Time flew as the Realm grew to more than twenty million civilizations. Matt called a meeting of all the Realms leaders and finally met the King and Queen for the first time. The group was sitting in the library of Castle Gardner and everyone stopped talking and bowed as the King and Queen of the Stars Realm entered the room.
“Please rise, and make yourselves comfortable,” Thomas Gardner announced. The Royal Couple moved to their chairs at the head of the table and sat down.
Sprig stood and thought to the group. “We have called this meeting to plan our actions once the invasion begins. I am going to turn this session over to Admiral Gardner; he has some important information for us.”
Matt stood and said, “The invasion will begin with the first Eight Leg vessel arriving exactly six months from today.” The room grew very still. “That first ship is a preliminary scout and the rest of their ships will start arriving two months later. I know the location of where they will enter our universe and it is not close to the Realm but it is a galaxy that has ten of the Realm’s members. I requested this meeting because of some concerns that I’ve developed after watching the recording of their last invasion. I really haven’t focused closely on that recording before but now I sense some things that trouble me.” Matt paused and keyed the display controls. “I have made some excerpts from the recording and I want to show you what I think I’ve seen.” He started the video and the group saw picture after picture of one of the green ships being hit by energy weapons. In every picture the green ship showed no reaction to the hits.
Sprig thought, “Energy will not work against them.”
“That’s what I’m sensing, Sprig, and even our strongest beams will not affect them.”
Tag said, “Surely none of those beams are as strong as ours.”
Sprig thought, “probably not, but notice that Admiral Gardner has shown us pictures where each beam striking those ships was progressively stronger than the previous one. If they could be affected then some kind of difference would be seen. There is no difference in any of those strikes.”
“What about the negative matter,” Danielle asked?
“I sense that no form of energy will affect that substance on their ships.”
“What does that mean to us,” Anglo Gardner asked?
“It means that the majority of our weapon systems will not work against them. I also suspect that they are also immune to any projectile that is fired at them.” Matt paused and then said, “That’s not the worst of it.” The tension in the room could be felt. “I also believe that we will not be able to see them with our sensors. We can only track them visibly.”
Twig leaned to the right, “What makes you say that.”
“I believe that they are invisible to any form of energy. Our sensors use energy to operate.”
Anglo leaned back, “The Captors tracked them.”
“Yes they did, however, we know that the Captors had the use of the energy nexus to see every place in the universe. Those no longer work now that the particle has been exploded.” The room grew very still. “The Captors could also visually see any tracks made through null space because they were energy beings; we are not.”
Tag looked at Matt and everyone could see his concern, “You mean our ships are useless?”
Matt paused and then said, “I’m not sure. They have to have an Achilles heel; we just don’t know what it is. I think that I have come up with a way to track their movements though.”
Sprig thought, “How?”
“They move from universe to universe using a system that we are completely unfamiliar, however, once they enter normal space, they appear to use standard star drives to move through null space. We can read jump tracks so we would know where they are going if we are there to read their jumps.”
Anglo leaned forward, “How would you do that?”
“It appears that all of the Eight Leg ships jump into our universe at the same starting coordinates. If our ships are truly invisible to their sensors, we could read those jumps and send the coordinates to one of our Searchers and it would be their task to follow one of their mother ships where ever it jumps. If one of their jump tracks is going to one of our protected planets, we could offer advance warning to prepare for moving the planet. We cannot attack them and risk showing them the existence of our red screens. We will be forced to watch as they find those civilizations we have not contacted and consume them.”
Danielle’s expression turned hard, “Why can’t we try to draw them away?”
“Because once they see a weapon coming from empty space, they will know they are not seeing something on their sensors and I fear they may find a way to nullify our invisibility. Remember, this race is incredibly old and they are advanced beyond anything we possess now. If they can see our protected planets through their screens, then they will see the substitution take place when we move them. Are you willing to take that risk?” No one spoke. “We are going to attack them,” Matt said.
Danielle flinched, “I thought you said we couldn’t.”
“Not with our screens on. We are going to have to attack without being invisible to them. We have to attempt any method we can think of to try and find what will get around their technology; however, I believe that we will not need a screen to protect us. It’s my firm belief that they would go right through any screen we have. They certainly demonstrated that ability eight million years ago and they’re probably better at it now than then. I think that it won’t put us in harm’s way because nowhere in the recording I viewed did the invaders use an energy or projectile weapon. The small ships are apparently their only weapon. We will find out soon enough if I’m wrong but I think they have no idea that jumping inside the jump limit is possible. With the speed of their craft, they have probably seen no need to use those weapons.”
