“What we’re doing right here. We’re sitting, we’re talking. We come when we want. We leave when we want. We can be who we want, share our opinions and worldviews without worry or constraint, though never without consequence. There will always be consequences for speaking freely. Freedom is a lot of responsibility, but it starts by freeing your mind.”

The soldier returned her to Car’Annie.

“Did you enjoy your little jaunt?” she said in a perfect, unaffected O.E. accent.

“This plan of yours makes no sense,” Fela said. “What do you hope to accomplish?”

“You don’t see the big picture. Wars have been fought over lesser lies. Think of this exercise as a practice invasion. We want our people primed and ready for when the day actually comes that the real Interstellar Alliance arrive. It’s all about moving our agendas forward.”

“And taking back Muungano is part of that.”

“Earth has to present a united front. The aliens are no different from us. They understand strength. They understand power. Together, we will be strong. Even if we have to break all of you to get there.” Car’Annie stepped closer, gripping Fela’s jaw in her grasp. “I’ll give you one last chance to cooperate willingly.”

Fela spat in her face.

“I’m sorry it’s come to this.” A note of genuine-sounding regret filled Car’Annie’s voice. Her face awash with compassion, it hardened just as quickly, twisting into something ugly. The ease at which she feigned kindness made it all the worse. “One last performance, then. You will be given one final opportunity to speak to your people. Choose your words with care if you want your people to receive your message.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Your story ends the same either way.” Car’Annie pointed to the ground, expecting Fela to drop to her knees. She refused. A guard stepped forward to force her down. Fela braced her stance, ready for them.

“I will say what I have to say standing or not at all.”

Car’Annie waved them off and returned to her idea of an Interstellar Alliance accent. “This is a message to all who claim citizenship to Muungano. How strange it is to find so many of your agents wandering about the universe as if it all belongs to you. That you think this handful of ‘HOVA’ troops was enough to take one of our planets. That you, little more than an island adrift, on a vast, empty sea, would be enough to challenge us. Our people are shielded by our justice and security. What do you have to say for yourself, puppet of Muungano?”

Fela stepped forward, tall and proud, staring at Car’Annie. Only her blinking back tears betrayed any emotion.