Page 35 of Agrippa's Acceptance

The marine looked pensive. “Only people with experience of war would have such sophisticated weapons. Why would they have such defences and even build space ships if they don’t have a history of exploration or don’t have any enemies.”

“You said they started cloning millions of years ago. Maybe they have knowledge of a space war that they lost that they do no talk about. But it could be that the clones retained that knowledge through each cloning. They sure are acting like they expect to be attacked.”

“Something attacked those beaten up ships and gave them a good hiding,” Scotty said.

Amelagar exchanged a look with Agrippa. “Or they attacked an enemy that fought back and did a lot of damage to them. It would explain their paranoia and insistence on building battle ships for space exploration.”

Amelagar raised his hand and the marines shut up. “We cannot afford to sit and speculate. We will take a decision, plan it, and carry out the attack. No matter the cost to us.”

“I have to see my human again,” Anatu squeaked.

Sergeant Bjorn said in a whisper, “If that wrinkly bitch says that one more time I’m going to beat the crap out of her. President’s wife or not.”

“You can try puny human,” Anatu said without looking up from her tablet.

Sergeant Bjorn looked disconcerted for a moment.

Agrippa suppressed a moan of pleasure as Amelagar kept massaging her stiff shoulders. She voiced the thought that kept coming back to her. “If we can get down to the surface and if we can infiltrate the temples, we could make sure we destroy them.”

Everyone straightened and the atmosphere changed, became determined.

“We have to find a way to get down there undetected?” Colonel Farnham said.

“And to destroy all of the temples at once?” Amelagar added.

Agrippa put up her hand. “I may be able to help with that.” It was a good thing that Amelagar stood behind her. She did not want to see his face when she told them.

“There has been a Tunrian resistance movement for centuries now. They call themselves The Souls.”

“Weird name for a resistance group,” Scotty said.

“I’ve heard weirder.”

Sargeant Bjorn sneered. “Doesn’t sound like an effective bunch. Centuries and they haven’t made any difference?”

Agrippa jumped up, but Amelagar was there first. “You do not insult her people.”

“Marine,” Colonel Farnham snapped.

Scotty held up his hands. “Fine, fine.”

“Please continue Agrippa,” the colonel said.

“I can send a short signal and if the resistance is able to monitor, they will open up a window for us to take the ship down.” The resistance had asked her to run simulations on such a scenario. It seemed like centuries ago, when she’d been hurt because they never spoke to her in person. And at the same time she’d felt so proud to be part of the resistance.

“How do you know how to contact the souls?” Amalagar asked so low and quiet and vibrating with danger, everyone fell silent.

She wrung her hands together. “They recruited me shortly after the clones took over my education.”

Quiet fell over the bridge. Even Anatu’s tapping on her tablet stopped.

“You didn’t think to mention it before now?”

She held out her hand to him and after a long moment, when he did not reach out to her, she dropped it. Did she lose him? Did he hate her now? He ryhov burrowed deeper into the folds of her skin.

“I didn’t even think about them until now. I never thought I’d see Tundra again.”

He looked at her for a long time. An angry speculative look, as if he distrusted everything about her now. “You are sure the resistance can get us to the temples?”

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