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wore light gray. As a military man, accustomed to uniforms, Grant appreciated the utilitarian nature of the current dress. As a man raised in an era where individualism was celebrated, however, the repetitive sameness wore on his already tired mind. There was no denying that the majority of the world he had woken up to was boring. Boring, boring, boring.
    “Culture Leader Trevino, what a pleasant surprise,” Grant said, making sure to address the leader in the formal, Standard manner. “I see you are here in an official capacity. Please, join us at the table.”
    Randalyn smiled and nodded, promptly sitting in the empty chair at the far end of the table. It was obvious that the other attendees had left the seat open for their guest.
    “Thank you, General Justice.” Randalyn Trevino smoothed the front of her suit and placed her clasped hands on the table. “I hope my unannounced visit is not ill received.”
    “Nonsense, Randalyn, you’re always welcome here.” Grant dispensed with the Standard speech and reverted to the style they typically used. He had come to know Randalyn Trevino—Randi to her friends—well over the past six years and liked her immensely. Except for Tane, she was probably most responsible for him being brought back to life to fight the Minith.
    “Thank you, Grant. In light of the current situation with the Minith, the Council thought it best that I oversee the response firsthand.”
    “By ‘oversee the response,’ I hope you don’t mean to guide or direct our forces in any way, Randalyn.” Grant paused, looking directly at the Culture Leader. He wanted his position to be very clear. “I will direct our military response as I see fit.”
    The right corner of Randalyn’s mouth lifted. It was almost a smile, but not quite. The shine in her eyes was evident, though.
    “Grant, I have no intention of getting in your way or making any military decisions.” She paused and let the comment settle. “But that statement stays in this room.”
    She looked at those around the table, met their stares, and received silent agreement.
    “There are some on the Leadership Council who do not have the same faith in your abilities that I have. They prefer—how shall I say—a more ‘controlled’ approach. That is why they asked me to come here.”
    “So what you’re saying is that the rest of the Council doesn’t trust us to do what’s right?” Mouse asked. His smile was absent.
    “Not the entire Council,” Randalyn responded. “But there are one or two who still cling to the principles of Peace. They have forgotten the lessons we learned not so long ago, and believe that we might be able to negotiate or reason with the Minith.”
    “Are we certain the aliens cannot be reasoned with?” Blue asked. His hands waved imploringly at the Culture Leader. “How do we know for sure?”
    The administrator was grasping at nonexistent straws and Grant was in no mood to hear it.
    “That’s enough!” Grant asserted. “Blue, do you have any problem keeping what’s said in this room to yourself?”
    “What… what do you mean?”
    “I’ll keep it simple,” Grant spoke as he would to a child. His weariness prevented him from remaining as professional as he might have liked. “Are you going to run to the Leadership Council and let them know what we discuss in this room?”
    “No…no.”
    “Good, then let’s have no more discussion about whether the Minith can or cannot be reasoned with. I think we all know the answer to that question.” Those seated around the table nodded their agreement, including Blue, although it was with obvious reluctance.
    “Now, let’s get on with our agenda.”
    Grant’s exhaustion was quickly forgotten as they got on with planning their response to the incoming Minith ship.

 
     
     
    Chapter 3
     
     
    Grant entered his quarters in the First Square building. Although not large, the area that he’d been given offered his family some privacy and they had customized