[A/N Since this chapter depicts a meeting of The Earth's Military Defense Board, consisting of five admirals of different professions, personalities and nationalities and that might make it a little confusing, I decided to start with a brief introduction of each of them. I hope this will make it easier to read and every time you can't remember who this person was, you can check the picture and his personal data. I hope you like it and have fun 💗]

   "I say we reschedule the arrival at Dragon Eye Bay and turn the weapons back to operational mode," Admiral Van der Hayden starts. "The alien crafts are currently five hundred and fifty three and keep coming. It's obvious they are following a plan. We can't afford to wait and find out their intentions. If they are preparing for hostile actions, we'll have no time to react."

   "No!" Admiral Orlov immediately jumps up from his chair and points a finger at his Dutch colleague. "I know you too well, Dirk. You're dying to devise a whole master plan for stopping the alien invasion, involving epic battles, complex maneuvers and heroism. But this is neither a movie, nor a convenient opportunity to show what badasses we are. Do I have to remind you what The President said? Avoid conflict at all cost. I couldn't agree more."

   "Even at the cost of our best First Rank Commander?" The military strategist cocks a brow at the Russian IT genius with a stormy expression. I wish I could believe that my safety is Van der Hayden's first priority, but I doubt that's the case. Long-term peace doesn't allow people like him to put their talent in use. He must be damn bored. The eagerness in his voice is unmistakable as he goes on. "These spheres never tried to communicate. There wasn't a single attempt to establish any type of connection. They are surrounding the ship and swarming like soldier ants, summoned by the queen mother. Allow me to question their objectives."

   "You're too distrustful and hostile," Orlov shakes his head. "Give them time. Perhaps, their species is so different from ours that it is difficult for them to find a way to convey their message."

   "You're too friendly," Van der Hayden grumbles. "Good nature has never been an advantage when two different worlds collide. The friendly ones are usually being conquered. Look back into human history and you'll find enough proof of my words. Lower your guard and you'll  become someone's easy target."

   "I agree," Admiral Hwang rests his elegant hand on the Dutchman's shoulder, smiling at him like an angel. "Dirk never said we should be the first to use them, but we need all weapons in train, especially the proton torpedoes and the quantum laser beam."

   "They are not even here," Admiral Hassan Al Amin mumbles, staring at the spheres. 

   Suddenly, it is completely quiet in the room. This happens every time he speaks. It seems that whenever the brilliant physicist opens his mouth, everyone expects to hear another one of his life-changing, scientific discoveries. No one can explain the strange phenomenon better than him, if there is a logical explanation at all, how a visible object can exist without affecting spacetime continuum. Einstein would be so thrilled if he could see this.

   Al Amin shakes his head, as if to get rid of his own bewilderment, and directs his gaze to Orlov. "Mike, I'm with you on this one. Weapons are useless."

   "Michail doesn't like to be called Mike," Hwang smirks at the Russian IT expert, narrowing his big, expressive eyes. "The correct short name is Misha."

   "Ugh, thanks," Orlov coughs, smoothing his fluffy, white beard. "I don't really mind."

   Chul-Moo Hwang can make the toughest person a nervous mess and he knows it. He also has no qualms about using his charm to get what he wants, especially when he is convinced he is right. Not that Orlov doesn't know it and would give in to this innocent ruse. Some boys like to play with guns, others don't.

   "Hmm," Mbabazi rubs thoughtfully his nape. "The opinions are fifty-fifty at this point. The President is firmly against any acts that may be interpreted as aggression. It's time to hear the most important person among us. First Rank commander Hinode is the one, trapped between a rock and a hard place. Haru, what do you think?"

   "I refuse to leave Aurora behind," I immediately state. "If the aliens are not physically here, I may not need weapons, but if they are still capable of assault, I prefer to have some at my disposal. Admiral Al Amin, could you elaborate on your theory, Sir?"

