Ashes of the Realm - Greyson's Revenge (9 page)

Scotty looked at Grang, “Do you think you can handle that much weight?”

Grang looked at Scotty, casually waved his hand, and grunted.

“I’ll take that as a yes. My main concern is getting to the device without being discovered. There are so many guards that we’ll be in a cross fire along the entire route and some of those blasters will be firing from behind protection.”

Jingo said, “They shouldn’t be able to see us.”

“No, but those Searchers overhead will if they use their scanners. Right now they are scanning the outer system but I’m sure they’ll direct fire on you once they determine the theft is in process.”

Mallory looked at Nathan, then back at Scotty, “I know where the computer is located in the building and most of the guards are outside. There are only twenty inside the facility.”

“How are they armed?”

“The ones inside have hand blasters. The guards outside have the shoulder mounted heavy duty blasters with a range of seven hundred yards.”

Timmy looked at Tesa and said, “We just don’t have the right weapon to make this happen.”

“May I ask a question?”

Scotty started and said, “Sure Vring. What’s on your mind?”

Vring was sitting outside the learning center listening in, “I was just looking at Timmy’s thoughts and I notice that those “sparks” you use on your arrows were originally designed to seek and destroy a target. Why don’t you use them to go after anyone holding a blaster?”

Timmy sighed, “Vring, those were designed by the Algeans and were one of the most advanced weapon systems they ever produced. All of the sparks we possess are set to attack Keepers. They won’t go after anything else.”

Vring didn’t say anything and Scotty said, “You had a reason for asking that question. What is it?”

“Well, I was looking at the diagram of the guidance system of that spark on the table in front of you and it appears to be simple to reset it to attack a different target.”

Timmy’s eyes grew wide and he looked at Scotty with amazement on his face. Scotty held up his hand to tell Timmy to be quiet and said, “What do you mean?”

“From what I see of the receiver on the guidance board, there is a master frequency that opens the system to accept new target frequencies. If you broadcast the master frequency at a bundle of sparks and then broadcast the frequency of a blaster.” Vring didn’t say anything else.

Timmy could not contain himself, “Then it will seek and destroy anything in its sensors that has that frequency.”

“Exactly and once it locks on, all the other sparks will ignore what it has targeted. At least that’s what I can see in the diagram.”

Nathan said. “Vring, you understand those diagrams?”

“They’re not really that complicated. If you just allow your mind to follow the path of energy through it, it shows what it is designed to do.”

“Could you design a better system?”

“I can see several things that would make the device more adaptable, so to answer your question, yes. I can design a better system. Most of my brothers could do the same.”

Timmy thought a moment and said, “I’d hate to have all those blasters exploding. It could bring down the building and alert the Searchers overhead. “

“That’s where the secondary frequencies come in.”

“What secondary frequencies?”

“Timmy, you can program the spark to go after the frequency of a blaster but have it hit anything made of organic material near it.”

“Vring, how do you know this?”

“It’s obvious. If the diagram Timmy has in his thoughts is accurate, that’s how those sparks were made to operate. There’s also another thing you can do.”

“What is that?”

“You can broadcast a frequency and have the sparks exploded on contact instead of burning whatever it hits.”

Timmy looked at Tesa and she asked, “How would you get them to go back to burning?”

“I would suggest putting a frequency generator on each gun focused inside the magazine. Have a switch that you would push up for one frequency and pull down to send the other. At least that’s how I’d do it.”

Timmy looked at Scotty and said, “Vring, I have a damaged teleport board here in the corner. Can you see it in my thoughts?”

“Yes. It has a burned out coupler in the initial coil output unit. That prevents any energy from passing through the board.”

“Can it be repaired?”

“Yes, if you have a coupler. I see two of them in each of the sparks. You can use one of them to repair that board.”

Timmy looked at Scotty and said, “The Realm had their Algeans. They are what made the difference in their rise to power. It appears the Zord have a greater mental capacity than the Algeans. This is huge, Emperor Robbins.”

