Sin opciones, sin tiempo... Llamamos a la única especie que aterra a los dioses | Sci-Fi I HFY
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[{'start': '0.320', 'end': '6.120', 'text': 'The universe apparently has a sense of'}, {'start': '3.359', 'end': '8.360', 'text': 'humor, a dark, twisted sense of humor'}, {'start': '6.120', 'end': '11.320', 'text': 'that makes you want to metaphorically punch it in'}, {'start': '8.360', 'end': '12.120', 'text': 'the face.  Oh, and'}, {'start': '11.320', 'end': '16.720', 'text': 'the'}, {'start': '12.120', 'end': '18.720', 'text': "gods are real and they're jerks."}, {'start': '16.720', 'end': '20.359', 'text': 'My name is Thorntavik,'}, {'start': '18.720', 'end': '22.800', 'text': 'supreme commander of what remains of the'}, {'start': '20.359', 'end': '24.840', 'text': 'Galactic Confederation fleet.   It'}, {'start': '22.800', 'end': '28.039', 'text': 'sounds impressive until you understand'}, {'start': '24.840', 'end': '30.560', 'text': "what's left.  14 battle-damaged cruisers"}, {'start': '28.039', 'end': '32.520', 'text': ', 27 fighters with half their'}, {'start': '30.560', 'end': '34.360', 'text': 'weapons systems offline, and a'}, {'start': '32.520', 'end': '36.520', 'text': 'luxury ocean liner we converted'}, {'start': '34.360', 'end': '38.559', 'text': 'into a makeshift hospital ship.'}, {'start': '36.520', 'end': '40.480', 'text': 'Commander Tabic, the'}, {'start': '38.559', 'end': '42.520', 'text': 'Void Eaters have breached the outer perimeter of the'}, {'start': '40.480', 'end': '44.840', 'text': 'Aurelian system, reported my first'}, {'start': '42.520', 'end': '47.160', 'text': 'officer, Calanix, bursting into the'}, {'start': '44.840', 'end': '49.480', 'text': 'command center.  His blue skin had'}, {'start': '47.160', 'end': '52.280', 'text': 'paled to a sickly lavender hue and'}, {'start': '49.480', 'end': '54.960', 'text': 'his cranial appendages were quivering.   It'}, {'start': '52.280', 'end': '57.000', 'text': "'s never a good sign.  I sighed and took"}, {'start': '54.960', 'end': '58.719', 'text': 'a long drink from my booster juice capsule'}, {'start': '57.000', 'end': '61.480', 'text': '.'}, {'start': '58.719', 'end': '63.199', 'text': 'Fantastic.  [ __ ] fantastic.'}, {'start': '61.480', 'end': '66.880', 'text': 'How long until they reach the'}, {'start': '63.199', 'end': '69.640', 'text': 'evacuation point?  27 hours, sir, he'}, {'start': '66.880', 'end': '71.799', 'text': "replied.  It's not enough, Gruny"}, {'start': '69.640', 'end': '74.600', 'text': 'slams his fist against the holographic table'}, {'start': '71.799', 'end': '77.640', 'text': '.  We still have more than 4 million'}, {'start': '74.600', 'end': '79.479', 'text': 'refugees waiting to be extracted.'}, {'start': '77.640', 'end': '81.680', 'text': 'Even if we packaged them as'}, {'start': '79.479', 'end': '84.079', 'text': 'preserved meat cubes, it would take'}, {'start': '81.680', 'end': '86.880', 'text': 'at least two days.  The expression that'}, {'start': '84.079', 'end': '88.680', 'text': "she said it all.  We don't have two days,"}, {'start': '86.880', 'end': '92.119', 'text': "sir.  Don't"}, {'start': '88.680', 'end': '94.079', 'text': 'tell me.  Oh really.  I figured if'}, {'start': '92.119', 'end': '96.079', 'text': 'unstoppable cosmic horrors were devouring'}, {'start': '94.079', 'end': '97.640', 'text': 'entire star systems, at least they'}, {'start': '96.079', 'end': '99.840', 'text': "'d have the decency to keep to the"}, {'start': '97.640', 'end': '101.280', 'text': 'schedule.  I blurted out sarcastically, only to'}, {'start': '99.840', 'end': '103.680', 'text': 'regret it'}, {'start': '101.280', 'end': '106.920', 'text': 'immediately.  None of this was'}, {'start': '103.680', 'end': '109.320', 'text': 'her fault.  "I\'m sorry," she nodded,'}, {'start': '106.920', 'end': '111.560', 'text': 'her appendages relaxing'}, {'start': '109.320', 'end': '113.360', 'text': 'slightly. "The Council of High'}, {'start': '111.560', 'end': '115.759', 'text': 'Elders requests your presence at the'}, {'start': '113.360', 'end': '118.360', 'text': 'emergency session." "Sir,'}, {'start': '115.759', 'end': '120.200', 'text': '" I murmured.'}, {'start': '118.360', 'end': '122.000', 'text': '"Because what this crisis really needs'}, {'start': '120.200', 'end': '123.840', 'text': 'is more discussion from people'}, {'start': '122.000', 'end': '125.600', 'text': 'who have spent the last four centuries'}, {'start': '123.840', 'end': '128.039', 'text': 'debating the correct protocol for'}, {'start': '125.600', 'end': '129.759', 'text': 'interspecies greetings. The'}, {'start': '128.039', 'end': '131.360', 'text': 'Council Chamber was packed when'}, {'start': '129.759', 'end': '133.319', 'text': 'I arrived."'}, {'start': '131.360', 'end': '135.200', 'text': 'Representatives of the remaining 17 species'}, {'start': '133.319', 'end': '138.080', 'text': 'in the confederation shouted'}, {'start': '135.200', 'end': '140.400', 'text': 'over each other.  The noise hit me'}, {'start': '138.080', 'end': '142.959', 'text': 'like a physical force, a cacophony of'}, {'start': '140.400', 'end': '145.959', 'text': 'clicks, hisses, harmonic vibrations,'}, {'start': '142.959', 'end': '148.160', 'text': 'and translated speeches.  "I, Elder'}, {'start': '145.959', 'end': '149.840', 'text': 'Pax Bantoy," said an ancient'}, {'start': '148.160', 'end': '152.920', 'text': 'Zionist entity with reflective scales'}, {'start': '149.840', 'end': '154.480', 'text': 'dulled by age.  "Commander Tavic,'}, {'start': '152.920', 'end': '157.239', 'text': 'your assessment of our'}, {'start': '154.480', 'end': '160.760', 'text': 'tactical position, please."  And the room fell'}, {'start': '157.239', 'end': '162.560', 'text': "silent.  Carasp, we're screwed."}, {'start': '160.760', 'end': '165.560', 'text': 'A murmur of shock ran through the'}, {'start': '162.560', 'end': '167.920', 'text': 'room.  Do you want the sugary version?'}, {'start': '165.560', 'end': '171.120', 'text': 'Good.  The Void Eaters have'}, {'start': '167.920', 'end': '173.080', 'text': "consumed 42% of the Confederation's space"}, {'start': '171.120', 'end': '175.360', 'text': '.  They have destroyed over'}, {'start': '173.080', 'end': '176.120', 'text': '600 billion sentient lives, and'}, {'start': '176.120', 'end': '181.319', 'text': 'as far as we know, they cannot be reasoned with'}, {'start': '178.920', 'end': '182.599', 'text': '.  They cannot be confronted with'}, {'start': '182.599', 'end': '186.720', 'text': 'conventional weapons.  Our'}, {'start': '184.599', 'end': '188.440', 'text': 'most powerful quantum disruptors barely'}, {'start': '186.720', 'end': '190.560', 'text': 'slow it down.'}, {'start': '188.440', 'end': '192.760', 'text': 'At this rate, the entire galaxy will be'}, {'start': '190.560', 'end': '194.560', 'text': 'consumed in three standard years.   “'}, {'start': '192.760', 'end': '196.879', 'text': 'Surely there must be something we haven’t'}, {'start': '194.560', 'end': '198.640', 'text': 'tried,” squeaked Elder Ricky, a'}, {'start': '196.879', 'end': '201.280', 'text': 'tiny Avven whose feathers were'}, {'start': '198.640', 'end': '203.360', 'text': 'constantly falling out from stress. “Well, we'}, {'start': '201.280', 'end': '205.920', 'text': 'could try asking them nicely to'}, {'start': '203.360', 'end': '208.080', 'text': 'stop devouring reality itself,” I'}, {'start': '205.920', 'end': '209.519', 'text': 'replied. “But considering they’ve'}, {'start': '208.080', 'end': '211.159', 'text': 'ignored all attempts at'}, {'start': '209.519', 'end': '212.720', 'text': 'communication and seem to regard'}, {'start': '211.159', 'end': '214.760', 'text': 'our most potent weapons as'}, {'start': '212.720', 'end': '217.120', 'text': 'hors d’oeuvres, I don’t hold out much'}, {'start': '214.760', 'end': '219.480', 'text': 'diplomatic hope.” Inner eyelids'}, {'start': '217.120', 'end': '221.640', 'text': 'lifted and flickered in annoyance. “'}, {'start': '219.480', 'end': '224.000', 'text': 'Commander, this is no time for'}, {'start': '221.640', 'end': '225.799', 'text': 'sarcasm. With all due respect, Your'}, {'start': '224.000', 'end': '227.760', 'text': 'Eminence, when one faces'}, {'start': '225.799', 'end': '230.360', 'text': 'extinction, sarcasm is one of the'}, {'start': '227.760', 'end': '232.120', 'text': 'few luxuries we can still afford.” It'}, {'start': '230.360', 'end': '234.079', 'text': 'was then that Elder'}, {'start': '232.120', 'end': '235.280', 'text': 'Morotean spoke, the oldest and most'}, {'start': '234.079', 'end': '238.079', 'text': 'respected member of the'}, {'start': '235.280', 'end': '240.079', 'text': 'council. His species, the Borax, was'}, {'start': '238.079', 'end': '242.040', 'text': 'known for its photographic memories and'}, {'start': '240.079', 'end': '244.720', 'text': 'unbroken historical records'}, {'start': '242.040', 'end': '246.680', 'text': 'stretching back over 50,000 years. “There is'}, {'start': '244.720', 'end': '249.000', 'text': 'one option we haven’t considered,”'}, {'start': '246.680', 'end': '251.599', 'text': 'he said, his voice so low it was barely'}, {'start': '249.000', 'end': '253.079', 'text': 'a whisper.  The room became so quiet'}, {'start': '251.599', 'end': '256.040', 'text': 'that you could hear the'}, {'start': '253.079', 'end': '257.120', 'text': 'ambient system working.  "No," Bantoy immediately replied'}, {'start': '257.120', 'end': '261.240', 'text': '. "That\'s forbidden by the'}, {'start': '259.519', 'end': '264.639', 'text': 'ancestral pact. What'}, {'start': '261.240', 'end': '266.520', 'text': 'option?" I asked, looking between them.'}, {'start': '264.639', 'end': '268.560', 'text': "Tean's eight eyes blinked in"}, {'start': '266.520', 'end': '270.360', 'text': 'sequence.  A gesture of'}, {'start': '268.560', 'end': '274.039', 'text': 'grave contemplation between the'}, {'start': '270.360', 'end': '276.120', 'text': 'boxers.  The word fell like a bomb.'}, {'start': '274.039', 'end': '278.479', 'text': 'Several old people'}, {'start': '276.120', 'end': '280.800', 'text': 'gasped.  One even'}, {'start': '278.479', 'end': '282.440', 'text': "fainted.  Ricky's feathers flew"}, {'start': '280.800', 'end': '285.960', 'text': 'out in a cloud of molt in his'}, {'start': '282.440', 'end': '288.479', 'text': "panic.  You're crazy?  Silvó"}, {'start': '285.960', 'end': '289.960', 'text': 'Bantoy.  We swore to never contact them'}, {'start': '288.479', 'end': '292.280', 'text': 'again.'}, {'start': '289.960', 'end': '294.400', 'text': 'After what happened on Proxima'}, {'start': '292.280', 'end': '296.639', 'text': 'Centauri, after what they did'}, {'start': '294.400', 'end': '298.639', 'text': 'to the harvester fleet.  I know the'}, {'start': '296.639', 'end': '300.759', 'text': 'stories better than anyone here,'}, {'start': '298.639', 'end': '302.720', 'text': 'Tean interrupted, breaking'}, {'start': '300.759', 'end': '305.240', 'text': 'council protocol.  Something'}, {'start': '302.720', 'end': '308.120', 'text': 'very strange.  I was there,'}, {'start': '305.240', 'end': '310.680', 'text': "Bantoy.  I saw what you did and I'm telling you,"}, {'start': '308.120', 'end': '313.080', 'text': 'we need you now.  I looked at the'}, {'start': '310.680', 'end': '314.560', 'text': 'terrified faces of the council.  Can someone'}, {'start': '313.080', 'end': '316.639', 'text': "explain to me what the hell they're"}, {'start': '314.560', 'end': '319.039', 'text': 'talking about?'}, {'start': '316.639', 'end': '321.639', 'text': "Humans.  I've never heard of that"}, {'start': '319.039', 'end': '324.160', 'text': 'species.  The old man Town turned his'}, {'start': '321.639', 'end': '326.840', 'text': "ancient eyes towards me.  You couldn't have"}, {'start': '324.160', 'end': '328.360', 'text': 'heard of them.  Every mention was'}, {'start': '326.840', 'end': '330.759', 'text': 'erased from our'}, {'start': '328.360', 'end': '332.600', 'text': 'records.  Your star system is under'}, {'start': '330.759', 'end': '334.120', 'text': 'quarantine, surrounded by'}, {'start': '332.600', 'end': '335.960', 'text': 'automated'}, {'start': '334.120', 'end': '337.520', 'text': 'warning beacons.  By decree of the'}, {'start': '335.960', 'end': '339.759', 'text': 'confederation and by agreement with the'}, {'start': '337.520', 'end': '343.360', 'text': 'humans themselves, we stay away'}, {'start': '339.759', 'end': '345.120', 'text': 'from each other.  Because?  I asked.   “'}, {'start': '343.360', 'end': '347.840', 'text': 'Because they terrify the gods,”'}, {'start': '345.120', 'end': '350.080', 'text': 'Tean answered simply. Now, I'}, {'start': '347.840', 'end': '352.680', 'text': 'should explain something about our'}, {'start': '350.080', 'end': '355.240', 'text': 'culture. We don’t use the word gods'}, {'start': '352.680', 'end': '357.319', 'text': 'lightly. The Confederacy recognizes'}, {'start': '355.240', 'end': '358.880', 'text': '11 Transcendent species, beings who'}, {'start': '357.319', 'end': '362.120', 'text': 'evolved beyond'}, {'start': '358.880', 'end': '364.280', 'text': 'physical form millions of years ago. They rarely'}, {'start': '362.120', 'end': '366.840', 'text': 'interact with mortals like us,'}, {'start': '364.280', 'end': '368.960', 'text': 'but their power is unquestionable.'}, {'start': '366.840', 'end': '371.080', 'text': 'They can rearrange stars, create or'}, {'start': '368.960', 'end': '373.080', 'text': 'destroy matter with will, and even'}, {'start': '371.080', 'end': '375.840', 'text': 'manipulate the fundamental forces of the'}, {'start': '373.080', 'end': '378.199', 'text': 'universe. And apparently something about'}, {'start': '375.840', 'end': '380.080', 'text': 'humans terrified them. “The'}, {'start': '378.199', 'end': '383.400', 'text': 'Void Eaters have already consumed two of the'}, {'start': '380.080', 'end': '385.840', 'text': 'Transcended Ones,” the elder Tean continued.'}, {'start': '383.400', 'end': '388.639', 'text': '“The rest have fled beyond the'}, {'start': '385.840', 'end': '390.599', 'text': 'galactic rim.  "They abandoned us, but the'}, {'start': '388.639', 'end': '394.120', 'text': 'humans didn\'t," I'}, {'start': '390.599', 'end': '396.919', 'text': 'guessed. "No, the humans'}, {'start': '394.120', 'end': '399.319', 'text': 'fought and won.'}, {'start': '396.919', 'end': '401.240', 'text': 'Although the cost was enormous, the old man'}, {'start': '399.319', 'end': '403.840', 'text': 'bowed and struck his ceremonial staff'}, {'start': '401.240', 'end': '406.400', 'text': 'against the ground.  This is'}, {'start': '403.840', 'end': '409.240', 'text': 'blasphemy.  The ancestral pact'}, {'start': '406.400', 'end': '411.479', 'text': 'clearly states the pact no longer matters,'}, {'start': '409.240', 'end': '414.000', 'text': 'Tean roared with a force surprising for his'}, {'start': '411.479', 'end': '415.199', 'text': "age.  Nothing matters if we're all"}, {'start': '414.000', 'end': '417.759', 'text': 'dead,'}, {'start': '415.199', 'end': '419.879', 'text': 'Bantoy.  Humans are our only'}, {'start': '417.759', 'end': '421.800', 'text': 'hope.  Even if we wanted to'}, {'start': '419.879', 'end': '423.360', 'text': 'contact them, how would we'}, {'start': '421.800', 'end': '426.199', 'text': 'do it?'}, {'start': '423.360', 'end': '429.240', 'text': 'I asked.  They are in quarantine.  “I have'}, {'start': '426.199', 'end': '430.800', 'text': 'the coordinates,” Tean said, “and the'}, {'start': '429.240', 'end': '433.039', 'text': 'emergency communications protocols'}, {'start': '430.800', 'end': '435.160', 'text': '.” The chamber erupted with shouts'}, {'start': '433.039', 'end': '437.039', 'text': 'again, but I tuned out the noise and'}, {'start': '435.160', 'end': '439.960', 'text': 'focused on our options, which'}, {'start': '437.039', 'end': '441.560', 'text': 'were basically none. Die now or'}, {'start': '439.960', 'end': '443.879', 'text': 'risk contacting these'}, {'start': '441.560', 'end': '445.759', 'text': 'mysterious humans who'}, {'start': '443.879', 'end': '448.879', 'text': 'had apparently terrorized beings capable of'}, {'start': '445.759', 'end': '451.160', 'text': 'creating solar systems. “Do it,” I said,'}, {'start': '448.879', 'end': '453.919', 'text': 'cutting off the argument.'}, {'start': '451.160', 'end': '455.639', 'text': 'Send the message. Three hours later I'}, {'start': '453.919', 'end': '457.199', 'text': 'was alone in my quarters,'}, {'start': '455.639', 'end': '459.000', 'text': 'gazing at the stars,'}, {'start': '457.199', 'end': '460.360', 'text': 'wondering if I had just made the'}, {'start': '459.000', 'end': '463.360', 'text': 'biggest mistake in'}, {'start': '460.360', 'end': '465.680', 'text': 'Confederate history. The message had been'}, {'start': '463.360', 'end': '467.720', 'text': 'sent. A desperate plea for'}, {'start': '465.680', 'end': '469.879', 'text': 'help transmitted directly to a'}, {'start': '467.720', 'end': '472.680', 'text': 'system called Saul. Whatever that was'}, {'start': '469.879', 'end': '475.479', 'text': '. The door chimed. “'}, {'start': '472.680', 'end': '477.960', 'text': 'Come in,” I said. Ka came in, a'}, {'start': '475.479', 'end': '479.599', 'text': 'datapad in his hand. “Sir, we have'}, {'start': '477.960', 'end': '482.080', 'text': 'received a response from the'}, {'start': '479.599', 'end': '486.159', 'text': 'human system.” My heart skipped several'}, {'start': '482.080', 'end': '489.400', 'text': 'beats. That was fast. What did they say?'}, {'start': '486.159', 'end': '492.960', 'text': 'One word, sir,” he handed me the'}, {'start': '489.400', 'end': '497.039', 'text': 'tablet.  The message simply said'}, {'start': '492.960', 'end': '498.840', 'text': 'coordinates.  I almost laughed.  No hello.   We did'}, {'start': '497.039', 'end': '501.680', 'text': 'not receive your'}, {'start': '498.840', 'end': '505.080', 'text': 'message.  Not even a who are'}, {'start': '501.680', 'end': '506.759', 'text': 'you.  Just coordinates,'}, {'start': '505.080', 'end': '509.919', 'text': 'direct,'}, {'start': '506.759', 'end': '512.000', 'text': 'practical, slightly ominous.  I'}, {'start': '509.919', 'end': '513.880', 'text': 'was already liking them.  Send them the'}, {'start': '512.000', 'end': '515.680', 'text': 'coordinates of the Aurelian system and the'}, {'start': '513.880', 'end': '518.640', 'text': 'position of our fleet.   I'}, {'start': '515.680', 'end': '519.640', 'text': 'ordered.  And, and be quiet, put the fleet on'}, {'start': '518.640', 'end': '522.599', 'text': 'high'}, {'start': '519.640', 'end': '525.480', 'text': 'alert.  I have no idea what to expect.'}, {'start': '522.599', 'end': '528.360', 'text': 'Yes, sir, he replied, pausing'}, {'start': '525.480', 'end': '530.000', 'text': 'at the door.  