Jon had left the crews of the Eutharan ships in the bay and had their Captains escorted to the main briefing room under guard. Sa'oliq, Gabriel and Andie were already waiting on them when Jon walked in with Nefeit following closely behind him. Nefeit had come up from the surface once the city was secured.
Jon motioned for them to sit as he took the head spot and Nefeit sat close to him on his left. Drovasian shock troops stood at various points in the room waiting for any action that could be construed as hostile. Jon's royal guards were arranged behind him in a loose formation. They stood close enough to him and Nefeit they would be able to shield them both in seconds.
Each Captain bowed to Jon as they took their seat in a sign of respect. Jon still wasn't convinced they were on board and were doing this more to save their collective asses. It was something Nefeit and he had discussed in length before he decided to go to the bay where they were all held a few hours later.
He felt more comfortable now that the city was in his hands. It had been a brief struggle as there weren't many troops stationed there. The city itself was a slum, most of the buildings were falling apart and the docks had long since fell into the ocean. The people there had almost been thankful that they had arrived and liberated them.
Military Engineers were already at the city and working on plans to bring it back to a former glory. Their first job would be getting the docks back in operation so that fishing could commence the cities primary food source. Then they would work on restoring buildings, rebuilding the city from the ground up. Ga'sahde, under heavy escort, was already in contact with local rural sub-towns to get the needed Ixantrax to produce the Ixantrau needed for the reconstruction effort. The engineers wanted to us other materials, but Jon over ruled the idea as he didn't want to change the city; he wanted it restored to its former glory. The engineers hedged and complained that they didn't know how to work with the substance. Jon simply told them to find teachers and to learn. He wasn't here to change the Eutharan's way of life only to make it better and correct any problems.
The city was very close to the two ground impact sites and Jon had give orders to secure that site too. Surveillance and scouting was underway and that battle would begin in about six hours or so. Jon knew that the taking of the impact site would be a lot harder than the city and they were already reinforcing the city with troops and armor. That would free up more troops to move on the impact site.
Jon looked around the table and then finally spoke, "I don't think all of you are sincere about this and that most if not all of you are just trying to save your asses. You're confused as something like this has never happened in your life time. I don't have much time as I'm due somewhere else so I'm getting right to the point."
A few wide eyes and a few neutral looks from the Captains greeted him from the Captains around the table.
Jon continued, "I don't blame you in the least. You're between a rock and a hard place and I'm going to tell you it's not going to get any easier. I'm here to offer my proof that there is something wrong and let you decide what to do. You want to take your crews and leave, fine do so. Just know one thing; I will not pull any punches next time. Do, you all understand this?"
All the Captains nodded as one. Then Barle spoke up, "What about my Captain?"
Jon shrugged as he said, "You're problem if you decide to leave. If you don't then I'll deal with him."
Barle nodded and said, "Fair enough."
"First things first," Jon said. He stood up and started to walk around the table. "Your King abolished a treaty without the proper authorization. The Ga'sahde treat is something for the people and the planet and has a special council that is elected by the people to represent their power here on Euthara. That council was disbanded by the King when he took power and the treaty dissolved."
A few of the Captains looked at each other in surprise.
One spoke out, "If it was unlawful and the council allowed it to happen then they gave the power to the King to do what he wished."
Jon stopped behind the Captain that had spoken and grabbed the man's shoulders and started massaging he froze as Jon spoke, "Seems that way doesn't it. However, the way the treaty is written that can't happen."
"They should have contacted the Ga'sahde," another said.
"I agree, they should have," Jon said. Gabriel's mouth opens as if to say something and Jon gave him a look telling him to be quiet. "However, most, if not all of you, know the Ga'sahde have been dormant and they wouldn't have been able to respond."
"Then the treaty was invalid," the Captain Jon was massaging said.
Jon stopped massaging him and continued his way around the table as he continued speaking, "Even the fact that the Ga'sahde couldn't respond doesn't invalidate the treaty in anyway shape or form. The way it's written it is valid until such a time as the council decides to dissolve it. So, you see even this doesn't give any one ruler the power to remove the treaty."
"So, you're saying the treaty is in effect still?" Barle said.
