The White Sheep and The Black Wolf Part 30

Zed gave them a broad smile, which had anything but warmth behind it. He spread his hands in false welcome to them. "Greetings Federation. I have called on behalf of the Hoon'tak Allied Forces to inform you that you have the choice of preventing unnecessary bloodshed. Turn away now and return to your homeworlds. In doing so, the Hoon'taks will be merciful enough to spare you and your families. But if opposition is met we will crush your armies and no one will be
spared from our slaughter."

He said this calmly, as if it were an invitation than a threat. But it was his eyes alone that sent chills down X's spine. Totally devoid of life, they were nothing but stones set in those dark sockets. And despite the fact that they were on a communications link, X could still sense the darkness within them, almost as if Evil had became incarnate through Zed. X glanced at the screen of Kimbli, wondering if he felt the same way.

If he had, the only indication of it would be his slightly parted lips, which he set as he listened to Zed's chilling words.

"You can tell the Hoon'tak that we don't run away from the line of duty. That we rather would die than to let them capture our people. If we did surrender, they would only enslave us and our
families. And we refuse to go down without a fight," Kimbli said sternly.

Zed was quiet for a while. Then he nodded. "So be it. However if you change your mind it's not too late. We are still 8 hours away. But if you don't..." He stepped to one side, disappearing from the range of the com-screen, revealing a sight that made X's heart skip a beat and his insides tighten.

Outside of the window of Zed's ship were millions of battle cruisers. So many that the stars were obscured by the multitude. They moved as one. Giving the impression of a massive beast, that would devour anyone or anything that dared to challenge its strength. A third of them consisted of Hoon'tak Buzzards and Vultures. The rest were from cultures that were know to be neutral or even from the Federation.

Zed stepped back into com-screen range, his face still impassive. "I hope you reconsider your decision, for you and your peoples' sake." With that his screen went blank.

Kimbli's screen maximized to cover the empty space. The Advisor himself seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts, that X wondered if he had forgotten his prescence. What was he going to do now?

Eventually Kimbli recomposed himself and he set his lips into a grim line. "I'm afraid we'll have to talk some other time Agent X. I must meet with the other dignitaries to discuss this new turn of
events."

A sneaking suspicion formed at the back of X's mind. His eyes widened. The Federation couldn't possibly consider the grotesque option!! "Sir, you're aware that the Allied Forces are meerly civilians, are you not?" he demanded.

Kimbli nodded solemnly. "I'm aware. However it is not my choice to make, it is the Federation's."

X scowled with rage, but he struggled to keep his temper in check. Elle had told him that it's best not to lose ones temper to keep control of the situation. "Oh, so you will allow your forces to slaughter millions to save your asses."

"If the situation arises, we must defend ourselves. Besides we can't let Earth fall to the Hoon'taks, billions depend on us to drive them back."

"Dammit!" X hissed and slammed a fist unto the table. "We're not gods! Since when can we decide who lives and who dies? You can't kill people who aren't aware of their actions for the sake of others!!"

Kimbli glowered at him. "Please, Agent X. We can't let them hurt their own people. I bet they would rather die than remain slaves to the Hoon'taks and killing their own brother. The Federation and I must accept this responsibility if we run out of all other options."

"Oh, you haven't exhausted all the other options yet," X replied hotly. So much for control, he thought. "You still got me."

Then his screen went blank.

Kimbli sighed. He knew that it was a very slim chance that X if no one else could deter the conflict that awaits them. Yet he couldn't help hoping that X could do it. The youth's fiery spirit had lifted his own, convincing him that there's always a fighting chance. No doubt the boy's father would have been proud of him if he had been alive.