“Profit—one hundred and thirty-five percent of infinity is still infinity! The fools are risking another galactic war based on incalculable profit! They have no idea who they are dealing with.”
“Do you really think the Chem will go so far?” She-Rok asked, showing surprise at the level of Mavec’s concern.
“My dear She-Rok, we have here a classic example of two bulls going up against one another. That in itself wouldn’t trouble me so much. If this were a Chem-Golkos problem neither I nor any of our galactic cousins would care one way or another. The general peace would continue, and the two parties could quarrel amongst themselves. Our particular problem is that the Scythians, unlike the Golkos, have neither the inclination nor the capability of defending themselves. Yet they don’t need a military when they can coerce support from the rest of us. The Scythians have established an economic hegemony over most of the civilized galaxy. This economic power directly translates into political power, of course, and it doesn’t take many whispered threats for even the Golkos to be cowed. Balk at Scythian leadership and Golkos would be without power, food and money in a decand! A galactic civilization with roots a ki-millenium past would be back to barbarism.”
“We’ve all received communiqués from the Scythians expressing their desire for political support, Mavec, and we have all acquiesced. Why shouldn’t we? Certainly the Chem are not going to launch another war of expansion over this issue. The Chem wars were long ago, and I cannot think that even Nazeera, despite her well established image as a soldier, would be so keen as to begin a war over trade routes.”
“Do you actually expect Nazeera to accept Scythian demands?”
“Of course not, and the matter will end there. The Scythians will be disgruntled, but unlike the rest of us they have nothing to hold over the Chem. Despite thirteen millennia of peace the tradition of Chem militarism is still too vaunted to illicit any aggressive response on our part. Even the Scythians cannot expect that level of cooperation.”
“I do not think that will be the end of it,” Mavec told him sternly.
She-Rok shook his bullet head, unfazed. “Mavec, you read too much into this. Even the Golkos, whom I admit may be tempted by the idea, would not go to war with Chem over such an insubstantial issue in their interests. Despite their bluster they remember all too well their disaster at Koor-tum, where the Chem destroyed half their fleet. The Chem are their betters, and they know it. They will not support such a scheme, no matter the Scythian threats, and without the Golkos there is no chance of militarily competing with the Chem. There the matter will end. Our states shall perhaps disappoint the Scythians, but no more.”
“You do not understand the Scythian mindset, She-Rok. They consider the Chem their last great challenge to uncontested power in the galaxy. Remind yourself why we as advanced cultures have allowed such growth and influence within the Scythian Empire at the expense of our pride and sovereignty? The Golkos and the Chem are not the only military states in the galaxy, and they may not be the most dangerous.”
“Alexander? Do you really believe the Scythians would consider threatening the Chem with Terra?”
“Yes, haven’t we been talking of this very thing? Whether they know it or not the Terrans are no less than Scythian mercenaries. For two millennia, She-Rok, the Terrans have fought the galaxy’s bloodiest wars amongst themselves for dominion. They search for that singular being that will fill Alexander the Great’s glorious throne, and lead the Terrans to the stars in search of endless glory and conquest. The “Legend of Alexander” is studied in every school, college and university. We know their motives, and by constant report we know the veracity of their barbarism. Yet as we all know the Scythians, and the Scythians alone, hold the key to Terra. We dare not make a move without fear of a Terran legion landing on our Homeworld; a legion transported by the fastest ships in the galaxy and armed with the most modern weaponry. I shudder to think what would occur if Terrans ever set foot on Kempec! After witnessing the slaughter they impose on themselves imagine what they would do to another race! The thought is too terrible to comprehend!”
She-Rok sighed, nodding, “In the last centellium alone they’ve killed over one hundred million of their own brethren. I do not think even the Chem would wish to face such barbarity.”
“That is the central question in my mind, She-Rok. What will the Chem do if the Scythians openly threaten them with Terra? We have always backed down in the past, but the Chem, who knows what they will do?”
