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—-
THE COUNCIL CHAMBER was now more of a mess hall. Not the imposing stone structure that it had been back home. But the five living councilors still sat still and listened to Wingell’s tale, Mallory and I’s confirmation, and then stared at us.
“Are you retarded?” Moore asked.
“I wish I could reply in affirmative, sir,” I replied. “But, unfortunately, I’m afraid this isn’t a tall tale, as far as we’ve been able to determine. I cannot say for certain, however, if this Alien race exists in this galaxy.”
“They must!” Wingell hissed.
I glanced at him. “Remember the last time we were in front of the council, and I’d shot you? We can revisit that, if you’d like.”
He became silent, and Councilor Moore spoke again. “What do you propose?”
“I honestly have no fucking idea.” I replied, spreading my hands. “I don’t even know why I’m standing here, Councilor Moore. We’re approaching a good offensive position. We should strike Earth. We should strike Vandor and claim our world back.”
He blinked at me. “You’re right, why are you standing here?”
“I believe him.” I frowned. “Why did I just say that?”
“You do?” Mallory asked, looking at me like I was insane. In case you missed it earlier in my manifest, I’ve been accused of this on numerous times.
“For some reason, yes. His story is farfetched and yet it explains far too much.”
“Such as?”
“Why we’ve been at war for thousands of years. Even if there are no Godlike aliens, it would give a reason, if not a purpose, to this whole mess.”
The council looked at each other, nodded amongst themselves, and then turned back to me. “We suggest that you send a detachment to find these aliens.”
“Unacceptable.” I replied instantly. “Our armed forces are not strong enough to send detachments and still be able to strike Earth and Falsun.”
Mallory nodded. “I’m afraid the same applies to navy pilots, esteemed councilors.”
They nodded again. “We will not order either of you to provide resources.”
“I will go.” A new voice said. Peter stepped into the room.
“Mister Stevins,” Moore said. “Thank you for answering our summons...even though you’re late.”
I shook my head. “Sergeant Stevins,” I said. “You are needed in the assault.”
“Destota,” He said. “This is my belief. I grew up with these stories. I grew up believing this. If there is a God...alien...being, then I must find them. Maybe I can convince them to stop the war.”
“I could not send anyone with you.” I said, my heart pulling. For the several months during these challenging times, he had been invaluable in telling us about Phelb fleets, ship designs, weapons, and even storming Davon’s ship with us. “I cannot give you the support you would need, my friend.” I said.
“You won’t need to send anyone.” Wingell said. “I will accompany him.”
The council agreed. “Colonel Valentine, since you have a close rapport with Sergeant Stevins, we assume you’d like to assign him resources. Please have a plan to locate these beings within the hour.” A gavel clanked, rather than boomed as it had before.
I nodded, then led the group out of the makeshift council chamber. “Mallory, what can we spare?”
She exhaled. “I’ll give them a ship. We have two with subspace drives.”
I nodded then looked at Peter for a long moment. He grinned. “No waterworks, big man, I need to do this. For us. For the Phelbs.”
I spoke into my comm again. “Lieutenant Venlent, please join us at the council hall.”
“Affirmative, sir.”
“And bring Corporal Vearse with you.”
“Aye, sir.” She clicked off.
“It’s the best I can do, Peter.” I said. “I wish I could send more with you.”
“But...the Lieutenant?” He asked, shaking his head. “You’ll need her. She’s a tactical genius.”
“Yes,” I said, grinning. “She’s also a top rate pilot and smarter than both of us. She can help you escape from anything Vearse can’t blow up.”
Mallory snorted. “I’m going to go prep your ship.”
Venlent and Vearse came trotting over to us a few moments later, then snapped crisp salutes.
“Reporting as ordered, Colonel.” Venlent said. She was a tall woman with strawberry blonde hair, striking green eyes and softness of skin that made you doubt just how fierce she really was.
“Lieutenant, Corporal, I have new orders for you. You won’t be joining us for the assault on Earth.”
Their features didn’t flinch. “Yes, sir!” They snapped.
“I’m reassigning you to accompany former councilor Wingell and Sergeant Stevin on a mission to locate a heretofore unknown alien race, believed to be at the core of the Phelb belief system. We need to establish diplomatic relations with these aliens and see if they will intervene.”
“Understood, sir!”
“Commander Ruiz is prepping a ship for you now.” I said. “Fall out.”
They all left, save for Wingell who turned to me. “Thank you, Colonel.”
“Wingell, if you’re wrong and my people die, you need to die with them and not come back here.” I said. “I’ll back you because we need an edge that I do not have. But I swear on your life, if you come back here without my people, I will kill you and wear your skin as a coat.” Maybe I was stretching the truth. Maybe I wasn’t. I was fiercely protective of my people. “Dismissed.”
—-
