Angelika Queen Of Mars

Chapter 24

Chapter 24 A Gift Refused

As the meeting progressed Angelika and her husband started to realize that these people were angling for something.

"Our prime directive prohibits sharing advanced technology with other civilizations," stated Commander Aelfric, "As much as we'd like to it's simply against regulations." About this time Angelika started to notice a desperation in the eyes of Gisborne and his associates. The Elansian droid Jofyr must have also noticed it as well because he suddenly stood up and addressed the Commanders.

Please forgive me for this intrusion but I might have a solution to this problem. Commanders, might I have permission to speak?" With a wave of her hand, Angelika said,

"Go ahead Jofyr; let's hear what you have to say."

"To our Gale Celestian friends, my name is Jofyr, I am a Elansian, and along with a number of my fellow countrymen were rescued by these people. Currently, we are in transit back to the Falthian home world but in looking over the data collected on your planet we find that Gale Celesta is much like our home world. Here then is my proposal.

While the Falthian's are forbidden from offering a higher level of technology we are not.

In exchange for being allowed to remain on your planet so that we can establish a small colony, we will instruct and educate your people in certain elements of advanced technology. Now…To clarify this, we will under no circumstances offer technology which in any way is weapons based, no weapons technology of any kind…Period. Those air ships of your's are a wonderful idea however we can teach you how to build solar wings that can power electric motors to propel those craft. We can also offer technology that will teach you how to build solar gliders, as well as many other devices that will offer an alternative to these fossil fuels that are poisoning your environment."

At the conclusion of his statement there was much talk and turmoil among the two groups. The offer had caught the Commanders completely off guard, President Gisborne was equally stirred by the offer, Angelika turned to her husband and asked,

"Can he do this?"

"Quite honestly," replied Commander Aelfric, "I don't really know, he's not a Falthian so he's not bound by the prime directive, theoretically Jofyr is within his right to do this, and there's nothing much we can do to stop him, other than refusal to take he and his people on to Falth, and that appears to be what he is asking." President Gisborne and his people went into immediate discussion as Jofyr sat down. Commander Aelfric turned to him and asked,

"I take it then you do not wish to return to Falth with us?" Since he was a droid, Jofyr didn't show a lot of facial expression, he simply replied.

"Commander, these people are in trouble and are looking for answers to their problems, if we are allowed to establish a place to plant "roots," We might be able to make a difference in their lives."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" asked Angelika, "We really know nothing about these people, what if they try and force you to build them weapons?"

"That is simply the chance we'll have to take, perhaps a binding document could be drawn up?" Angelika started to reply when President Gisborne spoke up.

"Are we to understand that you wish to make a new life here on Gale Celesta?"

"Yes Mr. President," replied Jofyr there are roughly eighty of us, if you would have room for us?" The President studied him for a moment than asked,

"Forgive me for asking sir, but are you some sort of mechanical man?" Angelika, and her husband bristled at this question but Jofyr didn't bat an eye,

"The proper term sir is a droid, short for android. I am neither a mechanical man nor robot. We droids act and think independently; in this case, Tarmon, Deeron, Andapell and I act as both protectors and advisors to the others who are living beings."

"I see," replied the president, Professor Gittens then asked,

"You spoke of instructing our people in advanced technology, in regards to improving life here of Gale Celesta, what exactly did you have in mind?"

"We would establish a school where your scientists could come and learn how to develop new sources of power while improving on the old, but like I said no weapons technology of any kind."

Angelika, with her past experience as a queen and arbitrator watched, and knew what was coming next, Gisborne and his people started arguing among themselves in hushed tones but no one had any illusions as to what was going on. From time to time, someone would ask Jofyr if his refusal to research weapons was final, (it was) then more wrangling, and someone would ask about housing requirements, or who would be in charge of the "University?" And so it went, finally Jofyr turned to Angelika and asked,

"What are they doing? I made an offer in good faith, why are they bickering so?"

"Basically they want something for nothing Jofyr; I was witness to this sort of thing back when I was a queen, its one part of the job I definitely do not miss. Look Jofyr, nothing good is going to come from this come with us, we promised you a new home and we keep our promises, these people will just screw you and your people, you'll be stuck here with no other recourse." Jofyr thought a moment then looked at the Commander and said,

"I think your right, let's leave."

"Lets!" she replied, standing up she called for attention.

"Mr. President, It's quite obvious that you are really not interested in advancing your technology, so we withdraw the offer, we bid you good-bye and good luck burning all that coal or whatever you call it. We might return and then again we might not." As Gisborne and his friends suddenly realized what was happening the Commanders and their party were half way to their ship. Being faster on his feet, Hugh Ackworth dashed after the visitors calling out,

"Wait! Please wait, we can work something out I'm sure we can." Jofyr stopped and turned,

"I'm sorry sir, there's nothing to work out, I made a simple offer with only one condition, you on the other hand refused to simply accept the offer as it was made. There's nothing to haggle about, nothing to discuss, I thought I made myself perfectly clear as to what you would be receiving. Good bye."

