Demon's sacrifice a-6 Read online

  Demon's sacrifice

  ( Annihilation - 6 )

  Andrew Saxon

  Andrew Saxon

  Demon's sacrifice

  Prologue

  “Have you found another door into that universe?”

  “No, Nest Mother. Universes with more than one door are extremely rare and it appears this one is not an exception.”

  “Whoever killed our ships and closed the door is a real danger. We can’t wait for them to find us; we must attack first.”

  The scientist turned his head right indicating frustration, “We do not possess another means other than our current universal drive. We have not found a generator powerful enough to power the unit that would allow us to enter at any point. Have any of our recent harvests collected any new data on that kind of generator?”

  The Nest Mother was silent for a moment and answered, “No. What is the possibility of that universe having this generator you describe?”

  The scientist was silent for several moments and then said, “Ordinarily I would say there is no chance, however, they possess something strong enough to kill our ships and close the door. I don’t have enough information to make an accurate estimate.”

  “They were able to communicate with me from that other universe.”

  “They were?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did they use the communicator on one of our ships?”

  “No, they did not.”

  “That would also require a very powerful generator.” The scientist thought hard and knew he had to cloak his next answer or face death from an enraged, frightened, Nest Mother. He decided to tell the truth but not the whole truth. “The power to send a communication from universe to universe without a device that is connected to another is not equal to that needed to send a ship through without a door.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  “Work on finding a way in and keep me informed on your progress.”

  “Yes, Nest Mother.”

  The scientist left her lair running and didn’t start to relax until he was out of her ship. “It wasn’t equal,” he thought, “It had to be stronger.”

  Chapter 1

  Tag looked at Danielle brushing her hair and marveled at his good fortune. She was amazing and after all these years she was more beautiful than when they first met, “We’ve been so fortunate in our life. Are you still happy, Love?”

  Danielle turned and smiled, “The Realm is at peace and we are now private citizens. I’m happier than you know. The burden of protecting the Realm is now in Matt’s hands and I can relax and start to enjoy my life with you.”

  Tag stood and walked up and hugged her from behind and looked at her in the mirror. “I love you. This wedding reminds me of ours so many centuries ago. I would have never thought I could love you more than that day but I do.”

  Danielle turned in his arms and hugged him tightly, “Words don’t exist to describe how much I love you.” They stood there lost in each other’s embrace. Tag’s com vibrated. He came back to the present and said, “Go ahead.”

  “I’m reminding you to be here in an hour. You made me promise to do it.”

  “Thanks, Newton. I’ll see you at the wedding.”

  “Danielle smiled, “I know he’s really a child but I like that little spider.”

  Tag shook his head, “He is such a good being. We’re fortunate to have been able to save his family.”

  Danielle sighed, “Remember this, Darling, there are very few accidents.”

  Tag smiled, “I know.”

  “Now you need to hurry; the groomsmen are supposed to help with the seating.”

  “I’m sure Anglo has it under control. You know how organized he is.”

  “Yes, but he’s also the Best Man and has other responsibilities as well.” Danielle paused, “I wonder if Anglo will ever have a wedding?”

  Tag slowly shook his head, “Someone should have found him by now. I still believe his initiator exists.”

  Danielle looked somber, “He deserves love in his life. You know that nothing could keep them apart if their psychic selves were ready for each other, although I’ve never seen it take this long before; it makes me wonder if there is one for him.”

  “Let’s not allow ourselves to worry on this happy day, Love. Remember, there are no accidents.”

  “Danielle smiled and took his hand as they teleported down to the castle’s throne room.

  Anglo straightened Matt’s royal blue sash and pulled his collar up, “Who taught you how to dress? You’re a mess.”

  “A Cainth with four arms and he still did a better job than I ever could. I don’t know why I’m so nervous but I feel like eight miles of bad road.”

  “That party last night is probably the main cause of your fumbling. Those young spiders really kept you going.”

  “Who would have thought they could drink that much? I won’t try that again.”

  Anglo looked at Matt and after a moment said, “Are you ok?”

  “You think I’m having second thoughts because of Angel aren’t you?”

  “I know how much you loved each other. I worry about your happiness.”

  “Anglo, you’re a great friend and I know why you worry. Angel is gone. If our roles were reversed and she was the one here instead of me, I would hope she would be marrying you. She, or I, should have had love and happiness in our life. I also know she would approve of Melanie and would want the same for me. I’ll always have Angel in my heart, Anglo, and Melanie knows it. But I love Melanie with a depth that amazes me every time I feel her near me. I’m at peace with Angel’s death and I look forward to life with my new love. You have to admit she’s come a long way since the baggy overalls and that floppy hat.”

  “No, she was the same person then as now, Matt. You just didn’t know it. How much courage would it take to have come to that meeting dressed that way and yell at you for doubting her commitment to the Realm?”

  Matt thought back and slowly shook his head, “She did hand it to me, didn’t she? I’m glad Al stepped in.”

