MILLIONS OF LIGHT YEARS FROM TERRA, IN THE GALACTIC CENTER—PLANET ORALIA, ORALIA PRIME SYSTEM, RUINED CAPITAL OF THE ZETARK EMPIRE
A giant space station loomed near Planet Oralia, nearly as big as a dwarf planet.
It was the seat of the High Galactic Council, where all the species of the galaxy met to discuss interstellar politics and to try to resolve conflicts between members. On rare occasions, they even addressed conflicts outside their community.
To be part of the High Council, a nation needed to be completely independent. It needed to be neither a colony, a protectorate, nor a vassal state. In addition, the nation had to reach the third stage of technological advancement—that is to say, the highest technological level among living galactic nations.
The High Council was presided over by five patriarchs, each of whom was selected by one of the five "major space nations:" the Orc Empire, the Holy Elf Empire, the Republic of the Two Suns, the Neo-Zetark Empire, and the Theocracy of the Void.
The fact that the Federation of United Planets was not one of these major nations was a bitter thorn in the side of the Human Supremacists… but there was little they could do about that resentment.
Once all the representatives of the galactic community had arrived, the Elf patriarch spoke in a regal voice. "Today, the High Galactic Council deals with the case of the conflict between the Federation and the Orc Empire! Chancellor Souley of the United Federation of Planets, you will speak first, then the Orc Emperor Xerxer XVI."
So it was Chancellor Souley, the accuser, who stepped forward to the huge lectern where all the leaders of the galaxy were watching him. It was extraordinary pressure, even for Souley, an experienced politician!
After swallowing the ball of fear in his throat, he spoke. "Dear Leaders of the Galaxy, I have summoned you here because a daring crime was committed on the planet Era, a protectorate of our nation! The Great Warlord Regnier genocided the population. He then attacked the Cronos system, which belongs to the Federation.
"The rules of the galactic community are clear! Conflicts between civilized nations must be resolved through diplomacy. However, the Orc Empire has never respected this rule. Certainly, before now, they have invaded civilizations that were not part of the High Council. Now their limitless ambition has reached a new level! They have attacked a member of the High Council itself! The Council's response must be unanimous, one of strong action against the Orc Empire!"
As his speech drew to a close, a huge holographic screen lit up behind him. It showed the alleged events of Era, shocking the entire room! Images flashed by of thousands of Tyottings dead in the ruined planetary capital of Tyo, as well as images of summary executions performed by Orc soldiers.
Finally, the Council witnessed what appeared to be an orbital nuclear bombardment by the Orc fleet.
Of course, most of these images had been carefully doctored by the Federation Secret Service, led by General Ralfot, in order to influence the High Galactic Council. To anyone who wasn't a computer expert, the images seemed like real life. Even those who were experts would have a hard time discerning the truth… and if they had pre-existing prejudice against the Orcs, they might be fooled completely.
Emperor Xerxer XVI then took the stage to respond to these accusations. However, he was clearly shaken.
The emperor denied any involvement of his empire in the extermination of the Tyotting people, but even he wasn't entirely sure that this was the truth. The Orc Empire was a tribally based decentralized state, so it could well be that the Federation's claims were true. Of course, his direct involvement in the hypothetical matter was a lie… but how could the Federation know this? In any event, Xerxer represented his people. In order to preserve the diplomatic reputation of the Empire, Xerxer promised to conduct an internal investigation.
To most of those listening, this was an informal admission of guilt. An internal investigation meant nothing. It was almost as bad as a slap in the face! However, no one wanted to speak up and directly challenge the Orc Empire.
Despite only gaining a narrow victory over the Federation, the Orc Empire had once again demonstrated its power at the Battle of Cronos I. Without the Federation's secret weapon, an Orc victory would have been certain. And, of course, the fleet of the Great Warlord Regnier was only a small part of the huge Orc army! It was the largest army of the nine hundred and twenty-seven interstellar nations of the Galactic High Council.
Nevertheless, the impact of the Battle of Cronos I had once again put the spotlight on the Orc Empire. Even if they didn't want to give an open challenge to Xerxer, the other great space nations were certainly not going to let the Orcs become a galactic superpower.
All of them muttered to each other, "Let's see how this plays out… It should be interesting."