Anthony DeCosmo - Schism

The council had agreed to limit the amount of information revealed to the general population about what Trevor found on that other Earth. As far as the citizens were concerned, the battle to save humanity raged across parallel Earths, making their own struggle seem all the more important. The fact that in those other universes mankind came from Sirius and played the role of an invader was kept secret.

Lori Brewer, despite being held at bay by Jon, called, "You know why we didn't tell anyone about that, Dante. Same reason we kept secret what we found at Cheyenne Mountain. The people didn't need to know what happened to the last President and his staff; it would have been too gruesome. Same with what Trevor found. If people heard we were the bad guys somewhere else, then maybe they'd ask more questions about the war here. If we're going to survive, we can't afford that."

Dante glanced at Lori, listened, and then said, "You mean the Emperor can't afford that."

"Oh, now you sound like you've got something to say, Dante. What is it?"

"Okay then, fuck it. Everyone heard you killed the California Governor and his top people when the war was already won."

Brewer defended, "Taking out command and control is a military tactic."

"Bull. Trevor murdered them because they were making nice with aliens. Maybe they had a better idea, a different idea. Everything around here has to be exactly as Trevor says, right?"

"We pledged an oath," Lori recalled their vow to follow Trevor without question.

"Things have changed," Dante stared at Trevor. "People signed on to kill aliens. And even this California thing, I get it. Sure. But there were a lot of people wondering if there was a better way, but the more they wondered the harder you pushed to do things the way you wanted. You won't listen, Trevor. You can be a real stubborn son of a bitch."

"I negotiated with California for a year. I got a job to do, Dante, you hear?"

"I got a job to do, too. This time the job came from the Senate. They told me to make sure the Witiko people didn't get gunned down or something. They want to hold hearings and shit like that. They want to interview the Witiko."

"Don't be an ass," Trevor said. "This is Evan Godfrey trying to score political points."

"There you go again. Everyone is out to get Trevor, is that it? Not everyone who isn't one-hundred percent with you is against you. Think about it, man. We got a shit load of Witiko officers, they know our language, and they've been on this planet for like ten years. Did it ever occur to you to talk to them? To ask them why? To find out what brought them here? I think the Senate is going to do that. Sounds like a smart idea to me. But hey, what do I know? You made me, right? I'm just your dumb friend, the one you threw a scrap to back when all this started. Maybe that was a mistake."

"I needed you, Dante. You got a good head on your shoulders, most of the time. But you're getting caught up in political games. Don't you see? Evan wants everything to be like it used to be, because that's the only way he can ever be the politician he always wanted to be. I stand in his way. So he's always looking to score points against me. When he does that, he weakens the war effort. Don't you see that? Are you that blind?"

"I'm not blind, buddy. I see a friggin' paranoid egomaniac who can't stand the idea that maybe he's wrong once in a while; that maybe someone like Godfrey or the people in the Senate might just have a good idea now and then. Jesus, Trevor, those people were elected for a reason, but you keep treating them like shit."

"That's out of line."

Dante held his arms wide and dared, "Fine, it's out of line. Fire me. Give the job to some lackey who'll do whatever you want without question. Hey Ray," Dante called over to the Chief of Security. "You want to be Director of Internal Security?"

Roos shifted uncomfortably but did not speak.

Trevor said, "You don't get out of it that easy. I want the Witiko through the runes fast."

"I can't do that. Senate's orders. You could veto those orders, but that means you'll be vetoing the law you signed, Emperor. Then again, you're all-powerful, right? Why don't you just make it up as you go along."

While the rest of the council stood and watched as silently as mice in a room full of cats, Shepherd asked, "How many of them fellas you got hold up?"

Dante, still looking at Trevor, answered, "Fifty officers, including Chancellor D'Trayne. They're in I.S. facilities in Kansas waiting for transfer to Maryland and Virginia. They've been separated from the rest of the Witiko civvies and grunts; the Senate only wants the officers."

Trevor stuck a finger at Dante, nearly poking his chest.

"The rank and file, through the runes. Top priority. I want those fifty Witiko to be the only damn Witiko on this planet by the end of the month. Shove aside the Hivvans and Duass and whatever, I don't care. All of their gear-Stingrays, weapons, whatever-gets turned over to the military and Intelligence this week. Got it?"

"Yeah man, I got it. Is that all, sir?"

"Dante," Trevor's voice cooled a notch. "You've been my friend since we were little kids. Don’t' screw us up now, just because you can't handle how things changed between us."

"Oh man, you don’t understand, do you, Trev? I'm still trying to be your friend. You just aren't letting me."

– Evan Godfrey lived on a sprawling, isolated estate not far outside of Washington D.C. The grounds were surrounded by tall trees, ensuring privacy and blocking the view of any prying eyes. However, the Senator often liked prying eyes, so at the front of the home by the circular driveway waited a pedestal and seating, always ready to accommodate a press conference.

On this day, no members of the press waited for words of wisdom from the President of the Senate. They were too busy in their newsrooms following the events of earlier that afternoon including the funeral procession, the massive crowds, and the Emperor's speech.

On the television inside Evan Godfrey's personal den played another speech, one he had made a few hours earlier from the grounds around the Washington monument.

After a snippet of Evan's words the reporter recounted, "The Senator suggests that a conspiracy exists between the military and Imperial Intelligence akin to the old military-industrial complex thought to have driven foreign policy in the 1950s and 1960s. As part of his heated remarks, the Senator questioned why we still plan to fight when the, quote, 'sea to shining sea' of the continental United States has been liberated and we still have much work to do within our own borders. Based on the response of the crowd as well as the prominent union and political figures in attendance, it's fair to say that the Senator found his message well-received." Godfrey switched off the television with a click on the remote control. His wife, Sharon, leaned on the desk. "Oh that's great, Evan," she mocked. "Another fantastic speech." "You just don't get it, do you?" "That's right," she recalled and rolled her eyes. "I’m not a good poker player." "Not playing poker any more. The game has changed."

"Is that so? Tell me, my loving husband, what game is afoot?"

Evan did not speak but Sharon got an answer as three men entered the room. More specifically, two men and one alien.

One man, an Internal Security guard, was quickly dismissed. The second was Brad Gannon, former actor and most recently an ambassador of propaganda for the now-defunct California Cooperative.

Evan addressed the third newcomer, an alien wearing a robe over a bodysuit and painted in silver cosmetic. "Chancellor D'Trayne, it is good to see you again."

The leader-turned-prisoner did not share Evan's good mood.

"Neither of you fulfilled your pledge to disrupt the invasion. I have nothing to say."