  “As well you should be. I’m always under appreciated.”

  “Oh Pleaaaassssssssse!”

  “Now there you go again jumping in when this is a private conversation.”

  “Matt, sometimes I wish the degradation still worked.”

  Matt smiled, “Fly Girl, you know you don’t mean that.”

  “Yeah, but don’t tell ole big head here.”

  “Who’s a big head? I don’t have a head.”

  “Exactly.”

  Anglo laughed and said, “It’s time; let’s go see a pretty lady.”

  Matt entered the throne room with Anglo and everyone stood and bowed. He nodded to the room and everyone took their seats. He turned and faced Sprig who was going to lead the ceremony and thought about his parents and how he wished they could see him. He looked up and swore he could sense Angel smiling at him. He sent a quick thought to Al and Fly Girl, “I wish you could be here with me; both of you have played such a huge role in my life.”

  “We’re watching, Matt and we’re proud of you and your bride.”

  Fly Girl said, “Al, you’re going to make me cry.”

  Matt stepped to the side and looked at the gathered dignitaries. He remembered his first day at the academy and wondered at how the universe just surprised him every day. Edison, Newton, and Einstein were in the back checking ID’s to make sure no one without an invitation was allowed entrance. He saw the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen gathering at the back of the room and knew that it was time to begin. He looked over and saw Tommy and Cassandra filling the roles that his parents would have done if they were still alive. He marveled at how much they were alike but diff
erent; Tommy with the huge, giving, heart and Cassandra with the warrior’s heart. She and her ship were amazing. Thank the Creator for them. Then he saw Tag and Danielle teleport in and smiled. They were the heart and soul of the Realm. The Glod still worshipped Danielle and tried to emulate Tag in all their actions. Glod, Cainth, and Humans were respected and loved by the millions of planets of the Realm. No one resented their preferred standing in the Royal Family’s service. He saw Destiny in the back and could feel his love. By choosing to communicate instead of destroying his ship, Destiny credited him with saving his family. Matt knew Destiny would willingly lay down his life for him. Matt knew at that moment he would do the same. There was still the unresolved issue of his species but that would have to wait.

  He heard the music start as Tag and Danielle began walking down the aisle. Everyone stood and bowed to the former King and Queen of the Realm even though it was not required. Next came Stem and his mate Petal followed by Life and Grena and the rest of the wedding party. Suddenly the music changed and he saw Melanie step into the aisle being led by her father. Matt was stunned by her beauty and lost himself in the vision approaching.

  “Al, she’s beautiful.”

  “Just like you.”

  “I love you so much, Al.”

  “And of all the things I’ve ever experienced, that is what humbles me the most, Fly Girl. I couldn’t live without you.”

  Melanie walked the traditional walk down the aisle and saw Matt staring at her and his love was clear for all to see. It’s what made her complete and filled her heart with joy. She glanced up and thought, “I’ll love him, Angel, just as you did.” Then she arrived and the ceremony began.

  The citizens of the Realm were caught up in the scene on their displays and there was silence in the Realm. Aerial traffic on all the worlds of the Realm was almost nonexistent. Everyone was glued to their monitors. The majesty of the moment enthralled the trillions of citizens and they also felt the emotion of the moment. The ancient yet new words, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together…” began and the Realm felt their new allegiance to the couple tasked with the responsibility of protecting the Realm. The millions of planets in the Realm knew what this couple had done in the fight with the Green Invaders and felt safe with the new king and Queen. The homage being given to this young couple was well deserved.

  Finally, Sprig announced, “I present to you King Mathew and Queen Melanie Gardner. Long live the King.”

  The ensuing party was unlike any in the Realm’s history. The numbers teleporting around the Realm to celebrate set a new record and brought so many different yet similar species together. The party on Ross was monumental. However, in that moment Matt and Melanie were lost in each other.

  A young female spider in the back nudged Edison and thought to him, “Have you made plans for the celebration?”

  Edison looked at her and was struck dumb by her beauty. All he could do was stammer, “Uh… no…not..not really.”

  “Maybe you would allow me to accompany you.”

  Edison shook his head up and down and thought, “By all means. Please join me.”

  Einstein and Newton giggled at Edison until two more females approached them. Destiny smiled and watched his children; they were growing up. He looked up at Matt and Melanie and thought, “Thank you for giving us our life. Now we have to make sure you have yours.” He knew the Nest Mother would not rest until this universe was completely harvested.”

  Chapter 2

  Nine months after the Coronation and Matt’s and Melanie’s wedding, Anglo, Destiny, Sprig, Twig, Newton, Edison, and Einstein sat in the map room at Castle Gardner and Sprig asked, “Why did you want to meet me here?”

  Destiny looked at the three young spiders and said to Sprig, “My children asked me a question and it caused me to become concerned.”

  “What question, Destiny?”

  “Newton wanted to know how our common ancestor became a merciless killer when none of us are that way after the compulsions were removed.”

