Empress Beatrix was afraid. Admiral Prechkov had done more damage than she could've imagined by sending out those files to the fleet admirals. There was worry spreading throughout the fleets from the admirals all the way down to the foot soldiers. How could she possibly lead the UET to greatness without the confidence of her military behind her? This is why she called a meeting of her Defense Minister and her highest military commanders. And now she sat in the counsel chamber, filled to the brim with her valued members and The Keepers Envoy to King Ralkathon, King of the Lithoids. It was time for the truth. Something she had hoped to hide until they were more established as a species. The Keepers were present as well, being that they were partially responsible for the overall safety of the Terran's as they got on their feet. It wasn't her people she feared. The Keepers were known for being very kind, or very ruthless. It only matter what side of the coin you landed with them. And though the UET had made nice with them in the beginning, the fact that they had hid this ugly truth for so long was cause enough for the lithoids to withdraw support, leaving the UET open to attacks from all sides. Including that of the lithoids own armies. A gavel woke her from her stupor and the quiet, frantic conversations ceased instantaneously.
"Gentlemen, lithoids friends and allies, Empress Beatrix." The booming voice of her Speaker, Tom Landry, rang out over the cold, metallic floor. The Empress leaned to her microphone and began to speak.
"Counsel members and lithoid friends, I come to you today to discuss a grave truth that has been revealed to my defense counsel and myself recently. A few days ago I made a trip to Bextar Citadel, the forerunner of defense platforms for the United Empire of Terra. My reason for making this trip was kept a secret until we could verify the credit of the vicious rumor that reached my ears. One of our own Admirals has been keeping a secret from his Empress for far too long." She took a deep breath. "As is taught to our children, the Earthlings left their planet to flee the crushing effects of pollution and war on the species. We are taught that in a great movement of unity, all nations of Earth banded together and overcame overwhelming odds to create the First Colonization Fleet, a fleet of 50 starships that would carry our species beyond the reaches of the old galaxy and into new territories. This guaranteeing the survival of Terran's as a species. Sadly, this is not the truth. And the Admiral in question has been withholding this truth since he took his oath over 30 years ago. A secret that his family had also hidden." Another pause for effect. "As it has been revealed, only the wealthy and the best of the Earthlings were allowed to board the colonization fleet and those too poor or too sick were left behind to die with the planet. Not only this, but they were exterminated upon clearance of the atmosphere by the fleet. Led by the Admirals own lineage, this savage attack was covered up, an attempt at hiding the monsters we used to be!"
The chamber erupted into chaos. Minister turned of minister, friend upon friend. Screaming at each other in disbelief and anger. The lithoid envoy and his attaché sat unnaturally still. As expressionless as an alive rock formation could be. The empress held up her hand and the commotion died down.
"My lady! How can this be! There is no way that this secret could have been withheld for so long without one of the Defense Ministers knowing about it!" Councilman Evergreen, the Finance Minister was the first to speak. His tone all but accusing the Defense Minister. All knew of the close relationship between her family and that of Alex and his.
"We cannot fling accusations in any directions but that of the Admiral in question" Exclaimed Speaker Landry. Beatrix spoke again.
"Valued Councilmen, I do not wish to hold anyone accountable for this treasonous act other than the Admiral and his family who decided it was their responsibility to hide this from the very leaders that attempt to protect this great civilization!" She said. With that she waved her hand and the doors leading to the chamber opened. In marched two Palace Guards with Admiral Prechkov in between them, hands bound in metal-composite cuffs and a burlap sack over his face. Dramatically, the guards yanked the bag off and there were gasps heard around the room. And if one looked close enough, they could see the evil glint in the Empress's eyes.