General Mark Dempsey, ever the pragmatist, was the first to break the stunned silence. "Mr. Santamo," he began, his voice steady despite the questions swirling in his mind, "you mentioned immediate coordination. What exactly are your operational parameters? What are we working with?"
Richard's gaze swept over the council, calm and direct. "General, and members of the United Earth Defense Pact council," his voice was clear, resonant, filling the cavernous room without effort.
