Chapter 61 #2
Survii threw his back, guffawing loudly as he squeezed her tight.
***
Alanna beamed with pride as she watched Survii’s hand move smoothly across the page. First his signature in Standard, then in English. Both flowing onto the page in front of the UN assembly, a gathering of onlookers, and cameras broadcasting this moment to the entire world.
Secretary General Lie had already signed and now he stood, chest puffed out, shoulders set, a victorious grin on his face, as he basked in this moment where he had just gone down in the annals of human history.
Survii set aside his pen to join the pen that Lie had signed with. Both were going to be going into a museum as important, historical artifacts.
The under-secretary general moved forward then, taking yet another pen and adding his name to the document as a witness.
Once he was done, Alanna stepped up and she did the same. She was a witness for both Earth and the domini. She represented both parties and she felt a lovely zing of pride as she added her name beside Survii’s.
She also signed in both Standard and English.
Her pen joined the others as she moved back and smiled at Survii.
He reached into his jacket and pulled out his combot. The first and only time that such a device would be allowed onto the planet until such time that Earth advanced enough to make something similar enough that trade would allow it.
Letting it fly in the air, Survii commanded, in Standard, “Comm the High Imperium.”
The combot flashed as it obeyed. Bobbing a bit in the air. A robotic voice responded-
“Please announce credentials.”
“First Voice Survii of Turv, serving under direct orders of the High Imperium and the Coalition as ambassador to Earth.”
“Identity confirmed. One moment…”
The device lowered and pointed up. A light flashed and then expanding in the air was a holo of the mysterious, robed figure known at the High Imperium.
No one knew their face or their gender or their age.
They knew only that they were leader of the Coalition, that they were always covered in a large, long cloak, beautifully and intricately embroidered with wonderful colors and incredible scenes, and that they spoke through a combot that floated beside them at all times.
Survii saluted him, fist striking his chest. “High Imperium. The documents have been signed in the Earth way. We are ready.”
“Let us begin then,” the genderless, robotic voice replied evenly.
Survii directed his combot to his other side so that the imposing figure of the High Imperium was looking out over the crowd of awed humans.
The holo was see through, but it was definitely dense enough that it was easy for the eye to focus upon.
The colors were realistic, the image was strong and steady, and the High Imperium themselves was impressive in their technicolor robe that draped over their body that was concealed from the front by a black shroud.
The holo only depicted them from, probably, the torso up, the rest fading into air.
The incomplete image allowed the imagination to create an even bigger figure in the mind.
“May I present to the people of Earth,” Alanna started formally, “the leader of the Coalition, the High Imperium.”
“It is my pleasure to address humanity,” the High Imperium’s robotic voice stated in careful, non-accented English earning a ripple of surprise from the watching crowd.
Romival’s translator program wasn’t a neural imprint, but it worked well regardless.
“Speaking in my position as leader of the Coalition, it is my privilege to welcome you among as us a protectorate.
The domini and ratchi are honorable species, and they will do well by your planet always.
Until you have the strength to stand on your own, they will help and guide you.
This does not mean you are completely beholden to them.
If, at any time, you feel that these species are misusing you, abusing you, or threatening you, you have the right to petition the Coalition for help.
But I trust that they will treat you with only fairness and good intentions.
“In the infinity of the universe, there are countless species.
Many of which, I know, we have never discovered.
Not all of them are open to trade and understanding with other sapient species.
Not all of them consider other species to even be sapient.
The Coalition was started by my ancestors, many generations ago, to foster good relations and understanding between species.
It was formed with the belief that we are all sapient and worthy with the capacity for great good.
A single reed will break under pressure but binding multiple together makes them stronger.
And so the Coalition is stronger with each species that joins it.
“We await the day, with great eagerness, that you rise up to be our equal. Until then, you have the vow of the Coalition, and of your sponsor species the domini and the ratchi, that you and your people shall be safe from any other. No Coalition species may touch you without severe repercussion. And no non-Coalition species may threaten you without begging war from the entire Coalition. Do not fear the vastness of space, for you have many friends among the stars.”
Survii reached into his jacket again. This time, he pulled out a cylinder – tiny, only about an inch long. Its body was a sleek, silvery sort of blue, and a tiny window along the side was dark gray. It already contained the digital copy of the treaty.
Survii lifted it so that everyone could see.
“This shall be the proof of our treaty,” The High Imperium explained. Switching to Standard, he spoke directly to Survii. “First Voice Survii, has an agreement been reached between yourself and the leadership of Earth?”
“Yes, High Imperium.”
“Are the terms of the agreement suitable to both parties?”
“Yes, High Imperium.”
“Are these the terms you have agreed upon?” He gestured and, in front of him, a holo of the very same agreement – written in English and Standard – floated before them.
Survii looked them over carefully before agreeing, “Yes, High Imperium.”
“Then, seal the treaty.”
Lifting the cylinder, Survii pressed one side against his finger, like a blood sugar testing needle. It hissed softly, pricking him, and taking a drop of blood.
One half of the cylinder window began to glow purple, confirming the specimen capture.
Switching back to English, the High Imperium addressed Lie.
“Secretary General Halvdan Lie, do you enter into this agreement between Earth and the Coalition of your own free will?”
Stepping forward, looking very smug in his self-importance, Lie declared, “We do.”
“Are the terms of the agreement suitable to both parties?”
“They are.”
“And are these the terms you have agreed upon?” The High Imperium, again, gestured to the still floating holo of the agreement.
Like Survii, the secretary general took the time to actually look over the words. It was a bit more important than a terms of service agreement. Both males wanted to make sure that it accurately stated what they had negotiated so carefully.
Lie took longer than Survii to finish but, eventually, he nodded. “It is.”
“Then, seal the treaty.”
Survii lifted the cylinder and, without hesitating, Lie offered his finger. Survii used the other end of the device this time. Lei didn’t even flinch. A tiny hiss later, and the other half of the window began to glow purple as the specimen was confirmed.
“Vora Vakara Alanna Townsend of Earth,” the High Imperium addressed her in English. “You bear witness to this event and confirm that neither party was coerced?”
“I do.”
“Then, this treaty shall be entrusted to you. As a representative of both Earth and Turv, you shall be the holder of this treaty until it can be safely remanded to the Coalition archives.”
Survii turned and presented the cylinder to her.
Alanna took it and held it close to her chest. “Thank you, High Imperium. I will bring it to Holotulle’s Ring immediately.”
“As High Imperium of the Coalition, I hereby declare this treaty to be legal and lawful. I formally welcome you, Earth, as a protectorate of the Coalition.”
With that, the holo cut off and the High Imperium was gone. The onlookers beyond the crowd barrier began to applaud. From the city, even from here, Alanna heard the unmistakable sound of cheering and revelry and celebration.
“They are happy,” Survii said, as though surprised.
Alanna smiled, slipping her hand into his. “Of course, they are. I told you, the bad ones are just loud. But give them a chance, and the good ones won’t be silent either.”
Survii beamed as he stared out among the throngs of cheering humans. Eager to see their future coming towards them. Eager to grow and to change and to understand the world beyond just what they had been taught their entire life.
Humanity, true as it could be, always striving to be better and celebrating every victory gained along that rocky path.