Chapter 2: Doubt

[Ray of Meep]

Co-authored by: Ray of Meep (GM), CadetNewb, TheCountryWarrior, Wallflower

23XX A.D, hours after meeting with the Jing (Aos Si)

Li Ming Star System (Solaris Lihana), Planet Zhuque (Lihana), Yunwang City (Occupied Hillsong)

Shi Cheng was out of the military outfit and back in casual, civillian wear again, sporting a simple collared shirt as he stepped into the conference room. His supervisor, Dr. Wang, was already waiting for him, with his arms crossed, along with a third figure on screen. The figure was a young lad in comparison to the two professors, no more than thirty years old, sporting rich black hair and a cool expression.

Shi Cheng raised an eyebrow, then took a seat. "I suppose the governor was too busy so she has her son deal with me?"

"Dr. Li!" Dr. Wang scolded.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that." The man on screen shook his head. "I just want to remind you that whether you like it or not, I'm the mayor of this city, which means I have jurisdiction over its security forces. The same security forces that you tried to unilaterally pull away from the borders."

"Figured this is what the meeting's all about." Shi Cheng set his right hand on the table. "And I guess you're not pleased that a transport was almost shot down as well?"

The mayor nodded, and Shi Cheng replied, "I'm not sure what you and your--- the governor, expected. The Jing, the Aos Si, what the previous regime did to them was the textbook definition of genocide. Imagine being the survivor of the 20th century war, and then the East Islanders show up on your doorstep wanting peace. While also armed to the teeth. I'd either hide or try to kill them. Frankly, I'm just glad that I didn't get tied up and tortured. The fact that I even managed to talk to them and set up meetings on future dates is even more of a miracle."

"That explains nothing." The mayor jabbed back emotionlessly. "What the security forces did was standard protocol. You, a civillian, were breaking every norm, defying the chain of command."

"Was I?" Shi Cheng stood up and adjusted his collar. "May I remind you that the governor gave me full jurisdiction over this project. Regardless of the chain of command, standard protocol is inadequate when dealing with an alien species, one that we utterly destroyed mind you. The American Union failed for several hundred years in normalizing relations with its people using old human methods. If the governor wants to see the project succeed, we'll have to do much, much better. I implore you to let me do my work. Just get ready to handle the civillian pushback in the city."

"What happens in Yunwang is not up to you as a scholar." The mayor reminded. "Regardless of your power, the safety of the city comes first, and I will not allow this political stunt to jeopordize it." He paused to think, then continued, "I will take into consideration moving the security forces back to allow the Jing to enter the city, without endangering it. Dr. Li, you will do well to consult me, or the Governor, first before forcing through any action."

Shi Cheng shrugged. "First decapitate, then present."

"Hmmph." The mayor only grunted, then cut himself out.

"Like father like son." Shi Cheng muttered and scratched his chin.

"You had quite the gall to behave like that." Dr. Wang stood up and remarked, with a mix of disapproval and surprise. "Both you and I could get fired for that."

"This isn't the old regime, but it reeks of it." Shi Cheng growled. "Damn nepotism."

"I guess you didn't vote for him." Dr. Wang shook his head. "To be fair, he has to look strong. He's basically just a lad, and he has to deal with hostile xenos and the civil unrest both."

"Damn politics." Shi Cheng massaged his nose bridge. "I'm just going to focus on this next meeting with the Aos Si. Can you help me procure some primary and secondary language textbooks? Like actual paperback. I doubt the Aos Si have electricity for datapads."

 

[Ray of Meep]

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Concurrently,
The Solemn Eye,
A hawk's flight south of occupied Hillsong

The Solemn Eye was a wooden tower built into a large Red House tree, an outpost built to forewarn the Aos Si village, Folk's Requiem, of any intrusion by the invaders. The outpost was well covered in leaves and vines, nearly invisible to the naked eye, but to the Aos Si who spent the last few decades living in the forest, it was a clear, albeit temporary, haven.

