Annihilation: Book 06 - Demon's Sacrifice (20 page)

“The Red Demon ships are also orange. What do you know about it?”

“It is the substance that lies in the space between universes. It is similar to null space but occupies a much larger dimension. I’ve discovered that you can move through it to go to another universe but it will not enter a universe without causing a massive explosion. It is the energy that holds all of creation together.”

“I’m not sure I understand.”

“Imagine a space where only the orange energy exists. When a new universe is created, it enters that space as a particle smaller that the smallest atom. It is protected from the orange energy by a protective barrier that surrounds it. As the universe expands, it pushes the energy away from it. It’s kinda like blowing up a balloon underwater. The balloon expands and water is pushed away from it.”

“I see.”

“It appears that the Demons have found a way to bring that energy into normal space inside a universe. We believe that they probably use that energy as a weapon.”

Matt thought a moment, “What if we meet them in that space between universes. Wouldn’t that weapon then not have an affect there?”

“If you could pull that off then you’re probably right. However, for you to go into that space and stay in it you would have to have ships made from that energy; any other substance would be kicked out.”

“So how does this help us?”

Newton looked up at Matt, “We can’t duplicate the orange energy but we have been able to recreate the barrier that holds it away from normal space. We all think that if you surround your ship with that barrier that any energy weapon that uses the orange energy would not penetrate the barrier. We also believe that the energy cannot be increased in power.”

“What?”

“Well, you know how you can increase the power of a laser by putting more energy into it?”

“Yes.”

“Well, the energy you put into it is different from the energy the laser is emitting. There is no other energy that would be compatible with that orange energy. It is so devastating I imagine that no one would ever really try.”

“How can I use this information?”

“We have built a device that can deploy a field made of the protective barrier that surrounds our universe. Since the orange energy cannot come through it to enter normal space, then their weapons should not penetrate it in normal space.”

“Where is this device?”

“We took it to your ship and installed it a week ago.”

Matt just stared at the three spiders. Newton said, “I still want you to see me grow up.”

Edison tilted his head, “Do you know what the most remarkable thing was?”

“What?”

“There was a space in the wall of your ship that was the exact shape of the device we built with the connections for it already in place.”

Matt started shaking his head and looked up at the bright blue sky. “What’s wrong, Matt?”

“Destiny, that space in my ship was designed more than a hundred million years ago.”

The four spiders looked at him for a very long moment. Einstein said, “You’re kidding, right?”

“No, I’m not. I refuse to even think about what this means and the implications for us because I fear just thinking about it would scramble my understanding of all that I know. The most obvious thing is that somehow our friendship was known at its design.”

The Three young spiders looked at each other and Newton said, “You were right, Einstein. The future is possible to see but not the past.”

Matt looked at the three spiders, “I don’t want to know. I’ll leave it in your capable legs.”

The three spiders were not listening; they were thinking about what Matt had just told them.

“One of the Elders has found the missing universe.”

The Red Being looked up from his board, “Where was it?”

“It was in the quadrant under the lower dimension. It seems it is hidden behind a blue field.”

“How can that be?”

“They aren’t really certain how that was done. The only way it was found was to track the energy in that area and they determined that it was compressed when no universe was present. They followed the pressure and bumped up against the blue colored field.”

“Did any of our searches turn up any other universes with universal drives?”

“No, and now they are of the opinion that it was probably a ship from that universe that scanned us. The blue barrier indicates an extremely evolved life form. It appears that the universe in question was one that was harvested by your old tool several times and nothing was reported about an advanced civilization.”

The second Demon was scared, “If they could hide from us, I believe they could hide from any tool I could create.”

The first thought a moment, “That is possible. Perhaps you’re right. That would explain why they were never discovered.”

“What are they going to do now?”

“They have sent me here to tell you that you will go there and see if your first tool is in that universe.”

“Me! Why me?”

“It’s your tool that’s missing. They are of the opinion that you didn’t build it properly or it wouldn’t have gone missing.”

“Is anyone else going with me?”

“No.”

“Why not? If the creative force is there and it’s strong enough to shield an entire universe, then it’s probably a lot stronger than just one ship.”

“I suspect that they know that but still want to see what happens to you.”

“Can’t you convince them to send more than just one ship?”

“I’m afraid that if I ask then they will order me to go with you; you know how they are when they’re anxious.”

“What if I refuse to go?”

The other being was silent.

“I guess my choice is to go and possibly die or not go and certainly die.”

“That’s the way I see it.”

“What if I can’t penetrate that field?”

“Then they will consider that in their next decision. However, if when they return one ship is able to penetrate the field then you’ll be killed.”

“How long do I have before I must go?”

“I am here to tell you to go now.”

The Red Being looked at the messenger and said, “I will prepare my ship and go.”

“I think that is wise.”

“There was nothing you could do, Father?”

