2.35.
“I’m happy to report that the President is disinclined to prosecute you to the full extent of the law, John,” Olivia reported. They were sitting in the exercise yard. John retained some of his enhanced strength, but it was fading. He was just sitting on the grass and looking up at the sky instead of trying to maintain it.
“I don’t care,” Eodar said.
“Well, John, I care what happens to you. Do you care about my feelings and wants?” she asked him.
He frowned as he considered her words carefully. He came to the conclusion that he did. “What do you want to happen to me?”
“I want you to see freedom again, John. I want you to get help to get past all the trauma in your memories and live a productive life of happiness. I want you to grow up and live a peaceful life in the universe that you and the other versions of you fought so hard to secure,” she answered.
He continued to frown as he gave consideration to her words. “I don’t want to go home,” he said finally.
“Your family wants you back,” she pointed out.
“Eolai may be descended from another version of me, but he’s lived longer than I have. It is wrong for me to call him son or him to call me father. If anything it would be the reverse, but I will not call father a man I do not know,” John declared. He sighed. “I wish that I could continue to be fostered here on Earth. To go to school and learn of the history of humanity as your scientists believe that it evolved. I want to marry a pretty earth girl and live quietly. That is what I want.”
“Okay, John. I’ll relay your words to your legal team. I can’t promise anything, you know that.”
“I know,” Eodar said. He watched as a jet slowly made its way across the sky, leaving contrails in its wake.
Soon, he knew, those would be a thing of the past as the Earthlings adopted ‘Yonohoan’ technology which would allow them to do away with fossil fuels entirely. The people on the radio were talking about things like experimental energy sources and ecological impact studies, but he already knew. Thousands of worlds used those energy sources, and they were far less damaging than the methods that Earth was presently using to fulfill its energy needs.
In a few decades, Earth would be just like any other brightworld.
The fact that it was the cradle of humanity might be completely forgotten.
He wondered if it mattered at all. If his desperate fight had any meaning, if his discovery would ever be appreciated with anyone.
The other versions of him, the ones who weren’t killed in action shortly after being commissioned, had gone on to be heroes whose actions continued to shape the universe.
What had he done with his life? What was the point of all of his effort? He had been defeated, and in the end when he had finally surrendered, even the control he had believed that he’d possessed over his own life had been stripped from him.
Now, he was just waiting to see what happened next. He no longer feared that the earthlings were going to torture him. He understood that he was at their mercy.
He was surprised at just how comfortable he was becoming in that position.
~~~~~
Kirk was dressed for the first time in over a week. So was Lisa, who sat nearby him in the cockpit as they waited nervously for the call to connect. The Enterprise had reported that the ship was following them through the Hyperatomic plane, matching their speed and repeating its demands that they stop their spacecraft and prepare to be boarded.
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They were ignoring the hails.
Instead they had called ahead to Earth to inform the ESF of the events. They had issued their report and forwarded the ship’s logs in their entirety, and they were awaiting legal advice on how to proceed.
Finally, the connection request came through. A young woman in an ESF uniform smiled comfortingly at them.
“Mr. and Mrs. Desmond. I am pleased to note that we have reviewed the actions you have reported and your ships logs and found no irregularities or criminal activities either under Earth statute, nor under any treaty of which we are aware which might be construed to apply to this part of space. As your ship correctly informed you, this territory is presently unclaimed by any major faction. Furthermore, the presence of Earth as an emerging space power grants you significant protection,” the ESF representative stated calmly.
“We have included a report of our findings to your computer. We suggest forwarding them to your pursuer. If they do not break off when they enter sol space, then the ESF will assume that they are engaged in the act of piracy and will act in accordance with our laws regarding this situation. Please rest assured that the ESF will come to your defense. We suggest that you modify your heading to the forwarded location; it will put you in position once you exit the hyperatomic plane for the ESF to respond to the threat should the pursuing spacecraft refuse to break pursuit.”
Kirk and Lisa looked at each other, and they both felt a wave of relief. They were going to be alright.
~~~~~~
The generals were in the conference room once more, and the hologram of Eolai of the Yonohoans flickered into being. He had a grave expression on his face. The emotional weight of not knowing the fate of Eodar was bearing down on him, an he was beginning to show it, despite Diego’s interventions and attempts to keep him active during this difficult time.
“Hello, Eolai. Thank you for attending this meeting. I can understand if you are not feeling particularly well inclined toward the people of Earth at this time,” General Turnball said.
“I bear no ill will to the people of Earth for the treatment of my father. As of yet, they have treated him with as much dignity and respect as he might have received on planet Totola itself. I more than anyone know how dangerous he was prior to his decommissioning. He ripped my arm off,” Eolai said.
Major Mary Phillips raised her eyebrows at that, as did several other members of the meeting.
“I’m going to be blunt, Eolai. I wish to know if the treatment that the Americans settle upon for the disposition of Eodar will affect the defense of Earth strategically. I understand how delicate the political situation is but we have a possible incoming threat to our system and I need to know if we can rely upon you,” Turnball said.
“I will defend the children of Earth with all of the power available to me, General,” Eolai said. “I will observe the interaction between this unknown ship and record it as an objective observer. If it poses a threat to the Earth itself, I will intervene with prejudice. Otherwise …” Eolai shrugged. “Your people wish to retain your sovereignty. We have advanced your spaceforce by hundreds of years compared to what it would be without our intervention. What more would you ask of me, General? Do you wish me to fight your battles for you, or will you defend your children of your body with your own blood?”
“I understand. Does the outcome of President Walker’s decision on whether or not to prosecute Eodar affect your pledge to protect the Earth itself?” Turnball pressed.
“It does not.”
“Thank you. Your presence as a neutral observer in the upcoming confrontation is most reassuring, as is your promise regarding Earth,” the general said.
“Is that all the questions you have for me?” Eolai asked in a tired voice.
“For this moment, yes. Thank you for all you have done for the humans of Earth, Eolai.”
“I did not do it for you, General,” Eolai said, and the connection cut off.
“Well he’s in a fantastic mood,” one of the aides commented.
“Show some god damned respect,” Turnball snapped at them. “He’s the one who put a stop to the incident. He’s responsible for advancing the technology we have by decades, if not centuries. He’s gifted us more than half of the spacecraft we will be using to respond to the upcoming threat. If anyone among the Yonohoans deserves respect during this time which is understandably difficult for him, it’s Eolai. If you don’t want to get busted back down to private, watch your damned mouth!”