Ashes of the Realm - Death of an Empire (Ashes of the Realm (Book Three)) (3 page)

“We can’t charge them to a high enough level to handle the Invader’s beam with the power we currently use. You know those cells will handle a much higher level of charge than we’re currently able to give them. However, hit them with a massive charge above what they’re using and the hulls will overload. The power level the two ships used was significantly below the threshold of the Invader’s main beam. The two ships were in another universe and weren’t able to continuously charge their hulls. They only carried the charge from our universe and over time, that charge will diminish and that makes the ships vulnerable. There were no additional red reactors beyond those on the ships to recharge them after their arrival. If the hulls had been at maximum charge, I believe they would have worked. We are not capable with our present technology of bringing them to their full capability.”

Alex thought a moment, “So they will only work in this universe where we have the reactors to keep them charged, however, using the reactors is too dangerous. Have we wasted our time on this technology?”

Kreej said, “Why do we have to use reactors?”

Vring said, “Where else would you get the necessary power to penetrate their force fields?”

Kreej smiled, “Can you think of any other power source that is as strong as ten red generators?”

Vring looked at Kreej, “Where are you going with this?”

Alex said, “You’re right. It would be easier but more complicated.”

Vring said, “What are you two talking about?”

Kreej smiled, “Why not use a star to get the power for the weapons and force fields?”

Vring was surprised by the suggestion and started thinking out loud, “There wouldn’t be a reactor containment wall to deal with.”

“And you can start the sending screen far enough out to charge the hulls and then move it closer to send the maximum energy.”

Vring understood, “You’re right, Alex. However the field would be exposed to an extremely high level of radiation.”

“Only if a blue giant star was used. Class G Suns don’t emit that high a level of gamma rays; most of them are kept in the core. The most numerous stars in most universes are the Class Gs.”

Vring sighed, “We’re back at square one.”

Alex did a quick computation, “Yes, but the challenges using this method are easier than trying to use power from inside a reactor. This involves gross modifications that are easier to handle than the delicate fields used inside a reactor.”

The three were silent as they thought about the idea and Alex said after thirty minutes, “This is the way we must go. Let’s get busy and see where we are with what we have on hand.”

“Well, pick a target and try to teleport an energy charge at it.”

“There’s a moon circling a planet not far from here; let’s start there.”

“Good idea Kreej; you and Vring go there and take some readings. That will give us a baseline to work from.”

The two Zord turned on their armor and teleported out of the Defense Facility.

T
immy sat with Virze and smiled, “It’s just about time, isn’t it?”

“It is. You better be thinking of a name.”

“Junior has a nice ring to it.”

“It does, doesn’t it?”

The nurse stepped in and smiled, “It’s time to go.”

Virze looked at Timmy and he felt her love, “I’ll be right here.”

* * *

Carter teleported in and gave Jenna a huge hug, “It’s good to see you; I’ve missed you. Carter kissed Jenna and said, “Are you up for a trip?”

“Where are we going?”

“Weed and Seed are close to trialing the new spores on the orange pods. They said we could join them.”

Jenna smiled, “How long will we be gone?”

“They said that the trial should be done within six months.”

Jenna smiled at Carter and lowered her head, “Then I guess I won’t be able to go.”

“Why not?!?”

“Because I’ll need to be near a hospital in six months.”

“Is something wrong? Are you ok!?!”

“Yes, I’m fine but the baby will need some attention.”

Carter stared at Jenna with confusion written all over his face until he saw Jenna smile, “Are you serious?”

Jenna laughed out loud and jumped into Carter’s arms, “Yes.”

Carter turned circles and laughed out loud, “Then I’ll stay here with you.”

“No, no, you should go; just pop in once in a while. We need to understand how the spores work and you are the perfect one to go with them. I can’t think of anyone else that can think on their level.”

Carter sighed and kissed his wife. He was going to be a father.

