by D. J. Holmes
James couldn’t help but sit back in his chair and blow out a loud whistle. “By golly, I didn’t expect this.”
“Ya’sia will be happy,” Becket replied.
James almost groaned. She would. And she would give him a hard time about it. Instead of another unprofessional vocalization, James reigned his surprise in. “Scott, pick a couple of subordinates and head over to Ya’sia’s flagship. I want you on the shuttle that is going to that battlecruiser. I’ll let Ya’sia know you’re coming.”
“Yes Vice Admiral. I have a couple people in mind already. But… What am I supposed to say?” Scott asked.
“They are just preliminary negotiations, wait and see what the Flex-aor say. I imagine they will want to set some ground rules within which we can all work. Make sure you list the grievances we have against their race and find out what authority their negotiators have. If their society is run by a series of Queens, we need to know how any kind of negotiation could be agreed. Is there a single Queen who rules over the other queens, or are they all independent? Start with that and then you’ll have to figure things out as they go. None of us have training for this. I suspect Ya’sia’s people will be better prepared. It may be best to follow their lead, though don’t be afraid to speak out if our interests are at stake.”
“So make sure they know we are mad at them and play the rest by ear?” Scott summarized.
If it wasn’t for the seriousness of the situation, James would have laughed. “That’s about it I guess,” he replied deadpan. He winked as he continued. “Isn’t this the kind of thing I’ve been training you to do for years now?”
“Then I should have no problem,” Scott replied as she rolled her eyes and jumped to her feet. “I’ll go grab the two specialists I have in mind and get going. If you can think of anything else I should say or ask, send it to our shuttle.”
“Good luck,” James said, and he meant it. “If we can find a peaceful solution to all this so much the better, but don’t let them hoodwink you.”
Scott nodded and turned to leave Golden Hind’s bridge. A few officers called after her wishing her well.
“I want a close eye kept on every station and warship in orbit. Let’s get a full estimate of their capabilities. If we have to fight, I want to target the most dangerous ships and orbital installations first. Let’s use this time to our benefit,” James ordered as he focused on the enemy ships that were out of missile range. Even if the discussions went well, he knew that things would probably end in a battle nonetheless.
*
Scott bit her lower lip hard. She needed something to distract herself. The Crian shuttle she was on was seconds away from docking with the Flex-aor battlecruiser. Memories of the Flex-aor Queen’s tentacles wrapping around her body and throat where pulling at her mind. The pain from her lip helped her focus. She couldn’t let her nightmares get the better of her. For months after the attack she had experienced vivid dreams replaying what the Flex-aor Queen had done to her. No one understood how the Flex-aor Queens communicated telepathically, especially with Humans, a species they had never met before. Yet the Flex-aor Queen had done just that. According to the best medical advice Scott had received, the Queen had left some kind of imprint on her mind. An imprint that kept surfacing in her dreams.
As two large shuttle bay doors receded, panic almost overtook Scott. She was entering the jaws of her nightmares. She bit her lip again. This time drawing blood. Focus, she told herself. James had entrusted her with making first contact with the Flex-aor. She couldn’t let him down.
“They sent their battlecruiser towards us and requested we come aboard, we’ll let them do the talking first. You may follow my lead,” Eralla, the Crian chief negotiator Ya’sia had put in charge of her delegation said from the seat opposite Scott.
Scott nodded. Eralla had experience negotiating with six other species, seven if his interactions with Humans were counted. Scott was more than happy to follow his lead. Of course, she intended to join in any discussions if it was necessary. The reappearance of her nightmarish memories had reinforced her desire to never let another Flex-aor Queen get anywhere near Human space.
A slight jolt informed everyone the shuttle had touched down on the landing deck. Crian shuttles had four access ramps to allow for quick disembarkation. As they descended, the negotiating team stood and made their way onto the flight deck. Scott looked around. It was eerily quiet. There were no Flex-aor in sight. Then one Flex-aor suddenly appeared from behind a parked shuttle. It was large, very muscular and encased in the exoskeleton the warrior caste of the Flex-aor wore. It approached the Crian shuttle in silence and came to a halt meters away from the negotiating teams. For nearly thirty seconds the Flex-aor, Crians and Humans stared at one another.
“My Queen welcomes you onto one of her battlecruisers. You have brought a hostile war fleet into the domain of High Queen Ala’ron. You have defiled this system. State your intention or be exterminated.”
Scott swallowed the lump that had developed in her throat and glanced at Eralla. His expression hadn’t changed, but she sensed that his torso muscles had tightened. His eyes shot towards her and she gave him a slight nod. He had said he wanted to take the lead.
“We have come aboard your ship in response to your stated willingness to enter negotiations with us. Perhaps we could begin those negotiations in a more appropriate setting?” Eralla replied, ignoring the Flex-aor’s threat.
