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 Have you seen the prototype for yourself? Even the hint of a smile left Ra jen s
lips as he answered for his mate. Malik s investigation had revealed that they were
lovers. Seeing them together made the true depth of their devotion undeniable.
 Define  seen .
 What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Malik crossed to the overstuffed chair facing his visitors and sat. To his surprise,
Saroji sat on one of the wide armrests rather than finding a chair of her own. The simple
gesture of solidarity, whether intentional or not, pleased him immensely.
 There are many ways to see. I have seen the prototype in my mind, or actually in
the mind of his maker. To my knowledge none of the clones have been brought into this
dimension.
 How have incorporeal beings managed to manufacture clones? Autumn asked.  I
thought their entire dimension was& nonphysical.
 Their dimension is not all that different from ours.
 Have you been there? Ra jen s brow rose in obvious challenge. The women might
be ready to accept Malik into the fold but the general trusted no one. Malik smiled
inwardly. That s probably where his sister had learned to be so suspicious.
He reached over and took Saroji s hand. Once he started down this path there
would be no turning back. He was about to join the Resistance.  There s a conduit
linking their dimension with ours. When I access the energy stream I m able to see into
their minds as they see into mine. The conduit is called the Hub and I don t think the
Gathosians are aware that the access works both ways.
Ra jen rested his ankle on his knee, foot tapping out his tension.  We ve been
searching for these Hubs forever. We d begun to think they were urban legends.
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 They exist on each inhabited world and each Hub is networked with the others.
But only those with Gathosian energy can access them.
 You re no longer an anchor. Ra jen s gaze turned cold and piercing.  Are you still
able to use these Hubs or can you just lead us to them?
 The last Gathosian I hosted died while he possessed my body. His dispersal left
me with enough residual energy to activate the Hub.
 You didn t answer my question, Autumn interjected.  How were the clones built
by incorporeal beings?
 The Gathosians dimension is small and densely populated. After systematically
enslaving each world in their dimension they realized their tactics had done irreparable
damage to their universe. So they tore a hole in the barrier separating their dimension
from ours and created the Master Hub. It s the only conduit large enough for ships to
pass through.
 That s how they get all the minerals they scavenge here back to their dimension.
Autumn s realization was posed as a statement but Malik felt obligated to reply.
 Yes. On this side of the Master Hub they re only interested in natural resources. They
have hordes of subjects waiting in their own dimension so there is no reason to worry
about our fate.
 Wouldn t it have been easier to bring their people here rather than strip-mine our
planets and drag everything back there?
 Though we are both carbon-based life forms, our chemical composition is different
enough that the vast majority of our worlds are not habitable for their subjects.
 That s why they needed the clones, Ra jen mused.  Their energy is toxic to people
in our dimension.
 And unfortunately for them, Barton was one of the first planets they ravaged.
They had no idea they were slaughtering the only race of beings capable of tolerating
their energy.
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They lapsed into thoughtful silence for a time, then Malik scooted to the edge of his
seat and said,  Now it s my turn. How large is your network and how quickly can they
be ready to strike?
 Is there a specific need for haste? I prefer to advance with caution. We ll only get
one chance to make this work.
 I just met with Fibarre, the Gathosian leader, and he seemed weak and frustrated.
As you know, Inwatta became obsessed with corporeal sensations and it twisted her
mind.
 Or her mind was twisted, causing her obsession, Ra jen countered.
Malik waved away the distinction.  Either way. I believe her dispersion affected the
leaders, weakened them in some way. I have no way of knowing how long the effect
will last but the sooner we strike, the better.
Ra jen nodded, pausing for a moment before he said,  I control the Protectorate and
the Protectorate controls every inhabited planet in this dimension. Without us, the
Gathosians will be forced to slink back to their dimension permanently.
Malik smiled.  I suspected as much when I learned your lover was involved with
the Resistance. It made more sense for you to have recruited Autumn than the other
way around. But even with your support I found it hard to believe the Resistance could
accomplish what needed to be done.
Ra jen chuckled, the sound spontaneous and unexpected.  You of all people should
know how determined I can be.
They stared at each other for a moment as the women began to squirm. Knowing a
pissing contest would accomplish nothing, Malik moved on.  So what s the next step?
 We re facing two primary obstacles, the compound and the Hub network. I have
the first well in hand. Can you take out the second?
Malik took a moment to answer. He didn t want to promise something he couldn t
deliver. This was too important.  If we take out the Master Hub the others will go
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offline. The entire network draws its power from their home dimension. I can get you
inside the local Hub, which links to the master, but destroying them will be tricky. A
scanner verifies identity and checks for munitions before it unlocks the door.
 Are you willing to do it? Ra jen met his gaze, challenge clear in his smoky blue
eyes.
 Are you trying to finish what you started last time I saw you?
Saroji slipped her arm around his shoulders and pressed in close against him.
 We re just gathering information. There s no way it will come to that.
Not trusting the distraction of her warm body, Malik pushed to his feet.  If my life
is the price that must be paid to end this madness, I m not afraid to die. But I will not do
it because of some vendetta you ve harbored 
 I don t use suicide bombers, Ra jen stressed.  I find the practice deplorable. Saroji
has made it clear that her choices are her own and she will not tolerate my interference
again. You need to fight this out with her. Now can we focus on the Resistance? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]