I vanished from the planet and reappeared aboard the Tetrite ship. “Welcome my King,” the Captain said. “Thanks…do you know who they are yet?” “Yes, my King, they are the Zeelok of the Junock Empire.” “Comm. Officer, playback everything their ship captain has said so far.” She complied. I listened intently to the recording for a few minutes, and then I said, “Let me see and speak to them.” She quickly complied. I didn’t need an interpreter, because I could read the intent of the beings’ speech and quickly extrapolate their language in much the way the Tetrite learn languages, but much faster.
Glaring into the screen was a savage-looking, black leather-clad humanoid, with her arms folded over her voluptuous chest. “Hello, I’m King David of the Terreus Empire, what are your intentions?” “Our intentions are none of your concern,” she bellowed. “May I meet with you, so we can learn more about each other and possibly come to a mutually beneficial accord?” The ferocious, but attractive looking woman barked back at me, “There is no need to meet with you. You will remove all the trespassing beings from our territory or you all will be destroyed!” “Why are you being so hostile!? We had no idea that this planet was claimed by another Empire,” I said with a more assertive and somewhat irritated tone. “Prepare to be destroyed!” she growled. “Prepare to be boarded,” I countered.
I vanished and instantaneously appeared about two feet in front of the savage, glaring at her. She stumbled back plopping her butt down hard on the austere, bench-like Captain’s chair behind her. Several of the bridge crew (all women) lunged at me, slamming headlong into the mentally projected force shield I projected around myself. I looked down at them and smiled, and then still smiling I addressed the Captain. “I am King David, master of the universe, and King of the Terreus Empire. It is physically impossible for you to harm me in any way…so, you can continue trying to harm me, or we can cease our hostilities and talk.” Their attacks immediately resumed…punches, kicks…then knives were drawn and they proceeded to slash and stab at my force shield. Finally, weapons fire from energy pulse pistols. The energy danced across my force shield and was quickly absorbed, while I stood arms folded, confident with a mischievous grin on my face. The Captain ordered her bridge crew to stop the attack by holding her right fist above her head. Her bridge crew immediately and collectively ended their attacks. With anger on her face and in her voice, she tentatively agreed to talk.
I was led to a Spartan conference room where we sat on simple rustic metal benches and I was provided only warm water for refreshment. This species was not used to being cordial to visitors. I allowed Fleet Commander Dia Draco to explain why she was in this area of the galaxy and the position of her people in the hierarchy of the Junock Empire. Dia and her species looked human in every way and developed in another example of parallel evolution, but unlike the Tetrite, their physiology was so close to our own, that it was almost identical.
After several hours of conversation, she became more relaxed and began spilling her guts about the Junock Empire. All the species of the empire were under the direct rule of the Junock. They were virtual slaves to every whim of the Junock. She and her fleet had only two tasks. They were to expand the Junock Empire by force and destroy all trespassers that dared to enter the mighty Junock Empire’s territory. She was a member of a strong species, full of pride and technical expertise. They didn’t need the Junock and hated being subordinate to them. “Tell me more about the Junock Dia,” and she proceeded.
They are the product of a grand mistake. The species that spawned them genetically altered their progeny to be more muscular, intelligent and aggressive. Their experiment worked all too well. The altered seed of their species that they spread on a cluster of habitable planets near their homeworld quickly blossomed into a vicious Empire who, in time, destroyed their progenitors mercilessly. Hundreds of thousands of generations had passed and with each generation, the Empire expanded.
“Okay…I need two things from you, Captain Draco…first, I need to see a chart that demarcates the boundaries of the Junock Empire, and then I need you to set up a meeting between me and the Ruler of the Junock.” “Are you crazy? Do you want to die?” she questioned. “No, I’m not crazy, and I don’t believe they have the power to kill me.” She gave me a puzzled look, and then a moment later stood without speaking and lead me back to the ship’s bridge. “Navigation, project the boundaries of the Empire on the main screen,” she said.
Without a word or delay, the navigation officer complied. The Milky Way Galaxy loomed before me on the screen, with the stars of the Junock Empire clearly delineated in red. Their territory was vast covering a full 55% of the galaxy and touching my Empire on its right edge…from our current location. “Where is your Empire, King David?” she questioned. I stretched out my left hand toward the screen and the white stars turned blue in my portion of the galaxy. My 33% looked small compared to their 55% and left only 12% of our galaxy unexplored, and to the best of my knowledge, unclaimed. Upon seeing the extent of my Empire, Dia looked deeply into my eyes with a puzzled stare and then looked down for a moment of reflective contemplation. “Comm., open a channel, I want to speak to a member of the Junock Imperial Staff.”
Within moments Captain Draco, a prized and respected Fleet Commander was in direct communication with a member of the Junock Imperial staff. She briefly explained her situation, who I claimed to be and asked if I could have an audience with the Emperor. “No! Destroy him and the other trespassers, and expand our Empire.” Her reply was brief and compliant. “Understood…terminating communications.”
