“Yeah, I forgot.” Alex appeared dazed by the revelation. “I guess I’ll have to give it up, then. I choose Zeek to take my seat.”
Grissom was mid-sip in a cold beverage when the news shocked the liquid straight out his mouth and all over the table. “I don’t agree, and it has to be unanimous,” he said. Alex was really starting to rub him the wrong way, and the more he spoke to the man the more irritated he was.
“Please reconsider,” Alex said.
Grissom looked at Alex, who seemed to be practically pleading. I can’t let another juvenile hold so much power, Grissom thought, then said, “I am sorry Alex, we should begin the vetting process on your replacement.”
“OK, but we are agreed on the treaty issue, yes?”
A quick vote revealed a unanimous yes.
“If you’ll excuse me then.” Alex quickly left the room.
Grissom began to think of all the people he relied on and trusted with his life, then winnowed those down to the people he knew had the ability to manage this huge responsibility well, and there was only one person left. He wondered if his wife would accept.
***
Alex walked out of the room and jogged to the media department. Within a quick minute he was watching the glass door slide open so he could enter. He calmly walked to Jackie’s office and knocked.
Jackie opened the door, surprise evident on her face. “Wow, Alex. I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I want to stream a live message. How fast can you set that up?”
“A fancy message, or just…”
“Use your phone if you have to.”
“OK then, come with me.” Jackie shot him a curious smile. She led him a few doors down the hall into a large open room. She had Alex sit down in an employee rest area that contained a couch, a chair, and a coffee table. She walked out of sight for a couple moments and returned with a large digital camera system that Alex was familiar with, from previous recorded interviews.
“The moment you see the red light come on, you will be live-streaming over the entire UEF network.”
“OK, got it.” Alex watched the camera intently waiting for the red light to appear; meanwhile, Jackie was inputting commands on the small display screen.
Alex’s datapad lit up and flashed three times. He touched the screen, and a message appeared: (Live-streaming a message from Alex himself. Click to watch.)
Alex looked back up at the blank light, which had just now turned yellow. He set the datapad down on the table in front of him and as soon as he did, the light turned red. He watched as the number of live viewers skyrocketed on the counter on his datapad— 21…134…895…1,987—within a few seconds. He waited another twenty seconds and began talking:
“Good afternoon, I am pleased to be welcomed back home. Thank you for all of those who were concerned and expressed your goodwill for our safe return.”
It occurred to Alex in that moment that the board members would have received the same alert message and were likely watching his message, too.
“Uhh… Well, I didn’t come back alone, did I? We found our long-lost distant relatives that call themselves the Humani, and they have agreed to supply us with some technology, advanced medicines, and resources.
“But that is not the reason I speak to you directly today. I have asked the Gothans to build a small ship, and I will use that ship to scout the center of our galaxy. We need to know if there truly is a threat spreading across the galaxy. Since I am leaving soon on this dangerous mission, I will need a replacement on the council. I have chosen Zeek to take my place while I am away. I trust he will return the position to me when I get back. I thank you, my friend.
“There’s no need to panic. Our data suggests that if there is a threat at the center of the galaxy and it is spreading toward us, we have roughly four hundred and fifty years before they come knocking on our doorstep. Nothing for you or your children to worry about. But if it’s true and a threat is approaching, we need to start preparing now.”
“How long until your new ship is ready?” Jackie asked off-screen.
“Less than a month, I am told, but I am still lacking the engine I need to obtain from our cousins.”
“I found it interesting you continue to call them ‘cousins.’ They have not treated us like family—”
“And yet we are related to them.”
“Well, people have other names for them.”
“Yes, I have heard; I choose to call them our cousins, because it helps remind us that they are human, just like us.”
“But not exactly like us, are they? I mean, infertility, immortality. They sound more Humani to me,” Jackie said, egging him on a bit.
“You can call them what you want, but like a long-lost brother that has come home, they are with us now.”
“When will the treaty signing occur?”
Alex began to panic a bit; he knew that had yet to be discussed at the meeting.
“We’re looking at a couple of dates; I think it might depend on the weather.” He felt satisfied that he had cleverly sidestepped the question.
Chapter 18
Wants and needs
Holding a large tray, Laura walked into the room and set coffee down in front of every person at the table. Her eyes kept darting back toward Alex as she circled the large table. As she finished unloading the coffee she hesitated. He was intently aware of where she was and what she was looking at the entire time she was in the room. He took a sip of coffee and forced a hardly noticeable smile onto his face; she seemed to fight to contain a smile as she walked out of the room. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched her focus on him intently as she slowly shut the door to the tiny office.
Her emotional lusting outbursts, as he started to call them, were very distracting. Not outbursts as most people might think of an outburst. More like the internal pressure generated by the sorts of emotional secrets people are very careful to hide. He felt those, and from her in particular they were very strong and always singularly focused on him with longing and sexual tension.
