by Ken Pence
"Quite special," Brad said, reluctant to talk. "He was my first commander. On my first assignment under him, I botched a tail and got shot going for my gun. He took the bullet meant to finish me off when I fell and then he killed my attacker. That cost him one leg. On two other assignments; he pulled my fat out of the fire, either by personal action or through some administrative support, he gave me. I owe him more than I'll ever be able to pay," Brad finished.
Andrew decided to say nothing and simply nodded.
Tod came up to Andrew and Brad and said, "Look you guys, go back to sleep. I'll wake you in a few hours in time for a big breakfast. You have some heavy talking to do with that alien commander."
They both agreed. After what seemed like a very brief sleep, they were up, fed, dressed and headed for the alien ship to continue the negotiations.
EARTH TREATY FINALIZED
The treaty was almost written. With the alien's vast heritage of racial experience and the help of a complex of Earthly legal computers, the treaty became a reality. It was deceptively simple. In essence, it made Earth responsible for the actions of any of its inhabitants and forbade any aggression against any other signatory. It stated that one Earth year would pass before any ships would arrive to trade with Earth and also stated that the Earth would present trading regulations to any arriving ship. The treaty also laid out guidelines for interstellar markings, frequency bands, beacons, and other interstellar standards.
Brad and Andrew couldn't believe that they were finished. They reflected that it wasn't in effect yet so they activated their printer which turned out dual copies in English and the alien language combined.
"You will both make a recognition symbol that will later identify you," the alien commanders said after pressing some type of plastic seal into the agreements, then Andrew and Brad sighed.
"It is now time for me to attend to repairing this ship," the E. S. officer said. "My assistant has the standard information for new signatory planets. I regret that they are printed in standard language but with your devices, that should prove no obstacle. I must go," the Exploration Service officer said and left.
Another alien came in carrying an armload of volumes and gave them to the Earthmen. Andrew and Brad were ushered to the exit port and were soon back aboard their own ship.
The crew that was awake gathered around them when they came back aboard. Susan saw the volumes and asked, "What happened? What are these?"
"The treaty is signed. The deed is done. Earth is responsible for the actions of all its inhabitants. No matter if we disagree with the treaty, we are bound by it. Earth also has to police its own solar system and is responsible for all who leave it. What if we break the treaty? You ask," Andrew continued. "We are cutoff from all trade and have to face military reprisals from armadas of ships from all signatory planets. So far, only two planets have been destroyed but several were quarantined from all interstellar contact."
"But what if the World Government doesn't accept it?" Susan asked.
"They have one Earth year before trading ships start showing up near Earth. We better be prepared to handle them or they will start landing to trade and will think we have no restrictions. This ship can't protect the whole planet. We'll have to get ready and do it peacefully but we will need a fleet of enforcement ships. I hope these manuals are useful," Andrew said.
"My God. What have you done?" The diplomat Oshira said stepping out of the corridor where he had been eavesdropping. "What have you done?" he repeated.
"My dear sir. Earth will now have to mature a little. We will have to give up many of our petty bickerings and face the real… universe." Andrew said. "Let's get the titles of these manuals translated," ignoring the diplomat. Andrew carried the seven alien volumes to the computer terminal for translation. Andrew keyed the terminal and indicated what he needed and then quickly held each manual up so it could be scanned. The computer chirped to indicate it had translated the titles and it began to display the text. Listed Titles Include:
STANDARD DOCKING FACILITIES AND NAVIGATION AIDS
STANDARD ARTIFICIAL HABITATS FOR SIGNATORIES
SUGGESTED TRADE REGULATIONS AND THEIR IMPORT
GUIDELINES FOR SETTING UP TRADE AGENCIES
STANDARD SIGNATORY CODE OF CONDUCT –
(SELECTED PLANETS)
MODEL CODE FOR MEDIUMS OF EXCHANGE
ABBREVIATED ATLAS OF SIGNATORIES AND THEIR HISTORIES
"Well, Mr. Oshira. It looks like we have our work cut out for us. Turning these into working documents in English will be quite a chore in itself," Andrew said.
