Annihilation: Book 05 - Searcher Page 6

  “What about Wings? Does she also have all of the advanced systems?”

  “No, she was designed at a lower threshold than Al. If Angel had not already raised wings two months earlier, you would have probably raised both ships. We were incredibly lucky that Angel raised her ship first.”

  “Well, I guess I am going to visit the Gresh. Perhaps they will listen to what will happen if they continue their aggressive habits.”

  ‘If you don’t mind, I’ve asked Fleet Command release Wings from her search mission until this problem resolves itself. I think it would be a good learning experience for Wing’s computer to take part in this exercise.”

  “I don’t mind at all, Stem.”

  “Now if you don’t mind I will probably just be an observer most of the time. There are some equations that have been problematic and I need the processing time. If you need me just send me a thought.”

  “If you like I’ll sing you a lullaby to help you sleep,” Al interjected.

  Stem chuckled, “I can already tell that this is going to get interesting.”

  Matt just sat and shook his head.

  “So now you have your own personal Algean,” Angel thought.

  “Yep, why don’t you just fly on over to their home world and pick up one for yourself? Pick a short one, there’s not much room on your bridge for a tall one.”

  Angel snickered, “No, I think I’ll just keep things as they are.”

  “Are you ready to take a trip out to see the Gresh?”

  “I’ll follow your lead. How do you want to handle it?”

  “I am not going there to cause loss of life. I don’t think they can hurt us so I’m going to avoid killing their ships if it can be avoided.”

  “Matt, I don’t think they will give you that luxury. It’s their home system and they will be ferocious in its defense.”

  “Here’s how we’ll make that happen. They have not developed a star drive that allows them to jump inside the jump limit. I passed a system on my way into this spiral arm during my search that has a huge star. The jump limit is more than eighty hours out from the inner planets. I plan to teleport any ship that comes close to us to the inner planets of that system so they won’t make it back for more than three days. I of course, am not going to tell the Gresh that their ships are unharmed; I’ll let them think what they want.”

  Angel was once again impressed with Matt’s ability to see patterns that she had missed. “We could have done that here.”

  “Different situation; if the ships attacking the planet did not see the consequences of their aggression then they would have thought we were too soft to hurt them. They are not doing anything but defending their own turf when we go to them. We shouldn’t harm them for doing something that we would do ourselves.”

  “Would you be so kind to send me the coordinates of that star system you want use?”

  “Al has already sent them to Fly Girl.”

  “Those two sure do communicate with each other a lot.”

  “They’re kindred spirits and have a lot in common. Stem we are preparing to enter the Gresh’s home system. Is there anything you want to suggest before we port?”

  “I would suggest that if they fire any missiles or projectiles at your ships that you destroy them so that they can see just how strong your defenses are.”

  “Good idea; teleporting in 3,2,1, go”

  The two small red ships entered the Gresh home system and found more than two hundred thousand missiles homing in on them. “Stem, did you know that we were going to get this kind of welcome?”

  “Yes, I took a look at the system prior to your arrival but I didn’t want to spoil the surprise by telling you in advance.”

  Fly Girl said, “Good choice; no one likes a party pooper.”

  Matt and Angel laughed and proceeded to destroy the incoming barrage before any of them could come close. Immediately more than five hundred ships rushed toward them; all five hundred disappeared in an instant. The Grand Warlord on the planet watched the battle on his monitor and stood and clinched his fists as the five hundred ships disappeared. “Send a thousand at the intruders,” he screamed. A thousand ships accelerated at the two small ships and disappeared.

  The Warlord sat down and watched as half of his remaining ten thousand ships turned toward the two small red ships and after a brief moment disappeared. He had watched the recordings from the action these strange ships had done at the planet his forces had conquered. He knew with deadly certainty that his forces were no match for these two small ships much less the ones that were the size of a small moon. He pushed a button on his chair and said, “All ships, move away from the intruders. Do not fire on them.”

  The remaining Gresh ships turned and moved rapidly away from the incoming small, red glowing ships. The Grand Warlord then heard over his communication speakers, “You made a wise decision to spare the remainder of your fleet. I imagine that there would be a line of planets fighting for the opportunity to eliminate your species if you lost them all.”

  The Warlord though a moment and he had to agree that the speaker was probably right. The remaining ships would still not be enough if the worlds he had attacked all joined forces against him. For the first time in his life he felt the fear he had sown on the other planets. “What do you want?”

  “Nothing really; I just wanted to have an uninterrupted conversation with you and your ships were not cooperating.”