Jon nodded as he said, "That's what I'm saying."
The Captains all looked at each other. Some with looks of astonishment a few with looks of contempt.
"This brings me to my next point," Jon said as he took his seat again. "The King is holding the Matriarch of the Ga'sahde prisoner and planning on putting her on trial for made up crimes. The judgment has already been passed as far as he's concerned. She's to be put to death as soon as the trial is over."
"Preposterous," one of the Captains said. He was one of the Captains that had contempt on his face. "The King has no need to make up charges."
"What charges?" Barle said.
"Murder, going against his eidetic that no Ga'sahde was allowed to land on Euthara under pain of death, treason," Jon said. He looked around the table to see most of the Captain's faces were neutral and few even had a smirk on them. "Among others I'm sure."
"She's your sister, right?" one of the Captains said.
"Not the point, but yes," Jon said.
"Oh, I think that's the whole point," the Captain said. "You think she's above any charges. She shot down and killed multiple Eutharan pilots in over the forest where they caught her."
Jon arched an eyebrow.
"Oh, yes I know the whole story," the Captain said.
"I doubt that," Jon said.
"She killed two more in the holding cell once they caught her," the Captain said. "So I can see how murder fits into the equation."
"Good that's two less I have to deal with later..." Jon said. Nefeit grabbed his arm and shook her head no.
Two of the Captains let the smiles grow on their face while the rest looked around at each other as if trying to figure the whole thing out.
"I'm sorry," Jon said. "Yes, I'm upset my sister is a captive and being held against her will. Not only that but also the fact the King seems bent on executing her. I ask you who here would feel different?"
That seemed to calm the assembled Captains and wipe the grins off the faces of the two Jon had already marked as trouble makers.
"The facts are her flight group was engaged over my Embassy grounds without provocation," Jon said. "They were defending themselves and the Embassy territory. The King is also using her as a pawn against me to make me leave before I can help you. If I leave now and never come back he'll send her to me safely minus my bondmate that is."
You toss in the fact she's a Princess through my bond with Deatra and now the King is holding royalty against every law set down. Then if that isn't enough he refuses to allow Deatra to speak to me or return to my side. Another law he's breaking by holding my bondmate from me. He's seems to like laws and rules when it suits him and break them when it doesn't."
"A false bond that invalidates your claim to the throne and removes the title of princess from your sister," one of the trouble making Captains said with a smirk. "That will soon be corrected from what I understand."
Jon's eyes narrowed as he stared at the two sitting on the other end of the table. "Just what do you mean by that?"
"Nothing more than the Princess Deatra will soon be free of your influence," the Captain said.
"First the bond is real," Jon said. "I have no metal powers and she's was the one who bonded. Second, if anything happens to her..." Again Nefeit squeezed his arm and gave him a look.
The Captain stood up as he spoke, "You'll what?" Guards shifted in the room, waiting for any sign of aggression.
"Sit down Captain," Jon said.
"I'm done with this little farce," the Captain said. "I'll take my ship and crew and leave as you said I could."
"Sit your ass down Captain! I said you could do that after this meeting and this meeting isn't over," Jon said. He stood up and planted both fists on the table top as he leaned towards the Captain.
"You've proved nothing here and as far as I'm concerned you're not my Prince and you're meddling in things you have no right too," the Captain said he turned towards the door and started to walk to it. "So, I will take my ship and crew and leave this station. You have no right to hold me or my crew. This is an international station and as per the laws of this station I can come and go as I please."
"No you can't," Jon said. "I'm lord and master here and I revoked that treaty when I took command of this station. This station and everything on it is ADF property now and you are under my laws. Furthermore, I have every right to hold you. I'm going to hold you and put you on trial and then execute you."
The Captain stopped and spun around as he spoke, "You have no right to revoke that treaty. It's was in acted by the council of planets and it takes a member from each race sitting on a council to change any low on this station. I laugh at the thought of you putting me on trial. What crimes am I supposed to have committed?"
"Oh, we'll start with murder," Jon said.
"I've never killed anyone," the Captain said.
"You command a vessel and you've never had to fight anyone or send someone to their death?" Jon said.
