Jingo looked very uncomfortable, and saw his father was not going to let him avoid the question. Uh, I was helping Jesa gather pods.
Scotty and Jing looked at Jingo and both of them burst out laughing. Jingo was embarrassed and said, Let it go, please. Just let it go.
Jing turned around quickly and saw Jesa staring around the corner of a building in the now deserted square. He smiled and said, She worries about you, son. You have made a good choice. Not many would stay when Im this angry. Jing motioned Jesa to join the conversation. She looked around and pointed to herself and mouthed, Me? Jing nodded.
Jesa walked slowly forward ready to turn and run. Jing motioned for her to sit beside Jingo. Scotty saw his friends face light up as she approached. Jing said, It appears you two are an item. Do you love my son, Jesa?
Jingo looked like he was going to die. He hadnt even come close to letting Jesa know his feelings, and here she was being embarrassed by his father. He wished he could just disappear. He knew she had others she liked more than him.
Jesa looked at Jing and said, I dont believe you have the right to ask that question, Clan Leader.
Jingo was miserable until Jesas next statement.
However, I will answer it. Ive loved him since the day I first saw him. He has always been the one Ive wanted to spend my life with.
Jingo was stunned. He looked up at Jesa and she could see his amazement.
She continued as she looked at Jingo, I just dont know if he feels the same, and Im giving him as much time as he needs to realize that I am the one best suited for him.
Jing looked down at his son and said, Same question, Son.
Jingo looked at Jesa and said, Ill love her forever, Father. If I cant have her, Ill have no one.
Jesa beamed at Jingo and Jing said, Sit down and join us, Jesa. If you are going to be his mate, hell need your insights. Jing turned to Scotty and asked, What do the Zord want? We have all noticed that we are not being attacked by them. Something obviously happened to cause that.
Scotty said, We never knew they were intelligent. Now that we know they are, it makes a huge difference in how we should deal with them.
Jing sat down, How so?
I used the learning center to see what is known about them, and theres not much information available. What I did learn was that six nesting pairs were captured by poachers who were not members of the Holy Stars Realm. Everyone touched their heart at the mention of the Realm. The Realm issued an edict that poaching Zord would be a capital offense, and anyone caught doing it would be executed. Those six pairs are the only ones ever taken into captivity. You know how the ancient evil Duke wanted a zoo greater than the one on Ross. The four again touched their hearts.
What do you make of that?
Jing, I believe that the Zord were known to be intelligent, and you know the principle of defending those that cannot defend themselves.
Jingo said, I think they are quite capable of defending themselves.
Not against beam weapons and stunners. The Zord are an intelligent species that were brought here as prisoners. Scotty shook his head and said, It was Humans that imprisoned them. Its really no wonder they attack us.
Jing looked up at the two moons overhead and said, Four nights from now, Atlas and Diana will be full. Their light will be shining down on our meeting. That has to be a good omen. Scotty; go and bring Samuel here now.
Scotty stood and walked into the darkness.
Three nights later both communities were gathered in the clearing between the two villages. Samuel stood and yelled, Everyone sit and listen! We have a meeting tomorrow night and you are going to follow our instructions.
The huge gathering sat and Jing stood and told them who they were meeting. The gathering grew noisy, especially the young members. Jing waited until they grew silent. They noticed his growing anger and didnt want to provoke him. Jing said, Our communities have never shown such disrespect for your leaders before. You will be quiet.
Silence ruled the gathering. They knew the danger of violating the codes of meeting.
We have just learned the Zord are intelligent beings. Jing heard the indrawn breath of the crowd and continued. Their ancestors were captured and brought here to be imprisoned in the evil Dukes zoo. Jing waited while that piece of information was absorbed by the group. How would you feel if your children were captured, taken away from their homes, and then imprisoned for life to be stared at by aliens? Never being allowed freedom, only imprisonment and isolation; what would you do if you encountered those that caused your misery? It was Humans that captured them and brought them to this planet.
Jing waited and said, One of us saved one of their childrens life, and they are confused about who we are. They are going to meet with us to discuss the future of our two species.
Ben Withers stood, It could be a trap to kill our leaders.
Samuel looked at Ben and said, What if it is? They have not attacked us in over a year. If we can find peace with these beings, it will save many lives. Im willing to risk mine to make that happen.
Many in the crowd looked at each other, not knowing what they should do.
Jing said, The only way for a successful agreement to be made is to make sure we do not endanger the Zords leaders coming to this meeting.
Samuel said, Everyone stand and place your hand on your heart.
The gathering rose and Samuel said, Repeat after me. I swear on the memory of the Hold Stars Realm. The gathering repeated his words. That I will not endanger the Zord during the coming conference. Again the gathering repeated his words.
Jing who watched the assembly carefully said, Those who did not speak that oath, come forward now. No one moved. Jing drew his four swords and said, I said for you to come forward now!
Six teenage Humans stepped out of the crowd. They knew that those standing around them knew they had not spoken the oath and didnt know if they would be reported. They also didnt know if Jing had seen them remain silent. Their fear was obvious.
Samuel stood in front of the six and said, You refuse to give your oath?
Everyone in the gathering knew that to violate an oath given in the Stars Realms name would lead to certain death to violator and their families. None would violate such an oath, and the only way to avoid the catastrophe of that violation was to just not make it.
The six said nothing. Samuel glared at the young boys. Well?!?
Ben Withers said, A Zord killed my father.
Terry Black said, They killed my Mother.
Samuel interrupted and yelled, And theyll kill many more if this madness continues. How many Zord have you killed, Ben?
Ben startled at the question, Six.
How many Zord children are now without one of their parents due to your actions?
Ben looked at the ground.
Jing said, You will give the oath now.
Three of the boys gave the oath. Ben, Dominick, and Zim did not.
Ben looked at Jing and said, I will never have peace with the Zord. The other two nodded with him.
Samuel drew two short swords faster than anyone thought possible and made three vicious slashes that took the heads off all three boys. The gathering was shocked into silence. No one moved or made a sound.
Samuel turned to the Humans and yelled, Are there any more that place their hatred over the safety and well being of us all? Samuel was showing his rage. I am your chosen leader. You selected me to guide us to a better life. Now some of you want to challenge my judgment. It was this kind of hatred that led to us losing the joy we once all shared. This is the legacy of the Duke we all curse, and I will not have it poison our spirits.