Mana Pool Snippets - The Days After

Four

Jaruka took a long breath, and then nudged his head for them to come in. He turned toward the paper-covered bench and took a drink. "Are you here to scold me for not telling you?"

"You don't look well," Katie said.

"No crog."

"Need help?"

"I'm fine. Get to the croging point," he said setting the bottle down, making Katie jitter a little.

"Hey, enough with the attitude," Scott said. "You're not the only one with an interesting day. People are dead."

"No shit."

"And Victor was scared to shit."

"Ain't that a surprise. He learned his lesson."

"How could you say that, Mr. Teal?" Arana said. "If you have any chance to cooperate with humans and terrans, might as well lighten your selfish attitude."

"You really believe I'm selfish, bird? I'm useless here. This intel job is not what I wanted to do for two years. In any way I see it, the Council will put me down if I do or don't do the job."

"Gathering information on us and the world is one thing, making an example of yourself is another, and will reflect on me and Katie's family. We get it," Scott said. "Now, from the very beginning tell us about the conditions and these spires. What are they?"

Jaruka pulled back a few dreads with a smirk. He sat down on a clear bench seat and said, "Who told you?"

"Deryl."

"How much did he go over?" Jaruka asked.

Katie said, "Satellites targeting and attacking places on earth whenever anybody injures you."

It was true, but it was not everything. "That's all he said?"

"Oh, and to treat you with respect and with high hospitality."

"Not that formal." Jaruka took a drink. "Like every government member, there's always a layer of secrecy. He must be scared of you two knowing everything. That will get people killed."

Scott gulped.

"I'm a tolerance test," Jaruka said. "Being an Archive's lackey, I'm here to see how humans cope with off-worlders. Denverbay's brilliant plan in case I don't go to trial. I didn't care either way, my life is ruined as it is."

Katie said, "Before trial? That's messed up."

"Those satellites," Jaruka said, pointing upwards, "and you'll see them soon."

"I have. Here," Katie said. She revealed her cellphone and flicked to a picture she had saved earlier. "Is this it?" She asked showing Jaruka the NASA photo.

Jaruka nodded. "That's it alright. They're called Titan Spires. A.I. controlled solar and nuclear powered plasma and chaotic energy cannons. The Galactic Council's sure fire way of eliminating real Republic threats without the loss of precious Royal Navy infantry or vehicles. You deal with one and your fleet is wiped out in seconds. No matter what, the Council never tolerates insurrections, especially with primitive species such as yourselves."

"Hey," Keeji said.

"Like a trump card, right?" Scott asked.

"Don't know what that human term means. I've seen them work before, but also against planets. The energy compound never destroys, only transmutes, turning planet surfaces into desolate, fertile soil and ships into space rock. Organisms are...composted. Anything outside the beam is on fire, sonic blasted, or roasted. Check your news, some of Mathews' 'friends' were cooked, I think."