TERRA—SECRET SERVICE HQ
Chancellor Souley had set up his new office in a back room of the huge Secret Service building. From this office, he was carefully observing the situation on Cronos I.
Marshall Androf's surprise victory was a real blow against future peace negotiations with the Orc Empire, of course. The population would not accept territorial concessions if the conflict was won via ground warfare.
But what bothered Chancellor Souley the most was the Eternals. They had been instrumental to the planet's defenses, and the order to exile them might create more enemies than expected.
But while Souley was lost in thought, trying to solve the multiple problems the Federation was facing, he received a very surprising piece of information.
A mysterious fleet of almost a thousand ships had just emerged from hyperspace in the Terra Prime system, as well as in the Cronos system!
Souley immediately opened his Holo TV and called the Chief of Staff. "Who does this fleet belong to? The one in our space, not in the Cronos system! Why didn't we detect it before? The Terra Prime system is equipped with the best detection technology in the entire Federation!"
The Chief of Staff answered in a bewildered tone, "I… well… Sir, it seems to be a Federation fleet! Hold on… We're receiving a hailing signal… This is impossible!"
There was a seemingly long pause before he spoke up again. "I don't believe it, but we're receiving the signal of Grand Admiral Azerof's fleet!"
Chancellor Souley's face went white. "That's impossible! His fleet was destroyed!"
The Chief of Staff replied, "We're receiving a transmission from the fleet on every public channel on the planet!"
***
Across the planet, every radio and TV station cut their usual feeds and broadcast the fleet's message.
"People of Terra, this is Grand Admiral Azerof. I have returned with the survivors of the Great Space Battle of Cronos I, and come bearing information to reveal to you, dear citizens.
"The army has been betrayed! The people have been betrayed! The Federation has been betrayed! We have been informed that, at this very moment, Chancellor Souley and the infamous General Ralfot are negotiating with the Orc Empire to secede part of the Federation's territories, hoping to gain a quick and dishonorable peace!
"We must all oppose this! I therefore proclaim that, from this day on, the administration of Chancellor Souley is illegitimate and illegal! Those loyal to the people of the Federation will hunt Souley and his followers to the four corners of the galaxy! Glory to the Federation! Glory to humanity!"
The Grand Admiral's fleet, already orbiting Terra, sent a hundred landing ships to the planet's surface.
***
CRONOS I
The last Orc troop ship had just left the planet as Federation forces began their reconquest.
However, something similar to the situation on Terra was happening.
Several thousand ships entered orbit around Cronos I, then inundated the planetary general chat channel with one sentence, over and over.
"Operation Condor has begun."
Apophis, who had just arrived at the war room bunker, grinned. "Finally it starts!"
