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Part One

VOLUNTEERS

1

PETRA

To: Chaar[email protected]

From: Locke[email protected]

Re: What are you doing to protect the children?

Dear Adar,

I was given your idnalorified dispatcher--I'm sure you knohom I mean I realize that your priistical, and your thoughts are turned to space rather than the political situation on Earth After all, you decisively defeated the nationalist forces led by your predecessor in the League War, and that issue seems settled The IF rerateful

What no one seems to understand is that peace on Earth is -pent expansionisressive designs on their neighbors The forces of the Strategos are being disbanded, the Hege all authority, and Earth is poised on the edge of cataclysm

The most powerful resource of any nation in the wars to come will be the children trained in Battle, Tactical, and Command School While it is perfectly appropriate for these children to serve their native countries in future wars, it is inevitable that at least soeniuses or who believe that rivals have ifted commanders will inevitably take preemptive action, either to secure that enemy resource for their own use or, in any event, to deny the enerave danger of being kidnapped or killed

I recognize that you have a hands-off policy toward events on Earth, but it was the IF that identified these children and trained theets Whatever happens to these children, the IF has ulti the these children under Fleet protection, warning any nation or group atte to harm or interfere with them that they would face swift and harshthis as interference in Earthside affairs, most nations would welcome this action, and, for whatever it is worth, you would have my complete support in all public forums

I hope you will act immediately There is no time to waste