A Faded Star (36 page)

 “We also plan to begin the construction of colonies in
several nearby planetary systems. Most of you are aware that the alliance is
responsible for the near annihilation of the human race. For those of you just
finding out, I apologize for the abruptness of the revelation. We cannot allow
the alliance to destroy humanity in a single stroke. They have demonstrated the
ability to send massive payloads over vast distances. Although we have not yet
discovered how, we will not give them a single target to attack.

 “Our answers will come from the planet of our origin.
Earth was the center of the Terran Empire. There, we will find out what we need
to know about the alliance and their super weapon.”

 Stokes listened as a rippling of applause slowly built
into a crushing crescendo of cheering, shouts and cries of defiance against the
alliance. He knew, somehow, humans would win the day.