Alan Portsby's POV

We stood in front of the Exelon with Andros, Leopold and Paul as the sleek shuttle craft from the Dominion descended in the middle of the Fort.
A swirling cloud of dust enveloped the craft and we all waited until the dust settled down naturally.

The door opened and Captain Drecher was the first one to disembark. He was dressed formally in his dark dress blues, white shirt, a pair of golden emblems with his rank prominently displayed on his flight cap. He was followed by an entourage of the Colony's Advisory Council. They numbered 12 all in all.

Most of them were there to collect the scientific data my crew had accumulated over the last month and talk to our scientists one on one.

We were dressed in our dark brown soft camo outfits. Far less formal than the Colonist's to be sure but since it was almost never worn they looked surprisingly clean and sharp.

Captain Drecher smiled with a respectful
nod to acknowledge each of us in turn and shook Andro's hand politely as his photographer captured the moment for the official record of the meeting.

"Welcome to Tau Ceti! We're glad you arrived safely and agreed to this meeting." I heard Andros say aloud.

"Hello Andros I've heard a lot about you. I'm glad to finally meet you in person. I believe we were both connected to the Phobos reconstruction project. Was it three or four years back?"

"Five years." Andros corrected him.

"Well, I'm eager to find out about what you've found here on Tau Ceti Prime. I heard there's a little glitch."

"Little glitch? Is that what Redlands calls it? That's not exactly the term I would use."

"They were very vague. Said you'd bring me up to date when I got here."

"Yes,  but let's get inside. My scientists are working and your people can meet up with their counterparts. I'd like to talk with you in private without the cameras and recorders."

He nodded unsure why anything should be secret.

As they walked inside I saw Andros motion for me to call Barkley.

"Jason Barkley please meet us at the lobby" I relayed through the Comm.

"On my way Mr Portsby." he replied.

After formal introductions were made the scientists were handed over to Barkley who happily guided the visitors to the labs where the rest of the crew usually kept busy with their work. There was a virtual mountain of data they had collected and were eager to pass on."

Durante was making the rounds getting everyone's personal links to compile a contact sheet for the questions that always came up weeks and sometimes months afterwards.

In the confusion I could see Andros lead the way to his office as Drecher followed with his chief of security following closely behind.

I rushed to get in the door before it closed behind them as Andros waved for me to join them.

Loosening his top shirt button Andros threw his hat onto his desk and switched the overhead lights on.

"Please make yourself at home Mr. Drecher. I'd offer you a drink but we had an unexpected purging event and my liquor cabinet was one of the casualties."

Drecher loosened his tie and took a seat by the desk while his Security Officer- Walters remained alert standing against a wall. His eyes would make a sweep of the room every fifteen seconds from side to side looking for anything or anyone unusual.

Anna arrived with a large carafe full of hot coffee and a handful of coffee mugs that she carefully laid out for everyone to use on Andros desk.

"I believe you know Anna?" Andros said as he picked up a cup and began pouring the coffee.

Drecher was genuinely surprised when he saw her and despite his efforts to avoid it he found himself staring at her longer than he should have.

"Uh ... Yes we know one another. Hello Anna it's been a long time.  I..... I didn't know you had joined the ranks of the Germinators. How have you been?" he asked.

"I'm doing alright. How was your journey?" she asked as she poured herself a cup.

"It can be pretty miserable at times. I should've expected it with  civilians who are  treating  the Dominion like it's their personal luxury cruise liner. I don't think they really understand that there's a big  difference."

"Perhaps your being too nice to them." she suggested .

"Perhaps."

Andros handed Drecher a full cup and was about to slump into his desk chair when Lucas knocked on the door.

I was closest to it and opened it slightly.

"Sir Sorry to interrupt but there's some unusual movement to the east of the lake and Ace and Drake are going to investigate it now. Just thought you should know." Lucas whispered.

"They must be wondering about the shuttle and want to see more. Make sure they have a HIL gun in case they need it and keep Milo nearby in the second skiff just in case they need a little assistance." I said.

"Will do." Lucas said.

"I'll pass it on to the Captain." I whispered.

Just as the door closed Andros caught my eye and I could tell he wanted an update.

"Portsby?" Andros asked.

"Sir, There's a group massing up on the east edge this time. I told them to be armed when they go investigate in the skiffs."

Having overheard me  I could see a worried Drecher suddenly leaning in and began peppering Andros with questions.

"What's this about a group? A group of what ? animals? "

"Well no , not animals. That's what I was going to brief you on. A few miles away hidden in the forests is a local war party trying to get the nerve up to attack.."

'ATTACK? But I thought this was an uninhabited planet? "

"That's the so-called little glitch Redlands failed to inform you of. "

"Little glich ? That sounds more like a major problem. Is this a serious threat?"

"Not sure actually. The Desotti are a pretty primitive people but there are a lot of them and they can be unpredictable. The good news is that they  haven't advanced past throwing spears and rudimentary bows and arrows as their weapons. I'm not sure if that's constitutes a real threat to us."

