Here is a new chapter. I have a confession to make now that we are up to chapter 10. When I first started this story, and posted chapter 1 one on I had a writer's block and during about two or three weeks I came up with nothing for this. I seriously thought I wouldn't continue until I began reading some the other stories the author's had written about Titan AE and felt the need to continue, and now is one of the stories I enjoy most writing. I know it is stupid to make this kind of comments when the story isn't even done but hey is the first of my ongoing series to reach ten chapters and the one that lets my imagination work more freely.

Special thanks as always to Specter 06 for commenting and really special thanks to those that read this.

Dark Cronos.

LD: Titan AE does not belong to me.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Titan AE II)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Korso stood there before New Earth's government body. He answered the questions presented to him with calm. Cale had warned him he would be met with hostility and he was right. Most of the politicians wanted him to make a mistake, wanted him to catch it. The most frequent question was if his fleet was ready to swear loyalty. That was a difficult question. Most of his men around 70 % were human, and he was sure they were overjoyed to have a world to call their own again, they would surely do it. But the 30% that was left was another story, this life had been far more good to them than it was to their human partners and as such they would be more reluctant to leave their former life. So each and every time he answered the same.

"I know I will" which was usually followed by murmurs of Murmurs of Mr. Wong's faction.

To everyone's surprise Mr. Wong was quiet, he didn't intervene unless it was completely necessary and just stood there with a neutral expression on his face, none of them could know what he was thinking. Cale was relieved, Korso seemed to be convincing a lot of the representatives that his intentions were the ones he was telling. He was so convincing that even Stith seemed to believe him and that was saying something because as everyone knew a Mantrin did not forget nor forgive and it was impossible to regain their trust. Secretly Cale hoped that the government approved of Korso's offer and let them go back so they could finally begin to train their volunteers.

But all good things come to an end and just as the president of the parliament was going to bring the session to an end, Mr. Wong intervened.

"We all have heard, how you offer your fleet to become part of your military forces, how you offer Planet Tortuga to become an academy for our future military forces. But I have a question for you. How can you expect us to believe you when you can't even keep your end of a deal you made with me just a two months ago? When you took my money and surely spent or wasted it and you refuse to do what I asked you? Your honors may know me to be a reasonable man and I understand that accepting his fleet will help our self-defense forces greatly but I can't afford to trust a man who doesn't keep his word even when he has been for it. Can you?" The room stood silent. "I thought so. So I propose this, the higher ups of our army will respond to me. I will act as defense minister and make sure neither of them betray us." He said finishing his speech and seating down again with a stupid grin on his face. Once again the ones opposing to Korso's plan began voicing their opinion supporting Mr Wong's plan.

Cale rose up and stood beside Korso. He waited until the shouting had been quieted down and then looked around him. He began to speak loudly enough to be heard and to transmit the message he intended to transmit.

"Some time ago some of you insisted in the importance of our young planet having a self-defense army. Akima, Nanami, Bob and I left our positions in this institution and began working on it. We have put up with all your complaints just because you were afraid that when we formed the army we would try to overthrow you, but let me make this perfectly clear, we have no intention of forcing you to go away or take your posts from you, nor did we make any movements that made you suspect us. Yet when a man that even before the army project was approved made contact with a mercenary military force, Korso's pirates, asks you to give him more power you comply like it is the most natural thing in the world. What that man has done boarders with treason too dangerously and you intend to give him wings. Well then here is where I draw the line. I agree that the army has to respond to a government but only to the government not just to this man. If you want the army to obey one man convoke elections, and when the people has chosen who they want their leader to be the army will obey him and whoever he designates to be the defense minister, but I won't tolerate that you give more power to a man that will most likely use that power for his own personal gain. If you need assurance I give you my word that Korso will obey and swear loyalty to New Earth's and its government like all of us will." Cale sat down again and could hear Stith mumble something about the government being a bunch of idiots and how she would like to rip off their heads. They made them exit the room as the parliament debated the issue at hand.

"We have done what we could" Akima told him as they waited the veredict. "Now it's up to them.

"That's what should worry us. My people would have decided this by a combat to death between Korso and Wong" Stith said making everyone chuckle. Kate looked at her "Talking about that. When do you leave?"

"I was planning on leaving tomorrow" the Mantrin answered. Everyone nodded.

"Do you think the Mantrins will consider an alliance with us?" Korso asked. "I heard they only respect strength and let's face it. It is not our best moment"

Stith nodded. "Perhaps they will need a little convincing but in the end I think there is a good chance they will. After all they were Earth's allies before its destruction. Problem is, I don't know how much time it will take and there is a chance some races will hear and act harshly before anything is confirmed."

"But New Earth doesn't have enemies right now" Cale argued.

"No it doesn't, but my people do" Stith explained. "And New Earth is a new planet young and fertile so there are many factions interested on it, that's why so many races offered their help. They are investing on our natural resources. If the alliance is successful their chances of making unfair trades with the government diminish greatly. There are also those races that will attack you for the sake of waging war"

"Mr. Cale" a blonde girl who was one of the parliament's secretaries called. "They are ready to meet you now."

Cale and the group entered the parliament again. Everyone was looking at them. Korso and the rest sat while Cale stepped forward. The profound voice of the president of the Parliament spoke.

"We have heard what you have said. We have heard your arguments suggesting we trust this mercenary, this pirate. We also have heard Mr. Wong's arguments and his idea and we have heard your accusations against him." The white haired white bearded man made a pause and coughed a little. "And while both of you have put forward pretty valid arguments but, as you know, we can't choose both plans." Cale closed his eyes bracing for the worst. "And that's why we have decided to go forward with your plan Mr. Cale."

Everyone behind him smiled while he opened his eyes wide. He could not believe he had defeated Mr. Wong in a debate. He finally smiled widely but the voice of the old man interrupted his thoughts.

"It is however necessary" the man continued "to warn you of the effects of a possible betrayal on this man's fleet man. Should he betray New Earth he will be executed and you will be demoted."

Cale nodded and turned to his friends. They were all too happy to care about what the judge had just said. Only Akima seemed to hear him and while she was a little concerned at first her concern dissipated the moment he saw Korso hugging Cale, which didn't mean she shouldn't have a serious talk with her previous captain sometime in the future, but for now she just relaxed and enjoyed the moment, like every one of her friends even Stith seemed to be doing.