“Thank you.” Isa reached into her pocket and pulled out a small disk, placing it on the table. The hologram in the center shifted and, from the center, rose a shrouded figure, the black lines of the cloak sharp, even as they covered the figures head, exposing only a mouth that did not move.
Kailynn’s eyes were wide.
“Is that…”
“That’s Venus,” Rayal answered with a nod.
“Is she…is she actually here?”
“She is wired into the entire room,” Rayal said with a nod. “To every table, every camera, every microphone. She is the cornerstone of the Crescent Alliance. She logs everything about every meeting.”
“Esteemed members of the Crescent Alliance,” Venus said, her voice reminding Kailynn of the time that she was in Trid with the computer in her ear, “all interactions will be recorded today. These can be accessed at any time by any member of the Alliance. The meeting will commence now.”
Isa bowed her head once to Venus, and once again to Glynna before walking to her seat at the table for Tiao, across from Glynna.
“This meeting is to discuss the threats of the Ninth Circle,” she started once she had sat. “Gihron, in particular, has threatened Tiao several times, and even allied with Jakra and Ulam to attack and occupy Caroie for nearly three months, resulting in nearly two hundred thousand civilian casualties and immense damage to the planet and the trade markets. After the bombing and attack of the Syndicate Building on Tiao, we are here to discuss war preparations.”
“You have not made a formal declaration of war,” one woman from the table for Nexia noted.
“No, I have not,” Isa admitted.
“Yet you prepare for war?”
“The building in which I work every day was bombed and ambushed with every intent to assassinate me,” Isa said. “Clearly, there are hostile intentions. I submitted to everyone in the Alliance the threat that Gihron sent where four of the Tiaoian Elite prototypes were murdered and demands to dismantle the Alliance, the Elite Syndicate, and Venus, were put forth. At this point, the attack on my Syndicate was just the first step in a larger plan for the Ninth Circle to dismantle the Crescent Alliance.”
“Forgive my ignorance,” one man said, “why are they not included in the Alliance?”
“They were extended the invitation to sign with the Alliance and they turned it down upon reading the terms of doing so.”
“To what terms did they disagree?”
“The Crescent Alliance Peace Act restrictions on their military and—”
“Gihron’s entire hierarchy is military. They are a militaristic society,” Yuta said from across the room. “The Alliance would ask them to destroy their entire society?”
“We asked them to comply with the terms that all planets have submitted to as a part of this Alliance,” Remus stated from Isa’s side. “The restrictions on the military are meant to preserve the safety of each planet that has conformed to the rules.”
“One-hundred fifty thousand is hardly an army,” Shane said from the table for Imala. “Perhaps if you had higher numbers of troops, Elite Isa, your building would not have been so severely damaged. Perhaps it is time to rethink some of the terms of the Alliance.”
“My troops were not deployed to handle the ambush,” Isa said calmly. “They were not needed. And the numbers were carefully calculated based on the average need of each planet for basic protection against civil upheaval and foreign attack.”
“Tell that to Caroie,” Yuta murmured.
“No, Miss Yuta, I have no need. Your abandonment of their planet when they sounded their distress signals spoke volumes about your beliefs on use of military forces,” Isa said sharply. “Do not stress the rules of the Alliance if you are unable to follow them.”
Yuta sat back in her seat, glaring, as a few other planetary leaders chuckled.
“I must admit, Elite Isa,” Glynna started, “I am concerned about the numbers of our military forces. Should the Ninth Circle choose to attack again, and with more force, one-hundred and fifty thousand troops does not seem to be enough to protect Tiao.”
“I agree,” Isa said. “Which is why I bring to the rest of the Alliance a proposal of combining forces around Tiao for the duration of the conflict with Gihron.”
“I do not see any reason for us to weaken our own forces to protect you, Elite Isa,” Syna said from his table lower in the room. “As I understand it, Gihron is threatening to ally with the Ninth Circle and tear apart the Alliance. They have no regulation on their numbers, and with Gihron being a militaristic society, their entire planet is a factory of troops and Soldiers to attack you. This war could last for decades. If we focus our forces on protecting Tiao, we leave ourselves open to attack.”
