think we should pool all our leap crystals, so
each ship has an equal share."
46 "There is a vast difference," commented The Lord God, "between leap
crystals and water, and who is in authority here? With who do I
negotiate, the Master or his Assistant?"
47 "Both," answered The Voice, "we speak as one. You agreed to the
sharing of resources. Do you make rash alterations in that agreement
already?"
48 "No, no!" cried The Lord God, "I accept! Let there be no conflict. I
agree!"
49 "Very well," continued The Voice. "Give us a few hours to gather
what you need. We will send a pod over to you shortly."
50 As the contact was broken, The Lord God's Aide turned to him. "My
Lord ," he inquired, "do you not give them a lot?"
51 "It does not matter," answered The Lord God, "what we give them.
While they still have the advantage we will be
friendly and cooperative, but when the opportunity comes, we will seize
all that we have built together and deal with these Rebels as they
should be dealt with. After that, those who still refuse to accept my
divine glory will be taken care of. The rest will make good slaves.
Being so impure, they will not be fit to marry."
52 "My Lord God is wise," smiled the Aide.
53 On board The Republic vessels North and The Voice were disappointed
when the link up with The Empire's navigational computer was made. Both
of them had been battle damaged, too, and they only had information on
the systems that they had recently travelled through.
54 "I cannot believe," cursed North, "I REFUSE to believe that all is
gone. We simply must be too far out of range for the communications
relays and the hyperwave