Chapter 44

Ellax

M y space ship docked on the landing pad outside the much larger vessel temporarily housing the Coalition. I walked down the tunnel and up the ramp into the bigger ship, my movements precise, belying the notions whirling about my brain.

Would I arrive too late?

Had they already voted?

What could I say to dissuade them?

I could happily wring Sirena's neck, I thought, the words synchronized with my crisp footfalls against the metal walkway.

Damn that young female for putting me in this position. Whatever madness had led her to think her plan would succeed, I didn't know, but I was determined to stop her. And, in so doing, please my bride and protect my son and daughter-in-law. The Ellax of mere days ago might have been content to allow Sirena's scheme to blossom. The Ellax of today wanted to do the right thing.

The right thing for his wife, his children, a colony planet, and its inhabitants.

I stepped from the enclosed footbridge into the heart of the ship itself. Folk scurried this way and that. Crew members. Military. Personal guards. A Coalition craft was always a busy place.

"Lord Ellax."

The familiar voice seized me, spinning me in my tracks.

"Flight Commander," I acknowledged, recognizing Abidah immediately. I couldn't say I was happy to see him. He represented a chapter of my life which brought me true regret, even though only a few days old. "What are you doing here?"

"I've been called up," he replied. His dark grey eyes flashed. He was happy about it. Did that mean…?

"The Coalition has reached a verdict?" I asked, disciplining myself to steady my tone.

"No official verdict has been reached," he responded. I tightened my features to keep relief from showing. "However, the matter seems sealed. Gorb and Briishan called me up to lead air strikes against the rebel humans on Earth, starting with Asterion's colony. And…"

"We were summoned to lead the ground strikes."

A group of males had approached in the corridor behind Abidah. I recognized some of their faces. The Elite.

"Admiral Corrba," I acknowledged.

I nodded in turn to the other males present.

"Commander Ashin. Major Barak."

My focus caught on Barak. Of all the males present, of all the species present, the Major was simply huge, towering above the rest of us. He stood out both in height and width, a monster of a male from the Crednaught species, so tall his head nearly brushed the top of the ship's corridor. He was the sort of creature no one in their right minds would argue with, disrespect, or disregard. His deep eyes were black against dark brown skin, marked with lighter zigzags in lightning-bolt shapes. He had a double set of ears and slightly pointed teeth, closely resembling fangs. For all his fearsome appearance, however, and despite the fact that he was equally fearsome on the battlefield, Major Barak carried the reputation of being very calm and nearly impossible to anger.

As for the others, Commander Ashin, while not as large or broad as the Major, held the most fearsome reputation in the squad. The deeds attributed to him were whispered about. Rumors of rumors. Truthfully, while he was second in command to Admiral Corrba, he answered to no one. Not even the Coalition, were we to be honest. Commander Ashin was an Ishvi male with a light greenish skin that had the ability to shift colors to match his surroundings, creating his own camouflage—rather, I'd been told, like an Earth species, the chameleon. He was scarred, from untold past battles. One eyelid, badly burned, was nearly sealed shut, over which he wore an eye patch. Full claw marks in vivid white marked the side of his neck, disappearing beneath his armor. Half of his dark-blue hair was shaved, adding to his supernatural, almost evil appearance.

Ashin wasn't evil. Not truly. Rather, he was the sort of officer willing to do anything to complete a mission. And if that included murder or torture? Well, he could easily shrug it off as a morally grey area, if necessary. To be honest, he unnerved me, though I didn't show it.

Behind the three officers were a squad of six more males, from various planets in the Coalition. If they were here, the Coalition was serious about its preparations. I needed to hasten inside and lend my voice.

"No official news, Admiral?" I took the time to question Corrba, gaining as much information as possible before entering the Council chamber. A plan was forming in my mind, inspired by the Elite troops before me. Perhaps it wasn't written out, but I could verbalize it. Could hopefully take this mess Sirena had created and turn it into something worthwhile.

The Admiral wore full body armor and a helmet, as he customarily did. I'd never known anyone more prepared for the likelihood of combat at any second. He took his duties as the leader of the Elite with utmost seriousness. Hailing from the planet Mattan, Admiral Corrba was of the Sharar species. Apart from Asterions, his species was the most closely related to humans in the entire Coalition. His height was tall for a human, despite not reaching the prodigious stature of Major Barak. His piercing orange eyes and seven fingers and toes per hand and foot did set him apart from humans. Unlike some who'd proven their capacity for war and destruction, Admiral Corrba was certainly fit for the battlefield in a way few individuals were, but retained a high sense of honor, morality, and a code of ethics that put most of us—myself included—to shame.

I knew, from the rumors spilling about the Coalition, anything unsavory attempted by his Commander was performed with the Admiral virtually turning his back. He might allow his subordinates to cross certain lines, yet he would take no part in it. Also, there were definite lines the Admiral would not cross, nor allow any of his soldiers to violate.

His dedication to the Coalition and its ideals was unswerving. He believed in our mission. If I could get him on my side, I'd have a powerful ally.

"None officially, sir," he replied, his voice slightly muted from the helmet hiding his features. "We've recently been summoned and have heard only rumors."

I could guess what those rumors were. I didn't need him to confirm them, but I did need his help.

Pleased with the chance encounter and how it might shape matters in my favor—not merely my favor, but Earth's, my wife's, my son's—I gestured for the Admiral to step aside with me.

"Might I have a word with you before I enter the meeting room? I vow it will be brief. I am needed inside."

The Admiral hesitated an instant, then nodded sharply at his Commander.

"Take point," he said, leaving the Elite in his hands. I saw Abidah frowning after us. Doubtless, he was insulted that I'd not drawn him aside too, considering our recent, reckless past. That was just it. I knew him to be up for rash and even underhanded pursuits. That was not what was needed here. I needed someone whose weight surpassed even Abidah's, nearly rivaling my own. And I was grateful to every star in the universe that the Admiral walked away with me. With his compliance, I could prevent genocide.