“My Furball,” Kiran replies with mock sweetness, “this is a medical bay, not a love nest. The General sent me to fetch you for a meeting. So I suggest you keep your filthy paws off my little sister and get moving. People are waiting.”
“I'm all yours, handsome,” I tell him with a wink. "Come, my love, let’s follow your brother, who clearly can’t live without me."
We fall into step behind him, and I half-listen to his grumbling while keeping my eyes glued to the spectacular sway of Neela’s hips.
“Later,” she whispers with a smirk, catching me mid-stare.
I shoot her a wicked grin in return. Oh, I’ll remember that half-promise. You can bet your sweet ass I will.
Soon enough, we step into a large meeting room.
Admiral Akifumi sits at the head of the table, flanked by Pherebos, Ileana, and Wingo. Kiran, Neela, and I take seats of our own.
“Well, I’m glad to see you fully recovered, Prax,” Akifumi begins. “I’m sorry you had to wait three days in those conditions, but the damage has been repaired.”
“Don’t worry about it—it gave Kiran enough time to finally beat me at dice. Took him long enough.”
“I beat you whenever I want, Furball!”
“Enough!” Neela, Pherebos, and Ileana bark in unison.
I give the group my best contrite Sadjim look and shift my attention back to the Admiral.
“Ahem. As I was saying—glad to see you all in one piece," he continues. "We were delayed getting here because we had to do a little cleanup in Martian orbit. No fewer than eight Penubian cargo ships were en route to your location. I’m afraid the peace of this planet has been permanently compromised. I truly regret that—and I’m sorry for the losses you’ve suffered among the Human colonists.”
“Several of our friends are dead,” Kiran adds, his voice tight. “Some were murdered by Vassili and other colony leaders… others died during the battle three days ago. Viktor and Nikos didn’t—”
His voice breaks, and I feel his grief like a weight in the room. Because how can you not feel guilty when your comrades fall and you live to talk about it?
Neela places a comforting hand over his and wipes away a silent tear of her own.
“Admiral,” she says, “as I already explained to you, all the Ninasarvik were killed during the fight—along with some of the Penubians. The ones who were merely knocked out are now locked up in your brig.”
"I’ve already arranged to have them transferred to an off-world penal facility," Akifumi confirms. "But I noticed you also requested the detention of several Humans? Is that absolutely necessary?"
“I insist they stand trial before a Confederation court-martial," I reply. "They murdered several of their own and disposed of the bodies using incinerators. They made commercial deals with the Penubians in exchange for petty material benefits. I’ve filed a digital deposition for the court. If Neela and Kiran are willing to do the same... we can easily gather more witness statements to support our claims. Hans, for example—an old man who witnessed my attempted murder and was left for dead himself. I have no doubt these people will be sentenced for their crimes.”
“Very well. It will be done,” Akifumi replies. "And I’ll personally make sure every one of them is held accountable. We've also adjusted internal pressure levels aboard the ship in anticipation of a full audit of the ‘Mars: Last Chance’ initiative. We plan to visit the colonies ourselves to question the Humans still on-site.”
“Well, that’s good news,” I say, leaning back. “Because if I get a say in it, I have several improvements to propose.”
“Understood,” Akifumi says, nodding calmly. “We’ll discuss all of that once we finish this full report on what’s transpired here on Mars. Let’s get the facts straight first... then we can talk about how to make things better for this colony.”
The detailed debrief drags on for over an hour, and I can clearly see Kiran’s anxious impatience. He keeps fidgeting in hischair, wringing and unwringing his hands. It’s the first time this Human has ever left Martian soil, and he left his wife and son safe in their home. He must be dying to get back to them—but he’s the one who insisted on coming here with Neela.
Once we’ve finally wrapped up that painful chapter, it’s time for the post-mission review.
“Prax, we’re listening,” says Akifumi, yielding the floor to me.
“Thank you. If I may,” I begin, “I believe the Confederation bears part of the responsibility for the current situation. For some obscure reason, you settled tens of thousands of Humans in these colonies. You left them access to all the movies and documentaries of their former glory—an era where their freedom was nearly limitless. But at the same time, you locked them into a tight moral cage that, in my opinion, wasn’t entirely necessary.”
I pause and glance around the table to gauge their reactions. The Admiral looks troubled.
“Go on,” he encourages.
“These people have constantly been reminded of their civilization’s failures, yet they’re the ones who’ve paid the price. Sure, their lives were spared, but why were they denied proper communication, reliable transportation, and instead buried under a pile of frustrating rules?”
“You think the regulations my predecessor implemented on Mars were unnecessary?” Akifumi asks.
