him understand that. He's doing well in school,
better than I did, and I had plenty of help. Though he does appreciate
that bit of tutoring you gave him. The rest of his class was jealous
for months!"
46 "I was proud to do it!" laughed Morn. "Kind of reminded me of the
old days. Well, we're keeping that young man waiting. We'd better get
going."
47 The business on their routes grew as the years went by. The Holy
Godden Empire was expanding, though the rate of that expansion was
strictly controlled by its enormous bureaucracy it still managed to
expand beyond expectations. If those in charge REALLY knew how much it
was expanding, their alarm would have turned into terror.
48 For by now, North had hundreds of secret stations, uncharted
settlements with vast numbers of uncounted personnel and hundreds of
armed vessels of every class waiting for the day when he could loose
them. Many of his Commanders were already getting anxious,
but North warned them to be patient. It would be some time yet. They
appeared strong, but they weren't quite strong enough to bring down The
Godden Empire and he would not strike too soon. Give it more time.
49 He kept them busy exploring, finding new raw materials.
Unfortunately though, his ships never found the one thing North was
looking for the most.....leap crystals! The Government strictly
controlled the only two known supplies, and every crystal had to be
accounted for.
50 It was virtually impossible for him to steal, and, stockpile any of
the precious, glowing-blue rods that he would need so much when the
fighting came. But he kept his people searching.
51 One day, just before Shining Star's fifteenth birthday, North and
him were to leave on a fishing trip that they had planned for some
time, when the communicator buzzed. When North answered, it was The
Academy.