Belthan-Wux, the Argyllian liaison, gazed somberly through the viewskin of his shuttlecraft as it approached the
Earthian ambassadorial satellite orbiting the planet, Argyl. Belthan-Wux had always enjoyed this view of EarthNex, the satellite, as it sparkled in the reflected starlight of Argyl's sun. But Belthan's heart was saddened by the knowledge thatthis was the last diplomatic call he would make to his counterpart and long-time friend, Ambassador Carl Sledge of Earth.
As his shuttle entered the gravitational control perimeter of EarthNex, Belthan-Wux shut off his drive and allowed the satellite's automatic docking system to smoothly glide his craft into its usual airlock port.
With nostalgic amusement he recalled his first such entry when, as a newly appointed diplomatic liaison some thirteen cycles ago, he had nervously attempted to power his craft into port. Being preoccupied with making a good impression on his first meeting with the Earth ambassador, Belthan-Wux had forgotten his briefing about the automatic docking system. Upon contact with EarthNex' control perimeter, the nuclear power drive of his shuttlecraft triggered the satellite's automatic defense shield which rudely knocked the shuttle off its course, throwing Belthan out of his seat and against the bulkhead of the craft.
Picking himself shakily off the deck, Belthan heard a stern voice from the shuttle console: "As you should KNOW, Mister Liaison, EarthNex doesn't allow any POWERED object to cross its defense perimeter! PLEASE power down your craft and let our docking system take over!"
"Y-yes. Of course. Sorry!" Belthan mumbled as he eased himself back into the shuttle pilot's seat. He gingerly touched a sore spot on the side of his forehead where a goose egg was beginning to swell.
Belthan-Wux was still a little disheveled and the contusion on his forehead had blossomed into an angry red bump when he was formally presented to Ambassador Carl Sledge a few minutes later. Sledge was a tall, slender, distinguished looking older man with impressive wavy white hair. He also possessed a deep voice with excellent elocution and a warm, disarming smile. He extended his right hand to the shorter, stockier Argyllian.
"Welcome to EarthNex, Mr. Belthan-Wux!" Ne chuckled. "Despite your somewhat bumpy arrival, I trust this will be the beginning of a long and productive relationship."
Belthan-Wux had been feeling like an utter fool but the ambassador's enthusiastic greeting and warm manner immediately put him at ease. Belthan gripped Sledge's hand with grateful fervor. "Thank you, Mr. Ambassador. I certainly desire the same thing!" When Sledge's smile began to show traces of an uncomfortable wince, Belthan realized that he was gripping the ambassador's hand a little too long and a little too hard. "Oh! Forgive me, Mr. Ambassador." He quickly released Sledge's hand. "I.. I.. I'm so delighted to be here that I momentarily forgot our, er, physiological background."
Belthan was referring to the developmental differences that had taken place between Earth humans and Argyllians over the past thousand years. Earth had first begun colonizing Argyl a millenia ago soon after scout ships established that it had a favorable climate similar to that of Earth. It also had oceans and land masses rife with a diversity of plant and animal life. Fortunately, none of the animal life had yet evolved to a degree of sentient intelligence that might have required armed conflict to conquer. Argyl proved to be a lush plum of a planet ready for the plucking. And humanity plucked it.
But Argyl was also thirty four percent larger than Earth with a gravity approximately one and a half times that of Earth. So the first few generations of Argyl colonists had to endure a strenuous adaptation to the increased gravity. Over time, this gradually resulted in a species of shorter, thicker, more muscular and physically stronger Homo sapiens.
Ambassadore Sledge gave a dismissive chuckle while he briefly massaged his right hand with his left. "Perfectly all right, My Boy!" In a softer tone: "Believe me, I completely understand your anxiety. Why, I recall my first diplomatic posting to a military satellite. The general I had to liaise with there had me quaking in my boots!" He laughed heartily.
Sledge put his left arm lightly around the stocky shoulders of the young Argyllian and gestured toward his private office. "Why don't you and I retire to my inner sanctum and enjoy a cup of Earth's finest coffee while we plan on how to build the strongest alliance in the galaxy!"
Belthan-Wux concluded his reminiscence with a ruefull smile and a slight shake of his head. His fingers barely brushed the surface of the commbadge on his chest which was both an emblem of the Argyl Diplomatic Corps as well as a communications device. His jaw clenched when his middle index fingertip felt the additional bump near the bottom of the commbadge that had recently been reconfigured by Argate engineers.
Argate was the colossal commercial, recreational and military satellite complex which was in a similar orbit to EarthNex, but currently on the other side of Argyl. It had taken Belthan's nuclear powered shuttlecraft approximately one hour to traverse the orbital path from Argate to EarthNex. Before exiting the shuttlecraft, Belthan-Wux pressed his commbadge to report to his superiors back on Argate.
"I have just docked at EarthNex. I should be in the presence of Ambassador Sledge in a few minutes."