Folk's Requiem itself was the last Aos Si settlement in the region, reduced to several thousand Aos Si sprawled out along a vegetated riverbank, with most of the residents accepting their eventual fate of fading away as their numbers continued to dwindle. Still, life has been mostly peaceful with the invaders staying in their city.

Gwaedcryf stood at the entrance of the Solemn Eye, looking back at where they had come from. This was their first stop, a red herring of sorts in case this event, which looked like a trap, was indeed a hasty trap. His face was set, a stony mask who's eyes betrayed a boiling undertone of rage only to those who knew how to read them. His speech was harsh, another indicator of his inner thoughts. "This is a trap. It is clear. The Parasites have no concept of compassion, only control. Even if they wish to make peace, it's a peace on their terms. We'd be pawns."

"Quite likely," Amisra replied, her voice calm and aloof as she set her things down. Though not 'home' per se, comfort was still an important matter, and The Solemn Eye provided respite despite its grim purpose. "However, what was a short passing of time for us, was an entire generation to them," she pointed out, unclasping her breastplate. Pulling off her cloak and armor, the redhead was released from her bindings with a sigh of relief in part due to her size. "That one we spoke to was possibly not even born when the invasion began. My point being that change is a slim possibility, and therefore, someone must investigate." Even as Amisra laid down in the hammock, it was clear what she was implying.

Sai shook her head, waiting little time to add her own opinion to the mix. "You don't change generations of tradition in a day. Even if this is a new group, I have the feeling that the rights and wrongs regarding other species is far from the Parasite's priorities. If anything, they intend to use us as some political gambit to further extend their ambitions." Tapping the hilt of the blade strapped to her thigh, she pulled her poncho off, resting it aside. The white haired woman wiped a stray strand of hair from her eyes, before turning back to the two of them.

"I say that we dip our toes in, play along with their trap. They'd never let us stand beside them, but obviously the prospect of having an already humiliated race sit at their feet in gratitude of help is something they can't resist. They're clearly underestimating us by leagues, so why not play into that? Imagine the kind of technological secrets we could secure if they think us to be eager lapdogs." The points she was making were familiar ones, controversial claims of revenge and appropriation spoken of in private by the Ornstrum elite.

"Besides, how can we possibly return to our heights the way we are now? Under constant threat of them returning, we have the chance to strike at their clutch-egg nest and secure our future. It's more than a fair trade, should we get the chance."

Gwaedcryf stood at the viewport now, watching behind them. He kept his gear on. He didn't let himself feel comfort of his own volition. In the decades passed, he had grown unaccostumed to comfort, to the point that comfort was uncomfortable. He stood there, guaring the three of them, rigid like a statue. "I would rather not sacrifice our soul for the possibility of technological prowess." He grit his teeth, staring out the tiny window. "I would rather die with their blood dripping from my blade than be their pet." He breathed slowly, his anger rising up again. He choked it down, his stance remaining. "Their generation would have remained as vile as the last had that generation not damed the future ones. They can't be trusted."

"Then we shall not," Amisra casually replied. Laying there on her cot, bare arms stretched overhead, the woman's eyes closed while her chest rose and fell. Still, she opened one eye to peek at her companions. "If anything that one said is true, they have been ruined themselves, and hope to use us as a symbol of peace and rebirth," she pointed out, closing her eye again to rest. "Undoubtedly, they hope to use us for their gain. Political or otherwise. But we live far longer than they. Our first steps will be fraught with danger, but our footing will strengthen. The only real matter, is if I shall go alone, or be accompanied." Peeking at them again, she added, "If it truly is some ill-conceived death-trap, better one than all, hm?"

Gwaed spoke quickly, his head only moving slightly in her direction. His eyes shifted back, but still he faced forward. "I won't let you walk into a death trap alone." He didn't say anything else after that sudden affirmation.

"A small group volunteering is bound to be more successful than one or two individuals. Besides, I don't believe I could pass up such an opportunity against the Parasites." Sai added.

"Mmm," Amisra mused, peeking at them with one eye. "I suppose it's nice to have company."

Gwaed would remain there, keeping watch over their little hideaway. He would afford himself no rest.