For several seconds after Paul finished speaking, nobody moved. The decision was simple. The consequences were not.
One of the representatives slowly leaned back in his chair.
-I believe that is the most reasonable decision we could have reached under the circumstances.
Another nodded.
-Paul understands what is at stake. Earth cannot gamble its future on a group we know almost nothing about.
A third representative added,
-We have already suffered enough because of the conflict with MJC. Whatever relationship exists between the Rebellion and MJC, we should not make ourselves a direct participant in it without knowing what we are getting into.
The atmosphere in the room began to change. The tension that had filled it for hours was slowly giving way to something resembling relief. Paul noticed it.
They were relieved. Maybe they had been waiting for him to say exactly that. He looked toward Khael. The alien had not moved. His eyes remained on Paul. There was no anger in his expression.
Not yet.
Only disappointment. A deep, almost exhausted disappointment. Khael finally lowered his gaze.
-I understand.
His voice was quiet. Paul expected more. There wasn't any. Khael simply sat there for a few moments, as though trying to accept the answer he had spent so much time hoping he would never hear.
One of the representatives spoke again.
-This is not a rejection of your people, Khael. It is simply a decision to protect Earth from entering another war before we understand the situation.
Khael slowly looked toward him.
-Another war?
The representative frowned.
-You understand what I mean.
Khael stared at him.
-I understand exactly what you mean.
The man continued.
-We have no reason to believe that the Rebellion can guarantee our safety. You yourself told us your people are already fighting for survival. How can we place Earth's security in the hands of people who are struggling to protect themselves?
Khael remained silent. Another representative joined in.
-Paul made the responsible decision. Earth should remain under MJC protection while we assess what is happening beyond the portal.
Something changed in Khael's face. Very slightly. Paul noticed it before anyone else did. The disappointment was still there. But something had begun replacing it. Khael slowly stood.
-Under MJC protection, huh?
Nobody answered. He repeated it.
-You actually believe that is what you're choosing.
The representative looked at him.
-We are choosing survival.
Khael stared at him for several seconds. Then he laughed. It wasn't a happy laugh. It was short. Dry. Almost disbelieving. Paul had never heard anything like it from him. Khael shook his head.
-You think MJC gives a fuck about you?
The room froze. Several representatives immediately stiffened. Khael's voice had changed. All the restraint he had maintained since arriving on Earth was disappearing.
-You sit here talking about protection as if they came here because they care whether your people live or die. Hahahh… So naïve.
David stood.
-Khael.
But Khael didn't stop.
-Ever wondered why they tried to destroy you a hundred years ago?
Silence. His eyes moved across the table.
-Then tried to make an alliance with you?
Nobody answered. The question remained hanging in the room. Khael's breathing had become heavier.
-You think that was mercy? You think they suddenly looked at Earth one day and decided you were worthy of their friendship?
One representative rose from his seat.
-You are making accusations about an organization to confuse us about our decision.
Khael turned toward him.
-Ohhh, am I?
His voice cracked with disbelief.
-You still don't understand.
He stepped away from the table.
-They tried to erase this planet.
Paul felt his stomach tighten. Khael continued.
-Not because Earth attacked them. Not because you were their enemy. They tried to erase you before you became something they could no longer control.
The room had gone completely silent. Even the people who had been arguing moments earlier were listening now. One of the representatives spoke more cautiously.
-What are you talking about?
Khael looked at him.
-Cinderborn.
The word meant nothing to Paul. But something about the way Khael said it made the room feel colder. David's expression hardened.
-Define it.
Khael looked around the chamber.
-Cinderborn is what you call a world that carries the potential to become something MJC considers dangerous.
He paused.
-Not dangerous because of what that world is today. Dangerous because of what it can become.
Nobody interrupted. Khael continued.
-Cinderborn worlds have appeared before. Some became powerful enough to challenge the balance MJC had built. Some were destroyed before they reached that point. Some were brought under control before they could grow.
A representative asked,
-And Earth?
Khael looked directly at him.
-Earth is Cinderborn.
The words struck the room harder than Paul's rejection had. For several seconds, nobody even seemed to breathe. Paul looked toward David. David's face had become unreadable.
Khael continued.
-That is why they came here a hundred years ago.
One of the representatives shook his head.
-You're saying the attack a century ago was because of this?
-I am saying Earth was identified as a potential Cinderborn world.
-By MJC?
-Yes.
The representative looked toward the others.
-Then why did they later approach us?
Khael's expression became bitter.
-Because destroying Earth wasn't their only option.
He stepped closer to the table.
-They watched you. They studied how quickly this planet developed. They saw how quickly like a Cinderborn, your technology changed. They saw your soldiers. They saw what your species was capable of becoming.
He looked toward Paul.
-And then they found something else.
Paul felt his chest tighten. Khael's pointed his finger on him.
-You.
Nobody spoke. Paul didn't move. Khael continued.
-MJC didn't come because they needed any military help or Alliance from Earth. In fact they don't care about Earth. All they Earth is a potential threat.
He paused.
-They came because Paul could become important to them.
Paul stared at him.
-I don't understand.
Khael's voice softened.
-I know.
That answer somehow made the situation worse. Khael looked back toward the representatives.
-They wanted control over you before anyone else understood what you could become. They couldn't get it.
One of the representatives interrupted.
-If what you're saying is true, why would they want to destroy him?
Khael's expression changed.
-Because they cannot allow someone they cannot control to fall into the hands of their enemies.
The room became still again. Khael looked at Paul.
-They wanted you.
Paul swallowed.
-For what?
-For the very reason why I am here.
Khael answered without hesitation.
-And that is the part you need to understand. I don't know why MJC and Rebellions saw in you. I don't know what your great-grandfather passed down to your family. I don't know what you are capable of becoming.
He took a breath.
-But they saw enough to decide that they could not let anyone else have you.
Paul felt his hands slowly tighten. Khael's voice dropped.
-And now you have just told me that you will stay here.
Paul looked at him. Khael's expression was no longer angry. It was almost sad.
-If MJC learns that the Rebellion came here asking for you, they will know exactly what happened.
David finally spoke.
-You're assuming they will attack.
Khael looked at him.
-No.
He paused.
-I'm telling you they will.
The room fell silent. Khael looked around at everyone.
-If they cannot have you, they will not simply let another side take you.
His eyes returned to Paul.
-They will destroy you before they allow that to happen.
Nobody spoke. The people who had been celebrating Paul's decision only minutes earlier were no longer smiling. Khael slowly stepped back.
-I didn't come here to frighten you.
His voice had returned to its earlier calmness.
-I came because I believed there was still a choice.
Paul stared at the floor. For the first time since entering the room, he no longer knew whether his decision had protected Earth.
Or simply placed a target on it.
Khael turned toward the door. David looked at him.
-Where are you going?
Khael stopped.
-Back.
-Back where?
Khael looked over his shoulder.
-To the war.
Nobody stopped him. He walked toward the exit. Paul watched him leave. The door closed behind him.
The room remained silent.
Nobody celebrated anymore. Nobody talked about MJC protection. Nobody talked about the Rebellion. They simply sat there, trying to understand what they had just heard.
And somewhere beyond the walls of OPESTM headquarters, the portal remained open.
For the first time, Earth had a reason to wonder whether the war had really started when Khael crossed it.
Or whether Earth had been part of it long before anyone knew.
-To be continued…