  The Warlord’s fear doubled. These two small ships acted like destroying most of his fleet meant nothing to them. On the way in system the two small ships paused at one of the larger planets and the voice said, “I am going to have a brief demonstration for your benefit. Please look at the moon that is approaching our position.” The Warlord pushed a button and saw on his display the small red ships next to one of the moons circling the large tenth planet. Suddenly a bright red beam shot out from one of the small ships and the moon blew up into dust. “Warlord, we only used a tenth of our beams power. The dust will be pulled down to the planet’s surface and should not be a navigation hazard for your ships in the future.”

  The Warlord along with every Gresh on the planet and the fleet saw death approaching their world. Finally the two small ships stopped just above the planet and parked directly above the fortress where the Warlord was sitting. “Are you ready to have our conversation, Warlord?”

  “What do you want?”

  Matt looked at his display showing the large humanoid being sitting on a throne. He was easily as big as a Glod Warrior and had a face similar to humans. His skin was ebony black and his head was bald. His eyes were deep set and his pupils were black. Matt could see the tension on his face, “I desire some agreements from you that I can count on you keeping.”

  “What agreements do you desire?”

  “I want you to agree to stop your attacks on other planets and to recall all of your forces occupying any planets you have conquered. I also hope you will open a dialogue with those conquests and attempt to repair the damage you’ve caused.”

  The Warlord was stunned speechless. The voice said, “Would you like me to repeat my requests?”

  The Warlord said, “You say these are requests. Are you saying that I have a choice in this matter?”

  “Well, not really. We have agreed to defend the planets you have attacked from your future aggression and I’m telling you that if any of your ships attack them from this moment forward that they will suffer the same fate as the moon we just visited. We are also going to remove any of your forces remaining on the other planets, by force if necessary, if they are not recalled immediately. Unfortunately, that also probably means the same fate as your moon for them. You should also know that my people possess more than five million of the ships you see here above your planet and more than two million of the larger ships you’ve recorded.”

  “Are you going to rule us now?”

  “No, we are not. My Realm will not impose its will on any civilization, however, we belie
ve in the sanctity of life. We will come to the aid of those who are not able to defend themselves against outside aggression. You will be left to govern yourself as you choose.”

  “Now that you have destroyed most of my ships, we will probably be attacked and destroyed.”

  “We did not destroy your ships, Warlord. We sent them where they could not interfere in our conversation. They should be back in four of your planet’s rotations. We will kill those that attack innocent people but we would not kill someone defending their own world and that includes your planet, Warlord.”

  “Why are you doing this?”

  “If you really want to know the answer, I invite you to come to Hugon five of your rotations from now and we will answer any of your questions; I will guarantee your personal safety if you choose to come. I would also tell you that the planets you’ve attacked are not the enemy you should fear, nor is it us. You are free to live as you choose; however, we will not allow you to kill innocent people to force your will on them.”

  The two small ships turned and moved away from the planet. Once they were a thousand miles from the planet’s surface they disappeared. The Warlord sat in his chair and felt his fear. Four days later when the ships returned that he thought destroyed he called in his military commander.

  “Prepare a ship. We are going to Hugon.”

  “They will kill you on sight if you go.”

  “No they won’t. I think those that came meant their promise. I’ll be safer there than anywhere else in this universe. I want to hear what they have to say.”

  “Your orders will be followed, Warlord.”

  “Matt, the Gresh Warlord has just entered the Hugon system.”

  “Thanks, Angel. I really didn’t expect him to come. Would you escort him in to the planet and assign two Red Warriors to take him to the meeting site.”

  “I think it would be safer to just teleport his ship in and have the Warriors then teleport him to the site. I’m not sure the population would allow him to be escorted to the meeting.”

  “Good idea, would you handle the details; I need to inform those here that he will be attending.”

  “Consider it done. Would you mind if I attend. I’m interested in seeing what happens when he shows up?”

  “Make sure one of the Defender Ships takes over for you.”

  “I’ve already set it up.”

  “Then perhaps you should come with the Warriors escorting him. Make sure Wings keeps an eye on you to screen you if necessary.”

  “Will do; I’ll inform the Warlord of our arrangements.”

  “On board the Gresh Battle ship the Warlord was looking at the huge Red ships around the planet. He was starting to have second thoughts about going when his communications console came on. “Welcome to our get together, Warlord.”

  “Who are you?”

  “I’m one of the commanders of the two ships that came to visit five rotations ago. We have guaranteed your safety so I want to make sure nothing happens while you are in our care. I need you to follow our plans to make sure of that.”

  “What do you need me to do?”

  “I am going to take your ship directly to the Planet. Once we arrive in orbit, one of our Defender Class vessels will move next to your ship and screen it to insure no one attempts to harm your vessel. We will be doing that in three intervals.”

