by Saxon Andrew
Sprig shrugged, “I would repair it or replace it.”
“I don’t think they know about us being here helping you, yet. The Nest Mother is still functioning and I suspect the families are still harvesting universes. I’m concerned about what would happen if the Nest Mother was removed and the families eliminated. The beings that did this might be somewhat annoyed at our impertinence for breaking one of their tools. I think their reaction would be catastrophic to those that were guilty of interfering with their plans.”
Einstein added, “I have looked at all the information available about what happens when a new Nest Mother replaces the old one. The data from the last change shows a New Female that appears somewhat nervous but not vicious at the start of the ceremony. However, I have seen a change in her when she assumes her place on the nest.”
Destiny turned his head upside down, “What have you seen?”
Einstein narrated as he started a video, “This information comes from our ships storage banks.” The display came on and everyone watched as the new Nest Mother moved onto the nest and placed her back two legs into two receptacles. She immediately dropped onto her abdomen and her demeanor changed radically. Her fangs dripped venom and then she put the rest of her legs into the other receptacles. Einstein said as the video was running, “I believe that it is those first two receptacles that downloaded the compulsions into her. I initially thought that the beings must come every time a Nest Mother is replaced but this is so much easier. Their little project will run with little or no attention needed by the creators. This might be a good thing if they seldom check on their creations.”
Sprig’s leaves turned light brown and he turned to the little spider, “Why, do you think the beings that did this are in a galaxy in our universe?”
Einstein nodded and Newton answered, “That galaxy is in every universe we have harvested. It appears to exist outside the space-time continuum as we know it and coexists with every universe. We have also never attempted to harvest that galaxy. Evidently the compulsions also forbid us from going near it.” The display then showed picture after picture of the dark galaxy in many different universes. It was identical in every picture.
Sprig thought for a moment, “This information causes me to wonder just who is the real enemy.”
Destiny softly thought, “My species is being forced into the killing we have been doing. We are not naturally aggressive and have no choice but to kill intelligent life. Just as your species was forced to kill planets, Sprig; mine is being forced to kill universes. We have no control over our actions.”
“It also begs the question of why they made you collect all of the data from the civilizations you’ve destroyed. I suspect that they will collect that data at some point.”
“I have also considered that, Sprig. I don’t believe they need it or have any interest in it as ancient as they are; I believe they have us collect it to make ourselves a better tool for killing. That way we would not have to be modified over the millions of years of our existence; we would improve on our own until they release a new and better tool to carry out their designs. They might collect the information when they choose to eliminate us, but they could also just ignore it because of their billions year old technology. They don’t want a tool that requires any attention.”
“That is a truly frightening thought, Destiny.”
“We know how they operate. Have you not made newer and better technology over the long age of your species? Why would they be any different?”
“These suspected beings, if they do exist as you surmise, are so much older than us that they are billions of years ahead of us technologically.” Sprig thought a moment, “I don’t know if we could survive their attentions. They make the Captors look like infants.”
Destiny sighed, “It would give added weight to just staying in our universe and attempting to hide from their attention; however, we are here and if they see us….” He left the rest unsaid.
“What about the possibility of a new tool to replace your species. I suspect that tool will not be limited to just entering by the entry points and they would be coming in our future.”
“Perhaps, but it would give us time to try and develop weapons against them.”
“Destiny, this suspected race is billions of years ahead of us. It would take breakthroughs that you just can’t plan to happen.”
“That’s true, Sprig, but we have something they didn’t count on.”
“What is that?”
Destiny looked around the room and said, “Why, my children, of course and they have information stored from millions of years of taking it during our harvests.”
“Are you recording this meeting?”
Edison looked up, “Yes, I am.”
“Please send a copy of it to King Gardner for his viewing immediately.”
Suddenly they all heard mentally, “You don’t need to do that. I have been listening in on your discussion.” Matt appeared in the map room and approached the table. “This troubles me greatly. I’m not sure how we should move forward now that we know about that galaxy. I’m concerned about even going to look at it for fear that the beings there would sense us. I need you to come up with a plan on how we should begin preparing to counter what we suspect is happening.”
