Peter Brodowski 
CONFLUENCE [EPUB ebook] 

On the Crem home world the high council was in session. The Earth Project Leader reported that phase one is complete and successful. The satellite sent to depopulate the Earth has effectively completed its mission and the planet is now virtually devoid of human inhabitants. The council enquired as to the fate of phase two, the pilot plot at the so called farm house. The Project Leader was momentarily diffident then continued in a confident manner, admitting that contact was lost with the pilot plot and has not as yet been reestablished. However, reports up to the moment that communication was lost indicated that plants had been rooted and were thriving. The Project Leader advised the council that phase three, the activation of three selected Earth confluence locations, 38N 86W, 38N 87W and 38N 88W, was proceeding as planned. In anticipation of successful startups at those locations construction of the processing plant at nearby 39N 86W was also being initiated. For this an Engineer was being dispatched to direct the activities of humanoid worker drones that will be transported to the location. Security will be provided by canine drones under the Engineers supervision. At the moment, the Crem known to Alex and Mattie as the voices were themselves in conference. "It is advisable that we maintain a low profile for the time being, " stated Speaker 1. "The Earth Project Leader has terminated some of our allies on the home world. That resource will be difficult to replace."Speaker two: "Are we in this listening post in danger as well?""Not at the present time, " replied Speaker 1. "I have it on good authority that the Project Leader, while still suspicious of the events at the farm house, is confident that internal opposition to the project has been expunged. Prudence dictates that for the time being we not engage in any activity to suggest otherwise. Let us not give the Project Leader any reason to believe that the opposition is still viable.""So the fledgling and her progenitor are on their own?" asked Speaker 3. "For the time being yes, but remember we have sent them a resource, " said Speaker 1.