Chapter 13
The moment I awoke, I immediately felt Mark's absence. He was no longer next to me, yet somehow, I knew that he wasn't far. I could sense my implant searching for him, determining that he was close by. I focused on the feeling, and before I was even able to open my eyes, I could sense both distance and direction. A smile curled over my lips. He was sleeping. I'd go to him, and be there when he awoke.
I opened my eyes, realizing that I was in a hospital bed. After a moment, I recognized the room as one in the Center Neptune medical ward. Slowly I got out of the bed, disconnecting myself from the IV drip. I noted the monitors around me, all displaying my vital signs as reported wirelessly by my cerebonics.
My legs felt slightly shaky, as if they hadn't been used in a few days. Yet I managed to stand, shuffling over toward the door, gradually becoming more sure of myself. By the time I was in the corridor, I was able to walk normally. Confidently, I approached the second door on my left, opening it and walking inside.
The room was nearly identical to mine, perhaps slightly larger, yet all that concerned me was Mark. The Commander was lying in a bed, clearly asleep. His right knee bulged somewhat underneath his blanket; it appeared that it was in some kind of cast. Carefully I moved toward him, sitting gently on the side of the bed.
"Mark…" I whispered, tracing my fingers along his cheek. His skin felt warm and smooth beneath my touch, pulsing with life. I smiled softly, my cerebonics humming happily as they registered my close proximity to my Commander.
It was strange, really. Why was my implant suddenly so in tune with Mark's? I had never been able to locate him before, but this time I had barely thought about it. No, that wasn't right. I had thought about it, and that had led me to him. Our cerebonics were constantly changing and evolving: a form of 'self-upgrade' designed to react to our bodies' changing needs and to take advantage of new possibilities. Over the years the G-Force implants had assisted everyone in hearing and seeing more clearly, making better use of adrenaline, and increasing our speed and muscle tone, among other things. Sometimes our cerebonics developed uniquely, such as when Tiny had developed a way to interface directly with the Phoenix, to diagnose a problem quickly and efficiently, or in Keyop's case, as his implant worked to find a way around his speech difficulties.
I suddenly recalled what had happened during our third use of the Fiery Phoenix on our last mission. It had felt as if all five of us were connected, somehow. I had known what the others were feeling, but none more so than Mark.
I reached out with my mind, attempting to locate Keyop. I had a vague sense that he was close, but nothing like I had felt with Mark. The same was true for Jason and Tiny: they were here, somewhere, not too far away, but I was unable to pinpoint their locations with the same accuracy as I had for the Commander.
I thought back again to our group connection during the Fiery Phoenix. While the others had been present, only Mark and I had had a physical connection at the time, as our hands had been clasped together. Slowly, I slid my hand from his cheek down his neck, past his shoulder and along his arm, until my fingers were touching his, intertwining together.
"Mark…" I whispered, squeezing his hand lightly. He stirred so briefly that I might not have noticed if I hadn't been looking right at him.
"Mark…" I whispered again, but this time I reached out through my cerebonics, searching for him as I had done before. Immediately my mind locked onto his, some kind of 'click' setting it in place. Carefully, I gave him the slightest nudge, through my implant.
"Princess?" Mark moaned slightly, his eyelids fluttering as they opened. "You're here…"
"I woke up on my own." I explained. "So I had to find you and make sure you were okay."
"I'm okay." he smiled. "Better than okay, since you're here."
"How's your knee?" I asked, worried about his injury.
"My knee?" Mark frowned momentarily as he recalled the final details of our mission. "You splinted it for me… that's the last thing I remember about it." He struggled to a sitting position, flexing his toes.
"Feels okay right now." he shrugged. "I guess my cerebonics are taking care of it."
"Good." I sighed, feeling a rush of relief pass through me. I knew that knee injuries were dangerous and potentially permanent. A damaged knee would impact Mark's physical abilities, which could affect his performance on the G-Force Team.
"You were worried about me." Mark noted.
"I always worry about you, Commander." I blushed deeply.
"You don't have to worry about me." he smiled teasingly. "Although I like it that you do."
"I just want to make sure that you're around for a long time." I told him.
"I'll be around as long as you want me." he promised.
"Then you're never going to leave."
"That was essentially the plan, yes."
"I like that plan."
Our eyes caught and before I knew it his lips were on mine, filling my head with a sweet dizziness that had me swaying. He embraced me, his arms holding me steady so that I could relax and simply enjoy his rain of kisses.
"Ahem."
