Chapter 27: Tainted
**Aurora pushes away from the table and stands, pausing to survey the faces of the council before she begins**
AURORA: Members of the High Council, esteemed colleagues —
**She smiles cruelly at Eustace**
AURORA: — although I use the term “esteemed” in its loosest context.
**It takes a moment for said esteemed colleagues to process whether or not they’ve been insulted**
AURORA: I want to pause for a moment, to take a closer look at the details of this mission. Let’s start by examining the pure numerical data. Anyone want to venture a guess as to the number of ships that will be involved on the assault of Dictator Jimmy’s planet, as the figure currently stands?
GOOBOT: Somewhere between 15, 000 and 16,000 I would presume. Maybe more. Why?
AURORA: Just stay with me here. How many personnel would you expect to be involved in an attack of this magnitude, King Goobot?
GOOBOT: (thinking for a moment) Well, assuming each warship doesn’t exceed its maximum load, probably 1.5 million, give or take.
AURORA: And Generals, given your knowledge of war tactics and your previous experience, what would you estimate the casualty rate to be?
**One of the Generals, the one with a huge scar running from his collarbone to his hairline, flips through the pages of his notebook nervously**
GENERAL: Well, judging from the data we collected during past encounters with the Dictator…casualty rate around 70%, I would expect.
AURORA: Which equals…
NAV: (suddenly) 1 million, 50 thousand dead. That’s astronomical. It’d be a slaughterhouse, General.
JAYA: And your point is?
NAV: (levelly) I believe this young lady is righteously contending your plan.
**Jaya’s icy purple eyes bore into Aurora’s**
JAYA: Is this true?
**April answers for her, and Jaya looks over in surprise**
APRIL: We are not saying that your plan is not a good one. As any Gorlock knows, death is a part of war. If we had no other choice, then I would willingly vote to sacrifice the million if, by the Dictator’s death, we could save the lives of countless others. But…what if nobody had to die?
**This last phrase captures the attention of the council**
APRIL: We are here today to propose a new plan: one with the potential to be equally effective, but one that has a casualty rate of 0% if implemented correctly.
JAYA: I am listening, April.
APRIL: Not to me. Aurora will be explaining the plan, since it was her idea.
**Jimmy shifts uncomfortably in his seat at the words her idea. Jaya stares down Aurora, and the younger woman returns her harsh glare. For a moment time seems to come to a stand still as the two women are locked in a silent power struggle. At last Jaya relaxes and motions for Aurora to go ahead**
AURORA: As you all know, our current plan involves an overtly hostile attack and counts on superior numbers to bring us victory. But with that strategy, we lose the element of surprise. I mean, 15,000 warships all converging on one planet? Talk about a no-brainer. He’ll be expecting us. Best case scenario: we win, with massive casualties. Worst case, he vaporizes us all before we even get close enough to attempt a strike. We’ll basically be providing his orbital security system with a bit of target practice. It’ll be a game of who gets blown up and who manages to sneak by long enough to cause some damage before they, too, get blown up.
**She pauses to let this sink in**
AURORA: We’re playing this one too close to the rulebook. I know Gorlock tradition: two armies fight to the death…to the last man standing. But his entire fortress is designed to withstand the very type of large scale attack that we’re planning. We need to think differently…play on his weaknesses. He’s young and arrogant, and he thinks that…
**Jaya waves an impatient hand**
JAYA: (scornfully) I know you fancy yourself to be an expert on the Dictator, but we are not here to listen to your little psychological profile. If you have a plan, I want concrete details and a damn good reason why I should even consider changing our battle strategy this late in the game.
**Aurora struggles to keep her anger in check. She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, and continues**
AURORA: My plan…that is, our plan, is covert and under the radar - and if it works, it will achieve the council’s unifying goal: eliminating the danger the Dictator poses to the galaxy. What I need is a small, well-trained team that can take a few tiny ships and slip past his defenses. As some of the most dangerous criminals around today, you are the most qualified people for the job. I’ve come here today to ask for the council’s support to successfully complete this operation.
JAYA: (impatiently) Which is…?
AURORA: It’s pretty unorthodox, I’ll admit, but it all revolves around one simple fact. Many of you aren’t aware of this, but the Dictator’s behavior is caused by a biochemical agent known as Megalomanium. Before coming in contact with it ten years ago he was…an entirely different person.
