Located in between galaxies and in many, a multicolored cloud of gas and plasma, a star nursery, hid a translucent mass the size of Mars. Spires stretching thousands of miles struck from the surface, the ends twinkling in white and gold lightning. Objects that phased in and out of reality, defying any real description, flew between the spires and over forests of growths that resembled chitin layered with fungi-like vines that created a visible surface. In between the chitin, flares of yellow and blue fire roiled. Further down, miles below the fire and the monstrous insect-like exoskeleton, mass solidified. Cancerous like growths of fiber fought for space with smooth pulsating surfaces covered with a down-like substance; cosmic radiation that penetrated the chitin and fire converted to calories, feeding organs that grew on a titanic scale. Still deeper, near where a nickel-iron core should have been, lay an organic mind ten miles in diameter, three quarters of it living in E-space; that area of the universe Einstein and Rosen once postulated could be a loop hole to the speed of light.

Transmissions of every kind humans, the biological weapons knowns as Ushirians, androids, the elusive atnocs, and still others used were gathered by the spires that existed in multiple places at the same time. Gathered by the super-structures, they were decoded into a language only two beings in the universe understood. One being the mass known as Spectre; the other, Nissin. Spectre listened to everything, no matter how mundane. The living denizens of the universe always failed to understand that even mundane conversation or transmissions were of value. They painted a picture that would have otherwise been incomplete. One transmission in particular caught its curiosity. It parsed and analyzed it before moving it along.

“So you have finally broke free of that little can they kept you in,” Spectre said to itself. "Took you long enough, though it seems you couldn’t do it without help. Such a shame Nissin, you are so much more than you know you are.”

Using spires acting as communication satellites of a sort it sent a transmission to the Milky Way galaxy, to an un-notable solar system surrounding a yellow dwarf star. There was no use speaking to the species humans called atnocs. In the off chance they didn’t ignore Spectre, the fickle people would spend an eternity in political gridlock deciding on how to respond. One of the downfalls of living millennia. Nothing took priority. While Spectre waited for a response, it amused itself with the goings on of the frantic race of humans. Their irrational fear of being digitized and living forever kept them on their toes. They were always doing things without fully thinking of the long-term consequences, unlike atnocs. A reason, of many, Spectre enjoyed dealing with the humans.

A treaty between atnocs and humans that had come time to be renewed was in deadlock with the human governments. That amused Spectre greatly. The humans knew next to nothing of the elusive race, yet they treated the atnoc like they were beneath them. The giant mind called up a block of data that held the history of a particularly nasty attack by atnocs against ones that translated to Shadow in the human language. If only they knew the true power of the race when their odd structure of governing finally came to an agreement. There would definitely be no deadlock to renewing the treaty. The humans would likely be bending over backwards, giving the atnocs whatever they asked for and more.

“Ah, Spectre. Nice to hear from you all again,” a woman said.

If the mass had a mouth it would have smiled. Only a few humans had reasoned out what it was, but no one believed their claims. The majority who knew of Spectre held to the belief of it being a renegade AI that teamed with a brilliant group of humans and androids.

“It is a pleasure to hear your voice Semancha,” Spectre said, giving the voice of a human put through multiple filters. The game of deceit held so many joys. “How are you today? Are you with child yet?”

“Why do you always ask that? To be honest, it’s quite creepy, so the answer will always be the same. No, I am not with child, nor will I ever be with child.”

“Children are the future, are they not?” The yellow and blue fire flared beyond the chitin in amusement.

“I suppose, but other people can have them. I’m a bit busy. What do you want?”

“I do believe it is time.”

“Ohh.” Her excitement so strong it could taste it. “I was beginning to think I would be dead before the call came. All pieces are ready then?”

“Not yet. You are the first I have contacted. Give it another two weeks your time, to the very second, and all will be in play. The game will then begin.”

“Very good. I will do my part. I have to go now.”

Spectre cut the transmission, sending out three dozen more, relegating only a minuscule portion of its mind to conversing with them. Another portion focused on Nissin. A true joy to have in the universe.

“Oh Nissin, I do hope you learn more now that you are free. It will be so boring if you do not.”