Read Online Convergence by Alex Albrinck - Free Book Online

connection to the fleet, and he asked that the men stand by as he contacted the Leader to report their findings.
    He initiated the connection to Headquarters himself.
    “This had better be good, Athos,” the Leader said as he answered. “We have a bit of a situation developing here.”
    Athos swallowed before replying.
    “Sir, I’m pleased to report that the men and I have located the entrance to the Alliance base. The rebels utilize an underwater subway system traversing a tunnel hewn into the Antarctic landmass. The entrance features a dock where a large fleet of submarines rest. The Alliance use the subway system and short-range teleportation for entry and exit from inbound and outbound submarines, explaining the gradual build of Energy over the course of centuries. That Energy eventually percolated through the water to the north and eventually to the surface. The entry is approximately twenty-seven miles south-southeast from the original target zone. It mattered not, sir. We have, without question, found the Alliance base.”
    He waited.
    Finally, he heard the Leader’s response. “Well done, Athos. Well done. You are free to commence the attack at your discretion.”
    The Leader disconnected, and Athos heard the roar of excitement over the communication system and aboard the Chameleon. The warriors were ready for battle, and Athos had now provided them a target for their aggression. The Leader had given them permission to proceed. But Athos didn’t notice any of it.
    He’d only noticed the first compliment ever paid him by the Leader.
    His joy overwhelmed any curiosity about the “situation” at Headquarters Island mentioned by the Leader in paying that compliment.

VIII
    The invasion began in silence . It was the way of the Alliance.
    Three massive flying ships, far larger than the single-occupant spheres generally used, descended from the clouds without detection, invisible to the human eye and electronic sensors. The size of the ships prevented the use of the typical landing site in the forest near the human settlement. Instead, they touched down on the rocky shore to the east of the human village, where they’d find little human or Aliomenti interest. They’d made the entire trip encased in nanoskeletons and had purged the ships of Energy before leaving the Cavern the previous day. The walls of each ship turned permeable after each warrior turned invisible, and each invader floated through those walls into the salty air of Headquarters Island. The commander of each ship pressed a single button on a wrist remote, sending the three empty ships back to the Cavern.
    The remotes dissolved. They’d not leave until the cessation of fighting. Arrangements for transport home would happen at that time for the survivors. They’d taken a vote. No cloning. They’d accept their respective fates in the battle. Dying here was permanent death for each of them. It hadn’t been his suggestion, and he’d actually voted against the proposal. But the message was clear. For those who’d chosen to fight, closure was more critical than survival.
    They tested the audio communicators they’d use. Nano technology had never evolved to blocking audio waves; if he sneezed, he’d be heard. Voice communication without telepathy was required. They each wore small microphones and tested the equipment, developing an understanding of the minute decibel level required. It wasn’t telepathy, but it was close.
    Will moved inside his nanoskeleton and flipped down the transparent glass eye shield. His team remained invisible to all sensors, but each of them wore a special transmitter that allowed the glass to simulate their appearances. Will could thus “see” the twenty-nine traveling with him, which better enabled coordination for the events to come.
    They set off for the human village, flying via nanos, not daring themselves to walk or run. A single spy might walk without attention, but thirty invisible invaders would generate too