Einstein added, “I have looked at all the information available about what happens when a new Nest Mother replaces the old one. The data from the last change shows a New Female that appears somewhat nervous but not vicious at the start of the ceremony. However, I have seen a change in her when she assumes her place on the nest.”
Destiny turned his head upside down, “What have you seen?”
Einstein narrated as he started a video, “This information comes from our ships storage banks.” The display came on and everyone watched as the new Nest Mother moved onto the nest and placed her back two legs into two receptacles. She immediately dropped onto her abdomen and her demeanor changed radically. Her fangs dripped venom and then she put the rest of her legs into the other receptacles. Einstein said as the video was running, “I believe that it is those first two receptacles that downloaded the compulsions into her. I initially thought that the beings must come every time a Nest Mother is replaced but this is so much easier. Their little project will run with little or no attention needed by the creators. This might be a good thing if they seldom check on their creations.”
Sprig’s leaves turned light brown and he turned to the little spider, “Why, do you think the beings that did this are in a galaxy in our universe?”
Einstein nodded and Newton answered, “That galaxy is in every universe we have harvested. It appears to exist outside the space-time continuum as we know it and coexists with every universe. We have also never attempted to harvest that galaxy. Evidently the compulsions also forbid us from going near it.” The display then showed picture after picture of the dark galaxy in many different universes. It was identical in every picture.
Sprig thought for a moment, “This information causes me to wonder just who is the real enemy.”
Destiny softly thought, “My species is being forced into the killing we have been doing. We are not naturally aggressive and have no choice but to kill intelligent life. Just as your species was forced to kill planets, Sprig; mine is being forced to kill universes. We have no control over our actions.”
“It also begs the question of why they made you collect all of the data from the civilizations you’ve destroyed. I suspect that they will collect that data at some point.”
“I have also considered that, Sprig. I don’t believe they need it or have any interest in it as ancient as they are; I believe they have us collect it to make ourselves a better tool for killing. That way we would not have to be modified over the millions of years of our existence; we would improve on our own until they release a new and better tool to carry out their designs. They might collect the information when they choose to eliminate us, but they could also just ignore it because of their billions year old technology. They don’t want a tool that requires any attention.”
“That is a truly frightening thought, Destiny.”
“We know how they operate. Have you not made newer and better technology over the long age of your species? Why would they be any different?”
“These suspected beings, if they do exist as you surmise, are so much older than us that they are billions of years ahead of us technologically.” Sprig thought a moment, “I don’t know if we could survive their attentions. They make the Captors look like infants.”
Destiny sighed, “It would give added weight to just staying in our universe and attempting to hide from their attention; however, we are here and if they see us…” He left the rest unsaid.
“What about the possibility of a new tool to replace your species. I suspect that tool will not be limited to just entering by the entry points and they would be coming in our future.”
“Perhaps, but it would give us time to try and develop weapons against them.”
“Destiny, this suspected race is billions of years ahead of us. It would take breakthroughs that you just can’t plan to happen.”
“That’s true, Sprig, but we have something they didn’t count on.”
“What is that?”
Destiny looked around the room and said, “Why, my children, of course and they have information stored from millions of years of taking it during our harvests.”
“Are you recording this meeting?”
Edison looked up, “Yes, I am.”
“Please send a copy of it to King Gardner for his viewing immediately.”
Suddenly they all heard mentally, “You don’t need to do that. I have been listening in on your discussion.” Matt appeared in the map room and approached the table. “This troubles me greatly. I’m not sure how we should move forward now that we know about that galaxy. I’m concerned about even going to look at it for fear that the beings there would sense us. I need you to come up with a plan on how we should begin preparing to counter what we suspect is happening.”
Destiny looked at Matt, “We can’t act hastily. We have to give my children some time to work on this. I suspect that they will come up with the best approach.”
Matt looked at the three waist high spiders, “I think you’re right; however, I want the brightest of the Algean adolescents to join them in their efforts. Please keep me informed about what progress you make. I also need your thoughts about what we should do about your species, Destiny. Should we just leave them alone to continue their killing? I really don’t want to do that, but I think you’re right about those beings being extremely angry if we eliminate their creation.”
Sprig leaned forward, “We will begin at once, Your Majesty.”
The Nest Mother didn’t want to send her families out to harvest for fear of being caught undefended if those strange beings attacked, but could not stop herself from sending them. “Why can’t I control myself?” she wondered. She thought about it and then inserted her legs into her receptacles and began looking at the oldest data she possessed. Something just wasn’t right. She was powerless against the forces forcing her to continue harvesting. She had never thought about not sending her family out in the past but now she discovered that she was unable to stop it. The more she tried to focus on the problem the more her rage tore her mind away from it. What was happening?
Chapter 3
The red colored being sat and looked at his console. It noticed that the ship being constructed was interesting but wondered about whether it possessed the necessary technology to be an improvement over the last ones he designed. Designing its hull had taken much longer than he planned, but it had to be capable of so many things. As he watched he heard, “What’s wrong?”
“I’m trying to decide whether or not to give my new project dimensional capability.”
“I’m not sure that would be wise.”
“As long as we can eliminate them any time we choose, I don’t think it would pose a problem.”
“Even so, I prefer you limit them to universal drives.”
The being thought a moment, “Why are you concerned?”
“The uncertainty principle always applies to our creations and must be accounted for in our work.”
“It has never caused us trouble before.”
“Even more reason to be cautious. The probabilities increase with time.”
The red being thought a moment, “You’re right. I will act accordingly.”
“How much longer before they are ready to be released?”
“The initial group will soon be completed; most of the compulsions have already been applied.”
“Before you commit to the project you might want to send a sample of them out to see how they perform.”
“I’m reasonably certain they will be much more efficient that our current tools.”