Pray for the Prey (3 page)

The Seventh looked at the First and he linked with the others. After a moment, he linked with the Seventh and thought, “I’ll take it from here.” He thought, “We will not invade your galaxy again. You have earned that as payment for your actions today. This is not an easy decision for us to make and I know we will continue to second guess ourselves about it, but you have allowed us to survive and you deserve the consideration.”

George paused, “You know they’ll be looking for you?”

“Yes, we do; however, we have today and who knows how many more thanks to your kindness.”

“If you need us again, we will come.”

The First paused and then said, “You mean that, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do. We do not choose to conquer anyone, but to defend ourselves against those that would come and destroy us. It is only appropriate to assist others that are being attacked as well.”

The First looked around the table and said, “If you need our help, we will come to your defense as well. Good luck.”

• • •

George looked at the Command Team on his display and said, “It appears they are taking a radical step in choosing to defend us.”

Dolly nodded, “Which brings up another question.”

George tilted his head and slowly shook it, “I’m not sure we should do that, Dolly.”

Chris said, “What are you two mind readers talking about? Do what?”

“Give them our reactor technology.”

Chris was stunned silent.

Dolly said, “If they will no longer attack us, we should help them be as strong as possible in the event they do have to come to our defense.”

Arnold said, “How do you know they’re being honest?”

“Think about it; they have said all along that they would have to come and destroy us for the danger we represent. If they were capable of not telling the truth, they would have never said that to us. They have been honest to a fault.”

George said, “But they have not been tempted to attack because they know we could destroy their ships. If we gave them our technology, they might give in to that temptation.”

“George, do you think the Violet Civilization will be searching for them now that we destroyed their fleet?”

George took a deep breath and nodded.

“That is part of our responsibility and I suspect our galaxy will be searched again as well. We may not be able to deceive them again.”

Jillian said, “Ask them.” Everyone looked at her and she said, “If they are completely honest, see what they say if we offer them our technology.”

Dolly looked at George and he shrugged. She looked at Arnold and he shrugged as well. She reached over and punched her communication panel.

• • •

The First looked at the other leaders and said, “Perhaps these beings in the White Ships are different.”

“They will only grow stronger. How do we know they will always stay that way? Time has a way of changing things.”

The Seventh said, “I find myself agreeing with the Third but I do think they have won the courtesy of us not initiating the conflict. The First looked over the table and said, “They are contacting us.” He touched the light and said, “We are here.”

Dolly said, “We were wondering something and wanted to see what your thoughts are on the issue.”

“What is the issue?”

“If you developed technology that was stronger than what we currently possess, would you then choose to attack us?”

The First said, “It would really be tempting. We know that you can destroy us at this moment and that does cause us some trepidation. Give us a moment.”

“I’ll be waiting for your response.”

The First said, “Link and then link with our populations and see how they would answer this question.” The Seven linked minds and then linked through the communicators with all of the members of their civilization. After an hour, the First thought, “Thank you for your thoughts. We do owe these beings for saving us.”

The Seven Leaders broke the link and the Seventh said, “I’m genuinely surprised that our warriors are almost unanimous in their position.”

The First said, “They were saved. They, more than any of the others, know what destruction looks like.” The First touched the table and said, “I have your answer.”

Dolly was startled and said, “Go ahead.”

“We have linked with all of our populations and more than eighty percent agree that we are right in our agreement to never attack you again. So even if we were technologically stronger, you have earned the right to exist. Why do you ask this question?”

“We are considering giving you our technology.”

The seven leaders were stunned by the statement. The First finally said, “Why would you do that? You know the danger we represent.”

“You just said that you are no longer a danger to us.”

“Yes, but how could you trust us; words are not always spoken in truth. We’ve seen that agreements mean nothing when survival is at stake.”

“Have you ever used words that were not true?”

“No, but you have no way of proving that.”

“I think you have been nothing but honest with us. However, here is the bargain we will make with you. If you will agree to stop attacking other civilizations, we will share our technology with you.”

Dolly waited for several minutes for an answer and then George said to the Blue Giant Leaders, “You will not be restrained by this agreement if you are going to be attacked or being scouted for attack. We will only use our technology to defend ourselves against an aggressor. We would only ask that you do the same.”

“That makes a large difference in our consideration of your proposal. We need some time to see what the consensus of our populations would be on this matter.”

“Take all the time you need. We worry that the Violet Civilization will come searching for you and we have a responsibility for making that happen.”

“That may be true but if you had not intervened, we wouldn’t survive to use what you offer. The very fact that you are making this offer has convinced us that our civilizations will one day be linked. I’ll contact you once this has been resolved.”

George said, “The issue you must resolve is whether or not your civilization is a predator or a very dangerous prey.”

The First paused and said, “That says it in very simplistic terms, but I can see your analogy.”

Dolly looked at her board and the connection ended. “Does anyone doubt they’ll keep their word?”

Arnold shook his head, “It appears you were right. They are honest to a fault.”

George said, “I trust them more than I do the Moet or the Alliance. I still believe they would attack if they could.”

Hemon said, “I’m not sure about that, George. I’ve been keeping an eye on them and they’ve started trading with each other. Their economies are starting to boom. I genuinely think the Moets are not looking forward to the Crown returning. They may not be the issue you think.”

George shook his head, “I wonder what would happen if we removed our threat to destroy the first one to attack the other.”

Hemon shrugged, “Then remove it and see what happens.”

“Do what?”

“Remove the threat and see if they’ve learned anything.”

George looked at Dolly and she said, “Some things must be accepted and can’t be forced.” Dolly looked at Jeff and said, “Notify the ships to inform the Alliance and Moet that we will no longer stand between them.”

