Eodem: A Rifle and Sword Adventure (Complete)

Chapter 14: One Night in New Albany

"This is preposterous even by your standards Major!" Governor White rebuked.

"Indeed." added Director Sienna Di Poppo of the UNSOOSA "What your saying is borderline genocide."

After reports of Major Holyfield's unethical orders of annihilating all the Slaegian Border Forts across Tyr Rian surfaced thanks to the timely notification of several SEAL's Team members and Colonel Polonsky, a discreet emergency gathering of Military and Civilian Officials was called in late that night. Governor White, Director Di Poppo, Major Holyfield, Colonel Polonsky and other important officials were gathered in the Governor's Hall Conference Room. Unlike the upbeat air of Colonial Fervor that recently was emitted by arrival of the 2nd Wave Colonists, which is slowly being died down due to the UFE's overextension of their governmental capabilities, was instead replaced with an aura of dreary uncertainty as news of the Slaegian's Unprovoked attack on a unit of UFE soldiers buzzed around the officials.

A significant count of the officials, from Military Officers from the 2nd Wave who have worked with the Major closely for over a decade, to Civilian Officials who still had fresh memories of their disastrous Planetfall sided with the extremist's Hardline methods of Major Holyfield. It wasn't something out of character that the Major would consider given his history of being a cold, calculating and ruthless to any enemies of humanity's progress to the stars whether it is from hostile fauna in far off worlds to the internal attacks of rebellious insurgents who dare test the unity of the UFE's spirit. It is said that Holyfield himself is responsible for the extinction of so many violent carnivores and the total eradication of several terrorist groups. And the man would gladly redo all his bloodied crusade of protecting humanity all over again if he could. He is without a doubt have no shame in his duty to his race.

But now the Major stands in a pseudo trial among his new peers. It was his first time being assigned outside to a brand-new group official and their reception to his 'Methods' were hostile compared to the cold nods of his previous superiors who were more Human-centric when it comes to the progress of Mankind's colonial efforts.

"Have you gone soft after meeting Extra Terrestrials Governor? Against your own race?" Holyfield put his foot down.

"I am not Major, and I will never do that to the UFE. These... 'Aliens' are as human as us... with a few exceptions but still!" He shot back.

"Why say they are like us? When they dabble in m-ma 'Magic' like children holding a knife? These people are dangerous for the well being of this colonies safety, no existence! You know we are Outnumbered 1 to... God knows how many of these kinds of Mages are out there. The cities that the UAV's are scanning now is growing in count by the minute. It's us vs the entire world for all we know." Holyfield shot out his point.

"According to Iris, Mages are quite rare in Gliesia. From her estimates about one in every twelve people in Ysanigrad shows various capabilities of siphoning Magic from the Unbinilium crystals." Polonsky argued.

"That is still a worrying number, if you also take into the account that the Mages can conjure pretty much whatever they can come up with their minds. You saw that 'Fire Golem' that attacked you, Iris and her abilities to 'Enchant' magic to our grenade launchers, and don't get me started on Magic Emissions being capable to jam our radios. Plus, that information is only applying to the Mages of the Slaegian Empire. Who knows what kind of other unknown's this Magic can be wielded by. I remembered that Iris, during the introductory seminar, describing these Elves from a continent West of Ysanigrad called Alfel Nora where the locals are more potent and sensitive to Magic. What happens if they turn their powers against us?"

"Your saying like the Elves are a bunch of Power Hungry Warmongers who would gladly zap us to death with lightning bolts. According to the reports, the Elves usually keep to themselves and are rather accommodating albeit a little bit arrogant."