The Fight for Creation: Book 02 - Scout Warrior (8 page)

Sam stared at him and then said, “Lieutenant Haines, I am Duke Scott Anglo Mica Robbins. I am going to give you some orders and you will carry them out if you intend to keep your career intact.”

Haines stared at Sam and didn’t see him blink. “What is it you need, Your Grace?”

Sam uncovered his wrist unit and pushed a button. “You now have the names of two other trainees who are in other units. You will go to their units and have them taken off the list to be armed. You also have the names of three other trainees in your platoon that will also be excluded.”

Haines saw the wrist unit and knew Sam was telling the truth. That particular unit was only used by the Royal Family. The Gold and Crimson dial was proof. “I’ll handle it immediately.” He started to leave and said, “Congratulations on your perfect score in the Electronic Scene Seven.” He turned and sprinted away.

Sam watched him leave and smiled. He had kept that information to himself and not caused problems.

Jixie walked up and said, “He was fast on the uptake.”

“What are you saying, Jixie.”

“You’re going to need to train a replacement.”

“I thought you might want that position.”

“Oh no! It would restrict my playtime.”

“Playtime?”

“With the enemy. This is going to be fun.”

Sam smiled, “Be careful what you ask for, Jixie. You might get it.”

Jixie smiled, “I really hope so. That’s why I’ve endured all this.”

Sam shrugged, “You make a good point. By the way, tomorrow we will be leaving for my home. We need to make our plans on how to organize and make sure we’re all on the same frequency. You need to contact your family and tell them you won’t be coming home.”

Jixie smiled, “That won’t be a problem. Does that include, Jennifer?”

“It does.”

“Good.”

“Why?”

“She’s my best friend. I need to make sure she’s not hurt.”

“That’s not something that can be controlled, Jixie. We’re all going into harm’s way.”

Jixie looked over at Jennifer talking with Robby and said, “We’ll see.”

• • •

The six boarded a sleek attack craft and Sam moved to the command chair. Dort beat Gon to the co-pilot’s chair. Jennifer said, “Do you know how to fly this thing?”

Robby said, “He’s been flying them since he was eight years old.”

Sam said, “Robby, did you contact your parents and tell them you’re not coming home.”

“I did and I could hear them without the communicator.”

“I imagine they were upset.”

“They just wanted some relief from my youngest brothers and sisters. I think they expected me to babysit while they make an escape. Your brother called and they settled down. Thank him next time you see him.”

“You can thank him yourself. He’s coming to our planning session.”

“It’ll be good to see him.”

Sam pulled his sleeve up and pushed a button on his wrist unit. Jixie saw the unit and entered it to see how it operated. Now this was an interesting piece of machinery. Sam said, “We’re teleporting directly so hang on.”

Jennifer said, “Where does Sam live?”

Gon said, “I’m not going to spoil the surprise.” Jixie wondered where he lived as well. The four were still a blank slate to her probing.

Sam took the small ship through the atmosphere above the training planet and as soon as it reached vacuum it teleported away. Two fast teleports later, the ship was dropping quickly toward the ground with four Algean escorts. Jennifer looked out the view port at the wide expanse of gardens and then the ship rotated and she saw the castle. Jixie was looking out the viewport on the other side of the ship and Jennifer grabbed her arm and pulled it. Jixie looked out of Jennifer’s port and for the first time in her very long life, she was stunned. She looked at Sam and said, “That’s Castle Gardner.”

Sam nodded.

“You live there?”

Sam nodded.

“Who are you?”

Gon said, “He is Duke Scott Anglo Mica Robbins. The King of the Bristone Realm is his brother.”

Jixie stared at Gon and then looked at Sam, “Did you say your brother was coming to attend our meeting?”

Sam nodded.

Jennifer looked at Robby and said, “Why would the King call your parents?”

Robby tilted his head as Gon said, “He is Duke Robert Anglo Talent Gardner. He is the primary Royal in the Gardner succession.”

Robby said, “Jennifer, I’m just a Life Warrior. I’ve put the succession behind me.”

“Are you still a Duke?”

Robby took a deep breath, blew it out, and nodded.

Jennifer stared at him and said, “Don’t you think you’re going to use your title to walk all over me.”

