by J. F. Holmes
“We were surprised by the recorded radio message,” The male human stated, “How did you know what frequency to broadcast it on?”
“Was it your emergency frequency, the one you always monitor?” So’Latho asked.
“Yes,” the male began.
“Good,” the Queen interrupted, “Is it still your interest to build a trading post on our planet?”
“You cut right to the point,” the dark female answered, baring her teeth, “I like that.”
“I am glad to hear this. But trade involves exchange. You desire something from us. What do you bring us that we cannot produce ourselves?”
“We have, in our hold, 200 wind turbine generators that can produce 50 Kilowatts of power each as an opening gift,” Captain Krupin announced, “We give them to you as a sign of our friendship.”
50 Kilowatts was much more than their own experiments had been able to produce. That did not matter. It only mattered that they already had them.
“We accept these turbines in the spirit they are intended. However, since your people left, we have begun producing our own turbines.” The two humans looked at each other, their eyes widening. They turned back to the queen.
“We need more from you than technological trinkets,” she continued, “Any land you lease from us will come at a cost. The initial price will be two metric tons of… there is no Karan word for this element, but its atomic weight is 94. We also desire the knowledge to make and use this element safely in reactors. You will teach us this.”
The female looked at the male who looked at his feet for a second, then back at the queen.
“You want garbled?” he asked and the female’s eyes grew wide again, “We did not bring any of that with us.”
“Bring it with the next shipment along with your experts. Further, we will expect our people to work alongside you in your endeavors. Your location will be as open as any town or city.”
“We see no issue with this. I’m sure we can work out the details.” The Ambassador replied.
“I’m sure we can as well. Do you know what you want from us?” the Queen asked.
“We were going to work that out during negotiations. There are several things.”
“I’m sure. Then it would be best to save the final location of your trading post until last. Horde Commander So’Latho will be your liaison and will help you choose a location to suit your needs.”
The male turned and looked at So’Latho and gave a brief nod of acknowledgement. So’Latho paused briefly, then awkwardly returned the gesture. She might have to watch him and make sure he did not give away the children’s shells. Still, he would do well.
“When you take him, fly him around our moon once before you bring him back. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”
So’Latho’s head snapped up and stared at his Queen.
“Your Majesty…”
She looked at him, her neck lengthening.
“You will be the first Karan in space in over a thousand years. Since The Three were lost.”
“Shouldn’t you… shouldn’t we,”
“No, the privilege of being first is all yours.”
The former pilot shrunk his neck till his lower beak touched his front shell and crossed his powerful arms across his chest.
“Thank you,” the Horde Commander said as humbly as she had ever seen.
When she looked back, the male Human was baring his teeth.
“Back to the negotiations at hand… Labor.”
“We will be happy to employ your people…” the Ambassador said quickly
“I’m sure, I’m sure… but using us, directly, to gather whatever resources you are buying from us would be less efficient than you utilizing your own technology. We wish to encourage you to bring your technology here and utilize it with us.”
“I do not think that will be an issue,” the dark female stated, but she was no longer smiling.
“But any technology you bring to this planet, you will share with us. Not just the object, but the idea. How it was made. How it works. This is the price of maintaining a presence on our planet.”
The Ambassador’s brow furrowed, but her ships’ captain put a restraining hand on her arm.
“Your Majesty, we humans worked for several millennia to get to the technological level we have. Our technology is valuable to us.”
The queen’s neck extended to its full length.
“Our planet is valuable to us as well. This is the only planet we have. We will use your technology, make it our own, and, in time, we will join you in the stars as your equals.”
____________________
James Schardt is a 21 year veteran of the US Army as an AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter Armament/ Avionics/ Electrical Systems Repairer and a graduate of Austin Peay State University's Engineering Technology department. He lives in South Western Kentucky with his wife and too many cats, working for a company that pays him to drop and break things. He enjoys shooting muzzleloaders, painting toy soldiers, and miniatures wargaming.
Unrest
by Lucas Marcum
____________________
30 years before Present
Unlike their pre-Columbian counterparts on Earth, the Karan were an extremely sophisticated society, unified under a single ruler. The fifty four years between discovery and the Independence Revolt were a time of growing commerce and cultural exchange between the humans living on the Karan homeworld and the Karan themselves. In many ways, they are remarkably like us, a product of parallel evolution. In important others, though, they are not, and this led to mismanagement by United Nations bureaucracy assigned to “rule” over the colony on Karan, diverting it from its scientific mission to a more commercial endeavor. Unlike the natives of the Americas, the Karan were able to remain independent, and along with their human allies, changed the course of history.
~From Wikigalactica, Karan subsection
The following story was reconstructed from:
• Missionaria Protectiva: Doing Our Lord’s Works Among The Karan. Father Michael Marcum, SJ. Vatican Press, 2172
• Herd of Brothers: Karan & Human Together In The War For Independence. Herd Leader (R) Quishn’a, Min D, Cannon Publishing, English version 2181
• With additional information from both the Karan Directorate of History and the Independence National Archives. United Nations records of the rebellion remain classified.
