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  "I understand your predicament your Majesty," Dickson said. "We are here to offer our support and assistance to hopefully end this crisis."

  King Raterc's face brightened. "I was praying that you would say that. Can you use your technology to make all of this stop?"

  "That would not be feasible, but we can help mediate. Have you been in contact with their President?" Dickson asked.

  "That's the worst part," the King said softly. "Rapheli is my cherished friend. He has been since we were children. Neither of us knows what's stirring this up. Every night on the news we hear of what they have done to us and they hear what we have done to them. When we check up on it, either nothing happened or it was blown out of proportion. By then it's too late.

  "I take it this Rapheli is the leader of your neighboring country?" Tosh asked.

  "That is correct."

  "Do you not control the media?" Hadaie chimed in.

  That brought a smile. "My father and I relaxed our controls long ago. We believed that a free flow of communication, even when critical, was good for our people. Even so, I closed our media outlets for a while, but underground stations and newspapers kept the flow of misinformation up. Neither Rapheli nor I know how to stop it."

  "What about your military, Your Majesty?" Hadaie asked again.

  "There I am caught," the King said. "I don't want a military at all, but I have to have one to ensure our borders and protect my people. What kind of king would I be if I just let my country be overrun?"

  "When did your military buildup start?"

  "About 40 years ago. We had some skirmishes along some of our borders, which killed a few people. Our border guards couldn't handle anything like that so my father and the president established security forces to look for these bandits. The raids escalated and so did the troops. Then there were some raids on our sea trade. We had to build a ship force to protect them. My father died in the middle of all this from the strain it imposed. Now I have over a million people carrying arms. It's a drain on my people and their resources. We had a lot of dreams once. Now they are gone," he said sadly.

  Dickson listened to the exchange. "Maybe not just yet," he said. "Did you notice anything about the raiders you encountered?"

  Raterc threw up his hands. "We never caught one. The dead ones kept their secrets."

  "What about the weapons they carried?" Tosh asked.

  "New ones, we had never seen before. That is one way we were able to improve our own."

  Hadaie looked to Dickson. "That would explain some of the technological advancements."

  Dickson nodded. "Indeed. I believe it is time we passed some information of our own." He turned to face the King again. "I'm sorry to ask all these questions of you your majesty, but we are also trying to better understand the situation. Did your father or grandfather tell you much about us?"

  The King gave a questioning look. "Aside from swearing me to secrecy for my lifetime, I was told of a great ship that cruised through the heavens. Great machines to do your bidding and a lasting friendship that I was told would return some day to us. I have kept that secret, like my father and grandfather," he said.

  Dickson smiles a reassuring smile at the King. "Then your time has come, Your Majesty. Would you care to accompany us?" he asked.

  To Raterc, it was the fulfillment of a dream he had held since his own father had told him about these people from another planet. He face shined and he almost leapt from his chair. "It would be my greatest pleasure. Where shall we go?"

  Inside the streamer room, the operator adjusted the instruments and began the materialization process. In a flurry of light he had grown accustomed to, the five appeared on the streamer pads. One of the people he had streamed up had a look of total surprise on his face. As ordered, as soon as the materialization process had stopped, the sound of ruffles and flourishes began and a line of officers detailed for the formal greeting came to attention in front of the pads and to the door. The officers were in full dress uniform and saluted as one. The king straightened and stepped down from the pad. He returned the salute.

  Raterc looked at the captain and smiled. "An unexpected honor, sir. I take it you are the captain of this ship."

  Dickson nodded. "Yes Your Majesty. Welcome aboard Earth Ship Lexington. Please forgive us for being reluctant to give our true titles, but we must use caution."

  "I fully understand," the King said looking around. "I never would believe half the stories my grandfather told me. But I see they are true," he said. Then he began touching himself all over. "And the way you get around! Fantastic."

  "I can see you will have a very pleasurable experience with us, Your Majesty," Tosh said from behind him.

  Raterc smiled at her. "That is an understatement."

  Dickson indicated the way. "Please follow me and I think I can show you something even more interesting."

  Dickson led the king and his crew down the corridor and to a pneumatic elevator. They entered and made the short trip to deck one. The pneumatic elevator opened to the Lexington bridge. They all entered and suddenly the King gasped. In the large floor to ceiling window at the front of the bridge was his planet, a blue and green ball floating in space. The King slowly made his way to the front of the bridge and gazed at his home. Tosh was smiling, sensing the wonderment enveloping her guest.

  "There is your world, Your Majesty," Dickson finally said, breaking the spell.

  "It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” he said slowly, “so peaceful, and beautiful. You would never know the conflict raging within," the King said wistfully.

  Dickson nodded. "One of the reasons I wanted to bring you here was to show you something we found up here." He turned to the watch officer. "Display the view from the shuttle."

  The view through the window changed to the opposite side of the world and the Amad Por seemed to fill the screen beside the planet. Two shuttles were in space surrounding the great ship, one coming from the planet and the other going to it. The ship seemed cold, dark and sinister.

