Diplomatic Reception Hall of the White House

Washington, D.C.—Capital of the North American Province

0535 EST—June 15th, 2176 A.D.

"Oh my god, this is so good!" President Sully Evers moaned, taking another bite of his disgusting abomination of a sandwich as Prime Minister Phileas Churchill VI tried his best not to let Sully see just how revolted he was by him right now.

"What the bloody hell are you eating, Sully? Of all the choice offerings our gracious guests have gone to the trouble of making available to us, you make a sandwich? With liver sausage?"

The president's eyes closed with pure pleasure as he finally swallowed before answering. "It's liverwurst, Phil, not liver sausage, goddammit! Liverwurst, salami, and spicy brown mustard on homemade seedless rye bread is about as close to the food of the gods as one can get, and I need to get the taste of that dog-piss-tasting tea out of my mouth somehow."

Sully opened his eyes again and looked at him mischievously as he extended the half-eaten sandwich towards him. "Would you like to try a bite?"

The prime minister felt his face turning green and held up a hand to stave off the mess the president was holding out to him. "No, Sully. I do not want a bite of that shite." Turning away from the president, he muttered "bloody Americans" under his breath as he shook his head in exasperation before looking at the spread of delicious, prepared finger foods on the banquet table.

"I heard that, Phil!" Sully mumbled as he joined him, chewing loudly and pissing him off even more, which he knew was intentional. "You were supposed to, you colonial Neanderthal." Phileas replied teasingly as he delicately spooned a serving of caviar onto the small plate before daintily adding several crackers to show Sully how one was supposed to behave and eat at such functions.

They both quickly ate in silence as they furtively scanned the room and the furniture, playing their secret game of spot the spying devices while affecting bored expressions for the benefit of the Republic intelligence agents that were surely watching them right now.

Sully finally finished eating his atrocity of a sandwich and put his plate on the table before checking his tie to make sure he didn't spill mustard on it as he sneakily activated the privacy device within the bald eagle lapel.

Phil felt the familiar static of the privacy field enveloping them a moment later, though it would be invisible to all who were watching them, and the AI would obscure their true words and lip movements.

It would fabricate innocent small talk based on many years of their conversations, and they could now talk freely without worrying about eavesdropping or lip reading. The AI began to talk to itself in perfect copies of their voices, and the micro buds in their ears activated with a beep, allowing them to hear each other clearly over the fake AI voices as it filtered it out.

"What do you think, Phil?" Sully asked, his demeanor suddenly serious as he plucked a green olive out of a small bowl and popped it into his mouth.

Phil waited until Sully swallowed the olive before answering the question. "I think the proposal has merit, and you know how I feel about deepening ties with the Republic and Mother Earth; we have been squabbling amongst ourselves for far too long, and we need to remember that we are kindred not only by blood, but by our shared history and beliefs as well.

And Sully, I would advise you to come down off your high horse and refrain from the holier-than-thou lecture moving forward; there is no place for it here, and you Americans need to let go of what happened before if you wish to move into the future."

Sully stared at him with a mixture of anger and surprise for a long moment. "What the hell is that supposed to mean, Phil?" He retorted hotly as Phil held up a placating hand to calm his friend down before his famous temper could fully emerge.

"Sully, we have had this conversation a thousand times before, and you know I agree with you on most of it, but you need to let go of what happened on Mother Earth and with the Republic before we broke away and gained our independence."

Sully made to speak again, but Phil held up both hands this time, cutting him off with an I'm not finished yet look that made Sully shut right up as he continued.

"I know it still bothers you and your people that the United States has been absorbed by the Republic and is no longer the dominant power on Mother Earth, Sully. Do you think we Albions do not mourn as well?

We remember when our Commonwealth stretched across Mother Earth, but we, too, lost it. We too, feel disconnected from our mother countries. What's done is done, Sully, and all we can do is honor their memories by being better than they ever were and learning from their mistakes."

After waiting a moment to ensure Phil was done, Sully gave him an earnest look as he responded. "I understand what you are saying, Phil, and I know you are right, but there are still many of us who resent what happened during and after World War Three.

There are still many of my people who believe that we are not just a colony but the 51st state, and that it is our sacred duty to return to Mother Earth and liberate the rest of America for us to be whole again."

He paused, and Phil kept silent, knowing better than to try to interject when Sully was on a roll like this, and he would listen now, as he had been doing since they first became friends at the academy all those years ago.

