Episode VI: Beta Test (17 page)

"There is no way to prove or disprove your accusation and I think you know that since you did bring it up. However, I feel I should warn you all of one thing; there is no higher insult you could give to anyone of the Alliance. I will overlook it this time as you have no knowledge of the issue you speak of. On issues of honor, we humans are the most tolerant. But if you had said that to a Simonian, he would have most likely ripped your arms off and beat you with them. The Shallans would simply shoot you, but the Veranorians would mostly likely only ignore you until a formal apology was made by your government. However, you would never be given the courtesy of their attention again.

"Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant, Mr. Ambassador. What's happening in this system is happening whether or not Earth accepts the status offered you. You are a protectorate world of the Alliance; that is not your choice. We of the Alliance value your lives, even if you do not."

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"Ambassadors, I did not come here today to spar with you again. I came here because I feel I might have not explained the situation as well as I could have. I feel I should point out that not all that much needs to change. No one said you would have to conform to the structure of the existing core worlds. We only used those as a model so you could see how other worlds were set up.

"Each nation could very well remain as a nation and retain its own government; it would be more like adding another layer above the national not unlike it already is. I will grant that you will not have separate militaries anymore, but you can maintain a small militia for emergencies. You will not be allowed to make war on each other, but every effort will be made to resolve issues peacefully. I will also grant that some laws in some countries will be altered in order to maintain personal freedoms and rights, but those are nothing really major.

"The Alliance Council will never give orders unless it’s an emergency, and those are temporary based on the situation. In matters that will involve this planet or its interests, you will be asked. That is the reason for your chairs on the Council.

"Economically, you will have to transition over to the one the Alliance uses, but that will be done fairly. No one will lose any money, but they will not gain any either. Accepting Core World status will not hurt any part of this world. Corruption will be removed, and new laws put in place that will make it very difficult to form again. Public servants, as well as elected officials, will be able to serve their people far better than ever before," Diane explained.

"Madam Ambassador," the pompous windbag from the United States said, interrupting her. "We understood that part of your proposal when you first explained it. We simply disagree with most of it. Speaking for my own nation only, we will not give up our military. You cannot expect us to surrender our only defenses and leave ourselves open to foreign aggression. We also disagree with some of the fundamental changes you wish to make. The deregulation of certain controlled substances, the dissolution of the sanctity of marriage, the removal of the electoral college, the forced isolation of church and state; these are all matters that have been debated for years. We also protest the complete abandonment of all fossil fuel powered devices, that last one alone will leave millions out of work. No, there are simply too many radical changes occurring too quickly."

"Really?" Diane asked. "As a Core World, you will have no need of a military; no one will be allowed to attack you, much as they are right now. There would be no reason for them to do so; it would be like your left arm attacking your right. What would be the point?"

"The point, young woman, would be the same as it is now; in most cases, a general lack of understanding between the two parties. But I assume you have an answer for that as well?" a Middle Eastern Ambassador asked.

Diane nodded. "Of course: improved communications and negotiation. Now, I know that has been the goal of this institution for many years, but it has not been as successful as it could be. By removing the other option, communication will become a much more effective method of reaching understanding. Simply put, Ambassadors, if no one has an army to use to attack their brothers, how could a war be waged?"

"Yet you will still have a military, a very powerful one. Who will defend us from you?" the American Ambassador asked.

Diane activated her personal comm unit. "AI Sarah, do you have a moment?" She spoke and held the device so the reply could be heard by the assembly.

"Of course Ambassador, what can I do for you today?" Sarah replied.

"I am currently addressing the United Nations Security Council, and they have a question that could better be answered by a citizen of one of the Core Worlds. Is there a way you can contact one of them, and see if they have the time to answer a few questions from them?" Diane asked.

"Good afternoon, Ambassadors, Madam Secretary General. Ambassador Gomez; if I understand your request, you wish for me to select a random citizen, call them, and see if they can answer questions posed by the Ambassadors?" Sarah asked.

"That is exactly what I'm asking you to do, Sarah. By doing it this way, the person in question will give candid and spontaneous answers to the questions.  By selecting a random citizen, it will show that we did not coach this person beforehand. Would this be possible?"

"Most Alliance citizens know of the offer made to the Earth, but do not understand their reluctance in accepting the offer. The current social environment on Earth is very difficult for most citizens to understand fully. However, if it is what the Council wishes, I will try to find a citizen for this purpose," Sarah replied.

Diane looked at the General Secretary in question. "That might be a very good idea. We would gain better insight into the life of a person that is living under Alliance rule. Ambassadors?"

Of the assembled Ambassadors, most agreed. Sarah then set about finding a common citizen to speak to.

On the holographic display in the council chamber, the image of a young man took shape. "Toku Undean, how may I help you?"

"Citizen Undean, My name is AI Sarah of the Alliance Apollo base located on Earth's moon, Sol Sector. I am contacting you directly on behalf of the representatives of the rulers of that planet. They have some questions they would like to ask of a normal citizen of the Alliance that has not been influenced by the Alliance leadership. Do you have time for that this evening?"

"I, uh, I'd be honored, AI Sarah! But I am afraid I do not have very much experience in diplomacy, so my answers might come across as rude or offensive. As long as it is understood I do not mean it as such, I would be honored to assist." Toku replied with a shocked look on his face.

"Citizen Undean, I am Ambassador Diane Gomez, the current Alliance representative to the leadership of Earth. It is for that precise reason we have sought you out this evening. Do not worry, no one here will take offense at your words. Thank you for assisting us in this matter. At this time, I would like to introduce Secretary General Harrison Pillay; he is the moderator for this Council," Diane said and nodded to the Sec-Gen.