Fran pushed her way to the front and caught Andrew's attention. "These government meetings are going to take forever to get anything accomplished. I might have a way we could get a program ready in the allotted year. Steve, Tod. How big an area could you cover with a relative time field of thirty?" Fran asked.
"I don't know but I see what you're getting at. If it took you six months to build the field complex, you could complete the work of fifteen years of relative time inside the field. You could build a whole fleet. Andrew, I think she has an idea there," Tod said. “But a field that strong wouldn’t let much visible light or air through and we’ll have to figure a way to resupply because we will use up resources thirty times faster than outside.”
"Let's take first things first Tod. We have to get the government on Earth to accept a fait accompli. I've a feeling they will accept the treaty but it will be very hard for many to digest. Whom do we present the treaty to?" Susan said interrupting.
"Captain Williams, " the diplomat Oshira stepped forward so he couldn't be ignored. "I disagree with your undue haste in this matter," he continued because Andrew began to look threatening, "but since the situation is already upon us, maybe now would be a good time to turn over the treaty implementation to experienced people. I am an experienced diplomat and could set up any necessary negotiations."
"He's right," Tod whispered to Desiree, "Diplomats could really come up with a bunch of screwy regulations."
Desiree chuckled at the thought as Andrew began to talk again. "That is an idea Mister Oshira but I think that we should also have representation from our crew. Colonel Kyger, a representative from the World Government, will also represent our crew when I assign him to assist in developing trade and customs regulations. I'm sure you will be invaluable in setting up a system for interstellar trade. We had better screen any technology that leaves for sure." Andrew said taking Brad by surprise.
"But I don't want to be part of any committee. I don't want to do it. What… …why do this to me? I thought we were friends!" Brad said.
"Think about it for a minute," Andrew said. "All of us, this whole crew, are going to help Earth prepare for this trade in our own ways. We have more experience with extra-terrestrials than anyone else on the planet. There are many people with more experience with trade, treaties and negotiation but none with more experience confronting alien traders.
“Having experience negotiating with Europeans or Asians is not comparable, one to one, when dealing with an alien culture. Earth cultures have huge differences but under any cultural veneer are human beings. Not so with an alien culture as we just experienced. We can project human characteristics onto an alien like we do with Rett. Being a military-minded man with your experience, you are the logical one to develop and command the enforcement arm of ships Earth will need to protect itself and its traders. Especially now that Earth has been discovered and charted. Tod, Joel, Steve, and Desiree are going to design the relative time enclosure to house the workers and scientists, and others who will build Earth's space fleet. Susan, you and Fran are going to do a lot of the preliminary logistics for this fiasco in progress. Nobody is going to get left out of any of the work," Andrew emphasized.
"What about Rett, the alien? What happens to him?" Ivan said.
"We always get back to him one way or another, don't we?" Andrew sighed. "I'll go have a talk with him. Let's get
some drinks and some snacks and go to the aft lounge for a little brainstorming exercise so we can set up a structural model for the next year. With some definite goals, it will be easier to push this treaty. People don't mind big problems if someone suggests viable solutions to them," Andrew paused, "you're welcome too, Mr. Oshira, if you want."
"I wouldn't miss it, Captain." Oshira said experiencing the excitement and camaraderie around him by relaxing some of his prejudice against these crewmen. Maybe these people weren't so crazy after all.
Rett’s Journal
Colleagues… as you will have noted from my journal so far, I have persuaded these humans to take me home soon.
CaptainandrewWilliams and the female, Susan, actually shared names in public! Wait! That isn't the worst. They actually insisted that I come and watch! I would not bend to this breach of decency and went instead to my laboratory. I had the humans construct one for me on a whim. While their tribal ceremony was going on I worked to improve one of their field devices. These devices, primitive though they are, are simply clever adaptations of my work.
