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admiral leveled his eyes at Krif, likely over the insolence of the captain’s statement, but changed tactics before his authority overrode his better judgment. “No, Captain. I think we’ll have everyone we need.” He then leaned closer to Krif and lowered his tone. “But rest assured, if I need anyone else, I’m sure you’ll make them available to me.”
       Krif pursed his lips. “Yes, sir. Of course.”
       “Good,” replied the admiral in a satisfied, almost jovial tone. “Then by all means, lead the way, captain. We have a great deal to discuss today.”
     
       The briefing room was silent as each of the requested personnel came in. Admiral Hansen was at the head of the long silver table, with Captains Ramos to his right. Shawn left several seats open between himself and Ramos, hoping they would be filled by William and Melissa. When they entered the room through a far door, the two nimbly sat next to Ramos. Melissa’s only acknowledgement of Shawn was a brief glance in his direction before she turned her gaze to Admiral Hansen. Before Shawn could say anything to her, the chair beside him moved and Richard Krif sat squarely in it. At the far end of the table sat the final two men who had journeyed with Hansen to the Rhea , both wearing civilian suits of dark colors. They had blank, unwavering expressions as they waited for Hansen to begin the briefing.
       Behind them, refusing to take chairs that were offered to them, were Commodore Savath and Colonel Tausan. Their shuttle pilot was nowhere to be seen.
       “Now that everyone is here, I’ll begin the introductions.” Hansen gestured to the older of the two civilians first. “This is Senior OSI Agent Mallory. He arrived on board the Duchess only a few days before we made the final jump to Second Earth. Other than orders to make sure he was at this briefing, I’m afraid I know very little about why he’s here.”
       Hansen then motioned to the younger man. “This is Unified Ambassador Scott McDermott. I happen to know a great deal about wh y the Ambassador has joined us. With that being said, I’ve been given full power to act on behalf of the Secretary of Sector Command in these discussions.” Admiral Hansen then nodded to Agent Mallory. “Likewise, Mister Mallory is here representing the Office of Special Investigations, and has been given authority by the OSI director to act on his behalf.”
       Melissa straightened in her chair. “I thought that was my job .”
       Shawn noted that Melissa and Mallory locked gazes for a moment before Mallory spoke. “Agent Graves, you’re being . . . reassigned.”
       “Excuse me?”
       Admiral Hansen raised a hand toward Melissa, effectively silencing her. “All in good time, Agent Graves.” He then looked at the young ambassador. “Mister McDermott is here as the combined voice of both the Unified Council and the Unified president.”
       McDermott looked far too young to shoulder such a burden. Many of the council members were well advanced in age, far from the virile young man seated at the table before them. Shawn wondered how someone so young had amassed so much respect so quickly.  
       The room was silent once again. Everyone assembled seemed to be looking at one another, trying to ascertain what was going on. When no one spoke for nearly a minute, Hansen took the initiative.
       “This is an open briefing, and I want everyone’s honest opinions here. And since no one is going to mention the proverbial white elephant in the room, I’m just going to put it out there myself: What are we going to do about the Kafarans?”
       “Destroy them,” Krif all but spat, turning a cold gaze to Savath.
       “Out of the question,” Hansen replied flatly.
       “Of all the— ,” William began, but was cut off by Fleet Captain Ramos.
       “With the arrival of the Duchess of York and her strike group, we now have the superior numbers, Captain Krif. I highly doubt