My eyes flew open and I pulled away from Mark, gasping as I saw Chief Anderson standing in the doorway. He appeared somewhat uncomfortable and wore a disapproving scowl. My cheeks reddened in embarrassment, especially as I realized that I was still in Mark's arms. Strangely, the Commander didn't appear self-conscious at all, simply smiling at the Chief in an indulgent manner.
"Did you want something, Chief?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Princess, you are supposed to be in your room." Chief Anderson lectured, ignoring Mark's question. "When you were nowhere to be found, an alert was raised."
"I'm sorry." I apologized. "I should have realized. But I was concerned about Mark."
"Yes, I can see the evidence of your 'concern'." I looked down at the floor, completely mortified.
"Chief, there's no need for that." Mark said in his 'let's be reasonable' tone. "It's just as Princess says, but after she saw I was fine, I didn't want her to leave. What's wrong with that?" There was a challenging note to his question, and I looked up to see his eyes steadily holding Chief Anderson's gaze.
"Princess should not be leaving her room without medical clearance." the Chief stated.
"You're right, Chief, I apologize." I replied quickly. "I won't do it again. I was just worried about Mark's knee."
"It feels fine." Mark assured me. "So that's the only problem, Chief?"
"Princess needs to return to her own room for follow-up testing." Anderson ordered.
"Right away, Chief." I pulled out of Mark's arms, rising to a standing position. Yet he refused to let my hand go.
"But once that testing is complete, Princess is free to come and go as she pleases." Mark's words were not phrased as a question.
"That's something for later discussion, Commander."
"I don't think there's anything to discuss." Mark insisted.
"Commander, if you're going to force the issue..." The Chief's gaze fell on my hand, which Mark was still refusing to release. "I can see that you are. We will deal with this matter after the briefing."
"What briefing?" I asked, eager to ease the stifling tension.
"Now that you and Mark are awake, we can hold the post-mission briefing." Chief Anderson informed us. "Once both of you conclude your follow-up testing and are cleared by Medical, I'll see you in my office. I'll be expecting you in about an hour."
"We'll see you there." I agreed.
"Let me escort you back to your room, so that you can begin your testing." the Chief said, offering his arm to me. I took it reluctantly as Mark finally let my hand drop from his.
"I'll see you in an hour." he promised.
88888
Exactly sixty minutes later, the entire G-Force Team was assembled in Chief Anderson's office. Everyone appeared refreshed, yet impatient. When Center Neptune had been rebuilt after the Spectran attack that had destroyed half the station, the Chief's office had been expanded. Mark now used this additional space to pace back and forth, his knee apparently causing him no difficulties, while Jason grimaced in frustration as he leaned against the wall. Keyop played nervously with his hands on the sofa next to me, while Tiny lay on a chair with his eyes closed, apparently catching up on some sleep.
The Chief had demanded that we be here in an hour, yet he was late. It was another fifteen minutes before he appeared.
"I apologize for the delay." he said shortly, when he finally entered. "My department is still coordinating the radiation cleanup necessitated by the destruction of the Spectran ships near populated areas. In addition, I am still working with Riga and a number of other planets to assist in rebuilding infrastructures vital to Galaxy Security."
"What kind of infrastructures?" Mark asked curiously.
"Headquarters, refueling bases, that kind of thing." Chief Anderson replied. "But of course the biggest project is replacing the Early Warning Station, now that Pluto has been devastated."
"Did you ever locate Susan?" I asked.
"Susan was destroyed, along with the station." the Chief answered brusquely. "However her data had been backed up only the week before, so we have been able to upload her programming to the temporary space station currently orbiting the planet Neptune. Once we build a permanent station, we'll transfer her information to a new android. I believe 7-Zark-7 is already hard at work on the design for the new robot."
"I'll bet he's hard." Jason snorted, to which Keyop giggled.
"Hey, at least now Zark will now know what Susan looks like." Tiny snickered.
"There are more important things to deal with at the moment." the Chief reminded us. "As you all know, it has been four days since the attack of the Spectran armada."
I nodded. I had been surprised to learn that I had been out that long, but the medical personnel who had run my follow-up tests had said that it was a normal amount of time, given how much physical stress my body had been through, combined with the additional drain caused by the use of my energy reserves. Mark had also been unconscious for four days, while the others had been out for almost twelve hours.
"So far, Spectra has been quiet." the Chief continued. "At first, we assumed that this was simply because they were recovering from the loss of so many ships. It's clear that this offensive had been in the works for some time."
"There were so many spacecraft involved in the attack." the Commander noted. "How many made it back to Spectra?"
