Shards of Hope (9781101605219)
Page 51
“Yes, I understand.”
“If you wish,” Aden added, “I’ll send in a team to track the teenagers.”
Clear relief on her face. “I would very much appreciate that. Many of their families are distraught.”
The entire group spoke for over an hour, putting together more troubling facts that meant nothing on their own, but together painted a disturbing picture.
“I have a proposal,” Aden said toward the end.
Once he set out that proposal, the discussion was vigorous, rough details hammered out so the various attendees could go back to those they represented to ask for feedback.
Switching off the system after the last person signed out, he turned to the woman who’d watched from the shadows. “It could take years.”
“You’ll do it.” Absolute, unflinching faith from his mate.
“If we can hold the connections, forge them ever deeper,” Aden said, “the world could become a fully functioning triumvirate again.”
Zaira wove her fingers into his. “It’ll happen. This is your destiny, Aden.” Her kiss was fire and love and primal possessiveness. “Your parents dreamed too small when they wanted you to become the leader of the squad. You’re about to lead the entire world out into a new dawn.”
“My dream,” he said, “is right here in my arms.”
Firelight traveling through their bond, a psychic kiss from his dangerous, beautiful, perfect commander.
PSYNET BEACON: BREAKING NEWS
An unexpected new cooperation agreement, the Trinity Accord, has been negotiated and agreed upon between major elements of all three races. The aims of this agreement are to foster and maintain stability, both in world markets and for the personal safety of individuals. It has also been termed the first step toward creating a permanent United Earth Federation.
The Trinity Accord allows for the rapid sharing of data across signatory groups, and for the formation of mixed teams to deal with issues that affect more than one race. It is, however, more than an emergency network such as that managed by Silver Mercant. According to the papers released to the Beacon, Silver Mercant’s network falls under the much wider umbrella of this “proto-Federation” agreement.
When asked for comment, Nikita Duncan, member of the Ruling Coalition, had this to say: “The Trinity Accord isn’t only a political agreement, but one that opens up economic opportunities for all the signatories by breaking down the walls that previously hindered smooth and fast communication. Businesses no longer need be limited—an innovative Psy company can tap into the changeling or the human market and vice versa.”
Nikita Duncan’s interpretation of the Trinity Accord is one that is popular among the larger Psy families polled for this article. All came out in strong support of the Ruling Coalition for opening up new avenues of business as well as stabilizing the economic climate. “This is what our rulers are meant to do,” stated Jen Liu, head of the Liu Group. “Not to isolate us, but to open up opportunities.”
To check the efficacy of the cooperation agreement, the Beacon reached out through the listed liaisons for comment from a number of other parties. Responses were received from all, including one of the notoriously terse predatory changeling alphas.
“This agreement isn’t a magic bullet,” stated Hawke Snow, alpha of the influential and deadly SnowDancer wolves. “It’s not going to fix the divisions in the world, but if everyone pulls their weight and no one attempts to subvert Trinity to their own ends, then it has the potential to eventually link the entire world together in a strong, functioning unit.”
Bowen Knight, leader of the Human Alliance, was even more pragmatic. “The Trinity Accord is currently on probation—the formation of the Federation itself will take years of work because while the Alliance has had little friction with changelings, it has had significant issues with Psy. It remains an open question whether we can work together.”
Kaleb Krychek, inarguably the most powerful Psy in the world, stated that he is a businessman and that the Trinity Accord is good for business. “Only idiots or those with blinkered vision will oppose it.”
At time of press, the signatories to the Trinity Accord were as follows:
The Ruling Coalition.
The Arrow Squad.
The Empathic Collective.
Over one hundred predatory and nonpredatory changeling packs, including the SnowDancer wolves, the DarkRiver leopards, the BlackSea changelings, the StoneWater bears, the BlackEdge wolves, the SunGrass grazers, the IceRidge foxes, the DawnSky deer, the WindHaven falcons, the AzureSun leopards, the DesertRain lions, and the WaterSky eagles. Further signatories are expected.
The Human Alliance.
The Shine Foundation, as representatives of those who self-identify as part of the Forgotten population.
Hope Light, a nonpartisan humanitarian organization.
For the first time in Beacon history, the squad has responded to a request for comment, though in a way that fits its operating protocol. The following statement was remotely added to this article three minutes before we pushed Publish, confirmation of its authenticity provided by a psychic seal sent through the executive editor’s highly complex shields.
Aden Kai had this to say:
“The Trinity Accord is a test. For the United Earth Federation to come into being as more than an idea, we must first pass this test. That responsibility lies with every man, woman, and child in the world.
“We can decide to remain in our isolated bunkers, becoming more and more obsessed with looking inward instead of outward, or we can decide to be great together. We can decide to stagnate, or we can decide to grow. We can decide to settle for the status quo, or we can decide to reach for the stars.
“Choose.”
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