COUNTERSTRIKE THE LAST WORLD WAR BOOK II by Dayton Ward

Author:Dayton Ward
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: POCKET STAR BOOKS
Published: 2010-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

26

For the first time in more cycles than she could count, First Dekritonpa Vahelridol Praziq was hopeful.

“Despite their initial and quite understandable misgivings,” she said, looking up as the doors to her private office opened to admit Jenterant Lnai Mrotoque, “Earth’s leaders have agreed to meet.”

Mrotoque nodded. “I have seen the reports,” he said as he moved to stand before her large desk. “I will admit to being surprised at the swiftness of the responses. I would have expected more skepticism.”

“Your years of military service have colored your perceptions, my friend,” Praziq said.

“Only in the sense that I am less an idealist than I was when I was much younger. Still, the reports, if they are accurate, are cause for much celebration.”

Praziq smiled. “I do not believe we are ready for that just yet, but I will agree there is much here about which we should be optimistic.” Holding up the portable information reader given to her by one of her aides, she extended the large oval-shaped device to Mrotoque. “Every envoy we sent to Earth returned with similar messages from human leaders. They desire to meet with us. Given a choice, they want to talk, not fight.”

“Talking is always good, Dekritonpa, ” Mrotoque replied as he accepted the reader from her, “particularly when one is also preparing to fight.” Before she could respond to that, the jenterant held up his free hand. “I did not say that is what the humans are doing, but it is a possibility of which we need to remain aware, no matter how this other scenario moves forward.”

Scowling at him, Praziq said, “Scenario? We’re talking about ending the war, Lnai, something you and I both thought unlikely until the moment I sent those messengers to Earth. You cannot tell me you are not uplifted by this news.”

“I am a soldier, Dekritonpa . My duty and my oath require that I be ready for war while simultaneously hoping you need never call upon me. I look forward to the day that I and those like me no longer have a function in our society.”

Praziq smiled. “You are wise, my friend, and for that I shall always value your counsel and your friendship.” Walking back to the large, curved desk positioned so that she sat with her back to the window, the First Dekritonpa eyed the suite of compact display monitors built into the desk’s surface. Each one was tuned to a different information feed, and all were updated constantly, affording her real-time status reports from her various aides and other appointed officials as well as civilian and military news organizations. One screen was reserved for personal correspondence, most of which remained neglected as she concentrated on the demands of her office.

“I do not expect military training or readiness operations to be compromised, in keeping with your well-intentioned paranoia,” she said, smiling once more to communicate that she was teasing Mrotoque. “However, all combat operations are to cease immediately. No reconnaissance missions, no scouting parties, no hostile action of any sort are to be initiated from this point without my authorization.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.