"Very few." the Chief smiled grimly. "We estimate fewer than ten percent. Thanks to your discoveries regarding the diurian fields, and the large ships generating those fields, we were able to locate and destroy the majority of the Spectran ships involved in this offensive."
"And none of the big ones made it back." Jason added with a smirk.
"You all went above and beyond the call of duty." Chief Anderson told us. "Performing the Fiery Phoenix three times for such extended periods could easily have killed you all. And you were still able to determine how the Spectrans were sneaking by us."
"We had some help from the defecting soldiers who had been on Rica." I reminded him. "Sergeant Wiltek contacted us through Colonel Tsubar."
"Nonetheless, you all kept cool heads under the most extreme conditions." the Chief replied. "President Kane would like to reward you all the Galactic Medal of Bravery."
"Honor!" Keyop grinned, jumping up in excitement.
"And since Spectra is being quiet, we can attend the ceremony." Tiny added, a big grin spreading across his rotund face.
"Not just yet." the Chief disagreed. "There's been an interesting development. I'd like you all to take a look at this." Chief Anderson pressed a button on his desk and a large screen on the wall behind him lit up with the image of a familiar face.
"This is Tavis Demandro reporting from ten kilometers outside the border check into Spectre City."
My eyes widened in surprise. I knew that Tavis had returned with Fanel's group to Spectra, but I had had no idea that he was broadcasting again. Had he somehow convinced Zoltar to look over his past 'transgressions'? Somehow, I doubted it.
"I am here with the Yellow Flag, fighting to liberate Spectra from the tyranny of the so-called 'Great' Spirit and his puppet leaders, Thalpurnium Zoltar and Mala Latroz." Tavis went on, answering the first of my questions but inspiring a great many more. "I am speaking with Fanel Vandrox, Leader of the Liberation Forces. Fanel, what is your objective today?"
"Our objective is to remove the Spectran military presence from the streets of Spectre City." Fanel declared. "It is unreasonable and unforgiveable that people are unable to go about their daily lives, leave their homes when they choose and associate with anyone they please, without threat of harassment from the government. It is unacceptable that those who have been injured while fighting on behalf of the Spectran Empire, or widows of men who served in the military forces, are left to fend for themselves, unable to work or find support. It is outrageous that citizens of the Empire, of Spectre City, must live on rationed food and resources, all so that our government can inflict its will and poor standard of living on other peoples and planets, while at the same time taking on the burden of their governance." The image flickered from time to time, as if there were some kind of minor interference, yet through it all I could see Fanel's determination in her face, her eyes, her voice. Her words rang out with certainty and truth, as if there was no doubt that her cause was just.
I had never been more proud to call someone my friend.
"That sounds wonderful, Fanel." Tavis replied. "I would love to live in a world such as you envision, as I'm certain our viewers would as well. However that seems a bit much to accomplish for one day."
"You are correct, Tavis." Fanel smiled, her expression warming somewhat. "For today, we will simply be satisfied if we can remove the Spectran military presence from the streets of Spectre City, and from the border checkpoints surrounding the area. This way we can ensure that all resources and supplies that arrive in this district are distributed to the citizens, and not allocated to horrifying waste by the military."
"And what about Thalpurnium Zoltar and Mala Latroz?" Tavis asked, his face the picture of innocence. I had to smother a laugh at his contrived expression, yet I eagerly leaned forward to hear Fanel's answer.
"They are welcome to join the food and resource distribution lines, the same as any other citizen of Spectre City." Fanel smiled invitingly. "They will receive the same allocation as all others. No more, no less."
"So you do not wish to execute them?" Tavis appeared surprised, yet I knew better.
"They, like all of us, are victims of the evil machinations of the alien entity that calls itself the 'Great' Spirit." Fanel responded. "They should be given a fair trial and a chance to explain themselves before the people of Spectra."
"That sounds very reasonable." Tavis noted. "Perhaps more than they deserve."
"Everyone deserves to be treated fairly, Tavis." Fanel replied smoothly. "Even those who can appear to be guilty of great wrongdoing against their own people."
"Truly." Tavis nodded. "I know that many of my viewers today recall the horrifying story of how your husband was wrongfully executed, and how you were incarcerated under deplorable conditions for more than three years. The good people of Spectra sympathize with you, and your noble ideals. How can they assist you in reaching your goals?"
"All I ask is for people to peacefully demonstrate their desire for equality." Fanel said carefully. "If you citizens of Spectre City believe in what I have said, if you agree that Spectra needs to change, then I invite you to stand in the streets, outside your homes and businesses. Do not take up arms against the men of Spectra's military, for they too are victims to command decisions beyond their control. Your presence alone will demonstrate to the government your desire for change, so that they can truly understand the will of the people."
