The Distributor came off his couch with multiple alarms ringing. It checked the communication panel and immediately saw that something terrible was happening. Tens of thousands of ships harvesting the new universe were reporting an illness that was sweeping through their ranks. It activated its scanner and saw thousands of dead ships. It looked inside the ships and saw the crews were dead. It also saw most of them had lost the orange skin color and were covered in sores that were deep green.
It immediately contacted the Ten Ruling Masters and saw that they were all dead. He then turned his scanner to the distribution center and saw that all of the huge warehouses were filled with dark green packets.
Oh no! It checked the distribution ship that was due to arrive and saw it was still coming toward the main center. It ordered the Ship Master to turn around and head back to the distribution center. Whatever was affecting the ships had not affected the ship bringing the shipment this cycle.
The four Council Members appeared on his display and demanded to know what was happening. I dont know. Something is attacking the Remid. Whatever it is, it kills it and those that are addicted. Most of my harvesting fleet has been affected.
Where did this come from?
I have no idea. One of the victims will have to be examined to make that determination.
One of the Council said, I would suggest you make that happen immediately. I want answers.
The orange being saw their anger and nodded. He dispatched a ship and waited for what they discovered. He felt his rage build at what was being done to their drug supply. His rage increased as it realized it was not going to be allowed to rest until this problem was resolved. It considered what was taking place and knew that this was a deliberate attack. It looked forward to dealing with those responsible.
Four turns later its communication panel alarm went off. It had determined that of the million plus ships in the harvesting universe, only a quarter of them were not infected with what had killed the others. It turned its attention to the panel, What have you been able to determine?
Someone has developed a spore that attacks the pod plants. It not only kills the plant and its spores, but any exposed product that has been harvested as well.
What will it take to remove it?
I dont believe it can be removed.
What do you mean!?!
This spore is an artificial creation and it is a hardy life form. It can be burned if hit with a beam hotter than eight hundred units. However, it can survive in space and once it attaches to a pod, it will multiply by billions.
Are you saying that it can cling to a ships hull and survive in the vacuum of space?
Yes, Master.
How widespread is it?
We have found it in the upper atmospheres of thousands of planets weve invaded. It would be deadly for our ships to come close to any of those planets. Once the ship landed, the spores would be attached to its hull.
Youre certain this was artificially created.
Yes and it was delivered to the planets weve conquered.
Was it created in that universe?
We have no way of making that determination.
The Distributor saw the creature on his screen was starting to shake, Are you infected?
We tried to avoid contact but it appears we were unsuccessful.
You will remain where you are and allow me to see how long it takes for you to die.
The orange being on the screen nodded and leaned back in its chair and closed its eyes. Thirty minutes later it went into convulsions and died a horrible death. The Distributor watched and sent a report to the Council. It hoped it would not be blamed for what had happened but knew it might not live out the day.
Robby teleported in to the Defense Facility and arrived to find seven Zord directing mechanical engineers on how to take the consoles apart that had been taken from the Invaders ship. Robby stared at their activity and heard a thought, We have made a determination about these machines.
Robby turned to a large Zord and said, What is that?
We will not be able to use them until we can build a power supply much stronger than what we are currently able to produce.
Robby looked back at the quick tear down of the former bridge, Even the Invaders had to drop their force fields to use them.
Yes, they did.
Do you understand how they function?
We need some more time on the drive but the communication device is easily understood. However, we will be unable to use any of this until we develop a much stronger source of power.
Robby nodded and said, I guess it all depends on you, Alex. Are you making any progress?
Yes, we are. Our experimental probe was able to absorb the outer surface of a star for three minutes.
Is that good?
Its a huge step forward in our plans.
Robby looked back at the dimensional drive console and then asked Alex, What is your ultimate goal in this?
We want to absorb a star into the hulls of our ships.
For how long?
Robby, you know the Alexander Kosiev absorbed a dead star into its outer skin?
Yes, most of the ancient Megaships did the same.
We want to absorb a live star into the outer skin of our ships.
Robby was stunned, Is that possible?
Not yet, but were working on it. Weve found that were able to teleport power from inside the screen to its surface. We have much better control inside that skin and the transporter of the power does not burn up. We are currently getting enough small black holes made to convert the fleets hulls to the absorbent hulls. Its going to take a long time to make it happen but we feel like this is the way to go.
Keep me in the loop, Alex.
I will. Come back and see me whenever you can.
Robby smiled and teleported to Greyson.
Dani sat on board Grace and watched the destruction of the Invader ship. Im surprised Kreej was able to get away in time.
Me too, Grace. He cut it pretty close.
Grace was silent for a moment and said, The Algeans are requesting permission to go back to the site of that the theft.
Did they say why?
No, but they say its important to predicting the Invaders next plan of attack.
Dani thought a moment and said, I dont like them. They are on a different agenda than us.
That is probably true but that doesnt mean their views arent valuable.
Ok, go pick them up and see whats going on.
Theyre here on Bristone. Ill teleport them aboard.
Weed and Seed appeared and bowed to Dani, You have no need to bow to me; Im not royalty.
Weed replied, Was your husbands Father not the Emperor?
Well, yes he was.
Seed said, And if something happens to the current Emperor, who will take his place?
Dani thought about that question and didnt know how to answer, I really dont know. Im not sure if Emperor Valrico has named a successor.
It doesnt matter who he names; who will the people demand?
Dani slowly shook her head, I see where youre going with this but Im not sure we would accept.
You may not be given a choice. Your psychic skills may force you to take the throne to make sure the right things are done for the survival of the Empire.
Why are you telling me this?
Because in every previous war, the Realm was led by a ruler with psychic abilities and the current Emperor does not possess those skills. You and your husband do.
That may have been true in the past; however, it appears there are other forces pushing us in a different direction at this moment. Dani sighed, What is it you want me to help you accomplish?