Free Homeworld: A Military Science Fiction Novel by Eric S. Brown, Tony Faville Page B

yes, it is treating me well. The lower level of gravity alone has made me more than comfortable, once I got used to it. I dare say my old joints have nearly stopped aching altogether. I'm as spry as a cat half my age on most days."
    Xarn’s smile quickly faded as he detected the overly flowery scent of the pompous Executive Officer of the Coalition Langston. Xarn inclined his head in the direction of the entrance and Fal turned just in time to see the pompous peacock strut into the room as if he already owned it.
    Langston made use of polished black cane with the spherical symbol of the Coalition as a handle. The symbol showed all of known space within a translucent globe. The click of it against the polished plastisteel floor irritated Xarn for reasons he couldn’t say. Xarn watched as the Executive Officer pulled a gold time keeping device from a breast pocket and opened it as he walked. The message was clear. The Coalition’s representative did not care that he had kept the other dignitaries waiting. Xarn’s ears tilted almost imperceptibly back and he began to extend and retract his claws again. Xarn suspected that he would need all his years of training in the ways of Ka not to rip this arrogant human’s throat open.
    As Langston slowly walked to the only empty chair left in the room, which was a high backed leather upholstered throne like thing overly adorned with silver filigree, he made a show of sweeping his flowing black cape from his shoulders before draping it over the back of his seat. As he sat, the Executive Officer of the Coalition shot a quick glance and slow smirk at the Earth Republic Ambassador.
    Covering his mouth with the white gloved fist of his left hand, Langston cleared his throat and let his gaze spread around the conference room meeting the gaze of each representative in turn, as he brushed back a lock of lustrous black hair from his face, before speaking in his stentorian baritone voice.
    "Esteemed colleagues, the prodigal sons are at the door and they have returned with overwhelming force to claim what is theirs. As we speak, a Coalition fleet has entered Normal Space around Mars. Not only will they route the puny Earth Republic Fleet forces there, but also they are prepared to eliminate the Mars Defense Force. You may rest assured that complete and total victory at Mars will be ours, and Earth herself will be the next to fall under our armada’s might."
    Ambassador Fal began to rise from his seat to challenge Langston but Xarn gently laid a hand on his shoulder, Fal settled back in his seat and subtly nodded at Xarn. Over the years, the two had developed a partnership of sorts. At times, it was better to have another say what you wanted to say so that it didn’t seem like a direct provocation from the parties involved in conflict. The warfare of words was a complicated maze and at times, it could even satisfy Xarn’s desires for actual combat.
    Therefore, Xarn spoke in Ambassador Fal’s place. "While I am sure the valiant men and women of the Coalition fleet are due their congratulations, Ambassador Langston, I am not sure why these unfolding events give cause to summon us all here.
    This civil war is a human affair. To my knowledge, none of the other sentient races has involved themselves. Surely if this is all you to say then it could have been said in private conference between yourself and the Earth Republic Ambassador.
    Have you come here to do more than gloat over the blood of your own species that you have spilled?" Xarn said all this in a calm leisurely voice showing the Executive Officer his best smile which really did show his sharp pointed teeth nicely.
    Langston returned a less impressive predatory grin and answered, "I have called you all here for one reason, First Partas Xarn, so you may all bear witness to the Earth Republic’s surrender to the Coalition."
    "The Earth Republic will never surrender to you," Fal spat, his closed fist slamming on the table in front of him.