  Sprig thought a moment and said, “It is a rather dramatic change in personality.” The room was silent as Sprig digested the information. Sprig suddenly felt a wave of fear, “Either she was injected with compulsions that made her become what she is or the creature she bit was like that and she absorbed it from the bite. If the compulsions were deliberately placed in her, then another species exists that intentionally destroys intelligent life.”

  “That’s what we think. However, it is not genetic or we would also have them built into us, which makes us lean toward another species. Every Nest Mother has acted the same since my species became intelligent. The males have to have the compulsions downloaded into them for them to work; this is an artificial mechanism.”

  “How many Nest Mothers have there been since the original?”

  “Twenty.”

  Sprig thought a moment and said, “If the compulsions are not genetic, then how do the new Nest Mothers receive the compulsions?”

  Newton said, “It is our belief that they are put in each new Nest Mother by the species that originally gave us intelligence.”

  Sprig was shocked at the implications of the small spider’s statement.

  Destiny saw that Sprig understood and said, “We have also discovered something that worries us.”

  Edison took the map room’s controller in his front legs and moved the cursor toward the far left end of the map. It finally stopped on a dark galaxy that was as far away from the closest galaxy on the edge of the universe as that galaxy was from the center. Anglo looked at the dark galaxy and asked, “What is that?”

  Einstein said, “Whatever it is, it is impossible for it to exist here.”

  Sprig looked at the little spider, “Why do you say that?”

  Einstein nodded to Edison and Edison pressed the controller. All of the galaxies of the universe began moving quickly together until they all formed one giant ball of light. The far galaxy was now near where the former edge of the universe was located. Sprig immediately understood. “It’s too far away to have been part of the blast that started this universe.” Einstein nodded. “But if nothing existed before that blast, how can that galaxy exist?”

  Newton answered, “It can’t; it defies everything we know about celestial mechanics, which leads us to believe that it might be part of a different dimension which overlaps our universe at the edge. We also believe that whoever put the compulsions in our Nest Mothers must be there.” Newton turned from the map and looked at those around the table, “My species is nothing more than a tool for them. If you kill the current Nest Mother as you plan, what do you think they will do?”

  Sprig looked at the galaxy that was older than the universe and knew the intelligence there was ancient before this universe was created. He felt fear, “I don’t know.”

  Destiny looked at the dark galaxy, “We know what these creatures think of other life forms.”

  Sprig looked at Destiny, “What do you mean?”

  “They took an ancestor of mine, gave it intelligence, the capacity of storing a huge amount of information to use to make them more deadly and then sent it out to kill all intelligent life in every universe. I can only believe that they did this because they were either too lazy to take the time to do it themselves or considered other life forms so far beneath them that they did not warrant their attention. I think they knew intelligent life would evolve naturally and become highly advanced civilizations if left alone so they created a tool to prevent it. They also placed compulsions in my species so they could exterminate all of us quickly if they so chose. All it would take is to make the Nest Mother order the males to consume their children. They would then release a compulsion in the Nest Mother to kill herself and my species would be eliminated.” Destiny turned and looked at Sprig, “What would you do if you discovered one of your tools had malfunctioned?”

  Sprig shrugged, “I would repair it or replace it.”

  “I don’t think they know about us be
ing here helping you, yet. The Nest Mother is still functioning and I suspect the families are still harvesting universes. I’m concerned about what would happen if the Nest Mother was removed and the families eliminated. The beings that did this might be somewhat annoyed at our impertinence for breaking one of their tools. I think their reaction would be catastrophic to those that were guilty of interfering with their plans.”

  Einstein added, “I have looked at all the information available about what happens when a new Nest Mother replaces the old one. The data from the last change shows a New Female that appears somewhat nervous but not vicious at the start of the ceremony. However, I have seen a change in her when she assumes her place on the nest.”

  Destiny turned his head upside down, “What have you seen?”

  Einstein narrated as he started a video, “This information comes from our ships storage banks.” The display came on and everyone watched as the new Nest Mother moved onto the nest and placed her back two legs into two receptacles. She immediately dropped onto her abdomen and her demeanor changed radically. Her fangs dripped venom and then she put the rest of her legs into the other receptacles. Einstein said as the video was running, “I believe that it is those first two receptacles that downloaded the compulsions into her. I initially thought that the beings must come every time a Nest Mother is replaced but this is so much easier. Their little project will run with little or no attention needed by the creators. This might be a good thing if they seldom check on their creations.”

  Sprig’s leaves turned light brown and he turned to the little spider, “Why, do you think the beings that did this are in a galaxy in our universe?”

  Einstein nodded and Newton answered, “That galaxy is in every universe we have harvested. It appears to exist outside the space-time continuum as we know it and coexists with every universe. We have also never attempted to harvest that galaxy. Evidently the compulsions also forbid us from going near it.” The display then showed picture after picture of the dark galaxy in many different universes. It was identical in every picture.