Then she turned to me, sighed deeply, and placed her hands on her voluptuous hips she said, “Can you defeat them?” A concerned look swept over my face. “I would rather develop a peaceful relationship with them…but yes, if peace is impossible, I can defeat them.” Dia stared down in contemplation for a moment, and then looked up. “My people hate the Junock, but we are forced to serve them. If you can’t defeat them, I must carry out my orders.” She stared at me for a long moment, then ordered a channel opened to her homeworld Commanding General. After a heated 20-minute conversation, Dia convinced her to contact the Zeelok Ruling Council.
The Commanding General contacted the Zeelok Ruling Council and explained that there may be a possibility of being freed from the Junock’s rule. She and Dia both knew that the Junock would never be willing to develop peaceful relations with my Empire, so if communication were opened between the two Empires war would be inevitable. They could use this opportunity to rebel, and regain their self-rule. The council was intrigued, but skeptical.
The matriarchal monarch of the council stood and spoke, “Can this being…I believe you called him, King David…really be as powerful as you’ve portrayed him to be? After all, he is a male…males are inferior and week.” “Yes Dominus, but Fleet Commander Draco is confident in this being’s abilities. I trust her judgment, and…with respect Dominus…the Junock rulers are men.” “This council will adjourn to reflect on this information and will reconvene tomorrow.” The General understood this as both an order to stay available and await their judgment, and that there was a possibility that her report and requests did not fall on deaf ears. The members of the council rose from their seats and left. The General retired to her room to await the councils’ ruling. She also contacted Dia to bring her up to speed about what had occurred in the council meeting.
After Dia had spoken to her Commanding General and while the General was in counsel with her leadership, I was making sure my people were safe. I first contacted the Captain of the Tetrite ship. I projected an opaque 3-dimensional figure of him before me. “Captain, maintain your current level of readiness.” “Is everything alright my King?” “Yes, but the celebration on the planet’s surface is over. Contact the shuttle pilots and have them prepare to shuttle everyone on the planet to their respective ships. Evacuate the planet and contact my wife and tell her that I’ll be with her soon, then stand by for further instructions.” “Understood my King, I’ll contact them immediately.” “Have my wife wait for me on the Pegasus. I’ll be their soon,” I said. I didn’t want to leave the Zeelok ship until everyone on the planet was safe aboard the ships. I didn’t know them well enough to trust them completely.
It took about an hour to get everyone aboard the ships. Once everyone was safe and my precious wife was aboard the Pegasus, I bid my farewell to Dia and told her that I and my wife would stay in orbit around the planet and await the Zeelok Council’s ruling. “Helm”, she said, “Put us in a parallel orbit with King David’s ship.” “As you command, Fleet Commander.” The ships of her fleet moved into an orbit about a quarter of a mile away and slightly behind the Pegasus. I bid my farewell to Fleet Commander Draco, sincerely reassuring her of my desire to free her people to add her world to the free worlds of the Terreus Empire. She looked at me quizzically…as if to say, right…I’ll believe it when I see it…but will appreciate it if it occurs? I smiled at her, “until tomorrow Dia.” “May you always have strength and courage in the face of your enemies, King David.” I smiled, and then vanished and appeared on the bridge of the Pegasus.
“Keesha…I’m home!” Keesha rushed out of a room down the corridor with a relieved, but worried look on her face. “Are you okay?” Astonished and perplexed, I answered, “Precious? I’m King David…indestructible Master of the universe…why do you insist on worrying about me?” “I know…I know, but I love you and I worry, I can’t help it,” she said. “I know, I’m sorry, I’ll try to just accept your gracious love and worry for the sweet wonderful thing it is,” I replied. “Good, now what’s happening?” She said. I proceeded to tell her about everything that had transpired and the reason why I sent our fleet back home and why we were staying behind to wait on the Zeelok Council’s decision. “These Zeelok seem to be using you to get rid of the Junock.” “I know precious, but just think about all the worlds and enslaved people of the Junock Empire. 55% of my galaxy is under the tyrannical rule of a genetically altered species that slaughtered their progenitors and enslave and slaughter beings indiscriminately. How could I live with myself if I allowed that to continue? I know they think they’re using me, but before I do anything, I’ll make sure the Zeelok know I’m acting on my own accord, and not in accordance with their manipulation,” I said. “Good, and your right, you should free them…all of them,” she agreed.
By the time I had finished telling Keesha about my day, it was time for bed. Keesha and I took our showers and then snuggled up in bed. We lay cuddling and talking for a few minutes, kissed goodnight then fell asleep. In the morning I woke to my precious Keesha kissing my chest and neck. She looked up into my eyes and smiled. She had woken in a frisky mood and I wasn’t about to disappoint her. We kissed and cuddled and made love, filling our morning with passion and mutual satisfaction. Then we showered and got ready for the day. We went to the galley and shared the task of preparing breakfast.
