“This Conclave now recognizes the Senator from Earth.” Magister Kalani said, sitting at the highest point in the room.
The Conclave as it was called, was a collection of senators from every single species within the massive federation that controlled the vast majority of the galaxy. Once it had been many smaller factions, all with their own goals but time had forced them to set aside differences and cooperate or die. Humanity was a member of this federation, and though they still had the Terran Alliance, it was just a small faction compared to the larger federation, really it was nothing more than a collection of non-aggression and mutual defense pacts, eternal allies. As such, the alliance regularly rotated out the senators that would appear before the Conclave, one day it could be a human, the next a Kelenthi or even perhaps an Opina.
Senator Wen stood, then thought better of it and sat back down, motioning for their assistant to present something to the assembled senators of the Conclave. His aide moved up to the podium, placed a small disk and then returned to their seat, a hologram projected into the space where Wen should have been standing.
Instead of Wen, it was Odin, who peered around at the assembled organics with his one good eye before clearing his throat.
“Ladies, gentlemen and anything in between, I am Odin. I am an H.I. constructed four hundred and twenty six years ago by Valkyr Industries to act as a grand strategist for any future conflicts that the Terran Alliance may have found themselves thrust into.” He let that hang for a moment, before continuing. “Times have changed, obviously, however my purpose and my skillset have not. At this moment, deep within the unexplored regions of space, an H.I. I consider to be something as close to a grandmother that I will ever have, is preparing to fight the Yil’kaa once again. Why, you may be asking, is she prepared for such a thing?” He waved a hand, a map of the Imperium and the Okali Union appearing over his head.
“This is why. The Yil’kaa have once again set their sights on the eradication of innocent lives and the destruction of any mechanical or synthetic technology created by said innocent lives. Currently the Terran Alliance stands ready to assist these beings, but you all know what they would be facing. The Terran Alliance does not wish to fly into battle alone, should these innocent beings call out for aid. So, they have sent me to ask you all to pledge your support for the potential battles ahead of us.”
Magister Kalani raised her hand, and Odin fell silent, staring up at her. “It is true we all know the capabilities and the lengths that the Yil’kaa will go to just to achieve their goals on even a single planet. But as they have not moved against any of us at this time, I do not think there is much of a reason to mobilize any military response to their invasion of unexplored space. Besides, as you have said, the people there have not even called for help. They may not appreciate yet more fleets entering their space uninvited.”
She made a point, and Odin nodded. “That is true, they have not asked for help quite yet. However I am not suggesting a counter invasion, merely that you all ponder the merits of putting your forces on standby in the event that they do ask for help.”
“To do so would cause unrest amongst our people.”
“A small price to pay when it comes to the Yil’kaa.” He shot back, his normally jovial and fatherly tone of voice starting to give way to something else. “Would you really sacrifice the lives of people you don’t even know all because being prepared to go to their defense would cause unrest? It’s not like you have to keep the reason for mobilizing secret either, everyone knows about the Yil’kaa, the threat they pose. And think of it this way. Say you let the Yil’kaa sweep over the people in that region, conquer every world, strip it for every natural resource. You’ve only handed them an all you can eat buffet and as a consequence made them stronger. Who do you think they'll go after next hmm? You, or maybe you?” He pointed at random senators to emphasize his point. “You would really leave a member of your great federation to fight this threat alone? What’ll happen when the Yil’kaa manage to wipe us out as well? Imagine it, Magister, each special cog of your great machine, corroding before your very eyes because you’d rather sit back and not notice the existential threat on your doorstep because it’d cause unrest.” He was practically spitting the words now, and those around him looked concerned, all save Wen and his aide who were having a very quiet but casual conversation.
“If you cannot be counted on to come to the defense of those who need it, then I personally feel the Terran Alliance can no longer be part of your federation, for we do not stand with cowards. Good day.” And with that he blipped out of existence, Wen’s aide rising and picking up the disk before they and Senator Wen made for the exit. Magister Kalani was of course fuming by now and she stood from her seat.
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“Just where do you think you’re going?!” She nearly screeched, and Wen turned to face her, glancing at an antique wristwatch.
“Well, I think I have time for a hole or two of golf, then perhaps a spa visit. Dinner with the wife of course. I figured you’d all like to mull over our request.” He said, his voice decidedly apathetic.
“W-What?” Kalani said, confused and surprised.
“Honestly, I don’t see much reason for being here at this time. The big thing is out of the way after all, you all need to make up your minds.” He paused. “Or as the H.I. said, we’ll be on our way. Good day to you all.” And he turned his back on them, striding out and towards his shuttle. He might have to cancel the spa trip, he couldn’t be late for dinner after all.
