Year 196 of the 7thAge (2210)
Oslamth

High Senate Chamber

"One who stands with others is safer than one who stands alone."

It was nearly time.

The High Senate Chamber was packed with both Senators, Council members, delegates and,
as in Ingstar's case, Nlia's most noted historians. The proceedings would be broadcast live
throughout Nlia. The mood was solemn and Ingstar knew that everyone's heart was filled with
both anticipation and apprehension.

Today marked a turning point in Nlian history. Yet another in an Age filled with them.

The 7th Age: the Age of Contact, had begun a hundred and ninety six years before, when the Silvenyo
had encountered the Tkarites and Nlians had learned that they were not alone in the universe.

It had been a time of new friendships. Nlia had formed close ties with the Tkarites and occasionally
with their other neighbors: the C'tekians and Rylarin. When, over a hundred years later, the Tkarites
had ventured out of their sector and encountered the newly formed Federation, Nlia had begun trade
relations with the outside universe as well. They had formed ties with the Cygnetians, Bre'el, and Kazarites,
who lived close by, and with three of members of the Federation: the Telleraites, Andorians and Rigelians.

It had also been a time of exploration. Nlia had explored the stunning Norayis Nebula and had established
their first out of system holdings. First they had built a tiny research station in the Norayis System. Norayis
had been the first star that their people had reached when they'd first ventured from their system and they
also were the first race from within the sector to reach it, as a source of quiet but deep pride to them.
They had built a similar outpost in the Ziyafa System, the 'Northern Gate' of the Sector, which once again,
they had been the first to reach.

'Always hold on to what is yours" was a popular saying among the Tkarites and in this case, the Nlians had
followed it. Those two stations had not only conducted scientific studies, but served as a Nlian presence.
All of their neighbors: Tkarite, C'Tekian, and Rylarin had established large colonies with populations
ranging from the thousands to the millions. But to the Nlians, those two tiny outposts were enough.

It had also been a time of tragedy. Twenty four years ago a female Nlian, Koel See'a, had been raped
by a Human male, while visiting a Federation trade outpost at Zornek IV. Sexual assault was all but unknown
on Nlia and worse it had resulted not only in her death but that of her lifemate and unborn child as well.

This had caused a major diplomatic incident. Ingstar remembered vividly the news reports and the many
interviews he'd conducted during that horrible time. Despite its contact with Federation members,
Nlia had had very little contact with Humans and many had feared that they would cut themselves off
from further contact with them and the entire Federation. But although some isolationist voices rose, Nlia
had ultimately decided that it couldn't afford to turn its back on the outside universe.

Only a year after the Violation, the Federation colony on Lambda IV, the population of which comprised
almost entirely of Humans had suffered a severe pandemic of the disease called Lambda Plague.
A vaccine that had previously been developed on Nlia for a different illness was discovered to be able
to treat the disease. Federation representatives had requested the vaccine and much to the surprise of many
Nlia had freely shared it asking nothing in return. This kind act, followed so soon by a tragedy had gained
the notice and respect of many.

Not long afterwards, Nlia had decided that it needed to increase its formal ties. For years Nlia had sent
ambassadors to Tkara, C'tek and Rylar. But only trade ships and freighters had journeyed to the worlds
beyond their sector. It was time for that to change.

Ambassadors were chosen and assigned to each of the worlds the Nlians had formed contacts with outside
their sector. Their purpose was twofold: Learn about and form ties with the respective worlds and represent
Nlian interests. Nadall Tore had been chosen as Nlia's first representative to Earth and had been one of the
first of their people to make the nearly 100 light year journey to that far away world.

And it had also been a time of dealing with danger. When they had first learned of hostile species
the Defense Force had been put together. The first recruits training by the Takrites and Andorians had
been intense, even brutal, and many of the recruits, most of whom had never raised their hand to another
their entire life, had been deeply shaken at first. But like all Nlians; "When you're knocked down, get back up."

They had persevered, as Nlians always did in adversity and under their Instructors' guidance had put
together a tiny but effective fleet and ground force. Nlians would never be a warrior race and had absolutely
no desire to be, but they were equipped to defend themselves.

And defend themselves they had ten years ago when some of the outposts on the moons of Zeuna
at the edge of their system, had been attacked by raiders. It had been a hard fight and thirty five members
of the Fleet had been killed, but the attack had been repelled. The battle had brought home as never before
that while the universe was filled with wonder and friends it was also filled with danger and enemies.

It had not been long after the Battle of Zeuna, that a shift had occurred among their Tkarite neighbors.
For decades the Tkarite Freehold had formed trade contacts with the many different worlds outside their sector,
but then they had also started expanding their influence politically within their sector and had formed
the Norayis Alliance with the C'tekians and Rylarins.

Then, five years ago, they had asked the Nlians to join.

This had led to tremendous discussion and debate among the Senate and all Nlians. A few had said that
the Nlian people had stood on their own since they had entered space and there was no need for that to change.

Most however, pointed out that the universe was a dangerous place and in such a place it was best to have
powerful allies. "One who stands with others is safer than one who stands alone."

Many had thought that Nlia should join the Alliance. The Tkarites, after all, had been friends with Nlia
for nearly two hundred years. Others however, thought that there was merit in joining the rapidly growing
Federation. It encompassed not just one sector but two quadrants and many were intrigued with the opportunity
to become part of such a vast community, based not just on trade and military aid, but friendship and cooperation.
Of having ties not just with one, but hundreds of sectors.The Federation, for their part, was eager to gain
a foothold in a distant but increasingly strategic Sector and made it clear that Nlia's entry would be welcomed.

Debates and negotiations had been going on for years. But now the waiting was nearly over.
For the past several weeks a great election had been held in both the High Senate and among the
rest of the Nlian people. The votes had been collected and today the final tally would be announced.

A brief flickering of lights signaled that it was about to begin and the voices within the Chamber
faded to silence. All eyes turned to the podium where Dyleen Themisa, the Senate Speaker would
announce the results.

'My brothers and sisters, both here and throughout Nlia. For five years the question facing us has
been debated. Today the final decision has been made. I know that whatever the outcome we shall
all honor it as the will of the majority. To those in dissent of the final decision I hope that your
disappointment will be tempered by the knowledge that it was not made in haste or without much
thought and that whatever lies ahead for us we shall face it as we always have: together. As brothers and sisters.
As the Children of the Sands and of the Forest. As Nlians."

She held up a small scroll; by tradition voting results were written on parchment scrolls. Slowly she unwound
it and began to read.

"On the question of accepting membership in either the United Federation of Planets or the Norayis Alliance…
our people by majority vote….for the Federation."

There was no cheering at the announcement. No applause, no fanfare. Just silence as a new page was turned
in the book of Nlian history.