“It is an honor to meet you” Anastasio said with the customary nod. “My assistant is Historian Apprentice Lindt. He still learns your language, and is to observe, not speak.”
Karden thought he’d picked up on the pattern. “I am honored to meet you. I am Historian Professor Karden, and this is my associate, Linguist Lyr. She may speak freely.”
An ever so slight pause followed, which Karden interpreted as surprise.
“I am pleased to meet you” Anastasio said to her, without a nod.
As the meeting broke up, the Ambassador and one of his assistants with went the President and other VIPs, the other assistant took charge of the uniformed Elders and the platforms on route to their new embassy, while the academics, their assistants, and their Grounder counterparts went on car tours around the city to get to know each other.
The next few hours were informative. Anastasio asked many questions about the history of Ground, the Republic of Tadine, the old imperial nations to its south, the International Zone, and the poorer countries on the eastern continent.
“You have a surprising grounding in our history,” noted Karden, “I know that the Elders placed, at some point in the past, automated observation and communication posts in our star system. You seem to have used them well.”
Anastasio looked at him without a change in expression.
“It is our duty to keep informed of developments throughout the galaxy, prepare accordingly, and thereby give it better guidance.”
“And these posts, how long ago did you place them?”
She thought for a moment, “Some eight hundred of our years, thus rather more of yours.”
Hundreds of years! Karden considered. No wonder no one had noticed them being placed, and no wonder the Elders were so well informed. The placement of those posts long predated the development of modern telescopes, of the harnessing of electricity, of telecommunications, of the rise of technological civilization on Ground. All that time, they had been watched.
It felt uncomfortable.
The drive went on. Questions and conversation continued. Sometimes, Anastasio and her assistant conversed in their own language. Tayyis followed these asides closely. The Elder language had a crisp sound to it, making full use of noises possible against their large teeth. It was slow and measured, or more likely, the way they spoke it was. She thought she could make out short words that recurred frequently amid other longer ones. It did not seem to use long agglutinative constructs. She began to detect patterns.
“Historian Diplomat Anastasio,” she asked, “If I may, I have a few questions.”
“Why yes, of course, Linguist Lyr.”
“Well to begin, is there a less formal or faster form of address we might use, to ease conversation? For example, my name is Tayyis Lyr, and my profession is Linguist. Among our people, here in Tadine, in more formal situations someone might refer to me by an honorific, Ms., and my second name, Lyr, but informally by either the first or the second name interchangeably. My profession would not normally be used as a form of address, though there are some that are, such as that of Professor Karden here.
Anastasio paused and considered, “I would consider this a formal situation. However, in the diplomatic service, it is our duty to be flexible and reasonable.”
She continued, “Our usage is very different. My full name is Catherine Aishwarya Hiyestan Ipelitan Anastasio. Catherine is a personal name that would be used only by close friends and family. Aishwarya is an inherited personal name that would be used by those who are my… social equals, Hiyestan means Historian, Ipelitan is Diplomat, and Anastasio is a family name that may be used by anyone, but only in conjunction with my professional titles. Superiors might choose to use only the titles when addressing me. A few eminent positions, like Ambassador, have special titles of their own.”
“I should note” she added, “That our names are matters of tradition, and generally exceedingly old. Mine for example had origins in several ancient cultures of our home world.”
Seeing where this might go, Karden decided to put things on a footing he could live with. “Thank you, Aishwarya. You will find that although she is for purposes of this delegation my assistant, she is a senior scholar in her field, and my social equal. You may call me Karden, and she…”
“Tayyis,” said Tayyis.
Conversation turned for a time to the sites of the city. Then Tayyis spoke.
“Aishwarya, I have studied many languages, but never one from another world, and if I may say, I find the language of the Elders beautiful.”
“Thank you.” The Elder historian seemed to warm a bit at the compliment.
“Would it be possible to learn some of your language? If you had someone with time, I would be eager to study under their teaching.”
Anastasio considered. “Generally, it isn’t culturally appropriate to impose our language on those we encounter. We wish to preserve the unique beauty of each world’s languages and cultures.”
“Ah I see,” replied Tayyis, “but we are more technologically advanced and less… fragile than many others you must encounter, and,” Tayyis changed her tack, “I am a professional linguist. I can in turn help provide first-hand immersive training for your personnel.”
Anastasio was processing this, hesitating.
Tayyis continued. “I think thus far, your training has come via what you’ve been able to ascertain from our video and audio telecommunications, which give you a limited and on the whole, overly formal sample. To really learn about us, your scholars will need dialects, colloquial slang, archaic terms, and much more.”
“In principle, I would agree.” said Anastasio, “Although I note that there are considerations outside of scholarship. However, given the positive attitude of your leadership, things show every sign of moving quickly. That suggests more intensive language training would be of value in the near future. I will make a request to the Ambassador, and he will make a decision.”
“Thank you. And again, this is my field of scholarship, my intellectual love, and I find your language inspiring.”