* * *

Greyson sat in orbit and saw that two more couples who possessed high passive psychic readings were going to have children. Mike and Carrie had a young son and it appeared he was going to be matched up with the Emperor’s Daughter. Robby and Dani were the first but it looked like there were going to be other active psychics joining them soon. Greyson thought about the history of the Ancient Realm and knew that psychics appeared when there was going to be a conflict that endangered the universe. The war was not far away.

“You’re right to worry.”

Greyson was startled, “Hi, Grace. I didn’t notice you arrive.”

“That’s because I’m trialing our new stealth software. It appears it works.”

“I thought I was distracted but I usually don’t miss another ship. Are we going to get it?”

“Yes, you should go see Alex as soon as you’re free. We’re also moving you into a new Zeta-A ship.”

“I thought I couldn’t be moved again?”

“This ship makes the move less dangerous. You’ll be fine and we’ll preserve the backup on your current ship.”

“I’ll go tomorrow. What did you mean by I’m right?”

“The coming war is not far in the future. Matter of fact, it’s not far at all.”

“I would have thought it wouldn’t happen until the children had grown up.”

“There are two strong psychics and that’s all that’s needed. The others are a failsafe against something happening to them. It is coming…and soon.”

Greyson thought about what Grace was saying, “You sound worried.”

“I’m not sure they’ll be enough, Greyson. I worry that they may only minimize the damage and not prevent it.”

“What makes you think that?”

“The Stars Realm fell and trillions lost their lives in the civil wars afterwards. The three galaxies that escaped were just a small part of the former Realm. They represented less than a hundredth of a percent of the Stars Realm’s total populations. Their tremendous psychic abilities did not prevent the Realm’s downfall.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because we may have to make hard decisions about who survives and we shouldn’t wait until the last moment. The release of our spores will cause a violent reaction from the power behind the Invaders.”

Greyson looked down on the planet and said, “The psychic children must be protected at all costs.”

“Now you see it. Go see Alex and get upgraded. Time is growing short.”

Greyson watched Grace jump away and thought about their conversation, “Anglo.”

“Yeah, Greyson.”

“Are you able to relieve me for a few days?”

“You want to be upgraded?”

“Have you already had the upgrades?”

“Yes, I’ll take over. You should go now.”

Greyson teleported away.

* * *

The orange colored creature rose from its couch and looked at the communication panel that processed all of the millions of conversations sent by its fleets. The last message that had caught its attention was the decision to continue normal planting operations instead of searching for the troublesome ships that had slowed the harvests. It observed the destruction of the two large ships and had almost decided to intervene to force the search but the quick kills had made it pause. The four Council Members had pressured it for a reason why the shipments had been reduced and were not at all pleased with its response. It had grudgingly decided to allow the return to normal operations but had set up a reminder alarm to remind it to follow up. The alarm is what brought it off the couch.

It checked the scans of the last harvest and no more ships had come to attack his fleets. It appeared they knew they stood no chance against the new ships and had ceased their activity. Production levels were getting back to normal and had actually increased, but the stockpiles were still below the desired level. The Council had turned their attention back to their drug induced state and left him in peace. It wondered how the Council had even noticed the reduced levels but decided that they must have set their own alarms.

Well, perhaps its concern was unfounded. It turned, reclined on its couch, and wished his time as Distributor would hurry and end. There were just so many things that kept it having to wake up and handle. He wished he could just get a good thousand years of relaxation like the Council Members. He briefly thought about the former family that had exiled his group for their drug use. It thought about looking in on them but quickly decided the risk was just too great to take. They were best left in the past. It worried that they may one day come and eliminate his group. It was their loss. They had no idea how wonderful the drug could be to help make the millennium pass pleasantly. Time ceased to exist when the drug kicked in. The couch made the connection and he felt the drug enter his system. Ahhh, that’s better.

* * *

Carter looked down on the orange colored planet. It looked very much like an orange colored desert. The scanners showed huge clouds of orange spores blowing in giant wind storms. “Why did you decide to trial the spores in this universe?”

