Disclaimer: I do not own Vandread, it belongs to Gonzo, the things are mine are characters from Theora.
Allies Out There
By Eric Tsai
Chapter 3 "Declaration of War"
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Hello everyone, this is another chapter for the story. Man, I had to do a lot of researching for this story on Congressional procedure and a lot of government information. Anyway, hope you all enjoy this.
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It had been a month since Hibiki and Meia's arrival at Theora and today was the day that President Williams had set for his speech to Congress.
As a state guest and the sole representative of their home world, Hibiki and Meia were invited as well.
As they neared the Capitol, the Hibiki and Meia were surprised as even though they had seen it in the database image file and that it was a copy of the Capitol of United States of America on Earth, it was still a great sight.
They arrived at the front of the building along with Captain David E. Lin and as the security team predicted there were tons of reporters waiting for them.
As soon as they got of the armored van, the reporters swarmed blocking their way to the building.
"Excuse me, mister are you really a emissary from another planet?" One the reporters asked flash light flashed.
"Please, get out of the way." One of the Secret Service members said as he and the others formed a wall around Hibiki, Meia, and David.
Then as the uproar continued, several armored personnel carriers came into scene and immediately marines filed out of the vehicles and they quickly formed a wall along a path to the entrance of the Capitol.
It was an hour since they arrived at the front of the Capitol and now they finally made it inside.
"This way please." One of the receptionists said as the security team followed them.
A few minutes of walking, they arrived at the large meeting hall.
"May I present Honorable state guest Hibiki Tokai of Tarrak and Meia Gisborn of Mejalee." Hibiki felt embarrassed as the person who led them into the room announced their name, while Meia remained indifferent about it.
Then they were seated in one of the front rows while they awaited for the arrival of the most important person and very soon he arrived.
"May I present to you the President of the Theora Federation, John T. Williams." With that said, the entire room was applauded as everyone rose from their seats.
Meia and Hibiki stood up as well, but as they saw was the same person they met just a few days ago at the White House.
This one was someone who was serious, a leader who was ready to lead his country through the most perilous times.
The vice president then hit the gavel in his hand against the block after the senators and representatives took seat.
"The Congress is now in session." The vice president and the house speaker said as a formal and heavy mood fell on the entire room.
After going through the normal procedure it finally came for the time for President Williams to speak.
"May we now have the President to address the Joint Session of Congress." Then it began, everything seemed to slow down in Hibiki's eyes as Williams stepped up to the speaker podium.
"Mr. Speaker, Vice President Boyle, Mr. President Pro Tempore, members of Congress, and fellow Theorians. Today, I come here to inform the Congress and citizens of Theora a danger that is at hand. Though this threat is not visible within our boarders, this terror had already left planets after planets barren, desolate, and every life on it destroyed." The voice of John T. Williams was strong and serious as he spoke and all people present there could hear his charisma.
"This threat is known as the Harvest to the other planets not within this sector of the galaxy. It is an action initiated by the inhabitants of the planet our ancestor once called home." As he paused there, whispers could be heard in the hall.
"Order." The gavel sounded once more as the whisper died down.
"Yes, this planet is Earth. Over the last one hundred years, the planet's weather had been shifted and survivors were forced to live on orbital cities." He paused for a few seconds later. "Their situations are desperate; however, because of the fear of extinction, they decided to harvest the body parts of its colonies and use it for their survival." It was silent as he spoke, so then he carried on.
"I am personally sympathetic to their conditions, but this does not give them the right to kill living people for their own benefit." The tension of the room was high and both Hibiki and Meia could feel.
"We have two witnesses here today amongst us." Williams then looked at Hibiki and Meia, signaling them to come up.
It was silence as they both stepped up to the podium while Williams stepped to the side, allowing him to speak.
"My name is Hibiki Tokia, I came from the planet of Tarrak. I have not come here to deliver fancy words, but to tell you the truth, the truth I have witnessed myself. I have personally witnessed the results of the harvest of Earth." Hibiki then spoke as the microphone broadcasted his voice to the entire room.
"It was the first planet we visited after I boarded the ship known as Nirvana. The planet was without a name as no one was there on the plane when we landed there to tell us the name of the planet. All was left were death and desolation." Hibiki then remembered what he saw and how he rescued Meia, then he continued. "Ever since then, we have fought them. I am asking on behalf not just my people but all of the other humans for people for your help in this war."
