Annihilation Saga: Lost Royalty Read online

  “But you’ve run out of time?” Seedel replied.

  “I’ve been hoping you would gain access to your memories so you’d know that I wanted you and not for your memories but…you’re right, we’re out of time.”

  “I don’t deserve you, Sprigly.”

  “I feel the same about you. But you’re going to have to trust me on this. If you decide to unite with me, you’ll see I’m being honest.”

  “Can we do this without losing ourselves?”

  “Even if we can’t, it’s something I can no longer put off.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because love is burning in me and I can’t continue to keep it hidden.”

  “I’ll make sure you are safe.” Seedel turned around and heard Kogo as he entered the small ship. “The voice in my head it is telling me you should do this. I don’t know how I’ll do it but I know I can.”

  Seedel looked at Sprigly and her leaves turned bright green, “Are you sure about this, Sprigly?”

  “I am.”

  Seedel extended her branches and wrapped them around Sprigly. Sprigly turned bright green and said, “Open your mind and enter my mind.”

  Kogo watched them as Dela ran into the bay. Kogo grabbed her hand and said, “Do not let go of my hand!”

  “Why not?”

  “Because they need to have love nearby.”

  Dela released his hand and wrapped her arms around his neck, “Then let’s do better than just holding hands!” She kissed him and a bright blue glow appeared around Sprigly and Seedel.

  Chapter Eight

  A week later, Tag awoke a little cranky and greeted Danielle, “This sleeping in different rooms is a real bummer!”

  “Now that’s a term I haven’t heard for thousands of years.”

  “How would you describe it, then?”

  Danielle raised a shoulder, “Bummer is appropriate. Disconcerting, perplexing, confounding, distracting, disrupting, emotional…”

  “In other words, it’s a bummer,” Tag repeated.

  Danielle chuckled, “Yeah, something like that.”

  “Why do we have to wait?”

  “Because we’ve been charged for a reason and we need to go back and see if we can find out why. If there was any doubt about this being a creation crisis, this sudden appearance of psychic energy removes it.”

  Tag groaned, “I don’t think I can wait a lot longer.”

  “Tag, we have a lot of centuries ahead of us. We can wait.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Tag mumbled under his breath.

  Danielle rolled her eyes and said, “We have to wait for Sprigly and Seedel to finish before we can go home.”

  “And just how long do you think this is going to take? How long did it take Sprig and Twig to do this?”

  Danielle looked up at the ceiling and said after a slight pause, “About four weeks, if I remember correctly but Seedel does not have the memories Twig had at the time she merged with Sprig. It shouldn’t take as long.”

  Tag’s head fell back and he looked at the ceiling, “Oh my Uncle’s missing leg!”

  Danielle laughed, “You didn’t have an uncle missing a leg.”

  “I will before this is over.”

  Dela walked on the bridge and announced, “They’re back.”

  Danielle and Tag stood up and Tag sighed as he sat back down, “Go ahead. I’ll stay here and suffer alone on this empty bridge.”

  Dela looked at him and said, “What’s up with him?”

  Danielle shrugged, “You know how men are.”

  Dela looked at Tag and smiled, “Who would have thought the ultimate warrior would be such a big baby.”

  Danielle laughed, “See how Kogo would act if you and he were separated.”

  “Forget Kogo, I’d be the one yelling about it.”

  Tag nodded, “SEE! SHE HAS IT RIGHT!!”

  “I’ve missed you, too, Tag. Complaining about it doesn’t help me deal with it.”

  Tag stared at her and sighed, “I’m sorry. You’re right.”

  Danielle walked off the bridge with Dela and she smiled, “He loves you very much.”

  “That is what keeps me grounded, Dela. How are they doing?”

  “Seedel has her memories. They seem to be the happiest I’ve seen them.”

  Danielle smiled, “Good. Sprigly’s needed someone for a very long time.”

