Star Force: Zealot (SF87) (Star Force Origin Series) Read Free

have. Of the nine of us they are the smallest, but they have devoted their entire civilization to the protection of the Hamoriti site entrusted to them. They even abandoned their previous worlds to relocate to it. They have no other concerns to deal with, while we and others cannot devote our full resources to the problem while maintaining our own borders against other threats. We have contributed much, and continue to do so, but the Trinx are in the sole position of being capable of doing more.”
    “Why have they not?”
    “They are devoting all of their resources to the moment to moment containment and producing as many of their vassals as they can to forestall a breakout rather than devoting some of those resources to create more production facilities. Their justified paranoia has blinded them to the reality that the Li’vorkrachnika troops are successfully containing the minions with their sacrifice. The Trinx should divert resources to the development of more resources, but they hold their production quotas to the maximum without fail.”
    “Are they expending them?” Nefron asked.
    “Some, but they have assembled a large army in reserve. We believe they have more ground troops than the rest of us combined at this point, and perhaps half as many ships. If you were to attack them out of retribution for their gifting technology to the Li’vorkrachnika, they could probably defeat any attempt you made.”
    “So they’re hoarders?” Riley asked.
    “Rooted in fear. In the past they have been the wiser, but over time their wisdom has twisted.”
    “How would you suggest we break the news to them?”
    “I will do so. Release them all simultaneously once my troops arrive and I will speak for you. If their vassals are ordered to attack we will shield you…if necessary,” he added after Riley shot him a disbelieving look, considering the display they’d just put on with the external defenses. “We will interpose ourselves to help prevent any confrontations while the others come to grips with the necessity of the situation. We have long sought a solution to the Hamoriti. Once they realize this may very well be it, they will agree to assist you.”
    “Alright, but get your people here quickly. My telepathy has limits and maintaining my grip on them is becoming tedious.”

 
    2
     
     
    December 2, 3254
    Unnamed System
    (Uriti/Hamoriti location)
     
    Paul walked across the platform connecting to the entrance into the Uriti prison shell, looking up at the pair of vassals guarding the aperture and partially obscuring the battle damage that was slowly withering away under the care of the Oracle and its maintenance bots. Other than the mechanical Trinx ground troops there was no one living nearby as he walked inside, so the trailblazer passed through empty section after section until he came to the chamber were Nefron was standing and picking away at an open panel.
    “Broke something?”
    Nefron half turned to face him. “Merely getting confirmation that the information provided is accurate. This program has been designed to lie very cleverly, but it is still a program. If it is willfully giving us information in order to keep the Uriti sedated then the Ftrolee had to have programmed that scenario. Why they would do that I do not know, thus I am checking various facts given to me.”
    “If the Chixzon found this place it wouldn’t matter what the Oracle did,” Paul surmised. “But if someone else found it, then keeping it secure via bargaining might be relevant.”
    “A likely possibility, but I need to know for certain. Is there something you require?”
    “How are you holding up to the telepathic pressure?”
    “I have to take breaks outside, but I am managing. This Uriti is less dormant than the others based on the limited information I have been able to obtain from the Oracle and the reports given to us by The Nine. It is somewhat more resistant to the sedative and I am trying to determine why.”
    “Do