“This is not a command,” Isa reminded him. “It is a request.”
“It sounds like an order,” Syna told her darkly.
“Perhaps that because you feel inferior to me. How you feel is something I cannot change,” Isa said.
“How dare you speak down to me?!” he snapped, standing. “You think you are the only powerful person here?”
“I am the most powerful person in the Altereye System,” Isa said simply. “You would do well to remember that.”
“We do not have to sacrifice our forces and security to protect you when Gihron wants you dead because you killed their previous ambassador.”
“I will not have such disrespect in my palace,” Glynna said sharply, glaring at Syna. “Sit down and remember your place. Tiao is the flagship of the Crescent Alliance, and we have a duty to protect one another. Perhaps, Syna, you have forgotten the definition of an alliance?”
“This is not a war,” Syna said. “It’s terrorism, directed at Tiao, because of a blood feud. We have no obligation to assist a planet that purposely destroyed relations with a dangerous planet.”
“I will not repeat this, Syna, so listen carefully,” Isa started darkly. “This is not an order. It is a request.”
“I think Barcel has a heightened sense of their own importance,” Habim said, sitting next to the leader of Kreon, the second most powerful planet in the Alliance. “If we do not lend aid to the most powerful planet in the Alliance, and they are defeated, then the rest of us appear weak, and Gihron will take us out one by one until they have established control over the entire system.”
“They merely want to settle their grudge,” Urya said, sitting at the table for Tepian.
“That is not the case,” Glynna said strongly. “They would not threaten the Alliance or Venus if this was about a grudge. This is a push to take over the system.” She looked around the other tables. “We agreed to this Alliance. For fourteen years, we have lent aid to one another by the rules set forth by Venus, to which we all agreed. For this reason, we should be able to provide a strong front against the terrorist actions of the Ninth Circle.”
“We do not know the numbers of the Gihron army, or what they have recruited from other planets in the Ninth Circle. The outlier planets are, perhaps, part of this plot as well,” Yuta spoke again.
“My intelligence reports that Gihron has a prepared military force of three-hundred eighty-nine thousand troops,” Isa said. “They have recruited help from Jakra, Ulam, and Rebma for supplies and troops. Ulam can contribute up to seventy-nine thousand troops, Jakra forty-one, and Rebma eleven. That is a total of five-hundred, twenty thousand troops.”
There was outrage around the room as the numbers were recited. Glynna called order several times before the meeting could progress.
“You are certain of these numbers?”
“Yes,” Isa said with a nod. “We have been monitoring Gihron for several months.”
“We cannot allow them to raise a military that high,” one woman said, shaking her head.
“We have no power in the Ninth Circle,” the leader of Kreon said. “They are not bound to our rules, and we have no right to attack the planet out of fear. Now, they have attacked the Tiao Syndicate and committed act
s of terror in an attempt to strike enough fear in us to dismantle the Alliance, Venus, and the Elite Syndicate. We cannot succumb to such tactics. This alliance must remain strong.”
“The Alliance has not been so kind to all of us,” one woman said, turning to Isa with a glare. “Our people are still starving, scraping for food and money. Our economy has not benefitted from the so-called aid of the Alliance.”
“This is not so much an Alliance as it is an oligarchy,” Yuta agreed. “The Elites, Venus, Kreon, Fortunea, and only a few select others rule over the rest of us and use our resources for their needs without regard for our people.”
Venus’ form flickered and shifted, shifting into a three dimensional rendering of Yuta sitting in an NCB chair.
“We have another thirty thousand Soldier chips coming in from Jakra,” a man’s voice said. “But they are demanding payment at the drop-site.”
“Fine,” the recording of Yuta said.
“We do not have the funds. Can you get them by tomorrow?”
