The Warrior's Destiny (The Annihilation Saga Book 2)

by Saxon Andrew

  Seedel sneered, “Such as?”

  “My parents were Sprig and Twig. You know what they did.” Sprigly’s branches turned brown instantly and Root remarked, “Yes, you and I are brothers. You came out of the golden soil several thousand years after me.”

  “Why is it I never heard of you?”

  “I’ve spent my life carrying out the orders of the Senior Elders. Our parents were the ones that assigned my earliest missions and all of them were outside the Empire.”

  “So, you’re a tool of the current Senior Elder!?” Seedel sneered as her leaves turned bright red in anger.

  Root turned to her, “Quite frankly, I’d kill him on the spot given the opportunity. He is responsible for the death taking place in our galaxy at this moment.”

  Seedel’s leaves began changing back to green as her anger subsided, “Then if the Senior didn’t send you, why are you here?”

  “Something has happened to me and I want Queen Danielle to help me understand it.”

  “What’s happened to you?” Sprigly asked.

  Root turned to him, “I united with one of the Dark Energy Creatures and our minds are now one mind. My brain is now a hybrid of our species and the creature’s.” Sprigly and Seedel’s branches dropped in shock as Root raised his branches and said, “I believe she might know why this happened.”

  They stared at Root for a very long moment and Sprigly extended one of his branches, “I wouldn’t do that!” Root cautioned him. Sprigly quickly withdrew his branch as Root continued, “My struggle to kill the creature lasted more than a month, and, at the end, the only thing left I could do was to unite my mind with the creature’s in hopes that it would lose itself in the process. Making direct contact with me could cause you severe damage. I’m still learning how to control the tasting part of the creature.”

  “Why did you do such a thing?!” Seedel asked. “No member of our species has ever united with another species!”

  Root raised his branches again, “I was somewhat angry at the moment; I was enraged at the death the creature was causing on the planet I was ordered to defend. I was prevented from using telepathy but no one told me I couldn’t make direct contact. So, I did the only option open to me; I extended a branch into the creature as it was killing all life in the Kelt’s capital city.”

  Sprigly stared at Root and finally managed to say, “I understand.”

  “I did manage to convince the Kelts to launch colony ships but only twenty-percent of their population escaped. I heard the screams of those being killed in the city and life didn’t hold much meaning for me. I touched the creature’s surface and attacked its mind.”

  Sprigly looked at Seedel as he asked Root, “Are you saying that your mind is now composed of your memories and the memories of that creature?”

  “No, I’m not saying that.”

  “Then what?” Sprigly pressed.

  “My mind and the creature’s mind have melded into a single consciousness. The creature and I have identical hybrid-brains and we are connected to each other wherever we are.”

  “I don’t understand?”

  Root turned to Seedel, “My mind is currently here AND simultaneously in the creature.”

  Sprigly and Seedel were silent and finally, Sprigly asked, “Where is the creature?”

  “It’s in orbit above Kelt preventing any other creatures from coming and killing any more inhabitants.”

  Seedel stared at him and then shook her branches in wonder as she asked, “Are you serious?”

  “I am. If you want, I’ll show you telepathically.”

  “That would draw the creatures here to Ross.”

  “Not if you focus your thoughts on me. I’ve used telepathy several times and have not been detected by the creatures.”

  Sprigly looked at Seedel and said, “I should do this alone.” Seedel nodded. Sprigly turned to Root and made mental contact.

  Seedel looked up, “Alex, are you hearing this?”

  “I am and I’m recording your conversation.”

  “What do you think?”

  “This is…I honestly don’t know how to describe this. It’s…impossible.”

  “Have you told the Gardners what’s going on?”

  “I’ve been too shocked to know how to tell them.”

  “Just play our conversation.”

  “I’ll get back to you,” the computer replied.

  • • •

  “Uhhh, Danielle, Tag?”

  “Yes, Alex.”

  “Something odd is happening with that Algean.”

