Talosian Chronicles 3: Talosian Alliance (6 page)

She smirked. “Smart. How do you know someone would try to capture you? The UN is neutral.”

“Uhm...” Ian bit his lower lip. “I don’t mean to sound like an ass, Ma’am, but the UN is guarded by US Marines. It’s in New York City, which is in the United States. Capturing one of us would be too much of a prize not to at least try. Until we are given diplomatic status by the UN, we would simply be illegally entering either your territory, or invading it, neither of which are correct, but that’s the way it is.”

She sighed. “I wish you luck, Commander. Even though we are at odds, you do seem like a good, level-headed young man. Please try to remember that nothing that happens is personal. Like you, I have to do what I think is best for my people.”

“I understand that, Madam President. However, please try to remember that our tech base is far in advance of yours. Any attack you might make will not harm us, but could potentially harm innocents. We won’t interfere with your internal matters, unless it either involves us, one of our people, or has the potential to have a global effect,” Ian explained.

“What if we request your assistance?” She asked.

“We would consider it. If the assistance involves international matters, the UN would also have to approve, of course,” Ian said. “We have no problem with humanitarian aid."

She nodded. “I understand Commander. I look forward to future conversations with you.”

“With respect, Ma’am, I am the
military
leader up here, not the political one. Unless it’s personal, I doubt we will ever speak again,” Ian said.

She cocked her head to one side. “You’re not the leader?”

Ian shook his head. “Only of the military, Ma’am. I answer to a
Civilian
authority. I’ll have my secretary send you a summarized copy of our history. We all strongly believe that the military is a tool of civilian policy, not the creator of it. It is the duty of the military to protect the citizens that support us, we work for them, not the other way around.”

“So if we convinced your Civil authorities to release those wrecks?” she asked.

Ian nodded. “I would surrender them of course. However, I would file a formal protest against it. It should also be noted that I cannot surrender them at this point, since they have been broken down and recycled.” At her look, Ian grinned. "Waste not, want not.”

The woman chuckled. “Sometimes it’s hard to remember you were born and raised down here, and other times you seem just like anyone else.”

Ian nodded. “I was, as I’m sure you well know. I’ll include a military liaison officer in the ambassadorial mission to the UN. If you wish to ask for assistance, you can do so through them. That offer will be extended to all countries.”

“Do you intend to declare your own territory down here?” she asked.

“Nothing more than what we already legally own, but we do have a base on the Moon, Mars and we are building a colony on a planet in the Centauri system,” Ian said.

“Are you going to allow immigration?”

“Not yet. We are still simply finding those that either we need, or we can help, and that we know are not spies. Perhaps the Council will eventually allow emigration, but for now, our borders are strictly invitation only. The final decision on that will be made by our leaders, not me,” Ian explained.

“How about research visas and the like?” she asked.

Ian shook his head. “I don’t know, like I said, all that will be up to the civilian leadership.”

“Okay, the reason I asked is that I know how many folks are going to be clamoring to get up there. Especially those in our scientific community,” she said. “I'll make sure all that gets worked out with the diplomatic mission.” She paused a moment, then lowered her voice. “Ian, keep an eye on India and Pakistan. I think they’re going to go nuclear any minute. We’ve been working behind the scenes to prevent it, but it isn’t working this time.”

When he nodded, she cleared her throat and seemed to sit up straighter. “Well then, since you won’t acceded to my demands, I’ll let you go, and take up the matter with the UN through our ambassadors. Thank you for returning my call, Commander.”

“It was my pleasure, Madam President,” he lowered his voice. “Thanks Diane, I’ll watch them.”

The woman winked and disconnected. Ian sighed and thumbed his comm. “Command to Operations, please.”

Major Chloe Brighton answered, the British accent failing to make him smile this time. She noticed, and frowned. “What’s wrong, Commander?”

“I need you to set up a very low orbit CAP over the Middle East. I have it on good authority that Pakistan and India are heating up the nukes. We can’t allow that to happen,” Ian ordered.

