by Saxon Andrew
Jon slowly shook his head, “We’re going to be adopted by families that will be highly insulted if we refuse to take their last names.” He thought a moment and said, “Gee will be our middle name.”
Tegen and Dern looked at each other and put their hands out on top of each other. Jon added his and said, “Tegen-Gee, Dern Gee, and Jon Gee, three brothers that will never lose their love and connection with each other. Are you ready to begin our quest?”
“WE ARE!”
Tegen said, “You know they’re watching us and recording what we’re doing.”
“I do. I don’t know why, but we frighten them very much. That warrior superintendent was put here to make sure we’re monitored. Beginning tomorrow we will only communicate with spoken words. We’ll need to hide our link and make them think we’ve lost it.”
Dern shook his head, “That’s not going to be easy.”
“It’ll be easier than you think. Just make sure you ask for my okra at the table instead of just taking it and everything else will be easy. Over the next few weeks we need to look at each other and act like we didn’t understand each other’s thoughts.” They laughed and Jon said, “We’ll do this for three months and then I’ll ask about being given a family. Once I leave, you won’t remain here long.”
The three kept their hands in the center and Jon said, “We will come together again.”
• • •
Three months later, Jon approached the Superintendent and asked about the possibility of being adopted. The Superintendent was a former White Warrior that had retired from the military and he said, “We tried to do that when you were really young and the three of you went into hysterics whenever we tried.”
Jon looked sad, “My brothers and I have been linked mentally where we could hear each other’s thoughts. Whatever linked us has been slowly fading and now I can no longer hear them. I’ve begun wishing I had a family of my own species. I miss not having a mother and father.”
“I’ll check into it.”
• • •
A month later Dern said, “Jon, what was the date of the founding of the Bristone Empire?”
Jon looked up from his test booklet and said, “It was…” and then he stopped. “Dern, link with me now.” They linked and Jon said, “Tegen, join us.” Tegen linked in and Jon said, “Dern, have you answered any of Tegen’s questions during this test?”
Tegen said, “He told me when the two royal families were united to form the Bristone Realm.”
“Have you written that answer down?”
“Not yet. I read the test before I started answering the questions. What’s going on?”
“They’re testing us to see if we still have a mental connection. The dates you’re asking about were never mentioned in any of your classes. However, they were mentioned in one of the other two’s classes. If you get them right, they’ll know we’re still connected.”
Jon continued filling out his test and thought to the others, “You know what to do.”
The link was broken and Jon found a question that he didn’t know how to answer, but saw that Dern had been covered on it in his class. He smiled and put a wild guess in the answer space.
• • •
The Superintendent looked at the three tests and said, “They all missed the critical questions. They were close in estimating the dates but their answers were wrong.”
The Admiral looked at the former White Warrior on his display and asked, “Is that significant?”
“We’ve tested them more than eight times over the last four weeks and they have correctly answered every question except the ones not covered.”
“That wouldn’t prove that they aren’t still linked.”
“They have never missed the answer to a question before these tests; these are the first times this has happened.”
“That still doesn’t prove anything.”
“All three of them complained to the test administrator after the exam that some of the material was not covered in class. They have always taken pride in their good grades.”
The Admiral thought about it and said, “Do you think they figured out what we were doing?”
“They’re ten years old. According to every test we’ve given them, they are at their age level in every maturity measurement we’ve taken. Seeing the subtlety of this requires a cynical adult way of thinking. I don’t think they have that in them.”
The Admiral looked at the Superintendent and said, “You’ve had all the recordings of their behavior examined?”
“We even had the Cats view them. If there’s still a link, no one can see anything in their behavior that would indicate it still exists.”
“I’m just worried about what might happen if we’re wrong.”
The Superintendent leaned back in his chair and said, “I would think you would want to separate them even if they had a link.”
The Admiral thought about the observation and slowly nodded, “You’re right. We need to place them in families that understand the importance of who they’re accepting into their homes.”
“That is something you’ll have to determine. I think my job here is done.”
The Admiral smiled, “Thank you for accepting this assignment. I know you’ve been forced to delay your retirement and we appreciate your help.”
The White Warrior smiled, “You know my life is dedicated to the Realm. Let me know if you need me again.”
“I will.”
Chapter Two
Lady Cassandra Gardner looked at her cousin on her display and shook her head, “You can’t do this! You are in line for the throne.”
“You know that will never happen.”
“It will if the Royal Family doesn’t have a child.”
“They’re younger than us and have many years to start a family.”
“Even so, this is not something you should even think about. This decision will have a major impact on the secession.”
Duchess Sarah Robbins stared at her cousin and said, “Cassie, you have a daughter. Robert and I have been unable to have children. I am not going to continue the loneliness we’ve endured over not having a family. I will adopt this child and nothing you say will prevent it.”
“I can get the King and Queen to stop it.”
“Be my guest; have at it.”
“And if they order you not to do it?”
“We will abdicate our titles and adopt this child anyway.”
