Against All Odds by Thomas DePrima

Author:Thomas DePrima
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Vinnia Publishing
Published: 2011-04-02T21:00:00+00:00

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Chapter Ten

~ March 3rd, 2283 ~

"We have received an important message from Admiral Carver of the Galactic Alliance Space Command," Senator Prime Curlekurt Emmeticus said, addressing the Gondusan planetary senate. "It was addressed to my attention and I have already viewed it." To a clerk, he said, "Play the message."

The image of Jenetta appeared as senators reached for translation headsets. Most had gotten them settled on their heads before she began speaking.

"This message is intended for the Gondusan and Hudeerac Order leaders. Space Command is aware of your plan to overthrow our government in Region Two by engaging in an undeclared war, with intentions of dividing our territory among yourselves and your pirate allies. We will not stand for this treachery and we will show you the strength of our resolve and the power you have recklessly chosen to ignore by your actions.

"Over the past months, we have systematically destroyed all three hundred ships the Tsgardi sent across our border in twenty-two groups. I have, this day, received the unconditional surrender of the Tsgardi Empire and their entire territory has now been annexed by the Galactic Alliance. I now make the Gondusan and Hudeera leaders a most generous offer. Recall your ships at once and I will not destroy them. I will not destroy any ship proceeding back towards their home world, but I will destroy any military ships headed into Region Two without permission. As part of your unconditional surrender, you will cede to the Galactic Alliance all territory recovered after our war with the Milori. There is always a price for treachery and this is the price I demand of you. Should you fail to surrender unconditionally, I will annex your entire territory after I destroy your fleets and lay waste to your home world. What I did to Milor will seem like a minor distraction compared to the destruction I will rain down upon your planet. We have terrible weapons, powerful enough to kill every man, woman, and child on a planet, or simply obliterate your planet from your solar system.

"The decision is yours. Surrender now, peacefully, or die horribly. Once I engage the first ship from your military, my offer to accept a peaceful surrender is withdrawn."

The message of surrender from the Tsgardi Prime Warlord Kalisnacos was appended to Jenetta's message and the senators scrambled to change the translators from Amer to Gucceral. The senate clerk restarted the appended message when everyone was ready.

The senators sat in stunned silence at the completion of the second message. Both had been a blow, but Jenetta's message had been intentionally harsh. She knew they would not surrender if she appeared the slightest bit weak. They had steeled themselves for a fight and she knew they had to envision their planet in flaming ruins before they'd surrender without firing a shot. Since both the Gondusans and the Hudeera had retreated before the Milori, she didn't think she would have very much trouble with the forces from either planet. They'd both been relying on the Tsgardi and Uthlaro to do most of the fighting.

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