Page 53 of Lunar Bound
Solar's light flared slightly at the dismissive tone. "We come bearing critical intelligence regarding threats to Zorveya's security."
Dani wore a tight space suit provided by Galaxy Brides. It outlined her curves in a way that drew the attention of some of the council. They had visits from contained entities on the planet, but they were always a curiosity. Since the atmosphere was compatible with Earth, she didn't need a helmet to breathe.
"Yes," the councilor replied. "The council will hear this intelligence immediately."
They were escorted through the Citadel's winding corridors, deeper into the mountain where the darkness was absolute. Lunar moved with practiced ease, his shadow essence attuned to the subtle variations in pressure and temperature that guided navigation. Solar's light created an unwelcome glow around him, while Dani relied on that light to find her way through the darkness.
When they reached the council chamber, two guards stopped Dani from entering.
"It will be dark, but you will be safe," Solar told her. "I can feel you."
She frowned, but nodded.
The council chamber was designed to emphasize power disparities. The twelve council members occupied elevated positions around a circular depression where petitioners stood exposed from all sides. Lunar had been in this chamber three times before, each occasion related to intelligence mission assignments. Never had it felt so oppressive.
"Intelligence Specialist Lunar," the head councilor began once they were positioned in the center. "Your mission parameters were clear. You were to assess Earth's potential value or threat, determine if cross-zone cooperation was viable in an isolated environment, and report your findings. We have read your preliminary transmissions. Now we will hear your assessment."
Solar looked at him and his surprise hit Lunar like a wave.
"Yes. That was the outline to my," he gave a meaningful look at the head councilor, "private directives. Though I assume since you have revealed the plan in front of Solarestabinian of the Solarus Elite Guard, it no longer carries that designation, and I may speak freely."
The head councilor retracted a little at having been called out for his mistake.
Lunar didn't pause as he launched into his report. "Earth possesses technological development beyond previous estimates. While still primitive in many aspects, they have made significant advancements in energy manipulation, biological sciences, and communications."
"Summarize the Milano threat," another councilor demanded.
"Milano Enterprises is a human organization with access to technology derived from previous extraterrestrial encounters," Lunar explained. "They have developed weapons capable of disrupting Zorveyan energy patterns across all three signature types. They have detailed knowledge of our physiological vulnerabilities and apparent ambitions toward interstellar expansion. They are a faction and do not represent the whole of the human race."
The council members' shadow essences rippled with what might have been concern or anticipation. Lunar couldn't determine which, and the realization disturbed him. Before Earth, before Poppy, he would have read their reactions with perfect clarity.
"And the cooperation experiment?" the head councilor asked. "Did you and the light-dweller manage to coexist without conflict?"
Lunar glanced at Solar, who stood radiating with barely-contained impatience beside him.
"We did," Lunar confirmed. "Under Earth conditions, with shared objectives, cooperation was achievable. Furthermore, we both formed connections with Earth entities that facilitated a deeper understanding of the planet."
"Connections," a councilor repeated. The word carried unmistakable disapproval. "Yes. We have reviewed the preliminary reports from Galaxy Brides. You allowed emotional entanglements to compromise your judgment."
Lunar's shadow essence contracted defensively. "The connections formed were consistent with mission parameters."
"You chose to remain on Earth," another councilor stated accusingly. "You only returned because the extraction field required your energy signature. Your primary loyalty shifted from Lunaris to an Earth female."
Lunar frowned. Their alien hosts must have been watching them very closely. He hadn’t discussed his desire to stay on Earth with their Galaxy Brides escorts. That meant Gary and Bob must have spied on them and reported everything.
The urge to throw Bob, Gary, and Harris into a blackhole was strong.
Lunar found he could no longer deny the truth of it. His connection to Poppy had indeed altered his priorities in ways that shadow protocol would consider compromising.
"My loyalty to Lunaris remains intact," he stated carefully. "However, my experience on Earth revealed possibilities beyond our traditional understanding."
The council's collective disapproval manifested as a deepening of the chamber's darkness, a pressure that would have intimidated him before. Now, having experienced Poppy's acceptance of his true nature, their judgment seemed hollow.
"The Milano threat is real," Solar interjected, his light pulsing with barely contained frustration as he reacted to the shadows. "Their weapons could destabilize any Zorveyan who ventures to Earth. Their knowledge of our energy signatures suggests preparation for potential conflict."
"And what would you suggest, light-dweller?" the head councilor asked, his shadow essence practically dripping with disdain.
Solar stood straighter, his golden form brightening. "A joint mission. Representatives from all three zones, properly equipped and supported, to establish diplomatic relations with Earth while neutralizing the Milano threat. Our human contacts are willing to help us further integrate. Eclipse is already there."