“Yes. We’ll take them from Caroie. They’ll be here by tomorrow.”
There was shocked mumbling around the room. Isa stared calmly at Yuta, having already seen the footage.
“Won’t that add to the deficit? And Caroie is trying to rebuild. What about them?”
“Fuck Caroie, and fuck the deficit. The Alliance doesn’t pay attention.”
Venus’ form shifted back to her figure, but the muttering did not cease. Yuta’s breathing was heavy, her eyes alight with fire as she glared at the calm Isa.
“You were so quick to throw the rules in my face,” Yuta snarled, “but you cannot spy on a member of the Alliance and blackmail them.”
“Under Article Four, I can spy on you, remember?” Isa said. “You will recall, Miss Yuta, that I put you under surveillance after your failure to lend aid to Caroie. If you do not remember, Venus can replay that recorded conversation, as well.”
“You filthy bitch!” Yuta snapped, standing angrily. The guards surged forward and grabbed her, restraining her. “I will never bow to you! You cannot control me or my planet! You can kill me, for all I care, but there will be more that will find any way to bring you down!”
“Remove her from the room!” Glynna ordered. “She will face the Courts.”
Yuta continued to scream as she was hauled from the room by the guards, her voice becoming incoherent quickly.
“At this time,” Isa said, turning to look around the room, “I would like to remind everyone of the terms of the Alliance. If you wish to leave the Alliance, for any reason, you are welcome to do so. However, upon withdrawal, all debts are to be paid with the complete interest, all aid given by other planets will halt, and trade taxes will be raised by one-point-two percent. If more than ten planets wish to withdraw at any time, the rules will be assessed and amendments will be considered. Before we continue this discussion on Gihron and the Ninth Circle, are there any planets that wish to withdraw from the Alliance? Again, if more than ten wish to withdraw, the terms will be revisited and changes can be agreed upon.”
Everyone in the room, and those who were in the meeting remotely, remained silent. They knew that it was very dangerous for any planet to admit that they wanted to leave the Alliance. While the terms of leaving had been agreed upon as fair, if the planet wanted to withdraw with the intention of changing the Alliance, and they did not get nine other planets behind them, then they were forever marked as a planet to watch carefully for any attempt to overthrow the Alliance.
Therefore, no one spoke.
“Very well, we will continue.”
“Elite Isa,” Kren said, his voice shaking as he turned to the Elite, the translations sounding at each table as he spoke, “during these attacks and terrorist acts, has General Decius of Gihron ever contacted you directly?”
Isa hesitated for a very brief moment.
“No,” she said. “He has not.”
“Have you attempted to contact him to discuss negotiations for a peace agreement?”
“No, I have not.”
“Perhaps that is the best course of action.”
Everyone was silent, their eyes falling on Isa. The Golden Elite was silent for a few seconds. In that time, Vanessa leaned over and whispered something to Glynna.
The Queen of Fortunea cleared her throat.
“Under most circumstances, I would agree that extending an olive branch would be the first step, however, Gihron is a militaristic planet,” she reminded. “They follow a very strict chain of command. If the lower officers were doing something against the wishes of their General, he would be the first to reprimand them and offer condolences to Tiao. As he has not, it is clear to me that these attacks and acts of terror have been at his behest.”
Isa glanced at Vanessa and the other woman offered a small smile, nodding once.
“Kreon will always stand beside Tiao,” the leader said strongly. “We lend you our support and aid, however you need it, Elite Isa.”
“I thank you, Sebil,” she said with a bow of her head.
“I agree with Kreon,” another planetary leader said. “Mabira lends her support.”
Isa nodded to her as well.
Several other planets seconded. As more planets agreed with the action to engage Gihron in war, several planets remotely attending the meeting also voiced their agreement, their messages appearing on the surfaces of the glass tables for all the leaders to see. Queen Glynna said that she would support the Elite Syndicate, no matter what.
Of the sixty-one planets of the Crescent Alliance, only twelve did not agree to support Tiao.
