The intelligence that was coming back from Sympathizer and other sources on and near Zeta Reticulon was unanimous. The biotoxin had done its job far better than even the most optimistic Resistance projections had predicted. Seventy-two hours after dispersal, 738 out of the 744 targeted Elite ruling class on Zeta were either dead or close to death. Unfortunately, there were also innocent casualties that were reported. As painful as these losses were, they were not surprising given the logistical realities associated with the dual-dispersion plan that ultimately was implemented. For the Resistance, the most personal loss associated with these casualties was the death of infiltration team member Male Hybrid 15, or MH15 as many referred to him. While a full autopsy had yet to be conducted, the cause of MH15's death was most likely from inadvertent ingestion of the airborne variant as a result of a compromised biofilter that was orally implanted prior to the mission.

Cairo had reported his death to General Allison Coker just minutes ago and the pain and guilt in her voice was unmistakable. Unfortunately, the General knew exactly what she was going through. She tried to console Cairo and let her know that it was not her fault and that there was nothing she could have done to change the outcome. But Coker knew that the pain was much too fresh for her. As such, it was impossible for her words to have a meaningful effect. Not now anyway...

Despite the tragic loss of life associated with MH15 and the Zeta innocents whose only crime was being at the wrong place at the wrong time, the overall outlook for billions of other tortured souls scattered throughout Sektor V could not be any brighter on this transformative day. Within a period of 72 Earth hours, nearly the entire ruling class on Zeta Reticulon had been surgically wiped out, including the all-important Supreme Leader, Zultan Toeth. Coker along with everyone else on the Terran Leadership Council simply was having a hard time getting their heads wrapped around that inconceivable fact. Even more encouraging, Coker learned that preliminary reports from many provinces were starting to come in that suggested the general populace was already starting to peacefully organize and take the first necessary steps to secure their new world. Of course, at this very early stage, instances of opportunistic looting and isolated cases of vigilante-style violence against vestiges of the outgoing Elite ruling class were to be found as well. Still, given the scale and velocity of change that was unfolding planet-wide, some degree of collateral damage and initial instability was to be expected. Even amid all the local chaos and change, news of the Zeta Elite's demise had yet to fully reverberate throughout Sektor V, which was one reason many within the Command Center were not counting their chickens just yet. And General Coker was not about to let anyone get comfortable...

"General Holland, I have asked you twice and you have yet to give me a clear answer to my question," she said impatiently. " I will ask one more time ...Are all 12 strike teams clear of their respective global Terran compounds? I will not launch our attack until I know where our people stand ...literally."

Holland was looking down at a screen showing the position of the Western Australian Resistance recon team that had just successfully extricated 14 Hybrids and 2 Humans from the Zeta Hybrid research and military facility. Instead of looking up at Coker he just exhaled...slowly and deeply. He too was losing his patience.

Holland responded without looking up.

"You can ask as many times as you like, Allison. The truth of the matter, which obviously is something you are not entirely interested in hearing, is that we do not know exactly how many Hybrids and Humans exist in each one of these Zeta Gulags. Our ground forces are doing their best but we have limited resources and intelligence and in no uncertain terms can we save everyone we would like to save."

After pausing for a few seconds, he looked up, and this time, responded to the General with direct eye contact.

"What I can tell you with absolute certainty is that, globally, we have lost 46 of our own, trying to save everyone..."

Gus, who was also present in the remote outpost Terran Command room, along with Maddy, Quintavius, and Melkaan, quickly interjected.

"Ok, before this gets sideways, let's just stop. None of us have slept in days and it shows. We're all irritable, but last time I checked we're all still on the same team and just lopped off all the heads of a pretty nasty hydra-like enemy. So, what do you say we cut out the adolescent crap and just play nice instead?"

Maddy, who was across the table from Gus, couldn't help herself from smiling. No BS G-U-S. It was one of the things she truly admired about him. He could herd cats with the best of them. And in this particular case, the claws were definitely out and raring to go, she thought to herself.

As Maddy felt the firm pressure of Quin's extraterrestrial foot on hers about a half-second after completing her last thought, she chuckled, realizing that the expectation of Human mental privacy was likely gone forever...at least in mixed company like this.

"Fair enough. Let's try that once again. General," Coker calmly stated, "do you think we should commence fire on all 12 global compounds? Our friends from Alpha Centauri are in orbit awaiting our command."

"Yes. We have done everything that we can. Our last team is well outside the blast radius from the Sydney Compound," Holland replied as he returned his gaze towards the ops screen located just above the floor.

"Well then, let us proceed...."

