by John Pearce
‘Nothing else?’ The Senator smiled.
‘There are plenty of others who are less cerebrally challenging Senator.’
‘Yes…but use her for routine accounting only...and try not to get tempted into a more cerebral challenge!’
‘Yes Senator.’
‘Thank you Alfonso.’ Elena purred..
The grey man flashed a quizzical glance. ‘For what Elena?’
‘For keeping me around after I strayed from the Senator.’
Alfonso grasped the opportunity. ‘He’s got over it now, I made it quite clear to him that you were a good employee and could do more than just entertain.’
She summoned up her most poignant look. ‘A business job will be much more fulfilling than just entertaining. To be honest with you Alfonso, I do go off into the jungle now and then, it is my home after all. Not so much with Carlton now, nobody special.’
‘You should have more time to spend at Cyan House then?’ Alfonso asked hopefully.
‘Yes Alfonso, but may I ask you a personal question?’ her pleading eyes accompanied her words.
‘But of course,’ the grey man said, now flushed with hope.
‘I know we’re work colleagues, but could we be friends as well?’
Alfonso could only absorb the vision before him awhile before answering. She was the usual statuesque build of her people. Her higher cheekbones under light expressive eyes were perfectly set under short cropped platinum blond hair; the latter being her concession to what she believed was a human fixation.
‘Of course Elena, and now I’ll show you around our computer system, some passwords are of course confidential.’ He then dared add a suggestion, ‘Teaching you may take some time!’
She felt the triumph of promotion at last and flashed her grateful smile which was supported by those expressive eyes. ‘I hope it does Alfonso. Now, which of these icons do I touch first?’
ACTIVE MINDS
The next day a Senate side room was made available for what the Senators thought was to be the start of mutual sparring, moving onto the desired agenda of setting up trade. The visitors were escorted from their living quarters to reach the room at the same time as the four man, two woman Senatorial team. The favourite shaped table was large and square, such that six delegates on either side could face all those opposite. A chairperson in the form of the leader of the Senate, Senator Cantrell, sat in the centre of one of the remaining sides; the last side allowing a free view out and over the senate lawn, now free of the hordes that had covered it the day before. Recording equipment was at the ready, accompanied only by aides. Media and public attendees were excluded as this was not a debate. The Senators had to grit their teeth at being previously bypassed. The aliens were in awe of their surroundings, but their hosts coloured this as respect for humans.
All were asked to sit, Senator Cantrell took his place last and started his opening remarks. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, if our guests will forgive us, we need to establish a basis of trust before we can enter into meaningful dialogue, that is to say, we know very little about each other…’
The Ambassador, adjusting his translator, interrupted with a warm smile, ‘What you mean Senator, is you cannot believe that there’s a species in the Galaxy equal to your own. I concede that this may be so, but the evidence we have on this matter needs to be discussed.’
The Senator stuttered, ‘No, no…..that’s not what I meant.’
‘Senator, feel free to speak your thoughts, I state only what my people know as a matter of fact, we are not guided by politics on our planet, only by evidence. Therefore I suggest you ask any questions you like pertaining to our fitness as a trading partner. Please be direct, we will reciprocate.’
Cantrell fidgeted uneasily, his team was startled. ‘I’m sorry to be so blunt Ambassador, but our cerebral gene expressions are significantly different!’
‘Ah, cerebral gene expressions, thank you for your candour Senator. We are prepared to make allowances for your slower evolution, we see no reason why humans couldn’t accelerate their learning at least.’
Team Earth looked aghast at each other, Senator Goring took over, ‘How could you say that?’
The Ambassador waved his hand, his signal for someone else to continue. Another mop haired, slightly younger colleague, dressed in light blue reacted to the cue, ‘Good morning everyone.’ He had a friendly manner. ‘We have had your people visiting our planet for three of your months. We obviously thought it prudent to check your evolution. I am sure your scientists will confirm that the differences discovered include our greater cerebral gene expression. Thus we have evolved a little further than you, I trust this clarifies the matter. Now I ask you all to pay special attention to what I am now going to say: Based on nothing but evidence, evolutionary timescales recorded in your DNA, and of course the history of your people, the following transpires: Your species evolved to your present intelligence level about a hundred thousand years ago, your years of course. You started to learn the science that has just brought you to us about a thousand years ago. I’m sure you agree with this!’
The lady Senator Delaney from Frontier interrupted, ‘How long have you had your present intelligence?’
‘That’s what I was about to tell you, again from evidence: thirty thousand years and then three months to conquer space, measured in your time.’
Team Earth was stunned by the answer. ‘Was that conquest over the last three months?’
‘Yes.’
‘Was it us that taught you space science?’
‘There was an exchange of knowledge.’
Senator Goring blustered his way back in, ‘What did you teach us?’
‘Offensive and defensive military technology, I assume that is what interests you the most.’
‘How could you learn so fast?’ Senator Goring persisted.