ONE – SIMMER
Juan Petron-Navarro stood with his hands clasped behind his back, facing the large picture window in his office. Through the window he had a spectacular view, from the Governor’s Mansion over the town, all the way to the docks and the sea beyond. In the distance the dark, slender line of the low orbit elevator was visible, stretching to where it disappeared into the sky. As Juan watched, he could see the slight widening of a car ascending the line, packed with ore, heading to orbit. It was a majestic sight, and on a normal day, it was one of the finest views in the city—perhaps in the hemisphere, outside of the Karan Imperial Palace.
Today, however, was not a normal day. Pillars of smoke rose in multiple locations from the riots that had been rocking the colony for days. The long-simmering discontent of the colonists over the UN Colonial Administration policies had broken into clashes with Provincial Police, and the police responded as they were taught – with violence. The occasional Provincial Police flitter could be seen swooping here and there, at the behest of the police on the ground, desperately trying to contain the violence. Juan noted distractedly that traffic hadn’t ceased, merely slowed, and mentally admired the colonists and their Karan counterparts for their resilience.
He shook his head sadly, turned, and regarded the Karan leader sitting quietly in his office, his massive shell taking up a large chair in front of his desk. The herd leader nodded his beaked head, acknowledging him with a graceful gesture.
After a moment, he said, “Herd Leader, I assume you understand who I am. Or more precisely, the role I’ve been requested to
serve.” The alien shrugged in the complex movement that served as their version of a silent acknowledgement.
Juan sighed and considered his options before speaking in a gentle, firm voice, “Herd Leader Ki’Taran, I’m here for several reasons. I’m here because of the trade disruptions here on Ross 145B, the copper and manganese shipments in particular. The UN will no longer tolerate the disruptions these…dissident groups have been causing. It’s putting great strain on our trade agreement, with Her Majesty’s Government not meeting its end of the bargain. The previous governor general was here to guide and develop the trade systems, to increase efficiency. I am not.” He paused again, regarding the alien, who sat impassively.
Juan frowned slightly, reconsidering his approach, then spoke again in a friendlier tone. “I’m here because I have experience with this type of…situation. I’m here to bring it to a peaceful solution. A solution that works for both of our peoples, and prevents the economic instability from causing lasting damage.”
The herd leader looked back impassively before cocking his head slightly and speaking in the warbling tones of its race, matched moments later by the pleasant baritone of the translator devices they both wore, the Karan in a pendant, Juan in a tiny device in his right ear.
“We are aware of your…reputation…Governor Navarro. We have heard tales of Ceti IV and the mining colony.” The alien being leaned forward slightly and said, “How many was it again? And of your own people, no less. I shudder to think what you would do to those not of your own species.” The cynical note was unmistakable in the herd leader’s voice, despite the translator’s mellow tone.
The governor-general frowned slightly, turned, took the few steps to the massive oak desk that dominated an entire side of the wood-paneled office, and sat down. He folded his hands in front of him and regarded the Karan leader for a moment before responding.
“Herd Leader, I did what I had to in Landfall City, and with as much restraint as I could. The other option would have been planetary revolt, and the people would have suffered greatly.”
The Karan leader made an amused movement with his hands. “I would hardly call thousands of colonists shot by UNCS police with needlers ‘restrained’.”
Juan regarded the Karan steadily for a moment before replying.
“Herd Leader, the ‘alternative’ you so blithely speak of was an armada of United Nations battlecruisers in orbit, prepared to use kinetic weapons on all the major population centers, if the citizen in command deemed I had lost control. In MY judgement…” there was a subtle pause and deliberate emphasis on the word, “…the riot police were far and away the lesser of two evils.” He indicated a holopic on the wall of a beautiful alpine town before continuing. “The miners who died there gave their lives that their fellow colonists might live. Now, Ceti IV and Landfall City are bustling, vibrant, and full of life. It’s even used as a vacation world by citizens of the United Nations.”
The herd leader made a motion and a noise Juan didn’t recognize. His translator whispered, ‘Untranslatable: Likely laughter.’
“Governor-General, you will understand if I do not see the comfort in that example. We are not miners, and the situation here is far more complex than a mining dispute and a few rebellious colonists. The queen recognizes your authority in the colony itself, but only there. Do not presume on her hospitality. You may call this world ‘Ross 145B’, but it is our home, and you are here at the pleasure of the queen. We are an independent world and do not recognize UN authority outside the Research Station. We will take advice under council, but our affairs are our own.”
Juan signed again, pressed a button on his desk to summon his assistant, and spoke smoothly. “Very well, Herd Leader, we’re done here. Thank you for coming to meet me. I hope we have a long and fruitful relationship, and I hope, for everyone’s sake, we can get the copper flowing again and resolve these work disputes peacefully. The UN needs every Karan’s full cooperation, for if Karan fails, we all fail.” He paused again, regarding the alien in front of him. “I do hope we understand each other.”