"I mean, what was the point of us fortifying ourselves and spending our treasure to match and exceed the might of the Republic, if not to take back what we lost? For decades our foundries and our factories have been running unceasingly, and our citizens have been toiling to fulfill the vows of their mothers and fathers to become a great arsenal so we may once again be one with our mother countries."

Phil looked around furtively before giving Sully a worried look, not happy with him for speaking of such things here; surely the Republic was trying their best to eavesdrop on them at this very moment, and new technology had an infuriating tendency to fail at the most inopportune times, such as now.

Sully smirked before continuing to speak as he noticed Phil's look. "Do not look so distressed, Phil. The device has been rigorously tested, and I have used it myself on my wife; you know damn well if it didn't work, I would not be alive and speaking to you right now if she heard the things I was saying while I was testing it on her!"

Phil chuckled at that, knowing full well the type of woman Sully's wife was and what she would have done to him if the device did not work as promised by the Intelligence Directorate. Sully's mischievous smirk faded, and he became serious again as he continued.

"Where was I? Oh, yes. Tell me, what was the point of training our soldiers to be the deadliest fighters in human history if not for them to return to Mother Earth and reclaim what was once ours, Phil? Our people still remember The Hudson, and they still want vengeance; the score has not been settled yet as far as they are concerned."

Phil gave him a disappointed look before responding. "You know better than that, Sully. We know better than that. Did we do our best to make it so if the Republic ever tried to reclaim our two worlds, they would suffer so much death and loss that victory would taste as bitter as defeat? Yes. And because of our preparations, we remain free.

However, they have not tried to do so, Sully, and they never will. We trade with them, we build ships and products for them, and we are still blood kin despite our estrangement, Sully. If we attack them and try to take back what is no longer ours, it would not be a just and righteous war. It will be a civil war; it will be an egregious act of familicide, and I will take no part in it, which means Albion will take no part in it as long as I am prime minister!"

Sully made to reply, and Phil cut him off, tired of having the same conversation over and over again. "I'm not finished! Look at us, Sully! There is a whole galaxy out there, and here we are, isolating ourselves in our system and still arming for yesterday's war; a war that I have prayed to God a thousand times for to never happen as we stew in our own resentment.

I'm tired of it, brother. Our people deserve better, and we need to let go and move forward. We need to get out there and let our citizens see for themselves that there are wondrous and beautiful things to experience. We build ships and fabricate products for dozens of worlds, and very few of us have ever even seen our alien customers or their worlds in real life.

Our people need to stop being hermits, and they need to join the interstellar community. We must expand our horizons and open ourselves up to the outside, or we will wither on the vine and die. We have much to offer, and we also have much to learn, and we cannot do either unless we leave the past behind us where it belongs and put ourselves out there."

Sully stared at him for some time, and Phil could see the internal conflict playing out on his brother's face as he waited, hoping his words were finally reaching the stubborn man he loved with all his heart. Sully plucked another olive off the table and popped it into his mouth before chewing slowly with a thoughtful expression on his face. After swallowing it, he cleared his throat and spoke again in a much calmer voice.

"You are right, Phil. Everything you just said is right, and I know it. The truth is, after seeing the reports the Republic gave us on what is coming, I find myself dreading the sacrifices our people will have to make to help defeat it. I am terrified of the thought of sending our people to their deaths so far from their homes and their loved ones.

Aren't you, Phil? After trying so hard to keep ourselves out of the affairs of the quadrant, now we are being asked to fight a war we never asked for and want no part of. We did our duty to humanity after the Republic asked us to help defend human space when they found out the Commonwealth was going to attack.

For the first time, we sent our fleet out beyond our territory without question and asking for nothing in return. I meant it when I said we Americans will fight to the last to defend our fellow colonials and Mother Earth, but now we are being asked to die for others we do not know far beyond; others we don't truly believe would do the same for us if the situation was reversed."

Phil understood Sully's fear as well as his point, and he felt the same way, but after seeing the intelligence reports provided by the Republic on what was coming for them all, he had already decided that the Albion Commonwealth would join the Alliance before they even left Tau Ceti to come meet with the vice president.

Now what he had to do was get Sully to fully agree so they could present a unified front and shut down any attempts by the powerful isolationist factions on both worlds to filibuster the Joint Congress of the Tau Ceti Alliance.