"Well of course I've been in battles," the Captain said.
"Murderer," Jon said.
"Same could be said for you or anyone else in this room," the Captain said.
"We're not talking about anyone but you," Jon said. "You can't arrest me as this is my station and I'm the King here."
The Captain looked around the room for support and found none. The other Captain, that seemed to be in support of him, looked away when their eyes met. The Captains that were neutral to the whole situation and starting to see the light of what Jon was saying just frowned at him.
"Now for the last time," Jon said. "Plant your ass in that chair or I'll have you arrested. The choice is yours to make but make it quick."
The Captain hesitated as he tried to decide just how serious Jon was.
"I'm being deadly serious," Jon said. "Sit you ass down right now!"
If there was one thing Deatra taught him was the authority and being in control of a situation matter in situations like this, especially with the Eutharan people. With his title up in the air it was far more important to press the advantage and show them who was in charge. It was a damned if you do damned if you don't situation for them. If Jon was to be the next King and they didn't do as he said then they would have problems down the road when he took control.
"Fine," the Captain said as he took his seat again.
"Now to continue," Jon said as he looked over the table of people. "I think the King and some of his higher ups are the cause of the population decrease. I'm working on finding out what the cause is and if he's connected."
"Preposterous!" one the two Captains said.
The other four Captains just looked at each other as if they were considering what Jon was saying. So far everything they heard somehow fitted with what they had seen in the past few years since things had gotten worse.
"How dare you accuse the King of anything like this," the other Captain said. "Unfounded accusations from someone who has been here for only a month or less. You have no idea what's going on here..."
"There are four pregnant women on Ghost Station," Jon said as he cut the Captain off.
"Congratulations," the Captain said. "What's so unusual about that?"
"They're all Eutharan," Jon said as he watched the reactions around the table. "Two of Deatra's handmaidens and now two females that wanted to join their bond mates."
The four that seems to be sided with Jon started whispering among themselves. While the other two Captains clamped their mouth shut so tight their lips turned white.
"We've also isolated the cause of the problems," Andie said as she stared at Jon.
Surprise crossed Jon's face as he took in what Andie had just said. She hadn't had time to tell him before the meeting and figured now was as good a time as any. It had taken her whole team two weeks to figure out what the cause was and now they were working on a cure for it. It didn't look good from what they had discovered about the contagion so far.
"Please continue," Jon said.
"Well," Andie said as she stood up. "We know it only affects the females making them infertile. It works over a prolonged exposure and takes about four months to fully set in."
"The nanites would stop any foreign substance from taking hold," one of the two Captains said. "That's what they're designed to do."
"I was getting to that," Andie said.
"I'm sure you were," the Captain said.
"How about you shut up and be quiet so we can get this done in timely fashion," Andie said as she glared at him. "You both are doing nothing but wasting our time here."
"Just who do you think you are?" the Captain said.
"I'm the person that's about to drug your ass so all you can do is listen and watch if you and your cohort don't shut your mouths this instant," Andie said. "If you don't believe me say one more word during this meeting." Andie pulled a hypodermic injector from her pocket and twirled it in the palm of her hand as she gave them the best evil grin she could muster. The Captain's mouth started to open and Andie arched an eyebrow and took a step towards him. He quickly closed his mouth and crossed his arms as he sat back in his chair his friends followed suit with a pale face.
"That's what I thought," Andie said as she pocketed the hypodermic injector. "Now, as was brought up the nanites can cope with some of the toxins. But, the rate at which they are introduced was high enough that the nanites after a while couldn't cope. Sure, they could protect the person for a month or so but eventually the saturation in the host's system became too much even for them."
"Any idea if it is natural or engineered?" Jon said. He was still grinning about the event between Andie and the two Captains.
"Engineered for sure," Andie said. "It's a targeted toxin and specifically designed to do its job and nothing else. It looks for specific markers in a host to know if it should attack that host or not. For example, every race is immune except Humans to its effects. This is because Humans and Eutharans are very close cousins. We've discovered the first stages in all Humans that have been on the planet. Males have much lower levels as the toxin kills itself. Most Eutharan males that been exposed for a long time show no signs and we've actually found markers that tell the toxins to self destruct."