The friendly demeanour continued. ‘The main difference in our two species is due to our difference in empathy. It is our greater concern for our own, and other species, that has allowed us to learn relatively quickly; I will explain why this is so: The gods eventually discovered a mutation that offered this gift, and we were the ones they blessed most with it. On an organism’s life journey their struggle is with their own and other species, this is inefficient evolution. Empathy conserves the energy at all levels, that would otherwise be wasted by less efficient mutations that lead to conflict, this does of course include cerebral energy. Therefore, the more energy saved, the more there is available for our evolution, and thus the inevitable learning that results from it.’
‘That sounds like sentimentality to me,’ rasped Goring.
‘I will not labour the point Senator, it’s just one of many evolutionary paths that aids a species’ survival.’
The rest of team Earth were deep in thought and chose to keep quiet, Senator Goring tried just once more, ‘Surely you are not saying that you are genetically programmed?’
‘Certainly not, your own research agrees with our conclusion that intelligent life is gene expression and choice.’
‘Does this mean you do not fight?’ asked Senator Kienzle from Gardenia.
‘No, it means that we have more energy with which to fight if we have to!’
In the quiet that followed, Senator Cantrell continued, ‘I think we can now move onto communications and business matters.’
The Admiral and the Commander made sure they were seen by the Senators as they came thoughtfully from their discussions into the spacious foyer. The alien delegates moved cheerfully like children escaping from school. Senator Cantrell was hooked and weaved his way to the straight backed military intelligence officer, while Commander Kronstein discreetly drifted away.
‘The day went well Senator?’
‘There’s lots of common ground Admiral, plenty of potential for our mutual benefit. I would be grateful if you could check out their credentials.’
‘Credentials? Senator.’
He lowered his voice, ‘Yes, are they as a
dvanced as they say they are? Rumours are that they run around naked and live in caves.’
The Admiral smiled. ‘They see no reason to wear clothes in their temperatures, the so called caves are malls, to keep them out of the sun.
‘What technology do they have?’
‘Militarily, defensively their technology renders them invisible to those who trespass on their planet. As for their offensive capabilities, their weapons can outshoot our lasers.’
‘What about their commodities?’
‘I already have survey reports that show ample uranium and platinum deposits. What else there is, we can only guess, it’s a large planet.’
‘It is indeed, what’s the legal view of doing business with unclassified aliens?’
‘Unenforceable contracts!’
‘Admiral, your closer to these aliens than the Senate, what are their views on our alien issues?’
‘They understand, they’ve got their own alien issues now...us.’
‘Suppose somebody on Earth reneges on a contract?’
‘Their wallets would be hit hardest Senator, the aliens also have commercial prowess.’
‘How do we know they would honour our laws?’
‘They understand laws are influenced by our evolution, put concisely, empathy. This also makes them aware of your preoccupation with the voters.’
THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE
‘At last Commander, not least because the cat’s genes are out of the genetics bag, the Senate in its infinite wisdom have set a date to debate this issue. We now need to do our sums, we may still end up with nothing.’
‘We have to assume Goring and the four we now know he’s bribing are against the motion, Cantrell may be a pompous ass, but all the signs are he’s neutral.’
‘So we’re five nil down and the game has only just started!’
‘Winning the argument with good witnesses is not the problem either, it’s getting them into the Senate!’
‘True,’ said the Admiral, his cool grey eyes exuding his thoughts.
The Commander sighed. ‘We need to ensure that of the remaining nine Senators, those that aren’t bought are not bigots either. In fact the more integrity they have the less likely they are of being persuaded by anything other than…dare I say it, evidence.’
The Admiral smiled. ‘Thanks to Elena, we now have the evidence to persuade the corrupt instead!’
‘Blackmail Admiral, surely not?’ The faint smile was once again on the Commanders thin lips.
The Admiral continued, ‘We also need to choose at least one witness, one that could be regarded as unbiased and knowledgeable. Their logic being only part of the larger image we wish to project to the whole Galaxy.’
The Commander added, ‘Better still if it’s somebody who has also been a ravager of planets and who has since seen the error of their ways; and of course…one who likes an argument.’
The Admiral finished, ‘One who can put pressure on the Senators through popularity with the public…through their heroic deeds.’
Both officers smiled at once.
The Galactic media was fed a diet of these heroic deeds, carried out by paragons of science and virtue who travelled in their little ship called the Prospector. How could the voters resist those that had cleared the heavens of smugglers who were people traffickers and thus merchants of death? What was this compared to the heroes’ former minor indiscretions of ravaging mostly dead planets for their mineral treasures.
The Senators and witnesses sat around a large circular table within an arena of tiered seats, all overlooked by a gallery. Immediately behind the Senators were other seated personnel that were their aides. The media with its paraphernalia, and the public, crammed the thousand or so seats and any standing room available.
‘As one of those who could have been accused of ravaging the planets Mr Denton, in your own words, what made you change your mind and start feeling more sympathetic towards alleged intelligent aliens?’ Senator Cantrell, the Leader of the Senate, fixed his hard stare on Denton’s softer dark blue eyes.