Anastasio showed a hint of what might be, for the Elders, a smile. “I enjoy yours, it may surprise you to know, but it is more pleasant and less difficult to pronounce than some others that we in our duties learn. There are species far more divergent from our physical form than are your people. Even your culture has certain remarkable similarities to ours, or…”
Tayyis and Karden found themselves thinking that the Elder was for once speaking spontaneously.
“Rather to that of our ancestors before the era of enlightenment. It is immensely intriguing.”
Before the era of enlightenment! Karden found that phrase very instructive. It reminded him of the attitude of the southern nations when they were exploring the world, conquering the backward east, when the chaotic Tadine of the north finally unified in the face of the threat, before the Tadine learned to beat them at their own technological game. It stung, but he saw an opportunity.
“Enlightenment is a term that certainly accords with the sense I’ve gotten thus far of galactic civilization today,” he said, “But by the times before, do you mean before interstellar flight?”
“No. Actually the early era of our interstellar development was still one of archaic values. It was characterized by reckless colonization and expansion, unsustainable modes of living, pollution, chaotic greed-driven private economic enterprises, and neglect of the welfare of our neighbors among the stars.”
Much of that sounded to Karden like the same narrative he’d heard in the videos, but with more real feeling, and with possible openings since it was coming up in conversation rather than a recording. It seemed like he was getting somewhere, and he was determined to go on.
“So in other words, much as we are, or as we might be if we had discovered FTL travel on our own.”
“Very much so. It is our duty to help others avoid the same mistakes we made. To teach them what we have learned through millennia of trial an
d error, the millennia by which we are the Elders.”
“I see. And so you no longer colonize new worlds or focus on economic expansion? What of the other peoples of the galaxy, the others in the Protectorate?”
“Strictly speaking, the others, most of them, are not in the Protectorate. It is not a galactic government. Long ago we made mistakes attempting to rule others in a centralized government, the difficulties were enormous. The Galactic Protectorate guides and encourages, it keeps the peace and regulates interstellar affairs to maintain the stability and cultural uniqueness of each world.”
She went on, “But in answer to your question, we do not. The galaxy is vast, and travel across it is a matter of many months, with stops along the way for supply. We have, over time, distributed ourselves where we are needed. Administrative and research centers, diplomatic enclaves on worlds, and the star bases you have seen in our educational holograms.”
Karden interjected, “That makes considerable sense. I noticed in the holograms that your home world seemed to have a smaller population presently than at the time you began interstellar exploration.”
“Indeed. It and the old colony worlds have, in considerable degree, been returned to their natural states, and their ecosystems restored. Our population has been essentially stable, at approximately two and a half trillion for nearly two thousand years.”
“Fascinating,” replied Karden, “and the other peoples of the galaxy, they do the same?”
“We help them to do so, yes. Some of them cling in part to the archaic ways, at least for a time. We provide guidance to avoid repeating our mistakes of reckless expansion, sharing knowledge and technology in return for resources and manufactured goods.”
“I see. I can recognize the practical utility of that, given that your own focus in this era must be more on leadership and intellectual pursuits than, say less enlightening activities such as resource extraction or manufacturing.”
“Precisely,” she smiled, “We Elders are scholars, artists, scientists, diplomats, leaders, and keepers of the peace. There are few who engage in base pursuits…” she paused for a moment, “I mean to say, we shoulder duties where our experience and wisdom is best used.”
Karden was processing everything he’d heard. It sounded much like the world view of some of his fellow academics, or people who lived on inherited wealth, or that of the old aristocracies.
He’d confirmed something key though – the Elders were thinly spread across a vast galaxy, produced little themselves, and they lived off the output of the people they considered unenlightened. Though not so long ago he would have thought a population of two and a half trillion to be astounding, he remembered that it meant less than a percent of the population of the galaxy were Elders.
Aristocracy indeed.
And… it exposed a structural weakness in their entire system. They were almost entirely dependent on the output of those they ruled, or guided, or however they chose to see it. They had deliberately kept many or most their subjects isolated from them and each other, given them no real stake in the system, and so were also unlikely to have a strong base of loyalty to draw on. It was a vast weakness… but what good would it do the people of Ground?
Another thought occurred to him, an unpleasant one. In general he thought he knew the answer, but…
“I can’t thank you enough, Aishwarya. It is all very, if you may permit me, enlightening to hear.”
Aishwarya seemed to grasp the mild play of words, and smiled again.
“But if I may ask, what steps become necessary when a world, or perhaps some element of its population, resists guidance?”
The smile vanished.
“Professor Karden, you are an insightful man. It does happen sometimes. Understand that we make tremendous efforts to avoid such events. Everything you have seen thus far is merely designed to make clear both the tremendous advantages of accepting guidance, and the error of rejecting it. We wish only for a world to avoiding harming itself and others…”
She began to hesitate, as if having said more than she was comfortable with. Karden thought he might help her finish.
