by Saxon Andrew
“Sargent, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but we have exterminated every OA in their universe.”
“I’m aware of it, Sir. And I told them that they are the last living members of their species.”
Eddie’s eyes narrowed, “Why would you do that?”
“Because they deserve to know. The leader told me that we will probably kill them as well to remove them as an issue.”
“You told them, and they didn’t attack?”
“Sir, talk to them.”
“What?”
“Talk to them. I know you’ve come here to kill them, but I beg you to simply talk to them.”
Eddie stared at Susan and glanced at Janie, she shrugged. “How will I talk to them, Sargent.”
“You have red armor, don’t you?” Eddie nodded. Activate it and I’ll use this cable to download the translation program into your armor’s computer. Once that’s done, I’ll connect the cable to the green-torch and you’ll be able to communicate with them. Eddie glared at Susan and she looked at him with a distraught expression. He blew out a breath and activated his armor. Susan pulled the cable from the torch and plugged it into the port on Eddie’s helmet. The download started and a few minutes later it completed, as Susan plugged the cable in the torch. Eddie looked at the huge OA directly in front of him and he saw it start changing color, “Have you been sent here to kill us?”
“I’ve been sent here to resolve the issue you present us.”
“I suspect killing us would be the simplest solution for you,” the OA replied.
“The Sargent tells me that you’re aware we’ve eradicated your species.”
“We are.”
“You appear to be doing nothing about it.”
“What is there to do? What’s done is done and can’t be undone.”
“I thought you would attack my warriors once you learned about it.”
“We have told them we would not do that.”
“But things have changed since you made that agreement.”
“Yes, but the agreement hasn’t changed, has it?” the OA asked.
Eddie stared at it and finally answered, “No, I suppose it hasn’t.” Eddie sat down in front of the OA and asked, “Why has your species gone out into creation and killed millions of civilizations?”
“We are evolved from a one-cell creature that envelops and consumes any food it encounters. It’s who we are. We’ve never considered any other life as more than a meal.”
“But you haven’t consumed the ones here with you now.”
“We agreed not to do it.”
Eddie shook his head and the professor side of him took hold of him. He began discussing things with the OA and the hours began passing.
Janie looked at Susan, “There appears to be more to these things than I thought.”
Susan kept her eyes on Eddie and said, “They are simple-complex.”
“Say what?” Janie asked.
Susan looked at her, “They agreed not to harm any of my species and nothing we can do will make them break that agreement. You could walk up and start executing them one-by-one and they would not defend themselves because of their agreement.”
“You’re kidding me!” Janie said with her brow furrowed.
“No, I’m not. They are the most dangerous species in the universe and one of the most intelligent. But their dealings with another species is extremely simple. They make an agreement, and they can’t consider doing anything else.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
Susan sighed quickly and said, “Look at it this way. Ants and termites are capable of building some remarkable structures, right?” Janie nodded. “They both communicate with the other members of their colonies to build those structures and find food supplies. How do you think our communications with an ant or termite might look like?”
Janie thought about it, “It would have to be extremely simple terms.”
“That doesn’t take away from the structure they live in, but you must first be able to communicate with them to get them to see who you are. The OAs communicate with color and, I firmly believe, they are unique in that. No species they would ever encounter would be able to communicate with them. It would be like army ants consuming a human never knowing they were anything but a meal.”
Janie began nodding. “I think I understand, a little. Why didn’t we attempt to communicate with them?”
“Fear,” Susan answered.
“What?”
“We knew if we showed them we knew how to communicate with them the OAs would stop at nothing to find us and consume us. The fear of being found prevented us from communicating with them.”
“Are you suggesting this entire war could have been avoided if we had talked to them!?”
“We simply had to show them that we are not a meal. This war was a direct result of our fear that led to the extinction of the OAs.” Susan looked at Eddie talking to the OA, as Susan continued, “All we had to do was send just one of these OAs back to their civilization and tell them that it agreed not to harm our species, and we would have been left alone.”
Janie stared at Susan and her expression showed her dismay. “We killed trillions of them.”
“And you came here to kill four-thousand more,” Susan added.
Janie looked at Eddie still talking with the OA and turned back to Susan, “Are you sure about this?”
Susan sighed, “This is something the Realm doesn’t need to know. If they learned they exterminated a civilization that could have been saved, it will cause great mistrust of the Realm’s leadership. Your Admiral is learning about that now. It might be best to kill them and prevent this from becoming known.”
Janie shook her head, “NO! Two-wrongs never make a right.” She looked at Susan, “You don’t know Admiral Taylor, but he will do the right thing…no matter what the price or cost.”
