The marine uniforms had transformed into light grey to match the walls, the shining black honour guard helmets seeming out of place with deployed reflective visors, all four soldiers stood with automatic rifles held across their chests and dull shoulder armour. The senior officer uniforms were of a dark blue, yellow and red braiding along the arms and trousers as an indication of their superior rank.
Dugachard’s eyes widened as the smaller tanned being next her reluctantly spoke further, raising his voice, ‘Yes, the last ship of my people is following…we are bound together in this struggle now. We will not risk the eggs or DNA of our animals and numerous species, but we have further to offer…and show you.’ Begum adjusted his stance nervously in admittance, ‘You only saw the advanced weapons we wanted you to see…we have many more. It is not my place to offer sharing them…but we have used our flight time to perfect this additional armour and new attack devices.’ He shook his head, tears in his eyes, ‘The Morgon Warships obliterated the defences and soldiers on our planets before invading, but the schematics were transmitted to the fleeing ships at the last minute before our scientists destroyed them. I now know your people and human allies…I believe we belong together as races…I trust my new friends.’
He smiled innocently, glancing down at the shimmering floor in flushed embarrassment as the Trevakian commanders looked on, ‘Our High Lord hopes that if…when…we defeat the menace of the Morgons here, you will assist us in retaking our home worlds as the allies we were always meant to be.’
The robust admiral nodded, licking his lips and staring sympathetically at the small figure before the raised platform, ‘We will confer regarding your proposal, but there is no guarantee of acceptance.’ The Trevakian commander glanced from side to side to his nodding colleagues, ‘We will reconvene this hearing in thirty earth minutes.’
Begum nodded in understanding, his boots clicking together as a small clenched hand swept upwards to his left chest in salute, ‘I understand completely. Just consider that we have suffered at the hands of this enemy beyond comprehension…this is our time even, should I even say…Our time is Now!’
David Bland shook his head, staring out of the large viewing window, streaks of streaming gas, distorted heat and burning rubbish debris from the neighbouring ships sweeping past as the vessels tore forward through deep space. Turning to stare at Shino and Riaz, their eyes dropped, his anger obvious as he raised his hands to either side in exasperation, ‘Why?’ The airport manager sighed despondently, ‘What possessed you to sign up with the Trevakians…I mean, was it not dangerous enough for you on that damn inhospitable planet?’
His hands dropped to his waist, chest heaving with emotion beneath the Trevakian combat uniform, staring at the two bowed heads before him and then beyond, the accommodation corridor behind extending off for some considerable distance. Downward pin lights illuminated the almost glimmering resin walls of the lowest deck, several display screens and observation windows lining the outer wall of the sleek ship, a number of soldiers stood chatting outside their individual barrack doors.
Debra Hardie’s face suddenly moved into view, her emotional eyes welling with tears as she frowned, ‘It’s done…stop bringing the subject up!’ She drew a deep breath, ‘Virtually every day you go on about it…it’s like some sort of damn obsession.’ Her hands rose to the shoulders of the two younger airport employees before her, staring into David’s eyes defiantly, ‘They joined because they want to make a difference, not hide or bury their heads in the sand...their…our lives have changed forever now.’ She swallowed nervously, glimpsing the intense anger in his eyes, his cheeks flushed as he stared back almost indignantly, ‘We have been training non-stop with the Trevakian Marines since we boarded this vessel. I have signed up too…I want to be with them, and with Tregan.’
Debra flushed slightly in embarrassment at the near admission, Riaz half turning as her lips pursed, becoming almost a sneer as David’s eyes widened in shock, her dogged determination apparent, ‘This is our world now…and our war, not working at an airport…we have seen the enemy, fought against them and their Silak scum allies…witnessed brave Trevakians slaughtered as they gave their lives instead of ours, sacrificing themselves in attempt to buy us time to escape. Our future belongs with them now.’
Debra was breathing heavily, spittle splashing onto the waterproof uniformed shoulders of the two in front of her as tears ran down her cheeks. Several soldiers further along the corridor turned inquisitively to stare as the outburst became more emotional, ‘These Morgons want to exterminate us…cut us to pieces for sport! I spoke to Jozefina Kapralova yesterday…they beheaded the fallen and placed their skulls on sticks around the surrounded village she was in. Rees along with several other wounded are fighting for their lives in the medical bay…we have an appointment to see them later today.’ She sniffed heavily, inhaling, ‘The Morgons do not understand mercy…or compassion, and now they threaten earth…we will fight and die if need be to protect it!’
Riaz’s head rose slowly, Shino’s following as David Bland stepped back, almost aghast in stunned silence at the outburst and their determination, the three pairs of eyes grimly resolute and committed to their decisions, his voice trembling, ‘V-very well then…I have no choice…’ He took another step back, turning to stare at the distant stars and an outer patrolling angular dark grey ship of the ninth fleet through the viewing window, a hand rising to lean wearily against the wall.
Shino poked Riaz in the ribs, his body jerking in surprise before he grimaced, her head nodding stubbornly towards David Bland before them, Riaz shrugging in defeat and reluctantly clearing his throat, ‘What do you have no choice in sir?’
David Bland winced, rubbing his chin and staring