Do you really think they can'}, {'start': '528.360', 'end': '533.040', 'text': 'help us against the'}, {'start': '530.000', 'end': '535.360', 'text': 'void eaters?  I shrugged.  According to the'}, {'start': '533.040', 'end': '538.040', 'text': 'council, they terrorize immortal beings'}, {'start': '535.360', 'end': '539.720', 'text': 'who can play with stars.'}, {'start': '538.040', 'end': '541.959', 'text': "So either they're the salvation we"}, {'start': '539.720', 'end': '543.640', 'text': "desperately need, or they're so"}, {'start': '541.959', 'end': '545.480', 'text': "horrible we'll end up begging the"}, {'start': '543.640', 'end': '549.640', 'text': 'void eaters to devour us'}, {'start': '545.480', 'end': '550.920', 'text': "faster.  She didn't laugh.  I didn't blame her.  The"}, {'start': '549.640', 'end': '553.120', 'text': 'wait was'}, {'start': '550.920', 'end': '555.360', 'text': 'unbearable.  6 hours passed with no'}, {'start': '553.120', 'end': '557.000', 'text': 'sign of humans.'}, {'start': '555.360', 'end': '558.800', 'text': 'The Void Eaters continued to'}, {'start': '557.000', 'end': '561.000', 'text': 'advance relentlessly through the'}, {'start': '558.800', 'end': '564.560', 'text': 'Aurelian system, consuming everything in'}, {'start': '561.000', 'end': '566.160', 'text': 'their path.  Planets, stars, even the'}, {'start': '564.560', 'end': '568.480', 'text': 'fabric of space-time was'}, {'start': '566.160', 'end': '570.880', 'text': 'twisted and torn apart in its wake.'}, {'start': '568.480', 'end': '573.399', 'text': 'Commander, the sensor officer called'}, {'start': '570.880', 'end': '575.839', 'text': '.  We detected multiple'}, {'start': '573.399', 'end': '579.720', 'text': 'spatial ruptures at the edge of the system.  My'}, {'start': '575.839', 'end': '582.640', 'text': 'heart sank.  The devourers.  No,'}, {'start': '579.720', 'end': '586.600', 'text': 'sir.  The energy signature is'}, {'start': '582.640', 'end': '588.480', 'text': "different.  I've never seen anything like it."}, {'start': '586.600', 'end': '590.399', 'text': 'The main screen activated,'}, {'start': '588.480', 'end': '593.399', 'text': 'showing a seemingly empty sector'}, {'start': '590.399', 'end': '594.519', 'text': 'of space, and then reality itself'}, {'start': '593.399', 'end': '596.920', 'text': 'seemed to'}, {'start': '594.519', 'end': '598.320', 'text': 'tear apart, not with the chaotic'}, {'start': '596.920', 'end': '600.480', 'text': 'and destructive rifts left by the'}, {'start': '598.320', 'end': '602.600', 'text': 'void eaters, but with'}, {'start': '600.480', 'end': '604.519', 'text': 'precise and controlled cuts in the fabric of'}, {'start': '602.600', 'end': '606.839', 'text': 'space-time.  And through those'}, {'start': '604.519', 'end': '611.000', 'text': 'wounds in reality came'}, {'start': '606.839', 'end': '613.399', 'text': 'ships.  Human ships were wrong.'}, {'start': '611.000', 'end': '615.079', 'text': "That's the only way to describe it."}, {'start': '613.399', 'end': '617.279', 'text': 'While the Confederate ships'}, {'start': '615.079', 'end': '619.720', 'text': 'were sleek and streamlined, these'}, {'start': '617.279', 'end': '620.760', 'text': 'were brutal, angular, covered in'}, {'start': '620.760', 'end': '624.560', 'text': 'protruding weapons.  Where our ships'}, {'start': '622.560', 'end': '626.600', 'text': 'glowed with blue light from'}, {'start': '624.560', 'end': '628.480', 'text': 'hyperspace generators, theirs radiated'}, {'start': '626.600', 'end': '629.959', 'text': 'an ominous red energy that seemed to'}, {'start': '628.480', 'end': '632.279', 'text': 'seep from'}, {'start': '629.959', 'end': '634.279', 'text': 'deliberately exposed power cores.  They looked'}, {'start': '632.279', 'end': '635.959', 'text': 'less like ships and more like mobile fortress factories'}, {'start': '634.279', 'end': '637.839', 'text': 'designed by someone with a'}, {'start': '635.959', 'end': '640.920', 'text': 'particularly aggressive interpretation'}, {'start': '637.839', 'end': '644.360', 'text': 'of military design.  “Sir,” she whispered beside'}, {'start': '640.920', 'end': '647.360', 'text': 'me. “There are over 3,000.” I couldn’t'}, {'start': '644.360', 'end': '649.519', 'text': 'speak. The Confederacy, at its height,'}, {'start': '647.360', 'end': '652.040', 'text': 'deployed barely 2,000 capital ships'}, {'start': '649.519', 'end': '654.200', 'text': 'across the galaxy. Those humans had'}, {'start': '652.040', 'end': '656.639', 'text': 'deployed a fleet at a major, just'}, {'start': '654.200', 'end': '658.600', 'text': 'in response to a distress call.'}, {'start': '656.639', 'end': '660.920', 'text': 'The comms console'}, {'start': '658.600', 'end': '662.519', 'text': 'chirped. “Incoming transmission from the'}, {'start': '660.920', 'end': '664.720', 'text': 'Human Fleet,” the comms officer announced, his'}, {'start': '662.519', 'end': '667.440', 'text': 'tone as astonished'}, {'start': '664.720', 'end': '669.800', 'text': 'as mine. “Screen it,” I ordered,'}, {'start': '667.440', 'end': '672.120', 'text': 'straightening my uniform. The screen'}, {'start': '669.800', 'end': '673.959', 'text': 'changed to display, “Well, I assumed it'}, {'start': '672.120', 'end': '675.959', 'text': 'was a Human.”'}, {'start': '673.959', 'end': '678.000', 'text': 'The creature looked strikingly similar'}, {'start': '675.959', 'end': '679.959', 'text': 'to several Confederacy species,'}, {'start': '678.000', 'end': '683.480', 'text': 'though with less pronounced features—'}, {'start': '679.959', 'end': '685.519', 'text': 'no scales, no feathers, no'}, {'start': '683.480', 'end': '687.680', 'text': 'exoskeletal elements. Its skin was a shade of'}, {'start': '685.519', 'end': '689.720', 'text': 'pinkish tan, with short'}, {'start': '687.680', 'end': '691.720', 'text': 'dark fur atop its head, and it wore what'}, {'start': '689.720', 'end': '693.959', 'text': 'looked like a military uniform adorned with'}, {'start': '691.720', 'end': '695.760', 'text': 'incomprehensible symbols. “This is'}, {'start': '693.959', 'end': '698.160', 'text': 'Admiral Yosida of the'}, {'start': '695.760', 'end': '700.720', 'text': 'Terran Defense Force,” the human said in a'}, {'start': '698.160', 'end': '702.399', 'text': 'voice  curiously melodic.'}, {'start': '700.720', 'end': '704.760', 'text': 'We received your call for'}, {'start': '702.399', 'end': '707.120', 'text': 'help.  Looks like they have a bit of a'}, {'start': '704.760', 'end': '707.839', 'text': 'pest problem.  A small'}, {'start': '707.839', 'end': '712.880', 'text': 'pest problem.  Billions dead, worlds'}, {'start': '710.440', 'end': '714.519', 'text': 'consumed, reality itself devoured.'}, {'start': '712.880', 'end': '717.040', 'text': 'And the human called it a minor'}, {'start': '714.519', 'end': '719.360', 'text': 'pest problem.  Commander Zorntavic'}, {'start': '717.040', 'end': '721.639', 'text': 'of the Galactic Confederation, I'}, {'start': '719.360', 'end': '724.399', 'text': 'replied.  Thank you for answering our'}, {'start': '721.639', 'end': '726.600', 'text': 'call, Admiral Yosida.'}, {'start': '724.399', 'end': '729.000', 'text': 'But I must warn you, those pests have'}, {'start': '726.600', 'end': '731.040', 'text': "destroyed everything we've thrown at them."}, {'start': '729.000', 'end': '733.360', 'text': "The human's face did something"}, {'start': '731.040', 'end': '735.399', 'text': 'strange.  The corners of his mouth'}, {'start': '733.360', 'end': '736.920', 'text': 'turned up, revealing rows'}, {'start': '735.399', 'end': '739.480', 'text': 'of blunt white teeth'}, {'start': '736.920', 'end': '741.519', 'text': '.  I would later learn that this'}, {'start': '739.480', 'end': '743.600', 'text': 'expression is called a smile, although at'}, {'start': '741.519', 'end': '746.680', 'text': 'the time it seemed decidedly'}, {'start': '743.600', 'end': '749.279', 'text': 'predatory.  Yes, we already imagined it,'}, {'start': '746.680', 'end': '751.720', 'text': 'Commander, he replied.'}, {'start': '749.279', 'end': '754.279', 'text': "That's why we brought the big guns.  The"}, {'start': '751.720', 'end': '756.399', 'text': 'human made a vague gesture.  We have'}, {'start': '754.279', 'end': '758.639', 'text': 'evacuation ships ready for your'}, {'start': '756.399', 'end': '761.560', 'text': "civilians.  Just tell us where you're"}, {'start': '758.639', 'end': '763.720', 'text': "meeting and we'll take care of it.  Admiral,"}, {'start': '761.560', 'end': '765.360', 'text': "I said cautiously, I don't think you understand"}, {'start': '763.720', 'end': '767.600', 'text': 'the nature of our'}, {'start': '765.360', 'end': '770.240', 'text': 'enemy.  The devourers of the void'}, {'start': '767.600', 'end': '772.360', 'text': 'consume reality itself.  They have'}, {'start': '770.240', 'end': '775.000', 'text': 'destroyed entire star systems'}, {'start': '772.360', 'end': '777.079', 'text': '.  Even the transcended, what'}, {'start': '775.000', 'end': '779.760', 'text': 'you would call gods, flee from'}, {'start': '777.079', 'end': '781.560', 'text': 'them.  That strange smile widened'}, {'start': '779.760', 'end': '783.079', 'text': 'on his face.'}, {'start': '783.079', 'end': '787.399', 'text': 'Those gods he'}, {'start': '784.800', 'end': '789.680', 'text': 'replied.  Well, let me tell you something'}, {'start': '787.399', 'end': '791.000', 'text': 'about the gods, Commander Tabic.'}, {'start': '789.680', 'end': '793.120', 'text': 'They'}, {'start': '791.000', 'end': '795.560', 'text': 'bleed too.  