Looking at the large and ornate clock on the far wall, he saw that they had less than five minutes left before the meeting with the vice president was scheduled to resume. Looking back into Sully's eyes, he decided the truth would serve him best, and he would guilt his friend into joining him if that is what it took.

"Sully, I have already decided that the Albion Commonwealth will join the Republic Alliance. As I was saying before, you know how I feel about us returning to the fold and finally putting to rest this daft nonsense of reclaiming our mother countries. You have seen the same reports I have, and you know the pure evil that is coming.

The question now is, are you going to allow us to do this alone? Are you going to let the Tau Ceti Fleet go fight and fight with less than half of its total combat power? Are you really going to let me fight this war alone, without you by my side from the beginning to the end? Will you do this to me, my old friend, when I need you most?

Phil knew he was over-egging the pudding, but there was no time to be considerate and diplomatic. Now was the time for action, for reminding the man he loved and considered his brother of how hurt and betrayed he would feel if forced to go it alone.

"And Sully, do you think your soldiers and spacers would be okay with staying home while their brothers and sisters of Albion go and fight alone? Our people have fought together, shed blood, and died together for two hundred and sixty years, Sully! Do you really think they are going to let you tell them they cannot fight with their kindred; that they are not going to revolt against you if you tell them to stay home while others fight for them?

We and our allies saved the world together thrice, and now we are being asked to help fight for the very survival of our species. Would you really deprive humanity of its fiercest warriors in its greatest hour of need, Sully? As you said, what was the point of turning ourselves into the most lethal fighting force in human history if we are not going to use it to defeat the worst evil ever seen in our existence?"

Phil wanted to say more, but he stopped speaking as he felt himself losing control of his emotions and stared at Sully, allowing his friend to see how truly upset he was. Sully stared back at him for a long moment before looking down at the floor, his eyes now filled with shame and regret.

After what felt like an eternity, Sully finally looked back up, and Phil knew the decision had already been made as he saw the long-missing fire he thought Sully had lost within them again, finally reignited after the long slumber imposed by decades of shady politics and governance.

He's back! Phil screamed happily in his mind, seeing the old Sully he missed terribly emerging before his very eyes as a knowing smile graced his lips. Sully held out his hand, and Phil took it, already knowing what was about to be said.

"I am with you till the end, Phil. Wherever your people fight, we will be there fighting at your side until our victory or until there are no more of us left. Since we are doing this, we might as well try to get as many concessions as we can out of them to defang the isolationist morons when we return home. I'm tired of their shit, and the right concessions will shut them the hell up for once."

Phil nodded gratefully and put his hands on Sully's massive arms, gripping them affectionately. Before he knew what was happening, Sully was crushing him in a bear hug, and Phil returned it, thankful to have such a good and loyal friend in his lonely life as the leader of his people.

They let go of each other at the same time, as if by unspoken agreement, and Sully gave him a genuine smile as they both fixed their suits and ties. "If you are ready, let's go inform Vice President Laurent of our decision. I want to get this over with and go home so I can tell my daughter the good news about the Ma'lit geneticists and spend time with my grandchildren before they are..."

Phil spoke up, saving his friend from having to say what he clearly did not want to say. "Right, then. Let's go, Sully."

Sully toggled the bald eagle lapel on his tie, and Phil felt the static again as the privacy field surrounding them dropped. The micro buds in his ears beeped, and the ambient sounds of the large room returned, slightly disorienting him for a moment as the pressure in his ears equalized before popping.

They both started walking towards the tall double doors flanked by two superbly proportioned Pathfinders wearing their No. 1 dresses of black with red trim, which Phil thought was one of the sharpest-looking dress uniforms he had ever seen as he admired the ornate stitching and the brilliantly polished silver buttons.

They returned the perfectly crisp salutes of the Pathfinders before passing between them and entering the smaller room, halting in surprise as they saw the vice president already standing by the coffee table, waiting for them.

* * *

Laurent waited nervously for the two leaders to return, looking at his wristcom to see if the agents had any luck penetrating the Tau Cetan privacy field to hear what they were discussing.

- NO JOY - was displayed in text, and he closed out the screen, frustrated that they didn't have the foresight to include some midges with the spying devices available in the room. He wasn't entirely sure if the tiny spy drones would be able to make it through the privacy field undetected or even still function if they did, and it was too late to do anything about it now.

Whatever they were using was highly advanced, as there was absolutely no sign it had been activated until the body language specialists watching them through various spying devices realized that the body language of the two men were not matching the dull small talk being heard.

