Read Online TFS Theseus: The Terran Fleet Command Saga – Book 2 by Tori Harris - Free Book Online
Authors: Tori Harris
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give the appearance of committing our planet one way or another are premature, to say the least.”
Even with only ten other members on the floor of the chamber, there was a general commotion in the room, including a few rather raucous exclamations of both support and disapproval. “Quiet please, everyone!” Crull said, pounding the gavel and raising her voice to the shrill monotone that had become something of a trademark of hers when speaking publicly. “I will not allow this Council to degenerate into some sort of political free-for-all. Now, Councilman, I know you still have the floor, but surely you’re not asking us to rehash this particular debate. Our predecessors decided nearly fifty years ago how we would respond when the Pelarans made first contact. Don’t you think it’s a little arrogant to imply that our current membership is somehow more qualified than they were to craft Earth’s response?”
“Councilwoman Crull …”
“That’s Chairwoman Crull,” she interrupted.
“My apologies, Madame Chairwoman,” he continued, gratified that he had once again goaded her into showing her true colors. “I don’t think it’s a matter of second-guessing our honorable predecessors. We do, however, have the benefit of fifty years of history to inform our decisions — particularly everything that has happened over the past month. There is no way they could have anticipated the situation we find ourselves in today. Also, since I appear to have placed myself in the position of once again bringing controversial items back to the table, there is still the unresolved issue of whether this body even has the authority to make such decisions or speak on behalf of the entire planet.”
“Oh, please,” she scoffed over the uproar that had once again erupted from the chamber floor, “that’s not bringing up a controversial issue, Sam, that’s beating the deadest of dead horses.”
“That’s Councilman Christenson,” he smirked, turning momentarily so that only she could see his face.
“Of course, Councilman, and I suppose you propose that the mighty United States of America should be the sole arbiter of who communicates with the Guardian spacecraft and what will be said when they do.”
“I would never propose such a thing, Madame Chair, as you know very well. I do believe very strongly, however, that the presumption that this body has the authority to act almost in the capacity of a world government falls well outside the bounds of our charter.”
“Oh, here we go. I wondered how long it would take for you to toss some red meat to the ‘one world government’ conspiracy theorists.”
“Point of Order, Chairwoman Crull, but you yielded the floor.”
“For a question, Councilman, not a political speech.”
“Fair enough,” he smiled, trying to maintain a positive air in spite of Crull’s typically derisive tone, “but this is by no means a settled issue. And now that we find ourselves only a few hours from being forced by events into communicating with the Pelarans, or at least their spacecraft, I hope we can all agree that acting with an abundance of caution is in our world’s best interest. Committing ourselves one way or another at this point seems both unnecessary and reckless, in my opinion.”
Crull pounded the gavel against its sounding block as the room once again dissolved into chaotic debate.
Earth, Terran Fleet Command Headquarters
(Office of the CINCTFC)
“Welcome, Admiral Naftur, I’m Tonya White — Admiral Sexton’s Chief of Naval Intelligence,” the CNI greeted warmly with an outstretched hand. “I am so sorry that we were delayed and could not meet your shuttle to receive you properly. I assure you that such lapses in protocol are not the norm at TFC Headquarters.”
Although there actually had been a hastily prepared honor guard present, along with a pair of captains thrown in for good measure, Terran Fleet Command’s Admiralty staff had been conspicuously
Even with only ten other members on the floor of the chamber, there was a general commotion in the room, including a few rather raucous exclamations of both support and disapproval. “Quiet please, everyone!” Crull said, pounding the gavel and raising her voice to the shrill monotone that had become something of a trademark of hers when speaking publicly. “I will not allow this Council to degenerate into some sort of political free-for-all. Now, Councilman, I know you still have the floor, but surely you’re not asking us to rehash this particular debate. Our predecessors decided nearly fifty years ago how we would respond when the Pelarans made first contact. Don’t you think it’s a little arrogant to imply that our current membership is somehow more qualified than they were to craft Earth’s response?”
“Councilwoman Crull …”
“That’s Chairwoman Crull,” she interrupted.
“My apologies, Madame Chairwoman,” he continued, gratified that he had once again goaded her into showing her true colors. “I don’t think it’s a matter of second-guessing our honorable predecessors. We do, however, have the benefit of fifty years of history to inform our decisions — particularly everything that has happened over the past month. There is no way they could have anticipated the situation we find ourselves in today. Also, since I appear to have placed myself in the position of once again bringing controversial items back to the table, there is still the unresolved issue of whether this body even has the authority to make such decisions or speak on behalf of the entire planet.”
“Oh, please,” she scoffed over the uproar that had once again erupted from the chamber floor, “that’s not bringing up a controversial issue, Sam, that’s beating the deadest of dead horses.”
“That’s Councilman Christenson,” he smirked, turning momentarily so that only she could see his face.
“Of course, Councilman, and I suppose you propose that the mighty United States of America should be the sole arbiter of who communicates with the Guardian spacecraft and what will be said when they do.”
“I would never propose such a thing, Madame Chair, as you know very well. I do believe very strongly, however, that the presumption that this body has the authority to act almost in the capacity of a world government falls well outside the bounds of our charter.”
“Oh, here we go. I wondered how long it would take for you to toss some red meat to the ‘one world government’ conspiracy theorists.”
“Point of Order, Chairwoman Crull, but you yielded the floor.”
“For a question, Councilman, not a political speech.”
“Fair enough,” he smiled, trying to maintain a positive air in spite of Crull’s typically derisive tone, “but this is by no means a settled issue. And now that we find ourselves only a few hours from being forced by events into communicating with the Pelarans, or at least their spacecraft, I hope we can all agree that acting with an abundance of caution is in our world’s best interest. Committing ourselves one way or another at this point seems both unnecessary and reckless, in my opinion.”
Crull pounded the gavel against its sounding block as the room once again dissolved into chaotic debate.
Earth, Terran Fleet Command Headquarters
(Office of the CINCTFC)
“Welcome, Admiral Naftur, I’m Tonya White — Admiral Sexton’s Chief of Naval Intelligence,” the CNI greeted warmly with an outstretched hand. “I am so sorry that we were delayed and could not meet your shuttle to receive you properly. I assure you that such lapses in protocol are not the norm at TFC Headquarters.”
Although there actually had been a hastily prepared honor guard present, along with a pair of captains thrown in for good measure, Terran Fleet Command’s Admiralty staff had been conspicuously
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