Frenzy & Torch

Chapter 22: Politics and Promises

An emergency Galactic Alliance meeting had been called as soon as news broke of the war on Keeyorbie. Ambassador McNeil and Queen Violet were seated next to each other in a Galactic Alliance building in Paris-97 on Solarius, a planet full of lush green scenery. The Grand Hall building had been raided by skunks and was out of business until further notice.

Councilwoman Jane Clancy and a magic wielder from Annabelle's squad, a full-blooded sorcerer man of average height with a reserved nature, had come along as the party's respective security detail. A platoon of experienced U.S. Army soldiers were staged outside behind sandbags. They were supported by a couple infantry fighting vehicles.

"I'm not blaming your girls for what happened," McNeil said, breaking the awkward silence between him and Violet. "None of this is their fault. Just know people are gonna try to use this against them when the time comes."

The queen looked at him. "You mean a trial?"

"The people are gonna want answers, and most importantly, accountability."

Violet normally would have had a snarky remark. Instead, she nodded and leaned back in her seat. "What else is new."

McNeil hadn't known her for long but noticed she wasn't her usual self. "Everything okay, Your Majesty?"

"I really don't know." She leaned her head into her hand. "This job sucks." She looked over her shoulder. "Clancy, be a dear and get me some water, please."

The bow wielder had been deep in thought about where her sisters-in-arms were and what they were doing. Although nobody really said it, even the big and scary Laminaurus had been missed amongst the 90th Division. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Violet grabbed the bottle from her and removed the cap. The liquid inside screamed, making her yell and drop it. "What the hell?!"

The water crawled out and shakily stood, hands holding the sides of its head. "My people ... they killed my people." He ran out of the room.

"What in the fuck is going on— "

The naked chairman from the previous meeting banged his gavel. "Nice to see everybody here, though the circumstances could be better!"

"Fuck's sake, Mr. Chairman, nobody wants to see your wrinkly sack. When are you gonna put some clothes on?" said Ambassador Fur. Her arm was in a cast.

"What happened to you?" Violet asked.

"Well, Your Majesty, I fractured my arm and shoulder after your girls threw me out of a speeding ice cream truck. Turns out hitting concrete at sixty miles an hour isn't good for your health. You're lucky I have eight more lives or you'd be in some serious shit."

"Yeah, sorry about that ... that's an interesting necklace you've got there." She pointed to the grey necklace with a blinking red light in the center. "Where'd you get it from?"

"Do you always ask this many questions?" she replied with snark even though her eyes showed nervousness.

Violet huffed. "Whatever, bitch... or what the proper word is for a rude cat lady."

McNeil spoke next. "I'd say we already are in some serious shit, Ambassador Fur, and that's thanks to you and those fat commies and whoever else had dealings with that feathered bastard."

"Mr. McNeil, you are out of line!" bellowed naked chairman. "This is an Alliance meeting, not a bar! This is not the time to be flinging accusations. We must foster an atmosphere of trust and cooperation to bring this crisis to a close!"

"I have to go to the bathroom," said Ambassador Cok Doodle Du. He pushed out his chair and walked flamboyantly out of the room, his feet rising up to neck level and smacking the ground with each step.