“That will certainly lead to a rebellion among the Bristone Planets. You know they’ll never accept that. You are the designated family.”
Sarah slowly shook her head and said, “Cassie, I know you lost George years ago and you still miss him. What would your life be like without Juliette in it?”
Cassie struggled but Sarah could see her expression give away the answer, “What ifs don’t change reality. You can’t adopt a child that has no Royalty.”
Sarah smiled, “We can and we are. Do what you have to do.”
Cassandra’s display went dark and she pounded her fists on her desk. She knew that if Sarah didn’t have a child, Juliette would be the next in line for the throne. She couldn’t allow this common child to enter the line of secession ahead of her.
She fell back in her chair and thought about what she could do to stop it. The Royal Family would not stop them; Sarah knew that was an idle threat. But sometimes accidents happened. She thought about it and decided that an opportunity would eventually present itself and she would have to be ready to act. She knew the child would be protected in the Dukes territory and after an hour she placed a call to her cousin. The Admiral appeared on her display and she said, “Jim, I need your help.”
Jim narrowed his eyes and listened. Finally, he said, “I’ll do my best to assist you, but you will need to pay a price for my involvement.”
Cassandra thought, “Here it comes.”
Cassandra tilted her head to the left and Jim said, “Your daughter is going to need a husband. My son is
a year older and would be a fine choice for her.”
Cassandra thought about it. Jim was a sixth or seventh cousin so he was not a close relative. The boy was handsome. She looked at Jim and said, “I believe he would.”
Jim smiled and the display went dark.
Cassandra was thankful that the members of the Royal Family had lost their psychic abilities centuries earlier. It wouldn’t be good for anyone to be able to see her thoughts; especially Juliette.
• • •
Jon sat and waited in the Superintendent’s office. He thought that he would have been the first one to be adopted but Dern and Tegen were placed immediately. They departed more than three months earlier, leaving Jon behind at the orphanage. They assured him every day that he was going to have a family and to just be patient. Jon wondered why Humans were not as willing to take him as the Cainth and Glod were for his brothers.
However, he was told that his new family was coming to take him to his new home today. He wondered what they were going to be like. He didn’t remember his mother, but something inside him still felt the love she had for him. He sighed and knew he would never have anyone to love him like that and wished the universe had not dealt him such a rotten hand.
The Superintendent entered the room followed by a young woman with red hair and a man with strikingly blonde hair. Jon stood as the superintendent said, “Jon, this is Sarah and Robert Robbins. They have petitioned the crown to be allowed to adopt you and have been approved.” The Superintendent looked around and said, “I’ll be outside if you need me.” He looked at Jon and stepped outside.
Sarah came forward and gave Jon a huge hug, “It’s good to finally meet you.”
Jon hugged her and said, “Finally?”
“We’ve been working to bring you into our family for months. The red tape was enormous and the approval process was filled with time consuming paperwork and interviews.”
Sarah released Jon and he walked over to the man and stuck out his hand. The man smiled and pulled Jon into an embrace, “Welcome to our family, Son.”
Jon felt his enthusiasm and returned his hug. Robert released Jon and Jon sat down, “Why did it take so long?”
Robert looked at Sarah and then said, “We have a lot of rules that control things we do.”
“What kind of rules?”
Sarah smiled and said, “That’s not important now. What’s the most important thing is that we have a son and you have parents that love you. Will you come and live with us, Jon? We won’t force you to go if you don’t want. We have so looked forward to finally meeting you.”
Jon stared into the woman’s eyes and saw her anguish at the possibility he would say no. “If you’ll have me, I would love to be a part of your family.”
Sarah and Robert picked the ten your old up and both of them hugged him tightly. Jon finally said, “What’s my last name going to be?”
Sarah said, “Robbins.”
Jon thought a moment and said, “Jon Gee Robbins. It has a nice ring to it.” Jon paused and then said, “Isn’t the Queen’s maiden name Robbins?”
Robert said quickly, “It is and it’s a very popular name.”
Jon smiled and they left the room. Robert activated his wrist unit. The three of them were teleported up to a starship in orbit. Jon sat in the cabin with the Robbins asking questions and never saw the fleet of warships surrounding their private ship. It was only when they teleported down to the giant structure in the center of Ross that he discovered his world had undergone a massive change. His new parents were the direct descendants of the Gardners and Robbins. They were the Ruling Royal Couple on the former capital of the Stars Realm and lived in Castle Gardner. He panicked but knew it was too late to turn back. He could feel the happiness of his new parents and he was unwilling to put them through the trauma of deciding not to stay. He just didn’t want the constant surveillance of being a member of the Duke’s family. However, the love he felt from his new parents made everything that followed worth it.
• • •
Fourteen year old Jon Robbins faced his fencing instructor with trepidation. Turgk had a long fencing foil in his hand and was moving it effortlessly through the air. Jon watched his motions and said, “Why exactly am I being taught this?”