“They may well call the Scythians’ bluff. The Chem prize honor above all. Yet were I to wager between a Terran warrior and a Chem I would call it no contest. Could you see it any other way? Terrans are the pinnacle of the sentient warrior. A Chem may be quicker, but Terrans are half again as large, hardier and far, far stronger than any other sentient. That does not even consider the fact that Terrans are born and bred in a warrior society. What the Chem recall as a distant memory Terrans experience in everyday life. Normally, nothing, not even death, would cause the Chem to give in; but who can say what a race will do when their empire is at stake?”
“It depends entirely on just how great the Scythian offense is,” Mavec answered. “This is Nazeera of Chem we speak of, probably the most prideful Chem since Terumaz herself, and by all accounts her equal. Nazeera will not take well any amount of Scythian meddling, and I can only imagine her reaction if the Scythians threaten Chem with Terran legions.”
“I am of like mind, Mavec, but there is only one way to find out,” the Hrang told her, and he dialed in a setting on his disk. A red light flashed on the circumference. She-Rok pressed it with his thumb and another hologram materialized above the disk. The hologram featured Nazeera of Chem and the Scythian ambassador. She-Rok cut off Mavec’s protest with a wave of his stubby hand, “This situation is far too important for Kempec prudence, now listen!”
Even in miniature they could see the luminous blue orbs of Nazeera flicker with concentration as the tiny Scythian waited upon her. The eavesdropping Kempec and Hrang missed little of the confrontation; however, as Nazeera was wholly absorbed in an incoming communiqué on her secure etherlink. When the link was complete, she gave a short, wry smile and tucked the comm-pad into her belt. Glancing up, she found the Scythian still there, patiently awaiting its audience. A flush of anger raced across her darkling chiseled cheeks. Placing her hands on her armored hips only served to expand the perilous nature of the Scythian incursion, but if the being took the hint there was no sign of it. The volume of She-Rok’s hologram was low, but the perturbation in Nazeera’s voice was unmistakable.
“What is it now, Scythian? You have my answer, and that of the Elder of Chem. There is nothing to debate. We will not, now or ever, allow you access to our space. Nor will we allow Scythian freighters passage through Chem space. What could be clearer? I see no reason for continued discourse, and as such you should do well to avoid trying my patience!”
“We are painfully aware of the jealousy to which the Chem regard their territory, Nazeera of the Triumvirate,” the Scythian answered in its high sing-song voice. “Yet I think you still mistake our intentions, and that, more than all else, demands our attention.” It cocked its over-large head, as if giving a lecture and began a litany all too obviously rehearsed. “The rest of the galaxy is indelibly connected by the bonds of economic dependency. This interdependency has created a peace too final to be broken. The Galactics have finally turned to the answers which drove Terumaz the Great to end the hostilities perpetrated by the noble Chem. You have grown and blossomed for it. Do you feel no desire to share your experience with your brethren? Certainly the Galactics, and the galaxy as a whole, cannot but help to build upon the structure of civilization with the Chem as their guides. How can self imposed isolation further either the cause of Chem or her Galactic cousins?”
Nazeera was in a towering rage, but the decorum of the Galactics oldest establishment restrained her. In a tightly controlled voice she told the Scythian, “You may dispe
nse with such fantastic inventions of idealism, ambassador. There is no Scythian altruism behind your facade; there is only your search for increased profit and power. I find both motives irritating in the extreme. Chem does not need you, Ambassador, nor does Chem desire your presence in her space. Understand this, ambassador: we will not subjugate our sovereignty in any manner to Scythian desire for profit. Do you understand? There is no other purpose for continuing this discussion. Good day, Ambassador!”
“I had hoped for a more rational approach to the problem, Nazeera of the Triumvirate. At the very least let me apply to you again for license to run our freighters through a limited number of corridors across Chem space. The galaxy is a vast place, and even a small number of these corridors would bring our cultures closer together. Though you disdain profit I am certain that we could come to some agreement whereby the compensation would be equitable. It is not just for Scythia that I ask this. Your galactic cousins support us fervently on this particular issue.”
