TFS Theseus: The Terran Fleet Command Saga – Book 2 by Tori Harris Page A

user. They seem to provide a sophisticated biological and psychological profile of every individual within its operating range. We believe it is this data that ultimately allows the Pelarans to exert the level of influence required to persuade a world into joining their alliance.”
    “The Pelaran equivalent of a Trojan horse,” Sexton remarked. “In our defense, Admiral Naftur, I feel obligated to tell you that we have been extremely careful with these devices. Even though they are keyed to a single individual, they are only accessed in the company of others, and always within the confines of a highly secured facility.”
    “I have no doubt that you have taken the precautions you deemed appropriate, and I assure you that there is no implied criticism in my revealing this information to you. The Pelarans, of course, correctly assumed that such security measures would be undertaken, so the technology built into the devices is more than sophisticated enough to hide their intended purpose. Our chief concern is that they would not have gone to so much trouble unless they were attempting to conceal some sort of espionage. At the very least, their behavior seems to indicate the pursuit of an agenda they would prefer to shelter from the light of public scrutiny.”
    “Possibly,” White replied. “Although our first contact protocols emphasize the idea that an alien race is likely to have very different notions of what they consider appropriate. The fact that the Pelarans went to such lengths to hide the true purpose of these devices is troubling, however. Most of the individuals the Guardian selected to receive them are members of the scientific and engineering community, in addition to a few military and government representatives. I believe we always made the assumption that their selection was based solely on their role in working with Pelaran technology, but clearly there was much more to it than that.”
    “We made similar assumptions on Graca concerning how we believed ‘alien’ races would behave during a first contact situation, Admiral White. Over time, we learned that most species intelligent enough to cross interstellar space and visit another world have remarkably similar ideas regarding what is and is not considered appropriate,” Naftur smiled. “I do not believe, for example, that any species seeking a transparent, open dialog with another would hide their intentions in this manner. I will say, however, that we have seen no evidence that the Pelarans have engaged in any overt acts of espionage. The intent of the devices seems a bit more subtle. Apparently, the Pelarans seek to develop a level of influence sufficient to ensure their success before any formal communications ever take place. Accordingly, there are always a few individuals who become instrumental in assisting the Pelaran effort to induct their world into the Alliance.”
    “So let me see if I can sum up this final point,” Sexton said. “The Guardian spacecraft has most likely developed highly detailed information that allows it to wield significant influence over individuals in positions of technological, governmental, and military leadership around the world. These individuals could very well be in some kind of contact with the spacecraft, but we do not know the nature of that contact, nor do we know exactly how this influence is being used to further the Pelaran agenda.” Sexton paused, shaking his head while staring at the floor in thought. “I’m sorry, Admiral Naftur, I’m afraid I am at a loss as to what we are supposed to do with this information.”
    “I wish I had more to offer you. In fact, I seriously considered not revealing this information for that very reason. I recently read an old proverb of yours, however, that seemed to fit the situation. It said, ‘praemonitus, praemunitus … forewarned is forearmed.’ Perhaps you should consider publicly revealing this knowledge in the hope that it might mitigate the Pelaran