Alex set down his cup of coffee, as did Lindi. He thought about how much coffee Lindi drank; she refused to eat or drink much else. He also noticed she didn’t wear anything other than one-piece outfits. He was starting to enjoy her company more. Her emotions were far more controlled despite his being able to sense them more strongly and specifically than with most humans.
The council was formed yet again; this was the fourth day in a row.
“Did you hear me?” Lindi asked, as Alex snapped out of his own thoughts.
“No, sorry.”
“I asked if you had reviewed and accepted the terms of the latest version of the treaty language.”
“I wish we didn’t have to call this a treaty,” Cindy said. “A treaty suggests we were at war at some point, and the language is specific to terms of peace.”
“This seems much closer to a trade agreement.” Alex commented.
“My people may in fact view you as a byproduct of a violent and disruptive failed criminal enterprise. I think this treaty is exactly what is called for, if you wish to maintain the appearance of civility.”
“Of course, and to answer your question, yes, we have reviewed your latest proposal, but it’s of vital importance we obtain at least one advanced FTL drive,” Alex said.
“Yes, yes, so you can go to the center of the galaxy, I know. I cannot be certain my people will accept such an exchange. You ask a lot, and we receive very little. What are my people gaining out of this treaty? Why should we not come and subjugate you?” Lindi said calmly as she drank the scalding hot coffee with little concern for its temperature.
“Please remember, our meetings are made public and will undoubtedly be scrutinized for years to come. Such comments are not helpful if you wish to appear friendly,” Gloria said.
“I am not trying to appear friendly, I am simply addressing a comment I know will be made when I return home with this treaty document such as it is.”
�
��Well, I’m sorry we cannot give you any specific number of people to do with as you will.”
“You have always had subjugated citizens to offer us throughout your ages, I don’t see how this is any different,” Lindi stated plainly.
The comment caught everyone off guard. Everyone looked back and forth at each other.
Sensing Grissom was about to speak, Alex blurted out, “Well, we are a newer power on our planet, and we do not hold to the concept of direct ownership over people.”
“Yes, this idea of false independence is confusing.” Lindi leaned back. “You’re free to do your will as long as… it doesn’t interfere with the will of someone else. I just don’t see how a society can function in such a way.”
“You know, when our people need to move forward with medical advancement and experimentation, we offer incentives for people to volunteer for such activities. You could do the same. I’m sure the lure of a new life in an advanced civilization would be an excellent hook to bring in more volunteers than you can handle.”
“Can you ensure us a certain number of volunteers?”
“No. Remember, every person would have their own choice to volunteer or not. We cannot force them to choose one way or another.”
“Do you people always make these kinds of agreements without knowing exactly how much you will benefit from it?”
“Yes, I believe we do.”
“Very well, we will accept this enhanced treaty,” Lindi said. “We will not attack your world, nor kidnap, harm, or otherwise interfere with the people of Earth. You agree to the same for us. You will allow people to freely volunteer to come to our world to help solve our medical crisis. What we provide in return will need to be of equal value to the volunteer population.”
Alex was deeply curious how much value a single human life was worth. How many would equal an advanced FTL drive?
“What, that’s it?” Grissom stated harshly.
“What about the medical resources, food, and everything else you were promising?” Cindy asked.
“You may get everything and more you asked for, depending on how many people ‘volunteer’ to come help us with our own problem. Don’t you see now how this agreement isn’t exactly fair? It’s almost uncivilized, since we really don’t know what we are agreeing to.”
Alex’s brain began running calculations, including considerations of things he never would have thought about before he had been altered. “These food replicators, we could ask for these too, and the other things on the list you didn’t want to give us, such as the shields.”
Lindi laughed, grabbing the armrests of her chair. “You’re serious. You’re considering this deal. Well, well, it seems we don’t know you very well at all, I think.” She leaned back in her chair gracefully. “Yes, very well, Alex. If you agree to such an archaic form of agreement, then I believe we can accommodate such terms.” Her hands formed a steeple over her chest as she rested her elbows on the chair arms.
“Would you give us some time to discuss?”
Lindi sighed heavily. “Must I leave every time this happens? You said it yourself, these meetings become public knowledge. I will hear the discussion anyway.”
“Yes, please, it is for a short time.”
“Geraldi’s grace.” Lindi stood and walked briskly out of the room.
The moment the door shut nearly everyone tried to talk over the other.
Finally Grissom had to shout, “Stop!”
Alex seized the moment of silence before Grissom could. “This way we have the opportunity to get what we need and even more.”
“What if there are zero volunteers, Alex? Did you think of that?” Anonymous shouted from the speaker.
“She’s right, we should take the food and medical assistance and accept the treaty she provided us.”
“Don’t you see, that’s so limiting, this way we will always have a choice and receive more of what we need and want. Just imagine, with the shields we can go toe-to-toe with the Zorn and never fear destruction. This way we can tier up into what we need versus what we want. Why just limit our ambition to food and medicine?”
