"They're setting up the crowds for civil war in Europe."
"Surely not, Colonel?" asked Ryan.
They watched open mouthed as the speech continued.
"In partnership with my good friend and colleague, President Jacques, I want to announce the creation of the European Alliance, an Alliance of free nations without universal rule or regulation, with the single aim of making the World safe for all. I want to extend a welcome to all our European brothers and sisters. Join us, for the greater good."
There was a long pause, but no one in the audience made as much as a sound. They waited with bated breath to hear it to the end.
"May all Europeans see the way to peace and security for us all, and join us in this venture which will finally bring an end to the wars which have plagued our nations. As we speak, the armies of Spain are poised to move against the remaining aliens on Earth, and while I would never wish harm to come to another human, any who stand in the way of this task will meet the same fate. The advance begins in precisely ten minutes. All human forces protecting alien life have until that time to walk free. We do not ask that you lay down your weapons, nor surrender. For you are our allies. Simply join us, or walk free. Thank you, and good luck to you all."
"Ten minutes!" Ryan sighed. "That's a hell of an ultimatum. Surely they won't go ahead with it."
It was a waiting game now. Five minutes later, the news attention was turned to a hastily set up conference led by the German Prime Minster, Ms Muller, in Brussels where she had remained for the trial. She stood confidently and looked firm, but they could see in her eyes the sadness of what she was expecting.
"Thank you all for coming. I am sure you all appreciate the seriousness of the unfolding events in the World. On behalf of the UEN, I am forced to condemn the departure of nations from the UEN. Since 1957, the powers of Europe have stood as one, just as they did during the most recent wars. However, the UEN respects the rights and freedoms of those nations who choose to depart the Union. Additionally, I must state in no uncertain terms, that the UEN will not be bullied, nor stand down from its duties."
She took a deep breath before she continued with what none of them wanted to hear.
"The warmongering of this new Alliance will not be tolerated. The UEN policy on prisoners of war remains as it always has, and the forces of all our nations will fight to protect those laws and policies. The UEN does not seek bloodshed on either side, and will only respond in kind. I must repeat the comments of many of my colleagues in the UEN that we do not want war. Do not bring it upon us."
This isn't right, Taylor thought.
He could not believe they had reached the current situation so quickly, and it was clear it stunned all around him, except for Armand. The Councillor seemed all too comfortable with the events as they unfolded. He wondered if maybe he really just was that cold and heartless, or if he had a vested interest in a new conflict. He put the thought aside, as it didn't make any sense. Muller was rounding off her speech. It was heartfelt, but he couldn't imagine it would be enough to sway minds that were already polarised.
"I must underline once again. The UEN does not wish pain and suffering to come to a single human being nor alien. Remember what we fought for, and remember how hard won this peace was. Thank you, and may God be with us all."
God? He ain't gonna save you.
He looked at his watch. They were two minutes from the ultimatum. The news cameras were on the Spanish forces once again, with a timer ticking loudly at the corner of the screen. They cut to the German defenders who were equally as anxious.
"Surely they won't fight? Not to defend the Krys?" Ryan whispered.
Taylor shrugged. He prayed they would open the gates and leave the Spaniards to it. It was now the only possibility he could see for peace. The timer kept creeping down, and neither side seemed willing to back down.
Come on, don't do it.
The timer reached zero and for a moment nothing happened at all. They all held their breath and hoped, but it was not to be. After a few seconds, the Spanish forces launched into action.
Armoured vehicles rolled across the sands towards the prison complex. It was the Gafsa compound they were seeing where Taylor had recently been. They watched in silence as the vehicles tore across the sands. The press crews were filming from the air a kilometre away.
The armoured vehicles were only half a kilometre away now, and they could only watch in horror as the guns opened fire, tearing holes in the gates and walls of the facility. The troops at the walls returned fire, but they could do little against the might of the army bearing down on them. As the vehicles reached the walls and smashed into the compound, a dust cloud arose so high the camera crews could no longer see what was unfolding.
"They really did it? Human versus human?"
"It sucks, Captain, but that's our lives now. What do we do about it?" Taylor asked.
They looked to Armand for answers.
"The UEN will not and cannot stand by and let this go unanswered."
Taylor could see he knew a lot more than he was letting on as he pointed to the news screen.
The cameras panned up to the skies to dozens of fighters flashing past the news copter and opening fire. They panned back from the prison to the rest of the incoming Spanish forces. Explosions erupted amongst their ranks, and the fire demolished armoured vehicles.
Anti-aircraft missiles and gunfire soared into the sky. A few seconds later, the cameras rocked aboard the news copter as a massive explosion burst through the ship.
"We've been hit. We've been hit!" the screams rang out as the cameras shook. “We’re going down!"
Screams followed until the screens went dead, and the news feed cut back to an anchorman in an office far from the action. He was too stunned to speak for a full ten seconds."
"I...we apologise, for we have lost the feed there in Tunisia and are experiencing technical difficulties..."
He looked down at new reports coming in at the screen in front of him.
"We are getting confirmed reports that UEN forces have engaged the Spanish armies in North Africa, in what seems to be a bitter battle fought over the multiple prisons in the north of the continent."
"What he hell do we do?" Ryan asked.
"Right now? Nothing we can do."
"Why? They're killing each other."
"Yes, and what is America's position on this?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
"Precisely, this isn't the last war. That was total war where every human being fought on whatever front he or she happened to be on. But this is something very different."
"So, we do nothing because we aren't from here?"
"That about sums it up."
Taylor got to his feet. He'd seen enough. He left the room and headed for Tsengal. The alien was happy to see him, although he was surprised to not find Jafar there. Ryan stepped through a moment later.
"Jafar, where is he?"
"On guard at our perimeter with three of the crew," he replied. "World's going to hell. We hold two aliens and a UEN Councillor on board, think we aren't a target? No, I want to be ready when someone comes after us."
"A wise move," he said, looking back to Tsengal. A screen was on near him, and he was looking through recent history since the war had ended.