by Ben Winston
"I'm afraid things are not going to get much better, either my young friend," Goya replied, taking back the conversation and began telling him everything that had taken place while Ian had been away. While Goya spoke, he led Ian and Jenny to the conference room in the VIP section. Ian was surprised to see the entire Terran Council, Maia, and Star waiting for him. After greeting everyone and taking his seat, Luke began the meeting.
"Before we really get going here, Ian, you'll be happy to know that the United Nations Security Council has ratified your promotion to Admiral. However, the General Assembly is arguing over it. They feel that one of their people would have been better suited to the position." Luke waved his hand in the air. "It's all bullshit, they just want to try to get one of their own people in command up here even though we've told them we would never allow it.
"Now, moving on, we do have a lot of business to discuss, but we have urgent matters that need to be decided, and the domestic stuff can wait for our normal meeting," Luke looked at his tablet.
"The Alliance of Races is assembling a task force to deal with our new neighbors in the Beta Hydri system. ARC High Command, which, to be clear, is the Alliance of Races Military, has asked through Admiral Goya, for the use of this station as a support base for the assault. Admiral Williams, could we get your thoughts before we decide?" Luke asked.
"Certainly, Councilor," Ian replied and thought for a moment. "Because of the threat to this entire sector, it would be to our benefit to support ARC as much as we can. However, just so you all know what allowing this will mean, if you decide to allow it, then we will have ships from all the Alliance races coming and going, and sometimes without notice. We will need to keep an alert watch on the hyperspace weapons systems. We will also have to limit their exposure to the Sol system, which means restricting them to this system. We will need a dedicated AI for traffic control. It will also mean that this station will have to operate at close to its maximum capacity. Personnel will have to be brought over from Sol system to run the mining operations as well as fly the ore ships to supply the raw materials we'll need for repairs.
"Basically, we will have to bring this system up to full operational capacity immediately. All the facilities on this station will have to be fully manned and ready to deal with sailors and warriors from all the races. I believe we can, and should, do this. I don't know where we'll get the people from, but if we are capable of it, we need to make it happen," Ian finished.
"Thank you Admiral. That will help us make the decision. In light of this development, I would like to bring forward one item from the domestic issues facing us; immigration. At last report, we had all the people in place to begin large scale immigration from Earth, but not the facilities. Ironically, we need the immigrants in order to build the facilities we need to handle them.
"Minister Laskar has put forward the suggestion that we begin our effort in this area by publicly advertising for the people we need, worldwide. She has suggested we use our land in New Mexico as a screening and embarkation facility, however, that would be counter to our professed desire to use the planet's existing infrastructure. Your thoughts?" Luke asked of the assembled.
A man to Ian's left stood, and Ian recognized him as the man that wanted to turn him over to the American government, back when Star Dancer was still stuck on the moon; Zebadiah Gabriel.
Chapter Nineteen
Pleiades One Orbital Shipyard
High Orbit, Planet Atlas
Centauri system, Sol Sector
Councilor Gabriel nodded to Ian, a small, sad smile on his face. "Councilors, might I suggest a compromise? We allow controlled immigration as Minister Laskar has outlined, however we set-up our screening and processing facilities at the existing spaceports as we mentioned to the Security Council. It will require slightly more security and work on our part, but I think in the long run, it would go far to foster trust with the nations of the world. We are under a microscope for them. Anything we do that would deviate from our professed goals would be immediately noted. If we are to gain their trust, it is very important we stick to the original plan we told them about. Thank you," he finished and sat back down.
Helen Michaels, a longtime member of the council, stood next. "I believe Councilor Gabriel is correct, and I support his motion. However, I believe we will have to increase security more than we had planned for these facilities. Perhaps not so much in the United States, but for the EUSA (European Space Agency) facility, and for the planned Asian facility. I do believe the nations of Earth will do their best to put spies among us to capture as much of our technology as possible no matter the cost. We must be cautious and prepared for this circumstance." The woman sat.