“You think people will want to go to the Humani homeworld?”
“Why not? They are us after all, just far more advanced and in a much better position to take care of us. I bet once they offer housing, medicine, food, and long life, they will have more people than they know what to do with,” Gloria commented.
“Hell, I’d consider going, depending on what they would want to do to me,” Anonymous said.
“Your people would greatly benefit from the enhanced treaty. I suggest you proceed with that option,” Symboli suggested through the intercom.
Alex began the vote by clicking an icon on his datapad. In short order the vote was tallied. Three versus two approved for the enhanced treaty. The word passed flashed on everyone’s datapad.
“Damn it! You better hope thousands of people sign up for this,” Grissom said as he stood up and walked a lap around the room. A few moments later, Lindi walked back inside. “I take it your discussion has been finalized.”
“It has,” Alex said as he stood. “The UEF has officially accepted your enhanced treaty.”
“Excellent. Alex, if there is nothing else, it’s important that we return to my planet to make it official. Bringing any volunteers with you might smooth over any initial concerns with my people.”
“What exactly will you do to us who volunteer to go with you and help with your crisis?” Anonymous said.
“By ‘us,’ do you mean to say you would like to volunteer?” Lindi asked.
“Depends on how you answer the question.”
“Well, each person would be evaluated to maximize potential benefit to our society.”
Lindi looked toward Alex, who nodded up and down as he tried to indicate that she should continue with the benefits. It became clear she wasn’t getting the idea. Finally he said, “Lindi, would you be able to elaborate on what kind of life one would expect if they were to volunteer? Would they be treated well, for example?”
Lindi stood silently for several long moments, long enough for Alex to purposefully reach out to sense what she was feeling. All he got back was a confused mix.
“I believe you will be shocked at the quality of life you will rise to. The things you labor for will be at your simple request. I believe all who volunteer will truly be happy they made the decision to join us.” Lindi looked around the room slowly. “Wonderful, all of you should come and attend the ceremony on my planet, to make it official.” Alex sensed her anticipation, rising above the other emotions.
Those in the room exchanged unsteady glances with each other.
“I must apologize, Lindi. That is unacceptable. We cannot ignore our responsibilities here,” Gloria commented.
“I see,” Lindi replied, her eyes locked on the table before her.
“Would your people be satisfied with a representative?” Gloria continued.
Grissom looked at Lindi. “I would be pleased to represent our council.”
“And we would be pleased to have you, but if there is to be only one representative it must be Alex. He is the one my people will expect as the founding member of your organization.”
Grissom gave a predatory glace toward Alex, who didn’t even have to focus on him to feel the anger rising in him. Alex deeply wished he could understand why he was so angry.
“We must leave, and we will use my shuttle,” Lindi said, taking a few steps toward the door.
“What, now?” Alex asked.
“Well, yes, it’s not official until you appear before our… committee. I do not think you would want to delay this. Please gather your volunteers.”
“Of course,” Alex said as the multiple rising emotions from those around him bombarded his thoughts.
“Perhaps you would go get your shuttle ready while we prepare for immediate departure,” Alex said, a bit hopefully.
“Alex, there is nothing that needs prepping. However
, I shall await your immediate presence on the shuttle.” Lindi suddenly turned and walked out of the room.
“Seems I should get going.” Alex looked at Grissom on his way out. Grissom’s face was expressionless and held no clues to his hidden anger.
The moment Alex was out of earshot, he spoke. “Symboli, I want you to come with me. Is that possible?”
“Currently I am located in the Enterprise, which is under extensive repair. If I am to come with you, I will need to be disconnected from the ship and transported to the shuttle.”
Alex turned corner after corner in the many hallways of the UEF complex.
“That’s not enough. I need to be able to communicate with you. We need to set up a system fast that can accommodate that.”
Alex pulled his datapad and looked up Zeek and Timmy in his contacts.
(Meet me at the TIC.)
A moment later he received a response from Zeek: (Sure.)
Alex navigated the halls in a sort of trance as he considered all that had occurred to him and all that was coming. He hopped into a vehicle that transported him to the underground complex and got out in the TIC as Zeek walked in.
Alex put a finger to his lips and pointed to a hallway, where he walked into a lounge. The room, like everywhere else, was carved out of solid limestone. The floor was smooth and polished. The lights in the room remained dim.
“It’s good to see you,” Zeek said, reaching out for a hug. Alex gratefully returned the embrace. “So, I hear we have visitors. How exciting. This have anything to do with that?”
Timmy poked his head into the room, unsure if anyone was in it.
“We are here,” Alex whispered.
“Why the secrecy?” Timmy asked.
“There’s no secrecy,” Alex replied.
“So, I can turn the lights up?” Timmy continued.
Alex reached out and turned up the lights to the room, not quite full intensity.
“What’s this about?” Zeek repeated.
“There is a rebellious group within the Humani that orchestrated the meeting of our people by using the orb.”
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