“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?”