from seeing you and learning that he was on Earth. He didn’t do it. You were created to do something remarkable. You are going to save us.”
Chris looked at them and slowly shook his head, “Can the two of you imagine how many intelligent beings I might have to kill?”
Salud’s smile turned hard, “If they were intelligent, they would leave us the hell alone!”
Chris stared at her and started chuckling. After another moment he started laughing. Lukas joined him and Salud said, “What’s so funny!?”
It took a minute before Chris managed to say, “We have to change the definition of intelligent life; coming after us is really stupid!”
Salud nodded, “Indeed it is!” Chris grabbed his ribs and laughed even harder.
Lukas laughed and managed to say, “She’s serious about this!”
Chris fell back in his chair holding his ribs and managed to look at Lukas through his tears, “You think?” Lukas had to stand up and bend over to breathe.
Salud stared at them and frowned, “I don’t see anything funny!” Her remark was greeted with another roar of laughter. Salud stood up and stormed out of the room.
After some time had passed and they had caught their breath, Lukas said, “The most dangerous of our species are the females.” Chris nodded. Lukas took a deep breath and blew it out. He leaned back and slowly shook his head, “I’ve watched her at night staring at our children with more love than I can describe. But I can see the fear in her eyes wondering if they would live a full life or be killed by alien invaders. I would not go out to attack but I can’t allow her and all the other mothers on Eden and Earth to live with constant fear for their children. We have to bring them peace.”
“Thanks, Lukas. I needed to hear this. I couldn’t understand why you’ve undergone such a radical departure from your previous views. Now, I do.”
Lukas looked at Chris, “I’m very proud of you. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to raise you.”
Chris smiled, “It was my destiny, remember. I suspect Pat had a hand in it but you’ve always been there taking care of me. It’s time I did my part.”
“Can you do this?”
Chris looked at Lukas and his expression turned dark, “I’ve heard the thoughts of real killers wanting our extinction. This conversation has freed me to look at them in another light.” Chris stood up, “I’m going to need enough ships to go out and do this. I can’t go and leave this galaxy and Eden undefended.”
“The population on Eden is growing at a tremendous rate. It appears when humans are stressed by fear of dying, their birth rate skyrockets. When the original colonists went to Eden, nearly all of them were at childbearing ages. We’ve also made a rather remarkable discovery.”
“What is that?”
“I hate it but our people on Eden are forced to be a part of a military culture. Even the children are subjected to the fears of being conquered by aliens. Amanda and Trevor have built small training pods for the young adults and teenagers to fly.”
“WHAT?”
“They love it. They aren’t armed with anything more than bright lights that replace their disruptors and they are not given any instruction except to go out and play.” Lukas looked at Chris, “They can do things with a pod that are absolutely impossible. They can already fly rings around our veteran pilots and they’re getting better as they grow up.”
“How many?”
“There will be more than a million in six years.”
“I do hope you’re looking for the leaders among them?”
“Piper is assisting with that task. I’ve also asked Pat to look in on them and he’s also pointing out the ones to keep our eyes on.”
Chris stared at Lukas, “I really hate that our children have to live like this.”
“Don’t. They love it.”
Chris stared at Lukas and said, “Are you saying our species is born for war?”
“No, I’m not. But I am saying that we’re really, really good at it.”
“I