“The question you need to ask is if you were in my place and all of humanity vanished and you were among people less advanced than you, with no memories, how would you feel if you ultimately discovered you made something that took away those you loved. There are trillions of humans, but any one of you could end up just like me. If you decided to make war on the Creelin using one of my creations to put you on the same level and repeat history, nothing is learned but lives are lost. I’m sorry, but Humanity is not ready.” He shook his head and then added to ease this blow. “Creelin were once young like you. They tell me that they struggled to get where they are. They adapt too. If they are where they are because we, my race, didn’t give in, so can you. Be patient and enjoy what it means to be young. Because one day you’ll find yourselves older and wiser and need to guide another young race if the Creelin do for what my people did for them and everyone else.”
Heavy words made even the lazily sitting Hunters consider that way of thought. The special agents too looked at him over staring ahead as they were trained. Amanda Lockwell found herself speechless again.
“Put that way and even my opposition can’t refute such wisdom.” Emperor Coleson nodded. “I feel old compared to most, but I’ve seen children who turned out without a heavy handed parent and never does it turn out as great as the spanked. And rather than ostracize you and tempt your anger, I’ve come up with a proposition that will make it so you aren’t abused by my people.”
“You want to do that now, Coleson?” Vanishing Claw asked, kicking his chair back again.
“After that speech the time is prime, Old Friend.” The Emperor snapped his fingers and an android came up. It’s armored chest cavity opened and he withdrew a metal case, set it on the table and the robot moved back by the door. His hand laid upon the surface with the moving sword and globe emblem of the Emperor. There was a hiss as the clamps inside unlocked with the security clearance. The briefcase opened and out came a single diamond shaped cut of genuine diamond. It was small, about five millimeters and set in a simple gold ring. “This here is a form adjusted from what was once a United Nations agreement for when many governments ruled Earth more than a thousand years ago. Vanishing Claw and I worked on it carefully ever since we met up in the space between the Milky Way and Andromeda as soon as I got word of your existence, Solarian.”
The ring floated across the table and the wide band was carefully checked for any needles from Oliver and having his accurate measurements from Renee’s scans from when he was constantly under her medical observation. It was all part of the full disclosure Jake Dorgen sent. It fit perfectly in the index finger and he said “Activate.” A holographic projection came out of the gemstone and as soon as the Valek touched it the turning of pages blurred past. In a mere heartbeat Oliver said “King? You want me to become king and have Renee as my queen?”
Renee read it just as fast, her jaw dropped.
“Astounding how fast you assimilate information. That took me months to go through and for me and Vanishing Claw to adjust for a binding legal document.” Coleson shook his head. “In essence, you aren’t really human. Neither is your bride. Her own biology is closer to your people with a few markers of Jake Dorgen and Isabelle’s. You shouldn’t even be considered an Elder Hunter. Aside from the Amnesia, you are a different race. After first contact with the Creelin, I too gave them similar amnesty using this agreement. Yours is slightly different because your daughter and future daughters can make children with ours and to keep them safe, as a king you and they cannot be persecuted. Though never has a Creelin broken our laws, they punish their own. I’m still glad the Creelin Archivers didn’t force Verard for compensation for all the years detaining and torturing Beyleez Netul who sits among us.”
“Quick action and response after Vanishing Claw’s and Talon’s offspring maintained the pact declared long ago.” Netul merely confirmed.
Emperor Coleson laced his fingers again on the table. “Is there anything in the report you find unsatisfactory?”
Renee broke in. “I do not understand the part of human acquisition. We abolished all types of slavery even before we became a people of logic.”
“It’s not slavery.” The Emperor conformed. “Since you could pass for humans and you two and baby Isabella is all that is left, you need loyal persons to make sure your ideals and laws are met. Oliver here abides by the three hundred he deciphered for us from his people. Not once has he broken our or his peoples own laws. Solarian’s may have kept the laws simple, but they are specific and punishments more severe than even our own.” Coleson said “Oliver, personally, even if you were Mantiv, had you broken any laws, not even the Galactic King could let you get off with amnesia if you did something like genocide with forethought. I’m the emperor of humanity and even I had to stand back as some of my own children and family were retrained when they broke the law.”