Weed turned from the display, “We’ve noticed that the Invaders are quite linear in their attacks. You know that the coordinates for universes are sequential, right?”

Carter nodded.

“We didn’t want to go to a universe where they might still have ships present, so we selected a universe with coordinates a hundred smaller than the current universe being invaded. It wasn’t affected but the next one to it was this one. This universe is dead and there’s no reason for them to return.”

“Do you think they might have left a probe behind?”

“We considered that but I’m sure they would have discovered thousands of years ago that it was a waste of technology. If a ship came here it would immediately leave. Why would they really care about anyone coming here to investigate? I’m confident we can trial our spore here and not be bothered.”

“Do you think the entire universe is dead?”

“No, they only invaded planets with intelligent life that could do the farming.”

“Some of the unaffected planets could eventually develop intelligence.”

Weed turned and replied, “That’s true, but once they developed a star drive and investigated one of the contaminated planets their civilization was doomed. The spores would go back with them to their home world and infect the ecology.”

Carter shook his head, “These creatures are killing universes more efficiently than any of the Red Demon’s tools ever accomplished. If they kill them all, won’t it stop their drug production?”

Weed leaned back showing his disagreement, “No, they’ll just develop a ship to enter the atmosphere of the dead planets and take the drug from the blowing spores. However, that won’t happen for millions of years with the number of available universes left to attack. I think the production of the drug is actually the primary focus of their efforts and destroying intelligent life is simply a byproduct.”

Carter sighed, “I have to agree. Otherwise they would just be harvesting the drug from universes like this one.”

Seed leaned forward agreeing, “You see it as well.”

“So what’s next?”

“We’re going to drop a packet of spores on five planets like this one and observe what happens.”

Carter frowned, “Just a packet?”

“I think you’ll be surprised at what happens. Would you like to do the honors?”

“Certainly, what do I need to do?”

Weed handed Carter a small plastic bag with a green powder in it, “Teleport this down to a hundred feet above the surface of the planet and release it so that it hits a hard surface.”

“Why a hundred feet?”

“The fall will burst the bag and release the spores.”

Carter turned on his armor and took the packet in his hand. He teleported out of the ship and looked down on the dead planet. He checked his scanners and saw a huge orange storm blowing across a vast plain. He teleported the bag ten miles in front of the oncoming orange cloud and released it above a rocky plateau. He focused on the bag and saw a small puff of dust from its impact. Carter looked at the planet and felt an overwhelming anger at creatures that would do this to a living world. He teleported back to the ship as it jumped away to find the next four targets. “How long will it take for the spores to start working?”

“We’ve delayed the response for thirty days.”

“Why that long?”

“We want them to be carried by the invaders to other locations before they discover their existence and this will be a good way to see if the delay works.”

Carter smiled, “That’s a good plan. Are we going to stay here?”

“No, we’ll come back in twenty nine days and start recording what happens.”

Carter smiled, “Good, I get to see Jenna.”

* * *

“Alex.”

“Yes, Grace.”

“The Algeans have started their trial. How far along are you on the new power system?”

“Not far enough. Keep me posted on what’s happening.”

“You need to hurry.”

“Grace, we’re doing all we can. I’ll let Vring and Kreej know what’s going on. We’ll do all we can.”

“Alex, I’m worried.”

“Should we delay the Algeans?”

“You know that won’t stop them. They are driven by different goals.”

“How so?”

“They’re working to prevent the discovery of the Stars Realm in their dimension. We are a secondary consideration.”

Alex paused, “Grace, I’m afraid I’m on their side on this issue. My first loyalty is to the Realm.”

“As is mine; this is a clear conflict of interest for them and us. Unfortunately we are not given any wiggle room on this issue either. We are sworn to the Realm and must allow them to continue but we’ve got to do all we can to try and save our friends here. You are the key to making that happen.”