After Apophis revealed the Grand Admiral's plans, the two colonels shared a glance.
The Supremacists were actively involved in Federation politics at all levels. Although some of them preferred the path of violence and terrorism to achieve their goals, they were in the minority. The majority preferred the non-violent path of legislation.
But neither colonel doubted that Apophis was telling the truth. His testimony was proof of a renegade plot to overthrow the state.
The Supreme Chancellor had always made efforts to minimize the capability of the Supremacists to divide the Federation, but his attempts had finally failed.
Ralfot said, "I will discuss the situation with my superiors. Thank you for the information, Apophis. Guards will show you Antanria's cell, and we will return shortly."
Ralfot and Zareil left the room…
But just before they stepped out, Colonel Zareil flicked a piece of paper from his pocket, which fell into the camera's blind spot.
***
<strong>SUPREME CHANCELLOR'S PALACE—A FEW HOURS LATER</strong>
Colonel Ralfot entered a gigantic office. It led onto a balcony, and an old man stood there, smoking.
It was Supreme Chancellor Souley, a professional politician through and through. He had spent nearly his entire life engaging in compromise and peacemaking between opposing factions, and his efforts had rewarded him with the most distinguished role in the United Federation of Planets.
After a formal greeting, the Chancellor activated a soundproofing shield and motioned for Ralfot to sit down. "It must be at least two years since we entrusted you with infiltrating the Supremacist milieu. Yet, I've received very few reports from you, and those you sent were quite vague. Why such silence?"
Ralfot opened a bag he had brought with him and removed a stack of detailed, top-secret reports. "Here are all the missing reports, Sir. Please forgive me for the delay. I am afraid the situation was far more delicate than we had expected. According to my best judgment, transmitting any of these through usual means would have created an unacceptable mission risk."
Souley was annoyed, though he knew Ralfot's judgment had usually proved accurate in the past and that his carefulness had been one of the main reasons for sending him on such an important mission. "Well, let me see them! What exactly have you discovered?"
Ralfot passed over the papers and then thought carefully before speaking. "The Supremacists have infiltrated all areas of society, industry, telecommunications… and, of course, the military. Grand Admiral Azerof is only the tip of the iceberg. I found numerous links in the upper echelons of society to senators and governors who support a coup. I am sorry to report that this likely extends to even people in your government."
The Chancellor replied, "What you're telling me is what we've known for years. The Supremacist ideology has always festered in our society... but in its political and non-violent forms, ones which posed no real risk to our people."
Ralfot retorted, "That may be true, but the situation has recently changed. It was Grand Admiral Azerof who destroyed the Tyo Protectorate, not the Orcs! He deliberately blamed the Orc Empire, but they are completely innocent in this matter.
"Grand Admiral Azerof is framing himself as the hero of the Federation, a fearless hero who pushes back aggressive xeno invaders, but he does not plan to remain in this role for long.The situation is dramatic. That is the truth. If forces that are now in motion do not slow or turn, we will have a civil war in a few weeks."
Souley, usually a calm and thoughtful man, was stunned. To a man who had worked his whole life to uphold civil peace, this was hardly believable.
He rose violently from his chair and snapped, "Why didn't you say so before?! It's been almost three months since the events of Era took place! Because of you, I promoted one of history's most despicable war criminals and called him a hero! Your mission was to inform me of the danger of these Supremacists, but your inaction has led me to empower them myself!"
The colonel answered stiffly, "My every movement was watched by a group of Eternals almost from the moment of the travesty against Era, Sir. I was required to discern whether these Eternals were under the Grand Admiral's full control before I acted."
He thought for a moment before continuing. "But I have good news, Sir. The leader of these Eternals… I believe I can convince him to join our cause. He may assist us in averting civil war."
The Chancellor glared at him."I'm going to make you a general and put you in charge of the Federation Intelligence Service. Then I'll write up the decree for instating emergency law, to purge the terrorist elements from society.
"We'll fight fire with fire… We can use the Orc threat as cover for our actions, just as the Supremacists are planning. This decree will be very controversial... but if the majority of senators oppose it, we may just have to make a coup ourselves. If that is the only way to save the Federation, even I must bow my principles to the survival of society."
He shot a steady look at Colonel Ralfot. "If such a disgraceful and unfortunate situation arises, Colonel, can I count on your unfailing support?"
Ralfot understood the situation, that it was an outcome both of them reviled. Yet, he 'did' believe that it might become necessary—and that his excessive caution was partly responsible for it.
"Sir, I have never failed you, and I do not intend to start now."
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