Dealing with these humans on a regular basis is demanding. These beings are deceptive. They are capable of capable of bursts of animalistic speed and strength. They are most dangerous when they are quiet and, what they call, polite and smiling. They have a habit of bearing their teeth to show you they like you. They eat meat, a lot of meat and do not even hide the fact. Even the female of the species can be deadly so be very cautious when you handle them.
Some of them eat no meat, but I think it is because they are ashamed that they kill so many creatures. Some of these vegetarians eat unborn animal embryos, sea creatures and drink “mammalian” lactating fluids as if these practices make them less of an omnivore. Spending any length of time with these humans is difficult since they age so rapidly. Just when you get one group trained, you have another group trying your wisdom.
By the time you read this, the humans I have dealt with will have died of old age. You'll have to break in your own so don't expect any of mine.
THE EARTH REGULATORY FORCE
"Oshira, the diplomat, got the ball rolling," Ling stated. "Brad's old commander may have helped but I can't be sure until I check the psychological parameters. Out of sight -- out of mind, I guess."
"How did you get the World Government to accept that we had actually signed a binding contract for an entire planet?" Andrew asked. "They're not giving us all this equipment and support for nothing. What do they expect out of all this?"
"I pointed out that this would be an opportunity to unify the planet with a common factor that affects everyone. Even the Unaligned Nations could benefit with new technology and trade. Most accepted the fait accompli. After they listened to all my tripe, they decided it would be a good propaganda focus. You realize they shield us from the masses so they can direct any publicity about us. That's why they agreed to support us. Plus they realized that everything was going to change with these advances in technology: transportation, energy, finance, communications, and defense. My dad helped them see the light. Too many people got the new power supply designs to cover it up and if they call the shots on supplying us – they hope to control technology we unravel or create."
"Ling. You continue to amaze me," Andrew said as the comm set bleeped on the desk behind him.
Turning to the set, Andrew keyed the accept button and Brad's face appeared.
"Morning," Brad said with a disturbed expression.
""What's up, Brad? Trouble at the lunar base? "Andrew asked referring to the abandoned multi-national base that was being converted to the new interstellar customs station.
Brad saw Ling standing in the background and hesitated. "If you're busy, I'll call back later," he said awkwardly.
Before Andrew could say anything, Ling tapped him on the shoulder and said, "I'll talk to you later. Bye." She hurried off.
"Don't rush... Okay... Bye," Andrew said briefly torn for attention between his two friends. He turned back to the display.
"Go ahead Brad. Something's bothering you. Are you worried about your new promotion?"
"No. Nothing like that. The Earth Regulatory Force is going to be a tough outfit. Have you seen any of the recruits?" Brad said in an effort to sidestep his main purpose.
"Yes. I saw some of the screening and proposed training. I couldn't believe your washout rate 'til you showed me those visuals," Andrew said thankful he wasn't one of Brad's new recruits. "What do you really want to talk about?"
Brad looked uncomfortable. "Tod and Desiree got married last month."
"Yes," Andrew answered patiently.
"You and Susan got married last week."
"Yes. I'm aware of that," Andrew said amused at his friend's discomfiture. “I heard you were offered the Earth Regulatory Force command including the three exploration ships that were just commissioned," Andrew said. “Imagine a ground pounder commanding stuff that flies. Guess you’d have to cut the Air Force some slack.”
"I'm not sure I'm cut out to be head of the Regulatory Force. Your intelligence sources must still be pretty good. I was only offered the command yesterday…including the Brattor," Brad said referring to the brand-new ship named after John Brattor, the chemist who was injured in the early field experiments.
"You can't lead from the front this time Brad. You're needed here," Andrew said. "Fran needs you," Andrew stated swiftly and watched his friend grimace.
"I'm not ready to get married," Brad said with difficulty. “I don’t want to be a rear echelon m…f… either.”
