Chapter 4
Steps into the Future
Rakhana
Kuka City Outskirts
President Koye Shiost
Koye was nervous not that he would ever show it, they were stood upon an isolated plateau just outside of Kuka City, they would have plenty of privacy here, most Drell never left the limits of their city now that the Rakhana had turned against them.
There was only a small group, himself, General Kolyat and a squad of the best special forces they had, hardened Drell who had been involved in the last true war they had along with being deployed whenever another nation or city-state sent raiders into their territory.
This meeting would be the most important one in the entirety of Drell history, this would either doom them to a quick extinction which honestly would be preferable to the slow one they were already on course for. Or more optimistically perhaps this would be the meeting that would save all of his people, perhaps these aliens were benevolent and would offer help instead of destruction, either way, this would decide the fate of his people good or bad.
"Hear that," Kolyat said breaking him out of his thoughts.
There was a humming in the air which began to get louder and louder until he could see a metal object in the distance which was rapidly getting closer.
"That is not a jet or anything I've ever seen before." General Kolyat said after looking through binoculars.
"I thought they would have come straight down from space." One of the Soldiers said aloud.
"Then everyone in the city with a scope would see them coming, it's not like we get much rain anymore." Another said.
"Silence they are here," Kolyat ordered with a sharp hand gesture.
The Alien vehicle looked more like one of the shuttles that had been designed for space travel but never built, it got close then the thrusters that were driving it forward changed direction and began to move vertically instead of horizontal.
It landed a fair few meters away from them and after a few tense moments the door slid open to reveal Drell-like beings in full body armour, There were five soldiers most likely a squad just like his own and of course a diplomat who was not armed and had different armour from the soldiers who were holding some kind of rifle.
They moved quickly but with caution until they were a mere few steps from him and his escort, the unarmed alien stepped forward and offered his hand which was strangely like their own but with four fingers and one thumb.
"I am Captain Samuel Goldman, a Human." It said with a synthesized edge in its voice, obviously still speaking through a translator rather than speaking their language.
A military rank, name and what was their species names: Human.
"I am President Koye Shiost." He introduced himself and grasped the alien's hand with his own, it was a strange way to greet but they were aliens.
"Nice to meet you." The now named alien said and let go of his hand after shaking it up and down once.
"I share the sentiment." He replied carefully.
There was another moment of silence as both sides regarded each other before the alien-James began to speak again.
"We recently discovered this star system only around 2 days ago, when we detected your satellites and then discovered your people, we debated what to do for those two days." He revealed.
"I see, and what made you contact us?" Koye asked watching carefully while the soldiers shuffled behind him.
"You are on the way for a population collapse, we decided to intervene and stop the probable extinction of the first sapient and sentient species we have met since departing our planet." He answered honestly.
"I see." That was all Koye could say to that.
That was a lot to take in, the fact that the aliens had also predicted the death of his people and they were far more advanced than his Drell. The second was that this species had not discovered any others like them apart from his Drell.
"What aid can you offer?" General Koylat asked in his usual bullheaded manner.
"We have recently settled a planet in a nearby system it is a single city so there is plenty of room for your people." He answered.
"And what would you want in exchange for this 'aid." Kolyat pressed.
"Allies." The short answer, Koye imagined that the long answer was more complex but as it stood he had no reason to refuse if all they wanted was an allied people.
But there was always the problem of mistranslation, perhaps when he said allies he meant servants or worse slaves, and what would be the better choice extinction or bondage, Koye felt he couldn't make that decision for every Drell alive but now fate and circumstance had forced him into that position.
'Amonkira Lord of Hunters grant me strength and wisdom for the trials I face.' He prayed inside while General Kolyat was asking his questions.
"I cannot give you an answer right now however I will bring your offer to the people so we can all decide the fate of the Drell." Koye finally answered catching the attention of the alien ambassador.
The Alien Captain James did not respond right away instead he remained quiet for a few minutes before eventually speaking again.
"Very well, we understand that this is an important moment for your entire race and need time to process this and reveal alien life to your people. We shall return to our ship and await your response, you have our signal so please do not hesitate to use it when you have made your choice." He spoke with confidence and understanding in his voice.
