizon. “It’s impressive, isn’t it?”

Dort said, “That doesn’t come close to describing this. There must be more than a million vehicles moving over the city.”

Gregory said, “There’s usually more than three million at any given moment.”

Tgon stared at the giant city and they saw his wonder. He turned to Sam and said, “This is yours?”

“I’m the final authority here. The city’s elected council handles the everyday issues. I try to stay out of most problems.”

Tgon said, “I notice we arrived at night and came straight here. Was there a reason for that?”

Sam shrugged and Gregory said, “If the citizens knew Duke Robbins was here, they would rush to the castle for an opportunity to see him.”

Dort looked at Sam, “Is that true?”

Sam took a deep breath and slowly nodded, “My citizens love my family.”

Gregory saw Sam’s sorrow. His parents had been killed by a Surprise Grogat attack ten years earlier. That’s why all members of the Royal Family were now escorted directly to the Castle immediately upon arrival. The Grogat Squadron had hit his parent’s ship as it entered Ross’ outer system and waited for clearance. They felt they shouldn’t violate the rules they put in force. It cost them their lives. The Grogat had waited under cloak for a royal ship to arrive and finally had their chance. Jon and Sam were not onboard when the attack happened.

Greg said, “Let’s go downstairs. The staff has been waiting for your arrival.”

The four went through the portal and stepped into the dining room amid the hearty welcomes from the Castle’s senior staff. The visitors were welcomed and after a celebration that went on for hours, the three went to their rooms and fell asleep.

• • •

The next morning Tgon woke and decided to go to the landing pad and see what the city looked like during daylight. He walked out of the portal and looked out over the wall and was stunned. The Castle was surrounded by a two mile circle of parks and blooming plants and not one inch of it was visible due to the millions of people standing there in silence. The crowd saw Tgon standing there and briefly stirred but then settled back into silence.

Tgon ran to the portal and Gregory saw him exit into the main dining room. “Have you seen the crowd outside?”

“I have.”

“What are they doing here?”

“They’re waiting for the Duke to come greet them.”

“Have you told Sam…I mean the Duke?”

“No, he needs his sleep.”

Tgon looked at Gregory and said, “I don’t know what kind of relationship you have with Sam, but what do you think he’ll say if he finds out his citizens were kept waiting?”

Gregory thought a moment and said, “Perhaps I should tell him.”

“Perhaps you should!” Tgon linked with Sam and said, “Sam, you better get up here.”

Tgon heard Sam yawn in his mind and say, “Why?”

“There are millions of people outside the castle just standing there in silence.”

“How did they find out?”

“Don’t ask me. I’m just visiting.”

Dort chimed in, “Gon, are you kidding?”

“Dort, they shocked the groad out of me when I went up to take a look at the city.”

Sam thought, “You both need to get dressed in your Realm Uniforms. I’ll meet you in the dining room when you’re ready.”

Five minutes later Dort and Tgon stood in the Dining Room and Sam walked in wearing the Royal Colors. “Sam, what are you wearing?”

“Dort, this is my formal attire for official occasions.”

“How did those people know you were here?”

Gregory shook his head and said, “The defense fleet launched all their ships last night. That was all some of the newscasters needed to speculate on the Duke’s presence.”

Gon stared at Gregory, “You mean they don’t know for certain he’s here?”

“They don’t.”

“Why are they silent?”

Gregory looked at Gon like he was missing the obvious, “They do not want to disturb his sleep. They know he left to train to defend them and they respect his need to get a good night’s sleep.”

Dort stared at Gregory, “How long would they have waited?”

“Until an official report is issued from the castle that the Duke is not present, they would wait. However, the castle will never issue a report that is untrue. When no report was forthcoming this morning, they knew the Duke was in residence. This will be the first time the new Duke might view the people.”

Sam saw his two brothers look at him and he shrugged, “I only attained the title after Jon became King. Trust me on this one; it’s good to have the freedom of those around you not knowing who you are.”

“That’s why you used the name Sam Mica.”

“Only Royals in the succession may have the name Anglo as their second name. I was forced to use my initials and third name. Most citizens of the Realm don’t know about it. They only know Duke Scott Anglo Mica Robbins.”

Tgon said, “My second name is Gee.”

Dort was startled and said, “My second name is Gee.”

The three looked at each other. Sam said, “I didn’t know that.”

Dort said, “Neither did we, Sam. I’m the first for six generations to have that name.”

“We’ll have to think about this later. Are you ready to go greet the people of Ross?”

Gon sighed, “I’ll never know how you could ever get used to this.”

Sam smiled, “You don’t, Gon.” Sam took his two friends by the arm and stepped through the portal. He pulled them with him and stood at the edge of the wall. The giant mass instantly went crazy with their cheers that immediately spread to the entire crowd surrounding the castle on all sides. Sam raised his arm and waved. The cheers swelled to an even louder volume. He walked around the wall on the tallest spire in Castle Gardner and waved to everyone that had come to welcome him home. The cheers reverberated and those still in the city that didn’t know, discovered that the Duke was home. They knew it was too late to get there, so they rushed to the nearest monitor and watched their newest Duke greet the citizens of Ross. Dort looked at Gon and said, “I know what we’re fighting for.”

Gon smiled, “He’s like his ancestor.” Dort frowned, “He doesn’t possess self-importance. He’s all he should be.”

Dort looked out at the cheering multitudes, “And more.”

• • •

Jixie wondered why these creatures wanted to stress the bodies of their trainees so savagely. It didn’t make much sense. She could not use her talents because she had to play by their rules. However, she came to understand as her body grew in strength. She didn’t need sleep so she spent the night taking the food she ate and sending it to the areas of her body that were in the most pain. She was usually pain free by morning. She found out quick that she would cause problems if she didn’t moan with the others each day. The first day she jumped out of bed and Carella said, “How are you able to do that? I can barely move.”