Chapter 19

“WHAT?” Jeremirer yelled.

          “Your granddaughter’s escort just returned without...” Commander Fly started shaking from head to toe in fear.

          “Yes I heard you the first time!” Jeremirer snapped, cutting across Commander Fly. “Have you any good news?”

          “I do.”

          “Well what is it?”

          “You will be pleased to hear that we have claimed another 12 planets and their systems.” Commander Fly said.

          “That is good news, I will inform the other elders.”

          “Very wise, sir.”

          “Oh, and Commander, go find my daughter, before she gets to her brother please.”

          “I will try my best, sir.”

 

          “Hay, Charity,” Hope said, “do you want a break?”

          “No thanks Hope.” Charity said. “I think I can manage.”

          “What is she doing?” Hope asked looking at her mother, who was sat with her legs crossed with her eyes closed.

          “She is meditating.” Charity replied.

          “Yes I can see that.” Hope said. “But why?”

          “To prepare for what is to come.” Faith responded. “Will you two please be quite, I need to concentrate.”

          “I’ll be on the bridge, if you need help or change our mind.” Hope said in Charity’s ear. Charity nodded.

          “How close are we to our destination?” Faith asked.

          “Um, without any confrontation, interception or change in circumstance, 20 parsecs.” Hope said.

 

Meanwhile on Gemini base 5.

          “Everyone board your ships, take only that which you can carry, meet back at base 6.” Zardac ordered over the base wide speakers from the communications room. The base shook again. “Loki, thanks for your help.”

          Loki in the last 2 hours had witnessed a change in Zardac. He was shocked, he seemed a different man, and Loki was not going to trade it for the universe.

          “No problem.” Loki replied.

          “Your duty is done, go Loki.” Zardac said.

          “No!” Loki yelled. “I’m going nowhere until you leave. I go when you go.”

          “I will be fine. Go, I’ll be right behind you.”

          “No, I will be at your side.”

          “Very well.” Zardac conceded. Loki smiled. “Help me set the self destruct.” Loki dived over to the nearest computer and started typing furiously.

          “Oh, no.” Aries said. “Hope, Charity, please come to the bridge. There has been a change... in circumstance.”

          “On my way.” Hope responded into her com-link.

          “Like wise.” Charity responded also into a com-link.

          5 minutes later Hope and Charity came running through the cockpit door.

          “So what’s the problem?” Hope asked.

          “Base 5 is under attack. I just read this general alert.” Aries explained.

          “Where is the new meeting place?” Charity asked.

          “Base 6.” Aries said.

          “Your face is saying there is more.” Hope said.

          “Base 5 is not the only Gemini base under attack.” Aries replied.

          “Give me all the worlds and bases under attack. Now!” Hope yelled concerned for her friends on the other worlds.

          “Bases 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 16, 17, 20, 21 and 24.” Aries replied. “All worlds from sectors one to 12 and sector 50. Deaths are in the thousands.”

          “How long have these attacks been going on for?”

          “Hope, if I tell you please don’t flip out.”

          “Aries, time frame! Now!”

          “10 minutes.” Aries said. Hope collapsed into a nearby chair, shock on her face. Well she’s not flipping out, Aries thought to herself into the stunned silence of the cockpit.

          “But why this scale? Why now?” Hope asked in a whisper. No one answered. No one knew.