Under a grayish-blue sky, in a fully sealed meeting room, the three-dimensional holograms of influential figures in this world appeared one by one.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's resume our previous topic: whether or not to take military action against Pandora." The man seated at the head of the table tapped the desk.
"Mr. Speaker, such matters require prolonged discussion, so I suggest a brief pause to address a report from the forward base in Pandora," interrupted a man in a military uniform, speaking on his own accord. "Since the 21st, the number of personnel reported missing at the Pandora forward base has increased exponentially. To date, the count has reached 172."
"Is this matter truly worth discussing here, Senator Hubert Wojciech?" the Speaker replied, visibly displeased by the interruption.
"Mr. Speaker, I understand these 172 lives may mean little to you, just a set of insignificant numbers. But I urge you to consider what these numbers signify!" Hubert countered.
"Watch your tone, Senator Hubert. I've never belittled the lives of our people! I merely think this issue is not for our immediate consideration," the Speaker shot back, annoyed.
"Ha!" Hubert sneered. "Does anyone here still value the lives of the lower class? Such words are fit for fools!"
"Mr. Speaker, I have no interest in pointless bickering. But these missing persons all disappeared within a ten-kilometer radius of the base. Think about what that implies."
"Ten kilometers from a military base? Standard protocol should have cleared all threats from such an area. Losing over a hundred personnel within a month can mean only one thing—we're being targeted!" another senator interjected.
"Targeted? By whom?"
"Who else? Most likely Pandora's indigenous beings. Those creatures can't possibly organize something like this."
"Why not? Haven't you reviewed the intelligence reports on Pandora? Those creatures are as intelligent as any of us here. Some even operate in groups. If a creature clan is lurking around the base, ambushing our soldiers and scientists, it wouldn't be surprising. Our incursions into their world haven't exactly been peaceful!"
"But that doesn't mean we can rule out the native inhabitants of Pandora!"
"What motive would they have to attack our people? So far, we've given them nothing but 'benefits,'" the senator scoffed, unable to suppress a laugh. The vast technological gap allowed them to trade cheap goods for Pandora's rare mineral and energy resources, generating profits thousands of times over. Robbing a bank didn't compare to trading with the Ikarians.
"Who knows? Perhaps they've noticed our intentions to wage war against them or the severe trade imbalance!"
"So, you're suggesting that Pandora's natives now see us as hostile and are preparing to attack our base?" an elderly general with a vicious grin inquired.
"General William, allow me to remind you that our base has already been attacked."
"Yes, by that 'walking nuclear missile launcher' of a native leader. And you all voted to make the base commander, that young man named Alvin, apologize to him!"
"We had no choice. It was our fault."
"Two civilizations, and you expect to discuss reason? You're joking."
"We had to. There are too many unknown dangers on Pandora," a bespectacled senator replied casually, wiping his glasses.
"Unknown dangers? Just give the green light to the military, and I'll personally lead an offensive to clear Pandora, erasing any potential threats to us!"
"General William, there's no need for bluster. Even if we mustered such a military force, it would cripple our economy. Millions of soldiers would die on Pandora."
"Here we go again! Pandora isn't as dangerous as you're making it out to be."
"Not dangerous? General, how many satellites have we launched toward Pandora? How many probes? Yet we still don't even know the world's full size!" shouted a robed middle-aged senator, glaring at the hawkish general.
"After three years, we haven't even mapped Pandora. Yet you insist it isn't as dangerous as we thought? Are you out of your mind?"
This academic senator turned to the Speaker. "My stance remains: I oppose any military action against Pandora. Sending our soldiers there is a death sentence."
"But through mere trade, we've still failed to obtain enough energy. We need to secure more WZ ore. The only way to acquire it is to wage war against the Ikarians," replied the Speaker, frustrated with their world's reality. "We all know that there's an enormous amount of ZW ore in Ikarian territory. By seizing just three of their settlements, we could end our energy crisis."
"Then we must go to war!" a young military official exclaimed, his eyes blazing. His family had exhausted its resources to put him in this position. In peacetime, his advancement depended on seniority, but in war, he could rise quickly through merit.
"Are you mad? You want to drag our civilization into an abyss of ruin?"
"Senator Harvin, don't be so dramatic. Yes, Pandora holds unknown and dangerous threats, but they are merely creatures of immense power. As for the native inhabitants, their threat level is relatively low. The strongest among them, this 'walking nuclear missile launcher,' is formidable, but could he withstand a shot from an Honor-Class warship's main cannon?"
"…"
"I propose a military sweep of the Ikarian settlements within a hundred kilometers of our base. It's time we stopped trading with these primitive blue-skinned apes. They belong in zoos, on dissection tables, or in extinction memorials."
"Now, let's vote on Senator Kenny Gillette's proposal!"
"Seconded!"
"Seconded!"
…
"Great King Urel, your loyal servant Ellen greets you!"
Muria sat upon his obsidian throne, expressionless, watching as Dr. Ellen prostrated herself before him with a fervor that reminded him of devout believers he'd encountered before.
"What is it, Ellen?" Muria did not interrupt her worship; he was inclined to make use of this faith from the otherworldly humans.
"Great King Urel, I've come to make a request," Dr. Ellen said, swallowing hard before continuing with the words she'd rehearsed.
"Yes?"
"I humbly request your permission to return to the base, and then to my world."
"Hm?" Muria narrowed his eyes, then laughed. "Ellen, you're a smart woman. You must know I'm not letting any of you leave Cloudview Peak for now."
"King Urel, I make this request not for selfish reasons. If I could, I would spend my life in your service. But to my people, that would be far too selfish. They have no knowledge of your power. I wish to return so that I may proclaim your existence to my people!"
Ellen shared her plan. As a person well-versed in high-level technology and closely connected to influential figures, she was privy to many secrets.
She was aware that her civilization was growing increasingly dissatisfied with the amount of energy ore obtained through trade with the Ikarians. Her world's populace and factions alike yearned for their government to secure more energy resources. If things continued, war was inevitable—and that was something she desperately wanted to prevent.
"I understand your intent, but the time isn't right. In due course, you'll act as my envoy and return to your world," Muria replied, nodding thoughtfully. At that moment, a sudden sense of foreboding stirred within him.
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter] [+5 Reviews = +1 Chapter]