Probe Predators by Saxon Andrew Page B

we know we don’t deserve it. However, both of us have a vested interest in making this happen.”
    Angela looked at the Sovereign, “I’m going to start launching our advanced probes around your galaxy. I want the coordinates of that ship.”
    “I sent them with the image.”
    “Moe?”
    “I’ve got them, Your Majesty.”
    The Sovereign looked at the Queen, “What do you intend to do?”
    “The first thing you need to understand is that you and your civilizations are not in a position to demand anything. You will take a back seat to our decisions and if we say jump your only question will be, “How high?”
    “Go on.”
    “Your fleets will be functioning in a supporting role and we will not hesitate to use them even if we know there’s going to be a huge loss of life.”
    “I do trust you won’t simply waste the lives of our crews.”
    “Look at your history; if you had done this the first time there would have been fewer killed. I have looked at the history and know this is the only way to possibly survive this.”
    “What do you intend to do?”
    Angela smiled, “I’m going to pick a fight with those Orange Ships and get them involved before the Family can crash the party.”
    The Sovereign shook his head and said, “I’ll notify all of the civilizations here; you can issue your instructions to the Mediator and he will pass them on to those chosen to organize our defense against them.”
    “We won’t do this any other way. The first time you challenge our choices, you’re on your own.”
    “We won’t challenge you but you know as well as I do that you won’t walk away and endanger your Union. You don’t need to threaten me to get your way; I’ll do what you require.”
    Angela looked out at the attendees listening to the exchange and smiled, “This is what honest dialogue looks like. If more leaders were like this one, war would not ever be an issue.” Angela turned back to the Sovereign, “I need the capabilities of your ships sent to me.”
    Trip expected the Sovereign to balk at that request; he wouldn’t have done it and he was surprised to hear, “I’ll have them to you momentarily and how many ships belong to each civilization. I know you’ll need that information to avoid sending the wrong ships in each engagement.”
    “You’re right. I also need you to recall all the probes you sent out of your galaxy.”
    “We will, of course, do as you order; however, we will then be blind to what’s happening.”
    “I’ll get a frequency from your mediator and have our probes transmit a feed to him for dispersal to those of your choosing. I don’t want those ships to know we have the capability of observing their actions.”
    “I’ll issue the orders, immediately.”
    “I’ll contact you later tomorrow after you begin receiving the probe’s data.”
    “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
    Angela nodded and the monitor went dark.
    • • •
    Angela turned to Kyle, “Admiral, I want ten military transports loaded with the new advanced probes and launch them five hundred light years from M87.”
    “Yes, Your Majesty. Might I also suggest that we launch probes around our Galaxy as well to see if the Orange Ships come to scout here?”
    Angela actually was shocked at the suggestion. “Why Admiral, you’ve surprised me with your insight; by all means make that happen.”
    Kyle looked at Kragon, “You have the new probes?” Kragon nodded. “If you will take responsibility for getting them out on your side of the galaxy, I would greatly appreciate it.”
    “We also have larger transports than the Union; why don’t we take the probes out to M87 and you handle the ones to be used here.”
    Kyle nodded, “That’s a great suggestion; that way we’ll avoid overlapping their coverage and wasting them. Make sure you send the model with the trackers.”
    “Do you think one of those ships might return to where it originated?”
    “If we make it hot enough, they just might.”
    Cole looked