Battle Beyond Earth: Resurrection (27 page)

Jafar looked to Taylor and then to the President. No one was certain of how to respond except for Taylor, and nobody wanted to accept the possibility that he might be right. But before anyone could say another word, a swathe of Cholan vessels poured through the gateway. At their centre was the Nakbe, and within a few short moments, there were almost seventy Cholan vessels bearing down on them.

"Maybe they have come to offer their assistance."

"You're dreaming, Commander," replied Taylor, shaking his head.

"We are being hailed!"

"Put them through!" Jafar said quickly.

Almost ten seconds passed as they waited, and it felt like an eternity.

"If the Cholans turn on us, we're in deep trouble."

"Like we weren't before, Jones," replied Taylor.

A projection appeared of Admiral Eme. The sight of the alien angered Taylor, for he would never forgive him for turning his back on them all.

"Admiral Eme, what is the meaning of this show of strength? What are your intentions?" Jafar asked.

Eme seemed to be looking around in various directions as if studying all that he was seeing from the bridge of the Nakbe. The uncertainty was exhausting and nail biting, but then the Admiral spoke.

"I am here on behalf of the Cholan people. We suffered greatly at the hands of a foreign invasion force. The Alliance of races failed to protect us, despite treaties intended to do so. As a member of the Alliance, we worked to uphold values that others have failed to protect. We have been betrayed. We have had no choice but to surrender to the Morohta will and fight alongside those who will fight beside us. The President of the Alliance has one hour to offer unconditional terms of surrender to me, or we will fire upon you."

Taylor turned back to look at the President. He was frozen solid in panic and fear, and no one else could find an answer. Taylor strode across the room and hit the switch on the comms panel to end the transmission.

"What do we do?" President Isaacs asked. He was shaking with fear.

Taylor took a deep breath and answered confidently.

"The only thing we can."