by Saxon Andrew
Matt just stared at Cassandra.
Tommy said, “She’s not kidding. This ship is a weapon for war. It enjoys its function.”
“But how would you launch the weapons? You need some kind of platform to fire at their ships.”
“Matt, I watched this ship eject negative energy matter at close to light speed at Captor ships.” Tommy sat forward and continued, “We don’t understand how this ship ejects things from its hull but it does it with great accuracy. I sincerely believe that the ship could fire a shard into one of their ships and then shoot a Captor energy ball device and the iron ball package through the same hole. I’ve seen that your ship is intelligent but this ship is an idiot savant when it comes to weapons of war.”
Matt thought for a moment and then looked at them, “We only have another month before the main fleet comes. Tag agrees with my estimate and the Gresh estimate forty four days. I suspect they are probably more accurate because there are more of them. We will be ready to take them on six months after their invasion starts. At that time we are going to have to stand at their door of entry and go toe to toe with them. Can the Kosiev be ready in time?”
Cassandra closed her eyes and remained still for five minutes. “Barely, Matt, we are going to need to absorb enough raw materials to be effective against the numbers that are coming.”
“Tell me what that would look like, Cassandra.”
“Well, we are probably going to strip the southern continent of Cainth of all its stone trees and the same for the western continent on Glod. We will also take a third of the Captor’s structure.”
Matt’s eyes widened, “Can this ship hold all that?”
Tommy smiled, “And a lot more if needed.”
Cassandra looked at Matt and smiled, “We will close the door. Your ships need to eliminate those that have already entered. When are you going to go after that mother ship?”
“In a week; we’re going to hit them while their ships are going after a planet. Then we are going to attack their ships to learn how to kill them. We might lose some ships but we have to learn how to take them out in massive fleet actions.”
“Will you provide us a feed to observe; my ship could learn a few things.”
“I hope you won’t mind if we come to observe also.”
Tommy smiled and stood up, “Hello, Grandfather. Where have you been hiding?”
“You know how it is with young Algeans.”
“And hello to you as well, Diana.”
“Hi everyone; we’ve been observing from a distance and helping Sprig whenever he needs it. We want to watch the attack if it meets your approval Prince Gardner.”
“You don’t need my permission. I would welcome your observations.”
“Well good. Tommy, we’re going to hang around a while. May we come aboard?”
“Please do; I’ve missed you greatly.”
“We’ll move to your landing bay.”
“That would be good, Grandfather.”
Cassandra went to Matt and gave him a huge hug. I love you, Matt. You’ve made me very proud.”
“Thank you. That means a lot. I’ll let you know the details of the attack when they’re completed. Al, bring me home.”
Matt appeared on the bridge of Aladdin and Al asked, “Ok, so what next?”
“I want to see Sprig about some chemicals.”
“I wondered if you forgot about that.”
“You know better.”
“On our way.”
The Supreme Male was nervous. He had just downloaded the information from the Nest Mother and was given his instructions to go to a universe to find an advanced life form for consumption. However, it appeared this life form had killed a transport and two attack craft and left no evidence on how to find it. He had lived millions of years and had never lost a ship but this harvest had him worried. His Sensor Male sensed his mood and was also concerned about the harvest. “I understand one of the former family’s main ships is still in the universe.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Contact them and put them on my panel.”
The new Ship’s Male was watching his display as his ships moved in on a planet. A Supreme Male he had never seen appeared. “I understand that you are in the universe where we have lost some ships.”
“Yes, Supreme Male.”
“Your family has been consumed and fed to the Nest Mother. I am now coming with my family to harvest that universe. Give me your information.”
The Ship’s Male knew that he was dead. If not now then as soon as the new family arrived; he moved toward the bed but then said, “Supreme Male, I have an incident occurring at the planet we are now harvesting. May I look into it and contact you immediately after.”
“What’s happening?”
“There are explosions around several of my transports.”
“Contact me as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Supreme Male, I will.” The communication panel went dark and the Sensor Male asked, “What are you doing?”
“Our family is dead Sensor Male. The Nest Mother has consumed it. We are all that remains and we will also be eliminated. I’m trying to decide if I will yield to this certain death.”
“What choice do you have?”
“There are many options, Sensor Male; are you ready to die?”
The Sensor Male thought about the question and replied, “If I had a choice, I would prefer to continue my existence. I just don’t see how we can avoid our fate.”
“We may not be able to avoid it but we can delay it as long as possible.”
“How?”
“I’m thinking about that but while I’m thinking I want you to turn off the communications bank.”
“Are you sure that’s wise, First Fang?”
“I’m sure it isn’t the smartest thing we could do but we’re dead either way. I would like some more time to enjoy my existence.” The Sensor Male reached over and turned the power off the communications bank. Now, I want you to go back to the engine room and disable the tracking console.”
