Nowhere to Run Read Free

it chose to chase one of them. I suspect it selected one of them because it was one of their ships that destroyed the Black Ship.”
    The Second Councilor said, “I thought you said those ships came from this galaxy.”
    “They suggested I flee toward that galaxy to prevent the Black Ships from seeing our home galaxy. They would not have fled toward their own galaxy. I’m certain that they were just as surprised as we were by that advanced civilization.”
    The First stared at the Admiral for a moment and then said, “You appear to be brighter than most of your predecessors. I’m reluctant to execute you because of that.” The First continued to stared at the Admiral who remained silent and said, “You were right. The Councilor was an idiot.”
    The First looked at the Second and the Second said to the Admiral, “So what would you do now?”
    “We are going be forced to prioritize our problems. I think the Black Ships will scout that other galaxy before they come here. That gives us some time before we’ll have to take them on. The immediate problem is the White Ships.”
    The Second glanced at the First, who remained silent and said, “So you’re suggesting we go searching for the home worlds of the White Ships?”
    “We can’t do that now.”
    “Why not?”
    “We’ve lost our surplus of ships when we were attacked in that other galaxy; if we take those we have remaining to search for them, who will defend our home worlds? We must rebuild our lost ships and once we have enough to defend our planets, we’ll start the search.”
    “They haven’t reappeared.”
    “I believe they haven’t because I’ve ordered all our ships to our main planets. I suspect if I weaken the numbers, they will attack.”
    The First leaned forward with a gleam in his eyes and said, “How certain are you about that?”
    “It’s what I’d do.”
    The First glanced at the Second and then asked, “What if we take all the ships from one of our planets and start the search?”
    “Then that planet would be wide open to attack.”
    “What if it was a planet that is…problematic?”
    The Second stared at the First and wondered if he was just that cold blooded. “Are you suggesting Aeredom?” The First just glared at the Second. The Second took a deep breath and said, “If we do as the First suggests and the planet is not attacked, we could start our major search efforts now.”
    The Admiral looked at the two and saw just how evil they really were. Aeredom had more than eighty billion inhabitants and they didn’t think twice about putting it in harm’s way. He saw them staring at him and he knew he had no choice, “I’ll issue the orders.”
    The First leaned back and said to the Second, “Dismiss the Council and send everyone home.”
    The Second nodded and the Admiral knew that one of the First’s main competitors was now a target.
    • • •
    G said, “I have an encrypted message coming in to the Hub Computer.”
    “Can you translate it?”
    The speaker on the bridge came on, “They want to do what!?”
    “I’ve been ordered to take all of the ships at Aeredom and start the search for the White Ship’s home worlds.”
    “That leaves them wide open to attack.”
    “The First is of the belief that they won’t be attacked and we can start our major search now.”
    “This is outrageous.”
    “Think it through and you’ll know why.”
    “Are they that unfeeling?”
    “Be careful what you say.”
    “This is encrypted. No one will break this.”
    “I’ve sent you a copy of the orders. Send a ship to Aeredom and give them the coordinates to start their search. Sub Admiral Hreg will lead them.”
    The Hub Computer said, “This is outrageous; the First better hope this information doesn’t get out if something happens.”
    “If we want to continue our existence, it won’t come from us.”
    There was a moment of silence and the Hub Computer said, “I’ll dispatch the ship.”
    • • •
    Abbey said,