by Saxon Andrew
“How can you possibly make that happen?”
“Just take care of the Insectoid Families on Romania until I can move the Greng off Bellingham. We’re going to make a trip out to visit a friend and I’ll let you know how it works out.”
“What are you going to do?” Gem quickly asked, but the monitor was dark.
Ana smiled, “I think we should depend on Gregor to straighten this out.”
“What can he possibly do, Ana?”
“I have no idea. But Gregor will come up with a plan.”
“I really hope you’re right.”
• • •
Two-weeks later, Gold was sitting on his throne feeling smug. His deception had come off without a hitch and now all the power was his. He looked at his Prime Advisor and smiled, “Contact Gem and request that he start sharing their new technology with us.”
The Prime Advisor turned around and Gold suddenly saw his filament communicator illuminate. His head went back, and he pressed the button, “Who is this?”
A yellow colored being appeared on his monitor and the King was shocked, “Jek, why are you contacting me?”
“The citizens of New Heaven have voted to join the Alliance and it was brought to our attention that we have not accepted the Gramget. I’ve come here representing New Heaven to agree and want to go through the process.”
“Where are you?”
“Directly above your Royal Residence in one of the Alliance’s new warships.”
“Why did you come here in one of those ships?”
“I didn’t want to be turned down and have your ships attack us.”
“We’ve agreed not to attack the Alliance.”
“But we weren’t members when the Gramget was made and it is not binding on us. Will you make the agreement with us?”
“Certainly, do you promise to never attack or do anything to harm any of the planets or citizens in the Kingdom.”
“I need you to make the promise with me, Highness,” Jek interrupted.
“What?”
“I need you to make the promise with me. I need to see you also promise to never attack or harm any citizens in the Alliance. You should go first.” Gold stared at Jek on the monitor and Jek smiled, “You’ve already promised, haven’t you, Highness?” Gold stared at Jek and he said, “By-the-way, I’m broadcasting our conversation to every electronic device on your planet, so your citizens can celebrate a new member of the Gramget.”
“I’ve already made the promise.”
“Not to my planet and not to the Alliance with us as a member. It’s a simple thing, just state your promise again.”
“I’m not prepared to do that at this moment.”
Jek smiled, “But you’re ready to accept my promise but not make it yourself. As you told Gregor during the ceremony, all must agree before the Gramget is done. The Alliance will put the Gramget on hold until you are prepared to promise to its newest member. Let us know when you’re ready.”
Gold was furious. He looked at his Advisor, “Get Gem on my console!”
A moment later, Gem appeared. “It appears you were expecting my contact.” Gem nodded. “I’ve agreed to the Gramget with the Alliance and it includes any new members.”
“No, it doesn’t. You will make the promise with our newest member, or the Alliance will put enforcement of the Gramget on hold until you do.”
“How did you figure this out?”
“I had some help. But you’ve now proven you cannot be trusted and are deceitful in the worse possible way. You betrayed my trust and caused me to place all our planets in jeopardy. You deliberately violated the proper form of making a Gramget by leading it and not making the promise yourself! I would highly recommend you not make any mistakes during the time you try to decide how to avoid making the agreement. Those of us that made the Gramget will not attack you, but New Heaven will defend the other members of the Alliance against any threat. Oh, our conversation is also being sent out to all your citizens.”
The monitor went dark and the Prime Advisor looked at him, “My panel is being barraged by thousands of our citizens wanting to know if we deliberately fouled our honor by not being honest during the Gramget.”
“What can I do?”
“Either declare the Gramget void, and prepare to be removed from the throne, or make the agreement.”
“Call the Royal Families to the palace.”
“The Lead Royal has already contacted me and refuses to come. He states this is your doing and you will handle it alone.”
Gold was past rage, but he pulled himself together and thought, “Jek, are you still here?”
“I am, Highness.”
“I will make the promise with you.”
“Excellent, you first.”
Gold lowered his eyes and began, “I, as the representative of my species, do…”
Jek interrupted him, “I’m sorry, highness. But your species has already agreed to the Gramget. I want your personal promise.”
Gold fought his temper and saw the Prime Advisor shrug. There was no way out of this. “I do promise that I and all of my species will never attack or harm a planet or citizen of the Alliance. I will treat them as members of the Kingdom.”
“I and all the citizens of New Heaven promise to never attack the Kingdom or any of its citizens and will treat them as members of the Alliance. Thank you, Highness. We’re excited and happy about being part of this new Gramget.”
The Advisor’s board grew silent and the calls stopped coming in. But Gold knew the trouble wasn’t over. The Royal Families only agreed to the Gramget because of his deceit. Now they had accepted it and there was going to be a price paid for their being forced to follow the Gramget with no way out. What would make them beyond anger was that the Lead Royal would not have made the promise if the ceremony was done correctly and would be the next King. But he was forced to agree during the ceremony and now it was binding on all of them. How did they find out? He screamed his rage, as ten-Royal Guards entered the chamber and escorted him out.
