Page 38 - The Chronicles Ser2 (6-10)

hundred years. There were some Ulahri that seemed to be immune to the disease and it was hoped
that these clones might supply a clue to terminating the disease before the end of the race came.
The Alurak; despite their equal experience in Genetic Manipulation, Gene Surgery and other fields,
such as the engineering of sub-species, were dependent upon the Ulahri as a symbiotic connection
had been made long ago in the distant past. If the Ulahri died out then The Alurak would lose a
source of raw, basic genetic material for Biological repairs and the Ulahri would lose a means of
extending their long lives. The two species had a common ancestor in the far distant past. As the two
species diverged each developed along similar lines. Eventually one race opted for a radical means of
rapid reproduction, cloning. By sheer presence of numbers this race dominated the other slower
reproducing one. Eventually the Clones found the flaw in their method of reproduction - Gene-pool
degradation. The ancestors of the Alurak used this disadvantage to gain a liberty from the Clones
dominance. A deal was struck. The Alurak exuded oily enzymes that were vital to the initialisation of
the cloning process. The Alurak found use for non-viable embryotic material from the cloning
procedure for biological surgery, the embryonic tissue being almost undifferentiated was ideal for
this and the Cloning process supplied sufficient quantities for this to work. The two races became
symbiotically linked. The threat of extinction of one would severely disadvantage the other, a catch
twenty-two situation. For countless millennia the bond formed an unbroken chain.

Locations for Cloning ships were supplied to the Unity so the viable Ulahri could be
contacted. K’ru was asked to coordinate efforts. However; she would not be alone. An Alurak
Science vessel and Medical vessel were enroute to assist with analysis of the situation and to provide
whatever assistance was needed. The team of specialists gathered on Lunaris immediately offered
their help and the governing body of Lunaris agreed to allow Lunaris colony to be base of operations.
It afforded opportunities for both sides. Fred, one of the clones, even offered genetic material for
comparison, apparently an uncharacteristic move for an Ulahri, to start the process. It would be a
while later that other stable samples could become available. It was also apparent that such ancient
races that were still around could not go extinction with the loss of all their accumulated knowledge
as so many had done before. This was a chance to salvage the situation and tip the balance for
younger, up and coming races to obtain a better foothold.

“We realise now that our foolishness in choosing this route sowed the seeds of our destruction. We
have, as you say, been given a wakeup call. We hope that you can forgive our races arrogance, and
we humbly accept your help. Perhaps we have “specialised” too much, maybe it’s time for the
children to grow and take care of the parents” Fido, the eldest clone said when it heard of the
efforts that the worlds of the Unity were offering. “On behalf of my peoples; I thank you”. The Ulahri
quickly learned how to use a Flutvarn device used to allow speech for patients with vocal cord
damage. It could be linked to the patient’s brain inductively and focussed on the appropriate centres
of the individual’s brain. Even though that area had become less used by the Ulahri, it was soon
stimulated into activity by the devices and now it was difficult to stop them talking. The sound that
came out had a strange sibilance to it, not quite metallic, but approaching it. It was almost sing-song.
K’ru had become an Ambassador for her people, temporarily, until more of her kind could get back
from their distant survey missions. She had taken to the role remarkably well. The Alurak ships were
slow by comparison with the Unity fleet vessels, but the Alurak were extremely long lived and
therefore their ships didn’t need fast drives for the purposes they were put to. She had also had
news of her mate, whom she had thought lost in an attack by residual Gantrax forces when she had
started on the joint mission to study the Sol System and its nearby regions so long ago. He had
thought her lost too and had taken another mate. Their descendants were now headed back to help
with the revival project.
“In a way I feel relieved, but in another way sad. But I must be practical; I cannot pine for a long lost
love. I’m still young for a female of my kind. We have learned so much about other races now too,
thanks to the Krall archive. And recent knowledge of the “World Builders” goes some way to
explaining the proliferation of habitats in the two known galaxies. They must have been the ultimate