   "Well," the scientist turns to me. "You were a brilliant student, Haru. I don't need to explain Einstein's theory of relativity. You know that an object's mass and energy, regardless of its size, curve the spacetime continuum in our four dimensional world. We have already studied the spacetime topology and it turned out to be much more complex than Einstein thought. We also learned how to navigate through the matter without experiencing the time alteration effects. But one thing remains unchanged - no matter how small those effects are, they still exist. In simple words, the faster you travel, the slower time passes for you. It is not possible to reduce this variation to zero unless we include more dimensions in the formula, but those dimensions are out of our reach, at least for now."

   "So, you mean there are three options," I summarize the admiral's explanation. "First - the spheres do not exist, meaning they could be some kind of holograms, an optical illusion or just a visual transmission, second - they have somehow found a way to decrease their impact on spacetime to zero and third - they are in another dimension."

   "Correct," Al Amin nods, giving me a look, filled with the pride of a teacher who has succeeded in imparting his lessons to his student. "I'd say the third theory is the most likely. I have too many reasons to doubt the other two."

   "But are they here or not?" Mbabazi grunts. "Can they impose any threat on us? Is my boy safe or in danger?" 

   "Both," the Libyan scientist shrugs. "The simple answer is I don't know. Everything is possible. A theory is just an assumption until proven right or wrong." 

   The Commander-in-chief scrunches his face, clearly showing his attitude towards the physicist's evasive answer, evoking a ripple of jaunty laughter, coming from Admiral Hwang's direction.

   "Well, Boss," Chul-Moo keeps sneering, delicately fanning his beautiful face with a hand. "It seems the final decision is yours... as usual."

   "Fine," Mbabazi sighs. "The initial plan stays, with a tiny change. The moment the invaders reach one thousand in number, Commander Hinode has clearance to put the quantum laser on standby. Haru, do not shoot without an explicit order from me."

   "Hah, I wouldn't call that tiny," Chul-Moo beams. "That laser is as big as a three-story building."

   It seems the weapon expert finds this whole thing quite entertaining. That's how he is, always on the bright side. It is part of his charisma.

    "Aurora, recalculate the time of arrival at the Crowned Apple and sent it to Starlight," Admiral Mbabazi proceeds. "Inform First Rank Commander Boonrueng that the pairing of the ships will be difficult and give him all the data on the placement of the spheres with strict instructions to avoid them. There must be no impact. He should be very careful, considering the speed you'll be moving at. We can't afford any mistakes. Am I clear?"

   "Yes, Sir!" my ship promptly confirms.

   "One more issue before we close the meeting," Admiral Hwang smirks. "Who is going to inform The President for the new plan?"

   "It will be you, of course," Van der Hayden grins widely. "Who else?"

   "Nooo," Hwang instantly raises his hands defensively, gazing pleadingly at The Commander-in-chief. "Boss, you can't do this to me. The President is terrible when she gets angry."

   "Oh, please," Orlov cuts him. "That's exactly why it's going to be you. Who has ever been able to get angry with Mr. Handsome?"

   "Fine," Chul-Moo pouts. "But you all owe me a favor."

   "Sure, sure," Mbabazi waves dismissively. "The Board meeting is closed."

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Illustration 50885205 / Planet © Frenta | Dreamstime.com

Photo 60966082 / Man © George Mayer | Dreamstime.com

Photo 87123453 / Man © Alberto Jorrin Rodriguez | Dreamstime.com

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Photo 1178788073 © FreshSplash | istockphoto.com

Photo 1353552544 © kazuma seki | istockphoto.com

A/N

Hello at the end of Chapter 18.

Thank you so much for reading, voting and commenting! ❤❤❤

What decision would you have taken if it depended on you - weapons or trusting an unknown alien species? 🤔

Do you think Admiral Mbabazi did the right thing, agreeing to something in between the opposing opinions?

Will Chul-Moo be able to appease an angry lady President? 😀

Share your thoughts, ask questions and criticize and I will be happy to respond.

And don't forget to vote, if you liked the chapter.

Love: Anny