Free Strike 3: The Returning Sunrise by Charlie Wood Page A

here, always planning, always thinking about what is best for New Capricious. When we are finally able to share his vision with you—when he is ready to share it with you—the scope of his plan will be made known to you. It is a truly stunning re-creation of our home world.”
    “Okay,” Zaius said, holding up his palms. “As long as we will be able to meet him soon, I think we can all agree and keep waiting. You just must understand we are very eager to see him for ourselves.”
    “I understand that,” Rigel said. “But know that everything will happen in time. The Daybreaker has told me that he has a plan for everyone, and that includes when he will meet with you in person. Now, if there are no more questions, we will continue on with—”
    “I have a question,” Greylock said, puffing on a new cigar. “Who the hell is this guy?”
    Greylock pointed to the person sitting next to him; it was a short, normal-looking man in his early forties, with a bald head, rectangular glasses, and ears that stuck out from his face. He was wearing a sharp dark suit and light blue tie, but appeared nervous—sweating and not moving in his chair.
    “I don’t remember ever seeing him in any of the information sent to us,” Greylock said.
    “Yes,” Songbird added. “My children tell me he is not of our world.”
    “He’s not? Then what world is he from?”
    “He is from Earth.”
    Greylock spun toward Rigel. “Excuse me?”
    “This is Daniel Melfi,” Rigel explained. “He is the current governor of the area of Earth known as Rhode Island .”
    “Then what the hell is he doing here?” Greylock asked. “Why do we have a guy from Earth here with us, listening to all of this?”
    “Daniel is one of the current leaders of the United States ,” Rigel said. “He is also now the only being behind the walls of the Dark Nebula who is not from Capricious. Daniel has come to us and offered to help us make the transition from the old ruling government of the United States to our new ruling government.”
    “And we need an Earthling to do that?” Zaius asked. “We need someone who is not one of us behind these walls?”
    “Yes,” Nova replied. “As Vincent always wanted, this transition from the old world to the new world must be as peaceful and as without bloodshed as possible. The people of this world are going to be afraid of us. They already are afraid of us, because of the Dark Nebula around Boston . We need to show them we are not here to eliminate them—not the majority of them, anyway. The people here need to accept us as their new rulers. And Daniel is going to help us with that.”
    “Daniel, why don’t you stand up and say a few words?” Rigel said, motioning to Daniel.
    Daniel stood up, clearing his throat. Beads of sweat grew on his forehead.
    “Well, first of all, let me start by saying how honored I am to be allowed to be a part of this. And I understand the hesitancy from some of you about me being here, but let me assure you that I am one of you, even if I am not from your world. I believe in the same things as all of you. This world—my world, Earth—is broken. And it needs to be fixed. That’s why I became a politician, to help fix my world.”
    Greylock smirked. “You’ve done a hell of a job. How many wars are going on in the world right now? I kinda lost count.”
    The group of villains laughed.
    “I know, you’re right,” Daniel said, holding his hands up. “You’re exactly right. My colleagues and I have failed spectacularly. That is why I went through the trouble of contacting Rigel and Nova. That is why I want to be a part of this. There needs to be a contact between the people who run this country now in Washington , and the New Capricious Council. And I am thrilled—I am humbled beyond belief—to be that person. As I said, I completely understand anyone being uncomfortable with me being from Earth and being the current governor of Rhode Island , so if anyone has any