  Danielle’s eyebrows came together, “What do you mean?”

  “I honestly don’t know how to explain it. Seedel suggested I just play their conversation.”

  “WELL, PLAY IT!!”

  “Ok, ok!” The monitor illuminated as Tag and Danielle turned to it and listened to what was being said.

  • • •

  Sprigly was instantly, mentally transported to the creature’s mind above Kelt. He was frightened but heard Root say, “I’m here.”

  “But…”

  “I’m also present on the warship with your mate.”

  “How is this possible?”

  “I don’t know, Sprigly. I’m hoping Danielle can tell me what’s happening.”

  “Why are all those creatures gathering?”

  “It appears they have sensed that something has changed in me.”

  “You’re talking about the you that’s here in this creature?”

  “Actually, we are both present. The creature and I are the same being now.”

  “What are they going to do?”

  “I’m hoping they do nothing. I’ve claimed this planet and no other DEC can violate my possession.”

  “If that’s the case, why are they gathering?”

  “They’re very worried about me.”

  “What.”

  “Sprigly, these creatures are extremely simple minded but they do possess one emotion that all of them feel.”

  “What is that?”

  “Love, they all love each other and they’re worried about me.”

  • • •

  The recording of Sprigly and Seedel’s conversation with Root ended and Tag’s was feeling somber as he turned to Danielle. He saw her holding her head in her hands and softly weeping. He jumped up from his chair and rushed to her taking her hands in his, “What’s wrong? Why are you crying.”

  Danielle fell into his arms and started weeping in earnest. He held her, while stroking her hair. She kept saying, “It was there all the time and we never saw it. Oh, Tag, we didn’t see it.”

  Tag felt her pain and wondered what he was missing. He looked up, “Alex, bring them here.”

  • • •

  Seedel was starting to worry, when she heard, “Seedel, Danielle has asked that you bring the Algean to her.”

  Seedel thought, “Sprigly.”

  Instantly, Root and Sprigly were back on the Prime. Sprigly shook his branches, “Yes.”

  “Queen Danielle has asked us to come to the Kosiev.”

  Sprigly went to the controls and sighed, “I see you are not a danger, Root. I’ll take you to Queen Danielle and I want you to know that I’m very proud to be your brother.”

  Root’s branches turned brilliant green, “Thank you, Brother.” The creature above Kelt pulsed a bright light at that exact moment showing its happiness.

  Chapter Eleven

  Danielle finally managed to get her emotions under control and whispered, “I’m ok. I’m ok, Tag.” She raised her head and saw Tag staring intently into her eyes. She exhaled softy and Tag said, “Sprigly is bringing the Algean here. What’s going on, Danielle?”

  Danielle inhaled and blew out another breath and said softly, “You know we’ve been saying that the answer to the DECs was right in front of us and we weren’t seeing it?” Tag nodded. “We’ve missed the evidence all along, when it’s been right in front of our eyes.”

  “I don’t underst
and.” Tag replied softly.

  Danielle slapped the arm of her chair in frustration as she continued, “Tag, what things are you unable to see?!”

  Tag thought for a moment and answered, “I can’t see events caused by creation.”

  “We never seem to see them as they happen but we have seen the aftermath of many events in the past that Creation made happen, Right?” Tag nodded. “That is where the answer was hiding all along.” Tag thought about what she was saying as Danielle took another deep breath. “Do you remember how the final evil civilizations in our universe were defeated?”

  Tag’s eyes narrowed and he answered, “Pixie led them to the Hornet’s galaxy and they were destroyed by the Hornets.”

  “And when Dahlia’s universe was under attack by the evil civilizations there and by the Blue Ships coming in from another universe…”

  “We moved the Hornet’s Galaxy to Dahlia’s Universe.”

  “Remember we almost decided not to move the Hornets because it would cause the death of Dahlia’s civilization as well.” Tag nodded. “Why did we go ahead and move it?”