  The Warlord wondered how they were going to move inside the jump limit but before he could pose a question his ship was suddenly directly above the planet. Almost instantaneously one of the huge red ships appeared next to his ship. “You certainly don’t delay in your plans,” the Warlord said.

  “Thank you. I am having two of my armored Warriors come to your bridge and they will take you to the meeting site. They will insure no one will harm you.”

  “When will they arrive?”

  “They are already there. Red Warriors, show yourselves.”

  The Warlord nearly fell over his chair when two red colored beings appeared next to him. “I will be joining you and we will go to the planet together.” A third person appeared on his bridge and he noticed that this one was not armored and was small compared to the two warriors. “Are you ready to go?”

  The Warlord looked at his bridge crew and saw they were frightened. Everyone had seen what these Red Warriors had done to their forces during the defeat they had just suffered. He looked at the small being and said, “I must confess that I have second thoughts about attending but I see you mean to protect me. I think it is important that I hear what you have to say. I’m in your power.”

  Angel smiled at the Warlord knowing what courage he possessed to come. Perhaps there was hope of saving his race. The Warlord was about seven feet tall and probably massed as much as a Glod Warrior. He actually looked like a large Dremel except they were gold in color, two arms and legs, light covering of gold colored fur. His face was almost human in appearance except for the small slits for his eyes and a wide mouth. “Matt, are you ready?”

  Matt pressed the button that sounded a tone and the huge gathering in the meeting hall grew quiet. “I will begin shortly but I have an announcement to make. I invited the Warlord of the Gresh to attend this meeting and though I didn’t expect him to come, he surprised me and is here.”

  The room immediately exploded into bedlam. Everyone in the room was furious and yelling their outrage. Matt waited for a few moments and then hit the tone again at a volume that actually hurt. The room grew quiet. “I did not ask him here to resolve the issues between your worlds. He is not here for that purpose, however, I have guaranteed his safety and I trust all of you know by now that I keep my promises. If any of you threaten him in any way I will have the two Red Warriors escorting him eliminate the threat. He is here to listen to information that is important to your and his survival. He should hear what is going to be said. This hall is now a safe haven for anyone attending.” Matt looked out at the assembly and they could see he was absolutely serious about his promise.

  Goige stood and said, “We will not violate your promise. We will settle our issues with the Gresh at a later date.” He then turned and said, “We would not be here today except for this being’s help in freeing us. We will not dishonor him by taking our revenge here.” Everyone was holding their anger under control.

  Matt looked around the room and thought, “Bring him, Angel.”

  The Warleader appeared off to the left of the assembly and was taken to a chair that Matt had brought in for him. The Two Red Warriors stood on each side of him and had their sensors on; everyone saw that their armor was active. The gathered attendees felt their anger turn to fear. No one wanted to do anything that would cause those warriors to act. A fourth smaller being arrived with the Warlord and moved to the stage and took a seat behind the speaker.

  “First I want to introduce one of the commanders of our small ships that took part in the exercise at this planet. Her name is Angel and she has also guaranteed the Warlords safety.” No one made a sound. “The reason I have asked you here is because I want to explain to you why we intervened in your conflict. My leaders are members of a government that we call Stars Realm. Our Realm came into existence as the result of a galactic war where more than eight hundred worlds almost destroyed each other. We were able to prevent that destruction and now our Realm has more than seventy thousand members across this universe. We live in peace and we prosper together. We will not war against anyone but we will defend ourselves and those that are not able to defend themselves. We will not force our will on any civilization we encounter but will assist them if they so request. I want to make sure you understand that we will not endanger any race, even those that are aggressive. We will defend those attacked but not at the cost of killing another civilization. We believe in the sanctity of life and our prime directive is to save life where ever possible. I am a Searcher. I will tell you more about why I’m called that after I show you a recording that was made more than eight million of your cycles ago; we call a cycle a year. After y
ou have viewed it, I will tell you what you’ve seen.”

  A huge video screen as large as the stage dropped from the ceiling. A picture of a galaxy appeared and then the assembly saw the emergence of a huge green ship from a violet colored flash.

  Matt sat down next to Angel and looked at her. “Is there anything you would like to say to the group?”

  “No, you’re doing a fabulous job. You always seem to say just the right thing at just the right moment.”

  Matt turned red and looked down. “Thanks, that means a lot.”

  Angel shook her head. She had thought of Matt as a much older, wiser person after all of the events of the last two weeks. Now she realized that he was still just a twenty two year old young man. The dichotomy was interesting. He also seemed to be much more handsome than the time she knew him in the Academy. He was only about six foot tall but looked taller. His green eyes were bright and seemed to occasionally come on fire. His auburn colored hair was rare; she couldn’t recall ever having seen that shade before.