On the shadowy bridge, the deep voice seemed to rouse the pervading killing intent, turning into a sharper blade, as replies came.
"No new communication from the back."
The humanoid commander turned his head immediately at those words, not looking at the one who talked, but at another corner where data was being displayed on holograms.
The alien in front of the data seemed to feel the stare as he immediately followed the previous speaker in reporting the information in front of him:
"Level 6, Integration Stage fluctuations. They are fickle and unstable, meaning the breakthrough is recent, maybe even forced."
Those words made all the brains on the bridge get to work, while the commander voiced the conclusion common sense dictated:
"That means the agreement is still holding, and the Lords have allowed the intrusion."
That was the only possible reason for the appearance of an alien stronger than the limit that had been dispatched to the relic.
