Matt sat on board the Kosiev and watched the recording of the destruction of the eight Leg transport with Tommy and Cassandra. At the end Tommy leaned back in his chair and said, “That Captain sure did a great job of anticipating what could possibly happen.”
“I agree. We promoted him to take command of our Megaships. Melanie is with him now helping him get organized.”
“She’s a fine woman, Matt.”
“I know, Mother.”
“Matt, call me Cassandra. No one else deserves the title as much as the woman that gave you birth.”
Matt cocked his head and said, “I guess great, great, great, great, great, great Grandmother would take too long.”
Cassandra laughed out loud, “Oh yes.”
“Cassandra, the reason I’ve come is that I just saw what a Megaship can do which leads me to believe that I have no real idea of the capabilities of your ship. The Kosiev is the king of all megaships and I wanted to see if you had any thoughts about how to use it.”
“As a matter of fact, I do. I think we’re wasting time building weapons for the Kosiev.”
“What do you mean?”
Cassandra looked at Tommy and then said, “Matt, now that I’ve watched this recording of that transport’s destruction, my ship now knows what it needs to kill them.”
“I’m still not clear on what you are saying.”
“We just need to provide the materials and the ship will make the necessary weapons inside its skin. I can see that we would need Glod Iron Trees, material from the Captor’s home structure, and stone trees from Cainth. We just put those materials inside the skin and the ship will make them into what is needed to kill their ships.”
Matt just stared at Cassandra.
Tommy said, “She’s not kidding. This ship is a weapon for war. It enjoys its function.”
“But how would you launch the weapons? You need some kind of platform to fire at their ships.”
“Matt, I watched this ship eject negative energy matter at close to light speed at Captor ships.” Tommy sat forward and continued, “We don’t understand how this ship ejects things from its hull but it does it with great accuracy. I sincerely believe that the ship could fire a shard into one of their ships and then shoot a Captor energy ball device and the iron ball package through the same hole. I’ve seen that your ship is intelligent but this ship is an idiot savant when it comes to weapons of war.”
Matt thought for a moment and then looked at them, “We only have another month before the main fleet comes. Tag agrees with my estimate and the Gresh estimate forty four days. I suspect they are probably more accurate because there are more of them. We will be ready to take them on six months after their invasion starts. At that time we are going to have to stand at their door of entry and go toe to toe with them. Can the Kosiev be ready in time?”
Cassandra closed her eyes and remained still for five minutes. “Barely, Matt, we are going to need to absorb enough raw materials to be effective against the numbers that are coming.”
“Tell me what that would look like, Cassandra.”
“Well, we are probably going to strip the southern continent of Cainth of all its stone trees and the same for the western continent on Glod. We will also take a third of the Captor’s structure.”
Matt’s eyes widened, “Can this ship hold all that?”
Tommy smiled, “And a lot more if needed.”
Cassandra looked at Matt and smiled, “We will close the door. Your ships need to eliminate those that have already entered. When are you going to go after that mother ship?”
“In a week; we’re going to hit them while their ships are going after a planet. Then we are going to attack their ships to learn how to kill them. We might lose some ships but we have to learn how to take them out in massive fleet actions.”
“Will you provide us a feed to observe; my ship could learn a few things.”
“I hope you won’t mind if we come to observe also.”
Tommy smiled and stood up, “Hello, Grandfather. Where have you been hiding?”
“You know how it is with young Algeans.”
“And hello to you as well, Diana.”
“Hi everyone; we’ve been observing from a distance and helping Sprig whenever he needs it. We want to watch the attack if it meets your approval Prince Gardner.”
“You don’t need my permission. I would welcome your observations.”
“Well good. Tommy, we’re going to hang around a while. May we come aboard?”
“Please do; I’ve missed you greatly.”
“We’ll move to your landing bay.”
“That would be good, Grandfather.”
Cassandra went to Matt and gave him a huge hug. I love you, Matt. You’ve made me very proud.”
“Thank you. That means a lot. I’ll let you know the details of the attack when they’re completed. Al, bring me home.”
Matt appeared on the bridge of Aladdin and Al asked, “Ok, so what next?”
“I want to see Sprig about some chemicals.”
“I wondered if you forgot about that.”
“You know better.”
“On our way.”