Chloe paled. “Right away, Commander. I’ll have fighters over them in ten minutes.”

“I haven’t informed the Council yet, Chloe,” Ian replied. “Be prepared to alter your mission there.”

“Understood, Sir,” Chloe replied, but he could see her typing on her terminal. “Sending the orders to flight control now."

“Thanks Chloe,” Ian said and closed the channel. He briefly typed up a report for the Council covering this action, and his reasons for initiating it.

Once finished, he asked Mel to make a note that the UN Security Council was meeting on Friday, and that would be a good time to introduce himself to them.

“Will do, Sir,” Mel replied. “Your end of the day meeting should be arriving soon, do you want me to serve refreshments?"

“Really? Wow, where did the day go?” Ian asked, rhetorically. “Naw, this is a personnel matter, so I’ll handle it. Thanks for offering though.”

He turned back to the report on the Raptors in an effort to finish it before the meeting came together. He did, but only barely. Just as he closed the report, Mel announced the arrival of Bill and Janet Laskar, as well as Star.

Star took the news of her sentience about like Ian had expected; she denied it. Then when Ian, Bill and Janet proved it to her, she was terrified, knowing what happens to AI that have developed sentience under Talosian Law.

“Star, as your friend, and as your commander, I will not allow anything to happen to you. You are a member of this crew, and I have sworn to protect you just like every other member. If the alliance with the Talosians hinges on this issue alone, then I can assure you that no alliance will happen," Ian explained. “The issues involved there are not simply you developing sentience, it goes far deeper than that. The Council, as well as myself, and the command staff, agree. The core issue is that the Talosian people believe they can control where life happens. Destroying you based solely on the grounds that you are sentient would be no different than them wanting to destroy me, Bill or Janet because we are sentient.”

“Sir, I do not wish to argue with you, but I was created by science, not by nature,” Star countered.

“We have the ability to create a human life through science, if that person grew up and was a stable, member of society, should they be destroyed because of how they came into being? Besides, I would argue the point about science creating you.” Ian said. "Originally, yes, you were built by the hands of man, but your sentience, the part of you that makes you a unique, alive being, occurred when no one even knew this ship had survived. Your sentience manifested itself while you were up here, alone.”

“I... I will have to think about that, Sir.” Star replied. “This is really a lot for me to adjust to.”

Janet put her hand on Star’s holographic arm. “Dear, if you need to talk to someone, I will be there for you, simply call me whenever you need to.”

Bill nodded his head in agreement with Janet. “Same with me, Star. If you have questions about the technical aspects, please feel free to ask me anything you need. However, we are all in agreement on this issue.”

Star smiled a thank you at both Janet and Bill, then looked at Ian. “Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because, in a few days, some VIPs from New Talos will be arriving. Two Councilors, two Admirals, and their assorted aides. Your status here will be challenged, and I do not want you to agree to anything that you are not comfortable with. You are a valuable and valued member of this crew. You are my friend, and you are a unique individual. Please do not back down in front of these people over this issue. I will back you as far as I need to ensure your safety.” Ian said. “As a member of this crew, and as a citizen of our society, you have rights. The right to life is one of them.”

––––––––

––––––––

W
hen Friday arrived, Luke Belden, Ian, Star, via the use of a portable holoprojector, and a full platoon of armored Marines left for the UN in an assault shuttle, escorted by four of the new shadow fighters. In a small act of friendship, the President had ordered a flight path cleared for the arrival of Ian’s shuttle.

A place was set aside at LaGuardia International for the escort fighters to land safely without being attacked. Of course, it was a great distance from the terminal buildings, and the pilots didn’t leave the fighters, though they did get out and walk around while they waited.

What problems there were came from the news helicopters crowding the landing corridor for the shuttle. News of the arrival had leaked, and there was literally dozens of them flying around trying to get footage. The fighters did what they could, but they had to turn on all their lights just to be seen. But, Ian’s shuttle did finally land, in the small round-a-bout in front of the UN building.

