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The view changed and they watched as ships landed and started moving bodies of paralyzed captives into shuttles that took them down small avenues between mile after mile of small discs on the planets surface. The shuttle would stop and the Wasps would lift a body from the shuttle as another Wasp moved forward and stung it. They noticed that every one of the Wasps stinging the bodies had swollen abdomens. Once the body was stung it was lowered into a tube and a cap was placed on top of it. The workers then moved to the next tube to continue the process. Kreen changed the view to another area and they saw caps being pushed up by Wasps that were half the size of the adults. Once they emerged, the adults would put a device on top of the tube and suck out a dried out husk. The remains were thrown on a large vehicle that transported them to a building where they were dumped into a container that moved into the building.

Day took a deep breath, This is not a good thing, Kreen.

They have no choice but to operate this way.

What do you mean? Theyre killing millions of intelligent beings.

What happens if they dont?

Day thought about the question and saw where Kreen was going, Then their population will decrease.

This is their only way to reproduce. They must have a host for their eggs and remember that the Wasp on the other planet was in agony to find a host when its abdomen was swollen. This is not an option for them. Kreen paused, Are they dangerous; absolutely. Are they evil; no they arent? They only took enough from the last planet to meet their needs and left many behind to start over. They are not eradicating any species; theyre just trying to survive.

Maybe so, but I wouldnt want to be on a planet they invaded.

They would leave my species alone. Were too big to fit in those tubes.

Oh, Im sure they could make one to fit you.

They could, but they wouldnt. It would be a horrible waste of real estate. Look at your data on wasps again and youll see that only one egg per host; two would end up eating each other.

Day stared at the nightmare on the planet and said, We should report back. I dont know if Ill ever get this image out of my mind.

Its not so bad, Day.

Day snorted, This coming from a carnivore.

Kreen smiled, That does have a way of changing ones perspective.

Get us out of here.

The Flyer disappeared.

Paul watched an invasion fleet attacking a civilized planet. The planet didnt have space travel and could only launch missiles from the surface that were hit by the attacking ships beams before they could clear the atmosphere. The Grey Ships sat in orbit and rained nuclear destruction down on the planet. The beings on the planet were defenseless and the ships showed them no mercy. Every city and concentration of population, even small ones, was hit by high energy beams or a nuclear bomb. The attack lasted two days and at the end, nothing could be seen alive on the planet. The Grey Ships scanned the planet and, satisfied they had killed everything they could find, turned and began moving out of orbit.

Paul looked at Grej and said, It appears they have no reason to be here except to kill the inhabitants of that planet.

I traced them here from six planets that they killed just like this one. They just show up and kill everything.

It looks like the fleet is dividing up into three units. I want you to take the one on the left. Paul called in two more Flyers, Each of you take one of the other two units and follow them. We still have a week left and I want to know what these ships are going to do and where their home world is located. Lets hope one of those units is heading home.

Paul jumped back to the assembly point and saw eight more probes had arrived. He decided that this universe was not a safe place to live. Perhaps the Flyers could change that.

Timmy, Virze, TK, Paul, Jingos, Grang, Jingo, and Trey looked at the display on the wall in the conference room on the top floor of the Capital Building on New Hope. They watched recordings of seven different species that were attacking other civilizations. The Grey Ships were the last one viewed and were clearly the most aggressive.

Im not so sure the Red Demons werent right about eliminating intelligent life. I understand there are six more aggressive civilizations that take slaves which are not included in this recording.

Jingo slowly nodded, There are many species that are very aggressive in that universe, Your Majesty.

Where do we start?

The Grey Ships are the most violent and they have taken complete control of three galaxies. I think they should be where our initial efforts are directed.

Trey looked around the table and said, What are your thoughts about the Wasps?

Timmy looked at Trey and was amazed at the maturity of the twelve year old. He just acted, and sounded, much older. They are certainly dangerous to other species. We need to handle them after the Grey Ships. Why do you ask?

Ive had a discussion with Kreejs son about them and I want to attempt something before we take any action.

Timmy frowned, Trey, Im not willing to place you in danger.

Thats ok, Your Majesty. I can do it all by myself without your assistance.

Grang tried not to smile but couldnt help himself. Jingo saw him and had to turn away from the table to clear his throat to hide his.

Trey, Im serious about this.

So am I. You cant stop me from going and I will do what my senses tell me must be done. I will not allow the Empire to be endangered by not acting on what I see.

Timmy glanced at Virze and turned back to Trey, Tell me what you see.

Kreen showed me his recording of the planet attacked by the Wasps. They did not bombard the planet from orbit and cause massive destruction on the planets surface. They left more than fifty percent of the population behind. I also watched as one of their leaders was furious over the behavior of one of his warriors that frightened the captives. Kreen is right. The Wasps are acting humanely within the requirements of their reproductive needs.

Virze shook her head, They are eating intelligent creatures.

Trey shrugged, In order to reproduce. How do you know they dont need an intelligent species in order for their offspring to develop intelligence?

Virze narrowed her eyes but didnt know how to respond. Timmy said, They are killing innocent civilizations.

Yes, they are and thats what needs to be changed. I want to see if I can make that happen.

Paul said, You are not going to stop them from taking hosts for their eggs.

Trey smiled, I dont intend to.

Then what are you going to do?

Trey smiled, Im going to make them an offer they cant refuse. He looked around the table, Im leaving after this meeting onboard Greyson with Kreej, Kreen and Day East. By the way, you need to promote those two as soon as possible. They are a remarkable team. TK, you, Paul, and Jingos are welcome to go with me but Im not going to wait on you.

Timmy looked at Virze and she knew that Timmy had been right; Trey would tell them when he was ready to rule.

Grang said, I would like to attend as well.

Im sorry; but you and Jingo should pick one of the aggressive species and start your planning to neutralize them. TKs command will handle the Grey Ships and Wasps and join you once theyre handled.

Jingo said Do you thing you can handle them in time to assist us?

If everything goes according to plan, well be there before you are.

TK looked at Paul and he nodded. She turned to Timmy, Your Majesty, we will go with Trey. If it meets with your approval, we will postpone this meeting until we see what Trey is going to do.