The Supreme Male was nervous. He had just downloaded the information from the Nest Mother and was given his instructions to go to a universe to find an advanced life form for consumption. However, it appeared this life form had killed a transport and two attack craft and left no evidence on how to find it. He had lived millions of years and had never lost a ship but this harvest had him worried. His Sensor Male sensed his mood and was also concerned about the harvest. “I understand one of the former family’s main ships is still in the universe.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Contact them and put them on my panel.”
The new Ship’s Male was watching his display as his ships moved in on a planet. A Supreme Male he had never seen appeared. “I understand that you are in the universe where we have lost some ships.”
“Yes, Supreme Male.”
“Your family has been consumed and fed to the Nest Mother. I am now coming with my family to harvest that universe. Give me your information.”
The Ship’s Male knew that he was dead. If not now then as soon as the new family arrived; he moved toward the bed but then said, “Supreme Male, I have an incident occurring at the planet we are now harvesting. May I look into it and contact you immediately after.”
“What’s happening?”
“There are explosions around several of my transports.”
“Contact me as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Supreme Male, I will.” The communication panel went dark and the Sensor Male asked, “What are you doing?”
“Our family is dead Sensor Male. The Nest Mother has consumed it. We are all that remains and we will also be eliminated. I’m trying to decide if I will yield to this certain death.”
“What choice do you have?”
“There are many options, Sensor Male; are you ready to die?”
The Sensor Male thought about the question and replied, “If I had a choice, I would prefer to continue my existence. I just don’t see how we can avoid our fate.”
“We may not be able to avoid it but we can delay it as long as possible.”
“How?”
“I’m thinking about that but while I’m thinking I want you to turn off the communications bank.”
“Are you sure that’s wise, First Fang?”
“I’m sure it isn’t the smartest thing we could do but we’re dead either way. I would like some more time to enjoy my existence.” The Sensor Male reached over and turned the power off the communications bank. Now, I want you to go back to the engine room and disable the tracking console.”
“What is that?”
“It’s a tracking device that is installed on all of our main ships so they can be seen in other universes. I also want to remain hidden as long as possible.” The Sensor Male left the command chamber and went to carry out his instructions. When he returned the Ship’s Male said, “Recall all ships immediately and return to the system where we lost our transport.”
The Sensor Male turned his head upside down indicating his confusion but issued the orders. “What are you going to do?”
“Try to have a conversation.”
“Matt, the mother ship has recalled its ships and is turning away from the planet they were moving in on.”
“What do you think they’re doing, Al?”
“I have no idea.”
Matt thought a moment and then commed Melanie, “I need you to come here now.” Ten seconds later Fly Girl appeared just off his port side.
“What’s bothering you,” Melanie asked?
“The invaders have recalled their ships from a planet they were going to harvest and are moving out of the system. Do you have any idea why they would do that?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Well, come aboard and let’s see where they go.”
Five hours later the mother ship jumped to the Hugon system and stopped two hours inside the jump limit. The mother ship opened all its external doors and left them open. “What are they doing,” Melanie asked?
Matt thought a few minutes and then said, “Let’s teleport into that system.”
“Why?”
“They have opened their doors exposing the inside of their ship. They are telling us something; I’m just not sure what. What does an open door normally mean?
“It is usually an invitation to enter.”
“Let’s go check it out.”
The two small ships disappeared and emerged into the Hugon system an hour away from the mother ship. The huge ship continued to hang in space with all of its external doors open. Matt thought a moment, “Does anyone have a suggestion?” No one said anything. “I’m going to ask them what they’re doing.”
“Do you think that’s wise,” Fly Girl asked?
“All they can do is not answer. They cannot get close enough to harm us so I see no real harm in asking.”
“Matt, this is weird.”
“I know, Melanie but unless you have a better idea I’m going to ask them what they want.”
“Go ahead; let’s see what happens.”
Matt directed his thoughts at the mother ship, “Is there a reason you’ve opened your doors?”
The Sensor Male and the Ship’s Male jumped in their chairs. The Ship’s Male held up a leg telling the Sensor Male to remain quiet and then he thought back, “I am trying to communicate with the life form that has destroyed three of my ships.”
Melanie’s mouth fell open and Al almost dropped his screen.
“I didn’t know your species ever communicated with anyone,” Matt said.
The Ship’s Male was surprised that this being knew about his race, “We don’t normally but these are not normal times.”
“What do you mean?”
“The ships you’ve destroyed have caused the destruction of my family.”
“I don’t know what you mean by family.”
