The Talodan fleet.
A dull alarm once again shattered the short-lived peace aboard the flagship.
"Leader!"
A crew member shouted in panic, "Unidentified fleet detected ahead!"
"We've received a communication request from their fleet. Its frequency is identical to the Eugene Civilization's!" another crew member shouted just as loudly. "Leader, it's the Eugene fleet!"
Aldan's expression darkened. As he watched the pursuing fleet slowly advancing behind them, an awful suspicion rose in his mind.
"Put them through," he said grimly.
A repulsive, hideous face swiftly appeared on the main screen.
At the sight of that appearance etched into their genes, intense hatred filled every Talodan's eyes.
"You damned Eugene Civilization... what the hell do you want?"
Aldan forced the words through clenched teeth.
"Talodans, you're surrounded."
The other party spread its sharp-toothed maw in a savage grin. "Surrender quietly, then research technology for us. That's your only way out."
"Bullshit!" Fury blazed even brighter in Aldan's eyes as he roared.
"Change the fleet's course! Prepare to break through!"
"Leader!!" As the dull alarms sounded one after another, panicked cries rang out from all sides.
"Unidentified fleet detected to starboard!"
"Unidentified fleet detected to port!"
"Above us..."
"..."
As he stared at the main screen covered in deep-purple alerts, Aldan's fur abruptly bristled, trembling along with his body.
His large eyes slowly closed, profound despair showing in their depths.
An instant later, he forced his eyes open again.
Facing his people's despairing gazes and the Eugene's mocking eyes, he roared every word with absolute clarity:
"Talodans will never be slaves!"
"Fleet, defensive formation!"
"Prepare for battle!"
"Very good." The mockery in the Eugene's eyes deepened. "As you wish!"
The silvery-white Spherical Probes rapidly dispersed in every direction at 20c.
They spread like a fishing net unfurling rapidly in an ocean.