“Not without endangering myself, Son.”

“I hope they enjoy the show.”

“I’m sure they’ll be watching.”

“Like they are now?”

“Exactly.”

“Brother, one of them is coming.”

Matt jumped up from his chair, “What should I do?”

“Take your ship and meet him at the barrier.”

“Should I bring all of the ships?”

“No, just the one; they can probably see through the barrier enough to see what happens. We should keep our numbers hidden as long as possible.”

“How many ships do they have?”

“Many, as you saw in your visit to their home.”

“Where should I go to meet the one coming?”

“You’ll see it.”

Matt felt the contact disappear, “Melanie, we have to go; the conflict is about to begin.”

“I’m going to leave AG with Kalara. Give me a moment to say goodbye.”

“I’ll meet you on the ship.” Matt hit his bracelet and appeared on the small ship’s bridge. He sat down in his chair and felt the ship power up. He looked at his display panel and thought, “Where is the demon?” He saw the orange ship moving through the space between universes and could see that it was moving at a rather deliberate speed. “Melanie, we need to go.”

Melanie appeared on the bridge and took her chair, “I just didn’t want to leave her. I’m sorry.”

Matt reached across and took her hand, “I understand. Are you ready?”

“Yes, is that the one coming on the display?”

“Yes, do you have any suggestions?”

“I sense the ship is telling me to power the links between our chairs; I’ve never done that before.”

“Then I guess it’s time, love.”

Melanie thought a moment and then put her hand in the indentation on her left chair arm. The ship emitted a low frequency that rapidly built and grew higher in tone until it passed the range of human hearing. As the tone rose the ship grew brighter until it radiated blue light bright enough to be seen on the planet’s surface. Matt looked at the oncoming Demon ship and thought, “Go to meet him.”

The ship disappeared from the orbit above Ross and reappeared out at the border of the universe. They saw the blue field ahead of them and followed it as the universe expanded. “It should be here shortly.”

“Do you know how to use the weapons on this ship, Magic?”

“There’s only one weapon, Melanie. I use my mind to activate it. You have control of the defensive screen.”

“I have it at full power. Are you going to activate the device the spiders put in?”

“No, if this ship can’t handle one of the Demon’s small ships then we are all doomed. I don’t want to show it to them on first contact.”

“What’s your plan?”

“We’ll see if it can break through the field. If it does, we’ll fire on it.”

“Are you going to try and communicate first?”

“What would I say?”

“Perhaps ask it to go away.”

“I think that in this particular conflict we should face these beings in the interest of all life.”

“And go against all that we hold to be true. Will we be the ones to start this war?”

Matt shrugged, “Ok, let’s see what happens. However, we will not use telepathy to communicate; I’ve seen what happens when you allow them in your mind.”

“I’ll use the ship’s system. I don’t want to ever feel them in my mind again.

The orange energy ship came closer and saw blue barrier around the universe approaching as the universe expanded. Just before it made contact with the blue field the Red being heard, “Would it do any good to just ask you to leave and not come back?”

The Red Being stopped his ship and backed away from the approaching blue field maintaining a hundred thousand mile separation. “That depends.”

“Depends on what?”

“On whether or not you remove this barrier and allow this universe to go back into its normal dimension.”

“Let’s just assume we did that; are you saying that you would then leave this universe alone and not send the species you develop to kill life into it.”

The Red Being flinched, “So you are the one that detonated the recording machine.”

“Of course, weren’t you able to see us do it?”

“Uh, actually no; but we knew whoever did it was in this universe.”

“You haven’t answered my question.”

“We will leave you alone.”

“If you will leave us alone, why don’t you just leave us here? It seems you want us to remove our barrier so you can attack us.”

“If we want to attack you we will. You cannot stand up to us.”

“Perhaps you’re right; however, I must warn you that should you attempt to cross that blue barrier I will be forced to take action to prevent your entering. I’ve seen what you do to species that you create. If you have such little regard for them I’m certain that you will have even less for any others.”

“I will destroy you if you do anything to inhibit my movements.”

“Just like all the other millions of civilizations that you have sent your created species against.”

“Your destruction will be much worse than those suffered; that I promise.”

Melanie broke in, “You have murdered them because you fear what might come from them.”

The red being jerked, “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes I do; I can see it now. Your species is frightened that another species would develop and would be powerful enough to destroy you. It is that paranoia that drives you. Before you continue to make threats that you are uncertain about, I would recommend that you turn around and leave. If you try to come through our field, we will kill you.”

The Demon felt fear, “Many have thought they could and are now all dead.”

“I notice you haven’t moved toward us since we began this conversation; you are uncertain about our power or you would have just ignored us. Your actions give you away. Are you the one who designed the eight legged creatures?”

“Yes, I am. Did you kill them?”

“Did you find their bodies?”

“They are here in your universe; your question gives you away. I will take care of them as well.”