You just have to know where to'}, {'start': '793.120', 'end': '797.639', 'text': 'cut.  A chill ran down my'}, {'start': '795.560', 'end': '800.399', 'text': 'spine.  I remembered the words of'}, {'start': '797.639', 'end': '802.600', 'text': 'old man Tean, they terrify the gods.'}, {'start': '800.399', 'end': '805.199', 'text': 'The human continued.'}, {'start': '802.600', 'end': '807.880', 'text': 'We will now take your people to'}, {'start': '805.199', 'end': '810.800', 'text': 'safety.  We will then introduce these'}, {'start': '807.880', 'end': '812.320', 'text': 'void-eaters to humanity.'}, {'start': '810.800', 'end': '814.600', 'text': "I think they'll find us somewhat"}, {'start': '812.320', 'end': '816.519', 'text': 'indigestible.  And as the first wave'}, {'start': '814.600', 'end': '818.320', 'text': 'of human ships headed for the'}, {'start': '816.519', 'end': '820.279', 'text': 'refugee concentration points with'}, {'start': '818.320', 'end': '822.120', 'text': "impossible speed, I couldn't help but"}, {'start': '820.279', 'end': '824.199', 'text': "wonder if we hadn't traded one"}, {'start': '822.120', 'end': '826.160', 'text': 'horror for another.  But at least these'}, {'start': '824.199', 'end': '829.320', 'text': 'horrors were on our side for'}, {'start': '826.160', 'end': '831.399', 'text': 'now, sir, Kaya said, watching a'}, {'start': '829.320', 'end': '833.440', 'text': 'tactical display.  The human ships'}, {'start': '831.399', 'end': '834.160', 'text': "are deploying some kind of, I don't know"}, {'start': '833.440', 'end': '837.360', 'text': 'what to'}, {'start': '834.160', 'end': '839.360', 'text': 'call them, they look like soldiers, but he'}, {'start': '837.360', 'end': '841.920', 'text': 'fell silent, squinting'}, {'start': '839.360', 'end': '844.320', 'text': 'at the readings.  I approached his'}, {'start': '841.920', 'end': '846.440', 'text': 'station and looked over his shoulder.'}, {'start': '844.320', 'end': '850.000', 'text': "What I saw didn't make sense.  They are"}, {'start': '846.440', 'end': '853.720', 'text': 'individuals in open space.  Yes'}, {'start': '850.000', 'end': '855.560', 'text': 'sir.  Thousands of them wear some form'}, {'start': '853.720', 'end': '857.320', 'text': 'of armored suit, but do not use'}, {'start': '855.560', 'end': '859.880', 'text': 'vehicles.   They'}, {'start': '857.320', 'end': '862.240', 'text': 'just float there, moving'}, {'start': '859.880', 'end': '863.920', 'text': 'on their own.  The tactical display'}, {'start': '862.240', 'end': '865.560', 'text': 'showed swarms of small'}, {'start': '863.920', 'end': '867.759', 'text': 'humanoid figures emerging from the'}, {'start': '865.560', 'end': '869.399', 'text': 'larger human ships, propelling themselves toward'}, {'start': '867.759', 'end': '871.839', 'text': "the void devourers' consumption front"}, {'start': '869.399', 'end': '873.880', 'text': '.  They carried weapons that seemed'}, {'start': '871.839', 'end': '876.680', 'text': 'absurdly large, even for their'}, {'start': '873.880', 'end': '879.519', 'text': 'armor.  "This is suicide," I'}, {'start': '876.680', 'end': '881.759', 'text': 'muttered. "What do you think you\'re doing?'}, {'start': '879.519', 'end': '884.199', 'text': 'Fighting against gods," Kaya replied'}, {'start': '881.759', 'end': '886.480', 'text': 'quietly. The evacuation began with'}, {'start': '884.199', 'end': '888.560', 'text': 'brutal efficiency.'}, {'start': '886.480', 'end': '889.880', 'text': 'Human shuttles, each three'}, {'start': '888.560', 'end': '891.920', 'text': 'times larger than our'}, {'start': '889.880', 'end': '894.040', 'text': 'largest transports, descended'}, {'start': '891.920', 'end': '895.440', 'text': 'upon the assembly points. Their'}, {'start': '894.040', 'end': '897.160', 'text': 'loading procedures would have'}, {'start': '895.440', 'end': '898.639', 'text': 'horrified any'}, {'start': '898.639', 'end': '902.480', 'text': 'Confederate safety regulator. Thousands of civilians crammed'}, {'start': '900.920', 'end': '904.639', 'text': 'into cargo bays designed for cargo'}, {'start': '902.480', 'end': '906.880', 'text': ', secured not with'}, {'start': '904.639', 'end': '908.240', 'text': 'proper anti-collision nets, but with'}, {'start': '906.880', 'end': '910.839', 'text': 'improvised expanding foam that'}, {'start': '908.240', 'end': '912.560', 'text': 'pinned them in place. And yet,'}, {'start': '910.839', 'end': '914.680', 'text': 'for all its apparent recklessness, the'}, {'start': '912.560', 'end': '917.120', 'text': 'human evacuation proceeded five times'}, {'start': '914.680', 'end': '919.680', 'text': 'faster than we had projected. They'}, {'start': '917.120', 'end': '921.040', 'text': "weren't gentle, but they were swift."}, {'start': '919.680', 'end': '923.360', 'text': 'As the last'}, {'start': '921.040', 'end': '925.839', 'text': 'refugee transport lifted off, Admiral Yosida'}, {'start': '923.360', 'end': '927.759', 'text': 'contacted me again. "Your people are'}, {'start': '925.839', 'end': '930.759', 'text': 'safe, Commander,"'}, {'start': '927.759', 'end': '933.120', 'text': 'she reported. "Now we go hunting,'}, {'start': '930.759', 'end': '935.120', 'text': 'Admiral," I began. "I appreciate your'}, {'start': '933.120', 'end': '938.000', 'text': 'trust, but these entities have'}, {'start': '935.120', 'end': '941.199', 'text': 'devoured worlds."  Yes,'}, {'start': '938.000', 'end': '943.240', 'text': 'and he interrupted me with a'}, {'start': '941.199', 'end': '944.319', 'text': 'nonchalant gesture.  Big, scary,'}, {'start': '944.319', 'end': '948.560', 'text': 'very'}, {'start': '946.480', 'end': '950.639', 'text': "impressive cosmic horrors.  But here's the thing about"}, {'start': '948.560', 'end': '953.759', 'text': 'cosmic horrors, Commander'}, {'start': '950.639', 'end': '956.079', 'text': 'Tabic.  That predatory smile returned.   They have'}, {'start': '953.759', 'end': '957.800', 'text': 'never faced humans.  The'}, {'start': '956.079', 'end': '959.600', 'text': 'screen changed to a tactical view'}, {'start': '957.800', 'end': '963.079', 'text': 'as the admiral continued'}, {'start': '959.600', 'end': '965.440', 'text': 'speaking.  You might want to look at this.'}, {'start': '963.079', 'end': '967.360', 'text': "It's going to be a hell of a show.  And as"}, {'start': '965.440', 'end': '968.880', 'text': 'the human fleet turned to face'}, {'start': '967.360', 'end': '970.720', 'text': 'the wall of nothingness that was the front of the'}, {'start': '968.880', 'end': '973.079', 'text': "void eaters, I couldn't"}, {'start': '970.720', 'end': '975.279', 'text': 'help but feel that we had, indeed,'}, {'start': '973.079', 'end': '977.519', 'text': 'made a terrible mistake.  But at'}, {'start': '975.279', 'end': '979.519', 'text': 'least it would be an interesting way to see'}, {'start': '977.519', 'end': '981.440', 'text': 'how the universe ended.  The'}, {'start': '979.519', 'end': '983.279', 'text': 'Void Eaters approached like'}, {'start': '981.440', 'end': '985.240', 'text': 'a tsunami of nothingness, a wall of'}, {'start': '983.279', 'end': '986.040', 'text': 'absolute annihilation that consumed everything it'}, {'start': '986.040', 'end': '990.600', 'text': 'touched.  Stars were fading,'}, {'start': '988.639', 'end': '992.440', 'text': 'planets were crumbling, space'}, {'start': '990.600', 'end': '994.759', 'text': 'itself was distorting and twisting'}, {'start': '992.440', 'end': '996.880', 'text': 'before dissolving into nonexistence.'}, {'start': '994.759', 'end': '999.480', 'text': 'And against that apocalyptic force,'}, {'start': '996.880', 'end': '1001.920', 'text': 'humans sent individuals in armor.'}, {'start': '999.480', 'end': '1003.759', 'text': 'This is crazy, I whispered, watching'}, {'start': '1001.920', 'end': '1005.519', 'text': 'the tactical display as thousands of'}, {'start': '1003.759', 'end': '1008.040', 'text': 'human figures flew straight'}, {'start': '1005.519', 'end': '1010.040', 'text': 'to certain death.  Ka was beside me'}, {'start': '1008.040', 'end': '1012.199', 'text': 'with his cranial appendages'}, {'start': '1010.040', 'end': '1014.800', 'text': 'completely motionless, a sign of'}, {'start': '1012.199', 'end': '1016.759', 'text': 'absolute shock among his species.  Sir,'}, {'start': '1014.800', 'end': '1018.360', 'text': 'sensors are detecting energy readings'}, {'start': '1016.759', 'end': '1021.160', 'text': 'from the human suits that exceed'}, {'start': '1018.360', 'end': '1023.160', 'text': 'anything in our database.'}, {'start': '1021.160', 'end': '1025.039', 'text': 'Each individual soldier appears to generate'}, {'start': '1023.160', 'end': '1027.439', 'text': 'as much power as the main reactor'}, {'start': '1025.039', 'end': '1030.400', 'text': 'of a Confederate cruiser.  That'}, {'start': '1027.439', 'end': '1032.360', 'text': "'s impossible, I said automatically."}, {'start': '1030.400', 'end': '1035.160', 'text': 'Apparently not for humans,'}, {'start': '1032.360', 'end': '1037.120', 'text': 'the communicator replied.  It crossed.'}, {'start': '1035.160', 'end': '1038.120', 'text': 'Commander Tabic, said the voice of'}, {'start': '1037.120', 'end': '1040.280', 'text': 'Admiral'}, {'start': '1038.120', 'end': '1042.240', 'text': 'Yosida.  You may want to dim your'}, {'start': '1040.280', 'end': '1044.839', 'text': 'visual sensors for the next few'}, {'start': '1042.240', 'end': '1046.720', 'text': 'minutes.  