Chapter 42
FBI Headquarters
Hoover building
Washington DC
Sadly, Spencer couldn't set his plan into motion right off, whatever it was, because they weren't letting him out of medical until roughly tomorrow. But that gave Hotch enough time to set up this meeting. "Thank you for doing this on such short notice." He said.
"Thank the Senators." His boss replied. "I trust your judgement. And we need allies the other side cannot touch."
"I think this is our best option there."
"I think you're right. The ladies should be here any moment."
"Ladies?" Hotch thought they were just meeting the Consul General.
"Yes. They sent a military representative along as well."
They were right on time. Sure enough, two women in military uniform entered snd gave them bows of greeting, while one younger person and one very large cat-like alien took up position on either side of the door outside. His boss introduced himself and then him.
"I'm Commander Linalter, the Cousul General here in DC. This is Commander Dmogah from Fleet Command." She introduced the one with the dark curls and notably blue eyes.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both." Hotch replied. They sat down and got down to business, briefing the two women on the state of things. He must have made some noise when Commander Dmogah picked up some of the briefing material and began going through it at speed. She looked up at him. "I'm sorry." He said. "I've only ever known one person who could read that fast."
"Now you know where he gets it." She replied with a confident smile.
That confident smile was a little too confident. Hotch kept his thoughts focused on the briefing while he pulled his phone out and quickly took a picture. When the Senators arrived he managed to slip out during the introductions. Once out of range of the guards he sent the picture off to Penelope before calling her. "Garcia, can you check with your contact, see if they can identify this woman for us? She's calling herself Commander Dmogah from Fleet Command, but something doesn't feel right."
"I'll say it's not right!" Penelope replied. "You know those videos they sent Reid?"
Hotch couldn't get back into the meeting until the Senators left, but he managed to slip in as they did so and seal the room before either the Q or his boss could leave. "I'm afraid we owe you an apology, Your Grace." He said to Commander Dmogah. "If we had known who you were we would have greeted you properly."
Even as Commander Linalter rolled her eyes and sighed Commander Dmogah, aka Queen Sa'rai the First, gave a pleased laugh. "I see I'm not the only one who likes to know who they're dealing with." She said. "And you work quickly as well. I'm impressed."
"Thank you." Hotch replied.
"Well, no point in going through the charade of waiting on an answer. Truth is, while we can bring in agricultural imports from Avalon I don't want to have to risk my people rescuing sentient beings from a fission event just off my orbit. Based on our reading of your history the best way to keep that from happening is to keep this particular regional division strong and stable. Unfortunately you're under attack by forces who are remarkably short-sighted. They're not even thinking past the current generation, whereas the people I've met today are taking the longer, more universal view. Our analysis indicates that their side in the conflict is the most likely to lead to long term planetary peace and stability, which suits the interests of Earth, Mars and the IGFP."
"I'm glad we concur in our analysis." Hotch's boss replied.
"To that end I can offer help." Sa'rai said. "I'm willing to embed a team in with yours to help with your work and to act as liaison should you need more assistance in the future. We will keep this team separate from our diplomatic mission here, as at times they will be representing the IGFP as well."
"Fair enough."
"You'll have no objection to Dr. Reid leading the team?"
"None." Hotch replied easily. "I've worked with Reid since he started at the Bureau." He said to his boss. "He's one of the best we have. We recently learned that while he was born in Vegas…"
"…he was conceived on Quadris." Sa'rai finished. "We'll be training him for the next three of your weeks, call it a personnel exchange, whatever paperwork you need done for it. We usually embed these teams within a larger unit, train them together for the last week, can you arrange for whoever they'll be working with to be away for that long?"
"Yes." Hotch replied. "And I'll be leading the team myself."
"Excellent. Since this is not an IGFP sanctioned project I suggest we keep it to ourselves. We'll need to set up an alternate landing site."
"We'll make it happen."
Hotch's boss chuckled. "What do you know Aaron." He said. "You might be the first man on Mars."
"Oh no." Sa'rai replied. "Our training site is much further away than Mars."
Hotch looked up from his notes. "How much further?"
It was traditional for members of the Nobility to question and advise the Royal on their decisions. The more points of view you could gather, it was thought, the better the decision made. Which was why Lira felt comfortable speaking up now. "Are you sure this is wise?" She asked Sa'rai as they were leaving, with Cass and Stout Will at a discrete distance. "Getting involved in someone else's problems."
"It's not that much of a commitment. Three fleet Nobles at most and their Companions. We have enough now, in the pipeline, to spare them for the time it will take. And I meant what I said, I don't want this planet to become a cinder."
"But why does it matter? Because it does to you, over and above the usual concern for sentient life."
Sa'rai stopped. From here she could see their Capitol building. "Because by keeping this region peaceful and prosperous for as long as they did they did us a huge favor, and now we are in their debt for it. And so, we help them find their balance again."
"What favor?"
"I've been ordered not to say."
"You've been ordered?" No one gave orders to the Queen. They advised, they suggested, they even insisted, but no one could order. Except… Lira looked around, not at the buildings but at the people. They look like us, she thought. You need a MedScan to tell us apart. And they were peaceful at a time we were not…. "So this is where Prince Ehawk was hiding." She said at last. The Prince, who refused the crown because he did not believe. Because he came from a land that once rebelled against a King and proved themselves right in the end. "You're right, we do owe them for that." Because King or not, the Royal bloodline survived. The peace and stability of this region made that happen.
Sa'rai smiled. "Yes, we do." She looked around and sighed. "You know I used to dream of this place. Farmland as far as the eye could see, cool and green. So different from a back room on Rigel. I dreamed of what I would do here."
Lira laughed. "Those dreams come true?"
"Not yet. I'll let you know."
Sure she would. "How do you plan to get them to Bara'cum without the IGFP finding out?"
Sa'rai smiled. "Help from a friend."
.
Note: I had to go back and edit Chapters 36-38 or else upcoming chapters make no sense at all. You might want to re-read.