The UN Guards had cleared the area, and put up a cordon to keep the curious out. The Marine pilot of the shuttle did his best to make sure the landing was smooth, and caused as little disruption as possible to the crowds and the guards trying to keep them back.

Obviously, their arrival wasn’t the surprise Ian thought it was going to be. When the assault ramp lowered, the first down the ramp were Ian’s guards. They were met by a guard detail from the UN, and another man in a plain grey suit. Major Petrie walked up to the detail and saluted.

“Sir, I am escorting a diplomatic mission to the UN. They have business with the Security Council. I believe we are expected?”

The officer on the UN side returned the salute. “You are expected, Sir. Might I know your name and rank?”

“Major Petrie, Terran Marines, and you Sirs?” Patrie asked, even though he could read the man’s name on his uniform, the other man was a mystery.

“Colonel White, United States Marine Corps, and United Nations Security. Major, may I introduce Mr. Nathan Garth, diplomatic attaché to the United Nations.

The man offered Petrie his hand, and Petrie shook it while the man spoke. “Major, I will function as your mission liaison while you are here.”

Petrie nodded. “Understood. Colonel, our sensors tell us the area is secure, do you agree?”

“The area is secure, Major. You may proceed,” White said, surprised the man had asked.

Petrie turned back to the shuttle, and waved to Ian. Ian, Luke and Star all walked down the ramp. Petrie turned back to the Colonel. “What about the guard detail?”

“The UN frowns on armed body guards on the grounds. However,” the Colonel grinned slightly. “Each visiting dignitary is allowed one aide. Diplomatic immunity extends to that aide as well.”

Mr. Garth cleared his throat. “It is not common for an aide to carry a rifle, or whatever those are. I think that might be challenged.”

“I understand, Mr. Garth, we can easily fix that. May I present to you, the civilian leader of our people, Councilor Luke Belden,” Major Petrie said, introducing the dignitaries he was escorting.

While Luke was shaking hands with the Colonel, Garth got something from his aide, and turned back to the armored man in front of him. “Councilor Belden, on behalf of the Secretary General, welcome to the United Nations. Here are your diplomatic credentials. Please make sure you have them with you at all times. Without them, you literally can't go anywhere once we’re in the building.”

Petrie introduced Ian and Star as well, and the greeting was repeated for them as well. Ian wasn’t surprised he hadn’t been introduced first, this was more of Luke’s area of expertise, not his.

While Petrie handed his rifle to another trooper, and ordered her and one other to stow their rifles and hustle back, Mr. Garth explained the day’s agenda to his new charges.

“First off, please call me Nathan. By protocol, you will still be addressed by rank and title,” Mr. Garth explained.

“Nathan, I trust that you will keep us from making any social blunders while we’re here?” Luke asked, grinning. “I know which fork to use at what times, but ranks and titles for a lot of these people are something I do not know.”

Nathan smiled back. “Yes Sir that is my primary function, although it is to also ensure your visit is as smooth as possible. To that end, I have already had you placed on the agenda for today. We still have almost an hour before they will call you, so if you need anything before we go in, now would be the time for it.”

Since the Marines were now ready, and neither Luke nor Ian needed anything, they asked Nathan to lead them upstairs to await their turn to speak to the council.

Nathan was surprised, because as soon as they arrived in the waiting area, another aide was waiting for them.

“The Council has deemed this of high enough priority, and the fact that it has a direct impact on today’s agenda, that I have been asked to immediately introduce your party as soon as you arrive. If you’re ready, I will do that now,” the young woman said.

“Let me get a drink of water, and I’ll be right with you,” Ian said. “I think my nerves are starting to come out.”

Nathan showed him to a water fountain. While Ian got a drink, he quietly said. “Sir, those men and women are just people. People like you and me. Yes, there are a lot of them, but try to keep one thing in mind when you get in there; they want to hear what you have to say. I won't lie to you, there are bullies in there that will try to push you places you don’t want to go. Just be firm, and respectfully tell them what you came here to say.”