"My Colonists were expecting wildlife but not intelligent humanoids."

"I was also given some rather chilling orders after we found intelligent life here."

"What orders? I thought your  mission was to hand everything over to us?"

"Oh don't worry we will hand it all over to the Colony but I received some orders a few days ago. I think they're trying out a new protocol."

"New protocol. It can't be too different from normal protocol after all we've successfully colonized over 22 planets although never under these circumstances. This is the first time we've encountered intelligent life forms correct?"

"As far as I know."

"So what does Redlands expect you to do?"

"Well I'd best describe these as Extermination orders. They wanted me to remove the most dangerous race of beings that might pose a problem to your colonists. I guess they wanted to make an example of them to make it easier for the colonists."

"So you want to destroy these primitive Desotti?"

"No the Desotti are not the real danger. The species mostly likely to pose a threat to the Colony one day is a group of beings who call themselves Taokin. They are originally from the fifth planet. Their technological advances were once comparable to our own about 200 years back."

"You said once? Past tense ? They were advanced enough to travel to another planet? That's incredibly interesting.

"I believe once they arrived here a lot of their knowledge was lost in their latter generations. I don't know how but that's what it looks like."

Andros stood up and walked over to the big window of his office overlooking Crystal Lake.

"Mr Drecher you should see this. It will shed a little more light on the matter."

Andros pointed out the remains of the massive city in the water. A city that spoke volumes about an advanced civilization that once was.

As expected Drecher was taken aback by the sight.

"That's ..... oddly beautiful." Drecher said, as soon as he saw it. He pressed slightly against the glass trying to see how far the city extended. The fine details in the workmanship and the symmetry of the street layout were undeniable and living proof of a brighter time far removed from the present.

"It's the ancient ruins of Medishon. It was built by the Toakin." Andros explained.

"It's  impressive. These people live here ?"

"Their descendants do. They aren't quite as sophisticated but they aren't primitives like the Desotti either."

"So they have had great potential and power in the past."

"The Taokin were vastly outnumbered by the Desotti . They've more or less been at war with them since they arrived about 400 years ago. That conflict has left the Taokin decimated and now they seek an alliance with us for mutual protection."

"Do we know enough to trust them?"

"Not completely. They are ruled by a Council of Five and if history is any indication they don't know how to maintain peaceful relations. That or the Desotti aren't willing to stop fighting. We've seen evidence of that as well."

"So what do you think?"

"I'd bet that between the two races our chances of winning a major conflict would be over the Desotti. They are numerous but there's no chance of them winning against us as long as they're barely out of the Stone Age."

"But I thought you said something about
spears and bows and arrows? This kind of architecture is way beyond that isn't it?"

"No don't get the 2 races confused. The Taokin are a more advanced race. The Desotti are the barbarians at the gate. They're completely different species."

"OK, So I assume there's a reason your giving me all this information."

"I have a plan and I need your help to accomplish it."

"My help? What can I do? I don't have an army. Just a ship security detail. They only number about 60."

"With the right weapons that would be a formidable force on this planet but that's not exactly what I was thinking."

"What do you have in mind?"

"I take it you have a vested interest in making this Colony a success?"

"I do my parents are among the Colonists. If I retire here I'm guaranteed a permanent seat in the Council it's just an automatic perk of having delivered them here. Why do you ask?"

"Because the Desotti are extremely hostile. They've been so ever since we arrived."

"That's very troubling news."

"And I think I know how to put a stop to it. But I need your help."

"What kind of help ?"

"I've written the details in this letter. Read it later at your leisure and if you agree to it we can start soon after the Colonists get transferred. If not then tear it up and this conversation never happened cause I'll deny it ever did. We need to be discrete. I'd rather not let the colonists know what we're doing. That would complicate things."

"Sounds intriguing."

He slipped the letter into Drecher's front pocket.

"Alright I'll look it over. In the meantime perhaps I can get Anna to give me a tour of the Exelon? Anna?"

"Sorry Art I have to get back to work. I have to check on a few of my Desotti patients. I need to administer some painkillers." she replied apologetically.

Wanting to avoid any awkwardness she excused herself and exited the room.

Andros peered through a set of long range binoculars to keep watch over Ace and Drake's skimmer in the distance.

"Everything OK out there?" Art asked.

"They're up to something. But I'm not sure what."

"I can see your busy perhaps I should gather my people and -"

"No. There's someone I want you to meet first. But I want to make sure it's safe."

"I can monitor the situation here Captain." I said.

"I guess it'll be OK for a while. Just let me know if the status changes Portsby." Andros said.

"We'll take the Utility vehicle. Drecher are you ready for a little ride?"

"Shouldn't we have a security detail with us?"

"Uh...... yes but I don't have the manpower to spare. I was only given 13 people. You can bring your security officer if you'd like."

"Walters ? Up for a ride?"

"Certainly Sir." Checking his ammo he pulled off his formal jacket and holstered his weapons.