“It appears you possess some knowledge about my species so you probably know that a major harvest is scheduled for this universe.”
“I am aware of that.”
The Ship’s Male was shocked by this news but continued, “One family is used to harvest each universe. My family was scheduled to come and harvest but the destruction of those ships angered our Nest Mother and she consumed every member of my family except for those on this ship.”
Matt was stunned. “How many ships like yours did she consume?”
“More than eight million.”
Melanie thought, “Oh my ancestors.”
Matt thought, “That seems like a terrible waste of life but after observing your actions here I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“No, I suspect you wouldn’t be. My species does destroy numerous life forms.”
“So why are you communicating now?”
“I have decided that I am not ready to just submit to being killed. After I had that thought it dawned on me that whoever had destroyed our ships probably felt the same way toward us. I must confess being on the other end of this has the effect of changing one’s point of view. I decided to try and talk with you about it.”
“You know we could have destroyed your ship when you opened your doors and ignored your attempt to communicate.”
“We’re dead either way. The Nest Mother will never let us live after what I’ve just done.”
You mean communicate with another species.”
The Ship’s Male was surprised how quick this being caught on, “Exactly; I’m struggling with what to do and I’m uncertain about what path to take for my children on this ship.”
All of the millions of Eight Legs on the ship could hear the conversation and there was great anger among them hearing of their family’s destruction.
“Why don’t you just leave our universe and go hide?”
“It’s not that simple. They will find us and in the end we will die. I just can’t bring myself to yield to that destiny.”
“What do you expect from us? Surly you know we are angry about the civilizations you’ve destroyed. Do you think you can just come in and kill as you please without consequences?”
“Up until this moment I’ve never really thought about it from that perspective. I looked at my actions as gathering nourishment for my children and didn’t really consider how our meal was affected by our harvest. This experience sheds new light on that position.”
“You have to have known you were killing beings with intelligence.”
“Does your species consume protein?”
Matt hesitated but answered, “Yes, but not from intelligent beings.”
“Then help me understand the difference.”
“Give me a moment.”
“Take all the time you need. We’re not going anywhere for the near future.”
Matt thought to Melanie, “Can you help me with this one?”
Melanie shrugged and said, “Sorry, he’s right. Does a cow feel any different from an intelligent being about being eaten?”
“Melanie, there is a difference.”
“Sure but not one you can explain logically to a being that looks at all life as being a meal; some meals are just more tasty than others.”
“Ask Sprig,” Al suggested.
“Sprig, have you got a moment?”
“Sure, what do you need?”
“I’m having a conversation with the Eight Leg Commander of the mother ship and..”
“You’re what!!”
“Calm down, we’re discussing the difference between eating lower animal life forms and intelligent beings and he has asked me to explain the difference.”
“Are you out of you mind! That is the enemy. He now knows we exist.”
“He knew anyway. He parked his ship and opened all his ports and left them open to try and open a dialogue.”
“Give me your coordinates.”
“Al, send them.”
Five seconds later Sprig, Twig, Tag, Danielle, and Stem appeared on his bridge.
Al said, “Oh you’ve done it now. Excuse me while I go hide.”
“You big sissy.”
“Shut up, Fly Girl.”
Tag looked at Matt and said, “What’s going on here?”
“I’m having a conversation with the Eight Leg Commander of the mother ship. It seems that he has had an epiphany about life and death since his Nest Mother has just consumed eight million ships just like his. He seems to know that he’s next. I was telling him how we are angry about all the civilizations he’s destroyed and he asked if I consumed protein. I told him yes but not intelligent beings. He asked me to please explain the difference and I really didn’t know how to answer him. Do any of you have a suggestion?”
The five looked at Matt like he had three heads. “What possessed you to open a conversation,” Danielle asked?
Al said, “That Eight Legs started it; he opened all his ports inviting us to kill him.”
Tag said, “If you don’t mind, Al. I would like to hear Matt’s ideas.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll shut up.”
“I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Ok then. I’ll keep quiet.”
Matt laughed and said, “I’d give up if I were you, Tag.”
“You better listen to him, Your majesty.”
Tag looked at Matt and he said, “That was Melanie’s ship, Fly Girl.”
“Oh, alright, this is an open conversation.”
“So how do you explain the difference,” Al asked?
“Before I even get into that, I want to know why we should communicate with him under any circumstances.”
Matt smiled and said, “Tag, look at that ship and tell me what your sense of danger tells you.”
