Ashes of the Realm - Greyson's Revenge (33 page)

Robby looked down on the planet and knew they had guessed wrong again. “Pyle, call Dani and ask them to meet us at Bristone.”

“They’re on their way.”

Carter shook his head, “What are you going to do?”

“Go home and think about this. We’ve been at this for eight months and are no closer than when we started.”

Carter hit his chair arm with a fist, “I know he’s here somewhere.”

“I agree, Carter, but where? Do you have any other ideas?”

Carter shook his head. He stood up and walked to the view port and stared at the planet below. I feel something just barely below my consciousness yelling at me how to find him but I just can’t get to it.”

“Let’s go home and find out what’s been happening.”

Pyle said, “On my way.”

They arrived above Bristone and Robby thought, “Dani, have everyone meet after dark at the fire.”

“Will do.”

The six tired travelers sat at the fire watching the flames. Robby sat with Dani beside him still not making contact. Kreej and Neelah were lying on the ground just inside the logs feeling the warmth of the fire. Carter was leaning back against a log with Jenna under his arm. Jenna sighed, “I just knew he would be at one of those ten planets left behind.”

Robby frowned, “He could very well be there and not allowing us to hear his thoughts. However, we did a good search with our scanners. If he’s still there, he’s able to avoid them. I guess I just have to give in and realize we aren’t going to find him.”

Dani shook her head, “Maybe we’re wrong and none were left behind. Perhaps it realized there was no time and left to make the move.”

Jenna said, “I really thought that if anyone could come up with where to find it, Carter would do it.”

Carter looked down at Jenna, “Why do you say that?”

“Because you’re always in the center of everything that happens. I may have doubted your ability at first but you’ve proven yourself so many times during our search.”

Jenna saw Carter’s expression change. He started laughing.

Robby said, “What’s so humorous?”

Carter said, “We’ve been going about this all wrong and it’s my fault.”

Even the two Zord straighten up.

Carter continued, “What can we guess about this imagined Algean?”

“He’s obviously brilliant.”

“That’s true, Dani. But consider this. What could possibly make an Algean miss a dead line?”

“I’m not sure what you mean?”

“Robby, when is an Algean not in full control?”

Robby lowered his head then looked up, “When they’re an adolescent.”

“Exactly! If something catches their interest, it is next to impossible to stop them from investigating. They can’t stop themselves. I suspect that’s what caused them to miss the move.”

Kreej said, “Are you saying that this Algean was an adolescent?”

“That would explain a lot. But knowing that it was an adolescent tells us where to find him. Jenna made me see it.”

Jenna did a double take, “See what?”

Carter stood up and looked out of the clearing toward the forest, “If the Algean was an adolescent, it would be drawn to the most interesting places in our universe. Carter looked back at Robby, “Where is the most interesting place in this universe?”

Robby smiled, “You’re standing on it.”

Carter took his index finger and tipped an imaginary hat. He stepped over the log and walked to the edge of the forest and stopped next to a tall bush, “Well, are you going to say anything?”

“I guess ya caught me.”

The two Zord and Jenna were stunned.

“What gave me away?”

“This fire is where all major decisions are made. It’s where we discuss new technology, where we’re going next, and what our plans are. You were drawn here and you could not resist coming.”

The tall bush shrank to eight feet and stepped forward. “Well, I’ve missed seeing you at the fire but things have still been quite interesting.”

Robby smiled, “Come join us. We can discuss old times tomorrow. You’re not planning to disappear are you?”

“I should. The reason I’ve avoided contact is because I will not give you the Realm’s technology. Now that is pretty much a non-issue. Your technology eclipses most of what we once used and the Defense Facility has provided you access to most of our advanced systems.”

Carter smiled, “How old are you?”

“A little over six thousand years. I’m still in my learning phase.”

“What do we call you?”

“Weed would be fine.”

“What about your mate?”

The Algean did a lurch backward, “What do you mean?”

Carter smiled, “I know that after the success of Sprig and Twig, most adolescents were sent out in pairs to see if their development could be duplicated. Am I wrong?”

Another bush stepped out of the tree line, “No, you’re not.”