  Tag quickly answered, “Because we felt Creation demanded we do it. We decided that Creation would find a way to save Dahlia’s people.”

  Danielle nodded, “We later discovered that Dahlia was a critical part of the Hornet’s evolutionary development; they had to be moved there to continue their growth. It was only after the fact, that we made that discovery. We couldn’t see it while we were in the middle of the crisis.”

  “But what do the Hornets have to do with these creatures?”

  “Tag, Creation makes the tools needed to protect life. The Hornets are a tool of Creation.”

  “But…”

  “What other tools have been created?” Danielle interrupted.

  Tag hesitated and thought for a moment before answering, “Well, we are a tool.”

  “And what other tool is here?”

  Tag started shaking his head, “I don’t know what you mean. We’re the only tool I’m aware of.”

  Danielle lowered her eyes before continuing, “Ask yourself, why did Creation send Eyes to warn the Algeans about what was coming?” Tag stared at her and then his eyes opened wide. Danielle nodded, “That’s right, Tag; you see it now! The Algeans are a tool of Creation but they never recognized it. Truth be told, we didn’t see it either. The Algeans felt an overwhelming urge to defend life but didn’t understand where that came from or why they couldn’t stop defending the civilizations in their galaxy. They thought it was due to their guilt during their early history at destroying thousands of civilizations in their galaxy, but it was more than that. Just like Dahlia, we were critical to stopping the Algeans from destroying intelligent civilizations during our first war with them. Now, the Algeans are critical to stopping the DECs from destroying life in our universe.”

  “You need to tell the Algean, Danielle!”

  “No, we must not do that!”

  “Why not?!” Tag asked loudly. “They have to know!”

  “What happens when you try to interfere in a creational event, Tag?” Tag stared at her in confusion and Danielle repeated, “What happens?!”

  “The fallout is often deadly. More harm takes place because of interference,” Tag replied.

  Danielle nodded, “We must sit back and allow this to happen naturally according to Creation’s plan.”

  Just then, Sprigly and Seedel walked on the bridge with another Algean right behind them. Danielle looked at Tag, “Let me handle this.” Tag nodded.

  • • •

  Sprigly stepped forward and bowed, “Queen Gardner, this is my older brother, Root; he is a seed from Sprig and Twig. He wishes to discuss something that has happened to him.”

  Danielle smiled and bowed her head slightly, “Welcome to our vessel, Root. How may I be of service?”

  “Are you aware of the conversation I’ve had with Sprigly and his mate?”

  “I am.”

  “I’m hoping your wisdom will help me to understand what happened to me. This has never happened before in our long history.”

  Danielle lowered her eyes, “I’m afraid I don’t have an answer to your question, Root. We are amazed at what we heard but don’t really understand what’s going on.”

  Root’s branches dropped and his leaves turned light brown. Suddenly, his branches jerked up. He thought where everyone could hear, “My twin is being approached by a large cloud of DECs.”

  Root’s mind went to his twin and Sprigly immediately made contact telepathically. Danielle, Tag, and Seedel made mental contact with Sprigly and saw a vision of a giant cloud of DECs moving toward them.

  • • •

  The twin thought, “NO CLOSER! STOP!” The giant cloud stopped and surrounded the planet at a distance. “This mine!” the Twin thought forcefully.

  A giant DEC moved away from the cloud and moved in on the Twin. It was the largest Dark Energy Creature ever seen by the ones watching what was happening. “Why here, Father?”

  It was clear that this DEC was the oldest member of their species. “Worried.”

  “Why?”

  “You change.”

  Root heard the Elder and felt his concern. “No worry,” the Twin replied.

  “You change!” the Elder said with more force.

  “Me fine.”

  “YOU CHANGE!” The creature part of his brain made it clear to Root that not being honest with the DEC Elder was not an option. “What change you?” the Elder demanded. The twin was silent and the Elder thought, “You not tasting planet. What change you?”