Destiny looked at Matt, “We can’t act hastily. We have to give my children some time to work on this. I suspect that they will come up with the best approach.”
Matt looked at the three waist high spiders, “I think you’re right; however, I want the brightest of the Algean adolescents to join them in their efforts. Please keep me informed about what progress you make. I also need your thoughts about what we should do about your species, Destiny. Should we just leave them alone to continue their killing? I really don’t want to do that, but I think you’re right about those beings being extremely angry if we eliminate their creation.”
Sprig leaned forward, “We will begin at once, Your Majesty.”
The Nest Mother didn’t want to send her families out to harvest for fear of being caught undefended if those strange beings attacked, but could not stop herself from sending them. “Why can’t I control myself?” she wondered. She thought about it and then inserted her legs into her receptacles and began looking at the oldest data she possessed. Something just wasn’t right. She was powerless against the forces forcing her to continue harvesting. She had never thought about not sending her family out in the past but now she discovered that she was unable to stop it. The more she tried to focus on the problem the more her rage tore her mind away from it. What was happening?
Chapter 3
The red colored being sat and looked at his console. It noticed that the ship being constructed was interesting but wondered about whether it possessed the necessary technology to be an improvement over the last ones he designed. Designing its hull had taken much longer than he planned, but it had to be capable of so many things. As he watched he heard, “What’s wrong?”
“I’m trying to decide whether or not to give my new project dimensional capability.”
“I’m not sure that would be wise.”
“As long as we can eliminate them any time we choose, I don’t think it would pose a problem.”
“Even so, I prefer you limit them to universal drives.”
The being thought a moment, “Why are you concerned?”
“The uncertainty principle always applies to our creations and must be accounted for in our work.”
“It has never caused us trouble before.”
“Even more reason to be cautious. The probabilities increase with time.”
The red being thought a moment, “You’re right. I will act accordingly.”
“How much longer before they are ready to be released?”
“The initial group will soon be completed; most of the compulsions have already been applied.”
“Before you commit to the project you might want to send a sample of them out to see how they perform.”
“It’s the word “reasonably” that bothers me. Are you absolutely sure? You know how the Elders insist on certainty.”
“This tool is designed to handle weapons and is more vicious than any tool I’ve ever made. They will kill large groups instead of one-on-one like the current tool and unlike the current tool, these don’t have to be compelled to kill; they enjoy it. They have also been designed to handle that unresolved issue and their technology will be more advanced.” The being thought a moment, “Perhaps you’re right. I’ll produce a sample large enough to trial.”
“What will be your target?”
“Why the current tool, of course.”
“What about their ability to handle a universe?”
“They’ll do both during the trial.”
“Don’t eliminate the current tool until you’re sure.”
“I won’t. I’ll only take a nibble out of their numbers.”
“Yeah, but a nibble for you is huge.”
The Red Being smiled and shrugged.
Tag, Danielle, and Melanie finished watching the recording of the meeting and Tag asked, “I see why you’ve asked us to come.”
“I need to know what your sense of danger says about this information.”
“We have some time. I’m not sure how much, but I think we have a few years before we are threatened directly. What are you planning?”
“To use that time wisely and to try and come up with instruments that will protect the Realm.”
Melanie, who was starting to gain weight, said, “You are going to make a trip, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am, love. Our descendents will not face this kind of uncertain future if I can do anything about it.”
Melanie took his hand, “Should I go with you?”
“No, one of us needs to be here.”
Danielle smiled, “I think he’s right. The Realm needs to know that our rulers are available.”
Matt looked at Danielle and she immediately said, “No, we will not become the Realm’s rulers again. This is for you to handle.”
“I was just thinking that it would free us up to work on it directly.”
“It would also frighten the Realm too much to make that change. They have accepted you and love you now. It would only hurt our leadership if we did that.”
“Then are you prepared to work on it directly?”
Danielle looked at Tag, “That’s something I will need to discuss with Tag but my initial response is no. Our time has come and gone. Our talents are nowhere near a strong as your generation.”
“Don’t sell yourself short, Danielle. We are what we’ve become because of you.”