"And what of those who do not agree with your views?" Tavis asked, chuckling slightly, as if to imply that no one would be so unenlightened.
"All I ask is that they remain indoors, out of harm's way, but that they observe, either through their own windows or on your broadcast, what is happening here today." Fanel answered. "They will witness a peaceful exhibition of the will of the Spectran people, as well as the government's response to our demonstration."
"But what if the Spectran military use physical force to prevent you from peacefully moving through the city?" Tavis inquired in a concerned tone.
"It is our greatest hope that there will be no violence today." Fanel declared. "However, if the men of the Spectran military choose poorly and attempt to use physical force against us, we are capable of defending ourselves. But it is not our wish to harm any Spectran, no matter who they are. Any violence exhibited today, and I sincerely hope that there is none, will be both initiated and terminated by the administrative personnel of Spectre City. I urge these decent and righteous men to instead come forth, so that we may openly discuss what needs to be accomplished for the good of the Spectran people." Fanel was aglow with light and hope. Her pure and honest intent was plainly written across her face. It was clear to me that she and Tavis had engineered this entire script, and yet even knowing this, her words still touched me deeply.
"Wow…" Tiny gaped as the video ended and Chief Anderson turned off the monitor. "Is that for real?"
"It's for real." the Chief assured us.
"What was all of that flickering?" Mark asked. "Was there some kind of sunspot activity interfering with the broadcast?"
"There was something interfering with the broadcast, but we suspect it wasn't sunspots." Chief Anderson replied. "A nullifying wave was emanating from the mountains around Spectre City at that exact moment."
"A nullifying wave? That's some serious technology!" Jason commented.
"Sounds like… Zoltar!" Keyop added.
"It's likely that Zoltar didn't want this broadcast sent out." I observed. "It's easy to guess why he might attempt to terminate it. But the real question is, why didn't he succeed?" I looked up at Chief Anderson, surprised to witness a small smirk on his face.
"When Fanel's group left Earth, they were permitted to borrow certain items to improve the health and quality of their lives." the Chief hemmed and hawed in an unusual manner, but it was easy to see that he was ready to burst at the seams. "It's entirely possible that one of those items was a secured broadcast enhancer unit."
"Possible?" Mark questioned, his eyebrow raised in suspicion. "The Federation doesn't keep track of equipment it 'lends' to others?"
"Not if it never intends to reclaim the equipment." Jason snorted.
"A secured broadcaster enhancer unit?" I asked. "I don't suppose that would be a Mark VII unit?"
"It's possible." Chief Anderson's mouth twitched.
"What is it you don't want to admit to us, Chief?" Tiny asked shrewdly.
"I think I know." I offered, as everyone turned to look at me. "A Mark VII unit is extremely powerful. Not only would it have no problems dealing with a nullifying wave, but its range would be enormous."
"The entire planet?" Jason asked.
"Solar system?" Keyop volunteered.
"I'm guessing… the entire Spectran Empire?" I kept my eyes on the Chief, who rewarded my patience with a slight nod.
"So everyone in the Spectran Empire saw that…" Tiny was amazed.
"It certainly helps generate a lot of support for their cause." Mark noted. "And without firing a single shot."
"The Federation always approves of non-violent methods to solve problems." Jason grinned sarcastically.
"Why does it… matter?" Keyop asked. "Other planets… slaves…"
"Even if the other planets of the Spectran Empire are slave planets, the people there are seeing what is happening on Spectra." I explained to him. "They're seeing, perhaps for the first time, that Zoltar is not infallible, and that people can stand up to him… without losing their lives or freedom."
"That's a pretty heady message." Tiny observed.
"And what do you think they're going to do once they've heard that message?" Jason faced the elephant in the room head on. "Are these slaves going to just sit back and take it like they've always done? Or are they going to get it in their heads that they can actually do something about their situation?"
"You mean… revolution?" Tiny asked.
"That's pretty much what's going on already." Mark pointed out.
"Sounds like a pretty neat package to me." Jason noted, a touch of cynicism in his voice. "For the price of a Mark VII broadcast enhancer unit, the Federation gets a Spectran Empire rife with discontented citizens 'expressing' their views. Suddenly Zoltar's got his hands full and not bothering us any longer." He paused for a moment.
"I like it." he nodded, a sly grin crossing his face.
"Zoltar may not have his hands full for long." Mark reminded us. "If the Yellow Flag has their way, he'll be removed from power altogether and put on trial."
