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“Hello, Duke Grendel,” Lazarus said.
“I'm glad you're fine. The final battle is at hand and you heard about our reinforcements,” Duke Grendel said.
“Yes,” he said. “I have the ancient artifact with me and Merlin will be with us at the final battle.”
Duke Grendel nodded. “That is great news. Middle Earth’s army of vessels had just finally come over to our position.”
Krump said, “Duke Grendel, we have some plans to discuss. We do have extra jet planes. We just need capable pilots.”
“Duly noted,” Duke Grendel said. “When we break through the Vvong’s lines then we will provide you with pilots. Until then we will attack the Vvong Queen’s mother ship. Maybe, we can destroy her before she gets to Earth.”
Lazarus said, “I wanted to talk to you about that.” He paused and said, “Merlin wants you to not attack Morgana’s ships. We only want you to defend yourself if they attack you.”
Duke Grendel was silent for a while and then said, “Lazarus are sure you want this? We’re capable of fighting these Vvong ships.”
He said, “Yes, if you destroy her ship, it wouldn't kill her. She's still a spirit and we need her to change back to her physical form. And then we’ll kill her.”
Duke Grendel said, “As you wish Alpha Mage.”
Captain Marlena was also in the room. “Father, Lazarus is right. We shouldn't try to destroy the Vvong fleet until Morgana is in corporeal form then we can attack.”
She looked at Lazarus for confirmation.
“Yes,” Lazarus said. “She already knows I have Excalibur. And with Merlin's help we can defeat her.”
Duke Grendel said, “I got to say I don't like this. I don't want Morgana back on earth. But I'll abide by your wishes.”
Lazarus saw how Duke Grendel was displeased and maybe angry at him for his change of plans. But he was right or Merlin was right. It was Merlin’s idea.
“Thank you,” Lazarus said, “I know that you came here to defend Earth. And you will when the Vvong Queen is physical again. I think when Morgana gets to Earth she will start to attack any human cities. Please tell us when her ship is close to earth.”
Duke Grendel said, “Ok, we will contact you. Our long range sensors saw a large group of ships heading our way.”
“How long until they get here?”
Duke Grendel said, “Our calculations show that the Queen Vvong ship should be entering this solar system in one of your earth’s day.”
Lazarus said, “Thank you. I want to say good luck to all of us and I hope when all of this is over we can have a banquet for our victory.”
“You do the same, Alpha Mages and Captain Marlena,” Duke Grendel said.
Captain Marlena said, “Do you have anything for me to do?”
“Keep safe and when the fighting begins come to the fleet.”
“Yes Duke Grendel,” she said.
The screen changed showing a scene from a city. The Vvong ships are floating in the sky. Lazarus turned to everybody.
He said, “Tell me everything. I will tell you how I got Excalibur.
***
LAZARUS, THE ALPHA Mages with Captain Marlena and Professor Jacobs spoke most of the day in a big conference room. Lazarus felt it was a gathering of friends speaking about their lives and tribulations. He also sensed that this might be the last time they would all be together. Krump even joined in. He talked to Professor Jacobs about his friend, Erlick, who passed away.
They had a dinner in the same room. Cindy was close to him and held his hand at intervals during their talk. It was a joyous time. Lazarus looked over his friends and felt a little sad. They might not live through this battle.
Cindy said, “Lazarus, where is Merlin? The Vvong Queen will be here tomorrow.”
“Don't worry. He will be here,” he said.
Cindy said, “I forgot to give you this.”
She took out Merlin's Amulet. He grabbed it. Scanning the front of the stone, it looked different. The surface was not smooth. It showed an imprint of a star exploding. He was not sure if this worked like the other interconnecting jewelry that brought the black hole.
Grace said, “After this battle, what are we going to do with ourselves?”
“I know what Lazarus and I,” Cindy said, “is going to do. We are going to find a home and just live and not worry about Vvong creatures or invasions.”
Grace said, “Or sleeping out in the cold.” She looked over at Royce. “Sorry Royce we cannot transform into a wolf like you.”
Royce growled. “It’s fine. I can keep you warm.”
Lazarus smiled. He saw Grace’s face got red. She smacked Royce in the arm.
Krump said, “So, do we know when you and the Queen will have your epic fight?”
“Well,” Lazarus said, “I don't know but I think she will contact me.”
Cindy grabbed his hand.
Lazarus said, “I want all the Alpha Mages with me when I confront her. She is going to try to get me on her side. I wish Merlin was here. It seems like Merlin is acting like the wizard Gandalf and leave us at the crucial time.”
Royce said, “I hate this waiting. I want to get this over with.”
Krump said, “This is how it is before an important battle. The Battle of the Grogs and the New United States was like this. I was not there, but it was written on our history books. Isn't that right Professor Jacobs?”
“Yes,” Professor Jacobs said, “but it was before my time as well. There’re many books based on the time of the Battle of the Grogs if you're interested.”
“Another time,” Krump said.
“I think we all need some rest for tomorrow,” Lazarus said.
