A/N: This is for my two biggest fans, NavyMomCilla, and cinderella9056! It is because of your reviews and encouragement I keep writing. Thank you.

13

"I apologize for not contacting you sooner, but until a few days ago, we had no way to communicate, Majesty," A man in an Admiral's uniform says from midway down the table. "We have lost two bases and sustained significant damage to Earth's base and surrounding civilian areas."

"I am sorry for the losses you have incurred, Admiral…?"

"Wallace, Majesty. I am Admiral Jason Wallace. I was stationed on Ganymede but was returning to it from a meeting on Earth when the attack happened."

"Admiral Wallace, I am sure this has been extremely difficult for you, but any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated."

He bows his head for a moment and takes a breath. "The ships seem to come from nowhere. They are just there and gone. That itself is bad enough but the missiles… We used to think that a nuclear war was the worst possible scenario for us to fight. But whatever this enemy has is ten times worse. It seems to have various forms of destruction. Limitless soldiers, who appear to be simply shells, robots, not living beings. They are made for one purpose find their target and kill or capture, depending on the command it is given. They have missiles that nuke, as we have all feared previously. But this is beyond what we can do. It's like they can cause more or less damage at will. One missile irradiated an area of 100 square miles. Another just the base that was hit. Same size missile. They also apparently have missiles that pull all oxygen from a radius of about 100 miles, suffocating anyone in range slowly. We know this because all of these methods have been used. And it sounds that a mix was used on Pollux as well."

I hear gasps from people as the admiral speaks, telling his tale. Sticking to basics, but his face shows the pain of loss. A look most of us here know all too well. A look they had not experienced first hand before. "Again, Admiral, I am sorry for your losses. But this information is useful. This gives our techs something to scan for. We would like to split your soldiers between here and Pollux. They have skills that we need in both places. Some have already gone to Pollux to deliver mods to house people and for creating medical wards. I want you to know that as your ally, we will help you once we tend to our people. But their safety must come first."

"We are here for your command, Majesty. Those of us who have come no longer have a base to call home. We have women and children, as your Prime Minister has seen. We feel here is our best shot to survive and possibly face this enemy, so we are yours to command."

I start to speak, but see the look on Coran's face and hesitate. He wasn't expecting the women and children and now we have more refugees to house and feed. Being aligned to the Garrison, we must take them in. Despite the fact that they neglected us those years ago. "Admiral, as we are part of the Garrison alliance, we, of course, welcome your refugees and your troops to Arus. We simply ask that you do your share." He nods, and I look to Coran, "Prime Minister Raible, have you found a place suitable for the families from the fleet?" I ask.

Coran nods, "Yes, Majesty. Troops with families will be housed together. Those who are single will take the stadium which is currently being converted to a dorm. One side for men, one for women. Field hospitals are being established and we are in discussions with the villages nearby about schooling. Some of the civilians have offered up their services to keep the Garrison children schooled alongside the villagers."

"Good. I am glad things seem to be so seamless," I reply as I look to the various faces around the table. "Does anyone else have anything to add? This is an open forum. If you have anything to share, please, do so." All remain silent and I am just about to dismiss the meeting when a door to my right opens, causing us all to turn, standing with blasters at the ready only to find Keith and another man just beyond the door.

"Keith," I say quietly as blasters are lowered. "Welcome back," I say as I start to step forward, but he gives a shake of his head stopping me. Lance immediately tenses and places his hand on his blaster as Keith and the man behind him fully enter the room. I hear gasps at both men's condition. Both are covered in dirt, grime, and blood. "Are you alright?" I ask.

Keith walks slowly towards me and I see relief in his eyes. He turns back to the man behind him to be sure he enters the room as the man stops mere steps from him.

I turn my attention to the man behind him. He has seen horrors. His eyes are dark. His gaze empty. I study him as I wait for Keith to speak, but I sense he is searching for the words. The stranger is a bit taller than Keith and is obviously fit. His arms are covered in ink, though I can't see a discerning pattern until I catch a glimpse of the one tattoo that anyone who has been on Doom has. The branding mark of Zarkon. I turn my gaze back to Keith and he takes a breath and slowly releases it.

"What we found on Pollux is worse than even I feared. These attackers spared no one. Women, children, animals...all were slaughtered. Our best estimate is that about one-third of the population survived. That includes the southern hemisphere." Gasps and cries are heard round the table. Lance and the man beside him move to offer the two men their seats. The man who came with Keith gives a nod of gratitude and takes the seat. Keith remains standing but moves to where he can hold onto the back of the chair for support. "Pidge has created a registry and is identifying the dead. Some locals have volunteered to help with the IDs and burials. We had more luck with survivors in the south because they knew to go to the caves. So those lost there were ones still above ground. It seems this enemy knew the south was less populated, as it simply bombed it. Buildings were destroyed, ground cleared, crops destroyed. No soldiers were released to torture the living before death. A ship from Zarkon's old fleet arrived here. What is the status of those people?"

"A few died from the crash, but survivors are in the medbay now."

"Romelle is safe," I say and I see the man sag with relief. "Let's adjourn this meeting and let everyone rest and tend to their duties. We can meet again at 16:00 to update on today's events and see if we need to change anything." Murmurs of agreement from around the table, "Very well. We are adjourned to 16:00. Contact the Prime Minister if you need anything and he will see to it."

Chairs move as people get up and slowly file out. Several cast looks to the man beside Keith, but decide not to broach the subject. Soon only Lance, Coran, Keith the man and I remain. Keith finally takes a seat and Lance and Coran sit down across the table and look to him expectantly.

It is not Keith who speaks, but the man beside him. "Thank you, Majesty for saving Romelle."

That voice! I look at the man again. Study him and see a ghost of a smile on his lips. "Sven?!"

"Aye, Majesty. And I hear congratulations are in order."

"Who is the man that came with Romelle? I assumed it was you."

Sven gives a small smile. "My brother, Ryu. I rescued him from Doom and he's been helping us."

"Why did you not state who you were sooner?" Lance asks.

"Because most assume I am dead in the Garrison. My records were never updated. I use the Surname of Castor now." He looks to me, "Is it true about Bandor?"

"It is," I reply as tears well up at the memory. "I'm so sorry."

Sven crosses himself and mutters something under his breath before looking back to me. "He was a good King and didn't deserve to die so horribly."

I reach over and place my hand on his. "No, he didn't."

We sit quietly for what feels like an eternity when Coran clears his throat, "Why don't Lance and I take Sven to get freshened up. He can then go visit the medbay." He then looks to Keith, "And why don't you go get freshened up and her Majesty can debrief you."

Both men nod and we all stand and head our separate ways.