"That would be acceptable for us," Koye replied.
"Very well we shall leave you to your debates," James said with a nod of ascent or at least that was how Koye interpreted the head gesture.
"That would be appreciated, we shall contact you as soon as possible," Koye said and held out his hand like the Alien had to start this meeting.
"Very well good luck," James said and shook his hand again.
The aliens turned and entered their vessel and within minutes they were gone.
"So that went better than I thought," Kolyat commented wryly,
"I think that went as best as we could have hoped, they are an advanced race who could conquer this world but instead went for diplomacy, I think that speaks volumes about their goals and attitude," Koye commented as they began the walk back to the APC that had brought them to the meeting zone.
"We have a chance to escape this planet and travel the stars, only the most staunch stubborn conservatives would reject this kind of offer," Koye said as he climbed into the heavily armoured vehicle.
"You can only bring the proposal to the Representatives, the people have to decide." His General reminded him.
"They will make the right choice because it is the only one we can make that doesn't end up with us all dead," Koye said darkly.
"We can only hope President," Kolyat said grimly as he sat down as well.
3 Days Later
Kuka City
Central Plaza
General Kolyat Liak
Kolyat had been the busiest he had ever been over the past 3 days, first with the President's announcement of contact with an Alien species which caused widespread shock and panic but luckily for the government no riots, the other nations and few city-states had announced their scepticism and believed it to be a political ploy which was idiotic, what government would be stupid enough to fake contact with an alien species.
Now the biggest open area of the Kuka had been cleared out for the 'first' official contact with the Humans, The President stood surrounded by the best special forces soldiers he could spare and the entire place was under the heaviest guard that he could spare without weakening the borders.
Of course, news crews were also present and this would be broadcast worldwide and all those who disbelieved would be proven wrong and their position would weaken within their own countries. This was as much a political event as a historical one, the hope was that since it was they were the ones who the Humans contacted first would give them more soft and hard political power to use over their rival states.
"How long?" President Koye asked him.
"They said midday so they should be here in the next few minutes." He answered while trying to keep control of his nervousness.
And just on time they heard the humming of the Human shuttle, from the sky it descended coming down through the atmosphere and became louder and louder as the news crews that were sequestered away in another corner surrounded by soldiers were clamouring for shots of the arriving aliens.
The shuttle landed with a soft thump and then after a few tense moments, the familiar figures appeared as the door slid open.
They stepped out and approached our group, the soldiers in the back with their rifles and the same figure leading them, he walked with confidence from what Kolyat could understand of their body language he was glad that the Humans had a similar morphology to their own.
"Hello, President Kolye." The Human James if he remembered the name correctly.
"Greetings Captain James," Kolye responded and the two of them did the curious Human greeting of taking each other's hand and shaking it.
"Shall we get to the diplomacy then?" James asked.
"Yes we shall, but first we must deliver a statement to the press," Kolye said and gestured to the now ravenous reporters who were scrambling.
"I see," James said with a shake of his head. "Shall We." He said.
Both of them walked over to the reporters with their escorts following behind.
"What are your species called?" A female asked, Kolyat recognised her as Rian one of the more ethical reporters.
"Are you aliens?" Another shouted, Kolyat wanted to spit when he saw it was Niall that hack sensationalist.
"Quiet people we shall be taking some questions but not if you shout over each other," Kolye said loud, firm but controlled.
They did eventually shut up and Kolyat would be thankful for that since he was starting to get a headache from their
screeching.
"Now Rian, your question?" Kolye asked.
"What are you here for?" She asked a very important but dangerous question.
"Why we are here to make friends and help the Drell people," James answered lightly.
There was a ruffle among them as they made their notes and more pictures were taken.
"Now shall we have a question from.." Kolye continued but he was cut off by Niall
"Are you truly alien beings?" He asked with a vicious smile.
"Of course we are." James answered but before anyone else could speak he continued "Shall I show you."
That made everyone fall silent, so far the humans had been clad in armour that covered every inch of them which hid most of their features.
He reached up and every single Drell watched with bated breath as after pressing a button on the helmet it let out a hiss, no doubt some sort of airtight seal and then gradually lifted the helmet above his head and revealed his face to the world.