“My Queen does not wish to waste any more time with you. Your ships made it known that you wanted to negotiate with us. You are here now. What are your intentions?” the Flex-aor replied.
I guess they don’t intend to offer us a seat, Scott thought. It wasn’t very surprising. As far as she knew, this was the first time the Flex-aor had opened dialogue with another species. There was no reason to think they understood concepts such as hospitality or manners.
“Very well,” Eralla replied. “Your species attacked one of my neighbors and the Humans. In both cases it appeared your intention was to wipe out any sentient life that was not Flex-aor. Neither my species nor the Humans intend to let you continue exterminating other races. We are here seeking a peaceful solution because we do not wish to go to war with your species. We will if we have to. But we would rather negotiate peace. The galaxy is large, there are many systems your species can inhabit and develop for your own use. There is no need for you to attack your neighbors.”
The Flex-aor warrior actually snorted, clearly a sign of derision. It opened its mouth to say something but cut off before it could. A strange look came over its eyes and all expression disappeared from its face. “I am Queen Hir’ram. I rule over all Flex-aor in this system. What terms are you offering?”
For a second Scott forgot where she was. Her mind was sent back to that dark hangar on X-38 where they had discovered the first Flex-aor Queen. That Queen had been able to telepathically communicate with her soldiers throughout the entire planet. Now it seemed this Queen was doing the same. For a moment Scott feared the Queen was nearby, close enough to launch an attack against the negotiating team. Then the rational part of her mind took over. There was no way the Flex-aor Queen would have risked coming on the battlecruiser herself. That meant she was probably on the inhabited planet. She is able to telepathically communicate over unbelievable distances, Scott realized.
“We wish to understand your species better,” Eralla answered. “We want to understand what motivates you and why you have taken the action you have. In turn, we will allow you to get to know us. Beyond that, we hope we can negotiate an end to hostilities and a settled border which will allow our species to coexist peacefully.”
“The Flex-aor species has been at war for more than two hundred years. We have expanded to many systems.” Hir’ram said. “Why would we stop now?”
“Because war is not the only way in which species can exist,” Eralla replied. “My species has peaceful contact with a number of other species. We coexist as friends.”
“F
riends,” Hir’ram said slowly, as if trying to understand the concept. “The Flex-aor desire no friends.”
“Do you desire life?” Scott asked, unable to stay quiet any longer. As soon as she spoke she tried to tone down her anger, it was hard to do.
The Flex-aor warrior turned to take her in. “You speak for your species Human?”
Scott nodded, “I do. I have fought your species in my territory. We drove back your invasion fleet. I was there when Queen Qura-rnt was killed. I know your species desires life. We wish to come to a peaceful agreement with you, because we do not wish to wipe out your species.”
The Flex-aor warrior snorted again, though this time it was different, lighter, more feminine. The Queen is laughing at us, Scott realized.
“You think you can cleanse us?” the warrior replied and then snorted again. “Your species is delusional.”
“We are in your system with a battlefleet,” Scott countered. “We are speaking with you. Clearly we have your attention. If you do not wish to negotiate, why are we here?”
“You’re here because I am interested in what you have to say Human,” Hir’ram replied. “Never before has a species sent ships into one of our systems. You are brave, I will give you that. Delusional, but brave.”
“If we could get back to our topic of discussion,” Eralla said in a much more conciliatory tone. “Would you and your species be open to the possibility of further negotiations? We wish to see an end to hostilities, not an escalation. Surely some level of discussions could be had to see if we can come to an agreement.”
“Your ideas are entertaining. Perhaps my species would be willing to hear more of what you have to say,” Hir’ram responded. “I however do not have the authority to make such binding agreements. Our High Queen must be the one who speaks to you.”
“Maybe we could send a delegation to your High Queen? Where is she at the moment?” Eralla asked.
“She resides on our homeworld. However, news of your arrival has already been sent to her. She is likely to depart our homeworld and come here as soon as she learns of your presence. If you are willing to wait, she will arrive in eight days. Then you can speak to her and see if she is willing to negotiate a settlement with you.”
“Your High Queen can make binding decisions for your entire species?” Eralla queried.
The Flex-aor warrior snorted again. “You know nothing of our species. The High Queen makes all decisions. She is the High Queen.”
“Then that will be acceptable to us,” Eralla responded. He looked over to Scott.
Scott was far more suspicious. “How do we know this isn’t some kind of trap? Your High Queen could be coming from your homeworld with a much larger battlefleet. What kind of assurances will you give us? We could simply destroy your fleet and your world now and head to your home system and speak with your High Queen there rather than wait here.”
“The High Queen will come here with her own fleet. She does not travel anywhere without some ships to protect her. However, if I send word to her that you are seeking to enter into negotiations, she will come with her Royal Guard, not an entire battlefleet. As for assurances, you have said you wish to get to know my species more. I am willing to continue some low-level negotiations until our High Queen arrives. Your species amuse me. I would enjoy hearing more of your delusions. Will that appease you?”