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After running a voice analysis, they determined they were listening to an AI and tried to lip-read what was being said, but the damned privacy field AI was somehow transposing the false conversation over their lips as well, though it was blatantly obvious they were arguing over something that was decidedly not the weather and their grandkids.

He felt bad about trying to spy on them, but it was standard diplomatic practice among all the powers, and the stakes were too high to try to be polite. He needed every advantage he could get when it came to convincing them of the importance of joining the Alliance.

After making sure everything was in its place on the coffee table, he resigned himself to having to do this in the old-fashioned way and hoped he was convincing enough while he waited for them to return and tried his best not to fidget.

He didn't have to wait much longer, and he watched them as they entered through the open double doors and stopped, seeing the quick look they shared with each other when they spotted him waiting for them.

As they resumed walking over to him, he noticed a change in their bearings, particularly in President Evers, though he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was as they finally reached him.

After exchanging handshakes and acknowledging their thanks for the food, he indicated for them to be seated and waited until they sat down before taking his own chair and eyeing them expectantly.

He would let them take the lead this time; hopefully putting the ball in their court would present an opportunity he could capitalize on. They shared a look again, and the president gave the slightest of nods to the prime minister.

They have already decided, but what? He wondered nervously as the prime minister looked directly at him with a carefully neutral expression for several seconds before finally speaking.

"The Tau Ceti Alliance will join the Republic in confronting this menace, and our ships and our people will fight side by side with yours." The prime minister held up a hand to stop Laurent from responding, and he pressed his lips into a thin line, barely able to suppress his desire to grab their faces and kiss them on the cheeks in pure happiness.

"We will require significant concessions from the Republic in order to do this, Mr. Vice President. Our political opponents and the isolationist parties on both our worlds will give us considerable trouble and even potentially cause a government shutdown via filibustering unless we are able to return with an agreement that is undeniably in our favor."

Here it comes, Pierre. Here comes the hammer, he warned himself as he continued to look at the prime minister. He was expecting to have to give concessions, and the president gave him full authority to make whatever deals were required to get them to join, but the aura of being a cornered prey animal returned as he saw their predatory, calculating eyes examining him for weaknesses.

He nodded silently, and they both shared another quick look before the prime minister leaned forward, placing his elbows on his thighs and steepling his fingers.

"Very well, Mr. Vice President. These are our demands: we want full and complete access to the shield grid technology you have, not just the first-generation tech you were gifted by the Ma'lit Domain two years ago.

This also includes all the stealth technology you currently have. All technical specs related to your nullship stealth systems and the fabrication methods of the null particle-infused hull technology are to be shared with us.

We want the technical specs for all technology transfers you received from the Neo-Commonwealth, as well as a fully functional miniaturized null space torpedo guidance system that you have recently begun installing on your triple shots.

We want the technical specs for your antimatter-powered particle accelerators, as well as the specs for the NEFP and the bomb-pumped X-ray mine tech gifted to you by the Ma'lit domain.

We would also like full and complete access to your DARPA Labs to see the current projects you are working on. In return, we will reciprocate and allow you complete and unfettered access to our Advanced Research Labs."

The prime minister stopped speaking and looked at the president. "Am I missing anything?" The president leaned forward, a feral grin on his face as he stared at Laurent. "We also want the technical specs of your latest generation of fold space engines as well."

Laurent stared at them in disbelief for a few moments as his mind raced. He had expected some of the demands, but they were basically asking for access to all the latest military tech that had allowed the Republic to maintain its military parity with the highly advanced Tau Ceti Alliance before they were gifted the Magnati fleet by the Ma'lit Domain.

He needed to reel them in somehow, so he decided to see how they would respond to his own demands. Let them see how it feels; maybe they'll back off on some of the more ridiculous ones if I push hard enough.

"I see, gentlemen. We have some demands of our own, if I may broach them now." They both nodded for him to go ahead, and he centered himself as he mentally compiled the list President Lopez and Admiral Thompson had told him specifically if this situation arose.

"The Republic requires the complete technical specs for your null space torpedo and missile guidance systems, as well as the specs of the latest generation of your hull polarization tech and your ablative armor technology.

We also require the full specs for your coil gun systems, maser beams, plasma cannons, guided kinetic slugs, and smart sand munitions.