“It was hard for us” The oriental Empress added. “to watch our family members beaten and corrected with drugs to be rehabilitated into productive society. As leaders we were looked towards to make an example that there are no means for extenuating circumstance. I’ve even had to watch a great grandson be hung publically for the rape and murder of a minor. No one knew till he was suspected, investigated and proved guilty. As a leader, should you agree to my mate and husband’s offer, you will have to do something should your children and descendants do something illegal.”
He nodded. “So any half human and Solarian offspring can claim either government for a crime. If they are arrested by you they can go to my embassy for trial and punishment and any of yours could do the same under my rule.”
It was a statement, but the Emperor had to make it clear. “Yes, that is the case. But more than that, you haven’t the resources to make and uphold a functioning government due to lack of personnel. It won’t be slavery as your lovely woman asked about, but any human who has taken the Solarian gene therapy can’t be considered human anymore and can legally join your kingdom.”
“Like the entire Hunter caste.” Vanishing Claw said, relaxed as ever. “Even after all the years our order has been around, we still cannot be around civilians because we get everything free while they bust their ass working for a wage. They don’t care that we fight and die for them. It’s mostly about cost to civilians. We don’t deal with civilian society, but we are part of it. It’s why as soon as the full Hunter’s Elder council arrives I’m going to propose we all become part of your leadership.” Half the Elders at the table nearly got whiplash from looking at him so fast. “We can still be part of human civilization, but under you we can do what needs to be done to keep the kids safe. We’re self sustaining as a group anyway, but if you decide to sign it, we’ll become your militia. And in article eight hundred ninety three you cannot use a militia to make war on any settlement or human city without just cause and speak with the ruling Emperor for a negotiation. Under your rule my whole family of Hunters and Huntresses don’t need to go through channels that we Elders are exempt from.”
“What would happen if I became a tyrant king?”
“I’d kill you first chance I got just as I would anyone oppressing another.” Vanishing Claw was blunt. Always was.
Oliver made a quick glance to the side of the room. “Emperor, if I signed and Davan Took made claim he was my chief scientist, your laws would be unable to lay a finger on him correct?”
At this Davan’s defeated expression perked up and new life shone through them. Fear these agents would kill him went away. The Emperor too glanced at the man. “Indeed it would. He would need identification proving he was one of yours, but the moment it is proven, he would be merely questioned and transferred to your custody for investigation and public punishment.”
“If I decided this is in my best interest, could I amend based on looks? For instance, you made a point we look identical as convergent evolution dictated. Since it is clear you look nothing like Creelin or Drake, I’d propose my people be recognized by marking or co
loring.”
“Curious. Like a tribal mark or have everyone share coloring as young Mr. Took here?”
“Like a special tattoo that is difficult to cover and made illegal to all tattoo parlors. Hunters are known for their battle beaten armor, but I’d make an intricate burning star since your people dubbed mine after discovering we could make actual stars with our greater power. A type of tattoo an artist’s needle cannot duplicate like on the neck or at the hollow of our throats.”
“I like that idea.” Talon admitted and showed off her pearly whites. “And our trademark also is our ligament speed. Personally I’m tired of strictly armor to be known. A woman needs more than armor in her wardrobe.”
Elder Javelin nodded vigorously at that proposal. “A universal tattoo that’s difficult to copy would be a great start, but we’ll need to have a terran network server since the gene will allow all Hunters to use a neural chip’s facial recognition to verify they are part of our society, civilian or Hunter.”
