Free The White Death by Daniel Rafferty

disunited and fractured. You’re going to unite them.”
    “That is good though, is it not?” asked the innocent Cecil.
    “Unite them against us!” shouted Freda, thrashing her hand onto the unlucky table. “After that, they’ll turn on each other.”
    “The decision has been made,” said Loretta, sitting back in her chair, looking down directly at Freda.
    “Then we must vacate Earth. I have been informed by the relevant human authorities our presence will no longer be welcome and will be considered an act of aggression. We cannot aim to help a species who sees our intentions as hostile. They plan to nullify Document 1A.”
    “Do you think they will follow through with it?” asked Cecil, scribbling down notes. He blinked with nerves.
    “I do. Therefore there is little point in carrying out the sterilization. Humanity will turn its back on us. Loretta, I deeply implore you not to go through with this. I may be able to salvage the situation if you reconsider now. If not, our association with humanity is over. You can go down in history as the lead Council member who effectively reduced the fledgling six civilizations to five.”
    “Where do we stand legally?” asked Pluto.
    The Supreme Court could issue hefty fines if the Council was found to be in breach of legal rulings.
    “We’re fine,” said Loretta. “I had legal check all this. Document 1A is only valid for 100 years. Section 51 has not provided us with an updated copy.”
    “I’ve yet to receive the new contract,” shouted Freda. Document 1A was a contract of authority, granting the Council permission to have a representative on Earth. It had been signed by the United States on behalf of Earth over 100 years ago.
    “Well, as it stands, the contract has expired. The terms clearly state that if the contract is allowed to expire by both parties, then it will be assumed both are satisfied with their current working relationship…”
    “And no further contract will be required. How very convenient,” said Freda, remembering the passage. She knew this was all a setup.
    “You have stayed on Earth far too long,” said Loretta.
    Freda could almost taste the disdain.
    “Too long, twice refused to rotate to another world as per Council protocol,” said Loretta. “Only your close relationship with the leader of your race has kept you in this post. Is humanity prepared to walk away from everything we can offer them? Are you prepared to walk away?”
    Freda closed her eyes, begging for patience. “They must be allowed to make their own decisions. How many times do you need to be told that?”
    “Freda, the decision has been made. You’re dismissed.”
    “May I at least allow Section 51 to study the sterilization method you plan?”
    Loretta looked insulted. “What for?” she asked.
    “I’m actually quite in favor of that,” said Pluto. “It’ll do no harm to have human geneticists cast a quick eye over it, in case the Bernay have missed anything.”
    “The Bernay do not make mistakes,” said Loretta.
    “Everyone makes mistakes,” corrected Pluto. “If this Council does, it’ll be my race that has to pay the fines issued by the Supreme Court. That will also mean fewer resources for your species. All those in favor?”
    Pluto, Killinger, and Cecil agreed, much to Loretta’s annoyance.
    “Then it is agreed,” said Loretta. “The files will be made available.”
    “Captain to Councilor Loretta,” said Grace, stopping Loretta in her verbal tracks, “report to the bridge immediately. We have a situation.”
    Loretta looked at the other Councilors and Freda. They hurried from the chambers as alarms began to sound. Ship crewmen raced past them to emergency stations.
    “That’s the battle stations alarm,” growled Killinger. He was elderly and gray, but Freda could see there was still much fight left in him.
    “What on earth is going on?” she said, using a human expression she had become accustomed to. She struggled to keep up with