“What is that?”
“It’s a tracking device that is installed on all of our main ships so they can be seen in other universes. I also want to remain hidden as long as possible.” The Sensor Male left the command chamber and went to carry out his instructions. When he returned the Ship’s Male said, “Recall all ships immediately and return to the system where we lost our transport.”
The Sensor Male turned his head upside down indicating his confusion but issued the orders. “What are you going to do?”
“Try to have a conversation.”
“Matt, the mother ship has recalled its ships and is turning away from the planet they were moving in on.”
“What do you think they’re doing, Al?”
“I have no idea.”
Matt thought a moment and then commed Melanie, “I need you to come here now.” Ten seconds later Fly Girl appeared just off his port side.
“What’s bothering you,” Melanie asked?
“The invaders have recalled their ships from a planet they were going to harvest and are moving out of the system. Do you have any idea why they would do that?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Well, come aboard and let’s see where they go.”
Five hours later the mother ship jumped to the Hugon system and stopped two hours inside the jump limit. The mother ship opened all its external doors and left them open. “What are they doing,” Melanie asked?
Matt thought a few minutes and then said, “Let’s teleport into that system.”
“Why?”
“They have opened their doors exposing the inside of their ship. They are telling us something; I’m just not sure what. What does an open door normally mean?
“It is usually an invitation to enter.”
“Let’s go check it out.”
The two small ships disappeared and emerged into the Hugon system an hour away from the mother ship. The huge ship continued to h
ang in space with all of its external doors open. Matt thought a moment, “Does anyone have a suggestion?” No one said anything. “I’m going to ask them what they’re doing.”
“Do you think that’s wise,” Fly Girl asked?
“All they can do is not answer. They cannot get close enough to harm us so I see no real harm in asking.”
“Matt, this is weird.”
“I know, Melanie but unless you have a better idea I’m going to ask them what they want.”
“Go ahead; let’s see what happens.”
Matt directed his thoughts at the mother ship, “Is there a reason you’ve opened your doors?”
The Sensor Male and the Ship’s Male jumped in their chairs. The Ship’s Male held up a leg telling the Sensor Male to remain quiet and then he thought back, “I am trying to communicate with the life form that has destroyed three of my ships.”
Melanie’s mouth fell open and Al almost dropped his screen.
“I didn’t know your species ever communicated with anyone,” Matt said.
The Ship’s Male was surprised that this being knew about his race, “We don’t normally but these are not normal times.”
“What do you mean?”
“The ships you’ve destroyed have caused the destruction of my family.”
“I don’t know what you mean by family.”
“It appears you possess some knowledge about my species so you probably know that a major harvest is scheduled for this universe.”
“I am aware of that.”
The Ship’s Male was shocked by this news but continued, “One family is used to harvest each universe. My family was scheduled to come and harvest but the destruction of those ships angered our Nest Mother and she consumed every member of my family except for those on this ship.”
Matt was stunned. “How many ships like yours did she consume?”
“More than eight million.”
Melanie thought, “Oh my ancestors.”
Matt thought, “That seems like a terrible waste of life but after observing your actions here I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“No, I suspect you wouldn’t be. My species does destroy numerous life forms.”
“So why are you communicating now?”
“I have decided that I am not ready to just submit to being killed. After I had that thought it dawned on me that whoever had destroyed our ships probably felt the same way toward us. I must confess being on the other end of this has the effect of changing one’s point of view. I decided to try and talk with you about it.”
“You know we could have destroyed your ship when you opened your doors and ignored your attempt to communicate.”
“We’re dead either way. The Nest Mother will never let us live after what I’ve just done.”
You mean communicate with another species.”
The Ship’s Male was surprised how quick this being caught on, “Exactly; I’m struggling with what to do and I’m uncertain about what path to take for my children on this ship.”
All of the millions of Eight Legs on the ship could hear the conversation and there was great anger among them hearing of their family’s destruction.
“Why don’t you just leave our universe and go hide?”
“It’s not that simple. They will find us and in the end we will die. I just can’t bring myself to yield to that destiny.”
“What do you expect from us? Surly you know we are angry about the civilizations you’ve destroyed. Do you think you can just come in and kill as you please without consequences?”
“Up until this moment I’ve never really thought about it from that perspective. I looked at my actions as gathering nourishment for my children and didn’t really consider how our meal was affected by our harvest. This experience sheds new light on that position.”
“You have to have known you were killing beings with intelligence.”
“Does your species consume protein?”
Matt hesitated but answered, “Yes, but not from intelligent beings.”
“Then help me understand the difference.”
“Give me a moment.”
“Take all the time you need. We’re not going anywhere for the near future.”
Matt thought to Melanie, “Can you help me with this one?”
Melanie shrugged and said, “Sorry, he’s right. Does a cow feel any different from an intelligent being about being eaten?”
