Inherited War 3: Retaliation by Eric McMeins

along to me. Now listen and listen good!” He thundered the last part. “You fucked up big time the last time I was here. You waffled and did nothing when we asked for help. Once again, you sat on the sidelines and protected yourself.” An angry mutter began to fill the room.
    “SILENCE!” Thalo roared. So venomous was the shout, he stunned the room into silence. Thalo began pointing his finger at the gathered Administrators. “I don’t know why but I chose to come here to save your worthless butts. I will say this one time and one time only. A Nixa was present on Esii. He was aiding the Esii in their buccaneer endeavors and willingly traded your people for the ill-gotten gains of the Esii freebooters. If that Nixa isn’t found in the next five days, well, sorry to say, but Cole will be on his way, and he is brining a fleet with him. He will take this nation apart until he finds the Nixa responsible. Cole suffered greatly at the hands of the Esii and he didn’t take the news of another betrayal by your people well. Ask Suns, he is still floating in space around my world without a suit. Fury, we believe knew who the Nixa responsible was, unfortunately he didn’t survive the trip back. His ship detonated shortly after entering warped space. All hands lost. Now you need to ask yourselves one thing. Do you have time to sit around debating, or do you need to act. I, for one, will be acting to find this Nixa.” Thalo looked out across the room. He looked into the eyes of each Administrator and saw shame and regret. Except in one, Fire.
    Fire cleared his throat. “I will not stand here and take this from some mongrel Worlder. I, for one, will—” he was cut off by another Administrator. An Administrator who had always been in Fire’s camp.
    “Shut your mouth, fool,” the Nixa snapped. “It is because of you we are here. If we hadn’t let ourselves be pressured by your pacifist ways, we would have been at the battle of the Twin Worlds and would have erased the long forgotten stain from our honor.” The room erupted in cheers for the brave Nixa. He had earned an enemy that day, but he had also caused a reaction in Fire. When he had said that it was because of Fire for their being in trouble, a look of panic crossed Fire’s face momentarily. Thalo had his first real lead. Fire was involved somehow, and it made sense. Fire was the one who wanted to avoid fighting the Esii and had done everything in his power to keep the Nixa out.
    “Excuse me, Thalo,” the Prime said from his right side. “Can I have my podium back?”
    “Sorry, sorry of course you can.” Thalo graciously stepped aside and let the Prime have his spot back.
    “Does anyone second the Colonial Administrator’s motion?” The silence was absolute. “Motion denied.”
    Another Nixa stood and asked for the floor.
    “Motion to grant unlimited funds and support to finding the rogue Nixa involved with our enemies.” He hadn’t finished before a thunderous response of seconds assaulted the room.
    “That may be a bit much,” the Prime said, “but it is a good start. The Kin can wait. I am redirecting assets as we speak to begin investigating on all our worlds and outposts. I have signed an order to close all access and egress to Nixa worlds and properties. What is left of our Navy will blockade and prevent anyone from leaving. I will require all of you to stay here at the capitol and act as liaison to your local governments. They will take orders better from you, I am afraid, than me.”
    Thalo got up and left the room quietly. The Prime was in his element and Thalo had done what he had intended. Now to follow up on some leads of his own.

    CHAPTER 5
     
    I am trapped in my dreams. Or is it real? I don’t know anymore. It is all jumbled now. I dream I am asleep, or am I asleep dreaming I am awake. I keep seeing those Worlders I killed. I do it over and over in my mind. I see myself finding Snow in the hallway. Out looking for me, she said. I see