The effects carry on to the female animals on Euthara because they share enough of the base traits to make the toxin react. At least that's what we think; it's possible it was an unintended effect by who ever made the toxin. I think it was engineered to lie dormant in plants and animals as a delivery method to the population except it effected them too. However, that's just my theory and I can't prove it."
One more thing, if a host is removed from the continued contamination the nanites can remove the toxin and the host returns to normal. It seemed to be engineered to do this as if the makers wanted to be able to turn it off and allow nature to take its course once again as if they had some agenda."
"Interesting," Jon said.
"Oh, you haven't heard the interesting part," Andie said.
"There's more?" Jon said.
"Not much but we think we have the origin of the toxin narrowed down," Andie said. "It's still a large area but it's a starting point for us."
"Really, that's amazing. How did you manage that so quickly?" Jon said.
"By accident," Andie said. "Your little dust up at Euroth provided us the link. We're providing medical services and as such we're running blood work ups. Every person in Euroth has three times the amount of toxins in their system as found anywhere else. So, one of the delivery systems is in or around there."
"What do you mean 'one of the delivery systems'?" Jon said as he arched his right eyebrow. "You think there are more?"
"Probably, the planet is pretty large and I think it would take more than one delivery system," Andie said. "We're working on something to counter act the toxin but we've been coming up empty. It's rather hardy and seems to alter itself to counteract anything we do to combat it. That's one of the reasons we're leaning towards it being engineered and not natural. Everything we're learning about it screams molecular engineering. If we could figure out what it was before it was turned into what it is now we might be able to design something to stop it."
"Or if we find out where it's being produced we can stop it that way too," Jon said as he leaned back and stared at the two now silent Captains. "You all can draw your own conclusions on what is happening on Euthara and now you know as much as we do. I beg you all to look at all the facts we have presented and then do a bit of your own investigation and draw your own conclusions."
"Very interesting finds I would like a couple days here with access to all your data so that I can come to a conclusion," Barle said. "Although, I don't know what difference we can make as we're only starship Captains and have no real authority."
"I'm not here to kill Eutharans," Jon said. "I'm here to help your people and you all can see there's something going on then I know I'm on the right track. It also means I don't have to worry about a fight up here. Then you can report your findings to your higher ups and do more investigation and report on up the chain. Maybe we can make progress together and fix what's wrong here. I don't know if the King and the royal court is involved or not but I'm prepared to cross that bridge when I get there."
One of the two Captains decided to speak up. He was eyeing Andie warily when he spoke as if waiting for her to make a move. "You're asking every Captain at this table to switch allegiance to you and off the King. That is a treasonous act and punishable by death to any involved, including you."
"Only if I'm found to be bond mate to Deatra," Jon said as he smiled. "Which I'm sure the King will see it's invalidated. Even if something goes wrong, everyone here would be a part of the ADF and would have a home. I'm not in the habit of leaving people hanging out to dry."
"You're forcing a situation on the King that he'll have to choose one way or the other on you status as an heir," Barle said. "The only way he can touch you is if he find you bonded."
"True and that also creates a problem for him as if I die so does Deatra his daughter," Jon said. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair.
"You're playing a dangerous game," Barle said.
Jon said, "Maybe but so is the King and his court. If he's responsible or someone in the royal court is they're guilty of mass genocide. He's practically doing that with the Ga'sahde anyway. He's opening up Euthara to any and all scavengers in the galaxy if he continues this silly rejection of them."
All the Captains nodded, even the two who seemed opposed to Jon.
"I don't want you to take at face value everything that has been said here. All medical and military references will be available to all of you while you decide. This includes the flight recorders of my fighters and your fighters where my sister was downed," Jon said as he leaned back towards the table and unfolded his arms. "I even have access to the data collected by the traffic control on Euthara. You'll see everything about that fight is as I said it happened. I have nothing to hide or nothing to lose here. Your people have everything to lose and some of your people have plenty to hide. All I'm asking is you take a look at what I have said and the data I have provided and then make a choice."
The Captains all looked at each other and nodded.