The Karan leader regarded him for a moment, then said briefly, “Oh, I understand you, Governor-General. I understand more than you know.”
The office door opened silently, and one of the Governor’s Mansion aides slid silently inside. The Karan leader stood up, suddenly revealing its mass. Without a word, he made the complex gesture Juan knew was the Karan equivalent of a formal bow, then turned and left without a word.
Juan watched the Karan leader leave and sat for a moment, tapping his lower lip with a slender finger, thinking. He then tapped another button, reached into a drawer, and pulled out a thin, flat box.
A small door to the side of the office opened, and two men entered. One of the men was the assistant governor-general, a man named Diego Castillo-Martin. He was slender, with dark eyes and hair, a calm, pleasant face, and an immaculately-tailored suit. The other man was the lead administrator for the Karan Scientific Exploratory Mission. He was tall and broad-shouldered, fair of hair, with crystal blue eyes, and a hard, unsmiling look to him. His given name was Grimar Thorvaldson, but he was known by many in the UN Colonial Administration as ‘Doctor Grim’.
Juan waved them to the chairs and offered the box of cigars. Diego politely declined, and Grimar ignored the offer. With a slight shrug, Juan took a cigar and, rolling it between his hands, regarded the men in front of him.
After a moment, he said, “Gentleman. Thoughts?”
The hulking Norseman slowly shook his head and replied slowly, “Governor Navarro, the Karan are many things, but they’re not stupid. He was playing far too openly for their norm. He was—for lack of a better term—threatening you. Perhaps ‘threaten’ is too strong a term. ‘Warning’ is better. He was warning you. He knew all about you. Your past, and the events on Ceti IV, many of which are still classified.” He paused for a moment. “He was telling us they have capabilities we weren’t aware of, and likely have more.”
Diego nodded, looking thoughtful, and said, “I agree. The Karan have technological capabilities they didn’t have a decade ago. Hydroelectric power. Wireless data transmission. Advanced solid fuel chemical rocketry. Low orbit satellites. The rate of their technological and industrial development is stunning. We suspect some of our people have been feeding them designs and ideas, but can’t prove it.”
Diego leaned back in the leather armchair, looking right into Juan’s eyes. “The Security Service director thinks it’s time. The threat is greater than the possible rewards, for now. He recommends immediate deployment of the Dabat virus.”
Grimar rolled his eyes at the word, but said nothing.
Diego continued, ignoring the scientist, “Secretary Ahmed’s intelligence suggests that in five to ten years, they’ll have the capability to match our technological prowess in cyber-warfare and military capability on the ground. In fifteen they’ll be able to contest the system, and in twenty they’ll be capable of fleet engagements.” The slender man looked calmly at his comrades, then said, “The UNCS director has left the final deployment to our discretion. I say we use it now.”
Juan raised his eyebrow slightly at this statement and looked back at Grimar.
The big man sat for a moment, then replied, “I have two thoughts. First, the Intelligence and Defense secretaries are wrong. It won’t be the ‘beast’ we unleash here. The beast we unleash if we open those vials will be us. Are we prepared to commit xenocide in the name of control?”
He paused and motioned to the picture window, where the smoke pillars were still visible. “And even if we are, are they? The colonists are an independent-minded lot. Unusually so, for scientists, but you know how stubborn the American-descended colonists are. If they were to learn what we, and the UNCS, are planning…” He paused for a moment, then continued, “I trust I don’t have to spell it out. Earth is littered with the corpses of would-be dictators who underestimated their citizens.”
He looked down at his hands for a mom
ent, then said, “The second point is this: what happens if we use this on them and fail? What will happen when they figure out that the only place in the Hundred Worlds that can feed every colony is Earth?” He looked up with his blue eyes flashing. “What happens if we swing—and miss?”
Diego leaned forward slightly. “My dear Doctor, you worry too much. By the time they figure out they’ve been infected by a bioweapon, it will be too late.” He paused and smiled slightly. “Certainly too late to launch a reprisal, even if they had the genetic manipulation technology or the means to deliver it to Earth, which that elevator out there assures us they do not.” He jutted his chin at the space elevator in the distance and continued, “Their interstellar spaceflight capability has been stifled, and we control the elevator. They couldn’t leave this planet if they wanted to. We’ve seen to that.”
He turned slightly to face Grimar. “You said it yourself – it does nothing but affect new births. At first, all they’ll see is statistical, a rise in infant mortality. When they do identify a trend and start looking, they’ll see a virus native to their homeworld, which has mutated. A great tragedy, but not an act of war.” He stood, walked to the picture window with his hands clasped behind him and, looking out the window, continued.
“We will, of course, offer all the help the Hundred Worlds can offer. Medical aid. Gene therapy. Earth-based treatments. The UN cares for all its member worlds. It will be a great tragedy that we’re unable to help until it’s too late.” He turned to face the two men and regarded them solemnly. “Governor-General, the Karan are a potential existential threat to the UN. We must deal with them before they can make good on that threat. Remember Ceti IV. We must sacrifice the few to save billions.”