"Let's take the shuttle instead. It'll be quicker." Drecher suggested.

"That's fine with me. I'll just point out where we're headed."

____________________________________

Andro's  POV

It was a quick jump to a scattering of thatch roofed huts and a row of open buildings that appeared to be their marketplace. Inside the buildings the primitive Desotti who had never seen either a flying vehicle or a human were frightened by the noise and dust that the shuttle kicked up. Most took refuge in the buildings. Others were hiding in the bushes.

As the smoke cleared I stepped out first and decided the only word they might understand was if I called out Jezcoot by name.

"JEZCOOT! JEZCOOT! Are you out here Jezcoot?"

From one of the stores I saw a young Desotti appear and recognizing the name, excitedly start pointing to a hut. Drecher emerged from the shuttle and Walters his Security Officer was right beside him with his hand holding a gun in his jacket pocket. We followed the direction pointed out.

As we began walking towards the hut other Desotti emboldened by the first began appearing and began following at a safe distance and eagerly pointing the way for us as we walked by. I just kept repeating Jezcoot's name.

At the doorway of the hut I saw Jezcoot himself finally appear and saw Goli stand up from his place to come and greet me.

Jezcoot extended his hand and I happily shook it and greeted him.

"Have you made a decision Andros Ziko?"

"Yes Jezcoot I have. I have a written proposal for you to present to the Council of Five. If they accept then we need to move quickly. Timing is important."

Opening the letter Jezcoot read it silently to himself.

"This is a very bold plan Captain Ziko are you sure it can be done?"

"Yes. Present it to your grandfather and if they agree I think it will work."

Confused Captain Drecher asked, " What's going on ?"

I pulled the letter I'd given him earlier out of his breast pocket and had him read it. As he finished he looked up at me still a bit confused.

"My friend Jezcoot here is a Taokin scholar of sorts. He has been studying our tech pods all his life. He is one of the descendants of the people who built the city of Medishon that you were so enthralled with earlier."

I could see a light bulb turn on as it all began to make sense to Drecher.

"I see so your proposing some kind of exodus... OK I get it now. Well seeing as how he seems to not be some hopeless violent savage I guess I can go along with your plan. It kind of skims along the edge of illegal but then complete extermination is far more extreme."

We gave Jezcoot and Goli a lift back to their home the City of Ymus and promised to return in four days by which time we hoped the Taokin would be ready.

Tired I sat back in the comfortable seat of the shuttle and rested my eyes.

"Captain Ziko I guess I should tell you I know you and Anna had a little history together. She told me all about it years ago."

"Well then that makes us even because I'd heard that she began seeing you after we'd broken up. But that's all in the past now."

"She was a special girl. I almost asked her to marry me back then." Drecher confessed.

"She's a hard one to pin down. To be honest I consider her the ultimate prize. The only one worth getting. But the timing was never right for us."

"Timing? Who cares about timing? The only thing that matters is getting the right person."

"Then I guess we both missed out."

"Really? I think your wrong. I could see it in her eyes when we were in your office. Her eyes were on you always. She must still have some pretty strong feelings for you."

"I've tried to ignore our past. I didn't want to complicate our working relationship. I think she's just a little nostalgic. We've all been under a lot of stress on this mission."

"You said it yourself Ziko she's the ultimate prize. I wouldn't pass it up if I were you."

I closed my eyes and smiled politely but knew I had much bigger things to worry about.

I saw Captain Drecher off. The members of the Advisory Council were loaded down with the data they needed and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders just a little bit.

That night as the others were eating a meal of steak and potatoes (a gift courtesy of the Dominion staff) I decided to call it a night.

That was a mistake because I woke up later fully rested, hungry and I began to worry just a little. Everything hinges on everyone agreeing to Plan A. If that fell thru then I'd have to go to Plan B.

But I had no Plan B.

I can see there's some kind of bonfire in the distance.  And picking up a small cup I hold it against the window to amplify the sound outside. There's some kind of activity visible as the silhouettes of men are clearly moving around the fire. When I close my eyes I can pick up the sound more clearly. They've begun to chant again.

I call the bridge. Ace is on watch tonight.
"Ace are you monitoring what's going on outside in the distance?"

"Yes Sir. They've just started to do their death chant."

"Do you have any idea why? Maybe it's just an everyday thing with them or a religious ceremony?"

"No, I think they do it to build courage. In some Earth cultures they get into a hypnotic trance and drug their warriors. Then get them all fired up just before sending them into battle."

"We're  a long way from Earth. Maybe their just preparing a meal."

"I wouldn't know Sir."

"Just keep a close watch over them. Let me know if anything drastic changes."

"I've got a zoomed in view of it right now Sir. I'm watching."

"Good Man. Sound the alarm if you need to."

"I'll try not to cry wolf."

"Say can you record what your seeing on the cameras?"

"Yes Sir. Do you want me to?"

"Yeah Do that. It might make for interesting viewing later on especially to Durante."

"OK it's in recording mode."

"Thanks. Goodnight Ace."