Before I could respond,'}, {'start': '1044.839', 'end': '1048.439', 'text': 'the void between the human troops and the'}, {'start': '1046.720', 'end': '1050.080', 'text': 'cosmic horror lit up with such'}, {'start': '1048.439', 'end': '1053.200', 'text': 'intensity that our screens'}, {'start': '1050.080', 'end': '1055.919', 'text': 'automatically polarized to maximum.'}, {'start': '1053.200', 'end': '1058.000', 'text': 'Still, the light was blinding.  When my'}, {'start': '1055.919', 'end': '1059.799', 'text': 'vision cleared, I saw something no'}, {'start': '1058.000', 'end': '1061.880', 'text': 'sentient being in the confederacy had'}, {'start': '1059.799', 'end': '1065.840', 'text': 'ever witnessed.  The'}, {'start': '1061.880', 'end': '1068.640', 'text': 'Void Eaters retreating.  That?  What'}, {'start': '1065.840', 'end': '1070.559', 'text': 'did they do to them?  I stammered.  "A'}, {'start': '1068.640', 'end': '1072.480', 'text': 'quantum-shifted detonation cascade,"'}, {'start': '1070.559', 'end': '1074.320', 'text': 'Admiral Yosida responded,'}, {'start': '1072.480', 'end': '1077.120', 'text': 'apparently'}, {'start': '1074.320', 'end': '1078.600', 'text': 'listening to us. "We\'re basically piercing'}, {'start': '1077.120', 'end': '1080.720', 'text': 'reality faster than they'}, {'start': '1078.600', 'end': '1082.799', 'text': 'can consume it, creating a loop of'}, {'start': '1080.720', 'end': '1085.360', 'text': "dimensional instability that's"}, {'start': '1082.799', 'end': '1086.960', 'text': 'quite uncomfortable for them.  The casual way she'}, {'start': '1085.360', 'end': '1088.720', 'text': 'described weapons capable of'}, {'start': '1086.960', 'end': '1090.679', 'text': 'distorting the very nature of'}, {'start': '1088.720', 'end': '1093.039', 'text': 'existence made my blood run cold. "'}, {'start': '1090.679', 'end': '1096.440', 'text': 'Admiral," I said cautiously, "that'}, {'start': '1093.039', 'end': '1098.480', 'text': 'technology is troubling." "Oh, this'}, {'start': '1096.440', 'end': '1100.840', 'text': 'is just the opening number,"'}, {'start': '1098.480', 'end': '1102.120', 'text': 'the tactical team replied. I was'}, {'start': '1100.840', 'end': '1104.280', 'text': 'testing her'}, {'start': '1102.120', 'end': '1106.679', 'text': 'answer. "Now let\'s bring in the'}, {'start': '1104.280', 'end': '1108.679', 'text': 'heavy hitters." The heavy hitters'}, {'start': '1106.679', 'end': '1110.720', 'text': 'arrived in the form of seven massive ships'}, {'start': '1108.679', 'end': '1112.960', 'text': 'that emerged from the larger human vessel'}, {'start': '1110.720', 'end': '1114.760', 'text': '. They were shaped like'}, {'start': '1112.960', 'end': '1116.360', 'text': 'elongated pyramids, with what appeared to be'}, {'start': '1114.760', 'end': '1118.520', 'text': 'massive crystalline formations'}, {'start': '1116.360', 'end': '1120.200', 'text': 'protruding from their hulls. As they'}, {'start': '1118.520', 'end': '1122.159', 'text': 'advanced toward the Devourers'}, {'start': '1120.200', 'end': '1124.799', 'text': 'trying to regroup, I noticed something'}, {'start': '1122.159', 'end': '1127.080', 'text': 'odd. "They have no weapons," I said,'}, {'start': '1124.799', 'end': '1130.240', 'text': 'studying the sensor readings.'}, {'start': '1127.080', 'end': '1132.280', 'text': '"No visible weapons," Kaya corrected. "'}, {'start': '1130.240', 'end': '1134.240', 'text': 'But those crystalline structures are'}, {'start': '1132.280', 'end': '1136.120', 'text': 'generating some kind of field that,'}, {'start': '1134.240', 'end': '1138.240', 'text': "sir, I don't know how to"}, {'start': '1136.120', 'end': '1140.280', 'text': "describe. They're creating"}, {'start': '1138.240', 'end': '1142.640', 'text': 'localized bubbles where the laws of physics'}, {'start': '1140.280', 'end': '1144.720', 'text': 'are being rewritten."'}, {'start': '1142.640', 'end': '1146.120', 'text': "Admiral Yosida's voice sounded again, this"}, {'start': '1144.720', 'end': '1148.679', 'text': 'time with an undertone I would later'}, {'start': '1146.120', 'end': '1151.200', 'text': 'identify as mirth.  We call them'}, {'start': '1148.679', 'end': '1152.880', 'text': 'reality anchors, designed'}, {'start': '1151.200', 'end': '1154.799', 'text': 'specifically for entities that'}, {'start': '1152.880', 'end': '1157.640', 'text': 'manipulate'}, {'start': '1154.799', 'end': '1159.480', 'text': 'dimensional boundaries.  You see, Commander, you'}, {'start': '1157.640', 'end': '1160.559', 'text': "can't fight something that consumes reality"}, {'start': '1160.559', 'end': '1165.080', 'text': 'by shooting at it.  The battlefield must be changed'}, {'start': '1162.640', 'end': '1167.440', 'text': '.  The seven ships placed themselves'}, {'start': '1165.080', 'end': '1169.360', 'text': 'in a precise formation and a new voice'}, {'start': '1167.440', 'end': '1171.520', 'text': 'entered the channel.'}, {'start': '1169.360', 'end': '1173.559', 'text': 'Reality anchor deployment'}, {'start': '1171.520', 'end': '1178.679', 'text': 'complete.  Fixing the'}, {'start': '1173.559', 'end': '1180.520', 'text': 'physical laws in three, two, 1. Execute.  Between'}, {'start': '1178.679', 'end': '1181.799', 'text': 'the seven ships, space itself'}, {'start': '1180.520', 'end': '1184.080', 'text': 'seemed to'}, {'start': '1181.799', 'end': '1186.760', 'text': 'crystallize.  The devourers caught'}, {'start': '1184.080', 'end': '1188.799', 'text': 'in the affected area immediately slowed down'}, {'start': '1186.760', 'end': '1191.000', 'text': '.  Their amorphous forms'}, {'start': '1188.799', 'end': '1193.240', 'text': 'acquired defined contours forced'}, {'start': '1191.000', 'end': '1193.960', 'text': 'into a single dimensional state.  "What\'s'}, {'start': '1193.960', 'end': '1199.320', 'text': 'going on?" I asked, unable to'}, {'start': '1196.760', 'end': '1201.000', 'text': 'look away.  “We’re forcing them to play'}, {'start': '1199.320', 'end': '1202.039', 'text': 'by our rules,”'}, {'start': '1201.000', 'end': '1204.559', 'text': 'Admiral'}, {'start': '1202.039', 'end': '1206.640', 'text': 'Yosida explained. No phase shifting, no'}, {'start': '1204.559', 'end': '1209.240', 'text': 'dimensional jumping, no'}, {'start': '1206.640', 'end': '1211.559', 'text': 'reality manipulation, just matter against'}, {'start': '1209.240', 'end': '1213.559', 'text': 'matter. And when it comes to destroying'}, {'start': '1211.559', 'end': '1216.640', 'text': 'matter, her smile was'}, {'start': '1213.559', 'end': '1218.919', 'text': 'audible. Humans are experts. The'}, {'start': '1216.640', 'end': '1219.880', 'text': 'main human fleet moved forward. Weapons in'}, {'start': '1218.919', 'end': '1221.840', 'text': 'full'}, {'start': '1219.880', 'end': '1223.600', 'text': 'discharge. These were not the elegant'}, {'start': '1221.840', 'end': '1226.600', 'text': 'hyperfield disruptors or'}, {'start': '1223.600', 'end': '1228.400', 'text': 'quantum resonance beams of the Confederacy.'}, {'start': '1226.600', 'end': '1230.520', 'text': 'The human weapons were crude,'}, {'start': '1228.400', 'end': '1232.159', 'text': 'overwhelming, and horrifyingly effective,'}, {'start': '1230.520', 'end': '1234.120', 'text': 'missiles that would tear holes in'}, {'start': '1232.159', 'end': '1236.280', 'text': 'space-time, beams that seemed to set'}, {'start': '1234.120', 'end': '1238.200', 'text': 'the void itself ablaze, and projectiles'}, {'start': '1236.280', 'end': '1240.360', 'text': 'so fast our sensors'}, {'start': '1238.200', 'end': '1242.280', 'text': 'could barely track them. Where before the'}, {'start': '1240.360', 'end': '1245.400', 'text': 'void devourers ignored our'}, {'start': '1242.280', 'end': '1247.039', 'text': 'most powerful attacks, now they screamed. There'}, {'start': '1245.400', 'end': '1249.200', 'text': 'was no other way to'}, {'start': '1247.039', 'end': '1251.200', 'text': 'describe it. Though there is no sound in space'}, {'start': '1249.200', 'end': '1253.120', 'text': ', our sensors detected'}, {'start': '1251.200', 'end': '1254.919', 'text': 'vibrations across multiple'}, {'start': '1253.120', 'end': '1257.480', 'text': 'dimensional planes that our systems'}, {'start': '1254.919', 'end': '1259.400', 'text': 'automatically translated into audio.  The'}, {'start': '1257.480', 'end': '1260.880', 'text': 'result was such a terrible cacophony'}, {'start': '1259.400', 'end': '1262.240', 'text': 'that several members of the bridge'}, {'start': '1260.880', 'end': '1264.360', 'text': 'tore off their'}, {'start': '1262.240', 'end': '1267.039', 'text': 'communication devices in pain.  "They\'re'}, {'start': '1264.360', 'end': '1269.080', 'text': 'hurting them," Kaaya said in'}, {'start': '1267.039', 'end': '1271.720', 'text': 'disbelief.  "You\'re really'}, {'start': '1269.080', 'end': '1274.840', 'text': "hurting the gods. I told you they're"}, {'start': '1271.720', 'end': '1276.480', 'text': 'bleeding," Yosida\'s voice replied.'}, {'start': '1274.840', 'end': '1279.360', 'text': 'Now we are going to discover what they are'}, {'start': '1276.480', 'end': '1280.840', 'text': 'literally made of.  A new wave of'}, {'start': '1279.360', 'end': '1283.720', 'text': 'human ships moved'}, {'start': '1280.840', 'end': '1286.240', 'text': 'forward.  Smaller,'}, {'start': '1283.720', 'end': '1288.159', 'text': 'faster.  