"Deirdre is totally within her rights to fortify her borders, Zakharov," Lal was saying though the comm., "There is no discussion about it. It's her land and she can defend it if she so wishes."
Zakharov yelled into the comm., "Lal, this isn't fortification! I've uploaded the schematics of all known Gaian forces near the border. Hell, Lal, some of those rovers don't even HAVE armor! This is an invasion force against a peaceful faction, and you'd have to be stupid not to see that!"
Deirdre was calm as she spoke. "Zakharov, your bases near our border are producing mass amounts of toxins that are unleashed into Planet. Thus, Xenofungas grows extremely quick in the vicinity and threatens my own bases when they cross sides. This is simply a protection force to keep the mindworms at bay before they grow too strong. It's not that I don't appreciate the mindworms…it's just that my own bases can't take a Demon Boil's assault."
Zakharov ran his fingers through his hair, stressed. He, Shila and nine young cadets were the only one in the control room for the meeting. Mandate required that the room be empty during a council meeting save for participants. He felt that was a good thing…it wasn't good for morale to see a leader so under duress. He opened up his microphone and began to talk, but was cut off.
"You LYING TREE-HUGGER!" Yang's voice exploded from the speakers. "How dare you say that before the entire council!? Everyone knows that Planet wouldn't attack you because of Zakharov's bases! And I've seen the schematics for University Base…Tree farm, Centauri Preserve…everything ecologically sound. I'd have expected you to be praising Zakharov!"
Deirdre's voice raised a little. "Yang, don't speak what you don't know about. The fact of the matter is that I'm well within my rights of fortification."
Morgan's voice began. "She is correct, Zakharov. She can defend whatever portion of land that she wants, considering that it belongs to her."
"It's not going to BE fortified!" Zakharov yelled.
"My forces are protected by my rights and they shall not be moved. End of discussion."
The comm. was silent for a moment. "Our next order of business is voting on my proposal of forgoing the U.N. charter."
Zakharov spoke next. "So you can add even more destructive forces to your army?"
Deirdre ignored that. "Please vote now."
Zakharov pushed the 'no' button on his control, then he realized that little Meskha had been quiet the whole meeting. Her faction was now connected to the council, so she had a say in council activities. Yet, she was silent.
"Morgan, Yea. Miriam, Yea. Santiago, Yea. Meskha, Yea. Yang, Nay. Zakharov, Nay. Myself, I am Yeah. The vote is 5-2. The law is to go into effect immediately. Thank you for participating."
Zakharov shut his eyes sadly. Shila glanced over at him and placed her hand on his. He opened his eyes and blinked at her and smiled briefly. It faded quickly and he turned to his screen. "If that's all, I have pressing issues to get to."
Deirdre's voice danced as it rang over the speakers. "As you wish, Provost."
Zakharov cut the channel and dismissed the cadets, leaving only him and Shila in the control room. He stared at her with determined eyes as he spoke. "Shila, I want you to pull your entire link from the University Datalinks."
She looked at him confused. "…why?"
"I'll tell you later. I need to talk to Yang."
----------------------------------------------------------------
"Surely you jest, Prokhor," Yang said through the comm.
"It's no joke, Yang. I'm going to destroy my Datalinks."
"I heard you the first time. Any reason why, exactly?"
Zakharov looked at his side screen, which continually showed the University/Gaian border. "Her."
Yang snorted. "What good will destroying your Datalinks do?"
Zakharov stared at him. "Sheng-ji, look at our border. Deirdre has the potential to wipe out every base of mine, and I have no doubt she'll do so. If I keep all of my research available through the Datalinks, she'll gather all of my data base by base. With knowledge and power, she'll easily be able to take over Planet."
Yang looked solemn. "Then why are you telling me?"
"I'm sending you my entire database of knowledge." He pushed a few buttons on the side of his seat and a confirmation appeared on his screen. Yang then had time to look surprised.
"Why did you do that, Prokhor? This is your factions ultimate work, and you're giving it to me on a whim."
"It's better for you to have it, Yang, then for it to fall into that madwoman's hands. I foresee how things will turn out, and it's not going to be good…I need to go. Zakharov out."
Shila reappeared behind him with a concerned look. He looked at her and turned on a bitter smile.
"Come on, Shila, we're going for a trip."