As Coker began motioning to her communications officer to give the strike commands to the AC forces orbiting above Earth, Holland quickly stopped her and added, "Before we begin, I want to be on record stating that we did not come close to saving everyone, and that our mission is not complete. It NEVER is with these bastards. Roaches will cease to exist long before these despicable creatures follow them to extinction."

Just in case Holland wasn't quite "finished", Coker waited a few seconds before re-issuing her order to have AC forces simultaneously strike all Zeta occupation facilities on Earth. The location of their Resistance Command Center was over 400km from the nearest Zeta Compound, which was located in Lima, Peru. Coker knew that there would be no direct or indirect fallout from the impending destruction. In addition to the Terran orbital strikes, Coker gave commands to take out Zeta's partially-rebuilt research and operational center located on the dark side of the Moon. Doing so would eliminate the possibility that Zeta forces could react and respond locally or communicate with their remote allied forces in a timely manner.

As the Terran tactical strikes began, Quintavius and Melkaan were communicating ancillary plans to eliminate Hybrid bases on the five remaining Outerworlds Zeta forces occupied. Days earlier, local Resistance groups on those planets had completed pre-emptive rescue missions similar to the ones conducted on Earth. With a nod of affirmation to his longtime friend, Melkaan contacted the Sirran scout ship in low Earth orbit with instructions to relay attack commands to ground forces strategically located on the Outerworlds. In a matter of minutes, each of the five previously enslaved worlds would soon be liberated. Even to Quintavius, who had experienced many surprising outcomes over his multi-century existence, the massive and nearly instantaneous shift in the balance of power that was unfolding before his eyes was truly remarkable. So much so that he decided to do something he rarely did...vocalize his thoughts.

"We are witnessing a truly transformative moment for all of Sektor V. A moment in time that will forever improve the lives of billions of sentient beings."

Gus and Maddy looked at each other, both in agreement with what he had just said, but also displayed a bit of genuine surprise after hearing Quintavius speak.

A bit high pitched, but not too bad...considering.

"Thank you, Gus," Quintavius added, with a smile.

"Not gonna lie Quin, I don't think I'll ever get used to the feeling of you stripping off my mental clothes. I get it, but trust me when I tell you it'll be a while before lowbrow, mouth-breathing Humans like me fully adjust."

Everyone not named Melkaan laughed. Not that Gus was surprised. I'd be willing to bet he's never laughed, Gus thought. Well, maybe, centuries ago, a small laugh...one time.

"No, not to my recollection," Quin replied verbally.

They all laughed a second time and glanced over at Mekaan, who predictably, either didn't get it or chose not to get it.

Besides Melkaan, there was a second person in the room who also wasn't in much of a laughing mood.

"Not to break up the comedy fest, but we are far from done here," barked general Holland.

"Let's not forget these jackasses have some very nasty allies. We don't want to get caught with our pants down, especially with our people still on the ground. We need to make sure all of our rescue forces and survivors are off the surface as soon as possible."

Holland's wakeup call served as a cue for General Coker to alert AC and Arcturus transport shuttles, currently in geosynchronous orbit, to get into place on the planet's surface. Similar recovery operations would need to get moving on the five Outerworlds as well. As recovery operations were set in motion on Earth and elsewhere, tensions in the Command Room began to subside.

Sensing the break in the mood, Maddy addressed Quintavius.

"Mr. Chairperson, can you give us an update regarding conditions on Zeta?"

"Absolutely, my dear," he responded telepathically. "As you already know, Cairo and members of her operational team, including the three surviving Terran Hybrids, Zeta natives Tiru and Trace Flireen along with Dietra Bitrall managed to extricate themselves off Zeta and now are safely on Arcturus. As for conditions on the planet itself, we have already established a sizable peacekeeping footprint on the ground. While fully understandable, the co-existing emotions of euphoria and revenge are disruptive and have proved somewhat challenging to deal with. We simply cannot dismiss the fact that the overwhelming majority of people on the planet have endured 100s and in some provinces 1000s of solar cycles of deep oppression. As such, this newfound optimism and reason for hope are hard for some to fathom, let alone fully embrace. With such a confusing backdrop, some level of disruption is to be expected. It is unfortunate, but any Zeta citizen who previously aligned with Elitist interests is now finding it difficult to survive. We are trying to help their citizens get through the early stages of this transition. Still, amidst the chaos and upheaval, the overwhelming emotions of the Zeta people right now are relief and joy. Our goal is to foster these positive sentiments while simultaneously doing what we can to dampen the instinctual gravitation towards revenge and violence. We have had some early success in this regard, and are confident, that in time, stability will naturally take hold as Zeta citizens begin to embrace the incredible promise that lies ahead."