Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
*** LYDIA ***
T he hours in a night were not enough when your soul begged for time.
Lydia had some hard decisions to reflect upon.
She sat up in bed, her legs pulled under her chin with her arms wrapped tightly around them.
She couldn't take her eyes off of Hesher.
He was tossing and turning while mumbling unintelligible words.
Afraid to move and wake him, Lydia became stiff, and her muscles ached.
It was obvious he worried over what he must get resolved during the conference.
He wasn't speaking for just the Talonians.
His remarks and demands were for all aliens, those on Earth now as well as those who would come in the future.
The stress and weight of so heavy a burden was wearing on him.
Of course, Lydia shared his concerns, but they weren't the only ones.
She had to decide whether to give him up or go back to Talonia.
She had liked to dream of the possibility that he would stay here and had used that dream to comfort herself many nights.
It was impossible, and she knew he had never really had a choice.
He was going home. So far, he hadn't asked her what she was considering, nor had he tried to sway her.
It was what she loved most about him; the equality he gave her without question.
The truth was, she had no idea of what she would do when the moment to stay or go arrived.
She had wrestled with the pros and cons and discovered they were quite useless where your heart was involved.
It was still dark when the door buzzer sounded.
Lydia jumped from the bed only to trip on the covers tangled around her feet.
Hesher had no such trouble. He was up and had on his pants before she got one foot out.
"Take your time," he told her. "It will be Maxxus.
I asked that he be here during the conference.
I have hopes of keeping his temper and mistrust under control.
Rudeness will not get us what we desire.
A firm stand tempered with respect is how I have decided this should be handled. I learned that from you."
"We've learned a lot from each other. It's made us different people than we were before. That's what the alliance should do, change both worlds for the better. Go, before Maxxus breaks down the door."
The conference began on time. For some countries, it was the middle of the night, for others lunchtime.
Hesher had allowed them to vote on their preference.
The fewer demands he forced on them, the easier it would be to get the most important points agreed upon.
He and the President of the United States would do most of the negotiating.
The other countries had also voted on that.
Earth and Talonia would be represented without the confusion of many voices, languages, and arguments.
There was sure to be outbursts, especially from Maxxus, but a least there was a tentative agreement for a calm atmosphere.
The conference opened with introductions. It wasn't meant to force Hesher to remember all the names but to ensure the translating devices were in working order.
"The first order of business is to thank Talonia for rescuing Earth from the clutches of the Xycon," the president announced.
"We are grateful and humbled by your sacrifices.
It took great courage to reveal yourselves to us.
We remain disconcerted by the secrecy of your presence here once before, though we will forgive the deception.
You harmed no one, and we gained weapons and a company that has given all countries technology beyond their expectations. "
"Kelan has advised me to pass on his apology for the necessary deception.
He is in the process of signing the company over to the people, alien and human.
It will have the stipulation that all profits will go to alien rights and the care and keeping of them.
No government shall have a proprietary claim on Rankin World Defense.
Its discoveries are to be shared equally in all countries and on all planets in the alliance, including those added at later dates.
If this is not agreeable, the company will be shut down.
The plans for new technology will leave Earth with Kelan.
Talonians would then build and sell them to other planets, using the profits as mentioned before.
Are there any arguments over this?" Hesher asked.
"We won't argue with that. Rankin World Defense has always been fair to all countries of this planet, and we trust that will continue.
I do question your use of words. You refer to multiple planets in the alliance.
We assumed Talonia was the only one involved in our discussion," the president stated.
"I use terms meant to include any planets you may be negotiating with that we are unaware of.
They would deserve to have their rights included, if in fact, they exist. I also wish to include the individuals who have given up their loyalty to their own species in favor of humans.
They need representation, and Talonia is willing to negotiate for them. "
"You speak of the Xycon who cooperated with information. We'll agree to include them in the alliance if they swear loyalty to Earth. Their planet shall remain listed as enemy territory. Do you agree?"
"Talonia agrees," Hesher replied. "However, they are not the only other aliens present on Earth.
In your deserts, you may find another, if they have survived.
A reptilian civilization known as the Savra have been spying on Earth for many years.
They leave their young here to gain information and pick them up when it is time for adolescence, as at that time they change drastically.
In youth, they appear as very large lizards, similar to those native to your desert regions.
As adults, they become humanoid. They took your old weapons and used them to attack Talonia.