We want a working copy of your FTL Combat Drive, as well as the complete software and hardware specs for your Autonomous Combat Battle Droid System. We also want you to provide us with a fully outfitted Strike Cruiser so we can copy it and make our own versions, as I think they are going to be critical to the coming fight.

We would like the full and complete technical specs of your orbital defense platforms and your Macron Mass Driver Cannons, as well as permission to disseminate the specs to all the members of the Alliance, pending your approval, of course.

Lastly, we want all the technical specs for metastable metallic hydrogen synthesis, which will not be shared with any others and will remain a closely guarded technology solely for humanity to utilize. Any potential advances or systems we create with the technology will be shared with you, of course."

It was their turn to stare at him in shock, obviously not expecting the Republic to know so much about their top-secret weapons systems.

"Son of a bitch!" President Evers swore quietly, earning him a glare from the prime minister. "Don't look at me like that, Phil! The only thing he hasn't asked us is permission to sleep with our goddamn sisters!"

Laurent was taking a sip and choked on his tea upon hearing that, almost spitting it all over them as he tried to stop it from coming out of his nose. He barely managed to get a napkin off the table in time and covered his mouth and nose, coughing uncontrollably as the two of them glared at each other. Jeez, they are like an old married couple.

He finally got the coughing under control and placed the teacup back on the low table. Sully Evers is a funny bastard; I've got to give him that, he admitted as he collected himself, grateful they were too busy staring each other down to notice the snot that had come out of his nose before he was able to clean it up.

The prime minister finally turned back to look at him, his expression perfectly neutral, though there were clear signs of embarrassment and anger in his eyes. "We shall have to reexamine our security protocols, Mr. Vice President. Perhaps we have grown too lax; we thank you for bringing it to our attention."

Looking back at the president, the prime minister waited until he got a sullen and obviously reluctant nod from his partner before turning back to face Laurent and holding out his hand.

"Done."

Laurent did not expect them to agree to his outrageous demands, and he suspiciously eyed the proffered hand for a moment before looking at them both. Their spies obviously did not find out about the Magnati ships and bases yet, and he needed to ensure they had no standing to demand access once they did find out.

The only way to prevent such an issue was clearly outlining that neither government could make additional demands beyond the agreement they would make right now. If they want access to Magnati tech, they can rejoin the Republic; otherwise, they can pound sand.

"The terms we are agreeing to now are what they are, and neither party can make additional demands beyond what has been asked and agreed upon today, except in separate negotiations; do you accept these conditions, gentlemen?"

The prime minister nodded immediately, and the president eyed him suspiciously for a moment before nodding in acceptance. Laurent put his own hand out quickly and shook the prime minister's hand before immediately offering his hand to the president, wanting to shake on it before the president's suspicion made him change his mind.

The president leaned forward and took Laurent's hand into his own massive paw, making Laurent feel like a little boy as his hand was ensnared within the hardest and strongest fingers he had ever felt while they painfully squeezed.

The president stared at him, as if expecting Laurent to cry out or show visible signs of pain, but his long experience of masking his face and feelings came to the rescue, and he saw the first glimmerings of true respect in the president's eyes as the crushing grip finally released his hand.

Now that they had a gentleman's agreement and had shaken on it, Laurent wanted to seal the deal and leaned forward, pressing his right thumb on the thumbprint/DNA scanners of the two Diplomatic Archivators on the table. He stated his name twice for voice verification before spinning them around to face the two heads of state.

Prime Minister Churchill VI went first, followed by President Evers, and when it was done, Laurent leaned back in his chair, trying to hide his relief and elation as he looked at them both. "I will call for the Republic Notary to come and take one of the archivators, if you will do the same for yours."

They both agreed, and Laurent activated the wristcom to get the Republic Master Notary in while the prime minister did the same for the Tau Ceti Master Notary.

After they came and sealed the devices to exacting standards in a highly ritualized fashion, they exchanged quantum chips with DNA-based encryption that they would protect with their very lives until the Archivator under their control reached its destination.

Any attempt to access or steal the devices will be met with extreme violence, as notaries were extraordinarily lethal fighters, having received years of brutal neural implant conditioning and combat training that only two out of every twenty apprentices successfully completed to become Master Notaries.

The last time someone tried to steal an archivator from a Republic Master Notary, seventeen Xenxin pirates lost their lives after the hairless human tore apart the heavily armed boarders with his bare hands.

The rest of the crew surrendered when the notary ripped the captain's head right off his powerfully muscled neck and tossed it into the airlock before boarding their ship through their own docking tunnel.

