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capable of grasping small objects. The four legs moved only slightly within their encasing skin. They
would be the last part of the new individual to separate from the parenting body.
The room was crowded. Thoughtful-quick-Probing noted the presence of most of the Command staff
together with a number of Ashregan, Molitar, and Crigolit officers. Assuming position to one side, it
exchanged silent greetings with the others of its own kind while Bent-high-Commanding shifted forward.
Immediately all Amplitur thoughts were stilled in deference to the presence of their mentally mute allies.
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Bent-high-Commanding spoke aloud, struggling to convey its thoughts by means of the crude, wispy
vocalizations that were utilized by all other sentient races.  You all know that we have lost Vasarih. We
are in danger of losing Aurun. Vasarih was always in question. Aurun we thought we had won. The
Aurunians had forgone the deviancy of the Weave in favor of furthering the Purpose. Recent
developments have adversely affected their outlook. The Crigolit set to muttering among themselves.
Evidently this last information was new to them.  The Weave has engaged a new ally, an extraordinarily
effective fighting species which appears to embody a heretofore unencountered combination of high
technology and primitive ferocity. They were first detected in small numbers on Vasarih and it was
thought initially they might be native to that world. The presence of two intelligent species on the same
world is not without precedent.  Further encounters and new information have revealed that these
beings are in fact native to a world of their own. The number participating in Weave actions is still small
but increasing. Their modest presence on Vasarih has rapidly made our presence there untenable. There
have also been deleterious side effects.  Examples? mused Thoughtful-quick-Probing, admonishing its
bud to pay close attention.
 The Massood seem to fight better when placed alongside these creatures, who have the ability to make
those in their company function more efficiently. It may be that their influence will extend to and include
such as the S van and Hivistahm, though there is as yet no evidence to support such a hypothesis.  The
threat they pose is therefore manyfold and complex. Those cadavers which have been dissected have not
been especially informative, though I am told preliminary examinations suggest that their neuromuscular
systemology is unusually dense for a mammalian life-form.
 As would be anticipated, the Weave has been extremely protective of them, doing its utmost to shield
them from our observation. Howe ver, that has not prevented us from securing several live specimens. It
is to these few that we owe what real information we have. Bent-high-Commanding deferred to
Solution-pale-Overseer, who assumed the former s speaking position.  The specimens have revealed
exceptional physical abilities, but no daunting devices. Their weaponry is standard Weave issue. They
bring with them no new superweapons, nothing we have not dealt with previously. A Crigolit officer
spoke up, not in the least deferential.  Well on our way to winning Vasarih we were, until these creatures
arrived. Unorthodox methods of fighting they employ. The Massood we can predict and strategy devise
to counteract, but not these. Unreasoning and illogic are their allies. One would think them not sane.
Sacrifice themselves they will, and unpredictably. Solution-pale-Overseer waited until the Crigolit s mind
had cleared.  We have yet to formulate standards by which to judge these creatures. Each unit appears
capable of functioning independently of higher supervision. This makes them extremely difficult to clear
from a contested region.
 Physically they are remarkably powerful, yet agile. They have mastered Weave weaponry with
impressive speed.
Another Crigolit stepped forward.  Aurun lost now as well. All but secure was that world. Guidance in
this matter we must have, Learned Ones. Tactical decisions we must make.
 They will be forthcoming, murmured several of the Amplitur simultaneously.  Time now for [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]