When he saw that no one else wanted to speak on the matter, he stood. "Although from the looks on your faces, I doubt we need to vote on this, please do so now."
It was less than a minute before Luke stood again. "I guess I was correct, we are agreed, and the decision will be passed on to Minister Laskar for immediate implementation. However, the decision to allow ARC to use this facility in the coming battle is still before us. Admiral Williams has given us his thoughts on the matter, does anyone have any questions for him?"
Again Gabriel indicated he would like to speak, and Luke nodded to him. When he stood, he faced Ian. "Admiral, first off, I would like to thank you again for our first meeting. Although I do still have strong beliefs, I now better understand what it was you were trying to accomplish and build. Had you not made certain I could not contact the American authorities, I would have ruined this blessed opportunity," he held up his hand. "No, I am not, nor will I push my religious beliefs in anyway, you have given us the opportunity to find common ground, and perhaps an understanding in our various beliefs. I am telling you all of this, so you will understand my question for you, and that I mean no offense by asking it. With all the separate and diverse races that will be coming here, what has been done to see to the spiritual needs of the visiting warriors?"
Ian nodded. "I understand and can appreciate your question, Councilor. Currently there has been nothing done in this area, mostly because we have very little to no information on the spiritual beliefs of the other races. An entire deck of the station has been set aside for this need, currently only Terran and Talosian beliefs are represented there."
"Please pardon the interruption, Admiral. But may I add to that?" Maia asked from her place near Luke.
"Please do, Maia," Ian replied.
"I would add only that, in light of current developments, construction has begun on a Benesian Temple. Construction of this temple will take a couple of months since no automation can be used, but it has started. So there are, technically, three races now represented," Maia finished, and bowed her head to Ian.
"Thank you, Maia. I assume more facilities will be added as we learn of their need. I should mention that the station administrator, Isaak Hawkins, has yet to complete his current commitment on Earth. However, once he does, his wife has agreed to take over the job of managing these areas of the stations. Does that answer your question, Councilor?"
"It does, Admiral, thank you," Gabriel replied. Laura Johnson stood next.
"Maia, we know the station has been built to support a large number of ships at one time, but do you have the capacity for this mission?"
Maia stepped forward to address the Council. "Councilors, even with Star Dancer, now docked in gantry six, I have room for four more heavy cruiser class ships. If Star Dancer were to disembark, and our current construction projects pulled out of the way, I would have the ability to handle four carriers, or six battleships, or up to ten heavy cruiser class ships. I sincerely hope that more room will not be needed, but as Admiral Goya and Pan will tell you, that should be sufficient for this mission. However, if continued support of ARC missions are to be considered, we might wish to reconsider the priority on the remaining Pleiades stations that are planned. We will also need a separate, dedicated, traffic control and customs station equipped with i
ts own AI," she paused. "If we can increase the mining and refining efforts in this system, we should be able to handle the ARC request."
Ian stood, and Maia bowed to him. "Councilors, although I do recommend accepting this request, as an added security precaution, I feel we should add the stipulation that our location be considered 'need to know' and for it not to be allowed to be stored electronically. Only the ship commanders, and their navigators should have our location. Such information can be salvaged from destroyed ships, and I would prefer the Empire not discovering our location by those means."
Admiral Goya stood, asking Luke if he could speak. Luke nodded to him. "Councilors, we of Talos have no voice here, nor should we. However, I would like to request that you seriously consider allowing the ARC into your sector." He sighed, and shook his head. "Most of you are aware of the issues taking place back at our home planet, and I fear that situation will only get worse before it gets better. This will seriously affect our ability to support and contribute to the ARC and the Alliance efforts to repel the invading Empire. It will mean the restructuring of our government, and could very well mean the destruction of the Talosian Alliance itself.
