The meadows and copses of El-Saire could hardly be considered quiet - they teemed with buzzing insects, croaking amphibians and scurrying mammals, while birds cooed and twittered in the rustling boughs above - but they were certainly serene, as few places in the galaxy still were.
After the Ele had moved their agriculture to orbital hydroponics stations, worlds like El-Saire had been returned to nature. Temperate climates were ideal for rare plants and endangered animals. These days, no sentient could set foot on El-Saire except with Congregate dispensation - which warriors El-Murth and El-Dreefi, now hunkering near a small clearing, had recently received.
The glade stirred with the arrival of a tall, sleek automaton, stepping surprisingly carefully through the undergrowth as its featureless head swivelled to observe the sights. This ‘Centurion’ didn’t seem so dangerous from the scouts’ hiding spot. Indeed, though its movements were hard to read, the robot seemed almost awestruck by El-Saire’s beauty.
Telepathically, El-Murth asked, Too easy?
Maybe. Doesn’t matter, El-Dreefi replied with determination. Signal El-Morior.
Seconds later the air popped, sending creatures scurrying, as El-Morior transferred into the clearing. By the time his feet had settled on the soil, the antispychic cage was already closing around the Centurion. Angry red light flared within the robot as it turned to regard the newcomer, but an instant after, the cage sealed shut.
True silence dominated the clearing for long heartbeats, the three Ele looking nervously between each other and the prison sphere. But no retribution came. The cage lay still.
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