by J. K. Mabrey
So far her duties had taken her off-world to planets that could potentially help restore Earth. Systems without a direct link to Earth did not like having to pay the high fees the Council, and other systems levied for the use of their portals. Only with Earth and the systems pushing the Council for more portals would the request even begin to be considered. However, convincing the systems to push the council for a portal to Earth was tougher than she imagined. Earth could offer very little to other systems, it wasn’t exactly the best trading partnership in the galaxy. Other systems always prioritized different tasks for the council, placing a portal to Earth as a last request, if even a consideration.
Past a waiting room, Ambassador Hains and Bendix entered her personal office. Her scented candles let a pleasant spring smell linger in the air. The last time she returned from a two-month absence, the stale air of the secure room had almost made her faint. She sat down at her glass desk, overlooking two chairs as well as a small sofa against the sidewall. A plant sat in the corner next to the door, a fern from Earth. It had survived well given the subtle differences between Earth and Cedona”s atmosphere. There was one window directly behind her chair. The sun dropped below the horizon and shone through the window every night Mari had been there. The radiant blaze reflecting off the glass and metal that filled the surface of Cedona made for a spectacular setting. However, Mari found the blinding light more distracting than mesmerizing on most occasions. The ambassador keyed her workstation on. The holographic projection of Earth appeared, showing the portals surrounding Earth. The three deactivated rings were lit in red.
“Bendix, what happened?" she cried. "Why are these three offline?”
“Ma’am, there was another attack, about thirty minutes ago.”
“Dear God. It knocked these offline?”
“Not exactly," he hesitated. "They were deactivated, in an attempt to end the attack. Chokmnd designed ships were pouring into the system and the only way to stop them was to deactivate the Eris portal. The other two adjacent portals were also deactivated to prevent their escape.”
“That is unacceptable. Three portals deactivated to stop a small group of pirates.”
“We suspect they were not just pirates, ma’am. There were about sixty ships that attacked, and they went after a highly valuable platform.”
“Sixty ships?” she asked. “That’s three times more than typical. Yes, that does sound more threatening than a handful of pirates. What platform were they after?”
“One that had just received a shipment of restoration supplies for the European Province. The attackers were aimed at that platform only, and less than thirty minutes after the delivery had been made. It’s hard to justify coincidence for that.”
“Yes, I agree," she said. "How long will the portals be offline?”
“A little over a month, ma’am.”
“Three portals out for a month," she said to herself, shaking her head. "Unbelievable. We need more security to ensure this doesn’t happen anymore.”
“Perhaps the Council will be more sympathetic after this latest attack.”
She stared into Bendix’s eyes and said, “They can’t be much less sympathetic now, can they? Any leads on the attackers this time?”
“No more than usual.”
“Well then it’s a good thing our defenders stopped them.”
“Yes…well….” Bendix stuttered.
“Well, what, Bendix?”
“We did have some help defending the base," he said.
“From whom?”
“The smuggler…or, I mean shipper who delivered the supplies. Apparently, his ship was outstanding in battle. Really crucial in saving the station and supplies.”
“That so? Well, this shipper should be commemorated. I would most like to meet, and get a debriefing on what transpired from…him?”
“Yes, his name is Zavik Khan. Although I’m not sure meeting him is such a good idea.”
“And why not?” she demanded.
“He used to be in the United Earth Forces, a few years back. He was dishonorably discharged. Since then our intelligence says he’s done some shady things to get by, perhaps illegal things, ma’am. He might not be too trustworthy.”
“If this is so, why was he contracted for these supplies?"
"Desperation, ma'am, on our part."
"Never the less, he seems to have helped us here, and I wish to thank him.”
“Very well,” he conceded. “He will meet you after your meeting with the Council.”
“Oh! He’s here?”
“Yes, ma’am," he said as he turned to leave the office. "He wanted to meet you too.”
***
Ambassador Hains and Bendix boarded a skiff and took the short ride to the Council Chambers. The ivory white building towered over all others. In the early morning light, the white marble cast a soft glow over all who approached. Once inside, the flood of natural and artificial light lit up the first floor like a golden crown. There were hundreds of alien creatures moving about on their daily business. Aside from Ambassador Hains and Bendix, there were only two other humans in the whole crowd. Humans weren’t integrated well into galactic society, despite being part of it for over two hundred years. The social and political acceptance of humans was low. Most aliens wouldn’t talk to, or acknowledge you at all. To find a friendly alien was an arduous task for anyone, even one ranked so highly as Ambassador Hains.
Mari pushed her way through the tight confines of the crowd. Through the white noise, a high-pitched voice rang in her ear, one she recognized. “Greda!" she said. "So good to see you again. How are you?”
“Very well,” said the Iriquios alien. Mari had meet Greda her first time on Cedona. She was the first alien to treat her position of ambassador with any resemblance of respect. In the light of the chamber, she looked almost human. That was typical when the sunlight was able to mask their slight green tint. The facial features, even the hair on some Iriquios, bore a striking resemblance to humans. They had been assimilated into galactic life over fifteen thousand years ago, and were universally accepted in the Galactic Community, something humans were desperate to achieve. “It’s a pleasure to have you back. How was your journey?”