"Citizen Undean, thank you for agreeing to assist us this evening. Before we begin, may we know a little about you? I assure you any information you chose to share with us will not leave this room," the Sec-Gen asked.

"I understand, Sir, I am twenty nine years old, single but engaged to be married. I currently live alone in a small apartment in Gertan Falls on the southern continent of Novalus. I am employed as a lower level manager at an electronics manufacturing company. I am a member of a small social group here that has been trying to study Earth's cultures and society. Man the group is going to skitz when they hear I've gotten to speak to all of you! Uh, that's all I can think of at the moment, but if you would like to know something else, please just ask," Toku finished.

"Thank you, Citizen that should be plenty. Congratulations on your betrothal. We have been told that most Alliance citizens know that we of Earth have been offered Core World status in the Alliance, but do not understand our reluctance in accepting it. Is this true of you as well?" the Sec-Gen asked.

"Yes Sir, I mean, I think I might understand part of the issue; until recently, you had no idea the rest of us even existed. Then suddenly, you are confronted with an advanced alien civilization that claims to want nothing more than to help and protect you.

"If it were me, I'd be scared and very suspicious. Your society, compared to the one we are in, is far more violent and warlike. That's okay, considering your circumstances, you would almost have to be. You don't know us, what you can see is a far more advanced civilization that even out-classes your own military. You are probably questioning our motives in even making such an offer, instead of simply invading and taking over." Toku replied.

"I believe you are correct, Citizen. That very issue seems to be at the heart of most of our discussions. Part of the agreement would be for the dismantling of our military. This is an issue that we are very uncomfortable even considering. One of the main reasons for even having a military is to protect the common citizens from the government itself. If we got rid of our military, how would we protect ourselves from the Alliance military if they did something we did not agree with?" the Sec-Gen asked.

"Sir, if I may be so bold; you just answered your own question. Our military is comprised of our own citizens, much like the military you have now. If one of the military forces on the planet were to misbehave, who protects the common citizen? The same applies to our military. The military answers to the High Council. The High Council is made of up of an equal number of racial representatives that actually respect one another and work for the betterment of us all. The new Council even has two seats from Earth, even though that gives humans four seats on the council, while all the other races only have two. If anything, that gives us an advantage in the High Council, however, it is not seen that way by the other Councilors.

"The Alliance military has been in existence for almost two thousand years. In that time, there was only one instance that they disobeyed and acted against the orders of the Council. It was discovered that one of the member races had used mental conditioning to take control of the rest of the Alliance Council and most of the population. Once the Admiralty was made aware of the problem, they arrested the seated High Council and asked the Ambassadors of the races to appoint new Councilors. They acted in the best interests of the common citizen," Toku replied.

"The Alliance, both the Council and the military, are representatives of our populations. We tend to value life in most forms. However, the war with the Aracnise is counter to that, as the Aracs think we are tasty, so we defend ourselves from them. The offer made to you is because you are people, just like us. If you decline Alliance assistance, the Aracnise will most likely take your planet now that they are aware of it. However, maybe not since we are building a lot of facilities there. But, since we are going to be using your space, isn't it only right we offer to share the benefits of our technology with you?"

"Ambassador Willis from the United States, Citizen Undean. That is not what has been offered to us. We were offered 'Core World status' not to share your technology. Basically, you are offering to take over here. In order to get the benefits of that technology, we have to surrender to you."

Toku nodded. "I know it probably seems like that, Sir. Again, I do not mean to be disrespectful to you, but to put it bluntly, would you hand a two year old a charged laser pistol to play with?"

"Are you implying we are not mature enough to be responsible with the technology?" the Ambassador asked.

Toku shook his head. "No Sir, I'm not implying anything. I'm telling you that is the case. You still make war on each other for petty tribal impulses that you should have figured out long ago were at best spurious. Who cares who worships this God or that God? Under all the trappings of the religion, they are basically the same with the same core values! Respect the differences! That's what makes them unique!

"Since the dawn of time, all beings have fought over resources; food, water, energy, you name it; if it was considered a resource there was a war over it. However, and this is what confuses a lot of us here, your world has plenty of all of those. So why do you still fight over them?

"Economic gain and power over others? A free market system works very well, but only if there are rules that are adhered to. Foremost of those rules are that no single corporation or group of corporations working together can have absolute control over any given commodity. When that happens, it defeats the entire concept of a free market. There must always be room, not only for innovation, but for freedom of choice.

"As an example, the energy industry of your planet is not part of the free market system. It has been allowed to not only stifle innovation, but to dictate the price and distribution of its products. This industry has been allowed to gain so much power that it even influences your political and social structures! Most of us that have studied your world have determined that this is the real reason for not accepting our offer. Too many people in positions of power would lose that power. If they were responsible with that power, they would gladly step aside for the betterment of the people as a whole.

"So it comes down to a simple matter of greed. The polls of your people taken by the Alliance clearly show that the people want to accept our offer. Many of us are beginning to see that your world is being oppressed by a greedy few that have no intention of losing their power in order to advance the race as a whole." He shrugged. "I am sorry for the blunt words, Ambassador, but you did ask."

The Sec-Gen nodded. "That we did Citizen. We thank you for your words. I dare say we needed to hear them, although I can't say as they will be taken to heart."

"If I may offer one other piece of advice, Sir?" Toku asked.

"Certainly Citizen Undean, that is, after all, why we called you," the Sec-Gen asked.