“The Triumvirate,” Luke stated, “expect us to be scared. Conversely, they expect us to be arrogant to cover our fear. We should communicate neither.”
“But wouldn’t fear cause them to under-prepare for the battle because they think we’re pushovers?” Stephanie Rogers, a member of the telepathic women’s rugby team, inquired.
“I suspect they will be underprepared no matter what,” Luke grinned savagely. “They believe themselves to have superior weapons — strength, transportation and teleportation abilities, near immortality and quick healing. The Nephilim have similar characteristics, but are less difficult to kill - or injure in this case. The Triumvirate expect us to conduct typical human warfare — with guns, which would fail us; with edged weapons, which they consider themselves better at, with martial arts, which some of them have mastered. They have not fought a battle against subterfuge.
"I fear, though, that if we send a cringing, cowering message, we ourselves will take it to heart and create our own fear, and they will win.”
“So, we send them the type of message we’re good at sending?” Ilsa asked. “Calm, strong, sure of our convictions?”
“I think that’s a good way to start,” Luke nodded. “How should we address them?”
“‘Dear assholes,’” Allan Chang intoned.
“Ah, no,” Alan Sutton replied.
“How about ’To our adversaries,’” Raina Prince suggested.
“Although I like that, we are not an adversarial people. In an ideal situation, we would seek to find unity with them.” Ilsa stood up. “How do we address them in that sense?”
“Dear Triumvirate,” Addie Majors stood up and answered. “We regret that you have chosen this action. We will be ready to face you on the appointed day.”
“We should be ready at any moment, though,” Luke said. “But we don’t tell them that, of course.”
“Frankly,” Dan Lance stated, “this sounds like a perfect message. Short, sweet, to the point. Not overly aggressive nor overly passive.”
Sarah Kinder jumped in. “I agree. That’s the message I would like to send.”
In the end, the collective entrusted Luke to send the simple message.
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