Tag closed his eyes and felt no danger then opened them, “You’ve made your point but I still see no reason to talk with our enemy.”
“I didn’t see anything else to do. If I destroyed him when he opened his doors then my ships would not get the practice they need. I thought I’d ask him to close them so we could destroy him later.”
Danielle started snickering and soon everyone started laughing. Finally Matt asked, “So how do I tell him the difference?”
Twig looked at him and said, “From the perspective of the one being consumed there is no difference.”
Matt’s face lit up. “Thanks, Twig. I think I have an answer. Is it alright to continue my dialogue?”
Everyone looked at each other saying nothing. Al piped up, “I know ya gotta be curious about how these creatures think.”
Tag sighed and said, “Go ahead.”
Matt turned and looked at the huge ship on his display, “I think I have an answer for you.”
“Did it take that long to figure it out?”
“Quite honestly, I had to ask for help. The main difference between consuming lower life forms and intelligent life forms is the amount of pain endured by knowing what’s coming. Intelligent life forms suffer much longer and much more intensely anticipating their death. Kind of like what you’re going through now.”
There was silence and then the Ship’s Male thought, “I think I can see what you’re saying. There is also the struggle to survive that places intense pressure on those being consumed. I am sorry for what pain I’ve caused. Even if a meal tastes better, that doesn’t make it right to cause that kind of torment. I’m sorry I bothered you. I don’t blame you for not wanting to assist us.”
“What were you thinking we could do to help?”
“My former commander, before he was consumed, thought you had a way to hide a planet. If you did possess that kind of technology, I would want to try and get you to hide us when the full harvest starts.”
“When you opened your ports, did you believe that we could destroy your ship?”
“I believed you have a way of destroying our ships. I didn’t know if you could destroy one this big.”
“We are going to stop your species from consuming us. Can you just sit by and watch us destroy those of your kind that are coming?”
“We have sat by for millions of years and watched our leaders destroy millions of us. Watching you do it wouldn’t be much of a change. If you were going to be eaten by some members of your species, would you worry about whether or not they were killed when they came close to where you were hiding?”
“You don’t understand; I intend to kill every member of your species and stop this killing of intelligent life.”
“Do you think you can do that?”
‘I don’t know, but I intend to try.”
“Can’t say that I blame you for that, however, what if my children and I agree to never consume another intelligent species. Would that remove us from the list of those you intend to destroy?”
“Damn if I know. That’s a question that I would need to take up with my leaders. However, how could I trust that you would keep your commitment?”
“Well, that’s a tough question. From what you’ve just told me I can assume that you can destroy my ship even if my ports were closed?”
“I really think we could and I was hoping to give it a try when you came here but with your ports open it just wouldn’t allow us to try our best weapons on you.”
“My but you sound like someone I might recognize. Perhaps you’re not so much different from us as I thought.”
Matt flinched at the observation and immediately felt a sense of guilt. He didn’t want to but he was starting to like this Eight Legs.
“However, the only way to see if we keep our promise is to just see. A person who is facing death will promise everything. We aren’t facing it at this very moment so our promise might have more weight than the moment just before your best weapons hit my ship.”
Tag was shaking his head. He was trying not to smile but wasn’t being successful.
Sprig thought, “Could the rest of your species resist consuming intelligent civilizations?”
“You sound different from the first being. The answer to your question is no. They cannot nor will they want to resist changing their eating habits.”
“What makes you and your children different?”
“After our last harvest we were not successful in gathering a good meal. We went hungry for a long time. That’s why we were sent here first. I think that lack of a big meal has made a difference in us. The time we’ve spent chasing you around several systems has also thinned us. I can sense my children and they, like I, don’t have the insatiable hunger for intelligence that others of my species possess. I don’t know how to answer your question except to say that we can harvest life forms that are not intelligent for our meals. I am the surviving leader of my family and my children will follow my orders. That’s how we are made. My connection to the Nest Mother died with my Supreme Male; she no longer has any control over me.”
“I don’t understand what you mean by control?”
“The Supreme Male of each family has total control over every member. They are chosen by the Nest Mother and when they are selected she downloads into them a compulsion to give her all that they learn. The Supreme Males do this by downloading a copy of everything the children gathered during the harvest. The Supreme Male also puts that compulsion into his children so that they will surrender their harvest when ordered by him. There is no choice; we are compelled by forces we cannot resist when those orders are given.”
