Free Ashes of the Realm - Greyson's Revenge by Saxon Andrew, Derek Chido

instead of leaving? He had one last question before he would know the truth. He entered a com code, “I’ve finished your history. Do you have a moment to discuss it?”
    “Where are you?”
    “Right where you left me.” Greyson waited and in two minutes, three ships came out of silver fields. So they have more than one ship that could teleport. He knew he was outgunned, but he really didn’t care. He didn’t raise his screen.
    “We’re here. What’s on your mind?”
    “First things first. My name is Greyson and I’m a Searcher from Duke Jongo’s Fleet. I was originally a part of his fleet at Ulmerton until the planet was destroyed. His son assumed the throne and sent me, along with most of his other Searchers, to attack and destroy Ross. I think you know the rest.”
    “We do.”
    “I have one last question. Did the Stars Realm destroy Ulmerton?”
    “My name is BC and I was attacking Keepers while you were assembling to attack the Royal Family. I could beat around the bush and tell you that it was the Keepers that destroyed Ulmerton and that would be true. But it wouldn’t be the whole truth. Yes, the Stars Realm caused the destruction of Ulmerton.”
    “What about Nove Vista?”
    “Your former Duke, Ales Jongo, destroyed the buoy protecting it allowing the Keepers to destroy the planet. He also destroyed the buoy at El Prado but the Realm’s ships arrived in time to prevent its destruction. We have a recording of him firing a beam at the buoy.”
    “Why did you destroy Ulmerton?”
    “The Duke ordered Ales Jongo to sneak in to the Ross system and destroy the planet. We have recordings of him sneaking away when he discovered the Royal Family was not there.”
    “Why did the Realm leave?”
    Anglo said, “To give you what you wanted.” Greyson remained silent and Anglo continued, “The Provinces painted the Stars Realm as tyrants that controlled them. They wanted to be free from the Realm to attack other members. The Realm knew that to continue to hold the Provinces in the Realm against their will violated every principle it was founded on. They left and gave the Provinces their independence.”
    “But they destroyed our means of travel.”
    “Along with the means to kill each other. It still didn’t stop the civil war but it slowed it down. You tell me, Greyson, what would Ales Jongo have done if he had all of those Searchers under his command? What is the current Jongo doing with his Searchers? You should know after the destruction of Haldale. You know there was peace under the Stars Realm; members were not allowed to attack other members. What about now under the Duke’s descendants? Do you think the planets forced to join your province want to be a part of Jongo’s Kingdom?”
    Jessica said, “What are you thinking?”
    Greyson said, “My oath is void. It was made under the pretense of a lie. I am going to go back and kill that man who made me kill an innocent civilization.”
    Jessica said quickly, “No! You mustn’t do that.”
    “Give me one good reason why not?”
    “Because if you do, there is another Provincial Duke across our universe that will come to investigate and he has more than two thousand Searchers. Jongo is only staying in power because he is paying that Duke off. We believe that the other Duke will eventually come anyway and force all the civilizations in this quadrant into his domain. It’s only a matter of time until Jongo faces an execution.”
    “That might be a good thing.”
    “It was that Duke that insisted Jongo use slaves to provide the tribute being sent to him. He’s deliberately making New Ulmerton cause such ill will that when he invades the planets will welcome him. Then he will rule with a heavier fist than Jongo.”
    “I must do something. I can’t exist with the vision of that planet exploding and killing all of those people. They must be avenged. You have every right to kill me now. I will not raise my screens if you decide to do so, however, I