and turned to Kathim. “And you. I presume our hit men are in position? I want to be sure any dissention will be dealt with promptly.”
Zetopa nodded. “All armed and accounted for. The only thing they need is your command.”
Lukanol sat back in his chair, thinking. For several moments, all was silence as the three delegates waited for their leader to speak. Finally, he sat forward once more, a wicked gleam in his golden eyes. “Very well. I think it’s time we set things in motion. Arrange a conference with the other leaders at the nearest convenient date. It won’t be long now before everything falls into place.”
He grinned and twisted the ring on his finger, feeling the contours of the ancient crest. “And then… Then we will rise to power once more.”
Over the next few weeks the media was consumed by a firestorm of stories revolving around the Tigrid’s seizure of the ovaritanium mines and the fear of war. Day after day the reports told of meetings between leading Senate members, but every one ended in crushing disappointment as negotiations broke down. No matter how hard the other leaders pushed, the Tigrids remained unmoving, and the harsh rebukes of Lucama Dario did nothing to ease the tension. With every passing sunset, hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict dwindled, and many began to prepare for the worst.
Amidst the mounting fear, Matakh felt a heavy weight building within his heart. With every failed meeting, every dismal headline, he grew more and more depressed. The changes in his behavior were a cause of great concern to his family, and his parents did all they could to try and lift his spirits. But every day he spoke less, and his appetite was beginning to suffer. He spent much of his time now sequestered in his room, praying and reading his Bible in a desperate search for comfort. Meea was growing especially concerned for her older brother, but even she couldn’t find a way to improve his mood.
Only one thing ever seemed to break through Matakh’s depression, and that was the continued visits of the little fox. Ever since that morning weeks before, the Etaris had made it a point to leave meals out for him, and more often than not they would find the plates cleaned off, a small trinket attached to them. He still remained in the shadows, and they never caught more than a brief glimpse of him. But nevertheless, the young fennec had become a large part of their lives, as well as a light for Matakh’s otherwise dark days.
Then, towards the middle of July, the newspapers exploded with a story that brought the first ray of hope in weeks. ‘Delegate Galika Lukanol Requests Gathering of Racial Leaders: Warrior Gone Pacifist? Filius Can Only Hope.’ When he read the headlines, Matakh finally saw a light at the end of the tunnel he had been trapped in. Everyone knew about Galika Lukanol, and while he was famous for his aggressive tactics and explosive nature, he was also one of the most influential people in the Filian Supreme Senate. If he chose to vote for peace, the chances of resolution would increase by leaps and bounds. That day, Matakh had spent hours in prayer, pleading that this hope would not be proven in vain. All that he, and the rest of Filius, could do was watch and wait for an event that could change its future forever. The fate of an entire planet rested in the hands of one person.
Chapter Three: The Hammer Falls
“Is everything ready?” Lukanol demanded as he strode down the Senate Building’s Main Hall, Delegates Dafili, Vahiki, and Kathim at his heels. His tail twitched erratically behind him, and his eyes were blazing with concentration. “Talk.”
Vahiki nodded, trying his best to keep pace. “Just as you wished it. Everyone is present and accounted for, and we have operatives in place in case things don’t go quite as planned.”
Lukanol nodded. “Perfect.”
The four lions were on their way to one of the Senate’s spacious conference rooms, where the meeting between all the leading racial delegates of Filius was set to take place. All throughout the building, tension seemed to hang like a cloud. Word of the meeting had spread like wildfire, and as the four lions made their way through the halls, everyone seemed to part around them. All eyes glanced furtively at the passing felines, in particular the tall, imposing figure of Lukanol himself.
For his part, Galika seemed totally oblivious to his surroundings, lost as he was in his thoughts. ‘After so many years of planning and fine-tuning… All the painful waiting is about to pay off. The pieces are coming together just like I planned. All they need is one final push…’ He stepped into the lift tube and pressed the button for the appropriate floor. As the platform shot upwards, he smiled and patted the file held tightly in his arms. ‘And I’ve got that right here. When the others see this, it’ll spark the war that will decide this world’s fate.’
He checked the handgun tucked in his breast pocket, ensuring it was within easy reach. ‘Just in case things get too violent,’ he assured himself. ‘It always pays to be extra careful, especially where war is concerned.’
The elevator bell dinged and the doors swished open, and the waiting delegates outside parted to allow them through. Galika nodded curtly as they passed by, striding down the hallway towards the conference room. He finally seemed to notice the way everyone else was watching him, the mixture of apprehension and optimism that was in their eyes. They knew, all of them, that he held the fate of the entire planet in his hands. A thrill of pride rose up in him, pride at all that he had achieved and how far his plans had come. ‘And it’s just beginning.’
They reached the elaborate double doors and stood for a few moments, composing themselves for the task ahead. For a brief moment, Galika felt a twinge of concern. Once he stepped inside, there would be no going back. If Dario failed to cave, or the other delegates didn’t take the bait, everything would fall apart and years of plotting would be wasted. But he had come too far to stop now, and with that thought in his mind, he set his hands to the doors and pushed.
All eyes within the room instantly turned towards him, and the conversations that had filled the air ground to a halt. As always, Galika’s confident bearing and imposing figure dominated the assembly, commanding their attention and respect. He noticed with satisfaction the nervousness that took hold of several delegates, and was pleased to see the defiance written across the striped face of Lucama Dario. So far, everyone was reacting exactly as he had anticipated.
He glanced around the room, taking careful count of the other occupants. As well as Dario, he could see Cheetah Ezrachi Saticol and his aids, their black spots and tear-streaks standing in stark contrast to their golden fur and white suits. Leopard Jugo Makilla stood side-by-side with the Puma Omali Tuthur, and Margay Representative Geraldo Mastara seated opposite. There were others as well, all leading delegates of various races, all of whom had received his invitations. To his satisfaction, no-one appeared absent. Better to know where everyone stood; an unseen variable was the most dangerous of all.
“I’m glad you could all come,” he began, his voice echoing around the chamber. “Please be seated. Drinks should be here shortly.” He pulled up a chair at the head of the table and took his seat, pausing so the others could do the same. He had to suppress a smile when he saw the nervous glances they cast towards him, as well as to the security officers stationed around the room. Though such an escort was mandatory at such gatherings, their presence here was more worrisome than comforting.
No-one spoke for several moments, and the silence hung in the air until it was almost tangible. At last, Lucama Dario broke the ice, standing and glaring across the table. “What are you up to, Galika?” he asked, his eyes sharp and probing.
‘True to form,’ Galika thought smugly. ‘Arrogant and pompous, just as I’d hoped.’ Still, he feigned innocence. “I’m sorry?”
“Don’t play dumb,”
