Re-Creator of Universes - Book 4 of Re-Forge

Ultimate Power or Ultimate Weapon

Matt's team watched the red blip on the Holo-display slowly move away into the distance at a reasonable acceleration. When it was gone, Matt said: "Ship, bring the beacon on-board and then return to Eden's landing bay."

Then he said: "Eden, are you still on the line?

Sharon said: "We're still here."

Matt said: "Prepare to leave the Void. We are going back to that star system with all the resources. I have a new strategy developing, and we'll need lots of resources to pull this off."

Matt thought at 'B' Sharp: "Send an order to the attack craft guarding the Neanda and Bennu system, I want them to gather up their Avatars and meet us in the 'Resource System' at emergency speed."

Matt saw the look on Calemon's face and said: "I'm sorry. It will only be for a short time. Those assets guarding Neanda and Bennu are a technological liability. They currently present our technological Achilles heel to an advanced enemy like the Judges of Prophesy."

"They can be overwhelmed if enough force is applied, or the Judges may have some way to disable them, while preventing them from detonating. Those assets are brimming with technology we can't afford to gift an enemy... The stakes have risen, Calemon, this measure is about survival of our species."

Calemon did not look happy but nodded and replied: "I understand. I just hope they will be okay in the interim."

Matt said: "They will be fine. I promise, Calemon."

As Matt's spacecraft docked in its private hangar, Matt thought at 'B' Sharp: "This is most critical. Gather everyone together immediately for a conference. Are we underway?"

'B' Sharp sent: "Yes, we're moving a little slow so patrolling SP ships can catch up and link before Eden puts the peddle to the metal. Oh, and Eden launched the Beacon as well. She also added a high-powered luminescent strobe light to the beacon. She doesn't want visitors hitting it by mistake."

Matt said aloud: "Good thinking."

A few minutes later, Matt's team entered the conference room. The Nine with their avatars following; the SP Council and the nominated representatives for the bio-human population were piling in and Matt thought: "I'm glad Eden extended the space in here."

In his new body, Matt never needed to sit, but he did anyway as it made others more comfortable to see him relaxed.

In Matt's mind, there were many facets to successful leadership, and his follower's perception of him and his behaviour was significant. He sat now, whispering to Sharon as the latecomers filed in and found a place to sit, stand or float. Subconsciously, Matt projected relaxed calm in the middle of a period of extreme crises.

Storm entered and sat in the chair on the other side of Matt. He turned to her and said: "Carry out the following modification to my ship. I want a fourth battlecruiser size Infinity Battery, and I want the ship fitted with external launchers loaded with missile-carrying torpedos. Can you try to keep it pretty? I've already authorised the mods so the ship will comply."

Storm said: "The ship already notified Eden, so my Nanites and Avatars are already doing it. It will be ready in five days, Administrator."

Matt squeezed her hand, then moved gracefully to his feet so all present at the meeting could see him with ease. Two more people came rushing in. They bowed respectfully and sat on the floor, but out of the way.

"Matt noted the wet hair and sand encrusted skin and asked: "Has Eden opened the beach already?"

The couple stood and bowed, and the man said: "Sorry Administrator, we were playing with our children in the sandpit at the back of our house... The lady's face went red, and she added: "Our children soaked us with the hose."