"It has, Senator, and I think you'll find they exceed your wildest imaginings."
"You do realize that as a member of Congress, I've been witness to some pretty outrageous things," replied Dawson.
MacPherson chuckled softy before replying. "Then you may be partially prepared for what you are about to be exposed to, Senator. Don't say I didn't warn you."
The small entourage arrived at the outer airlock door of the ship.
"Is this ship secure?" asked the smaller of the two bodyguards, moving to place himself between the senator and the Professor.
"I can assure you the senator is in absolutely no physical danger," replied MacPherson. "As far as his mental health is concerned, well, we'll find out about that in just a few more minutes."
"No offence, Dr. MacPherson," said Dawson, "but I hope you'll understand if Halstead takes the lead. It is his job to protect me."
"Certainly," replied the Professor. "If you would proceed from the airlock area through the hatch to the next compartment aft, you'll find a ladder leading up to deck two. Our meeting facilities are up there."
The four men went through the airlock into the spacesuit prep area before going through the hatch in the aft bulkhead and negotiating a long, inclined ladder up to the second level of the ship. There, the Professor stopped them next to a hatchway opening into a corridor unconventionally offset way over to the starboard side of the second deck.
"There is a large conference room just a short way down this corridor," MacPherson informed the bodyguards. "We'll hold our meeting in there."
"You will understand we have to check it out first," said Halstead.
"I would expect no less," replied MacPherson.
The bodyguard made his way down the corridor and peeked into the largish conference room. Inside he saw three women and a man, clustered at the end of a large, oblong conference table. All four of them came to their feet as the agent entered the room.
"Is the senator here?" asked the man, who had been seated facing the entry.
"He'll be here in a moment," said the agent. Apparently satisfied no one in the room presented any kind of threat, he disappeared back down the corridor. Moments later, he returned and re-entered the conference room. Following him into the chamber were Professor MacPherson, the senator and a second bodyguard.
The two agents took up station on either side of the hatchway while the Professor made introductions, gesturing towards each of his people as their turn came around. He began the process with a short, sturdily built, middle-aged woman with a face dominated by a pair of piercing, slanted, ice-blue eyes, "This is Dr. Olga Dostoyevski, a symbologist from the Moscow Institute."
Dostoyevski rendered a slight bow and said, "Is pleased to meet you, sir."
The Senator nodded his head in response. "Your reputation precedes you, Dr. Dostoyevski. How is it you came to be a part of this expedition?"
"That is a story in itself, Senator," replied the Professor. "We'll get you up-to-date in a few minutes."
Next in line was a taller, slightly younger and very slender woman with short, sleek, brown hair and green eyes. "This is Dr. Kathryn Harbour, symbologist from my department at Colfax University.
"Senator," Harbour responded, with a dip of her head.
"You also have quite a reputation, Dr. Harbour," replied Dawson, with a nod of his own.
"This is Dr. Arnold Mobutu, my former post-doc," said MacPherson, gesturing towards a slight, studious-looking man, no more than thirty years old, with skin the color of milk chocolate and kinky black hair in a fashionable cut, though it looked like he could use a trim.
"Pleased to meet you, Senator," said Arnold, reaching out to shake Dawson's hand.
The Professor then indicated the final member of the group, a tall, well-formed and very attractive short-haired brunette who was wearing a United Federation of Planets Navy coverall.
"Last but not least, my daughter, Ensign Ariane MacPherson."
The ensign also gave the senator a slight bow. "Pleased to meet you, sir," she said.
"The pleasure is mine, Ensign," replied the senator. He looked around the chamber. "Your expedition had another member, if I recall, a Lieutenant Zachary Lynton. Is he not with you?"
"Zack remained in the Sol system to tie up a few loose ends, Senator," said the Professor. "He'll be joining us in a few more days."
"So you did go to the Sol System," said Dawson.
"All in good time, Senator. Please, everyone take a seat; we have much to discuss."
The senator took a spot at the head of the table and the others arrayed themselves to either side, with the Professor, Dostoyevski and Harbour on one side, Ariane and Arnold on the other.
"I apologize for all the secrecy, and I want to thank you for making a special trip, Senator, but when you see the news we bring, I believe you will agree a meeting of this sort was dictated by the circumstances."
"I take it you found your artifact and figured out what its purpose was?" said Dawson, coming right to the point.
"Indeed we did, sir," said MacPherson. "And we got far more than we bargained for."
"How so?"
"The artifact turned out to be the key to activate an ancient machine placed in the Sol system over five thousand years ago."
"An ancient machine?" asked the senator.
"Indeed," replied MacPherson. "More specifically, a device of alien origin."
"Alien? As in non-human intelligent creatures?" The senator looked around at the other five people at the table with him, his skepticism obvious. "You can't be serious?"
"You heard me correctly, sir," said MacPherson. "But there is more -- quite a lot more, in fact. Arnold, would you please tell the senator what the device is?"
"Certainly," replied the little scholar. "It is a signaling device -- a 'Sentinel' -- placed by an organization called 'the Grand Amalgamation of Galactic Civilizations.'"