  • • •

  They arrived in the bay and Danielle saw Sprigly and Seedel standing in the golden sand with their branches entwined, “How are you doing?”

  “Great, Danielle.”

  “Seedel?”

  “I’m amazed that Sprigly really loves me. I count myself the luckiest plant in the universe to have him.”

  “That’s how love is. Dela tells me you have your memories.”

  Seedel leaned right, “I do. My parents were assassinated by the current Great Elder.”

  “How do you know?”

  My parents heard the thoughts of the one that caused the reactor to overload. Since their seeds always remained in contact with them telepathically wherever they were, it was passed on to me and all the other seeds they produced.”

  “Do you know if any other seeds…”

  “No others survived, Danielle. I think I understand why now. the Great Elder had to make sure no evidence of his treachery remained. He must have poisoned the ground they were in.”

  “How did he miss you?”

  “I was planted in another place. I suspect my parents knew something was going on and wanted to make sure one of their offspring survived. After I hatched, it was too late to take direct action against me in the nursery grove. It would have been seen and even the Great Elder could not avoid being removed for harming a young sapling.”

  “I’m surprised his assassination wasn’t seen. Your species is telepathic after all.”

  Sprigly said, “We are capable of walling away some memories in our minds, Danielle. I’m sure he’s kept them hidden.”

  Danielle sighed, “Then he had to be the one that poisoned the ground your brothers and sisters were planted in.”

  “Logic says it had to be him,” Sprigly agreed. “He could not trust anyone else to keep that information hidden.” Sprigly stared at Danielle and asked, “What are you going to do?”

  “Our first stop when we get back will be at the Holy Grove.”

  “You won’t be welcomed.”

  “That’s all right; I’ve been through that before with your species. At least the truth deserves to be known.” Danielle looked up, “Alex, take us back to our universe and the first stop will be the Holy Grove.”

  “It’s about time.”

  “You sound like Tag.”

  “I’m not that impatient.” Danielle chuckled at the Commuter’s comment. “Hey, it’s not funny. I’ve had to listen to him talk to himself and it’s gotten old. He’s starting to show his age acting all grumpy and sour.”

  Danielle burst out laughing and said, “Get us back and I’ll see if we can put a stop to his complaining.”

  “You should do that first.”

  “No, the Holy Grove first.”

  Alex sighed, “Ok, if you insist.”

  Dela smiled, “Alex, you sound just like him. You need to get a girlfriend to help keep you straight.”

  Sprigly’s leaves turned brown as he said, OH BOY!!”

  The room was silent as Dela looked at Danielle and saw her expression, “Did I say something wrong?”

  Danielle leaned over and whispered to her, “Alex had a girlfriend and she left him about a millennium ago. It’s sort of a sore point with him.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

  “Now you do. I’d not mention that again.”

  • • •

  Tag stared at the monitor with a huge golden colored planet on it below the Kosiev. The planet’s surface was covered in green from the billions of Algeans that lived on the surface. There were some buildings scattered around the planet but
most of its surface was covered in the golden soil and Algeans. All the Algean manufacturing facilities were located on other planets. Tag continued to stare at the monitor as he asked Danielle, “How do you want to handle this?”

  Danielle looked at Sprigly, “Have you given this any thought?”

  “I’ll make the introductions.”

  “Is there a reason for that?” Tag asked.

  “Yes, the warships will not attack a direct descendant of Sprig and Twig. We should be given time to communicate if I initiate the conversation.”

  Danielle looked at Tag and he shrugged. She looked back at Sprigly and nodded, “We’ll do it your way but you need to be prepared to run, Alex.”

  “I think with all the modifications Sprigly has made to my defenses that we should be ok for a while.”

  “Just don’t get over-confident, Alex.”

  “You know me.”

  “That’s why I said it!” Danielle shot back.

  • • •

  Sprigly waited a moment and then thought toward the planet, “Great Elder, I don’t believe that you and I have ever had the opportunity to talk.”