Matt thought a moment, “So why are things different for you now?”
“Because the Nest Mother consumed my entire family with all of the Ship’s Males and the Supreme Male. The compulsion placed in me by my ship’s former commander which came from the Supreme Male ended with the death of the Supreme Male. The Nest Mother consumed my family’s Supreme Male before my ship was taken. I have looked at my data banks and I cannot find anywhere in our history where that has ever happened. Usually every ship is downloaded, or consumed if punished, after the harvest is completed so that all ships are present. My ship is the first ship to ever be completely free of the compulsion passed down by the Nest Mother. I can feel it and so can my children. We are, for the moment, free.”
“Why for the moment?”
“Because we will be found by the other families; they will be able to see us as soon as they enter whatever universe we travel. They will block the exit and destroy us.”
Matt jerked, “How will they block the exit?”
“Place enough main ships around it so I can’t get to it to escape.”
“Stand by a moment.”
“Sure.”
Matt turned to the group and said, “I think we need to help this ship.”
Danielle looked around and said, “I agree.”
Melanie said, “Me, too.”
Sprig looked at the two human females and asked, “Why do you say that? These creatures are universe killers.”
“Because I think that they are universe killers because of the compulsion placed in them by their Nest Mother,” Danielle said. “Did you notice that they backed off invading a system to come here and communicate? Ask them why they did that, Matt.”
Matt shrugged and thought, “I notice that you were in the process of invading a planet but backed off and came here instead; why did you do that?”
“My, my; you have been keeping track of our movements. I’m impressed. I ordered the ships back because I received a call from another family’s Supreme Male ordering me to download what I have learned in this universe. I decided to delay and not give it to him. I told him some of my ships were being attacked and that I would get back to him as soon as I resolved the issue. I then turned off my communicator panel and disabled the tracking device in my ship and came here hoping to get you to communicate with me.”
“What will happen when they try to contact you and are unsuccessful?”
“I’m hoping they will think I’ve been destroyed. I must say that you have done an excellent job of hiding your activities so I’m sure they will be nervous about coming here.”
“Do you think they will still come?”
“Absolutely!”
“Why do you say it like that?”
“The Nest Mother craves advanced life forms like no other meal. I could sense it in the Supreme Male’s communication. If my ship is destroyed then she will know an advanced life form is here that is quite powerful. The explosion of the new universe from this one is what caused us to come here early.”
“Stand by.”
Matt looked at Danielle and said, “Why does it make a difference that he turned away?”
“Because he was not driven by uncontrolled urges; he stopped because of other considerations. I believe that when he resisted the other Supreme Male he broke the compulsions placed in him. I suspect he will be quite different from this moment forward. Also, please notice that he has not with held any information you’ve requested. I think this creature is honest to a fault.”
“That is exactly what I see, too, Danielle,” Melanie said. “Whatever he has told you is the truth and I think he can be trusted.”
Matt looked at Tag and Sprig. Tag shrugged and Sprig thought, “The two strongest psychics in seeing truth agree on this. I think we must follow their lead. Do you agree, Twig?”
“Yes, I do.”
Matt looked at the group and then said, “Al, do we have one of the new hand weapons?”
“Yes we do.”
“Teleport it to me now.” A projectile gun appeared on the console. Matt put the arm brace on and placed the gun in it.
“What are you doing,” Melanie asked?
“Seeing if he can be trusted,” Matt then turned back to his display panel and thought, “We are discussing the possibility of helping you; however, we want to meet with you directly.”
“How would you suggest we make that happen?”
“Go to the surface of your ship and we will bring you to our vessel. Do you have a suit that is not made from that green substance?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Please wear it so we can move you.”
“Give me a moment.”
“We’ll be waiting.”
The Ship’s Male looked at his Sensor Male and said, “If something happens to me I am appointing you to be the new leader of my children. I entrust their welfare to you and I insist you do all you can to prevent the families from killing them.” All of the children in the ship heard what he said and their devotion to this new ship leader increased tremendously. They knew the risk he was taking and hoped he survived.
The Sensor Male said, “I will do my best, First Fang.”
“Call me Ship’s Male from now on; that First Fang title irritates me.”
The Ship’s Male put on a standard work suit and took the elevator to the outer door where two of his children opened it. They reached forward and tenderly touched him with their two front legs as he exited the hatch. Their emotion touched him deeply. He thought to himself, “I will not see you harmed.” He walked out to the surface of the giant ship and thought, “I am on the surface; you may come and get me.” Suddenly he was standing in a ship surrounded by seven beings. He was shocked speechless.