**She pulls out the antidote from a strap under her wrist communicator**
AURORA: One vial of this distilled antidote will be enough to put an end to all of this. It will, in effect, kill the Dictator without killing Neutron. Nobody has to die.
**There is a moment of intense silence, then the entire council breaks out into a tidal wave of protests, accusations, and obscene language**
AURORA: Calm down! Just hear me out everyone! Think about the lives that could be saved, the money that could be saved…
**Jaya leans forward slowly, her words clipped and abrasive**
JAYA: Do I understand, human, that you just wasted the council’s time with a harebrained scheme to let our greatest enemy GO FREE? After all he’s done? Is this some kind of joke?
**Aurora shakes her head slowly, and Nav interjects**
NAV: I think we should listen to her. You might object to the end, but what about the means? This covert operation of hers is certainly better than our current plan, as far as I’m concerned. Let’s think about it, shall we? 1 million 50 thousand dead versus 0 dead…hmm…
BEAUTIFUL GORGEOUS: I suppose the idea itself is sound…
**Murmurs wind their way around the room as the council contemplates the implications of Aurora’s plan**
TEE: Listen to the woman, foo’s!
GOOBOT: But we’ve already enlisted the help of over a million soldiers…
EUSTACE: Still, it certainly would be easier to give him this antidote than to actually kill him.
PINXIT: We couldd alwayss killl himm laterr…
**Lady Jaya slams her fist down on the corner of the table, sending a web of cracks scurrying across the surface**
JAYA: SILENCE!!! I do not want to hear ONE more word out of ANYONE until I make something very clear! Aurora, this plan of your is dangerously close to treason. I am shocked that you would even for a second entertain the notion that the Dictator’s life should be spared. What is his life worth after all the millions he’s taken?! No, I will not rest until I personally see to it that every last drop of blood is emptied from his veins!
**She turns to April**
JAYA: April, I am extremely disappointed that you would support such utter and complete lunacy. I know that you think Aurora is your friend, but you owe it to your people to put our interests first. And Nav? Siding with Aurora on this one is taking things too far, even for you.
AURORA: Lady Jaya, I…
**The Gorlock cuts her off. She bends forward over the table and narrows her eyes, crooking an accusing finger in Aurora’s direction**
JAYA: If I were you, human, I would shut my mouth and sit quiet. If your sole aim here was to save lives, then your plan might seem admirable, if a bit foolish. But I wonder about you…weren’t you always the first to jump at the opportunity to take revenge on the Dictator? What is responsible for this sudden change in attitude, eh? Now listen, and listen clearly, because I am going to be perfectly honest with you. Frankly, you are lucky to still be on the council at all. I wanted you removed immediately after you “mysteriously” escaped from the Dictator’s custody, but April would not have it. I see now that I should have followed my instincts.
**Aurora digs her nails into the edges of the stone table, gritting her teeth in anger**
JAYA: The whole situation is suspicious, as far as I’m concerned. Nobody has EVER gotten so close to the Dictator and lived to tell about it. Why should you be an exception? Obviously, he LET you escape. For all I know, you’re just another part of his plan, a walking bag of flesh and bones programmed to serve his needs. You are tainted, Aurora. So I suggest you shut that ugly human mouth of yours before I do what I should have done three years ago, and throw you off the council.
**Aurora almost loses it. Her whole upper body bursts into dazzling green flame, and she hurls a glittering energy bolt straight into the wall behind Lady Jaya’s left shoulder. Aurora gasps for breath as chunks of rubble fall from the steaming hole, and she snaps her arm in Jaya’s direction, murder burning in her eyes**
AURORA: YOU!!!
**April immediately leaps to restrain her friend, and Nav follows close behind. Aurora, however, manages to get herself under control before they can intervene, and she waves them both away. Aurora leans over the table for a moment, steadying herself. April lays a gentle hand on her friend’s shoulder**
APRIL: With all due respect, Lady Jaya, I believe that you have had it out for Aurora since the very beginning.
NAV: That was a pretty personal dig, Grandma. Harsh, even by my deviously criminal standards. To tell you the truth, I’m amazed by her self restraint. I half expected her to take your head off just now.
**Without warning Aurora whirls and punches Nav in the stomach, hard. He grunts and stumbles back a step, holding his abdomen in pain**
NAV: (groaning) Ow! What was that for?
AURORA: Sorry, I needed to punch something. I knew you wouldn’t mind.