  "What ship is that?" the king asked.

  "That is the same question we had when we arrived," the Captain said. "You didn't know this ship was in orbit around your planet?"

  King Raterc looked at Dickson with a quizzical look. "Not at all. What is it doing?"

  "It is commanded by a man named Levid. He's from a world a long way from yours and we believe he is the source of your problems."

  That caught the King's interest immediately. A scowl appeared on his face. "How so?"

  Dickson moved between the king and the image. "We believe he was the one who started helping your scientists get all those wonderful inventions over the last 50 years. He may also have been responsible for the raids which forced you and the other countries to begin your arms buildups."

  Raterc looked on in disbelief. "All from that ship?"

  Hadaie had assumed his position at the helmsman station. After checking his instruments, he joined in the briefing. "Your Majesty, we have learned over the years that there is a certain logical progression in the evolution of most civilizations. They follow a line of invention and growth much the same as other civilizations throughout the galaxy. When someone interferes with that evolution, the results often can lead to disaster, either socially, culturally or on a natural scale. We are seeing that here on your planet. There are no other civilizations with the capability to make such a change near you, except for the Alliance and Levid's planet. Since we know that no other Alliance vessel has been in this sector since we first made contact, then we must assume he is the cause."

  Raterc nodded. Somehow he knew that what they were telling him was true. Too much had been happening that was unexplained to be left to chance. Besides, these people obviously had nothing to lose in the matter.

  "It makes since," the King said. "Could it be that his planet is trying to conquer us by making us weaker through conflict?"

  Dickson shook his head. "We don't know that yet. I have sent one of our sm
aller craft to that planet to hopefully get some answers. It is our hope that this man, Levid, is working on his own."

  King Raterc gazed at the Amad Por thoughtfully. It was also hard to believe that one ship could manage all of that. Of course, he could not conceive of a space ship that travels to other stars either. How could he make sure?

  "Captain, this is most enlightening," the King said slowly. "But how can I stop a man with a ship and resources like that? You can do it easily with your ship, but what have I to fight with?"

  Dickson could almost feel the questions flowing from the king's mind. He detested the necessity of adding more, but this problem was like a Gordian knot. If you found the right thread, it could all unravel for you.

  "Our problem is that he has violated none of our laws since they are not members of our Alliance. And since you are also not a member, I am limited at what I can do. I also have the slight problem in that Levid has kidnapped two of my students who were examining a remote area of the planet. I must be very careful if I am to get them back," the Captain said.

  The realization struck the King like a fist. "My God. I am sorry. Where were they?"

  Hadaie anticipated the request and punched up the data so that it would appear on the viewscreen. The position was displayed in red overlaid on the continent. "They were located here on the planet's surface," he said.

  Raterc immediately recognized the position from the maps in his own office. "That is in Oreupen territory. I can't help much there, but I will gladly alert my people to watch for them if they escape. It is near our border."

  "Thank you," Dickson said. "But there may be other problems. We have been monitoring communications patterns. Levid is definitely controlling your communications and is working with people within the government of each nation."

  King Raterc's eyes widened. "Now there's a start. Who are they?"

  "We don't know yet. But when we do, I will be more than happy to let you know. At that point, they will be in violation of your own laws and you are more than able to deal with them."

  "Indeed we are," the King said with some cheer. Then his expression changed again. "Now captain, I need to ask you a question that is most difficult."

  Dickson was surprised that the questions had not been more difficult already. The King had a very perceptive mind. "Please do. We are trying to be as open as we can."

  "Then captain, how do I know that you are not manipulating me. I see this ship on the television screen and I hear the things you are saying. Do I know it's real? No. Do you have the capability to manufacture all this?" he said waiving around him, “Definitely. For all I know, you may be the aggressors and this Levid trying to help. Do you see the predicament I am in?"

  Dickson nodded in agreement. "I do indeed. What can we do to ease your mind?"

  "It would help if I could see this ship first hand," the King said.

  Within a few moments Captain Dickson and King Raterc materialized onboard the shuttle. The two officers standing watch aboard greeted them.

  "This is a long range shuttle we used to make initial contact with Levid," Dickson said to the King. "We have kept it here to keep an eye on his activities. This is Lieutenant Parker and Ensign Johnson. They are on duty here." They all shook hands.

  "Delighted," the King said.

  Dickson ushered the King toward the forward end of the small craft. "You can see through the viewing windows that the ship is real."

  As he gazed out of the front of the craft, the King suddenly had a panoramic view of both the planet and Levid's ship. As before, there was activity around it. Yet it remained, black, almost like a stain on the blue atmosphere of his planet.

  Raterc was almost overwhelmed with both the sight and the information he was being inundated with. But seeing was believing. He nodded slowly. "I can indeed. What is that?" he asked pointing at one of the small shuttles.

  Lieutenant Parker offered his information. "That is a shuttle sir, coming back from the planet. I monitored a shipment of fissionable materials being taken down. They are not there now."

  "Fissionable materials?"

  "Materials to make your atomic weapons, Your Majesty," Dickson offered.