“Melanie, there is a difference.”
“Sure but not one you can explain logically to a being that looks at all life as being a meal; some meals are just more tasty than others.”
“Ask Sprig,” Al suggested.
“Sprig, have you got a moment?”
“Sure, what do you need?”
“I’m having a conversation with the Eight Leg Commander of the mother ship and..”
“You’re what!!”
“Calm down, we’re discussing the difference between eating lower animal life forms and intelligent beings and he has asked me to explain the difference.”
“Are you out of you mind! That is the enemy. He now knows we exist.”
“He knew anyway. He parked his ship and opened all his ports and left them open to try and open a dialogue.”
“Give me your coordinates.”
“Al, send them.”
Five seconds later Sprig, Twig, Tag, Danielle, and Stem appeared on his bridge.
Al said, “Oh you’ve done it now. Excuse me while I go hide.”
“You big sissy.”
“Shut up, Fly Girl.”
Tag looked at Matt and said, “What’s going on here?”
“I’m having a conversation with the Eight Leg Commander of the mother ship. It seems that he has had an epiphany about life and death since his Nest Mother has just consumed eight million ships just like his. He seems to know that he’s next. I was telling him how we are angry about all the civilizations he’s destroyed and he asked if I consumed protein. I told him yes but not intelligent beings. He asked me to please explain the difference and I really didn’t know how to answer him. Do any of you have a suggestion?”
The five looked at Matt like he had three heads. “What possessed you to open a conversation,” Danielle asked?
Al said, “That Eight Legs started it; he opened all his ports inviting us to kill him.”
Tag said, “If you don’t mind, Al. I would like to hear Matt’s ideas.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll shut up.”
“I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Ok then. I’ll keep quiet.”
Matt laughed and said, “I’d give up if I were you, Tag.”
“You better listen to him, Your majesty.”
Tag looked at Matt and he said, “That was Melanie’s ship, Fly Girl.”
“Oh, alright, this is an open conversation.”
“So how do you explain the difference,” Al asked?
“Before I even get into that, I want to know why we should communicate with him under any circumstances.”
Matt smiled and said, “Tag, look at that ship and tell me what your sense of danger tells you.”
Tag closed his eyes and felt no danger then opened them, “You’ve made your point but I still see no reason to talk with our enemy.”
“I didn’t see anything else to do. If I destroyed him when he opened his doors then my ships would not get the practice they need. I thought I’d ask him to close them so we could destroy him later.”
Danielle started snickering and soon everyone started laughing. Finally Matt asked, “So how do I tell him the difference?”
Twig looked at him and said, “From the perspective of the one being consumed there is no difference.”
Matt’s face lit up. “Thanks, Twig. I think I have an answer. Is it alright to continue my dialogue?”
Everyone looked at each other saying nothing. Al piped up, “I know ya gotta be curious about how these creatures think.”
Tag sighed and said, “Go ahea
d.”
Matt turned and looked at the huge ship on his display, “I think I have an answer for you.”
“Did it take that long to figure it out?”
“Quite honestly, I had to ask for help. The main difference between consuming lower life forms and intelligent life forms is the amount of pain endured by knowing what’s coming. Intelligent life forms suffer much longer and much more intensely anticipating their death. Kind of like what you’re going through now.”
There was silence and then the Ship’s Male thought, “I think I can see what you’re saying. There is also the struggle to survive that places intense pressure on those being consumed. I am sorry for what pain I’ve caused. Even if a meal tastes better, that doesn’t make it right to cause that kind of torment. I’m sorry I bothered you. I don’t blame you for not wanting to assist us.”
“What were you thinking we could do to help?”
“My former commander, before he was consumed, thought you had a way to hide a planet. If you did possess that kind of technology, I would want to try and get you to hide us when the full harvest starts.”
“When you opened your ports, did you believe that we could destroy your ship?”
“I believed you have a way of destroying our ships. I didn’t know if you could destroy one this big.”
“We are going to stop your species from consuming us. Can you just sit by and watch us destroy those of your kind that are coming?”
“We have sat by for millions of years and watched our leaders destroy millions of us. Watching you do it wouldn’t be much of a change. If you were going to be eaten by some members of your species, would you worry about whether or not they were killed when they came close to where you were hiding?”
“You don’t understand; I intend to kill every member of your species and stop this killing of intelligent life.”
“Do you think you can do that?”
‘I don’t know, but I intend to try.”
“Can’t say that I blame you for that, however, what if my children and I agree to never consume another intelligent species. Would that remove us from the list of those you intend to destroy?”
“Damn if I know. That’s a question that I would need to take up with my leaders. However, how could I trust that you would keep your commitment?”
“Well, that’s a tough question. From what you’ve just told me I can assume that you can destroy my ship even if my ports were closed?”