⫷⟪∞⟫⫸
“Well, this certainly sounds like a massive shitshow.” Kirkland said after hearing the details on everything that's happened, everything from the Yil’kaa to the attempts on the Emperor and I. It was bad, and he knew it, I could tell as much from his body language. I didn’t have to be an H.I. to know he was concerned.
“A… shitshow?” Zretiq asked, confused and Intra clarified.
“A situation or event marked by chaos or controversy, your majesty.”
“Ah, yes, an apt way of putting it.” He murmured, and we all thought deeply on the problems before us. “Regardless, I cannot speak for the Okali, but I for one would appreciate any help we can get against the Yil’kaa, on the understanding that until a formal alliance can be made that once the conflict is over, your ships would pull back from our space, once you’ve rescued those that need rescuing.” Kirkland nodded, straightening his shoulders a bit more.
“Of course, we’d be in and out, nothing more. Besides search and rescue operations of course but that’s an entirely different matter. Would we be confined to space or would you welcome our help on the ground as well?”
“I think we’ll take whatever assistance you can muster, be it on the ground or in the air.” Zretiq stated. Intra looked a touch pale at the thought of a ground battle, but then again she’d seen what those were like firsthand. No doubt though the Alliance had made great strides to update everything they had when it came to the Yil’kaa.
“In that case, I’ll take your request for assistance to the council. I don’t think it’ll take very long for us to start moving ships into this region of space to help out. Before we do though, we would like the same request to be made by these Okali you mentioned, and also to inform you that we will probably be sending in another newer fleet first, to link up with Intra here. They’ll be… different from what you’ve seen already.”
Now this caused the Emperor to perk up, a feathered brow rising. “A new fleet? You can build ships that quickly?”
Kirkland shook his head and chuckled. “Not exactly. It’s technically a really old fleet, but it’s been repaired and refitted to modern standards. Entirely controlled by H.I.s even. They’re calling it the Nemesis Fleet I hear.” Zretiq hummed in thought, glancing at Intra before he nodded.
“That would be acceptable. Intra has already proven herself to an ally of our people, and a loyal friend. If this fleet will be under her command, then we will accept it immediately and put it to good use.”
Intra finally spoke up again. “Lastly, there is the matter of Valkyr. We H.I. already have a plan to take care of them, and we are willing to engage their forces alone. We don’t… We don’t want you to lose more people to their treachery.” She said, and Zretiq’s expression darkened.
“As kind and generous an offer that is, I must refuse. They have stolen our children, and they must be made to pay for what they’ve done. So when the time comes for you to face them, we’ll be there at your side. I will not take no for an answer.” His tone had become dangerous, and even Intra it seems understood that it was probably wise not to argue the point.
“Understood, your majesty.” She said, and even backed up slightly with a small bow. Finally their attention landed on me, and Kirkland turned to face me fully.
“Now, Ula. I’ve been told that you’ve been putting in a good word and even better first impressions for the Alliance since you got here. So it’s with great honor that I am tasked with bestowing upon you the official title of Ambassador for the Terran Alliance, with all the perks and responsibilities that come with it. Congratulations.”
Now, I had already been acting as ambassador for some time and that had been hard enough, but to have it be official left me feeling a bit overwhelmed. But to my credit I smiled and bowed my head in acceptance.
“Thank you, High Admiral. I’ll do my best.” I say, and that seems to be enough for him as he turns back to Zretiq.
“I’m afraid I have to depart, got things to prepare for the coming battles. You know where to find me when you get a response from the Okali. Till then, good day, your majesty.” Zretiq nodded back and watched as Kirkland vanished, and he leaned back in his chair.
“I think that went well, don’t you?” He said, with Intra and I nodding. “I suppose I should get in contact with the Okali and get their response to this offer of yours. And you Intra, I recall you wanted to ask me something?”
“Correct, I was going to ask if I could be allowed to… hmmm… Borrow one of your shipyards, just a single dock and the requisite resources I’d need for an upgrade.” He again raised a brow, but waved a hand.
“Certainly, though I ask what you plan on building.”
“I think a new ship is in order honestly. The methods Valkyr used to build the Warden are public knowledge in the Alliance, and though slow I think I can speed up the process. Besides, I want to hit them with something they’ve never seen before. They know the capabilities of the Icarus class, so…”
“I get the idea. Permission granted. I’ll send you the details on which dock to use. I suspect you’ll want the biggest one I have?”
“Yes, your majesty.”
“Very well. Dismissed.”
Intra glanced at me with a small smile and we both slipped away. There was much to do and little time to do it. I just hoped at the end of it all we could finally have a little peace before the next crisis.