ADAM paused a moment as Russell had noticed he did only when in deep thought, then spoke concisely, “He would have accepted the method Russell, but he would not have fought. The Denebian race were pacifists to the extreme, Russell, he would rather have been killed or captured then to kill any sentient thing. Unfortunately for Deneb it was seventy thousand years from it’s primitive eras of barbarism, and like innocent children they could not conceive of violence, greed, envy, conquest, or bloodlust. The Shapers attached them mercilessly, just as they did your race today, but you were ready and Deneb was not.” ADAM said.
“Yes,” Russell said, “we have had a good run of luck until now, finding the Sphere while it was restoring its energy, Debra’s teams escaping with you along, and defeating this Sphere with few casualties.”
ADAM floated towards the doorway slowly and said, “My captive should be awake soon Russell, perhaps I can learn if the message was complete, and its content from him.”
“You can read his thought ADAM?” asked Russell.
“Yes,” ADAM said, “but only if he is conscious.”
“Good luck,” Russell said.
The exalted Panome of Vega; Kla Na Suleg was awake, helpless, and furious with his captors. The twenty blonde haired giants sat or laid on their g-beds around him, neither listening to his words or looking his way, in fact they ignored him completely. He recalled being seized by the strange Panuits and Panor which broke into the communication room but didn’t immediately remember the other being who led them. Just as he was beginning to feel fully awake the door close to his left opened and he looked at ADAM with sudden realization. “You!” shouted the Panome. “Where have I been taken? Return me to my ship! Do you hear? My Panuits will destroy you all!” he raved. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
ADAM settled lightly on the next bed. “I understand your confusion but cannot answer all your questions,” said ADAM. “Let this be sufficient, your ship is destroyed, you are captive in our vessel, and what does remain of your Panuits are also prisoners. You will get nothing you demand of the soldiers around you. You will be paralyzed until such time as I can believe you are helpless to escape. And if you continue to try to disturb my men I will have you unconscious as well as immobilized,” said ADAM.
Kla Na Suleg glared at the blue Sphere with his narrowed eyes. “You will not hold me long, no Shaper has ever been imprisoned before, and I won’t be the first,” he said.
“Olaf,” hailed ADAM. A large Viking with a red leather headband approached. “Give our distinguished guest the red vial, please?” The blonde giant pried Suleg’s mouth open and poured the contents of a slim tube into his throat, he clasped his huge hand over the Panome’s mouth and waited for him to swallow the liquid. Kla Na Suleg struggled, but with only his neck and jaw muscles responding, could not win the fight, as soon as he swallowed Olaf removed his hand and walked back to his own bed. As the Panome’s surroundings grew blurred and indistinct he no longer saw the globe machine sitting beside him.
ADAM waited until the Panome’s brain activity slowed to delta rhythm, and then moved to his troops on the other side of the room.
“Be your fear of yon enemy great ADAM?” one Norse giant asked.
“Yes,” ADAM said, “the Shapers are deserving of great fear indeed, but we will keep this one separated and confused, for I can learn much from him.”
“Soon all Shapers will be defeated ADAM?” Olaf asked.
“If we have faith and courage Olaf, they will.” ADAM replied. “If he gives anymore trouble use the vial again Olaf.”
“Aye ADAM,” said Olaf.
ADAM floated back out the door of the bay and back to the command room.