Aboard the Solar System Federation Ship Genghis
Ransei System Oort Cloud
Approximately 4000 AU (2500 Ranseiian AU) From Arc, the Ranseiian sun
Human Year 2599
Human Month of August
12 hours after the touchdown and capture of Sgt. Daniel Davidson
"This is an open declaration of war!"
Reconnaissance General Karlo Stravinsky's beet-red face screamed at the SSF council, a governing body of 3,500 individuals selected to represent their respective fields during the colonization process. The councilroom walls were plastered with helmet-cam footage from the Scoutpod troops, at least 40 of which were no longer broadcasting. Most common, however, were the final moments that Sgt. Davidson's camera captured. The carbine rounds impacting into the terrifying isopod's torso, the isopod staggering, charging, removing the helmet and peering into the lens for a few seconds, and then nothing.
A councilwoman, a diplo-political expert, replied "General, we are aware of your concern for your troops. However, in all of the hard-contact incidents, the Pod scouts fired first. If anything, we are the ones who are responsible for any violent interaction to come."
Another voice, a biotech spokesman, piped up. "In addition, every single one of the scout's internal vital monitors are still transmitting. There have been no confirmed fatalities."
"Also, General Stravinsky, reports from our other pod scouts indicate that the inhabitants of this system have a government, a standing army, and some degree of sentience."
The General spoke again.
"No matter who starts it, there will be a war. I guarantee. To use the old saying, this town ain't big enough for the two of us."
A rapid poll took place. The council majority was against military action, but only by 63/37. A debate began between the two sides.
"If we can locate their military centers, we can drop a task force from orbit, blitzkrieg them into submission, establish a beachhead, and then expand to the remainder of the system with minimal casualties."
"What do you expect, two completely different civilizations living peacefully side-by-side?"
"We cannot risk our species' survival on some modern rendition of D-Day!"
"The potential for complete failure is far too high. We currently know absolutely nothing about the natives. If we wish to go to war, then we must have the proper intelligence beforehand."
The bickering continued, as the 9-year-old girl watched in horror from her apartment's Holonet.
"Mom, are we going to invade the system?"
"I don't know, Bess. Maybe we need to. After all, the entire future of our race depends on the result."
"I don't want to go extinct, Mom," the girl said, on the verge of tears.
"Well, neither do I, pumpkin. The issue is, I don't think they're to keen on extinction themselves."
Heya! I'm going to be trying to post as often as possible from now on! As I'm sure you can see by now, I'm trying to make each of the sides on an equal moral level, with similar motives, hopes, dreams, etc. Next Chapter we will get a glimpse into the Council of Legends, the Ranseiian government, as well as possibly another Ranseiian arc. Feedback is appreciated! Thanks!