Susan looked at Eddie, “I sincerely hope you’re right.”
• • •
Eddie listened to the OA and knew a horrible error had been made. These creatures were not the monsters he believed them to be. But they were incredibly dangerous. How can he allow them to life? Finally, he asked the OA, “If I ask you to accept another option to prevent your death, would you accept it?”
“None of us want to die,” the OA replied.
“All right, here’s your option. If you agree to not attack a species that is part of my civilization, I will allow you to live.”
“Can we consume civilizations that aren’t part of your civilization?”
“No, not really. However, you may consume any civilization that is a danger to my civilization.”
The OA was silent for a moment and then asked, “So, you want us to defend your civilization?”
“I do. And in return, we’ll defend your species.”
The OA was silent and then replied, “I hate to say no, but I see a problem with determining who we must avoid and who is open for consumption. I cannot make an agreement I can’t be sure of keeping.”
Eddie shook his head and then smiled, “What about this? My civilization will assign someone you can go to and ask which category a civilization falls into that you’re looking at consuming. Would that solve the issue?”
“Do we remain here in this clearing?”
“No. I’ll take you to a galaxy that will belong to you. You can choose the planet where you want to start building your civilization and we will assist you in the effort; if you accept my option.”
“Give me a moment.” The OA began changing color at an incredible speed and the others were flashing with him. The translating program was over loaded, and Eddie wondered what they were discussing. Finally, the OA turned around and asked, “One of us has a question that I haven’t considered.”
“What is that?” Eddie asked.
“Are we going to be allowed to build warships to come to your defense? We cannot keep an agreement to defend you if we don’t have the means of doing it.”
&nbs
p; Eddie chuckled, “Yes, and we’ll not hold you to defending us until you have the forces to do it.”
“That resolves the only issue we’ve seen. We will accept your option and are appreciative you found a way for us to live in safety.”
Eddie nodded and said, “I’m going to have to leave and let my civilization know about our agreement. You will remain here until I can arrange for a ship to come and take you to choose your new home.”
“We will be waiting.”
• • •
Eddie stood up and unplugged the cable from his armor. Susan rushed up and asked, “Sir? What have you decided?”
Eddie looked her in the eyes and smiled, “They live. This entire war was senseless, and it ends here.”
“What are you going to do with them?”
“I’m going to send a transport to move them to a galaxy in DEC territory. There are thousands of Galaxies there that are uninhabited because of the DECs. They will select a planet of their choice to start building their civilization. They have agreed to defend the Realm and not harm any civilization without getting approval from us first. We will assist them in building their warships.”
“WHAT?” Janie exclaimed.
“Janie, you need to spend a few hours talking to them and you’d want them to start building as quickly as possible.”
“Why, Eddie?”
“Because I don’t believe anything, but a psychic-warship can stand up to one of their motherships. Sargent Agnof is right, they are honest to a fault; they are no danger to the Realm.”
“Thank you, Sir! Will you allow my squad to stay with them until they find a new home?”
“Someone is going to have to go with them that can translate their language. I’ll approve you going with them but you’re going to need to report to your new assignments as quickly as they are delivered.”
Susan tilted her head, “Did you say new assignments?”
Major-General Crandon has signed promotion papers and you will be promoted to Colonel and will take command of a new Regiment of Red Warriors. Every member of your squad had been promoted to captain and they will be the company commanders in your regiment. General Crandon is highly impressed with what you accomplished here.” Susan rolled her eyes and Eddie asked, “What’s bothering you?”
“I’ve just become accustomed to be a Sargent. I don’t have any idea what Colonels do.”
Eddie laughed, “They do what a Sargent does, Colonel. They command about ten-officers to get the job done.”
Susan slapped her forehead with her palm, “Oh, I didn’t realize the sheer simplicity of higher-command. I should have done this years ago.”
The squad laughed out-loud and Eddie and Janie joined in. “Good-luck Colonel. Take care of them, we owe it to them.”
“I will, Sir, and thank you for seeing the truth.”
• • •
Eddie turned and started walking back to the Nightmare. Janie looked up at him and asked, “What happens now?”
“Well, we go back and convince the Queen that we’ve done the right thing here. If it takes bringing that OA to communicate with her, then so be it. I believe she’ll come around without having to do that.”
“And after that?”
Eddie looked at her, “Tag and Danielle have left to explore creation. I’ve always wanted to travel the stars and see what’s out there. I thought I’d invite you to go.”
“How long will we be gone?”
“Years.”
“Can’t do it.”
“Why not, Janie?”
“My parents would never allow me to go out in a spaceship with a single man for that long.”
