“Don’t remind me,” his tone bordered on the mournful. “Still, the Zulfiqar is in good shape. They just decommissioned her and took out her weapons, but all other systems are functional. I think we can make this work!” he replied. “I’ll make sure this is handled quickly if the parliament ratifies the treaty.”
“Jon, thanks.” My reply was simple, but the relief was palpable. Allies were the only thing that made government work easier.
“You just remember all of us little people when they give you that world record,” he said jovially. “I got to get back to work here though. I will catch you again when you get Earthside. Harper. Out.”
Contentment spread through my tiny form. Out here, on the edges of the human frontier, I felt as if I was making a difference. The Corvaldians were still largely a terrestrial species, but because of what I had done today, they may soon be taking their place in the heavens.
The Mendians had given them space, but I hoped that I would help give them the stars.
I let myself drift, watching the planet float in front of my vision and briefly drifted off to sleep.
An awful dream seized me. I was floating above Corval and it was surrounded by UEA warships. Then all at once, they began orbital bombardment of the planet. The lush greens and blues gave way to hellish broiling dust clouds, full of pyrotechnic fury.
I startled awake. “NO!” I cried out through my voice collar. Jill was by my side in an instant.
“Nightmare Boss?” she queried, her tone one of worry.
“Yeah. A pretty bad one too, but it’s just my brain working out my fears. Seriously, the UEA would never have a reason to harm Corval Prime,” I said, trying to assure myself.
“You got a point Boss. By the way, now that you’re are up, you have some correspondence to answer,” she replied. I checked my internal clock as I was still tied to the system, and found I had been out for about three hours.
“Why did you let me sleep that long?” I said, un-contorting from the porthole window, my body responding with protests as I worked out the stiffness.
“You ask that like you actually think you sleep, Boss,” Jill said. She had a point, I was an avid insomniac.
“Ok. Ok. Fair point, what’s the status of the new treaty?”
“Oh That? I finished it an hour ago. Etrana already has it and is presenting it to her people. She left a message for you,” she said. I perked up my ears, curious.
“What message?”
“Etrana finds the work of assistant Jill most shiny! Let Snow rest. Etrana will bring this light to the Choir!” Jill said, reading from a tablet. “Then it went something like chortle, warble, chirp chirp.”
I giggled. “Yeah, that’s Etrana. Still she doesn’t waste any time, does she?”
“Your penchant for stating the obvious is in top form this afternoon,” Jill replied. We were both letting off steam, playfully pecking at each other.
“The only question I want to know is, do the Corvaldians make you hungry?” I asked, darkly.
“No comment,” was her only reply. Her tail twitched and thrashed some of its own accord.
“You know what?” I asked, still playing.
“What’s that?” Jill said.
“You picked the right form.” Jill smiled at that, and my ears detected a gentle purr.
“Why thanks, Boss,” she replied. The door then chimed; I authorized the entry and Etrana came bursting in full of excitement.
“The Choir approves! The Choir approves! Most shiny, most gleaming, most bright!” She chortled and began a complex joyful dance.
I smiled as I watched her, reveling in the great joy that our new treaty brought to her. The easy part was over. Now all I had to do was get it through Earth’s parliament.
Chapter 12
The secured diplomatic package had arrived electronically at the Hague almost four days ago, and parliament had taken it up in a special session. Jill, Etrana and I had been keeping daily vigil, with me logged into my interface as well as keeping Space News running in the background.
A message had arrived from Jon, today would be the day.
'Breaking News' flashed over the screen in my quarters. Etrana had centered herself in front of it, a large bowl of fruit lay to her right, or what was left of it. She had barely even left some twigs and cores. Otherwise, I had not seen her move in hours.
“This could be it! Etrana hopes! No more celebrity news. Most dim, not gleaming. Why important?” She looked at me, and chirped, then forgot her question and focused again resolutely on the monitor.
"This is Martin Radcliffe reporting live from the Hague. Just hours ago, the Parliament met and voted on the Treaty of Song. We go now live to Chancellor Rusch who has prepared a statement in honor of this historic day."
I knew in that moment, they had passed it. Etrana heard the words and her feathers exploded out until she looked like some mutant feathered football. Jill and I took up spots next to her, and I soon found a wing around Jill and myself, as she idly pecked what fruit remained after her relentless assault.
“Etrana wishes the shiny! Slow humans. This is most dim.” She launched a seed pit into the bowl with perfect accuracy.
“Ten points,” I replied.
“Snow Dawkins must teach Etrana this game!” she chortled. I had been teasing her with that one for days now.
Jill shot me a conspiratorial look, as her tail twitched in quiet amusement.
The aerial shot of the Hague faded to that of an empty podium emblazoned with the UEA seal, centered upon a red carpet in a grand hall. Rusch emerged from a door off camera and stood for a moment before the podium, letting the press get their pictures.
“Ladies and Gentleman of the United Earth Alliance. We live in a time of great change and great revelation. As you know, our ambassador to the Mendians has been hosting talks with a new species, the Corvaldians, and I am happy tonight to report that this meeting has borne fruit. A few hours ago, our Parliament, in congruence with the Corvaldian Choir, ratified the Treaty of Song. This marks a bright new day for both of our peoples."