• • •
Gem saw Jek appear on his monitor, “It appears the King has been executed for treason. The Royals are placing all the blame on him for desecrating the Gramget ceremony.”
“He was once one of my closest friends, Jek.”
“I’m sorry, Gem.”
“Don’t be. He deserves what happened. He put my family in jeopardy for the last time.”
“Are we going to share our technology with them now?”
“I’ll discuss that with the new King in private. We’ll all make that decision together.” Jek nodded and the monitor went dark.
Ana sighed, “I’m so sorry, Gem.”
“Don’t be, Ana. I’m just thankful Gregor came up with a way to get us out of this trouble.”
“He is pretty amazing.”
Gem smiled, “I know. Who would ever think that a planet of Tronan would save us?”
Ana smiled, “Gregor did.”
• • •
A week before the new warships were due to be completed, the new Insectoid King asked Gem and Gregor to come to speak with him. “What are you expecting, Gem?”
“Gregor, I have no idea. I really don’t know this new King. He was a minor royal when I left the Kingdom to go with Ana.”
“Do you think he’ll abide by the Gramget?”
“He really has no choice. He voted to accept it and is bound by its covenants. I just wonder what he wants to discuss with us.”
“We’ll soon know.” Gregor watched the monitor, as the Romania Warship dropped into the clearing beside the Royal Residence, where they were greeted by four-unarmed-guards, as they exited their ship. They were led to the Royal Chamber and saw the new King sitting on his throne. They walked up to the throne and they both lowered their heads, as Gem said, “Good-day, Highness.”
“Wondering why I asked you come here, aren’t you?”
Gem flinched slightly, as Gregor answered, “Yes, we are.”
“I assume both of you are aware of the actions taken by the former King to deceive you into making the Gramget.” Gem and Gregor remained silent. The King smiled, “Good, I prefer your silence. It appears the Gramget is in force and the King’s plan failed. Now, we’re faced with how to move forward in this new world we occupy.”
“Highness, I believe that if the King hadn’t been deceptive, the normal rite would have allowed you to not vote and the same situation would be in effect,” Gregor stated calmly.
“Wouldn’t have happened.”
“OH?” Gem asked.
“I was in disagreement with the other Royals and the King about not making the Gramget. I tried to convince him that it was a grave mistake to try and deceive you, but he wouldn’t listen. I would have voted for it if I led the ceremony.”
“Tell me why?” Gregor asked.
“I’ve seen your Alliance in action over the years and, even if you gave us your technology, we would not be able to keep up with your advancements. We would always be fearing you and that would have ultimately led to war between us; a war I fear we would lose.”
“How do I know you’re telling the truth!” Gregor demanded.
The King clacked a chuckle, “You don’t. However, just bring that telepath here and confirm it. I don’t want to pit my Kingdom against one of the most powerful forces in our universe. I’d rather be able to count on you not being an enemy and work with you. I believe the former King was too self-important to see the benefit of doing that.”
“Let’s assume you are being honest, for a moment,” Gem said with a frown, “what do you expect from us?”
“At the moment, nothing. I don’t believe you would be willing to share your new technology with us until we’ve proven we will abide by the Gramget. I wanted you to come here and see that things have changed and answer any questions you might have. There is one thing I would like you to do.”
“What is that?” Gem asked.
“I want those that Gregor took to Bellingham returned here to face their punishment. They will be executed according to our laws. I’m surprised you didn’t bring the traitor with you.”
“I was worried you might not go along with the last King’s decisions and I didn’t want to place him at risk. Besides, you can’t do it, Majesty.”
The King turned to Gregor, “Why not?”
“It would violate the Gramget.”
“Tell me, how it would be a violation.”
“You swore that you would never attack our planets or harm our citizens. Those that I took with me are now citizens of Bellingham. Are you now demanding some of my citizens be executed?”
The King laughed loudly. He finally stopped and said, “You are quite the shyster. You anticipated this, didn’t you?”
Gregor smiled, “I must say I saw it as a real benefit to Bellingham.”
“Why is that?”
“Your species is far ahead of most civilizations in our universe and they will make a great clan on Bellingham. They understand honor and are incredible warriors. Once they learn how to live among the clans, they will grow and prosper on Bellingham.”
The King nodded, “We’ve always worried about some of our subjects leaving and starting a new civilization. They would become quite formidable if not controlled by our laws.”
Gregor nodded, “They are also bound by the Gramget, they will not be a danger to your Kingdom, Majesty.”
“Do you give me your word on that, Gregor.”
“I already did at the ceremony.”
“Yes, I suppose you did.”
“I do have a question,” Gregor added.
“What is that?”
“Do all of your ships have force fields?”
The King nodded, “My warships are not coated like yours, Gregor. We are forced to use force fields to defend them. Why do you ask?”
“Because I anticipate that a war is coming, and it will be your ships that will have to be used to defend us. We cannot delay giving you our new technology and we should start modifying your fleets immediately.”
Gem shook his head, “Gregor…”
“Gem, we have to do it!”
