HIGH COUNCIL PALACE, MALGEIRU-3
POV: Cerbos, Malgeir (High Councilor of the Federation)
“High Councilors, we’ve just received a message from our embassy in Sol!”
“FTL radio traffic is finally going through now?”
“Yes, High Councilor, a channel has been opened just for us. Ambassador Niblui reported in from our embassy on Atlas.”
“What did she say?”
“The Terrans— they’ve managed to defend their home system! They’re purging the remaining Grass Eaters from their territory!”
“How?! Are they— did they— how did— how extensive were their casualties?”
“Surprisingly light in personnel, according to Ambassador Niblui’s report, though economic damage was notably severe in some areas in their asteroid belt shipyard facilities as well as their outer planets and—”
“And what?”
“They regrettably report that they had to make adjustments to the orbits of some planets in their systems. They advise our ships to update their navigational systems before planning trips into Terran Republic space.”
“Orbit adjustments— update— What does that all even mean?!”
“I have no idea, High Councilor. Also, they are requesting permission to transit several of their armed ships through Federation and Alliance space.”
“A formality. That will be granted, of course. Let them know we appreciate them asking anyway. Where will they be heading?”
“It— uh— they’re not being very clear about it.”
“What do you mean, Minister?”
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“It— They— they claim these ships will be attacking directly into Znosian territory.”
“Hm… That seems aggressive, but the Terrans are known for their measured military operations. They must have a viable, calculated battle plan. Which system is listed as their intended destination?”
“They say — there must be a translation mistake here, High Councilors — they’re saying their ships are headed to Znos.”
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GRAND CHANCELLERY, SCHPRISS PRIME
POV: Sonfio, Schpriss (Chancellor of the Confederacy)
“Ambassador Prinlaex, I’m afraid you cut out just now. Can you say that again?”
“I said: there has been a new species discovered in the vicinity of the Malgeir. They are… part Grass Eaters, and they have been covertly working with the Federation for some years now, which explains their recent—”
“No, no. We heard that part, Ambassador. But what I thought I heard you say was that this hybrid species with all of one habitable star system just defeated a Znosian Grand Fleet consisting of—”
“Yes, Chancellor, the attacking Grass Eater fleet had over two thousand space combat ships. And I have this figure from multiple independent sources that I trust!”
“How is that even possible, Ambassador Prinlaex?!”
“I don’t know, Chancellor, but there is also a very… concerning rumor going around that they are planning to open up and— and approach us to— to borrow additional resources from us to help them in their war. It’s not formal yet, but the request is coming. And they seem to agree with the official view in Malgeirgam that fighting against the Grass Eaters— the other Grass— that fighting the Znosians is a public service to all the peaceful predator species on—”
“Hold on a second. Borrow from us?”
“Yes, Chancellor. I think they meant ships, processed resources, facilities…”
“Ambassador Prinlaex, when they use the word borrow… that is most concerning to me. What do they mean precisely? Do we get our stuff back at the end or—”
“To be honest, Chancellor, I’m not quite sure the Malgeir understand it either: my source who talked to one of them said something nonsensical about a house fire and garden hoses. I’m officially meeting with one of them next week; there’s a first contact ceremony. I’ll try to find out what they’re talking about.”
“What if we reject their request, Ambassador? We can inform them we are a neutral species in this war.”
“I’m not sure, but I imagine they’d be pretty unhappy about that.”
“Like how the Malgeir have been unhappy with our official policy of neutrality?”
“Yes, Chancellor. But unlike the Malgeir, they chewed through a couple thousand Znosian missile destroyers over the weekend with half a battle fleet, so I imagine we might have a slightly different diplomatic stance on not making them unhappy.”