NAV: Ugh…glad I could be…of service…
**Jaya’s sharp voice snaps them back into the moment**
JAYA: Well, human, are you done? I’ll forgive you this once, as I understand that these kind of emotional episodes are a weakness of your species. Now, what do you say you hand over that little vial and we will forget this whole thing ever happened?
**Aurora’s entire body quivers with suppressed rage as she lifts her gaze to meet Jaya’s. The older woman’s lips twist into an arrogant, mocking smile as she leers down at her**
JAYA: (with false sweetness) Come now, Aurora. This sort of childish behavior is unsuitable to a pilot of your caliber. Now, hand over the vial.
**Aurora grits her teeth in response**
AURORA: As you wish, highness.
**She listlessly flicks the vial from her hand, and it spins across the table, coming to a rest in front of the High Council leader**
JAYA: (pocketing it) There we are…that’s more like it.
**Back in the rows of spectators, Lee and his charges are watching the altercation in stunned silence**
JIMMY: (numbly) I…I can’t believe that just happened.
SHEEN: I know, right? I mean…jeez! Aurora just got served! I’ve never seen anybody shut down like that!
CINDY: Ugh! I can’t believe her! What, is she just giving up? If I were her, I’d punch that green witch right in the face!
JIMMY: First of all, you are her, and second of all, she’s not giving up. Take a closer look. She’s just playing along. The council has no idea that we have two extra antidotes stored inside Goddard. Now that she’s handed over hers, they’ll have no reason to suspect her of any hidden agenda. She won’t be monitored, and everything will go ahead as planned.
**He steeples his fingers, peering out at her from over the ridgeline of his fingertips**
JIMMY: It’s the best strategy, given the circumstances. At this point, just be grateful that the entire plan didn’t tumble down around our ears.
**At the conference table, Aurora’s manner transforms into an eerie calm. When she smiles, it sends a chill running up all their spines**
AURORA: Of course, Lady Jaya. You’re right. Please, go on. I want to hear all the details of the attack so I can do everything in my power to keep the people I care about safe.
**She takes her seat, grinning like a vampire eyeing the neck of her next victim**
KING GOOBOT: Still, Lady Jaya, perhaps there is some wisdom in her approach? Instead of giving him the antidote we could…
JAYA: ENOUGH! Not another word! I can’t believe you…all of you! Have you all lost your minds? The battle is going ahead as planned. End of discussion. Do I make myself clear? And don’t get any more bright ideas, because I will personally shoot the next person who opens their mouth on this matter!
**The finality of this proclamation hangs heavy in the air, and the flustered Lady Jaya takes her seat, face red with exertion**
JAYA: Now let’s finish this accursed meeting!
**Twenty awkward minutes later, the meeting comes to an end, and the council filters out of the chamber one by one. Aurora brushes a sweat-drenched lock of hair from her forehead as she and April join their guests just outside the room. Lee looks at the floor, strangely silent as the group convenes**
AURORA: (absently) Oh, this is Nav…
**The tall blonde man appears behind her, waving like a gleeful two-year old. He drapes himself over April’s shoulders like an oversized coat, then promptly goes limp**
APRIL: (patting his hand) This ridiculous character, Nav Aksha’at, is my fiancée…
FUTURE LIBBY: Ya, Lee told us.
APRIL: Oh? He did…? But I hadn’t told anyone except Aurora and…hey! Whoa!
**Nav places his mechanical arm under April’s bottom and lifts her into the air. He holds her aloft in one cupped palm, grinning errantly**
APRIL: Nav, stop showing off and put me down.
**He quickly obeys, and then tugs playfully on Aurora’s ponytail**
NAV: So, how’s my favorite smart-mouthed ace pilot doing these days?
**Aurora seems not to notice his question**
AURORA: Nav, April, these are…oh, I mean Nav, April already knows…Nav, these are our visitors, the…the uh…
**She snaps her fingers distractedly, trying to recall their false name. Jimmy supplies it for her**
JIMMY: Alternatelings?
AURORA: There we go. And uh, the taller one there is my human friend Libby.
NAV: Oh, we’ve already met.
FUTURE LIBBY: (quizzically) We…have?
*Nav uncurls his fingers, revealing a small treasure trove of golden jewelry. Future Libby gasps as her hand strays to the empty holes in her ears**
FUTURE LIBBY: How did you…?
**Her cheeks suddenly lose their rosy glow, and her glance shoots down to her left ring finger. She holds out her hand pleadingly**
FUTURE LIBBY: You can keep the rest, just please…give me back my ring?