“Good, but not as promising as I’d hoped," Ambassador Hains admitted. "I don’t think I convinced the Bacarians to officially request a portal to Earth. We could really use their machinery, but they don’t see what advantage helping us gives them.”
“The Bacarians are a tactical people," she said. "They won’t do anything that doesn’t lead to their greater dominance over all other races. Though they are too cowardly to do anything, should that dominance ever actually materialize.”
Mari laughed and said, “Yes, well they see no strategic value in Earth right now.”
“Perhaps you will have better luck with the Council. I am to escort you there now.”
“Very well. Let's see what mood they’re in today.”
Ambassador Hains entered the Council Chambers. The large room at the center of the building opened to a raised platform, where the five Council members sat behind a pearl white bench. In front of them was a seating area for those addressing the Council to occupy. For now, it was empty. Mari slowly approached the platform, her heart beginning to pound heavily in her chest. She raised her head and quickly lowered it again after seeing all five members of the Council staring directly at her. She shuffled her feet in an attempt to gather her composure. Utmost respect was needed if this meeting was to go any of the ways she planned.
There were five races that occupied the Council. Three were permanent positions, represented continually by a member of their race. The Chokmnds were the oldest known race. They claim to have developed the portals. Since no other race was as advanced as they were at the time the Community was created, this claim had gone both unproven, and unchallenged. Reptilian, by Earth accounts, they had developed the portal systems some seventy thousand years before Earth was contacted. The second oldest race,
the Farlins, were another to hold a permanent position. These grey-skinned, bug-eyed beings, were the first species to be contacted by the Chokmnds, some fifty thousand years before Earth. It was this contact that sparked the foundation for the future Council alliances. The last race to hold a permanent position was the Rovuns. These terrifying brutes could have been relatives of silver back apes if they had evolved on Earth. They were contacted shortly after the Farlins. It was known they hadn’t always been in agreement with the Chokmnds, even culminating in a war between the two, many millennia ago.
The final two races on the Council were rotated between the other races that were deemed acceptable. Not all races that had been contacted and accepted into the Galactic Community were given the opportunity to hold a Council position. Earth was one such race. It often took many centuries, even sometimes millennia to become Council eligible. When selected to the Council, the race representative served five years, and then another race was selected to replace you. The Pakals were odd in-human looking life forms, with translucent pink flesh and three eyes, set in a triangular pattern on their head. This was their third year on the Council. They had yet to side with humans on any matter. Ambassador Hains despised them. The final Council race was the Iriquios, by far the friendliest to humans. It was the first year of their term on the Council. She considered the Iriquios to be Earth’s greatest ally in the Galaxy.
Paquiko, the Chokmnd councilor and de-facto head of the Galactic Council sat in the middle. He spoke when the ambassador raised her head again. “Good day, Ambassador Hains.” He spoke with a deep, slow voice, like that of an ancient man nearing his days end. This raspiness was a common vocal trait among Chokmnd. Paquiko’s scaly skin was a light grey color. His teeth were receded more than a younger male of his species would be, but still maintained their fanged appearance. He sat upright and never wavered in his position. “The Council would like to offer our condolences to your people for the attack you sustained earlier today. If your people need any assistance, I’m sure the Council will oblige by all means possible.”
“Thank you, Councilman Paquiko. I’m certain my people will be grateful to know the Council is as concerned about this attack as we are. It is most unfortunate, but thankfully there was not any greater loss of life or any loss of the supplies we had just received. I am also certain the Council can aid us further in our many struggles.”
“Struggles?” Paquiko asked. “What struggles do you speak of specifically?”
“Earth is in desperate need for more supplies, to aid in our restoration. The amount currently authorized by the Council just isn’t enough. I come before you to request authorization for additional supply runs.”
“Ambassador,” Bamino, the Rovuns councilor sitting to Paquiko's immediate right responded, with an air of contempt. He sounded more like he was barking orders than talking. “We can assure you the amount of supplies Earth is getting is sufficient to restore the planet in the quickest possible time. Other systems need these supplies as well, and any greater amount sent to Earth would just be a waste.” Thick brown fur covered his whole body. Small sections of his cheek were all that showed dark exposed skin. A gaping mouth, lined with menacing teeth, never smiled. Mari wasn't sure if that was due to evolution not allowing it, or if Rovuns were just never happy enough to garner a smile.
“Councilor, if you please," she continued, "we have studies that show how a five or six-fold increase in supplies would set Earth on a path to sustainability in as little as five years. Then we could lift our burden on the Galactic Community.”
“Nonsense,” Bamino barked. “Any extra would be a waste. The Council has already commissioned its own studies. Even Councilman Paquiko’s Chief of Staff, Varin Bragko, headed in a study that shows Earth is at least thirty years away from sustainment, at best.”
