[Gozra]

President Ralaen Stood on the balcony overlooking the city a large drink swallowed up in his fist. The city lights melted with the horizon. He mused about the changes he had brought about since taking power 27 months ago. Twenty-four new planets added to the Alliance, several new ships added to the fleet.
"Is there anything more your Excellency?" Asked Gary.
"No thank you Gary. Please ask Helen to send in Admiral Mateo as soon as She arrives."
"Very good, Sir"
Admiral Mateo marched grimly down the halls of the presidential Palace. Bearers of bad tidings were never a welcome thing. And what she had to tell the President was not good. She was surprised at how rapidly She was ushered into the Presidents office.
“Your Excellency” The Admiral snapped to attention.
President Ralaen waited until Helen had left and shut the door. He turned slowly and crossed the room.
“ Admiral.” He paused. “Please sit down.”
Without waiting Ralaen started speaking.
“At first glance Admiral I would think we have a problem.”
Admiral Mateo sat into the nearest chair no expression on her face. But the thoughts in her mind struggling to gain their equilibrium a little off balance at the swift pace the meeting was going. Things simply were not done this way normally.
“I have seen the early reports on 1st Thraen task force they acquitted themselves well. However losing one ship for every one of the UF’ers is no way to run a fleet action.”
“No sir it is not.” Replied the Admiral.
“ We need to find answers to this regenerating armor”
“Yes, Sir. Your Excellency I have more bad news to report.” She grimily plowed on.
“The surviving ships of the task force made landfall and repairs at the Exiles of Kor”s planet Priintlot I sir. Then the United Florals followed them in and the rest of the task force was destroyed”
“The Exiles of Kor are not at war with the Florals?” asked the President.
“Apparently not Sir they must have recently made an agreement with them that we were unaware of.”
“Do we have anything to hit back with admiral?”
“ I’m afraid not sir we are stretched thin as it is we are still at war with the Toltayans and we have more threats to the west and we still have not heard from the Prince Carlton Fleet.”
President Ralaen walked back to the edge of the balcony hands clasped behind his back. Looking out over the city once again. ‘Damn. He thought one step forward two backward. The Floral attacks were just being suppressed.”
He stared for a moment longer. Turning He eased back into the room.
“Admiral pull as many ships together as you can make sure the Florals can’t get into our home systems and protect our remote miners. I am going to have a word with the Exiles. And see if we can’t persuade them to at least break their treaties with the Florals.”
“Sir.” The Admiral rose to her feet. “The Fleet understands.”
John Ralaen reached for his 8th wife hugging her to him She reached down to him holding him tight.
“I think we can make it right John you’ll see”
“ Sure hope so I would hate to fire you Sandra.”
“Busy tonight?” She asked.
The President sighed.
“No rest for the wicked.”
“And the righteous don’t need none” She held his head to her chest.