"I'm sure you'll forgive me, Commander, if I say that's better than he deserves." I grimaced wryly.
"I thought the Federation wasn't supposed to interfere in the government of other worlds?" Tiny asked, a confused expression on his face. "Isn't part of the Federation mandate to concern itself only with its own affairs, and not to meddle in those of others?"
"These are special circumstances, Tiny." Jason replied, his tone holding only a hint of condescension.
"Yeah!" Keyop agreed. "Spectra… enemy!"
"Don't be so quick to brush him aside, Keyop, Jason." Mark interrupted. "Tiny has a good point. G-Force was created to protect the Federation. But is the Federation worth protecting if it cannot maintain its own standards of ethics?" The Commander's gaze fell on Chief Anderson.
"The Federation has upheld its ideals." the Chief insisted, his demeanor unruffled. "After much discussion with President Kane, we determined that it would be unethical of us to provide Fanel's group with weapons or ammunition. However, as a humanitarian gesture, we were able to provide them with food and other living supplies."
"Including broadcast equipment." Jason snickered.
"They had to have some secure way to communicate with others." the Chief replied blandly. "They were being monitored by the Spectrans and prevented from reaching their comrades."
"If they hadn't had that equipment, Fanel's group would have been isolated when they returned to Spectra." I thought out loud. "On their own, without joining the rest of their people, they would eventually have been hunted down by Zoltar's troops."
"Possibly..." Mark hedged, uncertain as to where I was going with this.
"That wasn't why we fought so hard to escape from the Traitor's Prison." I told him. "Many women died to ensure that the rest of us were able to get away. I personally guaranteed them safety on Earth. I told them that Chief Anderson would speak with them. I guess you're telling me that I was 'interfering' in another planet's affairs. But I know these people, Commander. What I did, enlisting their help, promising aid, was not done lightly. But I did it in the best interests of the Federation. While my time on Spectra was not something I would have willingly subjected myself to, I did learn one valuable lesson. On Spectra, there are good people and bad people, just like anywhere else in the universe. I do not find any dishonor in helping those who have good intentions, who are being attacked and suppressed by others for their own gain. I am not ashamed of assisting those women in escaping from the dangerous environment in which they were being held. I am proud to call them my friends, and my friends, no matter who they are, can always count on my support." There was a brief moment of quiet as everyone absorbed my words.
"Very well said, Princess." Chief Anderson offered, breaking the silence. "And I can understand why you feel that way. Speaking with Fanel and Norei, I was very… impressed… with their way of thinking. President Kane did not make the decision to assist them lightly."
"I think what Princess is trying to say is that you always help your friends, no matter what." Jason summarized.
"Hear, hear!" Tiny grinned.
"Personal loyalties are very important." Mark agreed. But the intensity of his gaze told me he was referring to more than mere friendship. I smiled back, relived to see that he understood my way of thinking.
"Chief, how long ago was that broadcast made?" Mark asked, getting back to the matter at hand.
"A little less than two hours ago." Chief Anderson replied. "Shortly before you and Princess awoke."
"I guess you guys recovered right on time for the big event." Tiny joked.
"Two hours ago?" I repeated. "What's been happening since then?"
"Finally, we get to the purpose of this briefing." the Chief smiled thinly. "I've been waiting to show you." He initiated another video, displaying highlights of the Yellow Flag operation.
We witnessed Yellow Flag personnel walking toward the Spectre City checkpoints. For the most part, they were unhindered, and easily took control. In a couple of cases, the guards at the station contacted their superiors, who apparently gave orders to capitulate. Arriving cargo transports were diverted to the city center, rather than the government warehouses at the edge of the urban area.
Inside the city, thousands, perhaps millions of people flooded the streets, peaceful civilians standing outside their homes. Some cheered and waved happily, others simply stood in silence. Fluttering and shadows behind windows indicated that some citizens were remaining inside and quietly observing, yet it was clear that the vast majority of people were present to welcome the Yellow Flag. The members of Fanel's group melted slowly into the crowds, almost invisible among them, save for the yellow armbands they wore. Within an hour, Spectre City was involved in something akin to a giant festival, music and dancing, laughter and conversation blanketing the area.
"Where… troops?" Keyop asked.
"That's a good point, Keyop." Mark agreed. "Last I heard, Spectre City was under some kind of martial law."
"Spectran Military Headquarters is located at the edge of the city." I reminded everyone. "Perhaps they all went there."
"It's certainly a possibility." Jason concurred.
The cargo vehicles had been brought to the central square, and people lined up in an orderly fashion for an allocation of food. There was a party atmosphere, but without the drunkenness and belligerence I had unfortunately witnessed at similar events on Federation planets. Everyone was simply enjoying being together.