“Then we can try to draw them away,” Danielle said.
“It won’t work, Your Majesty. Their pattern is to move in system and release more than two million of the small ships to remove any resistance. The mother ship continues right to the planet and releases the real weapons which are those hundred mile long troop carriers. You would have to use more than four million ships to distract them with weapons that have no affect on them. They will ignore us but they are going to wonder where all those ships came. They will not leave our universe until they find out. You only insure our discovery to attack them on that scale. Please, think about doing what you’re suggesting and tell me what you sense.”
Tag, Danielle, and Anglo closed their eyes and Tag immediately said, “He’s right. The danger is higher than I’ve ever sensed.”
Danielle opened her eyes and said, “I can see it, too.”
“I sense them finding us within a year of us using a massive attack without effective weapons. I also believe that they are here early because they know it took a highly advanced life form to explode the particle. They still may not leave until they find a civilization advanced enough to have caused it.”
“Is there anything else, Searcher,” Anglo asked?
Matt looked at Angel and then at Sprig and said, “I’ve wondered why these creatures only attack intelligent life. I worry that by absorbing the brains of their victims that they may be able to see anything that their victim knows.”
Everyone in the room showed the shock they felt at that revelation. Matt continued, “If they consume one member of our navy, they will know everything about us. We cannot allow that to happen. I am requesting a Royal Decree that any member of our armed forces that faces the possibility of capture by these creatures must prevent it at all possible costs.”
“Are you saying they should commit suicide?”
“I’m saying it would be better than what we see in that recording. Our ships have to have a self destruct mechanism.”
Tag and Danielle looked at each other and Tag stood and said, “You have given us a lot to ponder. We should think about what you have said and make some decisions. We will end this meeting now and continue in three days. Everyone is charged with thinking of what we can do against this menace. Matt, what if they capture a planet of the Realm and absorb what the leaders know? Does that mean the planet should be destroyed before the Eight Legs land?”
“I’ve thought about that, Your Majesty. I just didn’t want to be the one to mention it.”
Danielle looked at him and said, “I understand why.”
“Sprig, we need you to help us.”
“What’s the problem?”
“A searcher came by the construction site and was pushed away from the construct.”
“What?”
“The exterior lit up and the searcher was pushed twenty yards back. Only the exterior came active, the control room remained dark.”
Sprig thought for a moment. Are there any other developments?”
“Yes. It appears a second chair has appeared in the control room.”
Sprig thought and then said, “I want every Searcher to be given a coordinate four hundred yards above the moon. Have them start jumping in and see if anything in the control room shows activity.”
“It will be done. However, we are no longer able to mold the material. It seems to have frozen in its current position. It froze the moment the second chair appeared.”
“Then we need to find the occupant needed for the second chair. I believe the ship is waiting. Start with Angel Dodd.”
“We will begin immediately.”
“Matt, are you busy?”
“No, Angel, what do you need.”
“You, of course, but the Algeans have ordered us to jump to a coordinate and jump away. I have been selected to go first. Do you know what’s going on?”
Matt thought a moment, “No. but I’m sure it has something to do with ship development.”
“Ok, as soon as I finish the trip, I’ll come and visit.”
“That would be great, Angel. Remember we have the second meeting in two days.”
“I’ll be ready. See you later.”
“Bye, Love.”
“Do you think it has something to do with the ship the Algeans are building?”
“I don’t know, Al. You must think I’m psychic or something.”
Al started laughing and then Matt joined in. “That always cracks me up.”
“Me, too, Al.”
“Have you had any new visions?”
“No, just the one.”
“Has it cleared up?”
“No, I don’t know when it’s going to happen.”
“That is possibly a good thing.”
“I can’t say I disagree with you. She’ll be here shortly so liven up.”
“Don’t worry; it’s easy to laugh when Angel shows up.”
“Don’t you mean Fly Girl?”
“Same thing, Magic.”
“I know.”
“Leader Twig, we have found the other occupant. The ship is now continuing development.”
“Keep me informed, Elder Engineer.”
“I will do so.”
