“Can we stop it?”
“Our weapons array is not equipped to take down an armored vessel of its size and capability.” Because their ship was barely more than an exploratory scout.
“Recommendation?”
“Retrieve Commander Cade’krinno Mer Acadu and as many fertile females as we can fit on the ship and return them to Xaanda.” Thus ensuring the survival of the human race—and that of the Xamian—because the Krampusonians would likely settle in orbit and begin harvesting the young—and killing the adults—until the planet had nothing left to feed them.
“Do the humans have anything capable of destroying the vessel?”
“They do have missiles capable of penetrating the Boulmas shield, but having studied the Earthlings’ launching ability, the Krampusonian vessel will have plenty of time to either detonate or evade before they do damage.”
“Surely there’s something we can do to help.”
“I am running possible scenarios. However, none have more than a fifteen percent chance of success.”
Terrible odds. He now needed to decide what to do. But not alone. This was too important for Jaspar to handle without help.
“We need to get Cade back.”
“I’m trying,” Beta practically grumbled.
“Let me know when you have something.”
In the meantime, Jaspar went through every recorded battle with Krampusonians. What worked. What didn’t.
Negotiation? Always rejected.
Bribery? Also never accepted.
The only thing that seemed to stop them? Annihilation.
If Jaspar been in one of their heavily armed military cruisers, they would have been able to battle. Had their vessel had more than basic weaponry to fight off pirates and the balekit—massive-sized creatures that roamed space, eating asteroid dust and small ships—they might have stood a chance.
The more Jaspar researched, the more he began to think Beta’s suggestion might be their only option.
Unless…
“Beta, beam me down to the entrance of the facility that contains Cade.”
“Commander, is that wise? Once you enter, I won’t be able to transport you out.”
“I’m aware; however, the dire situation calls for bold action.” Because the human military needed to know of the coming calamity, and if he could get them to cooperate, he had an idea that might just work.
If he could convince the Earthlings to listen.
14
Embarrassment didn’t seem strong enough a word to explain Colette’s feelings as she emerged from the bathroom to see Dr. Ouellet standing there with a smirk.
“I take it the specimen collection was a success.”
Cade replied by exiting behind her and holding up the sample jar. “The semen as requested.”
Colette’s face almost burst into flames as the doctor snatched the bottle of blue goo.
“Thank you.” Ouellet practically bounced in excitement.
“Now what?” Colette asked, trying to regain her composure.
