Planet Predators by Saxon Andrew Page A

of their population.”
    Tenah looked over at Gri-sen, “How wide spread is this activity?”
    “We have only had scouts in ten systems over the last cycle. They have all reported in that the evacuation is happening on all the planets being watched.”
    “Why are they leaving?”
    “We have no idea, your Excellency.”
    “Is there going to be another invasion?”
    Gri-sen hesitated, “They appear to think there is.”
    “Why do you say that?”
    “Our ancient records report this same behavior just before the last invasion by the Blue Ships.”
    “How long after that evacuation did the invasion happen?”
    “Five Cycles.”
    Tenah leaned back in his chair and said, “Did they leave the planetary defenses behind?”
    “They did but they did not leave any heavy ships to support them.”
    Tenah looked down the long table at Admiral Jdah, “Is our escape planet still available?”
    “It has not been discovered by any of the hostile civilizations.”
    Tenah looked at the Sheera on the other end of the table, “How many ships have the new beams installed?”
    “Pretty much all of them have been updated; we’ve not used them because of that giant Moet Ship. The Fleet is dispersed and is handling any problems that may arise among the various planets.”
    “If an invasion is coming, problems with the populations are the least of our concerns. Most of them will be destroyed if the Blue Ships are returning.” Tenah thought a moment and smiled, “However, before we join the Moet in evacuating our leadership, we can make their return extremely difficult.”
    Admiral Jdah frowned, “How can we do that?”
    “We use our fleet to bombard their major planets into ash. We’ll use dirty nuclear bombs that will destroy their planets for thousands of years. They will have to find new planets for their populations, which will slow their return down. We might be able to find the planets they are evacuating to and possibly lead one of the more aggressive civilizations in that galaxy to them. That will cause them massive destruction and make them leave earlier than they planned. If they are forced to return with no planets, we can attack their colony ships and destroy most of their population. Now is a defining moment in our history. We can get the upper hand and possibly end them as a menace.”
    “Most of our planets will be destroyed by the Blue Ships.”
    “True, but we can rebuild from those we take with us. We’ll move five planets of subject populations and use them to provide us with the raw materials we need. As their populations increase we’ll move them to other planets and be back in business in less than fifty cycles after the Blue Ships leave.”
    Lgend said, “We could also use the fleet to move more populations to save them from the coming invasion instead of taking the time to attack the Moet Planets.”
    Tenah stared at the newest member of the Ten Leaders and showed his disgust, “Those planets are nothing to us. We will attack the Moets. If you don’t have the stomach for this, I suggest you leave and join those that will be left behind.”
    Lgend sat back in his chair and shook his head, “No, I remove my suggestion.”
    Tenah smiled, “Gather the fleets and prepare for the attack.”
    Jdah bowed and left the room.
    * * *
    Isadore looked over and saw Arvolo as he came into the classroom to pick up his box of cigars he had left in his desk earlier that morning. He saw Isadore still at her board and frowned, “You’re working rather late.”
    “I’m working on getting a feel for my board. Do you have a moment?”
    Arvolo shrugged, “Just a moment; what do you need.”
    “Would you mind taking a look at my board and see if you see anything that might be improved in its lay out?”
    Arvolo walked over and looked at her board, “Your reactor and force field controls should be placed together instead of the eight inch separation.”
    He turned to go and she said, “Did you see anything else?”