Read Torian Reclamation 3: Test of Fortitude for Free Online

vocal reverberation and finally turn to face him, along with everyone else in the council. Belle-ub’s two assistants stood as well, on the step below his upper platform. Belle-ub was now commanding the audience. He focused on Brandon.
    “I highly regret this issue not being presented to me beforehand. It would have been much wiser. I cannot have upheaval in this council. We are too vital in the growing movement of galactic peace. Brandon, if you will be so kind as to retreat from Director Markin1’s personal space, we can attempt to reconcile your current conflict in an orderly manner, since it seems to be something we are now temporarily burdened with.”
    Markin1 sat back down, a little too smugly for Brandon’s taste. Brandon hesitated, but eventually turned to retreat to the far side of the room. He spoke as he walked.
    “There is but one reconciliation possible, Chairman. The contaminant infecting the compromised network is of his making. He claims to possess knowledge of the counteragent, which will cure the Earthlings he has poisoned. This has gone on long enough. I officially request before this council that he now divulge it. Either he agrees to this or he doesn’t. If he agrees, the matter is settled.” Brandon arrived at the rear of the room and stood with his back against the wall.
    “I appreciate your cooperation and candor,” Belle-ub said. He turned to Markin1.
    “Councilmember Markin1, is this quick solution viable, so that we may move on with our agenda?”
    “No.”
    “Assuming, of course, the laboratory in question is made accessible to you again?” Belle-ub added.
    Markin1 shook his head and repeated himself. “No.”
    “Then we have a real problem,” Brandon said. “As this Amulite created the poison and claimed to have the antidote.”
    “Is that correct?” Belle-ub asked Markin1.
    “I was being held hostage at the time, and would have said anything to influence my release. But in the interest of expediency, let me be clear on my position. Even if I had the knowledge of such a formula, under the current circumstances I doubt I would agree to cooperate with this Earthling even should I find myself helpless on my back with a dagger at my throat.”
    A long silence ensued, during which Belle-ub appeared to be deliberating. Brandon knew that wasn’t good. If he didn’t instantly and naturally gravitate to Brandon’s cause, he could now only be thinking diplomatically. And that wasn’t going to rescue the last eighteen Earthlings. Brandon needed to derail him.
    “Belle-ub, your councilmember has not denied being responsible for the malicious poisoning—nor do I suspect he will attempt to deny it, knowing what witnesses we can produce. The atrocity of that crime alone is sufficient for his removal as the C2 representative, is it not?”
    Belle-ub’s eyes narrowed. He focused on Markin1, who fidgeted uncomfortably. That was good. Brandon was tempted to add something, but knew he had scored a point. So the best thing to do was wait for the reaction first. Finally, Markin1 spoke to defend himself.
    “What he refers to as ‘poison’ is, in reality, the complete opposite: a preservation agent. In my former profession I obeyed policies rather than help create them. We were given a project, which I dutifully followed to the best of my ability, even to the end of my assignment as I saw it falling apart around me from outside interference. The remaining research subjects are not lost, only preserved. In time, with proper attention and resource allocations, the type of which we are now reestablishing in many areas of the Science Complex, they can probably be safely resuscitated as well—assuming the research subjects come back under the care of trained scientists .”
    “Research subjects,” Brandon said. “You see how he refers to us, and what stature we hold in his eyes.”
    Belle-ub held up his hand. Brandon thought he looked like some medieval king who had heard enough and was about