We destroyed their planet, so those left here as children are orphaned.
They have no home to return to nor anyone to teach them.
We have hopes their young minds can be molded in such a way that they will forget their warrior roots and assimilate with humans.
Since we are responsible for the deaths of their ancestors, we wish to include them in the alliance. "
"Another secret? How many are we to tolerate from you? You wish us to give our trust in an alliance, yet you held back this information," the president declared. His anger was on the verge of exploding.
"I beg your pardon, sir. It was not a secret.
Alliance or not, we would have told you.
In fact, Kelan mentioned it when we spoke to you before our landing.
We did not go into details at that time due to more urgent issues.
We risked our lives and our home to earn your trust. Accept us or not, that is your choice," Hesher answered.
"I will not accept responsibility for something that was out of Talonia's control," Maxxus added.
"The Savra had their own agenda, and we were not privy to it.
We divulge their existence now in order to save you from trouble later.
If you do not recognize cooperation and truth when you receive it, then I have no use for an agreement. "
"I'm sorry for the quick temper and accusations," the president apologized.
"It is just upsetting to learn we have been invaded by so many and remained in the dark.
Our protections and fail-safe technology will have to be looked into.
Clearly, we aren't doing a good job of making Earth safe for its citizens.
What if these Savra cannot be assimilated?
What if they are determined to continue as their ancestors have? "
"Judge them on an individual basis as you do for your own kind.
All we ask is that you use the same mercy you would if they were human, punishments to fit the crimes committed not ones for being different," Hesher explained.
"We ask that all aliens be judged in this way.
Fair and equal treatment will be the staple component of our alliance.
The one difference being, you will have to build a very special prison for the Xycon.
Your current prisons will not hold their offenders. "
"We are not freeloaders. Our weredragons will require jobs, fair wages, and decent housing. Discrimination in any form will not be tolerated. Talonians and other aliens require the same freedoms as you enjoy."
"You ask a lot that we hadn't considered.
We'll agree as long as you are willing to concede some points for us.
All laws, no matter what country is involved, must be obeyed.
Children may attend school, but we ask that they refrain from transformation or use of dragon fire.
The same goes for your soldiers as they work.
They will be paid a fair wage if they do their jobs well.
They are not to intimidate their coworkers, superiors, or neighbors with their abilities.
Reverse discrimination will be grounds for them to be sent home.
Human women will file lawsuits against any male who harasses them, sexually or otherwise.
We will stand behind them if your men cause them problems. Have I made myself clear? " the president asked firmly.
"You have, and we respect your demands. We realize this will be an uneasy time until our species become used to one another.
Tolerance and kindness will go a long way in integrating our societies.
The balance of the alliance is heavy on the backs of humans for now but will shift over the years.
We have welcomed humans to Talonia and hope to add more.
The ones there now have freedom, equality, and happiness.
That is all we really ask of Earth," Hesher replied.
Maxxus cleared his throat and cut in, "We have one more demand, and it is extremely important to our people.
They must have a safe environment to transform and fly freely in.
It is mentally, physically, and emotionally painful to remain for too long in the form of man.
When we are unable to change for long periods of time, accidental transformation may occur.
Anger, fear, or pain can bring out the beast, so to speak.
The Talonians will not transform in your cities unless it is to protect the citizens of Earth or themselves.
We do not mean to give unnecessary fright to humans.
Large areas outside the city are where we would like to find our peace. Is that acceptable?"
"It's understandable, and I can see why it's necessary. Your flight is the ultimate freedom, and I'm certain I speak for all of us by saying we wish we could join you. Do you require hunting grounds as well?"
Hesher was relieved enough to laugh as he answered, "No, we do not hunt.
We are very much like humans in our eating habits.
We have enjoyed many of your foods since we arrived.
The Savra and Xycon will have to answer for themselves.
Thank you for listening and accepting our terms. We look forward to a long and prosperous alliance.
Earth has proven to be more welcoming than I imagined. "
"And we thank you for not demanding that which we can't give. May our alliance remain strong for eons. Maxxus, it is you we will be dealing with as the years go by. I hope we can always reach an understanding as easily as we did today," the president concluded.
"I do as well, though I warn you, my trust is hard earned.
I still have misgivings, and it might remain that way.
I will always be looking out for the flaws in any agreement.
I find it is in my very nature to be suspicious.
However, that also means I will be looking to protect humans from other worlds as well," Maxxus declared.