Chapter 13

The next morning, Jim was on his way to the hospital when he heard a strange call. “I’m trying to reach a Captain Stock. I was there years ago when he and his family liquidated the Krong race.”

“I don’t go by that name anymore, not many know who I really am and I’d rather keep it that way,” Jim snapped annoyed that someone realized who he really was.

“I apologize Captain, but I’m afraid that you didn’t eliminate them all those years ago.” the man replied.

“WHAT!? You have to be joking! There was a count done afterward, three hundred eighty nine thousand ships, one world ship of all those they had one thousand carriers, five thousand cruisers and destroyers in support I think we destroyed them,” Jim said incredulously.

“No, Captain, that was about a third of their full force. I just returned from their space. They still had a force twice the size of what you destroyed,” the man said, almost whispering. “We have to meet. They have mind slaves everywhere. They thought this empire would be easy pickings. They didn’t realize that your tech was as advanced as it was. We have to meet. They want your tech and are prepared to destroy everything to get it.” A little shocked but wanting this information, Jim agreed, turning and walking away from the hospital. Jim didn’t see Mary enter from a path nearby.

Jim took a speeder to the place they had agreed upon. Getting out, Jim looked around, wondering what was going on. A man appeared a moment later and motioned for Jim to follow, entering an underground bunker. Jim wasn’t unprepared. The man stopped a moment later, turned and fired. Jim’s shields bounced the blast as if it were nothing. Really pissed off, Jim pulled a weapon, about to shoot the man, dropped his gun, and raised his large hands. “So I see the stories I heard are true. You have been improving your tech,” the man sighed.

Still pissed, Jim gripped his weapon tighter, “You have about thirty seconds, then you’re dead!” Jim yelled.

Smiling, the man sat, “I apologize, Captain. I had to make sure you weren’t one of the mind slaves. They would have let me destroy them.”

Holstering his weapon Jim looked the man over, he looked like a deep space freighter worker, dirty clothes, need of a shave, the smell of weeks of confinement. Shaking his head, Jim sat across from him still trying to take in everything the man had said so far. “Ok, so say I believe you, what do you expect me to do? It’d take weeks to refit the station.”

Sighing, the man held out a small video device, “I assume you saw the ships when they attacked your station? So you’d know if what I’m about to show you is real or not.” Jim nodded, taking the small com. “These were taken a few weeks ago, a week before our jump into the empire’s territory.” Jim watched the scene of thousands of the King’s beetle-shaped ships humming past on the screen. Jim was taken a moment back a few years ago when this was live.

“We have to warn the empire,” Jim started. The man just shook his head.

“No, they have had years to infiltrate the court. I am sure they have spies throughout it. They are no stronger than they were. They just have more, a lot more numbers, and that’s how they invade. I have to warn you: the last time you destroyed one of their queens, they were very upset about it. They have taken these years to increase their numbers. Instead of bringing the rest of their forces, they intend to take your station and all your tech. With it, they would be unstoppable.” The man was nervous, looking around every few seconds.

“We are protected, no one can hear us, there is a shield around this building,” Jim assured the man.

“Thank you, though I am probably dead after I leave here. I had to warn you that you were a good man back then, and I think you are now. As strong as your tech appears, they are really no match for you.” The man shook his head, “I don’t mind dying. I got to see the mighty race of the Krong afraid of just one man: you. I find that truly satisfying. Besides, if anyone can destroy them for real, it’s you.” With that, the man left and was gone almost as soon as he went around the corner.

Jim sat there for a few moments re-watching the video, damn it! After all these years, are those slimy bastards attacking again? Sighing, he was glad he’d worked all those years to get the station as advanced as he had. I guess he’d not be going home tonight. Across the city, Mary walked into the hospital, heading to her mother’s room. She saw the same man from before turn and walk the other way as fast as he could. Smiling, good, she thought, she didn’t feel like killing assholes right now. Walking in, the woman looked up from reading the comp screen in front of her.

“Ah! You’re awake, I had to get a few things I promised to give you if I ever found you, plus they are proof what I say is truth.” The woman nodded though still confused. Taking out two small boxes, Mary handed the first to the woman. Taking it she looked at Mary who only nodded and smiled, upon opening it tears of joy started to fall from her eyes.

“I was told if I ever found you, I was to give these to you. I don’t know what they are, so I haven’t a clue why she wanted me to give them to you.” The woman’s eyes, now full of tears, reached in, grasping the blanket with the Stock royal seal. Beneath, she found the necklace her husband had commissioned jewelry to make when the girls had been born. They also carried the royal seal. True to her word, she hadn’t told of the family’s secret, though she was the last one she knew.

“This was the blanket that Ann was laying on that night I put her and Mary asleep. This,” she said holding up the necklace, “was to be given to Ann when she reached twenty one.” Tears started anew as she realized that it had been so long since she’d seen either of the girls. Mary was shocked, these necklaces weren’t just for show they had royal significance but try as she could she’d never found out what it was.