Spike took his position for the chat session. If he had a stomach, it would have been full of butterflies. He was plenty nervous. His plan was to change physical locations a few times during the discussion and do it quickly enough to seem constantly connected. This would prevent anyone from tracing his location. Spike wasn't really worried about it, but better safe than sorry. He connected precisely at the appointed time. Talisent's ID was posted a moment later and the two were together in their private chat session. Spike began with a simple "hello."

What followed was, for Spike, an amazing and captivating discussion. Talisent told him of her world in great detail. The history of a people who had evolved their society to a level that allowed them to devote their energies to the exploration of the universe around them. She spoke of the point in their technological evolution when they transcended attempts to conquer the limitations of physical space. Since that time, their technologies had been dedicated to "transparencies" in energy and matter which allowed connections to be formed between distant worlds. The chain of linked worlds became known as the Alliance.

Talisent's people were the technological bridge builders and had thereby taken on responsibilities of diplomacy and arbitration. The period immediately following successful connection of a new world was always filled with great upheaval and change. This effect was most dramatically felt by the society joining the Alliance, but established members were always influenced in some ways as well. They had learned to research each society in great detail before simply opening a new gateway. Exchange factors were projected and if regulatory constraints were necessary, for economic or environmental reasons, they were put in place within the gateway definition itself.

Spike recalled similar events from Earth's own period of exploration and discovery. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the use of sailing ships overcame great distances between continents. Isolated civilizations were thrust together forever. Spike knew that a gateway to Talisent's alliance would produce an even greater impact on Earth's history. He was glad to hear her acknowledgment of the care that must be taken when introducing such change. She knew he would be.

Spike would also want to talk about Los Picos and his birth. Talisent was prepared.



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