**Nav’s brows knit together apologetically, and he quickly returns the stolen items to their rightful owner**
NAV: Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. I wasn’t planning on keeping them, honest.
**She quickly slides the ring back onto her finger and fastens her earrings, then attempts a forgiving smile**
FUTURE LIBBY: It’s OK, ya just freaked me out for a second there.
NAV: I can have that effect. Now, what’s so important about that little circlet of gold? Is it a wedding ring? Engagement?
**She twists the ring on her finger, admiring the ribbons of light as they glide along the gilded surface**
FUTURE LIBBY: No, betrothal, actually.
NAV: Ah. And who’s the lucky guy?
FUTURE LIBBY: Well, he doesn’t actually know. You see, I haven’t seen him in ten years. Matter o’ fact, I don’t even know if he’s alive anymore.
**Nav gapes at her for a second, then bursts out laughing. He claps a friendly hand around her shoulder, then jerks his thumb in Aurora’s direction**
NAV: Ha ha! I like this chick, Aurora! You should have friends over more often.
SHEEN: (from below) Oh, and what are we, chopped jalapeños?
NAV: Whoa, hello! It talks!
**He bends down to Sheen’s level and extends his hand for a shake**
NAV: Put her there, little man. Nice to meet you…uh…what did you call yourselves again? Alternatelings? Hmm, I don’t recall stealing anything from your kind before. You guys must be good.
**He scans their faces in amusement, then suddenly does a double take when he gets to Cindy**
NAV: Whoa! This one’s got your eyes, Aurora. You been off hybridizing with alien species again?
**When Aurora makes no reply, he looks up sharply**
NAV: Aurora, you OK? Normally a remark like that would have incited a laugh, or at least earned me an annoyed punch in the arm. What’s wrong?
**Aurora grips her own arm tightly, her gaze darting around the hallway distractedly. Her eyes are wide and unfocused as she turns to face Nav**
AURORA: I’m sorry…I…we…have a lot to talk…um? April, why don’t you take Nav and our guests back to the encampment? I’m uh…going to the lake for a little while. I’ll meet up with you later. I…I…need to think about…some things.
**She turns and walks away, stumbling a little, like one lost in a dream**
NAV: (watching her go) OK, that was weird. I haven’t seen her that bad since…well, you know.
APRIL: A lot more happened in that council chamber than you realize. Because of Jaya’s decision, Aurora now has a great challenge ahead of her. Come on, Nav. Let’s get out of earshot of this place. We have some very important things to talk about.
**Lee melts into the shadows as the group prepares to leave. April squints into the darkness, scanning the room from side to side**
APRIL: Lee? Where did you go?
**He perks up at the sound, and quickly steps into plain sight**
APRIL: Lee? Oh! There you are. I have just had an idea. I would like you to help us with something. But be warned; you may face dire consequences if you are caught. It’s up to you. I will not put you into harm’s way unless you agree to this. Would you be willing to help us?
LEE: (with feeling) Always, April. Always.
APRIL: (looking at him strangely) Um…OK. Let’s get going then. It will be dark soon.
**April leads the group down the misty corridor and out of the capitol building. They stand at the very summit of the hill, gazing down at the endless miles of rolling, tangled jungle. The air is stifling, heavy with the scent of rain. Towering cloud-columns march across the sky in a stately procession, creeping closer to Nuku with each passing moment**
NAV: (looking up) Hoo-rah, more rain. Just what we needed. All right, April, let’s get the minis down to the encampment before we all end up drenched.
**The assemblage heads out across the grassy plain, gazing up warily at the thickening cloud cover from time to time. As they traipse across the expanse, Future Libby’s eyes rove along the shore, searching. The camp draws ever nearer, and Future Libby hangs back, peering out across the swampy inlet. At last she spots what she is looking for. There, silhouetted against the crimson waves of the lake, stands a figure clad in blue and silver**
FUTURE LIBBY: Guys, if it’s OK, I’m gonna catch up with you later.
**The others glance back at her quizzically, and she quickly waves away their concern**
FUTURE LIBBY: Don’t worry ‘bout me, guys. I’ll meet you back at camp, I promise. Just keep going without me!
**Without another word she turns and scrambles off at a near run, eyes fixed on the glittering woman far away on the shore**
FUTURE LIBBY: What are you doin’
there all by yourself, girl?
