Chapter 2: The Cover Up
The comm went dead. — The scene shifted abruptly, from the dark, blood-soaked lab to the pristine sterility of a government chamber. Rows of officials sat in grim silence, their faces pale as the chairwoman addressed them. "We are severing all ties with Cradle Planet," she declared.
"Effective immediately, no communication, no travel, no aid. This is the only way to protect Prime Planet from the infection." A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, though some faces remained tense.
The holographic display in the center of the table flickered to life, showing fragmented images: the writhing infected, the towering organic structures, and the sheer devastation that had unfolded in mere weeks. "We will tell the public that Cradle Planet's leadership grew hostile and cut communication. That they turned inward. The truth of the Aegis Virus dies with us," the chairwoman said coldly.
The council chamber fell silent, the weight of her words pressing on each official. Some shifted uncomfortably in their seats, while others nodded grimly.
Holographic displays continued to flicker overhead, casting pale blue light onto their faces. Fractured images of Cradle Planet's devastation remained projected: flaming cities, writhing infected, and fractured satellite images of unrecognizable terrain.
"To ensure compliance, we'll need to bury all outgoing records," another official stated. His voice wavered slightly, but he quickly masked it. "Military reports, civilian communication logs, recon data—it all has to disappear. Anything that's leaked could dismantle the narrative." "Our people will handle the recon logs," another voice added.
"But what about the families? The ones still petitioning for answers?" The chairwoman leaned forward, her expression unmoving. "There are no families. Not anymore." She gestured toward the images on the display. "We frame it as a catastrophic nuclear fallout.
Cradle Planet's leadership engaged in a destructive civil war that annihilated the population. The fallout is too dangerous for recovery operations, and any attempt to interfere risks further devastation. That's the narrative we control." The younger officials exchanged uneasy glances. "And if someone uncovers discrepancies in the reports?" one asked, his voice tentative.
The chairwoman's gaze hardened. "They won't. Every record, every broadcast, every image is curated to reinforce the truth we present. Prime Planet must remain unified in its understanding that Cradle is lost—entirely, irreversibly.
There can be no questions." Another council member shifted in his seat. "What about survivors? What if someone claims to have escaped?" The chairwoman's lips thinned.