"When was the last time the people of Spectre City ate without food rationing?" Tavis' voice broke into the coverage as we watch the scene unfold.
"I last went to the market four tennights ago." an unknown, unseen woman's voice responded. The sound of murmurs and crowds filtered through the background; apparently Tavis was interviewing people on the street.
"The stalls had limited selection." the woman went on, "but there was enough that I could buy what I wanted. Still, it was clear that there were troubles, when I saw all the empty shelves. Shortly after that, rationing began."
"How much food did you receive under the rationing system?" Tavis inquired.
"We were allocated fifteen parles of meat and ten of cheese each tennight, along with fifty parles of bread." a man's voice responded. "No fruits or vegetables. Children received half rations."
"Fifteen parles?" Keyop's forehead furrowed as he did the math in his head. "About… two hundred and fifty grams… not much…"
"No much at all." Tiny grimaced, absentmindedly rubbing his stomach.
"So it's been four tennights since you've been able to eat as much as you wanted?" Tavis asked.
"Uh huh." a child's voice responded. "But Mommy was saving up a packet of sugar for my birthday. Do I still get the sugar now that there's food?" Chuckles of laughter could be heard in the background.
"You'll have to ask your mother, son." Tavis replied, amusement clearly evident in his tone. "But the Yellow Flag wants to make all of the food available for all from now on. No more withholding food so that it can go to the military."
"But then what will the soldiers eat?" the boy asked.
"They'll come home and begin working on farms, along with the Spectrans who already do so." Tavis explained. "With more people working the farms, there will be more food, so there will be enough for everyone."
"Shrewd." Jason commented. "He's explaining it to the kid, but he's really explaining it to the viewing audience."
"Implying that if the people in the Spectran military worked for 'their fair share', there would be enough." Mark added.
"He has a point." Tiny admitted. "Military forces don't contribute to society."
"What about… us?" Keyop thumped his chest indignantly.
"We don't really 'contribute' either, Keyop." I told him. "I would hope that the moment the war ends, that we'll be free to find more meaningful employment."
"We… defend!" Keyop insisted.
"Of course we do, Keyop." Mark replied. "But that's only necessary because we're at war. If the Spectrans were to leave us alone, the Federation could spend far more resources on bettering our lives, rather than fighting off attackers."
"I'm looking forward to that." Jason commented.
"We all are, Jason." Mark smiled.
Chief Anderson had taken the opportunity presented by our conversation to jump forward in the video timeline. When my eyes returned to the monitor, I saw the scene in the Main Square from above: orderly lines for food, people celebrating and eating together. The Main Square was packed.
Yet the area across from the food distributions points was empty. Adjacent to the Main Square, the Administrative Centre was built on and around the side of a single small mountain. A number of windows were clustered together, looking out upon the city below, and with a start I realized that this was the outside of the Hall of Light, where my trial had been held. Then that meant that inside that mountain, and below this ground, lay the vast network of rooms and corridors known as Spectran Military Headquarters. I was lost in thought for a moment, remembering the days I had spent there.
"Look at the palace!" Tiny cried, pointing his finger toward an elaborate building at the very top of the mountain. I peered at the spot he was indicating.
"Well I'll be." Jason smirked. "Looks like old Purple-face decided to join the party after all."
"It's Zoltar all right." Mark agreed. "And he has to know that he can be seen."
"Do you think he's just observing, or is he sending a message?" I asked, before answering my own question. "Probably both."
"Zoltar… come down?" Keyop asked.
"I don't think so." Tiny disagreed. "If he were going to do that, he would have done it already."
"Coming down would be a capitulation." Mark concurred. "He'd be acknowledging the Yellow Flag and be forced to negotiate with them, at the very least. From what I know of Zoltar, that doesn't seem like something he'd do unless his back was against the wall."
"It looks pretty close to me." Jason observed. "The Yellow Flag is broadcasting freely and has just walked into his capital city, commandeering supplies for the military. What more can he do?"
"Zoltar always has a plan." Mark scowled momentarily.
"The question is, what does he have planned?" I murmured. It was difficult for me to imagine what the Spectran Leader might do. If my incarceration had made one thing clear, it was that Zoltar's mind and mine were nothing alike.
Chief Anderson nodded, paying close attention to our conversation but not participating in it. It was clear that he was having similar thoughts, but preferred to see what we would come up with on our own, rather than injecting his own suppositions into our discussion. The video moved along rapidly; it was clear that the Chief was attempting to catch up with the current broadcast.