“Once again you dissect the meaning of dialect with a cut of your own flavor, Ambassador. I have indeed received position papers from your fellow Ambassadors, all lauding the possibilities. Hear you nothing of what I say, or are you deaf to all that does not meet with your approval? We do not care. Send all the leaders of all the cultures to Nazeera’s doorstep and have them plead on your behalf, it will fail to alter my mind. Chem will do as Chem sees fit. The hand of Scythia may be heavy without our borders, Ambassador, but in the empire of the Elder of Chem it is inconsequential at best.”
“The policy of Scythia is many things, Nazeera of the Triumvirate, but it is never to be ignored,” the Ambassador told her. The Scythian stood stock still, and though its voice was constantly pleasant, anything but threatening, there was exactness to its words, which made it more keen and dangerous than a lion’s roar. Nazeera’s eyes took on a deep purple burn, but the Scythian pressed on. “We have explained the advantages of our offer numerous times. Our patience wears thin. Perhaps it is time to consider other options. If the Chem are unwilling or unable to grasp the opportunity Scythia and her galactic companions offer, then she must be left behind. We can no longer afford to slow our evolution as a galactic community because Chem prizes the ancient ways. We would, of course, rather have the Chem as willing companions, and cherished protectors of our traditions, rather than leaving our brethren behind to dwindle and fade into insignificance. Yet if we must leave you behind, then that shall be a loss, and a lesson, to our community.”
“Very well,” Nazeera smiled, “if that is all to your offer then by all means leave Chem behind. Why should we desire your company? Chem has kept a representative in the Senate since the days of Terumaz, and despite our well guarded sovereignty we have attempted to be a calm steady influence on galactic growth. If, however, the galactic community is so devoutly supportive of Scythian jealousy and desires our advice no longer then so be it. We shall withdraw today, this moment!”
“Believe me, Nazeera of Chem, nothing would so pain Scythia, but for one distressing eventuality. For our community is growing, and needs space. Peace! I speak not of our established community, for who among us would be so bold, and foolish, as to have designs on Chem territory? We have too much respect for Chem to wish it as a possibility. Yet we are not alone, and of this we poor Scythians know too much. For two millennia, we have borne the hardest tasking: to maintain the incarceration of Terra and the heirs of Alexander. Unfortunately, the Terrans are far too potent a species to keep isolated for all time. When presented with a difficulty they have the unnerving habit of stubbornly seeking for a solution until the problem is solved. This is the eventuality we feared, and the reality we now face. The Terrans are on the verge of breaking out of their system despite Scythian efforts to prevent this possibility. Once they are out we have no way of controlling them, unless it is to present a constant front to them. The Galactics must speak as one voice, Nazeera of Chem, for only in that manner may we turn the legions of Alexander into the empty cosmos and away from our homes. Do you then still wish to stand alone? With the Galactics Chem may grow and prosper, as Terumaz the thrice renowned no doubt intended. Without us you stand alone against the legions of Alexander. Which way shall Chem go?”
“You dare to threaten the Chem with your Terran mercenaries! You worms! You have not the courage to openly challenge your betters, but rather use a mythical confederacy to justify your endless greed. That is subterfuge too deep, Scythian, even for your people! I shall not stand by and hear more of it! Prepare yourself, Scythian. If you can truly commune with all of your folk during times of import then do it now! For the next time you see Nazeera of Chem it shall be after she has settled with Alexander once and for all time. Then, my treacherous friend, you shall see me on the smoking husk of your Homeworld, where I shall sentence you to Circus Pantrixnia for your crimes!”
Nazeera promptly left the field of the hologram. She-Rok turned the image of the lone Scythian off and said, “Dear me, that did not go well at all!”
CHAPTER 5: Turning Lies into Truth
The group of five Scythians gathered around the low metal table was misleading. Though only a limited number of Scythians were present in the Spartan council chamber the entire cognitive consciousness of the race was present. There was no spoken dialogue, no visual presentation and no animation whatsoever. There were only the silent figures, but they belied the mountainous decision before them. Thoughts flew around the Empire with uncharacteristic speed; unsettling thoughts born of a rising and perilous tide.
