Jeremy felt bad about what he'd done to Dex, but orders were orders. This was one of the few times when he enjoyed having time manipulation abilities. He'd frozen time, and now he had to hurry. He placed the unconscious Prince in the room with the remaining candidates. The deed was done. Jeremy marveled once again at how still everyone looked when caught in a freeze.
He knew Jewels was resting, felt her contentment. Jeremy was glad to be able to give her this one gift. He looked at his watch. Time to let events play out. Jeremy left the holding area and went back out to the hallway. He strode down the corridor until he reached the room where Jewels slept.
"Time to wake, Sleeping Beauty." Jeremy closed his eyes and became one with time. He felt life resume, and he let go with a gasp. His head throbbed. He ignored it as he slid his shielding over Jewels' mind.
::Hey, Kid, wake up. Time for the last phase.:: He entered and stood at the foot of the cot.
::Hmm? What? Is it now?:: Jewels rubbed at her eyes and sat up, her long hair falling forward to cover her breasts.
The look on her face was comical as she remembered what had transpired. And that she was nude. Jewels squeaked and jerked the sheet up around her chest. She blushed, and he couldn't help teasing her.
"Hey Kid, why are you blushing?"
"I am not!" she snapped at him and ducked her head.
"More clothes are in the bureau. Get dressed. We have to be ready to go in five minutes."
She rolled her eyes and then pointed at the door. Jeremy laughed and left so she could put her clothes on.
Jewels emerged in under five and appeared healthier and happier than before. Jeremy smirked. Sometimes being a psionic was an awesome thing. They entered the training area where Dex, Nipaw, Adam, and Dipaw stood.
The tension was noticeable, but Jeremy didn't give the four males time to think. "Gentlemen, this is the last phase. The winner will become Lt. Enbran's anchor, and I will get a well-deserved vacation," he joked, making sure to send Jewels mental reassurance that he didn't mean the words the way they sounded.
::I know you don't mean it that way, silly Anchor,:: she chided Jeremy.
Dex growled at his statement. Jeremy ignored him. "When you are called, you will be teleported to a different location. At that time, you and Jewels will be thrust into a scenario where you must act as an anchor and as a fighting pair. You will not be released from the simulation until all opponents are eliminated. Adam, since you are the only remaining human candidate, you will go first."
Adam's overly enthusiastic expression annoyed Jeremy. He turned to his partner. "Jewels, you ready?"
"Yes," she answered, her voice flat as she shot Adam a hostile glare.
::Jewels! Play nice. You may not like him, but he had high psionic compatibility with your mind.::
::Yeah, well, you can take that compatibility and...::
::Don't go there, Jewels. Get going, that's an order.::
::Fine,:: she huffed and teleported herself and Adam from the room.
Dex moved forward. "What trickery is this? You did not say she could teleport!"
"You didn't ask. Besides, you three need to report to your King. Something has come up."
He snarled and lunged, but Jeremy wasn't there. He'd teleported and stood by the door.
"Not nice, Kitty Cat. The only way you can help her is to go to your father and prepare for battle. Your flea-infested friends have arrived and are coming for Jewels. We need you fighting, just as she will be."
"You! She trusted you!" Dex accused.
"And I'm sure she'll let me know in no uncertain terms how betrayed she feels after we survive the ten dreadnoughts bearing down on us. Now move! We've got a planet to save." Jeremy opened the door and waited.
Dex's menacing glower would have cowed a lesser man, but Jeremy wasn't afraid. He knew the big guy would make the right choice. After another moment of posturing, he stomped by him with Dipaw and Nipaw in tow.
Jeremy waited until they had left before sending out a telepathic call to Elenora to proceed with her part of the plan.