"Grand Amalgamation of Galactic Civilizations?" said the Senator, looking more skeptical by the minute.
Arnold paused long enough to let the information sink in before continuing, "They represent over five hundred different intelligent species from all across the Milky Way Galaxy."
"Five hundred species?" said the Senator, his eyes widening.
"Yes," replied Arnold. "And we, the Human race, have been ...invited to join with them."
"They wish for us to join this organization?"
"In a manner of speaking," replied Arnold, with a glance at his advisor. "We have been granted temporary membership status."
"What exactly does that mean?"
"We have a year to show significant progress towards addressing some issues that will keep us from achieving full membership."
"And these issues are...?"
Arnold took a deep breath before continuing, "We have to stop fighting amongst ourselves, and we have to demonstrate we can successfully interact with another alien species."
"You're talking about an end to war?" said the Senator. "That's a pretty tall order!"
"Nevertheless, we have to show significant progress in a year," said MacPherson.
"Or else what?" asked Dawson.
"Or we will be rejected for membership," said Arnold, "and we would be declared 'Undesirable.'"
"I expect we could soldier on without them," said the senator. "We've done pretty well so far."
"It's not that simple, Senator Dawson," Arnold replied. "Undesirables are automatically placed under the authority of a rival faction called 'Custodians.'"
"And what does that mean?" asked Dawson.
"Essentially, it means Humanity would become enslaved to this Custodian race. I believe your Madam Love has had visions of what this would mean."
The Senator glanced around at the group with another skeptical look. He then made to get up. "This attempt at a practical joke has gone far enough," he said, his features contorting in a scowl. "And you may all be facing criminal charges for this outrageous waste of my time!"
"A moment, Senator, if you please," said MacPherson. "We have brought proof."
Dawson scanned the faces of the group and sat back down reluctantly, "This had better be good, MacPherson."
"I can assure you that it is," replied the Professor. "If you would be so kind as to have your bodyguards relax. What you are about to see now may come to all three of you as somewhat of a shock."
The senator, still scowling, gave a nod to his agents.
"Symantia?" said MacPherson, over the ship's intercom. "It's time for you to come in and meet Senator Dawson."
A few moments later, a bipedal creature, obviously not human, entered through the door between the two bodyguards.
"Senator, I'd like you to meet Symantia L'Proxa. Symantia is a Lycan, one of the five hundred races that make up the Amalgamation. She is also a Guardian of the Galactic Sentinel."
The senator wore a look of utter astonishment and his two bodyguards both instinctively reached for their barely concealed weapons.
"Please," said the Professor. "I can assure you there is no need for any aggression. Come over and join us, Symantia."
The senator and his guards stared dumbfounded as the creature, almost certainly related to the canines of Old Earth, strode gracefully over to the conference table on its hind legs. It was short, barely tall enough to reach the senator's chin and covered with sleek and luxuriant orange fur, almost black on the back and fading to almost white in front. In spite of the shock, Dawson couldn't help but conclude that she --it almost had to be a she -- was a breathtakingly beautiful creature.
She communicated with the humans through a translation device, a round black medallion about four centimeters in diameter hanging around her sinuous neck on a thong made of some unknown material. The translator began to speak Standard in a well-modulated and very pleasant human female voice. The device must have been keyed directly into her brainwaves, or something, because there was no apparent movement of her mouth or any evidence of the vocal organs in her throat being used.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Senator Dawson," said Symantia. She was looking directly at the senator as the translator spoke and she made slight movements of her head in proper synchrony with the words.
The senator continued to stare mutely, his jaw slack, for a long moment. Then, to his credit, he managed to overcome his shock and recover a portion of his composure before replying, "Ah...On behalf of the United Federation of Planets, welcome to Nova New York!"
"I thank you," replied the little Lycan. "I have been informed by the members of the Deimos expedition you have influence within the ruling body of the most important government of your race."
"I am a member of the Federation Congress," replied Dawson, unable to stop himself from staring, "but I don't know how much influence I have"
"It is imperative you begin the process to end all aggression within your species immediately."
Like the battle-scarred political warhorse he was, Dawson managed to claw his way back to the present and return to a semblance of his normal self. "I approve of your sentiments, but getting everyone to agree on something like that has proven to be impossible as yet. And the existence of this ‘Grand Amalgamation of Galactic Civilizations’ will require time and some kind of irrefutable, compelling proof. I will admit meeting you, an actual member of another intelligent species, is far beyond impressive, but I guarantee you it will take more than one...," the senator paused like the professional he was to choose the proper wording before continuing, "...member of an alien species to alter the fundamental behavior of the entire Human Race."
"Your point is well-taken, Senator," replied Symantia. "What if we were to arrange a demonstration impossible to ignore?"
"What kind of demonstration?" asked Dawson.
"We think the event would make a greater impression if it were to be kept as a surprise. We can, however, tell you the exact time the demonstration will take place, so the maximum number of your citizens and members of your governing body will be able to observe it. You are also encouraged to invite representatives from as many other governments as possible."