  Every Algean on the planet stopped what they were doing when they heard Sprigly’s thought. The Great Elder quickly responded, “Who are you?”

  “I’m Sprigly. I’m a direct seed of Sprig and Twig. I’ve been away a long time and I understand that the leadership of my people has changed in my absence.”

  The Great Elder was shocked. He looked at the Defense Elder next to him, “WHERE IS HE?”

  “I have no idea. Nothing is on our scanners!”

  The Elder looked up, “I understand that you left with the Gardners.”

  “I did. They are with me now.”

  “Welcome home. Please come down and allow us to greet you properly.”

  “I’m really sorry but I must refuse your invitation.”

  “Why?”

  “Queen Danielle and Tag are very disturbed that our warships attacked the Cainth and Glod Civilizations. They find they cannot forgive such an outrage. They consider it an abomination.”

  “The Stars Realm ordered us to do it. And we are bound to follow their orders.”

  “Just a moment.” Sprig paused and said, “You are bound to be loyal to the Stars Realm and the Cainth and Glod were part of the Realm when you attacked. You could have refused if you chose. However, I won’t come down because of another outrage.”

  The Great Elder knew what was coming but he had to ask, “What is that.”

  “Your assassination of the former Leaders of my people.”

  “THAT ABSURD!!”

  Sprigly spoke with anger in his voice, “We stumbled onto one of their descendants and she has united with me. During that process, we found this memory in her mind that came from her parents just before they died.”

  Sprigly showed an Algean firing a blaster into a reactor as it thought, “Now we’ll be able to defend our galaxy without these two in power.”

  Sprigly continued, “You can see in that murderer’s thoughts that you sent him with Weed and Seed on their voyage to Twigs burial to kill them. That also makes you a murderer and you poisoned all of Weed and Seed’s children to prevent this information from coming out.”

  The Great Elder sneered, “It had to be done!! They prevented us from defending the civilizations we saved from the Seekers!”

  “So, you planned to ignore the Stars Realm’s prohibition of defending them.”

  “The Stars Realm agreed to allow us to do it but those two refused to allow it. We had no choice but to remove them. I did the right thing.”

  “And that justified your killing all of their children?”

  “This burden had to be borne by me alone. The people did not need to know.”

  “And if Queen Danielle ordered you to no longer defend this galaxy, what would you do?”

  “Queen Danielle no longer rules the Stars Realm. I take my instructions from the lawful rulers there.”

  Seedel looked at Danielle, while Sprigly spoke to the Elder, “The ones on the planet are torn on this issue. They are struggling with giving up the right to defend those that were brought here.”

  Danielle sighed, “So once again they put those civilizations ahead of their oaths.”

  Seedel hung her branches, “It appears they do.”

  Danielle eyebrows lowered, “Sprigly, send my thoughts so everyone can hear.” Sprigly nodded. “This is the second time you have placed your galaxy ahead of everything including the oath that was made to me.”

  The Great Elder hesitated and said, “Your Majesty, when you forced us to make that oath there was a threat facing us. The current rulers of the Stars Realm have removed the oath and you have no threat to force us do your bidding now.”

  “Have I ever done anything but protect you in the past?”

  “That was long ago.”

  “Answer the question.”

  “No.”

  And you refuse to do as I want?”

  “We will not give up the defense of those we brought here.”

  “Then I am forced to tell you that my oath to defend you is no longer valid. You and the current Realm are no longer under my protection.”

  The Senior Elder sneered, “And you think that carries any weight?”

  “You will see and, next time you come to me begging, you will be ignored.” Danielle looked up, “Alex, get us out of here.”

  The Great Elder thought, “What are you talking about?” But his question was greeted by silence. He asked again but heard nothing in response. What did the former Queen mean by her comment?

  • • •

  Sprigly and Seedel’s leaves were dark brown showing their depression and Danielle said, “There are consequences to our decisions, Sprigly.”

  “I know.”

  “I need you to do something for me.”

  “What is that?”

