“Admiral Aslwenarya, Fourth Sector Commandant, Humanx Commonwealth, operating under United Church charter and I’ll skip a few titles of my own. A little out of your regular bailiwick, aren’t you, Baron?”

“And you too are here with so many ships for rest and relaxation on the pleasure-world below, Admiral?” The tone was mildly reproachful. “It remains that a threat to the entire galaxy lies on the planet below us.”

“Would you be referring to a certain amorphous black monstrosity of unknown origins and, from what I am told, rather considerable powers?”

“Unless you know of another. As I guessed, our purpose here appears to be the same, then.”

“Not quite, Baron. That’s a humanx colony orbiting below us, and my presence here is perfectly natural. Yours, I fear, remains open to certain questions.”

The Baron affected an air of outrage. “No action of any sort was contemplated without the prior concurrence of the local authorities.”

“I’d like to believe that, Baron. Indeed, I’d like to believe that. For many reasons.”

“Not the least of which, Admiral, is that we are of no use to our respective races if we battle among ourselves, fya? If you will merely contact your commandant below—a Major of the Church name of Orvenalix, I believe—I’ve no doubt he will agree to the course of action I have in mind. I offer a joint council of war, not a declaration of one.”

“I think we might struggle along without your help,” the thranx admiral replied.

“Sir, the commander of the Imperial Enclave on Repler had the opportunity to observe this creature’s strength at closer claw than was desired. This as his own station was being pulled down around his oculars. He would not agree with you. I myself inspected the ruins of his command. I do not agree with you. Were you to have seen the same, I venture to say you would not agree with you. In fact, I would hope that between the two of us we may be able to control the monster.”

Ashvenarya considered. Briefly.

“Perhaps. Very well, I trust you—from microsecond to microsecond.”

“My own extends no longer.”

“Our ships will move into orbits confluent with yours. While I determine upon a course of action you will take no action on your own. This must be understood.”

“Understood,” replied the Baron placidly. “Only, please not to take overlong, Admiral, or our agreement will become strained . . . by time.”

“It might prove that a joint action of some sort is required, much as the thought distresses me.”

“I have little love for your kind, either, Admiral.” Teeth flashed. “Under normal circumstances . . .”

“Which these are definitely, conclusively, not.” Ashvenarya waved and the contact was broken.

Despite the violent attack levied by a new and completely unexpected opponent, the Vom found cause to rejoice. A second fleet! More strength to complement its own! It could now travel from planet to planet in almost respectable fashion.