Eddie stopped, pulled Janie into his arms, and kissed her passionately. He broke the kiss and said, “Do you think they’ll approve of you going out with your husband?”
Janie smiled, “I don’t know; I’ll have to ask him.”
Eddie sighed, “You never make it easy. Janie, will you marry me?”
“Oh, so where’s the ring?”
Eddie reached in his front pocket and pulled out a huge diamond ring. Janie’s eyes flew wide open and Eddie smiled, “I’ve been waiting for the right moment. Bong helped me pick it out. Will you…marry me?”
“It will have to be a double wedding,” Janie replied.
“Oh?”
“Bobby and Dottie aren’t going to go without a wedding.”
“Let’s go ask them if they’re up to the task.” Eddie put the ring on Janie’s finger and walked into the Nightmare holding her hand.
Epilogue
The giant warship flew into the planetary system and saw the fourth planet from the sun was under attack. The defenders were losing the fight, as hundreds of huge troop ships were moving to drop on the planet. “Have you used the translator to determine what is happening here?” the Commander asked.
“It appears the ships attacking that planet are part of a civilization that goes out and enslaves other civilizations.”
“Does the computer authorize us to take action?”
“I’ve fed the data I’ve collected into it and it is making the decision now.” The OA stared at his display and said, “Approval has been granted to remove the attackers. We are not authorized to attack the planet.”
“Launch warships and sweep the troop carriers.”
The giant mothership flew in and rammed every troop ship with its force field vaporizing them. The thousands of warships that launched from the mothership chased down the warships attacking the planet and destroyed them. The battle ended so suddenly, the defenders were stunned. “Commander, the computer has approved us going to the home world of the attackers and consume them.”
“Do tell. Recall the warships and let’s go see about a meal.” The OA commander settled back and liked being away from the confines of the Realm. This was so much better, and he left the defenders wondering who had come to save them; they would never find out. The OA mothership was out making a difference in a very dangerous universe, keeping their hundred-year-old-agreement with the Realm that gave them a new beginning.
The End
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Books by Saxon Andrew
The Annihilation Series:
Love Conquers All
The Power of a Queen
A Rose Grows in Weeds
Tommy’s Tale
Searcher
Demon’s Sacrifice
Finding Keepers
(The seven books above are also audio books at Audible.com)
Prequel-Psychic Beginnings
Searching for a Hero
Dahlia’s Deception
Annihilation-The Complete Series Box Set
The Annihilation Saga:
Lost Royalty
The Warrior's Destiny
No Way Out
Fight... and They Will Come
Ashes of the Realm:
Juliette’s Dream
Greyson’s Revenge
Death of an Empire
The Return of the Realm
Lens of Time:
The Pyramid Builders
Planet Predators
Pray for the Prey
The End of Time
Lens of Time - Star Rover:
The Worst of Time
Running Out of Time
Chosen to Die
The Fight for Creation:
Life Warrior
Scout Warrior
Ultimate Warrior
Star Chase:
The Lost Prince
(Also an audio book at Audible.com)
Nowhere to Run
Nowhere to Hide
Probe Predators
Jesse's:
Jesse’s Starship
Mike’s War
Joshua’s Walls
Nemesis:
Revenge is Best Served Hot
The Search for Orion
Trapped in Time:
The Time Takers
Taming a Planet
Extinction
Escape to Earth:
Running From Fate
Fighting for Space
Defending Holy Ground
The Legacy of a Conqueror
Living Legends
The Sequel Series to Escape to Earth - Defending Earth:
Searching for Death Feeders
Discovery Means Death
The Death Prophecies:
The Coming of the Prophet
The Prophet's Eyes
The Unknown Enemy Will Kill You
No Technology is Invincible
Survival is Never Free
The Last Prophecy
Stories from the Filament Universe:
Gregor’s Run
A Pirate’s Tale
Soul of the Swords
The Death Filament
Death Never Leaves a Calling Card
Gregor’s Search
Jimmy's Dreams Stories:
Jimmy’s Dreams
Jimmy’s Dreams II - A Recurring Nightmare
Other:
The War Against Earth
The Book of Life
(a short story)
Coming Soon:
About Saxon Andrew
Saxon Andrew is a former social worker with a degree in Psychology and Education from Mercer University. He has taught school, managed several sales organizations and owned his own business.
He has devoured science fiction since he first learned to read and his stories are the product of years of personal experience and exposure to the universes created by the genre’s great authors.
He lives in Tampa, Florida with his wife and two dogs who still appreciate his sense of humor after all these years. "Dogs are always ready to smile."