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SUMMARY: The Lekers, a violent reptile race, make first contact with the an unknown enemy. Tentions arise and the threat of Intergalactic War looms. Read to find out what happens in, The Limera Conflict.

Meanwhile the computer finished its analysis of the Insectoid language. While the language was translated into Lekerese, the Leker crew anxiously awaited its completion. Yet even with so much time and effort, the computer had only been able to get a sketchy glimpse of the Insectoid language, and had translated only part of the message clearly. But still, a general impression of the Insectoid Communication was available. The message appeared above the Lekers heads on the HoloScreen and they all stopped to read it.

"Pitiful and <untranslatable> inhabitants of the <untranslatable> ship. Your <untranslatable> attempt to harm us has only <untranslatable> you. Even if your <untranslatable> had been successful, <untranslatable> are many more <untranslatable> such as this in our <untranslatable>. Our home system, Limera, is <untranslatable> the most industrialized <untranslatable> in the <untranslatable>. Submit to us and lower your weapons. We <untranslatable> to speak, but only if you give <untranslatable> an immediate sign of peaceful intents. <untranslatable>.....<untranslatable>..." The rest of the message was incomprehensible to the limited Leker computer, though with time more of the Insectoid language might become more apparent.

The resolve of the Leker crew to do something only grew with this message. Their options were clear before them. They could fight and launch that anti-matter attack, and then be destroyed. Or they could lower their weapons and attempt to talk to the Insectoids. It was obvious what choice Grimar would make. He would rather have this entire ship be destroyed, if it would only increase his pride a little bit. The Lekers found themselves looking for old swords and used guns, in preparation for the coming fight. None knew the thoughts or intentions of the others, but all of them felt a need to do something.

The sides were beginning to appear and it was obvious to the crew and Grimar that they could not achieve what they wanted without force. Or even if they could, they would not. Peaceful negotiations were not the way of the Lekers. In their blood they felt a need to crush and kill one another. They only wanted this revolt as a reason to let out their aggressions, which they all hated.

In their numerous and silent ships the Insectoids awaited the Leker's response. The Overmind had deemed it wise to give the creatures 24 hours to respond. That was much longer than they would have needed, but then again the Lekers were as mysterious to them as they were to the Lekers. Millions of Insectoids stood ready at their post, willing and able to destroy the Lekers in an instant. If any aggression was shown, they would crush them no matter what the cost.

The insectoids possessed half a dozen ships similar to the colony ship that faced the Lekers, and each of those had already seeded a system. If the other species of this universe were as weak as the Lekers, the Overmind felt confidant it could defeat them. The Insectoids wee using the Lekers as a model for any other species they might encounter throughout the cosmos.