“Then why don’t we reinstate the five kingdoms or queendoms? This it getting ridiculous.” Renee proposed. “I’ll become the new Fire Queen. It’ll only take my daughters to fully mature ten years. Most likely one of my future hellions will lean towards one of the kingdoms. Hunters can be of Terra. Scientists of Fire. Those who search far and dangerous places will be of Wind. Normal civilians can deal with Water and whatever else Stephanie and Andrea Loke discover about Ice. The Milky Way can have five Human Queens.”
“What will we do for credits?” Jessica wondered. “My wife is the historian, but didn’t new governments back on Earth long ago require start up capitol? How will we supply citizens.”
Renee looked straight across the table. “Netul, did Solarians not use funds like your people do?”
“We patterned ourselves after them.” He replied, treading a fine line. “So no. They were an honor based society like us. Their occupation is what they enjoyed doing for society.”
“So if we recreate a non-monetary society off yours, it can be sustained?”
There came a brilliant flash as someone else entered the room. “Many struggles await, but with you as a queen of Fire, you would do well keeping those who wish to come under your rule, but in making this treaty, you will fall into a different category.” A robed Archiver merely gave Netul a nod and the Beyleeze removed himself from the chair and took rigid stance behind it. The Archiver sat down and Netul became the Zeelin warrior who protects the ancient male. “Forgive the intrusion, Young Ones. We Archivers felt this situation requires our attention.”
“Welcome Ambassador Tammat. You look well.” The Emperor said as Oliver stared heavily at the newcomer, at last meeting the strongest and one of the ten oldest members of Creelin society.
“As do you. Let me get to the point, as you always prefer.” The Emperor and his wife chuckled softly. “Should Oliver Void formalize this agreement, your people must sever all talks with the Empire.” The humor was murdered at the seriousness of the massive former warrior turned Archiver and ambassador. “It is clear to us you wish to preserve the city of Fire’s technology Oliver Void has irreparably destroyed in the past four castles so your people may enter and learn from and preserve for history. That much we have not agreed on.
“Logically one day in the future you will be forced to form an alliance or a faction of humanity will seek to steal forbidden technology from Oliver. We hold no cause to promote Renee and Oliver to the pinnacle of a society and each have proven countless times they are of honor. The exception lays with humans leaking information to your society. Hunters are proven to keep to themselves, but they are not like scientists.” Tammat’s bright white misting eyes turned to those at the table in lab coats. “Scientists and researchers often share exploits and make sure all groundbreaking inventions are publically available. Any who join under Oliver’s rule cannot share because it’ll devastate your society. Yours will be left behind and everyone will want an alliance. You’ll be replaced for someone who will do it by any means, even kidnap one of Oliver’s children through blackmail. And they will follow another Emperor’s orders regardless of words earlier spoken of the damage Oliver will unleash. They will not care to sacrifice a few planets if humanity gets forbidden technology. So to negate it, if you proceed with this course you will never again see your people if they join him as a king.”
“Will you stop us?” The Emperor’s serious side was frightening, on par with any Hunter.
“For the safety of your society overall, we will send their kingdom to a distant galaxy you’ve yet to ever see up in the sky. So far away that there will be no communication. We will go that far and further to ensure technological evolution doesn’t turn to corruption. Consider my words carefully for they are backed by the entirety of my people. We are united to see you succeed and join us in filling the galaxies, not die off because of impatience.”
“Then there is no need to worry, I decline becoming king.” Oliver said instantly, “But I have a counter of you both will listen?”
“Oh, I just love how your mind works.” Renee giggled, following along at the extreme solution he created.
“I’m available for options.” The Emperor relaxed without a serious ultimatum.
“So are we.” Archiver Tammat inclined his head and narrow, mouthless chin.
“Rather than separate, we change the entire Empire’s laws and abolish them. Since Solarian deal in simplicity and humans eagerly try to adopt from us, we scrap all the damn confusing laws they make and enforce just the three hundred. Hunters already live faithfully by Terra’s. The Marines can just be a sub-warrior class that protect the four others of Wind, Fire, Water and Ice. Civilians go to Water. Scientists join Fire and so on. To negate the unnatural advancement you fear, Tammat, make Renee the queen and rather than presidents of worlds who are nearly all women anyway, make them an elected queen just as Solarian law number one eighty six promotes. With Renee as queen of the city of Fire, any human born with the Solarian therapy gets an exemption from other scientists if they figure out how to reverse engineer the technology and let them figure out what we’ve already discovered, Tammat.
