To all,
Due to the interest in this series, here is part 11. This chapter deals with trying to handle the responsibility of a combined set of species, all with their own spin and shade on the issues. The sad part is that humans are the worst of the lot.
Any aliens, real or imagined in this story are purely a construct of my twisted and warped mind. My attempts to enter a realm (writing), that has always eluded me, has been exciting. I hope you enjoy my continued tale of Drew Jr.
Part 11
***
Two of the three rehabilitated Cat Other cruisers were fitted with added bug armament and weapons. The third would be finished in several months and would remain in earth orbit for the Prides use. The smaller of Other's shuttles had been refitted more in line with the Corvette and it too would stay for the Pride.
When the formal diplomatic complaints came through channels 'requesting' the equal sharing of the Bug weapons stored in orbit, Drew just had to remind them who saved Earth and why those weapons were floating in space and not destroying it. Grumbles from different political factions were heard and duly ignored.
The uproar from certain political factions regarding the new exploration was a different matter. It had been many years since earth had sent ships out to explore and colonize. Everyone wanted their piece of the proverbial pie. The UN had requested a meeting of the full assembly and Drew informed everyone he would NOT come unless representatives of the Homogony were present with voting power. After much debate, concessions were made.
It seemed that the 'pie' was too tempting.
Drew sat contemplating this issue in the rear passenger seats of the corvette. He was coming to realize this was his future, playing diplomat. Not a good fit, but he did not have much choice. The Cats were no longer refugees, begging for help. They were about to become the representatives of a species that controlled 1000 times the space of the Sol system.
And he was Lord Drew Scott, Protector of it all.
***
Lord Drew walked down the same oversized corridor and stood in front of the same two oversized ornate doors that he had once before. This time he had Eddie and Abraham with him on the walk. The two scholars were full of interest and intrigue and an absolute fascination with the duality of Humankind.
Eddie was providing the same running dialog that he had with Alexander only it was being done with the Cat mental transfer. Human psyche and its use of architecture as a form of authority had been a fascinating subject for Eddie and Abraham the whole shuttle ride over to the Northern Alliance Capital. The size, shape, ornamentation of the exterior of the building had caused them to be a touch late. They waited for a good 20 minutes for the doors to swing open. That whole time, while Drew was trying to stay calm and not be insulted.The two scholars, were mentally babbling away about a picture here, size of a sculpture there, and every other oddity they could find. At least they were entertained. Drew hoped leaving the building was as much fun as waiting on the rudeness.
Finally, the doors swung open and the Aid to the Ambassador came out apologizing to the Cat representatives. Drew just waived off the false pleasantries and walked in to find almost all the same participants as last time.
Drew just walked in and slapped his sachel on the overlarge conference table. He did not pull out a seat or even attempt to sit. Eddie and Abraham took a place behind Drew's shoulders as a sign of respect.
"And so, gentlemen, we meet again. I agreed to this meeting only out of respect for the Ambassador." Drew paused and looked around the room at the other participants, "You are a different case. Why was I asked to come here? I have already responded to multiple emails and communications. Wasn't that enough?" Drew queried.
"You are freezing us out! You are stopping our participation in the colonization of worlds that could mean millions for our people. You are willing to share with aliens, but not your own kind? What type of person are you?" stated the unknown rotund man with white hair, and goatee.
Drew looked from the very embarrassed Ambassador to the rotund man. He searched the rotund man's mind and got the impression that this was Richard "the dick's' boss. "Well, hello there. Nice to meet you. Next time I am addressing the Ambassador, and you jump in rudely, it will not end well. I will have one of the two Cats behind me, rip out your tongue and eat it in front of you," Drew ended, almost laughing at the disgusted comments Abraham and Eddie were making about this human discourse. 'Eat a human tongue raw, yuck' was shared mentally. They then got into a scholarly discussion of roasting vs smoking tongue.
Drew looked back at the Ambassador and asked, "Why have I been asked here to hear the same complaints?"
"The Northern Alliance wants to participate in this new venture, and we are looking for your intercession with the UN," the Ambassador finished, and the rotund man positively vibrated in place.
"I will explain again. The UN is creating the team from multiple human nations to take place in this first wave. The Homogony is recommending certain species that seem to get along with Cats, humans, and other species. Go talk to the UN."
"We have and they refuse to discuss our conditions.," responded the Ambassador.
"Ah, the conditions I heard about. I will not allow armed forces in that parcel of space. Not unless they are controlled by my command structure." Drew paused looking directly at the Rotund man, "period."
"We will not depend on aliens for our safety or the security of our fleet," the rotund man growled.
"Gentlemen, this is not a discussion point, these are the rules, my rules. I will not have a bunch of armed humans, doing what they want, when they want and where they want. If you want to go, you will be under command of the young lord and my Queen Tiffany." Drew again looked at the rotund man, "Period."
"Who is this young lord and why won't you give me his name? Maybe I can talk some sense into him," stated the rotund man.
Drew smiled, and investigated the man's mind. Singularly one dimensional.
"Let me explain how this works on a Cat level. The individual is the individual. Since information is shared mentally, the being standing before you," Drew pointed at Eddie, "is that being. If I am explaining to someone else, a cat, to whom I am talking about, they get a mental picture and sort of a Bio," Drew paused again.
Drew walked over the rotund man and held out his hand, as if to shake. The rotund man looked confused but stood and took Drews hand. Drew forced mental pictures into his head.
The rotund man screamed and fell back into his chair
Security personnel flooded the room. Weapons magically appeared in both Eddies and Abraham's hands. Outside, the Corvette was already off the ground and powering up weapons.
"Don't fire, please god don't fire" ordered the ambassador.
'I have inbound" Drew, Eddie and Abraham 'heard' from Thing One in the Corvette. "Let them come and learn," responded Drew.
"The personal names I use for my Pride members, are a construct to help bridge some communication issues with human interaction. As you have now experienced, the Cats don't need that. They know pretty much on meeting, who and what they are, and what YOU are. I have now given you a little bit of what I get all the time."