Chapter 3 Six years ago Argo Baker walked with her husband down a hall of statues, paintings of the Traveller, and hero's. She bowed her head as she passes a portrait with an impressive gold frame. As they made their way to the council chambers the pace was brisk and silent. Her speech was not well prepared but time was of the essence and silver words would have to be replaced by copper reason and iron resolve. She stopped at the chamber doors to think and compose herself. Alex placed a heavy hand on her shoulder and looked for the words to give his beloved wife courage. "We must speak to the council now my love. Argo, I love you". She placed her hand on top of her husbands. "I'm ready Alex, Traveler help us". She said this more out of repetition than belief. Argo and her protector cut through the bickering and shouting being made by old men and women, sitting down at her place as minister of science. "Order, order, order please. Thank you." Called the speaker of the house Dr Ivan Santamaria banging his gavel. "The council acknowledges council member Baker" Argo stood up as her stomach sank. "Ladies and gentleman of this council. I bring news from our recent studies of the Traveller". Argo slotted a control chip in the round slot at the end of her station. A huge digital image of the traveller appeared in the centre of the room and began to rotate. "We have been studying the traveler for many years since it can to our planet. In the following decades we have learned much about the power systems and control devices that make up the travellers outer shell. We have been able to adapt its complex power and advanced technology into our military and civil applications to great success. But until now we have not been able to breach it's inner core." She tapped on the display now illuminated on her desk and zoomed the image through the travellers exoskeleton and into the many tunnels and rooms inside. The room sat hushed as Argo manuvered the display to a single area which seemed to be the focus point of the presentation. "Here is where we have concentrated most of our efforts. This section of hull appears to be an entry point but we had no way of opening it. Fellow council members, as of 0400 hours this morning we have entered the Traveller. The room erupted with emotion. Some members didn't know how to respond, either to cheer or simply gasp as the magnitude of this accomplishment. Argo didn't wait for any congratulations or praise, she just continued with her briefing. "I immediately organized a special team to enter and evaluate the new structure and begin to catalogue everything". Her shaking hand took a glass of water and drank as deeply as the hole she wanted to crawl into. "We have to destroy the Traveller". Immediately shutting her eyes knowing the reaction that was occurring beyond her eyelids. Cry's of blasphemy and traitor washed over her from every side of the great hall. Alex stepped forward wanting to throw a shield over her. Protecting her from the venomous poison being spewed forth. But he knew this was her fight and not a place for a soldier. Argo was a Warlock and everything she was saying goes against years of teaching and study of the Traveller, but what she saw inside the Traveller had shook her faith to the core. As the room was brought to order the security teams were seen to enter the hall fully armed for only the second time this century. Dr Ivan continuously bangs his gavel calling all to order and to be seated. "Fellow council members. I am as shocked as you are and demand an explanation for such an outrageous out burst". "Here, here" the restless savages jeered. The gavel is brought down onto its tourtured partner once again. The words seemed to blow Argo down to her seat. Accusations such as traitor and blasphemy were to be expected, but the impact cut deep into her already confused mind. The rooms eyes and mouths moved up and down as Argo stood to address her unsettled audience. "My fellow council members". Her words cut short by a muttering of the croud. This confirmed Argo's thoughts that she had less time as a fellow member with each word she spoke. "Please, my fellow council members. I must urge you to consider my recommendation to destroy the Traveller immediately. If we do not the consequences could be disastrous. I have discovered that the Travellers presence here was never to save us from the alien invasion". Argo knew what would come next. "And what proof do you have of the Travellers intentions? Might we see it for ourselves"? Dr Ivan quietly posed his question in a sarcastic tone and with little respect. Alex's heightened senses knew where each of the elite guards had positioned themselves. He also knew what tactical drills were running through their minds, mostly because he had written a few of the contingency plans himself. His eyes flicked about the room taking note of the soldiers and re-evaluating who would be the easiest target and who posed the biggest threat to Argo. The Travellers deciples are spread across every race and creed on earth, and their loyalty may cause unanticipated results should this come to combat. Argo stared down at her table, looking for inspiration in the illuminated buttons on her desk. Only the faces of Laura and Louis could be seen in her minds eye. "I ask the councils permission time to gather the evidence and prove the Travellers true intentions". "No! She will try to destroy the Traveller if allowed to return". A voice from the murmuring pack of wolves added. "I agree" all in mass approval, followed by thunderous applause. The slowness of Dr Ivan Santamaria's gavel sounded like a firing squads last orders to present, aim and fire. "It is with regret that I must asked Professor Argo Baker, minister of science to step down and be taken into custody on the charge of treason". Alex prepared himself and addressed the encircling security. "Do you not understand? All we ask is for time. Why do you refuse to open your eyes"? The guards slowed as they approached their commander. "I shall not let you drag her through the streets like some dog"! Roared Alex now bent at the knee. He awaited the advance from the inexperienced Titans first. It arrived on cue. Titan guard Wheeler was the son of a four star general and here by only his father's good grace. He was as aggressive as he was stupid, reaching forward like a child asking to be picked up. The grip from Alex was strong as it was fast, tugging and twisting Wheeler into another on rushing guard. Three other guards moved for the easier of the two targets. Many hours of close quarters training had taught Alex how to handle multiple attackers and he put every second to good use. He then made himself as big and wide as possible covering Argo. The sound of a charging weapon is all to distinctive to his seasoned ears. The speaker of the house stepped down from his elevated position and walked towards the out numbered couple. "Alex, Argo. We simply can not have such a display among our friends". The sincerity was lost to all but himself. Argo sighed heavily and slipped underneath her husbands tensed bicep. "We will come....". Argo doubled over as the sound of a pistol cracked around the hall. Alex caught his wife's body before it fell to the ground. He could not process the anger, sadness and disbelief. He knelt holding his wife's head, drowning his vision in tears. "For the Traveller" said Wheeler clutching his service issue revolver. Dr Ivan looked at the guards and flicked his head in the direction of the fallen council member. Two guards took Alex by the arms and pulled the broken man from his wife's lifeless body. "Aahhhh" the eruption came from somewhere deep inside Alex's soul. In one fluid motion the Commander of the Elite guard broke from is captures and smashed Wheelers throat between his index finger and thumb. By the sheer power of the blow Wheelers neck could no longer support the weight of his head. Wheelers eyes rolled back into his skull as it slumped to his attackers wrist. One prisoner and two body's were then removed from the great hall.