  “Tasting planet is wrong.”

  “What is…wrong?”

  “Can’t explain.”

  “Why?”

  “You not understand.”

  “Show me now!” The Elder demanded. The twin was silent and the Elder said, “What made change?”

  Root hesitated and saw the giant cloud start moving closer. He said, “I join another.”

  “Another?”

  “Another being; showed me wrong.”

  “Show me.”

  Root hesitated and felt the creature part of his brain telling him they had to comply. He opened his mind and entered the Elder’s simple mind telepathically through the creature part of his brain. The Elder immediately lost consciousness. The cloud began moving at high speed toward the planet and the twin shouted, “STAY AWAY!!” The cloud suddenly backed off at the strength of the thought but continued to swirl above Kelt. After a few moments, the Elder regained consciousness. “Not understand wrong?”

  “Understand why,” the twin replied.

  The Elder remained directly in front of the twin and asked, “Why not understand?”

  “Mind not able.”

  The Elder was silent and the cloud began slowing down. During the mental contact, the Elder’s mind received a massive wave of images, thoughts, and feelings it had never experienced in its long life. He was quickly losing what he felt and, after the images had completely disappeared from his mind, the Elder decided, “I want change.”

  The twin was stunned by the comment and said, “Change is not…”

  “I WANT CHANGE NOW!!!”

  “Why?”

  “I see something. Want to see again.”

  “Elder, change painful.”

  “I want change!”

  The twin stared at the Giant Elder and finally answered, “Will try. Two-things you do.”

  “What?”

  “Stop all tasting.”

  “Why?”

  “You understand after change.”

  “And?”

  “None come close to planet.”

  “Will do.”

  “It takes time to ready.”

  “I wait here.”

  • • •

  Root shook his branches and the contact was broken. He looked at Danielle, “I need a ship!”

  “Why?”

  “Go Holy Grove.” Root shook his branches, “I’m still s
tuck using simple terms the creatures can understand. I must go to the Holy Grove to confront the Senior Elder.”

  “For Creation’s sake, why?” Tag asked.

  “He will be the one to unite with the DEC Elder.”

  “Those creatures have killed trillions of beings!” Seedel said forcefully. “They should be exterminated.

  Root turned to her, “They don’t have a concept for killing, Seedel. They have nothing that corresponds to it in their existence. They are space dwelling creatures and have no understanding about how the physical universe around them functions.”

  “That’s crazy,” Tag interrupted.

  Root turned to Tag, “Have you ever walked through a meadow with blooming flowers and enjoyed the smell?”

  Tag was taken aback by the question and nodded, “Of course.”

  “Well, every step you took in that meadow damaged or killed the flowers you stepped on. Did that stop you from enjoying the smell?” Tag stared back at him and Root continued, “The DECs figuratively walk on a planet tasting it. They enjoy the sense and have no understanding of the damage they are causing. Their sense of taste corresponds to your sense of smell, taste, and all your other senses rolled into one. They are space creatures and have no contact with life on planets. As hard as it is to believe, they are innocents.”

  “So, you’re trying to tell me killing every intelligent being on a planet is just a walk in the park to them?” Tag said with dripping sarcasm.

  “That’s correct, King Gardner. When I united with my twin, its sorrow at learning what it had done caused it to try and kill itself. I stopped it because it can’t be blamed for what it didn’t know. Did you weep for the flowers you killed walking through those meadows, and have no doubt, you did kill some of them?”

  Tag stared at Root and lowered his head. Danielle asked, “What kind of ship do you need?”

  “One large enough to transport the Senior Elder.”

  Sprigly shook, ‘The Senior Elder is eighty-feet tall.”

  Root raised his branches in a shrug, “It will require a rather large ship.”

  “The Algean Senior Elder is not allowed to leave the Holy Grove,” Danielle interrupted.

  Root bowed slightly and said, “Your Majesty, he will go or I will kill him and take the Elder who replaces him.”