The Forever Peace by Craig Robertson

Author:Craig Robertson [Robertson, Craig]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Imagine-It Publishing
Published: 2017-04-26T23:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

“All right, everybody. Take your seats,” said Faiza Hijab with cool authority. “We have a lot to cover and a lot of work ahead.”

The room quieted reluctantly, chattering fading gradually as opposed to ceasing quickly.

“Thank you. We need to go over the Foundation Incident. I have numbers from our end in UN Command. Damage to Exeter and civilian losses will be covered by Secretary General Li.

“Foundation had a crew of thirty-seven, officers and enlisted. One hundred fifty-three UN soldiers were killed in action, mostly in the tractor hangar. Eight of those were vortex Forms who’d responded quickly from across the fleet. An additional eleven guards were killed clearing the ship of Berrillians who made it out of the hangar. That’s two hundred one killed. Another two hundred thirty-eight were injured, but all will recover. Some may require artificial limbs, and one is possibly going to be downloaded to an android due to the extent of her injuries.

“Thank goodness we ejected Foundation when we did. Fifteen minutes after she was set adrift, she exploded. We estimate the enemy concealed a one hundred megaton fusion bomb onboard. If it had gone off on Exeter, the losses would have been catastrophic. I can’t even begin to tell you what a break we caught there. Damage to Exeter herself was minimal. The fires from the incendiary weapons were quickly extinguished, and no significant structural damage occurred.

“I’d like to thank all the people who responded and did such an amazing job. We owe you our lives and those of our loved ones. That includes Army, Air Force, police, fire, and Navy personnel.”

She sat quickly.

“Do the KIA numbers include General Ryan,” asked Alexis Gore, who stared intently at the desk in front of her.

“No, ma’am, they do not.”

“And why is that?”

“We’re frankly uncertain as to how to classify him. I would defer that question to the scientists…”

“I can’t believe you’re so cold hearted,” howled Alexis. “You don’t know how to ‘classify’ the man who charged into the daycare center and saved the lives of every child cowering in fear? You don’t know how to ‘classify’ the man who suggested you cast off Foundation before she exploded? What kind of devil are you? We all know about the prejudice the android pilots have been subject to under your command. To disavow General Ryan now, after his contributions, after the masses of humanity he personally saved? Frankly I’m ashamed to sit in the same room as you, bitch.”

Faiza sat like stone. After several moments, she spoke in a firm monotone. “I beg your pardon, President Gore. You misunderstand. I meant we were not certain how to classify General Ryan as his status is unclear. He is, as I understand it, in a kind of safe mode in Dr. DeJesus’s lab. Hence, he is not technically dead.”

“An error of omission, not commission?” asked a bitter Alexis.

“President Gore, I know of your personal friendship with General Ryan. I also know your son and daughter were present in the Sunny Haven Preschool that General Ryan liberated.

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