The war council that convened the following morning was larger than any they had held before. Word of the potential alliance with Gorok had spread through the resistance network, bringing representatives from every major surviving human settlement. The courthouse chamber had been expanded to accommodate nearly fifty delegates, their faces reflecting the full spectrum of human reactions—from cautious hope to outright horror.
"Before we begin formal deliberations, let me be absolutely clear about what we're discussing." Nox stood at the head of the massive table, his enhanced perception reading the emotional state of every person present. "This is not a decision I can make unilaterally. An alliance with Gorok affects every human settlement, every family, every person who has been fighting for survival."
