by Saxon Andrew
“I’m contacting RJ about the scouting report from Triangulum.”
“What about it?”
“The surviving Triangulum Fleets are returning from Andromeda. I suspect they will soon start their invasion of the Milky Way. We need to decide what we’re going to do about that issue.” Taffy sat down beside him and Grady pressed a button on his console. A few moments later, RJ appeared, and he smiled when he saw Taffy holding his son, “Thank you for watching Rick. We’ll come by and pick him up later today.”
“I love doing it. You can pick him up tomorrow if you want; I know you and Candy can use some together time.”
RJ chuckled, “I’ll ask her. Why did you call me?”
“The scouts in Triangulum have reported that the Fleets fighting against the Stealth Civilization are starting to return. It’s my belief that they will now turn their attention to invading the Milky Way. Time is running out and we must decide what to do about it,” Grady responded.
“We can’t allow them to come here,” RJ responded. “Have you heard anything from our scout in Andromeda?”
“No, but they’ve not had near enough time to see what’s going on there.”
“If we allow them to launch their colony vessels we’ll be forced to destroy them killing millions of their civilians,” RJ commented.
“We won’t do that!” Taffy spoke up firmly.
Grady turned to her, “Why not?”
“You said yourself that the Triangulum Civilization didn’t destroy all the civilized planets in their galaxy. They disarmed them and forced them to live in peace. They do not deserve to have their citizens attacked and killed. You can’t agree to do something like this; it goes against everything we believe in.”
Grady stared at Taffy for a moment and turned to RJ, “How do you feel about this?”
“I will kill anyone that threatens us.”
“Then you must not allow them to launch their colony ships!” Taffy replied harshly.
Grady saw RJ raise his shoulders and he said, “The time to act is now upon us and we can’t put it off any longer. I agree with Taffy…for the most part.”
“GRADY!”
“We’re forced to go and tell them they aren’t welcome in the Milky Way and if they decide to invade anyway, the destruction of their colony ships will be on them.”
“But…”
Grady interrupted her, “Humanity’s safety is my sworn duty and I will stand by that promise.”
“How do you intend to stop them?” RJ asked.
“I’m going to go and have a conversation with their leaders and make sure they understand our position on this issue.”
“Then I’m going with you!” Taffy said firmly.
“Taffy…”
“I’m going Grady!”
“Do you want me to go instead?”
“Hell no, RJ!” Taffy replied.
“Why not?”
“Because you are a warrior above all else and I don’t trust you to be diplomatic enough to stop them.”
Grady chuckled, “She does have a point.”
RJ shook his head, “It’s going to lead to a war either sooner or later. Delaying the confrontation is just a waste of time.”
“That’s why you’re not going,” Taffy interjected. “If we attack that civilization and remove them from Triangulum, all out war will break out in that galaxy and trillions will die.”
Grady looked at their expressions and sighed, “I’m going on one of the new warships to open a dialogue with them. It appears Taffy is going with me and I’ll let you know how it turns out.” RJ nodded and ended the contact. Grady turned to Taffy, “Get Rick back to Candy today. We’re going to the construction yard and learn how to operate our newest warship.” Grady paused and said, “I really wish you’d stay here.”
“You need me there.”
Grady stared at her and then remarked, “You’re probably right about that.”
• • •
“Just how do you know that ship isn’t that powerful?” Cami asked the computer.
“I did a passive scan of it.”
“YOU DID WHAT?!” Robert said loudly.
“That warship displayed an arrogance that I found extraordinary. If flew into that planet’s star system and didn’t have a single scanner activated. It knew where it was going and cared less about what it was running into at that planet.”
Cami looked at Robert, “It had taken all the data from that destroyed warship’s computer and probably saw there was nothing there to threaten them. It probably didn’t feel using a scanner was warranted.”
“That is exactly what happened and using a scanner would require that ship to use some of its power to activate it,” the computer added. “It doesn’t have power to waste.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Captain, that ship is a fine balance of two major weapon systems. The system that uses the most power is the force field that surrounds that ship. As large as that ship is, it requires an extreme level of energy to power a force field that large. The remaining energy is devoted to powering the ship’s internal systems and its blasters.”
“What are you saying?” Cami inquired.
“The blasters are more powerful than those on the two warships you attacked but not a lot more powerful. The blasters on this ship are far more powerful than the ones on that giant ship.”
“Are you saying we could breech its force field with our new blaster?”
“Yes Captain. If the ship they sent to that planet is the most powerful warship they have in their inventory, our newest warship can defeat it.”
“What about the old models?” Cami asked.
“No, they would not break through the force field, but those blue blaster beams would not penetrate the force fields on our old model warships.”
“It could if enough were fired at a single ship,” Robert spoke up.
“That would be extremely difficult to do, Captain. They cannot detect our ships and those blasters are targeted by computers; the computers would need a target to concentrate their barrages.”
“I don’t believe their blasters are targeted by computers,” Cami added to the conversation.
