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both the Hrono fleet and
Mewiis fleet should be completed in just over six weeks. I am hopeful the
Hrono will assist the Kraaqi in upgrading their own warships, using their more
numerous shipyards.
Silence echoed inside the bridge.
But they must first agree to such an alliance, Mother thought out loud.
Her engines had not even grown silent when she felt the imprisoning force of
the Hrono tractor beams.
Two tractor beams have been activated, effectively trapping me. I am now
calculating their positions.
Several consoles began filling with data. The Hrono are entering.
Guardian turned and faced the door.
They entered, each of them wearing a red jumpsuit while their green, scaly
skin gleamed with an iridescent reflection from the room lights. Their faces
were humanoid except for a reptilian snout, their skulls were hairless like
the Mewiis. But instead of a bone-ridge and head-tail, the Hrono had a twin
row of upturned scales that extended from their forehead up over their skulls
and down the back of the necks, similar to the Stegosaurus records in Mother s
knowledgebase.
Mother magnified her visuals on the steel blue eyes common to every Hrono and
realized that each eye had twin pupils.
The first Hrono male approached Guardian and began studying him visually.
Pulling out a small sensor device, he continued his examination. A second
Hrono stepped beside him, one with a noticeably larger set of head-scales.
Is this the sentient machine?
Though its internal programming is quite sophisticated, it is not sentient.
He closed his hand-held sensor and turned to his companion.
Then where is it? The Hrono with the larger crown of scales asked.
I am the sentient machine. Mother s voice emanated from every speaker in the
room.
Every Hrono head turned slowly around, a look of intense awe on their faces.
Where are you? The second Hrono asked. Speak to me, I am Senior
Technologist Jysar.
I am the ship.
The first two Hrono looked at each other in surprise. The second Hrono, who
seemed to be in command, began making hand gestures to the others as they
obeyed and began pulling out their own sensors.
Where is your main processing located? He asked with an enthusiastic tone.
That is none of your business. I am MotherShip and I have come with grave
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news. The Mewiis have already communicated to you about the approach of the
T kaan fleet. I must review my files with the
Hrono leadership so we can develop an effective strategy.
Our battle leaders will handle this tactical data, as we have handled the
Kraaqi in the past. The Hrono waved his hand. We ll simply take your data
files when that particular need arrives. Right now, I have more important
work. His face suddenly showed puzzlement. Where shall we begin? I had no
idea that the sentient machine was the entire ship.
Senior Technologist Jysar s eyes suddenly opened wider than seemed possible.
You have biological systems integrated with your hardware! He said,
obviously impressed.
Synthetic DNA memory systems.
This is fabulous, Jysar said excitedly. No wonder you are sentient; those
memory systems must contain enough data to fill tens of millions of
libraries.
Much more, Mother said. Enough to fill the libraries of many thousands of
planets combined.
Astounding, Jysar whispered in awe. He looked slowly around the bridge.
Now, where in space will
I begin?
What are your intentions? Mother asked.
Oh, The Hrono walked casually up to a console and began typing. We re going
to disassemble you-
piece by piece. After that, we re going to reverse engineer your systems.
Chapter Thirty-Three
They think we rehere to break off their horns.
Curja, Second Leader to Rawlon of the Band of Thunder, stepped back through
the large, golden curtains that served as the ceremonial entrance to the Hall
of Admittance where the High Chieftains of all the Kraaqi were gathering. He
joined the small group waiting outside.
No wonder, Rawlon said. We have broken almost every protocol in coming
here. He waved his right arm upward. I have also ordered every Band to
gather here under Crisis Protocol-something only used for war with the Hrono,
or for the overthrow of the Council of Chieftains.
Kyle eyed the three Kraaqi warriors. Furtively, he glanced back to Jaric and
Becky who were standing off by themselves. Ever since Kalaya, Jaric and Becky
had been inseparable. It had affected Kyle like nothing else in his entire
life.
For the first time since his childhood, he felt utterly alone.
Kyle had stayed near Rok these last tempestuous days as they journeyed to meet
the Chieftains and
Rok had seemed to understand. A close bond had already formed between the two.
Kyle now felt as though he had more in common with the Kraaqi than he did with
his own kind- Jaric and Becky. He felt so awkward now when he was alone with
them.
Rawlon s voice penetrated his troubled thoughts and he forced himself to
concentrate. There were more important things at hand than his personal
feelings.
The Chieftains and their personal guards are heavily armed, Curja added.
Most prudent, Rawlon said. If I were in their place, I would act no
differently. He turned and spoke to the First Commander, Band of the Stars.
What say you, Rok?
Rok shrugged and readjusted the shoulder belt which held his assault blaster
tight against his back. It was I who led my small Band to your world. We also
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broke protocol. But, the circumstances demand such bold action. We do right.
Rok looked at the three humans. The T kaan are an enemy to be feared.
Yes, you did well. Rawlon said. I apologize again for your wound.
Rok rubbed his arm with the recent, painful memory of their brief battle.
Smiles of mutual respect flashed between the First Captain and Rok.
Well, your arm was nothing to what happened to me, Jaric said,
half-shouting.
Kyle chuckled, remembering the adventures of the previous week as they had
sought out Rawlon, leader of the greatest Band.
Jaric s eyes widened. How was I to know that there were carnivorous plants!
Rok had warned us about the myriads of carnivores that might kill us on your
jungle planet. I guess this little thing escaped his memory.
Rok and Kyle began laughing. Now that it was over, the humor of Jaric s
near-death experience had become a running joke between Rok and Kyle. In fact,
the last two days it had been their prime source of entertainment as they
continued to torment Jaric with their witty remarks.
Becky stood closer to Jaric, unconsciously putting her arm around his waist.
I know the Kraaqi are
One with their worlds, and you like to keep your planets in a state of natural
beauty, but when half the denizens can devour you, well, that s a little too
natural.
Rawlon smiled, a glint in his warrior eyes. If you learn the ways of my
world, you can easily walk its surface without being eaten. Even by the
Xaktius.
Kyle and Rok howled with laughter.
Remember Becky, we spend most of our days in our underground cities. That is
where we live and work. The surface is for recreation. Relaxation.
What recreation? Not getting yourself eaten? Becky shook her head.
Tell me again, Jaric, Rok said with mischief in his eyes. Few have survived
being eaten by a Xaktius.
What was it like?
Kyle smiled.
A vein began throbbing in Jaric s forehead as he took a deep breath. It all
happened so fast. Jaric paused, a serious look on his face.
Rok and Kyle waited, their eyes sparkling.
I know it s taken me two days to wash that stench off.
We know!
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