Carinae Sector: 02 - Admiral's Fury - Part 2 - Hidden Menace by David Buck Page B

despair as she took in the updated listing of damage to the sled. For probe three needed to be convincing in his meetings with the humans at a later stage.
    She had earlier formed a series of schematics, and now she went through several simulations as she noted that the others present had also gone silent. Altarebe was regarding her critically, so she wasted no time now in flirting with him.
    ‘Well the bulkhead can be braced easily enough and we can drill a series of holes along the bottom of the bulkhead to allow drainage. Now the larger external plates can be fitted by the probe in the presence of the humans and that will help our cause.’
    Altarebe was quick on the uptake of Seliandre’s idea and added a few points of his own.
    ‘If necessary we can carry the sled for the probe towards the central Indian Ocean and he can launch with the cloak not functioning as well. Under low power the heat of the conduits will purge the water during flight, though the sled will be hard to handle. Probe three can land and fill the area behind the bulkhead with metal sealant before he replaces the last bottom panels.’
    Altarebe was exasperated by the probe’s reply for the constraints of his programming were now becoming evident.
    ‘If I cannot repair the sled I cannot either leave this world or leave the sled in the hands of the humans.’
    Seliandre found herself agreeing again with Altarebe, but she fumed at the probe’s sudden display of negativity. She was now alarmed at the looming presence of her mother nearby. She stammered a nervous formal greeting as she knew that the queen would be regarding Altarebe almost nestled in her own manipulators.
    ‘Your majesty, Altarebe and the Maveen probe have been assisting me in repairing the Maveen sled. We have a process worked out yet the literal nature of the probe could yet frustrate our efforts.’
    Altarebe wisely activated his own lights and resumed welding the manifolds as Seliandre brought the queen up to date on their efforts. Angwene wasted no time in exercising her authority and the Maveen probe was brought to heel in short order.
    ‘Probe three; your programming will be adjusted to suit our objectives so we can mislead the humans. You will lie to them only as necessary but you will be convincing. The two outlying sheets can be secured on top of the sled and under your own body so low speed flight is still possible. Altarebe’s small welding tool will accompany you and your sub probes also become operational on dry land. Altarebe only will go with Seliandre and he will repeat his earlier briefings regarding the Barede colony. Now despite the sled having advanced electronics present you will not….’
    Altarebe calmly took in the faultless logic of the queen as he continued the internal repairs to the sled. He noted that Angwene had led the Maveen probe off to one side to continue her instructions and to no doubt ensure that the ancient compliance commands were fully activated. He now risked another caress of Seliandre’s manipulators as he spoke only for her benefit.
    ‘Dear wife, the queen seeks to solve a few concerns she has by sending the two of us to help the Maveen.’
    Seliandre quietly responded after first noting her younger sisters had drifted away, and both were engaged in watching her mother and the Maveen probe in their one sided exchange.
    ‘The choice of strength and flexibility suits aiding the Maveen probe and I am confident that the probe can perform the assigned mission. I will suggest we take our time returning as we can patrol the central Indian Ocean for a few days.’
    Altarebe calmly looked over the completed internal repairs, before he gave his gracious answer.
    ‘I am happy for you to take the time to show me around our home. I am now finished with my repair efforts and I think we can mount the larger two central panels along the bottom as it will aid in the control of the sled. Now the most stable configuration is to leave the speed brakes