30 Worlds: Royal Megaforce, Episode Final: "Masters of the Ultimate Power"
BOOK FOUR*CHAPTER TWO
A few hours later, as the Zayn and the Tempest approached the Ka-Mahshuv, the Zayn disengaged its tractor beam, allowing the Ka-Mahshuv to guide the Tempest to a docking port.
"We have completed docking with the Ka-Mahshuv," Suvy said. "Docking tube pressure is equalized."
"Thanks, Suvi," Ryder said. "William, let's go get ready to meet our host."
The exterior hatch hissed open, revealing a cavernous chamber where the Tempest was docked. A reptilian alien stood with palms extended in greeting.
"I am Zinjai, steward to His Imperial Majesty Jonathan Martin I of the Zin Empire," the alien said. "I have been bidden to escort you to the Throne Room so you can explain your sudden presence at the new human homeworld. I swear that no harm shall come upon you until His Majesty wills it to be so."
William returned the gesture. "I thank you, Royal Steward Zinjai," William said in the Zin language. "I am His Royal Majesty William Edward Felchenerow III of Cinnabar, a kingdom on another dimensional plane, and this is Pathfinder Captain William Scott Ryder of the DDV Tempest, a ship registered to the Cinnabarian military."
Ryder simply nodded in acknowledgment of William's introduction. "As to His Imperial Majesty, I swear that any transgressions determined malicious by him were on my order and that I shall accept all responsibility and punishments he deems proper," William said. "As a sign of good faith, I shall turn over our weapons to you so we can approach His Majesty empty-handed."
William handed his phaser and Ryder's Andromeda Initiative pistol to Zinjai, who clipped them to his utility belt. "Thank you," Zinjai said. "Shall we?"
William nodded. Zinjai then gestured for William and Ryder to follow him.
In the throne room, William and Ryder looked on as Zinjai led them up to the throne. William fell to one knee and gestured for Ryder to do the same.
"Your Majesty, may I humbly present King William III of Cinnabar and Pathfinder Captain William Ryder of the Cinnabarian starship Tempest," Zinjai said. "I wish to state for the record that King William and Captain Ryder willingly surrendered their weapons to me as a peace gesture."
J.M. nodded to Zinjai and gestured for William and Ryder to rise to their feet. "I wasn't expecting a human," William said.
"You were expecting another Zin like Zinjai over here?" J.M. said, gesturing to Zinjai. "It's a long story; suffice it to say, though, that my rule was made possible by conquest."
J.M. then turned his attention back to Zinjai. "Zinjai, return King William and Captain Ryder's weapons," he ordered. "They do not seem to be a threat."
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Zinjai said before returning William and Ryder's weapons.
J.M. then looked at William and Ryder. "Why was your vessel orbiting the new human homeworld?" J.M. said as he rose from his throne and made his way down to stand before William and Ryder.
"For the last seven years, the Cinnabarian military has been fighting a war against a group known as the Army of Inter-Universal Chaos," William said. "The A.I.C. intends to take over by force all of the multiple dimensions in this universe."
"How do you intend to defeat them?" J.M. said.
"For the last five of those seven years, King William has been traveling to thirty different dimensions in order to gather the components of a Grand Key that can defeat the A.I.C.," Ryder said.
"And this dimension holds a component of that Key?" J.M. said.
"Yes," William said, handing Zinjai an isolinear data card. "This data card contains the entire record of our struggles against the A.I.C., right up to when the Zayn hailed us."
Zinjai handed the data card to J.M. "I'll look over this," J.M. said. "In the meantime, I suggest you return to the Tempest and await my decision."
"Of course, Your Majesty," William said.
Zinjai turned towards William and Ryder. "I shall escort you back to your vessel now," he said.
As Zinjai led William and Ryder out of the throne room, J.M. made his way to his quarters, where Kinzie waited.
"What's that?" Kinzie asked as J.M. inserted the data card into the chip reader next to his monitor.
"The people from the Tempest visited me in the throne room," J.M. said. "They gave me this data card about why they're here."
Kinzie moved to stand behind J.M. as the images on the screen unfurled. Then, as the screen faded, J.M. turned to look at Kinzie. "Get everyone together back on the Zayn."
Kinzie nodded as J.M. rose from behind the monitor and left his quarters.
::TBC::