Melanie smiled, “Danielle’s right; you will have to accept your role as our King in this venture.”
Matt sighed, “I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
Melanie hugged him tightly, “Tell them hello for me.”
“I will.”
“Al, have you got a minute?”
“Anytime, Magic.”
“I need to make a trip and I was wondering if you would take me.”
“Where are you going?”
“To see a brother.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Matt watched his display as he moved toward the planet of the Reg.
“Looks like things have changed since our last visit.”
“They have indeed, Al. The cities are glowing much brighter and the city on the southern continent was dark on our last visit. Look at it now.” The city was glowing brightly and could be seen from the distance of the first moon. As they entered orbit, Three Reg appeared on their bridge.
“Why have you come to see us, Brother?”
“Do you know about the dark galaxy?”
The First Reg looked in Matt’s mind and then looked at the other two. After a moment it turned and thought, “Yes, we know about them.”
“So the beings we surmised do exist.”
“Yes, they do, and they are all you fear them to be.”
“I know your ideals but I need to know what you can tell me about them.”
The Second Reg looked at Matt, “They are older than our civilization and have been killing as long as they have existed. The dark galaxy, as you call it, is their home. They fear that another race of beings will come that will remove them from creation. They now spend their long existence looking across all universes and dimensions to prevent that race from coming into existence.”
“What caused them to have that fear?”
“They think that if they can be created then they can be destroyed. They fear the force that created them.”
“Why would they fear it?”
“Because they decided not to follow the spirit of that force; they decided to rebel and do as they pleased. Knowing the power of the creating force, they decided to prevent the creation of another race that could defeat them.”
“Is this creative force a conscious entity?”
“That’s a question we have pondered our entire existence and are still no closer to an answer. However, it does not take a conscious entity to remove things that are foreign to a system. Your bodies eliminate waste that would poison you, stars go nova to remove mass that has been burned, some of your shellfish build a layer of protection around foreign things in them and a pearl is the product. Don’t look so surprised, we have been examining your planet for quite awhile. Everywhere creation has natural defenses against things that can harm it. Some of these defenses produce things that are beautiful. Those beings are right; the creative force will seek to remove them.”
“Why have they not come and destroyed you?”
“They cannot see us. We are beings of psychic power and they are blind to its color.”
Al said, “But surely they can see your cities and ships.”
“Yes, but all they see is glowing rock and inorganic matter. They have trillions of universes and dimensions to watch and all of their sensory devices look for organic material. We do not appear on their searches, yet”
“Why do you say, “yet”?”
“The green creatures know about us. If they collect the information they have gathered, they will learn that they could not harm us and they will investigate.”
“You don’t show up on their searches, but we do.”
“Yes, you do.”
Matt was silent while he pondered what he learned.
The Third Reg thought, “They have not taken direct action against those races they detect. They have created tools to do that for them so they do not normally watch their sensors. If they find us they will take direct action. It is also time for them to be creating a new tool for their designs.”
“What can we do to protect ourselves from them?”
“If they see you, nothing will protect you. Fortunately, you are hidden in the trillions their sensors watch. We have thought about how to protect ourselves and also our universe. We cannot take life but some of our Eldest have come back to the present and have discussed the possibility of saving life without taking life.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“We can defend ourselves and not violate our principles. We know the green creatures know of our existence and if the red beings take their information they will learn of us. If they are building a new tool, then our time of being hidden is short. We can remove us from their sensors. We are looking at that possibility at this moment.”
“How would you do that?”
“We will move this universe into another dimension and place a psychic barrier around it that would prevent their being able to see us and be a barrier to them entering.”
“Wouldn’t their galaxy still be in our universe?”
“No, we would move to a dimension where they are not currently present and bar them from entering.”
Matt thought about the scope of the Reg’s abilities to be able to accomplish what th
ey described, “Then we would have to turn our backs on all the civilizations they will kill in the future.”
“Our Eldest said you would feel that way; however, you, like us, are beings that possess psychic powers. You will be able to leave and return to this universe by the use of those powers. You will need a psychic drive but you are not far from developing one.”
“The Spider’s children,” Matt thought.