The Terranian Enigma by Andrew Dunkley

Author:Andrew Dunkley [Dunkley, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Indy Books Australia
Published: 2020-04-14T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9 – Strategies

In her lab Maneva Gantu examined some slides under her microscope when the Admiral showed himself in, “Am I disturbing you?” he asked.

“Not at all.”

“Good. I want to run something by you.”

“Of course Karlou,” There was no need for formality here, “What is it?”

“Our meeting with Galek, was there anything odd about it?”

“Aside from the fact that they seemed to be somewhat civilised, no not really but I can tell that you feel otherwise,” suggested the Doctor.

“Well, yes. They didn’t ask about the bodies of their scientists.”

“Perhaps they have already been retrieved?”

“Perhaps, but that would have raised questions about one of them not being amongst the dead.”

“A valid point but Galek said they do not put the same value on life as we do. It’s possible that the deaths are just a hiccup and they don’t care about the bodies. You confessed to the killings and that might be enough for them…maybe.”

“That’s a big maybe. If they suspect we have a body, that could count against us but we cannot now simply say, oh by the way, here’s a dead scientist. Sorry about the state of it, we were looking for ways to kill you.”

Maneva laughed, “I’m sorry Karlou. Your ability to make light of any situation has always amused me.”

“Believe me, I didn’t mean to be funny, but I do think they have a different attitude. Even when we fought them, they didn’t respond to a wounded comrade, they left them to self-immolate. They never needed to retrieve bodies because there weren’t any. They just pressed on relentlessly until they won or were all dead.”

“In which case what Galek said makes sense, they don’t value life like we do. If they have the same approach to life outside of conflict, then it could be helpful. They may not be as careful as us and therefore less likely to anticipate a deception,” Maneva suggested referring to Karlou’s request for a way to kill the Borche, “But if they are suing for peace and could offer us sanctuary, why would we go ahead with an attack on them?”

“Because I simply don’t trust them. Call it instinct or just experience. I’ve seen what they’re like in combat and I cannot simply accept that these Borche are not made of the same stuff,” said Karlou.

“I see,” Maneva wasn’t convinced.

“Look at it this way, should we drop the only advantage we might have on the say so of one Borche individual? He might be the exception to the rule and then what? I want to keep all my options open.”

“I understand,” conceded Maneva.

“So tell me what you have learned. Have you got a strategy in mind?”

“More than that Karlou, I have a solution I think.”

The Admiral’s eye went wide with surprise and anticipation, “Do tell.”

“Well, I took readings from their ship. Their environment was very hot and humid. I saw humidifiers in many parts of the ship. I believe they originate from a sultry world, which might explain their hardened exteriors. They have adapted to an environment that is somewhat hostile.

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