“Yes,” Scott lied. She was far from appeased, but there was nothing more Hir’ram could say that would put her at ease. If the Flex-aor High Queen was coming to this system, Scott had no doubt she would come with every warship she could bring. Perhaps the Queen would still wish to enter negotiations, but from what she knew of the Flex-aor, that was highly unlikely. As soon as they had numerical advantage, they would attack.
“I think we should bring our initial negotiations to an end here,” Eralla responded. “We can report back to our superiors and inform them of what you have said. We will contact you again to arrange another meeting. We would certainly find it enlightening to learn more of your species.”
Scott almost rolled her eyes at how Eralla turned Hir’ram’s desire to meet again on its head. He really was a diplomat. The Flex-aor warrior simply nodded and didn’t say anything more. She glanced at Eralla. He shrugged ever so slightly and turned to leave. Scott followed him and the rest of the Crian and Human delegation did likewise. No one spoke until they were all seated on the shuttle and the access hatches had closed.
“That was icy,” Lieutenant Podolski said breaking the silence. “I’ve never been in a negotiation quite like that before.”
“You can say that again,” Scott agreed. Podolski was quite old for her rank. Before joining the US colonial fleet, she had been an elected official in one of the larger American colonies which was why Scott had brought her along.
“Nevertheless, it was a successful one, partially at least,” Eralla responded.
“Excuse me?” Scott asked as her eyebrows rose. “All we learnt was that this Queen thinks we are only worthy of her contempt and they have a High Queen who is likely to bring a far larger battlefleet against us.”
“Those things in and of themselves are useful to know,” Eralla explained. “And we have agreed to carry out future negotiations. If they go well, then we may have laid an important foundation by the time their High Queen arrives. She may arrive with the intention of driving us out of the system. But if we can win Hir’ram over to our way of thinking before then, we may find an open door to speak to this High Queen.”
This time Scott did roll her eyes. Clearly she and Eralla would be giving different reports to their senior commanders. “I wish I had your optimism,” she said speaking only a half-truth when Eralla looked at her strangely. “I don’t see this ending in anything but a fight, but at least you’re trying to look on the bright side.”
“It is not through optimism that I am interpreting today’s success,” Eralla responded. “It is through my past experiences as a negotiator. We and the Flex-aor represent two sides that could not be further apart from one another. Yet today we entered into negotiations, we shared certain things with one another, and we agreed to continue to talk. As far as I am aware, that is far more than your senior commanders expected. I would say we have met with a measure of success today. What comes tomorrow may make what we have done today count for nothing, but that is a problem for tomorrow.”
“I hope you’re right my friend,” Scott replied as the shuttle left the Flex-aor battlecruiser and accelerated back to the Human and Crian fleet. “I hope you’re right,” she repeated as she replayed the conversation with the Flex-aor Queen in her mind. Nothing she could recall from the conversation gave her any hope that the Flex-aor would be halted by anything short of destroying their ability to make war.
Chapter 10
Emperor Augustus II is often given the honorific The Peaceful. It is certainly true that during his fifty-two year reign nothing larger than a few border scuffles broke out between the Empire and our neighbors. However, almost all historians now agree that Augustus II’s ability to maintain peace had as much to do with luck rather than diplomatic skill. His reign simply occurred at an exceptional time when none of our neighbors were strong enough to challenge us. If Augustus had been in power when the Antarians had been discovered, or when the revolutionaries seized power in the Monatist civilization, he would probably be remembered very differently.
-Excerpt from Empire Rising, 3002 AD.
UNS Golden Hind, X-62 system, 29th July 2478 AD.
Scott threw herself into the briefing room chair. She didn’t even try to hide the groan of weariness that passed her lips.
“Not a good session?” James asked with a chuckle.
“The worst yet,” Scott replied. “She’s playing with us. I have no doubt. It’s like we are the mice and she’s the cat, she’s just toying with us before she finishes us off. Isn’t that right Podolski?”
James turned to the Lieutenant and raised a questioning eyebrow. This was the first ti
me Scott had brought one of her negotiators with her. Clearly Podolski was meant to back her up.
“In my professional opinion, yes,” Podolski replied with a lot more respect for her surroundings than Scott had shown. “Though my experience in dealing with alien species was non-existent before we reached this system. However, it is clear Hir’ram is intentionally being as vague as possible in the answers she gives us. Likewise, she has made no commitment of any kind regarding her species’ relationship to us. It appears she is playing for time.”
James nodded slowly. Scott had warned him several days ago when she had come back from the first round of negotiations. He had believed her then, however, for Ya’sia’s sake, he had allowed things to play out. If the negotiations were to come to an end, he wanted it to be because the Crian recognized their fruitlessness, rather than them blaming his people for forcing their hand.