In Argate's response, Belthan recognized the voice of Antwa-nu-Twa, Chief of the Argyl Diplomatic Corps. "Very good, Liaison Wux. Our guard satellites confirm that a large Earthian transport vessel is now approaching EarthNex. It should be docking there shortly."
The diplomatic chief paused before continuing. "I want you to know, Liaison Wux, that the breakup in relations with Earth is in no way a failure on your part. Over the past thirteen cycles I know you have done your utmost to preserve a friendly, workable alliance with the Earth ambassador. And I will make sure that is noted in your service file."
Belthan replied half-heartedly: "Thank you, Sir."
"But Earth's attitude toward Argyl can no longer be tolerated!" Antwa-nu-Twa's voice rose with heated anger. "We will not be treated like their subservient colony!"
Belthan-Wux stood glumly silent.
Antwa-nu-Twa's tone moderated. "You are a good and loyal Argyllian, Liaison Wux. Proceed with the closing ceremony."
"Yes Sir."
When Belthan opened the shuttlecraft door, he saw that a four-man contingent of Earthian galactic marines stood in stone faced silence to accompany him to the ambassadorial suite. The friendly pair of embassy assistants that normally saw to this task were nowhere to be seen. Belthan noted that the four marines all carried sidearms. The young lieutenant in charge frostily announced: "The ambassador awaits you, Sir!"
As the small group proceeded in silence to the lift tubes, Belthan noted the hallway was busy with the bustling of EarthNex personnel and small cargo containers heading toward the docking port where the large transport vessel was anchoring. A short time later he was ushered into the reception hall of the ambassadorial suite where Ambassador Sledge stood behind a large ornate table. The ambassador was flanked on his right by his senior staff assistants and on his left by EarthNex' military commanding general and a few of his senior officers. On the table in front of Sledge sat the EarthNex "Crown Jewels"; a computerized complex control box containing the codes and activation switches for all of EarthNex' life support and defense systems.
The marine contingent marched Belthan-Wux up to the other side of the table and the young lieutenant loudly announced: "Mr. Ambassador... the Argyllian liaison!" There was a distinctly hostile tone to the lieutenant's pronunciation of the word,"Argyllian". The four marines then stepped backward, turned smartly on their heels and marched around the end of the table to take up positions behind the senior officers.
Ambassador Sledge mustered a weak smile. His shoulders were slumped and he appeared to be very tired. After a moment he straightened up and began formally: "We recognize Liaison Belthan-Wux at this closing ceremony of the EarthNex satellite of Planet Argyl wherein Earth willingly tenders its satellite to Argyllian authority for safekeeping."
Sledge paused and glanced to his left at his general, then continued. "But before proceeding further, I would like to have a few words with Liaison Wux in my private quarters."
The general arched an eyebrow as he looked sternly at Sledge. "Mister Ambassador, this is highly irregular! The official closing ceremony is already under way!"
"I realize that, General Thomas." Sledge replied irritably. "But surely you wouldn't deny a retiring lifelong ambassador one last stab at diplomacy!" He looked General Thomas in the eye.
After a moment, the general sighed and looked away. "Try to make it brief!"
"Thank you, General." Sledge turned back to the liaison. "C'mon, Belthan. Let's step into my office."
As the door to Sledge's office slid shut, he went to an overstuffed couch and flopped himself down at one end. He motioned for Belthan to sit beside him. The Argyllian did so silently. Sledge looked at him with a weak smile.
"Well, Belly Boy, we've come to a sorry pass, haven't we?"
Belthan kept his eyes cast downward. "Mr. Ambassador I.. "
"Oh please, Belthan!" Sledge interjected. "No formalities here. This is just you and me now."
Belthan looked up at his friend and began again haltingly. "Uhh.. Carl. I, I, uhh.. I really don't think there is any more room for negotiations at this point."
Sledge shook his head and chuckled. "Belly Boy, I didn't call this little recess to try any more negotiating. I know our two governments have escalated this ridiculous pissing match to the point where open negotiations are impossible."
He paused and fixed Belthan with a steady gaze. "No, Belthan, what I want to talk to you about is a more personal solution."
Belthan squinted his eyes. "Carl, what are you...?"
"Belly Boy, you know this is my last posting. From here I retire to my Shenandoah Valley estate on Old Earth." Sledge's eyes crinkled with a sly smile. "Perhaps you recall what a pleasant place that is?"
Warm memories flooded into Belthan's mind. Several cycles ago when relations between Earth and Argyl were good, the Earth ambassador had invited his Argyllian liaison to spend two weeks at Sledgeville on Earth where several members of Sledge's extended family resided. For the young Argyllian it was practically like entering a dream world. His muscular body accustomed to gravity half again stronger, was able to bounce around earthian terrain like a gazelle. And the Shenandoah Valley was equal in lush, natural beauty to anything to be found on Argyl.
