The Front was governed in large part by a President, who answered/delegated tasks to a group of people referred to as the Council. They were the heads of various species, each representing a large populace of species within the Front's governing body.
Arthur stepped out of the elevator just behind Coleman, following the light purple alien through the halls. She seemed rather familiar with the layout of this complex, he could only assume she spoke before them after he was found, as the promotional ceremonies rarely take place in front of the Council.
*Why do you think I'm here?*
Arthur turned his head and looked behind him, Alara was following him with her hands behind her back. He shrugged lightly as to not call attention to his behavior and whispered under his breath.
"I couldn't tell you dear, which do you think is more likely, ghost or mental breakdown?"
She leaned forward, pushing her head past his arm and looking at him, a devious smile appearing on her face.
*I'll never tell.*
He looked away from her as they stopped to the left of a hulking oak door, Coleman placed her hand on the doorknob and turned back to Arthur.
"Are you ready?"
Arthur nodded and signaled for her to open the door, which she did. They stepped into a large, grandiose hall. The floors were a carpeted blood red, the room slowly reaching down to a central stage where thirty-five polished birch podiums sat. Various species of sentient life sat behind them, some vaguely humanoid, some impossibly strange. It was as if whatever divine creator that existed ran out of ideas and referred to a child's drawings.
Arthur walked down to the front row and sat down facing the group, his legs and arms crossed. Coleman continued past him and began speaking.
"Permission to speak freely, oh venerable ones?"
One of the closer aliens broke their gaze away from Arthur and replied.
"Denied Sergeant."
Arthur broke through the silence rather brashly.
"Permission granted Coleman, and just call me Arthur."
She turned and looked at him, a slight smile on her face.
The human member of the Council looked at Arthur with a rather annoyed look on his face.
"Is that really necessary?"
Arthur watched Alara walk past Coleman and take a seat on the edge of the stage, pushing her gown between her legs rather shyly. He turned back to the group of aliens and shrugged.
"Look, I'd prefer to do away with the honorifics and whatnot, technically I am the most senior member of the council."
The members of the Council rolled their eyes almost simultaneously and turned back to Coleman.
"While we don't answer to him, you can speak as you please, just try to avoid speaking too out of turn."
Coleman crossed her arm and leaned back on her left leg.
"Glad to hear it, this here is Arthur, although based on the previous conversation you guys have already met. We are here to speak on the events that transpired on and around Klantar."
Arthur began tapping his foot and interjected.
"More specifically, I'm here to speak on your fuckup."
One of the closer Aliens gave Arthur a look.
"What are you tal-"
At that moment, a door on the left of the stage swung open and all members of the Council stood up, looking at the man that stepped through it. He was taller than Arthur by a couple of inches, his hair was blonde and graying at the sides. He had well built shoulders that poked through his jacket. He raised his hand and every member of the council except two stepped out of the room.
"Still playing favorites?"
The man looked over at Arthur once he heard his voice.
"Not sure I'm glad to see you are still kicking Arthur."
Arthur leaned back in his seat for a moment and then stood up, reaching a hand out to him. The man looked down at him from the stage and turned away from him, Arthur couldn't smile.
"Still got that big head as well."
He walked past the podiums and sat down at the end of the stage.
"Sergeant, you can leave."
Arthur motioned for Coleman to take a seat next to him and she did. The man allowed anger to flush his face for a moment before returning it to a calm, neutral look. Alara shook her head at Arthur and sat up, exiting the room. Arthur was silently glad, she'd never seen this side of him and preferred it to stay that way.
"So, Mark, why have you decided to grace us simple peons with your magnificent presence."
The man looked at him through his eyebrows and began pacing on the stage.
"Lose the tone Arthur, you can't come here and throw a temper tantrum every single time something doesn't go your way."
Arthur followed the man with his eyes.
"Are you saying the extermination of three billion people isn't 'going my way', Mark?"
Mark looked at his fingernail, picking at it lightly.
"It is unfortunate but their isn't much we could've done."
Arthur slammed his foot on the ground and the room shook.
"Don't fuck with me, should I remind you the only reason the Front exists is because of your walking nuclear deterrent?"
Mark didn't look at him, and continued pacing on the edge of the stage.
"That may have been true, but we've since grown our technology. Your methods are... archaic."
Arthur looked at him, annoyance overtaking his features.
"I wonder if the CC would feel that way."
Mark finally looked at Arthur, shock on his face for a split second.
"I'm surprised you would even go there."
Arthur smiled lightly.
"I've changed a lot over these past couple of years."
Mark let out a sigh and sat down at the edge of the stage, somewhat near where Alara had been seated.
"That would be unfortunate, but we truly couldn't do anything to help you. We are surrounded on all sides by the enemy, and even within this room I am unsure if I can trust everyone here."