Story 1, Entry 2
“Futures Ventured”
“Thank you, Mr. Baldwin, for a most interesting presentation. I’m glad the I.P.I.S. seems to be working well today, your image and voice remained very clear throughout.” Admiral Tully commented as I finished summarizing the information that Vorathan had given to me a few weeks ago. I was glad the holographic image of me in my office was clean and clear. I found few things more frustrating than trying to have an important meeting when the Inter Planetary Information System was not connecting well. It had taken some time to make the arrangements for the small audience to meet, I would not want to have to try and reschedule because of a bad connection for any number of reasons. After sharing my meeting, they seemed to have the same looks of surprise I must have had that day.
“Mr. Baldwin, in your experience do you feel the Governor would be willing to compromise on some of his conditions? The area he has suggested is not just isolated, but I remember some reports of pirate activity in that area and even two unconfirmed reports of small Trazari raiding party sightings. Not exactly the safest neighborhood to set up shop.” Admiral Yuan asked in his usual heavy Chinese accent.
“I could give you a long diplomatic answer but to the point, no Sir, I doubt it.” I replied after little thought.
“Not even if you explained to them our concern for the protection of our people and if the military escort was kept small. We could even coordinate with their military. If they are really interested in developing a more open relationship you could impress on them this gesture would go a long way.” The admiral followed up with. I couldn’t tell if he was attempting to convince me or himself.
“Sounds like the Koreth want to use us as test subjects to see how dangerous industrial operations will be in that area, their area, before they risk their own people?” Secretary MacMorre chimed in. He was one of the Prime ministers’ top advisors, lifelong politician and just more testimony to the importance of this meeting.
“Ladies and gentlemen, from what I have learned about the Koreth from what history we know about them and personal contact from living on this boarder system planet for the last 12 years is that they may be slow to react but they are thoughtful and move with purpose with each action.” I started to answer. I couldn’t help but tilt my head down as I rubbed my chin with my right hand and started to pace around my office. It was a long-standing habit I went to when trying to focus my thoughts and words.
“They have assured us that they will provide a military presence in the area to protect our people. I have no reason to doubt they will do as they say, and I assure you their ships are more than a match for any amount of pirate or other threat in the area. Historically they are very protective of claimed space and that tradition would override any benefit gained by allowing our ships to be put at risk vs their own, I would think.” I continued.
“You have to keep in mind, traditionally the Koreth have a single overriding principle when they encounter another species capable of FTL travel. That species is viewed as a present or future threat and in their thinking the only logical response is to either conquer or subjugate the possible threat. What they are offering goes against almost 500 years of tradition. I can’t tell you why now, why us, why here. I can only tell you that it is a rare opportunity and the potential benefits must out weight any risk.” I concluded with what I hoped were the right words.
“Still, I would feel better if we used our own military ships to provide security. Our ships are also more than capable of dealing with any possible threat, I would argue they are the most advance and capable in this sector of the galaxy and have the best leadership and crews any vessel could have.” Admiral Tully added. She had a reputation for being almost overly confident in the Commonwealths military and she wasn’t the only one. She has also been rumored to have always preferred a military solution to problems in the past.
I had to admit, the Commonwealths new generation of warships were a large leap forward, by our standards. Unlike the others in that room my image was being projected into so far away on earth because of were I was I have seen one of the Imperial warships up close, five years ago. Compared to what I saw, I doubt the Koreth would be overly impressed with our progress by their standards. There was good reason they had the largest empire we had yet encountered. It was no accident or luck they occupied over half of the entire Perseus arm of the galaxy. I only hope this group and others in their position fully understood that and all it implied.
“I agree Mr. Baldwin, we can not pass up this opportunity and need to play it out. I imagine the real challenge will be in deciding which corporations get the trade rights, but that is another debate for another day. I am happy to hear any closing thoughts by the others in this room before I make my final recommendation to the Prime minister. Mr. Baldwin, again, thank you for your report, you are dismissed. Some one will be in touch soon I imagine.” Secretary MacMorre commented with a wave of his hand and a tone of conclusion.
I nodded and with the push of a button they and the conference room faded away. I had done my part; I had pushed the next domino down. I couldn’t help but wonder if I had pushed any others down, I couldn’t see.