"Be that as it may, we, both of our separate nations, are human, and humans have a vested interest in the outcome of the war against the Empire. If Talosians cannot support the ARC in our own defense, I would hope that Terrans would, not as a favor to us, nor for any other reason than humans need to do this. Ian's actions have done much to restore the ARC faith in our race. But I fear that a Talosian failure to support the Alliance due to our internal problems will severely damage relations. Unfortunately, the Alliance is well aware of the attitude Talosian separatists have for the other races, and that too has damaged our relations with them." He paused, "I guess, I am asking you to support the ARC, not as a Talosian, but as a human. Humans are not alone in this galaxy, nor are we in the majority. As a race, we cannot allow our petty prejudices to destroy our relations with our neighbors, or we will know nothing but war until we become extinct." The tired looking man slowly took his seat, and his aide, Brekka, reached forward to put her hand on his shoulder.
Pleiades One Orbital Shipyard
High Orbit, Planet Atlas
Centauri system, Sol sector
Luke stood again, It was clear Goya's speech had given him something to think about. "Admirals, High Councilor, in the time you've been here, we have gotten to know you. By extension, we have also gotten to know of the issues you are having back home. You are correct, although we are separate nations, we are all still human. Although I cannot speak for the Council in this, as friends, you have my support. As such, I am willing to speak to the Alliance Representatives on your behalf when they arrive."
"With respect Luke, and I apologize for interrupting, but Laura has been keeping the rest of us in the loop. In this, we all feel that you can speak for the Council in this, we will support the faction of the Talosian Government that is represented here, at least, to the extent we are able," Gabriel said. "Again, sorry for interrupting you."
"No problem, Zeb, and thank you," Luke replied.
"Councilors, and Admiral, do any of you object to allowing loyal Talosian ships safe haven here?" Luke replied. "This will mean we will have entered into an Alliance with the Talosians that could be considered to be a mutual defense pact. Further, we will be extending all assistance to the Talosian ships and crews, including ship upgrades, support crews, and possibly personnel exchanges." Luke said. "This is taken from a treaty document Councilor Noren gave to me when she first arrived that I almost tore up. That document represented her hopes for this visit. Both our nations will benefit from this, in that we will be gaining more protection for this sector, as well as an experienced knowledge base to draw on.
The Talosians will be gaining a friendly port capable of repairing their ships without making them mortgage their souls in order to do it. They will also gain all of our knowledge gained as a result of studying their own. They will gain access to the advances we've made, and be able to equip their ships and personnel to prevail in the coming internal conflict, as well as in the ongoing war with the Empire.
"By doing this, we will also be taking a hand in their internal matters. We will be choosing sides so to speak. Consider this for a few moments, while we take a short recess. We will make final comments and vote on it when we return. If there are no objections, we are adjourned for ten minutes."
Luke and one other Councilor excused themselves to use the restroom, while the rest began speaking quietly to each other. Ian moved over to Goya, Pan and Noren.
"It sounds like you've been busy while I've been gone," Ian said.
"Admiral Hjoles, ARC Chief of Operations, called me to inquire how much we could contribute to the Beta Hydri offensive. He had been personally monitoring your actions in that system so he could stay abreast of events there. You greatly impressed him, and trust me here, he is not a being that is impressed by much. As a result, he spoke to the Alliance Council who in turn called Noren to formally open diplomatic channels between the Terrans and the Alliance. As a result of that, A Benesian Ambassadorial mission is being sent here on behalf of the Alliance Council," Goya replied.
"That would explain Maia working on a Benesian Temple, but I get the impression from your speech, that matters at Talos have gotten worse?" Ian asked.
Goya nodded. "All the house ships have refused orders to relocate to the front to relieve the ships we need for the Beta Hydri offensive. We worked up a plan to replace the command crews for the ships, but with the AI offline, the ships won't allow it."
Ian nodded. "Considering the damage the House Commanders have already done to foreign relations, this could mean a death blow to the Talosian Alliance."