Jeff frowned, “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, I am. Just have a fleet ready to jump in if needed.”

Jeff smiled and turned to his board. Now this should be something to observe.

Chapter Three

T
enah looked at the Baron on his display and saw that he was one unhappy Moet. The Drooping eyestalks said more than anything he could say about his disposition. “I assume you have been notified about our restraints being removed.”

The Baron moved his front eye stalks forward, “I was told at the exact moment they told you so that neither of us would have an advantage if we chose to attack.”

“That’s exactly how they phrased it with me as well. I guess we now must decide what to do about this situation.”

The Moet was silent and Tenah said, “We should be open in this discussion. I need to know what your plans are.”

“I’m not the danger here. You still outnumber my ships ten to one and I only have the old models in my fleet.”

“That may be true but, you know your Royal Family will be returning and we are no match for the Dreadnaughts they have to use.”

The two remained quiet until the Moet said, “I almost wish they would stay where they are.”

Tenah said, “Why?”

“Since we’ve begun trading with your planets, my populations have enjoyed the highest standard of living ever; I know I’m being selfish, but my member planets are not happy with this new development.”

Tenah said, “I’ll be honest with you. I couldn’t get the members of the Alliance to attack you if I ordered it. The members are also enjoying the benefits of a booming economy and most of them have seen that you are trading fairly with them. They no longer hate you and they are not willing to go back to the old ways between our species.”

“What are you saying?”

“I think that we should formally agree to a joint peace agreement and become allies. My concern is that when the ruling family comes back, we will be immediately attacked.”

The Baron stared at the display and said, “What you are suggesting is treason.”

“I know, but you were written off any way. What do you have to lose? You should have been killed by the Blue Giants before now.”

The Baron looked over at the Watcher and said, “What do you have to say about this.”

“I say let the Royal Family find a new place to live. Enlist the help of the White Ships to make sure they don’t come back stirring up trouble. I think they might help us.”

The Baron stared at the Watcher and said, “You’ve been watching everything taking place in the Realm; what is the mood of the population?”

“They all hope the evacuees never return and we build our society into something it should have become long ago.”

The Moet looked at Tenah and watched him smile as he pushed a button. Dolly appeared on their display and Tenah said, “The Moet and the Alliance want to agree to become partners in a trading alliance between our species. Our mutual fear is that when the Moet Royal Family returns, they will attack both of us; the Moet because of his treasonous behavior and us because that is what they do. Before we can make this work, we were hoping you would prevent them from attacking us.”

Dolly looked at the Moet and said, “Are you in agreement with this?”

The Moet Baron knew that it was now or never to make a decision that could not be unmade. He thought about what life was before and then said, “I agree with President Tenah.”

“Can you make an agreement and keep it?”

Tenah and the Moet said together, “Yes.” Tenah smiled, “We are both benefiting from our trade and want to continue it.”

“Then how do you want to handle letting the Royal Family know they are no longer welcome.”

The Baron looked at the Watcher as he said, “I will send a messenger to tell them the new situation here, if you will agree to help us fight them off if they attack.”

The Watcher nodded and prepared the message.

Dolly smiled, “We will not allow them to harm your civilizations. However, you should know that we have destroyed the Violet Fleet that came here in the Blue Giant galaxy and we fear we will be visited again.”

Tenah frowned and said, “What about the Blue Giants coming back?”

“They have agreed to come to our defense if we need them.”

The Moet and Tenah were stunned and looked at each other on the display. Finally the Moet said, “Is there anything my people can do to assist you?”

Tenah said, “Count us in on that as well. I’m beginning to see that we are all in the same ship and what affects one, affects us all.”

Dolly raised her eyebrows and said, “I’m not sure. However, we may need to pull off another masquerade in the future so you should make plans to hide your populations underground if it comes to that.”

“What do you mean?”

“We may want you to disguise your planets as one that has been hit by a plague. You’ll need the capability to turn off the power plants and only have very few citizens roaming the streets. It may not come to that, but you should start planning for that if we’re scouted again.”

“Will we also need to remove our ships as well?”

“Yes and we’ll need you to take different routes to each other’s planets so the trails in Green Space can dissipate in a short time.”

Tenah nodded, “We will make the changes immediately.” He looked at the Moet and said, “Do you want to come to us to sign our agreement or should we come to you?”

The Baron raised his back eyestalks and said, “No species has ever set foot on our capital except us. I think it would be a good start for our association for you to be the first.”

Tenah nodded and said, “I’ll notify my planets about the new situation.”

“I will do the same.”

Dolly ended the call and looked at Hemon, “You were right. They have come a long way.”

“Sometimes growth has to be forced. I suspect we will need to keep some ships near the Moet Capital.”

“I think one battleship with a full complement of Needles should be enough.”

Hemon nodded and said, “Just make sure more are ready if we need them.”

“Oh, I will.”

• • •

The messenger pushed the button and waited for the Hive Controller to open the entry. He hoped the Controller would just ignore him but he knew there wasn’t much hope of that happening. No one ever went to the Hive Controller’s door and if they did, it had better be for a good reason. The messenger nervously moved the small vestigial wings on his back and wished he could fly away. The entry opened and he entered. He walked forward to the chair at the end of the cell and the Controller stared at him, “We have lost contact with our fleet in the second galaxy.”

“What do you mean lost contact?”

“The Fleet Controller was sending a feed of the battle he was conducting against the large Blue Ships when he reported that a thousand small ships had appeared behind his lines. That’s when the feed was interrupted.”