"Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies." ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
“I don’t think you get it. I said ‘no.’”
“And I don’t think you comprehend the full implications if we don’t. Quite frankly, I fail to see why I, a superior officer, should answer to you at all.”
Crystal Shards took a step closer to the Field Marshal, Zeth Holt, to emphasize her words. “You seem to be forgetting that you came here at my request. That I am an honorary member of your silly little faction. That I have been given executive say in the running of my town and the handling of my friends. That I have already given you far more freedom then you deserve. That I can easily tell you to get out.”
Zeth stood unphased. “And you seem to be forgetting that I have the ability to wipe your existence from history and order a company of marines to secure the town. No Colonel Shards, I don’t think you are in the position to do such things as you promise.”
Crystal snorted. “And you’re so macho and villainous that you would actually do that?”
“Yes. This entire city is a floating landmine in spacetime. I can’t ignore that.”
“You seem to be doing fine as it is. Why disrupt everybody’s lives by making a big ordeal out of it?”
The tall blonde raised an eyebrow. “Why not? We already control the police force here in Mercury, so it isn’t as if our purpose is so unrelatable. And once we introduce ourselves to the community we can garner both their trust and support.”
Crystal shook her head and scowled. “I don’t want the people here drawn into the middle of a war. Especially considering it’s a war none of them had any part of, or even understand the reasons for. That is called cruelty. That is called unnecessary suffering. These people deserve to be happy. I hate to keep things hidden from them, but I have to. I don’t have a choice. That’s why it will be much better when you finally end this thing and leave.”
“You continue to argue when your points support my own! A war they are no part of; don’t you think they deserve to know that a war is being fought—very literally—in there own front yards? Ignorance is not bliss Crystal, ignorance is the ‘suffering’ you’re looking for.”
Crystal reluctantly but nonetheless quickly sat down in the chair that edged the glass topped conference table, putting her elbows on a table and placing her face in her hands. She pushed back and ran her fingers into her hair. She knew that, at least in part, he was right. But she hated admitting it, and she knew that still, in part, he was also wrong. These Freikorps, had forced her into a most unwelcome position. When things start disappearing and events in history books suddenly and inexplicably change because of the malicious cavorting of some shady terrorist group, she naturally couldn’t deny someone who volunteered to defend the people who made their homes in Mercury, and who were unwittingly becoming the victims. But this was too far. She just wanted the whole thing to go away. If she could have her way, she would erase the others who had arrived before the Freikorps from history and avoid the whole thing. And yet, this too was impossible. And yes, it did bother her to keep secrets from the inhabitants of Mercury, her friends. But she felt responsible. Forever responsible. She wanted to protect them. She wanted to protect them so well she didn’t even want them to know they were in peril. But she knew that was flawed…
Standing again, more slowly and resignedly, “Fine. But I want to be involved in this. You aren’t going to just let me know ‘what’s going on,’ I want to be involved in the decision making.”
Zeth nodded calmly. “Of course. I am not here to play the villain Crystal. It is possible to disagree and be friendly.”
Crystal nodded sharply, trying not to sound irritated at his patronizing manner. “I know.”
Zeth pressed an unnoticeable button on his cuff, “Alright Martin, let’s go. I want notices everywhere and the courthouse yard secured.”
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In fifteen minutes time, Mercury was treated to a unique site. At least, it was unique to them, for they were virgin to a game that had been played a hundred different times in a hundred different ways. And the scene of twenty men and women in odd blue and grey uniforms with even odder looking weapons at their hips was one they had not yet seen, though it had played out on a dozen different worlds. Some saw, and the others found themselves notified by text messages, automated phone calls, emails, instant messages, signs, or old fashioned word of mouth. There was going to be some kind of announcement at the Mercury Courthouse, and no one would want to miss it.
The first day of summer in Mercury was witness to the official arrival of a group called the Freikorps, and the death of several familiar faces.
