[ WP ] War has been raging for years upon years now . You are a reporter embedded in a famous military unit among your newest allies in this war , humanity .

All the Haja'r, in all of the Haja'r planets were all positioned in some manner around whatever video screen they could. Nothing in the history of their species could quite match up to what was about to happen, even the War that had now raged for well over fifty years could surpass the extraordinary events that they were all witnessing right now. 
 A hush fell over the packed bar on the outskirts of the main industrial city of Umm'kal. Outside, the factories themselves had ceased their relentless activity because there was nobody there to operate the machinery. The surrounding streets had never been so empty. Every face in that dingy little bar turned toward the large telescreen and watched, enraptured. 
 `` Hello and welcome to a very special episode of Hard News. My name is Trgut'Spa and with us tonight is our glorious leader Hatr'Dta and the commanding officer of the Combined Forces Foty'jak. Joining us in tonight's discussion we have a guest of such importance and power that is truly a turning point in our species development.'' 
 Trgut'Spa turned to another camera and with an almost religious reverence continued, `` What we are about to do is unprecedented to almost every known species in the known Universe. It brings me the greatest of pleasure to introduce Peter Gillman, the Human Union Council Leader.'' 
 The picture on the telescreen in the bar panned around the faces of their very own leader, then the Commander and finally rested on the Human. There was a collective intake of breath from everyone present, then the mummering started; What did it mean for the war? Where they joining our side? Will they bring us into the Fold? 
 The presenter reclaimed the screen. `` Firstly, let me begin with our Leader; Hatr'Dta. THe only question on the lips of every Haja'r right now is this; What does this mean? Can you elaborate for us?'' 
 Hatr'Da took a deep breath through his gills, `` Simply put, yes. The Humans have allied themselves with us. Up until now our contact has only ever been rare and sporadic points of trade. Today, that has all changed. They are willing to put their might behind us to liberate ourselves from the death and destruction that this interminable war has put upon us.'' He sat back with just a little sweat gleaming on his brow. 
 Trgut'Spa pushed the issue. `` That is truly great news. However, what do they want in return?'' 
 The leader was quick to answer, `` Nothing. Nothing at all. I could n't believe it either, but it is true.'' 
 This answer stunned Trgut'Spa as he had prepared a lengthy rebuttal on any possible demands the Humans wanted in return for their help. Thinking quickly the presenter moved on to the Commander, `` Commander, what does this mean for the War? Are we insight of the end?'' 
 Foty'Jak was cool and calm under pressure, as would be expected of a Haja'r that held the lives of billions in his hand, but he was also conscious of those billions of eyes on him right now. `` The Humans are the most technologically advanced species in the known Universe. Their power, strength and wealth are legendary. However, so is their neutrality. Their isolationism from other species has been the cause of great concern over the millennia, with many commentators suggesting that they are only leaping forward to gain evolved transcendence quicker and leave the rest of us behind. But, I am happy to dispel those concerns and tell every Haja'r that they are here to help us bring the War to swift and decisive conclusion for us. With the Humans as allies we will have victory in longer than one week.'' 
 At that statement the Haja'r in the bar erupted in triumph and relief. Every single one of them had lost loved ones during the War and the knowledge that no more would be lost was the greatest boost to the species morale since they had invented space travel. 
 The presenter seemed aghast at the prediction and then turned to the Human, `` Mr Peter Gillman, It is a great pleasure to have you with us today. The news that you bring is truly wonderful. Can you give us any detail on how you intend to bring the War to a close?'' 
 Peter smiled warmly and leant forward in the chair that had been specifically designed and built for the Human. Humans were after all a good three feet shorter than any Haja'r, even a fully grown Human. `` Trgut'Spa. Firstly, thank you for the warm welcome your people of shown me and my delegation. Secondly, I can not divulge any information on the battle plans that my Generals and yours have drawn up. Im sorry. what I can say is that it will take the minimum of our resources to secure your victory.'' Peter sat back. 
 `` I understand, sir. Perhaps you can answer some other questions i have?'' Trgut'Spa said a little smugly. 
 `` Please, ask away and i'll do my best to answer them fully.'' Peter seemed completely unfazed by the occasion or the look of mistrust in the presenters three eyes. 
 `` Thank you. Well... Here I go then. Why? I mean, why now have you decided to help us? You are not exactly known for your outward looking policies.'' 
 `` That's true. After ten thousand years of space travel our neutrality and isolationism has began to make us disinterested and almost callous in the affairs of the species that we share this Universe with. For our own development, that could not be allowed to continue. It was an opinion shared by over 98 % of the Human species. So here we are, ready to help and open ourselves up to you.'' Peter spoke with the passion of a true politician. 
 `` Well, that is interesting to hear Mr Gillman. But why us? And why now?'' Trgut'Spa was still a little dubious of the Human's motives. 
 `` Obviously, we keep track of many races in the Universe and track their developments and progress. The Haja'r were shown to be the most promising. To see that potential wasted at the hands of an aggressor would be a tragedy. We genuinely want to help anyway we can. And not just in the War. We want to set up strong trade links with, cultural exchanges, pool and share knowledge and work together to the betterment of us all.'' 
 Trgut'Spa seemed to be satisfied for the moment or he was told to be, but either way he introduced their roving reporter. 
 `` Trgut'Spa, I can hear you loud and clear.'' 
 `` Can you tell us where you are and what you're doing?'' 
 `` I'm here in the Human home system of Sol. I'm currently orbiting the largest gas giant in the system, Jupiter, in the war vessel they are dispatching to the conflict zone. As you can see behind me the crew is made of not just Humans but also the best war pilots and strategists we have. They're working together to ready the ship to leave, which should be in the next two minutes.'' 
 `` Did i hear you correctly? One vessel?'' Trgut'Spa smelt blood. He knew there had to be a catch to this new found altruism from the Humans, they did n't want to help they wanted the Haja'r. 
 `` Thats correct. One ship. I'm told that is all it will take to completely neutralize the enemy fleet.'' 
 `` But at last count, their fleet was well over ninety thousand war frigates. Is your information accurate?'' 
 `` Let me introduce you to the Captain of the Human Union Council Nautilus, Captain Smith.'' The reporter turned his head lumberingly toward the captain, `` Captain, no doubt you heard the question posed. Tell us, will this one ship suffice?'' 
 `` Let me assure you and all of the Haja'r species, this vessel will prevail. We have produced this new class of vessel especially to deal with the problem you have. I can not give details on it's specification as yet, but trust me when i say, you will win now. Im sorry but i must get back to my post.'' 
 The captain marched off and began conferring with a Haja'r. 
 `` So there you have it In a little over a week we will have reclaimed our planets and made a powerful ally... One Minute... What's happening?..We are about to depart. The vessel is moving... No its not... It feels like it its... The hull is transparent... OH MY GODS!!! We're in the War now....The enemy ships are exploding all over space... Theres thousands of them... We're at their homeworld... I've never seen anything like it... We have incoming... Incoming from everywhere...'' 
 The picture was lost. The Haja'r in the stinking bar stared at the video screen in stunned silence. What the hell was going on? 
 
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 A bit rough, but what do you expect for half an hours work.: ) Any feedback would be great. 
 
 
 
 
 

