ability I could barely use it until I learned how, and then I
had to develop it the same way one does their physical skills. Digging out
memories is very difficult, and few of my people are capable of doing it to the
degree that I can.”
That admission seemed to settle the Voku considerably,
knowing that it had to be trained for rather than just a default biological
function.
“You then know of my mission? Or do you need me to add
missed details?”
“I know what the Elder commanded you, but I do not
know what you have planned…and I’d prefer if you told me rather than forcing me
to try and find it in that huge head of yours.”
“I sense you are being polite.”
“The more different the mind from mine the more
difficult it is. Humans are far easier to read.”
“You know of the upgrades then?”
“I know what the Elder said, but nothing beyond that.”
“The fleet that has arrived here is the first of many
current vessels coming to us. More will come when they are replaced with new
ones, giving me a much larger force to work with before any of the new upgrades
become available. I am told it will take some time to adjust our
infrastructure, so I will not be able to produce any here on Achkor for some
time, but give me 20 years and that will change. I have to protect our current
territory and the bulk of the new tech will go to that priority first, but once
it is secured there will be a flow of vessels coming here above and beyond what
we can produce locally.”
“What you have in orbit already is impressive enough.”
“According to the reports I’ve been receiving, they
are mere toys in comparison.”
“Ooh…now you’ve got me being envious.”
“Yet I get the feeling that your own advancement won’t
be far behind?”
“It will continue, but I get the feeling you’re going
to maintain your advantage for a while.”
“So…you do expect to exceed us over time.”
“Yep.”
Cal-com laughed. “It is good we had this sharing. I
prefer a strong ally, and your strength has been well hidden for some time. I
will need it if I am to accomplish my mission.”
“What’s that new title of yours?”
“Dafchor…and it is not a Voku title. I now supersede
my race.”
“I caught that. You have full command of them and the
others?”
“I do, but as of now I do not believe the others know
it, though it is possible the Elder has foretold of my coming.”
“Makes you rather popular.”
“I worry about getting to them in time. They are
weaker than the Voku, and smaller. The lizards will destroy them in time if I
cannot reach them.”
“Where exactly is this target system?”
Cal-com pulled up the map he’d been fiddling with and
highlighted the location the Elder had provided him…along with the other hidden
data that he hadn’t been planning on showing Paul.
“Other side of Calavari space,” the Archon commented.
“I must create a supply route there from Achkor, then
create auxiliaries on a more direct route if possible. For that I ask for your
help.”
“What do you need?”
“I need fire support…and you to eventually pull your
border all the way out to here. I can help hold it once the foothold is
established, but I’d rather not have a single system sitting in the middle of
enemy territory. I can make it work if I have to, but it’ll require far more
ships to secure supply lines and delay movement. I need a secure route back to
Voku space, even if it means traveling extra lightyears to accomplish it.”
“You want me to guard your supply lines by extending
our border while you do what?”
“Create a string of outposts linking to the races I’m
tasked to defend, all the while destroying nearby lizard worlds.”
“We would stand a better chance timing our operations
to coincide. More firepower for us and less available ships for them to counter
with when they have to split their attention.”
“Not just on us, but the other threats to the lizards.
Do you have a
had to develop it the same way one does their physical skills. Digging out
memories is very difficult, and few of my people are capable of doing it to the
degree that I can.”
That admission seemed to settle the Voku considerably,
knowing that it had to be trained for rather than just a default biological
function.
“You then know of my mission? Or do you need me to add
missed details?”
“I know what the Elder commanded you, but I do not
know what you have planned…and I’d prefer if you told me rather than forcing me
to try and find it in that huge head of yours.”
“I sense you are being polite.”
“The more different the mind from mine the more
difficult it is. Humans are far easier to read.”
“You know of the upgrades then?”
“I know what the Elder said, but nothing beyond that.”
“The fleet that has arrived here is the first of many
current vessels coming to us. More will come when they are replaced with new
ones, giving me a much larger force to work with before any of the new upgrades
become available. I am told it will take some time to adjust our
infrastructure, so I will not be able to produce any here on Achkor for some
time, but give me 20 years and that will change. I have to protect our current
territory and the bulk of the new tech will go to that priority first, but once
it is secured there will be a flow of vessels coming here above and beyond what
we can produce locally.”
“What you have in orbit already is impressive enough.”
“According to the reports I’ve been receiving, they
are mere toys in comparison.”
“Ooh…now you’ve got me being envious.”
“Yet I get the feeling that your own advancement won’t
be far behind?”
“It will continue, but I get the feeling you’re going
to maintain your advantage for a while.”
“So…you do expect to exceed us over time.”
“Yep.”
Cal-com laughed. “It is good we had this sharing. I
prefer a strong ally, and your strength has been well hidden for some time. I
will need it if I am to accomplish my mission.”
“What’s that new title of yours?”
“Dafchor…and it is not a Voku title. I now supersede
my race.”
“I caught that. You have full command of them and the
others?”
“I do, but as of now I do not believe the others know
it, though it is possible the Elder has foretold of my coming.”
“Makes you rather popular.”
“I worry about getting to them in time. They are
weaker than the Voku, and smaller. The lizards will destroy them in time if I
cannot reach them.”
“Where exactly is this target system?”
Cal-com pulled up the map he’d been fiddling with and
highlighted the location the Elder had provided him…along with the other hidden
data that he hadn’t been planning on showing Paul.
“Other side of Calavari space,” the Archon commented.
“I must create a supply route there from Achkor, then
create auxiliaries on a more direct route if possible. For that I ask for your
help.”
“What do you need?”
“I need fire support…and you to eventually pull your
border all the way out to here. I can help hold it once the foothold is
established, but I’d rather not have a single system sitting in the middle of
enemy territory. I can make it work if I have to, but it’ll require far more
ships to secure supply lines and delay movement. I need a secure route back to
Voku space, even if it means traveling extra lightyears to accomplish it.”
“You want me to guard your supply lines by extending
our border while you do what?”
“Create a string of outposts linking to the races I’m
tasked to defend, all the while destroying nearby lizard worlds.”
“We would stand a better chance timing our operations
to coincide. More firepower for us and less available ships for them to counter
with when they have to split their attention.”
“Not just on us, but the other threats to the lizards.
Do you have a
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