If a notary was in real danger of losing control of the archivator it was charged with protecting, the notary would activate the Bio-Fusion Core, an extra bioengineered organ nestled within the abdominal cavity. The cells within the organ are seeded with hyper-dense isotopes and a gene-editing enzyme that can reorganize the isotopes into a small fusion-capable payload.

Triggering the kill switch floods their body with catalyzers that cause an instantaneous runaway fusion reaction inside the bioengineered containment organ—vaporizing them and everything else nearby in a radius of one hundred galactic meters.

Any agreement between governments involving notaries was considered sacred and binding, and both parties would fulfill their end of the agreement to the utmost or risk severe damage to their reputation quadrant-wide.

After the notaries left with the now sealed archivators, Laurent wearily stood up, the stims no longer bolstering his body and mind. He wanted nothing more than to go to his quarters and sleep, but he had responsibilities as the host.

"Gentlemen, I have taken the liberty of having the kitchen staff on standby for a small, private dinner with just the three of us so we can relax and enjoy our food instead of only pretending to do so. If you would be so kind as to tell me what dishes you would like to be made, I will place the order with the chef while we retire for cocktails in the reception hall."

The two men shared another look before they stood up as well, and the president answered. "Mr. Vice President, I really appreciate the offer, but to be honest, I want to go home to tell my daughter the good news and see my grandchildren. I want to spend as much time with them as they are now, before the Ma'lit geneticists... cure them.

I hope you understand, and I'd love to come back soon and have a private dinner with just the three of us; I would enjoy getting to know you better, as I am sure the prime minister would as well. I'm going to be straight with you; I came here with preconceived notions about you and your intentions, and I am more than happy to admit that I was wrong."

Laurent felt a wave of relief passing through him, and he kept his face carefully neutral as he responded. "Of course, Mr. President. Family always comes first, and we can reschedule for another time. And thank you for saying that; I appreciate it."

He held out his hand, and the president shook it, his grip much gentler though still firm this time. "Thank you for understanding, Mr. Vice President."

Laurent gave the president a true, genuine smile and then shook the prime minister's hand before directing them towards the exit. "I will take you back to your shuttle if you will follow me, please."

A couple of minutes later they were on the roof, and he exchanged promises to reschedule dinner with them again before they both entered the shuttle.

He watched the shuttle until he could no longer see its running lights and then headed back downstairs, imagining the feel of the cool Zikali spidersilk as he got into bed. He was halfway to his quarters when his wristcom beeped, and he stopped to look at the message alert.

He groaned inwardly as he saw it was a Priority One message from the SecDef regarding an official request for military assistance from the Hive Mother of the Insectoid Empire.

He quickly texted back: - Come to SitRoom to brief me - before reluctantly turning around and heading back to the main corridor.

He stopped again and sent a quick text to his aide. - Briefing in SitRoom with SecDef. Need readiness reports, locations of all ships, and maps of known borders of Insectoid space ASAP. -

After sending the text, he resumed walking and accessed the first message again to read the whole thing this time.

He flicked the main body of the message into the air and read it as he walked, quickly realizing he was going to need another stim as he finished and closed out the message.

Well, there goes sleeping tonight, he thought glumly as he activated his wristcom and called in a request for two doses of stims to be sent to the situation room.

With the president still on the Ma'lit outpost and Admiral Thompson at Faria Prime, it now fell on him to respond to any crises that arose while they were away.

The Hive Mother was requesting military assistance to deal with what seemed to be a massive refugee convoy of unknown vessels that entered Insectoid space, according to the report from their envoy, Bandit.

It must be serious, as the message was carried to the nearest Ma'lit null space relay by an emergency comm drone that burned up its capacitors after pushing them well beyond overdrive, which could only be ordered by a senior captain or above.

According to Bandit, the enemy they were fleeing sounded like the Balrikans, which he had calculated as being a 91.3% likelihood. Laurent chuckled at that before he turned serious again, wondering what the hell the Insectoids expected the Republic to do for them.

The Republic navy was already stretched to the breaking point with all its responsibilities, and now more demands were being placed on it by this request to deal with almost 20,000 ships of unknown origin and intent almost 3,000 light-years away.

The 300 Republic ships already there were not nearly enough to deal with this, and they weren't even supposed to be there, which was another serious matter that would have to be dealt with when Senior Captain Micheals finally returned to Republic space.