Robby looked up at her and smiled, “That’s why I wanted to know your name.”

Jennifer got up and went and sat by Robby. “You never took advantage of your title. That impresses me.”

Robby put his arm around her shoulders and she leaned in on his chest and smiled. Jixie said, “Isn’t that against the rules?”

Dort said, “Only during training.”

“Oh, well carry on or whatever.”

Jennifer smiled and then started laughing.

Jixie was worried about being in the presence of the Realm’s highest rulers. She needed to be careful. She wondered if one of the Cats was going to be there.

• • •

Sam landed the ship and stepped out. Greg met them and said, “Sandra is getting the rooms ready for our guests. The conference room is also ready for your meeting. Admiral Gardner and the Cat are expected to arrive tomorrow at eleven in the morning.”

“Greg, you never cease to amaze me.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Greg, in my personal quarters you can use my name.”

Greg looked around horrified, “Not in front of the guests, Your Majesty.”

Sam laughed out loud and put his arm around Greg’s shoulders, “You need to loosen up, Greg. This could be all yours one day.”

“I can only pray that doesn’t happen. You are much more qualified to be here.”

“Greg, you’re only a heartbeat way. How would you want your friends to be treated in your home?”

Greg looked at Sam and smiled, “It’s good to have you home, Sam. B and A in the morning?”

“Wake me up. You’re going down this time.”

“Only if I go blind tonight.”

Sam laughed and grabbed Sandra as she walked up and spun her around. Sandra shrieked and then laughed, “It’s been a long time since you’ve done that.”

“It’s so good to see you. What’s for dinner? One of my guests is famished.”

“Which one.”

“The pretty one.”

“I see two that are quite striking.”

“The smaller of the two beauties.”

Sandra looked at Jixie and said, “Well come on and let’s get you fed.”

An hour later Sandra said, “Sam, where does she put it? I am absolutely amazed.”

Sam chuckled, “We all are.” Sam turned around and said, “Good night Jixie.”

“I’m about done, Sam.”

“Take your time. I’ll see you in the morning.”

• • •

Later that night, Sam went to the landing pad to get some air. He found Jixie leaning on the wall staring out at the lights of the giant city. Jixie said, “This is amazing.”

“I’ve never gotten used to how miraculous this place is.” Sam walked up and leaned on the wall beside her.

Jixie continued to stare at the breathtaking lights and said, “Do you mind if I ask you something?”

“Not at all.”

Jixie turned and looked at him, “I don’t understand this fight for creation.”

Sam tilted his head and sighed, “It’s not easy for me to understand.”

“Can you explain it? I wonder why you go out to fight civilizations that aren’t attacking you.”

Sam looked at the city and said, “All of the universes here were created by a creator that loves every creature. She sees all life as beautiful. She sings to her creation and some very lucky few can hear her song. The Cats hear it best.”

“Go on.”

“We are given life and it is a precious thing. All the creatures big and small in creation are our family. We are all a part of the Creator’s body. Can you understand that?”

“I think so.”

“There are creatures in creation that have turned their backs on their mother’s song and actually want to silence it. The only way to make that happen is to kill all life that can hear it. So they attack innocent civilizations that only want to live in harmony and raise their families in peace. Those civilizations being killed are part of our family. We can’t stand by and do nothing to save them.”

“Why doesn’t your mother dispose of them?”

“This is the difficult part. All of creation is like an individual’s body. Do you know what cancer is?”

Jixie said, “Of course.”

“Well, picture the evil civilizations as cancer cells that are attacking our Mother’s body.”

Jixie thought a moment and said, “Most cancers are cured by the body’s antibodies.”

“That’s what the Realm’s warriors are, Jixie. We are the antibodies that remove the cancer.”

“Some cancers can’t be removed through natural processes.”

“That’s when the Mother creates stronger treatments. The Three Brothers and the pilots of the psychic ships are two examples of much stronger cures. We might be viewed as a radiation treatment.”

“You don’t do that anymore.”

“I know but do you understand the concept?”

Jixie looked at Sam, “You see us as an antivirus to fight a virulent form of evil?”

“I do.”

Jixie turned and stared at the lights of the city. “Thanks, Sam.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll see you in the morning; good night.”

