Chapter 4
"So what do we do?" asked Princess as soon as they reached the common room and, subdued, detransmuted and flopped on the couch and chairs. Keyop sat cross-legged on the floor, close to Princess, who tousled his hair.
"Cheer up, Keyop. We'll get the Chief back."
"Yeah, as soon as those bastards in the Federation see reason," snarled Jason.
"Take it easy, Jason. They are right. We need to be here in case Spectra attacks again," said Tiny.
"Tiny's right," said Mark gloomily. "But, on the other hand, the longer it takes for us to to go after Anderson, the more difficult it will be to find him and free him."
"What...we wait for?" sputtered Keyop.
"Well, I guess the ISO needs confirmation that Anderson is, indeed, on Spectra and also needs to prepare our defence systems to deal with a possible attack while we're off to Spectra to rescue him," said Mark.
"Great, and while we're at it, Anderson is a prisoner and the Earth is a hostage to Zoltar's every whim!" said Jason angrily. "What do you bet we will soon get a message ordering the Earth to surrender?"
"No, you're wrong," said Princess. "That's exactly what Kane meant. We need to stay here so as not to let the Earth become a hostage to Zoltar."
"Yeah? And what about Anderson? We are abandoning him, guys! In enemy hands! You know what this means? Now, I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to let a team member – yes, I consider the Chief to be a part of the team, much as he's a pain most of the time – in enemy hands!"
Jason's cheeks were flushed as he spoke and he clenched his fists. Mark patted him on the shoulder.
"Let's wait a bit to see what intel we get, and what the Chief's temporary replacement will say."
Feeling none too reassured, they went back to training, waiting for the Federation Council to decide.
After inconclusive discussions – punctuated by a passionate plea by the young Rigan delegate, Andrea, in favour of an immediate strike at Spectra to rescue Anderson – Kane called for a vote on the Chief's replacement. Five candidates, three women and two men, were put forward, all of them top ISO scientists with experience in defence matters. The vote settled on Dr. Miroslav Markic, who had worked with Anderson on devising enhancements for G-Force's uniforms that would prevent incidents such as that which had occurred when Zoltar managed to create a double of Princess by using her shoe.
Markic was a slight young man with long hair, and a prematurely lined face. He stumbled to the front of the room when the results of the vote became known. President Kane presented the new – temporary, as he stressed – Chief and Miroslav found himself under the scrutiny of the Federation delegates. After a few words by Kane on the importance of the mission he was undertaking, it was time for him to meet G-Force.
They were in the ready room, resting after a morning of training, when Zark's voice came over the intercom.
"Attention, team!"
"Ears on, Zark!" replied Mark, jumping up from the couch.
"The meeting of the Federation Council is over. A replacement to Chief Anderson has been appointed."
They became instantly more alert at that. Jason put his feet off the table. Princess and Keyop exchanged worried looks. Only Tiny looked still calm and unperturbed.
"It was decided that Dr. Miroslav Markic will be acting Chief until Chief Anderson returns," continued Zark, his impassive robotic voice grating on the nerves of the members of G-Force. "You are to meet with him now."
"Understood, Zark. We're on our way."
As Zark disappeared from the intercom, Mark turned to his team-mates.
"Well, it could be worse. At least, Miroslav is a good scientist."
"Let's wait a bit until we jump to conclusions about how good he is," said Jason.
"Give the man a break, Jason," sighed Princess as they headed down the corridor.
"I will. As soon as he gives us the word to go after Anderson."
"I'm coming...with you!" piped Keyop enthusiastically.
Mark caught Princess's gaze. She also looked worried about a possible showdown with the new Chief, almost before the man could take up his office.
To be continued.