Then Meia stepped up as Hibiki stepped aside as well, while murmurs were heard in the hall
"My name is Meia Gisborn, I am from the planet of Mejalee. I am a companion of Hibiki Tokai. I, too, have witnessed the same sight. Along the trip onboard Nirvana, we have not only witnessed destruction caused by the Earth Harvest Fleet, but we have fought them as well." Meia paused for a few seconds as she looked at Hibiki then turned her attention to the audience before her. "My purpose here is the same as Hibiki, to ask for your help."
Then both of them stepped aside as John T. Williams returned to the podium.
"Members of Congress, as you have heard, the Earth Harvest Fleet had left a trail of destruction. Furthermore, they had attacked the Independence, the ship which made first contact with Mr. Hibiki Tokai and Ms. Meia Gisborn. Therefore, I ask for a declaration of war against planet Earth and the mobilization of the entire Theora military." It was at that moment, the entire room turned into a chaos.
"I have asked Prime Minister Jacob Walters of Aniesia Republic to declare war as well and as we speak, their Parliament is also voting on this issue." Williams continued despite the chaos.
Then several men came out against Hibiki and Meia after they stepped down from the podium.
"Security, escort Mr. Tokai and Ms. Gisborn to a place of safety." A marine officer said as they grabbed the three men who tried to jump them.
As soon as he was sure that Hibiki and Meia were out of the room, the President said, "I expect you, members of Congress to vote on this issue at the end of this week."
Hours later, Hibiki and Meia returned to their temporary residence.
They both quietly went back to their room to change and when they were both done, they both walked out and met each other in the living room.
At first, they talked about what their thoughts about the speech Williams made, but Meia's thought was on something else.
"Hibiki, what do you think the others at Nirvana are doing?" Meia asked she leaned her head onto his shoulder.
"Don't know, may be just carrying on their journey." Hibiki replied as he thought of the answer for a while.
"You miss them?" Hibiki asked and Meia nodded in response.
"Actually, I miss them as well." Hibiki's thought then also moved onto everyone on Nirvana.
"But, as long as you are here, I don't mind." Hibiki said as Meia smiled.
Then they kissed each other lightly as they continued to enjoy their time with one another, as they needed nothing else in the world, but each other. And because they didn't want to ruin their union in the future, they would remain pure until the day they were join together by the sacred vow of marriage.
Meanwhile on board Nirvana, BC finished preparing one more marker.
"That should be it." BC said as she pressed the launch button.
"How is it BC?" Magno asked as her chair rolled down from the ready room.
"Captain, I have launched the new sets of marker." BC said as she turned to face her superior.
"I see." Magno sighed as she looked out the window of the bridge.
"I hope they get back soon, as everyone isn't themselves anymore since they went missing." Magno said as her chair rolled up the ramp and the door slid close behind her.
BC sighed as she realized how the morale of the crew was, she honestly wished that Hibiki and Meia would come back.
The end of the week at last came and the day is Feburary 21st, a Friday.
Hibiki and Meia returned once again to the Capitol of Theora Federation; however, this time they were only there to hear the result not to bring evidence.
"The Congress is now in session." After the formal procedure, Hibiki and Meia sat there as one by one, each representative and senator pressed the button on their desk.
The voting process lasted only several minutes and this time it was orderly.
"On the resolution of declaring war against United Nations of Earth, the House vote is four hundred in favor to fifty three oppose, two abstain and the Senate voted thirty two in favor and seven oppose one abstain."
"Mr. President here is resolution." The Speaker of the House of Representative said as he handed the paper copy of the resolution.
"I, John T. Williams, thirty-second President of the Theora Federation declare as of eleven o'clock in the morning of Feburary 21st Firday, two hundredth of year Theorian Calendar and Anno Dominis Four thousand one hundred years, the Theora Federation is officially at war with the United Nations of Earth, and may God bless the Federation and may God have mercy on us all."
And so the war began.
To be continued…
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I based Theora Federation on United States. Why? Because I love America. Anyway, please review. Leave feedbacks and flames. Thanks.