The Gale Celestians sadly watched as the Kor'Math rose straight up into the sky finally disappearing into the clouds. Then the real arguing started over who was to blame for scaring off the visitors. The next day all the airships and their passengers were gone.

The tent was being packed up and life was back to normal in sleepy Dunn's passage. Some of its citizens on occasion would stand outside and stare up at the stars, and wonder,

"What if?"

Before transferring back to the Narjasic Commander Aelfric embraced his wife gently kissing her neck, an action that she found irritable,

"You certainly saw that disaster coming didn't you?" Angelika purred, as she enjoyed her husband's special attention.

"I can't tell you how many times I watched my father witness the same thing, then all the times I endured the same thing. I've been wondering why navy command promoted me to a full commander so quickly, now I think I know why."

"Oh I just think they spotted exceptional talent…My queen!"

"Flattery will get you nowhere Commander, now one more kiss and warm embrace before you have to return to your ship…"

Both destroyers eventually moved away from Gale Celesta leaving it to its own fate and the eternal question of

"What if?"

Two alyt's later they were orbiting Hyach 3, along with six other Falthian vessels, aboard the Falthian carrier Mare Urgon, a major conference was being conducted. Along with top scientists, government and navy officials Angelika and Draycon Aelfric were there. So were the Elansa, every one of them. The topic centered on what to do with the "Terrabomb" as well as the Elansa. The offer to live on Falth had been graciously accepted, then rejected by the Elansa, even though that's basically what would have happened had they come to terms with the Gale Celestians. It wasn't until Mikah Ulric and Dr. Partha Kran Karak stood up and suggested that either Beta six or even seven, two of the moons of Proxima 7 which the Kagorians knew as Jupiter.

Mikah stood before the audience of esteemed visitors who might say one thing, but in reality wanted to see if this so-called "Terrabomb" could really do as Jofyr and his Elansians said it would.

"My proposal is simply this; we detonate this bomb over either Beta six or seven and just see what happens. While Jofyr and his Elansians take up a temporary residence in temporary structures on Hyach 3 waiting for things to settle down, the scientists can be studying the effects of the bomb."

Such a simple statement caused a real firestorm with the poor Elansians caught right in the middle. Eventually however more and more started coming around the plan and all it's ramifications. Surprisingly, scant attention was given to what the Kagorians might say; in fact no one had even suggested informing them. Many liked the idea of installing and advanced race right on Kagor's "doorstep," as a mild "taunt." It was close to three alyt's later when the decision was made to detonate the bomb over Beta 6 or Europa even though Beta 7 had more ice and water. Jofyr explained that Beta 6 was the size of planet the bomb was designed for, and the fact that Beta 6's surface was so smooth wouldn't make much of a difference, the bomb would take care of that.

When word finally came from Falth to proceed, everyone eagerly took their places.

With more that two dozen vessels of all sizes maintaining a very high orbit over the moon the bomb was released. As the bomb was jetting to the proper altitude Commander Armun was at the base on Hyach 3 broadcasting an announcement to Kagor.

"Hello "earthlings," Angelika "queen of Mars," here. If you jugheads aren't doing anything cast an eye towards the moon of Europa, something interesting is about to happen. Some of our friends dropped by, but they really didn't have any place to stay. They did however have this incredible device that will instantly transform a planet such as Europa into a lush and habitable place to live, breathable atmosphere and all. All this will take about two dorns to fully settle out, but when things settle down you are going to have some new neighbors." By this time it was all anyone in that control room could do to keep from bursting out in laughter, even Angelika was having a hard time from laughing, but she bravely carried on.

"Now you need not worry, my friends won't come around pestering you, eventually you two can talk to each other, but I'm warning you right now, don't pay them a visit unless they explicitly invite you, any unauthorized visits will be dealt with harshly, you have been warned. So talk all you want, send one of your little robot vehicles if you feel you must, but no personal visits. Good bye for now!" Although many telescopes on earth were already focused on Europa and the news media was engaged in wild speculation, it wasn't until Angelika's message was received that all hell broke loose. The scientific community was either intrigued or outraged. Images from the Hubble telescope revealed a tiny white spot develop over the moon quickly growing until the whole moon was enveloped in a soft white cloud. Scientists reported seeing lightning flashing amid great storms roiling the moon of Europa. Oh they jumped, and they howled and they beat their fists all to no avail as there was absolutely nothing earth could do. Meanwhile, television ratings suffered as millions the world over who could get their hands on any kind of telescope were staring up at the night sky trying to see what those crazy aliens were up to. It wasn't long after that a signal began to reach earth coming from somewhere over Europa showing the day to day progress of the effects of the Terra bomb.