Holy Mother of a Torgs backside! and Jingo fell over his feet as he tried to run back up the hill.
The Zord said, Your friend talks a lot.
Scotty sighed and said, Yes, but hes a friend I trust with my life.
Jingo heard the Zord, stopped dead in his tracks, and grew silent.
Scotty looked at Jingo and then said to the Zord, Its when hes silent that hes the most dangerous. Scotty turned to Jingo and said, Relax, hes a friend.
Jingo couldnt speak.
The Zord said, This is the reaction I expected from you when you found me.
Your people do frighten us.
I guess I know why.
Jingo was hearing the conversation and he got up and walked to Scottys side, Its because you are killers extraordinaire and youve killed us for centuries.
Why, thank you. We do pride ourselves on our skills.
Scotty touched Jingo on the arm, telling him to be silent, and said, You invited me here for a reason?
The Zord gave a whistle. Scotty and Jingo watched as a giant form came out of the twilight and landed in front of them. The Zord had to be twenty five feet tall on its back legs with a wingspan of more than two hundred feet. It was bigger than any Zord either of them had ever seen.
Scotty looked at Jingo and was amazed that he was not afraid. Jingo actually looked relaxed.
The smaller of the two Zord said, This is my father. He wishes to communicate with you.
Scotty looked up at the giant creature shifting colors to match the background and said, Welcome, what is it you wish to talk about?
The giant looked down on the two friends and said, I see my son was right about your existence. I was concerned that he had lost his mind. He said you would talk without fear.
Our biggest fears are of things we dont know. However, you do sense fear in me.
The giant stared at Scotty for a long moment, Why didnt you kill my son when you had the opportunity?
It would have been wrong. I told him so at the time.
I saw that in his mind, but that is not the real answer. I want the real answer.
Scotty looked up at the Zord and said, My mother was killed seven years ago for simply running away from an invading starship. She was the kindest, gentlest, person I have ever known. An invader shot her down. She didnt deserve it and would not have been able to harm them. Scotty looked at the smaller Zord and said, I asked myself what my mother would have done, and I knew she would have tried to help you. She insisted that all life was important and she lived that belief every day. Scotty looked up at the huge father and said, I had to try.
Now that youve had time to think about it, would you still do the same thing?
Yes, especially now.
Whats so special now?
I know youre intelligent. You are more important as a result of that knowledge.
Why should that make a difference?
Because you can choose whether or not to save or take life; those Torg can only kill. They cant make the choice. I took that risk not knowing if your son would realize I was attempting to help him.
My family has been arguing about you for two cycles. We didnt learn about your actions until my son attacked another warrior after he had killed one of your species. I threatened to punish him for his behavior, and he threatened to leave our family if we killed any more of you. I made him show me his mind and I saw what you did. I showed it to my family and we have been unable to decide whether he is insane, and if not, what to do about you.
I think our leaders should talk with you about what should be done.
The giant creature stared at Scotty and looked down at his son. He looked back at Scotty and said, We will come to your community clearing in four days at midnight. We will see if you can be trusted.
The giant Zord lifted and flew into the night. The smaller one said, I never thanked you for my life. Thank you.
Scotty looked up at the Zord and said, Make it count for something.
The Zord flapped its wings and lifted. Just before it disappeared they heard, Ive started that process tonight.
Jingo looked at Scotty and said, How come you never told me about the Zord!?
What would you have thought if I had?
Like that Zords father, I wouldnt have believed you. I probably would have thought it was just a dream.
Scotty smiled, Its a dream within a dream, Jingo. First we must try to make it a reality. Lets go talk with Samuel.
Hell never believe you.
True, but hell believe you.
Jingo sighed and said, I might as well bring father with us.
We need to tell him first. Scotty paused, Why did you get so quiet and calm during the meeting with the Zord?
Jingo shook his head, Thats what happens to my race when we pump secretions out of our war gland.
War gland?
Yes, you have something similar called an adrenal something or other. When we find ourselves in a situation that demands combat, our war gland secretes a fluid that focuses us on the situation and attenuates our dexterity. Our four arms almost take on a life of their own. Needless to say, I became quite focused when I saw that Zord six feet away.
Ever had it happen before?
Nope, this was the first time, and I see why my species are natural warriors. I rather enjoyed the experience. I want to experience it again. Fear is good.
Scotty looked up the hill and said, I suspect you will, my brother. The journey begins tonight.
What journey?
Scotty smiled, looked up, and said, Why, my dream of course. Lets go see your father.
Chapter Three
Jing Dorg looked at Scotty and Jingo and said, You did what?!?
Scotty said, We met two Zord tonight and set up a meeting with their leaders in four days at midnight. Weve discovered they are intelligent creatures.
Jing just stared at Scotty and said nothing. It was obvious he thought Scotty had gone insane.
Jingo looked at his father and said, By the oath of Dorg-Ross, hes telling the truth. I was there and witnessed it.
Jing now knew something had happened. No Cainth would ever lie using that sacred name. His demeanor changed to anger, You endangered my son by meeting with Zord?
He wouldnt let me go alone, Clan Leader.
Jing looked at his son and Jingo said, Where he goes, I go. I promised his mother to always take care of him. I will not violate that oath.
You are the next Clan Leader. You exhibited great stupidity meeting a Zord.
Scotty said, Actually, I didnt tell him I was meeting a Zord. He thought I was meeting a female until we walked up on them.
Jing started swearing at the top of his voice while looking up at the sky, turning in small circles venting his anger. All the children within the sound of his voice ran to their mothers and hid. Even the adults ran for cover. It wasnt a good thing to be near Jing when he was this angry.
Scotty looked at Jingo and raised his eyebrows. Jingo said, Give him a moment. He needs to get some steam released.
Jing settled down after thirty minutes of swearing. Jingo left five minutes after Jings tirade began and brought back a piece of paper.
What are you doing, Jingo?
Im going to write some of these down. Theyre great. I might need them in the future. He sat down and started writing. Scotty would hear, Thats a good one. Wow, Id have never thought of that one. Oooo, thats a doozy.
Jing finally wound down and looked at the two. Tell me how this happened.
The three sat down next to the fire and Scotty told him about saving the Zord from a Torg and setting its broken wing. Jing listened and said, You brought water to that killer for two weeks. He looked at Jingo and asked, Why werent you keeping your oath? Where were you during this time?