device? How do we know you are only saying this in an effort to save yourselves from our retribution?”
“There is no way we can prove our intentions and I understand your doubt. However, we do believe if one makes a mistake they should accept the consequences of their actions and do everything possible to correct it. Your intention to attack us for our mistake is understandable and part of the consequences of what we’ve done.”
The Operator was silent for a moment and said, “Why didn’t you destroy the second ship you penetrated?”
“The Pilot of our ship had learned before he entered your domain that you have not participated in the attacks on other Major Civilizations that have been weakened and were not a part of the attack on us. He determined that we were making a mistake and he disobeyed orders and refused to kill the second ship. When we questioned him about his decision, we determined that he was right not to continue his attack. We were wrong to intrude into your territory and our actions are not defensible.”
The Operator’s board was overridden by another signal, “You realize that you have demonstrated that you are a clear and present danger to us.”
There was a long moment of silence and then they heard, “We do. Telling you now that we are not a danger to you is obviously something you will never believe. This is the consequence of doing the wrong thing.”
“Then if you know we’ll be looking for you to remove you as a threat, why did you reveal your probe?”
“It was the right thing to do.”
“It appears that we should join any future attacks against you.”
“That would be the obvious decision.”
The Operator broke in and asked, “What’s the decision that’s not obvious?”
“We will come to your defense if you are ever attacked. We owe it to you to balance our debt.”
Silence ruled the frequency. No one could think of a response to the statement. After a few moments the voice continued, “We have turned off all scanners on the sensor buoy and you should be able to verify that with a scan. If you ever need us to assist you against an enemy, transmit the request on the frequency we’re using now and we will come and fight with you against your foe. I don’t expect you to believe us but my leaders have agreed to this and we will keep our commitment to you.”
The Operator waited for the Directors to respond but nothing was being said. He said, “We will discuss your offer. However, we are fully capable of defending our citizens.”
“Even if the rest of the Majors combine against you; you would probably lose if that happened and we would probably be destroyed with you but we will come anyway. If you doubt our promise, consider this; the Minors, as you call them, destroyed our home world because they were forced to attack other galaxies by the Majors. We are now fighting with them against the Majors that forced them to kill other civilizations. The information is there if you choose to look at it. We will keep our promise to you.”
The Operator looked at his board and saw the frequency had disappeared. He thought about what he had heard and then reluctantly asked, “Do you order me to destroy the probe?” He knew the answer to the troubling question and he sensed something about the ones that had attacked. He knew if he was ordered to destroy the sensor, the direction his people were going to take was to destroy the attackers. He waited for ten minutes and then repeated, “Do you order…”
“We will let you know. Keep a ship stationed at the buoy. If it makes one scan, destroy it.”
The Operator smiled, “I will carry out your instructions.” He slowly moved his head up and down; this was the most interesting event he had taken part in the last thousand cycles. What if the being was being honest?
• • •
Mikal looked at RV and said, “That is a rather large risk you just took.”
“Why is that?”
“What if they are one of the predator
“There is no way we can prove our intentions and I understand your doubt. However, we do believe if one makes a mistake they should accept the consequences of their actions and do everything possible to correct it. Your intention to attack us for our mistake is understandable and part of the consequences of what we’ve done.”
The Operator was silent for a moment and said, “Why didn’t you destroy the second ship you penetrated?”
“The Pilot of our ship had learned before he entered your domain that you have not participated in the attacks on other Major Civilizations that have been weakened and were not a part of the attack on us. He determined that we were making a mistake and he disobeyed orders and refused to kill the second ship. When we questioned him about his decision, we determined that he was right not to continue his attack. We were wrong to intrude into your territory and our actions are not defensible.”
The Operator’s board was overridden by another signal, “You realize that you have demonstrated that you are a clear and present danger to us.”
There was a long moment of silence and then they heard, “We do. Telling you now that we are not a danger to you is obviously something you will never believe. This is the consequence of doing the wrong thing.”
“Then if you know we’ll be looking for you to remove you as a threat, why did you reveal your probe?”
“It was the right thing to do.”
“It appears that we should join any future attacks against you.”
“That would be the obvious decision.”
The Operator broke in and asked, “What’s the decision that’s not obvious?”
“We will come to your defense if you are ever attacked. We owe it to you to balance our debt.”
Silence ruled the frequency. No one could think of a response to the statement. After a few moments the voice continued, “We have turned off all scanners on the sensor buoy and you should be able to verify that with a scan. If you ever need us to assist you against an enemy, transmit the request on the frequency we’re using now and we will come and fight with you against your foe. I don’t expect you to believe us but my leaders have agreed to this and we will keep our commitment to you.”
The Operator waited for the Directors to respond but nothing was being said. He said, “We will discuss your offer. However, we are fully capable of defending our citizens.”
“Even if the rest of the Majors combine against you; you would probably lose if that happened and we would probably be destroyed with you but we will come anyway. If you doubt our promise, consider this; the Minors, as you call them, destroyed our home world because they were forced to attack other galaxies by the Majors. We are now fighting with them against the Majors that forced them to kill other civilizations. The information is there if you choose to look at it. We will keep our promise to you.”
The Operator looked at his board and saw the frequency had disappeared. He thought about what he had heard and then reluctantly asked, “Do you order me to destroy the probe?” He knew the answer to the troubling question and he sensed something about the ones that had attacked. He knew if he was ordered to destroy the sensor, the direction his people were going to take was to destroy the attackers. He waited for ten minutes and then repeated, “Do you order…”
“We will let you know. Keep a ship stationed at the buoy. If it makes one scan, destroy it.”
The Operator smiled, “I will carry out your instructions.” He slowly moved his head up and down; this was the most interesting event he had taken part in the last thousand cycles. What if the being was being honest?
• • •
Mikal looked at RV and said, “That is a rather large risk you just took.”
“Why is that?”
“What if they are one of the predator
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