"How much time are you talking about?"
"The demonstration will take place in seven of your days. That much time should provide ample opportunity for you to inform your populations."
"Seven days!" exclaimed Dawson, his voice rising. "An event like this could destabilize the government! We have more than enough disturbances going on right now. What's to keep people from rioting in the streets?"
"The Galactic Sentinels have a great deal of experience with matters such as this," replied Symantia. "Though a certain level of unrest may be unavoidable."
"A certain level of unrest? Is that how you put it?"
"Please calm down, Senator Dawson, we do not expect a complete conversion of your people overnight. The process can require a considerable amount of time, often dozens of your years or even more. Having said that, however, your species will have one of these years to demonstrate significant progress."
"And what if we simply refuse to cooperate?"
"The Grand Amalgamation of Galactic Civilizations will move on about its own business and..."
"And what?"
"And the Custodians would take over your worlds," replied Symantia, "I really don't think you want that to happen.'
"It sounds to me as though your Grand Amalgamation is no better than these Custodians."
"Oh, there is quite a difference, I can assure you."
"I don't see any."
Symantia managed to sound just a little exasperated as she replied. "The Amalgamation is presenting your species with an opportunity to develop to its full potential in a peaceful society. The Custodians will simply enslave you."
"We can fight back, you know," said the Senator.
"Against a ruthless enemy with superior technology who has been assimilating undesirable species for fifty of your centuries? I do not have high expectations for your success."
The senator shook his head in disgust and looked around the assemblage at the table, his gaze coming to rest on the Professor. "What have you gotten us into, MacPherson?"
"With all due respect, Senator," replied the Professor, "we just happened to be the ones who stumbled upon the Sentinel device and activated it. What you should know is Mankind was on the verge of encountering a nearby alien species and becoming involved with this Amalgamation anyway."
"What alien species?"
"A race called the 'Hordea,'" said Symantia. "The outermost colony in the Human sphere of influence is within ten light years of one of the outlying colonies of Hordean space. The Amalgamation has been monitoring both of your species in anticipation of an encounter. As soon as the meeting occurred, representatives of the Amalgamation, like myself, would have been on the scene. The way things stand, a decision was made to notify both the Hordea and the Humans they were about to meet each other. Because of this decision, it was possible for your species to make first contact with your neighbors under somewhat more controlled conditions than normal. Past experience has shown the very first meeting between species is critical. It is far too easy for misunderstandings to occur. Such misunderstandings can cause irreparable damage to any relationship that might be forged."
"So this 'first contact' meeting has already taken place?"
"I was a part of the group that made contact," said Ariane. "Though, thanks to the Custodians, it came close to going very badly."
"You've already met these...Hordea? What gave you the right?"
"The meeting was sanctioned and dictated by the Grand Council of the Amalgamation," said Symantia.
"I see." The senator looked resigned but far from happy, "So this 'demonstration' will take place in seven days? What are we to expect?"
"As I stated earlier," said Symantia, "We believe it best if it remains unknown. But I assure you, Senator, it will be very convincing. Afterwards, I will be happy to meet with representatives of your governments to discuss the next course of action."
>
"I'll go and see what I can do," said Dawson. He turned to the Professor and said, "I think you should know I am not very happy about this, MacPherson."
"I understand completely, Senator, but keep in mind none of this was our idea. We're only the messengers."
"We'll find our own way out," said Dawson. He got up from the table and walked briskly out of the conference room, his two bodyguards trailing him.
"Well," said MacPherson. "That could have gone a little better."
"It could also have gone a lot worse," replied Arnold. "I wonder what he'll say when he finds out that the Representatives to the Amalgamation have already been selected."
"We'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it," replied MacPherson.
Chapter 68. A Simple Demonstration.
Deep space, near the Beta hyperlink zone of star system 30874, November 1, 2676.
Zack Lynton found himself in the bridge area of a large spacecraft surrounded by a bank of monitors showing a panoramic view of the space around the ship. With him were Gertrude Tvedt and two others, Won Ling-tsu and Sergei Popov.
"We are approaching the hyperlink zone for the Central Planets," came the announcement over the ship's intercom. "Please prepare yourselves for transition."
Zack wasn't worried about the pending hyperjump, the ship had already performed eight of them over the last several days. The exotic and advanced alien technology actually executed the jumps with only a minor suite of side effects, much easier on the body and the mind than Human-designed ships. No, he was more worried about what would happen after this next jump which would take them and the ship into the most populated region of Human-occupied space.
"I wonder how the advance group did with Senator Dawson?" asked Zack.
"It must have gone alright or we would have heard something by now," said Gertrude. "Though I can't imagine it went without a hitch."
"We will be fortunate if we are not met by an armada of warships," said Sergei. "Your government is noted for being hard-headed."
"As though the heads of your government would be any softer?" said Zack.
The Archeon Codex: Guardians of the Galactic Sentinel Book 2 Page 35