"While this news brings great joy and we greet our Corvaldian allies with open arms, new information that has come to light during this voyage has ensured that the Parliament will remain in session until the end of the week. We must set our own house in order in this time of great revelation and great uncertainty. Let me be clear, though, that the United Earth Alliance will continue to stand for the people of Earth, in our new, larger galactic neighborhood."
"This is a time of great joy, and wonder, there is no reason to fear. The UEA is committed to the cause of Earth and her defense, no matter what may come. Thank you, and may the people of Earth continue to prosper."
“Etrana greets the ally Snow Dawkins! Most gleaming! Most bright! Most radiant!” she chortled and began a joyous dance.
My stomach churned, and I felt none of the happiness. Etrana had missed the subtext, they were going to do it. They were finally going to do it.
The UEA was going to pass the Farthest Star Act. I wondered in that moment, would my greatest achievement as an ambassador be my last official act?
“Come come! Dance with Etrana! Dance, dance!” She was lost in the celebration, lost in the rapture of a new alliance and the assurance of peaceful exchange. I desperately wanted to join her.
“What is wrong? Snow is shy? Come come, Etrana will show!” She began moving very slowly, left to right, left to right, then shook her wings. “Easy dance! Come celebrate with Etrana.”
“Ah, why the hell not?” I said, and hopped beside her.
“Can you show me again?” I asked, as Jill's ears perked up in surprise. Etrana again went patiently through the dance.
I felt ridiculous, but stood on my hind-paws and did my best to imitate.
Left, left, right, right, shake the forepaws. My limitations in dexterity made a mockery of my efforts. A noise began to rocket out of Etrana; she was squawking uncontrollably, a wing draped partially over he
r beak.
“Snow does not move like a Corvaldian! Most amusing! Yes yes!” She continued to devolve into occasional squawking. I looked over and Jill was watching, her eyes sparkled as her tail twitched, as my sensitive ears picked up a contented and amused purr.
“You know Boss, I’m never going to let you live this down,” she said.
“At least you don’t have video,” I replied, as she turned her clipboard tablet towards me after punching a few buttons. She had recorded the whole thing.
“Let’s just say if you fire me, this goes out on the Galactic Net,” she threatened, teasingly, I hoped.
“I think it’s about time we discuss your raise,” I replied.
For a time I forgot my worries. There with Jill and Etrana, I was able to momentarily escape from all the weight that tugged at the very depths of my soul. Earth was going to pass the Farthest Star Act; I was probably going to lose my post, but that was all going to come tomorrow.
Today, I had these precious few moments with people that had become my closest friends, but I also had the dance.
I let go, and tried again with all my might, and Etrana joined me as Jill laughed.
The night fell into utter celebration. We laughed and danced until exhausted. I awoke on my sleeping pad, with Etrana still in her quickly made nest in the center of the room. Jill was still asleep in a chair, with her hind paws propped up on the desk terminal.
In all the fun and celebration, I may have introduced Etrana to champagne. We may have also gone through three bottles together.
I admit nothing.
“Oh Etrana’s head is most dim. This is not shiny. Evil, evil, drink!” she barely warbled. My stirring must have woken her.
“Keep it down,” Jill moaned and I heard the clanking of a bottle falling to the floor and wished I could retreat again into unconsciousness.
For once, my brain cooperated and I fell back asleep, drifting for another few hours, but eventually, we all scraped ourselves up off the deck. There were some benefits to being nano-augmented, one of which was quick recovery from hangovers, and I was pleased to see Etrana was feeling better too.
“That was most fun! Etrana found that shiny! This morning, dim, very dim though!” she chortled, slowly coming back to her bubbly self.
“Can’t have the fun without the pain,” Jill said, her southern accent showing through. She may have been of Japanese ancestry, but she was raised in Atlanta. Part of the global culture, no matter who you were; you could be from anywhere now.
“Etrana will introduce Snow and Jill to happy sticks next time! No pain, just shiny fun! Reward! Not like dim dim evil drink!” she chortled, before continuing.
“Etrana still had much fun! Much fun! Thank you for sharing dim dim evil drink!” she warbled out happily.
“Glad you enjoyed. With the agreement signed and measures in place, we should be preparing to get back underway to Earth. Are you ready to be the first Corvaldian in command of a star ship?”
Etrana’s eyes went wide and she flattened out her wings, bowing before me. “Etrana is most honored to be given an earth ship as embassy! Etrana will learn, Etrana will bring the Corvaldians to learn!”
“I am certain of that. Etrana, I would like to depart tomorrow. Will that give you enough time to prepare your people?” I said, trying to cover all my bases at once.
“Yes yes! Most gleaming! Etrana will venture to the Choir this day and report all of the shiny shiny news! Etrana goes, will return soon!” She stretched out her wings briefly and charged out the door.
“Jill…” I began, and she held up a paw, then spoke.
“Contact Captain N’dungu and tell her that we are to prepare to receive a Corvaldian delegation. I will make sure their guest quarters are ready, and clear the time table.”
