Earth's Last Days: The Invasion

Council Leader Vorik stood in the dome as the clear sky showed through its glassy surface. They had finished building the dome, and the dwellings that were completed were already being furnished. One by one, families were coming to the surface of the planet to live as homes were being built. He looked up into the sky, wondering what was happening with Niki and the mothership. It had taken longer than he had expected. He hadn't heard from them, and it worried him.

As if his thoughts materialized, a shuttle soared through the atmosphere and toward the surface, heading directly for the dome. He wondered who would be coming to the surface without authorization. The orders were for everyone to remain on the ship until it was their turn to be housed inside one of the dwellings. The dwellings that were finished were full, and they were still building more. No one should be coming to the surface.

As the shuttle approached, the dome opened for them, and it smoothly landed on the landing platform.

Sighing, Council Leader Vorik headed for the shuttle. He wanted answers to why someone would be coming down from the ship without authorization. He hadn't received any requests, so someone had disobeyed a direct order.

As the shuttle completed its landing sequence, Council Leader Vorik folded his arms in anticipation of having to reprimand someone from his ship. He hadn't had anyone not follow orders or go against protocols in a long time.

The shuttle's wide door began to open, and Council Leader Vorik stepped forward, ready to reprimand those in question. He was stopped short when Fleet Commander Lerian and Trei, with Niki beside him, stepped out of the shuttle once the ramp hit the platform. Niki grinned widely before heading toward him. Trei and Fleet Commander Lerian gave the gesture of respect while Niki just smiled, rushing closer. She was happy to see her friend.

When she reached Council Leader Vorik, she hugged him briefly, knowing the Ramesians didn't understand affection for friends. "It's good to see you. We had some issues and needed to stay a bit longer than we had expected," she told him, grinning, not revealing anything else to him.

Council Leader Vorik tensed. "Issues?" he asked, his tone was tight. He wondered what could have happened. He knew there were a lot of things that could have happened, but he just didn't know what. He wanted to know exactly what happened while she was off trying to save those about to be executed.

Niki smiled. "The planet was never Drell's and his people's planet in the first place. When their own planet had become unable to sustain them, they went to Gorgen. When they had attempted to invade the planet, they had failed. They were made slaves as a result. We saved the group they were going to execute, however. We built a dome around the governing city and placed all of Drell's people inside. I refused to give them any technology. I had the replicator stripped of most functions and items. They can't replicate anything not on the menu. There are no weapons or armor in the replicator. We even took out the palm shields and personal cloaking shields."

"And medical supplies?" Council Leader Vorik asked. He didn't like leaving anyone without supplies. Especially medical supplies.

"We left only food, water, and clothing in the replicator. The only medical supplies are bandages and antiseptics. When we scanned the city, we found a hospital. It has plenty of items for them. I made sure the truth serum wasn't in there, either. That's technology they don't have on that planet," Niki continued. "We removed the ability to program anything in the replicator, also. We didn't want them making weapons."

Council Leader Vorik stared at her. "You left them nothing?" he asked. He didn't like what he was hearing. His voice was even; he was appalled that she wouldn't leave them anything.

"We left them more than they deserved," Fleet Commander Lerian stated as he walked up to them, before Niki could say anything more. "The only reason Council Leader Niki was willing to do anything was because of the children with them. She provided them with a safe city, nothing more. The planet itself has everything they need."

Council Leader Vorik nodded, then realized Fleet Commander Lerian had called her 'Council Leader.' He looked between the fleet commander and Niki. "A lot had taken place while you were away at Gorgen, didn't it?" he asked, eyeing the two. He wanted to know what had happened. It was clear that the fleet commander had gained a lot of respect for Niki during their mission to save the people about to be executed.

Before they could answer, the shuttle pilot rushed up to them. He quickly gave a gesture of respect to both Council Leaders. "We have a message over the communications from a Gorgen vessel," he stated in a rush, handing the communication device to Council Leader Niki.

"This is Council Leader Niki. Who am I speaking with?" she asked evenly. She wasn't prepared to deal with Drell and his people any longer than she had to. It had pissed her off that they had lied to her. Seeing their choice in dealing with the masters didn't help either. It was a coward's move.

"Gaf, sir," the voice said. It was a bit shaky, as if panicked. "I apologize for the communication, but I didn't know what else to do."

Before he could say anything further, Niki cut in. "I told your people we would not help you any further than we already had," she reminded him.

"I understand that, sir, but I was forced to train others to use the dome, then I was thrown out of the city by my brother. He called me a traitor for not killing you when I was unbound. I stole a shuttle and am headed toward your planet. I wish for sanctuary. I am alone. I was the only one forced to leave the city. It was too dangerous for me to stay outside the dome, so I left," Gaf explained in a rush. They could all hear the fear and anxiety in his tone.

Council Leader Niki looked at the Fleet Commander. "I trust that one. My sister told me that when she was listening in on their conversation while in the cells, he was talking against his brother, trying to calm him down. All the interaction I've had with him has not shown me anything of deceit. He appears to be a good person."

Fleet Commander Lerian nodded, agreeing with Niki. He had thought the same. They both turned to Council Leader Vorik. "Sir, I believe we can trust Gaf. I wish to give him sanctuary. I also want the truth serum used on him to ensure he is telling the truth. I don't want any surprises." Council Leader Niki stated.

Council Leader Vorik studied her. "We don't have a truth serum for his people; we didn't think we would need it. They were being taken back to Gorgen, so there was no need."

Fleet Commander Lerian chuckled. So did Trei, who was standing beside his mate, Niki. "Council Leader Niki had one made on our way to the planet. We used it on one of their people, which is how we found out what was really going on with them. What they told us was only partially the truth. They did, in fact, escape the planet; however, the truth serum revealed to us that the planet was never theirs," Lerian informed him.

Council Leader Vorik nodded, thinking for only a few seconds. "Have two shuttles flank his shuttle and escort him to the surface. We will conduct an interrogation and give him sanctuary if he is telling the truth."

Council Leader Niki held up the communications. "Gaf. Two shuttles will meet you on your way here. They will flank your ship and escort you to the surface. We will talk to you then, face to face."

"Yes, sir," Gaf stated. He sounded relieved, but only a little. "And, sir?" he added.

"Yes, Gaf?" Niki responded as if speaking to a small child.

"Please make sure there is no tracking on this shuttle. I don't want them to find me. If the people of Gorgen find me, it may bring them there. I don't want them to harm anyone because I am with you," Gaf added.

"Consider someone on their way to get you," she told Gaf, before closing the communications. Niki turned to Vorik. "Any chance there is a dwelling ready for Trei and me?" she asked, ready to be back on solid ground.

Council Leader Vorik chuckled. "No. You will get the next one, however. We've been building and moving people as quickly as we can. We still have a lot of dwellings to build."

Niki smiled. "I'm ready to live on the surface for a while. I'm not fond of living in space. Having solid ground under my feet makes me feel better. In space, I feel anxious."