"Good this meeting is over for now. My people have already shown your crews to their temporary living quarters," Jon said as he stood up. "These guards will show you to your quarters with your crews and I'll make arrangements for you to have access to all the information you need. You will also have permission to contact any resources you need on Euthara. I'll give you some time to look it over and then we'll meet back up and you can choose what you want to do."
The Captains rose as one and each gave Jon a bow before they started for the door.
"One last thing gentlemen," Jon said. They stopped and look back at Jon. "You freedom on this station is at my discretion. Any hostile act will put your crew on lock down along with you and can and will be met with deadly force. I'm not going to play games with my people and their lives or the lives of anyone on this station. Is this understood?"
They all nodded and left one at a time under the escort of their guards.
Jon looked around at the people left as he spoke, "So?"
Gabriel was the first to speak, "I think four of them for sure. You could see it in their eyes that they knew something wasn't right. One of the two hostile Captains maybe, the other one will oppose you. He know what's going on and he doesn't like the fact you're trying to stop it."
"I don't understand what is so important about these men," Sa'oliq said. "Why not just hold them until it's all over?"
"Every Captain that was here today represents a Royal on Euthara," Jon said. He sat down as he spoke and took Nefeit's hand in his. "Those Royals are a part of the Royal Court on Euthara. They're the only ones allowed to have a fleet. Granted they don't control much of a fleet but they have power in the courts. If we sway them to our side then we might gain access to information we need as our support grows."
"What about the two Captains who seem to oppose you?" Sa'oliq said. "What are you going to do about them?"
"Depends on what they say or do," Jon said. "The Captain that was fully opposed against everything said here is in the employ of Grand Duke Harmequ. From what I know of this Harmequ he's power hungry and will do almost anything to forward his goals on Euthara. He seeks the crown for his family and it's no secret he does so. If there is one Royal I think is in the thick of it, it's him."
The other is a lesser Duke and he's not about power he's more about truth. He's somewhat shunned in the Kings inner circle. He'll probably be more likely to accept the truth if we can get to him. Don't get me wrong he's a supporter of the King and country and will be hard for him to take sides against them. However, if he sees the proof of what's going on I think the country will come before the King."
Anyway you look at it though we will need more support here. I would like to bring the four Eutharan females who are pregnant back here to Euthara so people can see for themselves. There's just something about seeing something for yourself that makes it easier to believe."
"I don't know what effect the toxins will have on them and their unborn children," Andie said. "I don't know if that would be such a good idea."
"That's why they will stay on the station here and not be allowed to go to the surface of the planet," Jon said.
"Still I don't know," Andie said.
"Can something be built to detect this toxin and maybe filter it out of the air?" Jon said as he looked at Andie.
"Yeah, I guess something could be built to do the filtering," Andie said. "The detection could be done by normal scanners. It's easy enough to configure them to detect the toxin."
"Get with Brad and Mike and see what you can come up with," Jon said. "I'm going back down to the city to see how progress is coming along."
"Is that wise?" Sa'oliq said. "The King by now is going to be hot for your head."
"I'm not afraid of him," Jon said. "He wants me he can come get me. I'm going to have Oojoung go on a mission for me and I would rather tell him about it in person."
"Terri?" Gabriel said.
"Of course," Jon said. "There's no way I'm going to leave her in the King's hands. He took off the gloves when he forced Deatra to bend to his will and go to the palace. Then he swung the first punch when he attacked us and then took my sister hostage. If he wants a fight then he'll get a fight and I fight dirty. I can promise you that if he hurts one hair on her head I'll skin him alive."
"Do you think it's wise to provoke him?" Sa'oliq said.
"I don't care if it is or isn't," Jon said. "I pretty much have an idea of what's going on here and I'm not going to let these people suffer anymore. There are a few more things to figure out but I have a pretty good grasp on what's going on."
"You think the King is behind what's going on?" Gabriel said.
Jon nodded slowly as he locked his eyes on Gabriel and spoke, "One way or the other he's behind what's going on here. He might not be a willing participant but right now that doesn't matter to me. I can worry about that later once the truth is out and the people here are safe."
"I'm not worried about the toxin as the effects are reversible," Andie said. "I'm more worried about you and what the people behind it might have planned for you. If the ADF loses you I don't know if it would be able to continue."
