Chapter Eleven

     Ting Gon Tattlewack checked the position of his ships one more time.  The battle was going well.  For four hundred years The Krackens had subjected his people.  Their women had been brutalized, their world stripped of its resources, the men worked to death. But now secretly The Asura had built warships, armed all the merchant ships they had, and challenged their overlords.  Tattlewack had personally cut up the district commander with a laser cutter, reminding him of what he had done to his mother and sisters as he did so.  They had driven off four Kracken assaults, now the fifth one was arriving. 
      "There's so many of them!" a young officer remarked.
     "It does not matter," Ting Gon answered, we fight to the death. There will be no more dishonor. Our people will never be subjected again.  Our daughters will never be brutalized and left to die.  They will never again have to bear Kracken bastards.  Keep the square, make them come to us."
     In a few minutes the battle was engaged, The Krackens attacked viciously.  The defenders lost eight more of their ships but twenty Krackens' were destroyed.  An officer suddenly spoke up. 
     "Mother Of Mothers help us!  Another wave of Krackens has arrived.  We cannot withstand such numbers."
     "Hold our positions!"  Ting Gon ordered. 
     Suddenly The Krackens broke off, formed a spearhead, and headed out of system.  The officer who had spoken up cried "They're not Krackens! They're attacking The Krackens!  I don't recognize the type of ships.  The Krackens are trying to flee!  They're afraid of them!  Whoever they are, they're afraid of them!  They're trying to run but they're cutting them to pieces."
     "Break formation!"  Ting Gon ordered.  "Join the pursuit."
     His forces quickly joined the battle, and in a very short time not one Kracken ship remained.  The two fleets separated, Ting Gon didn't quite know how to proceed, but finally he sent a message. 
     "Greetings, strangers!  What is your intent?  We appreciate your assistance in defeating the Krackens.  But now that they are gone are you friend or, are you foe?"
     All on his ships waited for the reply.
     Suddenly a voice came over their speakers.   "We are friend to those who are friend to us, and who are the enemies of our enemies.  We have been fighting a long and bitter war with The Krackens and their allies.  We welcome the opportunity to fight them whenever we can.  If we may pass through your system unmolested, as we come and go against them, then surely we would be friends.  If we could establish a base here we would be allies and help you defend your system."
     Ting Gon thought for a moment, and then answered.  "I am Ting Gon Tattlewack, of The Asura.  For the service you have rendered us, you may most certainly have the right to transgress our space!  And if we meet and discuss, I am sure there is a possibility that we could establish relations, and you could secure the rights to a base.  Take up orbit!  Let your crews come down to our cities and be welcomed.  Let us share our food with you, and give you drink, and come to know you better.  Who is it with whom I speak?" 
     "Warlock Raul Panguene, of The United Spiritist Republics, here!  Commander of fleet four-hundred-twenty-six.  We will most certainly accept your hospitality!  Give us the coordinates where our shuttles might land."

     Page 28

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