Turgk smiled, “It teaches one the ability to control their movements and learn the self-discipline of making your body respond to what your mind directs.”
Jon stared at Turgk and said, “What’s the real reason?”
Turgk straightened up and said, “All royal family members are expected to know how to handle a sword.”
“For crying out loud; why?”
“Whoever is king or Queen may have to knight somebody with a sword and it would be embarrassing to stab the honoree during the ceremony.”
Jon straightened up and said, “Well then, we can just forego this. There’s no chance I’ll ever have to do that.”
Turgk knew that the Duchess had decreed that Jon would not be told he was in the line of secession. He shrugged and smiled, “Everyone in the galaxy may be killed and you’re the only one remaining.” Jon lowered his head and pursed his lips. Turgk said, “Besides, I earn my pay doing this and I’m not going to lose my job because you’re lazy.”
“I’m not lazy. I just see no need for learning such an ancient art. Do the armored warriors carry swords?” Turgk shook his head. “There’s the answer. Teach me to fire a laser.”
“That comes later; for now; the sword. Now do your stretches.”
Jon began doing bends and stretched out his arms. “Jon.”
Jon was startled by the interruption in his thoughts and thought, “Yes, Dern.”
“The sword training is one of the main reasons we had to separate.”
Jon stopped in the middle of a leg lift and thought, “What?”
“Tegen, are you listening to this?”
“I am.”
Dern said, “Jon, link for a moment and see if you can understand what I’m feeling.”
The three linked as Jon continued doing his stretches and he suddenly stopped. Dern was right. “When did you discover this?”
“At this moment; I saw your reluctance to take the lessons and it rushed up into my consciousness. Tegen and I have trained in the use of swords for more than three years.”
Tegen thought, “Both of our cultures have long histories of the importance of swords in our societies. Every member of our societies is expected to learn the art of fencing.”
Turgk said, “Come on; if you aren’t loose now, you’ll never be.”
“I’ll get back to you two later.” Jon straightened and said, “Where do we start?”
Turgk handed Jon a fencing sword and said, “I want you to…” Turgk’s com buzzed and he looked at it. “Yes.”
“I would like to join you if you can work me in.”
“This is just the first lesson for Jon. You’re much further along than my pupil.”
“I don’t want to lose my skill. I can use the footwork training.”
“What are you doing here?”
“My mom has stopped by to see the Duchess.”
“Come on up.”
Jon looked at Turgk and he said, “Lady Gardner has asked to join us.”
“Why?”
“She’s dragged around the galaxy by her mother and doesn’t get much sword time.”
The door opened and Jon saw a young girl enter wearing a fencing outfit that was emerald green. She was extraordinarily beautiful. Her blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail and she moved like she was weightless. Turgk said, “Jon Robbins, this is Lady Juliette Gardner.”
Juliette smiled and said, “I won’t get in the way. I can use the time going over my early lessons.”
Jon smiled and said, “You’re welcome to join us. Maybe you can keep Turgk occupied while I fall over my feet.”
Juliette giggled and said, “It’s not as hard as you think.”
Turgk said, “As soon as you two finish was
ting my time, we’ll start.”
Jon was startled and he said, “What do I need to do?”
“I want you to assume an En Guarde position like this.” Jon looked at Turgk and tried to assume the posture he demonstrated. He noticed that Juliette moved to the position easily and was a mirror image of Turgk. “Hold it right there.” Turgk adjusted the hand holding the sword and said, “Now hold that position and follow me as I move.”
Juliette assumed a position beside Turgk and looked straight ahead. Jon saw Turgk move to the left by side stepping smoothly over his feet while maintaining his posture. His sword tip didn’t lower or rise during the quick steps. Jon stumbled and Turgk tapped him on his head with the tip of his sword. “Keep your eyes up.”
“How am I going to see how you move your feet?”
“Don’t try to move like me. You’ll find your own way to move. Keep your eyes forward and your sword in position.”
Jon said, “Will you do one thing for me?”
“What is that?”
“Will you just move around demonstrating what you want me to learn so I can have an idea of what you want me to do?”
Turgk smiled and the short Cainth said, “Just once. Would you like to join me Juliette?”
Juliette smiled, “Yes.”
The Cainth Warrior and Juliette moved around the room moving side to side and forward and backwards. Their feet moved in rhythm and they were smooth and exact in their motions. Jon felt them. He could sense the rhythm of their motions and it was like a dance. He moved in beside Turgk and began mirroring their moves. Turgk was surprised at what Jon was doing, but he picked up the pace and the young human moved smoothly with him. He decided to start moving in the footwork of a duel and the pace became faster and unpredictable. Soon Juliette stumbled and stepped away from the two continuing to move around the fencing room.
She was amazed at how Jon moved and was an exact mirror image of Turgk. She was not this far along in her training and she wondered how long the young boy had been training. Suddenly Turgk stopped and stared at Jon. Jon waited and finally said, “What?”
Turgk said, “Your mother told me that this was your first lesson.”