“The accuracy of them supports them being computer operated,” the computer stated.
“Why do you say that, Cami?”
Cami looked at Robert, “I’ve figured out what that telepathic roar is all about.”
“Do tell.”
“All the beings on that ship are linked telepathically. They constitute one consciousness and that’s why we’ve not been able to detect individual thoughts in that roar. That civilization is made up of one consciousness that directs their actions.”
“And you believe this because?”
“Robert, I was able to stop the roar.”
“How?”
“I thought about it being one consciousness and I thought I’d really like that thought to go away. The roar immediately disappeared.”
“Are you suggesting that giant globe is being created by one consciousness?”
“If that ship is a small example of it, I am. Every being on that giant ship was linked and their accuracy with those blasters comes from the combined images being seen by the individuals on that ship.” The computer and Robert were silent, and Cami added, “There’s more to support this.”
“Go on.”
“During the conversation with the leader of that planet, the ship kept referring to itself as we, our, or us. It never once used the word ‘I’.”
“You are right about that. And it is possible that the blasters could be controlled by this linked consciousness you’re inferring,” the computer stated.
Robert started shaking his head, “You’re saying that giant globe is one consciousness?!”
“I know it sounds impossible, but I do believe that’s the case. That would explain why any ship that enters that globe is immediately detected. They don’t need scanners to find anything; they see it.”
“If
what you’re suggesting is true, that would explain why the globe is getting larger.”
“Why do you say that Computer?”
“Admiral, if each individual in that species is part of what makes up that giant globe, the population is growing, and the newborns are adding to the power of the globe. At the rate it’s expanding, their population growth must be phenomenal.”
Cami’s eyes narrowed and she said absently, “I wonder what happens when that globe expands over a planet that’s not violated their space.”
Robert’s expression changed showing his fear and he said, “We’ve got to find out.”
“Why?”
“I thought that you could just avoid being made farmers by simply not entering their space. If the rate of expansion ultimately fills Andromeda, every civilized planet will be forced under their control. There would be no escaping them.” Robert turned the ship, “Computer do you have a star map of Andromeda.”
“I do.”
“Find some likely candidates of star systems with habitable planets close to the current location of that globe.” Robert pushed the thruster handle forward and the Heartbreaker went to full speed back toward the giant globe. He turned to Cami, “Start searching for a planet close to that globe that has a thought roar around it.”
“We’ll have to get a lot closer than this.” Robert nodded and went to maximum speed. Cami lifted her combat helmet and said, “We need to keep our combat helmets on.” Robert glanced at her. “We can’t allow our thoughts to be heard by that species.” Robert nodded, lifted his combat helmet, and turned back to his console as he put it on.
• • •
“Where are we going?”
“We’re going to that installation the Triangulum Civilization collects information and sends it out to their planets.”
“What do you intend to say?” Taffy asked.
“I’ve been thinking about that.”
“It better be good,” Taffy replied
Grady thought about it and pressed a button on his console, “Admiral Brown.” Justin appeared on his monitor. “I need you to assist me delivering a message.”
“Yes Sir.” Grady started speaking and at the end, Justin pressed the fleet frequency, “All scouts will leave your current location and form up on the Red Rock. You will be given your orders when you arrive.”
• • •
Charlotte contacted Graylin, “What’s going on?”
“I have no idea but we’re wasting time staying here in this galaxy. We’re probably being ordered out to Andromeda.” Charlotte nodded slightly and Graylin asked, “Do you suspect something else?”
“I know Justin and if we were being recalled to leave he would have ordered us to board the carriers and start moving back toward Britannia. He didn’t do that; something else is up.”
Graylin shrugged, “Whatever it is, we’ll soon find out.”
• • •
Grady moved in on the giant installation hanging above a planet and stopped the ship seventy miles out from it. He stared at the monitor and said, “Activate the frequency they use to communicate.” Taffy stared at him for a moment and then pressed a button. “I wish to communicate with the leaders of your civilization.”
Taffy watched the monitor and saw twenty large warships instantly power up and start moving in their direction. “You’ve stirred up the nest.” Grady nodded and waited.
They listened as the twenty warships spread out and began communicating with the installation, “We are not detecting anything where that communication originated.”
The Installation Controller watched the warships flying around and decided, “Why do you wish to communicate with us?”
Grady smiled; they weren’t stupid. “I’m here to offer you the chance to live or die. I know that you have the capability to contact all of your planets from this location and I require you to do just that.”
Grady didn’t have to ask; the Controller was under orders to send anything out of the ordinary to all of the member planets. He saw them start linking in and then spoke into his communicator, “What you’re saying is ridiculous. How do you know I can contact all of our planets from here?”
“We have been scouting your civilization for several years. We started when you sent scouts to my galaxy to plan an invasion of two civilizations near the core. You called off that invasion, but it appears you are now planning to move forward on those plans. We will not allow you to invade our galaxy.”
