Ashes of the Realm: Book 04 - The Return of the Realm by Saxon Andrew Page A

Algeans had not responded. Danielle saw Trey talking on his communicator and knew a message was coming in from the Empire. She watched his expression and knew that time was running out. She sighed and thought, “It is what it is.” She smiled as Trey walked over with Cassie, “Danielle, the Black Ships are close to destroying the defenders in the four universes. If we intend to save any of those civilizations, we must act soon. If they plant the pods and the populations are exposed to the spores, we will not be able to save them.”
    “How long do we have to the very last minute?”
    “Tomorrow or the day after is when we must go or billions are going to die.”
    Danielle slowly shook her head and looked at Trey, “I can’t contact them; they must make the call to us. We’ll lose if we make first contact.”
    Trey sadly said, “I know, Danielle. This is their choice and they should be allowed to make it. You gave them a chance, that’s more than they gave us.”
    “I know, Trey.”
    Jake looked at his board and said, “I have a call coming in.”
    Danielle and Trey turned and ran to the console. Jake said, “It’s the Algeans.”
    Danielle said, “Don’t answer.” Trey looked at her with a furrowed brow. Danielle said, “We can’t let them think we care what they do. Let them think we’re not paying attention to our communication panel.”
    The three watched and after three minutes the call ended. They waited and the board immediately started alarming again, “Wait…not yet…now.”
    Jake punched the button and said, “Hello, Twig.”
    “We will agree to your conditions. We only ask that one of us be allowed to remain to advise the new Elders.”
    Jake said, “I told you our conditions. There is no compromise on them.” Danielle ran her hand across her throat and Jake cut the connection.
    Trey said, “You’re running a risk, Danielle.”
    “No I’m not. I felt that they would never do anything that would place those new worlds in danger. They have spent the last six days trying to find a way to save themselves and once they called us I knew they had run out of options. They’re discussing it right now and I think they’ll give in and contact us within the next two minutes.”
    Jingo looked at his chronometer and whispered to Grang, “I bet it’s going to take longer.”
    Grang didn’t say a word but held up a twenty credit. Jingo pulled one out and put it on the table in front of them. Grang put his on top of Jingos. Jingo stared whispering, “One minute gone. One minute fifteen seconds. One minute fifty seconds; the board alarmed and Jingo watched as Jake said, “Twig, we’re rather busy here and I don’t have time to waste.”
    Grang picked up the two bills and put them in his pocket. Jingo fell back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling.
    “We have agreed to your conditions.”
    Danielle punched in on the call and said, “You will have the Elder from every Algean Planet in your Galaxy teleport in to the Sacred Grove and you will explain to them what the new situation is. They have two hours to arrive and if they can’t do it we’ll know you aren’t sincere about your agreement.”
    “Do you require anything else?”
    “Yes, you will be there to introduce the new Elders.”
    “I will be waiting for them to arrive.”
    “I’m coming with them, along with our fleet.”
    Twig leaned right and said, “I’ll inform the former Elders.”
    “That would be good.” Danielle punched off the screen and said, “Trey, can you get us there?”
    “Yes, but what are you planning to do with them?”
    “We are going to move their Galaxy and the Milky Way to our old universe. It is there that we will face the Demons.”
    Trey looked at Danielle and said, “I assume that when you say we, you actually mean the Empire?”
    “That’s up to you. If you want help, you can start updating as many of the Realm’s Ships as possible in the time that remains to support you. However, if you