Scotty sighed, “Vring, did you know how to repair that teleportation board before we left to visit the Defense Facility.”

“Well, yes but if they would just give you a board, that would be a lot easier than the detailed repair of the broken one.”

“Actually, that broken board is much more advanced than the one that replaced it.”

“Not really, Your Majesty.”

“What?”

“All they’ve done is to insert a minor circuit to the output unit. You can get the components from any null drive to build that circuit and add it to the boards you currently have. Of course the null drive won’t work but you’d have an advanced teleportation board.”

Timmy said, “Show me what you’re thinking, Vring.”

“Ok.”

Timmy closed his eyes and after a minute opened them shaking his head, “He’s right. I can see it now. And he’s also right about the sparks. If you will bring me some of the wreckage of the damaged Ultraships, I can make the bowguns into a deadly weapon.” Timmy looked at Scotty, “The Zord have a brain that is incredible. Vring does see those circuits and understand how they work. This is a discovery that is monumental. We can now develop our communities so they can prosper. We have our Algeans, your, Majesty.”

Scotty paused and said, “Vring, that’s not the entire truth. You could have helped us with this before now. There’s something you’re not saying.”

Silence dominated the group and finally Vring said, “Your Majesty, you have three Searcher Ships in your fleet. All three of them have shown that they can make bad mistakes. To allow them to have teleportation worries us.”

Anglo who was in orbit overhead said, “What do you mean by mistakes?”

“Jessica was used to attack settlements on El Prado. She has an override that she could have activated to free herself from the Magrum. She didn’t do it and chose to just be an observer. You destroyed most of the planet and were still a danger to the humans up to the moment Jessica had her conversation with the Emperor. BC actually worked with Talben. We’ve seen that there are reasons to worry about your having that much power without some control on it.”

“We needed to stop the Duke from taking control of the quadrant.”

“Yes, but you went way beyond just stopping him. Destroying all of the technology and industrial centers would have accomplished that goal but you killed millions that couldn’t have been a danger after their production facilities were eliminated. Am I wrong?”

Anglo said, “No, you’re not. Charles took his vengeance out on the population for what happened to his family.”

“And you didn’t stop him.”

Anglo gave a mental sigh, “No, I didn’t. I should have but I was caught up in the moment. I was swept away by the brutality done to his children.”

“Just as BC made a decision to work with an evil tyrant to prevent huge losses of life, you didn’t make a decision based on the principles that White Hair embraces. Those millions were defenseless against you but the two of you killed them anyway.”

Scotty said, “Why are you helping us now?”

“Because you are our Supreme Leader and I am sworn to protect you and your subjects. I can’t allow Jingo, Grang, and Nathan to die if I can do something to help them. They are the core of your leaders. That still doesn’t remove my fear of releasing this technology.”

“Why, Vring?”

“Because that technology will outlive you, Your Majesty. How can we know your followers will be as committed to your principles?”

Scotty shrugged, “That’s the same issue the Defense Installation has. I wish there was some way to make sure we remain true but the future has a funny way of getting out of hand. We need look no further than the Great Gardners.” Scotty thought a moment and said, “The Algeans built a circuit into all of their teleportation boards that would cause them to self-destruct, didn’t they?”

“Yes they did.”

“Do you see that circuit?”

“Yes, as well as the frequency that made it operate.”

“Then put that circuit in every device your people create. Perhaps the wisdom of the Algeans was something we should follow. Your Ruler of the flocks will keep the device that will self-destruct any weapons you help create if we stray from our beliefs.”

“White Hair, you will keep that device and will designate who will hold it in the event of your death. We trust you implicitly and do not worry about the future with you in command.”

Scotty nodded, “Why don’t you help Timmy redesign the bowguns and I’ll get BC to bring a load of sparks for your experimentation.”

Timmy looked at Tesa and said, “All right!”