"Wha." For once the sensationalist was stunned into silence.
Kolyat could agree with that sentiment however, these were obviously and truly aliens, James had a soft pink skin completely unlike their own scaled skin, he had basic features like that of a Drell a nose, mouth, ears and eyes though there were obvious differences like the fur atop his head and his eyes were not black but white with a brown colour around the iris, he also had some fur growing from his chin.
"Greetings Drell it is nice to see you with my own eyes." He said perfectly but there was a lag between his lip movements and the sound.
'On the go translation, what kind of technology is that.' Kolyat thought with amazement.
"Well, I think that is enough excitement for today." Kolye managed to speak first.
"Yes, I imagine it would be." James agreed with a nod, his fur swaying in the winds of Rakhana.
Both important men turned and went to move to the Presidential Office their soldiers snapping into position to protect both of them.
"By Amonkira," Rian muttered as the cameras were still rolling.
Kolyat was right behind President Kolye and his eyes were on the tall buildings around them, the harsh sun was at its highest now but thankfully there were no sandstorms on target to the city today so they didn't have to worry about that particular nightmare.
It was a quiet and quick journey inside the Presidential Building the most important place on Rakhana right now, it would be where the fate of the Drell would be decided.
The party entered into the main conference room which hadn't been used for years since relations with all the other nations broke down into a cold war.
"Now we should begin negotiations properly this time," Kolye said lightly and took his seat, Kolyat took his right next to his President.
Kolyat knew that they were negotiating from a pathetically weak position, the Drell were a planet-bound race who were on their way to extinction because of their industrialisation and internal conflict.
Even if the Humans were not united their sheer technological advantages gave them the complete upper hand especially if they had settled more planets than the one they came from. This would be the discussion to make or break an alliance.
"I and the Representatives have debated over the past days and have drafted a basic offer." Kolye began calmly ever the politician.
"And what would that entail," James asked curiously as he leaned forward in his chair.
"It rests upon a single question: Do you have the technology to Terraform a plant?" He asked the most important question.
James remained silent for a few moments and they watched with bated breath waiting for the answer.
"The Systems Alliance does possess Terraforming technology however it is still in early stages and mostly experimental." He finally answered.
"But could be used to save Rakhana's biosphere." Kolye pressed.
"Theoretically yes," James answered.
"Would it be possible for you to deploy that technology?" Kolye continued.
"Yes." The final answer.
"We wish the enter into an Alliance with your government if you can help restore Rakhana and help our species ascend." Kolye finally laid the offer on the table.
James remained silent for a while before putting his helmet back on with what Kolyat assumed to be an apologetic look, "Please let me converse with my superiors about this offer."
His helmet clicked into place and he went still and silent, minutes passed in tense silence and Kolyat could feel his agitation build-up, surely these Humans knew they had all the power so what was there to discuss.
Then after a few more minutes passed, James moved and took his helmet off once again and looked at the both of them.
"President Kolye and General Kolyat I am happy to inform you that HIGHCOM has accepted your offer of an alliance between our peoples." He finally said with a smile on his face and held out his hand.
"I hope this will be the start of a beneficial relationship," Kolye said and put his hand together with James and shook their hands in agreement.
The actual paper-pushing could come later but right now all Kolyat wanted was a strong drink and some sleep.
Perhaps the future of the Drell and Rakhana was not so bleak after all.
CODEX:
Military Weapons:
M7-Lancer-A
This Assault rifle is a direct improvement on the first M7-Lancer, augmented with the technology of Code Name: Argo, the Lancer-A is noted to be more powerful and efficient than its predecessor and highly regarded by all Systems Alliance Marines who have been issued it.
AN:
Chapter 4 is done everyone enjoyed it, so originally this was going to be the usual Shanxi chapter but after thinking about it longer, I've decided to go a different route and change things up.
So instead we have the Humans meeting with the Drell before the Hanar gets to them, in this universe just imagine that Rakhana is closer to Human Space rather than Council Space.
I've been feeling pretty inspired by this story so after the initial rewrite, it's been pretty fun.
Don't know when Chapter 5 is coming so don't ask but I have started working on it already.