  Raterc turned towards the windows again. The realization was complete. "So he is the one."

  Dickson could see that the King had made up his mind. He decided to add one more nail to Levid's coffin. "Allow me to add one more piece of the puzzle." He turned to Johnson and ordered, “Open a channel to Levid's ship."

  Lieutenant Johnson went to the console and initiated the hailing frequencies. "Open sir."

  "Levid, this is Captain Dickson. We have been noticing a great deal of shuttle activity recently. May we ask what you are shipping?"

  Levid's rasping voice leered back over the distance. "It is none of your business, Dickson. I shall continue to do as I please and you will continue to stay out of it."

  "I understand. May I inquire as to the status of my two crewmen?"

  Levid almost giggled. "They are under my care at the moment. Although one of them had to be punished for resisting," Levid said almost nonchalantly. "You should learn not to meddle outside your station, Captain. When your betters tell you to do something, then do it with no question. The young man learned the hard way too. Any more interference and they will pay with their lives," he sneered, and then the communications were cut.

  Raterc could not understand such behavior. Anyone who could say things like this could easily do what Captain Dickson suggested. He looked at Dickson with a tired set of eyes. But behind them was a new determination. Now he knew. "Captain, now I understand fully. Please forgive me for not believing you."

  Despite all his responsibilities, Dickson knew that they were nearly nothing compared to the man standing opposite him. The decisions he had to make affected millions. He did not envy this monarch. "You are in a position of responsibility Your Majesty. I could expect nothing less. The question now remains, what do we do next?"

  The wheels of ideas were already churning in the King's head. Unlike some monarchs, Raterc was both highly educated and highly intelligent. He was a man who could easily project ideas to their conclusions in his head, following every available option to see which way it would lead. The decisions never came easy, but they were always the best of all the options.

  "I believe I can take care of much of this," the King said. "I assume this Levid is listening into our communications?"

  "He is definitely listening into yours on the planet. We don't think he can hear our communications however."

  Raterc nodded. "That is very helpful. Now, can you help me place a telephone call?"

  Chapter 8

  Helping Hands

  It had taken Mike nearly an hour to regain a level of consciousness once Rokka got him into the house. The big man had taken him up to an upstairs bedroom and gently laid him on a spare bed. Shala had gone to her cellar and brought up a large jar with a thick white liquid in it.

  First, they carefully pulled the remains of Mike’s clothes from the wounds and laid them aside. She noticed a small gold necklace around his neck with an object hanging from it and carefully laid it aside as well. Mike's glasses were bent, but Shala placed them on a small table for him to get later. There was an object attached to his collar. Jo told them it was important and so they removed it and placed it with the other things. Eventually Mike lay naked before them. After gently cleaning the wounds with water, she began to pour the white liquid onto the wounds and carefully rub the liquid into the damaged and scarred flesh. When the liquid disappeared, she covered it lightly with clean bandages that Rokka had made from cotton-like cloth.

  When Mike's eyes fluttered open, Shala placed a hand on his already bandaged shoulder to keep him still.

  "Shhhhhh. This will help your wounds heal," she said softly.

  He lay still for a moment then jerked slightly when she poured more of the liquid on his back.

  "Ahhh! It's cold," he said in a sluggish voice. Shala looked
down and saw the smile on his face. This is a good boy, she thought. What a shame that Brana and his thugs should harm such good boys. Shala smiled back at him and continued her work.

  Jo had been downstairs changing into some clothing Rokka had gotten for her. She appeared at the stairs and heard Mike speak. Then she saw Shala pour more of the liquid on him.

  "What is that?" she asked.

  "It's medicine that my wife has prepared," Rokka said to her gently. "She was known as a healer in our town. She knows the old remedies and cures."

  Mike turned his head to look at them. Through all the cuts and bruises, his smile was clear as ever. "You don't know how much that is helping. I can hardly feel the cuts anymore," he said.

  Shala smiled confidently. "It has the herbs to kill pain. Also the ways I developed to heal the skin quickly," she said. She reached beside her and took out one last bandage and placed it gently over the final wound on his back. Then she sat back and admired her work. "There. We must keep these bandages over your wounds till they heal."

  Mike's eyes were getting heavy. He found himself fighting to stay awake. His head eased onto the pillow. "It feels so much... bettt..." he slowly said as he drifted to sleep.

  Jo began to panic. "What's the matter? Mike!!!"

  Shala prevented her from shaking him. "No, no! Let him sleep. This cure will have him sleep at least until tomorrow. Almost nothing will wake him up. By that time his body will be much better," she said knowingly. Then she stood up and motioned to her. "Come child. Let's get to work."

  "Work?" Jo asked.

  Rokka nodded and started down the stairs. "Oh yes. You interrupted our daily schedule. We have a lot to do."

  Shala put her arm around Jo's shoulders. "I know you have just arrived, but if you will be with us, you must do your share as well. You can help me with the cooking and the milking and the gathering. Rokka, I believe you were in the garden," she called out to him.