"Brad. You're not going to run away on the Brattor."
"Fran is too rational for me. It will never last," Brad said grasping for objections.
"Brad. How long has Fran been working in the relative time field? She is the logistics officer for the whole installation." Andrew asked. "How often do you see her?"
"She's been there about two months. I get to see her once a week but she's always got too much energy for me," Brad said still not catching on.
"You've been working to develop the Regulatory Force, mostly in real time. With a relative time field of thirty, Fran has been there for five years. She's been seeing you about every seven months, her time. No wonder she's anxious to see you.”
The look on Brad's face was pained.
"She never told me. I never realized... " Brad stammered. "No wonder she has been so quiet and she looked so tired. I have to get her out of there. This could really mess up our relationship."
"Relationship. Multiply that by ten thousand people and you get some idea of my problems. Do you pay everyone for real time or relative time? Right now we're working on patriotism and real time wages plus a bonus. Think of waste disposal alone. You accumulate it thirty times faster. Supplies are always late to people inside."
"I had no idea," Brad said astonished. "I was so busy I didn't even think about it."
"I try to get out about two hours of real time every real day just to keep the outside agencies coordinated. We had been turning it on and off to move supplies through. Imagine recycling air for this size enclosure. Rett came up with a way to move through the field so we gave him his own lab.”
"How is the gray ghastly?" Brad asked.
"Still as inhuman as ever. I keep trying to judge him by human terms and he's not. He starts getting agitated every time I act polite. I can't even smile around him without him acting weird. By the way," Andrew continued. "Don't invite him to your wedding," Andrew chuckled.
"What!" Brad said.
"I found out why he didn't come to my wedding," Andrew said still chuckling. "He even gets upset when you introduce him to someone. It seems that if you are a Tros, you never exchange names with another except right before joining sexually. They really have some sensitive customs about reproduction I suppose. I guess I would get upset if I thought that everyone I was introduced to was about to ravish me. I still don't know all that goes on but it must be a sight."
"Strange. I can't imagine his being
interested in sex."
"Only strange by our standards," Andrew mused. "I suspect this will only be the first of our upcoming culture shocks and 'got-yas'. That's why you're going to have to quarantine all our traders on the lunar base first."
"Now I hate the thought of spending real time away from her."
"Fran will wait."
"I know, but for how long?' Brad said grimly.
***
Rett’s Journal
Colleagues. I continue my journal in the hopes that you will soon revel in my adventures. Though I have only been on this planet for one half solar revolution in real time, I have spent fifteen Earth revolutions of relative time with these humans. Though I have not bothered to learn any of their primitive jabber, many humans now speak the language, Trade. I despair at the thought of never seeing another Tros, so calm and rational. Living in close confinement under a relative time field with these darting creatures is disturbing.
This relative time field covers 10,000 of them and all their equipment. I feel I will never be rid of the sweet stink of their bodies. This field would never have been practical for us, my colleagues because it is enormously inefficient. They don't have enough room to grow food for those under it and supplies and air must continually pour through the locks, or permanent portals I designed.
There are always reminders about their fragility and unstable emotions. Often I would see pairs or small groups of humans begin hitting each other with their appendages. Yes. They can be quite impressive when they flail each other. They have a 'sport' where pounding each other in the head is the norm! They are so temperamental. One even tried to hit me when I asked about his new child that lived outside the field. They say it is the strain. What strain? They live with their own kind. Living here -- even drives their own species insane. I agree with them on that.
Seven humans were torn to small pieces once when one of the portal canals through the field malfunctioned. You would not believe how upset these creatures became about one insignificant incident. Some of them even tried to blame me as if I had anything to do with it. They built it and it was their equipment that failed. They could not have followed my designs properly. Many humans who regularly transport supplies through these portals cannot stand the strain of the hazy, overlapping fields. Their brains seem to produce some type of organic dysfunction.