"The ADF will survive with or without me," Jon said. He swung his chair to look out at Euthara through the large observation window in the room. It was almost calming watching the silvery clouds move across the surface. "Your brother is more than ready to step up into my position and then there's Vaes, Gilas and all of you to help support him."
"You under estimate yourself," Sa'oliq said. The other nodded in agreement. "You're the one who has brought the current members of the ADF together. You're the one who holds it together and has brought hope to the Universe for the first time in over three hundred years. You found a way to bring back a key to making the various races work together and not against each other. Without you none of this would have happened. Now you're about to save one of the most important races this Universe has ever known."
"I don't know about all that," Jon said. "I think anyone could have done it. If it hadn't been me it would have been someone else. I'm just someone who got forced into a situation and has had to make do with what I've been given. As far as the Eutharan people, I don't know how important they are or aren't. I just see a people in need and I am going to help them as best I can."
"And that is what makes you the perfect choice for the job at hand," Gabriel said. He stood up and clasped his hands behind his back and started a small pace on the far end of the table. "I was sure you were someone who was just using the people around you to gain any foot hold you could..."
Gabriel paused as Jon swung back around and interrupted him, "Of course I'm using the people around me it's not something I'm trying to hide. I use people to do what I think is right and good for everyone else around them."
"Not what I was saying," Gabriel said as he continued. He stopped and faced Jon a slight grin on his face. "I meant you were in it to push your own power as far as you could and do what you needed to do to secure yourself in a leadership role. I explained this to the Matriarch and a few of the Ga'sahde council. Each and every one of them told me to look back over all the records from the time of your arrival until that minute and then make up my mind."
"There are records of everything I've done?" Jon said. His face showed his surprise at the revelation.
"Of course and being Ga'sahde we have access to those records," Gabriel said. "It's not complete, mind you, however every major event has a recording and been documented. Going though all that, I discovered that almost every action you had taken was to protect someone. You hadn't gone out to conquer anything or force races to see things you way or else face your wrath. It opened my eyes and made me understand what was going on in the grand scheme of things. You weren't trying to accomplish anything except protect you people and those around you. That is why I apologized and have accepted that you're the prophesized one the ancient texts speak of."
Jon rolled his eyes at the mention of the prophecy. "All right let's get back to work, meeting is adjourned."
The com beeped just as Jon finished.
"Jon here," Jon said.
"Sir, Captain Anders is requesting your presence on the surface. They have a situation that needs your attention," a female voice said.
"Put him through," Jon said.
The com clicked as Mark's voice came through, "Jon?"
"What's going on Mark?" Jon said.
"We have massive troop movements headed for the city," Mark said. "It looks like twice our current forces we have deployed. The Eutharan's have reinforced the surface strike areas and are digging in as we speak. It's getting nasty here and really fast."
"I want you to hit the surface strike areas before they can do something to it," Jon said. "We need to be able to investigate the site. That is your priority right now."
"What about the city?" Mark said. "We have a lot of people relying on us here. We've showed them a glimmer of a better life and they have been quick to lend a hand. Even the surrounding tribes have begun moving back into the city and are helping rebuild."
"Really?" Jon said. "Things are going that well?"
"Yup," Mark said.
Jon tapped Nefeit on the arm and made a motion towards the com as he spoke, "Nefeit is deploying more troops as we speak. They'll secure the city as best as they can until they can be reinforced. I'll double air support in that area."
"Alright, we're going to move out then and assault the primary target and secure it for your arrival," Mark said.
"Ok, on I'm my way now," Jon said. He stood up and Nefeit, still talking into her com, followed suit as Jon left the room. "Control, have a shuttle prepped for my departure. Contact the Atlantis and have her make ready for my arrival."
"She's currently on patrol Sir," the female voice responded. "Do you want me to recall her?"
"Yes, recall her," Jon said. "I'm going to the surface and I'm placing Sa'oliq in command of the station, Gabriel will be her acting second in command."
"Aye Sir," the female voice said.
"Well, here we go again," Jon said as he gave Nefeit a lopsided grin.
"Oh shit," Nefeit said.