The Meeting began with Tag standing and looking at the group around the table. He looked over to his right and Anglo pressed a button that lowered a huge display screen. The Screen showed the meeting room with everyone sitting around the table. “This is a video that is being broadcast to the leaders of every member planet in the Realm. We are going to discuss some serious subjects and The Queen and I feel that every member should know what we decide here today. We have sent every member notification of this schedule and I think every planet has its leaders watching. What we have decided has not been an easy decision for us but our prime responsibility is to protect the citizens of the Realm. With that in mind, one of the possibilities that we discussed in our last planning meeting was that the Eight Legs may have access to the memories of anyone they consume. The Queen and I have thought hard about this possibility and, as most of you know, we possess a psychic skill at being able to foretell coming danger. That sense is why we contacted most of the new members in order to save them. When we look at taking one of two courses of action, our sense tells us that the danger level rises higher than we have ever sensed if we follow one. We both know as truth that the Eight Legs do access the memories of those they harvest. I want all the planets of the Realm to consider what would happen if the Eight Legs uncover just one member planet and take all that they know.” The King paused and let that thought hang heavy in the air. “It would lead to every other planet being uncovered by the invaders and also tell them how we have hidden them. The invasion of just one of our members would lead to the destruction of all the other millions.”
Danielle stood and everyone saw her looking from the screen at them, “As a result of that, we have made a decision that must be followed in order to protect the Realm. Any member planet that has the Eight Legs enter their atmosphere will be totally destroyed by the screen generator being used to hide it.” No one said a word. On all the member planets their leaders sat in silence pondering what they had just learned. “We will of course move planets to save them from this possibility but there is a chance that one or more of our members will still be attacked. We have determined that our current weapons may not be effective against these creatures and if that is the case, we cannot stop them from their invasion of a planet. I must say that if I had a choice of instant destruction or dying in the fangs of the invaders, I would choose the fast way. Once these creatures land on a planet, no one escapes. They have the means to find every intelligent being no matter how one may try to hide. It is with a heavy heart that we come to this decision; however, it is our sworn duty to save life. We see no other way to do it. In the event the Realm’s existence is otherwise discovered we will cancel this order. However, you the leaders of each planet will still be given the option to use the generator if you want to save your people from the gruesome death of being consumed alive. If any of you wish to discuss this decision with us, please notify us and we will talk with you. However, please think about whether or not you would want your planet endangered if another planet was attacked. Thank you for your time and it is with great sorrow that we are made to take this step in the defense of the Realm.” Danielle looked and Anglo and the screen went dark.
Tag looked at the group surrounding the table and said, “I have instructed the Algeans assigned to each of our members to carry out this order. I sincerely hope we are not forced to take this action but the probability of all members escaping is remote. Admiral, Gardner, do you have any other things you wish to bring to our attention.”
Matt stood, “I think it is absolutely critical that we determine whether or not we truly are invisible to them. We must have a ship in plain view at their point of entry. I also suggest a screened sensor be placed there far enough away to read their jump tracks and send them to Searchers. We will lose track of these ships if we don’t keep close tabs on their jumps.”
Tag frowned, “Carry out your plan accordingly.”
“I also think if we can build enough sensors in time that along with a Searcher assigned to each mother ship that comes we transmit the jump track to a sensor probe that will jump a light day distant from each mother ships jump and have it programmed to follow them each time they jump then send that information to a central location that will keep track of their movements. If we detect a jump to a member’s coordinates then we will move the planet as soon as they start moving inside the jump limit. If they stop and do not detect the planet and go elsewhere, the planet will stay where it is and remain hidden.”
Danielle looked at Sprig and he stood and thought, “We have more than fifty million sensor probes that can carry out that task. Fortunately, we have been screening them with red generators for over eight hundred years because of the more efficient power. We will begin building more; we don’t know how many of their ships will be coming.”
Tag looked at Matt with a serious expression and said, “Find out what will kill them, Searcher.”
“I will do my best to do just that, Your Majesty.”
“This meeting is adjourned. Use what time remains wisely.” Then Tag and Danielle left the room.
Stem looked at Al’s display showing the location in space where the Eight Legs were due to break out. Matt was on board Wings spending time with Angel before the conflict begun.
“Al, I fear we may not be successful against these creatures. The final advanced system has also remained dormant which may mean that the vessel we are preparing may not be used.”
“Stem, I believe that the final system will not activate until Matt is placed in an extremely high stressful situation. Cassandra told us that her abilities appeared when she found herself being stressed. The same is probably true with Matt.”
“I just don’t know if he will face a situation that would generate that kind of stress, Al.”
“Stem, you can trust me on this one; he is going to face a situation that will cause a huge amount of stress. I just don’t know when it will happen.”
Stem was silent for a moment and then thought, “Do you want to tell me what you know.”
“I can’t.”
“Well, my good friend, If it stresses him then I know you will also have to face it, too. If you need help, I’m here for you.”
“Thank you, Stem. I think we are both going to need all the help we can get.”