Alan Denton stretched his tall slim frame, covered by a black jumpsuit. He soaked in the moment of being in the glare of the whole Galaxy, he felt privileged. ‘After years of ravaging, as you put it, I met a family, a tribe, and then got to know a whole people.’
‘How much time did you spend with these…people?’
Denton smiled. ‘An introduction lasting a whole afternoon, then their constant companionship for weeks.’
‘How could a man in your line of work fail to notice intelligence earlier if it was always there?’
‘Not least of all was the fact that I had been brainwashed as a kid that aliens usually came with three legs, and were of course the standard colour…green.’ All those in the Senate chuckled, as Denton intended they should, but many eyes glared at him.
‘So, what caused your awakening Mr Denton? Is this what stopped you clearing aliens out of the way of humans?’
‘An absurd parody Senator Cantrell, I never saw anything that resembled a humanoid in all my working life, my business partner and I did fight a lot of rock, but never a single living organism.’ There were more chuckles. ‘Rock that later uncovered fuel based minerals that does of course keep the whole Galaxy going.’
Denton was warming to the challenge, it wasn’t so much that the eyes of the whole galaxy were on him, but that he was fencing with one of those political minds that he detested. His reason reined him in, the reason that forced all selfishness out of his mind by reminding him that this was about the enslaved of the Galaxy, and not about his enjoyment. He did however allow his pride in science to prevail. ‘At the risk of softening science with art, I am going to challenge the whole Galaxy as well as the Senate with evidence of both. I will even give the sentimental version as some would call it, by way of balance, if of course the Senate agrees.’
Senator Cantrell released a faint smile that surprised Denton. ‘Please go on Mr Denton.’
‘The genetics evidence is indisputable, but you know this. I can show you holograms of their engineering projects, homes built out of rock, water supply systems and smelting plants. They rival our own engineers. I have recordings of some of the most exquisite art, art that has been on a cave wall for eight thousand years and lifts the soul, as well as the veil of time covering their history.’
‘How productive do you think aliens are?’
‘I have worked with them; those I have the most knowledge of have more energy, including mental energy, than humans; but before human panic is aroused, they are the kindest of people and have already helped humans in the most productive of ways.’
‘But how can you tell they’re not just ingratiating themselves?’
Denton sighed, still well short of contempt. ‘I have seen them risk their lives to save the lives of humans, and there are other witnesses to back me.’
The Leader of the Senate looked thoughtful as his eyes scanned those seated around him. ‘I’m sure the Senate would like you to include the sentimental version you promised?’
Denton saw a glorious opening, he wondered if this man had intentionally passed the ball to him to tap it over the line. His eyes softened still further, he still couldn‘t resist a joke: ‘Grab your tissues!’ he started, ‘I saw two sets of pleading eyes from parents whose child had got trapped below a grating. In rescuing the child I had to pick it up, the child told me the one thing that any bigot would ever need to know.’ He paused to perfection, then tapped the ball clearly over the line. ‘I knew through the child’s eyes that I had something special in my arms, really special.’
Senator Cantrell seemed to wait for the whole Galaxy to absorb the statement.
‘Was this not just an act of kindness towards dumb animals Mr Denton, hardly a conviction by you that these creatures are productive and of course trustworthy!’
Denton smiled again. ‘Why would we work with each other over many weeks if we were not being productive and were not mutually trustwo
rthy. The whole of our planet know we have alien visitors in our midst as I speak, you Senators could not agree amongst yourselves whether or not to allow them to be witnesses. The law being in the way, the very thing you’re here to debate.’ He paused for effect. ‘Some aliens have been living amongst us for years. I challenge the Galaxy to meet Harry, he‘s a sixteen year old trained lawyer…from planet AO2374!’
‘THE SENATE ORDER AN ALIEN TRIBUNAL’ Such were the headlines flashed throughout the Galaxy after the day long debate, finally passed by a majority of eight to seven, the leader of the Senate casting the decisive vote.
FROM A SCHEME TO A DREAM
‘It’s time for a rethink Alfonso, the way things have gone at the Senate, the Justices could change anything. We need to cover our backsides,’ a thoughtful Senator advised.
‘Yes Senator.’ The grey man came to heel immediately.
‘If they’re stupid enough to change the law on alien rights, we want to make sure we win or we win.’
‘Quite so Senator, I have prepared a list of the things we need to tackle. I suggest the smugglers first!’
‘Yes, the military obviously got them, but we claim the credit for ridding our planet of those butchers, we’ll look good whichever way the law goes.’
‘Can we replace the lost business?’
‘I think exporting is now defunct, we expand our employment services to include all types of low paid work, not just entertaining.’
‘But if alien rights do come in?’
‘No problem Alfonso, the present market is limited because it’s underground. If things change then we can come out in the open, promote cheap labour to a wider grateful electorate, for the benefit of both natives and humans. That’s the beauty of this scheme.’
‘Excellent Senator, the security services?’