CHAPTER 5 - EDENIA
Eden home of the Intergalactic Alliance and home to millions of its citizens. Eden was a beautiful world of mountains and lakes with a temperate climate and no rain its water need provided by vast underground rivers.
Lisa landed the Avenger at a spaceport close to the capital city of Eragon. She was whisked by a mag train to the Intergalactic Alliances large parliament a large five hundred foot high tower with a curved top and square base dotted with hundreds of glass panels.
The mag train stopped and she made her way to Congressman Smiths office. Lisa walked into his office located close to the Parliament she had arrived quietly not announcing she was coming concerned who might be around. She was dressed in a casual light blue shirt and white jeans carrying a small red data crystal with the stations logs on them.
Lisa walked into the congressman's office and saw a Meon receptionist with blue skin, black hair and golden cat like eyes.
The receptionist looked to her "Can I help you" she smiled.
Lisa wasn't sure if the congressman was busy.
The receptionist nodded "Do you have an appointment?"
Lisa shook her head "Just say that Lisa's here."
The receptionist walked into the congressman’s office and they talked for a few moments. Lisa sat briefly as a five foot seven Caucasian male walked out. Lisa looked to Congressman Smith with his wide set hazel eyes short nose and narrow mouth.
He smiled at her "By the sons of Mars is that really you, Lisa?"
He shook with a firm handshake "Its been what?"
Lisa continued "A decade or so."
Congressman Smith smiled as he saw his old flame "Lisa you came all this way to see me."
Lisa looked to him with a concerned look "We need to talk."
The Congressman shook his head "Come in, come in."
They both entered the congressman’s office and Lisa sat on a fabric L-shaped sofa that lined two sides of the office. On another side was a pine wooden desk. The office was lined with a deep green carpet and a large window that looked out onto nearby tower blocks.
Lisa sat down continuing to admire the view "Your close to the Parliament building I see."
The Congressman nodded "I could got have gotten a bigger office down the street but here I get more light besides I am only five minutes from a mag train station."
Congressman Smith could see that she wasn't here by chance "What makes you come to Eden?"
Lisa took out a red data crystal from her shirt pocket "I was doing a resupply run taking foodstuffs to the station on the edge of Iquan space. I was about half an hour away when it was attacked."
The Congressman sat near her and looked into her eyes "What!"
Lisa continued "Thats not the worst of it. I recovered the data logs and they show the Iquan are gone."
Congressman Smith realised her visit had to be a surprise not knowing who might be listening "Have you told anyone this?"
Lisa shook her head "I haven't but I came to you first."
The Congressman nodded "Its appreciated. I can't believe the Iquan are gone."
He took the red data crystal and looked at the sensor information and video footage which confirmed Lisa's story.
Lisa look to him "What now?"
The Congressman looked to her "I need to speak with Senator Nireen who is responsible for this sort of thing".
Lisa stood still as the congressman got up "What do you want me to do?"
The Congressman threw her some keys "Go to my place and I will be there later. My receptionist knows where I live. Keep out of sight and speak to no one."
He walked out of the office to see the receptionist "Can you get hold of Senator Nireen please tell her I need to speak to her on an urgent matter."
The receptionist obliged and the arrangement was made Lisa however refused to be thrown aside and she looked to the congressman "Don't you need me to come with you."
Congressman Smith looked to her and said "Okay, okay. Sorry I wasn't thinking. Please bring the car round."
Congressman Smith and Lisa both entered a lift and descended to the waiting car. Lisa could see that the Congressman was tense.
Lisa stood silently as a black tinted air car was driven around. They both got in.
They sat silently and Lisa broke the tense atmosphere as the aircar drove down long winding streets past skyscrapers and pedestrians "Your worried."
Congressman Smith nodded "Yes I am for one thing we are not ready. Our military is half the size it was thirty years ago and most of our military ships are being rebuilt. This is the worst time for this kind of news."
Lisa looked to him realising that both of them had come a long way in ten years she had left the military to become a freighter captain and he had gone into politics. The two had been lovers during the Nonan incident where a rogue human commander alongside others used nuclear weapons to destroy New York and other large alien cities across several alien systems.
Within thirty minutes they had arrived at Senator Nireens office ascending quickly to the top floor of the glass and steel skyscraper.
The Senator stood waiting for them looking displeased she was a Donayan a bipedal race with a triangular head which housed sharper eyesight and hearing than a human. "You've pulled me out of a important budgetary meeting."
The Senator noticed the Congressman’s friend "Who's she?"
Lisa did not like her condescending tone and said nothing as the congressman continued "Senator this is Lisa Hanson an old friend who has brought us some disturbing news."
The Senator ushered them into a small conference room furnished with a brown stone table and black leather chairs. All three sat and the congressman shared the news and information.
The Senator looked unhappy "This is serious. Look both of you go home. I will tell the Chief Elder we will meet again hopefully tomorrow."
With that the congressman and Lisa left awaiting the result of the next days meeting. Both realised they had time to fill.
Congressman Smith look to Lisa "What are you doing now?"
Lisa looked unsure "I was considering going back to the Avenger until I was summoned."
The congressman shook his head "No your not. Come back to mine I am sure you could use a good meal."
Lisa looked to him and knew it had been a while since she had a home cooked meal living on rations and often eating food in questionable restaurants "Sure, why not."
They walked together through the quiet city streets eventually stopping at a modest four storey apartment block located at the end of a narrow street.
The air was quiet a gentle breeze rustled distant trees. Lisa followed the congressman into his apartment up to the top floor.
Both had said little yet both were eager to talk.
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