“Then you ensure they don’t have the means to do so. In my world’s history, there have been examples of disarming and relocating populations, and of reducing their economic infrastructure, sometimes substantially, to avoid further wars.”
She looked at him, as if avoiding the answer. He went on.
“I can understand the practical necessity such a course in pursuit of worthy goals, even if deeply regretted by those unable to avoid pursuing it.”
That alien smile returned to her face. “I am glad we understand each other. There are others like you, who have larger and longer perspectives - your President, for example, and some of the other key leaders. Don’t worry professor, I think together, we will see that enlightenment prevails, and all will be well.”
14
Deputy Ambassador Hsien guided his visitors off the shuttle and into the landing bay, which was vast enough to hold two of the huge shuttles plus two dozen smaller ones, and, a considerable distance off, rows of the kind of fighter craft they’d seen on the first day. The diplomats at the front were carrying on a polite conversation with Hsien, while Neem and Jat straggled at the back.
As they walked, Neem looked around in awe, paused, and then opened his notepad.
Jat began to recover from his anxiety, and inwardly paused to consider Neem’s ability to simultaneously walk, look in all directions, take detailed notes, and yet seem to have no idea where he was. Then he found himself musing on how much power it would take keep a ship this size afloat perfectly still in mid air, let alone cruising at the speeds they’d used to arrive from the wormholes…
Then there was the energy required to create wormholes like that in the first place. He remembered the tiny power device that had run a holographic projector disc almost continuously for three days, and so far as he knew, was still running at that moment…
He turned to Neem.
“Let’s find out what kind of questions they’ll answer. How detailed the answers are.”
Neem looked at him with a grin.
Jat composed himself, put on the almost gregarious personality he could, at great cost in emotional energy, maintain in public when needed. He became once more the famous Professor Darex Jat.
They were nearing some large doors.
One of the Grounder military officers dropped back in the line next to them. Though they’d been introduced at the gathering of the delegation, Neem had already known him - Air Colonel Varen, a decorated pilot in the last eastern war some twenty years back, and now head of the experimental aircraft unit under the Military Air Fleet.
“Neem, sorry I couldn’t talk earlier. You and Professor Jat mind if I walk with you? This should be interesting.”
“The most interesting thing I think I’ve ever done!” said Neem, “and no, I don’t mind.”
“I feel lucky to be in on this one. The other military officers here are all generals, but the President’s Chief of Staff himself backed my application.”
“I think you’ll fit in with us!” said Neem brightly. He looked at Jat, who wore a thoughtful expression on his face.
The group stopped at the doors, where a group of Elders awaited them. Hsien introduced them to Warden Ship Captain Fitzgerald, Engineer Scientist Obote, and several others. None but Hsien spoke Tadine. After some brief formalities, Hsien turned to the Councilor of Foreign Affairs.
“Councilor, as several of your party are scientists, and may have more technical questions regarding the operations of the ship, his Excellency the Ambassador has appointed Engineer Scientist Obote to serve as an advisor during the course of your delegation. Though he does not speak your language, I will translate. I cannot of course guarantee that your personnel will understand all the specifics of the answers, given the relative differences in our technological levels.”
Vrir made a polite gesture, “As well I can imagine, but our
sincere thanks for your kindness.”
Neem and Jat glanced at each other with wry expressions, as if to say they’d see how much they would understand.
Hsien continued, “I will be giving you as broad an overview of our ship as possible in the limited time available. We’ll begin with the launch bays, then power generation and our sub light engines, followed by the FTL system. After that, we’ll pause so you may eat a meal and refresh yourselves, as well as allow time for question and review. In the latter part of your visit, I will take you through crew quarters, weapon systems, communications, and the command bridge. I hope you will find it all interesting and instructive.”
The ship was vast, and the Elders had designed its internal layout accordingly. From the launch bay they came to entrances to a series of tramway tunnels down the center core. Seats in a sort of moving compartment, the tramway moved at high speed with effortless quiet. Even this very utilitarian space was elegant and decorated.
“Mr. Hsien… I mean Deputy Ambassador Hsien,” said Neem, “all of your construction on this ship, and on the shuttle too, seems to be highly decorated. I’m amazed at the expense it must add when building one of these ships. How do you do it?”
Hsien had a prepared answer ready. “Warden Ships, like this one, are indeed complex feats of design and engineering, requiring great resources. We Elders have great resources to draw on. However, beautifying them is no great burden. Our ships are built to last a long time, and are cared for and maintained as valued gifts from generations past. This vessel, the Vigilant, for example, is over three hundred of our years old.”
“And it is still comparable with newer ships in performance?” asked Neem, “I mean, in terms of energy output, weapons systems, propulsion, things like that… do you upgrade systems over time on the original frames of older ships like this?...”
“This is not the oldest vessel in the fleet, there are some that are more than five hundred years old.” replied Hsien, “Newer ships are not substantially different from this one. We have long since optimized technology within the limits of physics and do not suffer the disruptions of rapid technological change. We have learned and applied that which it is possible, advisable, and sustainable to apply.”
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