“Our Ambassador to Roma delivered the Terran strategy exactly as prescribed by our behavioral calculations. We accounted for every variable; however, there was no way to plan for psychotic emotional reactions. There could have been no way to predict Nazeera of Chem’s actions. Still, the information gained from our operatives in the Terran System may well prove valuable, and the directness of our threat may well buy us time.
“We now enter a dangerous and unplanned phase. If the Chem are indeed sincere in their warlike stance, as they seem to be, then they must believe we are just as determined in our defense: i.e. the Terran Stratagem.
“The miscalculation of Chem intentions has placed the Empire in a precarious position, however. By our calculations, the possibility of Chem overreaction to our probing was negligible. Yet Chem attacked nonetheless. In the decurns since the Chem incursion, we have noted no new activity along our frontier, but we cannot be overly comfortable. The Chem gave us no reason to expect their aggression prior to the destruction of our experimentation vessel. We must now decide whether Chem aggression will expand. The Chem are a thalamic race with ancient codes of emotional restrictions governing their behavior. These emotional codes limit rationale and logic in Chem actions, making them very difficult to predict. After our initial failure in estimating Chem reaction we must now come to a conclusion based on limited data. The central question to our dilemma is this: will the Chem escalate from murder to genocide?”
There was a long pause in the train of thought.
“Is it necessary to discard the socio-economic model all together? Admittedly the database for the Chem is as limited as is our historic contact with them, but it is hardly non-existent. We have free access to Chem ethernet broadcasts, and thus an accumulation of their socio-economic communication information over the last twenty millennia. Why would the model be so unreliable? There is no obvious reason for such an error. Can we conjecture, perhaps, that the failure of the model may be due to an individual’s interference as opposed to the calculated reaction of a culture at large? It is well understood that the socio-economic mathematical models are very accurate in estimating probable cultural actions, but virtually worthless in estimating individual actions. It could be proposed that Nazeera of Chem, with whom the final negotiations were brokered, has manipulated Chem policy by her own opinion and not through cultural evolution. In that case we must assume that we face an individual of great power and ruthless character who acts on persona
l opinion and not for the good of the whole.”
The original thought replied after a short pause.
“That line of reasoning is well worth noting. We note as well, however, the discrepancy of time in Chem actions. Certainly even the socio-economic model for the Chem showed an increased level of risk after the Terran strategy was introduced, but our experimentation ship was boarded, its crew murdered, and the Terran subject kidnapped immediately after Nazeera of Chem refused our overture. It takes at least seven decurns to travel from the Chem frontier to the region of Terra, and even then it would take a Chem scout ship some time to ascertain the correct coordinates. Terra’s position is not known without our empire inside one thousand cubic light years. Therefore, if Nazeera of Chem gave the order to send a scout ship into Scythian space then that order occurred in the midst of our negotiations. It is a small point, but it paints her as an individual capable of pro-active decisions as opposed to reaction. We must take this into account.”
“Point taken, but considering this individual’s characteristics is it your conclusion that Nazeera of Chem has formulated a complete plan of action consistent with her threats and that this plan has already been implemented?”
“That is our estimation. There is no data to support it, however. Our profiles are built upon the Chem culture and not individuals. The Chem are the most historically violent race in the known galaxy outside of Terra, and extraordinarily jealous of their ways. They are not above mimicry, however. The Chem are perhaps more fascinated with Terra than any of the other civilizations. Recall the Chem re-creation of Roma Terra’s gladiatorial games. The Chem have cultivated this bastardization of Terra’s Circus Maximus on their prison planet of Pantrixnia. The Chem revere Terrans, to a certain extent, as brother warriors, but it is also apparent that they fear them. Even the Chem would not breach intergalactic law so blatantly without some real concern.”
Alexander Galaxus: The Complete Alexander Galaxus Trilogy Page 4