Chapter 16

Though Lady Sparks called repeatedly. I no longer responded at Timmo’s request. He said, “Nothing has changed. We will leave and return to our home.”

That’s what we did. No one disturbed our leaving though we still heard calls for us to communicate. We ignored them. We transitioned back to Comfort and then went to our homes after landing.

We have maintained our watch. There have been no incursions from Earth over the last just over two years. I hoped that good sense was now reigning or that they have searched for and found other places to settle.

Elena and I continue to be very happy and she has blessed us with a son. We named him, Marko after my father. He was growing strong and had my coloring.

Keeping a watch was justified since it just picked up the incursion of ships transitioning into our system. The were headed our way! Timmo gathered the same group of us to deal with the incoming ships.

Timmo had me at our radio. I called, “Unknown ships. This is the planet, Comfort. Stop your trajectory toward our planet and announce you intentions.”

The ships didn’t stop or slow. A smooth voice came through my speaker. “This is Ivan, Duke of Kiev. I represent Her Majesty, Czarina Katerina. Who is speaking?”

“I am Josh. I represent Timmo, the ‘elected’ leader of Comfort. Your ships have not stopped nor even slowed. They are in danger of being destroyed. This is your final warning.”

Timmo looked to Janna who nodded. I said, “Respond by taking the requested action or be considered an invading enemy.”

“We will not be dictated to by natives.”

I replied. “Very well. Good bye, Ivan.” I looked at Janna and said, “Only the lead ship.” Timmo nodded. That ship vanished.

Janna said quietly, “I transitioned it into the sun.”

I said, “Remaining ships, stop or slow. We do ‘not’ respond well to invaders.”

Janna said, “All four remaining ships are slowing noticeably.”

We heard, “Comfort, this Her Majesty’s Ship, Peter, Admiral Krakarov commanding. What happened to the Ivanov?”

“Sir, that was the lead ship with Ivan inside?”

“Yes.”

“You had been commanded to stop or slow. It didn’t so we removed it. You and your ships need to continue to slow or suffer the same fate. We do not tolerate invaders from earth or any other place.”

“We are not invaders but had been sent to take possession of the planets of this system as awarded to us by the United Empire’s governing body.”

I chuckled mirthlessly. I said, “This system is inhabited by a sentient species that has control over more powerful technology than we’ve seen on earth. We are not now nor will we be a possession of earth or any earth government. You are directed to return to earth and advise your government and all others of that fact.”

“We do not take orders from anyone outside our nation.”

“Very well, admiral. You will be sent back to earth. Good bye.”

Janna moved a control and the ships vanished. She said, “They are returned to earth’s solar system.”

Timmo said, “We will have to ready the Liberty for another trip to Earth’s solar system. One way or another, I would like to end this foolishness before our peoples are hurt.”

Less than a week later, we gathered together and left for Earth’s solar system. We transitioned into an orbit around Earth.

After ten minutes, we heard, “Unknown ship, identify yourself. This is Moscow Control.”

I said wearily, “Moscow Control, this is Free Ship Liberty from Comfort.”

“Liberty, this is Moscow Control. Stand by to be boarded.”

“Moscow Control from Liberty. We will not allow that. Contrarily, we can destroy any ships coming toward us. I suggest you rethink your attitude before it gets people from your planet killed.” I looked at Timmo and said, “They haven’t learned. We may have to teach a harsh lesson.”

Janna said, “There are six ships headed in our direction.”

Timmo said, “Let them get half way to us. If they haven’t backed off, transition them all into the location of Moscow Control.” She nodded and looked to her instruments.