They slithered around the'}, {'start': '1286.240', 'end': '1290.799', 'text': 'now clumsy'}, {'start': '1288.159', 'end': '1293.000', 'text': "void eaters.  They didn't attack.  They seemed to be"}, {'start': '1290.799', 'end': '1294.919', 'text': 'taking samples, cutting fragments of'}, {'start': '1293.000', 'end': '1297.760', 'text': 'these cosmic entities with'}, {'start': '1294.919', 'end': '1298.919', 'text': 'precision tools.  "Admiral," I said,'}, {'start': '1297.760', 'end': '1301.000', 'text': 'suddenly'}, {'start': '1298.919', 'end': '1304.520', 'text': 'alarmed.  What exactly are you doing'}, {'start': '1301.000', 'end': '1306.880', 'text': ', science, Commander?'}, {'start': '1304.520', 'end': '1309.120', 'text': 'Very aggressive science.  Within'}, {'start': '1306.880', 'end': '1311.080', 'text': 'minutes, the human fleet had'}, {'start': '1309.120', 'end': '1313.159', 'text': 'completely enclosed the'}, {'start': '1311.080', 'end': '1314.840', 'text': 'Void Eaters.  The entities that had'}, {'start': '1313.159', 'end': '1316.840', 'text': "consumed half the confederation's space"}, {'start': '1314.840', 'end': '1318.960', 'text': ', that had driven away'}, {'start': '1316.840', 'end': '1320.720', 'text': 'immortal energy beings, were now'}, {'start': '1318.960', 'end': '1322.960', 'text': 'trapped as'}, {'start': '1320.720', 'end': '1325.080', 'text': 'laboratory specimens.  "Extraction teams'}, {'start': '1322.960', 'end': '1327.799', 'text': 'report successful sampling," said a'}, {'start': '1325.080', 'end': '1329.440', 'text': 'new human voice through the channel.'}, {'start': '1327.799', 'end': '1331.440', 'text': 'Preliminary analysis indicates'}, {'start': '1331.440', 'end': '1336.200', 'text': 'exploitable biological components.  I request authorization to'}, {'start': '1333.960', 'end': '1338.720', 'text': 'proceed with militarization.'}, {'start': '1336.200', 'end': '1342.320', 'text': 'Authorized, Admiral'}, {'start': '1338.720', 'end': '1344.799', 'text': 'Yosida replied.  Fast track.  I want'}, {'start': '1342.320', 'end': '1347.360', 'text': 'deployment options within an hour.  My'}, {'start': '1344.799', 'end': '1349.360', 'text': 'jaw dropped.  One hour.'}, {'start': '1347.360', 'end': '1351.159', 'text': 'Admiral, Confederation research teams'}, {'start': '1349.360', 'end': '1352.960', 'text': 'take decades to'}, {'start': '1351.159', 'end': '1354.600', 'text': 'study new life forms before'}, {'start': '1352.960', 'end': '1356.799', 'text': 'even considering possible'}, {'start': '1354.600', 'end': '1359.159', 'text': 'applications.  The admiral let out a'}, {'start': '1356.799', 'end': '1361.360', 'text': 'high-pitched laugh, an abrupt and'}, {'start': '1359.159', 'end': '1363.720', 'text': 'startling sound.  With all due respect,'}, {'start': '1361.360', 'end': '1366.600', 'text': 'Commander, that might explain why'}, {'start': '1363.720', 'end': '1368.919', 'text': "they're losing this war.  We"}, {'start': '1366.600', 'end': '1370.840', 'text': 'operate on slightly more'}, {'start': '1368.919', 'end': '1372.840', 'text': 'aggressive schedules.  While the'}, {'start': '1370.840', 'end': '1374.760', 'text': 'research vessels worked, the rest of the'}, {'start': '1372.840', 'end': '1377.120', 'text': 'human fleet continued their assault on'}, {'start': '1374.760', 'end': '1379.120', 'text': 'the trapped Devourers.'}, {'start': '1377.120', 'end': '1380.840', 'text': 'Under normal circumstances, I would have'}, {'start': '1379.120', 'end': '1383.440', 'text': 'felt compassion for any being'}, {'start': '1380.840', 'end': '1385.320', 'text': 'subjected to such punishment, but these'}, {'start': '1383.440', 'end': '1387.960', 'text': 'entities had exterminated billions of'}, {'start': '1385.320', 'end': '1390.559', 'text': 'lives without the slightest hesitation or'}, {'start': '1387.960', 'end': '1392.600', 'text': 'remorse.  So instead,'}, {'start': '1390.559', 'end': '1394.039', 'text': 'I watched with grim satisfaction as'}, {'start': '1392.600', 'end': '1396.200', 'text': 'humanity taught'}, {'start': '1394.039', 'end': '1398.640', 'text': 'cosmic horrors the meaning of fear.'}, {'start': '1396.200', 'end': '1400.720', 'text': '"Commander," Kaya said, drawing my'}, {'start': '1398.640', 'end': '1403.080', 'text': 'attention to a new'}, {'start': '1400.720', 'end': '1405.600', 'text': 'sensor reading.  "One of the devourers is'}, {'start': '1403.080', 'end': '1408.320', 'text': 'attempting some sort of communication."'}, {'start': '1405.600', 'end': '1409.960', 'text': 'I exchanged a glance with her. In'}, {'start': '1408.320', 'end': '1412.240', 'text': 'all our encounters with these'}, {'start': '1409.960', 'end': '1415.600', 'text': 'entities, they had never once responded to an'}, {'start': '1412.240', 'end': '1418.080', 'text': 'attempt at contact. "Admiral Yosida,"'}, {'start': '1415.600', 'end': '1419.760', 'text': 'I reported, "our sensors indicate that'}, {'start': '1418.080', 'end': '1422.520', 'text': 'one of the entities is generating'}, {'start': '1419.760', 'end': '1425.640', 'text': 'communication patterns." "Yes,'}, {'start': '1422.520', 'end': '1427.520', 'text': 'we\'re picking that up as well," she replied.'}, {'start': '1425.640', 'end': '1429.279', 'text': '"They\'re probably trying to negotiate now'}, {'start': '1427.520', 'end': '1431.120', 'text': "that they're getting their"}, {'start': '1429.279', 'end': '1433.279', 'text': 'disembodied asses kicked."'}, {'start': '1431.120', 'end': '1435.240', 'text': 'Typical abuser behavior, all'}, {'start': '1433.279', 'end': '1437.480', 'text': 'terror and dominance, until someone hits back'}, {'start': '1435.240', 'end': '1440.720', 'text': ".  Shouldn't we at"}, {'start': '1437.480', 'end': '1443.240', 'text': 'least listen to what they say?  I suggested.'}, {'start': '1440.720', 'end': '1446.480', 'text': 'There was a pause before he answered.'}, {'start': '1443.240', 'end': '1448.360', 'text': 'Alright.  Streaming now.  What'}, {'start': '1446.480', 'end': '1450.039', 'text': 'arrived was not language in any sense'}, {'start': '1448.360', 'end': '1451.880', 'text': 'that recognized any kind of'}, {'start': '1450.039', 'end': '1453.960', 'text': 'confederation.'}, {'start': '1451.880', 'end': '1456.200', 'text': 'Instead, it was a series of'}, {'start': '1453.960', 'end': '1457.960', 'text': 'conceptual impressions so powerful that everyone on'}, {'start': '1456.200', 'end': '1459.440', 'text': 'the bridge shuddered at the same'}, {'start': '1457.960', 'end': '1462.520', 'text': 'time.'}, {'start': '1459.440', 'end': '1465.360', 'text': 'Arrest.  Mistake.  No'}, {'start': '1462.520', 'end': '1468.880', 'text': 'food.  Communication failure.  What does'}, {'start': '1465.360', 'end': '1470.799', 'text': 'that mean?  Calla whispered.  The'}, {'start': '1468.880', 'end': '1473.320', 'text': 'next broadcast clarified this, although it'}, {'start': '1470.799', 'end': '1475.000', 'text': 'brought no comfort.'}, {'start': '1473.320', 'end': '1477.240', 'text': 'Misinterpretation.'}, {'start': '1475.000', 'end': '1479.520', 'text': 'We think.'}, {'start': '1477.240', 'end': '1481.240', 'text': 'Uninhabited galaxy.  Signal misinterpreted as an'}, {'start': '1479.520', 'end': '1485.120', 'text': 'invitation.'}, {'start': '1481.240', 'end': '1487.480', 'text': 'We will withdraw.  I blinked in astonishment.  They'}, {'start': '1485.120', 'end': '1490.279', 'text': 'thought the galaxy was empty.'}, {'start': '1487.480', 'end': '1493.799', 'text': 'For them, yes, said Yosida, her voice'}, {'start': '1490.279', 'end': '1496.080', 'text': 'suddenly cold.  Look at the difference in'}, {'start': '1493.799', 'end': '1497.760', 'text': 'scale.  For entities operating across'}, {'start': '1496.080', 'end': '1499.559', 'text': 'multiple dimensions and consuming'}, {'start': '1497.760', 'end': '1501.320', 'text': 'entire star systems, their'}, {'start': '1499.559', 'end': '1503.000', 'text': 'civilizations might seem as'}, {'start': '1501.320', 'end': '1505.360', 'text': 'insignificant as'}, {'start': '1503.000', 'end': '1507.000', 'text': "bacteria.  They probably didn't even"}, {'start': '1505.360', 'end': '1510.880', 'text': 'realize they were killing'}, {'start': '1507.000', 'end': '1511.840', 'text': 'sentient beings.  We recognize humans.'}, {'start': '1511.840', 'end': '1515.960', 'text': 'Previous meeting.'}, {'start': '1514.080', 'end': '1518.960', 'text': 'Separation agreement.  He will be'}, {'start': '1515.960', 'end': '1521.480', 'text': 'honored.  Withdrawal.'}, {'start': '1518.960', 'end': '1523.279', 'text': 'Previous meeting.  I turned to the screen'}, {'start': '1521.480', 'end': '1524.840', 'text': "where Admiral Yosida's face"}, {'start': '1523.279', 'end': '1527.159', 'text': 'had become'}, {'start': '1524.840', 'end': '1529.720', 'text': 'expressionless.  Admiral, have you already'}, {'start': '1527.159', 'end': '1532.200', 'text': 'had contact with these entities?  “Not'}, {'start': '1529.720', 'end': '1535.799', 'text': 'these specific ones,” he answered'}, {'start': '1532.200', 'end': '1538.840', 'text': 'carefully, “but others of their kind.” “'}, {'start': '1535.799', 'end': '1540.880', 'text': 'Some 300 years ago, according to our'}, {'start': '1538.840', 'end': '1541.799', 'text': 'calendar, they wandered into our'}, {'start': '1541.799', 'end': '1546.399', 'text': 'home system. We explained the concept of'}, {'start': '1544.399', 'end': '1547.960', 'text': 'limits to them. Given what I had just'}, {'start': '1546.399', 'end': '1550.159', 'text': 'witnessed of'}, {'start': '1547.960', 'end': '1552.520', 'text': 'Human military capabilities, I could only imagine'}, {'start': '1550.159', 'end': '1555.159', 'text': 'what that explanation entailed. “'}, {'start': '1552.520', 'end': '1557.679', 'text': 'So all this,” I said'}, {'start': '1555.159', 'end': '1560.000', 'text': 'slowly, “the trillions dead, the'}, {'start': '1557.679', 'end': '1562.080', 'text': 'worlds consumed—it was a'}, {'start': '1560.000', 'end': '1564.399', 'text': 'misunderstanding. They didn’t even know we'}, {'start': '1562.080', 'end': '1566.559', 'text': 'were here.” The admiral’s face'}, {'start': '1564.399', 'end': '1569.159', 'text': 'hardened. “And that'}, {'start': '1566.559', 'end': '1571.760', 'text': 'matters. Negligent genocide is still'}, {'start': '1569.159', 'end': '1574.080', 'text': 'genocide, Commander.” But he'}, {'start': '1571.760', 'end': '1576.919', 'text': 'sighed. “If they are willing to'}, {'start': '1574.080', 'end': '1579.559', 'text': 'withdraw peacefully now, we will not'}, {'start': '1576.919', 'end': '1581.640', 'text': 'pursue them. We are not monsters.” The'}, {'start': '1579.559', 'end': '1583.320', 'text': 'irony of that statement, coming from'}, {'start': '1581.640', 'end': '1584.880', 'text': 'a species that had just made god-'}, {'start': '1583.320', 'end': '1587.480', 'text': 'like entities scream in pain'}, {'start': '1584.880', 'end': '1589.520', 'text': ', was not lost on me. “'}, {'start': '1587.480', 'end': '1591.120', 'text': 'And what of the damaged areas of'}, {'start': '1589.520', 'end': '1593.200', 'text': 'space?”'}, {'start': '1591.120', 'end': '1596.000', 'text': 'I asked. “The consumed worlds and'}, {'start': '1593.200', 'end': '1597.279', 'text': 'star systems, gone,”'}, {'start': '1596.000', 'end': '1599.880', 'text': 'he answered'}, {'start': '1597.279', 'end': '1601.399', 'text': 'frankly.  Some things even'}, {'start': '1599.880', 'end': '1603.760', 'text': "we can't"}, {'start': '1601.399', 'end': '1605.960', 'text': 'fix, but we can help them'}, {'start': '1603.760', 'end': '1608.000', 'text': 'rebuild somewhere else.  The'}, {'start': '1605.960', 'end': '1610.000', 'text': 'Void Eaters, true to their'}, {'start': '1608.000', 'end': '1612.399', 'text': 'word, began to'}, {'start': '1610.000', 'end': '1614.880', 'text': 'retreat.  The human fleet held its'}, {'start': '1612.399', 'end': '1616.640', 'text': 'formation, weapons still pointed, as'}, {'start': '1614.880', 'end': '1620.080', 'text': 'the entities accelerated toward the edge'}, {'start': '1616.640', 'end': '1622.360', 'text': 'of the system.  "They\'re all leaving,'}, {'start': '1620.080', 'end': '1624.840', 'text': '" Kaya said, checking the'}, {'start': '1622.360', 'end': '1626.559', 'text': 'long-range sensors.  A cheer'}, {'start': '1624.840', 'end': '1628.240', 'text': 'broke out on the bridge.  The first'}, {'start': '1626.559', 'end': '1631.039', 'text': "expression of joy I'd heard in"}, {'start': '1628.240', 'end': '1633.480', 'text': "months, but I didn't join in."}, {'start': '1631.039', 'end': '1636.880', 'text': 'There was something that kept bothering me.'}, {'start': '1633.480', 'end': '1639.039', 'text': 'Admiral Yosida I said.  He mentioned that they'}, {'start': '1636.880', 'end': '1641.679', 'text': 'had already faced these entities'}, {'start': '1639.039', 'end': '1643.720', 'text': 'before.  However, Elder Tean'}, {'start': '1641.679', 'end': '1646.120', 'text': 'spoke of the ancestral pact, a'}, {'start': '1643.720', 'end': '1648.320', 'text': 'quarantine agreement between humans and the'}, {'start': '1646.120', 'end': '1650.840', 'text': 'confederation.  Are these events'}, {'start': '1648.320', 'end': '1653.000', 'text': 'connected?  The admiral was silent'}, {'start': '1650.840', 'end': '1655.080', 'text': "for a long moment.  That's a"}, {'start': '1653.000', 'end': '1657.120', 'text': 'complicated question,'}, {'start': '1655.080', 'end': '1659.120', 'text': 'Commander.  I think it would be best to'}, {'start': '1657.120', 'end': '1661.480', 'text': 'discuss it in person once your'}, {'start': '1659.120', 'end': '1663.799', 'text': 'people are safe.  And that non-response'}, {'start': '1661.480', 'end': '1665.799', 'text': 'told me more than any explanation.'}, {'start': '1663.799', 'end': '1667.880', 'text': 'Three days later, with the'}, {'start': '1665.799', 'end': '1669.760', 'text': 'Void Eaters gone and the evacuation'}, {'start': '1667.880', 'end': '1671.600', 'text': 'complete, I found myself aboard the'}, {'start': '1669.760', 'end': '1673.760', 'text': "Admiral's flagship for"}, {'start': '1671.600', 'end': '1675.320', 'text': 'that promised conversation.  The'}, {'start': '1673.760', 'end': '1677.279', 'text': 'interior of the human ship was as'}, {'start': '1675.320', 'end': '1679.720', 'text': 'utilitarian as its exterior.  All'}, {'start': '1677.279', 'end': '1681.480', 'text': 'function, with hardly any aesthetics, with an'}, {'start': '1679.720', 'end': '1684.000', 'text': 'overwhelming sense of barely contained power'}, {'start': '1681.480', 'end': '1685.760', 'text': '.  Admiral Yosida'}, {'start': '1684.000', 'end': '1688.000', 'text': 'received me in what she called the'}, {'start': '1685.760', 'end': '1689.240', 'text': "officers' mess, apparently a"}, {'start': '1688.000', 'end': '1691.320', 'text': 'communal'}, {'start': '1689.240', 'end': '1694.480', 'text': 'eating area.  He was smaller than I'}, {'start': '1691.320', 'end': '1696.159', 'text': 'expected and so was she.  In'}, {'start': '1694.480', 'end': '1698.120', 'text': 'person she looked smaller than on'}, {'start': '1696.159', 'end': '1701.799', 'text': 'screen, but no less'}, {'start': '1698.120', 'end': '1704.000', 'text': 'intimidating.  "Drink," he offered, holding up'}, {'start': '1701.799', 'end': '1706.200', 'text': 'a container of clear liquid.'}, {'start': '1704.000', 'end': '1708.360', 'text': '"Thanks, but my species doesn\'t process'}, {'start': '1706.200', 'end': '1712.000', 'text': 'alcohol well."  She nodded and'}, {'start': '1708.360', 'end': '1714.200', 'text': 'poured herself a glass.  So the'}, {'start': '1712.000', 'end': '1717.039', 'text': 'ancestral pact wants to know the'}, {'start': '1714.200', 'end': '1719.559', 'text': "real story.  If you're willing to share it, I"}, {'start': '1717.039', 'end': '1723.159', 'text': 'replied cautiously.  The admiral took'}, {'start': '1719.559', 'end': '1725.120', 'text': 'a sip of her drink.  342 years ago'}, {'start': '1723.159', 'end': '1726.200', 'text': 'we had our first contact with an'}, {'start': '1726.200', 'end': '1731.279', 'text': 'alien species.  They called themselves the'}, {'start': '1728.919', 'end': '1733.399', 'text': 'harvesters.  They had a very'}, {'start': '1731.279', 'end': '1735.640', 'text': 'simple philosophy.  Resources exist to be'}, {'start': '1733.399', 'end': '1738.279', 'text': 'taken and weak species exist'}, {'start': '1735.640', 'end': '1740.080', 'text': "to be exploited or exterminated.  I've"}, {'start': '1738.279', 'end': '1741.559', 'text': 'read about them in our historical records, I'}, {'start': '1741.559', 'end': '1746.320', 'text': 'said.  They represented a threat to the'}, {'start': '1744.159', 'end': '1748.880', 'text': 'younger worlds of the confederation'}, {'start': '1746.320', 'end': '1752.919', 'text': 'until they mysteriously disappeared'}, {'start': '1748.880', 'end': '1756.720', 'text': 'some 300 years ago.  No, exactly.   He'}, {'start': '1752.919', 'end': '1760.240', 'text': 'nodded.  His smile was cold.  They made'}, {'start': '1756.720', 'end': '1763.360', 'text': 'the mistake of attacking Earth.'}, {'start': '1760.240', 'end': '1764.840', 'text': 'We eliminated them all.  The casual way he'}, {'start': '1763.360', 'end': '1766.799', 'text': 'described the extermination of an'}, {'start': '1764.840', 'end': '1769.240', 'text': 'entire space-faring civilization'}, {'start': '1766.799', 'end': '1771.559', 'text': 'sent a chill down my spine.'}, {'start': '1769.240', 'end': '1773.399', 'text': 'During that conflict it continued.   We'}, {'start': '1771.559', 'end': '1775.120', 'text': 'developed technologies and weapons that'}, {'start': '1773.399', 'end': '1776.360', 'text': 'worried the entities you'}, {'start': '1775.120', 'end': '1778.399', 'text': 'call the'}, {'start': '1776.360', 'end': '1780.080', 'text': 'transcendents.  They approached'}, {'start': '1778.399', 'end': '1782.200', 'text': 'us afterwards, along with'}, {'start': '1780.080', 'end': '1784.559', 'text': 'representatives of their young'}, {'start': '1782.200', 'end': '1786.240', 'text': 'confederation.  They proposed a pact.'}, {'start': '1784.559', 'end': '1788.399', 'text': 'We would remain in our'}, {'start': '1786.240', 'end': '1790.440', 'text': 'region of space, developing in'}, {'start': '1788.399', 'end': '1792.080', 'text': 'our own way, and you would stay'}, {'start': '1790.440', 'end': '1795.039', 'text': 'away.'}, {'start': '1792.080', 'end': '1797.360', 'text': 'Everyone agreed.  It seemed like the'}, {'start': '1795.039', 'end': '1800.720', 'text': 'best thing to do.  Because you terrorize the'}, {'start': '1797.360', 'end': '1801.799', 'text': 'gods, I quote.  She laughed.  That'}, {'start': '1800.720', 'end': '1804.080', 'text': "'s what they"}, {'start': '1801.799', 'end': '1806.519', 'text': 'were told.  Flattering, I'}, {'start': '1804.080', 'end': '1809.360', 'text': 'guess.  