2.17 Inside Tales

[Somewhere Deserted, in Mars]

"So everything alright Mr. President?" A distorted voice asked a middle aged white guy. It was a dark room with light coming in front of the president, where a wide table could be seen or imagined.

"*gulp* yes, everything is under control." The room was air conditioned, yet the president was sweating.

"You don't need to be afraid, we didn't summon you for punishment, it's just a new order." This time a different distorted voice talked.

Hearing this, the president let out a long sigh. "Thank you...I was worried."

"If a president trembles this easily, you won't really look like a president. Do you?" Another voice talked this time.

"Cut it out, he's doing a good job already, and he knows what happens if he fails. Now let's cut to the chase." Another distorted voice answered this time, it felt a little old. Everyone seemed to obey the guy.

"The Galactic Earth Association is a little angry and throwing tantrums because they suddenly stopped recieving any kind of signal from our planet. I believe you're aware of the situation.

"(Yes of course, the Galactic Earth Association, who is ruler of all outer earth matters is a child for you...)Yes council, although I don't know the proper details, I'm aware of the experiment effects. No communication was possible with Earth. Some people found it suspicious but overall no uproar is recorded, since most resident Martians doesn't really like Earth."

"Good, what about the tourists and visitors?" One of the voices asked.

"Some panicked, some were angry but with the rise of technology, technological problem is a good excuse. They now have contacted Earth and now content." President said with a bit of pride.

"Good job old man, now we have a problem. people of Mars is ok, but the GEA is making some noises. They are not really happy with the excuses. They suspect that we are conspiring against Earth. Now a team is coming to visit Mars. Naturally you'll represent Mars as the president."

"Understood sir, what will be my approach?" The President asked with fear.

"Approach? It's just some technical issue, a detailed training would be conducted for you. Let them roam freely, we'll make the necessary arrangements and you make sure there is no room for doubt with a wonderful vacation."

"Understood (Phew, I thought they were going to kill me, just an easy job.)." The president said calmly.

"By the way, Mr. President, what do you know about the council?" One of the voices asked.

"(This is it, I'm prepared for this.) The council is the association that controls every possible matter of Mars, be it political or any decision. The council decides it. Council consists of 10 most knowledgeable persons of Mars. But nobody knows their existence. As the representative of council, I, the elected president is the face of Mars. So from a normal view, it's a democracy."

"Wow, 10 out of 10. You don't happen to have any poems, do you?" The voice was delighted.

"I-I can make one, if you sa-" The president said nervously smiling.

"Mr. President, perhaps you didn't hear the question properly." A voice said each word with a pause. "This is not your school exam. Did your brain just stop working?"

"I-I-" Suddenly a chill went through the president's spine. "(Fuck...what am I doing... I'm dead) I-I Forgive me respected council. It won't happen again." The president said shivering, he started sweating bullets.

"Let me ask you again, what is the council?" The voice who originally asked the question, asked again. The president slowly started regaining his spirit

"I'm sorry? The government has many councils for various matters, which council are you referring to? I suppose you'll be asking about the Outer Space Affairs council." The president said with a big smile.

"Well done, remember flattery may or may not have helped you coming to this position, clearly the council doesn't give a fuck. But flattery won't help you here. You, are the leader of Mars, so act like it. Leave help, flattery can get you killed now." A voice said with a serious tone.

"You can go, you are excused." A new voice said as an armed individual came inside the room and escorted the president out of the room. As he left, the room became full of light. There were 10 people with cloaks and masks hiding them properly. It was the 10 commanders as expected.

"That man doesn't really understand the situation..." The voice was still distorted.

"He's not supposed to be intelligent or a man of words. That's good, if a person has to climb this far without intelligence, what else can one use but flattery."

"Gentle men and women, we're not here to debate. Time is scarce, we need to decide things fast."

"Agreed" Everyone said in chorus.

"Proposal: Tomorrow is the pilot's funeral, we'll conduct an interview with the necessary persons. Especially Major Sayak and Sat. Do the respective commanders object to the interview of the subordinates? Or want to say anything about it?"

"No" "Not at all" Two more distorted voices spoke up.

"The necessary information will be sent directly. Please give the necessary commands to your subordinates as necessary."

"Does anyone want to say anything?"

Silence covered the place for a few seconds. Then the old voice said, "Meeting disbanded."

Slowly all the commanders walked out.

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[Classroom]

"Yes principal, why the sudden call?" Cécile asked with a slice of sarcasm.

"I forgot..." Sat said seriously while circling around on his revolving chair.

"*sigh* Here we go again...now what?" Cécile knew something was up, Sat normally doesn't forget things.

"Captain's funeral is tomorrow..." Sat said while still rotating as usual.

"Are you serious? It's a one hour journey from here, today is not even halfway done." Cécile couldn't understand the meaning behind the sudden call.

"Well, there would be a meeting. The council meeting." Sat slowly stopped revolving.

"And I was planning on skipping the funeral..." Cécile murmured.

"Hmm probably that's why you didn't remind me either...thanks goes to the commander's notice. Anyway today's school is half day, make the necessary announcement Sarthak and Cécile collect the necessary personnel before lunch for tomorrow's backup system." Sat stood up from his chair and went out of the room.

"On it." Sarthak answered from both of their watches.

Meanwhile far away in a library, Shaun was sunken into a large book when a shadow casted on the book. Shaun was immediately irritated, but as he raised his head he saw it was Major Sayak.

Shaun's face changed from irritation to bright.