“Have you determined the origin of that ship that was destroyed?”
The history portion of the Collective responded, “No, and we have nothing in our memory that matches that ship. The electronic screens were stronger than any we have ever encountered.”
“Could it have been a return of the green creatures to probe our strength?”
“The creature in that ship did not match the green creatures physically.”
The Collective processed that piece of information, and millions of bits of data were examined. “They did not come from this universe.”
“No, they could not have developed ships that powerful without our having seen them before now.”
“Perhaps it is time we go and find those green creatures and eliminate them as a possible threat. They could have sent this ship to probe us.”
There was a long pause while the entire Collective processed the thought. The science compartment spoke, “We have never tried to develop the means to leave this universe. Is it now time to begin?”
History interjected, “Would we be inviting other possible enemies to invade who would be more of a danger to us if we go searching for the green creatures?”
The Collective responded, “Someone has come into our territory and attempted to gather information. It appears that whether we go out or stay, we are at risk. I think we should at least go and see what creatures are out there and determine if they represent a danger. It is also time for us to expand. Our space is almost fully farmed and our population continues to grow.”
Technology spoke, “How many ships would you want to send out?”
The Collective pondered the resources available, “A million in the first group. Do you have the necessary technology to develop the mechanism needed to travel out of our space?”
“We still have those green ships we destroyed long ago, and they have the technology to make that travel possible. We just need to examine one of them and then build it.”
“How long before you could prepare the ships?”
Technology was silent for a moment, “Not very long; less than a quarter-cycle would be my estimate.”
The Collective listened to all of the compartments give their take on the idea, then decided, “Prepare the ships.”
Admiral Zergl asked, “Why do you say they do it better than your species?”
“Because we would harvest all intelligent life and leave and not return for millions of years. Witness what happened to us when we came back to this universe to find the Realm; an adversary that would ultimately stop our harvesting. If we had stayed in this universe and done what these creatures are doing, no race would have the opportunity to evolve into a civilization strong enough to defeat us.”
Valerie leaned forward, “How did you determine that they learned to do this from you?”
Edison tilted his head to the right, indicating irony, “They watched as we killed millions of races in their universe and determined that those races could be a food source for them as well. They also copied the matter that we used on our ships, which made them invincible against any races that remained in their universe. Oh, it’s clear that they are emulating what we did and have perfected the tools we used to a much higher standard. The hulls of their ships are not vulnerable to the organic missiles or repulsion fields that were used against our ships; they are as hard as any of our modern alloys. They also have the thought beam which goes through any electronic screen.”
The King looked around the table, then asked Edison, “It appears that we should stay out of this universe and not give them a reason to leave, especially since none of our weapons will affect their ships.”
Edison turned his head upside down in agreement, “The team that analyzed this data are all agreed that this is not a place to which we should go.”
Valerie said in a voice that all could hear, “Stay out if you choose, but they are coming here and it won’t be long until they arrive.”
David looked at Valerie, “Are you absolutely certain about that?”
Valerie nodded, “The Stars Realm will be destroyed if you decide to sit and do nothing.”
David stared at Valerie, then looked at Jake and Cynthia sitting away from the group. He looked back at Valerie, “You still insist that he must go to that universe?”
“We are doomed if he doesn’t, Father. He is our only chance to survive, and you are wasting time talking about it. He needs to go now.”
David felt his temper rise and started to reprimand his daughter, but then he remembered who had the real power in this room. He looked over at Jake again and said, “What do you think about all this, young man?”
Jake looked quickly at Valerie, saw her stern expression, then looked at the King of the Stars Realm answering, “I have just finished looking at the history of the Realm, the real history, and if what I’ve seen is accurate, I agree; you’re wasting time. You either trust psychic abilities or you step out on your own. The Realm’s history is filled with evidence that we would not be here today except for amazing people with even more amazing psychic gifts. I don’t know if what she says about me is true or not,” he looked at Valerie and said, “but I believe in her and if I were making this decision, I’d do as she says.” Jake sat back down then jumped back up and said, “Your Majesty.” Then he sat back down.
Sprig stood and said, “Your Majesty, he must go soon. However, we have some things we’re working on that will improve his chance of surviving.”
David was angry at the disrespect he was getting, but turned and asked, “Such as?”
“Our spider friends looked back in their database and found a device that will block the thoughts of anyone using it. We have developed a scalp covering that we believe will prevent any telepathy from leaking out. It was originally designed millions of years ago by a telepathic race that the spiders harvested. It was used to punish their criminals by preventing them from having contact with any member of their race. We have fashioned one for the two that would go.”
Valerie stood and said, “How long before the device is ready?”
Sprig looked at Twig and she said, ‘Three days.”
Valerie looked at Admiral Zergl, “While he is waiting, I want him fitted for
Armor.”
Zergl said, “Absolutely not. No one gets armor unless they are trained in its use.”
Valerie looked at her father and David could see that his daughter was getting angry. Before he could speak his son Joe stood, “Admiral, I am the overall commander of all Stars Realm Military. Just how much do you like your position in our armed forces?”
Zergl looked at Joe and everyone could see his nervousness.
Joe said, “Lest there be any mistake, if you receive a Directive from the Royal Family you will follow it or be tried for treason. Do all of you here not know that my Sister is the most powerful psychic in the Realm’s history? If she says we are doomed without this man’s help, then we are doomed. Admiral, you will take Jake with you and fit him with armor. You will train him as best you can in the time that remains. Is that clear?”
Zergl lowered his head and said, “Yes, Your Highness.”
Newton raised himself and said, “I would like a device fitted to the armor.”
Zergl asked, “What device is that?”