“And you believe you can stop us?”
“I know the location of every colony ship you’ve constructed, and I will destroy them if you move forward on your plans.” There was a long pause and Grady added, “I intended to just destroy them as they approached my galaxy, but my mate believes you don’t deserve us doing that.”
“Why not?”
“Although you’ve demonstrated aggressive behaviors, you didn’t destroy all the civilizations in this galaxy; you disarmed them and forced them to live in peace. It is for that reason alone that I’m here warning you to stop your invasion plans.”
“And you seriously believe you can prevent us.”
“It always comes down to who has the biggest hammer, doesn’t it?”
“I find it difficult to believe you can prevent us from doing anything. We have seventy-thousand reasons that say otherwise.”
“That’s the fifty-thousand warships you’ve built coupled with the fleets returning from Andromeda.” The Controller was shocked by the revelation. “If you move forward with your invasion plans you’ll have seventy-thousand fewer reasons.”
“How do you expect me to believe you? There is no civilization in that galaxy that can match up to our fleets.”
Grady sighed, “I’m going to reveal my ship. If any of your warships open fire, I will destroy them. I’m doing this to show I’m negotiating in good faith.” Grady turned to Taffy, “Shut down the stealth systems.”
The Controller stared at the scanner module and suddenly, a small warship appeared on it. “Surround that ship!” he ordered. The twenty Triangulum Warships rushed in and surrounded the small ship. The Controller asked, “Why did you reveal your ship? I was unable to detect it.”
“Because you possess enough arrogance to prevent listening to reason. The only way to stop you is to demonstrate that you will lose everything if you go through with your plans.”
“And just how do you intend to demonstrate this?”
“Order all your ships to open fire on my vessel.”
“What?”
“Before one is willing to listen to reason there must be fear.”
The Controller stared at the being on his monitor and ordered, “Destroy that ship!”
• • •
Taffy turned to Grady, “I hope Joshua isn’t wrong about our force field.”
“Joshua is a lot of things but being wrong isn’t one of them,” Grady replied as the twenty warships rushed in.
• • •
The twenty warships opened fire with blasters and missiles and the small warship disappeared in the middle of a horrific series of explosions. After a minute, the Controller ordered, “Cease fire.” The residue from the blasts dissipated and the small warship was there unharmed.
The Controller fell into his chair and Grady said, “Which ship do you want me to destroy?”
“Wh..what?”
“That’s the only way to convince you; it always comes down to wasting lives. If you prefer, I’ll destroy all twenty of your ships to keep you from having to decide which ones will die.” The Controller was silent, and Grady said harshly, “DECIDE!”
“How will you destroy the ship?”
“With one blaster beam although a missile would also do the trick.”
“Will you fire a blaster beam and allow me to analyze it?”
• • •
“Grady, they’ll learn about the power of our blasters if you do that!”
“Taffy get real. They’ll be able to analyze the beam i
f it’s fired at a ship as well.”
Taffy shook her head, “I’m not thinking clearly.”
Grady said to Taffy, “I want you to fire ten blaster beams between those ships. Do it now.”
Taffy issued instructions to her targeting computer and pressed the red button on her console. Ten huge brilliant beams leapt out of the small warships and the commanders began yelling, “Controller, that beam melted the outer hull on my ship inside the force field!!”
The alien listened to the commanders and stared at Grady on the monitor. He saw the leaders of the planets that linked into the conversation were stunned silent. Grady saw the alien’s light-brown colored skin was darker and it was clear it was agitated. “It appears your ship is more powerful than ours.”
“There’s more you should know before you make a huge mistake.”
“What is that?” the alien asked.
Grady said, “Admiral Brown, if you please.” Suddenly more than six-thousand small warships appeared surrounding the huge installation. The Alien stood up from his chair and Grady smiled, “You can’t detect my warships. I brought a small fleet with me to make sure you understand that if you attempt to move your forces into my galaxy, we will insure you’ll never do it again.”
The alien suddenly disappeared from the monitor and another alien appeared on it. Grady and Taffy instantly saw this alien was much older than the previous one. Its skin was darker and the brown hair on its head was almost white in color. “I believe this is where I should take part in this conversation.”
“And you are?” Grady asked.
“I’m the current elected leader of my civilization. I think you’ve proven your point about who’s carrying the biggest hammer. However, are you open to negotiating a settlement.”
Grady’s eyes narrowed, “There’s nothing to settle. You invade; you die.”
“Perhaps there’s a way our civilizations can work out a way for us to move to your galaxy without all the posturing and threats.”
Grady sat back in his chair, “Go on.”
“My civilization must leave this galaxy and your galaxy is the closest one for us to go.”
Grady sat forward, “Andromeda is closer.”
The old alien smiled, “If you knew about our warships fighting in Andromeda, I’m reasonably certain you know that Andromeda, as you call it, is not a viable option.” Grady stared at him and then nodded. “What would it take for you to agree for us to move to your galaxy?”