But the truth is'}, {'start': '1806.519', 'end': '1811.000', 'text': 'simpler.  We terrorize everyone because we'}, {'start': '1809.360', 'end': '1813.320', 'text': 'refuse to accept'}, {'start': '1811.000', 'end': '1815.880', 'text': 'limits.  Not even the limit of being'}, {'start': '1813.320', 'end': '1817.799', 'text': 'mortal.  What does it refer to?  The'}, {'start': '1815.880', 'end': '1820.399', 'text': 'transcendents reached their state after'}, {'start': '1817.799', 'end': '1823.320', 'text': 'millions of years of evolution.'}, {'start': '1820.399', 'end': '1825.760', 'text': 'We were more impatient.  He finished'}, {'start': '1823.320', 'end': '1827.159', 'text': "his glass in one gulp.  Let's just say"}, {'start': '1825.760', 'end': '1829.039', 'text': "there's a reason our"}, {'start': '1827.159', 'end': '1831.880', 'text': 'soldiers can generate as much power'}, {'start': '1829.039', 'end': '1834.640', 'text': 'as one of your cruisers.  We have been'}, {'start': '1831.880', 'end': '1836.760', 'text': 'aggressively improving ourselves.  I thought of'}, {'start': '1834.640', 'end': '1838.519', 'text': 'human soldiers in their armor'}, {'start': '1836.760', 'end': '1840.519', 'text': 'facing cosmic horrors without'}, {'start': '1838.519', 'end': '1843.519', 'text': 'hesitation or retreat.  We have been'}, {'start': '1840.519', 'end': '1845.360', 'text': 'modified, we have improved, we have been'}, {'start': '1843.519', 'end': '1847.519', 'text': 'corrected'}, {'start': '1845.360', 'end': '1849.559', 'text': 'genetically,'}, {'start': '1847.519', 'end': '1851.640', 'text': 'cybernetically,'}, {'start': '1849.559', 'end': '1853.320', 'text': 'dimensionally.  The average human today'}, {'start': '1851.640', 'end': '1855.320', 'text': 'is as different from our ancestors'}, {'start': '1853.320', 'end': '1857.200', 'text': 'as they were from'}, {'start': '1855.320', 'end': '1858.760', 'text': 'single-celled organisms.  And the rumors'}, {'start': '1857.200', 'end': '1861.399', 'text': 'feared that, I'}, {'start': '1858.760', 'end': '1863.840', 'text': 'ventured.  Their accelerated evolution, they'}, {'start': '1861.399', 'end': '1866.399', 'text': 'feared how we were achieving it,'}, {'start': '1863.840', 'end': '1869.279', 'text': 'he said.  And what we could become if'}, {'start': '1866.399', 'end': '1872.320', 'text': "we weren't contained.  Hence the pact and the"}, {'start': '1869.279', 'end': '1874.279', 'text': 'quarantine, which we accepted, by the way,'}, {'start': '1872.320', 'end': '1875.679', 'text': 'especially because we were busy with'}, {'start': '1874.279', 'end': '1877.679', 'text': 'our own'}, {'start': '1875.679', 'end': '1880.159', 'text': "projects.  We didn't need the"}, {'start': '1877.679', 'end': '1883.039', 'text': 'distraction of galactic politics.  I lay'}, {'start': '1880.159', 'end': '1885.840', 'text': 'back trying to process everything.  And'}, {'start': '1883.039', 'end': '1888.600', 'text': 'now what?  The pact has been'}, {'start': '1885.840', 'end': '1890.679', 'text': 'broken.  Their fleet is in'}, {'start': '1888.600', 'end': '1893.399', 'text': 'Confederation space.  The admiral raised her'}, {'start': '1890.679', 'end': '1894.880', 'text': 'hands with a gentle smile.  Now'}, {'start': '1893.399', 'end': '1898.200', 'text': 'we help them'}, {'start': '1894.880', 'end': '1900.120', 'text': 'rebuild as a gesture of goodwill'}, {'start': '1898.200', 'end': '1902.399', 'text': 'and then we renegotiate the terms of'}, {'start': '1900.120', 'end': '1904.559', 'text': 'our coexistence.  The way he'}, {'start': '1902.399', 'end': '1907.039', 'text': 'said we renegotiated made it clear that it'}, {'start': '1904.559', 'end': '1908.840', 'text': "wouldn't be a conversation between equals.  The"}, {'start': '1907.039', 'end': '1910.240', 'text': 'Council of High Elders will want'}, {'start': '1908.840', 'end': '1912.559', 'text': 'guarantees, I'}, {'start': '1910.240', 'end': '1914.279', 'text': 'warned.  Ensure that humanity will'}, {'start': '1912.559', 'end': '1916.600', 'text': 'not aggressively expand into'}, {'start': '1914.279', 'end': '1919.080', 'text': 'confederation territory.  The'}, {'start': '1916.600', 'end': '1921.000', 'text': "admiral's laughter was genuine this time."}, {'start': '1919.080', 'end': '1923.480', 'text': 'Commander Tabic, if we wanted your'}, {'start': '1921.000', 'end': '1925.760', 'text': 'territory, we would have taken it'}, {'start': '1923.480', 'end': '1928.519', 'text': 'centuries ago.  Space is not what we are'}, {'start': '1925.760', 'end': '1930.799', 'text': 'interested in conquering.  So what'}, {'start': '1928.519', 'end': '1932.600', 'text': 'interests you?  His eyes glowed with an'}, {'start': '1930.799', 'end': '1934.279', 'text': 'intensity that reminded me uncomfortably'}, {'start': '1932.600', 'end': '1936.000', 'text': 'of the energy weapons his ships'}, {'start': '1934.279', 'end': '1939.240', 'text': 'had used against the'}, {'start': '1936.000', 'end': '1941.519', 'text': 'void eaters.  Possibility, he said'}, {'start': '1939.240', 'end': '1944.360', 'text': 'simply, the fundamental limits'}, {'start': '1941.519', 'end': '1946.080', 'text': 'of existence and how to transcend them.'}, {'start': '1944.360', 'end': '1947.720', 'text': 'You explore the stars, he'}, {'start': '1946.080', 'end': '1950.320', 'text': 'continued.'}, {'start': '1947.720', 'end': '1954.399', 'text': 'We explore what it means to be'}, {'start': '1950.320', 'end': '1957.080', 'text': 'and the devourers of the void.  I asked,'}, {'start': '1954.399', 'end': '1958.399', 'text': 'will they come back?  No, to this galaxy, he replied'}, {'start': '1957.080', 'end': '1961.320', 'text': 'with absolute'}, {'start': '1958.399', 'end': '1963.480', 'text': "certainty.  We have already made arrangements.  I didn't"}, {'start': '1961.320', 'end': '1966.039', 'text': 'ask what these'}, {'start': '1963.480', 'end': '1968.360', 'text': 'arrangements consisted of.  I was already learning that with'}, {'start': '1966.039', 'end': '1970.960', 'text': 'humans there were things that were better not to'}, {'start': '1968.360', 'end': '1972.960', 'text': 'know.  As I was about to leave, the'}, {'start': '1970.960', 'end': '1975.679', 'text': 'admiral placed a small device'}, {'start': '1972.960', 'end': '1977.919', 'text': 'on the table between us.  a'}, {'start': '1975.679', 'end': '1980.200', 'text': 'gift, a quantum communicator'}, {'start': '1977.919', 'end': '1982.720', 'text': 'tuned to our'}, {'start': '1980.200', 'end': '1985.000', 'text': 'emergency frequencies in case they ever'}, {'start': '1982.720', 'end': '1987.039', 'text': 'need us again.  I looked at the'}, {'start': '1985.000', 'end': '1988.679', 'text': 'device.  It represented both'}, {'start': '1987.039', 'end': '1990.919', 'text': 'salvation and'}, {'start': '1988.679', 'end': '1993.080', 'text': 'terrifying power, the ability to summon'}, {'start': '1990.919', 'end': '1996.559', 'text': 'beings that terrified the gods.'}, {'start': '1993.080', 'end': '1998.240', 'text': '"Thank you," I said, taking it carefully.'}, {'start': '1996.559', 'end': '2001.559', 'text': '"Although I hope we never have to'}, {'start': '1998.240', 'end': '2003.200', 'text': 'use it."  "So do we, Commander," he'}, {'start': '2001.559', 'end': '2005.799', 'text': 'replied.'}, {'start': '2003.200', 'end': '2007.120', 'text': 'His smile came back softer this time,'}, {'start': '2005.799', 'end': '2009.360', 'text': 'but no less'}, {'start': '2007.120', 'end': '2010.159', 'text': 'disturbing.  But the universe is full'}, {'start': '2009.360', 'end': '2012.600', 'text': 'of'}, {'start': '2010.159', 'end': '2015.039', 'text': "horrors.  It's good to have friends who are"}, {'start': '2012.600', 'end': '2016.360', 'text': 'worse.  As my shuttle returned'}, {'start': '2015.039', 'end': '2018.519', 'text': 'to what remained of the'}, {'start': '2016.360', 'end': '2020.559', 'text': 'Confederation fleet, I watched the human armada'}, {'start': '2018.519', 'end': '2022.360', 'text': 'from the window.  Thousands of ships'}, {'start': '2020.559', 'end': '2024.639', 'text': 'loaded with weapons capable of harming'}, {'start': '2022.360', 'end': '2026.120', 'text': 'cosmic entities enhanced by beings'}, {'start': '2024.639', 'end': '2028.200', 'text': 'who had refused to accept the'}, {'start': '2026.120', 'end': '2029.880', 'text': 'limits of their own biology.'}, {'start': '2028.200', 'end': '2031.960', 'text': 'Old Tean had been right to'}, {'start': '2029.880', 'end': '2034.519', 'text': 'fear them, but he had also been right to'}, {'start': '2031.960', 'end': '2036.519', 'text': 'call them out.  Sometimes when you face'}, {'start': '2034.519', 'end': '2039.200', 'text': 'monsters, you need monsters'}, {'start': '2036.519', 'end': '2041.000', 'text': 'of your own.  And humanity, it seemed,'}, {'start': '2039.200', 'end': '2043.039', 'text': 'had perfected the art of becoming'}, {'start': '2041.000', 'end': '2044.919', 'text': 'monstrous enough to'}, {'start': '2043.039', 'end': '2046.480', 'text': 'protect what they valued without losing'}, {'start': '2044.919', 'end': '2048.720', 'text': 'what made them worth'}, {'start': '2046.480', 'end': '2050.879', 'text': 'saving.  May the gods help anyone who'}, {'start': '2048.720', 'end': '2056.679', 'text': 'threatens that balance, because'}, {'start': '2050.879', 'end': '2056.679', 'text': "humans certainly won't.  End."}]