"You already knew about this, didn't you, Chief?" I asked.
"This occurred just before we began our briefing." the Chief admitted. "I was hoping that you might have some insights as to Zoltar's next move."
"As far as I can see, he doesn't have one." Jason offered.
"Zoltar's always at his worst when his back's against the wall." the Commander reminded us. "How many times have we 'had' him, and then he somehow slipped away?"
"Cheater!" Keyop cried self-righteously, to which we all laughed.
"I suppose he could say the same thing about us." I pointed out. "There have been many times when he was convinced that he had gotten the better of us."
"But only one time when he actually did." Mark said quietly, his eyes locked on mine.
"You mean when he destroyed half of Center Neptune?" Tiny asked, but as the pilot glanced back and forth between the Commander and myself, a sudden understanding flooded his eyes. "Oh…"
"We'll even the score." Jason promised, his eyes narrowing.
"This isn't about 'evening scores', Jason." Chief Anderson lectured. "It's about ending this war, for once and for all."
"And it seems like the Yellow Flag might just be able to do that for us." the Commander added, neatly turning the conversation back to a less dangerous path. We watched as the images flew by in high speed, finally catching us up to the current broadcast.
"According to the timeline, it's been an hour and nothing has happened." Tiny noted. "Zoltar's been out there this whole time!"
"The people are enjoying themselves, feeling good about themselves." I said. "Perhaps he's going to find some way to take credit for all of that?"
"Maybe." Mark replied, but he didn't sound very certain.
We watched for another fifteen minutes. I could tell that Tiny and Keyop were getting bored as nothing new happened. Tavis continued to interview people who all had similar stories of high-level privileges removed seemingly overnight, replaced with draconian rationing and military law. Although these elite citizens of the Spectran Empire had not suffered in the same way I knew people from other areas had, the fact that they too were unhappy with the current government spoke volumes.
"What's that?" Jason asked, his body stiffening as he rose slightly from his semi-relaxed position leaning against the wall. Just as I was about to ask what he meant, the camera angle changed. Obviously the operator had seen the same thing Jason had observed.
The broadcast zoomed in on the Administrative Centre, where movement could be seen at the doors to the largest administrative building. A head emerged, and then a body. Then another, and another.
"People… coming out!" Keyop exclaimed.
"Not just any people." Jason noted. "Government workers. Spectrans who work for the system."
"Just because they work for the system doesn't mean they like the system." Mark pointed out. "Sometimes people accept employment because it's either that or starvation."
"Especially on Spectra." I added. "I've heard stories of personal savings 'disappearing'. Without a job, most people would find it difficult to get by." I thought of Partov, who had had nowhere to turn, widowed with a young child, her savings appropriated by the Spectran government. She had been denied employment, and had had difficulty making ends meet.
There were at least three dozen people in the Administrative Centre courtyard now. They were approaching the Main Square slowly, as if uncertain of their welcome. The other citizens in the Square were beginning to notice the newcomers, turning from their meals and observing the government workers.
One woman stepped forth from the group in the Main Square. The broadcast zoomed in on her briefly, and I was surprised to see that it was Norei, a yellow band about her arm.
"Come get something to eat!" Norei called out. "There is plenty for everyone!"
The people in the courtyard looked at each other, nodding and smiling, then began walking forward toward the Square. Some of the Spectre City citizens moved up to join Norei, welcoming the others.
Without warning, shots rang out, and the pavement at Norei's feet shattered into small pieces of stone. Tiny shards cut at Norei's hands and face; blood trickled down her cheek. Yet she maintained her composure as green-uniformed men marched out into the open, between the Main Square and the courtyard, effectively creating a physical barrier between the two groups of people.
"The Administrative Centre is off limits to civilian personnel." a man bearing captain's markings on his uniform announced. I recognized him, yet it took me a moment to place his face.
"That's Mandakar…" I said quietly, explaining further when the others looked at me curiously. "He was in charge of the detention area at Spectran Military Headquarters during my trial."
"We do not wish to enter the Administrative Centre." Norei replied, her tone holding a bare hint of condescension. "We only wish to allow these others into the Main Square, where they may collect food, which is being freely distributed to all."
"That food is not free." Mandakar declared. "It belongs to the Spectran government and has been allocated to feed the military. Whatever you eat is stealing from the mouths of Spectran soldiers: your fathers, your brothers, your husbands."
"We offer it freely to those in the military as well." Norei responded. "If you wish, you may come join us. Or if you do not wish to leave your posts, we will bring some to you. But these other people wish to enter the Main Square." She swept out her arm to indicate the government workers now standing in stunned silence behind the armed men.