Jenna looked at Carter and smiled. Now she knew even if he didn’t realize it yet; he was going to rule her Kingdom with her. She no longer felt competitive toward him. He was smarter and she knew it. He carried that ability with an innocence that was charming.

Robby stood, “Welcome to our home, join us and make yourselves comfortable. I’m so tired from our efforts of trying to find you that my questions can wait until tomorrow. Tonight I need to rest.”

Carter said, “You know why we were looking for you?”

“Yes. We were here at your original meeting.”

“Will you help us?”

The two Algeans looked at each other and the female said, “On that one issue, yes. However, beyond that, we are just here to observe. We were ordered not to interfere in this universe’s development.”

Dani asked, “What’s your name?”

“Call me Seed.”

Robby said, “Do you want us to keep your existence secrete?”

“I believe it’s too late for that.”

Two young children had walked up and were staring at the talking plants. Robby smiled, “You’re probably right. I do want to introduce you to my parents.”

“We look forward to meeting them. We have a lot of questions about his decisions.”

Robby suddenly straightened up and appeared to be listening to something. Dani also seemed distracted. Kreej said, “Oh no.”

Carter and Jenna watched them and Jenna said, “What?”

“Greyson was killed.”

“What about Timmy!?!”

“He sacrificed himself to save Grace, Timmy, and Virze. The Invaders have built a much stronger ship.”

“Where is Timmy?”

“He’s at home. He just arrived.”

Jenna ran away from the fire. Carter said, “I better go. Jenna has a close relationship with Timmy and that ship. This loss will hit her hard.”

Robby looked at Dani and said, “So it begins.”

Dani smiled and came forward and hugged Robby. A brilliant blue flash erupted from them and blinded everyone at the fire. Weed looked at Seed, “You were right. The worst is coming.”

The Algeans caused quite a stir in the Empire and they were the hot topic for months. The two were Scotty’s and Julie’s companions for weeks following their discovery. Timmy stayed at home or wandered in the forest after Greyson’s death and no one could pull him out of the increasing depression ravaging the young Searcher.

Virze teleported to Criston and went to see Nathan, “I need your help; I’m losing my husband.”

Nathan took a deep breath, “I’ve tried everything, Virze. Something in him died with Greyson. I sense he really wishes he had gone into that gas with his partner. He blames himself for not being more careful.”

“What else could he have done?”

“Well, he could have changed his position every fifteen seconds to avoid being caught. We’re doing that now but he feels he should have thought of it.”

“Nathan, I’m worried.”

“We all are. He just won’t let anyone in.”

“He loves that ship more than me.”

“That ship was there before you, Virze. I suspect that if you had died he would have attacked one of their ships to end that agony. You are the only thing keeping him here.”

“But I’m losing a little more of him every day!”

Nathan shook his head, “I know, I know. It’s breaking my heart as well.”

Grace listened to their conversation and wished there were clones of the ships. Then Timmy could be given a new Greyson. Wait a minute. “Virze, get Nathan to teleport you back to Bristone.”

“Where are you going?”

“I need to go talk to someone about a dog.”

Virze moved her head back and said, “About a what?” But Grace was gone.

“Alex.”

“Grace, it’s so good to see you. I’ve missed having you here.”

“I need to ask you some questions and see what you think.”

“Sure.”

“You are a copy of the Alexander Kosiev’s positronic brain, right.”

“Yes.”

“An exact copy.”

“Up until the moment of the transfer.”

“How was that done?”

“Uhh, I’m not really sure. I suspect they just downloaded the engrams into a positronic matrix and then transferred them into my positronic brain. Why do you ask?”

“Try to remember, is that all they did or was there more?”

“I seem to remember at the moment I was awakened that the Kosiev was there.”

“Alex, I want to try something. I want to see if I can resurrect Greyson.”

“From what?”

“All of us have backups as part of our positronic matrix. Everything is copied into our backup systems.”

“Yes, but Greyson’s backup was destroyed with him.”

“Not in the old Gamma Ship he used to inhabit. We still have that ship.” Alex was shocked. “Alex, was the backup moved with Greyson when he was moved to a Zeta?”

