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We have made a bond here that if we can survive the Alliance’s response will make us stronger over the years. I would have never considered even opening a dialogue.”
     
    “They are motivated to right all the wrongs from the past.” Danielle answered. Then she looked at Tag, “Tag, are we going to be able to defend them and ourselves? You know the Alliance will not take this lightly.”
     
    “Terl has agreed to a subterfuge. He’s moving all his ships out of the system and having them take station a short jump away. He’s going to tell the Alliance that we destroyed his fleet and threatened to return and destroy his planet. He’s requesting Alliance protection which they will probably decline to provide. If we have enough time, we’ll place the asteroid shield around their planet. They have convinced me that they can now be trusted. They have also sent their fleet to their colonies to protect them. We will hide some ships in the outer system here to insure that their home world is not attacked.” He paused for a moment, “Do you feel that we can safely give them Coronado technology, Danielle? Am I misreading them?”
     
    Danielle played back all she had seen during the Clan meeting and said, “No, sharing our technology with them is what will cement the union; they will know we can truly be trusted and that our destinies lie together. It also helps that they have agreed to talk first in their future encounters with other races. To withhold it would be a red flag that we don’t see them as equals.”
     
    “I’ve just finished talking with the Director and she supports all of our decisions. The SFT also say we’re doing the right thing. I’m going to have Admiral Dorg start sending his ships to our facilities and start converting his hulls to Coronado screens.”
     
    “Those ships are huge, Tag. Can we armor one that big?”
     
    “Size is not the issue. If we can cover an asteroid, we can cover a ship. We just saw no reason to make a ship that big. Can you imagine a dreadnaught covered with power cells? It would be a beast.”
     
    Danielle smiled, “Would you make that call later, Darling? I have something else in mind for you right now if you don’t mind.” Tag turned his com off and reached for her.
     

Chapter 3
    S tate Leader Sten was back in his office listening to his staff scream at each other again. “I guess the more things change, the louder they get,” he thought while gazing out his window at a wintry city. “The cold season always puts everyone on edge,” He then sighed, “Well, let’s see if we can make some sense out of this rabble.” He sounded the tone on his desk and watched as everyone slowly became quiet until there was not a sound in the room. After a pause for everyone to become uncomfortable he said, “Headman Dgzh. What is the latest news on the Human/Cainth conflict?”
     
    “It appears, State Leader, that the Humans have totally destroyed the Cainth Empire’s war fleet. We have received a request from the head Clan Leader for assistance in safeguarding their worlds.”
     
    “He should have thought about that before he executed those colonists and invaded five weeks early. They deserve what happened to them. We might send an occupation fleet after we handle the problem with the Humans. Is there any word from the Humans about recent events?”
     
    “Yes, they respectfully ask why they were attacked so brutally when they had built all the structures for the occupying forces you requested and surrendered immediately.”
     
    “That is a valid question however; we are still the power here. They have no right to question our actions, only to follow our directives. Where do we stand now on a new occupation?”
     
    Headman Dgzh looked very uncomfortable but replied, “They have said that there is a high level of distrust now towards the Alliance of Worlds especially when an invasion fleet was sent to destroy their planet. The Cainth have unfortunately told them