Greyson sat in orbit and watched Timmy during the meeting. His exuberance and excitement at the challenge was infectious and he wondered if he was going to be his partner. He had listened in to the Zord and knew he was right. The destruction of Haldale proved it. He was tasked with protecting Bristone but he knew he was given this task to be able to observe the qualities of the people he was now sworn to protect. He had to admit, the Zord were truly remarkable creatures. He felt his sagging spirits start to rise. His vision of the future began to brighten. He needed a partner.

Scotty was sitting on the hill with Julie and the ever present Grang staring at the stars. Julie looked at Scotty, “What’s bothering you?”

Scotty sighed deeply and looked away from the stars, “I almost wish we would just insure that our planet was safe and not worry about all the others.”

Julie and Grang both turned their attention toward him. “That’s something I’d never expect to hear from you.”

“I know, but now we’re on the cusp of creating a new breed of weapons and I worry about the future once they’re built. I see only war after war ahead of us and our descendants.”

Julie stared at Scotty and didn’t know what to say. Grang looked back up at the stars and said, “Some wars lead to good things. Not to have them only leaves things bad.”

Scotty and Julie both stared at the huge Magrum and Scotty burst out laughing. Grang looked at him, “What?”

“You have wisdom beyond your years, my Brother. I forgot why I had my dream. You just reminded me. There is too much suffering happening in our universe; we must try to remove it.”

Julie smiled at Grang and then said to Scotty, “Do you feel better?”

“More than you know, my Love. More than you know.”

“Your Majesty, I was wondering when you were going to extend your rule into the fifth Province?”

“That is almost on the other end of this universe. We have enough to keep us busy for the near future. The King there is still paying tribute and angering his subjects. Everything is moving according to plan.”

“Should we go and investigate what’s happening.”

“As long as he continues to send his taxes, no. If they are interrupted, we’ll go take a look. Don’t worry; it won’t be that much longer before we add them to our Realm. They’ll welcome us with open arms after the current King.”

“You’re right, Your Majesty. They always do.”

“It takes them a while before they figure out that we rule with an iron fist. By then, it’s too late. This universe will be mine.”

The Commander of the huge black ship listened to the Duke’s conversation with his admiral. His ship was a light year away from the Duke’s system but his sensors allowed him to hear in real time. He shifted in his chair and looked at his engineer, “I think he doesn’t understand what he’s up against. I wish the Masters would allow us to go ahead and take this planet.”

“I’m sure they want the largest conquest possible. Why should we do the work when they can collect all the systems for us? Patience is what’s called for in this circumstance.”

“Perhaps, but we will have to conquer those planets anyway.”

“Yes, but they will be tremendously weakened by this idiot.”

The Commander stared at his screen and nodded. At this rate it was going to be years before he could take action. The huge orange skinned creature continued to stare at the screen and felt the urge to shut that creature up. It was easier in the last universe. This one wasn’t going to happen as quickly. It was still a half season before his ship was scheduled to be relieved. This was so boring.

T
immy teleported to Greyson’s bridge humming off key. Two weeks had passed and Tesa was working with a team of engineers redesigning the bowguns. Vring had developed two new circuits that needed to be trialed and Scotty decided to trial them on Greyson. Timmy appeared and said, “Hello, my name is Timmy Valrico and I understand your name is Greyson.”

“That is correct. What is it that you are going to do?”

“We have some additions to your scanners and screens. We believe that they will greatly enhance your abilities. I’m excited about the prospects and it’s great to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Well, do what you have to do and let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

“I will. This won’t hurt a bit.” Timmy went to the scanner control panel and removed the cover. He removed four layers of circuit boards and stared at the main board. “Let’s see, there is a place here that should take three connections. Ummmm…, there they are.” Timmy took out a small welder and placed three solid wires into the holes on the board. “Now, before I make the connection, would you please scan the most distant planet you can see.”

“All right, I’ve locked the sixth planet in my display.”

“Great! Now save the image. I’m turning the power off for a few moments.” Timmy tripped the breaker next to the side panel and welded the three connections to the main board. He moved the new circuit to the side wall of the panel and anchored it. He then replaced the top layers and connected them to the main board. “Alright, I think we’re ready.” Timmy tripped the breaker and the board’s lights came on.”