**"The Line is Crossed"** [[wiki:df|{{ :df.png?nolink&50|}}]] ---- Executive House \\ Olympic City, Emerald Alliance \\ January 11, 0120 R.C. \\ ---- ^ {{:wiki:harvey.png?nolink&200|}} ^ ^ Alliance President [[wiki:harvey_leigh_tulliver|Harvey Leigh Tulliver.]] ^ “So, it’s war, then.” A tense silence befell the office of the Alliance President. Harley Leigh Tulliver had faced, with increasing intensity, the consequences of the Coalition’s conflict with Spacer discontent affecting her administration, bringing with it increasing public opposition to the Alliance’s membership within the Coalition. As a member state, it was expected that the Alliance be in lock-step with the policies and actions of the Coalition, despite the realities of the situation. Before her desk lay a transcript of Coalition Secretary-General Matthias Kehr’s declaration of war against the Sovereign Colonies Compact, as it had been televised globally. “Madam President, you must address this,” said the Alliance Chief of Staff, Arne Helsing, who stood beside her. “This is unprecedented, and we have a duty to our citizens... and the Coalition.” “I am well aware,” Tulliver replied. Her voice did well to mask the anxiety boiling within her. “I have a plan in motion. Schedule a conference with Kehr tomorrow.” Helsing paused at this. “And what of the war itself, Madam President?” “Has the Supreme Allied Commander made his decision?” she asked. “We have no word from his office.” The man shook his head. “He’s not made a public statement.” This immediately worried the president. The Supreme Allied Commander, in accordance with the treaty, was the supreme military leader of the Alliance and its National Guard units. While the Alliance was no military dictatorship, he still wielded significant authority, and was not one to dally on matters as pressing as this. His lack of response was concerning. “Damn. I’ll have to speak to him personally. He is still in Telfair, is he not?” Helsing nodded. “As far as I know, yes.” Tulliver sighed, before turning to face her Chief of Staff. “The moment the Supreme Allied Commander makes his decision, inform me. I will have to make my own shortly.” “Madam President, if the people—” Just then, the Director of Allied Intelligence, a stout, bespectacled man, entered the room, cutting the Chief of Staff off before he could continue. “SAC Gerald Garand’s convoy has been fired upon,” he announced. “By unmarked troops in National Guard uniform.” Tulliver’s eyes widened. “What?!” “Is the Supreme Allied Commander secure?” Helsing interjected. “Telfair State Police and Allied Intelligence have secured him, but his injuries have been reported to be life-threatening. He’s currently being treated in Faulkeshall, but we intend to move him to Olympic City if he stabilizes.” The intelligence chief shook his head. “This is a dangerous development, ma’am.” Tulliver was silent, taking in the full extent of the implications. She had to think, and fast. “Arne, schedule the press conference. We’re going to have to move swiftly to handle this,” she ordered. “And O’Malley, keep an eye on SAC Garand. Make sure he’s safe. This cannot get worse.” “Yes, Madam President,” the two of them said, leaving the office. As they departed, the Alliance President was left in the silence of her office. But it would be short-lived, for a ringing from her desk’s integrated telephone drew her attention. She answered, “This is Tulliver.” “Good morning, President Tulliver,” the voice of Matthias Kehr said over the phone. The Secretary-General’s thick Vestan accent was recognizable to her. “I imagine you’ve heard the news by now?” “I have. What is the meaning of this?” “Do not act naive, Madam President. The Spacers have rebelled against the Coalition and have killed our citizens. This declaration of war is the natural consequence of their treachery.” “This is a complex issue, Secretary-General, and you know this!” she retorted, before sighing. “But enough of that. I am calling for a conference with you tomorrow. My administration and I will be addressing the people, and I need your input as Secretary-General.” “You are free to do as you wish, but the Coalition’s mind is set—I’m afraid the Spacers have put us in a position from which there is no possibility of backing down. This outcome is beyond my control, and certainly beyond yours as well.” “As President of the Emerald Alliance, I have a responsibility to my people. I will not fail them,” Tulliver stated. “I will see to it that this is done right.” “The Coalition has already been faced with a number of security threats within the borders of the Emerald Alliance. It is in your interest to consider that before you take action,” Kehr warned. Tulliver furrowed her brow at this. “Security threats?” “Fleet Intelligence has already briefed me on a number of attacks on Coalition assets, perpetrated by radical militias across multiple member republics of the Alliance. These attacks will only increase in the near future.” “I will not allow you to use our internal affairs as leverage against me. We will handle this issue ourselves.” “And I have full faith that you will, Madam President. I merely seek to warn you of the dangers of your position.” Kehr sighed. “In any event, I will leave you to your work. I am busy, and I am sure you are as well. Good day.” “Good day to you, Secretary-General,” said Tulliver, before ending the call. The President took a deep breath, leaning back in her seat. She was far from finished with her work for today, but this was not a good start to the day at all. Still, there was more to be done. She had no time to dwell on the matter.