“Took the words right out of my mouth,” I said.
“Been doing this long enough to know,” Jill replied with a smile.
Chapter 13
We had been working all day on preparing the Danube for her flight home. The House Lethine was still docked with the Council Sphere, but we had detached after bringing the Corvaldian delegation aboard a few hours prior. Tomorrow, at 0600 hrs., with the start of the Day Watch, we would return to Earth.
To say that we were going home to a mess would have been an unbelievable understatement. The Parliament was just now in emergency session and I was expecting the bad news to drop before we arrived back home. I thought, sadly, that setting up the Corvaldian embassy would probably be my last act as ambassador.
Farthest Star was coming. Chains cloaked in the guise of freedom.
The core element of that black act that made most morphics cringe was the immediate revocation of citizenship. That is not to say we would become non-persons, exactly, but what the UEA called "colonial citizens". A colonial citizen could not hold office, or vote in any Earth election, nor would the UEA charter of rights apply. We would be cast adrift, as exiles into the depths of space.
I was, again, at the altar of our Lady of Infinite Paperwork, steadily working through the day’s offering of forms, when Jill contacted me through the ship's intercom.
“Boss, switch on Space news right now!” she said, sounding panicked.
“What happened? Did they pass Farthest Star?” I said, immediately activating the feed.
“That’s not all that’s happened. I'm on my way, you are going to want to make a statement,” her tone made my fur stand on end. I knew immediately this was bad.
I caught the report right in the middle. There was a huge plume of smoke rising up over London.
“Violent reactions and rioting erupted throughout Earth and her colonies this evening with the passage of the Farthest Star Act. The disruptions have been mostly minor and expected; however, just thirty minutes ago, a bomb was detonated inside Earth First Headquarters. High casualties have been reported, however, most of the dead were not the intended target as Earth First only occupied one floor of the high-rise.
The building was levelled and authorities responding to the scene have stated that the device used had to be heavily sophisticated to cause this much damage. A shadowy group known as the Transgenic Resistance has claimed responsibility stating that they no longer have any reason to be loyal to the UEA or her laws."
“Oh my god,” I replied. The rage had boiled over, and some were already charging towards war.
It was clear, I had to get back home. I had to stop this. Jill entered in and I immediately started barking orders.
“Jill, put out an immediate statement that I condemn these attacks and that regardless of the Parliament’s decision, acts of terrorism are no way forward. Get that out now. Then get me Darnack,” I said, panting. This was worse than I had feared.
“Roger that Boss,” she replied, with perfect calm.
“After that's done, I want you to start packing, and be ready to go in half an hour,” I ordered back; she understood my panic and raised no protest.
“Half an hour? Boss, where are we going?”
“With any luck? Home,” I replied.
Jill handled the secure communications request to the Lethine and soon I was transferred to Darnack.
“Snow my friend. This is a most unexpected surprise.” he said warmly over the intercom, having no clue as to what just had happened.
“Darnack, I need to ask a favor of you outside of diplomatic channels.”
“That sounds most grave, Shifted One. What troubles you?”
“The Parliament passed the Farthest Star Act. They are going to put us off world, but it gets worse,” I replied, feeling sick to my stomach, as a headache hit with full force. For the briefest of moments, I thought I was going to pass out, as I steadied myself, going down to all fours, on shaky paws.
“Worse? This is already most tragic. What has happened Shifted One? You know if I can help, I will,” he replied in the tone of a friend more than that of a statesman.
“Some morphics have gone rogue and taken down a skys
craper in London. Earth First Headquarters is gone, but so are a bunch of other innocent people; currently we have 1000 dead or missing. I need you to get me back to Earth. You are the only ones with the technology. Can you do this?” I said, begging more than asking.
The intercom fell silent for a moment, and then he came back on. “Yes Shifted One, we can. We will drop you as close as we are able, not just out of friendship, but in the interests of peace. This is most disturbing news. I must bring this up with our ruling council. We will be prepared to receive you within the hour. Darnack out.”
“Alright Jill, I got us a ride. We need to move,” I said, hurrying, tapping the intercom.
“Secure communications request, bridge,” I said to the shipboard computer; it processed the request, and then responded with a ready tone.
“Operations, secure,” came a voice, perfectly observing the protocol.
“This is the ambassador, I need a secure line with the captain,” I said, working my way through the gate keeper. Jill had a small carry-on ready to go and was standing over by the door, appearing casually nonplussed. I let her remain there as the calm one, as I waited for the captain to respond to my request.
“This is the captain,” she said, in her rich deep tones. How can I help you, ma’am?”
“You probably know about the attack on London by now,” I said, quickly coming to the point.
“That I do. We’ve been receiving updates from Central Command throughout the day on the situation,” she said, more plugged into the military side of the government than I was as a civilian.
“I’ve pulled some strings and will be returning to Earth on the Lethine immediately. Etrana will stay behind with the Corvaldian delegation on the Danube. Please extend to her every courtesy,” I said, rapidly trying to cover my bases.
“Just a moment.” The intercom fell silent. “Alright, I’ve issued orders to ops, and your Omega-621 is being prepped now.
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