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,” the tiger shot back, gesturing around him at the other delegates. “This whole set-up reeks of conspiracy. Summoning us here for a quote-unquote ‘diplomatic meeting’ to discuss a ‘peaceful resolution of conflict’.” He scoffed. “Peaceful, my foot. There isn’t a peaceful bone in your body, nor will there ever be. We know you better than that, or at least I do.” He leaned over the table. “Either this is a trick, or you’re not Galika Lukanol at all.”
‘The gullible fool.’ Lukanol wanted to grin with triumph. Everything was going according to plan, and Lucama was playing right into his hands without even knowing it. But he managed to maintain the façade, standing slowly with a look of resignation on his face. “Very well, Dario. I didn’t expect you to believe it anyway. But it is me, and this is no trick. I’m only interested in the common good here, and I would like to say we all are.”
He looked at all of them in turn, seemingly imploring them to agree, but in truth gauging their reactions. “For a hundred years we have lived in peace, and we have certainly prospered from it. But now we stand on the brink of conflict once again. Our people are looking to us to resolve these issues here and now. They fear a new war, and who can blame them? War is a travesty. And while I am no pacifist, as my colleague Dario so tactfully pointed out, neither do I wish to see my home fall. I only want the best for our people.”
The others stared at him incredulously, hardly daring to believe that such words could come from his mouth. He saw hope blossoming on the faces of many of them, and a few of the more bold delegates nodded and murmured in agreement.
Dario, however, was not convinced. “Words, Lukanol. Empty words that have already been spouted dozens of times for weeks. You cry for peace and the good of the people, but do you really care? And besides, this world is already a utopia. You said as much yourself.”
Lukanol fixed the tiger in his fierce stare. “It was before you took advantage of the rest of us.” He looked around him at the gathering. “Still, that doesn’t mean we all have to stoop to bickering like children. Can’t we all just make an attempt at diplomacy and peace? Why must we fight over the mines, when we could share the wealth?”
Lucama just shook his head and laughed. “Really, Lukanol. If this is the best case you can make, I think you have exhausted your arguments.” He smiled haughtily. “And in any case, there is no point in negotiating. The mines are ours now, and ours they shall stay. I have no intention of dividing them up. If you have nothing else to bring forth, there’s no further point to this meeting.”
‘Got him,’ Lukanol shouted in his head. Dario had taken the bait; now to spring the trap. “Truthfully I’d hoped it wouldn’t come to this,” he lied. With a flourish, he slid the portfolio he had carried in across the table to Dario. The tiger picked it up warily and opened it, scanning the pages with suspicion. But as he read, his expression changed to one of shock, and his eyes grew wide as he gaped like a beached fish.
“That is the bill I am putting forward,” Lukanol said calmly. “I am calling for the Tigers to completely release their hold on the mines in the territories of the other races, with immediate effect. This is your last chance, Dario. Surrender those territories within the next forty-eight hours. If not…”
He shook his head as though a great burden weighed him down. The other delegates waited anxiously for him to speak again. The entire room went still. No-one moved, no-one spoke, and the sounds of their breaths seemed impossibly loud.
At last, Lukanol lifted his head and looked at the tiger. His eyes seemed to blaze like fire, and Dario froze under the force of his gaze. “If not, and if all other efforts have failed, then we shall declare your defiance an act of war, and shall respond accordingly.”
A gasp reverberated through the room, but Galika remained unflinching. He stared at Dario, waiting for the tiger’s response. Once again he feared that the other feline would break form and acquiesce. ‘Come on, you fool!’ he screamed in his mind. ‘Don’t let that greed of yours fail you now!’
Dario finally seemed to gather his thoughts, though he was quite obviously intimidated. “You… can’t do this.” He shook his head and seemed to grow more confident. “You have no right to declare open war, Lukanol! It won’t stand!”
“Oh, but I have every right. You have invaded the territories of other races, seized control of resources outside of your jurisdiction, and now refuse to see reason. And who knows what is next? If you were bold enough to take control of mines in the territories of others, what is to stop you from expanding your reach?”
Pulling out a small remote, he pressed a series of buttons, activating a holo-projector. A string of text appeared in midair, rotating slowly. With a few more clicks, Galika had highlighted and enlarged a region of text.
“This