Encounters 1: The Spiral Slayers (42 page)

The exchange provided Adamarus with an ideal opening and he
jumped on it, “Bugs, is this crab advancing, improving?”

Again Bugs was silent for several seconds. “Actually, no—evolution
can go in two directions. Usually it moves forward, if you will, and you see some
kind of improvement or increased adaptability. However, in rare cases, like the
Horseshoe Crab, a species stops evolving forward and begins to evolve backwards–de-evolving.”

A sly smile appeared on Adamarus, “Exactly. Correct me if I’m
wrong, but in literally billions of years…that’s
billions
of years…the
Spiral Slayers have not altered the way they attack galaxies in any significant
way – in fact, in any way at all as far as we can determine. What we are seeing
is a repeating pattern that a machine could perform. What we are seeing is a
complete lack of advancement or change.

“Now, perhaps they have found the perfect, most optimum way
to do business, but I wonder how any intelligent species could go on for this
incredible length of time without changing something…if nothing else, out of
boredom. I also wonder what happens to a species that reaches a pinnacle of scientific
advancement and understanding. Where does it go from there? It cannot continue
its upward evolution for too much longer for it has reached the top. What
happens after that? Apparently the ‘Slayers’ reached this state billions of
years ago. What have the Spiral Slayers been doing since then?

“If something is alive, by definition, evolution must
continue. From what we know from all outward appearances, the Slayers, based on
their unchanging actions, have not continued any kind of forward evolution.

“I suspect that long ago, their machines did everything for
them. That makes perfect sense. There may be nothing left alive within those
Blackships. On the other hand, if there is, what function does it serve? Why do
the automated machines need that life? If there is a species still alive within
those ships then…evolution continues. If it cannot move forward, where else can
it go but backwards. We need to start thinking about these things.”

Adamarus looked down and took a deep breath, “Unfortunately,
none of this answers the most important question: How do we stop them from
destroying us? But, we already know what we must do. We must ‘damage’ that ship
just enough so that it doesn’t lose control of its black hole, but enough so
that it leaves. And this must be done before it destroys our sun."

Adamarus paused for a moment and looked at each person. Then,
"If memory serves, it’s sometime next month that we will have exactly 200
years to figure out how to accomplish what’s needed.” He paused again. It was
now time to spring the second part on them, the part that gave teeth—sharp
teeth—to first part.

He started pacing back and forth in front of his audience.
“There is another element to all this, a second part, and it’s a critical one.
It’s been right in front of us the entire time. Yet somehow,” he shot a look at
Bugs, “seemingly, none of us has noticed it. We have a significant and unique
situation. As I’ve pointed out, based on the evidence, the Spiral Slayers have
lost most, if not all, of their adaptability. The Loud has studied them for
hundreds of years so we know a lot about them…we know what their plans are…”
Adamarus held up his index finger, “and more importantly,” he raised his middle
finger, “we know that they’re coming 200 years beforehand. Please think carefully
about this. What had to happen in order for us to have the situation we have?”

They all looked at him in confusion. President Wicker slowly
shook his head, “Adamarus, this is all well and good but…” Wicker ran a hand
through his hair, a gesture completely out of character for him, “what exactly
will this alien need to adapt to?”

Adamarus stopped pacing and smiled. “Why, Mr. President, they
will need to adapt to
us
.” The President looked lost—in fact, everyone
did.

Adamarus leaned forward placing both hands on the back of his
chair and looked at Bugs. He then asked the Loud three questions, and after
brief pauses, Bugs provided three answers.

When he’d finished, Leewood slowly stood, “Damn. Of course.
You’re absolutely right…I don’t think that occurred to anyone. It’s been right
in front of us but no one even thought about it.”

Harrington looked up at Leewood and cocked her head. “Oh my,”
she uttered as realization crossed her face, “that…well, that definitely
changes everything.” She looked around as realization came to the others one at
a time. It was obvious by the look in their faces.

Adamarus took his seat knowing that he had accomplished
something significant for he no longer saw the infinite hopelessness that had
been there at the beginning of the meeting. He had ignited a ray of hope in
everyone except for the President and Woodworth, he finally noted, as their
confused expressions registered.

The President held out both hands, “I’m not getting it. What
exactly are you saying?”

Woodworth spoke up as well, “Yeah, what am I missing?”

Adamarus sighed and rose to his feet again. He couldn’t blame
them. It was right in front of them, so close in fact that you looked right
over it and only saw what was beyond. He rose and spelled out what the three
questions he’d asked and the Loud’s three answers meant.

To be continued…

            Look for…

The Spiral Slayers

Book
Two

Countdown
Armageddon

Rusty Williamson

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Ronald (Rusty) Williamson lives in San Diego CA with his
wife Denise and their two dogs. The two just celebrated their fortieth wedding
anniversary. Both have been retired since 2002. They have two children.

Besides writing science fiction, he owns and operates a 3D
animation studio, and at a layman's level, has been into quantum physics
(Superstrings and LQG) and cosmology since 1980. His other hobbies are
archeology, hiking, biking, RC airplanes and playing guitar. Almost every
Friday, Saturday and Sunday you can find him and his wife dancing to a live
band at some San Diego night club.

Before retiring in 2002, he worked as a computer programmer
and he and his wife flipped houses in their spare time. In the mid-eighties, he
published technical articles for Computerworld.  Between 1983 and 1992 he
explored the Anza Borrego desert and acted as a guide for 4x4 caravans through
the region. He served in the US Army in Vietnam in 1970.

The author’s site:
http://www.RustyWilliamson.com/

Blog:
http://www.RustyWilliamson.com/category/rustys-sci-fi-blog/

The Spiral Slayers Series Site:
http://www.TheSpiralSlayers.com/

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Follow on twitter @RustyWriter

Be sure to watch the author’s
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ3Gk4Fto0o

The author would love to hear from
you. You can email him at
[email protected]
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