alliances.”
Calypso was once a member of the Council of Five—the closest confidants of the High Prince. If he could betray the Consortium, surely others could as well. Could another member be a traitor? Embeth had saved me from certain death and fought by my side— could he be a traitor ? The entire Defense Fleet was under his command, a worthy army to turn against the High Prince. What about Kale? He was the diplomatic negotiator for the Consortium. He had not even tried to hide his disdain toward me from the first day I met him. His diplomatic ability to influence leaders, races and governments throughout the universe could prove to be troublesome. I had mistakenly believed him to be a traitor once before, however, that didn't mean I trusted him. Varooq and Hark-Kalech remain mysteries since I knew very little about the two. I promised myself to remain guarded when around all of them until the truth could be uncovered.
“I'm afraid we will have to send a force to the planet to engage Corvus,” Meta finished.
“That is not necessary,” interjected the President. “Just tell me where he is and I will send our military after him. I don't feel comfortable having an intergalactic conflict happening in my country or on my planet.”
Meta looked at him incredulously. “With all due respect, your military is insufficient. Trust me, it is best that we handle this. I can guarantee we will be discreet and the matter will be dealt with swiftly.”
The President started to protest, but when he looked around the room he stopped. Technology—well beyond what was available on Earth (including weapons)—was on display everywhere. The President resigned himself to the obvious when he eyed the hand cannon strapped to Satou's belt.
“I guess you're right,” he conceded. “But I want to be updated on the progress of your mission. This is not negotiable.”
Meta bowed his head. “I promise it will be done. In return I ask for discretion from your government. Your species is not prepared to fully embrace us.”
The President looked sad. “I'm sorry you feel that way. I truly think you are underestimating the human race.” He ran his hand through his hair. “However, discretion will be tough since Calypso has conducted his little press conference for everyone to see.”
Meta turned and strolled over to the communication panel. After punching several buttons, the large screen flickered to life and Kale appeared. He was sitting at a table with Varooq. Varooq sipped from a large mug which could only be described as a small keg. Judging by the smile on his face, he seemed to be enjoying its contents. Kale stood up and Varooq's smile faded when he looked our way.
“Kale, I'm sorry for interrupting your social hour,” Meta droned. “We have a bit of a conundrum.”
Varooq slammed his keg on the table and scowled at the screen. The sight of Bigfoot sitting at a table drinking beer made me chuckle, but I quickly bit it back. I didn't want to bring unwanted attention on myself.
“Conundrum?” Varooq bellowed.
“Yes, my furry friend. It's something I am confident we could resolve.” Meta fixed his gaze on Kale. “It seems Calypso's little stunt on Earth may lead to some unwanted publicity for us and hinder our efforts to launch an effective counter attack on their location. Can you undo the damage?”
Kale folded his arms underneath the giant fishbowl that served as his head. I had never seen his face (I wasn't completely positive he had one). Only the tinted reflective glass globe on his shoulders ever greeted me. I meant to ask Satou why he never removed it, but recent events distracted me away from my curiosity. In the meantime I assumed it kept him alive like an astronaut helmet.
“His ridiculous blathering is nothing which cannot be undone,” Kale responded. “We will just circulate a story that he was just some insane man under the influence of a new brand of synthesized narcotic.”
“What about the
Calypso was once a member of the Council of Five—the closest confidants of the High Prince. If he could betray the Consortium, surely others could as well. Could another member be a traitor? Embeth had saved me from certain death and fought by my side— could he be a traitor ? The entire Defense Fleet was under his command, a worthy army to turn against the High Prince. What about Kale? He was the diplomatic negotiator for the Consortium. He had not even tried to hide his disdain toward me from the first day I met him. His diplomatic ability to influence leaders, races and governments throughout the universe could prove to be troublesome. I had mistakenly believed him to be a traitor once before, however, that didn't mean I trusted him. Varooq and Hark-Kalech remain mysteries since I knew very little about the two. I promised myself to remain guarded when around all of them until the truth could be uncovered.
“I'm afraid we will have to send a force to the planet to engage Corvus,” Meta finished.
“That is not necessary,” interjected the President. “Just tell me where he is and I will send our military after him. I don't feel comfortable having an intergalactic conflict happening in my country or on my planet.”
Meta looked at him incredulously. “With all due respect, your military is insufficient. Trust me, it is best that we handle this. I can guarantee we will be discreet and the matter will be dealt with swiftly.”
The President started to protest, but when he looked around the room he stopped. Technology—well beyond what was available on Earth (including weapons)—was on display everywhere. The President resigned himself to the obvious when he eyed the hand cannon strapped to Satou's belt.
“I guess you're right,” he conceded. “But I want to be updated on the progress of your mission. This is not negotiable.”
Meta bowed his head. “I promise it will be done. In return I ask for discretion from your government. Your species is not prepared to fully embrace us.”
The President looked sad. “I'm sorry you feel that way. I truly think you are underestimating the human race.” He ran his hand through his hair. “However, discretion will be tough since Calypso has conducted his little press conference for everyone to see.”
Meta turned and strolled over to the communication panel. After punching several buttons, the large screen flickered to life and Kale appeared. He was sitting at a table with Varooq. Varooq sipped from a large mug which could only be described as a small keg. Judging by the smile on his face, he seemed to be enjoying its contents. Kale stood up and Varooq's smile faded when he looked our way.
“Kale, I'm sorry for interrupting your social hour,” Meta droned. “We have a bit of a conundrum.”
Varooq slammed his keg on the table and scowled at the screen. The sight of Bigfoot sitting at a table drinking beer made me chuckle, but I quickly bit it back. I didn't want to bring unwanted attention on myself.
“Conundrum?” Varooq bellowed.
“Yes, my furry friend. It's something I am confident we could resolve.” Meta fixed his gaze on Kale. “It seems Calypso's little stunt on Earth may lead to some unwanted publicity for us and hinder our efforts to launch an effective counter attack on their location. Can you undo the damage?”
Kale folded his arms underneath the giant fishbowl that served as his head. I had never seen his face (I wasn't completely positive he had one). Only the tinted reflective glass globe on his shoulders ever greeted me. I meant to ask Satou why he never removed it, but recent events distracted me away from my curiosity. In the meantime I assumed it kept him alive like an astronaut helmet.
“His ridiculous blathering is nothing which cannot be undone,” Kale responded. “We will just circulate a story that he was just some insane man under the influence of a new brand of synthesized narcotic.”
“What about the
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