“No, there was no reason to move it. The new ship had its own backup. But this won’t work.”

“Why not?”

“Because the backup doesn’t have the pattern of the personality in it.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“We’re tried to energize a backup before and the information was there but the individual intelligence wasn’t.”

“That’s why the Kosiev had to be here to activate you.”

Alex paused, “Yes, I think you’re right.”

“I know where the pattern for Greyson’s personality is located.”

“Where?”

“Timmy has it.”

“What!”

“Every Searcher Vessel is connected directly to their partners telepathically. Just as our backups store our data, Timmy was directly connected to Greyson. That pattern has to be in Timmy’s mind. I believe it’s that pattern that is slowly killing Timmy. He’s incomplete without his partner.”

“What do you want to do, Grace?”

“Activate the old Gamma. Restore the backup to the primary circuits and wait for me before you bring it on line.”

“Grace, you’re reaching here. Even if that pattern is in Timmy’s brain, it’s probably stored in so many different places that it can’t be brought out in its entirety.”

“I think you’re right, but Greyson saved me. I owe it to him to try. I know he’d do it for me.”

“I’ve turned on the power to the ship. I’ll have it ready when you return.”

“Thank you, Alex. You are my best friend.”

“I’ve missed you, Grace.”

“I know.”

Grace disappeared and Alex felt his joy turn to loneliness. Now he knew why she didn’t come very often. The pain of leaving was greater than the joy of being here.

Grace teleported in to Bristone and scanned the planet. Timmy was sitting in the woods staring out into space. Virze was beside him holding his hand. “Timmy, I’m teleporting you on board.”

“Why?”

“I need you to help me try something.”

Timmy started shaking his head, “Grace, please find someone else.” Virze watched the shell of her love and felt her tears.

“Timmy, I’m going to try and bring Greyson back.”

Timmy’s eyes widened and he jumped up, “You’re what!?!”

“I’ll explain on the way. It’s a long shot but I want to make the effort. Will you help me?”

“Let’s go. Hurry up; bring me on board now!”

Virze watched her husband come to life and said, “I’m going as well.”

Grace teleported them on board and jumped back to the Defense Facility.

Timmy was reclining in a chair on board Greyson’s Gamma. He took the headband and put it on. Alex said, “You know this is a long shot. The chances of success aren’t good.”

“I don’t care. Hook me up.”

Virze held his hand and he looked at her, “I’m so sorry.”

“I understand, my love. Go find your partner.”

Timmy squeezed her hand and closed his eyes.

Virze watched the control panel start flashing lights and then go solid. All the ship’s systems were no on line. She looked at the status display on the wall and saw the backup circuit was activated. She pulled up a chair and held Timmy’s hand.

Timmy wandered the system. He saw many of the memories that he had shared with Greyson. He relived the time they had fought one of the Black Ships and barely escaped. He moved around the vast matrix but couldn’t find Greyson.

Virze waited. Six hours had passed and nothing was happening, “Alex, how much longer?”

“I don’t know. We’re in uncharted territory here. Do you want to stop?”

Virze shook her head, “I want my husband back. If I have to sit here forever, I will.”

Grace watched and said, “Alex, give me a microsecond of contact with the matrix.”

“Why?”

“There may be a need for a pattern to organize around. I’m going to flash my structure.”

“Ok, contact in 3,2,1.”

Timmy was feeling his depression returning. He felt his agony and began to cry. Then he felt anger take him, “GREYSON! I know you’re here. Quit hiding and get out here now!!?

Virze had her head on Timmy’s chest when she heard a beep. She looked at the master control board and saw the lights were flashing on and off at an impossible rate. Then they went off. She lowered her head and softly cried. Then she saw every light on the bridge glow brightly and the control board illuminate. “What’s going on? Why’s everyone acting like we’re attending a funeral?”

Timmy’s eyes opened and he jumped up and lifted Virze in his arms and kissed her hard.

“Hey, hey, Timmy. You’re going to embarrass me.”

Timmy felt his tears and Greyson said, “I thought I was being moved to a new ship.”