The news soon got about among the other children that Misty was to train to be a pilot. On entering the bridge with Lara as my chaperone, we encountered three daughters who were aged between six and eight who had taken it on themselves to have turns sitting in the pilot’s chair trying to see if they could reach the foot controls. I laughed and said that they were eager but still a little too young and far too short. They would have to wait until they were around nine or ten, and then we would see if they would be ready. I also suggested to them that they should not be on the bridge and to scat before their mothers caught them and gave them a toilet cleaning task. I had never seen them move so fast in leaving the bridge, although they would not of course be given that task as they were a little too young still to be cleaning toilets. I would not be rubbing it in to Jenna that apart from Jett, all the girls so far wanted to become pilots rather than follow her in being navigators, although she would have figured that out for herself.
As I looked out of the window I noticed that a camera crew was trying to draw my attention and was indicating that they wished to talk to me. I told Lara that I couldn’t be bothered with them at this time as Rachael was expecting our aunt and uncle any time now. To Rachael they were more like parents having lived with them so long, but to me they were just relatives. I probably would have preferred not to have met them at this time, which may have seemed a bit rude but not seeing them in more than a decade I now saw them as distant relatives. However, I didn’t want to hurt my sister’s feelings, so I decided to play along with the visit.
Alenna had asked the other wives if any of them would volunteer to be my chaperone during their visit. This was totally down to the fact that Mandy was with them during this visit. Lumi as always was willing, as for the others, they first looked at each other to see if another was about to volunteer. It was not that they did not want to chaperone me but the unknown of meeting other humans, especially men as my uncle would be there. They seemed to have less of a problem if Alenna was present as well, my bet was on Perri or Luka being assigned to me. My reason was that Lara could only speak limited English and Alenna did not force her sisters Jenna and Minty to do anything unless the circumstance demanded it. I was right, sometimes the obvious jumps out at you.
Perri was politely asked to accompany me; the other wives would of course play hosts to our guests. We had planned to take my relatives to the galley for refreshments along with social chit chat that you would expect to participate in. I asked Rachael if she had explained Alkarren protocol to them and that it was important they stuck to it. Rachael said yes but she had a hard time getting them to understand, especially our aunt to fully appreciate the importance of it.
Rachael got the call they had arrived outside so the four of us went to meet them and escort them through the barrier. Immediately, I was almost mugged by reporters wanting to know about the Alkarrens that had been held captive. My answer being no comment, they were very persistent but I held my ground and we made our way back into the ship. Rachael was leading them with Lumi, Perri and myself following close behind. When we finally got to the galley Rachael did all the introductions, which was fine; in fact, my uncle had understood the protocol as instructed by Rachael. He only shook my hand. The trouble started when Mandy thought she could give me a hug. As she stepped forward Lumi and Perri almost fell over themselves to block her path, but Rachael was faster than them, grabbing her arm and pulling her back, then in a polite but stern voice informed her that she could not touch me—it was simply forbidden under Alkarren protocol.
Rachael asked them what they would like to drink, reading out a number of possibilities, all of which were fruit related. My aunt requested tea and Rachael responded by informing her that we didn’t drink tea, or coffee for that matter. My uncle and Mandy now realising said they would have a fruit drink, whatever was easy for her. Rachael had to explain to the best of her ability that it was different on Alkarr and neither beverage is drunk there. It was an uphill battle explaining things to my aunt from why I had more than one wife to why I did not have any sons yet. At last it was time for them to leave. We escorted them to the perimeter where again I was set upon by these reporters wanting any snippet they could muster from me. But still I persevered with just no comment. Once back inside at last I could actually relax now that the ordeal of meeting my relatives was over. I think Rachael was a little relieved that they had left as well, as she had found it hard going explaining things to our aunt.
I had another call from the prime minister; he wanted to set up a meeting along with a few other government heads, as a number wished to see me before we left. I asked Lumi and Perri to escort me to my man cave as I wished to be alone for a short while. I still dreamed of having a new cargo ship, one of those galaxy class freighters. The only way I could see us ever owning one of them was to sell Earth some of those old but serviceable planetary defence frigates. I would need to be very careful how I presided with the initial negotiation. I was going to take a chance not consulting with Alenna at this stage, though I could never pull off the deal without involving her as she would have to do all the business at the other end, which is where they sat in a line back on the Lusianian home world. Lusianians would only ever negotiate a deal with an Alkarren prime wife. Anyway, I would be more than sure those at the meeting would jump at a chance to purchase these frigates, as it would instantly give them the ability to offer some protection to Earth since they would control the orbital position. As the price went, I would certainly be rubbing my hands together with glee. It was not going to be easy; Earth had to join the Alliance first, clearance then must be sort to buy these for Earth and Alenna…well, that was down to me to persuade her that a huge profit was not unusual where Earth is concerned.
