3
Chapter 51
A group of soldiers gathered around a table…sipping liquor.
Each had a calm yet solemn expression; they spoke softly and gently.
None made eye contact with one another; every now and then…they would poke their heads up.
But immediately averted their eyes.
One of them took a slip of his drink…licking his lips of the remnants of the bitter brew.
"I've been hearing some things,"
No one moved. Or made a sound.
"I've been hearing some very distressing things,"
Again…no one responded.
"There has been some talk…of…"
He stopped himself.
Another one of the soldiers cleared his throat.
"My wife is probably worried sick by now…I haven't been able to make any transmissions in two weeks,"
The first soldier glanced up at him…a twinge of frustration in his eyes.
"Aren't you…"
The group of soldiers looked up at him; their eyes were filled with fear.
"We…are soldiers…"
The frustration in his eyes grew.
"I've been told that our second in command…"
One of the other soldiers grunted; he shot the first a look of reproach.
The first soldier pursed his lips.
"Gentleman…we may never see our families again,"
"We…are soldiers…"
The first soldier set his glass down on the table roughly; at the sound of collision…the group's eyes grew and shot glances of guilt.
"I want to go home…I have a small child waiting for me,"
"Stop this now,"
The first soldier began to say something…but was interrupted by the entrance of a group of guards.
The sound of whispers died to a dead silence as the whole room quieted down.
One of the guards stepped forward.
"Fellow officers…the General would like to offer you a token of his loyalty,"
Another guard entered the room…carrying a pike.
At the tip…was a decapitated head.
The face it wore was Sakal's.
The group looked to each other…their eyes filled with pure terror.
"The General has offered this…as a symbol of commitment to the mission. And all of you,"
The soldier spoke calmly…and professionally.
But his eyes…held the same fear.
"We are all in this together," he said quietly.
The group understood; they felt all hope ever seeing home again…vanquished.
Lo-Chem sat his desk…quietly staring into space.
The only light that shone was a small overhead above.
"What do I do now?" he asked softly.
"They will come for you,"
"They do not understand,"
"No they do not. They are weak…you must save them,"
"From themselves,"
"Yes,"
"What do you suggest, Father?"
"You must find a safe harbor to conduct your expierements,"
"And then?"
"The humans will come,"
"I understand,"
"Once you destroy them…there will be more,"
Lo-Chem nodded his head.
He pressed a button on his desk.
"This is the General…I have our orders,"