“Good night.”

Jixie stared at the city and thought about a Creator that had a song. Day break found her staring at the city and she left to change clothes. She knew she was here for a reason. She didn’t really know what it was.

She finished dressing and heard the one called Gregory in her mind. He was laughing. She searched and found Sam and Gregory in one of the small parks inside the walls of the Castle. She looked at the teleport panel and found the button for the garden. She pressed it and stepped through the door. She arrived as Sam was manipulating a device in his hands. “What’s that?”

Sam turned around and smiled, “I’m teaching Gregory who’s the master of the bow and arrow.”

“The what?”

“It’s an ancient weapon that was used on my home world millennia before we used technology.”

“How does it work?”

“Come over here, Jixie.”

Gregory looked at his wrist unit and said, “I have to go, Sam.”

Sam nodded and said, “I’ll see you in a few moments.” He turned to Jixie and said, “Here, take this.”

Jixie took the bow and felt its weight. It seemed to balance in her hand. “What now?”

Sam handed her an arrow and said, “Turn sideways to the target like this, notch an arrow, pull it back, aim it at the target, and release it.”

Jixie turned sideways and put the arrow on the indented handle and looked confused. “Here, let me help you.” Sam came up behind her and put his hand over hers on the bow and lifted it out in front of Jixie. He put his other arm around her chest and took her other hand and notched the arrow. He pulled it back until Jixie felt the tension of the bowstring. Jixie also felt something else as Sam was pressed against her back. When he put his arm across her chest and pulled the arrow back she felt her temperature go up. Sam stepped away and said, “Release the arrow and try to hit the center of the target.”

Jixie looked at the target with circles and aimed at the center circle. She released the arrow and it hit dead center of the target. Jixie laughed, “That was fun. Let me do it on my own this time.”

Sam handed her another arrow and stared at the one in the center. Jixie took the arrow, quickly notched it, pulled the bow, and released it in less than two seconds. The second arrow hit the first and split it down the middle. Sam looked at Jixie and said, “Let’s see how fast you are.” Sam took the quiver and put it over Jixie’s shoulder. Jixie adjusted it and proceeded to run around the garden firing arrows at the target. Sam watched as every arrow split the one fired before it. After ten seconds, Jixie was out of arrows. She turned to Sam and he saw her red face beaming, “That was really, really fun.”

Sam looked at the target and said, “You appear to be a natural.” He sighed and said, “It’s time to eat. Are you ready?”

Jixie handed Sam the quiver and bow, “I’m sorry I damaged your arrows.”

“We have more. Don’t worry about it. By the way…” Jixie turned to Sam and he said, “I’m going to ask you and Jennifer to stay downstairs when Dort, Gon, Robby, and I meet with the King.”

“Why?”

“There will be discussions of things that are secret. Dort and Gon have to be there to demonstrate our ability to hear the music. I apologize for not having you there.”

Jixie smiled, “I understand and I’m sure Jennifer will as well. When are we going to make our plans?”

“We’ll meet tonight after my meeting with the King.” Sam smiled and said, “Let’s go have breakfast.”

“Lead the way, I’m starving.”

Sam smiled and never tired of seeing Jixie’s enthusiasm at everything she did. He glanced over his shoulder at the target with the broken arrows scattered around it and thought about a woman that could do that. There was something different about Jixie.

Jixie was feeling her relief. She learned a cat was coming and she had tried to find a way to avoid it. Now Sam had provided an escape. She had to pull her fields inside and keep them under her mental screen. She wouldn’t be able to see the meeting with the King, but she wasn’t going to take a chance of being discovered and prevented from playing with her new playmates. She decided that she would allow the normal brain in her body to function and only allow recent memories to be in it during the meeting. She had also allowed the cameras at the castle to see her before they arrived. She was thankful that Sam had told them on the way here that a cat was coming. She had to make sure all her tracks were erased before its arrival.

S
am saw Jon emerge from his Royal Shuttle and he bowed with the rest of the castle staff. Jon said, “Please rise, it’s good to see everyone again.” Sam stood straight and went forward and hugged his brother. Jon had been Duke before he became King and the castle staff had a special place in their heart for the new King. “It’s good to see you, Jon.”