“We discovered that the system had recently been taken over by a less than popular administration, and that a ragtag group of freedom fighters were trying to take it back. Our plan had been to back up your revolution, thereby not only gaining the trust of the new government, but that of the people as well.”
“I’ll never let you do this.” Henry said. Emily’s body still felt warm in his arms. “I won’t allow my people to become your slaves.”
“Then we’ll do it by force.” Aric said. “The army I brought with me was small on purpose. We wanted it to still feel like a small revolution. But at the touch of a button, I could have millions more summoned, with ships that make your most advanced dreadnoughts look like scrap-heaps. It will be tedious, and there will be much more blood-shed and violence, but your people will live under our boot no matter what you do.
“But if you play along with us, you will help to facilitate this change. It will take longer, maybe a few decades, and it will have to be under the guise of government work projects. You’ll also need to emphasize the importance of inter-species interaction, and the value of opening relations with extra-terrestrial beings.”
“No.” Henry shook his head. The world around him was spinning, and he felt like he could throw up.
“Whether you like it or not, your race belongs to us. But you have the power to make it easier for them, and us. You are after all, the savior of the people.”
“Rand was right.” Henry didn’t look up; instead keeping his eyes on the face of the woman he loved. “You are worse than death.”
The rebel leader stood up, and carried Emily’s body to one of the hospital beds along the wall. He laid her there. Behind him, he heard Aric lifting up Rand’s corpse.
“I have to go around the ship, and help to collect all the bodies.” Aric said. Henry refused to turn and face him. “The enemy troops are all dead, but they tried to sabotage the engines. Nothing too serious; they’ll be fixed by morning.
“I doubt they’ll try a direct assault again for some time. With this humiliating defeat, we have brought them to their knees. Another month and you’ll be in office on Earth.
“You have until then to decide, or we will decide for you.” Aric then left the room, leaving Henry alone with his thoughts and his grief.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Edward Punales is a writer and student. He has written the short fiction collection, Symphony of Humanity. He is a life-long fan of fantasy and science fiction, and has written several stories and books under the pen name, Edward Lange. Starting in early 2015, he abandoned that pen name, and began writing and publishing under his real name. He lives with his family in South Florida.
Author site: edwardpunalesauthor.blogspot.com
Email: [email protected]
Monsters Win Wars: A Novella Page 6