As we shared our meal the Zeelok Command Ship signaled us. I opened a comm. line… “Good morning.” “Good morning King David.” It was Dia. She explained that the council would support me if the Junock decided to declare war instead of opening a dialog. They would not, however, contact the Junock to arrange a meeting. They feared retribution for their failure to destroy me and my fleet. I agreed with their decision and told Dia to relay a message to the council. “I will escort my wife home then contact the Junock to arrange a meeting. If they fail to agree to the meeting, I will visit them unannounced.” I thanked her then explained that my decision was based on the needs of all the worlds and beings of the galaxy, not because it was what the Zeelok Council wanted. She hung her head in shamed understanding and then looked up with pride. The first smile I had ever seen gracing that beautiful face of hers. She knew I understood her ruling council’s subtle manipulation and she now understood my noble agenda and realized my intent.
Fleet Commander Draco bid us farewell and she and her fleet departed. As they departed, Keesha and I finished our meal and discussed what I had planned. “David, you know they’re going to tell you to drop dead. Why warn them that you’re coming? You should just pop in on them.” “No precious…even though you’re completely right about the outcome of my contacting them, I still think trying to talk first is the right thing to do. If they won’t listen, I’ll just pop over there and explain my position with additional firm resolve,” I said and she replied, “Yah right…firm resolve…you’ll tell them what to do, and if they don’t do what you want, you’ll crush them like bugs.” “Precious!” I exclaimed. “You make me sound like some kind of a monster.” “Yep, my monster…I know you’ll always do the right thing, and if that means that you have to be a monster for a few minutes, then so be it,” she said. “Huh…okay, but try to think of another way of describing my…violent indulgences through necessity, while I’m gone.” Keesha, realizing that she hurt my feelings said, “Okay, your right, I could have said it a little more eloquently.” “I’m sorry for being so sensitive precious, but I keep hearing that old adage over and over in my head. ‘Absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ I never want to stumble down that road.” “You won’t, you’re the best person in the universe. I’ll see you when you get home from taking over the rest of the galaxy,” she teased. My eyes opened wide and my mouth dropped open, and then I smiled. I knew she was joking and telling the truth simultaneously. She smiled back mischievously, hugged and kissed me and then left the room.
I needed a place to clear my head and think, so I folded space and appeared on the disputed planet where we were having the celebration that was so rudely interrupted. It was such a beautiful and comfortable little planet. It had beautiful clear clean blue skies, rolling hills, and mountains with magnificent deciduous trees, some reaching 200 feet tall and interspersed were meadows filled with blooming wildflowers. I almost wished I could keep it for myself. After about an hour I felt very relaxed and at ease. If I talked to them while in a disagreeable mood, there’s no telling what might happen. I stood before a large bolder facing away from it, and upon stretching out my hand a rectangular view screen appeared. I contacted the Ruling Council of the Junock Empire, and in my best diplomatic tone, I asked to speak to whoever was in charge.
Dia had given me the exact frequency and location to contact before we parted company earlier that day. The being before me was an aid to the council. He was a strong athletic-looking young man with olive-green skin and white hair and spade-shaped teeth, sky blue eyes and a bulbous nose and he was wearing an austere yellow tunic. Unfortunately, he was also very rude. He demanded to know who I was, where I was contacting him from and what I wanted.
I tried to explain my need to speak to his ruler using vague generalities, but he persisted with his demands for specifics. As my diplomatic voice continued its monotone rhetoric, he became more and more angry and demanding. Finally, an older but nonetheless powerful looking individual interrupted. The aid immediately displayed a subservient demeanor with his head bowed. This being was sporting an ornate golden tunic and demanded to know what I wanted. “May I meet with you, so I can provide the information that you desire,” I said, still oozing diplomacy. The being laughed a huge belly laugh and said, “If you can be here in the next few moments, I will grant you an immediate audience.
I vanished from the screen and instantly appeared before him. He was startled and stumbled backward against a table. Then in anger, due to his embarrassment, he struck out at me with his fist. I caught it and crushed it, dropping him to one knee. I released him and took a step back. “I am King David ruler of the Terreus Empire. I would like an audience with your Emperor. With that statement, another being walked over to our location in the large conference room and everyone dropped to one knee. He was very muscular, about 6 feet tall and was wearing a purple robe with lavish gold embroidery and under it an austere gold tunic and purple shoes. His features were furrowed, and his voice gruff. “You say you are a King, but you must understand, I am the only ruler in this galaxy and throughout the universe. Those who would proclaim themselves King must die. Guards, kill him,” he said as he turned to walk away. I was instantaneously attacked.
I needed to know exactly how strong they were and if they had additional powers that could pose a problem to me in the future, so I allowed the first couple of punches and a kick to get through my defenses. These beings are surprisingly strong and fast. I estimate their strength at about 250 times that of the average human male and their speed was easily 100 times that of a human.
The punches rocked me without causing any harm, and the kick delivered by one of my assailants…although also harmless, sent me flying through the air and through a 2-foot-thick stone wall into the large central foyer of their capital building. As I rolled over backward and then back to my feet, I was greeted by a stampeding heard of guards. So, do I fight or throw up a force field? In the fraction of a second, it took for the first guard to reach me I had made my decision. I must fight because these beings must not only respect the power of my mind, but also the strength and power of my body and my martial skills. Nothing else would ensure their obedience to me if attaining their obedience was even possible. The bloody battle ensued.