Though it turned out to be the right decision, President Lopez was infuriated. "I don't know whether to keelhaul that stupid son of a bitch or give him a medal; maybe I'll do both and pin the medal to whatever is left of him." She said with all seriousness after they found out what had happened.

He realized with a flash of insight that the Insectoid Empire was far weaker than they had let on if they were asking for additional military assistance from a recent enemy.

They either did not have enough ships, or they were so terrified of the Balrikans that they were unwilling to free up whatever ships they had remaining to deal with the refugee convoy.

Another, more disturbing thought pressed into his mind. What if the rebellion of the queen was a symptom of a larger problem, and the Hive Mother was losing control of the empire?

It would be a disaster of epic proportions if the empire of four and a half trillion drones fractured into fiefdoms controlled by individual queens with their own agendas.

It would be the death knell of the entire quadrant if that happened, as it was expected for the Balrikans to hit them first, buying time for the rest to unite and confront the threat as the Insectoids slowed down their advance through their large empire.

We don't have enough ships to deal with all of this, he realized as his walking pace quickened. There was too much happening all at once, and the Republic just didn't have the ability to manage all the responsibilities being placed on it right now.

They needed help from the others, but the alliance they were trying to build just suffered a major setback with the Farian situation, and the Neo-Commonwealth barely had enough warships to defend themselves, let alone contribute significantly to an effort like this except for a token task force or two.

He thought of President Evers and Prime Minister Churchill VI, ashamed to have to ask for help so soon after they had just left. I have no choice; I need their help, he realized reluctantly as he tried to think of any others that might be willing to help the Republic and the Insectoids.

It was time to call in some favors and cash in on the goodwill the Republic had earned as he thought of all the species and powers they helped over many years. The Eleani, the Xenxin, the Jaleeni, the Non-Aligned powers, and maybe even the Kilthek Dominion if they were willing to help.

The Kilthek Imperial Navy already had a large fleet of almost a thousand ships assembled in the Procyon System, with more coming every day, and Emperor Lik-Sar had declared that where the Republic goes, so too shall the Kilthek Dominion. Well, it looks like we will find out what his words are worth.

They would need assistance from the Ma'lit Domain as well. If he caught even the slightest whiff of them trying to worm their way out of helping after putting all this pressure on humanity to take the lead in defending the quadrant, he would tear them a new asshole. Or tear whatever their cybernetic cousins used now to defecate, if they did at all.

He finally reached the situation room and entered it, seeing his aide and other staffers already in there as they prepared for the briefing with the SecDef, who still hadn't arrived yet.

He nodded to them all before sitting down at the head of the long table where a pouch with two stims was already waiting for him. He immediately picked one up and pressed it against his neck, depressing the plunger and closing his eyes as he felt the coolness spreading from the injection site.

He opened his eyes a moment later, already feeling his exhaustion being replaced with an energizing sense of alertness and well-being.

The aide waited until Laurent gave him the signal before activating the holo tank in the middle of the long conference table, and a stellar map of the quadrant and beyond appeared, with many thousands of different colored icons populating the screen as the known military assets of all the powers appeared.

"Dim all icons except for the Republic military assets, please."

All the other colored assets faded, leaving only the scattered blue Republic icons located throughout the quadrant, with a small cluster in the center of the Insectoid Empire and a larger cluster in the Farian system.

His eyes roamed all over the stellar map, and he felt his worry intensifying as he wondered where the hell they would be able to afford to divert ships from to deal with the refugee fleet.

He was never in the military, but President Lopez told him that was no excuse to be ignorant when sending people to their deaths and that the soldiers and spacers deserved to have someone who not only cared but also knew what the hell they were doing.

Taking what she said to heart, he studied everything he could and was intimately involved in the planning of every major military decision as the Republic fought many battles and invaded multiple worlds, and he developed a keen eye for strategy and allocation of fleet assets as a result.

His eyes were telling him just one thing now: they did not have nearly enough ships available to deal with this new crisis, not without diverting significant assets from critical areas and exposing the Republic and its weaker allies.

They needed help, and their friends and allies needed to step up and start bearing some of the heavy burden being carried by the Republic alone for far too long.

"Get a Class 1 comm officer in here with a null space relay connector; I need to make some calls. And get Director Chin from the OMB, as well. This is going to cost us a goddamn fortune, and I want his signature on every call to cover my ass."

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