The pre-dead were, in some ways, pleasantly predictable. As with most pre-dead species, these creatures had placed their colony next to a large body of liquid di-hydrogen monoxide. When the time came, soon now, the initial attack would convert at least ninety seven percent of the pre-dead colonists to being true-dead. The survivors, if any, would soon be breathing super-heated di-hydrogen monoxide vapor. They would cease to be unpredictable.

Still, these pre-dead were in many ways even more unusual than other pre-dead species, and thus potentially more dangerous. Listening to the communications between the Fleet and the Colony, it soon became obvious that not only were there two distinct types of pre-dead here, but that there were three other species, counting their enigmatic Master, in their Mastery.

This was unheard of, unique.

Unpredictable, dangerous.

The Strangers would have to seize every advantage when the time came to deal with these pre-dead. Surprise must be absolute; the main attack should follow soon enough after the destruction of the Colony to take advantage of the shock and disorganization which would shatter the discipline of the Fleet. With all except the most dangerous pre-dead, this would mean the entire Fleet would be quickly converted at little cost.

No starship could be allowed to escape to warn the remaining pre-dead of what had found them, to give the other pre-dead knowledge which they could use to make their conversion more costly.

This should not be difficult, for they outnumbered the Fleet by more than five to one, had better weaponry, better starships, were more skilled and had no fear.

The Fleet would never be able to get far enough away from the sun’s gravity well to safely escape into FTL.

Still, no point in taking chances.

After the pre-dead had been converted, they would examine the wreckage, learn what they could. Using what they had garnered from the wreckage, they would find the pre-dead home worlds and convert them as well.

Usually, this would be accomplished in a matter of months. New knowledge taken from the pre-dead would be spread to all the Stranger enclaves. New ships, new weapons would be built.

Then they would begin the cycle again, slowly expanding from solar system to solar system, looking for the next pre-dead species to convert.

Until eventually, in perhaps as little as a few hundred million years, there would be no pre-dead left to convert.

The Universe would then be perfect, predictable.

Forever.