particular predator is about thirty feet tall and can run on those legs at a speed that rivals a cheetah. It scoops its prey up in its jaws while running at full speed.”
Olivia shook her head, “I stand corrected. What about the other one?”
Another animal appeared on the monitor and it looked like a cross between a giant crocodile and a gargoyle. It had two arms with long claws but the creature’s jaws were imposing. “This particular predator can fly.”
“How do they keep them at bay?”
“The Feeder uses its mind to force them to keep their distance.”
Olivia shook her head, “I’m against allowing either of those creatures anywhere near the two of you.”
Rocky stared at the image and shook his head, “Willow, can the first creature swim?”
“The second one doesn’t need to swim. It can pluck its prey out of the water. The first one isn’t capable of swimming.”
“Why not?”
“From an analysis of the depth of its footprints, it masses too much to float.”
“Check your data on that planet and see if any of the communities are built close to water.”
There was a long pause and then they heard, “Nearly all of them are located next to an ocean or river. It appears the local inhabitants used running into the water to escape these beasts before the Feeders showed up.”
“That’s the planet we’re going to use.”
Jack looked at him, “Why that one?”
“Well, I’m not partial to any predator as big as that one that can fly.”
Jack nodded, “Me neither.”
“Amber, take us to that planet and make sure you avoid any Feeder Probes that might be in that planetary system.”
“I’m using the barrier to approach the planet. Is everyone ready?”
“Give us a few moments to activate two chairs.”
“Commodore Nelson has already done that. Jack and Olivia’s armor is already installed on the chairs. They are also connected to the ship’s scanning systems.”
Rocky looked around, “Where are they?”
“You’ll have to move the kitchen table against the wall. They’re currently under the floor and will rise when the table is moved.”
Jill smiled, “Clever.”
“Yes it is. The Commodore didn’t want to take up the little bit of space we have to hold meetings. They’ll be removed when you bring the ship back to have the new missile magazines installed.”
“Jill, go to your cockpit. Jack, help me move this table.” Jill left the kitchen as they lifted the table and moved it to the wall. Two chairs rose out of the floor and Rocky said, “Get in your armor. I’ll let you know when we’re going down to the planet.”
“What are you planning?”
“Jack, we need to choose a community and watch it closely to learn how it functions. Once we have a feel for that, we’ll decide how we’re going to meet your Feeder.” Jack nodded and Rocky walked up the corridor toward his cockpit.
Jack looked at Olivia, “I’m glad he’s going down with me.”
Olivia shook her head, “Fleet would have a duck if they knew about it.”
“Why?”
“Because he and Jill are the only ones standing between the Feeders and their finding the Alliance. He shouldn’t be doing this.”
“Even so, I’m glad he is.”
“I could defend you.”
“Olivia, please don’t take offense, but I really believe he can do that and possibly find a way to prevent the deaths of the inhabitants.”
Olivia sighed. “Let’s get in our armor.” Jack nodded and went to his chair.
• • •
Four days passed and Jill saw Rocky was feeling the pressure. She activated the private channel between them and said, “It’s not too late to call this off.”
“I’ve considered that. It might be better to just go to a planet without predators.”
“Then let’s do it.”
“I can’t knowing what will happen if we do.”
“You’ve allowed others to die in the past.”
“And every time it was unavoidable. In this instance, I can’t walk away from this.”
“How much longer are you
Olivia shook her head, “I stand corrected. What about the other one?”
Another animal appeared on the monitor and it looked like a cross between a giant crocodile and a gargoyle. It had two arms with long claws but the creature’s jaws were imposing. “This particular predator can fly.”
“How do they keep them at bay?”
“The Feeder uses its mind to force them to keep their distance.”
Olivia shook her head, “I’m against allowing either of those creatures anywhere near the two of you.”
Rocky stared at the image and shook his head, “Willow, can the first creature swim?”
“The second one doesn’t need to swim. It can pluck its prey out of the water. The first one isn’t capable of swimming.”
“Why not?”
“From an analysis of the depth of its footprints, it masses too much to float.”
“Check your data on that planet and see if any of the communities are built close to water.”
There was a long pause and then they heard, “Nearly all of them are located next to an ocean or river. It appears the local inhabitants used running into the water to escape these beasts before the Feeders showed up.”
“That’s the planet we’re going to use.”
Jack looked at him, “Why that one?”
“Well, I’m not partial to any predator as big as that one that can fly.”
Jack nodded, “Me neither.”
“Amber, take us to that planet and make sure you avoid any Feeder Probes that might be in that planetary system.”
“I’m using the barrier to approach the planet. Is everyone ready?”
“Give us a few moments to activate two chairs.”
“Commodore Nelson has already done that. Jack and Olivia’s armor is already installed on the chairs. They are also connected to the ship’s scanning systems.”
Rocky looked around, “Where are they?”
“You’ll have to move the kitchen table against the wall. They’re currently under the floor and will rise when the table is moved.”
Jill smiled, “Clever.”
“Yes it is. The Commodore didn’t want to take up the little bit of space we have to hold meetings. They’ll be removed when you bring the ship back to have the new missile magazines installed.”
“Jill, go to your cockpit. Jack, help me move this table.” Jill left the kitchen as they lifted the table and moved it to the wall. Two chairs rose out of the floor and Rocky said, “Get in your armor. I’ll let you know when we’re going down to the planet.”
“What are you planning?”
“Jack, we need to choose a community and watch it closely to learn how it functions. Once we have a feel for that, we’ll decide how we’re going to meet your Feeder.” Jack nodded and Rocky walked up the corridor toward his cockpit.
Jack looked at Olivia, “I’m glad he’s going down with me.”
Olivia shook her head, “Fleet would have a duck if they knew about it.”
“Why?”
“Because he and Jill are the only ones standing between the Feeders and their finding the Alliance. He shouldn’t be doing this.”
“Even so, I’m glad he is.”
“I could defend you.”
“Olivia, please don’t take offense, but I really believe he can do that and possibly find a way to prevent the deaths of the inhabitants.”
Olivia sighed. “Let’s get in our armor.” Jack nodded and went to his chair.
• • •
Four days passed and Jill saw Rocky was feeling the pressure. She activated the private channel between them and said, “It’s not too late to call this off.”
“I’ve considered that. It might be better to just go to a planet without predators.”
“Then let’s do it.”
“I can’t knowing what will happen if we do.”
“You’ve allowed others to die in the past.”
“And every time it was unavoidable. In this instance, I can’t walk away from this.”
“How much longer are you
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