The King stared at them, “What is this war you’re talking about?”
“I’ve found a civilization that killed the Filament Makers and is currently removing the filaments in their galaxy. They now know about us and I’m certain they’re going to start searching for us. I’m also concerned they may remove the giant filaments that connect the galaxies, starting with the 440-filament. At this point, we can’t install force fields in the coated ships and a force field will be needed to confront them.”
“Did the former King know about this civilization?”
“I told him, Majesty,” Gem answered.
The King shook his huge head, “He was so stupid. I will make my forces available to defend the Alliance and my Kingdom. I will follow your instructions to make this happen and I’m really thankful this problem was resolved.”
Gem looked at the Prime Advisor and lowered his eyes, “You helped the former King deceive us?”
“Gem, does any of us have the freedom to disobey the King?” Gem glared at him and the Advisor continued, “He asked how it could be done and I was forced to answer him honestly. I believe our new King is more concerned about the Kingdom’s safety than the former King. We are in good claws now.”
The King asked Gregor, “Are you going to coat our ships?”
“There’s not enough time. I will have a metallic coating put on your ships that will make them invisible to scanners. We’ll coat them once this war is decided.”
“How do your ships match up with this new enemy?”
“We’re leaving shortly to find out, but we can’t delay modifying your fleets. That must start now.”
“Contact my advisor and he’ll make sure everything is done appropriately.”
“You don’t want us to contact you directly, Majesty.”
“No, Gregor, it would take too long to make things happen. I have a Kingdom to rule and my advisor will keep me informed.”
Gregor and Gem bowed and left the chamber. They boarded their ship and Gregor smiled, “That went pretty well.”
“Gregor, you can’t trust them!”
Gregor laughed and put his arm on Gem’s shoulder, “Now you’re sounding like me! This King knows he has no choice but to work with us and a new enemy is just what the doctored ordered to bring the Kingdom and Alliance together. I do believe in the Gramget, Gem. And now that we’re all bound by it, it’s a good thing.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The banished Insectoid Commander stood behind Gregor and blew air out of his thorax. Gregor looked at him and smiled, “Is there a name you want me to call you?”
“Your vocal cords can’t pronounce it.”
“I realize that. I’ll call you Solo.”
“Stupid would be better. I never should have agreed to this.”
“Get over it. Your honor wouldn’t allow you to do anything else. Besides, Solo is perfect for you.”
“Oh? Just why did you say that?”
“Well, let’s start with your actions, shall we? You decided on your own to attack an Alliance Community on Jester without even consulting with your crew. You knew you were causing them and their families to be facing an execution for doing it and you didn’t care. You only acted on what you thought was right and the lives of your crew and your own family meant nothing to you.”
“YES, THEY DID!”
“Then you should have allowed them to leave before you attacked. You could have operated the ship through your computer and not put them in jeopardy. But you thought you might need to make some more attacks and, if your ship was attacked, you’d need them to operate the ship’s defenses. You only thought about yourself and your own desires.”
“I DID IT TO PROTECT THE KINGDOM!”
“Don’t hide behind that crap with me! You did it to make a statement and you knew it would
n’t change what was going to happen. You wanted to die a martyr and a hero. That was your only motivation and no one or anything was going to stand in your way. You were a sanctimonious, self-serving, cretin for what you did.”
“It you believe that, then why am I here?”
“To see yourself for who you really are. You deserve that more than death. You’ll go with me to take a look at reality, and perhaps that will start your journey of self-awareness.”
“Gregor, the ship has arrived.”
“Go ahead and get on board, Elena. Toren, are you ready?”
“I’ve already moved on board the ship.”
“Who said that?” Solo asked.
“It’s a member of my crew. I’ll introduce you once we’re on board. Follow me.” The large Insectoid followed Gregor through a port that appeared to be hovering about three-feet off the ground. They went to the small bridge and Gregor smiled, “I see you’ve got a chair for Solo.”
“It wasn’t easy. I had to get Gamgel to build one before coming back,” the computer replied. Solo looked up, but remained silent. “What’s wrong? I thought Insectoids liked to hear themselves talk?”
“Who are you?”
“I’m the ship’s computer and you are quite a surly Insectoid.”
“I don’t want to be here!”
“Tough, most don’t want to go out and face an enemy. However, I’m glad you’re the quiet type, we have enough here to fill our conversation needs.”
“What do you mean by that?!” Elena exclaimed.
“If the belt fits, tighten it up.”
Elena’s face turned red and Gregor interrupted them, “Is the box on board?”
“It is and Gamgel has made it easier to unload. It’s on the ceiling above the port and will swing out of the ship. It will also self-destruct once it completes the transfer.”
“Computer, I don’t want anything that can be scanned by the Greng!”
“Gregor, Gamgel says there won’t be an atom left behind to examine.”
Gregor nodded, “Where are the two-new-warships?”
“Sam and Leonidas took them out to the 440-filament to familiarize themselves with the systems. We’ll meet them there.”
“Where are we going first, Gregor?” Toren asked.