“For those who have not offered aid, no explanation is required,” Isa said when the chorus of support quieted.
“I will also support Tiao, but I have a question I want answered before I do so,” Uyra said, leaning back in his chair, cocky. He looked at Isa. “Five, nearly six, years ago, Colonel Amori of Gihron visited Tiao with intentions of coming to a peaceful trade agreement with the Alliance without becoming a part of the Alliance. As we all know, he was assassinated on the planet before an agreement could be made and that has led to a blood feud between Gihron and Tiao.” His expression turned pensive. “What I do not understand is why he was on the planet for five and a half months, and you were unable to reach an agreement in that time.” He shrugged. “Why such a long negotiation period?”
“As we all know, the Gihron people are very prideful,” Remus stated. “He was unwilling to compromise on several key points of the agreement. We would revise, and he would reject, remaining firm in his position of—”
“Silver Elite Remus, if I may interrupt,” Urya started. “I was speaking directly to Golden Elite Isa.” He turned to her. “You met with him on several occasions, did you not? Why did negotiations take such a long time?”
“We were unable to reach a compromise,” Isa said, her voice cold and quiet. “In addition, we were communicating with the Gihron Court for clarifications, and communications were interrupted and delayed considerably. We wanted him to remain on-planet so that we could come to a peaceful agreement. The assassin that killed him, clearly, did not want us to ally with Gihron.”
“…I see,” Urya murmured. “Well, if that’s what you say,” he said darkly, “then it must be true.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Kailynn was quiet for their remaining time on Fortunea. Rayal asked her repeatedly what was wrong but she said she was alright and that she was just trying to take in everything.
Isa noticed that something was wrong, but Kailynn did not tell her what was bothering her either.
Their three days on Fortunea passed and they were escorted to the docking station to fly home. It was an ordeal merely to leave the palace. Formalities dictated that everyone needed to bid the leaders farewell as they left. It had eaten up hours the previous days when Isa and the rest of her entourage had to go around and see off other leaders. The queen was the last person they had to see before leaving, and she stood in the m
arble entrance hall, dressed as opulently as ever. She kissed Isa’s cheeks and told her that she would be on Tiao to visit soon.
Isa thanked her for her hospitality and support and turned to lead the Syndicate out of the palace when she caught sight of Vanessa standing by the doors, talking to two other delegates that would be staying for one more day.
Isa turned to Remus.
“I’ll be there in a moment.”
He nodded, walking out the door and leading everyone to the convoy outside waiting to take them to the docking station.
Isa approached Vanessa and the other two delegates bowed their heads shallowly, walking away as Vanessa turned around.
“Heading home?” she asked.
“Yes,” Isa answered. She swallowed hard, her eyes briefly averting to the ground. “I didn’t thank you.”
“Pardon?”
“For what you said in the meeting,” she said. “To Glynna. You turned the direction of the meeting around.”
“I was merely stating what I observed,” Vanessa said.
“…but you knew that there was no way I would contact General Decius. You got me out of a very difficult situation.”
Vanessa’s smile widened. “I told you that I would support you.”
“Thank you.”
The Elite turned to walk to the doors when she stopped.
“Vanessa,” she called, walking back to her. She dropped her voice to a whisper. “How much do you know?”
“About?”
“Colonel Amori.”
Vanessa sighed heavily, closing her eyes briefly.
“All of it.”
“…everything?” Isa asked, her voice breaking.
“Yes.” Vanessa nodded, knowing what Isa was asking. “I only wish that I had known what was happening sooner. I would have rushed to help you. As such, I only learned of it after you were in the hospital.”
Isa lowered her eyes and took a deep breath.
“I don’t know how you found out, but thank you for not saying anything,” Isa said.
“I wouldn’t,” she assured. Isa began to walk away once more. “Isa.” The Elite turned. “An Elite would have handled the situation with the Colonel differently,” she said. “It took a true leader to handle him the way you did.”
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