“We will not waste limited supplies and jeopardize other systems so that humans can satisfy their ego for superiority,” Iney added. Iney was the Pakal councilor, he sat to the far left of Paquiko. His pink, jelly-like skin hung loosely from the bones of his face. When he talked, which thankfully wasn't often, his entire face jiggled with the movement of his jaws. It was a monstrous sight.
“Councilors please, we are only trying to restore our sovereignty, as all systems have a right too.” Ambassador Hains could feel the direction of the meeting slipping from her grasp. The conversation was deteriorating quickly.
“Yes, but your situation is unique,” Bamino continued. “Like all humans before you, you thought nothing of the consequences of your actions, until it was too late. Perhaps it’s time for Earth to learn that lesson, which most other races discovered a long time ago. You’re not special here, and you have no authority. Our decision to aid you is out of our own kindness. We truly wish for humans to become a strong ally and valuable asset to the galaxy, but your perpetual fight-first mentality has no place.”
“Councilor, we are an inherently peaceful people—“
“You are an inherently war-torn society. It has been documented that all of your technological advancements have been developed through war. Lest you forget, we have watched humans evolve since long before you were contacted. We monitored your activity for centuries. The nuclear weapons, your original space programs, even your development of fast-as-light drives. All brought about, by a need for military superiority. Humans are one of the most war-torn races to be admitted into the Community. We had hoped you would assimilate better than you have, but we are still not convinced of your potential for positive contributions.”
Mari was shocked. She had not anticipated being berated like this when she arrived, and it was not something she was trained for. She could feel her heart starting to beat faster after a short calm. She took a short breath and said, “Councilors, I understand that we are still new to the Community, and our actions and motivations aren’t truly understood by all. However, we have been very open and honest with the Council. We have aided the Council in campaigns, devoted ships and men to your causes, and pledged our allegiance to the Council races. We desire not to conquer, but to prosper in the galaxy, as all races do. But, to truly prosper, we do need to be self-reliant, and the Council’s aid is helping us achieve that. We just ask for additional supplies, taken from no other needy system, to fulfill that quest. And once our focus can be removed from sustainment efforts, we can turn our attention to other matters the Council requests.”
"The ambassador makes valid points,” Conchu finally said. Conchu was the Iriquios representative on the council, and her resemblance to Greda was remarkable. Then again all Iriquios looked similar to Mari, even from male to female. “If her people are sovereign again, they can devote more resources to the Community’s needs.” It was always the Iriquios that came to the defense of humans first.
The Council sat silent for a moment. Mari watched as Paquiko glanced up and down the row of the councilors before saying, “The Council is prepared to double the current amount of supplies being shipped to Earth.”
It wasn’t up for debate. What they were offering was the only option available, almost as if it was decided before the meeting took place. All Ambassador Hains could do was say thank you and mention the terrorist attacks.
“Terrorist attacks?” Bamino said. “I would hardly say the insurgence of pirates in your Earth space constitutes a terrorist attack.”
“Normally I would be inclined to agree with you, your High Councilor, but these attacks were very well coordinated. They knew a high-value shipment just arrived and attacked the exact station it was being unloaded at.”
“Coincidence, Ambassador,” the Rovun replied.
“Yes, nothing but luck in their timing,” Racklera said. Racklera Was the Farlin's representative and took up the seat to Paquiko's immediate left. Though the Farlins had sided with Earth on more occasions than some of the other races, Ambassador Hains did not think of them as strong allies.
“I respectfully disagree Councilors. Earth believes these recent attacks, coupled with this
latest, is part of a coordinated effort to undermine our sovereignty and disrupt our path to sustainability.”
“Oh! Is that what Earth believes,” said Bamino. “The Rovuns don’t much care for what Earth believes. We believe it is meaningless pirates searching for an opportunity to attack an unprepared, disorganized system. The Rovuns will not risk our men to subsidize your ineffective fleet.”
“The Iriquios people believe we should at least investigate these claims," Conchu said. "These are serious charges that should be looked into. Any other race that asks for such help against attacks would receive at least an inquiry by the Council.”
Paquiko finally said softly, “The Council will debate this in private, and return an answer to you within an hour.”
“I’m afraid I must protest your request for privacy, Councilor. My people’s lives are at stake. I should be involved in any decision.”
“Unfortunately, Ambassador Hains,” Paquiko responded, “humans are not on the Council, or even a Council eligible race. Therefore, they have no say in Council dealings. This is a matter for the Council to decide, alone.”
Ambassador Hains saw that there was no use arguing the point any longer. The Council had made up its mind, and it never changed it. “Then I shall await your word Council.” She bowed and turned to exit the chambers.
When she was outside the room she saw Greda and Bendix engaged in conversation. They saw her and broke off their conversation to walk over to her. “How did it go?” Bendix asked. She blankly gazed past them, barely acknowledging the question. “That bad?”