  “Take your ship to the Cats and get the location of the Spiders. Go and tell the Nest Mother that we need them back here immediately.”

  Sprigly straightened up and said, “The people are torn by this issue, Danielle.”

  “Then they should have chosen a leader that wouldn’t place them in this situation. They are responsible for their destiny from this moment forward. I’m sorry but this is a lesson they refuse to learn.”

  Sprigly looked at Tag, who added, “She’s right. Arrogance and ignorance are a bad combination in anyone and your people are full of both. They think they’re indestructible and are accustomed to doing what they want.”

  “But the Realm is what caused this.”

  “NO, IT DID NOT!” Danielle said forcefully. “Their rulers still followed their oaths and they died for doing it; Weed and Seed knew their oaths were made to me and not the Realm. Now your people know what happened and they’re siding with their murderer.”

  Tag looked at Sprigly, “Do you want to join them and try to get them ready for what’s coming?”

  Seedel turned to Sprigly and waited for his answer. He turned to her and said, “I’ll lose you if I do that.”

  “Yes, you will! They killed every member of my family! You’ve been away and haven’t seen how evil our species has become.”

  “This is the hardest choice you’ve ever given me, Danielle. But I know where my loyalty lies and I can only pray that the Creator will allow some of my people to survive. I serve you and that will never change.”

  Danielle shook her head, “I’ll make one more offer to save your people but I doubt it will be accepted.”

  Sprigly leaned forward, “Don’t waste your time. Even the Realm won’t make them change their minds on this issue.”

  “I’d only do it for you, Sprigly.”

  “I know, Danielle. You have always been loyal to those you rule. We’ll leave immediately.”

  Danielle nodded, stood up, and went and hugged Sprigly. Tag said, “I wish I could do that.”

  Sprigly turned to him, “You can hug me.”
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  “I wasn’t talking about you.”

  Danielle burst out laughing and Sprigly and Seedel’s leaves brightened a little. “Oh, all right!” Tag stood up and hugged Sprigly, “You are a part of our family now. I’d be lost without you.”

  Sprigly wrapped Tag up in his branches and Tag said, “OK, OK, let’s not get all mushy.”

  Sprigly saw Tag’s eyes were moist, “Tag your tears show me that I’m right. Thank you.”

  Tag wiped his eyes, “Tears…what are you talking about. It’s just an allergy I have to pollen.”

  “Tag, I don’t have pollen.”

  “Well…well…you do now. Get out of here.”

  Seedel wrapped Sprigly in her branches and turned green, “You’ve proven your love for me.”

  “You’ve seen my mind. You should already know I love you.”

  “Like you said earlier, we can hide some of our most personal thoughts. Now I know your love is true. I can give you my entire being now.”

  Sprigly hugged her tightly in his branches and Tag said, “I wish I could do that.”

  Everyone on the bridge burst out laughing and Tag said, “WELL, I DO!!”

  Danielle smiled and ordered, “Alex, once Sprigly launches, take us to Bristone.”

  Tag shook his head and muttered, “We need to go somewhere. All this mush is too much to endure.”

  Dela glanced at Kogo and shook her head. He nodded and remained silent. Then he got a funny look on his face and said, “Does the term Defense Facility mean anything.”

  Danielle and Tag jerked their heads around toward him, “Why do you ask?” Alex asked.

  “I just had those words appear in my mind.”

  “Alex, take us there first,” Danielle ordered.

  “Jumping in one minute; it will be good to see BC.”

  “Who is BC, Alex?” Dela asked.

  “He’s the computer that controls the Defense Facility. He replaced Alex and allowed him to join us on this ship.”

  “Would he want to change places again?” Dela asked.

  Danielle rolled her eyes as Alex asked, “Why would you even suggest that? You just showed up and know nothing about the smooth operation of a warship.”

  “I just wondered if he’s as grumpy as you are.”

  “GRUMPY?!”

  “Let it go, Alex.”