As Alaric was being led toward the exit, he turned sharply, his eyes blazing with defiance. "You're playing right into their hands, Cassian," he said, his voice ringing with a mixture of warning and venom.
The doors slammed shut behind him, leaving an uneasy silence in his wake.
Cassian turned back to the council. "Saria's intelligence gives us the means to strike at their infrastructure—supply lines, communication hubs, hidden strongholds. But we must act swiftly."
Elder Belthar tapped the table, his expression unreadable. "And if Saria is playing a longer game, hiding a greater lie?"
Cassian's jaw tightened, as if the weight of the council's indecision pressing on him. "Then we'll find out the truth soon enough."
Vren stood, her voice resolute. "We've already lost too much time. I motion we divert resources immediately."
Belthar sat in stoic silence, his eyes fixed on some indeterminate point in the distance. Cassian scrutinized him briefly, then turned his attention to the council with unyielding resolve. "We will prioritize securing critical supply lines and fortifying weak points."
Cassian stepped forward again, commanding the Council's full attention as the holographic map adjusted to display regions now marked in hostile red: the Erythian League, the Virean Collective, the Kahirnate of Xellon, and the Dominion. "Councilors," his tone was resolute, though it carried the weight of the storm brewing. "The bans from trade associations are more than economic sanctions; they are deliberate provocations, calculated to isolate and undermine us. This isn't just a financial squeeze—it's a clear sign of escalating hostility. Our diplomatic ties, already fraying, are now on the brink of total collapse. Meanwhile, the Dominion's recent skirmishes along the Quillion Reach have drained resources we can ill afford to lose, leaving us exposed and vulnerable."
He gestured to the shifting map, his voice steady but layered with urgency. "Securing new trade routes and allies is a priority—but we must diversify our efforts beyond the Erythian League. I'll be assigning specific leads to these tasks."
Cassian turned to Commander Arlen. "You'll take charge of outreach efforts to the Estara Guilds. Their leaders value stability and trade security. Use your diplomatic background to propose limited agreements with no political strings attached—escorts for their fleets in exchange for resources or intelligence sharing."
Commander Arlen nodded but hesitated. "The Estara leaders have a history of playing rivals against each other to maintain their independence. They may demand more than simple agreements."
Cassian inclined his head. "Good point. If they push for concessions we can't afford, emphasize the mutual benefits and stability we offer. Be firm—our terms are fair, but we won't be exploited."
Lieutenant Rina spoke up from her seat. "I'll handle the factions along the Varyn Belt, then? They're fractured, but some leaders could be key allies."
Cassian agreed. "Exactly. Focus on the most stable leaders. Success with them might pressure others to align. Mediation might also be necessary—stability benefits everyone. Keep me updated on your progress."
The map zoomed into a sector at the periphery of Dominion space, highlighting key supply routes. Cassian shifted focus. "General Vargis, the Dominion's raids on these lanes have already cost us three fleet vessels this cycle. Effective immediately, Taskforce C-71 is under your command. Protect the corridor."
Vargis gave a curt nod. "Understood. I'll organize overlapping patrols and deploy decoy fleets to lure their raiders into ambushes. Defensive measures will be coordinated with station crews."
Chief Engineer Talar raised a hand. "With more time, I can fortify the outposts along the Rift. I'll prioritize emplacements in vulnerable zones."
"Do it," Cassian said firmly, before addressing the room again. "Meanwhile, for the Virean Collective and the Kahirnate of Xellon, we need to make them question the cost of aligning with the Codex. Colonel Renar, you'll oversee targeted operations against their supply lines. Minor outposts, depots—nothing crippling, but enough to disrupt their logistics."
Colonel Renar's expression was thoughtful. "Careful timing and coordination with misinformation will make the strikes more effective. Captain Elya's team could assist."
Cassian turned to Captain Elya. "What do you think?"
Elya leaned forward. "I agree. We can create false leads about troop movements to misdirect their defenses. Combined with precise strikes, it'll sow doubt."
"Good," Cassian replied. "Coordinate your efforts. Make every move count."
The council chamber quieted as Cassian addressed his final point. "Intelligence will be our keystone. Director Lorne, we need actionable data—not just scattered reports but precision. Pinpoint enemy plans, their weaknesses, and blind spots."
Lorne's voice was sharp. "We've already increased reconnaissance, but I'll refocus our efforts. You'll have what you need."
Councilor Mira interjected, her voice cutting through. "Cassian, what if these plans fail? If our overtures to the Estara Guilds are rebuffed or the Dominion escalates?"
Cassian's gaze was steady. "If the Estara Guilds refuse, we'll pivot to independent traders in their orbit. As for the Dominion, escalation is a risk—but we're preparing for it. Flexibility is built into every aspect of this strategy. We'll adapt as needed."
Satisfied murmurs rippled through the chamber. Cassian took a step back, his jaw set. "We are not yet in a declared war—but our enemies aim to break us through attrition and isolation. By weakening their alliances, wearing down their resolve, and staying unified, we will do more than endure—we'll redefine the battlefield. Execute your assignments with precision, and report any obstacles promptly."
As the councilors filed out, their murmured conversations and exchanged glances betraying the unease lingering in the chamber, Belthar lingered at the edge of the room, his presence a deliberate shadow cast over the proceedings.
He moved with an unhurried precision, each step an echo of unspoken intention, his dark robes brushing against the polished floor. Cassian caught the deliberate motion and turned, his gaze locking onto the elder's calculating expression.
"Something to add, Elder?" he inquired, his tone carrying both an edge of formality and a subtle undercurrent of suspicion.
Belthar paused, as though weighing the exact weight and impact of his words. His eyes, sharp and reflective, met Cassian's with an intensity that seemed to dissect the man before him.
He then blinked, before allowing a faint smirk to curve his lips. "How did I do?" he asked quietly, his voice almost playful.
Without waiting for a response, Belthar turned and strode toward the exit, his figure disappearing into the shadowed corridor beyond.
As the chamber emptied, Cassian lingered, his thoughts returning to the alien artifact hidden away, its presence known only to a select few. He had debated whether to disclose its existence to the council, weighing the potential for panic against the need for transparency.
Keeping the artifact a secret had been the right choice, or so he told himself. The artifact's revelation could have been the spark to ignite those tensions into open conflict.
Every decision carried echoes of unseen consequences, and the longer he pondered, the more the lines between prudence and folly blurred, leaving him to wonder if the artifact's secrecy might one day cause everything to fall apart.