Sweat trickled down the back of the tight pristine white collared shirt of General Gatso Toro. He searched for the inner calm and focus he demanded of himself as the various heads of states looked on with burning questions. He must show authority with respect and stick to his script of what he was about to divulge to the senate room's occupants. The artificial light had been unsuccessfully modified to provide a soft, calming ambiance, instead giving an aura of mystery that was not needed. Thinking this, General Gatso exclaimed abruptly to a small comms mic in front of him: "Can someone turn this ridiculous lighting system to a setting where I can actually see people."
Some of the Ambassadors and heads of state were clearly startled in spite of their best efforts to display a calm resolve. The light illuminated to a clear bright surgical light that showed the concentration lines on every person present, including the ever aloof Ambassador Remeou III, Ruler of the United Pacific Peninsula.
Even though what General Gatso was about to unload was top secret, he was under the impression most of the men and women present already knew by whatever means they had employed to spy on their neighbours in arms, that something had been discovered by a mining ship in the outer rings of Jupiter.
"Well I guess most of you gentlemen, and ladies," he nodded to the two present "are wondering why you have all been called to this urgent assembly and why the need for such secrecy," grumbled the General with his hands tightly clasped together. No one offered a reply.
He paused, composing himself whilst also giving his shirt cuffs a small tug so they lined up perfectly with his jacket. He looked up quickly catching all their eyes almost at once as he had intended by distracting them to his cuffs.
"18 Hours ago we confirmed for the first time in earth's history that we..." © David Patrick Farrell 2010