“Welcome aboard the Aladdin, Ship’s Male.”
The Ship’s Male saw the being addressing him and noticed he was holding a device. “May I assume that you are pointing a weapon at me?”
“Absolutely.”
“I don’t blame you. However, you are in no danger from me.”
“That is what we are here to determine. My name is Matt and I need a name to call you other than your title.”
The Ship’s Male raised his two front legs in a shrug and said, “We actually don’t have names other than our title. You may call me whatever you desire.”
Matt looked around and said, “We will call you Destiny.”
The Ship’s Male tilted his head to the left indicating a smile, “Let’s hope it’s a name that has possibilities. I notice that you moved me directly from my ship to your bridge. I didn’t know that technology existed. I suspect that by revealing it to me that if we cannot agree on my trustworthiness you will be compelled to kill my ship.”
Matt shook his head and said, “You do understand things quite well. I think that by coming here and talking with us you have made strides in our believing your commitments. I just have one question.”
“What is that?”
“Can you stand by and watch us totally destroy your species?”
The Ship’s Male thought a long moment and then replied, “It would not be as hard as you think. If my children survive, my species will not be destroyed and we can rebuild our selves perhaps better than before. I will agree not only to stand by but to assist you anyway I can to survive the coming harvest and to never consume another intelligent civilization.”
Danielle and Melanie both said simultaneously, “He’s telling the truth.”
Matt looked at Tag and he stepped forward and said, “Then as King of the Star’s Realm, I welcome you and your children into our protection. We will defend you against all aggressors and I expect you to defend us against all enemies. Will you agree to these conditions?”
Destiny looked at the strange being and said, “I do.”
Matt said, “Destiny, we are going to send you back to your ship. We will communicate further but I will be sending a team of engineers to install a device on your ship’s hull that will hide you from detection.”
Destiny felt a huge weight lift and he said, “I thank you for assisting me in saving my children; I look forward to learning from you.”
Matt nodded and Al teleported him back to the surface of his ship. He stood there looking around for the ship he had just left but could not see it. Suddenly, ten beings appeared on the hull and began installing a device. One of them came up and said, “Hello, and welcome to our community of civilizations.” He held out a device and handed it to Destiny. Destiny took the device and saw two buttons on it. “The large button will turn on a screen that will hide your ship from your species. It is a color you cannot see through. The smaller button will turn it off. It will be ready when we teleport off your ship. Do you have any questions?”
The Spider shook his head and the being turned to go work on the device being installed on the top of his ship. Destiny thought, “This is a whole new universe. Things look so different now.” Then he entered the door to be greeted by his adoring children.
Two hours later Destiny saw that the beings had left his ship. He turned to the Sensor Male and said, “Launch an attack craft and have it take station three widths from us.”
The small ship launched and moved ninety thousand miles away. “Tell it to scan our ship and to keep us in sight.”
“They are scanning us now.”
Destiny pushed the big button and the Sensor Male flinched, “The pilot says they have lost all sight of us; his scans show nothing.”
“Excellent,” then he pushed the small button and said, “Order the attack craft back aboard and let’s go look for a planet with lower life forms that we can harvest.”
“Does it have to be land animals?”
“No, Sensor Male, sea life is acceptable.”
“I know just the planet.”
The huge green ship turned and moved out of the system, crossed the jump limit, and disappeared.”
“Al, where did they go?”
“They jumped into a system with a planet that has no intelligent life and is predominantly covered with water. It looks like they are going to have a sea food buffet.”
Matt laughed and said, “I like that Eight Leg. He is so refreshingly open and honest.”
“What do we do next?”
“We go with Sprig to see about some chemicals.”
Sprig nodded, “On our way.”
The Second Reg turned to the third, “Did you see this happening?”
“No, I did not. This is quite surprising.”
The First Reg entered the chamber and said, “Twenty of the elders have started having sparks.”
The Second and Third looked at the First. The First said, “It appears that even they can be surprised by events. I never anticipated anything good from those green creatures.”
The Third looked at the First and said, “I can answer your question now.” The First continued to look at the Third, “They will have to handle it on their own. We cannot allow our gift to be used yet.”
“This surprise makes that decision even clearer. Let’s see what happens.”