“Have a human or many elite humans get full access to both of our types of technology and mathematics. If a human the Empire trusts implicitly comes to rationalize our worst fears and tells them the danger of misuse so early in their overall role in this universe… then they will back off some because it is one of their own and not an outsider like us. Medical advances are a grey area in both of our laws, Tammat. How about we give their best medics a few advances in that area and see where it leads.
“We isolate the people selected and both of our people merely monitor so their blind study can’t challenge our involvement. To keep telepaths from stealing any advanced technologies, we throw up a telepathic blocker they cannot bypass, not even with Drakes, and any meetings between the test group and outsider be separated so any passing of notes are impossible. And to prevent complaints we are manipulating the test subjects via underhanded means, they are telepathically blocked at all times and let the humans use their cameras to record all hours of the day, even during mating and use of bathrooms.”
“An interesting proposal. Should the humans first adopt the three hundred laws openly, all Arhivers will have a say in whether or not to use this idea of humans seeing for themselves the practical dangers of both our sides, but the only way to alleviate many dangers of a breach and my people even consider bending the rules, the isolated group must be implanted with a neural inhibitor. Should their weaker minds be opened and information stolen they will die and their neural tissues destroyed.”
“If that’s the case” Johnny the Emperor’s personal medic spoke. “I’d gladly sign a waver to learn even if I’m killed if I lean anything damaging. As a Medic, we all swear to save lives at the cost of our own if necessary. Any one of us would not hesitate to inject an inhibitor and be telepathically suppressed ourselves. If I could save a life, but see a way that could be mis
used, I’ll let the person die. Simple as that.”
“So would any scientist give up their freedom for the rest of their days to crack Creelin technology let alone Solarian.” Siblia, the woman from before said adamantly. “We all want our name in history like Captain Dorgen. Any price will be a pittance to learn. And scientists are obligated to the betterment of humanity both logically and ethically. If I found something damaging, and I’ve discovered a fair share in eight hundred years, I’ve kept my lips shut and sealed the evidence.”
“So the only way you might let us see for ourselves the dangers of hastily advancing are with the conditions of reforming the whole Empire in five systems, Terra, Fire and so on… and that selected scientists and Medics get quarantined in a neutral area forever?”
“To even be considered, that is correct. But forever isolating a sentient creature is blasphemous. Even if they manage to learn, when they realize our truth we will accept them into our society with no way to commune with your people till you reach a level to join us in harmony and any visitation will be monitored closely for breaches in security. Should your Empire fully adopt our first creators who seeded the known galaxies, it will be considered by all living Archivers and voted on. Whether or not it’ll pass is unknown, but it will be your only chance.”
“A chance we won’t want to pass up. I will speak with my advisors and let you know as soon as a decision is made, but I know too how many would jump at this chance. Even my critics want to have a crack at Creelin tech let alone Solarian. The problem will be with law reform.” The black man rubbed his chin.
“We did it before, Husband, we can do it again. You like saying how we adapt. It would be a great show of faith to both of them our money is good. We won’t be able to stop money because last time the economy collapsed and we almost didn’t recover. You reinstated the credits system so we keep it. If we split our people by five, Water would be key. Scientists can barely manage money on average and Hunters will all ally with a city like this one. Our scouts rarely visit and don’t make much money anyway because they spend it on Booster Oil and repairs. We can do it. More importantly, we cannot afford to silence the critics who want you replaced as leader. If our chosen testers are without a doubt genuine in regards to dangers of advanced tech to even them, with the level of protection Oliver spoke of, we will need to trust their judgment just as the overall Empire trusts you to lead our people.”
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