civilizations? You told them who we are by letting them know we’re fighting with the Minors and we come from another galaxy.”
“Do you believe you did the right thing not killing the second ship?” Roman nodded. “How did you know?”
Loree said, “The crew on that ship had all moved to the far ends of their ship knowing they were about to be fired on by their own ships. They were willing to die to defend their worlds. It was the right thing to do to allow them to live. Predators don’t operate that way.”
RV smiled, “Then this might not be the risk you think it is. They would still have to find us and that won’t be easy. However, the buoy has not been destroyed, yet. I think this is worth the risk.”
“Did you mean what you said about coming to their defense?”
“If they will allow us to make a scan of their domain to ensure they are actually fighting an enemy, we will come to their defense. President Sierra agrees with this decision.”
Mikal smiled, “This is a good thing. I’m glad I could have a role in making it happen.”
RV smiled, “Your role is not over, Admiral.”
Mikal’s expression turned serious, “I’m not sure what you mean and I’m a Captain.”
“Not anymore; you’ve been promoted to Rear Admiral and will take command of the 8 th sub-fleet. Captain Barber will be your executive officer until the new 9 th sub-fleet is constituted and she will take command of it. Your two fleets will replace the 16 th and 23 rd fleets under my command. They will be moved to Admiral Anders and Diamond’s fleet holding station in M-87 while you remain here training your fleets. I expect you to have your fleets trained in the use of the new attack craft. Your fleets will be the first to receive them and you don’t have much time so get on it.”
Mikal looked at Loree and smiled. He turned to RV and saluted, “Thank you, Sir. Permission to report to my ships.”
RV returned his salute, “Permission granted, now go to work.”
The two walked out and Cyanna saw Loree’s expression as she looked at Mikal. It brought back memories and she knew the two of them were going to work well together. Cyanna turned to RV, “How do you want those two new fleets organized?”
“They will be the spearhead of the First Fleet making the initial attack on enemy ships. They will be used to provide a hole in enemy formations for us to exploit.”
“Are they going to be equipped to do that?”
“Their ships will have launch tubes for attack craft. They will not be carrying needles so they should be able to hit with an explosive force.”
“What about ship protection? There won’t be any needles to protect them.”
“Needles won’t do much good penetrating a wall of battleships. They’ll move forward firing their ultrabeams and launching attack craft. The rest of the fleet will follow them in.”
“Kenny is going to need a new executive officer.”
“Inform him and turn the volume down when you do.”
Cyanna started laughing and made the call.
• • •
The Operator stood in front of the Select Council and waited for them to question him. Their thoughts were directed at each other and he could not hear what they were thinking. His species was telepathic but only heard thoughts that were directed. Finally he heard, “You interrupted our conversation.”
“I meant no disrespect, but I only spoke during moments of silence.”
“Why did you interject your thoughts?”
“I have been troubled by the invading ship not destroying the second ship it penetrated. I could find no reason for that behavior. In all the cycles I’ve been witnessing, that has never happened.”
“Why is that significant?”
“They exhibited a trait that is rare.”
“What is that?”
“Mercy.” The council remained silent and the Operator said, “Name one other civilization that wouldn’t have destroyed the second ship. What that ship did told me something was different about the beings in
“Do you believe you did the right thing not killing the second ship?” Roman nodded. “How did you know?”
Loree said, “The crew on that ship had all moved to the far ends of their ship knowing they were about to be fired on by their own ships. They were willing to die to defend their worlds. It was the right thing to do to allow them to live. Predators don’t operate that way.”
RV smiled, “Then this might not be the risk you think it is. They would still have to find us and that won’t be easy. However, the buoy has not been destroyed, yet. I think this is worth the risk.”
“Did you mean what you said about coming to their defense?”
“If they will allow us to make a scan of their domain to ensure they are actually fighting an enemy, we will come to their defense. President Sierra agrees with this decision.”
Mikal smiled, “This is a good thing. I’m glad I could have a role in making it happen.”
RV smiled, “Your role is not over, Admiral.”
Mikal’s expression turned serious, “I’m not sure what you mean and I’m a Captain.”
“Not anymore; you’ve been promoted to Rear Admiral and will take command of the 8 th sub-fleet. Captain Barber will be your executive officer until the new 9 th sub-fleet is constituted and she will take command of it. Your two fleets will replace the 16 th and 23 rd fleets under my command. They will be moved to Admiral Anders and Diamond’s fleet holding station in M-87 while you remain here training your fleets. I expect you to have your fleets trained in the use of the new attack craft. Your fleets will be the first to receive them and you don’t have much time so get on it.”
Mikal looked at Loree and smiled. He turned to RV and saluted, “Thank you, Sir. Permission to report to my ships.”
RV returned his salute, “Permission granted, now go to work.”
The two walked out and Cyanna saw Loree’s expression as she looked at Mikal. It brought back memories and she knew the two of them were going to work well together. Cyanna turned to RV, “How do you want those two new fleets organized?”
“They will be the spearhead of the First Fleet making the initial attack on enemy ships. They will be used to provide a hole in enemy formations for us to exploit.”
“Are they going to be equipped to do that?”
“Their ships will have launch tubes for attack craft. They will not be carrying needles so they should be able to hit with an explosive force.”
“What about ship protection? There won’t be any needles to protect them.”
“Needles won’t do much good penetrating a wall of battleships. They’ll move forward firing their ultrabeams and launching attack craft. The rest of the fleet will follow them in.”
“Kenny is going to need a new executive officer.”
“Inform him and turn the volume down when you do.”
Cyanna started laughing and made the call.
• • •
The Operator stood in front of the Select Council and waited for them to question him. Their thoughts were directed at each other and he could not hear what they were thinking. His species was telepathic but only heard thoughts that were directed. Finally he heard, “You interrupted our conversation.”
“I meant no disrespect, but I only spoke during moments of silence.”
“Why did you interject your thoughts?”
“I have been troubled by the invading ship not destroying the second ship it penetrated. I could find no reason for that behavior. In all the cycles I’ve been witnessing, that has never happened.”
“Why is that significant?”
“They exhibited a trait that is rare.”
“What is that?”
“Mercy.” The council remained silent and the Operator said, “Name one other civilization that wouldn’t have destroyed the second ship. What that ship did told me something was different about the beings in
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