A tap on the man cave door with Lumi saying, ‘‘Are you going to be long, it’s boring sitting here waiting for you.’’
I shouted, ‘‘Coming out now.’’ We went and joined the others on the cargo deck where Alenna had set up a picnic party with the food all laid out on a table and blankets laid out on the floor to sit on. The cargo doors were open and the sun reached in some way with a slight breeze which everyone appreciated. I sat with my back against a wall with several wives close by. With our guests seated just a few feet away, we really enjoyed a very lazy day just talking and watching the children play games. By early evening we had moved back into the entertainment room. We were eagerly awaiting the results of the election. This time we were going to watch it as it was announced. Finally, the time came and there seemed to be a lot of kerfuffle with the secretary general showing a number of officials a piece of paper, which we had concluded it was the results. However, they were being very long winded in announcing who was the winning ambassador, when finally the secretary general spoke and said that no one had reached the forty percent required. In fact, they were all on thirty-three percent with the remaining one percent, also with only a slight variation, he continued and pronounced therefore there was no outright winner at this time and now they were to go into a closed session.
We looked at each other. Alenna stated, "Well that was an anti-climax." At that statement the others made it known they were hoping to leave Earth the following day to return home, which for now looked like plans were up in the air. We decided to sleep on it and see what would happen in the morning. I was awoken in the middle of the night with a call and given some exciting news which for the time being I was keeping to myself.
Early next day there was a shout of excitement from the children who again had been on the bridge without any adult supervision, which I was intent on speaking to them about soon enough. Anyway, they said that three large screens had been erected and the crowd was growing by the minute. Now curiosity took hold of all the family along with our guests as well. They all made their way to gather on the bridge as they wanted to see what was going on. Alenna asked for ideas. Not one of the others had any idea of wha
t was going on. I observed the family and our guests’ reaction for some time before letting them into a part of my secret, explaining to them it was for the announcement of the ambassador which was to be made from that podium now being constructed. They continued to watch as I observed them. Lara nudged Alenna whispering in her ear and signalling to look at me. I was sitting there grinning to myself. Alenna knew that grin of mine, which usually signalled “I know something that she doesn’t.” Alenna looked at me, then said to me, "You know what's happening, out with it,'' while the others looked at me, waiting for a response.
I said, ‘‘I know who has won in fact I am the only one on this planet at this time who knows who's won.’’
Alenna a little confused asked further by saying, ‘‘How do you know who has been chosen, they haven’t announced it yet?’’
I continued, ‘‘I know because I have been asked by the UN following that closed session, which by a vote of more than seventy five percent decided to give me the opportunity of selecting the best ambassador for the job out of the three finalists. After all Earth is my home planet and of course I will want to ensure the best ambassador to represent earth gets selected.’’
They all shouted, ‘‘You will choose the woman.’’
I looked at them and said, ‘‘Do you think I'm some kind of crazy person. Of course it’s going to be the woman. I understand how it works. A man would be treated as a sort of oddity by the other members of the Alliance council. Just look what happens when strangers meet me because I’m a man. It needs to be on equal footing. The Scandinavian ambassador it is. Also as it’s a woman that I will be selecting she will get to be stationed on Alkarr which has a climate she will enjoy. If a man was involved he possibly could have ended up on a world such as Lusiana, which has a very hot and very dry quite inhospitable environment, orbiting its sun so close to the inner part of the habitable zone. Due to how hot it is there, any human would find it hard to adapt, especially living in the underground cities as they do.’’ At this point I apologised to Yarkeli and Pooky, but they understood what I meant.
The speed they were setting things up they could be finished very soon, so it was time for me to call the prime minister. He answered and said, ‘‘You had read my mind as I was about to contact you. First your meeting with the other leaders was set for two pm.’’
I asked, ‘‘Is there going to be any female leader of any nations to be present?’’
He replied, ‘‘No, only eight nations, all male leaders.’’ Which in a way was good news as I could go into the meeting alone. I would then be free to discuss those planetary defence frigates without any member of my family knowing at this time, which would give me room for manoeuvre. I would not be making any promises but would give a scenario of what might happen.
The second item he wished to discuss was the arrangement of the announcement of the winning ambassador. This was to take place at twelve noon; he would be in attendance along with cameras as it was to be broadcast live all over the world. It looked unlikely we would be departing today as we had to give time for the appointed ambassador to travel here. I was setting a time to depart at eleven o’clock the following morning. As everyone wanted to watch me make the speech it was decided that they could all stay on the bridge. Only Alenna Lara and I would go outside.
The time had come. We made our way outside having left the others drinking fruit drinks on the bridge, not something I would normally approve of. However, I was not going to say anything about that though, as there was too many of them doing it; anyway they might resent it.
