Planet Predators by Saxon Andrew

ourselves.”
    “Why wait? If allowing it to happen is the same thing as doing it ourselves, just order our fleet to go and do it.”
    George continued to stare at Chris and said, “What’s up your pants leg? Something is causing you to push this issue. What is it?”
    “I remember that Alliance Ship Commander that went and nuked several innocent cities on a planet to gather stores for his ship. They did it with cold blooded efficiency and had no feelings or concerns for those they killed. If developing a nasty attitude means becoming like them, then we’ll all be Hitler when this is over and revel in the suffering we cause. When we run out of enemies, we’ll turn on each other. I don’t want to live that way.”
    “That is the way the universe operates. You’re either prey or predator and I don’t choose to be prey.”
    “George, is the rhino prey?”
    “Well, only if the predator is stupid.”
    “What would happen if a lion attacked a gazelle on the plain where a rhino lived?”
    “I suspect that lion would have a close encounter with two thousand pounds of charging rhino.”
    “Would the rhino attack a gazelle?”
    “Where are you going with this? Of course the Rhino wouldn’t attack a gazelle; they aren’t a threat.”
    “And neither is the Alliance or the Moet. We’ve passed that point and with the evacuation of the Moet’s heavy ships, we control the plain. We just won’t allow a predator to attack in the area we control.”
    Dolly looked between George and Chris and said, “Chris, this is a policy decision that we can’t make. Our elected leaders will have to weigh in on this one. You and Jillian need to get on with your mission but I promise you we’ll handle this issue.”
    Chris stared at Dolly and nodded, “We’ll be leaving tomorrow. Let me know what you decide.”
    “I will.”
    Jeff saw Dolly turn off her display, “You realize that I will resign my position in this government if we choose to follow the Nasty Disposition Doctrine.”
    Dolly looked at him and knew his heart. She also knew they would lose Chris as well. Her screen beeped and she pushed the pad and saw George on the screen, “Sis, what do you think about that discussion?”
    “George, I’m troubled.”
    “We need to tell the President that we can’t follow a doctrine that causes us to lose our soul. We have no option but to get involved in defending the Moet if they’re attacked. We must also stop any Alliance aggression. I wouldn’t want to live in a world that is so heartless as to allow millions to die that I could have prevented.”
    “We’ll make the call together, George. I could turn my back on anyone that endangers the ones I love but this is not that instance.”
    Dolly looked over and saw Jeff smile as he heard, “Make the call, Sissy.”
    “The two of you don’t need to call anyone.”
    Dolly looked at Jeff as George said, “What do you mean?”
    “You have been charged to lead our military forces during this threat. You already have a blank check to do whatever you think is necessary. It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission.”
    George smiled, “What would you do, Jeff?”
    “I’m sending Admiral Anders out with the fleet to monitor the main Alliance Planets for anything that appears to be a major offensive against the Moet. We’ll decide what to do if that happens.”
    Dolly reached over and squeezed Jeff’s hand, “George, we’ll take it from here. Get us some ships to help us.”
    “I’ll have the first batch completed in four weeks. Let me know if you need any of them sooner.”
    “I will, love.” Dolly ended the call and Jeff hugged her and went to talk with Admiral Anders.
    * * *
    Tenah sat with the other nine leaders of the Alliance and listened to the scout give his report. “The Moet are starting massive evacuations. Their Capital has sent their heavy ships to some other location and most of their main battleships went with them. They are also moving a huge portion