Korban City-State

Rechlan, Arcadia

Pentagon Worlds

30 June, 2821

"Let me get this straight, you expect me to believe that you are from the future… more than two hundred years in the future and that the SLDF are going to return here in two days to reclaim this world?" Verna's expression and tone spoke of her incredulity at the idea.

They were sitting around a table made of Arcadian Russet in Verna's council office.

Otto sighed in frustration. "Aff… yes, though the SLDF call themselves the Clans now. Look, I know this is hard to believe. It is hard to say, but I have shown you my ID…"

"Faked," Verna interjected.

"…you have seen our Mechs. You said yourself you have never see their like. My Kingfisher is an OmniMech, they have not even been invented yet. I understand how this sounds and I also know that I should not be telling you this but this information could save every single man, woman and child in Korban so do not take my words lightly, however much you disbelieve them!"

Something in Otto's tone, his insistence that this preposterous story was true, made Verna pause.

"Supposing it is true and your Clans are coming to retake Arcadia? What can we do about it?"

Otto looked at her intently. "Surrender without a fight. The people that will be coming to Korban, Clan Star Adder they call themselves, they are reasonable. If you accept them peacefully you will be treated well."

"And if we don't?" Verna asked.

"Then they will wipe your little city-state off the map and these last twenty years of building and surviving will have been for nothing."

Verna looked hopefully at Otto then. "You could fight with us. If you did that you could have all the supplies you need."

Otto shook his head. "The Clans will have the best part of four Clusters on the planet, two of which will head here and to Garrak, plus support elements. Even with the Steel Vipers and Blood Spirits elsewhere they would outnumber us at least four to one. We would simply die with you."

"If it's true." Verna added.

"It is true."

Verna took a deep breath then pushed herself away from the table and rose from her chair. "Then until it's confirmed you and Mr Howe will remain here as a guest of the Korban City-State.'
Both Otto and Brett leapt from their chairs. "You cannot…"

Verna slammed a hand down on the table. "I can and I will, or would you prefer I call security?" The men visibly relaxed and Brett retook his seat after calming his anger. "Good. At this point in time you are not a prisoner, Star Commander, please don't give me cause to change that status. You will have a security detail attached to you for your safety but you are free to move around Korban as you wish. Please don't try to leave."

"My people will come looking for me," Otto spoke softly though there was still an edge of anger in his voice.

Verna smiled sincerely. "I'll despatch a messenger to inform them that you're staying in Korban until after the attack. In the meantime we'll arrange quarters and clothing for you."

"Very well," said Otto resignedly. "We will do this your way but if the Star Adders find us here it will cause you more trouble than you can handle."

Verna smiled reassuringly. "Then we'd better make sure they don't find you here, hadn't we?"