As we climbed up the steps to the podium it became apparent that there were supporters for all the candidates with many placards being waved about along with chanting in support of their favoured candidate, but there could only be one winner. I watched the three screens each of which had an ambassador being shown live on the screen. I first thanked everybody for being there and giving their support, and then turned to the screens and asked, if they could all hear me, before giving a little speech, ‘‘Because I am human just like you, I only want the best for Earth. To that aim the one I am about to select has the best credentials to represent our planet. Yes, it’s mine as well and for this reason the person going with us to be the ambassador for Earth is.…’’ There was a moment of silence in which the crowd awaited with expectation. I then said, ‘‘Erika pack your things you’re coming with us.’’
The crowd went hysterical; the roar of support drowned out any discontent. Erika looked very pleased at being selected and was waving on the screen. I’m sure she had a live audience where she was speaking from. I said that I believed she was bringing her daughter with her and that she was expected to arrive here very late this evening. Having confirmed that she was and would be here then, I wished her a pleasant trip and that we all looked forward to meeting her. Now this was a relief to Alenna as she did not now need to worry about the cabin allocation on the ship. I finally thanked everyone again for their kind welcome and support for the time we had been here, but all good things had to come to an end so I announced that we would be leaving the following morning at eleven o’clock.
Finally, I asked for their support for their planet and for joining the Alliance. We would be returning sometime in the future, but probably in a different role of just being an ordinary transporter of goods.
As we returned to our ship, although I had mentioned the meeting that was to take place at two pm to Alenna I had not informed her it was to be a male only meeting. After informing of that fact, I asked if she still wanted to escort me or assign the task to others. ‘‘Oh,’’ she said, ‘‘I am not allowed in then.’’
Now being cagey I said, ‘‘You would be the only woman there, it would be best for you to stay here. Think of it as a man club similar to which we have back on Alkarr, besides my chaperones can sit outside as they would normally do when I am in a man cave.’’
Alenna said, ‘‘You do not go to men only clubs on Alkarr.’’
I replied, ‘‘That’s because they’re generally full of stuffy self-serving Alkarren men.’’
Alenna then said, ‘‘Fine I did not what to go anyway; Lumi and Lara can accompany you.’’ That was easy, too easy. I did expect some opposition but some things do surprise even me sometimes.
Lumi, Lara and I were whisked off in the Limo. The prime minister was again hosting the meeting in Downing Street and as I entered the room Lara and Lumi tried to followed me in. I turned to them and told them that they would have to remain outside. I even showed them that there were only men in the room before they accepted the situation and leaving me to go inside without them. I was shown to a seat. At the same time I was apologising at the slight misunderstanding from two of my wives. It had been in Alkarren, so they had no idea of what was exchanged between us. After introductions with those I had not met before, the topic was to be, ‘The Silka and their threat to Earth,’ but first I was asked, ‘‘Why did you chose the Scandinavian ambassador over the other two?’’
I replied, ‘‘Out there in all the Alliance home worlds women dominate. You might not like it but women run the galaxy. Alkarren men are not that interested to get involved in politics anyway, apart from only talking about things. As all males are chaperoned they could not be a politician anyway. You may think males are oppressed. That is not the case. A male can do something like me for instance. I am the captain of our ship, which is only possible because my family lives on board. This is the reason why I made the point that you should consider selecting a women during the UN speech and why I choose a women over the two men. I am sure she will do her best for Earth.’’
The inevitable question, ‘‘But are you not a politician coming here to make contact with us?’’
I answer, ‘‘In a way I am but this is the exception to the rule. I was told it would reflect and b
e understood better by the people of Earth if first contact was with another human. This does not mean I am in charge of this first contact encounter in any way. I in fact believe it’s my wife Lara who holds the strings as she does work for the Alkarren government. In the long run I am only the spokesman, when I go back to Alkarr I will resume doing what I know best, cargo transport.’’ The topic now changed to the Silka. They were somewhat worried about this race and wanted me to confirm that the Alliance would defend earth. I now spilled the beans and said, ‘‘Defend you probably, but I have been noting a military build-up of new ships, planetary defence frigates and battle cruisers. I do not wish to scare you but there is something afoot about the Silka that I am not being told about. I do not think this sudden upgrade of armaments is just precautionary but I hope I am wrong. I thought it best when I made my speech was to down play the situation to prevent any panic.’’
Now I made my play and explained that there were a number of used but well maintained frigates for sale and that it may be possible, if all went well, for Earth to purchase these. As expected, a keen interest was shown in them, so I projected an image of these ships with my pid and went through a routine a salesman might perform when selling a used car. When I came to the armaments question I explained they had two turrets each with two 30mm beam weapons that could punch a hole through 100mm steel at fifty miles. Their main weapon was two fixed 100mm beam weapons, which were very powerful and could fire every thirty seconds, as they required that time to recharge after each shot. It may not be modern by alliance standards but Earth has nothing like these, they only require a crew of five to operate.
Chronicles of Jake 1: My Return to Planet Earth Page 17
