Annihilation - Finding Keepers (Annihilation Series (Book Seven}) by Saxon Andrew, Derek Chiodo, Frank MacDonald Page B
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eliminate them as a possible threat. They could have sent this ship to probe us.”
There was a long pause while the entire Collective processed the thought. The science compartment spoke, “We have never tried to develop the means to leave this universe. Is it now time to begin?”
History interjected, “Would we be inviting other possible enemies to invade who would be more of a danger to us if we go searching for the green creatures?”
The Collective responded, “Someone has come into our territory and attempted to gather information. It appears that whether we go out or stay, we are at risk. I think we should at least go and see what creatures are out there and determine if they represent a danger. It is also time for us to expand. Our space is almost fully farmed and our population continues to grow.”
Technology spoke, “How many ships would you want to send out?”
The Collective pondered the resources available, “A million in the first group. Do you have the necessary technology to develop the mechanism needed to travel out of our space?”
“We still have those green ships we destroyed long ago, and they have the technology to make that travel possible. We just need to examine one of them and then build it.”
“How long before you could prepare the ships?”
Technology was silent for a moment, “Not very long; less than a quarter-cycle would be my estimate.”
The Collective listened to all of the compartments give their take on the idea, then decided, “Prepare the ships.”
Admiral Zergl asked, “Why do you say they do it better than your species?”
“Because we would harvest all intelligent life and leave and not return for millions of years. Witness what happened to us when we came back to this universe to find the Realm; an adversary that would ultimately stop our harvesting. If we had stayed in this universe and done what these creatures are doing, no race would have the opportunity to evolve into a civilization strong enough to defeat us.”
Valerie leaned forward, “How did you determine that they learned to do this from you?”
Edison tilted his head to the right, indicating irony, “They watched as we killed millions of races in their universe and determined that those races could be a food source for them as well. They also copied the matter that we used on our ships, which made them invincible against any races that remained in their universe. Oh, it’s clear that they are emulating what we did and have perfected the tools we used to a much higher standard. The hulls of their ships are not vulnerable to the organic missiles or repulsion fields that were used against our ships; they are as hard as any of our modern alloys. They also have the thought beam which goes through any electronic screen.”
The King looked around the table, then asked Edison, “It appears that we should stay out of this universe and not give them a reason to leave, especially since none of our weapons will affect their ships.”
Edison turned his head upside down in agreement, “The team that analyzed this data are all agreed that this is not a place to which we should go.”
Valerie said in a voice that all could hear, “Stay out if you choose, but they are coming here and it won’t be long until they arrive.”
David looked at Valerie, “Are you absolutely certain about that?”
Valerie nodded, “The Stars Realm will be destroyed if you decide to sit and do nothing.”
David stared at Valerie, then looked at Jake and Cynthia sitting away from the group. He looked back at Valerie, “You still insist that he must go to that universe?”
“We are doomed if he doesn’t, Father. He is our only chance to survive, and you are wasting time talking about it. He needs to go now.”
David felt his temper rise and started to reprimand his daughter, but then he remembered who had the real power in this room. He
There was a long pause while the entire Collective processed the thought. The science compartment spoke, “We have never tried to develop the means to leave this universe. Is it now time to begin?”
History interjected, “Would we be inviting other possible enemies to invade who would be more of a danger to us if we go searching for the green creatures?”
The Collective responded, “Someone has come into our territory and attempted to gather information. It appears that whether we go out or stay, we are at risk. I think we should at least go and see what creatures are out there and determine if they represent a danger. It is also time for us to expand. Our space is almost fully farmed and our population continues to grow.”
Technology spoke, “How many ships would you want to send out?”
The Collective pondered the resources available, “A million in the first group. Do you have the necessary technology to develop the mechanism needed to travel out of our space?”
“We still have those green ships we destroyed long ago, and they have the technology to make that travel possible. We just need to examine one of them and then build it.”
“How long before you could prepare the ships?”
Technology was silent for a moment, “Not very long; less than a quarter-cycle would be my estimate.”
The Collective listened to all of the compartments give their take on the idea, then decided, “Prepare the ships.”
Admiral Zergl asked, “Why do you say they do it better than your species?”
“Because we would harvest all intelligent life and leave and not return for millions of years. Witness what happened to us when we came back to this universe to find the Realm; an adversary that would ultimately stop our harvesting. If we had stayed in this universe and done what these creatures are doing, no race would have the opportunity to evolve into a civilization strong enough to defeat us.”
Valerie leaned forward, “How did you determine that they learned to do this from you?”
Edison tilted his head to the right, indicating irony, “They watched as we killed millions of races in their universe and determined that those races could be a food source for them as well. They also copied the matter that we used on our ships, which made them invincible against any races that remained in their universe. Oh, it’s clear that they are emulating what we did and have perfected the tools we used to a much higher standard. The hulls of their ships are not vulnerable to the organic missiles or repulsion fields that were used against our ships; they are as hard as any of our modern alloys. They also have the thought beam which goes through any electronic screen.”
The King looked around the table, then asked Edison, “It appears that we should stay out of this universe and not give them a reason to leave, especially since none of our weapons will affect their ships.”
Edison turned his head upside down in agreement, “The team that analyzed this data are all agreed that this is not a place to which we should go.”
Valerie said in a voice that all could hear, “Stay out if you choose, but they are coming here and it won’t be long until they arrive.”
David looked at Valerie, “Are you absolutely certain about that?”
Valerie nodded, “The Stars Realm will be destroyed if you decide to sit and do nothing.”
David stared at Valerie, then looked at Jake and Cynthia sitting away from the group. He looked back at Valerie, “You still insist that he must go to that universe?”
“We are doomed if he doesn’t, Father. He is our only chance to survive, and you are wasting time talking about it. He needs to go now.”
David felt his temper rise and started to reprimand his daughter, but then he remembered who had the real power in this room. He
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