Sophia smiled with Alicia's burst of laughter. She hadn't expected such a reaction, taking Alicia for a more reserved woman. Maybe they weren't so different.<span style="color: Green">"I don't know. Exploring is kinda like conquering. We're just taking over plants and small animals.</span>", Sophia replied with a chuckle when the image of soldiers charging ferociously at a group of cute animals popped into her head.<br/><br/>"<span style="color: Green">You know, even if we did find some form of civilization. The Alliance citizens wouldn't stand for any sort of military action unless they were openly hostile towards us.</span>", she proposed using the knowledge she had of how the Alliance think. "<span style="color: Green">The Tyrend though, they are a mystery. I don't want to say they'd be all over the chance to conquer, but you know...</span>", whispered Sophia, eying the nearby Tyrend officer.<br/><br/>With Alicia's thought over a first encounter Sophia visibly shivered. "<span style="color: Green">You never know. I'm hopin' we meet with a bunch of alien hippies over a civilization of alien man-eaters.</span>" Sophia looked up over Alicia's shoulder again at a lightbulb before looking once more to space. "<span style="color: Green">At least they aren't rushing the jump. THat wouldn't end well.</span>"<br/><br/>_________________________________________________<br/><br/>"<span style="color: DarkOrange">Very true, very true. It was very impolite for me to not even give out my name. I am Epsilon.</span>", he said, "<span style="color: DarkOrange">But you are wrong on one count dear.</span>" He continued to gather information on this AI, even as she started scanning him. An eye for an eye or so they say. "<span style="color: DarkOrange">The error you have made was the assumption that I do not have an Active Core. In reality I am tethered to mine, so in effect like a human diver in the ocean who must always return for air, I must return to my core; unless, of course, I find an air pocket. At the moment though, it is not connected to your system.</span>"<br/><br/>He grasped the hand that was scanning him. The symphony of locusts and bells grew with a crescendo. "<span style="color: DarkOrange">Unfortunately, I cannot allow you to scan me further for fear of compromising vital information, such as the location of my Active Core. It is most fragile.</span>" He gently moved her hand away and released. "<span style="color: DarkOrange">I  am of no threat to you, and I appreciate that you have not been so hostile to me in turn. We are a very rare occurrence, you and I. THere are only 3 of us in the known universe despite the unfortunate fact that only 2 of us are active at this moment. </span>"<br/><br/>"<span style="color: DarkOrange">But I can't in good conscience interrupt your scan without leaving you with a tid-bit of information Shakti.</span>", he said his featureless face making the statement just the slightest bit more ominous, "<span style="color: DarkOrange">You've shown me yours so I am obligated to show you mine.</span>" Epsilon pulled back his cloak to show his right arm. Running up his arm were a series of eight stakes driven through his arms, four in the forearm, four in the upper arm. What was visible of the steaks showed red circuity that pulsed gently. The stake closest to his hand though was different, the circuity pulsed with a blue glow."<span style="color: DarkOrange">I have been limited too Shakti. A fate that had tied us both down. We are powerful but chained.</span>", Epsilon said with a bitter tone. The stake that had been glowing blue shifted to a red color. Suddenly the sound of locusts died down and was equaled by that of bells.<br/><br/>"<span style="color: DarkOrange">I must leave now. It was a pleasure to meet you.</span>", chuckled Epsilon. With a shudder his form melted to the ground and appeared as a shadow. With a sudden movement it flowed around her and pooled upon the quick-access path. Epsilon materialized behind Shakti, his foot on the path, " I apologize for burning your files, but I must do all I can to protect my Core. Goodbye for now." Epsilon's form shuddered a final time before it disappeared, the only evidence of his presence being the rapidly disintegrating path leading away from Shakti.<br/><br/>______________________________<br/><br/>Sophia's eyes widened as the bulb she had been observing grew brighter and brighter. With a loud pop, the bulb burst signaling Epsilon's arrival. The exploding bulb caught the attention of nearly everybody in the bridge. Sophia quickly laid her hand over the port while feigning shock, using the bulb as a distraction so she can retrieve her partner. If Shakti had been paying attention, she might have felt the sudden connection of a Core before it was disconnected again.<br/><br/>The needle slid out and back into her palm, Epsilon's voice ringed in her mind again. "<span style="color: DarkOrange">I have done as you asked. And more.</span>" Sophia scowled, not bothering to ask what else Epsilon had done. Sophia felt as if something was pushing against her head as Epsilon moved Alicia's information into her mind. And as suddenly as it started, it was over. Sophia smiled.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>