Furthermore, the Sledge family, like its patriarch, was exceedingly friendly and welcoming. They treated Belthan like visiting royalty. Two of Carl's teenage grandsons, fraternal twins, had immediately bonded with Belthan and enthusiastically occupied much of his time; taking him on hikes and swimming outings where he was continually asked to demonstrate his physical prowess.
Although shy by nature, Belthan found himself becoming addicted to the twins awestruck reactions. Whether leaping to the top of a ten foot boulder or picking up a smaller one to toss into a river, he was always rewarded with a gratifying "WOW!" On a visit to the twins' school, Belthan was coaxed into hefting a long steel pipe. The twins then organized an impromptu 'human barbell' wherein they and seven of their classmates gripped the pipe - five on each end - and Belthan easily hoisted all of them off the ground holding the pipe above his head. The twins revelled in the glory of their "superhero" friend.
Belthan said, "That was the best vacation of my life!"
"Why not take another vacation now?" Sledge's eyes narrowed with intensity. "Only THIS time, Belly... let's make it permanent!"
A look of astonishment gripped Belthan's face. "Carl, what are you... "
"Look, Belthan.." Sledge sat up and leaned forward. "Our transport ship is loading right now and should be ready to leave within two hours. Come WITH us! There's plenty of room in my quarters.. and a lovely home awaits you back in the Shenandoah!" Sledge peered at the young Argyllian who was clearly overwhelmed by this proposal.
After a moment, Belthan blinked his eyes a few times and found his voice. "Carl, you want me to DEFECT?!!"
Sledge shook his head. "NO, Belthan, you don't have to call it that! Just report back as we are leaving that you are greatly disappointed with the current situation and that you need a leave of absence.. a Sabbatical, if you will, to settle down."
Belthan looked reproachfully at Sledge. "You know my superiors would never accept that. They would regard me as a traitor!"
Sledge slid into diplomat mode, using his most persuasive manner. "Perhaps they would, Belly... at FIRST! But you would be back on Earth and out of their control. And that would give them pause! Time in which both sides could let the heat and rhetoric die down a bit."
Sledge settled back against the couch cushions. "THEN... when Argyl is ready to talk again, they will naturally turn to you first; their own trained liaison right there on Earth! Of course, you would have to satisfy their doubts about your loyalty, but..." Carl winked at Belthan. "You should have no trouble doing that because you ARE a loyal Argyllian.. right?"
Belthan stared at Sledge for a long moment before replying in a low, firm voice. "Yes, I am!"
With the broad smile of a salesman closing a deal, Sledge said, "Well, there you go, Belly Boy!"
In a more casual tone he continued. "I know a lot of folks on Argyl have been beating the war drums lately; but considering Earth's vast resources, that would be suicide for Argyl. And Earth really doesn't want war. That's why we are willingly handing EarthNex over to Argyl." Sledge leaned forward again. "You know, Belthan, EarthNex is one of our oldest and largest diplomatic satellites; a very expensive chunk of space real estate!"
Belthan held Carl's eyes in a steady gaze. "I know, Carl. Which is why many of my superiors are highly suspicious of this handover. They think EarthNex is a gigantic Trojan horse; filled with sophisticated spy systems and booby traps. They don't want EarthNex at all!"
Taken aback, Sledge lowered his eyes and shook his head. "Tribal thinking!" he muttered. "Ever since humanity crawled out of the caves eons ago, it has always been one tribe against another. Always so damn hard to build trust and alliances. And even if you do, whenever some difficulty pops up, the tribal mentality sets right in and tears everything apart!"
Sledge looked up with pleading eyes. "Come on, my Boy. Let's go out there and conclude this silly ceremony and get on the Earth transport! After things calm down a bit, I'll help you to rebuild the alliance." He smiled. "You know, Belthan, the twins always ask about you. They are full grown now, of course, and both have their own homes in the Shenandoah. But they will be competing with each other to have you as their guest!"
Belthan's eyes dropped and his shoulders quivered slightly. He vividly recalled his last conference with Antwa-nu-twa on Argyl. "They cannot be trusted, Belthan-Wux! EarthNex cannot be trusted! We cannot afford an all-out war; but this will give us a superior hand in negotiations and.... your presence is necessary to give us plausible deniability!"
Tears were welling up in Belthan's eyes as he looked back up at Sledge. Concern flashed into Sledge's face. "Belly Boy! What is it?!"
Belthan slowly raised his right hand toward his commbadge. "Carl, I'm so sorry, but..." Belthan's fingertip lightly touched the new little bump at the bottom. "I, I.. guess you're right about tribal thinking, Carl." Tears were openly streaming down the Argyllian's cheeks. "In the end, we always stick with our tribe!"
Belthan pressed the little bump on his commbadge sending a signal to the self destruct mechanism recently installed in his shuttlecraft. EarthNex vanished in a fireball of nuclear fury.
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