"No one may leave or enter this area," Mandakar intoned, "by order of Lord Zoltar."
At the mention of Zoltar's name, some of the people cowered in fear, while other scowled in defiance. Still others appeared confused, as if they hadn't considered the Spectran Leader at all and were now uncertain as to how to proceed after their rash actions.
"Fine." Norei decided. "If these people cannot leave, then we will bring the food to them."
"You will come no closer. No one is to come into the Administrative Centre!" Mandakar declared.
A woman I recognized as Genalla appeared at Norei's side, holding a bag of military rations. Genalla hefted the parcel, holding it out toward the soldiers.
"We are only giving food." she said plainly. "If you will not let us pass, perhaps you can give this to those who are behind you." Genalla took a step forward, offering the bag.
"No one comes closer!" Mandakar roared, pulling out his pistol and aiming it at Genalla. I was amazed to see the once timid woman I had known stand tall, holding her shoulders straight.
"Fine. Then I will leave it here." she said loudly. Slowly she bent down, placing the bag of rations on the ground.
"Stay away! We don't want your stolen food!" Mandakar shouted.
"No!" I cried, frozen in horror. "Genalla!"
But there was nothing I could do to prevent the crack of Mandakar's gun, or the bright red blood from blossoming on Genalla's temple. Belatedly I raced forward, catching myself just before I ran into the Chief's desk, suddenly realizing that I was not in this place, but an entire galaxy away from where this tragedy was unfolding.
"Princess…" Mark's voice was in my ear, his hands on my shoulders. But it could not take away the grief that ran through me at that moment.
In Spectre City, Norei had run to Genalla's aid, braving Mandakar's wrath. Yet it was clear, even through the broadcast view, that Genalla was dead. The camera closed in, Genalla's lifeless eyes filling the view screen.
"There was no reason to kill her!" Norei declared, her voice full of a cold rage. "This woman has suffered more than you can imagine at the hands of the Spectran government, and she did not deserve this!" The former Galaxy Girl rose to a stand, her body tense and ready to act.
The shots came without warning, firing into the crowd. We watched in horror as more people fell, and then the ones behind them surged forward, running as one toward the line of Spectran troops.
And in the middle of it all was Norei. I saw her deal a kick to Mandakar's head that surely shattered his skull, and then she was lost, lost in the vast sea of civilians that surged toward the Administrative Centre, bowling over the armed soldiers and trampling them beneath their feet. The administrative personnel who had come out into the courtyard were swallowed up by the massive crowd.
Shots were fired, but not many. The soldiers' guns were lost, torn from their hands by the crowd, then silenced forever.
In stunned silence we watched, simultaneously both fascinated and horrified by the scene unfolding in front of us. Throngs of people stormed into the courtyard, carried by their momentum and pushed by those behind them who wished to enter the area as well. The civilians at the front began to storm the administrative buildings.
"I… I can't believe it!" I whispered.
"I never thought I'd see a revolution takes place right in front of me." Mark said quietly, his hands tightening on my shoulders in a protective fashion. "It's like something you read about in history books."
"Not history!" Keyop said in an amazed tone. "Happening now!"
"On Spectra!" Tiny added.
"If I weren't seeing it with my own eyes…" the Chief said. "I need to speak with President Kane. If you'll all excuse." No one paid any attention as Chief Anderson left the room. We were too riveted to what was happening in the broadcast.
"Did you see that?" Jason asked suddenly, causing my eyes to zip around the screen in search of something that would stand out in this already unprecedented event.
"What?" Tiny sat straight up in his chair. "Where?"
"It's Zoltar." Mark observed. "He's gone."
"He left just a few seconds ago, right after the people broke into the Hall of Light." Jason told us.
"Zoltar… gone?" Keyop asked.
"Out of sight, anyway." I told him. "But I know him too well to think that he's out of mind."
"He's out of his mind, all right." Tiny smirk.
"What's he doing now?" Mark thought out loud.
"His capital city is rebelling, but he's sitting on top of Spectran Military Headquarters…"
"You don't think…?" I gasped in fear. "He wouldn't use the military against his own people?"
"I wouldn't put it past him." Jason muttered angrily. "He's practically done it already with that stunt at the Administrative Center courtyard. That purple freak doesn't have any sense of morals whatsoever!"
"We'd better keep an eye on this." Mark noted, and we all nodded. "At the very least we need to wait for the outcome of Chief Anderson's meeting with President Kane."
We all nodded in agreement. It was clear that it was going to be a long day.