"Exactly, Noren feels that our only hope of retaining even a modicum of good relations with the Alliance of Races lies with your people, I agree with her. I'll have to explain the situation to Hjoles, but I can't tell you what his response will be. A few of those races could easily view this as the final insult," Goya replied.
"They won't attack us, not yet. But we can pretty much count on them barring our ships from docking at their ports or entering their space," Noren added. "But once the Empire is dealt with, they will sever all trade and contact, and consider us to be dishonorable, and therefore, hostile."
"There has to be something you can do; after all, it's not like you have been given a choice in this matter!" Ian said. "Wait a sec, they can't turn their backs on you or consider this an insult, without dishonoring themselves in the process," Ian said.
"How so? All three of the main races on the Alliance Council view this as a failure of our conviction; to them, we are cowards that are abandoning our sworn allies in their time of need," Noren replied.
"No, they won't. Trust me here, they won't directly help you, but they will certainly buy you the time you will need to get this issue dealt with," Ian said cryptically. "I'll handle this Hjoles myself."
Luke returned then and joined them. "Sorry about dropping all this on you Ian, but a lot has been happening."
Ian chuckled. "Luke, contrary to popular belief, the galaxy does not revolve around me and my ship!"
"No, but there sure isn't a dull moment around you!" Luke replied, grinning.
"If you'll excuse me a moment, I need to make a couple of calls before we reconvene," Ian asked.
Both Luke and Noren nodded to him and he moved away.
"Why do I get the feeling our young Admiral is up to something?" Noren said.
Luke snorted. "Probably because he is. I swear, that man is always thinking and planning something."
"Well, I for one am glad he does," Serena said, speaking for the first time. "I only wish we had a hundred more like him."
"I am still in awe of all that has been accomplished in the short time I have been gone. It would have taken decades for a shipyard of this size to be built at New Talos," Egran said.
"Indeed," Goya said. "Our people have lost hea
rt and no longer support or trust us. We need to correct that, or we will lose them."
"Then we will have to find a way to show them the truth of the matter," Luke replied. "Come on, I need to call the meeting back together."
Ian still hadn't returned from his calls when Luke reconvened the meeting, but there was a lot to do and not a lot of time to get it done. "Does anyone have any comments or thoughts on ratifying the Talosian Accord?"
Councilor Michaels stood once again, and Luke nodded to her. "I think we will agree in principle with the accord, but we will have to actually review the document before we sign it. Considering our current relations with the representatives present, I believe if there is something we disagree with in the formal document, we should be able to work it out." The woman then took her seat.
Luke nodded. "Just to be clear, the current Talosian Council has not ratified this document either. Perhaps we should just call it an emergency aid agreement, and leave it at that. Once the smoke from all this clears, we can work up something more formal, agreed?"
To that general consensus, Luke called a vote and it was agreed. "Now, as to the ARC request. If we agree to it, we have a lot to get in motion, so if no one has any more to say on the matter, I would ask for a vote on this issue as well."
"One moment, please, Chairman?" Gabriel asked.
"Yes, Councilor?" Luke asked.
"Although it doesn't really have a bearing on my decision, could we ask Admiral Williams to try to expedite the arrival of the Commodore? I believe we will need him very soon if we agree to this," Gabriel asked just as Ian returned to the room.
"Councilor, Former Admiral Isaak Hawkins is submitting his resignation as we speak and has formally accepted the position of Station Commander. In light of this, I have dispatched the crew of the Raptor Damocles to watch over him during his family's transition. Mrs. Hawkins will be departing Phoenix Base in the morning and should be on station by tomorrow evening. She has already been working with Maia and it was, in fact, her recommendation that started work on the Benesain Temple. She will be bringing a shuttle full of people with her to help fill positions in the recreational areas of the station. Commodore Hawkins will join her here as soon as he can depart the planet," Ian replied smiling.