Chapter 368: Faelis Major
Normally, Zalanth was the only one who reported to the leaders of the Blessed Mau Collective, and usually it was only to the trifecta who were permanently stationed on the core world who could make themselves available with proper notice. However, the uncertain status of planet Earth called for a break from the standard procedure. She approached the grand chamber without an appointment, declaring that the status of Earth was an emergency.
Her three assistants shadowed her closely, keeping their eyes cast down, even when politely addressing the unevolved cats that came and went from the structures as they pleased. She was sure that her companions had been in the presence of the elders many times before, but their past experience did nothing to assuage their pure admiration of the important figures. Everytime she attended a conference with them, Zalanth couldn’t help but feel a modicum of fear herself.
Zalanth had only just been made aware of the potential failure of humanity to integrate into the galactic community. Her feline assistants had been actively monitoring the situation as it occurred. More than aides, they were witnesses. If necessary, their testimony would be provided to the senior felines of the faction.
After she and her three assistants arrived, it was still the usual suspects in attendance, but even before she revealed the situation, it seemed as though they knew what they needed to discuss. Madelina, Tervel, and Sterling were present. The fact that they were all there, without any scheduled meeting, was already a sign of the unusual occasion.
“I knew this would happen!” The always agitated warrior, called Tervel, who was responsible for their core security, was already ranting before she entered the auditorium-like chamber.
The black-haired Madelina, who was consistently in a state of relaxation, hummed in mocking amusement from where she laid on her side. “Tervel, how could you have possibly known the system would prematurely halt an integration?” She asked in a voice that rang with skepticism, following with a light laugh, though she never took her eyes off her own sharpened nails. Her predatory gaze yielded none of the mirth that rang in her voice.
“It was obvious when the system neglected to declare one of the feline species the principal!” He practically shouted, mane flaring as his emotions boiled over. “This is a catastrophic loss! And before you say it, don’t tell me to calm down! You saw the number of sponsorships Sterling assigned! Half a billion felines disappearing from the system is an apocalyptic tragedy! It’s horrible! Unacceptable! An absolute outrage!”
Madelina raised an eyebrow, at the way he raised his voice, then glanced toward Zalanth with a subtle smile that exposed her pointed canines to the inconsistent light, giving off the appearance that she was unconcerned, but they all knew better. She must have been thinking equally tumultuous thoughts as Tervel. The only tell was that the tip of her tail occasionally flicked, sending ripples through its long black fur.
Zalanth successfully traversed the radius of the auditorium while Tervel ranted and raved. The other elders acknowledged her presence silently. It was clear they had expected her to come. If not, she would have been summoned.
It was the de facto leader, the aforementioned silver-tipped Sterling that motioned for Zalanth to sit. All three assistants stood behind her, heads bowed as they submitted before their ultimate superiors. Zalanth tried to make herself comfortable, seated among individuals who could never truly be called her peers. Truthfully, even the assistants were above her in the hierarchy of the community, but they paled in comparison to the other three.
“Do you have anything for us?” Sterling politely asked, just a twinge of hope present in his voice.
“I’m afraid I came to inform you of what you already know. Earth’s assimilation has been suspended.” She explained, keeping her voice steady despite the different flavors of pressure emanating from Tervel and Madelina alike. Hot and cold blooded killers: that’s what they were.