Probe Predators by Saxon Andrew Page A

combined fleet has been disbanded and all of the principals have recalled their fleets. It appears the agreements made between them have fallen apart. I suspect it will take some time before they assemble that many ships again. What made you think they were going to attack this soon?”
    “Six hundred ships going after Trip.”
    There was a moment of silence and Moe said, “You’re right.”
    “There is no way they could have that many ships around the entire galaxy. The numbers needed to make that happen would be unimaginable. If they weren’t all around the galaxy, they had to be congregating on the side closest to the Union.”
    “Angela, I’m a computer and missed this; how are you able to see this?”
    Angela paused and said, “I’ve been deceiving you from the beginning.”
    “Why?”
    “I didn’t trust you; you attempted to take control of the Union.”
    “I understand; that wasn’t the best thing to do. It took Dee and Drey to get me to see it.”
    “I am able to understand your communications.”
    “I would hope so; I pride myself on my communication skills.”
    “That’s not what I mean. I can understand your flashes.”
    There was a long pause and Angela saw the Obelisk flash in the top right corner, “Yes, I can see you don’t believe it.” Fast flashes appeared at the bottom left corner and Angela sighed, “I’ve been able to do this from the beginning.”
    “Well I am surprised.” Angela raised her eyebrows and lowered them. “This really doesn’t change anything; it just makes things easier.”
    “I suppose.”
    “This does allow me to say things that won’t be heard.”
    Angela smiled, “I suppose that is a good thing.”
    “You meant something else when you said you were deceiving me.”
    Angela sighed, “You know Trip and I are direct descendants from the heroes.”
    “Yes; his mother was your sister.”
    “I possess Dee Montgomery’s ability to see things.”
    “You’re kidding me?”
    “How would one, as you say, kid a computer?”
    “You saw what the attack on Trip meant?”
    “I did.”
    “What about Trip; what do you sense?”
    “His spirit has been released and it’s not Ian’s.”
    “Who?”
    “The one whose name is dark. I sense a darkness in him that is dangerous.”
    “We might need that darkness.”
    “The Union will probably need it but he could leave the universe filled with death on an unimaginable scale. Some victories are not worth the price paid to achieve them.”
    “Victory is victory.”
    “Not if you lose your soul getting it.”
    “I don’t have a soul; that is not something that would cause me to pause.”
    “I don’t know that you’re right about that; however, he does and I worry he may lose it as his darker side emerges.”
    “What bothers you about that?”
    “The Union is a reflection of its Leadership. We can’t lose ourselves to what he becomes. He has refused to lead but the Union watches his every move and adores who, and what, he is.”
    “Are you sure about this?”
    “I am at the moment.”
    Lights flashed in the giant block and Angela said, “You’re right; sometimes things do change.”
    • • •
    Cole and Andi arrived at Euclid and found Trip waiting for them. Cole smiled, “What’s up?”
    “The Queen has requested we make a visit to another civilization.”
    “Which one?’
    “The Renegades.” Andi and Cole were silenced by his answer. “I know it’s been centuries since we’ve visited but the current situation calls for contact to be made.”
    “I thought we released them from their restrictions?”
    “The King did that over two hundred years ago. They can choose their own destiny and not worry about the Union intruding.”
    “I expect they won’t look at us as neighbors.”
    “No, Andi, I don’t think they will.”
    Cole shook his head, “I’ve never understood why the King gave them all of our advanced technology when he tore up the agreement with them.”
    “I suspect he worried