MILLIONS OF LIGHT YEAR FROM TERRA, IN THE GALACTIC CENTER—PLANET ORALIA, ORALIA PRIME SYSTEM, RUINED CAPITAL OF THE ZETARK EMPIRE
A giant space station loomed near Planet Oralia, nearly as big as a dwarf planet.
It was the seat of the High Galactic Council, where all the species of the galaxy met to discuss interstellar politics and to try to resolve conflicts between members. On rare occasions, they even addressed conflicts outside their community.
To be part of the high council, a nation needed to be completely independent. It needed to be neither a colony, a protectorate, nor a vassal state. In addition, the country had to reach the third stage of technological advancement, that is to say, the highest technological level among living galactic nations.
The high council was directed by five patriarchs, each of whom was selected by one of the five "major space nations:" the Orc Empire, the Holy Elf Empire, Republic of the Two Suns, the Neo-Zetark Empire, and the Theocracy of the Void.
At this particular moment, the Elf patriarch of the High Galactic Council said, "Today the High Council is dealing with the case of the conflict between the Federation and the Orc Empire! Chancellor Souley of the United Federation of Planets, you will speak first, then the Orc Emperor Xerxer XVI."
So it was Chancellor Souley, the accuser, who stepped forward to the huge lectern where all the leaders of the galaxy were watching him. It was extraordinary pressure, even for Souley, an experienced politician!
After swallowing the ball of fear in his throat, he spoke. "Dear Leaders of the Galaxy, I have summoned you here because a daring crime was committed on the planet Era, a protectorate of our nation! The Great Warlord Regnier genocided the population. He then attacked the Cronos system, which belongs to the Federation!
"The rules of the galactic community are clear! Conflicts between civilized nations must be resolved through diplomacy. However, the Orc Empire has never respected this rule. Certainly, before now, they have invaded civilizations that were not part of the High Council. Now their limitless ambition has reached a new level! They have attacked a member of the High Council itself! The Council's response must be unanimous, one of strong action against the Orc Empire!"
As his speech drew to a close, a huge holographic screen lit up behind him. It showed the alleged events of Era, shocking the entire room!
Images flashed by of thousands of Tyottings dead in the ruined planetary capital of Tyo, as well as images of summary executions performed by Orc soldiers.
Finally, the Council witnessed what appeared to be an orbital nuclear bombardment by the Orc fleet.
Of course, most of these images had been carefully doctored by the Federation Secret Service, led by General Ralfot, in order to influence the High Galactic Council. To anyone who wasn't a computer expert, the images seemed like real life.
Emperor Xerxer XVI then took the stage to respond to these accusations. However, he was clearly shaken.
The emperor denied any involvement of his empire in the extermination of the Tyotting people, but even he wasn't entirely sure. The Orc Empire was a tribally based decentralized state, so it could well be that what the Federation claimed was true. In order to preserve the diplomatic reputation of the empire, Xerxer promised to conduct an internal investigation.
To most of those listening, this was an informal admission by the emperor. However, no one wanted to speak up and directly challenge the Orc Empire.
Despite only gaining a narrow victory over the Federation, the Orc Empire had once again demonstrated its power at the Battle of Cronos I. Without the Federation's secret weapon, an Orc victory would have been certain.
And, of course, the fleet of the Great Warlord Regnier was only a small part of the huge Orc army! It was the largest army of the nine hundred and twenty-seven interstellar nations of the Galactic High Council.
Nevertheless, the impact of the Battle of Cronos I had once again put the spotlight on the Orc Empire, and the other great space nations were certainly not going to let the Orc Empire become a galactic superpower.
